Healthy Living 3-11-20 by Anton Community Newspapers

AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL

Healthy Living MARCH 11 - 17, 2020

Looking at the Future of Autism Services INSIDE Get motivated to move Healthy swaps for sugar

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Get Moving

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Ready your body for exercise, the right way

s springtime quickly approaches, the influx of people hitting the gym to appease New Year’s resolutions has dissipated and beach bodies are now on the minds of Long Islanders. But before you begin, make sure your body is ready. The strongest intentions can go awry if you’re unprepared and attempt to accelerate from 0 to 100, jumping into strenuous activity after being idle for a long period. Drastic changes won’t stick longterm. It’s unpractical. Instead, you need to make slow, incremental adjustments to achieve your goals, which are crucial to all levels of fitness. Whether you are pursuing a new you, focused on cardiovascular health or starting to get ready for the beach this summer (it’s never too early), follow these suggestions.

MICHAEL GONZALEZ

slows down. You need to maintain homeostasis and every day functions—your brain and body don’t care what you look like. Most importantly, don’t restrict yourself. While working out at a high level, your body is flying through carbohydrates. You need to replenish that energy. But if you’re someone who can’t get to that high level and hovering around 65 to 70 percent, you don’t need to eat a ton of carbs. Be self-aware of how active you are, then tailor your diet to your body’s needs.

It won’t matter what you do if you don’t move. Getting active doesn’t have to be in Have patience a gym. Recreational sports and bike We live in a society where people rides on weekends are great ways to want things instantly, but our bodies keep you going. A peak workout pushdon’t work that way. It takes time. Be es your heart rate to 85 to 90 percent. patient with the process. Again, don’t You can determine what heart rate is best for you by subtracting your age from 220. That should be your ideal workout rate. For those on medication to control Define your goals hypertension and cholesterol, you and strategize have to gradually build up to the If you don’t have a goal, what are optimal workout. Take tiny intervals you working toward? It’s the No. 1 in getting there. Place yourself in an thing you should do whether you want exercised heart rate zone for 30 to 45 to lose weight or build muscle. seconds at a time and give yourself a If you want to lose 20 pounds, find larger recovery interval. Your body will mini-goals that you can hit every week always tell you what you can tolerate. to get there. Without planning and Otherwise you will get dizzy, faint, structure you are likely to go off the rails. flush and wobbly. Stop immediately if you experience Start slow any of these symptoms. People usually try to do too much in the beginning. After two weeks, they Focus on diet feel good, then three or four weeks Once you find your flow, focus on later they feel run down, increasing your diet, but be realistic. The top risk of injury because their body went pitfall when it comes to losing weight through too much change in a short or even building muscle is people go timeframe. online and find strict diets where they If you are sedentary, focus on your can’t eat carbohydrates or they starve weight. Target exercise and do at least themselves. 30 minutes at an elevated heart rate Avoid dropping your calorie intake where you break some kind of sweat. so low that your entire metabolism

try to do too much at one time. Managing expectations is very important. You have to be realistic to maintain focus. When you’re training for a goal, find someone who is in the athletic training profession or someone who is knowledgeable about achieving optimal health. They can be a great resource for advice and encouragement. Michael Gonzalez, ATC, is senior athletic trainer for Northwell Health’s Sports Medicine program. He’s also the head athletic trainer at North Shore High School. Call 833-9-SPORTS to schedule an appointment with one of Northwell’s orthopedic specialists. For more health and wellness insights, visit northwell.edu/SportsInsights.

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Not So Sweet New book identifies hidden sugar and healthy swaps

