SOHMA Integrative Medicine

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

Therapy

5 Questions to Ask Prior to Cupping Therapy

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What is Cupping Therapy?

This first question is a freebie, Cupping Therapy is a Traditional Chinese therapy in which cups with negative pressure are placed on the skin. The negative pressure causes a suction to occur on the skin which pulls on the skin, muscle and fascia up into the cup. This action brings fresh oxygenated blood into the injured tissue. While at the same time pulling out old toxins and stagnant blood from the soft tissue, it is then recirculated and filtered out of the body.

Now that you are more acquainted with cupping therapy, there are a few questions you may have before going through with Cupping Therapy. Today I’ll be answering 5 of the more commonly asked questions patients ask prior to Cupping Therapy.

Does It Hurt?

Quite possibly the most common question asked before Cupping Therapy is whether it’s painful. No, it doesn’t really hurt. The truth is every patient experiences Cupping differently so it is difficult to give an absolute answer. Some patients feel the pulling of the soft tissue is uncomfortable and not very pleasant. On the other hand there are patients who find the experience soothing and relaxing like getting a massage. Depending on the stagnation of the tissue being treated you may experience some soreness. If for some reason you do feel pain, let the therapist know as they may need to adjust the strength of the suction on the cup in order to make the therapy more comfortable.

What are those Marks?

Once you are done with your Cupping Therapy session you’ll notice round marks left behind from the cups. Some people think they are bruises however, these marks can tell you how stagnated the treated tissue was. With darker marks meaning there was more stagnation. These marks can take one to two weeks to clear up depending on your body’s stagnation as well. Staying well hydrated can shorten the time for the marks to fade.

How do I Prepare for Cupping Therapy?

Firstly you should be hydrated. Cupping works with your lymphatic system to get rid of toxins and cellular waste from your body. In order for this to work properly plenty of water is required. Avoid shaving, exfoliating or anything else that can make your skin sensitive. Having sensitive skin can increase discomfort during a Cupping Therapy session and can cause you to have an overall poor experience. 

Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes as once a Cupping Therapy session ends your skin may feel sensitive.

How Many Sessions do I Need?

It depends on the specific needs and goals of the patient. Cupping Therapy has an immediate effect on patients, and effects can last for days after. If you are just looking to detoxify, a single session every month may be enough. On the other hand an active and athletic person may require more frequent sessions. Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA if you would benefit from frequent Cupping Therapy sessions.

Is Cupping Therapy Safe?

For the vast majority of patients, yes. It is unusual and rare for Cupping Therapy to cause any serious problems. Side effects are limited to the marks left behind after Cupping Therapy though in extremely rare cases skin infections can occur. Precaution is necessary if you have suffered from recent cardiac arrests, have been fasting for long periods of time or if you are pregnant.

If you still have questions regarding Cupping Therapy be sure to ask your therapist at SOHMA Integrative Medicine of Long Beach CA if Cupping Therapy is right for you.

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 IV Therapy Used for?

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When people hear IV Therapy their immediate assumption might be that it is required to go to a hospital. Or perhaps people are just not aware that IV therapy has therapeutic properties that can help with everyday health challenges.


Today we’re going to get more acquainted with the usages of IV Therapy. We invite you to consider whether IV therapy should be part of your healthcare treatment plan.

What is IV Therapy

IV is short for Intravenous, making IV Therapy a therapeutic intravenous treatment. Unlike its medical counterpart you do not need to go to a hospital in order to receive IV Therapy.  The IV is used as a delivery method for fluids, minerals, and vitamins. At SOHMA Integrative Medicine we offer the Myer’s Cocktail which is a blend of Vitamin C, B Complex, Magnesium and Calcium. By taking this blend through an IV instead of orally, you bypass the digestive system. IV Therapy allows your body to take full advantage of the vitamins and minerals more efficiently. Many are unaware that the digestive system tends to break down most of the nutrients before the body can use them.

What is in the Myer’s Cocktail

Vitamin C is a known immunity booster and is a needed component of the body to grow and repair body tissues. It being an antioxidant helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals being the resulting molecules after the body breaks down food. They can also occur when exposed to toxins in the atmosphere like pollution, smoke and radiation. 

Vitamin B complex is made up of various sets of vitamin B. The body uses Vitamin B in a number of forms, such as converting food to energy, lifting your mood and improving your cognitive effectiveness. 

In order to maintain normal nerve and muscle function the body uses Magnesium.

Calcium is known to be necessary to build and protect bones, helps muscles contract and the heart to beat.

IV Therapy Uses

There are many different uses for IV Therapy that vary from person to person as everyone has a different lifestyle. Some of the different benefits IV therapy is known to have include:

  • Detoxification
  • Rehydration
  • Immune System Support
  • Increased Energy Levels
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Relaxation

For athletic lifestyles IV therapy can help by boosting energy levels to keep you strong and energetic for the rest of the day. It can be used to rehydrate the body after a particularly grueling exercise session. If you have been feeling sluggish throughout the day it could be that you need to relax and detoxify your body from toxins you may have been gathering by just living in a large metropolitan city. Regardless of your lifestyle choices, Myer’s Cocktail IV therapy can serve to better your health by letting your body take advantage of the nutrients being passed through the IV, and letting your body recover naturally.

