SOHMA Integrative Medicine

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What are the Benefits of Using Cupping?

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If you are not yet familiar with cupping, allow me to introduce you to this therapy which has been used by celebrities and professional athletes alike. Today we’ll go over a little bit of Cuppings history as well as the benefits cupping therapy provides. 

You may be asking, what is Cupping? How is it beneficial?

Like many alternative wellness practices, Cupping has been around for thousands of years and can be traced back to traditional Chinese medicine. In recent history Cupping has been popularized in the west by Olympic athletes as well as professional football players when reporters noticed circular marks on the back and shoulders of these athletes.

Cupping is known as a form of alternative medicine, in which localized suction is applied to the skin in order to stretch the tissue and increase blood flow. This will draw fresh oxygenated blood to the targeted area. The suction also stretches the fascia which are layers of tissue around the muscles. Many who use Cupping regularly have seen noticeable improvements when suffering from various conditions such as:

  • Fever
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Poor Appetite
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Cramping
  • Knee/Leg Pain
  • Headaches
  • Mental Health

Now that you are a little more familiar with cupping, here are a few of the benefits of using Cupping.

Increased Circulation

Sometimes due to our lifestyle choices our organs designed to remove toxins from our body need some help in order to keep up. 

As stated previously by having the skin and muscle be stretched into the cup, your body will naturally increase blood flow into the treated tissue. The increase in circulation can then flush stagnated toxins as well as attract immune cells. Increased immune cells and blood flow can then assist with cell repair and help new soft tissue to form. The additional blood flow can also help reduce inflammation which has the added benefit of reducing healing time of aches and pains.

Mental Health

Cupping has the ability to help you relax during the treatment, this feeling of relaxation will continue on after the Cupping session is done. This can help insomnia by improving the quality of sleep as well as how long you can remain sleeping through the night. Sleep helps with physical and mental recovery, poor sleep can lead to poor physical recovery. When you are not feeling physically well then it becomes difficult to fall asleep.

Cupping therapy can soothe the parasympathetic nervous system when the therapist slides the cups across your exposed skin, these are the nerves that manage the organs that help cleanse the body of toxins. When the parasympathetic nervous system is engaged it will encourage relaxation, it will then help alleviate stress and eases anxiety.

Pain Management 

Many athletes use Cupping as a form of pain relief for chronic pain. This is not exclusively for elite athletes who push their bodies to the limit of human capabilities though. Shoulder pain and lower back pain can affect anybody regardless of whether you are an office worker or representing your country at the olympics.

When using Cupping to mitigate pain the stretching of the muscle in the cup soothes can soothe the overactive muscles causing pain. As Cupping promotes blood circulation this can bring with it endorphins which are a naturally occurring pain reliever your own body creates. Resulting in pain reduction and an elevated mood.

Scar Tissue and Varicose Veins

The final benefit I want to talk about is Cupping has the ability to reduce scar tissue, stretch marks and varicose veins. The increased blood flow aids your body in flushing out toxins and helps remove excess fluid. It can also help break down scar tissue adhesion, this helps reduce the appearance of scarring even when the cup isn’t being applied directly over the scarred tissue.

Varicose veins look like swollen and bruised veins just under your skin, usually appearing on your feet and legs. They occur when the valves within the vein do not work properly which leads blood to congest within them and the vein itself to swell. Cupping’s ability to bring an increased flow of fresh oxygenated blood into the problem areas, you may notice the the varicose vein begin to lose their color after only one session, though for longer lasting results you may need multiple sessions.

Feel free to ask us any questions you may have about Cupping therapy, our helpful staff is always willing to help with any concerns you may have about cupping therapy. Our goal is to provide healing and wellness in 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.

What does Peripheral Neuropathy feel like?

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First off, what is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term used to describe the condition of nerve damage and the symptoms caused by the damage done to those nerves. The term peripheral, means extremities such as the muscles and senses in your arms, hands, legs and feet.

Peripheral Neuropathy can be caused by a variety of reasons including but not limited to viral, bacterial, fungal infection,diabetes, injury and exposure to toxins. Though rarely fatal, some of the symptoms caused by Peripheral neuropathy can be life altering and debilitating.

What does Peripheral Neuropathy feel like?

The symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy are as varied as the causes, today we are going to talk about what Peripheral Neuropathy feels like. If you think you may be suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy we urge you to see your primary care provider as an early diagnosis can be extremely helpful in managing symptoms and even repairing the damaged nerves.

Numbness and tingling

One of the more common symptoms caused by Peripheral Neuropathy is numbness of your hands and feet. Granted this can also happen during long periods of sitting causing tingling sensation in your legs. And sleeping on your side can also cause numbness on the arm you were lying on. Always keep in mind the frequency of the numbness or tingling. If it becomes a frequent occurrence it’s a sign that you may be dealing with Peripheral Neuropathy.

The tingling sensation of your hands and feet can sometimes be accompanied by the feeling of pins and needles as well as an uncomfortable burning sensation. Patients suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy tend to have more frequent symptoms in the evenings but they can develop to occur even during the day.

