The Healing Collective

Seasonal & Chronic Allergies: Why Your Symptoms May Be Starting in the Gut

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:55:10 GMT

Seasonal & Chronic Allergies: Why Your Symptoms May Be Starting in the Gut

If you struggle with seasonal allergies such as sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, sinus pressure, or even year-round symptoms that never fully resolve, you are not alone.

For many people, allergies are treated as a surface-level issue: something to suppress with antihistamines or nasal sprays. While those tools can offer temporary relief, they often don’t address why your immune system is reacting so strongly in the first place.

From a functional medicine perspective, allergies are not just about pollen, dust, or environmental triggers—they are a reflection of how your immune system is functioning. And one of the most important places to look? Your gut.

The Gut-Immune Connection

Approximately 70-80% of your immune system resides in your gut.

Your digestive tract is not just responsible for breaking down food, it acts as a critical barrier and communication hub between your body and the outside world. Every day, your immune system is deciding what is safe and what is a threat.

When your gut is healthy, your immune system is balanced and appropriately responsive.

When your gut is compromised, the immune system can become:

Overactive (leading to allergies, sensitivities, autoimmunity)
Underactive (leading to frequent infections)
Confused (reacting to harmless substances like pollen or food proteins)

Why Gut Health Impacts Allergies

There are several key mechanisms that connect gut health to allergy symptoms:

1. Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)

When the gut lining becomes inflamed or damaged, it allows particles to pass into the bloodstream that shouldn’t be there. This triggers immune activation and increases overall sensitivity—often showing up as allergies.

2. Microbiome Imbalance

Your gut bacteria play a major role in regulating immune responses. Low diversity or imbalances (dysbiosis) can shift the immune system toward a more allergic, inflammatory state.

3. Histamine Overload

Certain gut imbalances can increase histamine production or reduce your body’s ability to break it down. This can worsen symptoms like:

Itching
Hives
Congestion
Headaches

4. Chronic Inflammation

An inflamed gut contributes to systemic inflammation, making your body more reactive to environmental triggers.

Why “Allergy Season” Hits Some People Harder

Pollen, grasses, and environmental allergens are real triggers, but they don’t affect everyone equally.

The difference often comes down to:

Gut integrity
Microbiome health
Detoxification capacity
Overall immune balance

In other words, the terrain matters more than the trigger.

Supportive Tools for Allergy Relief

While addressing the root cause takes time and a personalized approach, there are supportive supplements that can help reduce symptoms in the meantime:

D-Hist (OrthoMolecular)

A well-formulated blend designed to support healthy histamine response. It can help:

Reduce inflammation
Stabilize mast cells
Support sinus and respiratory comfort

MegaIgG2000 (Microbiome Labs)

This supplement provides immunoglobulins that:

Bind to toxins and inflammatory compounds in the gut
Support gut lining repair
Help regulate immune responses

Drainage Activator (CellCore)

Before the body can effectively detoxify or calm an overactive immune response, it needs open and supported drainage pathways. This is often an overlooked piece in chronic or persistent allergies.

CellCore Drainage Activator is designed to support the body’s natural drainage systems, including:

Lymphatic flow
Liver and bile movement
Kidney and cellular waste clearance

By improving drainage, the body is better able to:

Clear inflammatory byproducts
Reduce overall immune burden
Respond more appropriately to environmental triggers

This can be especially helpful for individuals who feel “stuck” in chronic inflammation or who are sensitive to detox protocols.

Nasal Rinses with Biocidin Liquid

Nasal rinsing can be incredibly helpful for:

Clearing allergens from the sinuses
Reducing microbial load
Supporting sinus health

Adding a small amount of Biocidin liquid to a saline rinse can enhance antimicrobial and biofilm-disrupting support.

Going Beyond Symptom Relief

If you find yourself relying on allergy medications year after year, it may be time to look deeper. Instead of asking: “How do I stop my symptoms?” A more helpful question is:
“Why is my immune system reacting this way in the first place?”

This is where functional medicine testing and personalized protocols come in.

How We Approach Allergies at The Healing Collective

In our work together, we look at the full picture, including:

Gut health (GI Map, digestion, microbiome)
Food sensitivities
Histamine load and tolerance
Environmental exposures (like mold)
Nervous system regulation

From there, we create a targeted plan that may include:

Gut repair protocols
Microbiome support
Anti-inflammatory nutrition
Nervous system work
Strategic supplementation

You Don’t Have to “Just Live With It”

Allergies are common, but they are not something you have to simply tolerate.

When you support your gut and rebalance your immune system, many people experience:

Fewer seasonal symptoms
Less reliance on medications
Improved energy and clarity
Better overall resilience

Ready to Get to the Root?

If you’re ready to move beyond temporary relief and understand what’s driving your allergies, we would love to support you. Through personalized testing and targeted protocols, we can work together to restore balance, starting from the gut.

Schedule a consultation with Raechel or Tracy to begin your personalized approach to allergy relief.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring: What Your Blood Sugar Is Trying to Tell You

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:58:12 GMT

How a Continuous Glucose Device Can Help You

Blood sugar is one of the most important, and often overlooked, foundations of health.

Even in people who are not diabetic, blood sugar imbalances can quietly drive fatigue, weight gain, hormone disruption, inflammation, and long-term chronic disease. The challenge is that most people don’t realize it’s happening.

This is where Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) becomes a powerful tool. It allows us to move beyond guessing and start understanding exactly how your body responds to your daily choices: your food, your stress, your sleep, and your movement.

Why Blood Sugar Stability Matters

Your body is constantly working to keep blood sugar within a tight, healthy range. When it does, you feel:

Steady energy throughout the day
Fewer cravings (especially sugar and carbs)
Better focus and mental clarity
Balanced mood
More stable hormones
Reduced inflammation

Stable blood sugar is not just about preventing diabetes, it is foundational for metabolic, hormonal, and nervous system health .

What Happens When Blood Sugar Is Not Stable

Many people are on a blood sugar rollercoaster without realizing it.

When blood sugar spikes too high and then crashes, it can lead to:

Energy crashes and fatigue
Intense cravings (especially in the afternoon or late at night)
Irritability or anxiety
Brain fog
Poor sleep
Increased fat storage, especially around the abdomen
Hormone imbalances
Increased inflammation

Over time, these patterns can contribute to insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, and increased risk for chronic disease. But even before that point, you’ll feel it in your day-to-day life.

The Cortisol–Blood Sugar Connection

Blood sugar and stress are deeply connected.

When your body perceives stress, whether it’s emotional stress, lack of sleep, over-exercising, or even under-eating, it releases cortisol , your primary stress hormone.

Cortisol raises blood sugar to give your body quick energy for a “fight or flight” response.

This means:

Chronic stress can keep blood sugar elevated
Blood sugar crashes can trigger more cortisol release
You can get stuck in a cycle of stress → blood sugar spikes → crashes → more stress

This is why addressing blood sugar is not just about food, it’s also about supporting the nervous system and regulating stress .

What Impacts Your Blood Sugar?

Most people think blood sugar is only affected by sugar or carbohydrates, but it’s much broader than that.

1. Food

Macronutrient balance (protein, fat, carbs)
Meal timing
Portion sizes
Food quality

Even “healthy” foods can spike blood sugar depending on your unique physiology.

2. Stress

Emotional stress
Mental overload
Poor sleep
Nervous system dysregulation

You can have a perfectly balanced meal, but if you’re eating in a stressed state, your blood sugar may still spike.

3. Exercise

Movement can stabilize blood sugar
Overtraining or high-intensity exercise can spike it (especially if already stressed)
Timing of exercise matters

This is why a personalized approach matters, what works for one person may not work for another.

What Changes When Blood Sugar Becomes Stable

When we bring blood sugar into balance, the changes can be significant:

More consistent energy (no more afternoon crashes)
Reduced cravings and better appetite regulation
Improved sleep quality
Better mood and emotional resilience
Easier weight management
More balanced hormones
Reduced inflammation

Many patients tell me this is one of the most impactful shifts they’ve made in their health.

Why Use a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

A CGM gives you real-time insight into how your body responds.

Instead of guessing, you can actually see:

How specific meals affect you
How stress impacts your physiology
How your workouts influence blood sugar
Your patterns throughout the day and night

It removes the “one-size-fits-all” approach and replaces it with data-driven, personalized care.

How We Work With Clients Using CGM

We help our patients get set up with a Continuous Glucose Monitor and guide them through understanding their data in a way that feels simple and actionable.

We review your data every two weeks and look at:

Your blood sugar patterns
What’s working well
Where your body may need more support
Specific adjustments to nutrition, lifestyle, and stress

From there, we create a personalized plan based on your physiology, not guesswork.

The goal is not perfection, it’s awareness, understanding, and sustainable change .

If you’ve been struggling with energy, cravings, hormone imbalances, or just feel like something is “off,” blood sugar is often a key piece of the puzzle.

And the best part is you don’t have to figure it out alone. Set up an initial appointment with Raechel to assess your current habits/diet/lifestyle and to get going with a CGM plan!

Spring Energy Reset: How to Rebuild Energy at the Cellular Level

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:12:26 GMT

Rebuild Cellular Energy

As the days get longer and the sun returns, many people expect to feel naturally more energized. And yet, for so many, spring arrives… and the fatigue is still there.

If you’re feeling tired despite the seasonal shift, your body isn’t broken, it’s asking for support at a deeper level.

At our clinic, we don’t just look at energy as “how you feel.”
We look at how your cells are actually producing energy.

Because true, lasting energy doesn’t come from pushing harder, more caffeine, or quick fixes... It comes from your mitochondria.

⚡ What Is “Cellular Energy”?

Inside nearly every cell in your body are tiny structures called mitochondria. These are responsible for producing ATP, the energy your body uses for everything:

Brain function and focus
Hormone production
Muscle function
Detoxification
Immune response

When your mitochondria are supported, energy feels steady, clear, and sustainable.

When they’re not, you may experience:

Persistent fatigue
Brain fog
Low motivation
Burnout (even if you're “doing everything right”)

�� Why Spring Is the Perfect Time to Reset Energy

Spring is a natural time of transition:

Increased light exposure
Changes in cortisol and melatonin rhythms
More stimulation and activity

While this can feel energizing, it can also be depleting, especially if your system is already running on low reserves. This is why spring isn’t just about “doing more.”
It’s about rebuilding your foundation so your body can actually generate more energy.

�� 3 Foundational Pillars of Cellular Energy

1. NAD+: The Spark for Energy Production

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme essential for mitochondrial function. It plays a critical role in converting nutrients into usable energy.

However, NAD+ levels naturally decline with:

Age
Chronic stress
Inflammation
Poor sleep
Illness (including Lyme, autoimmune conditions)

Low NAD+ can show up as:

Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Brain fog
Slower recovery
Feeling “wired but tired”

Supporting NAD+ levels can be a powerful way to restore energy at the source.

This can be done through:

Targeted nutrients (like B vitamins)
Lifestyle strategies (sleep, circadian rhythm alignment)
And in some cases, more direct support such as NAD+ therapy

2. Nutrient Density: Fueling the Mitochondria

Your body cannot create energy without the right raw materials.

Key nutrients required for energy production include:

B vitamins (especially B1, B2, B3, B6, B12)
Magnesium
Iron
Amino acids
CoQ10

Even with a “healthy diet,” many people are still depleted due to:

Chronic stress
Gut dysfunction (poor absorption)
Increased demand from illness or inflammation

This is why simply eating well doesn’t always translate into feeling energized.

In some cases, targeted replenishment, through nutrition, supplementation, or IV nutrient therapy, can help restore levels more efficiently.

3. Circadian Rhythm: Your Internal Energy Clock

Your body’s energy is deeply tied to your circadian rhythm, the natural cycle of light and dark that regulates:

Cortisol (your wake-up hormone)
Melatonin (your sleep hormone)
Mitochondrial activity

When this rhythm is disrupted, energy production suffers.

Common disruptors include:

Irregular sleep schedules
Too much artificial light at night
Not enough sunlight in the morning
Chronic stress

One of the simplest and most powerful ways to improve energy is to realign your circadian rhythm.

Start with:

Morning sunlight within 30–60 minutes of waking
Consistent sleep and wake times
Reducing blue light exposure at night (wearing blue light blocking glasses helps)

�� Why “Pushing Through” Isn’t the Answer

Many people respond to fatigue by:

Increasing caffeine
Exercising harder
Trying restrictive diets or detoxes

But if your body doesn’t have the resources to produce energy, these strategies can backfire. Instead of creating more energy, they often:

Deplete nutrients further
Increase stress hormones
Worsen fatigue over time

This is especially true for those with:

Chronic illness
Hormone imbalances
Nervous system dysregulation

�� When to Consider Deeper Support

If you feel like you’ve “tried everything” and still struggle with energy, your body may need more direct support.

Therapies like:

NAD+ support
IV nutrient therapy (including B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids)

can help:

Replenish deficiencies
Support mitochondrial function
Restore energy more efficiently

These approaches work at a deeper level in supporting the systems that actually create energy, rather than just masking fatigue.

�� A Gentle Spring Invitation

This spring, instead of asking: “What can I do to have more energy?”

Try asking: “What does my body need to create energy?”

Because when you support your body at the cellular level, energy becomes something that flows naturally, not something you have to chase.

✨ Ready to Support Your Energy at the Root?

If you’re feeling stuck in fatigue, this may be your body asking for a different approach.

At The Healing Collective, we take a personalized, root-cause approach to energy, looking at:

Nutrient status
Mitochondrial health
Hormones and nervous system balance

If you’re curious whether NAD+ or IV nutrient therapy could support you, we’re here to help guide you. Read more HERE!

Learning To Trust Your Body After Chronic Symptoms

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 23:22:45 GMT

Learning to Trust Your Body Again After Chronic Symptoms

If you’ve lived with chronic symptoms such as digestive issues, fatigue, pain, anxiety, hormone imbalances, then you know this truth deeply:

At some point, your body stops feeling like a safe place.

Instead of trust, there’s vigilance.
Instead of curiosity, there’s fear.
Instead of listening, there’s constant monitoring.

You wake up wondering, “How will I feel today?”
You analyze every sensation.
You question every food choice.
You brace yourself for symptoms returning.

And honestly? That makes sense.

When your body has felt unpredictable for a long time, hyper-awareness becomes a survival strategy . It’s not weakness. It’s protection.

But over time, that constant scanning can actually keep the nervous system — and the gut — stuck in a loop.

When Symptoms Become the Focus

Many of the people I work with are doing all the right things:

They’ve addressed gut infections
They’ve cleaned up their diet
They’ve supported hormones and digestion
They’ve worked hard to heal

And yet, they still don’t feel relaxed in their body.

Why? Because healing isn’t just about removing symptoms- it’s about rebuilding trust .

When the body has been in distress for months or years, it learns to stay on guard. The nervous system becomes primed to expect something to go wrong, even when things are improving.

This is especially true for people who:

Have had SIBO or chronic gut issues
Live with anxiety or past trauma
Have experienced medical stress or dismissal
Tend toward perfectionism or high responsibility

Your body learned to stay alert for a reason.

Healing Isn’t Just Fixing — It’s Relearning Safety

One of the most important (and overlooked) phases of healing is the transition from:

“What’s wrong with my body?”
to
“My body is communicating with me.”

This shift doesn’t happen overnight.

It happens slowly, through experiences of:

Symptoms easing and returning without catastrophe
Flares resolving with gentle support
Learning that discomfort doesn’t always mean danger
Feeling supported instead of panicked when something feels off

In other words, trust is rebuilt through consistency and compassion , not force.

Why Symptoms Can Flare During Growth

Something we often tell clients is this: Symptoms don’t always mean you’re going backward.

In fact, symptoms often show up:

During emotional growth
Around big life events
During hormonal shifts
When stress levels change
When you finally feel safe enough to feel

This doesn’t mean your body is broken again.
It means your system is sensitive, and learning.

When we respond to flares with fear, restriction, or urgency, the body tightens.
When we respond with support, reassurance, and steadiness, the body learns.

How to Begin Trusting Your Body Again

Rebuilding trust is not about ignoring symptoms.
It’s about changing how you respond to them.

Here are a few gentle shifts that matter more than people realize:

�� 1. Shift from Panic to Curiosity

Instead of “What’s wrong?” try “What might my body need right now?”

�� 2. Support Before You Fix

Heat, breath, gentle movement, nourishment- these often calm the system faster than protocols.

�� 3. Notice What Helps

Each time symptoms pass, your nervous system logs evidence that your body can recover.

�� 4. Stop Making Every Sensation a Diagnosis

Not every symptom means relapse, failure, or danger.

�� 5. Build Predictability

Regular meals, sleep, movement, and routines create safety signals the body craves.

Trust Is a Practice, Not a Decision

Learning to trust your body again isn’t about flipping a switch.

It’s about slowly creating a new relationship with yourself, one that’s rooted in:

Listening instead of controlling
Supporting instead of fighting
Believing your body wants to heal

Your body is not working against you.
It’s been doing its best to protect you.

And with the right support, it can learn that it’s safe to soften again.

If you’re navigating chronic symptoms or trying to rebuild trust in your body after a long healing journey, you don’t have to do it alone.

This work is nuanced, layered, and deeply human, and it deserves to be supported with care.

NAD+ Mitochondrial Reset

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:22:53 GMT

NAD+ Mitochondrial Reset: A Functional Medicine Approach to Cellular Energy, Brain Function, and Healthy Aging

Fatigue, brain fog, poor recovery, hormone dysregulation, and accelerated aging are rarely caused by a single deficiency. In functional medicine, we look deeper — often to the level of mitochondrial function and cellular repair capacity .

The NAD+ Mitochondrial Reset IV was designed to support these deeper systems by restoring one of the body’s most critical cellular cofactors: NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) .

This protocol goes beyond a standard NAD+ infusion by supporting the full cascade of mitochondrial energy production, oxidative stress balance, and cellular repair signaling.

The Functional Medicine View: Why Mitochondria Matter

Mitochondria are responsible for producing ATP — the energy currency of the cell. But they do far more than produce energy. Healthy mitochondria regulate:
• Hormone signaling
• Neurotransmitter production
• Immune system regulation
• Detoxification capacity
• Inflammation signaling
• Cellular aging pathways

When mitochondrial function declines, we often see systemic symptoms, even when standard labs look normal.

Common drivers of mitochondrial dysfunction include:
• Chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation
• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
• Chronic infections or post-viral syndromes
• Environmental toxin exposure
• Blood sugar instability and insulin resistance
• Sleep disruption and circadian rhythm dysregulation

NAD+: The Central Molecule for Cellular Repair and Energy

NAD+ is required for hundreds of metabolic reactions in the body. It is particularly critical for cellular energy production.

NAD+ is required for:
• Glycolysis
• Krebs cycle function
• Electron transport chain activity
• ATP generation

Without adequate NAD+, cells cannot efficiently convert nutrients into usable energy.

DNA Repair and Longevity Signaling

NAD+ activates enzymes called PARPs and Sirtuins , which are involved in:

• DNA repair
• Cellular stress resistance
• Anti-inflammatory signaling
• Healthy aging pathways
• Mitochondrial biogenesis (making new mitochondria)

These pathways are a major focus of longevity and healthy aging research.

Brain and Nervous System Support

NAD+ supports:
• Neurotransmitter synthesis
• Neuroplasticity
• Cognitive clarity
• Nervous system recovery from stress

This is why many patients notice improvements in mental clarity and resilience after NAD+ therapy.

Why NAD+ Alone Is Not Enough: The Mitochondrial Network

In functional medicine, we recognize that cellular repair requires nutrient synergy , not single-nutrient therapy.

Our protocol includes a Nutrient Push because mitochondrial repair depends on:

B Vitamins

Required for:
• Methylation pathways
• Neurotransmitter production
• Energy metabolism enzyme function

Amino Acids

Support:
• Neurotransmitter balance
• Detoxification pathways
• Cellular repair signaling

Minerals

Required for:
• ATP synthesis
• Mitochondrial enzyme activation
• Nervous system regulation

This combination supports the stages of mitochondrial repair rather than only supplying NAD+.

Clinical Patterns That Often Benefit From Mitochondrial Support:

While this protocol is not disease-specific, mitochondrial dysfunction is commonly seen in patients with:

Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Patterns

Especially when labs are “normal” but energy is not.

Cognitive Overload and Brain Fog

Often linked to mitochondrial demand exceeding supply in the brain.

Hormone Dysregulation

Steroid hormone production requires mitochondrial function — including progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone synthesis.

Stress and Nervous System Dysregulation

Chronic sympathetic activation increases mitochondrial oxidative stress and NAD+ depletion.

Post-Illness or Post-Viral Recovery

Mitochondrial repair is often needed after immune system activation or prolonged inflammation.

Optional Advanced Support: Methylene Blue

For appropriate patients, an optional compounded Methylene Blue prescription can be added.

Methylene Blue may support:
• Electron transport chain efficiency
• Cellular oxygen utilization
• Cognitive energy metabolism

Medication cost is separate. Ordering service is included with your IV protocol (done by Tracy)

Why We Often Recommend a Loading Series

Mitochondrial restoration occurs over time, not in a single treatment.

Single Session: $500
Package (5 Sessions): $2,400
Loading doses are encouraged initially to support sustained NAD+ availability during cellular repair.

Comfort and Safety

NAD+ can cause temporary nausea in some individuals.

To support comfort:
• Zofran available if needed
• Infusion rate adjusted individually
• Continuous monitoring during infusion

Protocol Summary

Formula:
NAD+ 750 mg (protocol-based)

Nutrient Push (amino acids, minerals, B vitamins)
Zofran available if needed

Our Functional Medicine Philosophy

We focus on supporting the body’s innate repair systems, not just masking symptoms.

Mitochondrial support is foundational for:
• Energy
• Brain health
• Hormone balance
• Resilience to stress
• Healthy aging

Who Is This Designed For?

This protocol may be especially supportive for individuals who:
• Feel persistently depleted despite lifestyle optimization
• Experience brain fog or mental fatigue
• Are navigating high stress or burnout
• Want proactive longevity and cellular health support
• Are recovering from periods of illness or inflammation

Send us a message or call the office to schedule an appointment to see if NAD+ is for you!

Immune and Antioxidant IV Support

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 22:30:30 GMT

Immune and Antioxidant IV Options

Immune Boost IV: Powerful Immune Support + Antioxidant Protection

When your immune system is supported, you’re better equipped to stay resilient through stress, travel, busy seasons, and increased exposure to viruses. Our Immune Boost IV is one of our most popular infusions for proactive wellness and recovery support.

This targeted IV is designed to help you feel stronger, recover faster, and support your body’s defenses when you need it most.

What is the Immune Boost IV?

Immune Boost is a focused immune-support IV formula that includes three key ingredients:

Formula: Glutathione + Vitamin C + Zinc Sulfate

This combination supports immune function while also helping reduce oxidative stress and support detoxification pathways.

Why patients love Tri-Immune Boost

Immune Boost is commonly used to support:

Enhanced immune system function
Antioxidant and detox support
Recovery after travel, stress, or poor sleep
Seasonal wellness support
A stronger response when you’re exposed to cold and flu viruses

Many patients choose Immune Boost proactively because when the immune system is supported, you may be less likely to contract a cold or flu virus . And if you do get sick, symptoms may feel less severe and recovery may be smoother.

What’s in Tri-Immune Boost (and what it does)

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients for immune defense and recovery. It supports:

Healthy immune cell function
Antioxidant protection against oxidative stress
Tissue repair and collagen production
Recovery during periods of physical stress

Zinc Sulfate:

Zinc is essential for immune communication and cellular defense. Zinc supports:

Normal immune response and signaling
Tissue repair and healing
Barrier protection (skin and mucosal lining)
Balanced inflammation response

Glutathione:

Glutathione is often called the body’s “master antioxidant.” It supports:

Antioxidant defense and cellular protection
Detoxification pathways in the liver
Recovery from oxidative stress
Immune resilience during illness or inflammation

Customize Your Immune IV: Add-On Nutrients Available

One of the benefits of IV therapy is that your infusion can be tailored to your needs. In addition to the Immune Boost, we can often add supportive nutrients such as:

Vitamin D (immune modulation + seasonal support)
B-Complex (energy, nervous system, and stress resilience)
Minerals (hydration, recovery, and cellular support)

Tracy can help you decide what’s most appropriate based on your health history, goals, and current symptoms.

Want Even More Immune Support? Try a Myers’ Cocktail + Added Vitamin C

If you’re looking for broader full-body support, another excellent option is a Myers’ Cocktail , which is a classic IV blend that supports energy, stress resilience, hydration, and recovery.

For enhanced immune benefits, we can also do a:

Myers’ Cocktail + Added Vitamin C

This is a great choice for patients who want:

More robust nutrient replenishment
Extra antioxidant and immune support
A “full-body reset” during stressful seasons

High-Dose Vitamin C IV: Advanced Immune + Antioxidant Support (Tiered Options For patients seeking deeper immune and antioxidant support, we also offer High-Dose Vitamin C IV therapy with tiered dosing options.)

High-dose vitamin C may support:

Immune strength
Antioxidant detox + oxidative stress support
Cellular energy and recovery
Longevity and tissue repair
Supportive care during cancer therapy (when appropriate and coordinated with your medical team)

Add-On Option: IV Ozone Therapy for Immune & Recovery Support

For patients who want additional immune and inflammation support, we also offer IV ozone therapy as an add-on option.

IV ozone therapy may help:

Reduce infection load , which may reduce inflammation if you do get sick
Support the body’s ability to clear toxins created by infection (often called biotoxins )
Support recovery and resilience during immune stress
Promote a healthier inflammatory response
Includes an antioxidant/mineral push after the Ozone is complete for added support

Many patients choose IV ozone during cold/flu season, after travel, or at the first signs of feeling run down.

Ready to Schedule?

If you’re interested in Immune Boost , Myers’ + Vitamin C , High-Dose Vitamin C , or IV ozone , Tracy can help you choose the best option for your goals.

Contact our office to schedule your infusion.
A brief provider visit is recommended prior to treatment to ensure your plan is safe and appropriate for you.

Medical Disclaimer

IV nutrient therapy and ozone therapy are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Always consult your medical provider regarding medications, pregnancy, chronic conditions, or active treatment plans.

Myers’ Cocktail: A Foundational IV for Energy, Immunity & Stress Support

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 23:22:26 GMT

What Is Myers’ Cocktail and Is It For Me?

Myers’ Cocktail is one of the most well-known and widely used nutritional IV infusions in functional and integrative medicine. It delivers a powerful blend of vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system for maximum absorption and immediate cellular availability .

This IV was developed by the late Dr. John Myers and has been used for decades to support patients dealing with fatigue, stress, immune challenges, migraines, muscle tension, and chronic illness.

Why IV Nutrients?

When nutrients are taken orally, absorption can be limited by:

Poor digestion or gut inflammation
Malabsorption syndromes
Chronic stress
Medications that deplete nutrients

IV therapy allows nutrients to reach therapeutic levels quickly—often producing noticeable benefits within hours to days.

What’s in a Myers’ Cocktail?

�� Vitamin C:

A powerful antioxidant that supports immune function
Helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation
Supports collagen production, tissue repair, and adrenal health

Helpful for: immune support, inflammation, frequent illness, adrenal fatigue

⚡ B-Complex Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12):

B vitamins work as a team in the body. They are water-soluble, used quickly under stress, and essential for turning food into energy, supporting the nervous system, and helping the body adapt to physical and emotional demands. Delivering them intravenously allows for rapid cellular uptake—especially helpful for people under chronic stress or with digestive issues. Let's break them down and explain each one and its benefit:

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):

Thiamine plays a critical role in converting carbohydrates into usable energy. It supports nerve signaling, muscle function, and proper brain activity. Thiamine is often depleted during periods of high stress, illness, or poor appetite.

Supports:
• Energy production
• Nervous system function
• Brain clarity and focus

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):

Riboflavin is essential for mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant activity. It helps recycle other antioxidants (like glutathione) and supports cellular detoxification pathways.

Supports:
• Cellular energy (mitochondrial health)
• Antioxidant defense
• Headache and migraine support

Vitamin B3 (Niacin / Niacinamide):

Vitamin B3 is vital for cellular repair, metabolism, and circulation. It helps the body manage inflammation and supports healthy cholesterol metabolism. In IV form, niacinamide is often used to avoid flushing while still delivering benefits.

Supports:
• Energy metabolism
• Circulation and cardiovascular health
• Cellular repair and inflammation balance

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid):

Known as the “stress vitamin,” B5 is crucial for adrenal hormone production, including cortisol. It supports the body’s ability to respond to physical and emotional stress and helps with fatty acid metabolism.

Supports:
• Adrenal and stress resilience
• Hormone production
• Energy and stamina

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine):

B6 is essential for neurotransmitter production, including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. It plays a role in mood regulation, sleep quality, immune function, and amino acid metabolism.

Supports:
• Mood and emotional balance
• Nervous system health
• Immune support and inflammation regulation

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin):

Vitamin B12 is critical for red blood cell formation, nerve protection, and DNA synthesis. Many people struggle to absorb B12 orally due to gut issues, low stomach acid, or genetic factors—making IV delivery especially effective.

Supports:
• Energy and fatigue reduction
• Brain function and memory
• Nervous system repair and red blood cell production

�� Magnesium:

Calms the nervous system and relaxes muscles
Supports over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body
Plays a key role in sleep, stress regulation, and migraine prevention

Helpful for: anxiety, muscle tension, headaches, sleep issues, PMS

⚙️ Calcium:

Supports muscle contraction and nerve signaling
Works synergistically with magnesium for neuromuscular balance

Helpful for: muscle function, nerve health, physical stress

�� Trace Minerals:

Support enzyme activity and metabolic processes
Help optimize nutrient utilization and cellular communication

Helpful for: overall metabolic health and nutrient balance

What Can Myers’ Cocktail Help With?

Patients often choose Myers’ Cocktail to support:

Chronic fatigue or burnout
Immune support and illness recovery
High stress or adrenal depletion
Migraines and headaches
Muscle cramps and tension
Brain fog and low mental clarity
Nutrient deficiencies or malabsorption
Chronic conditions requiring gentle, foundational support
Many patients report improved energy, mental clarity, and a greater sense of calm after treatment.

What to Expect During an Infusion

Infusions typically take 30–45 minutes
You’ll relax comfortably while nutrients are delivered
Some people feel energized immediately; others notice benefits over the next 24–72 hours
Effects can be cumulative with regular treatments

Is Myers’ Cocktail Right for You?

Myers’ Cocktail is often used as:

A foundational IV for new patients
A supportive therapy during high-stress periods
Part of a personalized healing plan for chronic conditions

Our team customizes IV therapy based on your health history, symptoms, and goals.

�� Interested in learning more or scheduling an infusion?
Your safety and results matter to us. That’s why we begin with a short, personalized appointment with Tracy to make sure Myers’ Cocktail is the best option for your body and current health needs before scheduling your infusion. Call the office to schedule!

How To Set Goals You Can Actually Achieve

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 19:03:57 GMT

How to Set Goals You Can Actually Achieve

Why Goal-Setting Matters for Your Health

Whether you’re working on gut healing, hormone balance, reducing inflammation, or simply trying to feel more grounded in your daily life, goals are powerful. They give your brain direction, create a sense of safety, and help your nervous system shift from overwhelm into clarity.

But many people set goals that are too big, too vague, or rooted in perfectionism — which leads to burnout, shame cycles, or giving up entirely.

At The Healing Collective, we believe in obtainable, compassionate, and body-based goal setting . Not the “new year, new you” pressure. Not the “shoulds.” Just aligned actions that actually work.

Here’s how to create goals you can finally stick to.

1. Start with Your “Why”

Before deciding what you want to do, get clear on why it matters.

Ask yourself:

What am I truly seeking? (More energy? Less pain? Emotional stability?)
How do I want to feel in my daily life?
What would improving this area open up for me?

Your “why” becomes the internal motivation that carries you through the hard days.

2. Make Your Goal Smaller (…Then Smaller Again)

Most people set goals they could only meet if everything went perfectly. Real life rarely works that way.

Reduce your goal until it feels almost too easy. This is where your nervous system says “yes.”

Examples:

Instead of “I’m going to meditate 20 minutes every day”, try: “I’ll breathe deeply for 2 minutes after I wake up.”
Instead of “I’ll walk 5 miles every day”, try: “I’ll step outside for 5 minutes after lunch.”
Instead of “I’ll cut out all sugar”, try: “I’ll add protein, fat, and fiber to my breakfast 5 days per week.”

Small steps create big momentum.

3. Use the S.M.A.R.T.-ish Method (but make it kinder)

We’re reimagining the classic SMART framework to make it more trauma-informed and realistic:

S – Specific: What exactly are you doing?
M – Meaningful: Why does it matter to YOU, not to society.
A – Accessible: Do you have the time, energy, support, or resources?
R – Regulating: Does this goal help your nervous system, not stress it?
T – Time-Bound: Choose a short timeframe so you can reassess (2–4 weeks).

4. Identify Your Obstacles Ahead of Time

Ask yourself:

What usually gets in the way?
How can I soften those barriers?

Examples of supportive strategies:

Setting water on your nightstand the night before
Scheduling meals or movement onto a calendar
Keeping supplements on the counter instead of in a cabinet
Prepping snacks that align with your gut or hormone goals

This prevents self-blame and increases success.

5. Celebrate the Smallest Wins

Your brain is wired to repeat behaviors that feel rewarding.
Every time you acknowledge a small win — even a 1% shift — you’re strengthening new neural pathways that keep you going.

Celebrating might look like:

Checking off a habit tracker
Saying “I did that” out loud
Sharing with your coach or partner
Taking a moment to feel proud in your body

Tiny wins compound into massive change.

6. Review and Adjust (without judgment)

Every 2–4 weeks, reflect with curiosity, not criticism.

Ask:

What worked surprisingly well?
Where did I struggle (and why)?
What do I want to shift for the next phase?

Goal-setting is a living process — not a pass/fail test.

If You Need Help — We’re Here

Many patients feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin. Whether you’re navigating gut issues, hormone imbalance, chronic illness, stress, or simply craving structure, Raechel , our Certified Holistic Health Coach, can help you create goals that are supportive, realistic, and tailored to your unique physiology.

If you’d like to create your 2026 health plan with Raechel, schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone call or an initial consultation to get started!

Let's Talk About Poop

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:33:11 GMT

Let's Talk About Poop....

If you’re not having at least one bowel movement a day, your body is literally holding on to what it’s meant to eliminate — hormones, toxins, and waste.

And that backup doesn’t just feel uncomfortable. When poo sits too long, those old hormones and toxins get reabsorbed into your bloodstream. Over time, this can trigger:

Digestive problems: bloating, gas, constipation, IBS, and even SIBO flare-ups

Hormone imbalances: worsening PMS, irregular cycles, PCOS, endometriosis, or stubborn weight gain

Mood + brain symptoms: anxiety, irritability, brain fog, poor sleep, or low energy

Chronic inflammation: headaches, acne, joint pain, skin rashes, or histamine reactions

Daily, complete bowel movements aren’t “optional,” they’re a marker of how well your gut, liver, and nervous system are working together. There are simple, powerful ways to get things moving naturally. Here are some helpful tips:

1. CHEW YOUR FOOD (10–20x PER BITE)

Chewing is where digestion actually starts . Your saliva has enzymes that start breaking down carbs and sends the signal for your stomach to release acid. If you half-chew and swallow big chunks, your stomach and intestines are stuck doing all the heavy lifting. This can cause bloating, heaviness, inflammation and constipation.

Slow down at mealtimes (no phones, no Netflix multitasking)
Take 5 deep breaths before eating to shift into “rest + digest” mode
Notice textures, smells, flavors of each bite
Think of meals as mini meditations. Have gratitude for your food.

2. START WITH WARM, SAVORY BREAKFASTS

Cold, sugary breakfasts (fruit, fruit only smoothies, cereal, toast) spike blood sugar and cortisol, leaving you anxious, bloated, and crashing by mid-morning. Cold foods also slow down digestive enzymes, so food sits in your gut and ferments. Skipping breakfast tanks your energy, spikes anxiety and cravings, and messes with your circadian rhythm (your sleep–metabolism–hormone clock). When that’s thrown off, everything from digestion and bloating to hormones, PMS, PCOS, and even adrenal fatigue can flare up.

Swap cold/sugary breakfasts for warm, protein-rich meals

Examples: eggs with greens + bacon, bone broth veggie soup, Bilinski’s chicken sausage + sweet potato hash

If you intermittent fast, break your fast with a warm savory meal instead of skipping altogether
Wake up and drink 10-16 ounces of room temperature water to get things moving!

3. SUPPORT STOMACH ACID

Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is one of the most overlooked root causes of constipation, bloating, reflux, and nutrient deficiencies. Without enough stomach acid, proteins sit in your gut and ferment instead of breaking down. That not only leads to bloating and heaviness, but also poor absorption of key nutrients like B12, zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Over time, this can snowball into fatigue, hair loss, hormone issues, and weak immunity.

Remember: you’re not just what you eat — you’re what you absorb.

WHY WE’RE OFTEN DEFICIENT: Chronic stress, processed foods, vegan/vegetarian diets, alcohol, and years of popping antacids (like Zantac or Pepcid) all deplete stomach acid.

And here’s the kicker — most people think their reflux or heartburn comes from too much stomach acid, but for the majority, it’s actually the opposite. Low acid means food sits in the stomach longer, ferments, and pushes acid back up into the esophagus where you feel that ‘heart burn’ sensation, meaning- it’s acid in the wrong place because digestion is sluggish.

SIGNS YOU MIGHT NEED MORE STOMACH ACID:

Heaviness or bloating especially after protein-rich meals
Bloodwork showing low protein, magnesium, B12, iron, zinc and calcium.
Burping food hours later
Undigested food in your poo
Constipation or skinny poops
Craving vinegar or lemon (your body begging for acid)

WHAT TO DO:

Supplement support: betaine HCl + pancreatic enzymes to help break down protein, absorb nutrients, and stimulate proper digestive flow.
Chew your food: (remember Rule #1!) Chewing naturally stimulates stomach acid production. If you want to start the free, natural way before trying a supplement, begin there.

Caution: If you have an active ulcer, gastritis, or are taking prescription acid-blocking medications, don’t add betaine HCl without working with a practitioner.

4. EAT ENOUGH FATS

Healthy fats are like natural lube for your digestive system. Without enough fat, your poop dries out, gets hard, and slows down. Plus, fats are the raw material for your hormones. Low-fat diets = more constipation, worse PMS, fatigue, and mood swings.

WHAT TO DO:

Add healthy fats to every meal: avocado, olive oil, ghee, coconut oil, sesame oil.
Try a teaspoon of freshly ground flaxseed or sesame oil daily to “grease the wheels” if you’re backed up.
Rotate your fats — variety keeps your body happy.
Don’t fear fat: your hormones are literally made from cholesterol, and low-fat diets can worsen constipation, PMS, and fatigue.
Fats from real food will not make you fat.

5. SUPPORT BILE FLOW

Have a hard time digesting fatty foods? You may not have enough bile to break it down.

WHY IT MATTERS:

Bile is your body’s natural “soap.” It digests fats, stimulates peristalsis (poop moving through the chute), and binds toxins + old hormones so they can actually leave. When bile is sluggish, everything slows — constipation, heaviness after meals, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation.

SIGNS YOU MIGHT HAVE SLUGGISH BILE:

Fried foods give you a stomachache or you avoid them all together
You avoid fatty cuts of meat because you know you’ll feel awful after
Constipation with pale, clay-like, or hard stools
Floating stools or oily residue in the toilet
Right-sided tightness under your rib cage
“Never-ending wipe”
History of gallbladder removal or sluggish liver detox

WHAT TO DO:

Ox Bile supplement supports healthy bile flow, gallbladder function, and liver detox pathways so your body can actually break down fats and get rid of what it doesn’t need.

6. BALANCE YOUR FIBER (SOLUBLE + INSOLUBLE)

This is one of those that sounds boring just like ‘drink more water’. But here’s the thing, fiber is essential and most people are eating the same 5 beige/brown foods on repeat and not getting enough.

Ask yourself:

How many different colors of veggies do I actually eat in a day?
Am I just rotating broccoli and spinach on repeat?
Do I hit 2 different colors of veggies at every meal ?
Or am I basically living off bread, rice, cheese, and coffee?

WHY IT MATTERS:

Your gut bacteria thrive on diversity. Different fibers feed different strains, which produce short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate) that fuel your colon cells → smooth, easy poops. Eat the same thing every day? Your microbiome stays weak. And if your gut’s already sensitive, raw salads can actually make bloating worse. So it’s best to eat COOKED veggies.