BOOKS

BY CYNDI ZAWESKI

contain lots of sugar. In fact, some foods are so high in sugar that they’re n average, Americans consume no better than candy. Some sports more than 110 pounds of sugar drinks have more sugar than two per year. That’s 22 teaspoons a cupcakes, for example. Breakfast cereal is among the most day, far exceeding the limits recsurprising culprits. More than 280 ommended by the American Heart million Americans—86 percent of Association: nine teaspoons for the entire population—eat cereal for men and six teaspoons for women. breakfast, placing it among the top These and other eye-opening facts are being brought to light in the new sources of added sugar in our diet. Cassetty, who brings more than 20 book Sugar Shock. years of experience in the health and Written by a team of nationally wellness arena to the book, has been recognized health experts and food advocating for people to curb added writers—Samantha Cassetty and sugar in their diets for more than a Carol Prager with a forward by Long decade, starting at home. Island’s own wellness professional “I have been encouraging people Valerie Goldstein—the book is a practical guide to taking control over to limit added sugar since 2005,” she said. “I have a 16-year-old and when the added sugar they eat. he was two, I Sugar Shock, would let him on sale May 5, pick out cereal isn’t about sugar based on shame. It is not the amount even a call to cut of sugar out the sweet You don’t even miss the listed on the stuff entirely. nutrition The book shares added sugar. label. He the science —Samantha Cassetty learned to behind sugar: identify that what it does really early. It to the body, is something why we’re wired near and dear to my heart that I’ve to crave it and tips for tracking daily been working to share in a broader intake. Rich in photos and graphics, way.” its 272 pages are packed with easy Sugar Shock tackles myths about to digest information, including natural sugar, noting the difference an extensive at-a-glance photo between added and natural sugars. gallery that illustrates hundreds of Many people falsely believe that sugary packaged foods along with honey and agave are “healthier” smart swaps for less sugary (but still alternatives. Zero-calorie artificial delicious) alternatives. sweeteners are not off the hook, With insights from top nutrieither. tionists, Sugar Shock also teaches “Ten years ago, we were talking consumers how to understand the about making switches to artificial newly revised food product label, sweeteners, but now in 2020, we realwhich is now required to show the ized that we need to come to a place amount of added sugar. So just how did our food become so packed with where we’re making choices that are whole and minimally processed added sugar? foods,” Cassetty said. “It is not about “In the mid-to-late 90s, when eliminating the joy out of eating low fat and fat-free eating was so popular, manufacturers added sugar or eliminating all added sugar, it is to a lot of foods in order to give great about keeping it in a healthy range.” To help readers stay within that flavors while lowing the fat content,” co-author Cassetty, a food, nutrition healthy range, the book offers dozens of ways to liven up food without added and wellness expert who previously sugar, plus recipes and nutritious addserved as the nutrition director for ins for smoothies and cereal and more. Good Housekeeping, said. “People diets unknowingly when up in added The book’s 7-Day Sugar Step-Down Plan and 21-Day-Sugar-Detox Meal sugar, and that is went we started to Plan helps readers get a jumpstart. see a rise in metabolic syndrome, The effort to cut added sugar is diabetes and high triglycerides.” The book points out foods disworth the rewards, Cassetty said. guised as healthy, but that actually Cutting back helps tame your sweet czaweski@antonmediagroup.com

tooth and delivers a range of health benefits, including higher energy levels, lowered risk for heart disease and diabetes and reduced inflammation. And it doesn’t have to taste

bland. Among the dozens of swaps contained in the pages, Cassetty’s go-to is plain Greek yogurt with fruit as a sweetener. “You don’t even miss the added sugar,” she said.

Published by Anton Media Group KARL V. ANTON, JR. Publisher, 1984–2000 Angela Susan Anton Editor and Publisher Frank A. Virga President Shari Egnasko Director of Sales Administration Cyndi Zaweski Editor, Special Sections Robin Carter Director of Production Alex Nuñez Creative Director Iris Picone Director of Operations Joy DiDonato Director of Circulation Linda Baccoli Director of Business Administration Salvatore Barbasso Designer

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Fresh Recipe

Balsamic chicken and spinach salad BY CYNDI ZAWESKI

czaweski@antonmediagroup.com

ating healthy doesn’t have to be boring or tasteless. Cook Smarts meal plan service has some delicious options that prove just that. The company’s recipe developers use healthy ingredients and cooking methods to make absolutely tasty, restaurant-quality meals. This entree salad is just the sort of thing that makes us look forward to spring. Fresh strawberries and balsamic vinegar give the salad a nice balance of sweet and tart. Savory, salty blue cheese adds nice contrast to the salad, but feel free to use any cheese you’d like, for example, goat cheese or feta would be great alternatives. Add this salad to your recipe rolodex: Active Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 40 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients Balsamic Vinaigrette (for marinade and dressing): 1 clove of shallots, diced 3 Tbsp vinegar, balsamic 1 Tbsp mustard, Dijon 2 Tbsp honey ½ cooking oil 1 Tbsp lemon juice Balsamic Chicken and Spinach Salad: 1 lb chicken breasts, boneless and skinless 1 pint strawberries, quartered 8oz baby spinach - 8 oz 4oz blue cheese (sub feta or goat cheese) ⅓ cup almonds, sliced

and tenderize with a fork. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to a day. (Can be done up to 1 day ahead)

