Food allergies and sensitivities are all the rage. Going 'gluten-free' is almost a fad these days. You are likely reading about it in magazines and hearing about movie stars trying it. Well, just like antioxidants in blueberries and omega 3 in fish oil, food sensitivities are something us Naturopaths and Clinical Nutritionists have been preaching for decades. In my own practice of twenty plus years, not a week has gone by that I haven't taken someone off of one or another foods to help them turn their health around. A great many people are eating foods everyday that their bodies don't process very well. When they do, it causes inflammation in the intestinal tract, and that can create conditions both subtle and gross such as low energy, brain fog, gas and bloating, headaches, rashes and much more. I have hundreds of success stories I could share. Here are two. One woman came to me complaining of daily headaches for the past 30 years. Mayo Clinic did not help, nor did any of the other dozen clinics she went to. She came on referral from one of my patients and told me her story. Within the first ten minutes I determined that she had a dairy sensitivity as well as a fungal (yeast) overgrowth. She started eating dairy free and clearing out the yeast, and in less than a week her headaches were gone and have not come back. Another patient presented with fatigue, gas and bloating and GERD (reflux and heartburn). I determined that he had an intolerance to gluten (not as bad as Celiac's) and several other common foods. Removing those foods and taking some intestinal herbal remedies cleared his condition within two weeks. Both of these case studies are representative of the experience most patients have when they come to me for food allergy and sensitivity testing. I have also had patients who were being treated for neck or back problems and no other major complaints whom I ran my testing on just to see and whom showed sensitivities to certain foods. Going off the foods that tested positive resulted in them having more energy, better sleep, less colds and sinus problems, clearer skin and less headaches, to name a few. If you are experiencing nagging health issues, please consider making an appointment so we can look at any food sensitivities, allergies and/or other underlying issues. Health is our greatest wealth, and I'm here to help you feel rich! Add Comment [This article, frum Brie Zeltner, the Plain Dealer, on Cleveland.Com, speaks to the increase in popularity in using alternative therapists including Chiropractic, Therapeutic Massage and nutritional supplements. At Live Well Holistic Health Center, patients typically see powerful results from all three of these therapies for a wide variety of conditions. Following is the article.] Alternative therapies have hit the mainstream, if Consumer Reports readers are any indication. A recent survey, released July 21, showed that about 75 percent of the more than 45,000 people the magazine polled were currently using some form of alternative or complementary medical therapy. That included vitamins, with 71 percent of respondents taking them, or mind-body therapies like yoga and massage, which about 20 percent reported using. As a 2009 Consumer Reports survey also indicated, most people felt that hands-on therapies were the most effective alternative methods of treating their ailments, but rated prescription medication more effective than alternative remedies for most conditions. Back pain and neck pain, notoriously difficult to treat, were two conditions forwhichan alternative remedy, chiropractic, won out over prescription drugs. Of the 36 percent of people who used the technique for back pain, 65 percent said it "helped a lot" for their pain, whereas only 53 percent said the same for prescription drugs. Readers with fibromyalgia, a complex chronic-pain syndrome, said that deep-tissue massage was the most effective treatment for them, rating it just slightly higher than prescription drugs. The magazine asked about several other ailments that are often hard to diagnose or treat, and lead many to complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM,therapies for relief. While prescription medication was the most helpful therapy for these -- irritable bowel syndrome, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, headache and migraine, insomnia, cold and flu, and allergy -- alternative therapies weren't too far behind in some cases. A total of 47 percent of people used multivitamins or supplements like fish oil or vitamin B complex to treat depression. More than 40 percent of people with anxiety used deep breathing exercises, and 34 percent of them said this helped them a lot. Many of the most popular CAM therapies are also the most effective -- probiotics for irritable bowel;meditation for insomnia, anxiety and migraine; and chiropractic and massage for back pain. This is borne out by the results of the high-quality but sadly very small body of scientific research being funded by institutions like the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health. If three out of four of us are really using these therapies at any given time, let's hope that body of research continues to grow. Do you feel low energy or have problems concentrating? Are you getting sick too often, catching every cold or flu that comes along? Are you experiencing aches and pains that are slow to heal? Do you get frequent headaches? Are you worried about the spring coming and your allergy and sinus issues returning? Do you take medications that suppress symptoms but don’t fix the problem? Did you know that a comprehensive and well rounded natural medicine approach to your health can change all of the above? Nearly every condition is a combination of imbalances coming together. Factors such as spinal integrity, nutrition, toxicity and stress can interact to create various health conditions, or simply make you feel less than 100%. The approach we take at Live Well Holistic Health Center looks at the whole person and aims to address all of the possible contributing factors. Dr. Martin Orimenko is a multidisciplinary holistic doctor trained in chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, nutrition, ayurveda, energy