We are walking barometers!  Just like animals and plants can sense changes in weather, so can many people. And many people do not realize that it’s the weather that is making them feel lousy.  Some of the meteorological variables implicated include: temperature, barometric pressure, rainfall, humidity, thunder-storm activity, sunshine, and the level of ionization of the air.  Rapid changes in temperature affect blood pH, blood pressure, urine volume, and tissue permeability. Our bodies react to cold by constricting the blood vessels in the periphery, making the heart work harder. A significant drop in barometric pressure leads to an expansion of air in isolated body cavities and of fluids in membranes. This can injure tissues in joints or muscles, causing aches and pain. Some people experience the same phenomenon during air travel when the cabin pressure drops during take-off.  In addition, bones and muscles have different densities. During temperature and humidity variations unequal expansion and contraction of these tissues may increase the pain in inflamed joints and injured muscles.

Winds can bring dramatic temperature changes and, more importantly, changes in electrical charge, and this can directly impact our moods.  Negatively charged ions in the air, such as those produced by ocean waves and waterfalls, make us feel positive and lift our spirits.  Positively charged ions make us feel down and agitated.  When warm, dry winds blow, dust attaches to negative ions and they lose their charge thus increasing the ratio of positive ions which means more negative mood. Humidity, pollution and high pollen counts also deplete negative ions. As long as the winds blow, the positive ions tend to accumulate.  In many cultures, seasonal winds are referred to as ‘ill winds’ or ‘winds of depression’. Such winds are associated with feelings of anxiety, stress, depression and sleepless nights around the world.  Studies show that when some of these winds blow, traffic accident, crime and suicide rates all rise significantly. In Traditional Chinese Medicine wind is considered a pathogen, just like a virus is considered a pathogen. 

There are a few cities where there are more negative than positive ions in the air: Niagara Falls, Canada; Sedona, Arizona; Mt Shasta, California; and Kauai, Hawaii. People living in these areas say they feel healthier.  A ratio of 5 negative to 4 positive ions produces a sense of well-being. ‘Sick building syndrome’ is more common today than it was 20 years ago. Most homes and offices are built to be airtight and when the heating or air conditioner is running this causes friction, which depletes the negative ions. Consequently, only the positive ions are left to re-circulate. Bacteria, mold, mildew and allergies thrive in positive ion air. Synthetic clothes and carpeting cause friction and deplete negative ions. Some natural fibers repel positive ions!  Nature has its own way of creating negative ions.  When it rains heavily negative ions are generated. That is why the air feels so refreshing and uplifting after a heavy downpour.

Medical conditions that are sensitive to weather changes include: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, gout, fibromyalgia, phantom limb pain, scar pain, headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, and pain influenced by mood disorders. Weather is also associated with changes in birth rates, sperm count, outbreaks of pneumonia, influenza and bronchitis.  In advance of a cold front, we often see showers and thunderstorms, and a decrease in barometric pressure. In these low pressure conditions some people feel edgy and their arthritis flares up. More than 50% of migraine sufferers say their headaches have a weather trigger, and studies confirm the relationship between the numbers of reported migraine attacks and rapid changes in barometric pressure.  One study found that migraines were most likely to occur on days with falling pressure, rising humidity, high winds, and rapid temperature fluctuations.

What Can You Do?
The following are some countermeasures that could improve your reaction to those malevolent weather fronts:  Avoid overheated and stuffy rooms; Go for full spectrum lighting, not fluorescent, (you may need to add you own incandescent or full spectrum flourescent lamps); Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine; Try enjoying the outdoors in all weather conditions; Open your windows more; Take alternating warm and cold showers;  Wear natural fiber clothing rather than synthetic; Go for hardwood and tile floors over synthetic carpeting; Ensure regular sleep; Have a balanced and healthy diet, (As part of my nutrition counseling, I typically suggest an anti-inflammatory diet high in vegetables and fruits and lower in animal products); Try anti-inflammatory supplements such as curcumin, boswella and bromelain as well as anti-histimines like quercetin, NAC and stinging nettles.

