Category Archives: Integrative Medicine

Multiple sclerosis is often called the disease of a thousand faces. And thats because the symptoms are variable and can be different for each person.

Besides the commonly recommended physical therapy and occupational therapy, theres also a variety of alternative therapies that can help manage your symptoms as well.

Heres a list of the therapies Ive tried during my MS journey to manage the vast range of symptoms Ive had throughout the years and that have given me the best results:

Of all of them, aquatic therapy has to be my favorite. Theres no limit to what I can do in the water, like marching and lifting my leg. Things I couldnt do otherwise. The benefits are the same as those of a regular workout but without the struggle of fighting gravity.

Not only does our body need maintenance, but so does our brain. Unfortunately, many MSers experience some kind of cognitive deficit due to the condition. For those more internet-savvy, there are options like Lumosity, CogniFit, and Brain Metrix. There are also console games for Wii and Nintendo DS like Brain Age and Big Brain Academy.

If you dont care for technology, a simple puzzle can challenge your visual perception. Crosswords and word finding games can improve your language. A sudoku puzzle will challenge your logical thinking.

No matter where you are in your MS journey, there are many alternatives to manage your symptoms. I would recommend adding an integrative medicine physician to your care team who can guide you and refer you to the different therapies based on your particular needs.

Achieving wellness is the ultimate goal. Wellness is an individual, active pursuit of an optimal state of health and well-being. But when youre living with MS, this can be a little bit of a challenge. It requires determination and resilience. We have the potential to live a healthier and happier life where instead of surviving, were thriving.

To connect with other people living with multiple sclerosis join our MS Facebook Support Group .

Photo Credit:Jupiterimages / Goodshoot / Getty Images Plus

WebMD Blog

Mayte Ramos was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2015. She is a support group leader for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a member of the Buddy Network for Shift.ms, and has participated in programs such as the Ask an MS Expert series and the PBS American Portrait project. She enjoys traveling, watching tennis, collecting jewelry, and spending time with her three sons. Connect with her here.

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Alternative Therapies That Have Helped Me Manage Different MS Symptoms - WebMD

Its about time to say goodbye to our beloved Chicago summer activities like meeting up with friends at the beach, enjoying an outdoor patio or biking the lakefront path. But preparing for shorter and colder days doesnt have to be all bad. It could be an opportunity to expand the ways you seek joy within yourself.

At least, thats what Deepak Chopra, Oprahs longtime health adviser, would challenge you to do.

After being trained as a physician, Chopra became an alternative medicine advocate, author and founder of The Chopra Foundation, a wellness-focused research nonprofit. He recently gave Reset a preview of his new podcast, Mind Body Zone: Living Outside the Box, in which he explores how we can improve our lives by paying closer attention to the connection between our mental and physical health. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:

What qualities do the guests on your new podcast share?

Chopra: Ive been a student of what people do and why they do it. Ninety-nine percent of us are basically biological algorithms, in that we are predictable, we have no original thought and were squeezed inside a box. The people I spoke to in my podcast are people who not only broke out of the box, but they basically were not even looking at a box. They had freed themselves from the conditioning that is part of our culture right now. Every single person I interviewed from Gbor Marte to Oprah Winfrey is not a victim of the conditioned mind. They are true creators and therefore role models for us all to see how we can break through our conditioning.

How did you make that mental shift?

Chopra: Forty-five years ago as a resident intern, I realized that what we call Reductionist Mechanistic Medicine was very good for [treating] acute illness, but not good for prevention or even for managing chronic illness. By chronic illness, I mean the major epidemics of our time obesity, Type 2 diabetes, inflammation, depression, anxiety, stress. These are very important factors in illness.

Only 5% of disease-related gene mutations are fully penetrant, in that they guarantee the disease. If somebody has a mutation like Angelina Jolie had for breast cancer its called the BRCA gene then you need to have a preventive mastectomy. Only 5% of gene mutations are like that.

The rest [of illness-related mutation] are dependent on our daily choices, including how much we sleep, how we manage stress, emotional resiliency, biological rhythms and, of course, food, exercise, movement and mind-body coordination. I got a lot of criticism 35-40 years ago for having even proposed the idea that there were alternative or integrative methods for treating most chronic illnesses.

What role can love play in healing?

Chopra: Love is frequently understood as sentimentality and emotions, which it is. But love is a much bigger truth than just mere emotion.

Wisdom traditions talk about how we are part of a matrix of inter-beingness. Thats part of the Buddhist teachings and Christian teachings Love thy neighbor as thyself. You might think its impossible to do, but if you experience it through meditation, you do find love as truth, love of an idea, love of service, love of a higher calling, love of children, love of your significant other. Its a whole new dimension of love that is healing.

In the Indian tradition that I come from, the word is love in action, which is called karma yoga. Love without action is meaningless and action without love is irrelevant. But when you practice love in action, then the whole world responds to you and wants to help you out. And thats been my experience.

How can meditation improve our physical health?

