American Journal of
Integrative Medicine KICK BAD HABITS
MAKE 2016 YOUR YEAR OF SUCCESS
CO-PARENTING AND DIVORCE
FROM ADULT AND CHILD PERSPECTIVES
YOGA & MEDITATION FIND ZEN IN TEN MINUTES
A Quarterly Publication Powered by Acute Care Triage, Inc.
Spring 2016 Edition
IN THIS ISSUE PARENTING
04 06
Making the Best of Being a Single Parent
08 10
Teens – Blended Family and Divorce
Co-Parenting and Divorce from an Adult’s and a Child’s Perspective College Planning
THERAPY
13
The Baggage of Grief
WELLNESS
15 16 18 20 22 24 25 26
Addiction – Is This Me? To Digest or not Digest, That is the Question Kickin’ It 10 Ways to Avoid Getting the Flu New Year’s Death Rattle The Practice of Yoga and Meditation Find Zen in Ten Minutes Your Patient PAL
THE AJIM TEAM PRESIDENT & FOUNDER Tracy Wood, CPC, ELI-MP EDITOR Ellen Diamond, M.A. CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Dan Rye GRAPHIC DESIGNER Vicki Rye CONTRIBUTORS Rev. Julie Johnson, Ph.D. Stephanie Nielsen, Pharm.D., CCN Frank Pisano, CPA, J.D. Rev. Brian K. Shaffer, CPBS, GC-C, FT. Sherri D. Webb, Ph.D. Powered by Acute Care Triage, Inc. | acutecaretriage.com 27134-A Paseo Espada, Suite 324, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
PARENTING
Making the Best of Being a Single Parent Single parents are often confronted with the negative stereotypes associated with raising children alone. They read about the emotional problems and behavioral difficulties experienced by some boys and girls who come from “broken homes.” There are stories about children who get poor grades, have trouble maintaining friendships, and suffer from low self-esteem. It is tough to be a single parent and remain encouraged about a child’s future. Children who grow up in single parent homes face many challenges, but having one parent does not mean that a child is destined to have a troubled life.
“It is not the number of adults in a home that determines the quality of a child’s life. It is the quality of parenting done by the adults in a home that contributes to a child’s success.” Bringing up a child by yourself has advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages include being on the job 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and never having enough hours in a day. There is no one to help with finances, assist with childcare, or share the burden of child rearing. Being a single parent can feel lonely and trying. On the other hand, single parents have the freedom to make all of the decisions about what goes on in their home. They determine the house rules, how children are to be disciplined, and how money and time are spent. Single parents can make up for some of the disadvantages by improving their parenting skills and nurturing a loving relationship with their children. It is not the number of adults in a home that determines the quality of a child’s life. It is the quality of parenting done by the adults in a home that contributes to a child’s success. The following suggestions will help single moms and dads be more effective, confident parents. 1. Be a Leader Parenting is first and foremost about leadership. Children do not have the wisdom to determine what is in their best interest. They live in the present moment and rarely consider the long term consequences of the choices they make. Children need parents to establish rules about living that will spare them life’s suffering. Children thrive when parents lead by example. They look up to parents who do as they say. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 04
2. Create a Stable Home Children should be physically safe in their own homes. This means keeping the residence in good working order and eliminating potential hazards. Children should feel emotionally safe in their own homes. Creating a stable home includes parents and children treating each other with dignity and respect. Parents who are loving and who meet a child’s basic needs and establish healthy routines give children security that can last a lifetime. 3. Provide Adequate Supervision It is tempting to let older children care for themselves after school and during vacations. Doing so reduces the cost of childcare, especially if there are younger brothers and sisters in the family. Too much unsupervised free time increases the possibility that younger children may become injured or that older children may engage in risky behaviors. Teenagers need a parent or responsible adult to advise, observe, listen, and be able to respond to their needs. Adequate supervision by a neighbor, relative, or community program ensures that children have attention and guidance when a parent is not present. 4. Get Involved at School Parent involvement at school equals higher grades and test scores, fewer behavioral problems, and better attendance for students. There are ways that working parents can support the school and their children even given limited time. Moms and Dads can maintain communication with a teacher by way of email. They can attend school open houses, award ceremonies, and parent teacher conferences that take place in the evening hours. Parents can greet teachers in person and offer their moral support. They can let children know that school is a priority by showing interest, staying informed, and helping out whenever possible.
5. Maintain a Positive Attitude Children look to parents for security, comfort, guidance, and reassurance. They imitate Mom and Dad in thought, word, and deed. Single parents must focus on that which is right about life in order to offer hope and optimism to children. A positive attitude lets children know that, even if their home is broken, their family feels and functions as if it has been fixed. It is not necessary for one parent to do everything for children. It is essential for parents to lead, protect, comfort, and teach. This is how children in single parent homes overcome the negative stereotypes and get the message that they are good people whose lives hold much promise.
“Children who grow up in single parent homes face many challenges, but having one parent does not mean that a child is destined to have a troubled life. � This is an original work authored by: Sherri D. Webb, Ph.D.
American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 05
Co-Parenting and Divorce from an Adult’s and a Child’s Perspective My perspective: Gay marriage was struck down in California right before my partner and I were to be married in May of 2004. We had filed for a legal domestic partnership in 1999 and were, therefore, more married than most straight couples! In 2002, we were blessed with our first child. My spouse had legally changed her last name to mine so our children would have my family name. I adopted both (my second child was born in 2004) of our fabulous girls. Early on, I was unhappy in our marriage. Yet I was raised in a very British household, and divorce was taboo. After the death of my eldest sister, I decided I could not live in such an unhappy home anymore. I divorced my partner in 2008. Although my ex gave birth to the children, I was their legally adopted mother. I hoped we would have an amicable separation and we could share the children for the rest of their childhood. Initially, we had agreed to share the family home and swap out the adults instead of the children. This worked out for about a year or so, until the first of my ex’s seven new partners entered all of our lives. My ex filed for a temporary restraining order and stated that she was fearful for herself and the children. While the restraining order was nothing more than a ruse to empty the family home, it was horrible to be separated from my children for 24 of the longest days of my life. Once we were put into the mediation system in Riverside County, I was hopeful we would resolve things quickly. My ex hired the first of several very expensive lawyers, all of whom tried to pressure me to pay fees of over $80,000. They were unsuccessful. During the initial evaluations, the court ordered the children to be returned to me immediately. The subsequent orders were to share the children 50/50. My ex fought to remove evaluator after evaluator for six years. The reports and results were the same over and over. I retained majority custody and timeshare. This was very hard on her. She fought and created every story she could to keep us in front of a judge. We were ordered to participate in a 730 child custody evaluation. These services are designed to determine “the health, safety, welfare, and best interest of children with regard to disputed custody and visitation issues.” These cost $10K for the first one and $20K for the second. After round three, I said enough. Our kids had seen three therapists, three child protective services staff, and three evaluators. In addition, all the family members on each side talked trash about the other parent. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 06
Our kids were emotionally distraught. School events, softball games, holidays, and birthdays were all negatively impacted. My bright, joyful children were really feeling the pressure. While I thought we kept our adult drama out of their view, they saw much more than I imagined.
