SOHMA: The Path to Tai Chi & Qi Gong Mastery

SOHMA (School of Healing Martial Arts): The Path to Tai Chi & Qi Gong Mastery. Transform your health with expert training. Join our community and start today.

Dr. Daniel Hoover

Can Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Fix a Bulging Disc?

by

Spinal Decompression is a Non-Invasive Therapy that Could Help With Many Back Problems

Lower back pain affects millions of Americans every year, usually caused by injury, improper posture, or lack of exercise. Occasionally it can be dealt with, with bed rest, stretching, or a heating pad. But sometimes it can be the result of a bulging disc, and many people may not even realize it.

What is a bulging disc? How does it occur? And can non-surgical spinal decompression fix a bulging disc?

Join me as we answer these questions and explore non-surgical spinal decompression as a treatment for a bulging disc.

What is a Bulging Disc?  

A bulging disc is a condition that usually develops as we age and over long periods of time. Though younger people can still be afflicted with bulging discs too. A bulging disc also called a herniated, or protruding disc occurs when the soft tissue known as spinal discs between the spine becomes compressed. The spine consists of a series of vertebrae which are a series of interlocking bones. Vertebrae provide the spine with support when moving or bending your back.

Spinal discs act as shock absorbers that prevent vertebrae from rubbing against each other. Compression of the spinal disc can cause it to bulge and can lead to damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots which can cause reduced mobility and cause pain.

Bulging discs occur most commonly in the lower lumbar spine, so the pain and discomfort is usually felt in your lower back. 

Symptoms of a Bulging Disc

Early identification of a bulging disc is only possible with medical testing which shows any changes in the shape and positioning of the spinal disc. And there are very few early symptoms to suggest your spine is being compressed to the point of herniating a disc. Depending on the severity and location in the spine, the symptoms of a bulging disc can fluctuate in severity. Many people have little to no initial symptoms, though as the disc degenerates and bulges a patient may have symptoms including:

  • Back muscle spasms
  • Weakness in your legs and feet
  • Sciatica
  • Poor coordination
  • Reduced mobility and difficulty walking
  • Reduced control over bowel and bladder
  • Increased pain when moving

If you have had some of these symptoms contact your primary care provider to see if you have a bulging disc. If you have lost control of your bowel or bladder you may require immediate attention as this can happen when too much pressure builds up the spinal nerve roots, which is considered a medical emergency.

How can Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression help?

Can non-surgical spinal decompression heal a bulging disc?

As previously stated, building discs often occur when the spine is under too much pressure and begins to compress. Before treatment begins information including height, weight, and spinal condition, how long they’ve had their symptoms, and how much pain they are in is analyzed so the computer can monitor your body’s reactions. Non-surgical decompression therapy works by securing the patient on a specialized decompression table called spinal traction. The patient is fitted with a harness that holds the abdomen and the pelvis. The spinal traction then stretches and relaxes the patient’s back intermittently to achieve the perfect amount of tension needed to gently decompress the spine.

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy can aid in correcting a bulging disc or a disc that has slipped out of place completely. As the spine is being decompressed, a small amount of negative pressure allows the spinal disc to naturally return to its original position.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a gentle, non-invasive way to help heal your pain so you can get back to 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 reach out to us and ask us 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 in your journey to better health.

What is the Difference Between Herbal Medicine and Pharmaceutical Medicine?

by

Herbal Medicine and Pharmaceuticals Medicine are effective but each has its place and uses.

For many years people have wondered what the difference between herbal and conventional medicine is, and you’d be surprised to learn that they are as different as they are similar. When it comes to our health, knowing when to forgo pharmaceuticals for natural herbal medicine is incredibly important.

But what are the differences? What are the similarities? Today we’re going to do our best to distinguish herbal remedies and pharmaceuticals so you can make a better-informed decision when it comes to your health.

