As we age, nothing seems to work as well as it used to. Sometime in our late forties or early fifties, we notice more pain, less energy, change in sleep patterns, or our primary care doctor tells us we need to be on a baby aspirin and a pharmaceutical medication for the rest of our lives for our diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol.  Most of us completely take our health for granted for our first 40 years. A good analogy I like to use with my patients is that they have been withdrawing from their health bank account for years, and are now in the red, and it is time for them to make some big deposits into themselves before there is a health crisis.

One of the first problems of aging starts with the digestion, especially in the United States, where our diets are relatively low in fiber, and high in carbohydrates and saturated fats. As we digest less efficiently, we absorb nutrients less, and don’t have the means to repair tissue damage from toxins in the environment, stress, and unhealthy lifestyle. Our state of mind can deteriorate; we experience stress, anxiety, and depression more powerfully because we have less reserve in our health bank account.

The TRUE Health Plan offered by Bodhi Body is true preventative medicine in that it puts big deposits into your health savings account.  You have unlimited access to a physician who addresses your personal and specific health concerns. Our IV nutrient bags make huge nutritional deposits directly into your body so you don’t have to rely completely on the digestive system. Colonics help heal and regulate the digestion, and Acupuncture and massage address stress and pain directly. Our TRUE Health Plan is completely drug free, and the side effects are more energy, better sleep and state of mind, better digestion and better overall life.  For more information go to www.bodhi-body.com or call 480-237-2410

What is Stress?

Stress, whether it is emotional, physical or situational stress, exacts a response from our body. The normal response to stress is often referred to the “fight or flight” response. Our bodies are beautifully prepared to respond to stressors in an effectual way. Chronic stress, the brain’s response to negatively perceived events or situations for a prolonged period over which an individual feels he has no control.

Effects of Chronic Stress

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can suppress the immune system that may lead to increased frequency of colds.  Chronic stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease. It can cause hormone imbalances that can lead to low libido, infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even increase your experience of anxiety and depression.

Balancing Chronic Stress in Your Life

There are many ways we can support our bodies and minds during times of chronic stress.  Some of the more obvious ways we can do this is by 1) eating fresh, organic food that is at least 50% raw (think salads and raw fruits and veggies) 2) getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night 3) reducing the amount of alcohol intake and 4) enjoying some moderate exercise daily e.g. walking, yoga.  Unfortunately, when we are dealing with long-term stress, these suggestions are the hardest to adhere to.  There are many other additional ways that we can help to alleviate and manage stress in our lives.  Massage therapy is a wonderful way to relax the mind and body while helping to rid the body of toxins that disrupt our immune system.  Nutritional supplements and nutritional IVs restore optimal levels of vitamins and minerals to your body that you may not be obtaining from your diet.  Yoga is a superior method for strengthening the body, relaxing the mind, supporting the immune system and detoxing the body- all at the same time!  Guided meditation and hypnosis can help break down internal barriers to healing.

The Team at Bodhi Body can help design a stress-reduction plan for you.  It involves looking at the stress you are exposed to and how you are supporting your body in its attempt to deal with the stressors. Our facility has been designed with you in mind.  Our comfortable rooms and comprehensive therapies will help melt your stress away.  Some of the most common therapies prescribed for stress reduction are: neuromuscular massage, yoga, nutritional therapy (IV and oral), guided meditation and hypnosis, acupuncture, along with a whole host of complete detox therapies.  Our bodies are amazing, resilient machines and can handle moderate amounts of stress beautifully.  But long-term, chronic stress can do a lot of damage.  Assess your stress levels and help support your body as it supports you.

Frequently in my practice I have parents who bring their children in presenting with a complaint of chronic ear infections.  Most likely their pediatrician has put them on several courses of antibiotics to treat their symptoms only to have them return as often as monthly.  The parents want to know, after multiple rounds of pharmaceuticals and no end in sight, is there an alternative for their little one?  The answer is YES!

First, we must look at the cause of the AOM:

If a child has been on multiple antibiotics in the first years of life their immune and gastrointestinal systems can be in a state of great dysfunction.  This can then lead to a predisposition of food sensitivities by allowing larger molecules to pass through the gastrointestinal tract into blood circulation.  Not to mention, the over-all proper absorption of vital nutrients will be drastically diminished.  This process over a short period of time will lead to inflammation throughout the tiny bodies.

Anatomy of the inner ear:

Eustachian tubes in children are much more narrow & horizontal than in adults (see graphic).  This means that even a small amount of inflammation can cause the closure and improper drainage of the inner ear leading to increased pressure, redness, and pain.

Does your child need antibiotics?

According to the American Academy Pediatrics…Not necessarily.

“This study suggests that in cases of ear pain caused by AOM in children in which active treatment, besides a simple 2- to 3-day waiting period, is needed, an herbal extract solution may be beneficial. Concomitant antibiotic treatment is apparently not contributory.”

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/111/5/e574

Treatment is as easy as 1,2,3…

First, administering natural pain management using soothing and antimicrobial botanicals in a solution that is easily absorbed through the tympanic membrane (ear drum). Secondly, increasing immune function by using supplements and hydrotherapy to heal the gut, replace good bacteria (probiotics), increase circulation, and reduce stagnation.  Thirdly, Eliminating food sensitivities and decreasing systemic inflammation by identifing, avoiding, and desensitizing through Natural Elimination of Allergy Therapy.

Dr. Jesika DiCampli practices at Bodhi Body Integrative Medical Centers.  Visit Dr. DiCampli to see if your child could benefit from a Naturopathic medical approach to ear pain and AOM. Call 480-237-2410 or email for more information at info@bodhi-body.com

The original form of prolotherapy was developed in the 1930s. A specially formulated solution is injected into a joint, or along injured ligament and tendons. The solution stimulates the body to heal damage, and can tighten ligaments, repair tendons and deposit collagen.

In many cases prolotherapy is a viable alternative to surgery, and it helps to heal injuries and decrease pain. Hines Ward and Polumalu had a treatment called PRP prolotherapy performed to help heal up injuries prior to playing in the Super Bowl last year. In this technique, blood is drawn out of the patient, spun down in a special centrifuge to separate the platelets and growth factors needed for healing, and reinjected into the joint. In essence, it simulates inflammation without causing it, and stimulates the joint to heal.

Think prolotherapy might be right for you? Call us at 480.237.2410 and schedule your consultation to learn more about it with our Sports Medicine specialist, Dr. Heather Wdowin, today.