Pain Relief in the Palm of Your Hands

    What do the Arizona Diamondbacks know that you don't? The value of combining low level laser light (LLLL) and very low micro-current (MC). This micro-current is considerably less than TENS however the device is cleared by the FDA as an Over The Counter Medical device. That means that anyone can purchase this and use it without a prescription. Hooray!!!
    If you would like the press release on the AZ Diamondback's concerning this use, please email me at: vbowmann@cox.net  and I'll promptly send it out.
    To learn more about this amazing product and the special offer I have for clients and friends, go to the Products page of MyRealHealth.com and scroll down to "Remarkable Pain Relief" and click on the picture of the Laser Touch One device.
Most laser devices  used by health professionals cost between $2500 and $7000!! However, this powerful laser device retails for a mere $489. WOW!!! That’s between $2000 and $6500 cheaper than similar devices!
Contact me for my "Blog Special Offer" and  receive the "Trigger Point Charts" after you've purchased your device which details the best points on the human body to target the laser and receive the maximum healing benefit. I've seen success in Back Pain, Sciatic Pain, Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Foot Pain including Plantar Fasciitis, and all places in between.
    Don't live with pain when you can own an ergonomically designed tool, with a smart battery (holding a charge for over a month) that can quickly give you the pain relief you need. You can travel with it and not get "kinks" from hotel pillows. One of my clients is a professional golfer and we've had fantastic results. In fact, he carries his device with him on the tour.
   Perhaps, the greatest benefit is the independence of not having to go to a doctor whenever pain hits. And that is what Preventive Health is all about. Let me know how I can help you understand the technology, order your device, get the charts, and take advantage of the special offer I have for clients and friends. Talk to you soon.

6 points for New Year's Resolution Success:

1. Progress not perfection: It seems that many of us wait until January to select to make a change, and then we make it an “all” or “nothing” decision. Lose weight. Stop smoking. Get in shape. Perhaps one can look at their resolution as a step in the right direction: instead of “lose weight” why not decide to reduce the calories, carbohydrates, and fats to healthy levels; and aim to shed two pounds per week. Seek progress, not perfection. Smoking is a complex situation and for some people, total cessation is necessary, for others, tapering off is better. Professional help is often useful. Now let’s look at “get in shape”. After the first week at the gym, many are so sore and exhausted they lose hope and choose to quit. Instead, a gradual increase in exercise is frequently more successful. So let’s set incremental goals and shoot for progress.

2. Little steps lead to positive change: 180^o change of course may lead to a complete reversal of a decision. If a sedimentary person wants to get in shape, how about just taking a 5 minutes walk or climbing a flight of stairs as a start. After a few days or a week, one can double their effort or extend it to an increase in time or distance. When one is changing a routine in their food, perhaps becoming aware of the size of a single portion brings about a realization of past habits that are detrimental. Any endeavor of value takes making a decision followed by learning about a successful method to accomplish the goal. Most subjects aren’t acquired overnight; but accomplished with grasping the information and concepts a little bit at a time.

3. Give your word to someone else: I don’t know what it is about giving our word, but many people will keep their word to someone else more than they will to themselves. Perhaps it’s discipline, perhaps it’s just because the decision is tough. However, a concerned friend or family member who lovingly offers support can make our resolutions stick a little better. This is not about giving our self-discipline away as much as it is having someone to encourage, reassure, and offer understanding. When enlisting another’s help, be sure to discuss one’s goal and expectations, and outline the kind of support that is best suited from our friend.

4. One mistake isn’t the end of the world: So we overslept and missed our morning walk. There will be another day and another opportunity. Let it go, but evaluate the reason. Did I go to bed at a realistic time? Am I worried about something that affected my sleep? When one gets a perspective on the dynamics around the slip, they become fewer and further apart. It’s much like the saying: Practice makes perfect. Let’s think about someone learning to play a musical instrument: how screechy is a 4 year old practicing a violin? Yet, their time and dedication has created talented artists. (Even though they missed a practice or two!) Keep your resolution as the target, forgive yourself, but don’t give up on yourself. It’s important to not derail your plans, so climb back on the wagon.