“While I thought we kept our adult drama out of their view, they saw much more than I imagined.” In June of 2014, I approached my ex and asked for a meeting. We went to a local restaurant to discuss a settlement that would benefit us and our girls. The last evaluator made no bones about what our kids’ teenage years and beyond would look like if the battle did not end. We both agreed. While that meeting was very long and, at moments, hurtful, we came to the realization that none of what we had battled about mattered anymore. The girls were now, and must always be, our primary focus. We agreed to seek a family therapist to support our entire family. We also decided to seek the help of a professional co-parenting therapist to draft our agreement. Then we removed our case from the court calendar. We met with our children to talk about the groundwork we were trying to lay. We shared with them that we wanted their help in designing our blended family. We also told them that there would be no more evaluations, no more court days, and most importantly, no fighting. After we met with Dr. Sherri Webb, we had a written agreement to share birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Easter. We settled on Bella’s middle school and on the manner in which our children would be disciplined going forward. We settled everything from those six years of fighting, lawyers, judges, and evaluators in 3 hours and 15 minutes. For under $200.00, we solved all of our issues. While there are a lot of reasons folks get divorced and fight over children, there is only one reason to pull children apart. That is physical abuse (of all kinds). Neither of us meant to hurt our kids, but we did. Neither of us wanted to be the “hated” parent, but we both were at times. We made many mistakes collectively and individually. Our family and friends told us we were “doing the right thing,” but we simply were not.
The past two years have been amazing for our kids. They have tried parent shopping (something I am confident they did all along) with zero success. Who wouldn’t, with two people who never spoke to one another without a lawyer? My co-parent and I have nipped this in the bud. It is no longer successful and the cost to them and us is nonexistent. Today, thanks to the right therapeutic intervention, we have a much more open channel of communication with each other. The kids are allowed to share how they really feel, without fear of reprisal. As parents, we thought we had no choice but to stay in the court system, listening and living with recommendations from people who had never met our children. We thought a judge’s order was gospel, and we had to live and die by it. None of that is true. We invite the court into our broken marriages. We invite them to control our lives, money, and most importantly, our children’s lives. I always wanted to raise happy, healthy, and successful children. Today I have more confidence that this will be their reality.
Our daughter’s perspective: My name is Isabella Wood. I am 13 years old, and I come from a family of divorce. My parents divorced in 2008 when I was just 5 years old. I don’t remember my parents fighting in front of me or my little sister. Several years into the divorce, my parents could no longer get along. As I grew older, I began playing softball. One parent contributed to my teams and supported me, while the other could not attend most of my events. When I was playing a game, and both parents showed up for it, I felt uncomfortable and nervous that my parents might have a disagreement in front of my team. Even though my parents had never fought in front of me, I was fearful. Having two women as parents has been challenging for my sister and me. My friends at school thought having two moms was weird, and they made fun of me because of it. I felt really
embarrassed when they walked away from me. I was sad and hung my head as I walked back to class. Although I hated going to therapy for a while, it helped me when I had a problem. I had to see four different therapists after the divorce. I was asked weird questions and asked to “tell” on my moms.
“Although I hated going to therapy for a while, it helped me when I had a problem.” Today, my moms are working together. They have found a family therapist for all of us to learn to communicate better. We also will have breakfast once or twice a month to talk about how things are at both houses. I feel so much better with both parents at one event. What’s different now is that earlier my parents didn’t even talk to each other. Now they sit near each other and speak to each other. I am still a tiny bit uncomfortable, but it’s so much better. I hope other children from a divorced couple get things worked out with both parents the way my parents are trying to do.
References: 1 “Rule 5.220. Court-ordered child custody evaluations,” 2014 California Rules of Court (1/1/10), http://www.courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index.cfm?title=five&li nkid=rule5_220.
This is an original work authored by: Tracy Wood, CPC, ELI-MP Isabella Wood, middle school student
American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 07
Teens – Blended Family and Divorce Teens do not take divorce lying down. They are developmentally at a place in their lives where questioning authority, testing the limits, and being outspoken are the norm. Many parents assume that their adolescent sons and daughters will react better to the news of divorce because they are older, involved with friends, and contemplating independence. This is true of teens whose parents shield them from parental conflicts and remain committed to meeting their needs. However, many teens are drawn into their parents’ fray, asked to take sides, used as confidants, given responsibility for younger siblings, and designated as messengers for parents who refuse to communicate with each other. Teens who find themselves placed squarely in the middle of Mom and Dad’s war can become angry, defiant, depressed, disinterested in school, and pessimistic about the future. Teens that lack self-control and self-esteem are at risk for substance abuse, truancy, or running away. Moms and Dads can help soften the blow of divorce for teens by making parenting their most important post- divorce obligation. They can achieve this by doing the following: • Take complete ownership of your divorce. Keep arguments, relationship details, disparaging comments, parental mistakes, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities to yourself. • Communicate with each other about all teen related matters. Teens still need parents to be a safe haven from the challenges they face during adolescence. They need the guidance, resources, and input from two parents even more than during the younger years. • Be a parent. Maintain house rules and set limits on behavior. Be consistent, firm, fair, and friendly regarding discipline and guidance. • Listen. Show empathy when teens talk about their losses. Seek to understand divorce from their perspective. • Do not fight over custody. Teens vary in their need to be with one or the other parent. Some teens like living in two homes, and others need the security of having a home base. Be flexible, arbitrate, compromise, and negotiate. It is the fight that causes teens distress and long-term difficulties. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 08
• Avoid making major changes beyond shared custody arrangements. Teens value friendships and the niche they have found for themselves at school. Moving to a new residence and changing schools makes the adjustment to divorce more formidable. • Support your teen’s future plans. Teens fear that divorce will interrupt, if not derail, plans to pursue career training or attend college. Reassure your teens that you remain focused on helping them meet their goals. • Say, “I love you.” Teens need to feel loved and valued as members of the family at the time of divorce and continuing into young adulthood. It can be tough for teens to confide in parents who are distracted by their own problems. Parents who are unable to communicate with teens may want to consider getting them involved with a support group so that they can voice their feelings. Professional help may be necessary for teens that become aggressive, depressed, academically lethargic, and detached from things that gave them joy.