Chopra: There were many pandemics: One was the COVID-19 pandemic, the second was the economic disasters that occurred with people losing their jobs, etc., and the third epidemic was stress, which was actually worse than the other two epidemics.

Stress is associated in the body with something called sympathetic overdrive. If your sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the fight or flight response, goes into overdrive, then it produces intense inflammation both low-grade inflammation and what I call inflammatory storms. They are actually the precipitating factor in morbidity and mortality from the infection.

Our science has not emphasized the opposite of the fight-or-flight response, which is actually the name of your show Reset the reset response, the reinvent response, the digest response and the relaxed response which involves the parasympathetic nervous system. Many things like yoga, tai chi, qi gong, vocalization, chanting, singing and breathing exercises can actually override the sympathetic response.

What do you want people to take away from your new podcast?

Chopra: [People] have an immense amount of resources in their being for intuition, insight, inspiration, creativity, a higher calling and transcendence. Life can be a celebration instead of a disaster, which is the way were seeing it right now.

I had the opportunity to look at social demographics and what people call happiness. Only 10% [of happiness] depends on situation, circumstance and whats happening in the world. The remaining 80% is dependent on how we see the world and what we interpret as a problem or a disaster. The choices we make every day, are they only for ourselves or also for others? Do we have the capacity to give other people attention, affection, appreciation and acceptance? That is probably the most healing element that could create all sorts of joy and happiness for ourselves.

Claire Hyman is an intern for WBEZs Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons. Follow her @hyimclaire. Penny Hawthorne is a multimedia and audience engagement intern at WBEZ. Follow her @penny_eleanor_.

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In a new podcast, Oprahs health adviser draws the connection between mind and body - WBEZ

In addition to its widely accepted use for treating low-back pain, low-level laser therapy, or photobiomodulation (PBM), can be a valuable adjunctive treatment for metabolic and inflammatory diseases. When PBM modulates the gut microbiome in combination with targeted nutritional therapy or photobiomics laser therapy for these diseases becomes even more effective. The value is evident in treating gut issues, low vagal tone and autoimmunity.

Recent research strongly suggests that photobiomodulation of the microbiome can help sharply improve the guts microbial diversity. Maintaining diversity in the gut microbiota is key to sustaining healthy production of the numerous vital metabolites, such as butyrate, that these bacteria produce. Its also crucial for keeping pathogens from gaining a foothold in the gut; diversity helps crowd out harmful bacteria. Using laser therapy to rebalance the gut microbiome has significant therapeutic potential.[1]

Photobiomodulation through low-level laser therapy affects the gut microbiome both indirectly and directly. A significant indirect effect occurs when the laser light mimics the circadian clock that regulates the gut microbiota and their production of bacterial metabolites.

Specifically, the beneficial bacteria responsible for gut barrier integrity can decrease when the gut circadian rhythm is disrupted through poor sleep, night shift work or travel across time zones. This can lead to systemic inflammation when increased toxic lipopolysaccharides (LPS) pass through the gut wall.[2] When combined with improved sleep and a healthier diet, PBM can help overcome the effects on the microbiome of prolonged circadian rhythm disruption.

Disruptions in the circadian rhythm also decrease the overall bacterial diversity in the gut. An excellent example of how reduced diversity has indirect impacts on overall health is vitamin D metabolism. The greater the diversity of the gut microbiome particularly those that produce the short-chain fatty acid butyrate the better vitamin D can be metabolized into the active form and absorbed through the numerous vitamin D receptors that line the gastrointestinal tract. When the gut bacteria are imbalanced, vitamin D absorption is impaired.

Decreased ability to absorb vitamin D because of gut dysbiosis may explain why taking supplemental vitamin D doesnt always have the expected benefits. Restoring a better bacterial balance through laser therapy may help increase levels of available vitamin D with downstream improvements in immunity and bone health.[3]

Photobiomodulation works by stimulating the mitochondria within cells to function better. Light from the laser causes increased ATP synthesis, leading to less fatigue. It also modulates the reactive oxygen species produced within the mitochondria, leading to less free radical damage and inflammation.[4]

While we think of the hundreds or even thousands of mitochondria in every cell primarily as the source of cellular energy, they also play a complex role in intracellular signaling. Among other functions, they act as platforms to transmit signals for activating the innate immune system and coordinating immune cell activity with the rest of the cells in the body. When the mitochondria are stressed, however, they dont function as well. Stressed mitochondria dont produce as much energy, create more damaging free radicals, and dont efficiently transmit signals between the immune system and the rest of the body.[5]

Stressed mitochondria become dysfunctional because they produce excess nitric oxide (NO), which competes with oxygen for space on the cytochrome c oxidase enzyme in the mitochondrial membrane. When NO displaces oxygen, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress result; this triggers the inflammatory NF-B pathway and causes inflammation and even cell death.

