Orthomolecular Medicine: Vitamin and Mineral Therapy

Orthomolecular medicine focuses on the individual nutritional needs of a person and uses both diet and nutrient supplements to restore and maintain the correct nutritional balance. “Ortho” means “correct.” Orthomolecular medicine corrects or normalizes the molecular balance of vitamins, minerals and amino acids in the body. Because this type of medicine involves quite large doses of certain nutrients, it has been referred to as “megadose” therapy

Benefits

This nutritional approach helps maintain good health, improve health through proper diet, and cure and treat illness. Orthomolecular medicine has been used widely, though controversially, for both physiological and psychiatric conditions. Some commonly treated afflictions include colds, heart disease, cancer, depression and schizophrenia. It can provide dramatic recovery when nothing else has worked.

Using its broadest definition, people who take a daily multi-vitamin pill to supplement their diets are practicing orthomolecular medicine–they are trying to “correct” the nutritional deficiencies in the food they eat.

Proper orthomolecular therapy is an intense, directed and thorough approach to nutrient supplementation. It takes into account individual nutritional needs on the basis of age, sex, activity, stress and the presence of disease. In this respect, it aims to employ “custom-made” therapies which, unlike conventional pharmaceutical preparations, remedy the underlying causes of diseases to prevent further problems. In effect, orthomolecular medicine helps the body help itself out of an imbalanced or diseased state.

Did You Know?

Vitamin C Helps Coronary Artery Disease

A recent study at Boston University found that patients with coronary artery disease, given 2 grams of vitamin C per day (which is approximately thirty times the RDA), had clearer arteries by the end of the study.

How Does It Work?

Orthomolecular medicine defines itself by questioning two common medical assumptions: that a well-balanced diet will provide us all the required nutrients; and that we are all generally alike in the amount of nutrients we need, typified by the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) rating system.

These assumptions fail to recognize that our food is not as high in nutritional value as it once was. It is often grown on mineral-depleted soil with the aid of chemicals, and then refined or processed so that any bit of nutrient value left is stripped away. A good example of such “empty” food is bleached white flour.

Our nutrient requirements also vary throughout our lives according to activity levels, sex and genetic predisposition. The aim of orthomolecular medicine is to provide optimal nutrients to the body through a whole food diet, unhindered by junk foods, sugar, additives, and free of allergens. When necessary, nutrients are supplemented through pills or injections to ease symptoms as well as to correct and prevent deficiencies.

Orthomolecular therapy is not meant to be a replacement for standard medical treatment, but a complementary approach which is better suited to particular disorders. For orthomolecular physicians, nutrition, which has been largely ignored in medical training, is the main component of all treatment.

Inadequate nutrition from eating a diet of processed foods, sugar, junk foods and chemical additives leads to disease. A deficiency of even one nutrient affects the functioning of body processes. A deficiency of vitamin C, for example, is well known to have caused scurvy, especially common in English sailors of the nineteenth century. This was eventually remedied by providing citrus fruits and juices on the ships. Eating too much or too little proteins, fats or carbohydrates–that is, an unbalanced diet–also leads to impaired body function.

How Is It Done?

Diagnosis

The orthomolecular physician’s goal is to discover the cause of a disorder and to devise a suitable treatment program to remedy it. Most often, the first area of patient analysis will be the diet, and determining if there are important nutrients which are low or missing in the daily dietary intake. In addition, food allergies, sensitivities and exposure to chemicals may be considered. A number of laboratory tests, such as those for glucose tolerance, thyroid function, insulin levels, and analyses of the hair, blood and urine, are used by orthomolecular physicians.

Treatment

The main problem for the orthomolecular therapist is to discover the optimum levels of certain nutrients to relieve symptoms, and restore and maintain health. As noted above, these optimum levels may vary drastically for different people, and for a number of reasons. Simple trial and error is the most effective way to determine the optimum levels. Physicians and patients work together to find the level which restores health without causing either unpleasant or dangerous side-effects.

The first treatment option is always reformulating the diet to eliminate junk foods, refined foods, sugar and caffeine, as well as those foods high in chemical additives. Any food which the patient knows makes him or her sick should also be eliminated. A diet of whole, raw, live and unrefined foods, balanced in proteins, fats and carbohydrates, is basic to orthomolecular treatment.

In some cases, a patient’s nutrient needs cannot be supplied in the diet alone and must be supplemented. Vitamin or mineral injections are often used to provide an initial, quick response and are usually followed by nutrients orally. These dosages are quite high by modern medical standards. For example, in some cases the successful treatment of schizophrenia with vitamin B3 (niacin) took 3,000 mg per day, which is more than a thousand times the current RDA.