“The Co-Parenting webinars available through our affiliate acutecaretriage.com teach divorced parents how to communicate...” When it comes to raising children, there is no right time to divorce. However, there is a right way to uncouple and dissolve a marital relationship. The Co-Parenting webinars available through our affiliate acutecaretriage.com teach divorced parents how to communicate with each other and avoid the common problems that negatively affect teens and younger children. You can also find other articles to offer guidance for raising children when parents live apart. Adjusting to divorce is hard work for parents and teens. Parents who face such a life changing challenge with dignity and grace offer teens the best possible outcome for their future.
This is an original work authored by: Sherri D. Webb, Ph.D.
“When it comes to raising children, there is no right time to divorce. However, there is a right way to uncouple and dissolve a marital relationship.�
American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 09
College Planning Many people who have children or plan on having children will eventually be concerned with this question: “How can I afford to send my children to college?” The cost of a college education increases substantially on a yearly basis. Over the past several years, the cost has exceeded the rate of inflation. Today, a college education for a child going to a private university can easily range from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. The cost of public universities can easily reach $20,000 or more per year. The U.S. Congress has helped individuals save for their children’s education by allowing them to set up Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 529 Plans. An IRC Section 529 Plan allows a parent, grandparent, or other individual to set up a special savings plan. These savings grow tax-free as long as the withdrawn funds are used for the child’s education after high school. The savings can be spent on tuition or other education expenses, such as room and board. The maximum gift one person can give to another person is $14,000 per year. Thus, a parent can contribute $14,000 per year to the 529 Plan on behalf of a child. If parents have more than one child, they can give $14,000 to each child’s plan. If the donors are husband and wife, they are allowed to give $28,000 (14,000 by each parent) to the plan per year. The law also allows a person to make a gift of $70,000 ($140,000 for a couple) once every 5 years for a child’s 529 Plan. The benefit of the 529 Plan is that all investment earnings of the plan are tax-free. This is true unless the plan is disbanded and the funds are not used for educational purposes. Another advantage of the 529 Plan is its flexibility. If the child decides not to move forward with higher education, the plan trustee can then name another person to receive the benefit from the plan. Depending on your earnings and the financial ability to contribute to a plan, every parent or grandparent should consider this an excellent way to save for a child’s education.
IRC Section 529 Plans are very easy to set up. Some states have similar plans that allow parents to contribute to the “State Plan.” In this fashion, their child can get a free education as long as he or she attends a school in the respective state. People should talk to a financial consultant to learn which opportunities are available for children in their state.
References: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), “529 Plans: Questions and Answers” (8/24/15), www.irs.gov/uac/529-Plans:-Questions-and-Answers. IRS, “How 529 Plans Help Families Save for College and How the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Expanded 529 Plan Features” (8/18/12), www.irs.gov/uac/How-529-Plans-Help-Families-Save-for-Collegeand-How-the-American-Recovery-and-Reinvestment-Act-of-2009-Expanded-529-Plan-Features. IRS, “In 2014, Various Tax Benefits Increase Due to Inflation Adjustments,” Revenue Procedure 2013-35 (4 November 2013), https://www.irs.gov/uac/ Newsroom/In-2014,-Various-Tax-Benefits-Increase-Due-to-Inflation-Adjustments. IRS, “Qualified Tuition Program,” IRS Publication 970 (2/17/16), www.irs.gov/ publications/p970/ch08.html. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2015), “Tuition Costs of Colleges and Universities,” Digest of Education Statistics, 2012 (NCES 2015-011), Chapter 3. http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display. asp?id=76.
This is an original work authored by: Frank Pisano, CPA, J.D. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 10
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THERAPY
The Baggage of Grief Spring is nearly is here, and many of us are thinking about traveling and are making plans for a spring break vacation with the kids. Perhaps you are getting ready to travel for the first time since the death of your loved one? Or since the completion of your divorce? While family vacations may be a time of bringing people together, that time together may bring up reminders and sadness about those who are absent. In order to prepare, remember to take time to look at the baggage you have packed to take with you. Sometimes we end up carrying around unnecessary baggage when we have suffered loss or disappointment or when we have been let down by loved ones. It can be very difficult to move on. Remember that shock, denial, guilt, and anger are common expressions of our natural grieving process. If deep pain, distress, and resentment are weighing you down, maybe it is time to unload your baggage. Life is for the living, and it is about being in the present. We often struggle to go on because we carry the baggage of yesterday into our tomorrows. Many times our bags are packed with confusion, anger, fear, bitterness, shame, rejection, jealously, apathy, and mistrust. We fill up our bags and then find even more bags to fill and carry. They become burdensome, and we become overloaded and weighed down. Maybe your current loss is through divorce or the ending of a relationship. Perhaps a loved one has died. These are very traumatic events in our lives. Remember that grief and loss affect us holistically, i.e., physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and behaviorally. If we choose to clutch onto all of the baggage, we could cause undue harm to our personal well-being. Perhaps you have realized that you need to let go, but are not sure you want to. Or perhaps you don’t know how to let go? Begin by first unpacking your bags and putting away all the unnecessary items. If you have already packed your bags, maybe you can store them for a while.
If you are already travelling and have your baggage with you and you are wondering how to move on, or you are feeling stuck or confused, maybe you need the help of the TSA – Therapeutic Security Administration. The Therapeutic Security Administration will be there to deal with both the bags you are carrying and those you have decided to leave behind. They will confiscate all unattended bags. What bags would you like to have unattended? Remember that it is always easier to travel light! A therapist is here to help provide the tools, resources, and support you need to deal with your grief baggage. Consider seeking counsel from a member of our Therapy Team or one of our life coaches.
This is an original work authored by: Rev. Brian K. Shaffer, CPBS, GC-C, FT.
“We often struggle to go on because we carry the baggage of yesterday into our tomorrows.” American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 13
WELLNESS
Addiction – Is This Me?
What is addiction? Addiction is a gradual process where we lose our sense of control over a certain THING. Ultimately, we can’t manage without our THING. Whatever IT is. We will make deals with ourselves over IT. We will bargain about IT. We will promise to give IT up SOMEDAY. But soon we begin to tolerate the years of hopelessness, isolation, and shame that comes with our addiction. The pain underlying our addiction leads millions of people toward drugs, alcohol, food and other vices to end our suffering. Addiction is the uncontrollable, compulsive craving, seeking, and use of drugs, other substances, or behaviors. This craving, seeking, and using are what matter most to the addict, more than your loved ones, more than your families. If this describes you—SEEK HELP. Log into your EAP and get with a therapist today.