At a wavelength of 635 nm, laser light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase, forcing the NO out of the membrane and allowing replacement with oxygen. This restores ATP synthesis and reduces oxidative stress. Normal mitochondrial function including immune system signaling returns and cell metabolism improves.[6]

Combining nutritional therapy with PBM can help accelerate improvements in energy and immunity. For patients with long COVID, B vitamins, CoQ10, carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), liposomal glutathione, zinc, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E should all be considered as adjuncts. Immune activation can be improved with extracts of medicinal mushrooms, including reishi, maitake, lions mane, chaga and shiitake.[7]

The vagus nerve is part of the autonomic nervous system, which governs essential survival functions such as respiration rate and heartbeat. The vagus nerve is ordinarily highly responsive; its ability to transmit nerve impulses quickly and efficiently is called vagal tone.

A higher vagal tone lets the body return to normal after a stressful event quickly. For example, the vagus nerve makes the heart beat faster during exercise; when the vagal tone is high, the heartbeat returns to its normal resting rate soon after exercise stops. The vagus nerve also monitors the condition of the gut microbiome through chemoreceptors on the afferent (to the brain) fibers that sense the presence of metabolites, such as butyrate, produced by gut bacteria. Overall, low vagal tone is associated with poorer health, including a greater risk of autoimmune disease.

An essential function of the vagus nerve is reducing systemic inflammation by keeping the gut immune system from responding inappropriately. However, when the vagal tone is low, the messages to stay calm may not get through as well; the gut immune system may react inappropriately by increasing inflammation.

PBM therapy is highly effective for raising low vagal tone and reducing inflammation. Higher vagal tone improves blood flow to the intestines and attenuates the disruption of intestinal tight junctions, which reduces LPS-induced inflammation.[8]

The vagus nerve monitors butyrate production in the colon. When the vagus senses that gut bacteria produce enough butyrate, that message is transmitted to the brain. Normal levels of butyrate production signal that enterocytes in the gut wall are getting good nourishment and keeping the gut wall strong and leak-free. The return message along the vagus is to calm inflammation.

Foods that help raise vagal tone are those that are rich in phytonutrients and polyphenols. In addition to PBM treatment to raise vagal tone, dietary improvements to increase prebiotic fiber intake are needed. Inulin and xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are complex carbohydrates that pass through the small intestine and arrive in the colon as a preferred food for butyrate-producing gut bacteria. Prebiotic supplements are beneficial, especially for patients who cant tolerate fiber-rich foods in the diet.

Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are also crucial for improving vagal tone. The omega-3 in fish oil supplements is known to help improve heart rate variability and lower blood pressure. Fish oil also inhibits the action of Toll-like receptor 4 and inhibits the NF-B pathway. When these receptors are less sensitive, inflammation is reduced and vagal tone improves.

Two probiotic bacteria species also positively affect the vagus nerve: Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum. Studies have shown that B. longum helps reduce inflammation, stabilizes the gut lining, increases levels of BDNF in the brain, and may help reduce anxiety and depression.[9]

Both bacteria species help improve vagal tone by improving the guts overall health and decreasing the impact of LPS-induced inflammation.[10]

Low-back pain and sciatica are among the most common conditions sending patients to chiropractic care. Adding PBM to the treatment mix helps improve outcomes; adding nutritional support can improve them even more.

The evidence for the value of PBM in treating back pain is robust. Laser light at the 635-nm wavelength has been shown to provide significant pain relief on nociceptive musculoskeletal pain and reduce the use of opioids and NSAID medication.[11] This wavelength reduces inflammation by inhibiting the NF-B inflammasome and the production of the inflammatory COX2 enzyme. It also reduces the production of free radicals in the irradiated area and cuts the production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) and TNF-alpha.

Nutritional supplements enhance the value of laser therapy for back pain. Recent research suggests that combining the omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, also called evening primrose oil) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) effectively treats low-back pain sciatica.[12] Supplements of curcumin are also valuable for accelerating sciatic nerve repair.[13]

Back pain patients, particularly if they also have diabetes, should be tested for vitamin D levels. Patients with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency are more than twice as likely to have low-back pain than patients with normal vitamin D levels.[14] Patients with low vitamin D may also have dysbiosis that is interfering with absorption. If levels are low, supplementation with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) can help bring them up. At the same time, the possibility of dysbiosis should be explored and treated if needed to help improve vitamin D absorption naturally.

When the gut microbiome is unbalanced and lacks sufficient diversity, the whole body is affected. PBM therapy and nutritional supplements can help, but restoring a better balance requires a more significant commitment.

Dietary and lifestyle changes are needed to provide a gut environment where a good range of beneficial bacteria can thrive. The Super 7(R) Action Plan puts patients on the right path for better gut health:

Reset The first action step is to reset the diet, lifestyle and mindset of patients. The critical dietary component is an anti-inflammatory premise based on the basic Mediterranean diet, supplemented with MCT oil, fiber and magnesium. Stress reduction and regular exercise are additional essential components.

Remove Remove foods related to individual intolerances, sensitivities and allergies, along with processed foods, sugar, dairy and gluten. Remove pathogens (harmful bacteria, viruses and yeasts) and environmental toxins through the use of nutritional supplements such as berberine, oregano oil and garlic.