WHAT TO DO:

Eat at least 2 different colored veggies at every meal.
Aim for one of each of these categories:
Soluble fiber (softens + bulks stool): carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, squash, onions, avocado, adding chia or flax.
Insoluble fiber (adds sweep + structure): kale, broccoli, cabbage, celery, zucchini (skin on), peppers, peas.
Cook your veggies (roasted, steamed, stir-fried) to make it easier on your gut

7. RESTORE YOUR MICROBIOME

If you want better bowel movements, you have to fix your microbiome.

WHY IT MATTERS:

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that keep things moving.
Good bacteria break down fiber into butyrate (which literally fuels your colon).
Bad bacteria crank out toxins + gas that stall motility, inflame your gut, and leave you constipated, running to the bathroom, or swinging between both.
Dysbiosis (too many bad bugs, not enough good ones) = sluggish, irregular poops.

WHAT TO DO:

Eat a wide variety of veggies — different fibers feed different bugs.
Book a session with Tracy. Mica, or Raechel. We will go over all of these details and do a comprehensive gut test to see what’s actually happening in your gut.
Signs you may need it: chronic constipation or diarrhea, bloating, history of antibiotics, skin issues, fatigue, anxiety.
Bottom line: balance your bugs, balance your bowels.

8. REGULATE THE VAGUS NERVE

Does stress affect your bathroom trips? Can’t go when you travel? Constipated after a fight with your partner? Yeah… that’s your nervous system talking.

WHY IT MATTERS:
Pooping only happens when you’re in parasympathetic “rest + digest” mode. Stress flips you into fight-or-flight — and motility shuts down.

WHAT TO DO:

Frequency Specific Microcurrent with Dr. Madelyn (amazing for calming your nervous system + stimulating motility)
Belly breathing before meals
Daily stress practices (meditation, journaling, nature walks) — consistency matters more than SOS moments
Swap 4-5x/week intense HIIT/spin for yoga, Pilates, walking → your gut and adrenals will thank you

9. MOVE YOUR BODY (GENTLE + CONSISTENT)

You don’t need to crush yourself at the gym to get digestion moving.

WHY IT MATTERS:
Movement literally massages your intestines and stimulates peristalsis. But overtraining can spike cortisol and make constipation worse.

WHAT TO DO:

Walk 10–15 minutes after meals (simple, effective, underrated)
Aim for 8000 steps a day
Try yoga twists + stretches to gently stimulate motility
Keep HIIT in moderation — more is not always better

10. CREATE A POOP RITUAL

Your colon loves routine — it thrives on rhythm and predictability. When you keep hitting the snooze and rush out the door, you don’t give yourself enough time to let it flow.

WHY IT MATTERS

Consistency strengthens the gut-brain connection. Training your body to “go” around the same time daily helps keep things regular.

WHAT TO DO:

Sit on the toilet at the same time daily
Use a Squatty Potty for optimal alignment
Give yourself 5–10 minutes of calm — don’t rush and don't strain

11. TRY CASTOR OIL PACKS

Castor oil packs are one of the most old-school, underrated constipation hacks.

WHY IT MATTERS:

They increase lymphatic flow, reduce inflammation, and stimulate bowel movements. Bonus: they support your liver + gallbladder detox overnight when those organs are most active.

WHAT TO DO:

Apply castor oil to your abdomen, cover with a pack, and wear overnight with gentle heat
Best time = evening
Sold in our office or BUY HERE

12. AVOID COLD FOODS + DRINKS

WHY IT MATTERS:
Cold drinks dilute stomach acid, slow enzyme activity, and causes foods to ferment instead of digesting in an efficient time.

WHAT TO DO:

Swap ice water for room temp
Choose hot coffee or tea over iced
Warm up leftovers, preferably on the stovetop
Add warming spices (ginger, cinnamon, black pepper) if you do eat raw

13. Supplements to help constipation (because “better out, than in!”) include Magnesium citrate and oxide (ColonX and Tri-Magnesium in our office) high dose Vitamin C, pre and probiotics, and motility activators, such as ginger and artichoke.

WHY IT MATTERS

By improving motility and ensuring consistent bowel movements, these supplements help reduce inflammation, support microbial balance, and keep the digestive system moving the way it’s designed to—promoting more energy, clearer thinking, and a calmer gut.

14. Hydration: Why Drinking More Water Matters for Motility

Adequate hydration is one of the simplest—and most overlooked—foundations of healthy digestion. Water helps soften and bulk the stool, making it easier for the colon to move waste efficiently. When we don’t drink enough, the colon pulls water out of the stool to conserve hydration, which leads to harder, drier stools and slower transit time.

Poor hydration can also reduce the effectiveness of fiber, probiotics, and motility supplements because they all rely on water to do their job. For example, fiber needs water to form a gel-like substance that supports smooth movement through the intestines, and magnesium works best when the body is well-hydrated.

Bottom line: drinking enough water keeps things moving. It supports peristalsis (the wave-like muscle contractions of the gut), prevents stool from becoming compacted, and reduces straining—ultimately promoting better motility, less bloating, and more predictable digestion. Drink half your body weight in ounces per day.

15. HEAL THE ROOT CAUSE

If you’ve tried everything on this list and you’re still constipated, bloated, or stuck in the cycle of “skinny poops,” that’s not a sign your body is broken. It’s a sign something deeper is going on — like SIBO, parasites, blood sugar dysfunction, or hormone imbalances — and it’s time to get some answers and a targeted treatment plan. We can take a deeper dive into what else might be happening so you can finally find relief! Reach out to get scheduled!

Simple, Gluten-Free Recipes for Thanksgiving

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:58:50 GMT

Nourishing and anti-inflammatory Thanksgiving Recipes to Enjoy!

�� Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash, cubed
2 tbsp olive oil
1–2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Salt + pepper
Optional: cinnamon, thyme

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Toss squash with oil, maple syrup, and spices.
Roast 30–35 minutes, turning once.
Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve.

�� Fall Harvest Salad (GF)

Ingredients:

Arugula or mixed greens
Sliced apples or pears
Roasted sweet potato cubes
Toasted pecans
Dried cranberries (unsweetened if possible)
Goat cheese (optional)
Dressing: olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, honey, salt

Directions:

Assemble salad ingredients.
Whisk dressing and drizzle over top.
Toss gently and serve fresh.

�� Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Dairy-Free Option)

Ingredients:

4–5 sweet potatoes
2 tbsp butter or coconut oil
2–3 tbsp almond milk
Salt, cinnamon

Directions:

Steam or boil sweet potatoes until soft.
Mash with butter/oil + almond milk.
Add cinnamon and salt to taste.

�� Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

1 can pumpkin puree
2 eggs
½ cup coconut milk
¼–⅓ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Blend all ingredients in a bowl.
Pour into a greased pie dish.
Bake 40–45 minutes until set.

Cool before slicing.

�� Spiced Cranberry Mocktail Spritzer

Ingredients:

2 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
1 cup orange sparkling water (or plain)
1–2 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
1 cinnamon stick
4–5 whole cloves
1 orange, thinly sliced
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Directions:

Warm cranberry juice with cinnamon and cloves for 5 minutes; don’t boil.
Cool completely, strain, and chill.
Pour into glasses with sparkling water.
Garnish with orange slices and rosemary.

�� Warm Apple Cider Ginger Toddy (non-alcoholic)

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh apple cider (no added sugar)
1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves
1 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of nutmeg
Optional: 1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup

Directions:

Add cider, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, lemon, and nutmeg to a pot.
Simmer 10–15 minutes.
Strain and serve warm.

Optional: Add a splash of bourbon for adult guests.

�� 3. Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened almond or oat milk
½ cup pumpkin purée
1 frozen banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (collagen or plant-based)
1 tsp pumpkin spice
½ tsp cinnamon
Splash of vanilla extract
Ice as needed

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Add ice to thicken or more milk to thin.

Tip: Add 1 tbsp chia or flax for fiber and hormone support.

�� Rosemary Citrus Sparkling Refresher

Bright, herbal, antioxidant-rich — a perfect palate cleanser.

Ingredients:

1 grapefruit, juiced
2 oranges, juiced
1 lemon, juiced
3–4 cups sparkling water
1 tbsp honey or simple syrup (optional)
Fresh rosemary sprigs
Ice

Directions:

Juice grapefruit, oranges, and lemon.
Add sweetener if using.
Pour over ice and top with sparkling water.
Garnish with rosemary.

Menopause is a Journey Series, Part 3: An Encouraging Update in Women’s Hormone Health

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 15:05:05 GMT

Menopause is a Journey Series, Part 3: An Encouraging Update in Women’s Hormone Health

In the first two parts of this series, we explored the complexity of menopause and the confusion created by the early interpretations of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. Many women were left without clear guidance, and for over two decades, those misunderstandings shaped how hormone therapy was viewed.

Today, I want to share an encouraging development that reflects the growing clarity around menopausal care.

The FDA has recently begun removing the long-standing black-box warning from estrogen-based hormone therapy.

This update acknowledges what many years of research have shown — that hormone therapy, when used thoughtfully and in the right context, can be a safe and meaningful part of supporting women through menopause.

Why this matters

Current evidence continues to support that:

Hormone therapy is most effective and safest when started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, and
Bioidentical and transdermal options offer favorable safety profiles for many women.

While the strongest research supports early initiation, I also want women to know that this doesn’t automatically exclude those who are further past menopause. With the right cardiac and metabolic evaluation — such as labs, a heart assessment, or a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score — some women in their 60s and 70s may still be good candidates and often notice meaningful improvements in sleep, mood, cognition, bone and mineral density, sexual health, skin, hair, and overall wellbeing.

Voices helping shift the national conversation

One of the influential voices in this movement has been Dr. Rachel S. Rubin, a nationally recognized urologist and sexual medicine specialist. She has participated in congressional testimony and ongoing advocacy efforts encouraging the FDA to update hormone therapy warnings to reflect modern science and patient needs.

Dr. Rubin emphasizes both safety and the broader public-health implications of appropriate hormone therapy:

“These vaginal hormone therapies are safe … we will save lives, we will save money, and we will save so much of healthcare.”

“We have publications … that show we could save Medicare billions of dollars a year if women were given safe and effective vaginal hormone therapy.”

Professional organizations echo this reassurance. The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS) states:

“Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the genitourinary syndrome of menopause and has been shown to prevent bone loss and fracture.”

These perspectives reflect a broader shift toward more accurate, evidence-based understanding of hormone therapy — one that supports women, rather than discourages them.

A steady step forward

For the past 11 years at The Healing Collective, our team has been honored to support women through the menopausal transition using an individualized and integrative approach. This FDA update aligns with what we’ve consistently seen in practice — women benefit from compassionate, informed, personalized care, not fear-based messages.

While this change is reassuring, it’s also one step toward broader improvements in women’s hormonal care. We’re hopeful it will pave the way for:

More progesterone dosing options through commercial pharmacies
Standardized testosterone options for women
Clearer guidance and education for both patients and providers

Moving forward together

In the upcoming parts of this series, we’ll continue sharing how we approach hormone therapy safely and effectively — including personalized dosing, monitoring, and how hormones fit into a larger whole-body healing plan.

Menopause is a transition — unique for each woman — and it deserves thoughtful, evidence-based support.

Be well,

Tracy Shulsinger, FNP

Why IV Nutrient Therapy Is Changing the Way We Heal and Feel

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:51:07 GMT

If you’ve ever taken a handful of vitamins and wondered how much your body is actually absorbing — you’re not alone. Nutrients taken orally can lose a significant percentage of their potency as they move through the digestive system. IV nutrient therapy changes that equation entirely.

By delivering vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants directly into your bloodstream, IV therapy allows for near-100% absorption and rapid cellular delivery — something no capsule or powder can match. The result? Faster energy restoration, deeper detoxification, and noticeable vitality that most people feel within hours to a day.

At The Healing Collective Functional & Integrative Medicine in Niwot, CO , we use IV therapy not just for hydration or recovery, but as a powerful tool for whole-body healing — especially when combined with good nutrition and targeted supplementation.

Because while IV therapy provides an incredible boost, food and supplements remain the foundation of sustained wellness. Without them, many people would experience even greater nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, and barriers to healing. Together, a nutrient-rich diet, quality supplementation, and IV therapy create a synergistic path to true cellular vitality.

Our medical-grade IV formulas are designed to support:

⚡ Energy and metabolism
��️ Immune and anti-microbial defense
�� Hydration and electrolyte balance
�� Physical and post-illness recovery
�� Detoxification and cleansing pathways
�� Antioxidant and anti-aging protection
�� Focus, cognition, and brain health
�� Cellular repair and mitochondrial support
�� Healthy skin, hair, and collagen formation
�� Weight and metabolic health
�� Oxygenation and ozone support
�� Anti-microbial balance and immune regulation

For example, our NAD+ Mitochondrial Reset Protocol goes far beyond a standard infusion — it’s a complete cellular rejuvenation treatment designed to restore focus, stamina, and resilience. And our Ozone Therapy IV offers an exceptional immune-boosting, anti-microbial, and oxygen-enhancing effect that supports the body’s natural defenses and detox pathways.

Whether you’re recovering from stress, travel, illness, or simply feeling depleted, IV therapy can help you rebuild, rebalance, and renew — faster and more effectively than oral supplements alone.

If you’re curious about how IV therapy can enhance your energy, immunity, and overall wellness, we’d love to help you experience the difference.

The Gut–Brain Axis: Why Your Digestion Suffers When You’re Stressed

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:30:09 GMT

Stress doesn’t just live in your mind — it shows up in your gut.

Have you ever noticed your stomach tightening before a big event or your digestion going off track during stressful weeks? That’s no coincidence. The gut and brain are in constant communication- so when your nervous system is on high alert, your digestive system feels it. In this article, we’ll explore how stress disrupts your gut, what the gut-brain axis actually is, and how you can support both systems naturally.

What Is the Gut–Brain Axis?

The gut–brain axis is the bi-directional communication network linking your gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. This complex system integrates:

The Vagus Nerve: The primary “information highway” sending signals both ways between gut and brain.
Neurotransmitters: The gut produces roughly 90% of the body’s serotonin , influencing mood, sleep, and emotional stability.
The Microbiome: Trillions of microorganisms that help digest food, synthesize vitamins, regulate immunity, and even modulate stress hormones.
The Enteric Nervous System (ENS): Known as the “second brain,” it manages digestion independently while staying in constant dialogue with the CNS.

When this axis is balanced, digestion runs efficiently, energy levels remain stable, and mental clarity thrives. But under stress, the entire system can spiral out of sync.

How Stress Disrupts Digestion

Your body’s stress response is designed for survival — not modern-day multitasking. When stress hits, the sympathetic nervous system activates “fight or flight” mode. This leads to:

Reduced digestive flow: Blood moves away from the gut to the limbs and brain.
Suppressed secretions: Stomach acid, bile, and enzymes drop, impairing nutrient breakdown.
Altered gut motility: Stress can slow digestion (constipation) or speed it up (diarrhea).
Microbiome imbalance: Cortisol and norepinephrine change microbial composition, favoring inflammatory strains.
Increased gut permeability (“leaky gut”): The intestinal lining weakens, allowing toxins and undigested food to enter the bloodstream — triggering systemic inflammation.

These changes can manifest as bloating, reflux, food sensitivities, fatigue, and even mood instability.

The Emotional Side: When the Gut Speaks for the Mind

Your gut mirrors your emotional world. Fear tightens it. Anger inflames it. Grief slows it. And chronic worry drains it.

When the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, it can send distress signals to the brain, influencing anxiety, depression, and irritability. This is why digestive symptoms and mood disorders so often appear together — they share the same communication highway.

Supporting the Gut–Brain Axis Naturally

Restoring gut-brain harmony means tending to both systems simultaneously. Here are key strategies to help:

1. Activate the Parasympathetic (“Rest & Digest”) Response

Practice slow breathing before meals (inhale for 4, exhale for 6).
Eat mindfully — chew well, avoid screens, and appreciate your food.
Stimulate the Va gus nerve through humming, gargling, or cold-water exposure.

2. Nourish the Microbiome

Emphasize diverse, plant-based fibers from colorful vegetables and prebiotics (onions, leeks, asparagus).
Include fermented foods like sauerkraut or kefir (if tolerated).
Limit refined sugars, processed oils, and additives that disrupt microbial balance.
Consider functional stool testing to identify bacterial imbalances or pathogens.

3. Balance Stress Hormones

Prioritize 7–9 hours of sleep per night.
Incorporate movement you enjoy —walking, yoga, or strength training.
Use adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil) under professional supervision.

4. Heal the Gut Lining

Add bone broth, L-glutamine, aloe vera, and zinc carnosine to repair tissue.
Remove reactive foods short-term to give your gut a break (gluten, dairy, processed oils).
Reintroduce slowly once the gut barrier is restored.

The Takeaway

Digestive health doesn’t exist in isolation from mental and emotional wellbeing. Your gut and brain are a dynamic pair — one reflects the other. Chronic stress can alter everything from your microbiome to your mood, but the good news is: you can retrain your system.

Through mindful nutrition, nervous system regulation, and targeted functional testing, you can rebuild a strong gut–brain connection — one that supports energy, resilience, and emotional balance.

Ready to Heal from the Inside Out?

At The Healing Collective , we work with people just like you to uncover the root causes of digestive distress, hormone imbalance, and chronic fatigue through lab testing, personalized nutrition, and nervous system support .

Book an initial Session to learn how stress might be affecting your gut — and how we can restore balance naturally. Be Well.

Peptide Therapy for Healing, Weight Loss, and Whole-Body Renewal in Boulder County, CO

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 22:18:46 GMT

Restore Energy, Metabolism, and Vitality — Safely and Holistically

At The Healing Collective in Niwot, Boulder County, we help patients across Colorado restore energy, metabolism, and well-being through a holistic, functional medicine approach.

Our Peptide Therapy program is a scientifically advanced and deeply individualized, supportive way to help the body remember how to heal.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as cellular messengers, guiding your body to repair tissue, regulate metabolism, balance hormones, and increase vitality.

All peptides we prescribe are compounded in USP-certified, FDA-registered pharmacies to ensure purity and safety. We never use unregulated or “research” peptides.

How Peptide Therapy Supports Healing and Weight Loss

Peptides are incredibly versatile — and when prescribed intentionally, they can help you feel stronger, clearer, and more at home in your body.

Metabolic & Weight Optimization (GLP-1 Peptides: Semaglutide and Tirzepatide)

GLP-1 peptides mimic a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite, helping to calm cravings, stabilize metabolism, and support healthy, sustainable weight loss.

Benefits patients commonly experience include:

Steady, healthy weight loss
Reduced appetite and improved food awareness
Enhanced mood and mental clarity
Better blood sugar balance and less inflammation

As a clinician, I’ll admit that I was initially cautious about GLP-1 therapy. Frequent reports of muscle & hair loss, excessive skin sagging, nausea, constipation and rebound weight gain made me hesitant. After learning refined protocols and emphasizing nutrition, body composition monitoring with our In Body 720 machine, and adjusting dosing thoughtfully, we’ve created a much more consistent and positive experience for patients. This careful approach avoids the side effects and leaves us with the lasting benefits.

Now I regularly see patients achieving safe, steady weight loss while also noticing clearer thinking, more balanced mood, and lower inflammation. It’s encouraging to see such whole-body benefits when GLP-1s are used intentionally and supported holistically.

When combined with nutrition, hydration, resistance training, and monitoring, GLP-1 peptides help preserve lean muscle and metabolic balance for lasting healthy body composition.

Inflammation & Repair (BPC-157 and PDA)

BPC-157 and PDA (Penta Deca Arginate) accelerate tissue repair and calm inflammation. They support collagen regeneration, circulation, and recovery — ideal for people managing joint pain, muscle tension, or gut inflammation.

Benefits may include:

Faster healing from injury or overuse
Less pain and stiffness
Improved flexibility and strength
Better digestion and gut health

I’ve had several patients describe this therapy as a real “game changer.” Many who have long managed sensitive or injury-prone areas report gradual, noticeable improvement in mobility and comfort. It’s rewarding to see them move with more ease and confidence and release fears of repeated pain and injury with activities.

Vitality & Longevity (Growth Hormone Secretagogues: Sermorelin, Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin)

These peptides gently stimulate your body’s own growth hormone release, supporting sleep, recovery, tissue repair, and healthy aging.

Patients often notice:

Deeper, more restorative sleep
Better recovery and energy
Brighter skin and muscle tone
A renewed sense of vitality and balance

Many of my patients tell me they feel more youthful and resilient while using these peptides — particularly appreciating the deeper sleep and smoother recovery. During the brief scheduled breaks in treatment, they sometimes notice a mild dip in sleep quality or energy, which quickly improves when therapy resumes. The pause simply reminds us how well these peptides support the body’s natural rhythm.

A Holistic, Monitored Approach

At The Healing Collective, peptide therapy is part of a whole-person plan, never a quick fix.

Each program includes:

Comprehensive lab testing to guide safety and dosing
Nutrition and lifestyle guidance for sustained results
Education and injection support for confident self-administration
Follow-up visits for monitoring and refills

Most peptides are delivered by subcutaneous injections (like an insulin shot). They are simple, barely felt, well tolerated, and safe. We provide all supplies, detailed instruction, and guidance so you feel confident from the start.

How to Begin

Whether your goal is healthy weight loss, faster recovery, or renewed energy, we’ll design a personalized plan to meet your needs.

New patients: Schedule a 30-minute Peptide Consultation to explore the best fit for your goals OR a 90-minute New Patient Consult, to cover peptides plus everything else!
Existing patients: Add peptides during your routine follow-up or schedule a focused 30-minute appointment.

Menopause Is A Journey Part 2

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 23:40:33 GMT

Menopause is a Journey Part 2, The Truth Behind the Confusion

In my last post, I shared about the immense and complex journey of menopause and referenced the New York Times article, “Women Have Been Misled About Menopause.”

Today, I want to take that conversation deeper and explore why so much confusion and fear around menopause treatment still exist—more than 20 years after the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study changed the course of how hormone therapy was viewed.

The WHI was a large study published in 2002 that aimed to understand the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women, especially regarding heart disease, cancer, and bone health. Unfortunately, the early headlines reported that HRT increased the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Many women stopped their medications overnight, and providers became hesitant to prescribe hormones at all.

What was not widely discussed at the time:

The average age of participants was 63 years old, often more than a decade past menopause onset.
The study used synthetic, non-bioidentical hormones (conjugated equine estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate), which act differently in the body than bioidentical forms.
Later analyses revealed that women who began hormone therapy closer to menopause—before age 60 or within 10 years of their last period—had lower rates of heart disease and overall mortality.

Since then, additional studies have given us a clearer picture:

The ELITE Trial showed that starting estradiol early after menopause slowed the progression of atherosclerosis, supporting the “timing hypothesis.”
Multiple meta-analyses have confirmed that early use of hormone therapy can reduce all-cause mortality and cardiovascular risk in younger postmenopausal women.
HRT is well-established to protect bone density, reduce fracture risk, support lean muscle, and may offer cognitive and mood benefits.
Transdermal (through the skin) bioidentical hormones have a lower risk of clotting and are often better tolerated.
The absolute risks—such as blood clots or breast cancer—are small when therapy is started appropriately and monitored carefully.

In short, not all hormone therapy is the same, and timing, formulation, and route all matter. For many women, the benefits of well-managed hormone therapy far outweigh the risks.

Menopause is not simply an ending—it’s a transition that deserves thoughtful, personalized care. Hormone therapy can be one important part of that care when combined with functional medicine principles that support the whole woman, including nutrition, movement, sleep, stress balance, and emotional and spiritual wellness.

The goal is not just to survive menopause, but to thrive through it—with vitality, clarity, and joy.

In the next post, I will share how we can approach bioidentical hormone therapy safely and effectively—what labs to check, how to monitor progress, and how to integrate it into a whole-body healing plan.

Be well,
Tracy Shulsinger, FNP

The Surprising Connection between Seasonal Allergies, the Gut, and the Liver

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 19:25:03 GMT

Seasonal Allergies: gut and liver connection

Each spring, millions of people brace for seasonal allergies. Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and fatigue often seem like an inevitable part of the changing seasons. But what if the root cause of these symptoms isn't just the pollen in the air, but an imbalance inside your body?

In functional medicine, we take a whole-body approach to understanding why allergies may become worse or more persistent. Two key players that often get overlooked are the gut and the liver . Here's how they influence allergy symptoms and what you can do to find long-term relief.

How the Gut Influences Allergies

Over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, where it plays a crucial role in determining how the body reacts to environmental triggers. A healthy gut lining and diverse microbiome help modulate inflammation and histamine responses.

When the gut is compromised due to:

Dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria)
Leaky gut (intestinal permeability)
Food sensitivities

...the immune system may become hypersensitive and start reacting to harmless substances like pollen, dust, or dander. This overreaction can manifest as seasonal allergy symptoms.

Additionally, a poorly functioning gut may impair the body’s ability to break down and eliminate histamine , the chemical responsible for many allergy symptoms such as hives, itching, and nasal congestion.

The Liver's Role in Histamine and Detoxification

Your liver is your body's main filtration and detox organ. One of its many jobs is breaking down excess histamine and clearing it from the bloodstream. If the liver is overburdened with toxins from poor diet, environmental exposures, medications, or alcohol, it may not efficiently process histamine. This can cause histamine to build up in the system, making allergy symptoms worse.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is considered the season of the liver. Supporting liver function during this time of year can help reduce the burden on your detox pathways and improve how your body handles allergens.

Key Strategies to Support Gut and Liver Health During Allergy Season

If you're looking for natural ways to address the root causes of seasonal allergies, consider these steps:

1. Focus on Gut Health:

Eat fiber-rich whole foods and prebiotics to feed good bacteria
Include fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir (if tolerated)
Use targeted probiotics to restore microbial balance
Address constipation or digestive issues

2. Support the Liver:

Incorporate bitter greens (arugula, dandelion, mustard greens)
Drink warm lemon water in the morning to stimulate bile flow
Consider liver-supportive herbs like milk thistle, burdock, or dandelion root
Reduce alcohol, processed foods, and environmental toxin exposure

3. Reduce Histamine Load:

Be mindful of high-histamine foods like aged cheese, smoked meats, alcohol, and leftovers
Try natural antihistamines such as quercetin, vitamin C, and stinging nettle
Identify and eliminate hidden food sensitivities

4. Optimize Detox Pathways:

Stay well hydrated
Sweat through movement or sauna use
Support regular bowel movements

Functional Testing for Deeper Insight

We offer specialized gut and liver function testing to identify underlying imbalances that may be contributing to your allergy symptoms. This can include stool analysis, food sensitivity panels, or toxin panels.

Final Thoughts

Seasonal allergies are not just an external problem—they often signal deeper imbalances in the gut and liver. By addressing these systems through diet, lifestyle, and personalized functional medicine support, you can reduce or even eliminate your allergy symptoms over time.

If you're ready to take a root-cause approach to allergy relief, reach out to schedule a consultation with our team today.

Avocado Egg Salad

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:42:09 GMT

Avocado Egg Salad

Ingredients

6 large eggs
1/2 red onion
1/4 cup dill pickle spears
2 tablespoons chives
2 tablespoons fresh dill
1 lemon
2 avocados
sea salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
8 romaine or butter lettuce leaves, optional

How To Prepare

1.To hard boil eggs, I put eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by at least 1 inch.

2.On stovetop, bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover with a fitted lid and allow the eggs to steam this way for 15 minutes.

3.Transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking, then peel.

4.To prepare the egg salad, peel and chop red onion. Chop dill pickles and chives. Mince dill. Juice lemon.

5.Chop hard boiled eggs and place them in a mixing bowl.

6.Peel avocados, remove the pit, and place in the bowl with eggs, then add onions, lemon juice, pickles, dill and chives.

7.Mash ingredients together well, then add a generous amount of sea salt and black pepper, to taste. Serve right away on lettuce or however you like! Enjoy!

Mango Chicken Salad with Avocado

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:36:04 GMT

Mango Chicken Salad with Avocado

Ingredients

For the dressing:
1 small lime
1 small lemon
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar, or wine vinegar
sea salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste

For the salad:
1 pound cooked chicken, option to not use chicken, or replace with turkey
1/2 bunch kale
1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage
1 small red bell pepper
1 small mango
1 large avocado
2 green onions
1/4 bunch cilantro
2 teaspoons black sesame seeds, optional

How To Prepare

1.For the dressing: Juice lime and lemon.

2.Whisk together all dressing ingredients. Set aside.

3.For the salad: Shred or cube chicken. Chop kale into small pieces. Shred cabbage. Dice bell pepper and mango. Peel, pit, and cube avocado.

4.Chop the white and light green parts of the green onions. Chop cilantro.

5.In a bowl, combine all salad ingredients.

6.Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to combine.

7.Let salad set for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow kale leaves to soften.

8.Divide among plates and serve.

Beet Summer Salad

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:31:54 GMT

Beet Summer Salad

Ingredients

4 golden beets
8 slices prosciutto
2 cups strawberries
1/2 cup pine nuts, optional
6 cups arugula
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
sea salt, to taste

How To Prepare

1.Boil beets until fork tender, then dice.

2.Dice prosciutto. Hull and quarter strawberries. Toast pine nuts, if using.

3.Add arugula to a large bowl.

4.On top, evenly spread beets, prosciutto, and strawberries.

5.In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and salt for dressing. Then add dressing to salad and combine well.

6.Top with toasted pine nuts.

Sesame Ginger Chicken Salad

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:22:00 GMT

Sesame Ginger Chicken Salad

Ingredients

For the salad:
2 cups snow peas
1 red bell pepper
1 cucumber
4 green onions
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 pound cooked chicken

For the dressing:
1/2 inch fresh ginger
1/4 cup coconut aminos
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
sea salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste

How To Prepare

1.For the salad: Dice the snow peas, bell pepper, cucumber, green onions, and cilantro.

2.Combine all these ingredients, along with the shredded cabbage and carrots, in a large bowl. Toss toasted sesame seeds into salad.

3.Shred chicken and toss into salad.

4.For the dressing: Peel and grate the ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Season with sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste.

5.Mix in dressing to your taste.

Harvest Chicken Salad

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:18:27 GMT

Harvest Chicken Salad

Ingredients

For the salad:
2 sweet potatoes
1 small red onion
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil
sea salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
2 pears, or apples
1/2 cup pecans, or walnuts
1 pound cooked chicken
12 ounces baby spinach, or salad greens of choice
1/2 cup dried cranberries

For the dressing:
1 orange
1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, or yellow mustard
sea salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup avocado oil

How To Prepare

1.Preheat oven to 400F. Peel and cube sweet potatoes. Peel and thinly slice onion.

2.Place sweet potato and onion on a large rimmed baking sheet and toss with oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until tender and slightly caramelized.

3.Remove from oven, season to taste with salt and pepper, and allow to cool slightly.

4.While the sweet potatoes are roasting, core and thinly slice pears. Chop walnuts. Slice chicken breast.

5.Divide all salad ingredients evenly amongst plates or salad bowls.

6.For the dressing: Zest 1/4 of the orange and juice all of it. Juice the lemon.

7.Add all ingredients to a small food processor or blender and blend until well combined. Alternatively, you can whisk all ingredients together.

8.Drizzle vinaigrette over the top of each salad, setting aside any extra for another use. Toss to combine, and serve.

Chopped Broccoli Salad

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:14:56 GMT

Chopped Broccoli Salad

Ingredients

2 heads broccoli
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon coconut aminos
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

How To Prepare

1.Chop the broccoli and cranberries.

2.Mix everything together.

3.For best results let sit for 30 minutes or so to let the flavors mingle.

Chicken Soup with Roasted Veggies

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:10:01 GMT

Chicken Soup with Roasted Vegetables

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Slow Cooker Classic Turkey Soup

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:59:08 GMT

Slow Cooker Classic Turkey Soup

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Green Goddess Soup

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:54:59 GMT

Green Goddess Soup

Ingredients

1 bunch kale
3 carrots
1 onion
1 zucchini
3 stalks celery
1 head broccoli
1/2 pound asparagus, optional
1/8 head cabbage, optional
1 teaspoon minced garlic
8 cups chicken broth
9 ounces spinach
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more to taste

How To Prepare

1.Roughly chop kale. Peel and chop carrots and onion. Chop zucchini, celery, broccoli, asparagus, and cabbage.

2.Add all ingredients to a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until all vegetables are soft.

3.Puree soup with an immersion blender or in a blender or food processor until frothy and smooth. Sprinkle with additional pepper, to taste, and serve.

Carrot Ginger Soup

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:49:18 GMT

Carrot Ginger Soup

Ingredients

8 carrots
1 onion
2 inches fresh ginger
1 small lemon
4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or fat of choice
4 teaspoons minced garlic
3/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon dried mint
1 cup cashews

How To Prepare

1.Peel and chop carrots into chunks. Peel and coarsely chop the onion. Peel and grate the ginger. Juice the lemon.

2.Simmer carrots in chicken broth until very tender in a 4 quart covered soup pot.

3.Sauté onions in fat over medium heat until they begin to soften.

4.Add garlic, ginger, salt, and spices to the onions, turn to low and continue cooking until everything is well mingled and the onions are soft.

5.Stir in lemon juice.

6.Add onion mixture and whole cashews to carrots and chicken broth, and blend until smooth with an immersion blender.You can also use a food processor or stand up blender, but in this case puree in small batches to avoid burning yourself with hot soup.

7.Adjust seasoning with additional salt and lemon juice. Spoon into bowls and serve.

Butternut Squash Soup

raechel@thehealingcollective.us (Raechel Koob) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:42:51 GMT

Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

3 stalks celery
1 1/2 cups baby carrots
1 onion
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 large butternut squash
5 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, plus more for garnish
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
sea salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
1 ounce full fat coconut milk

How To Prepare

1.Preheat oven to 350F. Chop celery. Peel and chop carrots and onion.

2.Fill a frying pan with olive oil to coat, add chopped onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Set aside.

3.While other veggies are cooking, put a damp cloth under cutting board to stabilize while you cut squash in half. (Be very very careful when doing this.)

4.Scoop out seeds. Pierce squash all over outside with a fork. Brush squash with oil.

5.Cook cut side down for 40-45 minutes. Pull out of oven and let squash cool a bit.

6.Add most of the broth to a large pot along with the spices (reserve about 1 cup broth per every 4 servings.)

7.Bring squash and vegetables you cooked earlier to a boil on medium-high heat. Turn down heat to a simmer.

8.Once veggies become soft enough, turn off heat and add the remaining broth.

9.When soup has cooled off a bit add to a blender/food processor and purée.

10.Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds, coconut milk, and a dash of nutmeg. So tasty!

Happy Pride and Alzheimer's/Brain Awareness Month!

tealeigh26@gmail.com (Tracy Shulsinger) — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 17:08:56 GMT

This month has two very important celebrations that I would love to connect. Making connections is actually one of the strengths of the functional medicine detection process that guides us to the root causes of illness and toward healing! I now invite you to take a pause and ask yourself, what does pride in owning one’s sexual orientation as LGBTQ have to do with brain health and Alzheimer's Disease? As not to leave anyone out- if you identify as straight or heterosexual, what could having pride in yourself have to do with your brain health and Alzheimer's?

An important connection that I would like to make involves the nervous system. The brain is a central component of the nervous system, along with the spinal cord and nerves. Our nervous system influences and controls many bodily functions and is also influenced and controlled by many factors. Our emotional state highly influences our nervous system.

Individuals who do not feel accepted to be who they are without being judged, criticized, ridiculed and loved by others live under tremendous stress. They often feel unsafe- emotionally and/or physically. Living with constant emotional stress and feeling physically or emotionally unsafe takes a major toll on the nervous system, including the brain, and can be one of many contributors to cognitive impairment.

This constant level of stress can impair cognitive function. Stress is inflammatory to the body and brain. Stress affects neurotransmitter production, causing excess excitatory neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, which up-regulate our system which can unfortunately cause even more stress. Stress also causes increased cortisol, the stress hormone to be produced. An excess of these chemicals causes health consequences to many bodily systems. To name a few:

Cardiovascular- increased blood pressure and heart rate
Respiratory- shallow and rapid breathing that reduces oxygenation
Musculoskeletal- pain and tension
Endocrine System- sex hormone and thyroid hormone abnormalities due to the HPATG (Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Thyroid Gonadal) Axis disturbance caused by high cortisol and elevated blood sugar that could advance to diabetes
Immune system- Autoimmune disease risk increases significantly from chronic stress
Gastrointestinal- GI issues due to parasympathetic and vagus nerve disruption
And on and on! Every single system is affected by chronic stress in the nervous system.

Detoxing is Critical to Long Term Health!

tealeigh26@gmail.com (Tracy Shulsinger) — Thu, 23 May 2024 17:09:08 GMT

When people ask me what is one of the most important elements of healthy living, disease prevention and feeling one’s best I always include detoxing as a top priority. Then one of 2 things generally happens. People respond with a resounding, yes! Or I get the deer in the headlight look.

I love to break down information for my clients because the more understanding into why something matters, the more follow through and greater benefit to the client will occur.

Detoxing is so critical because we are exposed to toxins all day, every day, in our modern life through our basic survival needs and beyond. . Exposure comes through the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat, personal hygiene products we ironically use to cleanse and care for ourselves and our living spaces. Additionally, extra exposures occur when we renovate our homes or offices; buy a new mattress, carpet, or couch due to the new materials off-gassing chemicals used in the manufacturing process. On top of this certain industries provide extra exposures, such as: mechanics, chemists, beauticians who work in spas and nail salons, artists, construction workers/contractors/mechanical engineers, hospital workers, farmers and more!

The deer in the headlights look continues and people wonder, how to detox? People often ask- do I have to do a juice diet or not eat…they often imagine something hard and extreme. Yes, these types of detox’s do exist but must be short lived and thus are less effective. The best type of detox is actually one that supports your daily life rather than interfering with it.

There are 3 important, simple messages I’d like to share regarding detoxing.

First, living a detox lifestyle is an important way to provide self care to your body, mind and emotions. This means you are eating, drinking, moving, bathing and sweating in an intentional way that helps the daily toxins that flow in, to flow right back out. This preventative method significantly reduces toxin accumulation .

Second, address stored toxins by doing a deeper detox dive over multiple months. Start with supporting your drainage pathways, which is “Phase 3” of the body’s detoxing cycle. For this I recommend a detox kit by Cellcore, which they named Phase 1…sorry for the confusion! This is Phase 1 of a detox protocol but in fact it supports Phase 3 of our own body’s detox elimination cycle. Once the body’s drainage pathways are open then deeper detoxing is safe, effective and comfortable, which I love to guide people through!.

Thirdly, incorporate intermittent fasting on a regular basis. At the least, do a 12 hour fast overnight. But then build up from there. I strongly recommend that we discuss this further before doing longer fasts to maximize effectiveness and minimize unwanted results. In addition to detoxing support, fasting also supports longevity, cancer prevention and treatment, metabolic disorders- but when not done correctly, especially for a woman's body, it can actually cause unwanted hormonal changes.

I would love to support your detoxing needs further so if you feel you are in need and ready for some detox support, please reach out.

Wishing you all the best and so, so well!

With love,

Tracy Shulsinger, FNP

Inhaled Molecular Hydrogen to Enhance Your Treatment Sessions

Fri, 10 May 2024 19:02:13 GMT

INHALED MOLECULAR HYDROGEN IS NOW AVAILABLE IN SCHEDULED PHYSICAL THERAPY SESSIONS

To add Inhaled Molecular Hydrogen therapy to your treatment session, book with the front desk or request this service prior to your appointment.

Treatment is subject to availability. Check in with the Front Desk to ensure you can receive the benefits of Inhaled Molecular Hydrogen with your treatment session. There is a small fee for this add-on service.

Molecular Hydrogen has been shown to benefit many aspects of our wellness, including the following:

IS INHALATION MOLECULAR HYDROGEN THE MISSING LINK IN YOUR WELLNESS ROUTINE?

Molecular Hydrogen (H2) is a superpowered antioxidant that travels easily throughout the body to places other antioxidants cannot.

Oxidative stress is the root cause of most chronic illnesses and conditions. It affects every organ system including the brain and immune system. Counteracting free radicals caused by oxidative stress can relieve unwanted symptoms to get you back to doing and enjoying the things you love most.

There are Over 1,000 peer-reviewed Studies Documenting Effects of Molecular Hydrogen (H2) Therapy

Molecular Hydrogen (H2) has been studied with significant results in the following areas:

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of our healthcare providers and the functional medicine community. We strongly encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Learn about our skilled Functional Medicine providers , here .