Physicians begin with dosages which long experience has shown to be most effective for a particular condition. Through patient consultation and examination, dosages may be slowly lowered or raised until the rate of improvement is satisfactory to both doctor and patient. For example, high doses of vitamin C can cause intestinal gas and diarrhea, an unpleasant side-effect for the patient. In administering vitamin C, orthomolecular physicians attempt to find the level of “bowel tolerance”-that level just shy of producing gas and diarrhea.

Once a patient has displayed improvement, the dosage is slowly lowered. If any symptoms return, the dosage is increased. This process determines the “maintenance dose”-that dosage which, for a particular patient, is adequate to maintain health and freedom from symptoms.

What Can I Do?

Avoid refined foods, chemical additives and any food you know makes you sick. Read up on nutrients and their deficiency symptoms and try supplementation with the recommended dosage. For more intense therapy, see a qualified orthomolecular physician

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)

Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP is blood plasma with concentrated platelets. The concentrated platelets found in PRP contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including growth factors that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. These bioactive proteins initiate connective tissue healing: bone, tendon and ligament regeneration and repair, promote development of new blood vessels, and stimulate the wound healing process.

To prepare PRP, blood is taken from the patient and through a separating process, the components within the blood are isolated to produce the PRP. The entire process takes about 15-20 minutes. When PRP is injected into the damaged area it stimulates the tendon or ligament as well as causing mild inflammation that triggers the healing cascade.

PRP injections can be performed in face (Vampire face lift) muscles, tendons and ligaments all over the body. Some examples include: rejuvavenation of skin face, fractures, muscle strains, ligament sprains, articular cartilage injury, acute tendon rupture, and chronic tendinopathy.

IV Infusions Therapy

We all want balance in our lives. And sometimes it feels unattainable. Tough jobs, traveling, late nights–they take their toll and leave us feeling run down, worn out…off. Intravenous infusions though previously only used by athletes and celebrities, are now available to the general public. And their efficacy and benefits are undeniable.If you need to restore your vitamin levels, enhance your performance, rehydrate your body, bolster your immune system, fight jetlag or simply cure a hangover . Refuel your body in less than 45 minutes with exactly what it needs.

WHAT IS IV Infusions?

The nutrients in an IV solution can be used instantly by your body because they will not be lost during the digestive process. Due to the high levels of nutrients contained within the solution, the “concentration gradient” allows rapid and efficient active transport of the nutrients into your cells, yielding optimal results. Vitamin supplements are indisputably beneficial, but when taken orally in pill form–your body’s natural metabolic absorption process can render up to 85% of that vitamin useless. Intravenous therapy delivers a higher concentration of nutrients to your cells through the bloodstream, allowing your body to better absorb and utilize them.

WHY INFUSE

IV infusions deliver vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly to the body for maximum absorption. This process allows these enriching nutrients to flood your body and nourish your system at the cellular level. The IV method also means that larger doses of these supplements can be safely administered that could not be tolerated orally. Additionally, the digestive system is effectively bypassed in this process, which is extremely beneficial for those who have digestive issues. And in certain instances, the body’s deficiencies are so great that ordinary oral supplementation simply isn’t enough.

IS IT SAFE?

The nutrients utilized in IV infusions are vitamins and minerals which are categorized as “Essential Nutrients”- those that our bodies must have in order to, not just survive, but function healthfully–that we are unable to derive from other raw materials. With the advent of the modern diet, processed foods began to dominate the market, which has translated to pervasive deficiencies of these Essential Nutrients, and a spike in chronic illness.

These infusions are primarily beneficial to their users, but small risks are involved. These risks are associated with the IV method, however. Bruising may occur at the injection site, and is comparable to having blood drawn for a lab test. Certain side effects may include “infiltration”, which can be caused by vascular fragility and result in a rupture of the vein wall and fluid leakage into the surrounding tissue. The user will experience a localized burning sensation which will dissipate as the IV is moved to another vein. Patients with small, difficult-to-locate veins or who are prone to vascular weakness may not be candidates for IVMT. It may be possible, in some instances, that a period of oral nutrients administered in high doses can rebuild one’s nutritional state, strengthening the veins to the point that IVMT therapy is once again a viable option.