Directions 1. Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade). Season chicken on both sides with some salt and pepper. 2. If using a grill: Preheat grill to 400 degrees, keeping one section on higher heat and another section on lower heat. Clean and brush grates with some oil. Sear chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side and transfer to lower heat. Cook until the internal Prep temperature reaches 165 1. Balsamic vinaigrette: Dice degrees, an additional 2 to 3 shallots. Combine shallots minutes. 3. If using the stovetop: with vinegar, mustard, honey, oil, and lemon juice. (Can be Place a grill pan or skillet over medium heat. Brush done up to 5 days ahead) pan with some oil and sear 2. Marinate chicken: chicken on both sides for Combine chicken with half 2 to 3 minutes. Lower heat the vinaigrette (reserve to low-medium, cover with the other half for dressing)

Balsamic chicken and spinach salad (Photo courtesy of Cook Smarts)

foil, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. 4. When chicken is finished cooking, cover and let it rest for 5 minutes.

5. Slice chicken. Assemble salads by topping spinach with sliced chicken, strawberries, crumbled cheese, and almonds. Finish with reserved half of the vinaigrette at the table.

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Services For Developmental Disabilities BY CYNDI ZAWESKI

czaweski@antonmediagroup.com

artners Health Plan (PHP) is a non-profit health plan created to support people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. By combining coverage and provider networks for Medicare, Medicaid and IDD services, members are provided with a cohesive, easy-to-navigate and individualized plan of care. Drawing from the support and experience of its long-established and trusted sponsor agencies: NYSARC and ADAPT Community Network (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of New York City), which are both leading providers of programs and services for people with developmental disabilities. “We are dedicated to keeping each of our participants healthy, happy and as independent as possible while they pursue their dreams and valued outcomes in the diverse communities they call home,” said Kerry Delaney, CEO of Partners Health Plan. “Working in close collaboration with families and other members of the community, we will continue the proud NYSARC/ADAPT tradition of supporting the unique needs and wishes of the individuals in their care, fully integrating their supports and services, advocating on their behalf and assisting participants throughout their lives. Our goals are

lofty, but so are the expectations of the people we are committed to supporting.” In order to maintain an exceptional standard of care, Partners Health Plan’s two-person care coordination team supports members in obtaining appropriate person-centered services such as medical, vision and pharmaceutical needs as well as benefits such as durable medical equipment, telehealth, self-direction, home care, community habilitation,

(Photo courtesy of Partners Health Plan)

residential supports, transportation and much more. The PHP team coordinates and communicates with members, their families and their providers (doctors, residences, day programs, etc.) to ensure quality healthcare and services. Covering more than health care, Partners Health Plan is committed to providing members with the life they choose. PHP developed the PAL program that connects members to their local community. By fostering connections and developing friendships, individuals participating in the program are able to develop friendships through shared interests, thus improving their quality of life. “One of the primary concerns we hear from families is what will happen to their loved one after they are gone,” Delaney said. “Our goal is to put their minds at ease with the comfort of knowing that we will work tirelessly as trusted advocates for our members every day to help them live their best lives.” The following individuals are eligible to join Partners Health Plan: • Are over the age of 21 • Have active Medicaid and Medicare • Are eligible for OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities) Waiver services. • Reside in our service area (Currently nine counties: Rockland, Westchester, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk). To learn more about enrolling in PHP Care Complete FIDA-IDD Plan, visit www.phpcares.org.