A Heart Screening Test To Know About

tealeigh26@gmail.com (Tracy Shulsinger) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:33:21 GMT

Heart health is a major concern for many people. According to the Centers For Disease Control Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has been the leading cause of death since 1950.

Many daily choices are based on heart health. These may include not smoking, exercising, limiting high fat foods, taking heart focused supplements/medications, heart medical tests, and more.

I also find the CAC score helpful in individuals with high LDL cholesterol who are being advised to begin medication for lowering cholesterol, called a “statin.” Statins include Simvastatin/Zocor, Atorvastatin/Lipitor, Pravastatin/Pravachol, Rosuvastatin/Crestor. In many instances their calcium score is actually 0, or very low, and they do not actually need to take medication.

The take home message here- the cholesterol number is not what matters most- it’s the effect or the behavior of the cholesterol. Is it sticking to the arteries and narrowing the passage of blood or is it simply circulating in the body? At The Healing Collective we love to say, “Test, don’t guess!” In the case of the Calcium Score CT Scan, this is one quite inexpensive test (usually around $200) that can provide tremendous value!

If you would like to have a Calcium Score CT Scan ordered, please ask for this in your next appointment w/ Tracy, FNP. Or you can schedule a brief 15 min. appointment if you don’t want to wait!

Wishing you so well and many blessings,

Tracy Shulsinger, FNP

Source:

Impact of coronary artery calcium on coronary heart disease events in individuals at the extremes of traditional risk factor burden: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/35/33/2232/622902

Menopause is a Journey Part 1

tealeigh26@gmail.com (Tracy Shulsinger) — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 21:41:00 GMT

The next several blogs will be presenting a series of information about menopause. This topic is SO immense that it will take many months to share...besides menopause is a journey!

This series will open with presenting an article, “Women Have Been Mislead About Menopause” in the New York Times that was published in February 2023.

I tremendously appreciate this article due to the blend of compassion and sensitivity regarding women who suffer through menopause and the scientific reporting from many excellent sources including large and small studies and experts in the field.

Menopause is a topic that I am very passionate about. It affects every single woman and despite this wide reach, there is still a high amount of reported confusion, distress and poor impacts to quality of life and global health reported by women during per-menopause and menopause. One healthcare topic that affects half of the population in the world is worth giving lots of attention! But yet there is tremendous controversy about this topic and many women report difficulty having a satisfying conversation w/ their providers about menopause- one where they feel well informed of benefits and not just risks, lack of judgment and a sensitivity to their experience.

Here are some important take-aways from this article regarding the many signs and symptoms women can experience:

About 85% of women experience symptoms during menopause
Hot flash’s are too often all that is discussed and understood by women as menopause symptoms. In fact there are whole body, systemic changes as well. The severity and experiences vary woman to women but here is a more complete list of signs and symptoms:
Brain: Vascular effects, cognitive changes/impairments, poor word finding, forgetfulness, short term memory disturbances.
Mental/Emotional Health- Insomnia, depression, anxiety, irritability, reduced libido
Skin/Mucous Membranes- Dryness to skin, mouth, eyes; accelerated skin aging in appearance and loss of elasticity
Cardiovascular- Increased cholesterol
Gastrointestinal- Digestive disturbances
Genitourinary/Vaginal- urinary leakage/incontinence, dryness, painful intercourse, atrophic vaginitis, increase in infections such as “BV” (bacterial vaginitis) and yeast infections, excessive vaginal bleeding, unpredictable menstrual cycles, shortening or lengthening of menstrual cycle.
Musculoskeletal- joint pain, bone density loss that can lead to Osteopenia and further to Osteoporosis
Metabolic- weight gain and body composition changes including reduction in muscle mass and increase in belly fat

Peri-Menop ause and Menopause Timing:

Hormonal decline can begin in the mid 30s for some women. This can be accelerated by exogenous hormones (birth control, fertility treatments), stress and nutritional deficiencies.
Peri- Menopause typically begins in the mid to late 40s
Peri-menopause lasts about 4 years on average. This is a time of more accelerated hormone reduction due to reduction of hormone production from the ovaries.
Menopause, a.k.a post-menopause, is defined as the absence of menstruation for 365 days- a full year.

In the next blog post I will discuss the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study that was conducted in 2002 and created major changes in how women and medical providers perceive hormone therapy. This created huge disruption due to how the information was provided to the media and then what was shared with the public, and what wasn’t shared. Still, over 20 years later women and healthcare are experiencing the negative aftermath.

Be well!

Tracy Shulsinger, FNP

Perimenopause - Know the Facts!

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:54:42 GMT

Everyone talks about what to expect during pregnancy and the first year of a child’s life, but few women are aware and few allopathic providers are talking about what to expect in perimenopause, which is why it is vital to increase awareness and inspire action. Most women enter perimenopause in their 40’s, but changes can begin as early as mid to late 30’s. These changes and symptoms can begin up to 10 years before menopause. Perimenopausal women may experience none, some, or all of the following symptoms:

Mood changes
Weight gain
Decreased libido
Irregular periods
Vaginal dryness
Hair loss
Hot flashes
Night Sweats
Brain Fog
Constipation
Headaches
Difficulty sleeping
Bladder and pelvic issues, such as incontinence or prolapse

While this list can seem daunting, having an understanding of perimenopause can help clarify what is happening in your body. As perimenopause begins, estrogen begins to fluctuate greatly which creates irregular periods. The decreased estrogen in your body can also contribute to pelvic pain and vaginal dryness, because estrogen is a key player in keeping the vaginal canal plump and lubricated. As estrogen continues to decrease, the vaginal tissue can atrophy and become thin. Once closer to menopause, estrogen levels decrease significantly. Twelve months or more of no periods means you are officially in menopause.

It is also important to have a plan of action if and when you start having symptoms, because you should not have to suffer through it. The symptoms can be managed! One of the most important and often forgotten ways you can help yourself during perimenopause is to come to Pelvic Physical Therapy with Dr. Madelyn. She uses traditional pelvic PT modalities such as manual therapy and therapeutic exercise while also using Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) in all of her treatment sessions to address symptoms such as brain fog, headaches, libido changes, mood, and all bladder and pelvic issues.

Your plan could also include seeing your healthcare provider to check hormone levels and manage any mood shifts. Bioidentical hormone replacement, regular exercise, restful sleep, limiting alcohol, and a healthy diet with plenty of protein and Omega 3’s can help alleviate many of the symptoms that arise. Having a good support system with friends, family, and your health care team can make all the difference between suffering through unwelcome symptoms and thriving into this new phase of your life.

Perimenopause can cause significant changes in your life that can make you feel out of control in your body, but at The Healing Collective, Dr. Madelyn is here to help you navigate those changes as you embrace the transition and take back your power.

or call 720-572-5236 to schedule with Dr. Madelyn today.

The Harmful Effects of Glyphosate (and what YOU can do about it!)

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 16:19:36 GMT

Glyphosate Risks & What You can Do!

Have you been eating a dangerous dose of poison without even knowing it?!

Glyphosate is a worldwide commonly used herbicide and is the primary toxic chemical in Roundup™, as well as in many other herbicides.

Since the 1970s, we've seen a huge increase of a herbicide called glyphosate on our food crops - scientists estimate that over 150,000 tons are sprayed annually across America.

The amount of this herbicide used on agricultural crops has increased about 100-fold since it was first introduced in 1974, and 70% of Americans today have glyphosate showing up in their urine.

Is this widespread use of glyphosate something we should be worried about?

The Data is Conflicting, Concerning

Although the literature is somewhat conflicting, my review of the scientific papers reveals there are reasons for concern.

We need to wonder why many countries in Europe banned or heavily restricted the use of glyphosate?

Do they know something that people in the US don't know?

I am not one to point to political controversy but I simply have to wonder if the powers behind glyphosate have a lot to lose if the truth was known to the general public.

One fact is more than 100,000 cancer lawsuits have been filed in the US against the manufacturer of Roundup by people suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma who say the company's glyphosate-based herbicides are to blame for their disease.

So far, 80% of all Roundup claims have been settled but there are still about 30,000 still active and pending

As noted above since the 70s, glyphosate has been the superhero of the agricultural world - but now it seems that its use has revealed some serious health effects.

Scientific medical papers are revealing that exposure to glyphosate increases the risk of a cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41 percent. This is according to the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS).

In addition, after an assessment by the World Health Organization's IARC (the International Agency for Research on Cancer), glyphosate was classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” This put glyphosate in the same category as arsenic and asbestos. To put that in perspective, asbestos raises cancer risk by 28%.

Additional studies have linked glyphosate exposure to other chronic conditions and various types of cancer. In addition to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, renal tubule carcinoma, pancreatic islet-cell adenoma, and skin tumors have been noted. Glyphosate is also known to disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, reducing the ratio of beneficial to harmful bacteria.

Glyphosate and Heart Disease: Another Health Concern

Growing number of clinical studies have discovered glyphosate exposure to be a cause of many chronic health problems including heart disease.

It can enter the body by direct absorption through the skin, by eating foods treated with glyphosate, or by drinking water contaminated with glyphosate.

Some studies have shown cardiac electrophysiological changes associated to glyphosate.

Glyphosate exposure has been implicated as the potential cause of diffuse electrophysiological depolarization and repolarization conduction abnormalities, including prolonged QTc, intraventricular block, and AV conduction delay. These changes can lead to the development of life-threatening arrhythmias.

Some studies suggests that glyphosate has atherogenic potential, regardless of the concentration and route of exposure. It is recommended to considered testing your patients suffering cardiovascular challenges for glyphosate exposure.

I am now recommending that you consider ordering a more comprehensive Environmental Toxin Screen.

Treatment for Glyphosate Toxicity

There are several things you can do to minimize — and even eliminate — glyphosate contamination

The most effective way to reduce glyphosate exposure is to avoid living in areas where glyphosate is applied and to avoid eating GMO foods or animal products such as milk or meat for which GMO foods were used to feed the animals.

It must also be emphasized to eat organic produce!

The following should also be included in your glyphosate detox protocol:

Citrus pectin
Alginates (purified from kelp)
Glycine
Gingko biloba
Organic Iceland kelp
Probiotics and prebiotics
Infrared sauna

REFERENCES

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0748233721996578

https://www.heartrhythmcasereports.com

https://jphe.amegroups.com/article/view/3665/4415

https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/glyphosate-test

https://draxe.com/health/glyphosate-toxicity/

https://www.washington.edu/news/2019/02/13/uw-study-exposure-to-chemical-in-roundup-increases-risk-for-cancer/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34052177/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31342895/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7867956/

https://atm.amegroups.org/article/view/60115/html

https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-020-00574-1

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20045496/

Article complements of Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP, of Functional Medicine University .

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his Functional Medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

We offer whole-person Functional and Integrative Medical care at The Healing Collective. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO. Learn more about our Functional Medicine providers!

Staying Well this Fall & Sick Care when Needed

tealeigh26@gmail.com (Tracy Shulsinger) — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 14:51:19 GMT

A Functional Medicine Approach to Prevention & Wellness Support

This month's blog is inspired by the times- back to school, approaching fall a.k.a cold / flu season and an increase in COVID cases amongst us. In fact I was exposed myself and at the time of this writing, am nursing myself back to health with a Functional Medicine approach.

The Functional Medicine approach is quite simple when it comes to maintaining and improving health: Eliminate what doesn't belong in the body that contributes to disease and introduce or increase what supports health.

In regards to viral illnesses such as the common cold and COVID, this approach is very helpful. While we still can be exposed and contract an illness, the severity of the illness can be significantly reduced by following dietary considerations and taking supportive supplements before, during, and after an illness.

Anti-Viral Diet Recommendations

Avoid foods that increase inflammation and weaken the immune system:

Added Sugar
Excessive Salt
High Omega 6's
Fried Foods
Processed and Charred Meats
Fast Food
Certain Food Additives
Highly Refined Carbs
Certain High Fat Foods
Artificial Sweeteners

For more details in each of these categories, click here.

Supplement Recommendations

Supplements that provide immune system and anti-inflammatory support with targeted nutrients, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and enzymes can help at different stages: prevention, during acute phase of infection and for lingering symptoms than can turn into chronic states.

1. OrthoMune : Contains Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), Quercetin.
General Immune Support: 2 caps/day
Illness Support: 2 caps, twice/day

2. Vitamin C : Extra Vitamin C helpful during acute illness. Can take up to 1 tablet every hour when awake, up "to bowel tolerance". If you develop loose stools then reduce the dose as your body will not absorb more beyond that dose.

3. Vitamin D: Dose to blood levels of 50-80 and extra Vitamin D is helpful after exposure and during acute illness. Do be mindful not to exceed safe blood levels.

4. OrthoMega 820 : Omega 3 EPA/DHA anti-inflammatory fish oil from a clean, sustainable ocean source. Take 1-4/day w/ food. Higher doses best for treating inflammatory conditions such as 2 caps twice/day or lower doses such as 1 cap per day for prevention.

5. Inflavanoid Intensive Care : Botanical anti-inflammatory blend of Turmeric, Ginger, Hops, Fenugreek and Boswelia. Take 2/day w/ food.

6. SPM Active : Mediates the resolution of inflammation. Most anti-inflammatory mediate the initiation of inflammation. This is very helpful for the after effects of infections- Long COVID and also any extended state of inflammation such as in auto-immune conditions and chronic pain. Take 2/day as loading dose w/ food x 1 week; then 1/day.

7. CT Zyme : Anti-inflammatory enzyme blend that also includes humic acid and fulvic acid for detoxing support. 2/day AWAY from food- by at least 1 hour before food and 2 hours after food. Take on an empty stomach so the enzymes are not focused on digestive processes but instead are breaking down inflammatory proteins.

8. Vascuzyme : Anti-inflammatory enzyme blend w/ different enzymes that CT Zyme. Taking both can be helpful for heightened, prolonged states of inflammation. 2/day AWAY from food- by at least 1 hour before food and 2 hours after food. Take on empty stomach so the enzymes are not focused on digestive processes but instead are breaking down inflammatory proteins.

For more details and to learn about ingredients and additional information on each supplement, click the product information pages below:

Orthomega

Inflavanoid Inensive Care

Each of the above supplements can be purchased with our office discount applied by clicking here . Additionally, you can pick them up directly from the office or call us and have them shipped.

CT-Zyme

CT-Zyme Can be purchased here , or from the office. Use Provider Code 6FUC7M9v for CellCore online ordering access. You can also pick them up from the clinic or request shipping.

Wishing you well!

Tracy, FNP

Frequency Specific Support for Pre and Post-Op!

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 14:51:02 GMT

Optimize Surgical Outcomes - No Matter how Big or Small the Procedure

At The Healing Collective, we specialize in Frequency Medicine to support surgical outcomes for nearly any kind of procedure. Please reach out to us directly for a free consult to discuss how this modality can optimize your entire surgical experience.

This video is designed for patients who have a Home Frequency Specific PEMF Unit or Home FSM Unit. We request that you give us a month's notice whenever possible so that we can give you the very highest standard of care prior to a surgical procedure, regardless of how small or large it may be. We always personalize your Home Unit programming to encompass your own personal medical history and specific needs, and this just takes time!

Specific Frequencies to Support Surgery

We have supported many different surgical procedures including

Root canals
Tooth extractions
Shoulder replacements
Hysterectomies
Orchiopexies
ACL reconstructions
Rotator cuff repairs
Hip replacements
Knee replacements & revisions
Spinal surgeries
Fusions
Ankle surgeries
Fracture ORIFs
Osteoporosis & osteopenia
Abdominal surgeries

and many many more procedures with frequency medicine.

While we are passionate about helping our patients prevent the need for drugs or surgery, there are times when a procedure is essential and we especially enjoy helping the process go as smoothly as possible.

Real Results: Patient Testimonial

“I recently had my ACL replaced in my left knee. As soon as I was injured, I knew I had to get in to see Dr. Jessie.

Surgery was unavoidable. She began treating me with FSM soon after my injury and continued my treatments after surgery. She worked with my surgeon so that I could have a FSM treatment in the recovery room, as soon as I was awake, to help stop the swelling and bleeding and accelerate the healing process.

Post-surgery, we continued to treat the bruising, bleeding, scarring, and inflammation that occurs as a result of surgery. We also treated and healed the assault on my tissue and bones that is unavoidable when you have ACL surgery. We even treated me for PTSD, which really helped my state of mind, which in turn facilitated my overall recovery.

No joke, I was one of those people she refers to in the video, who's doctor was astounded by my recovery - hardly any scarring, swelling or pain. I was off my pain meds within 36 hours of surgery. When I went for my post-surgery check up, 2 months later, my doctor told me I was 6 weeks ahead of schedule in my healing . He could hardly believe it.

See for yourself. Here is a photo of my left and right knee. My left knee is the one I recently had surgery on. My scar is almost indiscernible. My right knee had an ACL replacement 10 years ago and no FSM support. The scar on the right knee is quite a bit more prominent.

Thank you Dr. Jessie for all of your exquisite care and the ability for me to have a seamless return to my busy/active life. I'm grateful to you and the whole Healing Collective family.”

—Dianne Z.

If you need support in preparing for your surgery or recovery post-op, contact us through the Charm portal or give the office a call.

Frequencies for Brain Health

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:09:20 GMT

Can we use Frequency Specific Microcurrent to Treat the Brain?

Can we use FSM for Brain Health?

The short answer: Yes, we can safely and effectively treat the brain with FSM. And it goes way beyond "the Concussion Protocol."

Did you know that there is an Optimal Resonant Frequency for almost every part of the brain?

We can use Frequency Specific Microcurrent to (hypothetically) specifically target the Amygdala, Forebrain, Hippocampus, Corpus Collosum, Vagus Nerve , blood vessels, dura mater, fascia, adipose, and so on, to promote healing and optimal function of brain tissues.

How does it work? FSM treats the brain by pairing tissue frequencies with condition frequencies (frequency instructions), such as reduce inflammation , or alleviate congestion . We apply these dual-frequency electrical pulses through the body from a positive electrode pair to a negative electrode pair using either sticky pads or warm, moist towels. The treatment is sub-sensory, meaning the frequencies match the natural micro-amperage current that is already produced within your cells, and basically works by reminding the tissues what their optimal frequency resonance is.

It's similar to plucking a guitar string which ends up vibrating an equally-tuned guitar string across the room, or how your key fab on your car works to unlock your car but not the one parked next to it.

When we hit the appropriate target tissue with the correct frequency instruction, we can elicit noticeable changes in patient symptoms.

FSM for Post-Concussion Syndrome: A Major Success Story!

Learn More about FSM for Concussion

Dr. Jessie offers free consults so you can determine together if this is the right therapeutic intervention for you.

Are Kegels the Answer???

Thu, 18 May 2023 13:45:00 GMT

To Kegel or Not To Kegel

Subjective norms about people’s perceptions of Pelvic Physical Therapy vary, but many think it is all about doing Kegels. So, should Kegels be the plan if there is pelvic floor dysfunction? The answer: it depends. :)

Many people have overactive pelvic floor muscles. With overactivity, Kegels would not be the answer. Think of a muscle in the body being in a constant state of contraction or shortening. If a muscle is already contracted and shortened, doing Kegels will only contribute to more overactivity. Another way to look at it is to think of the pelvic floor like a trampoline. If the springs are too tight, you cannot jump on the trampoline, and if the springs are too loose, jumping is also not possible. You want strength and endurance without overactivity.

Even more people have overactive and weak pelvic floor muscles. That can be a confusing combo. In that case, the goal would be to downtrain the overactive muscles, relieve trigger points, and then move toward strengthening, which would include Kegels and other exercises.

If a person has weak pelvic floor muscles and no overactivity, Kegels can help, BUT Kegels are not the only tool we use to strengthen the pelvic floor. Kegels usually involve a quick contraction and release of pelvic muscles which strengthen the fast twitch muscle fibers (30%). The pelvic floor is 70% slow twitch muscle fibers, so it is important to also work on exercises that strengthen those muscles for optimal outcomes.

We need to normalize discussions and emphasize the importance of Pelvic Health among family, friends, and healthcare providers to empower women and men. Comprehensive Pelvic Healthcare is vital to all people regardless of gender and regardless of whether or not they have had children. If we are talking about it openly, it will lead to more education and information, so Pelvic Health will not be oversimplified into just Kegels.

The pelvic floor is a complex set of muscles that do so much! They support multiple organs, hold emotions (more on that in another blog), allow us to have and enjoy sex, support vaginal delivery during childbirth, and assist with bodily functions such as urinating and defecating.

It is important to see a Pelvic Physical Therapist, like Dr. Madelyn, who can do a thorough evaluation to determine what is really going on in your body and create a customized plan of care specifically for you.

How can FSM help your pelvic floor?

Mon, 15 May 2023 13:45:00 GMT

Holistic Pelvic Care

During your Physical Therapy appointment, Dr. Madelyn uses Frequency Specific Microcurrent which is a wonderful complement to traditional physical therapy. People come to Pelvic PT for a variety of things - incontinence, pelvic pain, pain with sex, endometriosis, and more. Most clinics take a strictly orthopedic approach, which has value. However, using FSM with a more holistic approach, that includes orthopedics, has proven to be ideal for best patient outcomes, because it looks at the whole person to find out the driver of the pain instead of just treating the area of pain.

Below are some examples of questions Dr. Madelyn asks patients, followed by how FSM could be used in each scenario:

Does this patient have a high toxic burden? - Support elimination pathways such as the liver and gallbladder

Do they have mold or Lyme? - Support elimination pathways, mold detoxification

EDS or hypermobility? - Decrease pain and inflammation, repair connective tissue and ligaments

Trauma history? PTSD? - Support with PTSD frequencies, emotional component frequencies

Previous surgeries? - Remove scar tissue, decrease pain and inflammation

Vagus nerve dysfunction? - Support Vagus nerve function, Support midbrain

How many pregnancies and births, if any? - Remove scarring, Support vagus nerve, repair connective tissue and ligaments

Diet? - Treat SIBO, Candida, reflux

Bowel Health? - Decrease inflammation in intestines, Constipation support

Sexual Health? - Decrease pain and inflammation in urogynecological tissues, PTSD, remove trauma, emotional component

Viral history? - Remove toxins from tissues

Cardiovascular/Respiratory/Neurological issues? Target brain parts, lung, or nerves

Autoimmune issues? - Decrease pain and inflammation, mold frequencies,

All of these questions inform what FSM frequencies Dr. Madelyn will use during the treatment session. Each bit of information is a piece of the puzzle that gives insight into how to begin the journey to healing. With FSM, we begin by dialing it back to focus on what is causing dysfunction in the body.

Dr. Madelyn takes the time to dig deep to get to the root of the issue. If you would like to see how FSM and Physical Therapy with Dr. Madelyn can help you, schedule a free 15 minute consultation today.

Let's Talk Poo 💩

Tue, 09 May 2023 13:30:00 GMT

Digestion

Did you know that the digestive system runs from the mouth all the way down to the rectum? The digestive process of breaking down food and taking out nutrients begins in your mouth by combining saliva (think, digestive enzymes) with your food, so it can safely move down your pharynx, esophagus and into your stomach. This movement down the esophagus and into the stomach occurs through a process called peristalsis. Peristalsis is a series of involuntary muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract. Once in the stomach, more muscular contractions occur that breakdown and churn the food into smaller pieces. The duration of time that food spends in the stomach depends on the macronutrient profile of the food. Higher protein and higher fat foods take longer, which is the reason you feel fuller longer when consuming such foods.

The next stop is the bowels, which includes the small intestine, large intestine (aka colon), and rectum. First, the small intestine is where most of the nutrients are absorbed into the body. These nutrients cross the intestinal lining and move into the bloodstream where they can be processed for energy or used as building blocks. The colon pulls out water from the waste product as it moves toward the rectum to be eliminated.

It is good to have 1 bowel movement per day, and 2 bowel movements would be ideal. If that is not the case for your body, don’t panic. The consistency of the bowel movement is more important than the amount of BMs. Using the Bristol Stool Chart below, the ideal consistency is Type 3 or 4 which is like a snake. Type 1-2 is more constipated, and Type 5-7 is more like diarrhea.

Depending on what type of food you have eaten, it can take anywhere from 24-48 hours for food to make its way to the end of the digestive tract which is about 30 feet long!

Many things can affect the consistency of your stool including:

Stress
Dehydration
Diet
Travel
Medication
Exercise
Hormone changes
Illness
IBD or IBS

Regardless of where you land on the Bristol Stool Chart, you can optimize your bowel health with the following:

Drink approximately 8 glasses of water per day.
Eat healthy, include fiber, and lots of vegetables.
Exercise to keep things moving.
Do not strain or hold breath during a bowel movement.
Use an elevated stool or Squatty Potty for ideal positioning for bowel movements.
Add a prebiotic or probiotic to your routine.
Don’t rush it. Relax and give your body time to poop.

If you feel like you have tried everything and still struggle with constipation, gut dysbiosis, diarrhea, IBS, or IBD, Dr. Madelyn can help. She uses FSM, manual therapy, and visceral manipulation to help get you on your way to healing. Schedule your free 15 minute consultation today.

Vaginal Moisturizers

Mon, 08 May 2023 13:27:20 GMT

Why is it dry?

Many people have questions about which vaginal moisturizer is right for them. The answer is…it depends. First, the question needs to be asked. Why is the vaginal tissue dry? Vaginal dryness and irritation can occur because of hormone changes during perimenopause and menopause, lichen sclerosis, vaginal pH issues, vaginitis, or bacterial vaginosis (BV). Symptoms can include mild irritation and dryness or may be more severe to include chronic irritation, burning, itching, pain, vaginal atrophy, and pain with intercourse.

Vaginal dryness can occur at any age, but most often occurs in people assigned female at birth (AFAB) during menopause when estrogen levels decrease. With normal estrogen levels, the vaginal tissue stays moisturized, healthy, and has good elasticity. With low estrogen levels, the vaginal tissue becomes thin, inflamed, and dry.

There are other hormonal causes of vaginal dryness and irritation. It can happen after childbirth and during breastfeeding, during cancer treatments, and while taking some medications, like hormonal birth control pills. All of these scenarios can result in low estrogen levels.

There are instances when people experience vaginal dryness not related to hormones but related to taking cold medicine, allergy medicine, or some antidepressants.

Discomfort can be not only during sex in the vaginal canal, but also on the vulva when exercising or wearing certain clothes. Some people with vaginal dryness also experience urinary incontinence and increased urinary tract infections. With these more complex symptoms, it is important to consult with your primary care provider to discuss whether hormonal treatments such as estrogen creams or pills could help.

So what can we do? A good vaginal moisturizer can help alleviate symptoms and improve collagen synthesis and skin regeneration, while providing soothing relief to dry tissues. Some of the vaginal moisturizers that I like include:

Desert Harvest Aloe Vera Gele

https://www.desertharvest.com/aloe-vera-gele.html?category_id=328

Good Clean Love BioNourish Moisturizing Vaginal Gel with Hyaluronic Acid

https://goodcleanlove.com/collections/moisturizing-vaginal-gel/products/bionourish-moisturizing-vaginal-gel-with-hyaluronic-acid

Intimate Rose - Enchanted Rose Vaginal Moisturizer

https://www.intimaterose.com/products/natural-vaginal-cream

For pain or discomfort with intercourse, it is important to find a good lubricant. It is important to decide whether you want a silicone based lubricant, water based lubricant, or a hybrid. Some of the vaginal lubricants I like include:

Desert Harvest Aloe Glide (aloe vera based)

https://www.desertharvest.com/aloe-glide.html?category_id=300

Sliquid (all types)

https://sliquid.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwla-hBhD7ARIsAM9tQKvQ7qwqUEGCw1mAatZG8NugKBI43GlVJ2b76wJdpV3Bby-DKZBHL-8aAhK6EALw_wcB

Good Clean Love (all types)

https://goodcleanlove.com/collections/personal-lubricants

As always, consult your provider with any questions, and come see Dr. Madelyn at The Healing Collective to discuss options. Pelvic PT combined with FSM can provide amazing results for improving tissue extensibility, decreasing pain, and decreasing inflammation. I am here to help!

20 Minute Yoga for Constipation & IBS

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:40:10 GMT

Medical Therapeutic Yoga with Dr. Jessie : Nourish and Support Your Gastrointestinal System

Try this 20-minute Medical Therapeutic Yoga (MTY) sequence guided by Jessie, Doctor of Physical Therapy at The Healing Collective Functional & Integrative Medicine. This video was hosted by UnaVida Studio in Niwot, CO, where you can catch weekly MTY classes with DR. Jessie that cater to YOUR unique needs.

Dr. Jessie offers this 20-minute yoga practice that was developed to help you alleviate the symptoms of digestive disturbance including bloating, gas, irritation, abdominal pain, or constipation.

This practice is suitable for beginners and if you are unable to sit cross-legged on the floor, you are very welcome to practice along while sitting in a chair. We hope you enjoy and experience the benefits of this nourishing practice.

Want More Support to Help Heal Your Gut?

For even more support of your organs of elimination, explore Frequency Specific Microcurrent with Dr. Jessie or Dr. Madelyn. Check out our Vagus Nerve Online Course for a deep dive into vagus self-testing and treatment strategies. Tracy Shulsinger, FNP, can order labs and stool tests to diagnose your root cause. Raechel Koob, CHHC, can provide coaching for nutririon and lifestyle modifications that help you achieve wholeness. Not sure where to start? Give our office a call and our staff can help you discern the best strategy for gut health.

Heal Your Vagus Nerve Online Course

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:30:18 GMT

Self-Paced Course Hosted by Dr. Jessie : Testing & Treatment Strategies to Heal Your Vagus Nerve!

Why is the Vagus Nerve so Important?

VAGUS NERVE DYSFUNCTION is linked to many issues from Autoimmune Disease to Sleep Dysregulation to Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Apnea, Digestive Problems, Chronic Inflammation, Dysautonomia and much much more.

This highly influential nerve supplies nearly every part of the digestive system, regulates heart rate and blood pressure, is modulated by stress and emotional factors, and has the power to literally turn down inflammation in the body.

Arguably the most important nerve in the human system, it is easily dysregulated by factors such as infection, stress, or trauma. The good news is there are practical strategies you can learn to test and treat your Vagus Nerve so that you can get on the road to optimal function.

More than Just for Better Sleep

The Vagus Course was originally designed to support our many clients with Insomnia, and because the Vagus Nerve supports so much more than just sleep, people with all sorts of conditions have benefitted from the course content.

We also add new information as the course progresses due to the interactive component of the Support Group.

Limited Time Offer: 50% Discount

For a limited time only, we are excited to be offering a 50% OFF Re-Launch Discount for our patients & clients at The Healing Collective when you register for this self-paced online course.

Please enter the coupon code " ClientDiscount " when you register. * Don't forget to APPLY the code to activate your discount!

About the Course Instructor

What Course Participants Have Said

"Jessie's ability to break down complicated medical terminology into understandable parts makes it easy to incorporate her knowledge into useable everyday movements and life." — D. V.

“This course is for far more than just sleep issues. It is a course for understanding the interconnectedness of the whole body and for bringing you to a state of wellbeing as your new normal.” — J. P .

"I do the Basic Exercise before bed each night and it works like a dream.” — S. G.

FSM Conference Updates from our PTs!

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 19:22:14 GMT

Bringing You the Best in Frequency Specific Microcurrent Care

Between our two Doctors of Physical Therapy, Madelyn Altman and Jessie Tierney , we logged over 60 hours of Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) training in the past 2 weeks!

But the number of hours logged isn’t what really matters. The quality of the FSM training offered by Dr. Carol McMakin is what our Physical Therapists were there for, to truly up-level the services we bring to our patients at The Healing Collective.

FSM is a novel way to treat pain and inflammation, heal from surgeries, prevent the progression of painful conditions, and so much more. Our Physical Therapists always use FSM in combination with their skilled hands-on treatments and exercise prescription at every session. And now they have lots of new ideas and approaches to incorporate into appointments!

At the FSM Core, the essential foundations of Frequency Specific Microcurrent are developed (and we can tell you from experience, even if you’ve attended the Core 5+ times, there’s always more to learn!). FSM changes the way that therapists use their hands and how we problem solve tough cases.

Kim Pittis, LCSP, (PHYS), MT, taught a fantastic FSM Sports & Advanced Sport course that empowered practitioners with even better ways to improve motor control and optimize performance. Athletes looking for an edge in both competition and recovery can benefit significantly from Frequency Specific Microcurrent.

The FSM Advanced this year brought Dr. Gerald Pollack, author of the Fourth Phase of Water, Dr. Jay Shah from the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Neil Nathan, specialist in the treatment of biotoxin illness, and so many more inspiring field leaders to share the latest research and findings in how to treat challenging conditions and the basic science concepts behind why FSM works the way it does.

The Advanced also hosted a symposium with over 18 case studies, one of which presented by our very own Dr. Jesse! Stay tuned for a future blog post with details from her Case.

What this all means for you, beloved clients, is that at The Healing Collective you have access to a technology (and the passionate people who know how to use it) which has the potential to improve your outcomes more than you ever dreamed possible.

We offer a free consultation so you can determine if FSM is right for you.

Top 5 Misconceptions about the Pelvis and Pelvic Physical Therapy

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:49:06 GMT

Pelvic PT is not what you think!

There are many false ideas out there about Pelvic Physical Therapy. These ideas get perpetuated, because society tells us that our private parts are something to be ignored, hidden, and are considered “not suitable” for dinner conversation. Maybe the second part is true for some people who are not pelvic PTs :).

The best thing we can do is start a dialogue about our bodies with people we trust, to normalize the conversation about pelvic health and sexual health. For a first step, it is important to become comfortable with your own private parts and to know what the anatomical configuration is. Get a mirror and check it out. All bodies are different and beautiful. Your body is different and beautiful!

1. When it comes to a penis, it is on the front of the pelvis and is visible if someone is naked. For people born with a vulva and vaginal canal, the vulva is a bit hidden and unseen due to its location. This leads to misconceptions about what a vulva “should” look like. The truth is that all vulvas are different. Some vulvas have small labia (lips), and some have large labia. Some are light, and some are dark. All are natural. There is no normal.

2. Pelvic Physical Therapy is for ALL people, including men, women, transgender, and non-binary people, not just postpartum women. Some think that the only time a person would need Pelvic PT is after giving birth. While that is an excellent time to come in for Pelvic PT, it is also beneficial to come in before pregnancy, and during pregnancy with MD approval. Pelvic PT is beneficial for men too! It’s worth saying that more than once! Yes, men benefit from Pelvic PT for things such as erectile dysfunction, painful urination, frequent & involuntary urination, painful ejaculation, constipation, pelvic pain, or pain after having a bowel movement. Many of these issues are also experienced by women, non-binary and transgender folks. Well-functioning pelvic floor muscles are important for everyone!

3. Who has pelvic floor muscles and what do the pelvic floor muscles do? ALL people have pelvic floor muscles. Some think only women have pelvic floor muscles or that pelvic floor muscles are for only urinating and defecating. Not true. Pelvic floor muscles have five main functions:

a. Stability – supporting pelvis and low back

b. Supporting internal organs – in women, bladder, uterus/ovaries, bowel – in men, bladder and bowel

c. Maintaining continence in bowel and bladder – to prevent leaking

d. Circulation – for blood and lymph

e. Sexual function – contract and relax during orgasm

4. All I need to do is Kegels. Nope. Many more people have overactive pelvic floor muscles than underactive pelvic floor muscles. That means if you are doing Kegels with an overactive pelvic floor, it will likely make symptoms worse. Down training the pelvic floor muscles is required more often than not. This issue is only one of the reasons why it is so important to see a pelvic floor PT.

5. Leaking urine after a certain age is normal. It is definitely not normal, and pelvic PT can help. Call The Healing Collective today and set up a free 15 minute consult to get started on your journey to health today!

What Causes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:46:12 GMT

Is My Pelvic Floor Broken?

The pelvic floor is intimately (pun intended) related to the muscles in the back and hips, and when dysfunction is present, effects can be felt or experienced anywhere from the abdomen to the feet. Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction can be due to weakness or overactivity (or both), and the course of treatment will depend on your individual needs. Your pelvic floor is not broken. It may just need some support, and we are here for you.

Pelvic Floor Muscle dysfunction can be due to:

Chronic constipation
Vaginal childbirth and excess weight gain during pregnancy
Lifting weights or objects without proper breathing techniques
Obesity or recent weight gain
Hormone changes due to perimenopause or menopause
Nerve damage
Interstitial Cystitis (aka Painful Bladder Syndrome)
Pelvic surgery
Aging
High impact activities such as running
Weak OR overactive pelvic floor muscles

Any of these issues could be causing symptoms such as leaking urine or feces, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, low back pain, or pain with intercourse, and it is important to see a trained pelvic PT to address the dysfunction and work toward healing. Treatment from a pelvic PT may involve retraining or down training overactive muscles, strengthening weak muscles, visceral mobilization, behavioral modifications, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, breathing techniques, and pressure management. Taking an active role in your recovery by attending all appointments, being dedicated your home exercise program, and making necessary behavioral changes will give you the best outcomes. Don’t put yourself on the back burner anymore! You deserve to feel better. Call The Healing Collective today to set up your free 15 min consult with Dr. Madelyn today.��

What is the pelvic floor anyway???

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:44:58 GMT

Getting to the Root

The pelvic floor includes a group of muscles, connective tissue, fascia, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood supply that support the organs of the pelvis, such as the bladder, uterus, prostate, and bowels and aid in sexual function. The muscles run from the pubic bone in the North to the tailbone in the South, and to the sitz bones in the East and West. The pelvic floor is the true core. There is a lot happening here! The pelvic floor is not really a “floor”. It is more like a hammock or a trampoline that can sometimes have too much or too little tension. Pelvic floor dysfunction involves pain not just in the pelvis, but often refers pain to other areas like the hips, low back, thighs, and abdomen, if the pain becomes chronic.

The pelvic floor is the root of the connection with our whole body, mind, and spirit. It keeps us steady, initiates movement, and supports the weight of our organs and torso (and sometimes the weight of a growing fetus). The pelvis and pelvic floor also support and hold space for emotional energy. In a well-balanced situation, the emotions flow through the body like honey and are experienced, felt, processed, and integrated.

This includes both pleasant and distressing emotions. In an unbalanced situation, the emotions are held inside, suppressed, and ignored. They get stuck as if they are swimming upstream against the current and against natural flow. This results in unconscious muscle holding patterns in the pelvic floor. If you imagine consciously holding a muscle contraction anywhere in the body, that muscle would eventually fatigue. With unconscious muscle holding patterns, overactivity occurs and results in trigger points and chronic, referred pain. Over time, if this overactivity is ignored, it can become centralized pain.

Many people think that pelvic dysfunction or pain is something they must live with, and debunking that myth is important. Each person is different, and it requires a skilled evaluation and assessment to determine the cause of pain. With manual therapy, FSM, and therapeutic exercise, we can decrease pain and support the movement and integration of emotions held in the pelvis to achieve balance and flow. The pelvis is an amazing place. It is the origin of our power. Let us help you feel better and step into your power, into flow.

Dr. Madelyn is here!

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 22:45:55 GMT

Pelvic Physical Therapy Arrives at The Healing Collective

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Madelyn Lamar Altman, PT, DPT to The Healing Collective. We are so excited to be able to offer Pelvic Physical Therapy in the clinic, so we can reach even more women in our community who are living with pain, weakness, or dysfunction of all things PELVIC! Through her holistic, integrative approach, she holds space not only for the issues of the pelvis, but of the whole person. It feels like a natural progression for The Healing Collective to expand into Pelvic Physical Therapy, and we are so glad we found Dr. Madelyn to join our team.

Dr. Madelyn has a background in Outpatient Orthopedics and has advanced education and specialized training in Pelvic Physical Therapy, as well as training in Frequency Specific Microcurrent, which makes her skillset very unique. You may have tried pelvic therapy before, but your experience with Dr. Madeline will be enhanced because of her advanced skill set.

Dr. Madelyn's expertise covers everything from incontinence to prolapse to postpartum care to chronic pelvic pain to sexual function and much more.

Dr. Madelyn knows how to connect with her patients to get to the root of the problem, and she does this with 90-minute one-on-one treatment sessions (she is present with you the whole visit, able to provide individualized care). She views people through an empathetic, trauma informed, and compassionate lens, and we cannot wait for you to meet her! The excitement is contagious, but don't worry ... we have a frequency for that. �� And if that insider joke went over your head, give her a call for your free consultation and she'll let you in on some really exciting information about Frequency Technology that can enhance your healing.

Meet Dr. Madelyn:

Who Needs Pelvic Therapy?

