SOHMA Integrative Medicine

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

Wellness

Platelet Rich Plasma and Your Health

by

Platelet Rich Plasma vials

How Platelet Rich Plasma Can Help You

What are Platelets?

Platelets are cells that circulate within your blood that help our body form clots, stop bleeding and other necessary growth and healing functions.

What is platelet rich plasma?

Platelet rich plasma, is plasma rich protein concentrated with platelets, derived from whole blood after separated with the use of centrifugal force to remove the red blood cells. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, this is mainly composed of proteins and water. The plasma used is taken from the patient, processed then injected back into the affected area, platelet rich plasma injections have been used for a multitude of treatments and procedures such as:

  • Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury
  • Cosmetic Procedures
  • Tendonitis 
  • Hair Loss
  • Post Surgical Healing
  • Osteoarthritis

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a condition where the connective soft tissue connecting muscle to bone has become swollen and inflamed. Usually caused by overuse of the muscle and joint due to repetitive motion, or from sudden injury. Tendons are the tough, thick bands of elastic tissue connecting bone to muscle. Unfortunately after injury they are notoriously slow to heal.

Platelet rich plasma injections have been used by doctors to treat chronic tendon problems such as tennis elbow, achilles tendonitis, jumper’s knee, and swimmer’s shoulder. All which cause pain in their respective joints, affected tendons and muscles.

Hair Loss

Commonly seen in males, patterns of baldness affect both male and females. Though they differ in patterns they both have a common genetic cause. Male pattern baldness typically occurs on the front or real of the head. While with female pattern baldness, thinning happens on the crown of the head. Thinning in women often starts in the center but usually leaves the front hairline unaffected.

Doctors have injected the scalp with platelet rich plasma to prevent hair loss, as well as promote growth. After a hair transplant platelet rich plasma can also be used to stimulate the scalp to grow new hair.

Osteoarthritis

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis which affects millions of people around the world wide. This type of arthritis happens when the cartilage around the end of bones wears down. As this soft cartilage wears down you may feel stiffness, pain, tenderness and loss of flexibility. In some cases you may feel a grinding sensation when moving your joints or see bone spurs, which are extra bits of bone that can form around the affected joints. This can affect any joints in the body but most commonly affects the hands, neck, lower back, hips and knees.

Although there is no cure for the damage caused by osteoarthritis, platelet rich plasma injections have been used directly in the affected joint in order to reduce pain, improve joint function and possibly slow or halt the damage to the joint.

Post Surgical Repair

Surgeries are often the final option when all other alternative choices have been exhausted. Not only are they expensive treatments, the time it takes to recover from them can be days, weeks or in some cases, months. 

As well as being used in care for injuries and cosmetics, doctors have been using platelet rich plasma injections to help patients heal faster after surgeries. In some cases taking days or weeks off tof recovery times. By increasing the level of platelets in the affected area, this releases growth factors that reduce swelling and begin to repair tissues. This may also signal the body to send more platelets which can increase healing allowing for shorter recovery periods, and getting back to your normal life sooner.

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 if we are right for you. 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.

Herbal Pharmacies and How They Can Help Your Health Routine

by

What Are Herbal Pharmacies?

Herbs and herbal medicine have been used for thousands of years to not only treat ancient illnesses and injuries, but in recent ones as well. In modern times pharmaceuticals have become the more common choice for most people, but herbal remedies have been used by others looking for alternative medicine.

Maintaining a healthy routine is one of the most difficult aspects of living a healthy life. Herbal pharmacies are another tool you can use to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Although you can go to dedicated herbal pharmacies like the one at SOHMA Integrative Medicine Center, you can also buy many herbs at your local supermarket. Many common herbs can be added to your health routine in order to elevate your lifestyle.

Elevate Your Lifestyle With Common Herbs

Having a poor diet is very common in our extremely busy lives. Poor eating habits can include both over and under eating, basically not having enough healthy foods required for a balanced diet, or consuming foods with low fibre and high in fat and or sugar. Poor diets can impair your daily wellbeing, health, and reduce your ability to lead an active and enjoyable life. Stress, exhaustion and capacity to work long term can be short term issues poor nutrition can cause. It can also lead to other illnesses and health problems like:

  • Eating Disorders
  • Depression
  • Cancers
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Tooth Decay

A simple way of elevating your lifestyle to be more healthy is by including common herbs that can be store bought at a local supermarket in your everyday meal. Herbs like chives and garlic have been positively linked with cancer prevention. Studies have shown that compounds in garlic help DNA repair itself, not only slowing the growth of cancer cells but also decreasing inflammation. While ginger and dandelion are great for maintaining a healthy digestive system due to its ability to help neutralize and disperse the build up of oxidative cases that can cause stomach pains and cramps. Cinnamon can help regulate your blood sugar by imitating the effects of insulin to increase glucose transport into cells. Rosemary and parsley are not only delicious flavors, but also help with keeping your heart healthy.