Replace Replenish and replace digestive enzymes, stomach acid and bile.

Regenerate The damaged intestinal wall needs help to regenerate and become an effective barrier again. A plethora of nutrients is typically suggested to repair the gut barrier and decrease inflammation in the gut region. These include glutamine, zinc carnosine, okra, collagen and others.

Re-inoculate High-quality prebiotics and probiotics can help improve the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Prebiotic fiber is crucial to this step as support for the bacteria in the probiotic supplement.

Reintroduce When the symptoms of dysbiosis are reduced or gone, foods removed earlier in the process can be gradually reintroduced.

Retain Retaining the gains is accomplished by helping patients continue down the road to good gut health and avoiding a return to poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle and high stress levels.

Our understanding of the microbiomes role in health and disease is expanding rapidly. The emerging science of photobiomics the combined effects of light on metabolic factors, the microbiome and the interaction between them is opening many new avenues for effective patient treatment.

The future will bring us even more ways to combine nutrition with our improving knowledge of the microbiome and our enhanced knowledge of PBM to help optimize our patient outcomes.

ROBERT G. SILVERMAN, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, MS, CCN, CNS, CSCS, CIISN, CKTP, CES, HKC, FAKTR, is a chiropractic doctor, clinical nutritionist, national/international speaker, author of Amazons #1 bestseller Inside-Out Health, and founder and CEO of Westchester Integrative Health Center. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic and has a Master of Science degree in human nutrition. The ACA Sports Council named him Sports Chiropractor of the Year in 2015. He is on the advisory board for the Functional Medicine University and is a seasoned health and wellness expert on the speaking circuits and in the media. A frequently published author in peer-reviewed journals and other mainstream publications, he is a thought leader in his field and practice. His new book, Superhighway to Health, was published in June 2021. He can be reached at drrobertsilverman.com.

REFERENCES

[1] Bicknell B, Liebert A, Johnstone D, Kiat H. Photobiomodulation of the microbiome: implications for metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Lasers Med Sci. 2019 Mar;34(2):317-327. doi: 10.1007/s10103-018-2594-6. Epub 2018 Aug 3. PMID: 30074108.

[2] Liebert A et al. Photobiomics: Can Light, Including Photobiomodulation, Alter the Microbiome? Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019 Nov;37(11):681-693. doi: 10.1089/photob.2019.4628. Epub 2019 Oct 9. PMID: 31596658; PMCID: PMC6859693.

[3] Thomas RL, Jiang L, et al. Vitamin D metabolites and the gut microbiome in older men. Nat Commun. 2020 Nov 26;11(1):5997. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19793-8. PMID: 33244003; PMCID: PMC7693238.

[4] Salehpour F et al. Brain Photobiomodulation Therapy: a Narrative Review. Mol Neurobiol. 2018 Aug;55(8):6601-6636. doi: 10.1007/s12035-017-0852-4. Epub 2018 Jan 11. PMID: 29327206; PMCID: PMC6041198.

[5] Tan JX, Finkel T. Mitochondria as intracellular signaling platforms in health and disease. J Cell Biol. 2020 May 4;219(5):e202002179. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202002179. PMID: 32320464; PMCID: PMC7199861.

[6] Hamblin MR, Demidova TN. Biomed Opt. 61001. Vol. 6140. International Society for Optics and Photonics; 2006. Mechanisms of low-level light therapy; pp. 112.

[7] Guggenheim AG, Wright KM, Zwickey HL. Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Feb;13(1):32-44. PMID: 26770080; PMCID: PMC4684115.

[8] Masayuki Y, Koji M, Akinori U, et al. Surgery, Mar 2020;167(3):638-45.

[9] Bercik P et al. The anxiolytic effect of Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 involves vagal pathways for gut-brain communication. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011 Dec;23(12):1132-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2011.01796.x. Epub 2011 Oct 11. PMID: 21988661; PMCID: PMC3413724.

[10] Bonaz B, Bazin T, Pellissier S. The Vagus Nerve at the Interface of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. Front Neurosci. 2018 Feb 7;12:49. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00049. PMID: 29467611; PMCID: PMC5808284.

[11] Januskewski J et al. Efficacy of 635nm Red Low-Level Laser on Nociceptive Musculoskeletal Pain Compared to NSAIDS, Opioids, and Other Light Sources Orthopedics and Rheumatology, Ortho & Rheum Open Access J, November 2020.

[12] Ranieri M et al. The use of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and rehabilitation in the treatment of back pain: effect on health-related quality of life. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Jul-Sep;22(3 Suppl):45-50. doi: 10.1177/03946320090220S309. PMID: 19887043.

[13] Zhao Z, Li X, Li Q. Curcumin accelerates the repair of sciatic nerve injury in rats through reducing Schwann cells apoptosis and promoting myelinization. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Aug;92:1103-1110. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.099. Epub 2017 Jun 12. PMID: 28622711.

