With every single one of my patients, my very first questions is, “How are you sleeping?” If they say “not good,” I know what to work on first. Multiple studies show that inadequate sleep worsens health and creates more problems. So to get better, it really is that simple. The majority of patients with fibromyalgia […]
Deepak Chopra, MD said, “happy thoughts create happy molecules, and healthy thoughts create healthy molecules.” How you think about health and illness determines how you will behave. Your thoughts release certain chemicals from your brain, and those chemicals can either be poisonous or they can become the curing balm your body needs. We are gardeners […]
As an orthomolecular/functional medicine practitioner, the three most common concerns I hear about is whether or not high-dose supplementation is necessary, effective, and safe. I want to take a moment to cover each of these concerns individually. Some medical doctors say supplementation is not necessary. If you ever come across a medical professional who tells […]
Let me be clear: I am not saying this to be mean spirited. There are a lot of great, well- meaning, very capable doctors out there. In fact most doctors are very caring, thoughtful and want to give you their best service. However, when it comes to treating fibromyalgia most doctors simply don’t get it […]
The immune system is an incredibly complex organism. We actually only know about 1 to 2 percent of how it actually functions. There are glands, hormones, types of cells and fluids with a variety of different roles within the immune system. Mainly, the sole function of the immune system is to prevent infection or capture […]
What Is Functional Medicine? Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to […]
We are all born with a certain amount of chemicals like hormones, amino acids, and nutrients that help combat stress and its negative whole-body effects. I like to call this original store we’re born with the “stress-coping savings account,” from which we can deposit or withdrawal at any time as the need arises. Genetics determines […]
You’ve heard it before “you are what you eat.” However, it should be you are what you absorb. If you’re like a lot of my fibro patients, you’ll be challenged with an assortment of gastrointestinal problems, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, heartburn, or bloating, gas, and indigestion. If you’re not absorbing your nutrients, vitamins, minerals, etc. […]
Many of my fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients have undiagnosed food allergies that are contributing to their pain symptoms. I have found that eliminating these foods through special dieting has yielded significant improvement in symptoms; however, I don’t usually start this kind of diet until patients have done the Jump-Start Program for one […]
Stephanie A. had been battling fibromyalgia for over 15 years when she first started working with me. Here is what she shared with me on her health history questionnaire: Chief Complaint Number One – “Chronic pain, stiff aching, stabbing pains. Declining adult activities due to inability to move around. Don’t want to get dressed. Takes […]
Fibromyalgia is a widespread painful condition that is often diagnosed in the late teens and early 20’s, but does not show prejudice to this age group, and is more often found in women than in men. For those who get the symptoms early on, treatment could greatly affect pregnancy, delivery, breast-feeding, and child rearing. Furthermore, […]
Fibromyalgia is an extremely painful condition that is widespread throughout the entire body and can cause joint and muscle stiffness, sleep problems, and fatigue. Pain becomes a focal point in the life of a fibromyalgia patient, where every action and every thought is consumed by the debilitating effects and the need to fix the problem. […]
Most patients who have had fibromyalgia for more than a few years are already nodding their head sagely at the title of this piece. I can’t tell you how many new patients come to me frustrated with the multitude of problems they are experiencing either with their condition or with the medications their doctors have […]
Blood tests for thyroid function measure the amount of TSH, T4, and T3 in the bloodstream. But thyroid hormones don’t operate within the bloodstream; the action takes place in the cells themselves. Blood tests are measuring how much thyroid hormone is swimming around in the blood stream, but not what is in the cell. Traditional medical professionals […]
Digestive enzymes Most digestion and absorption takes place in the small intestine and is regulated by pancreatic enzymes (digestive) and bile. The pancreas aids in digestion by releasing proteolytic enzymes, which help break down proteins into amino acids. Natural digestive enzymes are found in raw fruits and vegetables. Processed foods are usually devoid of digestive […]
