Category Archives for "Blog"

4 Ways to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in 2017

With the excitement and pressure of the holiday season over, and the New Year already well on its way, it’s time to plan out the rest of the year — that means focusing on mental and physical health. Though you’ve put the festivities behind you for the year, your body no doubt still feels the effects of all the party planning and family get-togethers. If you want to restore your nerves, all you need to do is make a wellness strategy. Here are four ways you can try to reduce anxiety and stress in 2017.

Try Acupuncture

Your level of stress is the result of imbalance in the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches us that our life force, or Qi, can grow stagnant because of interruptions in its flow from one region of the body to another along our meridians, causing discomfort and even disease. Acupuncture activates certain points on the body to open up this flow to release tension. With regular sessions, you can even lower your blood pressure.

Boost Your Nutrition

Stress and anxiety originates both inside and outside of the body. Like stress brought on by external stimuli, stress from within, because of poor diet for instance, can adversely affect your health. Changing your diet to include healthier options such as vegetables and exclude poor choices like sugary foods will help reduce the amount of energy your body wastes on maintaining itself will help, but a designed supplement plan can make up for the deficiencies that dietary restrictions can’t touch. As science advances, medical professionals can even pinpoint exactly what your body needs to feel its best.

Get Better Rest

Your body repairs itself during sleep. Your brain solidifies memories when you sleep. Put bluntly, you probably don’t get enough sleep. If you suffer from insomnia, you know what happens when you don’t get the rest you need. Your body chemistry literally changes. Lethargy, mood swings—these are just a few of the effects you can expect to experience with insomnia and bad sleeping habits. Make a point to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night so that you can rise to the challenges of each day.

Switch to Drug-Free Pain Management

When you are in pain for an extended amount of time, tension has a tendency to build up inside the muscles. The psychological effects of chronic pain, even dull pain, can include depression and anxiety. But managing that pain with opioids and other manufactured painkillers can leave you subjected to unwanted side effects and addiction. Treatments like acupuncture offer an alternative to pain management that doesn’t come with any hidden effects.

If you want to make 2017 a healthy and restorative year, make a New Year’s resolution to reduce stress and anxiety using these four tips. Call Miami acupuncturist Michael Forman, DOM at the Restorative Health Center in Miami. He and his team will help you fight off anxiety and stress using natural, side effect-free acupuncture techniques and nutritional supplements designed specifically for your body.
305-676-8475

Thanksgiving, Sugar, and Diabetes: 3 Simple Things that Can Help

Thanksgiving is a holiday that puts one thing on everyone’s mind: Food. Family and the original meaning of the holiday notwithstanding, food is a centerpiece. Be it cooking food, eating, overeating, or falling asleep after the huge meal you just ate, food is at the very core of the holiday. With that in mind, this is one of the most critical times of the year to maintain your diet. Foods high in sugar and sugar-forming products are especially popular during Thanksgivingâ€â€from whipped cream-covered pumpkin pie to carbohydrate-rich stuffingâ€â€which makes maintaining a healthy diet extremely difficult. Overindulging in sugary foods has been shown to lead to diabetes, which is actually on its way to surpassing heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States.

Read these tips to learn more about how you can avoid this disease:

Avoiding Sugar and Sugar-Based Foods

During the holidays, it can be difficult to keep track of how much you are eating. The best thing to do is to aim for small portions, choose the right foods, and avoid anything you think will derail your progress, such as sweet desserts and rich dressings. If that means an extra helping of broccoli and potatoes and skipping the pie at the end, then that is what you should try to do. Everyone is different, so you should pay attention to how your weight is affected by different amounts of food and different caloric intakes.

Ways to Help

Worry not! There are some things you can do to reverse the damage and put yourself back on track to a healthy lifestyle.

