SOHMA Integrative Medicine

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

SOHMA Interactive Medicine

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.

How Long Do Joint Injections Last?

by

Injection treatment is a great therapy that continues to work for months.

Aging, injury and just natural wear and tear will begin to degrade your muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and cartilage. This damage can be accelerated due to compound injuries, diet and diseases like cancer and diabetes. Luckily there is help in the form of joint injections. At SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA we offer HCT/P (Human Cellular Tissue Products)  as well as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections.

Today we’re going to cover what HCT/P and PRP injections are, what they can help treat and how long they last.

Joint Injections

As previously stated, joint injections at SOHMA come in the form of PRP and HCT/P injections. Though not all injuries and conditions can be treated with joint injections and sometimes surgery may be required.

PRP therapy processes the patient’s blood and separates the platelet-infused plasma from the red blood cells. After the platelet-rich plasma is separated, it is drawn from the vial and injected into the areas in need of healing support like muscle tissue, joints, or other soft tissues. PRP has also been used to help patients recover from surgery quicker, reducing recovery times by days or weeks.

HCT/P is a modern approach to healthcare that attempts the patient’s body to repair itself by regenerating and reconstructing its own tissues in order to regain some of its natural functions. HCT/P injections encourage the healing of damaged tissue. After the HCT/P is injected into the affected area, it will help in reducing further inflammation and stimulate your own tissue and cells to regenerate. Once a cell is damaged, it generates a signal that attracts the HCT/P. Over the following days the HCT/Ps may rejuvenate and replace damaged cells forming new tissue and helping relieve pain and regain mobility.

How Long for Joint Injections to Work?

Like many things in life, this isn’t a simple question to answer, as it depends on the injury and the patient’s reaction to the treatment.

Depending on the patient’s condition, PRP injections can begin to show noticeable results between 2 weeks for mild injuries or chronic pain and around 4 to 6 weeks for more serious injuries.

Much like PRP therapy, HCT/P injections also vary depending on the condition of the patient. Because the body is making new cells and tissue, some patients will notice results sooner than others.  Typical signs of improvement begin within 6 to 8 weeks after treatment begins, though it all depends what condition is being treated, if the patient is following treatment properly and how well the body responds to the HTC/P injections.

How Long Do Joint Injections Last?

Well, it depends. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t very simple. Every person’s body is unique and will respond differently to treatment. Though typically PRP injections continue to work for 6 to 9 months. Throughout that time the PRP will continue to help the body in healing soft tissue. If after the first PRP injection the results are satisfactory, and you feel relief from pain further treatment may not be necessary. Though it is not uncommon for patients to need multiple injections for best results.

When it comes to HCT/P, due to new tissue being created some patients will take longer to feel a significant reduction in pain, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that treatment isn’t working. When successful, HCT/P treatment has shown to reduce or eliminate pain long-term. Though it is possible for some patients to need more than one treatment of HCT/P. When a patient does not see any improvement to their condition after many months, repeating the treatment may be recommended. 

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 are the Types of IV Therapy

by

Vitamin Therapy IV Drip Infusion In Man Blood

Before getting into the types of iv therapy, let’s first talk about what is IV therapy. You probably know that IV drips are traditionally used in hospitals in order to administer fluids and medicines directly to the patient’s bloodstream. IV therapy is essentially the same thing with the exception that instead of medicine you are being administered fluids, nutrients, or ozone. 

At SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach we offer two forms of IV therapy, the Myer’s cocktail, and Ozone therapy. Join us as we go through why IV therapy is growing in popularity and the benefits of these IV therapies.

Rapid Absorption

When consuming supplements orally it is unlikely that you are absorbing all the nutrients you think you may be consuming. The reason being is when consumed orally your body digests and metabolizes the supplements which significantly reduces the amounts of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that enter the bloodstream. 

With IV therapy, you bypass the digestive system. When nutrients are administered directly to the bloodstream via IV, your body can make use of the fluids and nutrients immediately. Many patients notice a boost of energy, relaxed with less tension as well as improvement in their mood.

Ozone Therapy

Ozone is typically thought of as a gas in the upper atmosphere that protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. But it can be used therapeutically as well. Ozone has amazing anti-inflammatory properties and can act as a disinfectant. Ozone therapy aids the body in preventing tissue damage and improves local blood circulation. 

The immune system can become stimulated to aid healing after a short 30-minute session. Improved blood circulation through Ozone therapy may clean your arteries from potential viral and bacterial infections by oxidizing the toxins. Inflammation can cause oxidative stress which can cause pain and irritation. Ozone therapy can bring balance caused by oxidative stress and greatly improve pain caused by inflammation.

Even when taking necessary precautions, toxins build up in the body of everyone. Usually caused when absorbing pollution from smoke, heavy metals, or other chemicals in our daily lives. When built up in the body these toxins can have many adverse effects including the body’s ability to heal itself. Improving your diet and exercising can slow down the accumulation of toxins, though when living in a big city, a build-up can be unavoidable. Ozone therapy detoxification can help with:

  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Respiratory Problems
  • Joint Pain
  • Allergies
  • Skin Conditions
  • Digestive Issues
  • Insomnia

The Myer’s Cocktail

The Myer’s cocktail is a perfectly crafted blend of Vitamin C, B Complex, Magnesium, and Calcium delivered via IV drip. Usually as one gets older their body loses the ability to absorb nutrients the way it did when it was younger. Your body begins to need different nutrients and vitamins which are often necessary to manage proper immune system health and energy levels. 

IV therapy dispenses a high dose of vitamins directly to the bloodstream without causing any significant discomfort. The blend of vitamins and nutrients can be used by the patient’s body to:

  • Boost Immune System
  • Ease Anxiety
  • Promote Relaxation
  • Hydrate
  • Aid with Migraine Pains
  • Detoxify the Body

The Myer’s cocktail has been frequently used to aid in the treatment of respiratory problems, migraine, fatigue, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. If you need more information feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA any questions you may have.

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.