Modern and Traditional Medicine

Herbalists should not replace a health professional or doctor, but may be used as a complementary treatment. Sometimes you may visit a herbalist for non medicinal treatments like consultation about lifestyle habits to reduce stress, pain, or help with your sleeping habits which is an important part of overall body recovery.

Modern pharmaceuticals and traditional herbal therapy have many commonalities. Over half of modern medicine was either inspired or derived from traditional herbal remedies.

Although most herbs bought in local stores are regarded as safe, they are not usually the same for everyone. Depending on your condition, physic, constitution and overall health, a consultation with a trained herbalist is recommended.

Before you make a consultation we recommend you first get a diagnosis from your primary care provider. A problem well stated is a problem half solved. Meaning that knowing what the root of the problem is, is equally as important as the treatment itself.

Once the root of the issue is found, consult with a professional herbalist who understands the contradictions of herbs and any adverse reactions that can occur when crossing herbs and the medications.

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 Reasons To Take Up IV Therapy

by

IV Therapy Session

How Can IV Therapy Help You?

In the 1960’s Dr John Myer developed a non-prescription IV solution with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Though originally marketed as an overall wellness remedy and hangover cure, today the Myers cocktail is used thousands of times a week for a variety of reasons, as well as the original wellness remedy and hangover cure.

Intravenous therapy, IV therapy for short, is a delivery method of fluids, vitamins, and/or medications. Ingesting supplements conventionally means the digestive system needs to metabolize the nutrients which significantly reduces the amount of said nutrients that end up in the bloodstream, and at a much slower rate. As you age, the body reduces its ability to absorb crucial nutrients due to the change in your metabolism. By administering fluids directly through an IV while bypassing the digestive system IV drips ensure the most efficient absorption of the nutrients for maximum effect, with minimal waste. Therefore IV therapy  can administer a much higher, more concentrated dose of fluids, nutrients, and medications that could be taken orally. There are many reasons to take up IV therapy some include:

  • Detoxification
  • Increasing Energy Levels 
  • Respiratory Problems
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Hydration
  • Migraines
  • Promotes Faster Weight Loss
  • Promotes Cardiovascular Health
  • Promotes Relaxation and Eases Anxiety

Often used by athletes, In modern times more and more people have shown interest in this type of therapy.

Detoxification

For people who live in major cities, your body is regularly being exposed to toxins such as pollution, cigarette smoke, pesticides, heavy metals, alcohol and more. Having too many toxins in your body can leave you feeling sluggish and low on energy. It is very important for people trying to avoid an unhealthy lifestyle to consider a Myers Cocktail for detoxification.

Increased Energy Levels

IV vitamin therapy provides your body with a natural boost of energy, with amino acids, calcium, magnesium, vitamins c and b complex. A Myers cocktail blend can help prevent you from constantly reaching out for heavily caffeinated energy drinks or soda that could otherwise flood your body with unwanted chemicals and sugars.

Respiratory Problems

Living in densely populated cities has an increased probability of having breathing issues like bronchitis and asthma due to pollution. Although IV therapy can not cure these conditions, Myers cocktails infusion of vitamins and minerals has been found to be effective against acute asthma attacks. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it can reduce the oxidative stress on the bronchi which may reduce hypersensitivity to common asthma triggers.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Many people suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, which usually happens when people are overloaded mentally, physically or emotionally. Some people experience recurring pain like sore throat, headaches, muscle and joint pain. Although the cause of these symptoms is unclear, they can be managed. A few research studies show a lack of magnesium in either the red blood cells or the bloodstream despite normal blood levels. With direct access to the blood steam the Myers Cocktail can deliver the necessary vitamins and minerals to help ease symptoms and boost your energy levels.

Hydration

Your body needs to be hydrated to function properly, dehydration can lead to loss of strength and stamina, feeling dizzy or lightheaded or generally feeling tired. Excessive heat, long periods of exercise or even a long night of drinking can all show symptoms of dehydration. Saline which is what delivers the nutrients to your body replenishes the electrolytes and fluids lost while sweating. The B vitamins in Myers cocktail gives you a boost of energy and relieve dizziness and nausea.

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 Acupuncture

by

3 Benefits of Acupuncture

The thought of having needles poking you sounds terrifying on paper, but acupuncture needles are very small and as thin as a human hair. This traditional chinese therapy has many mental and physical benefits. Once the needles reach their intended depth you may feel a slight tingling sensation and the feelings of warmth may arise from the acupuncture points.

By stimulating specific pressure zones in your body, it is said to balance your energy, what would be referred to as qi (pronounced chi) by Chinese medicine practitioners. This in turn causes the chemicals in your body to release into your muscles, spinal cord, and brain and these changes may promote physical and emotional well-being by stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities. This results based therapy has been making a difference in the lives of many of its patients.

The short and long term benefits of acupuncture have been seen time and time again. Research suggests that it can relieve pain, and it is also used for a wide range of other ailments, like:

  • Headaches
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Sprains

So much so that many insurance providers now cover acupuncture therapy and saving yourself potentially hundreds if not thousands of dollars. All without the need of invasive surgeries or drugs.