5. Count your blessings: One means of obtaining success is to focus on a gratitude list at least once a day. Not the big things, but the little things. Take a few minutes to look around and notice the multitude of blessings one has, this can shift one’s perspective in unique and wonderful ways. Let’s start by looking at our hands: what wonderful tools for most everything we do. Opposable thumbs that make so many tasks easy. The fingernails are attractive and useful. Skin, a magnificent covering that continuously protects us from attack and innately heals itself. One can be grateful for sunshine, rain, and snow. Each has its beauty and function. By shifting our focus to appreciate what is good, another shift may occur to accept what is possible: the accomplishment of our goal.

6. Every day is the perfect day to start: An inherent attribute of many is procrastination, which leads to nowhere. And a little bit of stick to it leads to success. Haven’t we all said, “Someday, I’ll . . .” Did you know that someday isn’t one of the days of the week? Or “I’ll start on Monday!” just doesn’t get it done. If an idea pops into one’s mind, then how about starting it NOW? Could something within nudge each of us in our own right direction? At the right time? And the other side of this “coin” is that little voice inside that helps us with poor decisions. Listen to this nudging when it says: “is this in your best interest?” or “will this move you closer to your goal, or further away?” So whether or not it’s January 1^st, or Monday, “Why wait, do it today!”

6 hints for healthy holidays

1. Prepare in advance: protein + exercise.  The hustle of the holidays tends to take us off our routines. In getting ready for a holiday party, set aside time to take care of yourself. First, get some exercise a few hours before the event: walk the dog, get on the treadmill, or enjoy some extra yoga postures. These 20 minutes will keep the metabolism moving and generate good feelings. Then, about an hour before leaving, eat some protein: a few almonds or a small protein shake. This will level the blood sugar for several hours that helps curb the appetite and increase one's control over alcohol and food choices.
2. Water between each alcoholic drink. Alcohol causes one to pass more water through the kidneys so it is important to stay hydrated. An 8 ounce glass of water between each alcoholic drink does several things. It fill the stomach so one feels full and is less likely to drink quickly. It replaces the water lost due to the alcohol. One can ask the bartender to add a slice of lemon or lime that will add minerals to the water, which can counteract a hangover.
3. Move away from the buffet table. Take a few minutes to look over the buffet table before picking up a plate. One doesn't need to fill the plate to overflowing, instead, select small portions of those things one knows they will enjoy. Leave some space on the plate and then move away from the food table. Find someone to visit with so that food is consumed at a slower rate. If you wish to have additional food, your hostess will be complimented that you are going back for seconds. Be sure that the total amount you eat is not overdoing it.
4. Dress for discipline. When selecting your holiday apparel, wear something that compliments your body type and fits nicely. Leave the stretchy pants in the closet. By wearing something that one would be uncomfortable in IF they overindulged, you are establishing a code of conduct that says, "I can enjoy myself, however, I will make decisions that support my long term goals of being healthy."
5. Salt and pepper. At our local convenience stores and many of the fast food restaurants, there are little packets of salt and pepper. Always have two or three in your purse or pocket. When selecting a dessert (or given a desert at a sit down dinner), these become lifesavers. Take a bit of dessert and savor the flavor. Place a second bite on your spoon or fork. Discreetly take a packet, open it ans sprinkle over the remaining dessert. (Salt for light colored desserts, pepper for chocolate ones.) You will be the only one that knows the dessert is no longer tasty. You still have the option of eating the one last bite you placed on your utensil. This is pleasure without the guilt or the calories.
6. Friends are more important than food. Perhaps the most valuable part of the holidays is the opportunity to enjoy our family and friends. These relationships are what brings sweetness into our lives. When one shifts the importance away form food, one can look at the reasons we get together. Enjoy the food but enjoy the people more. When we are visiting with others, put your utensils down, set the plate down, and the drink glass, too. Give full attention to the person you are engaged in conversation. Your heart, your health, and your waistline will appreciate it.