Pain

Pain is usually not seen as one of the more common symptoms but it usually occurs in the hands and feet. Additionally, pain in neck, back and face can also be part of the symptoms.

When pain is present as a symptom it tends to be unusually extreme and Intense. This pain is among the most debilitating symptoms for patients, and oftentimes the neurological origin of the pain can be misdiagnosed. This results in delayed or inadequate treatment of underlying conditions leaving the patient dealing with unnecessary pain from the damaged nerves.

Muscular

Many different muscular symptoms can be caused by Peripheral Neuropathy. These include weakness or loss of strength in your arms and legs, as well as your muscles feeling heavy or sluggish. Muscle cramps may also follow the aforementioned symptoms causing pain and difficulty moving.

Problems with hand to eye coordination may be experienced as well as a loss of balance causing potentially dangerous situations as a person can fall and injure themselves. Reaction time and slowed reflexes are additional symptoms as nerves become damaged.

When Peripheral Nerves are damaged it can also lead to muscle atrophy and a loss of muscle mass.

If you have been feeling any of the symptoms mentioned in this article for an extended period of time you may be suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy. As previously mentioned there are many underlying causes of Peripheral Neuropathy, and making sure you are properly diagnosed can be the difference between long term nerve damage and the path to recovery. 

At SOHMA integrative medicine in Long Beach CA we now offer regenerative cellular tissue repair therapy that can help repair the damaged nerves, and may be covered by Medicare. 

If you have any questions about Peripheral Neuropathy or Regenerative Cellular Tissue Repair Therapy feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine for any further information.

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.

Warning Signs of Neuropathy

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What is neuropathy?

In short neuropathy is nerve damage that can be the result of many different conditions such as trauma, viral infection, and diabetes.

Neuropathy is a condition where you suffer from nerve damage, that although rarely fatal, can lead to a variety of life altering problems. Neuropathy is not any single health condition but rather it is used as an umbrella term to describe a range of health issues which involves damage done to your peripheral nerves which include the symptoms of those issues. 

While there is no cure for some of these conditions, you can take steps in preventing neuropathy or managing it through treatments, lifestyle changes and diet. 

The nervous system is divided in two different sections, the central nervous system, which controls automatic body functions like breathing and digestion. The second is the peripheral nervous system, which transmits messages from the central nervous system out to the rest of your body like your feet and hands. In this article we are going to focus on prevention by looking at some of the warning signs of this condition as well as when to see a doctor.

Somatic nervous system

The somatic nervous system is the voluntary nerves that you have conscious control over. Also known as the voluntary nervous system due to its association with the voluntary control of the body.

When your somatic nerves are damaged some early warning signs include:

  • Sharp, burning, or jabbing pain
  • Poor coordination and loss of balance
  • Muscle weakness
  • Intense sensitivity to heat and touch
  • Gradual feeling of numbness or tingling in your feet and hands

Central nervous system

The central nervous system is made up of the spinal cord and the brain. This system controls the functions of the body we tend to have little control over such as bodily functions, awareness, sensations, thoughts, and memory.

Since you have less control over the central nervous system it may be more difficult to realize you are suffering from a case of neuropathy. Some of the things to keep an eye out for include:

  • Persistent headaches
  • Loss of feeling or tingling
  • Loss of muscle strength
  • Erratic vision
  • Lack of coordination
  • Memory loss

.

With early diagnosis many of the long term effects can be avoided and in some cases symptoms can be completely treated. This is why if you are suffering from any of these symptoms it is important to visit your primary care provider to get a diagnosis as early as possible.

When to See a Doctor

Although many of these symptoms are indicative of neuropathy it is still difficult to judge whether your symptoms will get better on their own or if you need to see your primary care provider. If at any point in time you begin to suffer any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it is a signal that there may be an underlying medical condition to be taken care of and this would be the appropriate time to ask your primary care provider about potentially suffering from a form of neuropathy.

If diagnosed with a type of neuropathy, at SOHMA we offer regenerative cellular tissue repair therapy, which may be covered by Medicare. Regenerative cellular tissue repair therapy is incredibly helpful in treating neuropathy by aiding in the healing and regeneration of the damaged nerves. This will help reduce pain as well as return sensation to your hands and feet.

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 Health Benefits of Tai Chi

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Elderly people practicing Tai Chi
Elderly Asian people practicing Tai Chi together

Tai Chi has been known to be a helpful activity for people of all ages. But why is that? Some say that it’s because the combination of meditation and low impact exercise allows nearly anyone to see an improvement in their physical and mental health.

In today’s article we are going to give you examples of five benefits of Tai Chi. We have a completely free Tai Chi class you can join to start feeling the benefits for yourself. 

Stress Reduction

The first benefit we are going to talk about is the ability for Tai Chi to reduce stress. Although it cannot get rid of the burden, it is noticeably helpful in relieving built up stress. First off stress can manifest in many different ways. In some cases stress can look like symptoms of other conditions such as headaches, insomnia, muscle pain, or fatigue.

