SOHMA Integrative Medicine

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

SOHMA Interactive Medicine

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

by

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?

by

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.

Top 5 Questions You Should Ask Before Starting Tai Chi

by

Interested in the Tai Chi Instructor Certification Course?

Register Now

Many people’s first experience with Tai Chi is seeing others practicing it outdoors in a park. Tai Chi, with its slow deliberate movements, emphasis on relaxation, and breathing is being practiced by countless people for more than just fitness. 

Many practitioners of this martial art have shown a variety of mental health benefits which include reduction in:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Blood pressure

Physical benefits like an increase in:

  • Flexibility
  • Balance
  • Agility
  • Stamina

Tai Chi has also been shown to aid in

  • Improvement in mood 
  • Reduce the risk of falling in older adults
  • Improvement in reflexes

Although Tai Chi is very inclusive and available to most people, we understand if you have some reservations about starting to practice this martial art. 

Below we outline 5 questions we recommend you should ask yourself, your primary care provider, or our staff at SOHMA integrative medicine in Long Beach CA prior to joining a Tai Chi class. Whether it’s our free Tai Chi for beginners at Heartwell Park in Long Beach (by the duck pond) or an online option like the 8 part series Tai Chi for beginners on YouTube.

What if I have Disabilities or Health Problems?

When taught and practiced properly Tai Chi is one of the safest form of exercises that exist for anyone who may be be suffering from disabilities of other health conditions, that being said it is important for you to talk to your primary care provider and ask if they feel like there is any potential risk that they can foresee with you when deciding to practice Tai Chi. An example can be exercising too soon after a surgery, as maybe you have to let your body heal before beginning Tai Chi.

The movements done while practicing Tai Chi should never feel forced, therefore even if you feel like you may have limited mobility you can and should modify the movements to fit the range of motion you are comfortable with.

Is Tai Chi safe to learn?

With Tai Chi being practiced by people of all ages, it is okay to presume that Tai Chi is a safe form of fitness. Because there are no high impact movements such as jumping, and movements are slow and soft there is minimal strain to your joints and muscles. Since all the movements are deliberate and careful there is little to no chance of falling. This is why you tend to see many older adults participating in Tai Chi classes. Though everyone is welcome to join regardless of age or fitness level.

How can I get started?

If you are looking to get started with Tai Chi, but you are unsure about how to get started let me start off by saying, getting started in Tai Chi is less complicated than you may think. Even though Tai Chi has its origins in ancient China, and is a martial art It’s not required to learn about Chinese history or philosophy to get started. Unlike other martial arts out there like karate or boxing, Tai Chi is easier on the individual with limited mobility whether it’s due to age or injury. As well as being more inclusive Tai Chi does not require special uniforms, protective gear or special equipment that can be expensive to buy. All you need to get started is a pair of sneakers, comfortable clothes, a little bit of time  a week and an open mind.

Where can I learn Tai Chi?

Now that you have decided that you want to give Tai Chi a try, where do you go from there? With all the resources that exist in the modern age, finding a Tai Chi class or a video with the introduction to Tai Chi is fairly easy. As mentioned before, we offer completely free Tai Chi classes for beginners every Sunday at Heartwell Park in Long Beach CA by the duck pond from 9:30am to 10:30am. But this isn’t the only resource we have. 

You can also get started by watching our 8 part Tai Chi for beginners course on YouTube where I give you step by step instructions on getting warmed up, how to perform each movement as well as what each movement is called. Even though this is a great tool to learn the basics I recommend joining us for the class so that you can receive feedback, and guidance from everyone there, though I understand that not everyone is able to go out and join us at the park right now.

Do I have the time to practice Tai Chi?

Depending on your schedule you may think to yourself that you don’t have the time to dedicate to learning Tai Chi. You’d be surprised however, as you can gain health benefits with as little as 10 minutes a day. Though in order to learn proper technique and form it is recommended to participate in a class if possible, if not you can do your best by following instructional classes online like the ones mentioned earlier.

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

by

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.

3 Reasons To Consider Joint Injections

by

There are millions of Americans suffering from joint related pains every day, whether it is caused by tendonitis, arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps you have a nagging knee, ankle or shoulder injury. If the pain you are suffering is becoming more frequent or more intense you may need to look into getting Joint Injections.

What are Joint Injections?

At SOHMA integrative medicine in Long Beach CA, we use Cellular Regenerative Therapy, as well as Platelet Rich Plasma. This unique approach to repairing the human body aims to regenerate and replace damaged tissue and restore your body’s health and natural functions.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma and Cellular Regenerative Therapy?

Blood is first drawn from the patient, following this the plasma is separated from the red blood cells.This process does not remove platelets leaving a concentrated platelet rich plasma behind to be injected back into the patient joints where the Platelet Rich Plasma can help in reducing pain, inflammation, improve joint function and in some cases halt or slow down the damage to the joint. Cellular Regenerative Therapy is also used as a treatment for repairing and regenerating damaged tissue. Also known as Human Cellular Tissue Products (HCTP), these injections support the body’s healing without the need for surgeries or the use of modern pharmaceuticals.In today’s article I’m going to give 3 reasons as to why you should consider joint injections to aid with your pain and recovery.

Aging

Growing old is normal, but with it comes natural wear and tear. Slowly our bodies begin to break down, we lose muscle mass, our tendons and ligaments become less flexible, loss of bone density, and cartilage within joints wears away. These changes can cause a number of problems for our bodies including arthritis which limits the range of motion of your joints as well as causing swelling, stiffness and pain especially in your hands and feet.

Joint Injections can be used to slow the wearing down done to the cartilage in your joints caused by aging. By reducing the swelling in the affected area Joint Injections can aid in regaining some mobility to your limbs. Depending on the severity, Joint Injections may not be able to reverse all the damage done to the soft tissue, though Platelet Rich Plasma Injections and Cellular Regenerative Therapy have been shown to aid in relieving pain. Do not ignore your symptoms, beginning treatment as soon as possible can help in mitigating long term effects.

Injury

Accidents and injuries can leave long term damage to your body, causing lingering discomfort and pain. Many times these can damage soft tissue. Chronic injuries which are injuries caused by overuse of a joint or muscle group can develop slowly and over time. If these are not treated in a timely manner they can result in pain, inflammation, and discomfort for years or in some cases permanently.

Due to the nature of some injuries, a full recovery may not be possible, especially if the injury is left untreated for an extended period of time. However, Joint Injections can be used to reduce swelling and pain giving you relief. 

For more serious injuries you may require more than just Joint Injections for your recovery. Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA about complementary treatments such as Chiropractic Care or Massage Therapy which combined with Joint Injections can be used as a more well rounded treatment.

Post Surgery Recovery

Sometimes after all alternative treatments are exhausted you may ultimately require surgery. Not only are surgeries expensive, recovery time from these procedures can be days, weeks or months. Many of us don’t have that kind of luxury.

Joint Injections have been used  to help patients heal from surgeries more swiftly. By increasing the level of Platelets or Human Cellular Tissue Products in the affected area, inflammation can be reduced and tissue can be regrown and repaired. This can greatly reduce the necessary time needed for recovery and shorter recovery periods means getting back to your normal life sooner.

The goal is to return you back to a pain free lifestyle the most natural way possible.

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.