100% VITAMIN ABSORPTION

IV Therapy rapidly boosts nutrient levels in the center of cells–where nutrients are needed most. And only when those cells have the concentration of nutrients they need to function properly can true healing begin. Most patients report immediate improvements after an infusion. Nutrients, fluids and medications that cannot be taken by patients orally can be administered by IV. When you administer these vitamins via saline drip, you rehydrate and achieve higher absorption.

BENEFITS

Fights exhaustion & fatigue
Aids recovery from jet lag & hangover
Protects and promotes healthy immune and circulatory system function
Prevents viral infections
Boosts energy levels and improves athletic performance
Helps regulate sleep, mood & appetite
Slows the Aging Process
Improves the appearance of skin, hair & nails
Detoxifies the body
Improves libido and sexual drive
Increases red blood cell production

COMMON AILMENTS

Exhaustion
Poor Blood Circulation
Migraine, Headache
Hangover
Jet Lag
Lack of Concentration
Memory Loss
Cold/Flu
Stomach Bug
Seasonal Allergies
Stress
Dehydration
Depression
Muscle Aches
Athletic Overexertion
Morning Sickness from Pregnancy

VITAMIN

VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is used to:
– Form an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels
– Heal wounds and form scar tissue
– Repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth

Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are made when your body breaks down food or when you are exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation. The buildup of free radicals over time is largely responsible for the aging process. Free radicals may play a role in cancer, heart disease, and conditions like arthritis. The body is not able to make vitamin C on its own, and it does not store vitamin C.

B 6 – PYRIDOXINE
Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly. All B vitamins are water-soluble, meaning that the body does not store them. Vitamin B6 helps the body make several neurotransmitters, chemicals that carry signals from one nerve cell to another. It is needed for normal brain development and function, and helps the body make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which influence mood, and melatonin, which helps regulate the body clock. Along with vitamins B12 and B9 (folic acid), B6 helps control levels of homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine is an amino acid that may be associated with heart disease. Your body needs B6 in order to absorb vitamin B12 and to make red blood cells and cells of the immune system.

B 5 – DEXAPENTHANOL
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is an essential component of coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein (ACP). In both CoA and ACP, a derivative of pantothenic acid, 4′-phosphopantetheine, forms the active portion of the compound. COA is required for the chemical reactions that produce energy from carbohydrates, fats, proteins and for the synthesis of essential fats, cholesterol, certain hormones, and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. ACP is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids. The principal functions of pantothenic acid are through CoA which is required for synthesis of essential fats, sterols, steroid hormones, melatonin, acetylcholine, and heme (a part of hemoglobin and many metabolic proteins).

B 12 – METHYLCOBALAMINE
Vitamin B12 also called cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the 8 B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially a ecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Neither fungi, plants nor animals are capable of producing vitamin B12. Only bacteria and archaea have the enzymes required for its synthesis, although many foods are a natural source of B12 because of bacterial symbiosis.

B COMPLEX
B-complex 100 is a combination of B vitamins. 100 mg of NIACIN (B3), THIAMINE (B1) and 2mg of DEXAPENTHANOL (B5), RIBOFLAVIN (B2), PYRIDOXINE (B6).

MINERAL

CALCIUM
Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. The body needs calcium to maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it supports their structure and hardness. The body also needs calcium for muscles to move and for nerves to carry messages between the brain and every body part. In addition, calcium is used to help blood vessels move blood throughout the body and to help release hormones and enzymes that aect almost every function in the human body.

MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health. Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs. Only 1% of magnesium is found in blood, but the body works very hard to keep blood levels of magnesium constant. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines. Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys.

COPPER
Copper Is an important mineral that helps the human body absorb and use iron. It is also involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate that creates energy for the body. It is an important part of many enzymes, for example, superoxide dismutase. Food sources of copper include oysters and other shellfish, nuts and dried legumes. Supplemental forms include sulfate, gluconate, picolinate and is included in most multivitamins.

ZINC
A mineral that is essential to the body and is a constituent of many enzymes that permit chemical reactions to proceed at normal rates. Zinc is involved in the manufacture of protein (protein synthesis) and in cell division. Zinc is also a constituent of insulin, and it is involved with the sense of smell. Food sources of zinc include meat, particularly liver and seafood; eggs; nuts; and cereal grains.