Consider coming in for a wellness visit with me at the Live Well Holistic Health Center.  In a visit with me, Dr. Martin Orimenko, I will use Kiniesiology and other non-invasive testing techniques to prescribe supplements and a diet that is personalized for you, your body, your health concerns and any health conditions you are working to overcome.




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Upon waking one morning not long ago, I found the skin on my cheeks to be inflamed with rough and reddish patches of what looks like some sort of rash.  " Great", I thought. " I have a new client to meet in a hour.  Fabulous."  What could have caused this overnight skin reaction?  Oh, I don't know, probably gluten.  Maybe it was the dairy and possibly even the eggs....of the vanilla creme doughnut I ate yesterday. 

This is how I started my morning. Now to be clear, the doughnut was a treat for being very strict with my diet since returning from Costa Rica. It was just one little treat that might have bothered my stomach, but I honestly didn't see it being painted on my face the following morning. Yet this is what can happen when you're sensitive to certain foods, as I am.  We tend to think that you'll only end up with some digestive distress that will pass with time, however the reality is it can be a crap-shot as to how your body will react to consuming something on your "avoid list."  I periodically get this cheek rash, but never connected it with what I was eating until this incident.

In the grand scheme of things, it's rather inconvenient for anyone to always maintain a strict clean diet, especially if you've got a busy life.  So its not entirely uncommon to 'cheat' thinking that no one will know how badly the food affects you.  Yet, truthfully that not the most accurate  picture one can paint about food sensitivities.  In fact, most people believe that symptoms non-digestive in nature are completely unrelated to what they're eating. Think again. Food is a foreign substance, just like drugs. There can be side effects, but unfortunately Mother Nature doesn't provided any enclosed paperwork disclosing every potential side effect that could mess up your body's homostasis (natural balance).  Mind you, I'm not saying that food and drugs are the same because they aren't. However, they can and do affect the the body in varying ways depending on your own unique situation and background.

Even non-digestive issues such as acne, psoriasis, anxiety, depression, headaches & migraines, foggy thinking, fatigue, arthritis and asthma can be a consequence of a sensitivity.  The list of potential 'side effects' is actually longer than this, but these are a few that are non-digestive in nature.  It is worth considering what you could be doing to your body if you are, in fact, sensitive to something.  Long-term consumption can lead to all sorts of problems and poor health-holes that you probably would rather not stumble into.  I know from experience personally from struggling with IBS-like symptoms for many years of my adult life, chronic headaches, exhaustion, skin issues, and almost 20 lbs of extra stubborn weight that was actually systemic inflammation.  Plus, I work with clients who suffer from many of the same issues and have spent an incredible amount of time feeling sick as they bounce from doctor to doctor with no answers to show.  Though standard Western medicine doesn't always have the best approach to these sort of problems, there are clear steps available for everyone to take that can redirect the body back towards good health. 

As a certified health coach, I work with clients to make progressive changes in both diet and lifestyle based around individual goals.  Clients learn how to incorporate in new nutritious foods and cooking techniques which will support their unique health situation.  We work together to help you to understand food labels, feel comfortable at the grocery store, cleanse your pantry of 'bad' food, release old "bad" food habits with ease, and actually become creative  and confident in the kitchen.  All of this helps clients transition from foods which were causing all these chronic health problems to those that now enable and support good digestive health and general wellness.  

For further information about my services, articles, recipes and events, visit my website Evolving Well.  You may also contact me at (484) 682-2008 or jenfugo@gmail.com.
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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!

 
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‘Lu Rong’ is velvet antler or immature deer antler.  It is a remarkable whole food product that has been used in oriental medicine for over 2,000 years.  It is harvested from deer without harm to the animal, before the antler turns to bone, in its fast growing cartilaginous state.  