How do you know if you need to see Dr. Madelyn for Pelvic PT? If you have to ask, you probably do! But in all seriousness, if you are postpartum, in pain, or if you are interested in optimizing your pelvic and sexual health throughout the lifespan, you will likely benefit from Pelvic Therapy. Stay tuned for more resources to learn how Pelvic Therapy can benefit you and those you love, or explore more of Dr. Madelyn's services on our Pelvic Therapy page.

Schedule your Free Consult and get to know Dr. Madelyn today!

Hydration

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 23:05:03 GMT

Water is Life!

Water is essential for cellular function, healing, and also for your PEMF and FSM treatments to be effective. PEMF and FSM can be inherently a little dehydrating, so we strongly recommend making sure to consume more water than you normally do when you begin treatments with FSM.

If you stay hydrated throughout the day, you will be safe to run protocols overnight. Stop drinking at about 6 or 7pm so your sleep isn't interrupted by getting up to use the restroom. It is important to maintain good hydration throughout the day.

Some people find that setting an alarm to ding every 30 minutes on their phone as a water sipping + deep-breathing break is an effective reminder.

"80% of Americans are chronically dehydrated."

HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I DRINK?

Adults should drink eight 8-oz glasses of water per day, but that does not take into account things like your gender, if you drink diuretics like soft drinks, coffee or tea, your exercise / activity levels or if you receive an FSM treatment.

A more accurate calculation is to take your body weight in pounds and divide it by 2 = that is the bare minimum water in ounces you should drink daily, and you would add more for various factors.

WATER BEST PRACTICES

Drink 2-3 cups of water (not coffee!) immediately upon waking in the morning at least 30 minutes before eating, and stop drinking water 2-3 hours before bed.
Measure your water intake by drinking out of a glass ball jar or a water bottle that shows ounces so you can track them; use an app like MyFitnessPal or write down your daily intake.
Hydrate the most in between your meals (to avoid diluting your stomach acid and impairing digestion). It is OK to drink water with food if you are thirsty, but it does not count toward you daily hydration.
By the time you realize you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
If you drink a diuretic (coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcohol), you should add 1.5x the amount of the dehydrating beverage to your water intake. For example: if you drink a 16 oz latte, you should add 25 oz of water to your daily intake.
Men should consume 125 oz/day and women should consume 90 oz/day (note that this recommendation includes the water contained in the food you eat).
Add 32 oz of water, sipped gradually, throughout the 2 hours prior to an FSM treatment.
Add 1-2 cups of water if you work out, if you consume coffee, tea, soft drinks or alcohol.
You can use the following Hydration scale based on the color of your urine to determine your status throughout the day (image from fullscript.com)

HOW CAN I OPTIMIZE HYDRATION?

TRACE MINERALS

Sea Minerals directly from the deep in the ocean off the coast of Australia (not synthesized in a lab). 20 drops per day are recommended for those working to increase their water intake so that you do not become hyponatremic (low in body electrolytes). Sea minerals also aid the body in many cellular functions, particularly those that promote intra-cellular uptake of water. This helps you not simply eliminate the water you drink but instead absorb the water directly into your cells. We offer sea minerals at every FSM appointment and you can purchase a bottle for home use from the clinic,

HYDRATING HOMEOPATHICS

We also recommend a homeopathic approach to improving intra-cellular absorption of hydration. Our favorite product is ReHydration by Energetix. ReHydration is a homeopathic combination formula for the symptoms associated with fluid imbalances. This product is formulated for symptoms of dehydration; excessive thirst; lack of thirst; dry skin; bloating; headaches; stiffness in muscles and joints; mental sluggishness; dry mucous membranes including throat, mouth, sinuses, rectum, and vagina. The standard dosage is 30 drops twice per day. Dr. Jessie offers ReHydration at every FSM appointment and you can purchase a bottle for home use through our front desk at The Healing Collective by calling 720-792-7387.

CELLCORE CARBON TECHNOLOGY MINERALS

The third addition we recommend for optimal cellular hydration comes from CellCore BioSciences. This product, CT-Minerals, adds a detoxifying component to some essential minerals. CT-Minerals is a capsule that provides minerals derived from humic and fulvic acids. Sourced from the soil and decomposed plant life, these naturally occurring minerals are typically easier for the body to digest, absorb, and utilize.

This bioavailable formula supports cellular repair and immunity, nourishes tissues, promotes energy production, and enhances mental clarity. Fulvic acid may also increase nutrient absorption from food, which supports microbial diversity and a balanced gut microbiome. 1 capsule twice daily is the recommended dosage. You can order by calling the front desk or directly from Cellcore , just use Provider Code 6FUC7M9v to create an account and order.

What is the best Water to Drink?

Natural Spring Water is hypothetically the best; however, it is challenging to determine if claims made by bottled water companies are actually true: there have been studies showing medications, industrial toxins, and other pollutants in some of the most popular “spring water” companies’ bottled water.

Always avoid drinking water out of plastic bottles (even BPA-free plastics can leach chemicals into your water).
Instead, drink out of glass containers whenever possible (try a ball jar). If glass is unavailable, stainless steel is the next best.
Brita and other off-the-shelf water filtration systems are not recommended as they are not effective.
The gold standard for an at-home water filtration system is Reverse Osmosis or a Water Distiller (you can have a system installed under your kitchen sink, for example).
However, in Reverse Osmosis or Distilled water, there are NO minerals present and drinking it can actually pull minerals from your cells. If you use Reverse Osmosis water, Add 40 drops of Sea Minerals, 20 drops of CT-Minerals, and 30 drops of ReHydrate per day to your water.

RESOURCES

Erwin et al 2013. Effects of dehydration, moderate alcohol consumption, and rehydration on cognitive function. J Alcohol . 47(3).

Environmental Working Group , 2019. Top 5 reasons to choose filters over bottled water.

Garcia Arroyo et al 2016. Rehydration with soft drink like beverages exacerbates dehydration and worsens dehydration-associated renal (kidney) injury. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol . 311(1).

Popkin et al, 2010. Water, Hydration & Health. Nutr Rev . 68(8).

National Academies of Sciences Engineering & Medicine, 2004. Report sets dietary intake levels for water, salt, and potassium to maintain health and reduce chronic disease. Nat Acad Press .

Urine Colors Image complements of Fullscript .

Tone your Vagus Nerve

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 20:41:31 GMT

WHAT IS THE VAGUS NERVE?

The vagus nerve is one of the most profoundly influential nerve complexes in the human body. It is both a cranial and peripheral nerve - a unique feature that links its function intimately between the brain & emotional states to digestion as well as the viscera throughout the body. The vagus is actually two nerves on each side of the body with many, many branches.

WHAT IS VAGAL TONE?

Vagal tone is a way to describe how active or inactive your vagus nerves are at a given time. You can think of tone in a similar way you might think of muscle tone. A toned muscle is strong, flexible and available to engage or relax when appropriate. When the vagus nerve is toned, it functions optimally. Vagus nerve functions are many: from reducing inflammation in the body to controlling peristalsis and digestive enzymes, heart rate and blood pressure regulation, and even sexual function. The Vagus can be dysregulated by stress or infection and begin to express poor tone, resulting in a myriad of pathological conditions or impairments.

HUMMING FOR VAGAL TONE

Humming. Set a timer for 3 minutes. Press start, and start humming on your exhale. It doesn't have to sound pretty, you don't even have to like singing, but the vibration that is created by humming is initiated in part by the vagus nerves, which provide instructions & innervation to aspects of the larynx and vocal cords. Additionally, the vibration created by humming serve to provide inputs to the vagus nerves, which course down the sides of the larynx on their way to the many branches that exist below.

Don't strain your throat as you hum; just create a gentle, pleasant vibration in your throat. Practice in this way daily until 3 minutes passes easily. You can increase by one minute per week if you remain active with the practice.

If you are interested in learning more about the Vagus Nerve, we offer a self-paced online course which empowers you with functional anatomy education, techniques to assess vagal tone, and many exercises that help improve vagal function.

Other ways to support your vagal tone include Frequency Specific Microcurrent , acupuncture , nutritional counseling, and optimizing your inflammation status in your body with the assistance of one of our Functional Medicine practitioners.

What is PEMF?

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 02:34:08 GMT

This is Part One in a series on PEMF or Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, which is a modality we are pleased to offer in addition to Frequency Specific Microcurrent right here at The Healing Collective.

WHAT IS PEMF?

Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field Therapy is a noncontact, noninvasive, non-pharmacological modality that is used to promote optimal cellular function so that your body can do what it is designed to do: heal.

PEMF and associated therapies do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Rather, PEMF jump-starts our body's own innate healing processes. At The Healing Collective, we operate with the understanding that the human body is inherently self-healing, self-regulating, and self-regenerating. When we provide the necessary components for this natural process to succeed (which may include targeted supplements based off lab results , a healthy diet , specific therapeutic exercise , and FSM or PEMF electrotherapeutic inputs), the body is able to truly rebalance and optimize its healing capacity.

PEMF helps develop and maintain general cellular health and function, and can attune the natural electromagnetic field of the human body in a gentle and noninvasive way.

“You can think of PEMF therapy as a whole-body battery recharger. By using a PEMF therapy mat for just two times per day for eight minutes, you recharge your 100 trillion cells: improving ATP production, increasing oxygenation, enhancing circulation, promoting hydration, facilitating detoxification, and gaining a better overall absorption of nutrients.”

–Bryant Andrew Meyers PEMF: The Fifth Element of Health

PEMF has been studied for its notable effects on pain and depression, and there is promise for the expansion of this intervention as research continues.

Currently, Dr. Jessie integrates PEMF therapies into Physical Therapy and Frequency Specific Microcurrent sessions that take into account your unique history and clinical picture. You can contact us to schedule a free 15 minute consult to learn more.

Subscribe to our Blog and get updates on PEMF Therapy to your inbox:

History of PEMF
What types of PEMF therapy exist?
What can PEMF therapy support?
PEMF Contraindications and Precautions
How we use PEMF at The Healing Collective
PEMF Evidence and Research
What are the differences between FSM and PEMF?

RESOURCES

Hattapoğlu E, Batmaz İ, Dilek B, Karakoç M, Em S, Çevik R. Efficiency of pulsed electromagnetic fields on pain, disability, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with cervical disc herniation: a randomized controlled study. Turk J Med Sci. 2019; 49(4): 1095-1101. doi:10.3906/sag-1901-65

Larsen ER, Licht RW, Nielsen RE, et al. Transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields for treatment-resistant depression: A multicenter 8-week single-arm cohort study. Eur Psychiatry. 2020; 63(1): e18. Published 2020 Feb 18. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.3

Meyers, BA. PEMF: The Fifth Element of Health, 2013. Balboa Press.

Bech P, Lunde M, Lauritzen L, et al. The Diagnostic Apathia Scale predicts a dose–remission relationship of T-PEMF in treatment-resistant depression. Acta neuropsychiatric. 2015; 27(1): 1-7.

Oschman, JL, PhD. Energy Medicine (Second Edition), chapter on "Medical Use of Electricity & Magnetism." 2016.

Yang X, He H, Ye W, Perry TA, He C. Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. Phys Ther. 2020; 100(7): 1118-1131. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzaa054

Types of PEMF Technologies

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 02:28:07 GMT

This is Part Two in a series on PEMF or Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, which is a modality we are pleased to offer in addition to Frequency Specific Microcurrent right here at The Healing Collective.

There are an overwhelming number of PEMF products on the market today. Some have FDA approval. Some do not. Some are prescribed by surgeons and covered by insurance. Others are available through network marketing companies can be purchased from your neighbor. There is significant preliminary research on PEMF and also a lot of room for further study (stay tuned for next week's post on current PEMF data). How does one make sense of all these options?

What are Some of the PEMF Devices Available On the Market?

There are far too many devices to list completely here, and there are new devices coming available every day. Here is a short list of some of the current PEMF systems that are available:

Magnetic Converter by Precision Distributing
Magnetic and/or LED Converters by Mend Technology
PEMF devices by Wellness PEMF
iCare PEMF by iCare
Bone Growth Therapies by Orthofix
iMRS 2000 & iMRS Prime by iMRS
Mats & Applicators by Bemer
Healy Device & Coil by Healy
AmpCoil System by AmpCoil
MultiWave Mat by HealthyWave Pro
Sleep on Command by Earth Pulse

NOTE: This is, by far, not a complete list so please excuse omissions.

Some of these devices require a prescription from a healthcare provider. The reason for this is because providers can undergo training and education to enable them to cater treatments to their patients on a case-by-case basis, in order to keep patient safe and keep the treatments as effective as possible. Others purport to scan the bioenergetic field and deliver frequencies based off of a scan. Still others offer programs that target specific qualities or conditions, such as sleep or pain.

What are the Similarities Between Various PEMF Devices?

There is an electromagnetic field created
The frequencies delivered are typically expressed in Hertz (pulses per second)
Increased cellular energy can lead to improved cellular function

"The scientific evidence is that PEMF therapy is effective because it conveys ‘information’ that triggers specific repair activities within the body. The currents induced in tissues by PEMF mimic the natural electrical activities created within bones during movements. Pulsing magnetic fields initiate a cascade of activities, from the cell membrane to the nucleus and on to the gene level, where specific changes take place."

— James Oschman

Medical Use of Electricity & Magnetism
in Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis

What are the Differences Between Various PEMF Devices?

What are the differences between these devices? And why does it matter?

Some require a prescription or recommendation by a provider; others do not
The size of the field created is different depending on multiple factors
The strength of the field created differs
The delivery system (is it a headband? a wrist band? a pad? a wand? a mat that you lay on? a probe?)
The generator that creates the field and frequencies
The specific frequencies delivered (or not delivered) in each protocol or program

What Matters : The Specific Frequencies

The most important difference between the various PEMF devices available are the frequencies (you could consider them the "instructions") that are pulsing throughout the electromagnetic field. In many cases, these frequencies are pre-programmed into the devices, and depending on which delivery system you use, you may or may not have much control over (or even know) which frequency instructions are being delivered.

Some devices available are pre-programmed to match the biorhythm or circadian rhythms throughout a 24-hour day, optimizing a treatment to the specific time of day. Other PEMF units have programs that specify treatment for different tissues, different qualities - or desired qualities. Some offer a "menu" of options from a pre-programmed Mode Bank. Other devices are optimized for one specific purpose, such as improving microcirculation, alleviating symptoms associated with depression, improving bone healing , or promoting restful sleep — and that's all they do.

Which is Best?

In short: it depends on your individual goals, condition, current level of function, capacity, and needs. What do you want to get out of your PEMF treatments?

"It truly depends on what your goals are. You can spend a whole lot of money on some of these devices.

If you are seeking PEMF therapy for very specific wellness outcomes such as alleviating your chronic low back pain, optimizing and recovering from a surgery, promoting the function of an elimination pathway, or supporting mood: I strongly recommend working with a practitioner who has extensive training in Frequency Medicine who can test, treat, and program a PEMF unit. That is the best way to discern what can benefit you as an individual and ensure you get the outcomes you hope for in the long term."

— Dr. Jessie
Certified Frequency Specific Microcurrent Practitioner
Doctor of Physical Therapy

Of all the devices available, some claim to be able to scan your bioenergetic field and deliver frequencies according to the scan. Others have standardized programs that have been shown to help with conditions like depression or arthritis. We have seen many patients who were passionate about frequency medicine but didn't quite achieve the goals they hoped for with their pre-programmed devices.

Here is the rub: if you are looking to use PEMF to help your chronic headaches, for instance, the effectiveness of the protocols very much depends upon the root cause of your headaches. If you have headaches because you have systemic gut & brain inflammation from eating gluten, just as an example, a PEMF program that helps with upper-cervical misalignment headaches or a PEMF program that addresses reduced circulation will not be helpful to you, because you are not treating the correct root cause.

You may have trouble sleeping and try a device that claims to help with insomnia. There are all sorts of testimonials stating that it is effective. However, if that device does not treat the reason you have insomnia, it may not work for you. Insomnia can come from emotional factors, detoxification impairments, food sensitivities, hormonal imbalances, and on and on, so if you try a PEMF device and it "doesn't work," it may simply mean you're not targeting the correct root cause.

This is where seeing a Frequency Medicine practitioner with extensive experience and a root cause (or Functional Medicine) perspective can be absolutely game changing.

Frequency Prescription for PEMF

The benefit of working with a practitioner who can take your complete history, assess your symptoms and perform a physical exam, treat you in real time, and make adjustments is this: You are not just getting some standardized, pre-packaged treatment. You are getting true individualized support to promote wellness that is specific to your unique system. A healthcare provider specializing in Frequency Medicine should be able to direct you to the most cost-effective and outcomes-driven option for you.

There are undoubtable benefits from running a pre-programmed PEMF device twice per day; there are data to support this. However, clinical experience suggests that there is an even stronger potential for benefit when you are prescribed a PEMF unit after a thorough assessment of your body's response to very specific frequencies within the PEMF field.

A skilled Frequency Medicine medical provider is trained to assess your tissue's response to specific frequency combinations in real time. There are ways your provider should test your body's reaction to the instructions in the field, and then can customize protocols that will truly work for you.

PEMF at The Healing Collective

Dr. Jessie is involved in collecting effectiveness data on customized PEMF protocols for her patients and is committed to contributing to the research on this exciting modality. She is happy to advise clients on the best options for their specific goals, for the best possible therapeutic benefit.

Currently, Dr. Jessie integrates PEMF therapies into her Physical Therapy and Frequency Specific Microcurrent sessions. Dr. Madelyn Altman also utilizes these therapies in her Integrative Pelvic Therapy and Frequency Specific Microcurrent sessions. You can contact The Healing Collective to schedule a free consult and learn more.

RESOURCES

Bohn W, Hess L, Burger R. The effects of the "Physical BEMER® vascular therapy," a method for the physical stimulation of the vasomotion of precapillary microvessels in case of impaired microcirculation, on sleep, pain and quality of life of patients with different clinical pictures on the basis of three scientifically validated scales. J Complement Integr Med. 2013; 10: S5-S13. doi:10.1515/jcim-2013-0037

Hug K and Röösli M. Therapeutic effects of whole-body devices applying pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF): A systematic literature review. Bioelectromagnetics. 2011; 33(2): 95–105. doi:10.1002/bem.20703

Meyers, BA. PEMF: The Fifth Element of Health, 2013. Balboa Press.

Miller, CP, Prener, M, Dissing, S, Paulson, OB. Transcranial low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) as post-concussion syndrome treatment. Acta Neurol Scand. 2020; 142: 597– 604. https://doi.org/10.1111/ane.13300

Oschman, JL, PhD. Energy Medicine (Second Edition), 2016

Peng L, Fu C, Wang L, Zhang, Q, Liang Z, He C and Wei Q. The Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Angiogenesis. Bioelectromagnetics . 2021; 42: 250-258. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22330

History of PEMF Therapy

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 02:18:36 GMT

This is Part Three in a series on PEMF or Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, which is a modality we are pleased to offer in addition to Frequency Specific Microcurrent right here at The Healing Collective.

WHAT IS PEMF?

Click here to find our introductory post on PEMF.

Please Note: PEMF and associated therapies do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any condition or disease.

WHEN DID PEMF ORIGINATE?

While PEMF Therapy is currently experiencing tremendous growth and its use is rapidly expanding, it is far from new.

This technology can be traced back to as early as the discovery of "animal electricity" at the end of the 1700s, and less sophisticated magnetic therapies have been utilized by ancient civilizations dating back to as long ago as 4000 BCE.

By the middle of the 19th century, electric needle therapy was commonplace in the medical treatment of slow-healing fractures:

"Modern use of energy fields to stimulate bone repair actually began ... at the end of the eighteenth century. By the mid-1800s, the preferred method for treating slow-healing fractures was to pass electricity through needles surgically implanted in the fracture region. The technique was banished from medical practice early in the 1900s."

–James L. Oschman, PhD Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis

As quoted by Dr. Oschman above, PEMF therapy has had a rather debated and thus broken trajectory throughout its long history. There was a significant period of time in the United States when this and related therapies (including not only electric medicine, but also herbalism, osteopathy, and homeopathy) were banned from use after the publication of the 1910 Flexner Report, which drastically changed the American medical system, biasing medical education toward biochemical and surgical models of care.

"American medicine profited immeasurably from the scientific advances that this [post-Flexner] system allowed, but ... [it also] created an imbalance in the art and science of medicine" (Duffy 2011). Physicians were jailed for utilizing electrotherapeutic modalities, institutions were closed down, and the field of electric medicine was stunted (Flexner 1910; Beck 2004).

Through the 1930s, there was a diverse and rich electric medicine presence in, with a variety of modalities being invented, tested, and used in medical care, and with its fair share of controversy to boot. Claims for cures of cancer and mental health illness abounded and the research methods were questioned (see the below timeline for some examples). Tesla's coil and related research and inventions are perhaps one of the more famous forms of PEMF that emerged during this time period. By 1935, electric medicine in the US was largely replaced by what was purported as more evidence-based pharmaceutical and surgical interventions.

"It is fascinating to follow the saga of how the energetic approach to bone healing was discovered, accepted as a therapy, rejected, and reinstated by the medical community."

–James L. Oschman, PhD Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis

A resurgence of research in the 1960s, particularly related to fracture and bone healing, documented successes, lack of side effects, and energy field mechanisms that led to the FDA's approval for very specific uses: "Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has been approved by the FDA for treatment of fracture non-unions and for the enhancement of bone formation after lumbar and cervical spine fusion surgery" (Huegel et al, 2018). See also Bassett 1974, 1977, 1978; Oschman 2016; FDA 2020.

However, beyond fractures and bone healing, claims to the efficacy of PEMF are not currently substantiated by the FDA and are even subject to legal proceedings. Hence the disclaimer at the start of this post, and the careful languaging around most PEMF distributors' descriptions of what this modality can be used for.

NASA has also investigated the effects of electromagnetic fields on the human organism and cultured cells. The Space Administration has studied the use of PEMF technology to mitigate the myriad health challenges associated with space travel and microgravity conditions. A 2003 paper investigated the therapeutic effects of time-varying electromagnetic fields (TVEMF) to propagate neural progenitor cells, where an electrode or coil emitted an electromagnetic field into a culture medium. The paper states "In both experimental configurations, the proliferation rate of the TVEMF cells was 2.5 to 4.0 times the rate of the non-waveform cells. Each of the experimental embodiments resulted in similar molecular genetic changes regarding the growth potential of the tissues" (Goodwin et al, 2003). Goodwin and others' research resulted in multiple patents of these electromagnetic field devices that are currently in use. In other NASA reports PEMF technology is cited as an effective countermeasure for bone loss and atrophy (Luttges 1989, Bryerly et al, 2005).

"Development of new systems is being made easier in the US by the recently updated FDA position, allowing PEMF systems to be marketed without FDA approval if their primary purpose is for the management of wellness."

–Dr. William Pawluk, MD

Today we enjoy the freedom to utilize these PEMF devices, which come in many forms, and while the body of evidence continues to grow, there is still much research to be done to quantify the effects and applications of PEMF therapies. If you are interested in learning more about the published and emerging research as well as the conditions being investigated, stay tuned for our next post in this series on PEMF.

A BRIEF MAGNETISM & PEMF TIMELINE

4000 BCE - People in the Indus Valley's use of lodestones attributed to the treatment of disease (note: lodestones, which are magnetized magnetite (iron oxide), are an example of a magnetic modality, not pulsed electromagnetic fields as in our discussion; however, these examples speak to the ancient use of magnets therapeutically)
2000 BCE - physicians in China developed written protocols for using lodestones on acupuncture points, as described in “The Yellow Emperor’s Book of Internal Medicine.”
Egyptian physicians also used lodestones. There are tales of Cleopatra sleeping on a lodestone bed or wearing a lodestone headband over her third eye center with the intent to preserve her youth.
~400 BCE - The Grecian Hippocrates was reported to use magnets for pain mitigation; headaches in his healing centers were treated with lodestones. Fun fact: magnet refers to the area of Magnesia in Central Greece where lodestones were historically obtained.
1000 CE - Chinese scientists around the year 1000 used lodestones to magnetize iron; these magnetized stones pointed south if floated in a bowl of water; by 1100, these became the first magnetic compasses.
Late 1700 - Franz Mesmer coined 'animal magnetism' and developed a theory based off of the concept that there is a natural transference of energy between all things.
1800s - Michael Faraday studied electromagnetism, discovered electromagnetic induction, discovered diamagnetism, discovered electrolysis, created the first electromagnetic rotational device which would eventually lead to electric motors. Faraday established through his work and research that a changing magnetic field produces an electric field. “Faraday’s Law” later became one of the four Maxwell equations. Faraday proposed the concept of electromagnetic fields defined as forces extending into the space around a conductor.
Mid 1800s - Slow-to-heal fractures were routinely healed by surgically implanting needles around the fracture site and pulsing electricity through the area.
Late 1800s - Russian engineer Georges Lakhovsky hypothesized that each cell has its own frequency, oscillating at a specific amplitude. Lakhovsky developed a Multiple Wave Oscillator or Radio-Cellulo-Oscillator, which produced a wide range of therapeutic frequencies, from extremely low frequencies (ELF) to gigahertz (GHz) radio waves.
1890s - American Electro-Therapeutic Association conducted annual conferences on the therapeutic use of electricity and electrical devices by physicians on ailing patients.

1890s - Nicola Tesla's inventions included what would be termed the Tesla Coil, with implications as far reaching as power generation to human tissue healing. In an 1898 paper, “High Frequency Oscillators for Electro-Therapeutic and Other Purposes," he stated that one feature of pulsed magnetism was its apparent harmlessness, passing significant amounts of electrical energy through the human body. These Tesla Coils were used to treat the body without contact using pulsed magnetic fields of up to a hundred thousand volts.

922 - Alexander Gurwitsch posited that muscle tissues, the cornea, blood, and nerves are all transmitters of “biophotons,” coherent light emitted by animal and plant cells, his work and provided a basis for the design of later bioelectromagnetic therapy devices.
1925 - Georges Lakhovsky published “ Curing Cancer with Ultra Radio Frequencies ” in Radio News, stating “the amplitude of cell oscillations must reach a certain value, in order that the organism be strong enough to repulse the destructive vibrations from certain microbes.” Lakhovsky's Radio-Cellulo-Oscillator (RCO) produced low frequency ELF.

1929 -The San Diego Union reported on the progress of Dr. Royal Raymond Rife's work in "Local Man Bares Wonders of Germ Life" and in 1938, Dr. Rife, Philip Hoyland and their ray-tube machine were a front-page story in the San Diego Evening Tribune. Rife invented the "Universal Microscope," and later the "Rife Ray Machine," utilizing very high frequencies purported to treat a wide variety of specific pathogens, which he could visualize in his high-powered microscopes. He discovered that organisms have a natural range of refraction to various light environments, suggesting that organisms could be classified and identified by their index of refraction using the Risley prism under the Universal Microscope. His work was highly influential and subjected to litigation, his lab was raided and his microscopes were destroyed. Too deep and complex a story to cover here, if you are interested in learning more about his influence, research and life's work, see this page .

1932 - at an American Congress of Physical Therapy seminar in New York, Dr. Gustave Kolischer stated: “Tesla’s high-frequency electrical currents are bringing about highly beneficial results in dealing with cancer, surpassing anything that could be accomplished with ordinary surgery.”
1910-1935 - the Flexner Report was published in 1910 and subsequently, all forms of electric medicine, including PEMF and magnetic therapies, were banned from use for a period of time, particularly after 1935. The AMA instead championed pharmaceutical and surgical interventions and discredited less-researched electrotherapeutic modalities.
1924-1950 - Morris Fishbein served as Secretary of the American Medical Association and Chief Editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Fishbein labeled natural healers (particularly Native American shamans, midwives, and chiropractors), as “quacks” and members of an “unscientific cult,” also campaigning against cannabis and herbal medicine. Fishbein was a major contributor to the repression of electric medicine during this time period.
1950s - featured a resurgence of medical interest in electrotherapeutic modalities: research centers began again investigating electric and magnetic therapies for fracture non-unions

1960-70s - Italian born scientist Dr. Antoine Priore’s electromagnetic therapy machine was developed and researched in France. His machine involved a complicated mixing of multiple electromagnetic signals in a rotating plasma, modulating output over very strong rippling magnetic field to which the body of the test animal was exposed. He also treated sleeping sickness in rabbits with remarkable results.
1979 - PEMF was approved by the FDA for treatment of fracture non-unions and for the enhancement of bone formation after lumbar and cervical spine fusion surgery
1970s to current - NASA researches and utilizes PEMF in space travel for mitigation of microgravity effects.
1970's - Fritz-Albert Popp coined the term "biophotons" and, building off the work of Royal Raymond Rife and others before him, showed that biophoton emission of living organisms exhibit coherent patterns, that this effect is universal across all living organisms. Popp and Bernard Ruth established a biophysical hypothesis which suggests that biogenic, long distance intercellular communication implies information transmission.
1985 - Robert O. Becker's The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life was published, and Becker, Dr. Andrew Bassett, and Dr. Arthur Pilla, developed a PEMF generator to stimulate bone fracture healing, currently approved by the FDA with an 80% success rate.
2004 - FDA allows PEMF use in cervical spine surgeries
2006 - FDA allows a PEMF device for treatment of depression
2020 - FDA allows PEMF systems to be marketed without FDA approval as long as promoting wellness and not making medical claims.
Currently - the research continues!

Now there are studies supporting the use of PEMF therapies in things as diverse as depression, rheumatoid arthritis, large-scale water treatment and sanitization, cervical disc herniations and the stability of dental implants, to name just a few. Check in next week for the following post in our PEMF series , where we'll offer an overview of some of the published literature on PEMF.

Enjoy some videos on PEMF history & use below:

Currently, Dr . Jessie integrates PEMF therapies into her Physical Therapy and Frequency Specific Microcurrent sessions. You can contact us to schedule a free 15 minute consult to learn more.

Subscribe to our Blog and get updates on PEMF Therapy to your inbox:

What is PEMF?
What types of PEMF therapy exist?
What can PEMF treat: the evolving Evidence and Research
PEMF Contraindications and Precautions
How we use PEMF at The Healing Collective
What are the differences between FSM and PEMF?
What is the difference between PEMF and EMFs?

RESOURCES

Bassett CA, Mitchell SN, Norton L, Pilla A. Repair of non-unions by pulsing electromagnetic fields. Acta Orthop Belg . 1978; 44 (5): 706–24. PMID 380258.

Bassett CA, Pilla AA, Pawluk RJ. A non-operative salvage of surgically-resistant pseudarthroses and non-unions by pulsing electromagnetic fields. A preliminary report. Clin Orthop. 1977; 124 (124): 128–43. doi:10.1097/00003086-197705000-00017. PMID 598067.

Bassett CA, Pawluk RJ, Pilla AA. Augmentation of Bone Repair by Inductively Coupled Electromagnetic Fields. Science. 1974; 184 (4136): 575–7. doi:10.1126/science.184.4136.575. PMID 4821958.

Kenoyer JM, Miller HM. Metal technologies of the Indus Valley tradition in Pakistan and western India. Geography . 1999.

Bassett CA, Pawluk RJ, Pilla AA. Acceleration of fracture repair by electromagnetic fields. A surgically noninvasive method. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1974; 238 (1): 242–62. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1974.tb26794.x. PMID 4548330.

Bech P, Lunde M, Lauritzen L, et al. The Diagnostic Apathia Scale predicts a dose–remission relationship of T-PEMF in treatment-resistant depression. Acta neuropsychiatric. 2015; 27(1): 1-7.

Beck AH. The Flexner report and the standardization of American medical education. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004; 291 (17): 2139–40. doi : 10.1001/jama.291.17.2139 . PMID 15126445 .

Byerly D, Sognier M, Arndt D, Ngo P, Phan C, Byerly K, and Weinstein R. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields - A Novel Countermeasure for Bone Loss and Muscle Atrophy. NASA: Space Life Sciences. 2005; Report #TM -2005-213160, p 76. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269573995_Pulse_Electromagnetic_Fields_-_A_Novel_Countermeasure_for_Bone_Loss_and_Muscle_Atrophy/citations

Duffy TP. The Flexner Report--100 years later. Yale J Biol Med. 2011;84(3):269-276. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3178858/

FDA Executive Panel: Reclassification of Non-Invasive Bone Growth Stimulators. 2020 Meeting of the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel. https://www.fda.gov/media/141850/download

Flexner A. Medical Education in the United States and Canada: A Report to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Flexner Report. 1910; (4).

http://archive.carnegiefoundation.org/publications/pdfs/elibrary/Carnegie_Flexner_Report.pdf

Goodwin TJ. Physiological and Molecular Genetic Effects of Time-Varying Electromagnetic Fields on Human Neuronal Cells. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center NASA. 2003; NASA/TP - 212054. Retrieved from: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20030075722.pdf

Goodwin TJ et al. Inventions, Disclosures & Patents. http://www.thomasjgoodwin.com/patents.php Accessed online 11/19/2021.

Huegel J, Choi DS, Nuss CA, et al. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy at different frequencies and durations on rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing in a rat model. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018; 27(3):553-560. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5835831/

Karamanou M, Papaioannou T, Tsoucalas G, Laios K and Androutsos G. Electromagnetic machines in cancer treatment: The "Priore Affair." Journal of Balkan Union of Oncology. 2015; 20. 936-939.

The multi-wave oscillator by Georges Lakhovsky: Original text pages from his book. Accessed online 11/20/2021. http://erfolgstyp.com/?page_id=65

Luttges MW. Countermeasures to Microgravity. Conference Paper. NASA, Ames Research Center, Cells in Space. 1989. Document ID 1990000464. Accessed online 11/19/2021: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19900004641

Manning, CA and Vanrenen LJ. Bioenergetic Medicines East and West. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley. 1988; p. 43

Meyers, BA. PEMF: The Fifth Element of Health, 2013. Balboa Press.

Nayak BP, Dolkart O, Satwalekar P, et al. Effect of the Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on Dental Implants Stability: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Materials (Basel). 2020; 13(7):1667. Published 2020 Apr 3. doi:10.3390/ma13071667

Oschman, JL. Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis (Second Edition), chapter on "Medical Use of Electricity & Magnetism: Silent Pulses & Rhythmic Entrainment." 2016. Churchill Livingstone.

Pawluk W. History of Magnetic Field Therapy. https://www.drpawluk.com/education/magnetic-science/history-magnetic-field-therapy/ Accessed online 2021/11/16.

Tesla, N. High Frequency Oscillators for Electro-Therapeutic and Other Purposes. The Electrical Engineer. 1898 (XXVI) No. 550.

Valone TF. Bioelectromagnetic Healing, its History and a Rationale for its Use. Valone Integrity Research Institute, Presented at Whole Person Healing Conference & Tesla Energy Science Conference. 2003.

Valone TF. Tesla High Voltage Electrotherapy: History and Science. Tesla Universe. 2004. https://teslauniverse.com/nikola-tesla/articles/tesla-high-voltage-electrotherapy-history-and-science Accessed online 2021/11/20.

PEMF : The Data

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 01:49:42 GMT

This is Part Four in a series on PEMF or Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, which is a modality we are pleased to offer in addition to Frequency Specific Microcurrent right here at The Healing Collective.

WHAT IS PEMF?

PEMF and associated therapies do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

When we first started to dive into the published literature on Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF), we were surprised to learn of its long history and the sheer volume of data that has been published. From historic bone healing (which has been studied since the 1800s) to depression, disc pain to water treatment options, there is a trove of research to explore.

This post is an attempt to offer some brief, abstracted glimpses into just some of the data available on PEMF and is meant to be a jumping-off point for further and deeper study for those interested. Below, you will find a references list organized by date of publication that includes notable findings from the study abstracts.

One way you might choose to engage is to use the Search feature on your keyboard (Ctrl + F on a laptop or Command + F on a Mac) and see if there is an article that addresses a condition you are curious about. Or, simply start browsing the list below. This list is far from inclusive so please excuse any omissions; we will add to it as we are able.

THE DATA (BY YEAR) & SUMMARY

2021

Bademoğlu G, Erdal N, Uzun C, Taşdelen B. The effects of pulsed electromagnetic field on experimentally induced sciatic nerve injury in rats . Electromagn Biol Med. 2021; 40(3):408-419. doi:10.1080/15368378.2021.1907403

ABSTRACT: “Some experimental research indicates that low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation may accelerate regeneration in sciatic nerve injury. However, little research has examined the electrophysiological and functional properties of regenerating peripheral nerves under PEMF. The main aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of PEMF on sciatic nerve regeneration in short- and long-term processes with electrophysiologically and functionally after crushing damage. Crush lesions were performed using jewelery forceps for 30 s. After crush injury of the sciatic nerves, 24 female Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 3 groups with 8 rats in each group: SH(Sham), SNI (Sciatic Nerve Injury), SNI+PEMF(Sciatic Nerve Injury+Pulsed Electromagnetic Field). SNI+PEMF group was exposed to PEMF (4 h/day, intensity; 0.3mT, low-frequency; 2 Hz) for 40-days. Electrophysiological records (at the beginning and 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks post-crush) and functional footprints (at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th weeks post crush) were measured from all groups during the experiment. The results were compared to SNI and SNI+PEMF groups, it was found that amplitude and area parameters in the first-week were significantly higher and latency was lower in the SNI+PEMF group than in the SNI group (p < 0,05). However, the effect of PEMF was not significant in the 2nd, 4th, 6th weeks. In addition, in the 1st and 2nd weeks, the SSI parameters were significantly higher in SNI+PMF group than SNI group (p < .05). These results indicate that low-frequency PEMF is not effective for long-periods of application time while PEMF may be useful during the short-term recovery period.”

Celik C, Franco-Obregón A, Lee EH, Hui JH, Yang Z. Directionalities of magnetic fields and topographic scaffolds synergise to enhance MSC chondrogenesis . Acta Biomater. 2021;119:169-183. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2020.10.039

ABSTRACT: “We have previously shown that brief, low-amplitude pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) differentially enhance mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis in scaffold-free pellet cultures versus conventional tissue culture plastic (TCP), indicating an interplay between magnetism and micromechanical environment. Here, we examined the influence of PEMF directionality over the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs laden on electrospun fibrous scaffolds of either random (RND) or aligned (ALN) orientations. Correlating MSCs' chondrogenic outcome to pFAK activation and YAP localisation, MSCs on the RND scaffolds experienced the least amount of resting mechanical stress and underwent greatest chondrogenic differentiation in response to brief PEMF exposure (10 min at 1 mT) perpendicular to the dominant plane of the scaffolds (Z-directed). By contrast, in MSC-impregnated RND scaffolds, greatest mitochondrial respiration resulted from X-directed PEMF exposure (parallel to the scaffold plane), and was associated with curtailed chondrogenesis. MSCs on TCP or the ALN scaffolds exhibited greater resting mechanical stress and accordingly, were unresponsive, or negatively responsive, to PEMF exposure from all directions. The efficacy of PEMF-induced MSC chondrogenesis is hence regulated in a multifaceted manner involving focal adhesion dynamics, as well as mitochondrial responses, culminating in a final cellular response. The combined contributions of micromechanical environment and magnetic field orientation hence will need to be considered when designing magnetic exposure paradigms.”

"PEMF plays a role in enhancing angiogenesis, and its clinical application may go far beyond the current scope."

Peng L, Fu C, Wang L, Zhang, Q, Liang Z, He C and Wei Q. The Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Angiogenesis. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021; 42: 250-258. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22330

ABSTRACT: “A pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been used to treat inflammation-based diseases such as osteoporosis, neurological injury, and osteoarthritis. Numerous animal experiments and in vitro studies have shown that PEMF may affect angiogenesis. For ischemic diseases, in theory, blood flow may be richer by increasing the number of blood vessels which supply blood to ischemic tissue. PEMF plays a role in enhancing angiogenesis, and their clinical application may go far beyond the current scope. In this review, we analyzed and summarized the effects and possible mechanisms of PEMF on angiogenesis. Most studies have shown that PEMF with specific parameters can promote angiogenesis, which is manifested by an increased vascular growth rate and increased capillary density. The potential mechanisms consist of promoting vascular endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, and increasing the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and other angiogenic growth factors. Additionally, PEMF has an impact on the activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC).”

