What steps can we take to help patients regain nueroplasticity? You might be surprise by the answer. Dr. Datis Kharrazian explains on the Functional Forum.
#functionalforum #goevomed Datis Kharrazian, DHSc, DC, MS
Dr. Datis Kharrazian is one of Dr. Jay Sordean’s teachers of many years.
#TheRedwoodClinic #JaySordean For more information about functional medicine at The Redwood Clinic, go to http://www.theredwoodclinic.com/best-functional-medicine-berkeley/
What does GERD teach us about digestion as a feedback mechanism? Great information from Marc David on the Functional Forum from Boulder.
#functionalforum #goevomed The Institute for the Psychology of Eating
#TheRedwoodClinic #JaySordean For more information about functional medicine at The Redwood Clinic, go to http://www.theredwoodclinic.com/best-functional-medicine-berkeley/
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a complex disorder which affects the intestines ability to effectively move their contents; most often too fast but other times too slow. The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Less frequently occurring symptoms of IBS include headaches, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Symptoms are often triggered by stress, dietary changes, emotional upsets, hormone levels and even medications. Acupuncture and IBS are a perfect combination because acupuncture helps with so many of the underlying causes.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can offer a safe, effective, natural and drug-free way to address IBS. This holistic healthcare system looks at the body differently than Western medicine. According to Chinese medicine, the body is like a garden that must be cultivated and maintained in order to grow strong and remain healthy. Good health happens when all of the organs and meridian systems are balanced and working together.
According to Chinese medical theories, there are several possible causes for IBS including imbalances of the spleen, liver, or kidneys.
This video also explains this in more detail.
One of these is an imbalance of the spleen. The spleen is the organ in charge of digestion and assimilation of foods and liquids. One of the main functions of the spleen is to aid in the production of spleen Qi. Spleen Qi is the energy that provides power and nourishment for the entire body. Another function of the spleen is to produce blood from the food it breaks down and to convert it into usable energy to power your body. If your spleen isn’t properly cared for, the body’s energy levels will not be supported and illness may occur. The spleen is easily affected and weakened by poor eating habits and diet, antibiotics, excessive worry, or a weak constitution. When a weakened spleen cannot metabolize or process food efficiently, “dampness” appears in the body. Dampness occurs when rotting, undigested food sits in the gut, causing a variety of symptoms. If dampness “rises” to your head, you may experience headaches, a “foggy” feeling and an inability to concentrate. Over time, dampness can lead to bloating, fullness and loose stools.
Another possible scenario is an imbalance in the liver. According to Chinese medicine, the liver is associated with emotional health. Stress and anger directly influence the function of your liver. Alcohol, drugs and medications, or a poor diet further compromise its function. When this happens, your liver energy overflows, in a figurative sense, and attacks the spleen. If your spleen is already weakened, it can be easily overcome. The result can be stress-induced IBS. If your liver is compromised, you may experience alternating diarrhea and constipation, as well as bloating, gas, headaches, and dull pain. In this case, your liver may be the root of the problem, and your spleen the secondary problem.
An imbalance in kidney Yang could also cause IBS symptoms. Kidney Yang is energy that provides warmth for your body. This energy warms up your spleen to aid in the digestion and breakdown of food. If your kidney energies are compromised, you may experience early-morning diarrhea and possibly bladder incontinence, cold limbs, weak knees and a sore back.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can create a clear picture of the root imbalance(s) that lead to IBS symptoms. When you meet with your practitioner, he or she will determine what organ and meridian systems are contributing to your IBS. They may also suggest adjunct therapies such as herbs, dietary changes, breathing techniques and exercises in order to maximize your healing.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can provide a safe, natural, drug-free and effective way to address IBS.
Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you with your IBS. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.
Functional Medicine: Just exactly what is it? How is it different from conventional medicine? Why 
might you want to work with a functional medicine practitioner like Jay Sordean? This video explains it in full detail as Dr. Jay narrates and describes some of the distinguishing characteristics of this and how it differs from conventional medicine.
Dr. Jay has been studying and practicing functional medicine for the past 30 years. Learn about this medicine, focused on functional capacity in the body, in ways you may never have thought about it.
Additional resources can be heard at http://www.NaturalSolutionsWithDrJay.com
Learn about how the functioning of the body degenerates and how that leads to malfunction, disease, and THEN symptoms.
Water is an important part of your body’s functioning. What happens to your function when your water is toxic? Click on this link to learn more: http://www.theredwoodclinic.com/toxins-in-water/
Stress, trauma and toxicity are 3 of the most important causes of degenerating health. These each lead to decreased vitality and organ function, increasing inflammation and causing the body to have to work harder to repair damaged tissues. Call the office at 510-849-1176 to find out what we can do to help you regain your health.
