SOHMA Integrative Medicine

We offer the best of Eastern & Western medicine without using drugs or surgery

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.

How Long Do The Effects of a Myer’s Cocktail Last?

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For many, their first exposure to IV drips comes from a hospital setting or medical TV shows, which can conjure thoughts of anxiety and worry. However, IVs can be used therapeutically; in fact, Myer’s cocktail IV therapy is incredibly beneficial to many people dealing with many issues.

While IV therapy’s benefits are numerous, a common question patients ask is how long the effects of a Myer’s cocktail last. However, each person will react differently to the IV therapy and how they absorb the nutrients, making this question challenging.

Today, we’ll go over what Myer’s cocktail IV therapy is and attempt to answer the question of how long the effects of a Myer’s cocktail last.

What is Myer’s Cocktail IV Therapy?

IV vitamin therapy, such as the Myer’s cocktail, consists of a carefully balanced Vitamin C, B Complex, Magnesium, and Calcium blend. These are essential nutrients that the body needs to maintain balance. Myer’s cocktail is a great solution for those with an active or busy lifestyle that can make it challenging to keep your body balanced. 

As individuals grow older, their bodies may experience changes in nutrient absorption. Other patients may have digestive issues or difficulty absorbing nutrients through their gut. In such cases, supplements may become essential for maintaining optimal energy levels and supporting a healthy immune system. Intravenous (IV) therapy delivers the blend of nutrients as a concentrated dosage. This bypasses the digestive system, which can absorb nutrients slower and, in some cases, destroy some supplements. Therefore, IV therapy surpasses what can be achieved through oral intake.

What Is Myer’s Cocktail IV Therapy Good For?

Myer’s cocktail IV therapy offers several health benefits aside from being able to be absorbed more efficiently. For those looking for a boost in energy, Myer’s cocktail contains B vitamins, which provide an effective solution without the crash you typically get from energy drinks. The high amounts of Vitamin C in the IV drip can help support your immune system, potentially improving your defenses against illnesses and infections. The magnesium in Myer’s cocktail can reduce tension, which headaches and migraines can cause. This can help to alleviate some of the pain and provide relief.

Myer’s cocktail IV therapy isn’t only beneficial for your physical health. Patients have reported that they see an improvement in their stress and tension levels both during and after treatment. This can result from the Magnesium and Vitamin B Complex, which can help with relaxation, stress reduction, and mood enhancers.

How Long Do the Effects of Myer’s Cocktail Last?

As mentioned in the introduction, this question is a complex one to answer. Individuals react differently to Myer’s cocktail based on unique conditions such as overall health and metabolism.

Some patients report feeling immediate benefits such as improved energy, mood, and hydration. Depending on the patient’s lifestyle, these effects tend to last for hours or days. This will vary from patient to patient, though those with chronic issues will likely require regular and consistent IV therapy to deal with their condition. 

Typically, the treatment length and frequency will be discussed before beginning. Once improvements are seen, the treatment will likely be adjusted.

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.

Who Benefits from Practicing Tai Chi?

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Tai Chi is an ancient Asian martial art practiced by thousands of people daily. Often called meditation in motion, Tai Chi isn’t practiced with the same intensity as other martial arts. You may sometimes see a group in a park calmly moving in unison and wonder what they are doing.

They were practicing Tai Chi.

Why is it so popular, and who benefits from practicing Tai Chi? Join us as we discuss who should practice Tai Chi and the benefits of this martial art.

Older Adults

As we age, many activities may become difficult. Something as simple as walking to the grocery store can even pose a dangerous risk of falling and injuring yourself. While we cannot stop aging, we can keep our bodies fit and healthy with Tai Chi.

Tai Chi combines meditation and spiritual focus with low-impact movements and poses. This allows for anyone of any age and fitness level to participate. The movements are designed to be incredibly gentle, and while initially it was meant for defense, Tai Chi now focuses on muscle control, balance, stability, flexibility, and meditation. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, Tai Chi can be done by anyone, even people with limited mobility. A Tai Chi instructor can adjust the motions to your capabilities.

For senior citizens, Tai Chi can help them regain strength and balance. This can give them the confidence and freedom to be more independent.

People Suffering From Arthritis

When suffering from arthritis, exercise can help manage the symptoms. It’s common for people who suffer from different forms of arthritis to give up on exercising to prevent them from injury or pain. That’s understandable. However, Tai Chi is a form of exercise regularly recommended for people with arthritis. The low-impact movements can help improve strength and balance.

Because it’s soft on the joints and helps build muscle, Tai Chi can be a great way to manage pain and reduce the stiffness in the joints caused by arthritis.

Heart Health

The heart is a muscle, and aerobic exercises or cardio is typically what works out the heart to keep it healthy. Cardio exercises strengthen your heart’s blood vessels and improve oxygen delivery throughout the body. Usually, cardio involves maintaining an elevated heart rate for 30 minutes, and Tai Chi is a form of low-impact cardio exercise. This is beneficial for anyone looking for a cardio exercise that won’t leave them with sore knees or for someone who wants to minimize the risk of injury. 

While Tai Chi is great for improving heart health, if you’re recovering from a cardiovascular event, Tai Chi can help recovering patients. It used to be that patients with heart conditions may have been too weak to participate in exercises, though now we know that Tai Chi is an exception.

Reduce Stress

Stress can not only affect your mind but your body as well. When not dealt with, stress can lead to higher blood pressure, increased risk of stroke, obesity, and other health problems. We’ve been talking about the physical benefits of Tai Chi, though, like we said in the beginning, Tai Chi is known as meditation in motion. Being able to meditate regularly is a great way to manage stress levels. Because Tai Chi also focuses on meditation, it’s been found that Tai Chi can help with many other mental health issues as well. It’s been shown to help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help manage depression.

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.