Reducing your stress can be achieved slowly and steadily with Tai Chi. It can help you find the quiet and calm you may have been looking for by combining slow movement from the Tai Chi poses and the deep controlled breathing you enter a state of mindfulness. This helps you to relax and reduce some of the built up stress you would have been carrying

Mood Improvement

The second benefit that I want to talk about is how Tai Chi can be used to improve your mood. Improve your mood? You ask, yes as your mood can be directly linked to your mental health. Poor mental health can result in suffering from depression, anxiety, insomnia and sometimes bipolar disorder. Poor mental health also can lead to physical issues as well such as headaches, stomach aches, fatigue and in severe cases, heart disease.

By combining meditation and exercise Tai Chi becomes an efficient workout with many people seeing positive results by practicing as little as one hour per week. It has been well documented that meditation and exercise improves your mood and mental health and since Tai Chi does both, it is possibly the best option out there.

Muscle Balance, Flexibility and Agility

The third benefit is about the physical body. Many times as we age our bodies tend to lose some of their capabilities whether it be due to the act of aging, injuries, or just lack of activity.

Due to the low impact movement of Tai Chi, and it being a weight bearing form of exercise Tai Chi will engage your major muscle groups which will improve your endurance, flexibility, agility, and strength.

Asthma

The fourth benefit involves breathing. If you are one of the million of Americans who suffer from asthma, you know that trying to stay in shape can be difficult. Due to its nature, some people can’t nave extended exercise routines as this can trigger asthma attacks.

By focusing on the breathing techniques of Tai Chi, those suffering from asthma can benefit greatly. With time and practice asthmatic people see their lung capacity increase all while still getting good exercise as well.

Physical fitness

The final benefit, that we are discussing today, is that Tai Chi is a great exercise experience that can keep you strong and active without having to go to the gym. Tai chi is a gentle martial art so that any person of any age or physical fitness is capable of practicing. Tai chi also has every low bar of entry, all you need is a comfortable set of clothing and a pair of shoes without heels.

If you are looking to take a class, having a teacher to give feedback is helpful. Having classmates who you can bond with and can encourage each other is another important aspect of learning Tai Chi.

We offer completely free Tai Chi classes for beginners at Heartwell Park in Long Beach CA by the duck pond. If you are not yet convinced feel free to ask the staff at sohma about any other information regarding 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 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.

Is Peripheral Neuropathy a Serious Condition?

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Although peripheral neuropathy is rarely a life threatening condition, it is possible that it may lead to life altering disabilities depending on the amount of damage suffered. With early detection you can minimize the long term effects of this condition. When left alone long term problems can vary from a minor tingling sensation to loss of mobility to the limbs affected by the damaged nerves.

Today we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy. The potential severity of the condition, as well as what can be done to alleviate and in some cases completely reverse the damage.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral Neuropathy is the result of damage done to nerves around the outside of the brain and spinal cord. This damage can be caused by a variety of reasons, some of the more common ones include Diabetes, Tumors, Inherited Disorders or Autoimmune diseases like:

  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Vasculitis

Other causes can include:

  • Alcoholism
  • Exposure to Toxins
  • Medication
  • Vitamin Deficiency
  • Injury or Trauma

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?

The symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy are as varied as it’s causes. Some of the main symptoms include pain around the affected nerves, sensory issues like numbness or sensitivity to heat, or autonomic nervous system issues like loss of balance or difficulty walking.

Pain

The intensity and location of the pain can differ, on the lower end you can feel a tingling pain at your limbs, back and face that comes and goes. This usually is just irritating but can worsen if symptoms are ignored. On the more intense end you can also feel burning or sharp pain at the end of your limbs, back and face. You may also suffer cramping which can cause difficulty walking. Occasionally the pain can be more significant at night though this differs from individual to individual.

Sensory Issues

Much like when your leg falls asleep during long periods of time sitting down, you can have an uncomfortable feeling of pins and needles in your arms or legs, as well as burning sensations. It is also possible to become over sensitive to pain or reduce the sensation to your sense of touch. You may occasionally notice a loss of balance and slowed reflexes.

Autonomic Nerve Issues

The autonomic nerves are the nerves that control functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, perspiration and digestion. If these nerves are the ones affected, symptoms may include the inability to sweat in order to cool you down, or to sweat an unreasonable amount while doing everyday normal activities. You may also suffer from bowel, bladder or digestive issues such as stomach aches or loss of control of your bowels. In more serious cases it may cause lightheadedness or dizziness due to drops in blood pressure or heart rate.

What Can Be Done?

Due to the potential of permanent damage, Peripheral Neuropathy can cause it is important to be aware of early signs as well as what the underlying causes can be. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide the best chances of not only controlling your symptoms but preventing further damage to your peripheral 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 very helpful in reducing some of the pain that comes with Peripheral Neuropathy as well as aiding in healing and regeneration of some of the damaged nerves.

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.