healing and more. He always screens for the various possible contributing factors to any condition. When patients come to him, Dr. Martin corrects structural imbalances, assists people in cleansing and detoxifying, relieves tension, restores the even and balanced flow of energy in the body, addresses stress issues in people’s lives and helps people achieve optimum nutrition within their comfort zone. There are solutions to almost any health problem, and a well-rounded and comprehensive approach will always be the most effective and efficient approach. If you aren't feeling 100%, consider scheduling a complete natural health evaluation at Live Well with Dr. Martin Orimenko. Because without your health, you have nothing. Our bodies heal themselves but, at times, need assistance in removing the interferences to their health potential. Our purpose is to enhance wellness and vitality by: 1) Removing interference to your body’s neurological control through spinal adjustments, 2) Removing interference to normal blood flow and good structural balance through bodywork (massage techniques), physical therapies and acupressure, 3) Removing toxins and malevolent organisms (such as candida-yeast) through cleansing and balancing the digestion and nutrition, 4) Removing the charge on emotional issues and stresses through NeuroEmotional Technique and teaching stress management techniques. We are here to serve the Philadelphia Area and beyond. Our Mission is to relieve suffering and restore health and to help our community become less dependent on medications and more reliant upon our body’s innate ability to heal through regular chiropractic care, good nutrition, exercise and a positive mental attitude. We specialize in difficult health challenges in infants, children and adults. We utilize a variety of healing modalities to suit the patient and to be thorough. We offer hope, sincerity, love and optimism to our patients. Please don’t hesitate to ask us about your health issues and how we might help you. Let’s make this your best year yet! Live Well &Thrive! Julie Gayer Kris is a certified yoga instructor, yoga therapist and Thai Yoga therapist. Also certified in Reiki, Julie has been offering healing sessions since 1996. Her treatments are simultaneously gentle and deeply transformative. Benefits include relief from back, neck and shoulder tension, freedom from joint pain, improved sleep and digestion, increased relaxation and a feeling of overall wellbeing. Julie has worked at some of the country's elite spas and centers in Hawaii, Seattle and New York City, and she is now here at the Live Well Holistic Health Center on Wednesdays starting this week! During a Thai Yoga Therapy Healing Session with Julie, you will experience a full body treatment including stretching, rocking, pressure points, massage and deep relaxation. Individualized to meet your needs, the session may include a consultation with stretches, breathwork or exercises designed specifically for you. Many people have lovingly called this treatment "lazy man's yoga". In preparation for your Thai Yoga Therapy Session, please do not eat for 2 hours prior, and bring or wear comfortable breathable clothing that covers your legs. Full pants are preferable to shorts, and for your utmost comfort, it is helpful to bring with you a pair of clean fresh socks. Your first massage treatment at Live Well Holistic Health Center is only $45 for an hour long massage, through September. Call us at 610.896.1554 to schedule your treatment. You'll be so happy you did! Bill's Experience: Bill had a horrible case of Poison Ivy – his face, hands, and shoulders were a mass of lumps and rashes. A friend of mine suggested Reiki to ease his discomfort and to dissipate the spread of the inflammation. Bill admitted to me of being skeptical and said he had never heard of Reiki until our mutual friend mentioned it. I explained the basics and began to work on him. As Reiki started to penetrate the irritation, Bill acknowledged a feeling of heat and tingling immediately. There are several reactions to receiving Reiki, mostly heat, cold, fluttering and tingling, however, these sensations do not need to be felt for Reiki to be affective. Bill contacted me the following day to say he could not believe the difference in his skin overnight. About two months later, Bill literally brought his friend Jake, suffering from Poison Oak to see me. It was so rewarding to see Bill become such an advocate for the Reiki modality. Gina's Experience: Gina is in her early 40’s and has been a client for years and visits regularly for monthly Reiki “tune-ups”. Gina first started receiving Reiki because she enjoyed the relaxation she felt during a session and the oomph she felt afterwards. As our work together progressed she noticed she wasn’t getting sick as often as she had in the past. She usually had three to four colds a year (!!) and was very susceptible to respiratory problems. Since receiving Reiki she rarely gets sick and feels much more relaxed in her day to day activities. Marlene's Experience: Anyone attuned to Reiki is able to work on themselves with the same effective results as when working on a client. About eight years ago I had to go through minor surgery. The procedure was performed in a doctor’s office, however it was invasive and time consuming. Before the surgery began I gave the doctor and attending nurse a “Reikied Rock.” They both looked at me, then each other, exchanging a glance between them that I could almost see in neon, “Coo-coo bird alert…let’s just go along with her.” They each stuck the rock into their pockets; I was prepped and the surgery proceeded. Two weeks later I went back to the doctor’s office for a post surgical visit and to have stitches removed. After the examination the doctor looked at me intently and said that if another physician examined me he would never know I had undergone such a procedure – he was really amazed. The doctor then asked me several questions about Reiki, which I was happy to answer. The next time I saw the doctor he told me he had been carrying the Reikied rock with him and even transferred it to his back pack when he went hiking. Of course, I was just one huge smile. When receiving a