Tabakan I, Yuvacı AU, Taştekin B, Öcal I, Pelit A. The healing effect of pulsed magnetic field on burn wounds . Burns. 2021; S0305-4179(21)00154-6. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2021.06.001

ABSTRACT: “In this study, the effect of PEMF on cutaneous wound healing in an animal burn model was evaluated and the dose and duration of the magnetic field should be discussed for this effect to occur. Animals were divided into five groups including eight each (n = 40) (Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).Group 1 was the control group; received no treatment after second-degree burn wound. Group 2 received daily wound care with saline. Group 3 received daily wound care with pomade containing mupirocin. Group 4 received Pulsed Electromagnetic Field signal for 60 min (1.5 m T and 40 Hz for seven days) and Group 5 also received PEMF signal for 60 min the same frequency and intensity for 14 days. Microscopically, second-degree burn wounds were successfully detected in all rats. Histopathological examination results in no significant difference between groups in neutrophil infiltration. The difference between the groups in vascularization was statistically significant between Group II and Group V (p < 0.001) and between Group I and Group V (p = 0.005) Epithelialization was present in 75% of the rats in Group V, while no epithelialization was observed in any of the other groups. In conclusion, we observed a significant improvement in the stasis zone of the group receiving Pulsed Electromagnetic Field for two weeks.”

Varani K, Vincenzi F, Pasquini S, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation in Osteogenesis and Chondrogenesis: Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 22(2):809. doi:10.3390/ijms22020809

ABSTRACT: “Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the main cell players in tissue repair and thanks to their self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation capabilities, they gained significant attention as cell source for tissue engineering (TE) approaches aimed at restoring bone and cartilage defects. Despite significant progress, their therapeutic application remains debated: the TE construct often fails to completely restore the biomechanical properties of the native tissue, leading to poor clinical outcomes in the long term. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are currently used as a safe and non-invasive treatment to enhance bone healing and to provide joint protection. PEMFs enhance both osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. Here, we provide extensive review of the signaling pathways modulated by PEMFs during MSCs osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Particular attention has been given to the PEMF-mediated activation of the adenosine signaling and their regulation of the inflammatory response as key player in TE approaches. Overall, the application of PEMFs in tissue repair is foreseen: (1) in vitro: to improve the functional and mechanical properties of the engineered construct; (2) in vivo: (i) to favor graft integration, (ii) to control the local inflammatory response, and (iii) to foster tissue repair from both implanted and resident MSCs cells.”

2020

Alzayed KA, Alsaadi SM. Efficacy of Pulsed Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Therapy on Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial . Asian Spine J. 2020; 14(1):33-42. doi:10.31616/asj.2019.0043 RESULTS: “The treatment group experienced a more rapid improvement in both pain and disability compared with the placebo group. The analysis showed a significant improvement in the pain intensity and disability scores in the treatment group at week 3 (p < 0.05), whereas an improvement in the placebo group was detected at week 6. The significant improvement in both groups was sustained for weeks 6, 9, and 13. There was no difference between the groups in scores of pain intensity and disability at weeks 6 and 13.”

"Low-frequency magnetic therapy in complex rehabilitation contributes to the regression of respiratory disorders."

"PEMFs inhib it neuroinflammation in N9 cells ... and may be relevant to treat a variety of diseases characterized by neuroinflammation."

Merighi S, Gessi S, Bencivenni S, et al. Signaling pathways involved in anti-inflammatory effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field in microglial cells. Cytokine. 2020; 125:154777. doi:10.1016/j.cyto.2019.154777

ABSTRACT: “PEMFs reduced the LPS-increased production of TNF-α and IL-1β in N9 cells, through a pathway involving JNK1/2. Furthermore, they decreased the LPS-induced release of IL-6, by a mechanism not dependent on AC, PLC, PKC-ε, PKC-δ, p38, ERK1/2, JNK1/2, Akt and caspase 1. Importantly, a significant effect of PEMFs in the reduction of crucial cell functions specific of microglia like ROS generation, cell invasion and phagocytosis was found. PEMFs inhibit neuroinflammation in N9 cells through a mechanism involving, at least in part, the activation of JNK MAPK signaling pathway and may be relevant to treat a variety of diseases characterized by neuroinflammation.”

RESULTS: “Compliance was high as all subject completed the full treatment. Two patients however experienced a worsening of their concussion symptoms during the course of treatment. The remaining patients had some discomfort in relation to treatment, mainly headache, but passing and less for each treatment. The majority (n = 5) had a reduction in symptoms overall, up to 61% (2%-61%) based on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire. Further studies on T-PEMF as a treatment option for post-concussion syndrome are warranted.”

Nayak BP, Dolkart O, Satwalekar P, et al. Effect of the Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on Dental Implants Stability: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial . Materials (Basel). 2020; 13(7):1667. Published 2020 Apr 3. doi:10.3390/ma13071667

ABSTRACT: “A pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been shown to contribute to heightening bone regeneration in a range of clinical areas, including dentistry. Due to the scarcity of studies using PEMF in oral implantology, the present experiment scrutinized the effect of PEMF can lead to improving the stability of the implant. A total of 19 subjects (40 implants in total) were selected to participate in the current study and were randomly allocated to either the PEMF group or control group. Subjects in the PEMF group received an activated miniaturized electromagnetic device (MED) while the control group received a sham healing cup. Implants stability was assessed by resonance frequency analyses (RFA) via implant stability quotient (ISQ) calculations. RFA were recorded as following: immediately after procedure, and then 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks later. Radiographic analysis was performed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks after implant placement. Proinflammatory cytokines were evaluated in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF). The PEMF group presented higher ISQ mean values when compared to the control group. The primary stability time frame (the first 2 weeks) MED group depicted an increase in stability of 6.8%, compared to a decrease of 7.6% in the control group related to the baseline. An overall stability increase of 13% was found in MED treated group (p = 0.02), in contrast, the overall stability in the control group decreased by 2% (p = 0.008). TNF-α concentration during first 4 weeks was lower in the MED treated group. The data strongly suggests that MED generated continuing a PEMF may be considered as a new way to stimulate the stability of the implants at the early healing period.”

"Pulsed electromagnetic field has been shown to contribute to heightening bone regeneration in a range of clinical areas, including dentistry."

Parate D, Kadir ND, Celik C, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic fields potentiate the paracrine function of mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage regeneration. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2020; 11(1):46. Published 2020 Feb 3. doi:10.1186/s13287-020-1566-5

ABSTRACT: “The findings reported here demonstrate that PEMF stimulation is capable of modulating the paracrine function of MSCs for the enhancement and re-establishment of cartilage regeneration in states of cellular stress. The PEMF-induced modulation of the MSC-derived paracrine function for directed biological responses in recipient cells or tissues has broad clinical and practical ramifications with high translational value across numerous clinical applications.”

Qiu XS, Li XG, Chen YX. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF): A potential adjuvant treatment for infected nonunion. Med Hypotheses. 2020;136:109506. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109506

ABSTRACT: “Infected nonunion is still a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The goal of treatment is to eliminate infection and achieve bone union. Surgery is the only effective method currently. However, it is invasive and the results are still unsatisfactory. Therefore, seeking a noninvasive and effective method to resolve infected nonunion is necessary. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been used for the treatment of nonunion for more than 40 years. PEMF could promote bone formation at tissue, cell and subcellular levels. Furthermore, our study showed that PEMF had bactericidal effect. The hypothesis we proposed herein is that PEMF may be an adjuvant treatment for infected nonunion by controlling infection and inducing bone formation.”

Ross C, Overholt T, Xu R, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) as an adjunct therapy for pain management in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome [published online ahead of print, 2021 Jun 8]. Int Urogynecol J. 2021; 10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3

ABSTRACT: “The use of PEMF has been evaluated as a therapeutic strategy for pain management in several clinical scenarios. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials have reported positive efficacy and safety profiles when PEMF was used to treat non-specific low back pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic post-operative pain, osteoarthritis-related pain, rheumatoid arthritis-related pain, and fibromyalgia-related pain. Based on these positive outcomes in a variety of pain conditions, clinical trials to evaluate whether PEMF can provide a safe, non-invasive therapeutic approach to improve symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with IC/BPS are warranted.”

Tai YK, Ng C, Purnamawati K et al. Magnetic fields modulate metabolism and gut microbiome in correlation with Pgc-1α expression: Follow-up to an in vitro magnetic mitohormetic study . The FASEB Journal. 2020; 34: 11143– 11167. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201903005RR

ABSTRACT: "The combination of PEMFs and exercise for 6 weeks enhanced running performance and upregulated muscular and adipose Pgc-1α transcript levels, whereas exercise alone was incapable of elevating Pgc-1α levels. The gut microbiome Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio decreased with exercise and PEMF exposure, alone or in combination, which has been associated in published studies with an increase in lean body mass. After 2 months, brief PEMF treatment alone increased Pgc-1α and mitohormetic gene expression and after >4 months PEMF treatment alone enhanced oxidative muscle expression, fatty acid oxidation, and reduced insulin levels. Hence, short-term PEMF treatment was sufficient to instigate PGC-1α-associated transcriptional cascades governing systemic mitohormetic adaptations, whereas longer-term PEMF treatment was capable of inducing related metabolic adaptations independently of exercise."

Tenuta, M, Tarsitano, MG, Mazzotta, P, et al. Therapeutic use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduces prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Andrology. 2020; 8: 1076–1085. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12775

RESULTS: “PEMF was able to reduce PV after 28 days of therapy. Symptoms improved in a short time, with high compliance and no effects on hormonal and sexual function or any side effects. Patients with moderate-severe LUTS and without MetS seem to benefit more from this treatment.”

"PEMF therapy has clinically significant effects on pain in patients with osteoarthritis."

Yang X, He H, Ye W, Perry TA, He C. Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials . Phys Ther. 2020;100(7):1118-1131. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzaa054

IMPACT: "Our study suggests that PEMF therapy has clinically significant effects on pain in patients with OA. The current evidence was limited to the short-term effects of PEMF therapy."

2019

Alvarez LX, McCue J, Lam NK, Askin G, Fox PR. Effect of Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Canine Postoperative Hemilaminectomy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2019; 55(2):83-91. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6798

ABSTRACT: “The present prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated targeted PEMF therapy administered to 53 client-owned dogs who underwent hemilaminectomy for naturally occurring disk extrusion intervertebral disc disease … Dogs receiving PEMF therapy following postoperative hemilaminectomy demonstrated improved wound scores at 6 wk and reduced mean number of owner-administered pain medications compared with the control group therapy.”

Cottrill E, Pennington Z, Ahmed AK, et al. The effect of electrical stimulation therapies on spinal fusion: a cross-disciplinary systematic review and meta-analysis of the preclinical and clinical data . J Neurosurg Spine. 2019; 1-21. doi:10.3171/2019.5.SPINE19465

CONCLUSIONS: “The authors found that electrical stimulation devices may produce clinically significant increases in arthrodesis rates among patients undergoing spinal fusion. They also found that the pro-arthrodesis effects seen in preclinical studies are also found in clinical populations, suggesting that findings in animal studies are translatable. Additional research is needed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of these devices.”

Galli C, Pedrazzi G and Guizzardi S. The cellular effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on osteoblasts: A review. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019; 40: 211-233. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22187

ABSTRACT: "Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have long been known to interact with living organisms and their cells and to bear the potential for therapeutic use. Among the most extensively investigated applications, the use of Pulsed EMFs (PEMFs) has proven effective to ameliorate bone healing in several studies, although the evidence is still inconclusive. This is due in part to our still-poor understanding of the mechanisms by which PEMFs act on cells and affect their functions and to an ongoing lack of consensus on the most effective parameters for specific clinical applications. The present review has compared in vitro studies on PEMFs on different osteoblast models, which elucidate potential mechanisms of action for PEMFs, up to the most recent insights into the role of primary cilia, and highlight the critical issues underlying at least some of the inconsistent results in the available literature."

"A significant improvement was found in the neck pain, disability, depression, anxiety, and quality of life scores of both [physical therapy and PEMF] groups after treatment when compared to those before treatment."

ABSTRACT: "The finding that alterations in electrical potential play an important role in the mechanical stimulation of the bone provoked hype that noninvasive extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMF) can be used to support healing of bone and osteochondral defects. This resulted in the development of many ELF-PEMF devices for clinical use. Due to the resulting diversity of the ELF-PEMF characteristics regarding treatment regimen, and reported results, exposure to ELF-PEMFs is generally not among the guidelines to treat bone and osteochondral defects. Notwithstanding, here we show that there is strong evidence for ELF-PEMF treatment. We give a short, confined overview of in vitro studies investigating effects of ELF-PEMF treatment on bone cells, highlighting likely mechanisms. Subsequently, we summarize prospective and blinded studies, investigating the effect of ELF-PEMF treatment on acute bone fractures and bone fracture non-unions, osteotomies, spinal fusion, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. Although these studies favor the use of ELF-PEMF treatment, they likewise demonstrate the need for more defined and better controlled/monitored treatment modalities. However, to establish indication-oriented treatment regimen, profound knowledge of the underlying mechanisms in the sense of cellular pathways/events triggered is required, highlighting the need for more systematic studies to unravel optimal treatment conditions."

"Our findings suggest a potential role for the pulsed EMF for the amelioration of cognition impairment."

Li Y, Zhang Y, Wang W, et al. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on learning and memory abilities of STZ-induced dementia rats . Electromagn Biol Med. 2019; 38(2):123-130. doi:10.1080/15368378.2019.1591437

ABSTRACT: “Our findings indicate that the pulsed EMF exposure can improve the ability of learning and memory in STZ-induced dementia rats and this effect may be related to the process of IGF signal transduction, suggesting a potential role for the pulsed EMF for the amelioration of cognition impairment.”

Malling ASB, Morberg BM, Wermuth L, Gredal O, Bech P, Jensen BR. The effect of 8 weeks of treatment with transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields on hand tremor and inter-hand coherence in persons with Parkinson's disease . J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2019; 16(1):19. Published 2019 Jan 31. doi:10.1186/s12984-019-0491-2

ABSTRACT: “The T-PEMF treatment decreased the inter-hand coherence in the PD group with unilateral postural tremor. The PD group with unilateral postural tremor was less clinically affected by the disease than the PD group with bilateral postural tremor. However, no differences between T-PEMF and placebo treatment on either intensity related or coherence related measures were found when all persons with PD were included in the analyses. The peak power decreased and the tremor intensity tended to decrease in both treatment groups.”

Miyamoto H, Sawaji Y, Iwaki T, Masaoka T, Fukada E, Date M and Yamamoto K. Intermittent pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation activates the mTOR pathway and stimulates the proliferation of osteoblast-like cells . Bioelectromagnetics. 2019; 40: 412-421. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22207

ABSTRACT: “Continuous PEMF stimulation induced a transient phosphorylation of the mTOR pathway, whereas intermittent PEMF stimulation (1 cycle of 10 min stimulation followed by 20 min of stimulation pause) revitalized the reduced phosphorylation. Moreover, PEMF stimulation stimulated cell proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine incorporation) rather than differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity), with a more notable effect in the intermittently stimulated cells. These results suggest that intermittent PEMF stimulation may be effective in promoting bone fracture healing by accelerating cell proliferation, and in shortening stimulation time.”

Mohammad Alizadeh MA, Abrari K, Lashkar Blouki T, Ghorbanian MT, Jadidi M. Pulsed electromagnetic field attenuated PTSD-induced failure of conditioned fear extinction. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2019; 22(6):650-659. doi:10.22038/ijbms.2019.32576.7797

RESULTS: “Using 14-day PEM attenuates the PTSD-induced failure of conditioned fear extinction and exaggerated sensitized fear, and this might be related to the neuroprotective effects of magnetic fields on the hippocampus.”

Ross CL, Ang DC, Almeida-Porada G. Targeting Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/Pericytes (MSCs) With Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Has the Potential to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis . Front Immunol. 2019; 10:266. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00266

ABSTRACT: “Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of synovium (synovitis), with inflammatory/immune cells and resident fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) acting as major players in the pathogenesis of this disease. The resulting inflammatory response poses considerable risks as loss of bone and cartilage progresses, destroying the joint surface, causing joint damage, joint failure, articular dysfunction, and pre-mature death if left untreated. At the cellular level, early changes in RA synovium include inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, and stimulation of angiogenesis to the site of injury. Different angiogenic factors promote this disease, making the role of anti-angiogenic therapy a focus of RA treatment. To control angiogenesis, mesenchymal stromal cells/pericytes (MSCs) in synovial tissue play a vital role in tissue repair.

"These resul ts further establish PEMFs anti-inflammatory activity, and may inform potential future clinical uses for management of inflammation associated with disc degeneration."

Tang X, Coughlin D, Ballatori A, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Reduce Interleukin-6 Expression in Intervertebral Disc Cells Via Nuclear Factor-κβ and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase p38 Pathways. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019; 44(22):E1290-E1297. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000003136

CONCLUSION: “Our data indicate that the previously-reported inhibitory effect of PEMF treatment on disc inflammation is mediated by NF-κβ and phosphorylated p38-MAPK signaling pathways. These results further establish PEMFs anti-inflammatory activity, and may inform potential future clinical uses for management of inflammation associated with disc degeneration.”

2018

Gaynor JS, Hagberg S, Gurfein BT. Veterinary applications of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy . Res Vet Sci. 2018; 119:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.05.005

ABSTRACT: “Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy can non-invasively treat a variety of pathologies by delivering electric and magnetic fields to tissues via inductive coils. The electromagnetic fields generated by these devices have been found to affect a variety of biological processes and basic science understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action of PEMF treatment has accelerated in the last 10 years. Accumulating clinical evidence supports the use of PEMF therapy in both animals and humans for specific clinical indications including bone healing, wound healing, osteoarthritis and inflammation, and treatment of post-operative pain and edema. While there is some confusion about PEMF as a clinical treatment modality, it is increasingly being prescribed by veterinarians. In an effort to unravel the confusion surrounding PEMF devices, this article reviews important PEMF history, device taxonomy, mechanisms of action, basic science and clinical evidence, and relevant trends in veterinary medicine. The data reviewed underscore the usefulness of PEMF treatment as a safe, non-invasive treatment modality that has the potential to become an important stand-alone or adjunctive treatment modality in veterinary care.”

Sorrell RG, Muhlenfeld J, Moffett J, Stevens G, Kesten S. Evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the treatment of chronic postoperative pain following lumbar surgery: a pilot, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial . J Pain Res. 2018; 11:1209-1222. Published 2018 Jun 22. doi:10.2147/JPR.S164303

RESULTS: “PEMF therapy (42-μs pulse width) was associated with trends for a reduction in pain, compared to sham treatment. Secondary endpoints were consistent with an overall beneficial effect of the PEMF 42-μs pulse width device.”

Huegel J, Choi DS, Nuss CA, et al. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy at different frequencies and durations on rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing in a rat model . J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018; 27(3):553-560. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2017.09.024

RESULTS: "Overall, our results suggest that PEMF therapy has a positive effect on rat rotator cuff healing for each electromagnetic fundamental pulse frequency and treatment duration tested in this study."

"Our data su ggest that PEMF may have a role in the clinical management of patients with chronic low back pain."

Tang X, Alliston T, Coughlin D, Miller S, Zhang N, Waldorff EI, Ryaby JT and Lotz JC. Dynamic imaging demonstrates that pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) suppress IL-6 transcription in bovine nucleus pulposus cells. J Orthop Res. 2018; 36: 778-787. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.23713

ABSTRACT: “Imaging and PCR data demonstrated that the inductive effect of IL-1α on IL-6 expression could be significantly inhibited by PEMF treatment in a time-dependent manner (early as 2 h of stimulus initiation). Our data suggest that PEMF may have a role in the clinical management of patients with chronic low back pain. Furthermore, this study shows that the MS2-tagged GFP reporter system is a useful tool for visualizing the dynamic events of mechanobiology in musculoskeletal research.”

We're just getting started with some of the most recent data ...

Many many more studies to come ... we will update this page frequently, so check back soon.

Subscribe to our Blog and get updates on PEMF Therapy straight to your inbox:

What is PEMF ? History of PEMF
What types of PEMF technology exist?
PEMF Evidence and Research
What can PEMF therapy support ?
PEMF Contraindications and Precautions
How we use PEMF at The Healing Collective
What are the differences between FSM and PEMF?

PEMF for Wellness & More

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 01:27:05 GMT

WHAT IS PEMF?

NOTICE: PEMF and associated therapies do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Despite the growing body of research on PEMF ( click here for a sample ), we are limited when it comes to claims of its therapeutic use. Companies are allowed to promote PEMF devices for wellness management, but are regulated to limit claims for its effects beyond this.

Providers who utilize PEMF in practice are able to share clinical results which are not necessarily meant to apply to everyone. From a Functional Medicine perspective especially, we understand that not every intervention works the same for every person, and it is important to cater treatments to the individual client's real-time, short-term, and long-term responses. It is potentially dangerous to assume a "standardized" treatment will work the same way for each individual, especially when we are working with a modality that is in the early stages of research, and especially when we are working with clients who may have complex, complicated, chronic and multi-layered dis-ease.

The good news is that PEMF has been shown to be relatively benign and has few minor side effects (Ross 2021, Cadossi 2020,see references). We will cover these in a future post on PEMF Precautions & Contraindications, so subscribe to our blog if you are interested.

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials have reported positive efficacy and safety profiles when PEMF was used to treat the following (Ross 2021):

Non-specific low back pain
Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Chronic post-operative pain
Osteoarthritis-related pain
Rheumatoid arthritis-related pain
Fibromyalgia-related pain

There are many other conditions that clinical experience demonstrates can be supported by PEMF therapies, and it will be exciting to watch as future research unfolds surrounding this modality.

Not all PEMF devices are created equally, and not all providers utilize PEMF in the same way. As an empowered patient, you can learn about this modality to make an educated choice. As we mentioned in an earlier post , you don't need any medical training to obtain certain classes of PEMF devices while with others, there is a trained provider programming the device for your individual needs. Depending on what benefits you are looking for, you may want to screen your provider prior to seeking PEMF support.

Here is a list of questions you can ask your provider to determine if they will help give you the best individualized experience with PEMF Therapy:

Which PEMF device(s) do you use and why?
Can you change the frequencies that your device delivers?
How many frequencies does your device run at one time (for example, 1 frequency, 2 separate frequencies, 4 frequency pairs)?
What is the range of frequencies (for example, 0.10 Hz to 9,999.0 Hz)?
Do you customize the time duration of treatments?
Can you customize my treatment in real time based off of my response?
Have you treated my condition before? What were the time frames and outcomes?
What research are you aware of to support the use of PEMF for my condition?

Interested in learning more? Schedule a free consult with Dr. Jessie to discuss how PEMF may be able to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.

Subscribe to our Blog and get updates on PEMF Therapy straight to your inbox:

What is PEMF ?
History of PEMF
What types of PEMF technology exist?
What PEMF Evidence and Research is available?
What can PEMF therapy support?
PEMF Contraindications and Precautions
How we use PEMF at The Healing Collective
What are the differences between FSM and PEMF?

RESOURCES

Balcavage W, Alvager T, Swez J, Goff CW, Fox MT, Abdullyava S, et al. A mechanism for action of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on biological systems. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1996; 222(075):374–8.

Cadossi R; Massari L, Racine-Avila J, Aaron RK. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation of Bone Healing and Joint Preservation: Cellular Mechanisms of Skeletal Response". JAAOS Global Research & Reviews. 2020; 4(5): e19.00155. doi : 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-19-00155 . ISSN 2474-7661 . PMC 7434032 .

Foley KT, Mroz TE, Arnold PM, et al. Randomized, prospective, and controlled clinical trial of pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for cervical fusion. Spine J. 2008;8:436–42.

Ross C, Overholt T, Xu R, et al. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) as an adjunct therapy for pain management in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Int Urogynecol J. 2021; 10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04862-3

Ross C, Teli T, Harrison B. Electromagnetic field devices and their effect on nociception and peripheral inflammatory pain mechanisms. Altern Ther Health Med. 2016; 22:34–47.

Shupak NM, McKay JC, Nielson WR, Rollman GB, Prato FS, Thomas AW. Exposure to a specific pulsed low-frequency magnetic field: a double-blind placebo-controlled study of effects on pain ratings in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia patients. Pain Res Manag. 2006; 11:85–90.

Sutbeyaz ST, Sezer N, Koseoglu F, Kibar S. Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in fibromyalgia: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical study. Clin J Pain. 2009;25:722–8.

Thomas AW, Graham K, Prato FS, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain. Pain Res Manag. 2007; 12:249–58.

Ye H, Steiger, A. Neuron matters: electric activation of neuronal tissue is dependent on the interaction between the neuron and the electric field. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2015; 1 2(doi: 10.1186/s12984-015-0061-1):65.

PEMF Precautions and Contraindications

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 01:16:35 GMT

This is Part Five in a series on PEMF or Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, which is a modality we are pleased to offer in addition to Frequency Specific Microcurrent right here at The Healing Collective.

WHAT IS PEMF?

Click here to find our introductory post on PEMF. For all PEMF posts, click here .

Please Note: PEMF and associated therapies do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any condition or disease.

Please note that Precautions and Contraindications will vary based on the PEMF device you are using. This blog post is NOT meant to direct or inform anyone's treatment or care. The following information is for informational purposes only. Always reach out to your healthcare provider for recommendations specific to you.

ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION

Never run PEMF over any implanted electrical device, such as:
Pacemakers
Cochlear Implants
Intrathecal Pump
Insulin Pump
Spinal Cord stimulators
etc ...

The reason for this contraindication is that the magnetic field has the potential to interfere with the function of these devices.

WARNINGS PRECAUTIONS

Never run PEMF over the eyes unless being directed by a medically trained physician.
Never run PEMF over the ears unless being directed by a physician.
The safety of PEMF has not been established during pregnancy. There is no evidence for harm, but most PEMF companies advise against use during pregnancy.
Never run high-frequency (above 100 Hz) PEMF over a breast implant.
Use caution in clients with Hashimoto's Disease.

FOR BEST SUCCESS WITH PEMF, ENSURE THAT:

You have consumed four 8oz glasses water (not tea, not Gatorade, not fizzy water, not coffee, but pure water) in the two hours preceding your treatment.
Best to drink 4 oz / hour if you are treating throughout the day.
You do not have an active infection.
You should not run 40 Hz with an active infection
You are not pregnant.

The use of PEMF as a therapeutic tool has not been evaluated by the FDA.

Currently, Dr. Jessie integrates PEMF therapies into her Physical Therapy and Frequency Specific Microcurrent sessions. You can contact us to schedule a free 15 minute consult and learn more.

Subscribe to our Blog and get updates on PEMF Therapy to your inbox:

What is PEMF?
What types of PEMF therapy exist?
The Evidence and Research
PEMF for Health & Wellness
PEMF Contraindications and Precautions
How we use PEMF at The Healing Collective
What are the differences between FSM and PEMF?
What is the difference between PEMF and EMFs?

RESOURCES

"PEMF Safety." Drpawluk.com Accessed Online 12/6/2021.

https://www.drpawluk.com/education/pemf-information/pemf-safety-2/

"Magnetic Converter Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy." Precision Distributing. Accessed Online 12/6/2021. https://precisiondistributing.com/frequency-specific-microcurrent-products/fsm-magnetic-converter-pulsed-electromagnetic-field-therapy/

" About ." Mend Technology PEMF Device. Mend. Accessed Online 12/6/2021. https://mendtechnology.com/product-category/pemf/

Pulsed Frequency Resources. Accessed Online 12/6/2021. https://www.pulsedfrequency.com/resources

"What's the Matter." Wellness PEMF. Accessed Online 12/6/2021. https://www.wellnesspemf.com/blog/2016/08/28/whats-the-matter

What is Frequency Specific Microcurrent?

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 03:30:00 GMT

WHAT IS FREQUENCY SPECIFIC MICROCURRENT (FSM)?

Frequency Specific Microcurrent works off the premise that every tissue in the body has its own resonant frequency, and every condition (or pathology) in the body also has its own resonant frequency.

When we combine these frequency pairs, we elicit cellular changes that can significantly reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing (McMakin 2005).

For example, your FSM Practitioner will input specific frequencies into a programmable microcurrent device to provide instructions, measured in electrical pulses per second (Hz). It's like sending an instruction to a specific tissue; for example: "reduce inflammation" + in the "nerve" will predictably and repeatedly reduce pain (so long neural inflammation is, in fact, causing the pain). It works as long as the correct tissue is being targeted with the appropriate instruction. And yes, it's that specific.

Damaged tissue has some disruption to its electromagnetic field and is not resonating at its optimal resonant frequency. We utilize frequency specific microcurrent to input the optimal frequencies (or "instructions") which entrain that specific tissue back to its optimal state.

WHAT ARE SOME MEASURABLE EFFECTS OF MICROCURRENT?

We know that microcurrent alone, without the specific frequencies, can evoke a

when we keep the microamps between 10µA and 500µA (Cheng 1982, Seegers 2002 & 2002).

There is also data to support specific, statistically significant changes in blood markers with FSM, including

which you can explore further in the paper titled Cytokine changes with microcurrent treatment of fibromyalgia associated with cervical spine trauma (McMakin 2005).

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FSM AND TENS

Keeping the microamps below 500µA is an important factor to consider when comparing microcurrent to a standard TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) treatment that you may have experienced at a physical therapist, acupuncture or chiropractic office. TENS units usually emit milliamps, whereas microcurrent emits microamps--one thousand fold difference than a TENS unit. This is important because the data shows once you increase above 500µA, the therapeutic and beneficial cellular effects diminish.

At The Healing Collective, we recommend avoiding using a standard TENS unit two days before and two days after your Frequency Specific Microcurrent treatments so that the TENS therapy does not override the beneficial effects of FSM.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FSM

Explore the , research on FSM right here on our Be Well Blog by clicking , here . You are welcome to schedule a free 15 minute consult with Dr. Jessie, our FSM specialist here at The Healing Collective, to learn how FSM might be able to help you.

RESOURCES

McMakin C, Gregory WM and Phillips T. Cytokine changes with microcurrent treatment of fibromyalgia associated with cervical spine trauma . J Bodyw Mov Ther . 2005; 9: 169-176. 10.1016/j.jbmt.2004.12.003.

Cheng N 1982, The Effect of Electric Currents on ATP Generation, Protein Synthesis and Membrane Transport in Rat Skin . Clinical Orthopedics 171: 264-272.

Seegers JC, 2002, A pulsed DC electric field affects P2-purinergic receptor functions by altering the ATP levels in in vitro and in vivo systems . Medical Hypothesis, 58 (2) 171-176.

Seegers, JC, 2001; Activation of signal transduction mechanisms may underlie the Therapeutic effects of an applied electric field . Med Hypothesis; 57 (2), 224-230.

Free +❤HeartMath® Training Videos

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 02:45:21 GMT

Prior to your first +❤HeartMath® experience with Dr. Jessie at The Healing Collective, be sure to set up your account so that you can access the Online Training Videos!

These videos are a fantastic resource for free and available to anyone who is interested in Heart Math tools for Coherence. If you are looking to go deeper with HeartMath tools and techniques incorporating bio / neurofeedback, schedule a free consult to learn about our HeartMath program here at The Healing Collective.

Dare to Connect

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:53:14 GMT

“Dare to connect with your heart.

You will be lifting not only yourself and those you love & care about, but also the world in which you live.”

–Doc Childre, HeartMath Founder

Learning Heart-Brain Coherence provides much more than a sense of relaxation. This kind of regulation that can take as little as five minutes can change the expression of neurochemicals, hormones, and messengers throughout the entire body.

When we connect with the heart and acknowledge our internal state, or become congruent and self-regulated, we can access an even deeper layer of healing. Our coherence impacts those around us because of the large electromagnetic field of our hearts. This is a powerful way that we can each, individually, make an impact on our communities and ultimately the world we live in. You matter, and the way you move through the world also matters.

Dr. Jessie offers HeartMath as a part of her Physical Therapy sessions here at The Healing Collective. Reach out to schedule your Free 15 minute consultation to learn more.

REFERENCES

Mc Craty R. The Energetic Heart: Bioelectromagnetic Interactions Within and Between People. The Neuropsychotherapist. 2003; 6: 22-43.

Fredrickson, B., & Joiner, T. (2002). Positive emotions trigger upward spirals toward emotional well-being. Psychological Science. 2002; 13: 172–175.

#GetHeart

#HeartMath

#❤

Free Access to Proven DocuSeries

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 00:11:55 GMT

Shared from Dr. Jessie's Frequency Specific Microcurrent Teacher, Dr. Carolyn McMakin , who is featured in multiple episodes in this series.

From a very young age, most of us are taught that the only “true” approach to healing our bodies is through modern medicine.

We see commercials championing pharmaceuticals (with strange lists of side effects at the end) and it seems that our health insurance companies only want to pay for drugs or surgery.

We willingly follow our doctor’s pronouncements – their diagnoses, prescriptions, prognoses, and projections of how many months or years we should expect to live… all under the assumption that their methods are proven by science and everything else is not.

Are they right? Or is it possible that there is just as much science to support natural and alternative approaches to healing disease?

The answer might shock you.

Thousands of studies are now showing that many “alternative” medicines and therapies (that your doctor doesn’t know about or isn’t allowed to recommend) are FAR superior for the majority of chronic health conditions we suffer from...

If you want to expand your horizons and discover fact-based solutions for what is ailing you (or a family member), there’s a new 9-part documentary series called Proven: Healing Breakthroughs Backed By Science that is airing in a few days - and it’s an absolute must-see!

Each episode will provide you with highly effective (and safe) approaches to wellness that will

change your life… and it’s FREE to watch!

Click HERE to watch the trailer!

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Far more treatments and therapies exist in this world than you are being told about - and their power has been proven, scientifically.

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Frequency Specific Microcurrent & Related Research

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:56:22 GMT

FSM CLINICAL CASES, ETC.

A very heartfelt thanks to Dr. Carolyn McMakin, the pioneer in the field of FSM, always encouraging her trained clinicians to publish their findings in order to progress this incredible field and the future of medicine. You can learn more about Dr. McMakin here , including trainings, research, practitioners, and learning resources. Additionally, great thanks goes to the organizers of the Annual Microcurrent Case Conference , providing additional FSM education, training, and case reports.

Shetty GM, Rawat P, Sharma A. Effect of adjuvant frequency-specific microcurrents on pain and disability in patients treated with physical rehabilitation for neck and low back pain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2020: 24(4); 168-175.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859220301418

Sharp SJ, Huynh MT, Filart R. Frequency Specific Microcurrent as Adjunctive Therapy for Three Wounded Warriors. Journal of Medical Acupuncture. Jun 2019: 189-192. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/acu.2019.1366

Trang D, Trial Sponsor. Frequency Specific Microcurrent for the Treatment of Diastasis Recti. ClinicalTrials.gov Study Record . https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04060563#wrapper

Ben Burnham, Ben Katholi, David Burke. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Treated With Frequency Specific Microcurrent: A Case Report. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2019: 100(12); e171-e172.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003999319311517

Thompson, Regina PT, PCS; Kaplan, Sandra L. PT, DPT, PhD. Frequency-Specific Microcurrent for Treatment of Longstanding Congenital Muscular Torticollis Pediatric Physical Therapy. April 2019: 31(2); E8-E15.

https://journals.lww.com/pedpt/Fulltext/2019/04000/Frequency_Specific_Microcurrent_for_Treatment_of.29.aspx

Harikrishna KR. Microcurrent as an adjunct therapy to accelerate chronic wound healing and reduce patient pain. Journal of Wound Care. Vol. 27, No. 5. 8 May 2018.

https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/jowc.2018.27.5.296

Adams J and McMakin C. Frequency specific microcurrent resolves chronic pain and adhesions after ulnar transposition surgery. J Nov Physiother Rehabil. 2017; 1: 099-103. https://www.heighpubs.org/jnpr/jnpr-aid1012.php

Noites, Andreia, Rita Nunes, Ana Isabel Gouveia, Alexandra Mota, Cristina Melo, Ágata Viera, Nuno Adubeiro, and José Mesquita Bastos. Effects of aerobic exercise associated with abdominal microcurrent: a preliminary study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2015: 21(4); 229-236.

Kang, Da-Haeng, Jae-Keun Jeon, and Joon-Hee Lee. Effects of Low-Frequency Electrical Stimulation on Cumulative Fatigue and Muscle Tone of the Erector Spinae. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. January 2015: 27(1); 105–8. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.105

Macfelda, Karin, Alexander Holly, and Johannes Mueller. Significant Enhancement of ATP-Synthesis in Cardiomyocytes By Electric Microcurrent. Journal of Cardiac Failure. August 1, 2015: 21(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2015.06.091

Chaikin L, Kashiwa K, Bennet M, Papastergiou G, Gregory W. Microcurrent stimulation in the treatment of dry and wet macular degeneration. Clin Ophthalmol. 2015;9:2345-2353. Published 2015 Dec 17. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S92296 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4689270/

Carolyn R. McMakin and James L. Oschman. Visceral and Somatic Disorders: Tissue Softening with Frequency Specific Microcurrent. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Feb 2013. 170-177.

http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2012.0384

Ohno Y, Fujiya H, Goto A, et al. Microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation facilitates regrowth of mouse soleus muscle. Int J Med Sci. 2013;10(10):1286-1294. Published 2013 Aug 7. doi:10.7150/ijms.5985

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3752717/

Denise Curtis, Stephen Fallows, Michael Morris, Carolyn McMakin. The efficacy of frequency specific microcurrent therapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Volume 14, Issue 3, 2010, Pages 272-279.

ISSN 1360-8592, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2010.01.009.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859210000100

Rajpurohit B, Khatri SM, Metgud D, Bagewadi A. Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation in bruxism associated with masticatory muscle pain - A comparative study. Indian J Dent Res. 2010;21:104-6. https://www.ijdr.in/text.asp?2010/21/1/104/62816

McMakin, Carolyn. Nonpharmacologic treatment of neuropathic pain using frequency specific microcurrent. The Pain Practitioner (2010): 68-73.

McMakin, Carolyn. R., Walter. M. Gregory, and Terry M. Phillips. Cytokine Changes with Microcurrent Treatment of Fibromyalgia Associated with Cervical Spine Trauma. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 9 , no. 3 (July 1, 2005): 169–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2004.12.003

McMakin CR. Microcurrent therapy: a novel treatment method for chronic low back myofascial pain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 8, Issue 2, 2004, Pages 143-153, ISSN 1360-8592. doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2003.12.006

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136085920300113X

Huckfeldt, R., D. Mikkelson, and K. Larson. The Use of Microcurrent and Autocatalytic Silver Plated Nylon Dressings in Human Burn Patients: A Feasibility study. Maui, Hawaii: Proceedings of John Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium. 2003.

Lennox, Arlene J., Jeffrey P. Shafer, Madeline Hatcher, Janice Beil, and Sandra J. Funder. Pilot Study of Impedance-Controlled Microcurrent Therapy for Managing Radiation-Induced Fibrosis in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics 54, no. 1 (September 1, 2002): 23–34.

https://doi.org/10.1016/s0360-3016(02)02898-5 .

Seegers, J. C., C. A. Engelbrecht, and D. H. Van Papendorp. Activation of signal-transduction mechanisms may underlie the therapeutic effects of an applied electric field. Medical hypotheses 57, no. 2 (2001): 224-230.

McMakin, Carolyn. Microcurrent treatment of myofascial pain in the head, neck, and face. Topics in Clinical Chiropractic 5 (1998): 29-35.

Mercola, Joseph M., and Daniel L. Kirsch. The basis for microcurrent electrical therapy in conventional medical practice. Journal of Advancement in medicine 8, no. 2 (1995): 107-120.

Chan HK, Fung DT, Ng GY. Effects of low-voltage microamperage stimulation on tendon healing in rats. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2007; 37(7): p. 399-403. 140.

UNPUBLISHED MICROCURRENT EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS:

POSTER PRESENTATION:

Reilly, Wayne & Mannion, Paul & Australia, Wellness & Ltd, Pty & World, Health. (2010).

Treatment of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis with Interferential Frequency Microcurrent Therapy (FSM) and Monitoring with Hemaview TM Following Medication-Associated Morbidity: A Case Study.