At SOHMA Integrative Medicine, our acupuncture specialists are trained in this traditional alternative medicine. Our SOHMA specialists assist the body by unlocking its natural healing abilities, relaxing the muscles, and alleviating tensions from repetitive motions from your day-to-day life.

Let’s explore the top three benefits you may enjoy after starting your acupuncture therapy.

Benefit # 1 Reduction of Back and Joint Pain

Whether it’s because of work, sports, or an accident, this traditional acupuncture can be beneficial in the recovery process by targeting the points meant to release tension in your neck, and along your back.

This relaxes the muscles which helps alleviate some pain that would otherwise hold back your recovery process. If you’re suffering from stiffness, swelling or joint pain, acupuncture can be a beneficial medicine to reduce these conditions without the need for conventional medicines or drugs.

Acupuncture can sometimes be so beneficial it may prevent invasive surgeries.

Benefit # 2 Sleep quality and headaches

A good night’s sleep and overall rest is incredibly important when it comes to recovery. Nearly 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder, insomnia being the most common. By focusing on specific pressure points, usually around nerves, the needles can stimulate said nerves to release hormones like endorphins which is the body’s natural pain killer. This in turn helps with relaxing the mind and maintaining a more consistent sleeping experience, a very important part of the recovery process.

Benefit #3 Carpal tunnel syndrome

In this current day and age people of all ages are in front of a computer for longer periods of time. It could be that you are going to school online from home or maybe you have been playing too many video games out of boredom.

Perhaps you are clocking in extra hours from your new home office. Carpal tunnel syndrome may be far more common than we are willing to admit. Over 8 million people are affected with carpal tunnel syndrome each year. Acupuncture has been shown to improve sensory and motor functions, as well as aiding in the repair of nerves that are often damaged due to repetitive motion. Acupuncture helps with the symptoms related to carpal tunnel like numbness, pain, and tingling sensations.

Take the next step in improving your health by contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine. Our trained Acupuncture specialists want to help you recover in the most natural way possible. Remember that sometimes your body needs a little push in order to begin healing.

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us if we are right for you. Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from Long Beach as well as neighboring cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health and recovery.

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 if we are right for you. Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from Long Beach and the surrounding cities.

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

Migraine Treatment with the Myer’s Cocktail

by

IV Therapy Administered

Migraine Treatment with the Myer’s Cocktail

Before we get too deep into things today let’s get a couple of points out very quickly:

  1. The Myer’s cocktail is not something you are going to order at a bar (we will go over it today in detail)
  2. Migraines are difficult and range in severity and our goal is to help our patients get back to their lives

With those two items out of the way let’s dig into our topics for today. Our goal is to help you decide if the Myer’s cocktail could help you with your migraines.

As a note the Myer’s cocktail can help with more than just migraines. We cover that in our post on 5 Benefits of IV Therapy.

What is the Myer’s Cocktail & More Importantly How it Can Help

The Myer’s cocktail is a mix of different ingredients that is delivered via IV. In other words it’s delivered via a drip. It was developed by Dr. John Myer who used it to treat different ailments such as asthma, chronic fatigue and you guessed it, migraines.

The drip itself is made up of several components which we will outline below:

  • Magnesium Chloride is used to treat or help prevent a deficiency of magnesium in the body. The body needs magnesium and if it doesn’t have the right amount well then problems can occur.
  • Calcium Gluconate has several different applications. Technically it is classified as calcium salt. It is used as medication to treat multiple issues such as hypocalcemia.
  • Vitamin B Complex which is made up of multiple sets of vitamins. The body uses vitamin B in multiple functions of the body and is part of a healthy body.
  • Vitamin C is a needed component of the body to grow and used in the repair of body tissues.

A common question we are asked is why should this happen via drip when I can take some of this orally?

The cocktail being delivered via a trip means it is going straight to work in the body. It doesn’t have to go through your body’s digestive process. This makes the delivery more potent and quicker.

This is one of the main reasons why the cocktail is so effective.

How does any of this help with Migraines?

Let’s be clear there are multiple causes of migraines, theories, and methods for treatment. The best treatment for migraines is the one that works best for you and has been thoroughly discussed with your medical team.

There are a couple of reasons that lead to migraines. Without going into an exhaustive thesis on migraine theory here are a couple:

  • A deficiency of magnesium has proven to lead to migraines for those who are prone to them
  • Stress is one of the biggest culprits of migraines and is a known trigger in almost 70% of those who suffer from them

The Myer’s cocktail has been proven effective in the treatment of migraine headaches. Part of this is directly related to the magnesium chloride that makes up a component of the cocktail. The added vitamins also aid in providing additional material for the body to make repairs and help in overall health.

For those suffering from migraines who have not found a proven solution or are looking for one that is more suited to their needs we believe looking at the myer’s cocktail is in their best interest.

Is the Myer’s Cocktail Right for My Migraine Situation?

This is a very personal question that we would have to answer one on one. We would invite you to fill out our contact form and let us know that you suffer from migraines and you have a question about the Myers cocktail.

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 if we are right for you. Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from Long Beach and the surrounding cities.

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