Below is a list of the most commonly abused substances and behaviors that people can become addicted to: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Adrenaline-producing activities Alcohol Caffeine Cocaine Dangerous behaviors Exercise Food Gambling Heroin Marijuana Methadone Nicotine Opiates Pornography Prescription drugs Self-Injurious behavior Sex and love Shopping Steroids Vicodin or other pain pills Work
Does anything on this list resonate with you? American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 15
To Digest or not Digest, That is the Question As someone who was ill or sickly as a child, it was common to be taking several prescription drugs to make me “feel” better. However, no matter how many drugs I took, I did not get better. It was not until I was diagnosed with cancer that I took a serious look at my diet and my lifestyle. I was 21 at the time. When I was a pharmacy student at a teaching hospital, a young resident pulled me aside and said in a conspiratorial voice, “You don’t need all this medicine. What you really need to do is change your diet!” I was surprised and a bit shocked and asked how I could do that. He acted offended that I asked him and said, “I don’t know! I am a doctor. Find yourself some little nutritionist or something!” So that is exactly what I did. In fact, I found a very little nutritionist in the town where I worked. She was 80 years old and 90 pounds soaking wet, but she had a 6’5” attitude. She had such a quick mind and began sharing her secrets of how to heal my body naturally. She put me on 143 pills a day and a severely restricted diet. I had digestive issues before, but it did take a while to adjust to swallowing that many vitamins a day. Her system may not have been easy, but you guessed it already. I got well! Yes, I combined both eastern and western medicine, and it worked great. Yes, it changed my life forever. While I finished my pharmacy degree, I began incorporating nutritional healing and alternative medical practices back before it was cool or accepted. The first and most important thing she taught me was that I had massive amounts of yeast and a leaky gut. I had no idea what she meant by that. Then she explained that my skin rashes, allergies, and various other symptoms were due to my gut leaking undigested food particles into my blood stream and resulted in a number of my issues. That was over 30 years ago. Many people today do not realize that if you can’t digest your food properly, that you can’t absorb the nutrients you need to maintain your health. Let me ask you a few questions: Do you have frequent gas or bloating after you eat? Do you have frequent bouts of constipation or diarrhea? Do you take antacids or a prescription so you don’t experience heart burn?
American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 16
If you do, then it is highly likely that you are not digesting as well as you could be. So if you are taking vitamins in the form of pills, powders, shakes, drinks, capsules, how much are you truly absorbing? Without running a number of tests, you may not ever really know. Do you take regular medications? Do you know you must space your food or other oral meds to avoid drug interactions? Do you ever want to just throw your hands up? That is why I frequently recommend transdermal delivery supplement patches. That is correct-- your vitamins and other supplements are delivered right through your skin. How I wish I had had these when I needed them. It would have saved me the embarrassment of having a plate full of supplements before, during, and after each meal. As a pharmacist, I have had several clients who had pill fatigue. They were just tired of taking so many different pills! So when I found PatchMD (www.PatchMD.com), I was really excited. I know convenience, price, and efficacy are very important to my clients. I tried a few patches for myself and then began trying them on friends. Everyone came back with such great reviews that I brought them into my clinic.
“Many people today do not realize that if you can’t digest your food properly, that you can’t absorb the nutrients you need to maintain your health.” The advantage of sticking a patch on your skin and forgetting it is priceless. In addition, you avoid the issues of timing doses, forgotten doses, gagging, or not completely digesting your supplements. You must understand that you are what you absorb. The only real fuel your body can work with is the food that you eat. Therefore, you must absorb these nutrients. Americans tend to be the most overfed, yet undernourished people in the world. One of my favorite sayings is LIVE FOOD, LIVE BODY…DEAD FOOD, DEAD BODY. You must eat to live and you must choose the best quality foods available to you. But with all of that, you still must be able to digest and absorb the nutrients.
Here are my final thoughts on better digestion for you to live a more vibrant and vital life: • Slow down and chew your food. Put your fork down and really chew until the food has been in your mouth 20-30 seconds in most cases. You will eat less, feel fuller, and release more nutrients. • Make sure you have something alive on your plate at every meal. Yes, this means fruits and vegetables. Eat fresh seasonal produce. (HINT: Whatever is on sale at the grocery store is in season!) • If you suffer from regular upset stomachaches, try purchasing a full spectrum digestive enzyme which includes protease, lipase, and amylase, rather than an antacid. Digestive enzymes will help you naturally digest your food rather than just take away the irritation of overeating. • Take a Probiotic. There are several on the market. Look for live cultures and multiple strains, not just a single strain. • Dehydrated powdered green food or chlorophyll tablets are very soothing for indigestion or digestive issues. Dissolve 1 -2 teaspoons in room temperature water, and it will work wonders. • If you think you have digestive issues, consider using alternative vitamin delivery systems that do not depend on digestion. These include creams, sublingual drops, and patches. Your health will be determined by the little choices you make every day. If you are looking for one thing to improve this year, make that focus your digestive health. With a healthy gut on the inside, you will look better and feel better on the outside.
This is an original work authored by: Stephanie Nielsen, Pharm.D., CCN Director, Wishing You Wellness, LLC
American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 17
Kickin’ It Have you made the commitment to quit smoking yet? If you haven’t, don’t stop reading just yet. In this article you will find many resources and ideas to help prepare you and gauge your readiness to quit. Having a strong, self-determined will to quit is possibly the most important and most challenging step on the way to achieving a smoke-free life! Most people who smoke have a good idea that chronic tobacco use is bad and even deadly for their health. The real problem is that they have a nicotine addiction. This is something you can’t just change, like a smelly shirt you’re wearing. When you smoke, nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds. It immediately stimulates the release of a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is part of the reward center of the brain. When you smoke, these levels are increased and immediately you feel more alert and calm. When those feelings change, you are left feeling the need for more dopamine and a desire to have those feelings return. For some people, smoking may be a means of selfmedicating for chronic stress or even for a chemical imbalance. For others, it may have simply started socially. And then it became a bad habit that turned into physical addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.” The CDC also reports that smoking causes death in nearly one out of every five people each year in the United States. In addition, “Compared to nonsmokers, smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times [and] stroke 2 to 4 times.” Smoking also increases the chances of “men developing lung cancer by 23 times, women developing lung cancer by 13 times, and [anyone] dying from chronic obstructive lung diseases (such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema) by 12 to 13 times.” Those statistics are alarming. But quite honestly, this information is not going to help most people stop their smoking habit. I smoked for over 20 years. I too had the habit, the rituals, so I know how hard it is to get ready to quit. To put yourself in that mental place. I worried about all the same things you are worrying about right now. I worried about the weight gain, about the irritability, I worried so much I smoked more to make sure I didn’t get cranky! Well, that doesn’t really make sense does it? American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 18
“I worried about all the same things you are worrying about right now. I worried about the weight gain, about the irritability, I worried so much I smoked more...” I set my target quit date, then the next one, then the next, well, you get the picture. I tried the gum. Disgusting! Then I got real with myself. I realized what I was losing. I sat down and I decided to get some perspective. I realized the physical craving for a cigarette only lasted really for 8 seconds. That’s right, 8 SECONDS! No kidding, 8 SECONDS! I can blow past 8 SECONDS!!! OK, so now that I knew that, what else did I need to learn? The filters were intelligently treated by those smart marketing guys in the tobacco industry with fruit juice. Hmmmm. Why would those nice guys do that? To hook me on sugar, of course! OK, so how do I overcome this part without inhaling a small city or three boxes of Twinkies every time I wanted to smoke? I bought lemon drops. I would suck on one of those little hard candies when my 8-second craving hit. I found it helped me through those few seconds, and I didn’t woof down the box of HoHos.
