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Dr. Daniel Hoover

5 Benefits of Herbal Medicine

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When people suffered from ailments, they turned to herbal medicine in ancient times. In recent years, the popularity of herbal medicine and supplements has increased. This can be due to various factors, including ease of access, affordability, and a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Herbal medicine is a great asset when it comes to overall wellness. However, you should ensure you buy herbal medicine and supplements from a trustworthy and reliable herbal pharmacy. Many people take advantage of the relaxed regulations around herbal medicine and attempt to sell supplements with incorrect labels, improper dosage instructions, or worse. You can rest assured that the herbal supplements we carry at SOHMA are held to the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Please join us today as we go over the 5 benefits of herbal medicine.

Personalized Care

Herbal medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all. For example, you may take ibuprofen to help manage muscle pain, headaches, fevers, or swelling. Whether you need it or not, it will try to resolve every issue it can, even if there isn’t one. While there are some herbs with many benefits, it’s unlikely that a single herbal supplement will do more than what it is intended to do. Herbal treatments are tailored to the individual’s needs. Before treatment, your age, weight, height, and physical fitness may be major contributing factors when designing your herbal medicine protocol. This means your herbal treatment may differ from someone else’s even though both would manage the same issues. 

Affordability

As previously stated, affordability is a significant factor in herbal medicine’s popularity. Using modern medicine as a treatment may be effective but incredibly expensive. Leaving some people unable to maintain the required doses for longer treatments.  Sometimes, treatment can cost thousands of dollars, whereas with herbal medicine and supplements, you’d only be paying a fraction of the cost.

Fewer Side Effects

Side effects are common in both traditional herbal medicine and modern pharmaceuticals. That being said, herbal treatments often have fewer or less severe adverse effects when compared to synthetic medication. Some serious side effects remain, such as allergic reactions to herbal supplements or adverse reactions when combined with prescribed medication. For this reason, it’s best practice to let your herbalist know of any medication you are currently taking. We can provide a personalized treatment plan to mitigate the risk of combining medication and herbs. Another side effect many people fear is the risk of addiction or abuse. Herbal medicine steers clear of herbs that can be habit-forming as they’re typically used to manage a single symptom, and herbal medicine’s goal is to find the root cause of your issues.

Holistic Approach to Wellness

Herbal medicine aims to help you heal, not just manage your symptoms. Depending on each case, the treatment can involve dealing with physical, mental, and emotional issues. Herbs can be used regularly to manage acute or chronic ailments. This includes consumables in teas and supplements or topical in the form of ointments and salves. Some herbs can be taken for long periods of time in the form of tonics. Herbs can also be combined with other treatment options, such as massages or aromatherapy, to help reduce stress or anxiety and improve your mental health.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

What Should I Feel After A Spinal Decompression Session?

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Many people in America suffer from a variety of back pain issues. Frequently, these pains go ignored because we assume it’s not severe, or perhaps you slept incorrectly and it’ll be fine in some time. While this can be the case, there is a possibility that you are putting your spine under too much pressure and compression. If left ignored, these symptoms can continue to worsen until the pain can no longer be ignored.

Spinal decompression is an amazing alternative treatment used to help people manage and treat problems caused by compression of the spinal vertebrae without the need for addictive pain medication or invasive surgery.

Many people put off caring for their back pain. Typically, this is because early pain symptoms are manageable with over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Acetaminophen. Ignoring the signs for extended periods it can end up leading to the following:

  • Issues Coordinating
  • Loss of Sensation in the Feet
  • Numbness
  • Weakness in Feet and Hands
  • Nerve Pain
  • Stiffness in the Neck and Back
  • Increased Pain in Neck and Back

Spinal decompression therapy offers hope to those suffering from back and neck pain. We provide a non-surgical approach to manage pain and alleviate the discomfort caused by herniated discs and spinal stenosis.

Today, we’ll review how you should feel after a spinal decompression therapy session.

Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy

While spinal decompression therapy can help treat various conditions, including herniated disc and degenerative disc disease, it is also beneficial for general wellness and maintenance of the body, especially for people who work long hours behind the screens of their computers. Many people assume physical labor is a leading cause of spinal compression, and while it can result in back problems, the spine is nearly 30% more compressed when sitting. This is why many office workers have back issues.

Scheduling spinal decompression therapy as a maintenance form can help reduce the possibility of herniating your vertebrae, pinching nerves within the spine, or back pain caused by muscle strain. Spinal decompression therapy can have long-lasting effects without needing painkillers or invasive surgery. 

How is the Spine Decompressed?

Spinal decompression therapy involves controlled stretching of the spine. This is achieved by fasting the patient on a specialized spinal traction table. It gently stretches and relaxes the spine in intervals to achieve the desired results. Not only does the decompression allow for additional mobility in the spine, but it also helps to relieve tension in the surrounding muscles to help you feel more limber.