Reiki session you remain fully clothed but it’s suggested that you wear very comfy clothes. Reiki is a completely relaxing encounter besides being a means to boost your immune system with regular monthly sessions. You don't need to be ailing from any physical problem to be enriched by its affects. To schedule a Reiki session with me and experience its power for yourself, call Live Well Holistic Health Center at 610.896.1554. Since people seek Reiki for numerous reasons I thought it would be helpful for those of you who never experienced this beautiful energy to hear about some of my clients’ stories. Names in blogs will be changed to honor privacy. My first blog is about Dave’s session. Over the years I’ve noticed that woman seem much more open to trying modalities such as Reiki, while men seem initially more reluctant. This was the case with Dave. Dave had chronic back problems over the years and just couldn’t seem to find relief. After seeking help from medical doctors and using prescription drugs for intense lower back pain he was no better off and felt hopeless. His wife, Kim had taken a Reiki I class with me and convinced Dave to try Reiki. She practically dragged him (gently) through the door. Even though he was a willing participant, he didn’t quite know what to expect. It’s very important to me that the atmosphere for receiving Reiki is calm and peaceful so clients have a place of solace during their session. I keep the room dimly lit with Reiki music playing and a candle burning to invite complete relaxation. Dave took this all in and looked at Kim as if he were 9 years old going to overnight camp for the first time. As the session started I could feel his body relax into the energy. Personally, I think it was pure relief that I wasn’t swinging a chicken over his head chanting Kumbaya. By the end of the session he said his back felt much looser and made an appointment for the following week. When he arrived without Kim for his second session I knew two things; he was physically comfortable enough to drive, and comfortable and confident with the Reiki modality. This session was verrrrrry interesting. As an empath I’m used to feeling the energy path or pain of the client within my body. I’ve experienced the beauty of Kundalini, warm and cool flows of energy and various vibratory sensations, but this was a first…While working on Dave mid-point, I started to experience an electrical feeling in my hand and within seconds of this sensation my hand involuntarily flipped palm side up, I’m thinking WOW, this is too cool, but immediately asked Dave what he was feeling. He said he felt an intense surge of heat run through his back, but he was very comfortable and relaxed and we continued with the session. Afterwards, Dave commented that he felt much better. Reiki works through the body long after the session ends, many times it’s not until the next day that true results are realized. This was the case with Dave when he called to tell me how great he felt. The following week we had another session, and then appointments became routine monthly visits to maintenance well being visits. It doesn’t take a fast ball volt of energy to accelerate the healing process, but in Dave’s case, it hit a home run, as Reiki always does. Anyone receiving a Reiki session remains fully clothed but it’s suggested that you wear very comfy clothes. Reiki is a completely relaxing encounter besides being a means to boost your immune system with regular monthly sessions. You don't need to be ailing from any physical problem to be enriched by its affects. To schedule a Reiki session with me, call Live Well at 610.896.1554. Traci at the front desk will take good care of you and answer any questions you may have! I recently had an interesting case that will give some insight into back pain and the need to look at the underlying cause of any situation. A patient, I'll call him Ted, came in complaining of debilitating low back pain, which unfortunately is ever so common. After a thorough analysis of Ted and his situation I determined, as is so often the case, that several factors had come together to create his back pain. One of those factors was emotional. Ted had lifted a few boxes the day before the pain came on. Nothing he had lifted was tremendously heavy, and he was genuinely surprised that his back had gone out. In my special healing wizardry mode I asked Ted if he had recently undergone any stress that included anger and resentment. He looked at me in such a way as to say, 'How d you know that?' As it turned out, those boxes he lifted were at what used to be his house, now his ex-wife's, with whom he is still struggling emotionally. On top of that, he was in a hurry to get the job over with. What a perfect set up to throw your back out! Ted had what I call a 'lock-up', where the muscles spasm and won't let go, which leads to spinal vertebrae going out of alignment and then on top of that, there is the creation of additional stress from being incapacitated and unable to do the things you want to do. As part of my treatment, I used special massage techniques, some gentle spinal re-alignment and some physiotherapy. I also used Neuro-Emotional Technique to help clear the mental stress issues that Ted was holding in his body. With that powerful combination, he got better pretty quickly and was able to move on rather than being stuck at home flat on his back. With this post I want to remind you that you don't need to be in pain or feel stuck with certain health conditions. We're here to help, and same day appointments are often available. Give us a call to talk about any conditions you have that may be concerning you. Health is your greatest wealth, and you deserve to be rich! |  About this BlogIn our journey down the road to vibrant health, we make discoveries and we gain insight. We'll share that wisdom here in our blog. You'll see posts from Traci Orimenko, Holistic Health Counselor and Office Manager at Live Well, and Dr. Martin Orimenko, Director of the Center. If we're lucky, we'll also have some guest posts from our Reiki Master and Massage Therapist too. Enjoy, Live Well & Thrive! ArchivesApril 2012 CategoriesAll |
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