Finally, how would I manage the urge to rip someone’s head off every 5 minutes? For that I had to get more information. What about smoking really relaxed people? Is it the chemicals? Probably not. Look at what is really in cigarettes: arsenic, ammonia, tar, nicotine, and 43 known cancer-causing carcinogens along with 4,000 chemicals.
So what did I use for the emotional component? AIR! Sounds so basic, right? But I did it in a specific rhythmic format: inhale for 1, hold for 4, exhale for 2.
feel good. We forced our bodies to accept those toxins when we first started smoking and we can force our bodies to reject them when we walk away from cigarettes today. There are methods many available for you to choose from to help you effectively kick the habit. You can use medications, behavior modification techniques, coping strategies, interactive motivational support, or coaching, to name a few. If you have just started thinking about trying to quit or have tried several times before, contact one of our trained clinicians to help you start the final journey toward a smoke-free and much healthier you!
I would breathe in for 4 seconds, hold my breath for 16 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds. I would take several moments throughout my day to follow this breathing pattern to give my body the deep diaphragmatic breathing it needed. I still do this 14 years later. It helps me relax, take time out, and manage my stress. Smoking is an acquired habit. The needs we filled with the 4,000 chemicals didn’t instantly make us
This is an original work authored by: Tracy Wood, CPC, ELI-MP
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American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 19
10 Ways to Avoid Getting the Flu Now that the holidays are over and the wind chill is minus, we are in full-blown flu season. The interesting thing is that Flu is not a season. The Flu is the inability to adapt to decreased sun exposure, decreased water intake, increased sugar intake, and stress. Now that it is colder and wetter in most parts of the country, people naturally spend more time inside and with other people who may have lower resistance to cold and flu viruses. We are in temperature-controlled homes and offices; often they are too warm for us and we forget to increase our water intake. We have just finished a big flurry of social and family events and given ourselves permission to have all sorts of wonderful treats (i.e., we ate too much sugar). And with all the parties, friends, and end of year deadlines, we have stressed ourselves out financially and socially. No wonder so many people, who are thrilled that the holiday season is finally over, let their guards down and end up sick. Ugh! So how do you prevent this vicious cycle and how can you shorten it if you are already feeling the aftereffects of the holidays? Here are my top ten tips for avoiding and shortening the flu for you and for your family: 1. Wash your hands. As simple as this sounds, it is so true. In fact, each member of your family should have a personal fingernail brush. Wash your hands with warm water and real soap twice a day for 30 seconds, using your finger nail brush. (Singing Happy Birthday 3 times in a row should about get you there.) Your hands can contain over 10 million microbes; therefore it is vital that twice a day you remove them (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/ west_midlands/6926078.stm). When you eat, touch your face, and touch other objects, you are transferring and receiving millions of little gifts from your environment. So decrease your likelihood of ingesting the ones you don’t want and scrub twice daily. 2. While you are at the sink, grab yourself a glass of water. How much water you drink a day is critical. You must stay hydrated to keep your body and your protective mucus membranes in top shape. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. For example, a person weighing 150 pounds would drink at least 75 ounces of water daily. Thirty-two ounces are in a quart, so a 150 lb. person should drink to 2-3 quarts of water daily. Remember that alcohol, coffee, and some teas will dehydrate you, so it is important to add additional water if you drink them throughout your day. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 20
3. Live food, live body. Real food is the only fuel the body really knows how to use. I begin each day with a glass of dehydrated green food. You can find many brands in the stores that range from cereal grasses (wheat grass, barley grass) to algae like Chlorella. Mixed with water, dilute juice, or in a morning smoothie, they provide vital nutrients to aid your immune system. 4. Decrease sugar. I know you already know this, but it is one of the most important tips for your overall wellness. Every 4 grams of sugar is equal to a teaspoonful. And every teaspoonful of sugar paralyzes your white blood cells, the ones that fight disease, for up to 4 hours (http://www.fortcollinsnutrition.com/sideeffectsofsugar.html). Think about this--the average 20 oz. Gatorade has 35 gms of sugar. That is almost 9 teaspoons of sugar which will suppress your body’s natural repair and immune defenses for up to 36 hours. It is critical to go low glycemic. Eat eggs or leftover dinner for breakfast. Eat soups or stews, and limit alcohol, starches, and sweets. You need your immune system alive and awake, not drugged and sluggish on sugar.
“Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. For example, a person weighing 150 pounds would drink at least 75 ounces of water daily. ” 5. Rest. If you feel worn out, then you probably are and you need to get into bed early. You will be doing yourself a favor to get some extra rest and allow your body the downtime to repair itself! Most adults need 6-8 hours of sleep to perform at their best.
6. Vitamin D levels. In the past few years we have learned how critical it is to measure your Vitamin D blood levels. We used to believe that levels of 10 or higher were acceptable, but now the standard of care is levels above 30. To truly be healthy and to maximize your chances of avoiding the flu, you will need to get your Vitamin D blood levels between 30 and 50 ng/ml. Higher levels are recommended to combat chronic disease. Work with your healthcare provider to find the best dosing for you. Most adults are finding they need 5,000 IU daily to achieve these levels (http://www.lifeextension.com/ magazine/2010/1/Startling-Findings-About-Vitamin-D-Levels-in-Life-Extension-Members/Page-01). 7. Momma does often know best, and homemade chicken soup can make a difference in how you fight off the flu and how quickly you recover. There are lots of great recipes that do not have to be complicated. The key is making your own bone broth using a real whole chicken (not store-bought broth) and then throwing in whatever veggies you like. 8. Hydrogen peroxide is the world’s only germicidal agent composed of water and oxygen. It is antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial which makes it perfect in thinking about prevention. During the flu season it is wise to place a few drops in each ear for 2-5 minutes once a week. Place the drops in your ear, let the hydrogen peroxide bubble, and then drain it out just as you would after getting out of a shower. Repeat in the opposite ear. You can also add a capful of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your mouthwash to gargle and spit daily.