SELENIUM
Selenium is an essential trace mineral. This means your body must get this mineral in the food you eat. Small amounts of selenium are good for your health.
Selenium helps the body with making special proteins, called antioxidant enzymes, which play a role in preventing cell damage. It helps your body protect you after a vaccination
Some medical studies suggest that selenium may help with the following conditions: certain cancers, prevent cardiovascular disease and help protect the body from the poisonous effects of heavy metals and other harmful substances

AMINO ACID

GLUTATHIONE
It is the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia and more, and necessary to treat everything from autism to Alzheimer’s disease. I called it the mother of all antioxidants. The good news is that your body produces its own glutathione. The bad news is that toxins from poor diet, pollution, toxins, medications, stress, trauma, aging, infections and radiation all deplete your glutathione. This leaves you susceptible to unrestrained cell disintegration from oxidative stress, free radicals, infections and cancer. And your liver gets overloaded and damaged, making it unable to do its job of detoxification.

L-ARGININE
L-arginine is a chemical building block called “an amino acid.” It is obtained from the diet and is necessary for the body to make proteins. L-arginine is found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. It can also be made in a laboratory and used as medicine.
L-arginine is converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow. L-arginine also stimulates the release of growth hormone, insulin, and other substances in the body.

L-PROLINE
L-Proline is a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced naturally in the body, as long as people have sufficient uptake of the products needed to synthesize it. The acid can also be found in meat and certain animal products, or it can be taken in through supplements. It is one of the 20 amino acids that form proteins. Although people rarely become deficient enough in L-Proline to develop health problems, many people could benefit from having higher levels of it in their bodies. The amino acid has many benefits, such as lowering the buildup of arterial deposits and the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, one of the benefits of this amino acid that is best recognized is its effect on the appearance and health of the skin.

L-LYSINE
L-Lysine is an amino acid that the human body does not naturally produce. It is needed for growth and bone development in children. It can also be used to treat herpes simplex infections. Good food sources include eggs, brewers yeast, legumes, dairy, fish and meat.

L-CARNITINE
L-Carnitine is an amino acid that plays an important role in the body’s production of energy and is naturally found in the human body. It aids in maintaining healthy heart and brain function, treating kidney disease, treating male infertility, acts as an antioxidant and can be used as a weight loss supplement. Good food sources include red meat, dairy, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

L-GLUTAMINE
L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in the human body and plays a vital role in the metabolic processes. Glutamine aids the immune system, provides fuel to many cells in the body, and is a necessary energy source for the body. Good sources include high protein foods like fish, meat, beans and dairy.

L-GLUTATHIONE
L-Glutathione (GSH) is often referred to as the body’s master antioxidant. It can be found in virtually every cell of the human body. The highest concentration of glutathione is in the liver, making it critical in the body’s detoxification process.
Glutathione is also an essential component to the body’s natural defense system. Viruses, bacteria, heavy metal toxicity, radiation, certain medications, and even the normal process of aging can all cause free-radical damage to healthy cells and deplete glutathione. Glutathione depletion has been correlated with lower immune function and increased vulnerability to infection due to the liver’s reduced ability to detoxify.
As the generation of free radicals exceeds the body’s ability to neutralize and eliminate them, oxidative stress occurs. A primary function of glutathione is to alleviate this oxidative stress

0.99% SALINE SOLUTION
0.99% Sodium Chloride Injection USP is a sterile solution of sodium chloride (more commonly known as salt water).

ALKALINE
The pH refers to a measurement of acidity or alkalinity. Your body functions best when the pH is slightly alkaline.
Therefore an Alkaline diet is key for optimizing vitality because alkaline diets keep our tissues supple and reduces inflammation, which is a culprit in several disease processes like arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel disorders, and even cancer. Alkalizing your body also builds and strengthens bone, thereby reducing the incidence of osteoporosis.

ANTIOXIDANT

D- ALPHA LIPOIC ACID
Alpha lipoic acid is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell in the body. It’s needed by the body to produce the energy for our body’s normal functions. Alpha lipoic acid converts glucose (blood sugar) into energy.

Alpha lipoic acid is also an antioxidant, a substance that neutralizes potentially harmful chemicals called free radicals. What makes alpha lipoic acid unique is that it functions in water and fat, unlike the more common antioxidants vitamins C and vitamin E, and it appears to be able to recycle antioxidants such as vitamin C and glutathione after they have been used up. Glutathione is an important antioxidant that helps the body eliminate potentially harmful substances. Alpha lipoic acid increases the formation of glutathione.

Treatments Info

Holistic Medicine

Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness. According to the holistic medicine philosophy, one can achieve optimal health -- the primary goal of holistic medicine practice -- by gaining proper balance in life.