[14] Bansal D, Boya CS, Vatte R, Ghai B. High Prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D in Patients with Low Back Pain: Evidence from Meta-Analysis. Pain Physician. 2018 Jul;21(4):E389-E399. PMID: 30045605.

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Photobiomics: A look to the future of combined laser and nutrition therapy - Chiropractic Economics

The wellness-tourism industry is officially hitting its stride: While a 2017 Global Wellness Institute report clocked it as a $639 billion market (up 6.5 percent annually from 2015), new research released this past April from Vision Research Reports forecasts a spike to $1.10 trillion by 2028.

Part of that uptick may be linked to the way the COVID-19 pandemic hasand continues tochange so much about daily life and perceptions of wellness. A survey conducted this summer by wellness-tech platform MindBody, which aggregated data from thousands of its users, found that over 75 percent of respondents reported wellness to be more important to them than ever, with over 50 percent reporting plans to spend more money on self care over the next six months.

While these results are specific to folks predisposed to value wellness in some way (aka, people who already use MindBody), the renewed affinity for wellness is nonetheless notableand hotels seem to agree, as many are shape-shifting their wellness offerings via new partnerships to match this new demand.

Since the onset of the pandemic, in fact, a number of hotels have struck new partnerships with fitness-, nutrition-, and recovery-oriented companies to institute expert-backed programs designed to help guests maintain healthy habits they adopted during lockdown, or to launch new ones aligned with future wellness goals.

This new slate of hotel wellness partnerships serves as an invitation to rethink travel as wellness-supportivewhether or not you're actually going to a wellness resort or wellness is the express purpose of your trip. The idea is that a stay away from home shouldnt just allow you to uphold any newly refined relationship with health or fitness or self care, but to actually enhance it. Below, find our roadmap to the most exciting new hotel wellness partnerships poised to help you de-stress, gain strength, catch more shut-eye, or embrace nature in transporting ways.

If workout equipment has become a starring fixture in your Zoom background, youll feel right at home in one of Andaz Scottsdales three new Sonoran Wellness Suites (from $1,093 per night), which are decked out with Tonal smart gyms. To cater specifically to those who prefer strength-training in private, these suites feature the full customizable Tonal experience (interactive display and digital-weight technology included), as well as an exercise bench, weight set, and yoga mat. So, its easy to achieve a full workout without so much as leaving your suitebut should you want some air, youll also find an Atlantic Coast Cruiser bicycle ready to be taken for a spin through the propertys cactus gardens and lemon-tree patches. Upon your return, relax and unwind beside the suite's diffuser, with a handful of house-made lavender-infused almonds.

Right alongside hiking or walking outside, biking is one of those open-air diversions that really hit its groove during the pandemic, with bicycle sales summiting to new heights. If you, too, joined the two-wheeled crewor, perhaps, have loved biking for some time nowlevel up your skills (and views) along mountain trails at Applewood Manor by partaking in the just-launched Peep & Pedal program. Designed by the inns owner, Stephen Collins, who is also a former elite amateur competitive cyclist, it features customized bike routes along the Blue Ridge Parkway fit for experienced cyclists (though not suggested for beginners).

For $295 per person, the package includes rental of a 3T Exploro racing bike, as well as an on-ride nutrition pack from Torq USA. Before you take off on your journey, youll also enjoy a pre-ride boxed lunch, and upon your return, youll be greeted by a sampling of charcuterie and local craft beer.

Reconnect with nature in an entirely new way at the Carmel Valley Ranch, which just launched a slate of new equine experiences. And were not just talking horseback riding: To create programs that tap into the soothing powers of the animal-people connection, the resort partnered with clinical psychologist Robert G. Magnelli, PhD, whose specialties include equine-assisted psychotherapy and equine-assisted learning.

Through the Getting to Know Our Herd program, for example, you can get up-close and personal with horses to learn how they respond to a person's emotional stateand how you can shift your own energy to change the horses' responses, as well. Or, choose the Equine & Wine program to get grounded in the present moment and dissolve tension over quality time with the horses and a glass of vino at sunset.

Nestled within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the natural setting of Cavallo Point sets up the resort well for its new stress-melting 6 Pillars of Healthy Living program. Created in partnership with BlueWave Medicine and its founder, integrative-medicine physician Brad Jacobs, MD, MPH, it includes an array of wellness experiences framed around six pillars: active living, healthy eating, restorative sleep, stress reduction, connection, and passion and gratitude. All activities for the programfrom outdoor yoga and hypnotherapy to a cacao ceremony and herbal-gardening sessionare designed to plunk you outside, in grassy fields and rolling meadows, as often as possible, where you can soak up all the serenity that comes from reconnecting with nature.