Scientifically it is very high in superior forms of chondroitin and glucosamine, with all their co-factors present.  It has significant amounts of IGF-1 (insulin growth factor) which encourages absorption of the glucosamine and chondroitin and also stimulates cell growth and multiplication.  It has ‘gangliosides’ which facilitate cell-cell communications and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.  It has ‘pantocrin’ which increases athletic performance and speeds recovery from injuries.  It is anabolic and rejuvenating, helping to burn fat and build muscle.  It is testosterone and libido enhancing.  It is immune stimulating and free radical scavenging.  
  
Dr. Martin Orimenko highly recommends Lu Rong for any type of injury, for anyone wanting to increase endurance and athletic performance, for arthritis, osteoporosis and inflammatory conditions, for nerve degeneration, sexual dysfunction and to slow the aging process.  It has helped women with delivery and helped babies and children with delayed walking and growth.  
  
Lu Rong is a remarkable product.  We have found an excellent source which comes in 830 mg capsules with no fillers of any kind and at a very good price and of the highest quality.  We always keep Lu Rong, in addition to a wide range of other natural supplements, in stock at Live Well Holistic Health Center.  
  
In his signature Holistic Health Visits, Dr. Martin uses Kinesiologic Analysis, a form of muscle response testing, to determine which nutritional supplements and dietary changes would correct your imbalances and best vitalize you.  Dr. Martin Orimenko works with you to develop a customized program to help you reach your health goals.  Call us at 610.896.1554 to learn more or to schedule an initial Holistic Health Visit.  An initial Holistic Health Visit includes both a full consultation and a full treatment with Dr. Martin.  We look forward to helping you on your journey to feeling fantastic from head to toe!
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It seems like every other person suffers from allergies in the Spring time in most areas of the country.  It can make you absolutely miserable and dramatically lower your quality of life for weeks at a time.  Helping people with allergies has always been a significant part of my practice and I’ve learned a lot over my 20 years in natural medicine.      

My basic message to readers is that ‘the outside reflects the inside.’ In other words, you will be susceptible to pollens, cat dander, dust, etc. that are outside your body, to the degree that your insides, namely your mucous membranes, are clogged, full of mucous, or otherwise imbalanced.   The mucous membranes are the lining of your alimentary canal that runs from mouth to anus.  The primary problem area is the intestinal lining.  This area is a perfect breeding ground for yeast (Candida albicans, a type of fungus).  With things like antibiotics, birth control pills, steroid drugs, tap water and a sugary diet all contributing to their growth, it’s no wonder it is such a prevalent health issue.  Yeast overgrowth also directly contributes to chronic sinus infections, chronic colds and bronchitis, indigestion, brain fog, low energy and lethargy, and indirectly to a long list of other conditions.  

The solution is balancing your intestinal tract by doing a little cleansing of a very specific nature for a few weeks. Restricting the foods that grow yeast and taking a good antifungal (natural, not Nystatin) can make a world of difference not only for allergies but for all the conditions mentioned above.  And the effects are permanent, notwithstanding doing all the things to encourage yeast growth again.  It’s not the only way to help allergies but in my experience the majority of people derive enormous benefit from this type of cleansing. 

I would be delighted to help anyone you know who is suffering from allergies.  In an initial Holistic Health Visit, I'd use Kinesiologic Analysis to determine the best anitfungal for you, and in addition to giving you a full consultation and treatment to address your allergies, we'd get you set up with a cleansing program (typically 3 weeks, though it differs for everyone) to address your systems and the root of the problem.

There's no reason to continue to suffer with allergies!  Call us at 610.896.1554 and schedule an appointment today to start feeling better in as soon as a week from when you start a cleanse program specialized to your needs.
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We're brand new to facebook, both personally and professionally.  But we're excited to be able to reach out to people linked to Live Well Holistic Health Center (called "fans" on facebook for those of you not in the know) in real time to offer special prices on same day appointments or to let you know of interesting things going on in the Holistic Health arena as we uncover them.