MEMBRANE / CELL FUNCTION AND ELECTRICAL INFLUENCES

Navarrete HM, Nonaka H, Scholich A, et al. Liquid-Crystal Organization of Liver Tissue. Jun3 17, 2019. eLife 2019;8:e44860DOI: 10.7554/eLife.44860

https://elifesciences.org/articles/44860

Nordenström BE. Impact of biologically closed electric circuits (BCEC) on structure and function. Integr Physiol Behav Sci. 1992 Oct-Dec;27(4):285-303. doi: 10.1007/BF02691165. PMID: 1286033.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1286033/

Seegers, J. C., M.-L. Lottering, A. M. Joubert, F. Joubert, A. Koorts, C. A. Engelbrecht, and D. H. van Papendorp. A Pulsed DC Electric Field Affects P2-Purinergic Receptor Functions by Altering the ATP Levels in in Vitro and in Vivo Systems. Medical Hypotheses 58, no. 2 (February 2002): 171–76. https://doi.org/10.1054/mehy.2001.1506

Cheng, Ngok, Harry Van Hoof, Emmanuel Bockx, Michel J. Hoogmartens, Joseph C. Mulier, Frans J. De Dijcker, Willy M. Sansen, and William De Loecker. The Effects of Electric Currents on ATP Generation, Protein Synthesis, and Membrane Transport in Rat Skin. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. no. 171 (November 1982): 264-272. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003086-198211000-00045

NOTE: Please see the extensive listing on Juliana H. J. Mortenson's Forgotten Physics page: https://forgottenphysics.com/ Dr. Mortenson presented at the Frequency Specific Microcurrent Seminar in February 2021 on hypothetical mechanisms for the effects of FSM on cell membranes.

SUPPORT FOR MICRO RNA MECHANISM HYPOTHESIS FOR FSM

Very special thanks to Diana Cross, MD's research and integration of this work into a potential mechanism for FSM. Please also see Dr. Diana Cross' research and presentations integrating hypothesized FSM mechanisms. These can be found and purchased from the FSM Advanced Compendium .

Terrinoni, Alessandro, Calabrese, Cosimo, Basso, Daniela, Aita, Ada, Caporali, Sabrina, Plebani, Mario and Bernardini, Sergio. The circulating miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM). 2019: 57(7); 932-953. https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2018-0838

Kabekkodu SP, Shukla V, Varghese VK, D' Souza J, Chakrabarty S, Satyamoorthy K. Clustered miRNAs and their role in biological functions and diseases. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2018 Nov;93(4):1955-1986. doi: 10.1111/brv.12428. Epub 2018 May 24. PMID: 29797774.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29797774/

Holehouse, AS., Pappu, RV. Functional implications of Intracellular PhaseTransitions. Biochemistry. 2018, 57, 2415-2423.

Ulversky, VN. Intrinsically disordered proteins in overcrowded milieu:Membrane-less organelles, phase separation, and intrinsic disorder. CurrentOpinion in Structural Biology 2017, 44:18-30

Darling, AL, et al. Intrinsically Disordered Proteome of Human Membrane-Less Organelles. Proteomics, 2017.

Ji, R. Et al. Pain regulation by non-neuronal cells and inflammation. Science Vol.354 issue 6312. Nov 2016 https://science.sciencemag.org/content/354/6312/572?ijkey=11e7078dc4957682115b5f59269cd3b857f5ea85&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

Guo, J, et al. A mini-review: MicroRNA in tendon injuries. J Stem Cell Res Ther(2015) 5: 303.

Andersen, HH, Duroux, M. Gazerani, P. MicroRNAs as modulators of inflammatory and neuropathic pain conditions. Neurobiology of Disease71(2014), 159-168.

Lombard, J. Once upon a time the cell membranes: 175 years of cell boundary research. Biol Direct. 2014. 9: 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13062-014-0032-7

Edeleva, E.V, and Shcherbata, H.R. REVIEW ARTICLE: Stress-induced EC Malteration modulates cellular microRNAs that feedback to readjust the extracellular environment and cell behavior. Front. Genet. 31 December 2013 https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2013.00305

Johno, Hisashi & Kitamura, Masanori. (2013). Pathological in Situ Reprogramming of Somatic Cells by the Unfolded Protein Response. The American journal of pathology. 23.10.1016/j.ajpath. 2013. 05.008

https://ajp.amjpathol.org/article/S0002-9440(13)00394-5/fulltext

Brangwynne, CP. Phase transitions and size scaling of membrane-less organelles. J Cell Biol. 2013. Vol. 203 no.6. 875-881.

Cumberworth, A. et al. Review article. Promiscuity as a functional trait: intrinsically disordered regions as central players of interactomes. Biochem J(2013) 454, 361-369.

Bjersing, JL, et al. Profile of CSF microRNAs in Fibromyalgia. PLOS one, Oct 2013, Vol 8, issue 10

Luby-Phelps, K. The physical chemistry of cytoplasm and its influence on cellfunction: an update. Mol Biol of Cell, 2013, vol 24

Hunter T. Why nature chose phosphate to modify protein . Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2012 Sep 19;367(1602):2513-6. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0013.

Jaeken, L., Mateev, VL. Coherent behaviour and the Bound State of Water and K+ imply another model of Bioenergetics: negative entropy instead of high-energy bonds. The Open Biochemistry Journal, 2012, 6, 139-159.

Leung, AK, Sharp, PA. MicroRNA functions in Stress Responses. Mol Cell. 2010 Oct 22; 40(2): 205-215.

Ball, Philip. Water as an active constituent in cell biology. Chem Rev 2008, 108, 74-108.

Corton, JM et al. Role of the AMP-activated protein kinase in the cellular stress response. Current Biology, 1994. Vol 4, issue 4, 315-324.

Pienta KJ, Coffey DS. Cellular harmonic information transfer through a tissue tensegrity-matrix system. Med Hypotheses. 1991 Jan;34(1):88-95. doi: 10.1016/0306-9877(91)90072-7. PMID: 2056936.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0306987791900727?via%3Dihub

MORE RELATED RESOURCES

https://cellularbioenergetics.co.za/about/

Henny J. Cymatics: A study of wave theory and vibration. 1967.

Life at the Cell LevelNew Paragraph

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

WATCH THIS!

What is Resonance? While FSM works with electrical pulses (not sound per se), these videos are helpful in making resonance visible. Enjoy!

Watch The Healing Collective on YouTube!

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 03:27:11 GMT

NOW BROADCASTING ON YOUTUBE !

We are so excited to begin offering regular educational videos on our new Healing Collective YouTube channel to help supplement your health and wellness journey. Subscribe to our channel so you never miss a new video!

There's more, so head on over to our channel and subscribe !

— Be well —

Dark Chocolate gives the brain power!

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 03:18:02 GMT

It has been shown that it stimulates neural activity in areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward, which in turn decreases stress and improves your mood. In fact, eating 48 grams of organic dark chocolate with 70% cacao increased neuroplasticity in the brain, which could have positive effects on memory, cognition, and mood.

According to University Health News, chocolate has been shown to improve depression and anxiety symptoms and to help enhance feelings of calmness and contentedness.

Scientific studies have proven that dark chocolate (cacao) is rich in antioxidants and packed with nutrients. Cacao actually has more antioxidants than green tea or red wine according to Toby Amidor, RD, a nutrition expert for the Food Network. The darker you go, the more antioxidants you’ll get.

Chocolate is made from the fermented, roasted, and finely ground seeds of the Theobroma cocoa tree. The cocoa tree is about 30 feet tall bearing white flowers and colorful fruits and is native to Central and South America. It takes about 5 years for the tree to produce its first fruit, otherwise known as a cocoa pod. Learn more at www.chocolate.org

Fiber: the Undervalued Nutrient

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 03:09:25 GMT

This week, I want to discuss the importance of a nutrient we sometimes don’t pay too much attention to: Fiber. It is important to our body’s functionality for a number of reasons. Coming from plants in both soluble and insoluble forms, fiber works to help regulate our body’s processes and maintain a clean dietary tract for food processing as a whole.

Resources: https://veryhealthy.life/20-foods-high-fiber/

https://askthescientists.com/qa/dietary-fiber-and-detox-organs/

Recipes: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/782/healthy-recipes/high-fiber/

Gluten-free- why is it beneficial?

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 03:04:22 GMT

Gluten-free options are everywhere and most of the population are jumping on the bandwagon thinking it as a new “diet fad”. It has become a hot topic. What most don’t realize is how transitioning to a gluten-free diet can be healing and life changing in many ways.

Margaret Romero NP-C, an integrative nurse practitioner, says “because gluten creates inflammation in the body, when one has an allergy or sensitivity, a significant reduction in symptoms is noticed pretty quickly. These can include rashes, GI issues such as IBS, autoimmunity, and pain/fibromyalgia.”

Resource: htt ps://www.thelist.com/32369/really-happens-body-give-gluten/

https://www.powerofpositivity.com/gluten-free-diet-plan-a-complete-guide/

Recipes: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/gluten-free-dinner-recipes/

Relax, Rejuvenate, and Eat Healthy!

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 02:58:42 GMT

WE ARE STRONG

In light of the CO-VID19 pandemic and the hype it has caused, stocking up on foods and other items has been a hot topic. While what you are hearing in the news can be scary, know that our community is strong and collectively, as we work together, we will emerge from this time more closely-aligned with our values and in deeper connection to what nourishes us.

SLOWING DOWN

We are so fortunate to live in a region where healthy food is readily accessible, and we should take full advantage during this unprecedented time to slow down and really look at our food sources and how we are choosing to interact with nourishment in our lives. There are many ways that we can utilize this time to seek and pursue opportunities.

OPPORTUNITY

Have you been putting off really diving into your detox cleanse? What about dusting off that old cookbook that you haven't cracked in a few years to learn how to integrate healthy ingredients to feed yourself and your family. How about putting down the phone, turning on some music, and deep-dive organizing your home? Being in a more organized space creates more balance in your life. This is also a great time to spend quality time with your children. A time to learn how to relax and gain some useful, lifelong tools to decrease stress. Stress makes many health conditions worse, so the less -- the better! Can you set aside some time and just cultivate a list of all the things in life you are grateful for? A Gratitude Practice is one of the best combats for anxiety and depression.

PREPARING WITH ABUNDANCE

Stocking your pantry to make sure you have ingredients for healthful meals means your immune system is also prepared. Perhaps you can cultivate a list from that dusty cookbook, or refer to our suggestions below to assist your planning.

Canned foods- make sure to buy, if possible, BPA free. In this category, beans, legumes, soups, vegetables, and fruits packed in water and not syrup. There are also frozen options in this category if all the canned food is temporarily out.

Whole grains- brown and wild rice, quinoa, oatmeal, millet. These come in bags or boxes and have a long shelf life. Cooking quinoa and rice in vegetable stock or chicken broth makes it tastier.

Dried fruits- these are a great treat during this time of stress. You can also add them to oatmeal and make your own trail mix with nuts and seeds.

Alternative milks- including coconut, almond, hemp, macadamia, and oat. These can be stored longer than dairy milk and do not need to be refrigerated until opened.

Nuts and seeds- make sure to buy organic, when possible. They make great snacks and can be added to soups, salads of all types, and trail mixes, as mentioned above.

Fruits and vegetables- these are the best for the immune system, since they pack in a lot of micronutrients and antioxidants. Fresh produce can be frozen or dried and saved for later for soups, smoothies, and lunches/dinners.

Lean meats- these can be frozen and used to make yummy lunches and dinners. Make sure to buy organic and/or grass-fed when possible. Keep in mind that local farmers also have meats and eggs available for sale.

WISHING YOU WELL

I hope this helps and you and your loved ones stay healthy and positive during this unique time.

We hope that you choose to see this time as an opportunity to dive deep into a lifestyle of health. Let us know how we can support you. And stay tuned to our blog for even more resources on how you can take advantage of this time of increased stillness (or at least decreased in-person social interaction) as a chance to cultivate even better wellness.

—BE WELL—

Evidence-Based Botanicals, Nutraceuticals and Lifestyle for Immune System Strength

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 02:34:39 GMT

The Institute for Functional Medicine has released two excellent resources for enhancing the health and strength of our immune systems.

What we eat, drink, take as supplements, how we relax, sleep, and handle stressors has always mattered, yet with busy and jam-packed lives, many of us put our own health behind so many other aspects of our days, weeks, months ...

One silver lining of the COVID-19 virus threat is that people are prioritizing their choices and health in ways they may never have before. But it can be overwhelming.

With all of the vast supplement and diet options available from the click of a mouse, how can you tell what is going to make the greatest positive impact on health?

The Institute For Functional Medicine (IFM)'s guides that follow make that decision much easier!

Click here for your comprehensive guide on Botanicals and Nutraceuticals , titled The Functional Medicine Approach to COVID-19: Virus-Specific Nutraceutical and Botanical Agents and published by the IFM.

Click here for your guide on Lifestyle Practices published by the IFM, The Functional Medicine Approach to COVID-19: Lifestyle Practices for Strengthening Host Defense.

We offer supplements at a discount price for our patients when you order online. Click here

for three ordering options:

Xymogen (via Wholescript), which is the only place you can get Xymogen supplements
Metagenics
Full Script, which carries a wide selection of our favorite supplement brands, such as Quicksilver, Metagenics, Orthomolecular, Pure Encapsulations, Klaire Labs, Bio-botanicals, and many more

Wishing you and your loved ones well.

Tracy Shulsinger, FNP

The Art & Science of Essential Oils

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 02:30:20 GMT

I (Dr. Jessie) have been working with high-quality essential oils since 2013 when I was first introduced to what is still my favorite DoTERRA blend called Balance. I was interning at the Physical Therapy department at a hospital in my hometown and was offered a free sample vial of Balance by one of my coworkers after I had been sharing about my stress levels and the pressures of being a medical student. I fell in love with the immediate effects (and of course the delightful aroma!) and have been using essential oils ever since.

The scientific community has increasingly been investigating and affirming the positive benefits of aromatherapy, and with good reason. Aromatherapy has been utilized for thousands of years, and it is exciting to see the modern western world acknowledging its benefits from conditions ranging from Insomnia to Anxiety , Depression, Nausea , Low appetite, Dry Mouth and more.

The oils I use are the highest quality available, appropriate for even those who have chemical sensitivities. Please inquire for more information.

And for those of you who are curious about some of the research and clinical findings, this next section is for you.

THE EVIDENCE FOR ESSENTIAL OILS

A 2017 clinical trial in the ICU of a hospital showed that "aromatherapy alleviated stress and improved sleep quality in intensive care unit patients after 2 days of the experimental treatment. These results demonstrate that aromatherapy affects stress and sleep quality, thus indicating its value in nursing interventions." - Cho, Lee & Hur 2017

In another hospital-based study, you may be surprised to learn that yes, Lavendar did improve sleep and reduce stress but Bergamot essential oil had the strongest results for sleep and stress for these inpatient surgical patients.

Other essential oils that have been found to be helpful for stress & sleep include Clary Sage, Roman Chamomile, and Neroli.

In December of 2018, Choi's study investigating the anti-viral activity of 62 different essential oils "demonstrated anti-influenza activity in 11 essential oils ... with marjoram, clary sage and anise essential oils being the most effective at reducing visible cytopathic effects of the A/WS/33 virus. All 3 oils contained linalool, suggesting that this may have anti-influenza activity." Hammer Karson and Riley et al found that "Lemongrass, oregano, and bay inhibited all organisms [Acinetobacter baumanii, Aeromonas veronii biogroup sobria, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia col, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype typhimurium, Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus aureus] at concentrations of < or = 2.0%."

A recent 2020 review describes how Essential Oils (EOs) "have shown wide-spectrum antimicrobial potentials via targeting the major determinants of pathogenicity, drug-resistance and its spread including cell membrane, drug efflux pumps, quorum sensing, biofilms and R-plasmids. Latest reports confirm the EOs having strong direct-killing or re-sensitizing potentials to replace or rejuvenate otherwise fading antibiotics arsenal." ( Yu, Tang and Khare et al, 2020 )

There is obviously much more research to be done, but the preliminary results have been promising. Scan the resources below for even more studies to browse.

HOW DO I GET QUALITY OILS?

Getting HIGH-QUALITY oils is essential (no pun intended), as the FDA does not regulate what additives or chemical fillers go into oils. I have used and trust DoTERRA oils since I was first introduced to them back in 2013. If your oils are cheap, you can almost guarantee that they are filled with chemical additives or rancid carrier/filler oils: it "saves" companies money to add things to the oils to "stretch" them, but it is always at a cost to health. One way you can check is to smell the oils -- this takes some training as many of us get used to smelling--and even preferring--rancid oils ( for example, most of the olive oil consumed in the USA is rancid ). Or, choose to purchase oils from companies that you trust, that go the extra length to ensure pure and therapeutic, food-grade oils.

You can shop for the top-quality essential oils through my link here or reach out for more information!

RESOURCES

Ayik C, Özden D. The effects of preoperative aromatherapy massage on anxiety and sleep quality of colorectal surgery patients: A randomized controlled study. Complement Ther Med. 2018;36:93‐99. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29458940/

Barati F, Nasiri A, Akbari N, Sharifzadeh G. The Effect of Aromatherapy on Anxiety in Patients. Nephrourol Mon. 2016;8(5):e38347. Published 2016 Jul 31. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5111093/

Bharkatiya M, Nema RK, Rathore KS, Panchawat S. Aromatherapy: short overview. Int J Green Pharm.2008;2(1):13–6.

Cavanagh HM, Wilkinson JM. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytother Res. 2002;16(4):301–8.

Cermelli C, Fabio A, Fabio G, et al. Effect of eucalyptus essential oil on respiratory bacteria and viruses. Curr Microbiol.2008;56(1):89–92.

Cho EH, Lee MY, Hur MH. The Effects of Aromatherapy on Intensive Care Unit Patients' Stress and Sleep Quality: A Nonrandomised Controlled Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:2856592. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available Online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5742427/

Cho MY, Min ES, Hur MH, Lee MS. Effects of aromatherapy on the anxiety, vital signs, and sleep quality of percutaneous coronary intervention patients in intensive care units. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:381381. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23476690/

Choi HJ. Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils Possessing Anti-Influenza A/WS/33 Virus Activity. Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2018;9(6):348‐353. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6296812/

Gujral H. Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work? Johns Hopkins Medicine Health. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available online: www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work

Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts. J Appl Microbiol. 1999;86(6):985‐990. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available Online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10438227/

Itai T, Amayasu H, Kuribayashi M, Kawamura N, Okada M, Momose A, et al. Psychological effects of aromatherapy on chronic hemodialysis patients. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.2000;54(4):393–7.

Kanany M, Mazloom R, Emami A, Mokhber N. Lavender essential oils fragrance therapeutic effect on anxiety of patients undergoing hemodialysis. J Nurs Midwife.2011;10(3-4):63–71.

Karaman T, Karaman S, Dogru S, et al. Evaluating the efficacy of lavender aromatherapy on peripheral venous cannulation pain and anxiety: A prospective, randomized study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016;23:64‐68. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27157961/

Kim M, Kwon YJ. Effects of aroma inhalation on blood pressure, pulse, visual analog scale, and McNair scale in nursing students practicing intravenous injection at the first time. Int J Adv Sci Technol.2010;23(2):61–8.

Meepagala KM, Sturtz G, Wedge DE. Antifungal constituents of the essential oil fraction of Artemisia dracunculus L. Var. dracunculus. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50(24):6989‐6992.

Kutlu AK, Yılmaz E, Çeçen D. Effects of aroma inhalation on examination anxiety. TLN.2008;3(4):125–30.

Nasiri A, Mahmodi MA. Aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil and the prevention of disability in ADL in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;30:116‐121. Available Online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29389470/

Özlü ZK, Bilican P. Effects of Aromatherapy Massage on the Sleep Quality and Physiological Parameters of Patients in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2017;14(3):83‐88. Published 2017 Mar 1. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28480419/

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Sahebalzamani M, Khanavi M, Alavimajd H, Mirkarimi SM, Karimi M. Effects of inhalation aromatherapy on female students' anxiety and depression settling in dormitory of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Islamic Azad Univ Med Sci J .2010;20(3):175–81.

Salamati A, Mashouf S, Mojab F. Effect of Inhalation of Lavender Essential Oil on Vital Signs in Open Heart Surgery ICU. Iran J Pharm Res. 2017;16(1):404‐409. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28496494/

Wilkinson SM, Love SB, Westcombe AM, Gambles MA, Burgess CC, Cargill A, et al. Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage in the management of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. J Clin Oncol.2007;25(5):532–9.

Yu Z, Tang J, Khare T, Kumar V. The alarming antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPEE pathogens: Can essential oils come to the rescue? Fitoterapia. 2020;140:104433. Accessed 1 June 2020. Available Online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31760066/

Small Changes make a Big difference!

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:42:12 GMT

Welcome and thanks for reading!

My name is Raechel and I am the back office support for the Healing Collective and am also a Certified Holistic Nutritionist. My goal is to educate our community on how nutrition can play such a vital role in our healing journeys and overall health.

SMALL CHANGES

I want to start with the importance of small changes. Diet change is a process and usually starts with baby steps with the goal being a lifestyle change rather than just going on a “diet.” Every piece of food we put in our mouth can help us heal or can contribute to disease. Your body is your temple! If it is overwhelming to make a huge life change, don’t look at the big picture. Take it day by day, or—better yet—meal by meal. Praise yourself when you make a good, healthy meal or snack choice.

START SIMPLE

Start with a simple replacement in your daily routine. For example, instead of a bowl of high-sugar cereal in the morning, try replacing it with a protein shake with almond or coconut milk. You could also do a bowl of steel-cut oats with berries. Once you get into a routine of exploring different breakfasts and what you like or don't like, move onto lunch. Replace your sandwich with a bountiful salad with lettuce, spiralized zucchini, chopped vegetables, beans, and quinoa with a delicious dressing. Or an easier step might be to replace your daily lunch soda with sparkling water. When you focus on one thing at a time, it is less stressful.

KNOW YOUR WHY

Your health is in your hands, but support from friends and family is important. Make sure they know your WHY. Why are you doing this? They’ll be more likely to support you in tempting situations if they understand.

HAVE FUN EXPERIMENTING

Try new things! The internet is a wealth of information and has great recipes. But where to start? I like nutritionfacts.org and drmcdougall.com for information and recipes.

Another great reason to make small changes is when you start something extreme, you are more likely to binge. If you eat poorly one day, just tell yourself you will do better the next day.

YOUR SELF TALK REALLY MATTERS

What you tell yourself throughout the day will lead to long-term success. This goes for all aspects of your life, not just with food. Small affirmations throughout the day make a difference such as “I am doing the best I can,” “I am eating for my health and am doing great,” and “this is worth it because I know I will feel better.” Avoid telling yourself “I can’t eat this, this, or that” and “I messed up, I will fail.”

PLAN TO SUCCEED

Lastly, make a meal plan/list before going to the grocery store. This will help you to stay on track and prevent you from buying “crap.”

HOW CAN WE HELP

Please reach out with any questions or support! We are all here for you on your journey!

RESOURCES

https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/recipes/mcdougall-recipes/?recipe-id=311&recipe-name=Border-Salad

Boost your Immunity with Food!

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:31:13 GMT

GETTING SICK IN WINTER

With the winter months upon us, falling ill is likely to happen. Getting sick can prevent us from being the best we can be in our personal and professional lives. Being healthy is one thing most people strive to be daily.

A “CURE” FOR THE COMMON COLD?

I recently overheard a man at the gym telling his personal trainer “with all the advances in medicine, you think they would have created a cure for the common cold.” I thought to myself that it really isn’t about a cure-- it is about prevention! Boosting your immune system is key. A weak immune system will make it possible to get sick. An even weaker immune system can cause frequent infections that can last for many days or even weeks at a time.

BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY

There are many ways to boost immunity including supplements, exercise, minimizing stress, and getting enough sleep; which are all important. One way that is sometimes overlooked is to eat healthy! Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables is important and your immune system will thank you. Avoiding excess sugar, gluten, and processed foods and replacing them with an abundance of fruits and veggies is a great way to boost immunity long term.

GUT MICROBIOME AND IMMUNITY

Lisa Richards, the creator of the Candida diet, says that eating the right foods and getting the proper nutrition are the keys to a healthy immune system. Vitamins E and C, probiotics, beta-glucans, catechins, and soluble fiber all help build up immune cells that help boost the immune system. The gut contains between 70-80% of the immune system. If your gut is not happy and healthy, then you will not be happy and healthy. A poor diet can also cause a lot of inflammation, causing your immune system to fight battles elsewhere in your body instead of at the first line of defense: viruses and bacteria wanting to invade.

YOUR IMMUNE-BOOSTING SHOPPING LIST

Stock up on during this season to build your defenses: bone broth, leafy greens (lettuce, kale, spinach, and collard greens), turmeric, berries including elderberry, citrus fruits, peppers, ginger, nuts and seeds and garlic. Tea such as green tea or herbal tea and water will help strengthen immunity as well. For unique immune boosting recipes, follow the link below!

Resources

https://chopra.com/articles/9-healing-foods-to-boost-your-immune-system

Recipes

https://www.foodmatters.com/recipe/12-immune-boosting-recipes

Anti Nutrients: The Down-Side to Plant Based Eating

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:21:58 GMT

New ParagraArticle by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University .ph

In my quest to identify the most effective way of eating, I came across something that has caused a paradigm shift in my thinking on many "healthy" plant foods.

I first need to preface my article on the fact that I have been a "huge" advocate of eating a plant based diet with minimal meat consumption for as long as I can remember.

My diet typically consisted of drinking a morning smoothie with every type of plant food (spinach, beets, almonds, chard, seeds, etc.) with plant based protein powder. My lunch was big salad with more spinach, assorted greens, nuts and some protein. Dinner was a plate rich in plant foods and some protein. I commonly would eat broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, beets, etc ...

My long standing question was why in the world was I feeling so bad? Irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, diarrhea, brain fog, anxiety, difficulty losing weight (fat).

Of course for most people this does not fit what we have been informed about this way of eating. Of course it was healthy!

So I just pushed forward and continued to eat this way believing that it was the price I had to pay to be healthy.

But I wasn't!

New ParagrHere are the top 10 anti-nutrients:

1: Oxalates

Oxalates are found in green leafy vegetables (spinach), sesame seeds, teas, and soybeans. Oxalates can bind to calcium and iron and prevent it from being absorbed. Oxalates are enzyme inhibitors that can prevent proper digestion, cause gut problems and protein deficiencies. Enzymes create chemical reactions in the body that help support our bodies to function properly. Enzymes are especially important in the digestive process. Without the enzymes to properly metabolize food, GI issues can occur, such as bloating and constipation.

2: Polyphenols

Polyphenols known as phytochemicals are anti-nutrients that are touted for their health benefits. Dark chocolate, flaxseed meal, cocoa powder and many fruits and vegetables contain polyphenol compounds. Polyphenols may have some health benefits, such as possible body weight regulation and decreasing blood pressure, but there are studies on high doses of polyphenols causing kidney damage, tumor development and altered thyroid hormone production.

3: Gluten

Gluten is a protein that is almost impossible for stomach acid to breakdown and digest. Dr. Fasano of Harvard, a leading expert on gluten, says that, in the most susceptible people, eating gluten can do small amounts of damage to the intestinal lining creating leaky gut and inflammation.

4: Phytic Acid (Phytate)

Phytic acid is primarily found in whole grains, legumes, seeds and some nuts. Phytic acid can decrease the absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, phosphorous and calcium. Studies show that 80% of zinc-rich foods (cashews, chickpeas), 80% of phosphorous-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds) and 40% of magnesium-rich foods (spinach, almonds, avocado) can be blocked by phytates.

5: Lectins

Lectins are found in legumes (beans, peanuts, soybeans) and whole grains (wheat). They can interfere with nutrient digestion and absorption of calcium, iron, phosphorous and zinc. Lectins are notorious for surviving GI tract digestion. They can then penetrate cell lining in the digestive tract and cause damage to gut epithelial cells and membrane lining, change bacterial flora and trigger autoimmune reactions.

6: Tannins

Tannins are similar to oxalates as they are also enzyme inhibitors. Tannins are found in teas, coffees, wines and legumes. They can interfere with iron absorption. Tannins have also been shown to impede the digestion of nutrients.

7: Glucosinolates

Glucosinolates are found in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts) and can interfere with the absorption of iodine, which can then interfere with thyroid function. Another study found, with over 100,000 participants, that those who ate the most glucosinolates had a 19 percent greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

8: Saponins

Saponins are found in legumes (green lentils) and whole grains. They can interfere with normal nutrient absorption (iron, zinc) and similar to lectins, can affect the GI lining, causing leaky gut and autoimmune responses.

9: Solanines

Solanine is found in nightshades (potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers). For some, these can cause inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune conditions. Others may feel a slight feeling of poisoning. (nausea, throat burning, headaches, etc.)

10: Salicylates

Salicylates are compounds found in foods, medications and other products that can cause adverse reactions in those who are intolerant. There is much (renewed) interest about the effects of salicylates on food intolerance, attention-deficit disorders, and cardiovascular disease.

The following is a good chart to reference with foods associated with specific anti-nutrients.

Chart from page 127 of Carnivore Cure -Judy Cho

My conclusions and continued special journey.

Although I have taken a deep dive into some of the pitfalls of eating an abundance of plant based foods I sincerely believe there is a middle ground for most people including myself. I can not deny that many of these plant foods do indeed have many health benefits and should not be entirely denied for consumption. On the other hand I was totally ignorant of this well researched downside.

At this point in my 64 years of living on this earth, I am still researching for optimal health through many facets including science based nutrition.

Today I have presented another side that should not be ignored but at least considered in the event you, like myself, has strived to achieve optimal health through a plant based diet.

Just maybe some of these anti-nutrients may indeed may be playing havoc on your ability to be free of chronic disease entities.

As I dug deeper in my review of the literature I have discovered the least toxic vegetables and fruits.

Here they are:

Vegetables: Avocados, Zucchini, Olives, Cucumber, Pumpkin and Squash

Fruits: Apples, Oranges, Berries, Pineapple, Pears, Melons, Bananas, and Mango

As I continue to use myself as a testing platform and work with many patients I will report back to you on my findings.

So far I have been impressed with the results!

- Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP

References

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/bk-1997-0662.ch001

Anti-Nutrients

https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2010.827.832

https://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/Anti-Nutrientspaper.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7600777/

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/anti-nutrients/

https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/81/1/326S/4607649

https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/65/5/1453/4655482?searchresult=1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6996528/

Phytic acid

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15302522/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2598894/

https://poisonousplants.ansci.cornell.edu/toxicagents/tannin.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6669329/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266829/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8961750/

Carnivore Cure by Judy Cho, NTP

Carnivore Code by Paul Saladino MD

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO. Learn more about our functional medicine providers here .

Non-Toxic Beauty is Gorgeous!

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 21:40:29 GMT

Beauty should be Good for You!

Learn more and order from BeautyCounter.

At-Home Visceral Mobilization for Abdominal & Pelvic Adhesions

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 20:29:39 GMT

There are a number of ways you can help optimize your FSM treatments of abdominopelvic adhesions. Here are two to get you started at home.

(1) Dr. Jessie demonstrates self-visceral mobilization using a Courgeous(R) ball (available at https://bit.ly/CorgBall ) for concurrent use with the Frequency Specific Microcurrent visceral programs tailored to her patients.

(2) The "I Love U" massage is a simple, effective technique that can help with anything from constipation to abdominal adhesions. Watch for a demo so you can perform this gentle technique for yourself at home.

As always, reach out to Dr. Jessie with any of your questions!

Please consult your medical provider before performing exercise; there are specific contra-indications that your healthcare provider will be able to make you aware of that are not covered in this video. This is for informational purposes only, not meant to diagnose or treat.

- Be Well -

HIIT for High Blood Pressure

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 19:45:44 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

When it comes to lowering blood pressure exercise is a non-negotiable factor.

You may be thinking what is the most effective form of exercise to lower blood pressure.

More and more studies are showing the exciting results of something called HIIT in lowering blood pressure. HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training

One study found that just 2 minutes of HIIT sprinting increased metabolism as much as 30 minutes of running. HIIT increases the efficiency of your heart and HIIT training also has a major effect on naturally lowering your blood pressure.

HIIT and blood pressure:

Although most any type of exercise has its benefits, HIIT shines when it comes to saving time. Using the HIIT technique is the ultimate short-cut.

Study after study shows that HIIT exercise improves blood pressure in people with hypertension better than any other kind of exercise routine.

HIIT is extremely effective in reducing resting heart rate and blood pressure in overweight and obese individuals.

HIIT improves endothelial function and reduces the stiffness in your artery walls more so than any other traditional form or exercise.

Just a 1% improvement in your endothelial function can result in a 13% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.

One study showed that 73% of people restored blood pressure to normal using a HIIT training method for just 2 months and 24 exercise sessions. There was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure from 145.4 (± 9.0) to 118.3 ( ± 15.6) mm Hg.

How to Apply HIIT

With HIIT training you're are going to go ‘all out' at a high intensity for short amounts of time.

Heart Recovery Tip

After doing your 20 second sprint, lower the tension and wait 60 seconds and check your pulse. You want your elevated pulse to come down between 8-10 beats. This is your heart recovery zone. If for some reason your pulse does not come down 8-10 beats you should stop and call it a day. For example: After you do your all out sprint for 20 minutes your heart rate when go up to 110 beats. After one minute of decreasing the tension and comfortably pedaling, your heart rate should come down to 100-102 beats. That is a good heart recovery.

Although as I mentioned above I prefer the stationary bike this can be applied to walking as well. Simply walking at a comfortable pace for 5 minutes then do an all out "brisk" walk for 20 seconds. Walking comfortably for 2 minutes then repeat five times.

That is all you need to do to maximize this effective form of exercise (HIIT) to lower your blood pressure.

REFERENCES

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29424402/

https://www.sci-sport.com/en/articles/HIIT-and-hypertension-Improvement-of-cardiovascular-functions-163.php

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-hiit#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21450580/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1741826711400512

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556516306003

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

The Ultimate Practice for Health?

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 19:13:41 GMT

After ten weeks, comparative study research participants who were asked to keep weekly gratitude journals measured with higher optimism, exercised more, reported fewer physical maladies, felt better about their lives and had fewer visits to their doctors, according to a study by psychologists Dr. Robert A. Emmons and Dr. Michael E. McCullough. This is in comparison with groups who either journaled their irritations or simply journaled with no instruction. Participants who kept gratitude lists were also more likely to have made progress toward important academic, interpersonal and health goals over a two-month period ( Emmons & McCullough 2003 ).

Young adults who participated in daily self-guided gratitude exercises had higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy compared to a focus on hassles or "downward social comparison" (ways participants thought they were better off than others). These participants in the gratitude exercises were also more likely to have reported having helped someone or offered emotional support to another person.

In a sample of adults with neuromuscular disease, a 21-day gratitude intervention resulted in greater amounts of high energy positive moods, a greater sense of feeling connected to others, more optimistic ratings of one’s life, and better sleep duration and sleep quality, relative to a control group ( Emmons & McCullough 2003 )

Gratitude can foster resilience during a period of life transition, as indicated in a study of first-term undergraduate students who were reportedly less stressed and less depressed and had higher perceived social support than those who measured with lower gratitude ( Wood et al., 2010 ).

Children who practice "counting their blessings," a form of grateful thinking, have more positive attitudes toward school and families ( Froh, Sefick, & Emmons, 2008 ).

The listing of research could continue ... but let's move to what you can do now to cultivate gratitude in your life.

WAYS TO CULTIVATE GRATITUDE

1. Keep a gratitude journal - it only takes a few minutes a day to write down a list of what you are grateful for. It doesn't have to be anything grand; it just has to be authentic. Start with "a place to sleep," or "healthy food," or whatever comes up first. You may find that as you continue to write, it becomes easier and easier ...

2. Meditate on gratitude - before you get out of bed in the morning, or before you fall asleep, focus on things you are grateful for. Try to feel gratitude in your body, to create a sense of gratefulness that you can feel, perhaps in your heart.

3. Write a thank-you note - you can decide to deliver it or not. Write a letter to yourself. Read it out loud over the phone or send it the old fashioned way in the mail.

4. Count your blessings - one of the most researched methods of gratitude practice. Simply, recall what you are grateful for throughout your day.

5. Breathe - Inhale what you need from the universe, exhale gratitude.

6. Slow down - appreciate nature. Notice beauty. Take time to appreciate the small things that you miss when operating in a rushed or unaware state of mind.

7. Post - about something you're #grateful for on social media.

8. Reply - to this message and tell us what you're grateful for!

9. Identify - things in your life that seemed hard at the time but shaped you into who you are today.

10. Service - do a small act of service for someone you know, someone you love, or a stranger who may never know who helped them out.

11. Verbalize - your gratitude to others. Make a practice of telling people how grateful you are for them: coworkers, friends, family, loved ones.

For more on Gratitude, visit UC Berkeley's Greater Good magazine section on Gratitude.

Read the White Paper on Gratitude.

A big list of 30 great quotes on Gratitude by Yoga Journal .

And so much more on gratitude at Positive Psychology .

—Be Grateful and Be Well—

Staying Healthy During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 15:59:07 GMT

This article aims to provide some basic education on viral infections, while mostly focusing on how you can maintain a healthy and strong immune system in order to best prevent the spread of Cornonavirus.

IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH

There are many basic factors that contribute to maintaining a healthy immune system. The factors below are not in an order of priority.

Healthy Nutrition —Below we list some specific recommendations for a healthy immune system diet. These are general recommendations: i f you have specific dietary needs, continue to follow your specific dietary needs.
Whole foods diet —the food is recognizable in its original form. Organic is best.
Nine or more servings of organic vegetables every day.
A variety of veggies —try to eat as many different colors of vegetables every day. The colors of the vegetables relate to their health-promoting phytonutrients, so you will consume a greater variety of phytonutrients this way!
Protein with every meal —this can be vegan or healthy animal-based options (organic; when eating beef—grass fed and finished)
Appropriate amount of complex carbohydrates —Eat little-to-no carbs with breakfast, about ½ Cup-1 Cup for lunch, and about 1 Cup for dinner. This helps to reduce cravings and maintain healthy blood sugar throughout the day.
Prebiotic foods —These foods feed your healthy bacterial flora so you produce more probiotics: garlic, onion, leeks, asparagus, chicory root, dandelion greens, jerusalem artichoke, bananas, gluten free oats, cocoa, freshly ground flax seed, seaweed.
Avoiding inflammatory & toxic foods as much as possible, including processed sugar, fried foods, preservatives, non-organic foods, artificial ingredients.
Sleep —The amount of sleep people need varies, although on average, 7-8 hours is a good goal. Most importantly, you want to feel rested and refreshed in the morning. Make sleep a priority!
Learn to Manage Stress —Stress can wreak havoc on the immune system, especially when we worry about something (or have fear). While we can’t control all of the stressors that can exist in life, we can control our response to them. Having a daily practice of stress reduction and relaxation-promoting activities is a game changer for life! Some options include breath-focused or guided meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, journaling, yoga, tai chi, chi gong, dancing, walking calmly in nature. Choose what works best for you—this means that you feel a shift into more of a relaxed state and letting go of stress. Try to incorporate one or more into your daily regimen to boost immunity and stay calm in times of stress.
Supportive Supplements (see section below)

There are many supplement options available—here are some of our top favorites:

Probiotics —60-70% of your immune system cells are in the gut! Maintaining a healthy microbiome with fermented foods and supportive supplements is protective. There are many great probiotic options: you just want to be sure that the company tests the probiotics’ shelf life (not just the amount of strains that were present when it was manufactured). More robust support with 100 billion: Ort hobiotic 100. Click for detail s about the supplement.
IgG Protect —Provides IgG antibodies that directly support the immune system by creating a greater amount of antibodies, which fight off invading organisms. Click for details about the supplement.
Vitamin D3 + K2 —Vitamin D and K2 enhance the immune system and reduce inflammation. It is important to take Vitamin K2 w/ Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 also enhances calcium absorption, and the Vitamin K2 supports that calcium to go to the bones, rather than to soft tissue like the the arteries. Click for details about the supplement.
Vitamin C —helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection. It also helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules. (Most of the vitamin C on FullScript has been sold out. As of yesterday, there were still a few left so I’d recommend checking right away if you are seeking vitamin C). Many are sold out, so we are not recommending a specific product. Purchase what is available.
Inflavonoid Intensive Care —features curcumin, fenugreek, and xanthohumol which help support the body’s response to oxidative stress and other stressors. It also has boswellia and ginger extracts to help support the body’s immune response. Click for details about the supplement.
ImmuCore —designed to provide a multiple mechanistic approach to support immune health. This formula features Ultra Potent- C- developed for enhanced cellular uptake of Vitamin C, combined with zinc, Vitamin D, and a concentrated blend of mushroom extracts. Click for details about the supplement.

UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION from John Hopkins University for Coronavirus Cases:

Here is a link that provides impressively current updates on the Coronavirus distribution. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

TREATMENT AND MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

Like the influenza virus, coronavirus is managed symptomatically and with time and supportive care. Here is what we know:

Coronavirus, like other viruses, is spread person-to-person through droplets contained in sputum from sneezing, coughing, or blowing one’s nose. Typical droplets can travel up to 6 feet. You can also become infected with the virus from touching a contaminated surface (such as a door handle or table top) and then touching your face (nose, mouth).
Although the virus can be spread prior to symptoms appearing, patients are considered to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

It’s important to remember that, like most upper respiratory viruses, coronavirus causes mild to moderate cold- or flu-like symptoms in the average person. There is some evidence that the coronavirus may be more contagious than the flu, and may cause more severe symptoms in at-risk individuals, including the elderly as well as those with preexisting lung or heart disease, or those who suffer from any number of chronic illnesses such as diabetes. People in these groups should be especially diligent in following the prevention measures.

Commonly reported symptoms:

Mild symptoms include fever, headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough and muscle aches and pains.
Moderate symptoms include all the above symptoms plus a feeling of shortness of breath and mild pneumonia.
Severe presentations of the illness include severe pneumonia symptoms including labored breathing and signs of respiratory distress and should be managed in a hospital setting.

IN BOULDER COUNTY

At this time, the CDC is requiring all patients who are suspected to have coronavirus to be evaluated at BOULDER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL or to contact the BOULDER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

—Physicians are NOT able to screen or test for coronavirus at The Healing Collective—

Additionally, if you think you may have coronavirus, DO NOT COME TO THE OFFICE. We are taking these measures to prevent the spread of any illness to other patients.

MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AT THE HEALING COLLECTIVE

You are welcome to change your appointment to a phone appointment. For anyone paying cash pay (not using insurance), the payment will remain the same. For patients with insurance, we are unable to bill for a phone appointment, so you will pay the cash pay rate and we will not bill your insurance.

Please keep in mind: If you do not have health insurance and have an appointment in our office in the future, we are happy to do a phone appointment instead. If you have health insurance, we are unable to bill insurance for a phone call appointment. As an alternative, you can pay our self-pay prices. We are, however, looking into telehealth to see if this can be used to pay for your appointment. Feel free to check back with us—we should know in the next few days.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Because this particular virus is new to us, information is emerging every day as scientists and doctors are scrambling to understand how COVID-19 is diagnosed, treated and exactly how to prevent and manage the disease in our communities.

What if I do not qualify for the coronavirus criteria, but I am still experiencing symptoms?

Because we are still in the normal cold and flu season, it is much more likely that people with acute upper respiratory symptoms have a typical virus, such as a common cold, influenza or streptococcal infection (strep throat). If you feel acutely ill, but you do not meet the above CDC coronavirus criteria, we recommend that you let the medical facility know that you are exhibiting viral illness symptoms and wish to be seen. Make sure and call the facility well before your visit. That way you and the staff can plan for the appointment by providing the appropriate isolation practices for safe strep and flu testing.

Prevention: How do I protect myself and my loved ones?

The absolute best thing you can do to protect yourself is to avoid contact with known sick people or those exhibiting symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. Here is the CDC’s website to better educate yourself on virus prevention:

Who is most at risk?

Older adults, which the World Health Organization considers to be 60 yeas old or above.

People who have serious chronic medical conditions like: heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and anyone with a suppressed immune system.

What if I have symptoms?

If you suspect that you may have been exposed to the coronavirus and are experiencing symptoms, you should call your local public health department right away, using the guidelines below.

Contact the public health department if:

You have FEVER + lower respiratory symptoms (cough, or shortness of breath), plus a personal history of recent travel to China, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Iran or other known countries heavily impacted by the epidemic
You have FEVER + lower respiratory symptoms above + known contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus
You have FEVER + severe lower respiratory symptoms (severe shortness of breath, or signs of respiratory distress) that require hospitalization, even without know contact or exposure to the virus

For general questions about COVID-19 in Colorado

Call CO-HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911
You can also email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English.

For local public health agencies and healthcare providers only

From Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., please call 303-692-2700
For after-hours, holidays, and weekends, please call 303-370-9395

If you are sick

Stay home except to get medical care, if needed.
Try to isolate yourself from other people and animals in your home
Call ahead before coming to see your doctor
If you are sick, wear a face mask when out in public or when sharing a room or vehicle with another person
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Clean your hands often
Avoid sharing personal household items
Clean frequently contacted surfaces regularly- tabletops, counters, door handles, remotes, cell phones, etc.
Monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention if your illness is worsening- difficulty breathing, fever that does not come down to below 100.5F with Tylenol or ibuprofen, change in mentation, marked lethargy or fatigue.

We hope you are able to stay calm and healthy during this worldwide pandemic. With the tips and suggestions we have given in this article, we hope that you are empowered to protect yourself as well as your loved ones.

Be well,

The Healing Collective

Does Milk Really Make a Body Good? The Other Side of the Story ...

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 19:05:49 GMT

Article by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

References

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1903547

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3978780/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3475924/

https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-016-0147-z

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

The One Emotion that Extends Your Life

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 18:49:11 GMT

Article by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

Based on progressive research, we find that what we think about and what we feel have far-ranging effects on our immune system.

One important part of our immune system includes the natural killer cell or NK cells. These are a type of lymphocyte and an important player in the war on invading bad microbes and mounting an immune attack to combat these bad microbes. NK cells are known to be protective against cancer. Some studies have documented that the less active your NK cells are the more rapid cancer progression and the more it spreads throughout the body.

Here is a good punch list to improve your mood and of course boost your NK cells.

These include:

Watching funny movies
Making music or listening to uplifting music
Coloring in books
Walking in the woods
Going to a comedy show
Spending time with good uplifting friends
Taking a soaking bath with relaxing herbs

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12652882

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11712080

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100426113058.htm

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Insulin Resistance is More Dangerous Than High Cholesterol

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 18:37:11 GMT

Article by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University

Contrary to what most people have been told, elevated cholesterol is not the villain it has been made out to be.

Unfortunately many people are chasing the wrong criminal when it comes to improving health outcomes.

Some signs of insulin resistance include:

A waistline over 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women
Blood pressure readings of 130/80 or higher
A fasting glucose level over 100 mg/dL
A fasting triglyceride level over 150 mg/dL
Fasting insulin greater than 6
A HDL cholesterol level under 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women
Skin tags
Patches of dark, velvety skin called acanthosis nigricans

References

https://cardiab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12933-018-0762-4

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC380256/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31336505/

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrendo.2014.29

Insulin Resistance and Cancer

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2012/789174/

https://erc.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/erc/19/5/F1.xml

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520736/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3719226/

https://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/36/3/217

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10683091/

HIIT and Insulin Resistance

https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/4/1147

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15319146/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470576/

Berberine and Insulin Resistance

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Atherosclerosis: Is Your LDL Sticky?

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 18:19:14 GMT

Article by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

Atherosclerosis is thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery.

For as long as I remember,, most people including myself have been told that LDL cholesterol is the bad villain of plaque build-up and HDL cholesterol is the good guy.

Of course with this hypothesis it would make perfect sense that the higher your LDL cholesterol the greater the chance of getting atherosclerosis.

However, there is much more to the story and my hope today is to share a different angle that will shed some light on the real issues with LDL cholesterol and its nemesis called atherosclerosis.

THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE OF LDL IN OUR BODIES

Cholesterol isn't inherently bad. In fact, it's the building block for creating healthy cells. It also helps your body make testosterone and estrogen. Without LDL, these and many other steroid hormones wouldn't be made effectively.

Contrary to what we have been told, LDL cholesterol also has another good side and that is its ability to fight infections.

LDL plays a valuable and important role in the body's response to assault by infectious invaders. When bacteria invade our body, they release a cell wall component known as endotoxin. What is critically important and something we will dig in deeper in this article is the fact that endotoxins are super inflammatory and can strongly trigger the immune system.

But research has shown that your friend LDL cholesterol is around to bind up this toxin preventing things from getting out of hand.

In a study using mice it was discovered that increased levels of LDL cholesterol were eight times more resistant to endotoxins. This showed a significant decrease in overall mortality when injected with gram negative bacteria. On the other hand rats with the lowest LDL cholesterol had an increase rate of mortality and levels of inflammation when injected with endotoxin.

WHAT ABOUT HUMANS?

There is evidence that higher levels of LDL cholesterol is protective against infections in humans. In fact there are many studies proving that higher levels of LDL cholesterol are protective as we age. This is more likely due to the positive impact on the immune system.

LDL itself is not harmful, but in certain situations can be involved in the process of responding to injury and inflammation. This, of course, makes LDL look like more of a firefighter than simply a criminal causing atherosclerosis.

So the question that we must ask ourselves is: Is there something more sinister behind the scenes that is actually driving heart disease (atherosclerosis)?

As I have discussed in a prior article the real issue is insulin sensitivity and the stickiness factor.

In people who are insulin sensitive, rising LDL levels do not correlate with increased rates of heart disease. On the other hand in those who are insulin resistant, the higher the LDL the greater opportunity for plaque formation. Remember it is not all about elevated levels of LDL but the more important villain of insulin resistance.

What will make our head spin is the fact that higher levels of LDL in the blood do not consistently correlate with the progression of atherosclerosis in the absence of insulin resistance .

LDL STICKINESS IS THE REAL ISSUE

Here is the important take away from this important article. LDL under certain circumstances (which I will mention in a minute) have the ability to get stuck within the arterial wall.

So it is not the size or amount of LDL particles moving into the arteries that is important but rather if it sticks to the wall of the artery that determines whether or not it contributes to atherosclerosis.

Plaque Build-up Due to LDL Stickiness

WHAT DETERMINES HOW STICKY THE LDL PARTICLE & INTIMAL SPACE ARE?

There is now growing evidence during states of insulin resistance and inflammation both the LDL particle and the arterial wall get coated in "molecular velcro" making everything more sticky increasing the progression of atherosclerosis.

You may now be asking: really how common is insulin resistance?

Would you believe that a massive 88 percent of the American population has some degree of metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance).

TO CONCLUDE

In the absence of insulin resistance and inflammation, higher levels of LDL cholesterol are probably protective because of their roles with the immune response.

REFERENCES

https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/96/12/927/1533176

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14631060/

https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m1182/rr-21

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7729918/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227520333630

Fat controversy

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7772105/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11259144/

https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/50/9/2126

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18489581/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10978261/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00400234

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/met.2018.0105

Carnivore Code by Paul Saladino MD

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Statins: The Anti-Inflammatory Connection

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 18:04:01 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

Statin medications have been hailed the king of lowering total and LDL cholesterol.

The position of many in the medical arena support that lowering cholesterol will save us from a deadly cardiovascular incident.

Although I won't deny that statins in fact are well substantiated to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular mortality the question we all must ask is how do statins reduce this risk?

Is it by reducing cholesterol? Or is there another mechanism that has been under-rated and in fact may be the "real" benefit of statins and the reduction of cardiovascular disease?

Before I take you are this new journey of statins, let's take a look at some of the cons of consistent statin usage.

It is well documented that statins deplete the body of the powerful anti-oxidant, Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 plays a vital role in proper functioning of mitochondria
Mitochondria are cellular powerhouses and are extremely dense in the heart and other muscles. Here is the big surprise. The health of the mitochondria plays a critical role in insulin sensitivity .
So can it possibly mean that by damaging the mitochondria, statins can lead to insulin resistance ? It appears so!

Statin medications deplete the all important Co-Enzyme Q10 leading to mitochondria dysfunction. This in turn may in fact lead to heart failure and diabetes.

A review of my article on insulin resistance is a good review of the real villain in cardiovascular disease.

So with all of the above stated let's explore the possible real reason statins have been well supported to reduce cardiovascular mortality.

Is it by lowering LDL? Please read my detailed article to gain a better perspective of the LDL issue. Click Here .

So what is it about statins that make them work so well?

The answer is there anti-inflammatory benefits. It is now well documented that cardiovascular disease is an inflammatory disease. By reducing coronary inflammation and insulin resistance instead of focusing on lowering LDL cholesterol we can surmise that atherosclerosis can be controlled.

We may ask should one ditch the statins? Well the evidence is mounting in favor of reducing inflammation and insulin resistance. But I am afraid to say that it is unlikely that the majority of the medical establishment will any time soon stop prescribing statins.

The bottom line is statins do indeed reduce cardiovascular mortality by reducing inflammation but remember at the cost of increasing insulin resistance .

At this point you the reader should do everything in your power to reduce and stop insulin resistance thereby really getting to root cause of cardiovascular disease.

It is important to firmly understand that insulin resistance is one of major players in inflammation.

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Coffee: The Pros & Cons

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 17:54:00 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

Coffee is considered one of the most beloved beverages in the world. Coffee specialty shops are popping up all over. People love coffee and most people can't start there day without their cup (or more) of coffee.

Yes there are pros well documented showing the benefits of drinking coffee.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW:

Can Improve Energy Levels
Can Help You Burn Fat
May Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
May Protect You From Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
May Lower Your Risk of Parkinson's
May Protect Your Liver
Can Fight Depression
May Lower Risk of Certain Types of Cancer
May Help You Live Longer

With all of these benefits is there a downside?

The answer is YES!

REFERENCES

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2912010/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-009-1516-3

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20008687/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20182026/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10819950/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16772246/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11897178/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21949167/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8604958/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0016508507005689

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18559841/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24325083/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3275881/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15626647/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Anxiety & Depression: Brain on Fire?

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:53:29 GMT

Depression, Anxiety and other mental disorders have reached epidemic proportions.

In the U.S., the national rate of anxiety in 2019 tripled from 8.1% to 25.5%, and depression almost quadrupled from 6.5% to 24.3%.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

The present paradigm of treating these type of mental disorders lies in balancing the neurotransmitters through pharmaceutical agents like SSRIs (Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, etc.) and Benzodiazepines (Ativan, Xanax, Valium and Klonopin.

Unfortunately, it may just be possible that the neurotransmitter paradigm simply is antiquated and does not address the underlying root cause(s) of these mental disorders.

After researching and doing a deep dive into the possible root causes of these mental disorders I found something amazing and life-changing: What I discovered was while nutrient deficiencies do a play a role, the major eye-opener was the fact that depression, anxiety and other mental disorders are largely inflammatory in nature.

In the brain of people suffering with depression, anxiety and many other mental health challenges, the immune system is activated with evidence for elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Just like rheumatoid arthritis and crohn's disease represent inflammation in the joints and gut, respectively, psychiatric disorders are linked to inflammation in the brain.

If we hope to gain any control over these mental issues we must address quenching the brain's inflammation.

Now here is what I found quite shocking: Benzodiazepines and SSRIs have another mechanism of function most people are not aware of.

Guess what it is?

They both have anti-inflammatory properties.

Yes that is correct.

Is it possible that these psychiatric medications have little to do with balancing neurotransmitters and more to do with reducing the inflammation in the brain?

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4361085/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20227485/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5997866/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22814704/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31163212/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889159112000025

https://europepmc.org/article/med/28342944

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0269881117711708

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11080527/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11394936/

benzodiazepine anti-inflammatory

Gut Brain Connection

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31144383/

Gut Bacteria Anxiety

Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190520190110.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jnr.24476

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3052397/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

8 Intermittent Fasting Benefits

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:42:44 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

Intermittent Fasting (IF) is currently one of the world's most popular health and fitness trends.

Besides assisting with weight loss, intermittent fasting has many additional health benefits I will share in this article.

By definition, intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that involves regular, short-term fasts — or periods of minimal or no food consumption. Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting.

Here is the most common way IF is performed:

Start your eating at noon and your last meal at 8 pm.
Fast for 16 hours every day, restricting food intake to an 8-hour eating window. This is the most popular form of intermittent fasting, known as the 16/8 method.

The following are 8 evidence-based health benefits of intermittent fasting.

There is a significant positive impact on insulin levels and human growth hormone levels. While IF has been found to decrease insulin levels, human growth hormone will increase. This all facilitates fat burning. IF in turn has a positive impact on reversing insulin resistance. Studies indicate that fasting can help boost your human growth hormone levels. One such study found that after a 3-day fast, your human growth hormone levels increase by more than 300%. A week later, they go up by a whopping 1,250%.
IF has been found effective in helping you lose weight but even more important is losing visceral fat. Visceral fat is the harmful fat in the abdominal cavity that causes disease. Short-term fasting actually increases your metabolic rate, helping you burn even more calories.
Several studies show that intermittent fasting may enhance the body's resistance to oxidative stress.
Intermittent fasting has been found to be effective in reducing inflammation. Mount Sinai researchers found that fasting reduces inflammation and improves chronic inflammatory diseases without affecting the immune system's response to acute infections
Intermittent fasting has been found to be beneficial for heart health. Lowering triglycerides, LDL and lowering blood pressure are just few of the cardiovascular benefits.
Promising evidence from animal studies indicates that intermittent fasting or diets that mimic fasting may help prevent cancer.
IF shows promise in improving brain health. There is strong evidence that forms of intermittent fasting can delay the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease in animal models. "In animal studies, intermittent fasting has been shown to increase longevity, improve cognitive function and reduce brain plaque as compared with animals fed a regular diet,” said Allan Anderson, MD, Director of the Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Tucson.
One of the most exciting applications of intermittent fasting may be its ability to extend lifespan. In the one study researchers zeroed in on how fasting impacts life span. About 2,000 people who had undergone a cardiac catheterization procedure were followed for an average of 4.4 years, including 389 "routine fasters" who had been fasting regularly for at least five years. After adjusting for various factors, researchers discovered the routine fasters had a 45% lower mortality rate than the non-fasters during the follow-up period.

Summary:

Besides intermittent fasting having value in weight-loss, its benefits extend beyond that. It can help you live a longer and all-around healthier life too, according to studies involving animals and humans.

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6832593/

https://clindiabetesendo.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40842-020-00116-1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC329619/

https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-nutr-071816-064634

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S193152441400200X

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891584918324389

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4403246/

IF and Inflammation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7415631/

https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article-abstract/30/Supplement_5/ckaa166.216/5914370

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7476366/

Alzheimer's and IF

Lifespan and IF

https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/212538

Fasting and Lifespan

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Eight Toxic Seed Oils: What You Need to Know

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:32:48 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

The eight industrial toxic seed oils are Canola, Corn, Cottonseed, Soy, Sunflower, Safflower, Grapeseed, and Rice bran.

What's wrong with industrial seed oils?

There are six main problems with industrial seed oils, all of which play a significant role in chronic inflammatory diseases.

The consumption of industrial seed oils represents an evolutionary mismatch.
Eating industrial seed oils raises our omega-6-to-omega-3 fatty acid ratios, with significant consequences for our health.
Industrial seed oils are unstable and oxidize easily.
They contain harmful additives.
They're derived from genetically modified crops.
When industrial seed oils are repeatedly heated (as restaurants do in fryers), even more toxic byproducts are created.

How are industrial seed oils making us sick?

Industrial seed oils are far from the “healthy” label they carry. A number of chronic inflammatory diseases have been linked to chronic health problems such as:

Asthma
Autoimmune disease
Cognitive and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, dementia, and even Alzheimer's disease.
Diabetes and obesity
Heart disease (they are far from being heart healthy!)
Gut health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
Inflammation
Infertility
Macular degeneration
Osteoarthritis

The best thing you can do for your own health and the health of your family is to get rid of all vegetable oils and margarines from your home. Simply throw them out. Replace them with saturated fats for cooking and extra virgin olive and avocado oil for dressing.

Summary:

It should be clear that we want to avoid omega-6 fats in our cooking oils.

REFERENCES

https://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i1512/rr-4

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21551197.2012.752335

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8050192/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-12624-9

https://www.nature.com/articles/tp2017190

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3335257/

https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/2/e000898

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12442909/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29636341/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808795/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808858/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22334255/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11483088/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Mycotoxins (Mold) and Anxiety

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:18:42 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

Emerging evidence between depression, anxiety, and exposure to mold has surfaced. It is thought to be associated with many complex health problems. Black mold species such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Stachybotrys produce mycotoxins that are toxic to central parts of the body, including the brain.

Many mycotoxins are neurotoxins causing lesions in the grey and white matter of the brain. This directly affects the frontal cortex, cause dopamine dysfunction which can create psychological disorders like anxiety or depression. These disorders occurs when the nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine are slowly destroyed. Without dopamine, the nerve cells in that part of the brain cannot properly send messages.

Mold is a biotoxin, and it releases toxic gas and spores into the air. When the toxins enter your body, via skin or air, the toxic gases cause a disturbance in many organs, including your brain.

Brown University conducted a series of cases linking mold, anxiety, and depression back in 2007. This was a large study, analyzing data from 5,882 adults in 2,982 households. Molds are toxins, and some research has indicated that these toxins can affect the nervous system or the immune system or impede the function of the frontal cortex.

Mold spores act as irritants which can trigger the body to mount an immune response. This can lead to inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the brain can impair cognitive function, and in the case of chronic inflammation, this can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairment.

Mold is a sometimes silent and yet formidable trigger of symptoms. It is lurking in our homes, offices, cars, washing machines, and bathrooms without notice. It is quite literally a silent but deadly killer of our immune system and trigger of brain-related issues. If you have been exposed, you must detox mold from your body as soon as possible.

One of the best test to detect mycotoxins is from Great Plains Laboratory . Here is a sample report from Great Plains Lab (the sample shows a different test).

If you find you have mold (mycotoxin) exposure it is recommended to consult with your mold-literate physician for the best treatment.

It is also imperative to do a deep dive into your home or work environment to identify where the mold is coming from. If mold is discovered the next step is to hire a professional company do a mold remediation.

REFERENCES

https://news.brown.edu/articles/2007/08/depression-and-household-mold

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3179161

https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(18)30229-7/pdf

Thyroid (TSH) and Cholesterol

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 15:34:24 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

REFERENCES

https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/97/8/2724/2823320

https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/vol-5-issue-12/p-3/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3109527/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Atrial Fibrillation and Dental Infections

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 15:20:49 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

This article provides evidence revealing dental infections such as periodontitis, gingivitis and endodontic lesions may be linked to cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common persistent cardiac arrhythmia occurring in clinical practice.

Oral bacteria and/or their DNA have been detected in human atherosclerotic lesions, the pericardial fluid, heart valves, and thrombi in many studies.

A good dental work-up is wise medicine in patients with atrial fibrillation.

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164509/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5087888/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijcp.13875

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

This Cat Parasite may Cause Anxiety & Autism

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 12:37:11 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

The toxoplasma gondii parasite commonly associated with cats has been linked to generalized anxiety disorder and autism.

INFECTION MECHANISM

The toxoplasma gondii's eggs are present in cat feces, and one of the most common ways people are infected with toxoplasma gondii is through contact with an infected cat.

GENERALIZED ANXIETY

A study published in the Journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found that 500 participants with anxiety disorders had a past toxoplasma gondii infection. The researchers found that a past toxoplasma gondii infection was linked to generalized anxiety disorder.

The authors concluded that these findings suggest that toxoplasma gondii infection is “strongly and significantly" associated with generalized anxiety disorder.

AUTISM

There is also a body of evidence that implicates the parasite Toxoplasma gondii as an underlining cause of autism and be worth ruling out.

In the medical journal, Microbial Pathogenesis , a study from 2020 showed that toxoplasmosis plays an important role as a risk factor for autism.

TREATMENT

Not to worry, you don't have to let your cats go - treatment is possible! Connect with a functional medicine provider for screening and plan for treatment.

REFERENCES

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25124709/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4809231/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32777351/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO.

Learn more about our functional medicine providers here .

NAFLD and Dementia

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 12:19:37 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

A study from the journal Neurology revealed that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with cognitive impairment.

WHAT IS NON ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. As the name implies, the main characteristic of NAFLD is too much fat stored in liver cells.

METABOLIC DISEASE AS A RISK FACTOR

Dementia and NAFLD are two frequent conditions that share underlying risk factors mainly in the realm of metabolic disease.

The study from the journal Neurology included 4,472 adults age 20–59 years. The participants underwent assessment of liver enzyme activity and hepatic steatosis by ultrasound, and underwent cognitive evaluation using the following computer-administered tests: Simple Reaction Time Test (SRTT), Symbol-Digit Substitution Test (SDST), and Serial Digit Learning Test (SDLT).

Increased activity of the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) correlated with while increased alanine aminotransferase was also correlated with lower performance in the SDST.

The current studies suggest that patients diagnosed with NAFLD incur cognitive dysfunction.

If left untreated, NAFLD can lead to more serious conditions including cirrhosis and liver failure. The good news is that fatty liver disease can be reversed—and even cured.

8 STEPS TO EFFECTIVELY TREAT FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Lose excess weight Losing between seven and ten percent of body weight can improve other symptoms of NAFLD, such as inflammation, fibrosis, and scarring.
Research from 2017 suggests that the Mediterranean diet may help to reduce liver fat, even without weight loss.
Exercise It's important to stay active when you have NAFLD. A good goal to shoot for is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Avoid foods with added sugars Dietary sugars such as fructose and sucrose have been linked to the development of NAFLD.
Take an omega-3 supplement A peer review study suggests that taking an omega-3 supplement may reduce liver fat.
Avoid known liver irritants Certain substances can put excess stress on your liver. They include alcohol and certain over the counter medications.
Consider taking vitamin E Vitamin E is one antioxidant that may reduce inflammation caused by NAFLD. Must take all components of vitamin E. This would include Mixed Tocopherols and Tocotrienols.
Consider Herbs A 2018 paper identified certain herbs, supplements, and spices that have been used as alternative treatments for NAFLD. Compounds shown to have positive effects on liver health include turmeric, milk thistle, resveratrol, and green tea.
Connect with a Functional Medicine Provider Who can guide your treatment plan.

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4820136/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7400092/

NAFLD and Dementia

https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/hep.22752

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/grp/2016/1459790/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5789322/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165515/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5960814/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO.

Learn more about our functional medicine providers here .

Changes at The Healing Collective

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 12:00:12 GMT

IMPORTANT LETTER FROM TRACY SHULSINGER, FNP.

Please read on for and update on some important transformations we
are undergoing at our clinic.

"The past year and a half has been extremely challenging for everyone, including our small healthcare clinic.

In order to further our standard of providing quality holistic, relationship-based care to our community, we must adapt to meet increased costs and staffing shortages that are impacting clinics nationwide.

Throughout the pandemic we have worked tirelessly to make ourselves available to serve you and insure that impact of these challenges do not impact patient care. In order to remain vibrant into the future, we will be making changes to streamline our administrative processes, meet our rising costs and reduce demand on our staff due to being short staffed.

As of January 1, 2022 we will no longer accept health insurance to allow us to focus more of our energies towards patient care.
For the first time since 2016, we are marginally increasing our appointment pricing for Functional Medicine appointments (starting Jan 1, 2022).
Effective immediately, we are no longer offering phlebotomy services (blood draws) and will instead be referring our patients out to local labs already structured for efficient sample collection.

These changes will mainly impact our Functional Medicine care and will have minimal effect on our Physical Therapy, Frequency Specific Microcurrent and Acupuncture services.

We value and appreciate all of you who have trusted us to be a part of your health journey and understand that these changes might make it more difficult to access our functional medicine services. We offer our sincere apologies in advance to all that might experience hardship."

In anticipation of questions this may bring up, here are more details:

1. How much will appointments cost?

The price increases are just for Functional Medicine appointments (Physical Therapy, Frequency Specific Microcurrent and Acupuncture appointments costs will remain the same as they already are):

Initial Appt: $350 (75-90 minute initial appt)
Follow Up Appt: $225 (up to 45 minute appt)
Extended Follow Up: $300 (up to 60 minute appt)

2. How often do I need to be seen?

This varies based on your individual needs and treatments. Typically after the initial appointment, a follow up is 4-8 weeks later. Once there is a stable treatment plan and we are seeing improvements, follow ups are often every 3-6 months. After there is consistent improvement and stability, routine monitoring and follow up is typically recommended every 6 months.

3. Are labs billable to insurance?

This is determined by your individual insurance coverage for labs. Most people have some amount of insurance coverage for labs. We will continue ordering labs in the same manner so whatever your prior experience has been with your insurance company should continue.

4. Can I have one last appointment before you no longer take my insurance?

We are delaying the insurance related changes until January 1, 2022 to give our patients time to schedule another covered appt. You can schedule with Tracy, FNP or Dianne, FNP.

5. Will you provide Superbills for me to submit to my insurance?

Typically just PPO insurance plans provide out-of-network reimbursement. For our patients who check with their insurance providers and are told that they do have out-of-network coverage we will provide a Superbill. We ask that you submit your Superbill and receive some reimbursement from your insurance provider prior to requesting an additional Superbill, just to be sure we know that reimbursement will be received.

6. Can you refer me to another Function Medicine practice that takes insurance in the area?

Unfortunately, there are no other Functional Medicine providers in the area that accept insurance that we are aware of.

7. What is the process if I choose to discontinue my care?

You may continue to access your lab results through the portal. Please email us at functionalmed@thehealingcollective.us if you would like to download all of your labs through the Charm portal so we can be sure they are all “shared.” We can also transfer your labs to another practice directly if you complete a Release of Records. This is a required step due to HIPAA (Patient Confidentiality Law).

"Lastly, I want to deeply thank you for all of the years of providing care to you! The Healing Collective began in 2014 and has steadily grown since then- mostly from patient referrals. Thank you for trusting us with your care and your loved ones care! We would love to continue for years more and these changes are setting us up for many more years of supporting you. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Wishing you so well,

Tracy Shulsinger, FNP

Gluten Sensitivity = Neurological Dysfunction?

info@denvercrowd.com (Alex Schupp) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 19:23:55 GMT

Did you know that an undiagnosed gluten sensitivity can manifest solely as a neurological disorder?

PASS THE BREAD?

Maybe pass on the bread , pasta, and cereal ... as in: don't eat it! at least until you are screened for gluten sensitivity by a skilled medical provider—especially if you are experiencing neurological impairments.

Researchers are showing that gluten has a significant role in some forms of neurological dysfunction —from cerebellar ataxia, dementia, neuropathy, to epilepsy.

A MORE UPDATED PERSPECTIVE & DEFINITION OF GLUTEN

A more complete definition of gluten follows: Gluten is a mixture of proteins, and is found in all grains. It is comprised of prolamines and glutelins. The prolamine gliadin is the most common studied and researched component of gluten because it is related to Celiac Disease. There are actually thousands of types of "glutens." In this perspective, there is no such thing as a truly "gluten-free" grain ( Gluten Free Society ).

Even rice still contains a low percentage of gluten (5%)
Oats contain 16%
Corn contains 55% gluten from the prolamine called zien

That's right: corn is second only to wheat in its gluten protein content. A true gluten-free diet would actually eliminate all grains. To many, that sounds extreme, and that's why having an accurate diagnosis from a provider who truly understands gluten is absolutely essential.

BRAIN GUT CONNECTION?

While many may think of a gluten intolerance or sensitivity as something that would cause digestive problems, research is showing that the tasty, pasty gliadin and glutenin proteins as well as prolamines (which we have learned there are actually thousands of) that make up gluten can in fact contribute to significant neurological impairments in those who are not just allergic (with a Celiac Disease diagnosis ) but even those who are intolerant or just sensitive to gluten - meaning they have symptoms but not a Celiac diagnosis (see below). The interesting part is, some of these patients do not present with gastrointestinal symptoms at all, only neurological symptoms.

This information has been present in the research since the 1960s, but is only recently beginning to be looked at more in depth and making its way into clinical practice.

WHAT DEFINES A GLUTEN SENSITIVITY vs CELIAC DISEASE?

Good question. There is a lot of confusion around what these terms mean and how to differentiate between them, so let's break it down. Here are some quick definitions:

DEEPER DIVE: CELIAC DISEASE

An intestinal biopsy is currently the gold standard for the diagnosis of Celiac disease; unfortunately, this "gold standard" approach will result in a positive diagnosis most commonly with late-stage celiac disease and may miss an earlier diagnosis when prevention would be more effective at preventing negative health impacts.

Celiac disease can also be investigated with serum tests for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies, antigliadin antibodies, and anti-endomyceal antibodies. Some standard well-meaning gastroenterologists will tell patients that they do not have celiac disease despite having positive antibodies, and these unfortunate patients will continue eating gluten while their bodies are undergoing an immunological reaction.

DEEPER DIVE: GLUTEN INTOLERANCE & GLUTEN SENSITIVE

A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial showed that Gluten causes gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects without celiac disease ( Biesiekierski et al 2011 ).

These symptomatic individuals can be classified as Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerant . This syndrome can also be called Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.

"Gluten sensitivity is a systemic autoimmune disease with diverse manifestations ... Although neurological manifestations with established celiac disease have been reported since 1966, it was not until 30 years later that, in some individuals, gluten sensitivity was shown to manifest solely with neurological dysfunction" ( Hadjivassiliou 2010, Lancet Neurology ).

PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

All patients with autoimmune disease, especially those with thyroid disorders, should be screened for gluten sensitivity. Genetics, immune dysfunction, and environmental triggers combine to contribute to autoimmunity, and it is important to screen for gluten sensitivity in these patients. Side note: silent celiac disease can also be a potential root cause for osteoporosis. "Many cases are now detected in adulthood during investigation of problems as diverse as anemia, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, unexplained neurological syndromes, infertility and chronic hypertransaminasemia of uncertain cause" (Ch'ng et al 2007).

RESOURCES

Bernardo D, Garrote JA, Arranz E. Are non-celiac disease gluten-intolerant patients innate immunity responders to gluten?. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(12):2201-2202. doi:10.1038/ajg.2011.297

Biesiekierski JR, Newnham ED, Irving PM, et al. Gluten causes gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects without celiac disease: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(3):508-515. doi:10.1038/ajg.2010.487 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21224837/

Ch'ng CL, Jones MK, Kingham JG. Celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disease. Clin Med Res. 2007;5(3):184-192. doi:10.3121/cmr.2007.738 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18056028/

Green P. Gluten Sensitivity vs Celiac Disease: A Scientific Consensus. Gluten Free Society. Accessed online 11/20/2021 https://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-sensitivity-vs-celiac-disease-a-scientific-consensus/

Hadjivassiliou M, Sanders DS, Grünewald RA, Woodroofe N, Boscolo S, Aeschlimann D. Gluten sensitivity: from gut to brain. Lancet Neurol. 2010;9(3):318-330. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70290-X https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20170845/

Hadjivassiliou M, Duker AP, Sanders DS. Gluten-related neurologic dysfunction. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;120:607-619. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4087-0.00041-3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24365341/

Hernández-Lahoz C, Rodrigo L. Trastornos relacionados con el gluten y enfermedades desmielinizantes [Gluten-related disorders and demyelinating diseases]. Med Clin (Barc). 2013;140(7):314-319. doi:10.1016/j.medcli.2012.07.009 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22998972/

Hernandez-Lahoz C, Mauri-Capdevila G, Vega-Villar J, Rodrigo L. Neurogluten: patologia neurologica por intolerancia al gluten [Neurological disorders associated with gluten sensitivity]. Rev Neurol. 2011;53(5):287-300. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21796607/

Hill, M. Chem Matters: Attack of the Gluten. American Chemical Society. 2012. Accessed online 11/20/2021: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-issues/archive-2011-2012/gluten.html

Kass-Iliyya L, Sarrigiannis PG, Sanders DS, Hadjivassiliou M. Glycine receptor antibodies and coeliac disease-related neurological dysfunction. Cerebellum Ataxias. 2021;8(1):12. Published 2021 May 3. doi:10.1186/s40673-021-00135-3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33941280/

Kishore KPD et al. Treatable cerebellar ataxias. Clin Park Relat Disord. 2020;3:100053. Published 2020 Apr 4. doi:10.1016/j.prdoa.2020.100053

Mitoma H, Manto M, Hadjivassiliou M. Immune-Mediated Cerebellar Ataxias: Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Based on Immunological and Physiological Mechanisms. J Mov Disord. 2021;14(1):10-28. doi:10.14802/jmd.20040 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33423437/

Niknam R, Seraj SR, Fattahi MR, Nejati M, Dehghani SM, Mahmoudi L. Impact of Serological and Histological Factors on Neurological Manifestations in Children and Adults with Celiac Disease. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr. 2021;24(2):197-206. doi:10.5223/pghn.2021.24.2.197 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33833975/

Volta U, De Giorgio R. Gluten sensitivity: an emerging issue behind neurological impairment? Lancet Neurol. 2010;9(3):233-235. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70357-6 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20170835/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of our Functional Medicine Providers and the functional medicine community. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO.

Learn more about our functional medicine providers here .

Unique Magnesium Found to Reverse Brain Aging

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 12:38:14 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

In a peer reviewed human study, a magnesium compound has been shown to reverse markers of brain aging by as much as 14 years!

This finding by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers shows that the unique magnesium-L-threonate concentrates in the brain to rebuild neuronal connections and youthful brain plasticity.

Scientists have shown that magnesium plays an essential role in supporting brain plasticity.

Brain plasticity is the sign of a youthful, flexible brain primed for optimal learning, memory, and cognitive function in a rat animal model.

A medical study showed raising brain magnesium levels has been proven to restore important brain plasticity thereby leading to improved cognitive function.

Scientists at MIT developed and tested a special compound called magnesium-L-threonate and found it boosted brain magnesium levels by an approximately 15%.

These scientists found a novel way of overcoming the problem of getting magnesium loaded into the brain due to poor absorption via using magnesium-L-threonate.

Compared to other various forms of magnesium, they found that magnesium-L-threonate had the highest brain magnesium-loading ability and has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier readily and coincide with improvements in cognitive function.

In conclusion, studies show that magnesium-L-threonate improves brain plasticity, leading to significant improvements in memory, learning, and control of emotions.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20152124/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22016520/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26519439/

https://www.drperlmutter.com/magnesium-threonate-powers-brain/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO.

Learn more about our functional medicine providers here .

FSM and Acute Injuries

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 17:29:00 GMT

Read the article " What Doctors Don't Tell You ," on Dr. Carol McMakin's site or download the original, here .

CUT YOUR HEALING TIMES IN HALF

When used prior to and within 4 hours of a surgical procedure or new injury, Frequency Specific Microcurrent can improve healing times drastically. How does it work? Damaged tissue has a disruption to its electromagnetic field and is not resonating at its optimal resonant frequency. We utilize frequency specific microcurrent to input the optimal frequencies (or "instructions") which entrain that specific tissue back to its optimal state. ATP is increased by 500%, and the tissues become more efficient and organized as they heal.

The results are almost unbelievable. Read this article about Terrell Owens' miraculous recovery. In 2004, Owens went from sustaining a fibular fracture with significant ligamentous and soft tissue damage to radiologic healing in 4 weeks, to playing in the Super Bowl at 7 weeks after his surgery ( Ford 2018 ). This healing timeline is unheard of, and yet, it happened with Microcurrent!

WHAT ARE SOME MEASURABLE EFFECTS OF MICROCURRENT?

We know that microcurrent alone, without the specific frequencies, can evoke a

There is also data to support specific, statistically significant changes in blood markers with FSM, including

which you can explore further in the paper titled Cytokine changes with microcurrent treatment of fibromyalgia associated with cervical spine trauma (McMakin 2005).

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FSM AND TENS

LEARN MORE ABOUT FSM

RESOURCES

Ford B. The Chronicles of Fibula: Everything you never knew that you needed to know. The Philadelphia Enquirer. Oct. 5, 2018 https://www.inquirer.com/ .

Cheng N 1982, The Effect of Electric Currents on ATP Generation, Protein Synthesis and Membrane Transport in Rat Skin . Clinical Orthopedics 171: 264-272.

Seegers JC, 2002, A pulsed DC electric field affects P2-purinergic receptor functions by altering the ATP levels in in vitro and in vivo systems . Medical Hypothesis, 58 (2) 171-176.

Seegers, JC, 2001; Activation of signal transduction mechanisms may underlie the Therapeutic effects of an applied electric field . Med Hypothesis; 57 (2), 224-230.

All about Zinc Lozenges

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 21:56:00 GMT

When you see us at the Niwot Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nocember 27th, from 11am-1pm in downtown Niwot, be sure to pick up your zinc lozenge and some important information about these helpful supplements.† We'll be handing them out in the parade!

ZINC†

VITAMIN C†

ELDERBERRY†

RESOURCES

1. Dardenne M, Pleau J, Nabarra B, et al. Contribution of zinc and other metals to the biological activity of the serum thymic factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1982;5370-3.

2. PDR Health: Zinc. www.pdrhealth.com. Accessed 4 December 2019.

3. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. Immune enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab 2006;50(2):85-94.

4. Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Elderberry. http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=107&pid=33&gid=002880 . Edited by Ehrlich SD. Accessed 4 December 2019.

5. Monograph. Sambucus nigra (elderberry). Altern Med Rev Mar 2005;10(1):51-54.

6. Barak V, Birkenfeld S, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of herbal remedies on the production of human inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Isr Med Assoc J 2002;4(11 Suppl):919-22.