Get acquainted with Ayurveda during a five-day retreat at CIVANA, created in partnership with internal-medicine physician and Ayurvedic expert Deepak Chopra, MD. Twice a month, you can book the new Whole Health Retreat, a package deal centered as much around improving the health of the mind and spirit as that of the body (from $5,800). It includes 15 locally sourced, vegan meals (developed by the Chopra Centers Chief Medical Officer, Sheila Patel, MD), as well as twice-daily meditation and yoga, four personalized Ayurvedic spa treatments, and a one-on-one consultation with an Ayurvedic physician during which youll develop your own sound meditation mantra.

Not ready to commit to a five-night experience? During any stay at CIVANA, you can still access several new spa experiences developed withDr. Chopralike an Ayurveda-inspired body massage by way of Marma Point Therapy (focused on Ayurvedic energy points throughout the body) or a kansa-wand facial massage designed to promote lymphatic drainage.

After a year-plus of Zoom calls, FaceTimes, and endless cause for doom-scrolling, you might find yourself overdue for a break from technology. The Foundry Hotel's new Digital Detox Adventure Package (from $999 per night), launching October 1, poses exactly that. Thanks to a partnership with Asheville Wellness Tours, the tech-free experience includes a private hike at Wild Cat Rock within the Blue Ridge Mountains on a route that notably has zero cell service. And to brace against the mountain chill on your hike and on the hotel grounds, you'll also receive a classic puffer from mindful outwear brand The Arrivals, which comes equipped with an "Off-the-Grid" pocket designed to block 100-percent of radiation from cell signals. Consider it out-of-office, 2.0.

A few years back, the Four Seasons Los Angeles launched its first four wellness-centric roomsand at the start of this summer, it increased that number to 14, rounding out an entire floors worth of on-site wellness spaces. Created in partnership with Delos Living, a wellness consultancy, each room offers circadian rhythm-centric lighting (which simulates the patterns of natural light) and soothing sound machines, alongside Rabbit air-purification systems, Lather bath amenities, Alo Yoga equipment, and the option to participate in guided meditations narrated by Deepak Chopra, MD. Beyond the rooms and suites, the wellness floor includes a private fitness suite thats home to both Peloton and SoulCycle bikes (among other equipment) and is available to reserve in two-hour time slots, as well as a private office with adjustable-height desks and stools to make for a fully customizable work or meeting setup.

A collaboration with Next|Health puts IV therapy right at your fingertips (er, arm) while youre a guest at the Four Seasons Maui. While IV treatmentsby which liquid formulations of vitamins or electrolytes are channeled into the bloodare not for everyone (and should only be done after getting approval from your physician), they can be a helpful way to speed up the bodys absorption of health-supportive nutrients like vitamin C, glutathione (which helps the body produce more antioxidants and facilitates cell growth), and magnesium. All of the above are available via the Four Seasons and Next|Health collab, as are drips of other anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting nutrients, like antioxidant CoQ10 and peptide Thymosin Alpha-1, from $300 each. Theyre all administered by registered nurses in the Four Seasons spa, making the experience feel as un-medical as possiblefor an IV treatment, that is.

Travel and good sleep notoriously dont mixbut the French Quarter Inn is working to change that by way of a partnership with the sleep app SleepSpace. Each room at the inn now comes equipped with a sleep guide developed by SleepSpaces founder, cognitive psychologist Daniel Gartenberg, PhD, featuring a set of good-sleep reminderslike a timeline for when to get the most sunlight and when to dim the lightsas well as sleep tips geared specifically toward travelers, like how to beat jet lag by adapting to your new time zones schedule as soon as possible. And to help you doze off even more easily when the time comes, the hotel offers free sleep sound machines, sleepytime tea, and a Sound Sleep pillow menu, from which you can choose your ideal pillow from seven different options.

At Hotel Figueroa, R&R isnt just rest and relaxationbut rest and recovery, as the aptly named R&R suite (from $426 per night) is decked out to help guests do both to the fullest. Launched on August 15 (in honor of National Relaxation Day), the suite at the historic Los Angeles property features a customizable pod mattress via a partnership with sleep-fitness company Eight Sleep, which adjusts its temperature to bring on optimal sleep throughout the night. And if youre sharing the bed with a partner, not to worry: It has two zones that will uniquely manage each of your bodies' temperature fluctuations.

A week before arrival, you'd also complete a sleep quiz from Pluto Pillow, which custom-builds a pillow based on your preferences that will be ready on the bed upon check-in. During your stay, you can also exercise with the in-room FORME fitness mirrorand then recover both inside and out with Beam hydration powders and a Hyperice recovery station for the legs, hips, and back.

If youre taking advantage of WFH flexibility to work from wherever you want, youd be keen to book The Ivy Hotel's "Weekday Wellness" package (from $801 per night), which includes a 60-minute massage featuring myofascial, trigger-point, and cranial-sacral techniques designed to relieve all those muscles you might typically tense while hunched over a laptop for hours. In your room or suite, youll also be greeted by a vegetarian crudit board and Naturopathica stress tea and bath amenities, as well as a mini "bar" stocked with local kombucha and snacks to keep your energy levels high throughout the workday, and an arnica- and Himalayan salt-infused bath truffle for melting away stress at days end.