Holistic medicine practitioners believe that the whole person is made up of interdependent parts and if one part is not working properly, all the other parts will be affected. In this way, if people have imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it can negatively affect their overall health.

A holistic doctor may use all forms of health care, from conventional medication to alternative therapies, to treat a patient. For example, when a person suffering from migraine headaches pays a visit to a holistic doctor, instead of walking out solely with medications, the doctor will likely take a look at all the potential factors that may be causing the person's headaches, such as other health problems, diet and sleep habits, stress and personal problems, and preferred spiritual practices. The treatment plan may involve drugs to relieve symptoms, but also lifestyle modifications to help prevent the headaches from recurring.

Principles of Holistic Medicine

Holistic medicine is also based on the belief that unconditional love and support is the most powerful healer and a person is ultimately responsible for his or her own health and well-being. Other principles of holistic medicine include the following:

• All people have innate healing powers.
  

• The patient is a person, not a disease.

• Healing takes a team approach involving the patient and doctor, and addresses all aspects of a person's life using a variety of health care practices.

• Treatment involves fixing the cause of the condition, not just alleviating the symptoms.

Holistic Medicine: Types of Treatments

Holistic practitioners use a variety of treatment techniques to help their patients take responsibility for their own well-being and achieve optimal health. Depending on the practitioner's training, these may include:

• Patient education on lifestyle changes and self-care to promote wellness. This may include diet, exercise, psychotherapy, relationship and spiritual counseling, and more

• Complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, homeopathy, massage therapy, naturopathy, and others

• Western medications and surgical procedures

Holistic Body Work Release

Holistic Body Work Release leads the individual to optimal balance of the physical, emotional, social and psycho spiritual aspects of health, using systems–oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolved body treatment in the practice of holistic medicine that seeks to release the energy in tense or blocked areas of the body, caused by:  acute and chronic health conditions, stressful impacts and events, repressed emotions and muscular tensions.

During the sessions we spend time with patient listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that can influence long term health and complex chronic disease, in this way HBWR supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.

Employs a Wide Range of Techniques: Acupuncture, Exercise of Movement Therapy, Body Alignment, Myofascial Stretching, Acupressure, Joint Compression & Decompression, Rhythmic Breathing, Deep & Soft Tissue Manipulation, Thai-Shiatsu Body Circuit Application, Reflexology, Assisted Hatha Yoga Positions & Energetic Balance.

Treats and Relieves: Biological Stress, Toxics Emotions: anger, anxiety, emotional overweight, fears, guilt, depression etc. Any Type of Pain: headache, migraine, neck, shoulder, back, hip, knee, ankle, lumbar herniated disc, arthritis, fibromyalgia. Constipation, Boosts: immune system, tissue regeneration, Helps to Release Toxins and Promotes Bliss and Wellness.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (Medical Acupuncture)

Acupuncture is just one of the elements that make up the discipline often referred to as Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine, or T C M, is a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that include techniques such as massage therapy and acupuncture, along with herbal medicine and various forms of mind-body exercise such as Thai-Yoga, Movement Therapy, Tai Chi Chuan & Chi Gong.

In many countries, licensed acupuncturists are independently licensed health-care practitioners. In some places, physicians who obtain additional training and qualification in acupuncture are allowed to perform acupuncture within the scope of their license to practice medicine.

The term medical acupuncture is used to denote the practice of acupuncture performed by a licensed physician.

Medical Acupuncture  is a precise peripheral nerve stimulation technique, in which fine solid needles (acupuncture needles) are inserted into anatomically defined neurofunctional sites, and stimulated manually or with electricity for the therapeutic purpose of modulating abnormal activity of the nervous system and/or the endocrine, exocrine and immune systems, in pain syndromes, functional problems, and any diseases in which these modulatory mechanisms are available. Neuromodulation occurs through neurological and neurohumoral mechanisms at multiple levels, namely: peripheral nerves, spinal cord, brain stem, brain and cerebellum.

