There is considerable discourse these days about longevity and its correlation to how we manage stress. Stress seems like a conditional part of day-to-day living. It is natural to have intermittent tension in life, yet incessant stress seems the new norm and ultimately creates risks for health decline. When chronic stress elevates, we find ourselves… Read more »
In this series on the medicinal value of local vegetation, I have discussed Fouquieria splendens (Ocotillo) and Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush). Now, we’ll look at Bougainvillea, one of the most decorative plants in the area. Unlike the previous two plants, Bougainvillea is not native to the desert. This shrubby vine comes from South America and… Read more »
As we age, many parts of our body wear out. Bones become more brittle. Muscles aren’t as malleable as they used to be. We ache after playing pickleball. We hurt after a round of golf. We pull muscles just getting out of bed or bending to pick up something. And our choices to relieve the… Read more »
As the calendar turns to a fresh year, many of us take the opportunity to reflect on our lives and careers. For those experiencing a career transition, this period of introspection is particularly emotional. Whether the transition was voluntary or the result of a layoff, the new year presents a chance to redefine goals and… Read more »
I love this time of year. As November draws near, I start thinking about my holiday menus, invite lists and the flurry of activity and travel that are sure to ensue. It’s time for cooking, entertaining and all the merrymaking of the season. But with that also comes the temptation of veering off course from… Read more »
In the vast world of health and wellness, the gut is recognized as a substantial component in influencing our overall well-being, from our immune system to our mental health. One less talked about, but equally significant, connection is the relationship between gut health and hormones in both women and men. This bond offers a deeper… Read more »
The art of pivoting is an act of shifting performed in most sports and throughout our daily life. When we pivot effectively, it opens the opportunity to change direction and pursue a beneficial forward trajectory. I grew up ice skating competitively. There is a fond memory of the elegant practice of a pivot creating the… Read more »
In the July/August edition of Desert Health, I wrote about one of the impressive plants native to the Southwestern United States, Larrea tridentata (aka creosote bush). In this edition, I’m going to discuss yet another plant that is not only native to the South-Southwest, but also exclusive to it. Fouquieria splendens (aka ocotillo) is a… Read more »
If our dreams are a microcosm of our waking world, is it any wonder we dream of living and deceased loved ones during the holidays? Dreams of people, parties and gatherings – whether soothing or stressful – can have many meanings and messages filled with hope and love. An email in my inbox read: Why… Read more »
As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, Live Well Clinic is proud to support the growth of the naturopathic profession by providing medical residencies. This year, we welcome our second active resident, Dr. Annissa Ceja, a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon. We would like to share Dr. Ceja’s unique… Read more »
It is true that change is the eternal constant. The average human body is replacing over 3.8 million cells a second, approximately 140 million babies are born every day and 275 million stars are born every year. And each moment of our lives is completely and uniquely different than any other moment that ever was… Read more »
When a toddler has a meltdown because they didn’t get the Skittles they had to have, they are seeking autonomy and a sense of independence by stating, “I am me! I am here! Listen to me!” However, an adult losing it with a loved one, impulsively reacting with insults or sarcasm, can be a sign… Read more »
Do nighttime dreams actually come true? According to groundbreaking, peer-reviewed breast cancer dream research published in the National Library of Medicine,1 the answer is a resounding “Yes.” While ‘dreams come true’ standardly elicits positive emotion, some precognitive dreams can actually predict illness, which was the basis for the aforementioned study where dreams were validated by… Read more »
Autumn, with its traditionally referenced vibrant foliage and crisp air, provides a perfect backdrop for cultivating gratitude. As nature prepares for a season of rest, we also can mirror this process in our own lives by embracing mindfulness and appreciation, and spending time in reflection and letting go. Yoga, a practice that harmonizes the mind,… Read more »
Good news rarely follows the devastation caused by World War. Lost lives, jobs and the familiarity of everyday reality is upended affecting every aspect of life. Food and water, the basic factors that sustain life, are no less affected as well. However, in the country of Norway, positive health effects did come out of World… Read more »
Electroacupuncture (EA) is evolving every day with new research and studies on how best to harness its power and effectiveness for various health issues including pain management, chronic or acute conditions, inflammation reduction and tissue repair, and healing. As an enhancement to traditional acupuncture, EA adds a very slight electrical current via tiny clips attached… Read more »
Did you know that some of the world’s most therapeutic natural resources are right in our own backyard? For centuries, people worldwide have turned to mineral hot springs to heal what ails them. These unique waters contain a deep concentration of earth’s elements, essential to the human body and to life. All the more, the… Read more »
Unlike bodywork practices such as massage, chiropractic or Rolfing, craniosacral therapy (CST) applies very gentle pressure to effect change on the system. The pressure used is similar to the weight of a penny or a feather on the back of your hand. Patients who have not experienced craniosacral sessions often wonder how CST can effect… Read more »
As you drive around the outskirts of the Coachella Valley and view the desert landscape, you will see one of the most resilient, oldest medicinal plants on earth. Native to Southwestern United States and northern Mexico, Larrea tridentata, commonly known as creosote bush and greasewood, covers this arid ground in almost a perfectly spaced pattern.… Read more »
Since early adolescence we have been primed to focus on our physical appearance. The world identifies who we are through our coiffed exterior presentation, and we spend a lot of time and money polishing the image others see. Imagine a world in which the interpersonal work to which we dedicate time is met with society’s… Read more »