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Adelphi Breast Cancer Program Celebrates 40th Anniversary

s the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program celebrates its 40th anniversary, new leadership is at the helm. Reyna Machado of Garden City, who was previously the assistant director, is now executive director. Moving into the assistant director position is Angela Papalia of Selden, who has been with the program for 13 years, working as a bilingual social worker. Machado is motivated by her vision that the program support all New Yorkers in advocating for themselves and others in the breast cancer community. “Our program has a rich history of advocating on behalf of and empowering breast cancer patients while promoting health and increased access to healthcare services,” she said. “I am honored to serve as the new executive director and to continue to grow and expand the reach of our social work and public health services, which are critical to the community. This is a particularly special year for the program as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, with a theme of 40 Years Strong: Changing Lives Together.” During her time with the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline Program, Machado managed fiscal administration of grants and secured new funders for the program. In her new role, she assumes administrative oversight of program services including bilingual social work/patient navigation, community outreach, breast health education, monitoring and evaluation

Giving Day. As a bilingual social worker, she has provided clinical counseling and support services to countless individuals and their families. She spearheaded the inception of the Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) and Adelphi Breast Cancer Program collaboration, where the bilingual social workers offer weekly support services to breast cancer patients directly within the Breast and Oncology clinics at NUMC. Papalia was also instrumental in creating Cafecito, a Spanish-language support group for breast cancer patients in Nassau County. Her areas of clinical expertise include patient navigation, support and advocacy to medically vulnerable and underserved communities. “It is truly a privilege to work with our dynamic New director Reyna Machado (right) with assistant team of both staff and volunteers,” she said. “Our director Angela Papalia. (Contributed photo) mission to ensure that no one has to go through along with events, development, marketing and pub- breast cancer alone will continue, serving the diverse needs of our community.” lic relations. Machado, a Spanish speaker and New The Adelphi Breast Cancer Program is launchYorker, brings two decades of experience in maring a fundraising campaign and special events to keting and development, having worked at the Girl commemorate its 40th anniversary, hosting educaScouts of the United States of America, HealthDay tional forums on sleep and planning for the future. News and Georgetown University. Program activities will be punctuated by the annual In her new role, Papalia, a licensed master social Celebration of Survivorship in October. worker with 20 years of experience, will oversee For more information about services and upcomall clinical aspects of the Adelphi Breast Cancer ing events, call 800-877-8077, or visit our website at Program. She will also support grant opportunities breast-cancer.adelphi.edu. and fundraising efforts including the program’s —Submitted by The Adelphi Breast Cancer Program participation in Adelphi University’s annual online

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COLUMN

Eat Your Way To A Healthier Liver

arch brings with it the hope for spring. Winter is ending and soon the weather will warm up and it will be once again time to spend more time outdoors and hopefully increase our activity levels. At this time of year, many people begin to assess their overall health and well-being. So, I ask, how can we keep our livers healthy? For the vast majority of people, this is easy as most people do not have any underlying liver problems. The key to a healthy liver is a healthy diet. What is a considered a healthy diet? I would argue that a good healthy diet requires common sense. Lots of fruits and vegetables, minimizing fatty foods, drinking plenty of water and watching alcohol intake. This does not mean that anything is off limits. The common-sense approach means that people have to use their brains when

THE SPECIALIST David Bernstein, MD

deciding upon what to eat and knowing when you have had enough. In general, a good healthy, heart-friendly diet is good for the liver. This means concentrating on a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol. The Mediterranean diet is effective and scientific studies actually show that in those who follow it, liver health is maintained. I

am also a believer in portion Diet and exercise are the keys control. My recommended to health. Since the most diet is to eat what you like, common liver condition is fatty liver and the incidence of eat slowly, do not let yourself complications of this condibecome ravenous and drink tion are on the rise, weight plenty of non-caloric liquids loss and exercise may prevent during the day. Water is disease progression the best choice, not and lead to disease sodas, even diet regression. The sodas are not flood gates of good. And of liver related course, minicomplications mize alcohol Diet and exercise are are opening as use. the keys to health. What about our population David Bernstein, MD all these health keeps growing food store prod(around the waist) ucts that fall under and the incidence the category of “liver of diabetes, especially cleanser?” I have never truly amongst our youth, is rising understood what that means exponentially. Perhaps with an from a physiologic standpoint emphasis on healthy living we as the liver cannot be cleaned. can prevent disease. Exercise is To sum up my thoughts on also important. Thirty minutes “liver cleanser,” nonsense. And of aerobic exercise five times many can be dangerous so I a week will have long term recommend avoiding them. beneficial liver effects. What can people with liver What can people with liver disease do to stay healthy? diseases other than fatty liver

do to help their livers? The answer again comes down to diet and exercise. In addition, alcohol should be taken judiciously and in limited quantities. A good healthy heart diet will also help the liver, minus the two glasses of red wine per night recommended by cardiologists. Avoidance of health food store products and herbal products may also help prevent disease exacerbation. Although 99 percent of these products are safe, some may still cause problems. Before someone with liver disease starts one of these products, they should make sure that they have discussed it with their doctor. Keeping the liver healthy is important. As the weather changes for the better, it is great time to concentrate on a healthy diet and exercise program, which will benefit not only the liver but the entire body.

