All the cells we have in our bodies have specific purposes. Think about the big, strong cells that constitute our muscles, or the branched cells in our brain, the cells in our bones, or any other cell type. These highly specialized cells all derive from unspecialized, undifferentiated cells, called stem cells. We can think of it as cells that have not decided yet what they want to be when they grow up. The possibilities are (almost) endless. Under the right conditions, stem cells can be grown and expanded indefinitely in their undifferentiated state. They can also be differentiated in a…
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We’ve all heard that psychological factors such as positive thinking may significantly affect the results of treatment for an illness. Consider stories of ‘miracle cures’ by terminal cancer patients who kept their spirits up and were persistent with that ‘never give up’ attitude throughout treatment. A study in the journal Spine suggested that pessimistic thinkers may have trouble recovering from low back pain. The authors looked at the relationship between patient expectations of treatment benefits and outcomes. One hundred thirty-five patients with chronic LBP were divided into either a massage or an acupuncture treatment group. Prior to the study, patients rated how…
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We all sleep as the result of being tired, right?! Fatigue is an important signal, but not the only reason to be catching Zzz’s. Here is a list of other very important reasons to sleep other than fatigue: Sleep Can Improve Memory. Wouldn’t this be nice?! Sleep can improve our short-term memory and allow us to remember information better the following day. You Won’t Be Cranky. Sleep deprivation actually inhibits our ability to process emotions. Less sleep=cranky. More sleep=happy! Your Immune System Will Be Stronger. Quality sleep means a recovering body, which equals a healthy immune system and improved defense against bacteria and viruses. Great to know…
Read More Catch Better Zzzzzz's If counting sheep is getting old, you’re among a great majority who have difficulty sleeping – falling, staying, or getting restful sleep. You may not be able to fall back asleep if you wake up, you may feel you need coffee all day or need to nap by noon. There are natural ways to sleep better at night! Most of us need about 7-8 hours of good shut-eye for optimum daily functioning. Most of us need about 7-8 hours of good shut-eye for optimum daily functioning. After all, when it is terrible, so is everything else! As…
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Whether suffering from acute or chronic pain, we can all agree that it can be MISERABLE! Often times we find ourselves on a much larger regimen of pain relievers than we’d like to take. We may take a small dose, realize that dose isn’t working, and continue to take more. Our goal is to help you get to the root of the problem get some pain relief and remove the ‘band-aid’ approach! While some medications may be the best temporary option, long-term consumption can cause chronic issues and lead to more serious health problems. Common conditions seen may include leaky…
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It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of people are affected with some form of neck pain at some time in their lives; five to ten percent suffer a pain in the neck that is debilitating. Relating to those with “nonspecific” discomfort – pain not associated with injury, disorder, or tissue degeneration – a recent study in the journal Spine, researchers examined 40 adults with no prior neck injuries or treatment, to study the structural composition of the neck and its relation to pain. Volunteers were tested for neck-muscle endurance, range of motion, and extension, and questioned about their history…
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We all know that participating in light physical activity is good for our health, but did you know it could help you sleep?! Activities such as running, biking, weightlifting, yoga, and even gardening are associated with better sleep habits compared to no physical activity, the University of Pennsylvania research found. However, other types of light physical activity like childcare and housework are associated with worse sleep habits. Of course, it’s possible that this may be due to the fact that parents are more likely to engage in these activities and may experience worse sleep for other reasons, but researchers did not…
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We all see our places of employment as pleasant and perfectly safe and healthy. There are certain office dangers or hazards of the kind that are commonplace on construction sites or in factories, and many office workers enjoy the benefits of rigid working days, rather than having their body clocks thrown by changing shift patterns. That is why it is important to improve your fitness at work. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), around 21,638,470 people are employed in jobs defined as office and administrative support. However, this figure does not include other occupations, such as management,…
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Natural Treatment of Headaches We have all experienced a headache at some point in our lives. Headaches affect about 46% of the adult population globally. They range from mildly annoying to severely disabling. The good news is that less than 1% of them are life threatening. However, even though your headache is not life threatening, it can still threaten your daily lifestyle. If you suffer headaches, you likely have tension headaches or migraines, or possibly both. There are many different types of headaches, though the two most common, tension headaches and migraines, will be discussed and how integrative care can vastly improve…
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Did You Know Your Posture Plays a Significant Role in Your Health? Your posture affects how well you move and feel. Posture has an influence on every function of your body; it can have a positive or negative impact on strength, function, performance, and overall energy. Posture is the position of your spine, connective tissue, ligaments and muscles that support it. A healthy spine has three natural curves. Abnormal curvatures lead to postural imbalances affecting other parts of the body. For example, individuals who present with an abnormal curvature as scoliosis, often present with postural imbalances of the hips, shoulders, and…
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