Have you had any success reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

​We have had some success with reducing the symptoms of Parkinsons. We look to determine first hand if the symptoms may not be the cause of some other concurrent illness, such as Lyme Disease.

​Some success with reducing the symptoms of spasms and involuntary muscle contractions have been seen with IV Glutathione and acupuncture as well as vitamin and nutritional interventions.

Is it advisable to take homeopathic remedies when one is undergoing chemo? Do the two interact?

​Theoretically homeopathic remedies do not have an interaction with other medications or chemotherapeutics.

​Homeopathic remedies differ than herbal and nutrient/vitamin remedies in that there is no actual substance in the homeopathic remedy. Homeopathy works by stimulating the “life force” or “vital force” in the body to heal, and it does this without any known mechanism of action. It is not detectable in the blood stream, nor is it cleared by the liver. It does not act as an anti-oxidant, pro-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, or any other known mechanism. Is it effective? I believe it can be if given the correct remedy. At the Center, we take an integrative approach to treating patients with cancer and can include nutritional support, vitamins and herbs that are safe while on chemo, IV therapies, and homeopathic mistletoe therapy.

Will I be blood tested to make sure I am not allergic to that herb/plant before treatment?

​We do not typically test for herbal allergies. Typically, if you have a hypersensitive reaction to a know substance, you may also have a reaction to substances that may exhibit very similar qualities.

​Rosemary is in the mint family of plants. There are many plants in this family and include basil, sage, thyme, lemon balm, and mint to name a few. If you have no reactions to any of these other herbs, then it’s possible you just have an allergy to the genus and species Rosemary Officinalis, and this is the only plant in the Rosemary genus. If you take a supplement and have a reaction, we recommend discontinuing immediately, and then try to find the causal agent of the reaction.

My 6 year old suffers with seasonal allergies; what is the best all natural medicine for this?

​Yes, we do treat seasonal allergies naturally. For the pediatric population, homeopathic remedies can be very effective and easy to take.

​The idea with a homeopathic remedy is to desensitize the immune system by giving extremely dilute doses of the allergy causing agents such as grasses, pollens, and molds. Another strategy is to use specific nutrients and herbs that naturally modulate the immune response to stabilize mast cells and lower histamine and other inflammatory mediators. For children, there are some supplements available that are in powdered form.

Have you had any success in treating persistent gout?

​Gout is an inflammatory condition that causes joint pain due to high levels of uric acid in the blood. This is most often due to the inability of the kidneys to excrete uric acid.

​acid. Uric acid also comes from metabolizing the amino acid purine. There are secondary causes of gout that may be related to obesity or insulin resistance. With mild to moderate gout, we can provide guidance on an anti-inflammatory diet specific to gout. I would also recommend food allergy testing to look for specific foods that could be adding to the inflammation. There are also many herbs that can help block the inflammatory process.

I have been diagnosed with RA and my doctor wants to start me on IV Remecade.

​Nervous about this, I wanted to know about different options available to me.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition causing inflammation and pain to certain joints. We are not sure of the exact cause of RA, but there is a theory that it may be due to certain bacteria residing in the gastrointestinal tract.

​We see this in reactive arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in people who are susceptible. For this reason, I always like to start with correcting any gastrointestinal bacterial imbalance, and decreasing or correcting any GI inflammation. This is typically done with food allergy testing or a hypoallergenic diet while concurrently taking anti-inflammatory herbs and nutrients. After addressing these issues, I then use natural anti-inflammatories and immunomodulators specific to rheumatoid arthritis. In conjunction with conventional therapies, this can help to improve the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

What are natural treatments for high blood pressure due to stress?

​When are conventional medications considered? What are the effects on blood pressure by prednisone as one tapers off this drug?

High blood pressure due to stress or anxiety can be helped in multiple ways. First line therapy for blood pressure often starts with dietary modifications and exercise.

​Stress reduction methods using breathing techniques, meditation, or biofeedback are also effective. Acupuncture is very effective for reducing stress and anxiety thereby lowering blood pressure. These effects can be long lasting and not just during or after treatment sessions. Natural interventions include specific mineral, nutrient, or herbal supplementation. Supplements for high blood pressure act to improve heart function, dilate blood vessels, and/or reduce anxiety. If all of these measures do not work to lower blood pressure, or if your blood pressure consistently remains over 140/90, then medication therapy should be considered. If your blood pressure is over 160/100, then medication therapy and supplementation should be started while working on lifestyle changes.  Prednisone often causes increased blood pressure due to excess water and salt retention. However, blood pressure should return to your normal after the medication has been discontinued and cleared from your body.

Do you deal with prostate health issues?

​Yes. The three most common pathologies associated with the prostate are cancer, prostatitis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

​There are different approaches to each of these conditions. Dietary changes are specific to each condition. For example, with prostatitis, I recommend an anti-inflammatory based diet. Supplementation with vitamins and herbs is also specific to each condition. With prostatitis, the main goal is to treat infection with natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory herbs. For BPH, the goal is to shrink prostate size by using herbs to balance hormones. As with any condition,  a complete and detailed history allows for an individualized treatment plan that suits your needs and lifestyle.

Can you elaborate on ways to measure cortisol? I am trying to treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

​Cortisol levels can be measured in two ways: through the blood and the saliva. It is believed that “free” or “active” cortisol can be best measured through the saliva.

​We offer saliva testing  of cortisol at the Center. The best way to measure cortisol is to take multiple measurements over the course of a day. Samples can be started at any time and are then repeated every 4 hours for 16 hours. So you could take your first sample immediately upon waking. Samples are then sent by the patient in a prepaid package to an independent laboratory. Results take about 2-3 weeks. Insurance reimbursement is dependent on type of insurance coverage and benefits.

After an operation for pelvic floor prolapse, my bladder fell again in 4 months…

Since then I have right hip pain. How might you help me?

For the hip pain, we would need to determine where exactly the pain is located, and clarify how and if it is related to the prolapse.

For pain management in general, medical massage, acupuncture and scenar therapy are both very effective options. They are similar in that they both stimulate acupuncture points and channels, but there are some differences. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles, and can be done with or without electrical stimulation. Scenar relies on a varied and fluctuating electrical stimulation, and does not involve needles. From our experiences at the Center, both are highly recommended for pain relief.

For the prolapse itself, there is historical reference for using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to treat prolapse. However there is no substantial clinical evidence one way or the other, and so it would be considered experimental our view. The treatment called pelvic floor physical therapy helps strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor, which along with an exercise regimen typically established by your physical therapist has been effective in addressing pelvic organ prolapse. I would recommend contacting a physical therapist trained in these areas to see if it would be a good match for you.

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