Here are a few things you can try:

• Exercise at least 30 minutes, three times a week – Not only does regular exercise promote good health and digestion, but it also increases your sensitivity to insulin and immediately utilizes some of the glucose in your blood. Both of these things can help with mitigating the potential for diabetes or other endocrine disorders.
• Acupuncture – Studies have shown that Acupuncture treatments have a significant effect on the levels of blood glucose present in patients. Additionally, a 2010 meta-analysis was able to prove that Acupuncture is also a viable treatment for insulin resistance, one of the triggering factors for Type II diabetes.
• Change diets – Like it or not, diet heavily influences type II diabetes. It’s time to cut out the simple carbs, fruit drinks, and sodas. In fact, it might serve you well to cut out bread entirely, as well. There is no single catch-all diet to help you lose weight, but avoiding bad foods is 90% of the work.

Michael Forman is committed to finding a solution for your dietary and metabolic needs. In addition to trying to manage your glucose levels with Acupuncture, you should consider optimizing your nutrient intake with Nutrition Response Testing. After testing for what your body needs, you can begin to supplement the nutrients that are lacking.

If you would like to shed the weight and, more importantly, begin to live healthily, contact Michael Forman and his team of specialists at the Restorative Health Center in Miami to schedule an appointment. With a combination of Acupuncture and Nutrition Response Testing, you may finally be able to begin your journey to a healthier you.

305-741-2102

Experiencing Any of These Symptoms? Get Your Thyroid Checked!

The thyroid is perhaps the most important endocrine gland in the entire body. Among the many things controlled by the thyroid are protein synthesis, the sensitivity of the body to hormones, and the rate energy sources are being utilized. Given its important role in a number of body systems, it should come as no surprise that when things go wrong in the thyroid, a cascade of negative events take place. Whether the thing that goes wrong is an autoimmune disease or an acquired one, getting it taken care of as soon as possible is of the utmost importance.

The thyroid itself is primarily made up of cells which are used to secrete hormones. Nerves directly interact with these cells to influence production and stimulate an increase or decrease in relative hormone levels.

Symptoms

Symptoms of thyroid issues may not present themselves or become obvious for years, even when the thyroid is on the decline. Here are some things you can be on the lookout for:

• Increased levels of water retention around the eyes, in the hands, and in the feet leading to bloating.
• Swelling and thickening of the tongue and related areas which can lead to slurred speech and hoarseness.
• Dry skin, hair, and brittle nails.
• Loss of libido.
• Muscle weakness and joint stiffness.
• Psychological issues such as depression, weakness, or abnormally frequent fatigue, even after rest.

Prevention

Prevention and early intervention is the key to long-term care of the thyroid. Typically, thyroid issues are treated with specific thyroid medications or even a supplementation of thyroid hormones. Alternative treatments aim to help nutrients get to the area and improve the tissues there. There are a number of things that a person can do in order to maintain and improve the health of their thyroid, though it is essential that you first get a baseline reading to find out where you stand. Here are a few suggestions:

• Take Vitamin A and Zinc supplements. These will help with hormone receptor binding and help improve the effectiveness of the thyroid.
• Eliminate foods that are known to have immunogenic effects such as wheat and dairy. This will help to eliminate potential adverse reactions within the thyroid.
• Exercise on a regular basis. This serves to improve tissue sensitivity, decreases stress in the body, and helps to stimulate the synthesis of thyroid hormone.
• Try acupuncture. It has been shown to not only promote increased sensitivity in the body to thyroid hormones.
• Make sure you are getting enough iodine. Iodine is essentially the precursor to many of the hormones produced by the thyroid. As such, if you don’t have enough, your thyroid is not going to work properly.

Make your appointment with Dr. Forman today for a complete evaluation of your body’s systems, including your thyroid. If any of your body’s systems are out of balance, we offer all-natural, drug-free solutions to address the underlying cause — not just the symptoms.

305-741-2102

5 Ways to Improve Your Spleen and Blood Health This Summer

Blood is the primary means through which the body delivers nutrients and oxygen to your organ systems. It is the vessel through which immune cells travel in order to deal with threats, such as infection. The spleen and the liver act as filters, which clean the blood, create new blood cells, and act as platelet storage areas. They are also key parts of the immune system. When things go wrong with the blood or the spleen, whole body illness can follow. It makes sense, then, to try to maintain blood health and improve it as much as possible.