Myer’s Cocktail has also been used to aid a number of conditions including:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraines
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Acute Muscle Spasm
  • Upper Respiratory Conditions

Myer’s cocktail IV therapy has been found to be effective at relieving symptoms from seasonal allergies, upper respiratory infection, and sinusitis. Delivering a more concentrated dose of vitamin supplements through IV can help to bring balance to the body. Helping reduce fatigue and elevate energy levels.

IV Therapy can help you in many different ways. Though it is up to you to make the decision of letting your body recover the natural way is up to you.

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 Peripheral Neuropathy?

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Asian senior woman massaging ankle and feet,old elderly had beriberi,cramp,numbness in her feet,sore toe joints,peripheral neuropathy disease,pain and swelling in the ankle bone,leg muscle weakness

In short, nerve damage.

But what causes Peripheral Neuropathy? How can you tell when you are suffering from it? How serious can this be? We’ll answer these questions as well as what kind of help is there if you are suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy and when you should consider seeing your primary care provider if you suspect you may be suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy is a common condition that affects over 3 million people in the US every year. And with a varied source of causes, finding out what the underlying condition is important to your case of Peripheral Neuropathy. Some of the causes include:

  • Autoimmune diseases – such as Lupus, Arthritis and Vasculitis
  • Diabetes
  • Viral Infection
  • Tumors
  • Liver Disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Alcoholism 
  • Poor Dietary Choices
  • Medication
  • Injury or Trauma
  • Vitamin deficiencies

Understanding the root cause is half the battle. Managing what causes Peripheral Neuropathy can mitigate further damage to your nerves. In some cases a cause can not be identified which can make it harder for you or your doctor to identify whether or not you are suffering from this condition.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

The list of symptoms is as diverse as its causes. Some people may be suffering from it and show now symptoms while others can manifest some of the most debilitating pain imaginable, some symptoms include:

  • Numbness
  • Poor Balance
  • Tingling fingers, toes and feet
  • Slow reflexes
  • Cramping
  • Feeling of Pins and Needles in Hands and Feet
  • Sensitivity to Pain
  • Pain

These symptoms unfortunately can occur commonly with everyday events, sitting awkwardly can cause numbness and pins and needles. Lack of sleep can cause you to have slow reflexes and poor balance while dehydration can cause cramping. Getting checked regularly can help you to identify the root cause of these symptoms. Which can ultimately save you from further damage if ignored.

Severity of Peripheral Neuropathy

As uncomfortable as suffering from peripheral Neuropathy can be, it’s rarely a life threatening condition. People suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy can have problems eating as their digestive tract can swell or go numb. If left unchecked for long periods of time symptoms can become worse and damage to the nerves can become permanent.

With early detection of the root cause of Peripheral Neuropathy treatment to the damaged nerves can be halted. With proper care damage to the nerves can be reversed, mobility can be regained and senses normalized.

When to See your Primary Care Provider

Many symptoms linked with Neuropathy are also commonly linked with other ailments. Because of this it is difficult to judge whether or not your symptoms will disappear on their own or if you should seek your primary care provider. However, my recommendation would be if at any point you begin to suffer some or any of the symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy on a regular basis, that may be the sign that there may be an underlying condition that you may not be aware of. This would be the appropriate time to ask your primary care provider if you are suffering from a form of Neuropathy.

Treatment

Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy depends on the amount of damage sustained by the nerves. In some cases a simple change in diet and more active lifestyle is all you need in order to begin recovery from Peripheral Neuropathy. More serious cases may require a little bit more help to heal the damaged nerves.

At SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA we now offer regenerative cellular tissue therapy, which may be covered by Medicare. Regenerative cellular tissue therapy can be helpful in reducing pain that is caused by Peripheral Neuropathy as well as assisting in the regeneration of damaged nerves.

Tai Chi is a great way to stay active while not stressing your body. Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA about our free Tai Chi classes. 

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 by calling us at 562-408-1140 or filling out the contact form 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.

Does Cupping Remove Toxins?

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Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine dating back thousands of years. It has been used to help in recovery, relieving pain, reducing inflammation and  promoting an increase of blood circulation in the area being treated. With Cupping gaining popularity in the mainstream with athletes and celebrities using it as part of recovery, many people wonder what Cupping is and what it does for you. Today we’re going to talk about how Cupping removes toxins from the body and why it is important.

How Does it Work?