Acupuncture Physiology

When an acupuncture needle is inserted into a traditional acupuncture point, certain nerve fibers are stimulated, which results in a nerve impulse being sent to the spinal cord. Here, endorphogenic cells are stimulated to release endorphins (brain chemicals) such as enkephalin and dynorphin. These substances provide local inhibition (blocking) of the incoming pain signal.
In addition to causing effects in the spinal cord, the nerve impulse produced by the acupuncture needle is also transmitted to the periaqueductal gray area of the mid-brain, where enkephalin is released. Enkephalin, in turn, brings about the release of the monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in the spinal cord. These monoamines play a role in suppressing the transmission of the pain impulse. In addition to its role in reducing pain, serotonin is involved in producing an antidepressant effect in the brain. In fact, many of the newest antidepressant drugs work by prolonging the effect of serotonin in the brain.
A third effect brought about by acupuncture is the release of beta-endorphin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland into the bloodstream and cerebrospinal fluid. The endorphins produce system-wide pain relief, remote from the area where the acupuncture needle was inserted. ACTH, in turn, activates the adrenal gland to release cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol is a naturally occurring steroid substance that has anti-inflammatory properties.

The net result of these three areas being stimulated is an inhibition of the incoming pain sensation locally, a general, morphinelike, pain-relieving effect throughout the body, an anti-inflammatory effect, and a general sense of improved well-being.

Side Effects of Accupuncture

Acupuncture has relatively few, if any, side effects. The most common side effect from acupuncture is a feeling of deep relaxation and an increased sense of well-being. As with any puncture, a slight discoloration at the acupuncture site may occasionally occur. This is temporary and not dangerous. One published report documents the safety of acupuncture even when performed on people receiving the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin).

What is acupuncture used for?

People use acupuncture to relieve pain and treat certain health conditions. You can use it by itself or as part of a treatment program. Studies have found promising results for the use of acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy, chemotherapy, and postsurgery pain. Acupuncture also may be useful for:

• Stroke rehabilitation, which involves relearning skills that a person lost because of brain damage from a stroke.

• Headache, A study shows that adding acupuncture to standard treatment leads to significant, long-lasting relief from chronic headaches, especially migraines.1

• Menstrual cramps.

• Tennis elbow.

• Fibromyalgia, or widespread pain and tenderness of muscle and soft tissue.

• Myofascial pain, caused by spasm in the muscles.

• Osteoarthritis, or the breakdown of the tissue (cartilage) that protects and cushions joints. A study found that acupuncture can reduce knee pain and increase movement of the knee in people with osteoarthritis.2

• Low back pain. For people who have low back pain, acupuncture may help decrease pain and increase activity.
  

• Carpal tunnel syndrome, or pressure on a nerve in the wrist that results in tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain of the fingers and hand.

• Asthma
  

• Drug addiction. Acupuncture may help reduce symptoms of withdrawal after a person stops taking a drug he or she is addicted to. It may also help prevent a relapse. More studies are needed to learn about the benefits of acupuncture.

• Dental pain.

• Weight Loss (Body and Ear Acupuncture)
  

       Aesthetic Medicine & Antiaging

Definition:
Aesthetic Medicine: A Booming Discipline!

Aesthetic Medicine comprises all medical procedures that are aimed at improving the physical appearance and satisfaction of the patient, using non-invasive to minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. The Aesthetic Medicine specialty is not confined to dermatologists and plastic surgeons only, as doctors of all specialties seek to offer services to address their patient’s aesthetic needs and desires. All Aesthetic Medicine procedures are performed under loco-regional anesthesia.

The exciting field of Aesthetic Medicine is a new trend in modern medicine. Patients not only want to be in good health, they also want to enjoy life to the fullest, be fit and minimize the effects of normal aging. Indeed, patients are now requesting quick, non-invasive procedures with minor downtime and very little risk. As a general rule, the needle is increasingly replacing the scalpel.

These aesthetic procedures consist of:

Injections of Neruotoxins and Dermal Fillers
Chemical Peels
Cosmetic Dermatology treatments
Microdermabrasion
Body Contouring and Treatment of Cellulite
Nutrition
Hair Transplant
Hair Reduction
Fat Grafting/Platelet Rich Plasma
Laser and IPL
Scar Management
Venous Treatment

The real benefit of practicing Aesthetic Medicine is the type of care that practitioners are offering to their patients. These procedures are elective and are performed on patients who do not suffer from illness. They are usually happy and in excellent health. They simply want a minimally invasive preventative procedure to help manage the normal effects of aging.

When to see an Aesthetic medicine specialist

You may consider seeing an aesthetic medicine specialist if you:

• Are seeing the physical signs of aging – Aesthetic medicine also falls under anti-aging medicine since it deals with the common signs associated with increased age, such as skin laxity as the body reduces the production of collagen, a fiber protein that provides support to the skin tissue, and slow metabolism, which can lead to excessive, unwanted fat.
  

• Want to boost your self-esteem – Aesthetic medicine can help improve the mental and social capabilities of patients. A better physical appearance often enhances mood, increases self-confidence, and leads to better self-satisfaction.
  