Organic vs Synthetic

The biggest and most notable difference is natural herbal medicine is organic and only lightly processed. Whereas pharmaceuticals can be synthetic even if the active ingredient was derived from a natural source. 

For thousands of years, people have used herbal medicine and remedies to treat and cure ailments. Only in relatively recent years have pharmaceuticals become more trusted than traditional herbal remedies. Products made from plants and used exclusively for internal use are called herbal supplements. Herbal supplements can be sold as dried herbs, in powdered form, capsules, or in liquid form and are meant to be swallowed as capsules, tinctures, or powdered. They can be brewed in teas or applied topically or added to a warm bath.

Although the use of herbal medicine has become more popular with American consumers, due to lax regulation on herbal supplements you need to be sure you’re buying from a reputable source, with a well-known history of quality products. Unknown processing conditions can result in diluted or contaminated supplements which can make it difficult to receive the correct dosage for desired effects. The herbal supplements we carry at SOHMA are held to the highest standards of quality and reliability. You can have peace of mind when buying from our herbal pharmacy.

Healing Pace

Pharmaceuticals are designed to work quickly to suppress symptoms of the condition they’re treating. Making the time required to see desired results with herbal medicine seem much slower in comparison. In some cases, the speed of pharmaceuticals is necessary to keep patients healthy. 

Herbal medicine and supplements work slower because they are meant to resolve and heal the underlying cause of the problem. This process takes time which can make herbal remedies less effective during emergency situations. Herbal medicines have amazing healing capabilities which need time to be able to be effective at dealing with the root causes of your condition.

Information

Because herbal supplements are not regulated the way pharmaceuticals are, less information is known about herbal remedies. Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals that you can purchase over the counter at any drugstore and all the information is on the bottle, you’ll need to educate yourself and learn as much as you can about the herbs you are going to be taking. For example, St. John’s Wort can be used as an antidepressant but when used with some contraceptive drugs may result in irregular bleeding or unplanned pregnancy, while valerian which is used as a sleep aid among other things isn’t likely to have adverse effects.

Have a conversation with your herbal pharmacist, and primary care provider to better inform yourself about any adverse reaction you may have if you would be combining herbal remedies and prescribed medicine or what if any side effects you should expect from the herbal medicine. As previously stated, herbal supplements aren’t regulated the way pharmaceuticals are, meaning you need to research the company that is making your supplements if you’re not buying from a trustworthy herbal pharmacy.

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

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us 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 in your journey to better health.

4 Potential Disadvantages of Herbal Medicine

by

Herbal medicine is an alternative treatment for common ailments. When used correctly it can alleviate many pains but always use them under supervision.

Just because something is natural or is derived from a natural source like a plant doesn’t always mean it is safe for consumption. You can accidentally give yourself serious health problems if you are careless. There are always some precautions you should take before buying or consuming herbal medicine.

 SOHMA recommends, that anyone who is looking to add herbal supplements or remedies as part of their health program should consult with medically trained professionals to mitigate risks. Today we’re going to go over the potential disadvantages of herbal medicine and how to avoid those shortcomings.

Adverse Interactions with Pharmaceuticals

This applies to those who have to take prescribed medicines. Many times it’s difficult to understand how some herbal medicines react with medicines that have been prescribed by a primary care provider. Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA any questions regarding how our herbal supplements may interact with any prescribed medicine you may be taking. Before deciding on a herbal medicine healing program, consult with your herbal pharmacist and primary care provider to reduce the risk of adverse interactions between your medications and herbal supplements.

The interactions between herbal medicine and pharmaceuticals may seem insignificant to some, and in many cases, it can be. Though when pharmaceuticals and herbal medicine share similar side effects it can cause side effects to exhibit worse symptoms. Examples of adverse interactions are with St. John’s wort, which is commonly used to help treat depression and menopausal symptoms, when taken with contraceptive drugs can cause in irregular bleeding or unplanned pregnancy. Or if you are taking blood-thinning medication like warfarin or aspirin you should try to avoid cranberry and ginkgo biloba as they can increase the risk of bleeding.