Cupping works by setting a cup directly on the back, shoulder, neck, arms or legs, once the cup is applied to the skin suction begins. The suction pulls up on the skin, muscle and fascia stretching the tissue. This will draw fresh oxygenated blood from the surrounding tissue to the muscle being treated, flushing out the localized area and increasing blood flow. This results in increased recovery, and a round mark left by the cup. This marking is harmless and usually lasts between a couple hours to a week. The marks can actually tell you about the condition of the area being treated based on the color after a Cupping session. Cupping practitioners use this type of therapy to help with a variety of ailments such like:

  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Leg Pain
  • Cramping
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Poor Appetite
  • Lower Back Pain

Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA for more information about Cupping Therapy or read our blog where we have more articles about the benefits of Cupping Therapy.

Removing Toxins

Of course we have organs within our bodies to deal with and remove toxins already, but living in modern, metropolitan cities we sometimes overwork our natural system. A buildup of toxins can appear in our bodies because of a poor diet, stress and since we live in a large city we are constantly being exposed to toxins and pollutants such as smoke from cigarettes, cars and wildfires, chemicals and heavy metals.

When the body is overloaded with toxins it can prevent the production of hemoglobin in your blood by damaging your enzymes which can accelerate aging. This can also lead to a lack of energy, making you feel sluggish and lower your protection against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress happens when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidants. Which can lead to pain, swelling and in extreme cases diabetes or cancer.

Increased Blood Flow

With skin, muscle and other soft tissues being pulled into the cup due to suction, this will naturally increase blood circulation to the area being treated. The increased flow will flush out any stagnated toxins in the blood as well as attract immune cells to the treated area. The increased oxygenated blood can then assist with cell repair and help new connective tissues form. By focusing the blood flow to affected areas it helps your body’s lymphatic system to remove built up toxins. The lymphatic system includes organs like the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. 

This increased blood flow has the added benefit of helping reduce inflammation which will help with pain management and reduce the amount of time needed for the body to naturally repair itself.

We are here to help you recover naturally, Cupping Therapy is just one way we try to achieve this. The final decision to improve your life is ultimately up to you. 

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.

3 Benefits of IV Therapy

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You may have heard of what an IV is at some point, usually used in hospitals to rehydrate and deliver medication but did you know that IVs can be used therapeutically as well? Much like its medical counterpart, IV therapy uses the IV as a delivery method for fluids, minerals, and vitamins in order to make you feel revitalized, reenergized, and overall wellness.

At SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA we offer IV therapy featuring the Myer’s Cocktail which is a blend of Vitamin C,B Complex, Magnesium and Calcium. The Myer’s Cocktails uses vary from person to person as depending on your lifestyle you may be looking to supplement your body with different vitamins and minerals. IV therapy is known to have many different benefits such as:

  • Detoxification
  • Rehydration
  • Immune System Support
  • Increased Energy Levels
  • Promotes Cardiovascular Health
  • Promotes Relaxation

Myer’s cocktail has also been used to help treat a number of condition like:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraines
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Acute Muscle Spasms
  • Respiratory Problems 

In today’s article we are going to focus on 3 of the benefits of IV therapy and how it can be helpful in your busy day to day life.

Quick Rehydration

In order for your body to function properly you need it to be properly hydrated. as dehydration can lead to loss of strength, stamina and focus. When your body lacks proper hydration for extended periods of time you may notice a change in not only your physical conditioning but you may notice you have become easily irritable.

Long periods of exercise, excessive heat during hot seasons or a night out of drinking can all cause you to exhibit effects of dehydration. IV therapy’s ability to restore fluids and electrolytes by directly delivering saline which is the fluid used in the Myer’s cocktail. And the added B vitamins in the blend gives you a boost in energy while relieving dizziness and nausea.

Detoxification

Living in major cities has its perks, but they also cause us to be exposed to toxins like car pollution, smoke from cigarettes or fires, pesticides, heavy metals and more. Having too many toxins in your system can make you feel sluggish, and leave you with a lack of energy. While it is important to avoid unhealthy choices in our lives, consider using Myer’s cocktail IV therapy as a form of detoxification. 

The added vitamins complex and vitamin c will result in a natural boost in energy and help prevent you from reaching out for coffee or energy drinks caffeine. Drinks that would flood your body with unwanted chemicals and sugars.

Immune System Support

In today’s environment it is more important than ever to make sure your body’s immune system is defending you from infections. One of the most effective methods to support an immune system is through IV therapy.

IV therapy helps your immune system by delivering necessary vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and magnesium which are known to help boost your natural immunities directly into your bloodstream. Why is this so important? When you consume foods or multivitamin tablets they first have to go through your digestive system which can break down some of the nutrients, meaning you are using far less than you were expecting. By going directly through the IV into your bloodstream you receive a more concentrated dose of vitamins, and your body receives them more efficiently which tests your body use them faster.

There are many other benefits to the Myer’s Cocktail and IV therapy that you can read about in our Blog if you are interested. Like how it can aid with respiratory problems or how it can help with migraine.

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.