Spinal decompression opens up the spine, creating more space within it. This can help manage pain caused by nerve irritation due to spinal compression. The therapy session typically lasts around 30 to 45 minutes.

How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Feel?

During decompression, you should feel light pulling and pressure on your back. The spinal traction machine will release the pressure when the muscles begin to detect if the muscles are resisting. This will continue until the session ends. You shouldn’t feel any pain during the process. If you do, you should immediately inform the staff member that there is something wrong, as side effects of spinal decompression are rare. These instances are incredibly rare and typically are due to other undisclosed underlying issues.

Once the session is complete, many patients report feeling loose and limber. While some cases may require more than a single visit, there should be no pain once again. If there is pain, you may need to contact your primary care provider for additional testing. Some patients have observed a few reports of soreness, though this minor discomfort doesn’t last very long.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

Are There Any Requirements Before Getting A Myer’s Cocktail?

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Myer’s Cocktail is a widely accepted beneficial form of IV therapy. Just like in a medical setting, the IV is used to deliver fluids, except instead of providing medication, the IV drip, when used in Myer’s Cocktail IV therapy, is used to deliver vitamins, minerals, and fluids.

Myer’s cocktail IV therapy blends a perfectly crafted Vitamin C, B Complex, Magnesium, and Calcium mix. This mixture of nutrients has been shown to have positive results when used to manage issues such as:

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Depression
  • Migraines
  • Respiratory Problems
  • Infections

Moreover, Myer’s cocktail IV therapy helps boost your energy levels, supports your immune system, and even lets you eliminate the pain caused by hangovers. Delivering the nutrients through an IV allows them to bypass the digestive system, which can result in slower absorption of the fluids and nutrients and a much smaller dose of nutrients due to how the body absorbs vitamins and minerals. Through an IV drip, the nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream; this allows the body to absorb and use the vitamins and minerals much faster, at a higher concentration, and far more efficiently.

Is there anything you should do before Myer’s cocktail IV therapy?

Today, we’ll answer that question and go over any requirements you should consider before getting a Myer’s cocktail IV infusion.

Consultation

Although Myer’s cocktail IV therapy is generally considered safe, the first thing to do before an IV infusion is to have a consultation to understand what exactly you are trying to achieve with the therapy. First, you’ll talk with a helpful staff member at SOHMA. Based on the discussion and your medical evaluation, you may need to consult your primary care provider. This is an excellent opportunity to ask about Myer’s cocktail IV therapy.

You need to be as detailed as possible during this evaluation, as we want to ensure everything goes smoothly. An individualized treatment plan is crafted based on allergies, sensitivities, and overall wellness. 

Dress Comfortably

Most IV therapy sessions only take between 30 to 45 minutes while you’re receiving the fluids. During which you just need to sit back and enjoy the infusion. For this, many patients recommend dressing comfortably and warmly. Preferably short-sleeved shirts to make it easier for the IV to be attached. While some patients will bring their tablets, headphones, or a book to help pass the time, it’s not uncommon for people to feel relaxed during IV therapy when they take a short nap.

Make Sure To Have Ample Time

As previously stated, IV therapy usually takes less than an hour. However, for many first-time patients, providing enough time after the infusion is recommended to see how your body reacts. This would be the time to check if there is an unknown allergen. This is also the ideal time to check for the infrequent side effects of Myer’s cocktail IV therapy.

 In most cases, your body will need time to absorb the nutrients properly, especially after your first time. Though you don’t need to clear your entire schedule, you should make enough time to experience the immediate results.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

What Is Spinal Decompression Good For?

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Every year, millions of Americans suffer from a form of back pain. In some cases, the issues can result from diseases or infections, while in other cases, back pain can be caused by poor posture or lifestyle choices. Many of these issues can be resolved with proper diet, exercise, and stretching; however, some people have hectic schedules and cannot properly manage their back pain.

Spinal decompression therapy has gained recognition for its effectiveness in aiding the recovery of common spinal issues, including back pain, herniated discs, and nerve compression. In some cases, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy can potentially circumvent the need for invasive procedures like surgery.

Join us as we go over what non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is, as well as what its benefits are.

Back Pain Relief

The first issue spinal decompression helps with is managing back pain. Our backs are constantly under pressure, and while we frequently ignore minor back pains, these can develop into severe conditions. Back pain isn’t solely for those who work laborious jobs or lift heavy weights. Your back is 30% more compressed when sitting compared to standing. This is why many office workers also suffer from chronic back pain.

Spinal decompression offers a promising solution for those battling chronic back pain. The patient is secured onto a spinal traction machine. The spinal traction then gently stretches and relaxes your back intermittently to relieve the desired tension. This can not only help you to manage back pain caused by spinal decompression, but it can also help to re-align the vertebrae.