Your Plan, Your Way Partners Health Plan (PHP) is a person-centered healthcare and services plan created to specifically support people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Existing Medicaid and Medicare benefits are provided through an integrated benefit design that includes a dedicated Care Coordination team to address each individual’s medical, behavioral, long-term services and social needs.

PHP’S GOAL IS TO PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH:

• • • •

Quality healthcare and the long-term services and support our members need, such as respite, employment and residential care Improved quality of life that helps our members achieve their goals The respect our members deserve Excellent customer service

TO JOIN THE PLAN, AN INDIVIDUAL MUST:

• • • •

Be over the age of 21 Have Medicaid and Medicare (parts A &B) Be eligible for NY State OPWDD waiver services - 1915 (c) Live within one of the following counties: Nassau, Suffolk, Richmond, Kings, Queens, Bronx, NY/Manhattan, Westchester or Rockland

For more information visit phpcares.org or call 855-747-5483/TTY 711 • 7 days a week, 8am - 8pm The State of New York has created a Participant Ombudsman Program called the Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN) to provide participants free, confidential assistance on any services offered by Partners Health Plan. ICAN may be reached toll-free at 844-614-8800 (TTY users call 711, then follow the prompts to dial 844-614-8800) or online at icannys.org. PHP Care Complete FIDA-IDD (Medicare-Medicaid) Plan is a managed care plan that contracts with Medicare and the New York State Department of Health (Medicaid) to provide benefits to Participants through the Fully Integrated Duals Advantage for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FIDA-IDD) Demonstration. 214645 M

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THE EMPIRE PLAN NETWORK NSPC is proud to announce that all of our world-class physicians are now in-network, participating providers with the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). We’re available for expert treatment of all brain and spine conditions.

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Future Of Infusion Therapy

The staff at Specialty Infusion handles the day-to-day needs of their patients. BY CAROLINE RYAN

and is board-certified in emergency medicine. He practiced at Hackensack Medical Center in New Jersey and or those suffering from a chronic was also ranked the highest in-patient illness or a health condition, care and satisfaction. Katz earned his which requires infusion treatpharmacy degree from LIU Post in ments or injections, traveling back 1996 and has more than twenty years and forth to the hospital can often of healthcare leadership excellence. be exhausting and time consuming. “We wanted to elevate the standard Since urgent care facilities have of infusion therapy,” Deutsh said. become quite popular throughout the “Using forward thinking and being years, doctors and those in the health- particularly sensitive to the high cost care industry are looking for new of heath care, we conceived Specialty alternatives to treat patients who need Infusion to bring this rapidly growing medicine out side of the hospital. division of healthcare into the 21st Specialty Infusion, a collaboration century. Personally, I love taking between QuickRx Specialty Pharmacy exceptional care of patients and have and Cure Urgent Care, was launched instilled this to the entire Specialty almost two years ago by cofounders Infusion team.” Elan Katz, a registered pharmacist, The centers offer more than 50 and Dr. Jake Deutsch. The creation medications that range from biologics of these centers was spearheaded by to immunotherapy, to IV iron. Some of their combined extensive medical and the more common ones are Entyvio, operational experience. Together the Remicade, Rituxin, Ocrevus and IVIG. two were created five state-of-the-art For patients being treated with any of centers located in the New York-Metro these medications they simply have to area. ask their doctor to send the prescrip“We saw the need to create outtion and some clinical information to patient Infusion Therapy offices to Specialty Infusion for your therapy. provide medications to those with All of the centers are monitored chronic disease,” Deutsch, said. “We closely with patient safety as the are growing rapidly in response to number one priority. The center the need for an alternative site of care primarily uses nurse practitioners who from the hospital. We [currently] have are highly specialized in administering six offices and planning another six in IV medications. The clinical team is highly trained in recognizing potential 2020.” reactions and with higher lever of Deutsch attended the University clinical nursing, they are able to assess of Massachusetts Medical School cryan@antonmediagroup.com