Lack of Regulation

With the growing use of herbal medicines, the lack of or eased regulations for herbal medicine makes it difficult for consumers to reliably buy safe herbal medicine. The herbal supplements we carry at SOHMA are held to the highest standards of quality and reliability. Unlike traditional pharmaceuticals, herbal medicine does not have as strict an inspection for safety or efficacy. There exist many companies that are just in it for themselves and take advantage of less fortunate people. The lack of dosage instructions required for claimed effects may not be properly stated. Unknown growing and processing conditions can result in a contaminated or diluted product.

It is extremely important to only purchase from reputable sources which are known for working efficiently and have a history of producing quality products.

Unknown Side-effects

Due to the previously stated lack of regulation with herbal medicine and supplements, herbal medicine can cause side effects that patients may not be aware of. Side effects can include the following:

  • Rashes
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Agitation
  • Dry Mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Severe side effects have been reported as well including liver damage and seizures. Because of this we cannot stress enough to buy from a reputable source. Consider new symptoms as potential side effects from herbal medicine and communicate with your primary care provider and herbal pharmacist to discuss how to proceed.

Slower Healing than Pharmaceuticals

The time required to see results is varied though usually, it’s much slower than pharmaceuticals. Herbal medicine and supplements work to resolve and heal the root cause of the problem which takes time. Herbal medicines have amazing healing capabilities but are not as effective in dealing with emergency situations.  Many over-the-counter pharmaceuticals repress a bodily function that triggers symptoms of diseases or infections. Herbal medicine takes more time because it is attempting to heal the root cause of your condition.

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

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us 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 in your journey to better health.

Treatment Options for Peripheral Neuropathy

by

Peripheral neuropathy has symptoms of numbness in the extremities.

For us to understand why certain treatments are used for peripheral neuropathy, we should first try to understand this condition. Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term used to describe the condition of damaged nerves that result in poor communication from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. There are over 3 million cases of peripheral neuropathy in the US every year making this condition fairly common. Some people can have no symptoms, however, those who do show symptoms may feel pain, numbness, the feeling of pins and needles, and weakness. It is also common for people to suffer from poor balance, slow reflexes, and tingling in the hands and feet.

Today we’re going to go over the common causes and what treatment options are available for peripheral neuropathy.

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by many different events. Traumatic injuries such as car accidents, falls, sports injuries or medical procedures may damage the nerve by stretching, compressing, or severing the nerve from the spinal cord. Bacterial and viral infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, Lyme disease, shingles or leprosy can also damage nerves. 

Being exposed to toxins like cigarette smoke which can affect your blood circulation may raise your risk of developing peripheral neuropathy. Alcohol makes it more difficult for the body to absorb necessary nutrients like B12 and protein, forcing the body to prioritize important organs over nerves to the arms and legs.

Diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or hypothyroidism. Swelling caused by these diseases likely causes swelling, putting pressure on peripheral nerves most commonly happening in the hands and wrists.

What Treatment Options are There?

Much like the causes of peripheral neuropathy, there are varied treatment options based on the severity of the condition. Pain relievers, lifestyle changes, topical treatment, physical therapy PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy, HCT/P (human cellular tissue product) injections, acupuncture or surgery.

Making healthier lifestyle choices and habits is the simplest way to prevent peripheral neuropathy and support healthy nerves. Eating healthy foods, regularly exercising and avoiding common causes of nerve damage. Fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and lean protein promote healthy nerves. Lean meats, fish, eggs and low-fat dairy are high in vitamin B12 which can protect against B12 deficiency. For vegans or vegetarians, look for foods fortified with vitamin B12 or talk to your primary care provider about B12 supplements. If able to exercise, attempt to commit an hour and a half to 3 hours of exercise about 3 times a week. You are also welcome to join our Tai Chi classes for beginners on Sundays from 9:30am to 10:30am at Heartwell Park in Long Beach CA, we’re by the duck lake. Avoid habits like drinking alcohol or smoking as these toxins can cause damaged nerves.

