4/22/24
Happy Earth Day!
Since it is Earth Day, let’s talk about the benefits of being in nature.
What is Earthing?
It is a therapeutic technique that electrically reconnects you to earth. Scientific research shows that direct physical contact with the earth’s electrons, promotes positive physiological changes in the body. Some of the benefits are;
- Improved sleep
- Reduced pain
- Decreased stress and anxiety
- Decreased depression
How do you Earth?
*Walk barefoot in the grass, sand, mud. Take 5 minute, longer is even better, to put your bare feet in the grass. Dig your toes in the sand or even mud. You can also Earth by using the palms of your hands to touch the earth.
*Lay down in the grass or on the ground. Allow your skin to touch the earth. Kids do all these things naturally without thinking about them.
*Wade or swim in a clear lake or ocean
*You can also Earth/Ground indoors by purchasing a grounding mat.
Grounding mats are good for when you are working in an office or for cold, snowy, winter days. Spring is here and summer is right around the corner to be able to get outdoors. Try to ground/earth a few times a week. Even if it’s just for 5 minutes. See how you feel after doing it for a few weeks!
Happy Earth Grounding!!!
2/19/24
What is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy?
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy is a noninvasive, nonpharmacological modality that is used to promote optimal cellular function. PEMF jump starts the body’s natural healing abilities. This therapy helps to maintain general cellular health and function by regulating the natural electromagnetic field of the body in a noninvasive and gentle way.
Balanced Wellbeing cannot make any claims that we can affect medical conditions. The PEMF mat is not a medical device, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Instead, they optimize the body’s natural self-healing and self-regulating function.
During your PEMF session you will be in a zero-gravity chair with the PEMF mat under you. There is a combination of PEMF, heated gemstones, and far infrared heat during your session. The far infrared heat or the PEMF function can also be used separately. An electric current is passed through copper coils in the PEMF mat. This generates the magnetic field that enters the body’s cells. You do not feel the electric current through the mat. There are also 5 different crystals in the PEMF mat, Amethyst, Tourmaline, Jade, Obsidian and Quartz. When the crystals are heated up during the session, they all naturally produce negative ions. Negative ions can neutralize free radicals (positive ions) in and around you. Negative ions can improve mood, decrease stress, increase energy, improve the immune system, and leave you feeling rejuvenated.
Each of our cells throughout our body has a membrane. The membrane is like an outer shell that allows molecules to pass in and out of the cell. It also has an electromagnetic charge that determines how permeable the membrane is. When our membrane’s charge is weakened, it doesn’t allow as many molecules and nutrients to pass through the cell. It also slows down the process of removing waste to keep the cell clean.
When our cells are exposed to Pulsed electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy, the electromagnetic charge of the membrane becomes balanced, making the membrane more permeable. This allows the necessary amount of nutrients to enter the cell and cleanses it of toxins.
“Because cells make up the entire human body, when they are healthier, so is the rest of our body.”
Low frequency PEMF results on a cellular level:
Nitric Oxide (NO)
- Studies suggest that PEMF therapy improves blood flow, oxygen delivery, tissue regeneration, and pain relief by increasing your body’s ability to release nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide release is a common healing mechanism following injuries. Nitric oxide permits different cell types to communicate and coordinate complex tissue functions, such as vasodilation or gastrointestinal peristalsis. NO coordinates how tissue responds to changing circumstances and permits adaptive changes, such as muscle response to endurance training to help reduce inflammation, or the immune response to a pathogenic insult.
Cytokines
- Cytokines are proteins in the cell that regulate the immune system and inflammation. There is scientific evidence that PEMF can up-regulate anti-inflammatory cells and cell-signaling cytokines and de-regulate pro-inflammatory cells. Thus, resulting in enhanced functional recovery for inflamed injured tissue.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
- ATP is the energy currency of the body that is produced by the mitochondria of the cell. It is required for all cellular processes, including muscle contraction. Research has shown that PEMF therapy can increase ATP production in muscle cells which can result in improved muscle function and strength.
PEMF therapy has been shown to have a wide range of benefits for various conditions and aspects of health and wellness. Results vary with each individual. PEMF therapy is a complement modality to acupuncture but can be done as a standalone therapy.
PEMF therapy requires multiple sessions for the best results. Some of the most common and well-studied benefits are:
- Pain relief: Reduction of pain by blocking the transmission of pain signals, increasing the production of endorphins, and reducing inflammation and swelling. PEMF therapy can be pain management for acute and chronic pain, such as from injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and more.
- Wound healing: Accelerate wound healing by increasing blood flow, oxygen delivery, collagen synthesis, and cellular proliferation. PEMF encourages the healing of skin wounds, burns, ulcers, surgical incisions, and fractures.
- Bone health: Improve bone health by stimulating bone formation and enhancing fracture healing.
- Circulation: Improve circulation by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow. IE: cardiovascular health, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease.
- Mental health: PEMF therapy can improve mental health. IE: depression, anxiety, insomnia, and mood.
- Immune system: PEMF therapy can boost the immune system by stimulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as white blood cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages. IE: infections, inflammation, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
- PEMF therapy can help athletes manage pain, and recover faster.
Possible side effects:
Temporary Pain Increase: For patients experiencing severe pain, PEMF therapy can be an alternative to pain medication. However, it may temporarily increase pain due to improved circulation to nerves or nerve cells.