So if you're a facebooker, find us there and become a fan to receive special discounts on services as we run specials.  You can also go to our home page and click the facebook link at the bottom of the screen to instantly become a fan.

We're looking forward to seeing you virtually and in person!  Let us know what you're up to and we'll do the same.
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Here's an interesting story for you.  This happened a number of years ago, after I had gotten very proficient at curing patients' allergies, especially to environmental allergens such as dust, pollen and mold, but also including animal dander.  A woman in her 30's came in to my clinic complaining of serious allergy symptoms related to cats.  What made her so driven to cure this allergy was the fact that her boyfriend owned two cats and he was very attached to them.
  
I was expecting to put her on a specific cleanse as I did with most of my allergy patients because dietary cleansing is a key component of re-balancing the immune system and altering the allergic response.  But because I treat holistically and always try to discover any and all contributing factors to a patients' condition, and knowing that 'anything can cause anything', I tested for emotional related factors. 
 
Sure enough, I uncovered the fact that her allergies were somehow tied in to the emotion of grief. When I questioned her she affirmed that she had recently lost a friend and was in fact experiencing grief.  The emotional clearing technique I utilize, NeuroEmotional Technnique, traces emotional states back to their inception, which for her happened to be an event that occured when she was 8 years old.  Again I questioned her about an experience of grief she may have had around age 8.  After thinking for a moment, her eyes got big, her mouth opened, and with a surprised look she said, "That was how old I was when I watched my kitty get run over by a truck...she was my best friend."  We did the clearing technique for that trauma and, long story made short, her allergies vanished.  No cleanse, no herbal or other supplements, no change in diet, no acupuncture, and no chiropractic adjustment.      

I always remember that symptoms can be misleading, and because of that, I seek to find and treat the hidden causes!
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A couple of weeks ago we opened our doors to the Live Well Holistic Health Center in Ardmore, PA, and we’re very excited to be here on the Main Line, offering a natural approach to health and healing to the greater Philadelphia area.

Dr. Martin Orimenko, DC, ND, FIACA is both the director and one of the founders of the Live Well Holistic Health Center, and he's a Chiropractor, Acupuncturist and Naturopath.  Dr. Martin combines these modalities, plus Nutrition, Ayurveda, and Lifestyle Counseling, Neuro-Emotional Work, and Kinesiologic Analysis to patients in his comprehensive Holistic Health Visits.  We also have a very talented Massage Therapist on site to offer Therapeutic Massages and a Reiki Master to offer Reiki Therapy sessions at Live Well.

Dr. Martin has almost 20 years of experience as a healer, and he has treated over 5000 patients at his prior practices in Sausalito, California (where for 7 years he had Sausalito Chiropractic www.sausalitochiropractic.com) and in St. Louis, Missouri (where for the 12 years prior he had The Healing Center). 

We moved back home to the Philadelphia area so we could raise our 2 year old son Alex surrounded by a large and loving family and immersed in the culture and communities in which we each grew up.  We’ve really appreciated being back home, even with this wild snowy winter, in touch with our roots, and the four seasons, once again!

And it’s clear that people here on the east coast are looking for holistic natural approaches to common medical issues like digestive problems, allergies, blood sugar imbalances, cholesterol problems, hormonal imbalances, inflammatory conditions, skin problems, environmental sensitivities, chronic fatigue, as well as musculoskeletal problems,  headaches and general pain.  We are happy to be here to support people in the Philadelphia Area with their health and vibrancy, using a natural approach to medicine.  We’ve found that this can almost always more be more efficient and effective, and also less expensive, than our traditional medical system with its costly pharmaceuticals and their long list of side effects.

Call us up or stop by if you're in the neighborhood.  We'd love to show you around the center and talk with you about any health concerns or ideas you may have. Together, we can make things better!   
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Dr. Martin Orimenko
Live Well Holistic Health Center
16 East Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore , PA , 19003 US
(610) 896-1554

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