“It is critical to go low glycemic. Eat eggs or leftover dinner for breakfast. Eat soups or stews, and limit alcohol, starches, and sweets. You need your immune system alive and awake, not drugged and sluggish on sugar.” 9. Should you get the flu or feel like you are coming down with the flu, my last two ideas may help shorten your symptoms. First is a hydrogen peroxide bath. Hydrogen peroxide is H2O2; so when you add it to a bath, it becomes pure water and free oxygen. Free oxygen is oxygen radical which will be absorbed through your skin and work to support your immune system by oxidizing, or destroying, the flu virus. Adults can use 2 quarts in a full-size tub. Children should use 1 quart. Sit in the tub for 45 minutes to an hour
and then towel dry. The free oxygen will also make you feel more fresh and invigorated, but don’t overdo it. Remember number #5. Go rest!
10. Homeopathic Oscillococcinum. Now, that is a mouthful but it is amazing and really works (http://www.scielosp.org/ scielo.php?pid=S0021-25712012000100017&script=sci_arttext). Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic medicine that can be found at most standard pharmacies. It is safe for all ages to use and has been shown to lessen the severity or the duration of the standard flu symptoms. Follow the directions on the package or try taking one vial a week during flu season as a preventative measure. Flu is not a season but the lack of the ability of your body to adapt to so many sudden changes. I hope you are now armed with all you need to not only survive flu season but to avoid the flu this year and in the future.
This is an original work authored by: Stephanie Nielsen, Pharm.D., CCN Director, Wishing You Wellness, LLC
American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 21
New Year’s Death Rattle As reported in Forbes.com, 45% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions.1 However, even with the best of intentions, only a miniscule portion of us will develop a new habit or way of living. In fact, University of Scranton research has suggested that a mere 8% of people will achieve their goals. Why do so many of us fall short? Is it because we are lazy? Unmotivated? Or are we just too… NO! Let’s stop right there. Most of us fail to achieve our goals for a variety of good, understandable reasons. Americans are an extreme culture. We live in a “Go big or go home” mentality. That bleeds over at New Year. We set a list the size of our national debt. Then we feel destroyed when we can’t seem to make any progress. That is the first area to correct, according to conventional therapeutic wisdom. Chunk it down! You CAN eat the elephant, just one bite at a time. Another area we get mired down in is generalities. When we buy a car in America, we generally have a solid idea of what we want, right? We know make and model. We have decided on all of our amenities: navigation, heated seats, leather, and rims. We even know the colors that are in the running. Then why don’t we do that with our goals? If we want to lose some weight, why do we not make a manageable list? Things like walk 30 minutes a day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. OH NO!! This is America. We commit to going to the gym 5 days a week, not eating sweets except on Saturdays, no chips or fried food, and limiting alcohol. Sound familiar? Does it come down to willpower? A study led by a Stanford University psychologist really tests the durability of willpower. The researchers found that the subjects performed better or worse on the test, based on their belief in the durability of willpower.2 So how do we use all of this? What do we do on 1/1? Do we say “I am going to change only one thing this year, and I believe I can do it?” Well, yes, while that can work, let me give you some bullet points to help:
American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 22
1. Chunk it DOWN!!! If you need to lose 50 pounds, DO NOT start with that number!!! Look at your history. Did you gain your weight overnight? My belief is no. It was a series of bad decisions that you made in hopes that it would resolve itself later. Take your goal down to 20 pounds. Set a time in which you must lose this weight, not when you can, but MUST. It has to be a MUST to you. Make it physically responsible. No one goes on a diet and says, “I am going to starve myself, work out like a fool, and have the body I want!” So average 2-3 pounds a week. In the case of losing 20 pounds, set a 10-week plan. Give it a date. Now you know where you are going. Let me ask you a question. When you are going to go on a vacation, and you need directions, do you hop on the freeway and head north, hoping you will arrive? Of course you don’t. So set your course, be realistic, and adjust to arrive at your ten weeks on a dime! 2. Plan your work and work your plan: Let’s say you need to stop drinking, and you drink 3-4 times a week. You even have a blackout or two. The LAST thing you should do is run out and stop all your booze. You have patterns. You have things you do habitually. You come home from a long day, grab a beer, put your feet up, and wait to eat. By the time dinner is on the table, you are three beers in and feeling a little hum in your brain. So taper off. Set a timeline, like we talked about, and make it manageable. Wean yourself off safely and sensibly. 3. Always measure. Checking your progress is key. Reward yourself with a day on the golf course or a quiet day being present. Envision your outcome. Make a clear picture in your head; make it big, bright, and beautiful, your optimal self! Spend time in that visual and enjoy your success. Do this often.
4. Commit to your outcome. Statistically, we know that, if you believe you can, you can. So get yourself to buy in. Stay on task. As you float off into a REM state, affirm this over and over: “I am whole, perfect, and complete. I can do anything I am 1000% committed to, and I am the best of the best at what I do.” Affirmations work. They work well if you give yourself care and praise. 5. And most importantly, hire a coach. Find someone who has done what you are looking to accomplish. Find someone who has had success in that area, and commit to 8 weeks of instruction. This coach, if the person is any good, will keep you on track, help you measure your progress, and achieve your goals for good! I hope you have decided to live your dream and design your life. Pease share your feedback with me and let’s get you to living your best self!
References:
Diamond, Dan, “Just 8% of People Achieve their New Year’s Resolutions. Here’s How They Do It,” Pharma & Healthcare, Forbes.com (1 January 2013), http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2013/01/01/just-8-of-peopleachieve-their-new-years-resolutions-heres-how-they-did-it/ 1
Job, Veronika, Carol S. Dweck, and Gregory M. Walton, “Ego Depletion—Is It All in Your Head?: Implicit Theories about Willpower Affect Self-Regulation,” Psychological Science (28 September 2010), https://web.stanford. edu/~gwalton/home/Publications_files/Job,%20Dweck,%20%26%20Walton,%202010.pdf 2
This is an original work authored by: Tracy Wood, CPC, ELI-MP
American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 23
The Practice of Yoga and Meditation Yoga is more than 5000 years old, and it has stood the test of time because it works. The word yoga originally meant “yoke” and evokes the act of binding together mind, body, and spirit. Originating in the East, Yoga has for some time now been embraced by the West as a foundation for ethical disciplines through its breathing techniques, physical regimen, and meditative context. Its benefits are many, and for this reason Yoga is practiced by individuals and encouraged by many corporate environments. Healthier individuals make more productive and creative workers.
