SOHMA Integrative Medicine

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

SOHMA Long Beach

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.

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.

Tai Chi for Muscle Flexibility, Balance & Agility

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As we age, we tend to lose a bit of our bodies to time. Whether it is due to compound injuries,  poor diet, aging, or static positions like sitting for hours in front of a screen. But, there is always hope to help recover some of what was lost.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that has been shown to improve physical and mental wellness. Today, we will see how Tai Chi can help with putting a pep back in your step as well as what you may need in order to get started. At SOHMA Integrated Medicine in Long Beach CA we care about bringing balance and wellness in the most natural way possible, this is why we offer completely free Tai Chi classes.

What Causes our Bodies to Weaken

There are many reasons why our bodies lose balance, flexibility and agility. Some of the more common reasons are:

  • Aging
  • Injury
  • Lack of Stretching
  • Inactivity
  • Migraines
  • Nerve Damage
  • Arthritis
  • Weight

With a little bit of commitment and as little as one Tai Chi class per week, for a couple of months people have shown improvements in many aspects of their wellbeing.

Injury can cause a multitude of problems, not only does the injury leave scarring , depending on the nature of the injury it is possible that it leads to inactivity of the surrounding joints and muscles. This can lead to both loss in agility and flexibility.

Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about aging. But just because we are getting older does not mean we should not try to keep our bodies feeling as young as possible.

Sometimes we can let temptations win and make poor health decisions. Tai Chi is an excellent way of getting back on track, physical wellbeing takes a lot of mental fortitude in order to make the right choices. Oftentimes meditation is recommended to help with mental health. Tai Chi, often called meditation in motion, pulls double duty in this  case. As not only do you begin to be more active by practicing the martial art, you also help your mental health by taking calm rhythmic deep breaths that put you in a state of meditation. By choosing to actively change yourself, you will also improve your self esteem and confidence in yourself. This in turn will help make better choices about your health.

Due to the slow and low impact nature of Tai Chi as well as it being a weight bearing form of exercise, Tai Chi will engage many of your major muscle groups. This will improve endurance, strength, balance, flexibility and agility.

How to get Started Practicing Tai Chi

Getting started is easy. Do you have comfortable clothing? Do you have comfortable shoes with no heals? If you answered yes to these questions then you are halfway there.

One of the best ways to learn Tai Chi is to join a class. Having a teacher giving your feedback the positions and breathing rhythm is very helpful. While having other classmates to bond with and encourage each other is another big part of the experience. We offer completely free Tai Chi classes for beginners at Heartwell Park in Long Beach CA, usually around the duck pond.

Tai chi is an excellent exercise for anybody of any age or fitness level. If you are not yet convinced to give it a try, we welcome you to watch one of our free classes in order to help you makeup your mind. 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.

What is Vitamin C IV Therapy and Why You Should Know About it

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Vitamin C, often used as an immune system booster, as well as a supplement to prevent or shorten the length of viral infections like the common cold. But it does so much more, and it is far more important to your wellness than you might have thought. Today we’re going to see what Vitamin C is used for in your body, what happens when you have a shortage of Vitamin C and the best way to take a Vitamin C supplement without risking irritation from the foods you may have to eat.

What Does Your Body Do With Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals being molecules produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to toxins like city pollution, tobacco some and radiation from the sun or medical procedures.Your body will also use Vitamin C in many different ways such as:

  • Creating Blood Vessels
  • Forming Cartilage
  • Building Muscle
  • Developing Collagen in Bone
  • Storing Iron

You often hear people say “Vitamin C helps when you get sick” and it is true. Vitamin C has been shown to Improve your immune system’s ability to fight viral fungal and bacterial infections.

Importance of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important and valuable to your body’s well being. Unfortunately our body can not produce it on its own, therefore you have to supplement your body with foods rich in vitamin C in order to avoid Vitamin C deficiency which can cause:

  • Feeling Weak
  • Tiredness
  • Irritable
  • Rough Skin
  • Slow Healing Wounds
  • Joint Pain

In severe cases of Vitamin C deficiency, called Scurvy you will see more extreme symptoms like:

  • Bruising
  • Dental/Gum Problems
  • Dry Skin and Hair
  • Anemia

By increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables or supplements high in Vitamin C orally usually corrects the deficiency. But our bodies are not adequate at absorbing Vitamin C, and at high doses can irritate the stomach and digestive system.

IV Therapy, an Efficient Way to Absorb Vitamin C

The best way to combat the issue of orally ingesting Vitamin C is through IV therapy. 

Through the IV drip the body can more efficiently absorb the nutrients being offered. Giving you the ability to take advantage of a more concentrated dose of vitamins and minerals without having to deal with potential gastrointestinal discomfort by bypassing the digestive system.

At SOHMA Integrated Medicine in Long Beach CA we offer Myer’s cocktail IV therapy, which features a crafted blend of Vitamin C, B Complex, Magnesium and Calcium.

Take Care of Yourself, it’s Important! 

It is very important to take the time to care for yourself. Protecting your immune system is often overlooked even though your immune system is the first line of defense when it comes to your health. By offering your body enough nutrients such as Vitamin C it will help protect you from various infections such as bacterial, fungal and viral.

But you can always do a little bit more in order to maintain a healthy body. Myer’s Cocktail IV therapy can be used on its own but feel free to ask the staff at SOHMA about other complementary therapies that work well with our Myer’s Cocktail IV therapy such as ozone therapy which has amazing anti-inflammatory properties that fortifies your immune system and reduces the viral replication in your body.

At SOHMA we want to be able to work with you in order to ensure health and wellness in a natural way. By helping your body heal and recover without the use of drugs or surgery.

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.