Guest Author: Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O.,D.A.C.B.N., MS
Attention-deficit disorder affects a startling 17 million people and seems to be gaining ground every year.
As a parent of child suffering with this disorder.. what are you to do?? Attention-deficit disorder is the most frequently diagnosed childhood psychiatric condition in America. In the past most medical journals described this disorder as minimal brain damage, hyperactive child syndrome & minimal cerebral dysfunction.
The common symptoms include brief attention span, poor concentration, difficulty keeping track of things, making careless mistakes, impatience, difficulty waiting or taking turns, blurting out answers when not asked, impulsiveness, hyperactivity, failure to finish things off, lack of perseverance & poor organizing. These characteristics are frequently associated with difficulties in school, in both learning and behavior. Task that require concentration are nearly impossible causing frustration, irritability, agitation and often recklessness.
There are three types of ADHD: Inattentive, predominately hyperactivity and combined type. Girls are more prevalent to exhibit the symptom of inattentiveness, whereby boys tend to be more hyperactive. As a child with undiagnosed ADHD becomes a teenager, he/she may become involved in drugs and crime and will commonly drop out of school. In adulthood the predominant features are failure to complete tasks, disorganization, difficulty paying attention and difficulty beginning tasks.
Conventional Medical Treatment
The conventional medical treatment for ADHD is almost always pharmaceutical drugs such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or or the amphetamine Adderall. A review in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry notes that two antidepressants — bupropion and venlafaxine — are now being used as an alternative. “Talk therapy” is often recommended in conjunction with prescription medication for ADHD.
Alternative Medical Treatment:
The causes of ADHD are many and it would serve your child well for the parents to investigate the possible underlying factors that could very-well be causing the condition.
The Functional Medicine Approach looks at the triggers of ADHD. People with ADHD often have impaired digestion, environmental and food sensitivities, nutritional insufficiencies, heavy metal toxicities, fatty acid and amino acid imbalances, sensitivity to food additives and sucrose (sugar). Some studies indicate a possible genetic predisposition. Children with ADHD usually have histories of more ear infections (otitis media) than other children with learning problems.
It is unfortunate that many people who have children suffering with ADHD are not informed of all the options. I must agree that prescription medications such as Ritalin and Adderall can make a significant impact on the symptoms of ADHD. A child who once was inattentive is now focused and doing well in school. Who can ask for anything better?!! But, are you being told everything? What are the long-term health risk for your child?
Studies done on children taking Ritalin using a PET scan revealed that although the children had a reduction in their symptoms the PET scan was highly abnormal.
Most physicians are trained to treat ADHD with amphetamine-like drugs. But nutritionally oriented physicians have known for a long time that food allergy is a primary cause. The first major scientific study to show the link between food allergy and hyperactivity appeared in a 1985 issue of Lancet, a prestigious international medical journal. Dr. J. Egger, head of a pediatric university hospital in Munich, and Dr. J Soothill, London, England, studied the effect of food on 76 hyperactive children. 79% had clear improvement in their mental activity, emotions and behavior and 28 became completely normal. To prove their findings, the researchers reintroduced the allergenic foods to the children and their hyperactive symptoms returned.
The following have been linked to ADD:
•Food sensitivities
•Heavy metal toxicity especially lead has been linked to attention deficit and learning problems. Dr. H.L. Needlemen of the University of Pittsburgh Medical School has conducted scores of studies over the last 20 years clearly establishing the link between lead levels in children and specific hyperactive and attention deficit behavior traits. Follow-up studies indicate that these effects often persist into adulthood.
•Fatty acid deficiency
•Amino acid imbalances
•Methylation dysfunction
•Intestinal dysbiosis
•to name a few
Dr. Grisanti’s Comment:
I would have to say that I have not met a parent who did not want the best for their child. The parent who is struggling with what to do to help their child, faces a major dilemma. Should you medicate your child or take the road less traveled and identify the underlying cause of your child’s problem. Realize you have two sides of this sensitive issue. On one hand you have your family physician who insist that pharmaceutical drugs is the only way to go and offers no real alternative. And on the other hand, the volumes of medical research is quite over-whelming in favor of looking for the root cause(s) of your child’s condition.
Dr. Jay Sordean’s Comment:
Thank you to Dr. Grisanti for his well thought out and presented article. As a functional medicine professional, I am able to do these same evaluations and treatment strategies in my office. Please contact us at 510-849-1176 about setting up an appointment.
As a functional diagnostic medicine practitioner, I have studied functional medicine principles and practices with the top practitioners around the world. A leading curriculum on the subject is available to licensed professionals. The enrollment is at limited times, but if you don’t get in this time, you can reserve a spot for the future.
Fore information on Dr. Grisanti’s Program at the Functional Medicine University, click here.
The original of this article, used by permission, is found at:
http://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/1124.cfm