(Photo courtesy of Specialty Infusion)

and treat a patient immediately should there be any problem. “At Specialty Infusion we administer the treatment, which is recommended by each patients specialist, whether is a GI, neurologist or rheumatologist” Deutsch said. “Patients come to us as a critical part of their therapy and are able to avoid the hospital. We have created beautiful facilities that are private and ultra comfortable. Our patients appreciate avoiding overcrowded hospital centers where patients are critically ill. Additionally, we offer nights and weekends to fit the therapy into everyones busy schedule.” The center is also equipped to handle infusion and injection treatments as a lower-cost alternative to the treatment you may get at a hospital or through a home infusion provider. Specialty Infusion centers offer treatment all year round and the center is equipped to treat a wide range of conditions. “Patients need to know they have a choice,” Deutsch said. “They don’t have to go to the hospital to get infusions.” Specialty Infusion has also created an environment that is all about patient comfort, convince and safety. Each center has pods set up for the patients therapy, which are like a first class airline lounge. Each of the rooms are equipped with iPads, snacks, WiFi and warming blankets. Medications are mixed on site so there is no delay in

starting the treatment. Often hospital centers are pressured to prioritize the cancer patients who may run long treatments that bumps other appointments. The team at specialty infusion uses convenient texting for scheduling and the coordination team completes a thorough investigation of benefits before the treatment. Along with the convenience of visiting these centers, is the numerous cost-saving programs and lower prices, which can reduce healthcare costs and hold down premiums. The center works closely with all drug manufacturers co-pay assistance programs so the all out of pocket expenses are covered. Hospitals charge facility fees for infusion treatments that can be in upwards of $10,000 just for being an inpatient. These fees are in addition to the medications, which can also be thousands of dollars. Specialty Infusion does not bill for the facility, therefore patients and their insurance are saving thousands of dollars each visit, which for most patients is every four to six weeks. The team at Specialty Infusion will work to their patients can schedule their treatments when they need and want them. For more information about Specialty Infusion or where you can find a nearby location, visit www.specialtyinfusion.com. For questions or patient inquries, call 212-776-9090 or email info@ specialtyinfusion.com.

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Partnership Provides Free Hotel Rooms For Cancer Patients

ancer patients traveling far from home for treatment across Long Island and in Queens need not worry where to stay during their care due to a new partnership agreement between the American Cancer Society, Courtyard Marriott and Springhill Suites. If you’re a cancer patient and your doctor says, “Your best hope for a cure is in another town,” your first thought may be, “Where am I going to stay and how am I going to pay for it?” The American Cancer Society can help. The society works together with hotels through its Hotel Partners Program to provide complimentary and/or reduced rate rooms to cancer patients who need to travel out of town to receive treatment. “These partnerships illustrate our united front against cancer,” Barbara Messeder, mission delivery manager for the American Cancer Society in Hauppauge, said.“Our hotel partners show a commitment to community and to patients struggling with cancer. This local patient service would not

exist without their generosity to helping people at a very challenging time. Having a place to stay during cancer treatment could be the difference between someone getting treatment or not.” Two area hotels have joined the program: Courtyard by Marriot Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma and Springhill Suites New York/JFK Airport in Jamaica. These hotels are offering free lodging, when available, to patients traveling to their treatments. “It makes smart business sense to support the community and align with organizations that are doing great things,” Susanne Lofaso, general manager of Courtyard Marriott, said. Coping with cancer can be an immense and complicated burden. The reality of cancer is that many patients, especially those with limited resources, must overcome numerous hurdles to access timely, high-quality cancer care. “If we can give back a little and help someone when needed, then it’s a

win-win,” Eric Fung, general manager for Springhill Suites, said. In 2018, the American Cancer Society served cancer patients and their caregivers with more than 43,000 free or reduced nights of lodging through Hope Lodge facilities and hotel partners in New York state alone. “Not only does the society work to get patients to treatment and free or reduced rate lodging, we are working to remove any barriers to getting the best cancer care,” Patti Mack, communications director for the American Cancer Society said. “We quite literally are fighting cancer from every angle.” For patients to be eligible to receive lodging through the Hotel Partners Program, they must be traveling for a cancer-related medical appointment, need lodging near their treatment center, have a permanent residence and be able to care for their personal needs or travel with a companion who can assist them. For information about American Cancer Society programs and services, including lodging, please visit www.

cancer.org/patientlodging or call 1-800-227-2345 —Submitted by the American Cancer Society

Barbara Messeder presents a recognition award to Susanne Lofaso, general manager, Courtyard Marriott Long Island.