What Yoga Does for You Here are just a few of the benefits you can look forward to as you incorporate Yoga into your lifestyle: • • • • •
Reduced stress, anxiety, and tension Increased physical strength and greater flexibility Better sleep and relaxation Enhanced awareness of life General sense of well-being and peace
Meditation connects us to the higher energies in the planet. Meditation can actually heal our bodies by reducing anxiety, lowering our stress level, and even lowering our blood pressure. Besides all of that, meditation increases our energy levels by replacing our used-up energy. If we write checks but forget to deposit more funds in the account, we will be overdrawn. So it is with our bodies. If we keep on using energy and forget to replenish that energy with meditation, our bodies become weak, irritable, depressed, and eventually sick. Research has shown that meditation changes our attitudes as well. Meditators find that they are less anxious and agitated over little things. They are more accepting of what is and feel more peaceful most of the time. Meditation lifts your soul from the bondage of material possessions to the awareness of your Higher Self. As a result, you are not as attached to your body, race, sex, or environment as you used to be. That makes you more content and accepting of things as they are, rather than how you want them to be. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 24
Breathing Technique-Dirga Pranayama Dirga Pranayama is Yoga’s technique of Three-Part Breathing. 1. Choose a quiet, calm place. 2. Anticipate mentally clearing your mind from your daily preoccupations. 3. Lie down on your back with your arms along your body. 4. Close your eyes, relax your forehead, your lips, your jaws. 5. Moving from your neck down to your toes, progressively relax your body. 6. Focus on your natural breathing without changing it. Just be aware of it. 7. Inhale, filling your belly with air. 8. Exhale through the nose, navel pulled to your spine. 9. Repeat 12 times, clearing your mind of any intrusive thoughts and focusing on your breathing. 10. Continue the above deep breathing, this time filling not only your belly but also your rib cage. 11. Exhale, pushing air from your rib cage, then from your belly. 12. Repeat 12 times, allowing a sense of wellbeing and peace to fill you up. 13. Now inhale, filling your belly, your rib cage, and your upper chest, causing it to rise. 14. Exhale, lowering your upper chest, and emptying your rib cage, followed by your belly 15. Repeat 12 times. 16. Eventually, through practice, these 3 progressions will smoothly blend into one uninterrupted motion.
Find Zen in Ten Minutes Create your meditation space (optional) The altar is just a reminder of your commitment to meditate. 1. Create an altar in the corner of a room where there isn’t lots of other activity and where you don’t watch TV. Place a small table there with some of your most sacred items. 2. Place an armless chair, facing east, in the corner near your altar. 3. Place a wool or silk blanket over the chair before you sit on it. Silk and wool insulate the body against earth currents. This is important so that their opposite magnetic pull will not impede the flow of life current. This life current is trying to draw upward through your seven chakras, or the centers of light in your body.
Preparation for meditation For best results, do this on a rather empty stomach. The digestion of food takes 80% of your energy. Begin by lighting a candle and sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed by telephones or loud noises. Place a cotton or wool blanket on the chair and sit with your back straight and eyes closed. You may need a cushion or pillow behind your back in order to keep your back straight. Make sure the temperature of the room is not too hot or too cold. You might want to cover your shoulders with a cotton, silk, or wool blanket so that you have no distractions like feeling cold during the meditation. Feet and Hand Position Place your feet flat on the floor or crossed whichever is most comfortable for you. Place your hands, palms up on your thighs or over your heart. If you choose the heart position, place your right hand over your left on your heart. If you are left-handed, place the left hand over your right. Now you are ready to begin Take a deep breath and hold it to the count of five: one…two...three...four...five…exhale. Take another breath and hold it to the count of five: one… two…three…four...five…exhale. Take one last, deep breath and hold it to the count of five: one….two….three….four....five …exhale.
Now focus your attention on your breath and breathe normally as you go deeper and deeper into total relaxation. As you feel yourself relaxing deeper and deeper, bring your attention up behind your closed eyes at the center of your forehead, and notice the light that is there. With your eyes closed, look up toward your third eye, which is at the very center of your forehead. Now place your tongue on the roof of your mouth behind your front teeth, and continue to follow your natural breath. Take your time through your meditation period, then when you are finished, slowly become aware of your surroundings and gently enter back into your environment. There is no way to describe what you will feel in meditation. Each session may be very different from the one that preceded it. Sometimes you will feel like you reached a place of great peace. Sometimes you will just feel sleepy or upset because you can’t seem to quiet your restless mind. Just remember that, even if your restless mind keeps you jumping from one idea to another, something powerful is trying to happen. A difficult session is still valuable. In fact, it can be just as valuable as a pleasant one because it teaches you that what arises is always less important than how you relate to it.
This is an original work authored by: Rev. Julie Johnson, Ph.D. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 25
Your Patient PAL Where do you turn to when you are sick in the middle of the night? Do you call your doctor’s office and are you greeted by a friendly voice ready to answer your question? What about if you are traveling and you have been injured? Can you grab your cell phone and call your insurance provider to find the closest covered facility to get help? Not likely without a 45-minute hold time.
Patient PAL is there to talk you though that late night catastrophe. I recently sat down with the president and founder, Dr. Jack G. London, for an interview and was fascinated to discover all that the company does, as well as why Jack developed this groundbreaking company in the first place.
What if I told you that for less than the price of two venti Starbucks a month, you could call a registered nurse (RN) in the middle of the night to ask a question, get advice, get support, or even just make sure that you are doing the right thing for your baby? Would that be the best $10.00 you have ever spent in your life? Yeah, me, too! I remember having my first-born child. She didn’t come with an owner’s manual. Isabella was beautiful. When she would breathe, we watched; when she would cry, we watched that, too. But when she had a fever of 102.3, we panicked. Now, I was 35, so I was not a spring chicken, right? I had been around the block around other kids, so I didn’t panic too much; but it was 10:00 pm, and the baby was only 16 months old and the Tylenol was not working. I ended up calling the doctor’s office and they paged our pediatrician. Crickets… We waited for hours. It was upsetting to us and the baby continued to get worse. We ended up in Urgent Care at 12:00 am, because the pediatrician still had not responded and she was burning up. We were seen by a Physician’s Assistant. She had an ear infection and was given antibiotics and $250.00 later, we went home. If only there had been a triage RN and an online doctor from a service like Patient PAL to help us through that night! For $10.00 a month, we could have used a service that millions people have come to rely on for today’s healthcare needs. Patient PAL is one of the nation’s leading Concierge and Advocacy services. It was established in 1995 and began primarily in Las Vegas. It has grown to become a nationwide business serving over 3 million members in 50 states. It provides concierge services, on-site clinics for wellness and prevention medicine, claims management and negotiations for in and out of network participants, develops case rates for transplants and cardiovascular surgical procedures, and is expanding into much more. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 26
Jack started his career with a degree in telecommunications that pointed him in the direction of radio, television, and broadcasting. Jack has hosted his own talk shows and had the privilege of interviewing many celebrities along the way. He worked in the Los Angeles, Seattle, and Las Vegas markets. Jack felt blessed by the opportunities in life and saw his daily life as a gift. He knew he had a calling in life and sought to find it. During his television career, he had occasion to interview the director of a facility called Child Haven in Las Vegas. This proved to be what would change the direction of Jack’s life and career. Child Haven is a facility for abused and neglected children. In the Las Vegas market, there were people who would lose everything to gambling or addiction. Their children would need to be taken to Child Haven for their own protection. During the interview he asked Nancy Williams, “What happens at Child Haven at Christmas for the 600 plus kids that you have here?” Her answer was heartbreaking to Jack, “Well, unfortunately, it’s another day.” Jack said, “What do you mean?” Nancy explained the facility didn’t have the means to provide anything for the children for the holidays, for gifts, or for any type of celebration.