At Kimpton Nine Zero, you can hit the water for a very real-seeming virtual row class taught by top-tier athletes filming from waterways around the worldwithout, of course, leaving the hotel gym. The hotel partnered with Hydrow earlier this year to install one of the companys live outdoor-reality rowers in the on-site fitness center, free for guests to use. Instead of your usual strength-training regimen, hop on the machine, and youll gain access to all the full-body perks of a rowing workout, no water skills necessary.

The sweeping landscape of red-rock buttes, the desert quiet, and the pristine view of the stars all make the small town of Sedona ripe for spiritual endeavors. To lean into that natural vibe, L'Auberge de Sedona is launching a series of new metaphysical programming this fall in partnership with local wellness practitioner Paula Lockwood and her company Sedona Holistic Healing. On the docket are classes on the meaning of different crystals and their use in crystal meditation; an introduction to Reiki and chakra-balancing; and astrology and tarot readings (all of which are free for hotel guests and available weekly). Perhaps the most intriguing of the new offerings, though, are the courses centered around the local Sedona geologic phenomenon of vorticesparticularly breathtaking spots in the surrounding rock landscape that are thought to be alive with energy.

Spending some time at this beachfront resort might feel like enough of a balm for burnout as isbut, to up the ante, the hotel launched a dedicated burnout break program in August and saw so much interest, its been extended through the end of the year. Book the package (from $500 per night), and youll get accommodations in an ocean-view room; a welcome gift including a beach towel, Sun Bum sunscreen, and two jalapeo pineapple margaritas; a 50-minute hot sea stone massage; and a one-month subscription to the Caravan Wellness app (which features 250-plus classes in yoga, meditation, and more) to help maintain your soothed state of mind long after your trip wraps up.

As the first dedicated wellness resort on the Four Seasons roster, Sensei Lana'i is the soul-soothing home to a host of longevity-boosting practices aligned in three guided pathways from which you can choose to focus your visit: "Move," "Nourish," and "Rest." To supercharge these offerings with the actionable insights that come from physiological tracking, the resort partnered with health-tech company WHOOP this summer to create a five-night Optimal Wellbeing Program (from $1,335 per night).

A few days before the program starts, you'll receive a WHOOP wearable strap in the mail, with the intent to begin tracking fitness, sleep, and recovery data (like heart-rate variability and sleep respiratory rate, for example), all of which will be accessible through an online portal. Upon arrival at the resort, a Sensei Guide (a trained health practitioner) will conduct your health assessment and work with you to develop an itinerary supporting personalized metrics and goals, splicing in everything from hiking excursions and meditation sessions to spa treatments. And when the retreat wraps up, you'll receive a comprehensive "Guide to Growth" report with tips for upholding any new wellness habits long after departure.

Thompson Nashville recently linked up with Invigorate Health to offer IV therapy as part of its new "Boost Your Stay...the Wellness Way" package (from $439 per night). And, again, while IV therapy surely isnt for everyone, this partnership offers a low-stress way to try it out (though it's recommended to get an okay from your doctor first). While at the hotel, you can stop by the Invigorate Health to-go van or request an in-room service, and with either option, youll also have access to the companys Gulch Gulp, a cold-pressed juice packed with ginger, kale, and apple.

A brand-new spa with a clinical, treatment-based approach opened at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach this past summer in partnership with 111Skin and its founder, Yannis Alexandrides, MD. While you'll find the usual facials and massages on the menu, you'll also see services like cryotherapy and cryofacials, as well as a "dramatic healing facial" up-leveled with 111Skin's high-key (read: incredibly potent) serums designed to penetrate skin and boost collagen production for more bounce. And in case you were wondering, there's a whole bunch of CBD on the menu, too: A separate partnership with Lord Jones brings the anti-inflammatory CBD facial, which comes along with a lymphatic-drainage facial massage. While the spa is open to resort guests daily (with face and body services starting at $250), the spa takes reservations for folks not staying at the resort Mondays through Thursdays.

Earlier this year, Westin conducted an online survey in collaboration with YouGov, asking 5,181 people how their views on fitness and running shifted during the pandemic. One trend emerged loud and clear: the importance of self-care and recovery. More than half said theyre putting more emphasis on self care now compared to pre-pandemic, while more than a third of people who categorized themselves as runners said they believe run recovery to be as important for mental health as it is for physical health. To respond to this particular focus, Westin partnered with run-recovery tech company Hyperice to bring specialized Hypervolt recovery stations to Westin gyms across the country, featuring a handheld percussion massage device that delivers pulsing pressure. Hotel guests can use it free of charge during any stay, for either warming up muscles or assisting with post-run release.

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18 Buzzy Hotel Partnerships Paving the Way for *All* Travel To Be Wellness Travel - Well+Good

Consumers can learn from webinars and connect with top holistic practitioners to find natural remedies for common health concerns based on science and research.