(Photo courtesy of the American Cancer Society)

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6 Benefits Of Acupuncture For Cancer Patients BY ELIZABETH MARTIN

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

ore than 39 percent of the population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life, so chances are, someone you know has had cancer. A 2019 study in JAMA Oncology found that acupuncture was significantly associated with lower pain levels for cancer patients. It seems that recently Eastern medicine, such as acupuncture, is integrating with Western medicine. The ongoing opioid crisis makes it more challenging to address cancer pain management, making acupuncture an alternative for pain. Acupuncture has recently been proven to reduce pain. One of the common side effects of chemotherapy is neuropathy, where nerve damage causes tingling, numbness and other sensations that can be extremely uncomfortable. This pain is often not treated or can’t be treated with pain medication, but acupuncture proves to be a great alternative. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine help open the body up and heal by promoting the flow of Qi (our vital energy). Acupuncture helps to bring circulation and blood flow to certain areas, helping the body to heal itself. Acupuncture minimizes the common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, including neuropathy, nausea, loss of appetite and insomnia. As a practitioner, I hear over and over that cancer patients are apprehensive about taking another medication for the side effects of another medication. But acupuncture is a noninvasive way to treat these side effects. I already mentioned that acupuncture helps with neuropathy because it stimulates blood flow to the damaged nerves. With nausea and loss of appetite, acupuncturists can open up channels that lead to the stomach meridian to help the body work more efficiently and improve the flow of energy to that area. When someone has insomnia, it’s a sign that the brain is not shutting off. Acupuncture tells the neurotransmitters in the brain to calm down and helps to reprogram your body’s own circadian rhythm. When we are working on patients with insomnia, most of the time we choose to work on the heart meridians, because the heart calms the mind, and in traditional

Chinese medicine we believe it is connected to the mind and spirit. Acupuncture is an appointment that they can truly enjoy. Often, schedules are packed with doctor’s appointments, but a visit to the acupuncturist is one to look forward to. I wanted my office to feel like home, so I purposely designed my practice to be that way, touching on the five elements of Chinese Medicine: wood, water, fire, earth, and metal and making it a tranquil, medical spa-like atmosphere. Doctors often look at their patients like a number, rushing to get them in and out of the door, but during an acupuncture appointment at our practice, we make a point to spend the time to get to know our patients and help to talk them through the emotions they may be going through during their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Acupuncture can help to improve emotions. The theory is that acupuncture is compared to going for a run—increasing circulation, draining the lymph nodes, and releasing toxins. Whenever you get acupuncture, it releases neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin and epinephrine, which helps boost energy levels and improve mood. At the practice we also use acupuncture to help treat allergies, as it goes back to my earlier point about

opening the flow of Qi. During cancer treatment is the best time to get acupuncture. With the treatments and appointments that many cancer patients are already going to, they can often be afraid and apprehensive to try acupuncture while in treatment. But in fact, this is the best time to go. We often hear from our cancer patients that they felt overwhelmed with adding another appointment, but after coming to acupuncture they felt more relaxed, had less pain, and felt calmer after undergoing regular acupuncture treatments. Often the patients that were skeptical of acupuncture would take a break and very often when stopping acupuncture regularly, it caused their pain to return. Acupuncture is just one form of alternative therapy, but there are others that could benefit those with cancer. Acupuncture is only one pillar of Chinese Medicine, but other modalities include manual therapy, Chinese herbal medicine, and meditation practices like Qi gong. A recent meta-analysis in patients with cancer and insomnia showed that yoga, meditation, hypnosis, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and qi gong have a moderate effect on the improvement of sleep quality for up to three months. At my practice, we also do sound

healing classes, which has been a great way to start meditation and can help reduce stress. This practice uses vibrations (vocal or instrumental-like gongs, Tibetan singing bowls and tuning forks) in order to relax your mind and body.

Elizabeth Martin is a board-certified licensed acupuncturist. She is the owner of Hands On Acupuncture and Massage Therapy PC on Long Island. Visit www.handsonacupuncture.com to learn more.

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