• Have undergone trauma that have affected your appearance – Violence and accidents can create traumatic injuries on the body that may be so severe they can lead to disfigurement, amputation (loss of limb), or significant decrease in body function. Burns, for example, can contract the skin, limiting the movements of the limbs.
  

• Are diagnosed with certain medical conditions – Aesthetic medicine can be considered as a preventive or management measure for certain medical conditions that can potentially change the patient's physical appearance. These include cancer, diabetes, obesity, hormonal imbalances, hyperhidrosis, hirsutism, allergies, and autoimmune diseases like lupus and psoriasis.
  

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy treatment is a non surgical cosmetic solution aimed at diminishing problem areas in your body such as cellulite, excess weight, body contouring, and face/neck rejuvenation, just to name a few. It is administered via numerous injections containing various types of FDA approved medicines, vitamins, and minerals.

-- It is introduced into the mesoderm, the layer of fat and tissue underneath the skin.
-- The content mixture of the injection varies in accordance with each unique case and specific area to be treated.
-- Mesotherapy can also assist in reducing pain, and in replenishing hair loss in both men and women.

It's a Revolution!

Needless to say, mesotherapy treatments are here to stay. Many people are welcoming this simple, non-surgical procedure into their arms…or thighs….or face.

Medical Peelings

Most of us experience skin problems such as pigmented lesions, post-inflammation scars, sun-tanning damage, wrinkles, scars, blackheads and stretch marks. Fortunately, such problems nowadays do not need to be masked with a foundation. Such imperfections can be permanently removed with appropriately chosen chemical peeling.
If you decide to undergo this treatment, a doctor in a surgery will apply the appropriately chosen peeling type to your facial skin or selected body parts. What is crucial is the penetration depth and concentration.
The most commonly-used substances include glycolic acid, TCA, mandelic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, pyruvic acid, ferulic acid and yellow peel. These substances penetrate the skin deeply and initiate its restructuring. They control the function of sebaceous glands and affect melanocytes and melanin responsible for formation of discolourations.
Thus, a series of peeling treatments regenerates the epidermis and skin making the skin better hydrated, firm and brightened.

When can peeling be used?

– pigmented lesions
– post-inflammatory discolourations
– sun-tanning damage
– small wrinkles
– scars
– blackheads
– stretch marks

Contraindications:

– skin exposure to the sun (very sunny summer)
– skin allergies, active herpes
– tendency for developing cheloids
– scars after surgical procedures on the face (up to 2 months earlier)
– pregnancy, breast-feeding, numerous melanocytic naevi
– status post cryotherapy – up to 6 months
– autoimmune disease – collaganosis, pemphigus
– irritated, damaged skin
– heavy acne – numerous pustules, purulent cysts require previous pharmacotherapy
– oral therapy with vitamin A derivatives – e.g. with Roaccutane – at least 6-months’ interval is required

Course of the treatment

Success is guaranteed by selection of the appropriate preparation. A doctor, after interviewing you, will choose the safest preparation for you and one that will do its job. The state-of-the-art chemical peeling preparations are highly effective and act rapidly. They cause virtually no allergies, and their application – taking a few minutes – may give a stinging sensation. After the treatment, you can function normally and get back to work. After a TCA peeling, the skin begins to peel off around 3 days after the treatment.
Post-treatment recommendations:
– tanning is forbidden for 4 weeks before and after the treatment
– sun screens with SPF of at least 50 must be used
– creams containing AHAs must not be used for 14 days
– make-up can be applied a few hours after the treatment
– scratching off the peeling skin is strictly forbidden
– intense skin moisturisation and oiling (vaseline) is recommended

Effects

– elimination of small wrinkles
– reduction of skin redness
– smoothening of acne scars
– removal of pigmented lesions
– skin brightening
– constriction of sebaceous glands
– smoothening and moisturisation
– skin firming
The skin will become radiant and fresh, and wrinkles will become shallower!

Botulinum Toxin

Muscle contractions in the face lead to formations of fine lines and wrinkles.

Botulinum Toxin type A  is recommended for patients seeking preventative and non-invasive anti-aging solutions to fine lines and wrinkles such as crow’s feet and frown lines. Through a comprehensive consultation process Dr. José R. Reyes will tailor the best non-invasive treatment plan for you. Botulinum Toxin Type A  is sold under a number of brand names in Dominican Republic such as Botox® and Dysport®.