Severe Foot Pain Relief Naturally: Plantar Fasciitis Strategy That is Quick and Effective

If you’ve woken up one morning, hopped out of bed, and suddenly experienced incredible foot pain, it might be plantar fasciitis.

Pain is both physically and emotionally draining, with plantar fasciitis being a particularly difficult condition. One might say, when one's feet hurt, one hurts all over. Just the simple task of moving a short distance is agonizing, particularly on rising in the morning. It is reported that this occurs in over 2 million Americans each year and in ten percent of the population over a lifetime. The typical medical treatments include night splints, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections and surgery in some cases.

I have found that by combining a number of natural and holistic techniques, this condition can be resolved. First, I address the entire body with the Bowmann’s Bowen technique, paying particular attention to the low back procedure.

Next one must consider the myotatic reflex of muscles. This compensation mechanism activates at three seconds to protect the muscle from damage. In fact, if one elongates a muscle too far and too quickly, it will automatically recoil as a protective reflex against damage such as a tissue tear.

A healthy muscle can elongate up to 1.6 times its normal length; however, they generally don't react well to that degree of stretch. During a physical warm up, many believe that holding a stretch from ten seconds to three minutes is not only beneficial but necessary. When beginning a warm up, one must always consider the myotatic reflex. In order to progress in muscle flexibility, one does not allow time to engage the myotatic reflex. In other words, the first few well designed stretches to address the affected muscles are best done for only two seconds.

As the circulation of the muscle and muscle group increases, then the length of time of the stretch can increase. A damaged muscle must not be stretched for longer than 3 seconds without additional injury. Stretching exercises must be done twice daily. The patient is an integral part of the healing process since they must continue the stretching exercises. While they only take a few minutes, these few minutes are vital to overall success.

Case History #1 is a 43 year old female. She is a chiropractic physician and a long distance runner. Plantar Fasciitis kept her from running. One week after the first treatment, she had experienced 50% reduction in pain. After two more treatments, she is back to running, although only half the distance she is accustomed to running. Two months later, all is well.

Case History #2 is a 44 year old female. One week after her first treatment, she was 10% better. She was 30% better after the second treatment and 75% better after the third. As a side benefit, her knees are also 50% better. She has been able to increase work out routines without pain. She loves the stretches and sees the benefits as well as her responsibility in the healing process.

The holistic model of health includes the commitment and compliance of the patient. A sedimentary lifestyle or an active lifestyle where damage has been incurred can both contribute to Plantar Fasciitis. However, a well-selected modality administered weekly for 3 to 6 treatments can bring about healing to the affected area. As the patient continues their part of the program, success is achieved.

To receive a free copy of the three articles explaining the treatment, visit www.MyRealHealth.com, email a request in the subject line (Plantar Fasciitis).

Book Review from Towsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine Townsendletter.com October 2011 Issue #339; P 86

Enhancing GI Health Naturally

Review by Jule Klotter

You Gotta Have GUTS!: The Natural Way to Enhance G I Health, by Victoria Bowmann

CreateSpace Publishing

© 2009; $17.95; 170 pp

You Gotta Have GUTS!, by Victoria Bowmann, PhD, is a highly informative, lay-friendly guide about natural ways to improve gastrointestinal health and function. During her 30-plus-year career, Bowmann has worked as a licensed massage therapist, licensed colon hydrotherapist, and homeopath. Her book explains the many factors that can disrupt GI function, including processed foods, medications (antibiotics), toxins, parasites, stress, dehydration, and even some naturopathic treatments (i.e., enemas, oil of oregano). Sluggish bowels can also result from low thyroid function. Good health depends upon good assimilation of nutrients and consistent (at least once a day) elimination of wastes via the bowel.