(The Magazine Plus Editorial):- Redwood City, California Jul 19, 2021 (Issuewire.com)NourishDoc, the first 360-degree technology platform connecting wellness seekers and top holistic practitioners, announced today that it will start offering educational programs for chronic conditions. Integrative practitioners, professors, and researchers share their years of expertise in easy-to-understand informational sessions for natural remedies that can help heal millions around the world during these difficult times.

Consumers can easily learn and then connect with practitioners for their health concerns across holistic therapies. They can learn how to make smart choices for good gut health foods, adaptogenic herbs, SIBO diet, how to balance hormones, and even learn why your stomach growls. Experts include those in integrative medicine, functional medicine, Ayurveda, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, diet & nutrition, and holistic health coaches. The platform offers educational webinars, research, real-world case studies, and client stories.

Education by experts in integrative medicine for prevention and wellness remedies can go a long way in healing preventable conditions, said Nageen Sharma, CEO & Co-Founder, NourishDoc. We created NourishDoc to be a tool that brings education and transparency to people who are confused about holistic & integrative medicine therapies. They can now learn why and how holistic therapies can be effective for specific ailments from top integrative practitioners. Practitioners provide education for therapies, root causes of ailments, wellness plans that work, case studies, research, science, member stories and more to give consumers a 360 view that has been missing all along,

Consumers can easily learn, share, and connect with top holistic practitioners. The platform offers consumers a learning-oriented approach based on outcomes for their specific health concerns.

We created NourishDoc platform for holistic & integrative medicine for wellness to eliminate the confusion that can surround integrative approaches for healing. People want to hear directly from the practitioners about what the therapy can or cannot heal. They want to discover their practitioner support system to address health concerns before they worsen or address those where traditional treatments were ineffective, he added.

The wellness tech startup places an emphasis on the quality of practitioners and therapies. They have to be rooted in science and research studies. The wellness seminars are presented by practitioners who are recipients of national awards, professors in prestigious universities, and with real-world outcomes and research.

Health and wellness practitioners nationwide can sign up for free to list their practice on NourishDoc to share their expertise, grow their practice, enroll new clients, and manage the clients in an online platform.

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About NourishDoc:

NourishDoc is the first-of-its-kind technology platform for wellness seekers to learn, explore, connect and recommend award-winning credentialed practitioners. NourishDoc serves as a platform for consumers to find for a certain condition the right therapy, the right practitioner, the right integrative practices, and the right wellness plans. NourishDoc has over one thousand award-winning practitioners in specialties such as integrative medicine, functional medicine acupuncture, Ayurveda, diet & nutrition, holistic health coaching, and other integrative therapies. To join an educational session, share your wellness story, or recommend holistic practitioners you love, visit https://www.nourishdoc.com/.

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Nourishdoc Brings Top Integrative Medicine Practitioners For Wellness Workshops | The Magazineplus - The Magazine Plus

Alternative medicine advocate Dr. Deepak Chopra is teaming up with Verizon and CareSpan on a new platform called Chopra Integrative Medicine Center Telehealth, which was designed to bring a network of holistic medical providers into one space.

The platform specializes in prevention but says it can treat patients with all types of health conditions. Specifically, the platform examines genetic and lifestyle factors in a person's life. It takes a collaborative approach to healthcare by integrating providers and services.

"TheChopraIntegrative Medicine Telehealth Platform lives in the intersection of Allopathic, Alternative and Lifestyle medicine," Ara Suppiah, MD, leading the peak living program on the platform, said in a statement.

Patients using the platform meet with a physician for "a series of 60-minute visits"which covers everything from health history, to lifestyle factors and diet to spirituality. Clinicians may meet with other colleagues to come up with a users' personalized plan. The plan typically hits on nutrition, sleep, hormones, strength and mind-body medicine.

The telehealth service runs on Verizon's BlueJeans Telehealth and is HIPAA-ready. Meanwhile, CareSpan will provide the integrated digital care platform, which the company boasts also HIPAA and ONC compliant.

WHY IT MATTERS

Telehealth became popular during the first wave of COVID-19. Whilethe numbers have dropped slightly according to a recent McKinsey report, about 40% of survey consumers said they would continue to use telehealth going forwards, up from 11% prior to the pandemic.

Chopra is pitching this new platform as a way to integrate care while using telehealth, and incorporating holistic factors into the mix.

"Because of technology, the future of well-being is very precise, it's personalized, it's predictable, it's preventable and it is a process that requires everyone's participation," Chopra said during a Facebook live call today.

THE LARGER TREND

This isn't the first time Chopra has been involved with digital health projects. In February, Fitbit announced that Chopra would headline a collection of wellness content for Fitbit Premium members. His sessions included topics such as mindfulness, breathing and stress management.

Chopra has also teamed up with author and major digital health player Dr. Eric Topol on a study to measure the physiological effects of medication.

In 2009 he founded the Chopra Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to research around mind-body practices.

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Dr. Deepak Chopra launches telehealth platform at the intersection of modern and alternative medicine - Mobihealth News