Here are 5 great ways you can improve and maintain blood and spleen health this summer:

Eat the Right Foods

Foods that are rich in blood building materials are grass fed beef or lamb; free range chicken, wild caught fish and pasture-raised eggs. Green leafy vegetables are very rich in iron and other blood building components and support health spleen and liver function. Avoid bread and high carb products, as well as sugar/sweetener containing products and these tend to compete with your body for essential nutrients and minerals essential for blood health.

Exercise Regularly

At least 30 minutes of exercise per day is best for optimal health. The exercise that you do doesn’t have to be anything extremely strenuous. In fact, some of the best exercise for cardiovascular health is low-impact activities. Walking around the block a few times, taking a long walk at the park, or just choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator are all ways you can add a bit of exercise to your daily routine.

Avoid Sitting

Standing desks are becoming more and more popular, and there is a reason for that–sitting for long periods is bad for your health. It causes poor circulation and allows blood to pool in the areas of the body that are compressed during sitting. In turn, the heart must work harder to keep blood flowing, which causes the filtering function of the liver and the spleen to slow down. If you must sit, try to get up and move around every 20 minutes or so.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce stress and improve the health of both the blood and the spleen. By balancing the body, acupuncture effectively lowers the blood pressure and increases circulation.

Try Yoga

The movements and breathing techniques that yoga teaches have been shown to improve both blood circulation and heart health. By moving the body deliberately through various poses, yoga can facilitate blood flow, metabolism, and waste disposal by the spleen.

Whatever method or combination of methods you choose, improving your circulation and the health of your blood will dramatically improve both your overall wellness and your quality of life. Seeking out the help of a qualified acupuncturist or nutrition specialist can help get you on the path to better blood and spleen health. Call Dr. Forman and his compassionate team today to learn more.

305-741-2102

5 Ways to Beat the Heat for a Healthy Summer with Acupuncture

With the warm weather that it brings, summer is the best time of year to be outside having fun. Many people visit the beach, go hiking, or just enjoy sunbathing in the backyard. Vacationers flock to the scenic coast cities and towns, such as Miami, to relax and lounge in beach chairs while the waves lap at their feet. But with great weather comes great responsibility concerning your well-being–though the warmth of the sun can feel good on your body, prolonged exposure to its rays can be harmful to your health. Many of the health issues, such as seasonal migraines, associated with unprotected or ill-prepared sun exposure do not present symptoms until after the damage has run its course, so it is important to be informed of the risks and take precautions before soaking up the sun. Luckily, acupuncture can help prevent and treat the onset of migraines that come with warm weather.

Here are 5 common health issues associated with heat and UV exposure and how you can prevent them:

Dehydration

Dehydration sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Even if you are not exerting much energy, soaring temperatures can quickly sap your water reserves. Symptoms include dry mouth and eyes, decreased sweat production, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, and heart palpitations. For those prone to them, dehydration can trigger the onset of migraines, as well. To prevent dehydration, make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day (the amount varies depending on your size, weight, and other factors, but aim for at least eight glasses) and make sure you always have a bottle on hand, just in case. The best rule of thumb is ½ your weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 135 lbs, you should aim for at least 8 glasses (8 oz.) of water per day. In very hot conditions, you will need even more. You can also prevent hydration by eating foods that have a high water content, such as fruits and vegetables. If you begin to feel any of the above symptoms, rest in a shaded area and get some water. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Increased Skin Cancer Risk

Preventing skin cancer may not be at the top of your list of concerns when it comes to the summer months, but it is important nonetheless. The intense UV rays the summer sun puts off may feel good on your skin, but overexposure without proper protection can accelerate signs of aging and lead to skin cancer.

Sunburn

Sunburn, a more immediate concern than skin cancer for outdoor enthusiasts, can ruin a perfectly good vacation or weekend away from home. For many fair-skinned people, getting a lot of exposure to the sun will lead to sunburn. Even if your body is used to sun exposure, you can still end up looking like a tomato. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to sun exposure. One of the best nutritional preventions to potentially harmful sun exposure is plenty of naturally occurring poly-unsaturated fatty acids like flax seed oil. Also known as Vitamin F, these oils can help process excess Vitamin D levels caused by over exposure to the sun to help tissues absorb them and avoid harmful sun burning.

