Has the stress of the past year left you feeling tight and achy? You’re not alone. For most of us, isolation has meant less movement, more stress, and fewer moments of joy. When heavy energy builds up with no way to release it, pain is often the result. Just as the ancient practice of acupuncture… Read more »
In a world of instant gratification, I have learned that developing patience can be short-lived and cause you to throw self-discipline out the window. And, yes, sadly, those two ways of being go hand in hand, regardless of the perspective you may hold. Many people are more likely to give up or suppress an emotion… Read more »
With temperatures rising in the Coachella Valley, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water — at least 60 oz per day — is critical in this regard. But just as important as how much water you drink is the container from which you drink. The convenience of bottled water has helped Americans increase their… Read more »
The art of relaxation comes naturally for some people, while for others, it is hard to turn off the chatter in their minds. You don’t need to sit in a lotus position and meditate; however, this is one way to start the feeling of easing out of fight or flight and into the parasympathetic response… Read more »
Which one of the following is your favorite food? 1) pizza, 2) chocolate desserts, 3) chips, 4) cookies, 5) fries or 6) ice cream. Did you have trouble picking just one? If so, it’s no surprise. These are the most addictive foods, according to the Yale Food Addiction Survey. It’s not uncommon to crave these… Read more »
Do you want to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Then give thanks in the morning. When you give thanks for a great day as soon as you wake, your subconscious mind primes you to actually have a great day. When you thank your body for healing from disease or injury while sick, your… Read more »
It is likely that you are currently or have experienced chronic pain at some point in your life. Low back pain, advanced cancer pain, arthritis, headaches and pain that seemingly can’t be linked to any specific cause are frequent complaints. Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care and one of… Read more »
Heartburn medication is the fifth most purchased over-the-counter medication. Dyspepsia or indigestion affects 21 percent of people, commonly women and smokers. The most common symptoms include abdominal discomfort, burning pain, bloating, nausea, or getting full as soon as you start to eat. There are a variety of reasons one may have indigestion, including infection, ulcers,… Read more »
For most of my life, I thought becoming a woman involved suffering and that it was a normal process of a woman’s development. As I watched my mother endure pain and distress, which made her unavailable to be a nurturing and loving mother, it left me wondering what was wrong with her – or what… Read more »
As we discussed in the January/February issue of Desert Health, the approach of accepting ourselves as multi-parted beings (mind/soul, body, spirit and ego) brings up a more significant meaning to our lives, but also to the process of healing, our health and sense of harmony. We will only find happiness and wholesomeness in our achievement… Read more »
Many of us have developed a heightened appreciation of the great outdoors this past year. This reconnection with nature comes during a time when the environment faces an unparalleled climate crisis with the rapid escalation of fossil fuels, pollution growth, plastic waste and CO2 emissions. Activities that allow us to cultivate mindfulness with Mother Earth… Read more »
The fact that humans are multi-parted beings is nothing new or trendy; it is quite old, and yet, our disregard causes so much pain and disappointment. There is a positive movement in the western world towards treating illness in a more holistic way. But are we ready to accept and act upon the fact that… Read more »
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing unabated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people to postpone travel and stay home to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. If it is impossible to avoid travel, here are some suggestions regarding supplements that increase immunity and can be used to help prevent illness. Melatonin is… Read more »
This past year, we have collectively experienced profound physical, mental and emotional stressors that have pushed us all to the limits and disrupted our self-care routines. We fall back on our “comfort foods” and what’s easy. We tend to overindulge with sugar, carbs and alcohol, and our bodies feel the impact of the resulting added… Read more »
COVID-19 has forced us all to adjust to a new normal. Classes, meetings and happy hours are just a few of the former face-to-face interactions that are now done virtually – substantially increasing screen time. Initially, there was more optimism toward it. People were no longer burdened by their commutes, and their go-to pair of… Read more »
The body is an amazing and complex machine. It is comprised of several systems that all have to run in sync to operate at peak capacity. It is something we don’t give much thought or credit to unless there is a malfunction or breakdown that causes pain or incapacitates us in some manner. The lymphatic… Read more »
Happy New Year, my dear friends. I know on a collective level, most of us are glad to see the end of 2020. That in itself is a reason for celebration with the good, bad and the ugly behind us; we did it! I want to personally congratulate you on getting past the worst of… Read more »
In current culture, vitality is frequently associated only with youthful enthusiasm. In the field of naturopathic medicine, vitalism is the lifeforce, the spark within each of us. It was taught and passed down by our founders and is woven throughout our medical education. Unfortunately, the constraints of testing and diagnosing do not elaborate much on… Read more »
As I was walking through the forests of Big Sur during the holidays, taking a socially-isolated reprieve from work and daily life, I was struck by the magnificence of how light expresses itself in the forest. In some areas, sunlight illuminates the burnt orange leaves of Oak trees. Around another corner, it reveals itself in… Read more »
There comes a point in chaos where finding the silver lining becomes key to coping with it all. This positive focus helps us move forward while continuously facing a multitude of uncertainties. As a doctor specializing in naturopathic medicine with a research background, there have been many silver linings for me. One silver lining is… Read more »