In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the basics of good health are a moderate lifestyle; a broad spectrum of cooked and fresh food and spices; regular exercise; adequate rest and relaxation; and a good attitude. In Chinese culture, these strategies are part of everyday life and Chinese herbs are a part of every meal. You may… Read more »
“When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath.” —Svatmarama, Hatha Yoga Pradipika The body can go weeks without food, and days without water or sleep, but can survive… Read more »
As a newcomer to Coachella Valley I was delighted to find Desert Health®. I see it as an informative health guide and applaud its role in bridging the gap between diverse medical professions. Since my arrival, I have discovered that most desert dwellers know little about Naturopathic Doctors (ND’s). To remedy this, I have prepared… Read more »
The power of the breath and its central role in health and longevity was something that the ancient Taoists verified more than 2,500 years ago. Now, centuries later, we know that breathing plays a very powerful role in energizing and detoxifying the body, and reducing the levels of pernicious, destructive stress. In our normal, everyday… Read more »
A Desert Health[sup]®[/sup] Review Many know reflexology as a foot and hand therapy. The concept is that each area of your feet and hands corresponds to a region and/or organ in your body. Thus, applying pressure in these areas can provide natural benefits for specific health concerns. Footloose Reflexology offers a $40 special (to Desert… Read more »
The Desert is lucky to have Bikram Yoga Plus–a beautiful facility that is modern, professional and very welcoming to experienced and new yoga fans alike. And it’s no surprise considering the brains and beauty behind the project. Denise DuBarry Hay, who founded and owned Malibu Yoga in the late 80’s, spared no details in designing,… Read more »
In China, where they practice Western and Eastern therapies for cancer, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plays an auxiliary but important role. It is employed to minimize the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, assist in pain management and strengthen the immune system. It also aids in dealing with the stress and emotional factors… Read more »
Often overlooked in the health care picture for individuals suffering from a life-threatening illness is the importance of stress management and a blueprint to assure present-moment happiness. A life-threatening illness diagnosis can be devastating. The patient and family are overwhelmed with the “what will happen” of the future or the “what ifs” of the past.… Read more »
Over the past few decades, developments in the field of oncology have allowed physicians to detect cancer earlier, intervene sooner with more effective treatments, and to monitor cancer growth more efficiently. However, even with advancements in modern medicine, far too many individuals still suffer from cancer and live in fear of how this disease may… Read more »
Vitamin D is making news headlines as an underappreciated, readily available vitamin with big health boosting potential. Internationally recognized as the leading authority on Vitamin D, Dr. Michael Holick has spent the last 30 years researching vitamin D and its role in bone, immune and nervous system function. He has written over 300 research papers… Read more »
Yeast has the reputation for causing infection, so the notion of taking a few billion a day to be healthy may be difficult to swallow. One yeast in particular, Saccharomyces boulardii, has an indisputable role in the health of the digestive tract in mammals. This yeast is considered a probiotic. “Pro-biotic” literally means “for life.”… Read more »
The President’s Cancer Panel issued a report to the President of the United States in 2009 entitled ‘Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk’. This panel is affiliated with the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services and the National Cancer Institute. A brief summary of these findings is important for all Americans to consider. The entire U.S. population… Read more »
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture employ a paradigm that uses the concept of Qi, or vital energy, traveling along defined pathways called meridians to both explain and treat disease and to restore harmonious, healthy body function. Qi can not be measured by standard western means and there are no corresponding anatomical structures to explain… Read more »
What is Integrative Cancer Care? Integrative cancer care uses a comprehensive approach to health, combining conventional and alternative therapies specific to the patient’s needs. Integrative cancer care is NOT about replacing your medical oncologist; it is about creating a diversified team of doctors and health practitioners to formulate your unique treatment plan. An integrative approach… Read more »
Contemporary life is stressful and to enhance the quality of our lives we must find effective ways to manage this stress. Many doctors now suggest we treat the ‘whole person’ by combining conventional Western medicine with complementary treatments, such as acupuncture, yoga and massage. Integrative medicine, as this is called, appeals to many patients because… Read more »
The human body is a complex, interconnected system, and a dysfunction in one location can present issues in a completely different area on the body. Supporting the basic foundations of health, such as digestion, is often overlooked in traditional medicine. If our basic body system is unhealthy it can cause progressive problems in other areas.… Read more »
Loving kindness is a precept of yoga that teaches us how to resonate and be compassionate with others.[sup]1,2[/sup] By cultivating loving kindness and resonating with others—including family, friends, strangers, and even adversaries—we begin to see that we are all essentially the same, with the same desires, fears and hopes. Understanding this, we can cope better… Read more »
It is often asked if a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) is qualified to practice as a primary care physician. The simple answer is yes. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct and comprehensive system of health care that combines a variety of natural medicines and treatments with conventional medical diagnostics and standards. Naturopathic doctors seek to restore health… Read more »
The latest in pain management medicine focuses on promoting the body’s natural healing process before turning to surgical repair or pain medications. The treatment is called Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy is a procedure that promotes the proliferation (growth) of new tissue in areas of damage. By stimulating the body’s inflammatory response around the injury, the body’s natural… Read more »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.” The symptomatic picture of CFS may vary widely among patients. For years the mainstream medical community did not consider CFS a valid medical condition. … Read more »