Bowmann explains that a great deal of useful information can be gained by paying attention to bowel function and stool – a fact that Asian medicine has long recognized. Color reflects the diet. Vegetarians have a tan stool; it looks greenish tan if they eat a lot of leafy green vegetables. Eating large amounts of red meat will turn the stool dark brown because of the bile needed to digest the fats in these meats. Nervous or stressed people tend to have long, thin “pencil” stool, resulting from constriction of the colon muscles. “Rabbit pellet” stool can denote a lack of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Undigested food in the stool signifies that the person needs to chew his food more thoroughly. An allergy or intolerance to dairy often shows up as mucus in the stool. Mucus can also indicate a sinus or digestive infection. Healthy stool floats under the water line. “If there is excess fat and oil or incomplete digestion of the oil and fat, the stool will float above the water line or leave a residue on the porcelain sides of the toilet bowl,” Bowmann explains. “. . .if a stool sinks into the bottom of the toilet, there is excessive protein in the diet, the toxic load is high, or heavy metals are being eliminated.”

In Bowmann’s experience, healthy colonies of probiotics – beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria – are vital for healthy GI function. Lactobacillus creates a mildly acid environment that aids metabolism and ahs a role in the production of digestive enzymes. These bacteria also stimulate peristalsis. Lactobacillus has the added benefit of inhibiting pathogenic organisms and the overgrowth of Candida albicans. Bifidobacteria also promote a beneficial pH in the GI tract and protect against pathogens as well. In addition, Bifidobacteria produce B vitamins and vitamin K. Bowmann recommends “reflorastation” of the colon, a rectal injection of 20 different strains of beneficial probiotic organisms. “In my clinical experience, the rectal introduction of these live microorganisms establishes much more rapidly than oral consumption,” she explains. “This is because of the pH of the stomach, which has the property of killing bacteria to protect the body. This doesn’t occur when introduced through the rectum.” Medical literature as well as her clinical experience shows that rectal reflorastation relieves constipation and diarrhea, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, it improves immune function and skin problems.

In addition to reflorastation, You Gotta Have GUTS!  offers specific exercises, diet and supplement suggestions, and other natural methods for supporting GI health and healing. Bowmann also discusses other self-care measures to promote overall health and detoxification, including liver and lymphatic cleanses. A supplemental CD of three 20-minute relaxation exercises is also available. The relaxation meditations are very positive; I found them effective and enjoyable. GI function lies at the core of any detoxification program; it is the foundation. You Gotta Have GUTS! is an excellent guide for understanding and improving this vital system.

Doing something right ;-)

Knowledge and information is of no value if it doesn't bring us to a change in action or thoughts. That's what growth and maturity is all about. Many times I am asked, "Why did you write your book?" and my response is, "To make a difference. We are so embarrassed to discuss our intestines, and so many suffer from some kind of bowel problem, that I thought my research and experience needed to be shared."

Today, I received a lovely email. It reads: "Thanks Vicki! Your book is awesome. It is very informative and has totally changed my thinking about colonic health."  GM

The chapters are short so one can read in about 15 minutes. I didn't write them in order so one doesn't have to read them in order :-)  Pick and choose. Eventually, I think you'll read the whole thing and have a greater appreciation for your digestive tract and especially your guts !!!

I would still be suffering if it were’t for you

Dear Dr. Vicki,
Let me start out by just saying "Wow!". I never thought I would ever find someone who would be able to help me with my GI issues. I have suffered from chronic constipation, severe pain, pressure, and bloating for several years. I have been to many MDs and naturopaths, and gone through many tests and procedures trying to find the root of my problems. No one could ever find the reason for my gastric issues or knew how to treat it. I have spent years dealing with terrible discomfort, sometimes to the point of tears. I never gave up trying to get help though. I knew there had to be someone out there who could help me. And then I found you. Your treatment has made a huge difference in my life already. Your book is so full of wonderful information. I really enjoyed reading it. I can't thank you enough for your help and kindness. I would still be suffering if it weren't for you.

Sincerely,
WL