Mild and Temporary Side Effects: Overall, PEMF therapy is considered safe. Reported side effects include dizziness, decreased blood pressure, fatigue, agitation, weakness, sleep disturbances, and a fall in blood sugar levels.
PEMF therapy is a non-invasive and drug free approach that has gained popularity as another way for managing pain and supporting the body’s natural revitalization. While its primary focus is on recovery and inflammation reductions, some individuals report experiencing relaxation, improved sleep, and enhanced overall well-being.
Individual responses may vary. Always consult with your Physician or Healthcare professional before starting any new therapy.
There are many studies that have been done on Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy. Here are a few links to some of the research:
1/30/24
Infrared Saunas for Health and Well-Being
Saunas date back to ancient times and have been used for various health purposes, such as relaxation, detoxification, and pain relief. There is a modern type of sauna that uses infrared light instead of steam or hot air to heat the body. This is called an infrared sauna, and it has some benefits that you may not get from a traditional sauna.
An infrared sauna is a device that uses infrared lamps to emit an electromagnetic type of heat that penetrates your skin approximately 1.5 inches and warms the body directly. Unlike a traditional sauna, which heats the air around you to a high temperature, an infrared sauna operates at a lower temperature, usually between 110°F and 140°F. This makes it more comfortable and tolerable for some people, especially those who have difficulty breathing in hot and humid environments.
According to some studies and research, using an infrared sauna may have the following benefits for your health and well-being:
- Stimulate the cardiovascular system and increase blood circulation, like moderate exercise does.
- Reduce inflammation and pain in the body and joints.
- Relax tight muscles.
- Boost mood, memory, and cognitive performance.
- Promote relaxation.
- Detoxify and help eliminate toxins through sweating.
- Improve skin health and appearance by stimulating collagen production, enhancing blood flow, remove toxins and impurities from pores.
- Improve sleep by relaxing the body and mind to improve the quality and duration of sleep.
If you are new to infrared saunas, start slowly and gradually. The optimal time and temperature may vary depending on your personal preference and tolerance. Generally, your first session is 10-15 minutes and gradually increases with each session but should not exceed 40 minutes or 140°F per session.
Points to remember:
- Stay Hydrated: Infrared saunas can make you sweat a lot. Drink plenty of water before and after your session to keep hydrated.
- Wear loose and breathable clothing: You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in, such as a bathing suit, shorts and T-shirts etc. Avoid wearing tight or synthetic fabrics that can restrict your blood flow or trap heat and moisture. You should also remove any jewelry, glasses, or contact lenses that can get hot or damaged by infrared heat.
- Listen to your body: You should pay attention to how you feel during and after your session and stop or take a break if you feel dizzy, faint, or uncomfortable.
- Rest and recover: Give yourself some time to rest and recover, before resuming your normal activities. You may feel tired, or lightheaded after your sauna session, so avoid strenuous work afterwards and be sure you have recovered before driving.
Infrared saunas are a therapeutic tool with a variety of potential benefits for your physical and mental health. There are certain conditions and medical contraindications to take into consideration before proceeding with an infrared sauna session. Such as, pregnant or maybe pregnant, nursing, fever, heat intolerance illnesses, hemophiliacs, pacemaker, chemotherapy, artificial joints or metal surgical implants. You should have a consultation with your physician to make sure an infrared sauna is suitable for you if you have any of these conditions. Contraindications are explained and discussed by Balanced Wellbeing to be able to clear you for the use of the infrared sauna.
Follow the safety guidelines, to enjoy a relaxing safe and effective sauna session for aches and pains, tight muscles, chronic fatigue, improve skin, and more.
1/15/24
Acupuncture For the Effects of Stress
Stress can have detrimental effects on the body physically and emotionally. Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. When you sense danger, whether it’s real or imagined, the body’s defenses kick into gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response. When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper, preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand. This response is the body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.
The body doesn’t distinguish between physical and psychological threats. When you’re stressed over a busy schedule, family issues, relationships, finances, or just daily living, your body reacts just as strongly as if you were facing a life-or-death situation.
The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feel familiar, even normal. You don’t notice how much it’s affecting you, even as it takes a toll. Stress affects the mind, body, and behavior in many ways, and everyone experiences stress differently.
Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, cause sleep problems, increase pain of any kind, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even leave you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
New research demonstrates that acupuncture exerts medically significant benefits by regulating brain chemistry and inhibits a protein, CRH (corticotrophin releasing hormone) that is released in response to stress. Acupuncture initiates a cascade of biochemical responses that reduce the stress hormones that can have a negative effect on bodily functions, including digestion and immunity.
1/10/24
ANNOUNCEMENT – I will be moving my practice to 180 South Main Street, Waynesville Ohio 45068. It’s time to grow my practice and I will be able to do that in the new space.
My practice will be closed as of 1/12/24 in Historic Springboro Main Street. There’s a lot to do! But I plan to be ready and settled in Waynesville by 2/9/24. I will still be answering my phone and texts to answer questions and to make appointments.
I will be adding a few new therapies, look for those under the services tab. I will also be blogging about these services in more depth.
Balanced Wellbeing’s services can help to sustain and encourage the body’s natural healing abilities for renewed health.