How does ( Botulinum Toxin A) Work?

Botulinum Toxin A, a well-known injectable that is used to temporarily relax certain muscles of the face to restore youthfulness, is commonly used by Dr. José R. Reyes in his practice. Through a relatively painless procedure, Botulinum Toxin A is injected underneath the skin in order to minimize and smooth out lines and wrinkles. Botulinum Toxin A has the ability to make a remarkable difference to wrinkles and brow position – leaving you with a fresher and more youthful appearance.

Botulinum Toxin A  is also very effective for excessive sweating under the arms, sweaty hands and feet and is much safer than traditional surgical methods used to reduce hyperhidrosis.

Botulinum Toxin A  is ideal for:

Forehead wrinkles

Crow’s feet
Frown lines (between eyebrows)
Relief of tension headaches
Relief of jaw clenching and grinding
Nasal Profile (lifting of the tip)
Chronic Rhinitis
Sweating

PDO Thread Lift

Thread lift treatments are a minimally invasive procedure using dissolvable PDO threads (Polydioxanone threads – a medical grade thread used for suturing for over 20 years) which are broken down naturally by the body over time. PDO Thread Lifts are designed to rejuvenate, regenerate and improve your facial structure, giving you the same benefits as a facelift, but without the need for surgery.

 

How does the PDO Thread Lift work?

The threads used in the Beauty Lift are made of soluble PDO (polydioxanone) which is a material that has been used in medicine for many years, mainly in surgery (cardiovascular surgeons). However, research has shown that PDO relaxes muscles and tendons, and also stimulates the production of new collagen in the skin. PDO also stimulates the synthesis of elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin, both of which are vital for keeping the skin looking plump and youthful.

The PDO thread is inserted into the skin through a very fine needle or cannula. Depending on the area to be treated, the thread is introduced into either the skin itself, the subcutaneous fat, or the muscle. A lifted appearance can be seen immediately following the treatment, however, the results will improve in the following days and weeks as the PDO stimulates neocollagenesis, which in turn produces collagen. The overall texture of the skin is improved; it becomes thicker, tighter and firmer and fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed away.

Different lengths and thicknesses of thread are used for different areas of the face. Short strands of threads can be used to treat fine lines around the eyes, while thicker strands can be injected into the muscles of the forehead as an alternative to Botulinum Toxin (Botox or Dysport).

The threads are naturally absorbed by the body in six to eight months, however, the effect of the treatment can last for up to two years.

Please take into consideration the following;

Bruising can happen. The degree of bruising varies not only depending on the area being treated, but also from patient to patient. However, you do need to be aware that considerable bruising could possibly occur, and plan your social calendar or work commitments around this.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are sterile gels used to plump up areas of the skin, helping them look firmer and restoring the skin’s former youthful appearance. Smoothing out wrinkles and softening folds can make an enormous difference to your appearance. By restoring volume your skin will look smoother and softer, giving you a fresher more youthful glow.

 What can Dermal Fillers treat?

1. Sleep Lines/Forehead Lines

2. Frown Lines

3. Crows Feet

4. Tear Trough

5. Cheek Enhancement

6. Nose to Mouth Lines (Nasolabial Folds)

7. Smokers Lines (Peri-oral Lines)

8. Lip Enhancement

9. Smile Lines

10. Mouth to Chin Lines (Marionette Lines)

11. Chin Enhancement

12. Jaw Line

What is the treatment like?

The filler is injected with a very fine needle under the skin surface. An anaesthetic cream will be applied to the area for approximately 20 to 30 minutes prior to the treatment. Any discomfort is therefore minimal. For lip treatments, an anaesthetic nerve block is used which is similar to a dental injection. Treatments then take about 20 to 30 minutes.

After the treatment

The results with dermal fillers are instant. Afterwards the treated area may be slightly red and/or slightly swollen; however you can resume normal activities, drive yourself home or return to work immediately after the treatment.

Are there any side effects?

Although uncommon, possible adverse effects may include:

Injection-related reactions.

These reactions may include swelling, redness and discomfort, itching and bruising at the injection site immediately after the treatment. Such reactions are typically mild and resolve within a few hours.

Allergic reaction.

The risk of an allergic reaction is extremely rare and they are usually self-limiting. Allergic reactions can however be treated with oral or injectable corticosteroids or the product removed using an injectable enzyme (hyaluronidase).

Infection.

As with all injections, this procedure carries a risk of infection. The syringe is sterile and standard precautions associated with injectable materials are always taken.