7. Orthomolecular Products. Viracid. https://www.orthomolecularproducts.com/assets/1/30/OMPI-Viracid_PDN-A2.pdf . Accessed 4 December 2019.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

SMASH: The Potent Recipe for Increasing Omega 3

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 19:14:17 GMT

Article by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University

Here are 5 reasons you should add more SMASH in your life.

SMASH fish are high in l ong-chain Omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats are easily absorbed, are high in anti-inflammatory properties, and can help reduce cardiac issues as well as symptoms of autoimmune conditions.
SMASH fish are high in selenium and low in mercury.
The proteins in SMASH fish are easy to digest.
SMASH fish contain iodine. Iodine is difficult to source from other foods, but it's essential for proper thyroid and immune function.
SMASH fish are a great source of Vitamin D.

Long story short, start adding some SMASH fish into your diet- the benefits are endless!

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

What is Functional Medicine?

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 19:38:10 GMT

Functional Medicine is an integrative, effective way to get to the root cause of your health issues and solve them! Tracy Shulsinger, Family Nurse Practitioner, Functional Medicine Provider, and owner of The Healing Collective Functional & Integrative Medicine, expands on how she practices Functional Medicine in this video.

Functional Medicine is an approach that addresses chronic healthcare issues. Has your conventional medical treatment been unsuccessful? Are even the specialists stumped and unable to help you? Let's look for the root cause.

EMF Protection

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:15:00 GMT

We have had many clients asking about the best ways to protect from the harmful effects of high-gigahertz electromagnetic fields. Our favorite product by far is the Omnia Radiation balancer sticker and the Omnia Pendant .

There is a fair share of controversy regarding EMFs, and you are welcome to explore both sides of the narrative. Due to our clinical experience with clients who immediately feel better when utilizing EMF protection, as well as our clinical experience utilizing Frequency Specific Microcurrent to neutralize EMFs from the body's tissues, we are confident to recommend EMF protection to our clients, especially those who have experienced an improvement in the clinic when we introduce these interventions and test their effects.

WHAT IS OMNIA?

Omnia Balancer is a sticker that you put on your smartphone or any device that emits EMFs. You can place the sticker on your modem or computer, microwave, WiFi router, electric car, etc. They last forever, so no need to replace.

The sticker contains an energy field that meets any radiation field (including 5G) and brings it into resonance with the energy in the human body. Omnia uses what's called Deca Energy to achieve this harmonizing effect.

Omnia also created a pendant which contains the Deca Energy and is a wearable that you can have on your body at all times.

BENEFITS OF OMNIA

If you are interested to learn more, or if you're ready to add some Zero Point Energy to your devices, check out Omnia's website by clicking here !

The Healing Collective: Our Mission

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 19:22:32 GMT

PHILOSOPHY:

We believe the body contains infinite healing capabilities. We are devoted to identifying and correcting imbalances so your body’s intelligence can heal—and sustain—a life of optimum wellness.

MISSION STATEMENT:

We offer more than just physical medicine. We support you to be the very best version of yourself. With the latest in evidence-based holistic medicine, we are here to help you thrive using the tools of functional medicine, integrative medicine, movement science, and group classes. We know that it’s difficult to thrive when you’re simply not feeling or performing well. We partner with you to identify what is contributing to disease or illness: we find the root of the issue and guide you through the specific medical & lifestyle treatments you need to reach—and maintain—optimum health. Our greatest satisfaction is in our harmonious partnership with you, where we get to do the work we so love and you get to achieve and even surpass your highest goals for your overall health and wellness.

The Healing Collective is not only referring to a collective of healing practitioners—it also refers to the impact of one person’s healing on the greater collective, which includes their immediate family, their friends, the community in which they live, and even the greater good of the world. When each of us is thriving, our presence in the world is more positively impactful. This then supports the whole collective of life.

I invite you to get to know our dedicated Medical Providers ( just click here ), each offering a unique and effective clinical perspective on health and wellness that truly empowers you to thrive. One unique aspect about our practitioners is that we are all equipped to address not only physical medicine, but also what is call the bio-psycho-social-spiritual aspects of medical care. For example, our Doctor of Physical Therapist, Jessie Tierney, has extensive training in yoga and yoga therapy ; I have trained and practiced as a shamanic practitioner for many years; Dr. Marty Bloch is a skilled homeopathic physician ; Janet Crane, PA-C has extensive experience with HeartMath —just to name a few of our areas of expertise. It is a priority of ours to continue our education in order to keep us on the leading edge of healthcare provision.

We are thrilled to be rolling out our Healing Blog , through which we aim to provide important and useful health information from the latest in Physical Therapy , to homeopathic remedies & perspectives, to Functional Medicine wisdom and so much more. Be sure to check back often or subscribe so you receive our updates right in your inbox. Feel free to reply and ask us questions pertaining to health and wellness directly on our blog. We'd love to hear from you.

—Be Well—

Energy Efficiency

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:15:00 GMT

ENERGY EFFICIENCY & MANAGEMENT

This isn't about turning off the light switch or getting a fuel-efficient vehicle ... this is about your internal energy system's efficiency.

Wouldn't it be amazing to finish off the day with as much energy you had waking up out of bed after a restful night's sleep? To feel like you still have some reserve throughout the evening, even after a demanding workday?

Are you tired of ending your days feeling emotionally, physically, and cognitively depleted? What if you could learn how to plug those energy leaks and build resilience ?

RESILIENCE CAPACITY

Believe it or not, it is possible to learn how to regulate our energy using science-based methods that promote what is called Resilience Capacity. This is our ability to regenerate and renew, from a cellular level to an emotional level.

HOW?

One way is to regularly tap into the frequency of regenerative emotions. Emotions like care, courage, tolerance, gratitude. Regenerative Emotions are called regenerative because they can actually help promote measurable neuroendocrine changes , and help our bodies maintain health and wholeness over time.

REGENERATIVE EMOTIONS ARE POWERFUL

Tapping into regenerative emotions has been shown to promote the following:

We can learn how to build Resilience Capacity - to recharge our own batteries - and stop the depleting effects of negative emotions. We can learn to move through stress in such an efficient way that it impacts a healthy microbiome and immune system, resulting in a far more productive energy system not being wasted on dealing with depleting environmental toxicity (both physical and emotional).

Dr. Jessie is a Certified Practitioner offering +❤HeartMath sessions in the clinic and via telehealth. Call us when you're ready to schedule your free 15 minute consult with Dr. Jessie to learn more and get started.

#GetHeart

#HeartMath

#❤

Re-Groove Your Neural Pathways

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 16:15:00 GMT

One of my favorite quotes of all time is from the Zen Poet, Paul Reps:

REWIRE YOUR BRAIN

It is entirely possible for you to move from sympathetic dominance to living your life from a sense of balance and harmony, no matter what your external circumstances are. You can establish a new baseline, a new set point. You can re-groove your neurological architecture. You can achieve what the meditators and mystics have spoken of for thousands and thousands of years, and we can map it as you go!

ADDICTED TO THE HORMONES OF STRESS

As humans, we can actually become addicted or entrained to what we sometimes consider "negative" emotions or the emotions of stress. In order to shift this, we have to practice feeling into the types of emotions we would like to experience more of in order to create a new set-point or baseline of our emotional status. The research states that this is entirely possible, and the best way we know how to help you is with yoga, meditative practices, and HeartMath.

IT TAKES SHOWING UP

The process of establishing these new neural pathways takes practice and patience. But the good news is, if you do the work, it works !

If you have been sympathetically-dominant your entire life (stressed, sympathetically-aroused, chronically busy, always multi-tasking, etc), it may actually feel uncomfortable for your nervous system to become relaxed, quiet, and balanced, because this neural information is so foreign . This is why it is important and helpful to work with a practitioner and perhaps even join a practice group to be fully supported, motivated, and follow through during this process of re-establishing your new baseline.

According a study of high school students after 16 weeks of HeartMath practices just a few sessions per week, there is a measurable shift in your baseline HRV pattern if you stick to it! In the clinic, we can measure pre-, during, and post- Heart Rate Variability data so that you can not only feel your progress but see the objective data.

If you're ready to transform and rewire your nervous system to a new normal, schedule a free 15 minute consult with our Certified HeartMath Practitioner to get started.

#GetHeart #HeartMath #+❤HeartMath

The Heart has its Own Electromagnetic Field

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:15:00 GMT

New science reveals that we are seriously under-estimating the heart when we think of it as a simple blood pump. Neurological mapping shows that the heart sends more information to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. This flips our understanding of the heart on its head.

WHAT QUALITIES DO WE KNOW COME FROM THE HEART?

ENGAGING THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE HEART

https://youtu.be/A9kQBAH1nK4

MAPPING THE HEART RHYTHMS

The technology we use to measure Heart Rate Variability (HRV) shows us a graphical measurement that you can see on a screen during a HeartMath ® session. Improving your HRV is as simple as tapping into a regenerative emotion like appreciation, and cultivating that feeling. With the coaching of a Certified HeartMath ® Practitioner and the assistance of HRV biofeedback technology, you can learn to identify when you are in coherence, when you are not, and gain strategies to maintain that state throughout your day.

Schedule a free 15 minute consult with our Certified HeartMath ® Practitioner and get started today.

#HeartMath #+❤HeartMath #getHeart

Super Charge Your Immunity

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 16:15:00 GMT

Your immune system is your first defense when it comes to viral infections and harmful environmental compounds. A strong immune system means your white blood cells are functioning optimally to seek out and destroy disease-causing organisms or substances.

So, let's keep them happy!

White blood cells, or leukocytes, love Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5). These, combined with herbal extracts and adaptogens make this supplement an immunity powerhouse .

Viracid is designed to: Provide Support for Immune Challenges Strengthen Immune Function Maintain Normal Inflammatory Balance

Now more than ever we have to make sure our body's immune system is functioning at full capacity. But it can be hard trying to figure out exactly how much of each nutrient you're getting from your diet and whether or not you're even absorbing them properly.

This supplement is formulated with optimal leukocyte function in mind and a strong focus on immune health and integrity.

What’s in Viracid?

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is well known for its ability to support immune response. Vitamin C concentrations decline rapidly in the body during periods of stress. Dietary intake is therefore crucial during immune challenges. (3)

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps support mucous membranes. When vitamin A is lacking, mucus-producing cells are replaced by keratin producing cells, and the membranes become tough and more vulnerable to organisms. Vitamin A is a critical immune supporting nutrient. Vitamin A also supports the immune system by stimulating white blood cell function and increasing antibody response. (4)

Zinc

Zinc supports immune functions such as natural killer cell activity and phagocytosis. Furthermore, studies show that zinc can directly support the body during immune system challenges and can help support healthy respiratory function. (1, 2)

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Pantothenic acid is essential for the production of energy from carbohydrates, fats and protein. Maintaining optimal pantothenic acid levels is crucial for supporting immune system energy, thymic function and healthy white blood cell levels. (6, 7)

Black Elderberry Extract

Black elderberry (Sambucas nigra) has a long history of traditional use among herbalists for its immune boosting properties. It has been shown to enhance immune cell killing potential by supporting healthy cytokine production, the cellular pathways used to eliminate foreign invaders. (10)

Astragalus Root Extract

Astragalus root has been traditionally used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine practices to strengthen the immune system. Research has demonstrated the immune-regulating effects of astragalus which include boosting T-dependent antigens, and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and macrophage activity. (11, 12)

Echinacea Extract

Echinacea Echinacea has been used for centuries in Native American medicine. Current research has supported echinacea’s clinical applications. Echinacea activates multiple aspects of immune function including enhancing leukocyte and granulocyte counts, activating neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils and solubilizing immune complexes. (14, 15, 16, 17)

Andrographis Leaf Extract

Andrographis leaf has been used in Asian medicine for centuries. A study found that andrographolide administration significantly improved lymphocyte count in patients which immune challenges. (18) It has also been reported to provide strong antioxidant support due to its ability to activate highly protective antioxidant reactions. (19)

Watch a short video about the effects of Viracid to see how it works!

How Much Do I Take?

It's always recommended to consult your healthcare provider for individual dosing instructions, because your provider knows your unique history and presentation. Please reach out to us if you have questions!

For health, immune support and prevention:

During a time of illness:

Where Can I Get Viracid?

720-572-5236

REFERENCES

1. Dardenne M, Pleau J, Nabarra B, et al. Contribution of zinc and other metals to the biological activity of the serum thymic factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1982;5370-3.

2. PDR Health: Zinc. www.pdrhealth.com.

3. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. Immune enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab 2006;50(2):85-94.

4. Vitamin A. Integrative Medicine: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

5. Zhao W, Zhai F, Zhang D, et al. Lysine-fortified wheat flour improves the nutritional and immunological status of wheat-eating families in northern China. Food Nutr Bull Jun 2004;25(2):123-129.

6. Melampy RM, Cheng DW, Northrop LC. Effect of pantothenic acid deficiency upon adrenal cortex, thymus, spleen, and circulating lymphocytes in mice. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1951;76:24-27.

7. Mahboob S. Thymic weight in pantothenic acid deficiency. Nutr Metab 1976;20:272-277.

8. The American Botanical Council. The ABC Clinical Guide to Elder Berry. 2004; http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/ DocServer/Elderberry-scr.pdf?docID=165.

9. Monograph. Sambucus nigra (elderberry). Altern Med Rev Mar 2005;10(1):51-54.

10. Barak V, Birkenfeld S, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of herbal remedies on the production of human inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Isr Med Assoc J 2002;4(11 Suppl):919-22.

11. Tan BK, Vanitha J. Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects of some traditional chinese medicinal herbs: a review. Curr Med Chem 2004;11(11):1423-1430.

12. Kemper K, Small R. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous).1999. http://www.longwoodherbal. org/ .

13. Sinclair S. Chinese herbs: a clinical review of Astragalus, Ligusticum, and Schizandrae. Altern Med Rev 1998;3(5):338- 344.

14. Berrett B. Medicinal properties of Echinacea: a critical review. Phytomedicine 2003;10:66-896.

15. Percival SS. Use of Echinacea in medicine. Biochem Pharmacol 2000;60:155-158.

16. Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine. (2013) St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone.

17. Cáceres DD, Hancke JL, Burgos RA, et al. Use of visual analogue scale measurements (VAS) to assess the effectiveness of standardized Andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 in reducing the symptoms of common cold. Phytomedicine 1999;6:217-223.

18. Calabrese C, Berman SH, Babish, SH, Babish JG, et al. A phase I trial of andrographolide in HIV positive patients and normal volunteers. Phytother Res 2000; 14:333-338.

19. Verma N, Vinayak M. Antioxidant action of Andrographis paniculata on lymphoma. Mol Biol Rep 2008; 35:535-540

Learn about our Functional Medicine providers , here .

Not sure if +❤ HeartMath® is for You?

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 16:15:00 GMT

IS IT REALLY THAT SIMPLE? Not sure how such a simple technique could improve heart-brain coherence, boost energy, enhance resilience and reduce stress?

Not to worry: here is a beautiful, free resource that walks you through some of the research, applications, and practices from +❤ HeartMath®.

The best part : it's totally free to participate in this complimentary online training. Check it out and get started today!

READY TO GET STARTED?

If you're already feeling like you are ready to get started on your +❤ HeartMath® journey? Schedule a session with Dr. Jessie, Trauma-Sensitive Certified +❤ HeartMath® Practitioner, where you'll be guided through the coherence techniques with real-time biofeedback while you learn. You'll be able to observe just how effective this work is, immediately and track your progress over time!

FOUR-PACK DISCOUNT

If you sign up for four 60-minute +❤ HeartMath® Sessions at The Healing Collective, you'll receive $100 off.

INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS

Sixty-minute sessions are $125

Four-Pack is $100 per session.

#GetHeart #QuickCoherence #TraumaSensitive #Heartmath #CertifiedPractitioner #Colorado

FSM can Reduce Inflammation

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 16:15:00 GMT

What if there was a non-pharmacological way to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines? Cytokines are inflammation markers and are elevated in a long list of chronic diseases. According to one published study, there are significant changes in blood levels of these inflammation markers after Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) treatments.

FSM CAN HELP WITH

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) has been shown to statically significantly reduce inflammatory markers in people with fibromyalgia and a history of cervical spine trauma in one published paper (McMakin et al, 2005). This preliminary research is promising, and certainly more studies need to be done to further explore this exciting finding. In a more recent paper, physical rehabilitation combined FSM as a part of the therapy resulted in patients with low back pain having significantly lower pain scores after the intervention compared with those who did not combine FSM with their treatment (Shetty et al, 2020). In the clinic, we have seen that FSM can have profound impacts on reducing pain and inflammation.

If you are suffering from pain that just doesn't seem to go away, or if you are seeking non-medication alternatives for pain management, reach out for a free 15-minute consult to see how FSM can help you get back to a pain-free life of thriving.

RESOURCES

FSM at the Cleveland Clinic. Available online: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15935-frequency-specific-microcurrent

Shetty GM, Rawat P, Sharma A . Effect of adjuvant frequency-specific microcurrents on pain and disability in patients treated with physical rehabilitation for neck and low back pain . J Bodyw Mov Ther . 2020;24(4):168-175. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.07.013

Learn More about FSM on our Frequency Specific Microcurrent page .

Coherence

Sat, 05 Feb 2022 00:49:00 GMT

Why should you bother cultivating Coherence ? There are many reasons, including improved cognitive function , enhanced physical and mental performance , boosts in reaction times, improved self - regulation , and the ability to bolster your immunity after just 5 minutes of coherenece practice.

Watch this brief, informative video on a study conducted by the HeartMath Institute on the effects of coherence practice on salivary IGA.

COHERENCE IMPROVES YOUR IMMUNITY

DEFINING COHERENCE

If you have heard of +❤HeartMath ® , you have probably heard the term coherence , but what does it actually mean?

Having high coherence means that your physiological systems - both your parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems - become highly ordered and enhance your nervous systems' function, which impacts all systems in the body.

Other ways to describe coherence include

When you are in a coherent heart wave pattern, you are facilitating optimal brain function, enhancing performance at home, at work, in sports, or in whatever you are doing, whereas an incoherent heart wave pattern impairs performance and cognition.

The technology we use to measure Heart Rate Variability shows us a graphical measurement of heart rate variability. When you breathe in, your heart rate naturally increases. When you breathe out, your heart rate naturally slows. This is normal, and it is called Normal Sinus Arrhythmia. Heart Rate Variability that is coherent is well-organized, rhythmic, smooth and sinusoidal (rather than jagged).

HOW DO I ACHIEVE COHERENCE?

It's as simple as tapping into a regenerative emotion like appreciation, and cultivating that feeling. With the coaching of a Certified HeartMath Practitioner and the assistance of HRV biofeedback technology, you can learn to identify when you are in coherence, when you are not, and gain strategies to maintain that state throughout your day.

Schedule a free 15 minute consult with our Certified HeartMath Practitioner and get started today.

#HeartMath #+❤HeartMath #getHeart

Feeling less than 100% ... this could be the missing link!

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:15:00 GMT

Research shows Molecular Hydrogen Therapy may help with:

THIS MAY BE THE MISSING LINK IN YOUR WELLNESS ROUTINE THAT WILL HELP YOU FEEL YOUR BEST!

Molecular Hydrogen (H2) is a superpowered antioxidant that travels easily throughout the body to places other antioxidants cannot.

Oxidative stress is the root cause of so many illnesses and conditions. It affects every organ system including the brain and immune system. Counteracting free radicals caused by oxidative stress can relieve unwanted symptoms to get you back to doing and enjoying the things you love most.

With over 1000 peer-reviewed studies on Molecular Hydrogen (H2) Therapy, we are confident that it plays a vital role in achieving optimal health and body function.

Molecular Hydrogen (H2) has been studied with significant positive results in the following areas:

How does it work?

Two ways to experience Molecular Hydrogen Therapy:

1. Clinical Hydrogen Inhaler

2. Vital Reaction H2 Tablets

Vital Reaction® Molecular Hydrogen tablets are specially formulated to produce 8-10 ppm of molecular hydrogen in a single glass of water. People typically notice benefits within 20 minutes. The hydrogen molecules are working on a deep cellular level to counteract oxidative stress. Don't worry if you don't feel a profound physical effect. It's working!

Or, use discount code THEHEALINGCOLLECTIVE at checkout when ordering online for 10-20% off of your purchase!

Learn about our skilled Functional Medicine providers , here .

Grounding: Backed by Science

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 16:15:00 GMT

It's not just hippie-dippie anymore (not that we have anything against hippies!) ... the data shows that regular earthing practices are beneficial to the bioelectric field and can have profound impacts on the human energy system . Grounding or earthing has been shown in the literature to do the following:

You don't need any fancy equipment (but in the wintertime, unless you're a Wim Hof practitioner, it might be nice to get a grounding mat for your feet r grounding sheets for your bed), you just need to kick off your shoes and put your feet on the earth.

WAYS TO GROUND or EARTH

You can find links to high-quality Earthing Mats & Sheets at our Online Store . But nothing beats kicking off your shoes and standing with your feet in the grass!

RESOURCES

Brown R, Chevalier G, Hill M. Grounding after moderate eccentric contractions reduces muscle damage. Open Access J Sports Med . 2015; 6:305-317.

Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM. Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity-a major factor in cardiovascular disease. J Altern Complement Med . 2013; 19(2):102-110.

Menigoz W, Latz TT, Ely RA, Kamei C, Melvin G, Sinatra D. Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations. Explore (NY) . 2020; 16(3):152-160.

Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. J Inflamm Res . 2015; 8:83-96. Published 2015 Mar 24.

Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Sinatra D. Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing) . Altern Ther Health Med . 2017; 23(5):8-16.

Beyond "Stress Management ..."

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 16:15:00 GMT

WHAT LIES BEYOND "STRESS MANAGEMENT?"

Ultimately, after an event or trigger (of stress) has occurred, it is not the event itself that is problematic, but our emotional reactions and programmed responses to the stressor.

Empowered with some simple tools, we can each learn to change these reactions. This ability to modulate our real-time responses to stressors and elicit changes is called Emotional Regulation .

+❤HeartMath ® techniques take you beyond Stress Management into Emotional Regulation.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

With guidance from a Certified +❤HeartMath ® Practitioner and in-the-moment biofeedback using physiological monitoring of heart rate variability and other parameters, you will learn techniques to shift your response to triggers and see measurable changes as you feel them.

Practicing at home empowers you to hone these skills so that they become second nature and you can rely on them any time you need them.

Further training in the clinic with biofeedback monitors deepen and expand your skills and guide you toward insights that reach far beyond simple stress management.

Dr. Jessie is a Certified Practitioner offering +❤HeartMath ® sessions in the clinic and via telehealth. Call us when you're ready to schedule your free 15 minute consult with Dr. Jessie to learn more and get started.

Worried about getting COVID? There’s more you can do to protect yourself.

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 17:00:00 GMT

Take control of your well-being and get proactive with your health.

This simple supplement has just a few ingredients that have evidence-based support for the immune system.

If you think you’ve been exposed, OrthoMune may help reduce potential symptoms before they start. Even if you’ve been diagnosed with Covid, this may help mediate the severity of the effect on the body and assist with recovery.

What’s in it:

Quercetin

This bioflavonoid has a star role in supporting healthy immune function Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant known for its ability to combat harmful free radicals. It has been shown to block the mechanisms by which microbes enter the host cells and replicate within the body. It also helps stimulate excretion of respiratory mucus. (1, 2, 3)

N-Acetyl Cysteine

NAC is a key player for immunity assisting in all detoxification pathways by supporting glutathione production and counteracting free radicals. (4,5)

Zinc

Vitamin C

A potent antioxidant that has been studied for many years for its immune-supporting effects. Through its antioxidant functions, vitamin C has been shown to protect important immune cells from oxidative damage directly supporting a challenged immune system. It also assists in recycling oxidized quercetin increasing the efficacy of that ingredient. (9, 3)

Vitamin D

It has been shown that low vitamin D levels have immunologic implications with a significant decrease in immune function, affecting respiratory health. (10, 6, 11)

How Much Do I Take?

It's always recommended to consult your healthcare provider for individual dosing instructions, because your provider knows you unique history and presentation. Please reach out to us if you have questions!

For health, immune support and prevention:

During a time of illness:

Where Can I Get OrthoMune?

720-572-5236

REFERENCES

1. Wu W, Li R, Li X, et al. Quercetin as an Antiviral Agent Inhibits Influenza A Virus (IAV) Entry. Viruses. 2015;8(1).

2. Mehrbod P, Hudy D, Shyntum D, Markowski J, Łos MJ, Ghavami S. Quercetin as a Natural Therapeutic Candidate for the Treatment of Influenza Virus. Biomolecules. 2020;11(1).

3. Colunga Biancatelli RML, Berrill M, Catravas JD, Marik PE. Quercetin and Vitamin C: An Experimental, Synergistic Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Related Disease (COVID-19). Frontiers in immunology. 2020;11:1451.

4. De Rosa SC, Zaretsky MD, Dubs JG, et al. N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione in HIV infection. European journal of clinical investigation. 2000;30(10):915-929.

5. Aldini G, Altomare A, Baron G, et al. N-Acetylcysteine as an antioxidant and disulphide breaking agent: the reasons why. Free Radic Res. 2018;52(7):751-762.

6. Linus Pauling Institute. Zinc. 2019; https://lpi.oregonstate. edu/mic/minerals/zinc#impaired-immune -function. Accessed January 7, 2021.

7. Baum, M. K., Shor-Posner, G., & Campa, A. (2000). Zinc status in human immunodeficiency virus infection. The Journal of nutrition, 130(5S Suppl), 1421S–3S. https://doi. org/10.1093/jn/130.5.1421S

8. Maares, M., & Haase, H. (2016). Zinc and immunity: An essential interrelation. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 611, 58–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. abb.2016.03.022

9. Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9(11)

10. Falluel-Morel A, Lin L, Sokolowski K, McCandlish E, Buckley B, DiCicco-Bloom E. N-acetyl cysteine treatment reduces mercury-induced neurotoxicity in the developing rat hippocampus. J Neurosci Res. 2012;90(4):743-750.

11. Ginde AA, Sullivan AF, Mansbach JM, Camargo CA, Jr. Vitamin D insufficiency in pregnant and nonpregnant women of childbearing age in the United States. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;202(5):436.e431-438.

Learn about our Functional Medicine providers , here .

Insomnia? Try Yoga.

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 01:00:00 GMT

Can't sleep? Try Yoga.

Did you know that yoga can help with Insomnia?

According to a 2020 Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (high-level evidence), there is a "direct correlation of total class time with quality of sleep among other related benefits" for women who practice yoga.

A regular practice of yoga is a direct way to enhance your body's stress response, modulate neuroendocrine functions, and improve sleep.

The Healing Collective is now offering Zoom Yoga Classes with Dr. Jessie, an experienced Medical Therapeutic Yoga Instructor, so you can practice this ancient technology and get the great benefits for your nervous system, sleep, body, mind, heart, and life!

RESOURCES

Wang WL, Chen KH, Pan YC, Yang SN, Chan YY. The effect of yoga on sleep quality and insomnia in women with sleep problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis . BMC Psychiatry . 2020;20(1):195. Published 2020 May 1. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02566-4

"Scientific Research on Yoga and Sleep" YogaAlliance YouTube video. Accessed 1/22/2022. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBeGbOvYzEU&t=1s

Alzheimer's: Why is the Brain Deteriorating?

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 16:15:00 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of , Functional Medicine University .

Regarding Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, you may wonder ...

Why is the human brain deteriorating faster than the rest of the body?

There are a multitude of factors and today's article will touch on a few and also provide some solutions.

ARE ALL PHARMACEUTICALS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST?

For starters, it is disturbing that a common blood pressure medication called calcium channel blockers has been proven radiologically on MRI to cause brain shrinking . Research has shown that these drugs cause deterioration of the I.Q. within five years' use.

Another medication used to lower cholesterol called Lipitor also causes a decline in brain function. It is important to know that statin cholesterol-lowering drugs like Lipitor poison the liver's synthesis of cholesterol. This, in turn, will starve the brain of cholesterol needed to repair the brain, renew worn out membranes, and stave off Alzheimer's Disease.

Lipitor: Thief of Memory , written by the respected medical doctor, former astronaut, aerospace medical research scientist, flight surgeon, and family doctor, Dr. Duane Graveline, shares the story of his rapid mental decline after taking the drug Lipitor. This book is definitely worth reading.

Even with all this hard evidence, can you believe the pharmaceutical industry has created a potent drug which combines both the calcium channel blocker and a statin called Atorvastatin/Amlodipine (Caduet). Talk about a double punch to optimal brain function!

Moving on to another documented contributor of Alzheimer's, we can't forget the unavoidable player: heavy metals. We all have them in us due to environmental exposure and they poison brain repair enzymes, leading to Alzheimer's.

For example, there is no one who doesn't have aluminum in them, from eating out, aluminum cookware, aluminum flocculation agents in municipal drinking waters, aluminum in baking powders used in breads, processed and restaurant foods cooked in aluminum vats, industrial and vehicular exhausts, deodorants, antacids, and many other sources.

Aluminum causes the nerves in the brain to get tangled up (neurofibrillary tangles) as well as create a glue-like substance (called amyloid) to gum up the normal workings of the delicate brain electricity.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT UNAVOIDABLE ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICITIES AND PREVENT ALZHEIMER'S

Now, to provide some nutritional answers to reduce amyloid production we need to look no further than Phosphatidylserine (PS). This nutritional powerhouse has shown to perk up memory and stave off Alzheimer's. One interesting case showed that after a 3-month dose of supplementation of phosphatidylserine, memory improved to its baseline from twelve years earlier.

Most recently, there has been evidence to show that DHA may be an amyloid-eater.

Here is something even simpler: green tea. Real organic green tea has over three catechins or polyphenols. These compounds have been found to be potent preventers of amyloid deposition in the brain.

This short article is simply a glimpse of the research you won't see promoted on CNN or Fox News. Of course this is sad. There is another side of the clinical management of many diseases that the public will rarely if ever be shown unless you are a reader of alternative or functionally-oriented heath professional reports or journals. You are in the right place.

The take away from today's article is to NOT be your own doctor but seek out the assistance and help from someone trained and skilled in Functional Medicine who can properly evaluate you as an individual and outline a personalized program to help you get well.

REFERENCES

Haque A, et al. Green tea catechins prevent cognitive deficits caused by AB1-40 in rats. J Nutr Biochem. 19:619-26, 2008.

Behl C, et al, Vitamin E protects nerve cells from amyloid B protein toxicity, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 186:944-52, 1992

Hashimoto M, et al, Docosahexaenoic acid provides protection from impairment of learning ability in Alzheimer's disease model rats, J Neurochem, 81:1084-91, 2002

Rezai-Zadeh K, et al, Green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) modulates amyloid precursor protein cleavage and reduces cerebral amyloidosis in Alzheimer transgenic mice, J Neurosci, 25:8807-14, 2005

Crook T1, Petrie W, Wells C, Massari DC. Effects of phosphatidylserine in Alzheimer's disease.Psychopharmacol Bull. 1992;28(1):61-6.

http://www3.scienceblog.com/community/older/1997/B/199702039.html (Calcium Channel Blockers)

It's Not Dementia, it's Your Heart Medication: Cholesterol Drugs and Memory. Scientific American . Accessed online 1/4/2022: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/its-not-dementia-its-your-heart-medication/

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. We have a program specifically dedicated to the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer's called the Enabling Cognitive Repair ( , ENCORE ) Program. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO.

Learn more about our functional medicine providers , here .

Restless Leg Syndrome & IBS

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 16:15:00 GMT

Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University .

There appears to be a direct correlation between restless leg syndrome (RLS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What is restless leg syndrome?

RLS is a disorder in which a person experiences uncomfortable urges to move their legs. Symptoms typically occur during times of rest or inactivity, particularly in the evening and into the night and may contribute to insomnia. These bothersome urges are often relieved with movement. It is estimated that RLS affects approximately 7-10% of the population.

What Causes RLS?

Researchers have identified the following as possible contributors to the problem:

Clinical studies are showing that some people who have certain gastrointestinal disorders have a higher rate of RLS, including celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and IBS.

Studies estimate that approximately one-fourth to one-third of patients with IBS may also have RLS.

The specific gut issue associated with RLS is a condition called Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

SIBO is a condition in which rare gut-residing bacteria are over-represented in the gut.

Why does SIBO cause restless legs?

Chronic inflammation caused by SIBO or gut dysbiosis [when there's an unhealthy balance of types of gut bacteria] in the colon may release additional hepcidin — a hormone that can decrease iron availability in the brain and contribute to RLS.

A Stanford findings suggest that, potentially, treating a person's SIBO may help resolve the brain iron deficiency that contributes to RLS.

Promising Treatment

In one study, 13 IBS patients who tested positive for SIBO using breath testing were treated with the antibiotic rifaximin for a period of 10 days. Following treatment, according to the study, 10 of these patients experienced "at least 80% improvement" in their RLS symptoms. At a later follow-up date, half of these patients reported complete relief from their RLS.

For a more comprehensive natural treatment for SIBO, I recommend seeking the skills of a well trained functional medicine practitioner. They will review dietary recommendations specific for SIBO and natural botanicals (herbs) that are effective in treating SIBO.

Conclusion:

Although the studies are small, I believe there is hope that in patients suffering with IBS (SIBO) and RLS, treatment to eradicate SIBO could in fact be helpful.

References

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2869.2012.01011.x https://www.verywellhealth.com/ibs-and-restless-leg-syndrome-1944740 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3479257/ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190607122406.htm https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945720305426

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. , Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO.

Learn more about our functional medicine providers , here .

Sweat it Out

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 21:21:00 GMT

Relaxing in a sauna is a time-tested tradition in cold countries like Finland and Sweden, and Original Peoples have long used sweat lodges for spiritual ceremonies. In recent years, scientists have begun exploring sauna use for its potential health benefits. Evidence is mounting that sauna use — particularly of a high-quality infrared sauna — can enhance wellness in several ways. Saunas may improve cardiovascular health, exercise recovery, immune function, detox capacity, diabetes, depression, skin and wound healing, and of course, stress management.

Cardiovascular Health

Infrared sauna sessions raise your heart rate and increase circulation similar to the way a cardio workout does. Blood flow during infrared sauna use may rise from a normal rate of 5-7 quarts/minute to up to 13 quarts/minute. This increase in blood flow makes the heart work harder which, in turn, makes it stronger. This kind of “passive cardio” workout is especially helpful for people with injuries or conditions like fibromyalgia, POTS, or chronic fatigue syndrome that preclude them from high intensity activities.

Muscular Health

Those who can and do work out also benefit from the increased circulation that comes with sauna use. Exercise causes muscle breakdown. During recovery, the body heals that damage and rebuilds muscles to become even stronger. Good circulation is critical for proper healing. The more blood cells that can get delivered to muscles, the quicker they rebuild, increasing strength and boosting metabolism. This reduces risk of injury, improves bone density and may even help with excess body fat.

Immunity and Detox

Fever is one of the body’s first lines of defense against infectious organisms, such as viruses and bacteria. It hinders temperature-sensitive organisms from reproducing in the body and increases the rates of some important immunological reactions. Saunas can mimic fevers, intentionally raising the body temperature for therapeutic effect. Infrared light penetrates to the cellular level. Infrared heating technology gives you the highest quality and quantity of infrared clinically proven to raise core body temperature by three degrees.

Stress Reduction

Unwinding in a sauna just feels good! The soothing heat is the perfect setting for practicing mindfulness. Using a sauna therapy session to slow down and meditate can help with mental stress reduction. Meditation has been proven to reduce inflammation, cortisol, and cytokine chemicals and increase a sense of calm. A University of Wisconsin-Madison study found raising the body temperature of depressed volunteers to the equivalent of a mild fever brought improvement in symptoms of major depression for as long as six weeks after a single treatment.

SIGN ME UP!

We are happy to offer the myriad benefits of our Medical-Grade Far Infrared sauna therapy services right here at the Healing Collective in Niwot, CO. Call to schedule your Sauna Appointment today!

RESOURCES

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Beever et al. Do Far-infrared Saunas Have Cardiovascular Benefits in People with Type 2 Diabetes? Canadian Journal of Diabetes . 2010;34(2):113-118. Available online, here .

Clemens W. Janssen et al. Whole-Body Hyperthermia for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016. DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1031

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Evans SS, Repasky EA, Fisher DT. Fever and the thermal regulation of immunity: the immune system feels the heat. Nat Rev Immunol . 2015;15(6):335-349. doi:10.1038/nri3843

Harry T. Whelan, Robert L. SmitsJr., Ellen V. Buchman, Noel T. Whelan, Scott G. Turner, David A. Margolis, Vita Cevenini, Helen Stinson, Ron Ignatius, Todd Martin, Joan Cwiklinski, Alan F. Philippi, William R. Graf, Brian Hodgson, Lisa Gould, Mary Kane, Gina Chen, and James Caviness. Effect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Wound Healing . Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery . Dec 2001; 305-314. http://doi.org/10.1089/104454701753342758

Imamura M, Biro S, Kihara T, et al. Repeated thermal therapy improves impaired vascular endothelial function in patients with coronary risk factors. J Am Coll Cardiol . 2001;38(4):1083-1088. doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01467-x

Lee JH, Roh MR, Lee KH. Effects of infrared radiation on skin photo-aging and pigmentation. Yonsei Med J . 2006; 47(4):485-490. doi:10.3349/ymj.2006.47.4.485

Ketelhut S, Ketelhut RG. The blood pressure and heart rate during sauna bath correspond to cardiac responses during submaximal dynamic exercise. Complement Ther Med . 2019;44:218-222. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.002

Mero A, Tornberg J, Mäntykoski M, Puurtinen R. Effects of far-infrared sauna bathing on recovery from strength and endurance training sessions in men. Springerplus . 2015;4:321. Published 2015 Jul 7. doi:10.1186/s40064-015-1093-5

Sears ME, Kerr KJ, Bray RI. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. J Environ Public Health . 2012;2012:184745. doi:10.1155/2012/184745

Tomiyama C, Watanabe M, Honma T, et al. The effect of repetitive mild hyperthermia on body temperature, the autonomic nervous system, and innate and adaptive immunity . Biomed Res . 2015;36(2):135-142. doi:10.2220/biomedres.36.135

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SunLighten Saunas. Core Body Temperature Comparative Study. https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/9832d3f0-685b-0021-9fc3-0a88ee8dfc7a/dcff2181-16fa-4d4b-9dc0-a17e861cfc29/Core%20Body%20Temperature%20Study.pdf

SunLighten Sauna EMI Test. https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/9832d3f0-685b-0021-9fc3-0a88ee8dfc7a/33164ff5-ea58-4bb9-a3a8-ce35e00dabaf/Low%20EMF%20Test%20Results%20for%20Sunlighten%20Saunas%20by%20Vitatech%20Electromagnetics.pdf

Sun Lighten Saunas. Low EMF Test. https://www.sunlighten.com/light-science/safety/low-emf-infrared-sauna

Congratulations to Dr. Jessie!

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 03:01:42 GMT

+❤HeartMath® Now Available at THC!

We are thrill ed to announce that Dr. Jessie is now available to offer HeartMath® techniques and biofeedback sessions right here at the Healing Collective!

Dr. Jessie completed a Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath® Practitioner Course in November and is now Certified to offer these services to our clients during Physical Therapy sessions in the clinic. Online Zoom sessions are also available.

Jessie is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in Frequency Medicine including FSM and PEMF therapies, Functional Manual Therapy, and Medical Therapeutic Yoga. She treats chronic pain and complex conditions that have been resistant to conventional allopathic medicine, and she partners with her clients to achieve whole-person healing and wellness thanks to this integrative, heart-centered approach.

Stay tuned for a series of Be Well Blog Posts on HeartMath® and how these simple Coherence Techniques can transform your life. #AddHeart

"The HeartMath® Coherence techniques are so accessible, simple, and effective. As a meditator for over 15 years, I discovered HeartMath® when I was a research participant in a study on the effects of meditation on heart-brain coherence. The techniques and biofeedback technology have been transformational for the depth of my own practice. I am so excited to incorporate HeartMath® with my patients, as it allows for me to incorporate the essential aspects of emotional, mental, and heart-centered healing into my integrative Physical Therapy practice."

-Dr. Jessie Tierney, HeartMath® Tr auma-Sensitive Practitioner and Physical Therapist

Stay tuned for more about +❤HeartMath®, coming soon, right here at our BeWell Blog!

Call us and schedule a free consult to see if HeartMath® is right for you.