That drove Jack to take action to create a holiday for the kids, not just that year, but in the years to come. Jack partnered with local businesses, the fire department, and eventually with Desert Hospital. He went on television and raised awareness to get 700 gifts in that first year and provided a Christmas celebration for the kids at Child Haven. The next year, they were able to provide 7,000 gifts! Soon after that Jack became very involved with the hospital and quickly educated himself in healthcare. He worked his way through the ranks and became the chief operating officer. He became very connected to the patients and loved visiting with them. This sparked a passion within him. He would hear many stories about how people’s lives were touched after their stay by the challenges of navigating the healthcare system. Jack knew there was a need for an independent advocate who understood the system when you leave the hospital; someone who will listen to you, help you, and coordinate your care. TW: So that was where it all started? JL: Yes, from my experiences with the patients, that is where patient PAL began. There needed to be somebody who would stand up for you, who had empathy and compassion, but also would understand the system of healthcare because it is complex and even more so today.
TW: The core of the Patient PAL business is to do what? JL: The questions that come in are all different but they all start the same way, “I don’t know if you can help me, but … my wife has been diagnosed with this, or my daughter’s been diagnosed with this, or my son’s been challenged with this.” And that’s when we fire up the jets and we’re the true concierge of medicine, Tracy. I believe the term concierge to be the same as when you’re going to visit a state or a country you’re not familiar with and it’s your first time there. You go to check in to the hotel. You want to have a great dinner or you want to go to a fine show, where do you go? You go to the concierge, right? Now that’s what you do with Patient PAL.
“I want to get a Patient PAL card in the hand of every person in the country. I want them to have access and the comfort of knowing that they have that nurse on the other end of that line. I believe in the service. It is literally about serving. I desire to serve.” TW: So it’s really all about quality of patient care and patient experience as well as finding what you need in one place? JL: Absolutely! We provide medical information to help that patient or family to empower themselves and give them the opportunity to have the very best possible outcome that one would desire. And everyone needs that type of comfort knowing that they have done all they can for their loved one. The frustration can always be that they laid their head down at night and said, “If I only had done...,” or “I should have done...,” or “What could I have done better?” Well, when you have somebody at your beck and call 24/7 and they are willing to help you and support your efforts, and help you make those decisions, help you transfer those medical records, help you make those appointments, that’s what Patient PAL is all about. We do it one patient at a time. Jack never imagined how fast this concept would catch on. He always wanted to make a huge patient impact, but he had really not counted on the positive impression Patient PAL would make. When the MGM Grand became his first client, they had a sister location in Biloxi, Mississippi. And Jack realized that anywhere there was a phone, there could be Patient PAL. The rest was history. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 27
Your Patient PAL (Continued) TW: Where do you see Patient PAL going in the short term, and what is the long range plan for your business? JL: My goals are pretty similar both long and short term. I want to get a Patient PAL card in the hand of every person in the country. I want them to have access and the comfort of knowing that they have that nurse on the other end of that line. I believe in the service. It is literally about serving. I desire to serve. The ultimate goal for Patient PAL is to create more of an active outreach business model. This will be revolutionary in health and hospital care today. They do hospital discharge and follow-up with patients who have been sent home post-operative and in patient care. The advocate reads the discharge papers and follows up with the patient rehabilitations orders, organizes transportation, works with Meals on Wheels, makes follow-up appointments, and more. The work that Patient PAL does is necessary. It can lower costs, and prevent emergencies and re-admittance. The need for help with shelter, food, and social work coordination for elderly people is always a challenge for their families; these advocates can be an invaluable resource. Discount medical products don’t come with your healthcare. Insurance is not your friend; however, through an affiliate partnership with Patient PAL and Acute Care Triage, Inc., a national telehealth provider, Jack and his partners have designed a Health Care Benefit Plan around the core beliefs of Patient PAL.
“When you pick up the phone and need someone to reach back, it’s nice to know you will always have your own Patient PAL no matter what time of the day or night.” Patients can access these products for less than $6.00 per person per month—huge savings on things like dental services, vision products and services, contact lenses, glasses, chiropractic care, prescription discounts, online primacy visits with a $45.00 encounter fee, online nurse triage, reduced fees for lab testing, and much more, which can save a family of four thousands of dollars a year whether you have insurance or not. This is not another insurance plan. In fact, you can use this whether you have insurance or not. Log in or register at www.acutecaretriage.com for information. American Journal of Integrative Medicine | Spring 2016 | Page 28
Patient PAL employs 35 full-time people at any given time, but based on project scope, that number does expand. Recently, the governor of the state of Nevada personally gave Jack London and Patient PAL an award for being the number one family owned business in the state of Nevada for 2015. There were over 60 other companies up for that award. I asked Jack what was next for himself and Patient PAL. He is currently working on his second book. His first book, 21 Keys to Your Success, is available on Amazon and Kindle. Jack left me with an interesting analogy for how he sees life. It went a little something like this: JL: When they ploughed fields with an ox in the old days, the way they kept a straight line was by looking straight ahead. Lines were off to the side or became crooked because the person operating the plough was looking back over his shoulder, and you can’t look back, Tracy. Yesterday is gone. And tomorrow isn’t here yet, so we have to look at today. If you’re ploughing that field and you want to do it consistently, and you want a straight line, you’ve got to keep your eyes forward, and you’ve got to keep your eyes straight to where you’re ploughing through victory and achieving your goals. In today’s healthcare environment, so much is uncertain. We have limited access to resources. Patient PAL GIVES you these resources. When you pick up the phone and need someone to reach back, it’s nice to know you will always have your own Patient PAL no matter what time of the day or night. Tell them Jack sent you!
This is an original work authored by: Tracy Wood, CPC, ELI-MP
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