Herniated Discs

Also known as a “slipped disc” or “bulging disc,” a herniated disc is when the soft inner core of a spinal disc is compressed past its limits. This results in that inner core pushing through the tough outer shell. This can cause incredible pain and limit mobility until the issue is resolved. While herniated discs tend to happen in the later adult years, they can also be caused by disease or trauma. 

Unfortunately, early identification of a herniated disc requires some form of medical testing. This is why it’s best practice to prevent the possibility of a herniated disc. However, most people are still determining if they initially have a herniated disc. If you have the following symptoms, you should consider getting checked.

  • Back Muscle Spasms
  • Weakness in your legs
  • Poor Coordination
  • Difficulty Walking
  • Increased Pain When Moving
  • Reduced Control Over Bowel and Bladder Movements

If you believe you have a lifestyle or a job where it’s possible to put too much strain on your spine, you should practice stretches and decompression at home.

Alleviate Nerve Pressure

Nerve pain can result in some of the most debilitating pain in existence. Often described as a shooting, burning, or shocking pain, most people cannot live a normal, healthy life when dealing with nerve pain. Spinal decompression therapy creates space between the vertebrae. This decompression gives nerves freedom so they aren’t irritated by compression within the spine.

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy also helps to stretch the muscles, which allows them to relax and reduce tension and pressure on nerves in the area. This also encourages nutrient-rich blood flow more freely into the affected areas, promoting natural healing.

Prevents Surgery

While surgery is the last option for spinal issues, it’s sometimes inevitable based on the spine’s damage. Surgery is a hazardous and expensive procedure with long recovery times for most cases involving the spine. Many people are also unable to work during the recovery, resulting in a much more significant expense than the initial cost of the surgery.

It has been shown that spinal decompression therapy can spare patients from undergoing surgery. Conditions such as herniated discs and degenerative disc disease have shown positive results when treated with spinal decompression.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

Eastern vs Western Medicine: How Do They Help Each Other?

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Eastern medicine, also called Traditional Chinese medicine, is an alternative medical practice that uses traditional medicine as a holistic approach to wellness. This includes using modalities and therapies such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, and cupping therapy. Western medicine is what is considered modern medicine. This focuses on medication to treat symptoms and other treatments based on modern medical practices and pharmaceuticals. 

Often, both forms of treatment seem to be at odds with each other; however, this isn’t the case. It’s a misconception that Eastern and Western medicine cannot work together, and today, we’ll go over how they can work together to help people get out of pain and into balance.

Contrasting Approaches

While both practices approach treatment differently, they aim for similar goals: your health and wellness.

Western medicine tends to focus on managing symptoms with pharmaceuticals. A systemic approach attempts to separate your body’s systems to determine the cause of the symptoms and the treatment. This is typically done with prescribed drugs to help treat diseases and other conditions. Western medicine tends to make treatment plans based on a patient’s symptoms.

Eastern medicine has a holistic approach to your wellness. It attempts to find the root of the issue rather than just the symptoms. It attempts to restore balance within the body through alternative therapies such as the aforementioned herbal remedies or acupuncture. Eastern medicine often focuses on preventing diseases and keeping your body balanced.

Can Eastern and Western medicine work together?

They work well together. Various studies point to the benefits of combining Eastern and Western medicine practices. PubMed Central says acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine, is more effective when used with conventional medical treatments to treat lower back pain.

Synergies Between Eastern and Western Medicine

While the approach may be different, the goal remains the same. The goal is to relieve a person of their pain and ailment ultimately. Eastern and Western medicine can synergies complement a patient’s care despite the methodology. 

Western medicine’s strength to manage acute symptoms works well, while Eastern medicine finds the root cause of the issue. They are promoting overall health, together creating a comprehensive wellness approach.

Combining both forms of medicine emphasizes a unique and personalized care to the patient which recognizes the immediate relief of modern pharmaceuticals while discovering the root cause of the problem to promote long-term wellness. An example is using antibiotics and herbal remedies to enhance treatment outcomes for certain infections, such as bacterial infections. 

Is Combining Eastern and Western Treatments Right for You?

While combining both forms of medicine for minor or less significant issues is common, it’s best practice to speak to your healthcare providers to ensure that you are doing it safely. Many medications can have adverse reactions to herbal supplements, such as ginkgo biloba and aspirin, which can increase the risk of bleeding, as well as many modalities that may not be recommended for people with certain conditions, such as blood-related disorders and cupping therapy.

With proper supervision, the two forms of medicine can be combined in many ways. After all, the main goal of both medicine styles is to heal you and ensure you can return to enjoying your life.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.