At SOHMA we offer HCT/P injections which may be covered by medicare. HCT/P injections work by encouraging your body to heal damaged tissue. HCT/p rejuvenates, repairs or replaces damaged cells. Days following treatment new cells can grow and divide forming new tissue to aid in healing the damaged or injured area. Healing you from within the body. 

PRP is a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma protein that is derived from the patient’s own blood. It can be used in the affected area to trigger the body to begin repairing the damage in the nerves. Platelets promote regeneration in the tissue and can shorten the amount of time needed to repair nerve damage.

Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA any questions about how we can help you heal from peripheral neuropathy.

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

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us 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 in your journey to better health.

5 Benefits of Medical Massages

by

A professional Medical can have many positive impacts on the body and your health

Before getting into the benefits of medical massages, first we need to differentiate between a regular massage and a medical massage. A normal massage will usually focus on relieving tension in the soft tissue, and is generally used to relax and reduce stress in the body. Generally speaking a traditional massage will be pleasant but won’t really address the same things that a medical massage will.

A medical massage, also known as a deep tissue massage can cause discomfort and a little bit of pain in some people, however it has been described as a “good pain” where the patient feels relief alongside the discomfort. Today we’re going to go over 5 benefits of medical massages.

Pain Management

Medical massages is a non-pharmaceutical alternative to pain management. Medical massage techniques tend to be slower and use more strength in order to target the deeper layers of hurt or injured muscle and connective tissue. Though commonly used to treat injuries, medical massages can also be used to loosen up muscle tension that can build up when suffering from chronic pain. Medical massages can also be used to treat pain caused by:

  • Lower Back Pain
  • Torticollis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Plantar Fasciitis

For chronic pain, medical massages have been shown to be as effective as some medications while being more cost effective.

Increased Mobility

When receiving regular medical massages, it can help break up scar tissue by promoting lymphatic circulation. The lymphatic system being your body’s way of getting rid of unnecessary byproducts of the body. This may improve range of motion and flexibility in the injured area.

Medical massages can be used to treat a variety of symptoms caused by arthritis including reduced mobility, pain in joints, stiffness and swelling. For people suffering from arthritis, massages with moderate pressure can reduce pain and tension making movement less painful.

Improves Heart Health

Blood pressure can be affected by tension, stress among other reasons. As previously stated, medical massages can be used to reduce both stress and tension. It has been shown to have a beneficial impact on systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure. They also increase the production of serotonin, which is the hormone that makes us feel happy and promotes a positive mood. A negative or stressful mood can produce hormones that can temporarily increase blood pressure.

Injury Rehabilitation

When injured, the soft tissue can become twisted or tense. A medical massage can help in stretching, loosening and straightening deep soft tissues causing pain. The increased blood circulation to the area can help decrease inflammation in the muscle or joint injured. Though often used to treat injuries related to sports, regular medical massages can help prevent muscle injuries and reduce muscle fatigue. Stretching connective tissue with medical massage helps improve circulation and promotes tissue repair.

Mental Health

Medical massages can reduce physical pain, tension and stress. By reducing the pain caused by these physical conditions it allows the patient to be more relaxed. Reducing heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen use may reduce mental stress and anxiety which are commonly associated with depression. It is believed that massages reduce levels of cortisol, known as the stress hormone. Massage therapy in general has been known to lower stress,  reduce anxiety and make people less irritable.

Sleeping helps the body recover physically and mentally. Poor sleep can lead to poor health which can make it harder to sleep. It has been shown that medical massages can improve sleep patterns in patients of all ages. Lack of sleep has been shown to be linked with anxiety disorder.  When able to rest properly patients notice an improvement in their mood. 

Medical massages may not be for everyone, though it being a low-risk treatment option means it’s available to most people dealing with stress and pain.

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

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us 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 in your journey to better health.