Sun Poisoning

Sun poisoning is a more severe form of sunburn. Often, it will present itself suddenly and bring symptoms such as chills, fever, nausea, dizziness, rapid breathing, and rapid pulse. Stay hydrated, cool yourself down, and follow the same precautions that you would to avoid sunburn and you should be fine. If you begin to notice any of these symptoms, seek help immediately.

Heat Stroke

Potentially the most dangerous item on our list, heat stroke is a life-threatening form of hyperthermia (high body temperature). Often, heat stroke will present as a sudden fainting, so it is important to recognize it when it happens to others (or if you begin to feel light-headed yourself). According to the Health Research Funding Foundation, 31% of deaths resulting from heat stroke are attributed to excessive natural heat (outdoors). Even so, there is a 100% survival rate if you seek proper treatment immediately.

If you are already suffering from heat-related health issues, such as increased migraines, consider alternative treatments such as acupuncture. Acupuncture has been shown to decrease the duration of migraines and headaches, whether chronic or brought on by other factors. For more information about this and other natural therapies, contact Dr. Michael Forman, DOM, and his staff at 305-741-2102 to schedule a consultation.

8 Healthy Foods that Help You Maintain Energy While Losing Weight

One of the most difficult parts about dieting for weight loss is the dramatic shift in energy levels you begin to experience if you don’t eat enough healthy foods. It is hard to stay motivated to keep going on a diet plan when you barely have the ability to get up out of bed in the morning. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some healthy foods you can add to your diet which both promote weight loss and boost your energy levels.

Here are healthy 8 foods that help you maintain energy while losing weight:

1. Beans – Legumes are packed with good starches and add both fiber and probiotics to your diet. The protein they release is slow-acting, giving you energy for longer and keeping you from becoming lethargic throughout the day.
2. Sweet potatoes – Contain nutrients, fiber, and slow releasing carbohydrates. Exactly what you want to keep your energy up.
3. Oats – Steel cut whole grain oats will contain more nutritional value than regular oats. They are high in fiber, help with water absorption, and help clean out the intestines. Oats also help to regulate energy levels and prevent spiking glucose levels (and insulin).
4. Berries – Blueberries, blackberries, currants, and raspberries (any red or dark colored berry) are great for providing sustained energy. These berries are high in natural sugar to boost your energy and contain lots of antioxidants to help your immune system. Oh, and they are delicious too!
5. Seeds – Chia and Flax seeds are among the best. Not only do they have healthy fats but they are (big surprise) another great source of fiber. Chia seeds absorb liquids and create a kind of gel that helps you keep full long after you have eaten.
6. Fish – Fish are full of healthy fats (omega-3 in particular) and other nutrients. Some of the longest living and healthiest cultures on Earth live on a diet consisting primarily of fish and rice.
7. Rice – Surprisingly, white rice is better for you in many ways than brown rice is. Aim for shorter grain white rice for a good boost of energy and healthy carbohydrates. These will help keep you hydrated and fill you up too.
8. Avocado – One of the best sources of healthy monounsaturated fat. Eating avocados can lower cholesterol levels and provide good fats for the body to use for energy. They give are a good source of fiber, and support weight loss by providing sustained energy to the body.

It is important to note that adding these healthy foods is not a substitute for exercise or eating less calories per day. Everyone is unique and has their own nutritional requirements. Only through careful measure of how you feel and what the scale looks like will you truly succeed in your weight loss journey. Another thing to note? Don’t be afraid of fat. While carbohydrates trigger your body to produce insulin, they also trigger your body to produce hunger hormones. Fats, on the other hand, are primarily responsible for triggering your body to be satisfied. A few healthy fats from nuts or coconut oil between meals will fill you up and promote overall health. You can learn more about building a personalized nutrition plan by contacting Michael Forman and his experienced team. Call today to set up an appointment.

305-741-2102