Wellness Magazine in the Palm Beaches
April/May 2014
Best Practices To Avoid Insurance Fraud Life Is... Too Precious To Give Up
Get Up & Move It
MOVE IT!! Don’t Use Acupuncture As A Last Result
Happy Easter!
Publisher’s Note
A Letter To My Daughter "Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder." - Rumi
Kids grow up so fast and so much of what happens to them impacts the rest of their lives. My daughter is nine and soon, hanging with mom and dad might not be so cool. I harbor the hope that she will still find the time to sit with me at night and talk. But just in case, I wanted her to have this. I hope she hears what I have to say and it helps soften the hurt that comes from growing up. My Dear daughter, You’re a pretty smart girl, growing up so fast and gaining a lot of wisdom. Here are some things that I want you to always remember: You are loved by everyone in your family and so many friends. Some of your friends will stay with you for a lifetime and many will come and go. Always be the best friend you can be and if it doesn’t work out, don’t make it about you. No one is perfect and we always have something we could be better at; sometimes we make mistakes – learn from them and move on. Take responsibility for your part, resolve to not make the same mistake again and forgive yourself. Discover what you want to do in the world. And when you have chosen, may you faithfully pursue it with integrity and hope. Love yourself. You don’t have to be skinny or tall, beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Take care of your body – exercise, eat healthy and you will be beautiful. Don’t let anybody see you as a pretty face and tell you that you have to look a certain way to have any influence. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to enjoy in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit. You are my greatest gift. The love I have for you can never be broken or taken away from you. It is a constant you can always count on. I love you with all my heart, Daddy
Meric Tunca 6
April/May 2014
Live Music!
www.banzaiwellnessmag.com For pricing and deadline information with regards to advertising with Banzai Wellness magazine, email us at banzaiwellness@hotmail.com. Banzai Wellness is a publication focusing on health and wellness in Palm Beach Country, Florida. We want to hear from you! Email all news, editorial submissions, article topic suggestions, ideas and feedback to banzaiwellness@hotmail.com. Your email must include your name, address, and a telephone number so that we can contact you. We reserve the right to select which submissions are published and to edit all submissions prior to publishing. 2013 by Banzai Wellness magazine, Banzai Wellness, Inc. All rights reserved. Banzai Wellness magazine is a complimentary publication supported solely by our advertisers and distrbuted throughout locations are generally seen. Banzai Wellness magazine called “publisher” hereafter does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements. Advertisers are solely responsible for the contents of advertising including: photos, images, artwork and all creative works submitted for publications. All advertisers must agree to protect and indemnify “publisher” against any and all legal action. This includes any and all liability, loss or expense arising from claims of liable; unfair competition; unfair trade practice; infringement of trademarks; trade names; patents; copyrights; violations of rights of privacy and any other claims accepted for publication in the journals.
Think of Hollywood’s great romances – like Bogie and Bacall or Newman and Woodward. But Bologna and Taylor? Sure you know them. Character actor Jo Bologna has starred in numerous TV shows and movies, most notably Michael Caine’s best friend in “Blame it on Rio” and as a comic King Kaiser in “My Favorite Year.” His wife Renée Taylor is known as Fran Drescher’s mother, Sylvia Fine, on “The Nanny,” for which she received a Best Supporting Actress Emmy nomination. She’s also been in “Happily Divorced,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Shake It Up.” More recently she co-starred in Tyler Perry’s “Temptations: Confession of a Marriage Counselor” with Kim Kardashian and Vanessa Williams. In the movie, Taylor plays a pharmacist, but from experience, could be the Marriage Counselor as she introduces her husband of 47 years as her boyfriend. She told a reporter, “It was a dramatic movie, but it was about what happens when you commit adultery… how painful it is for everybody, and I guess I was the comic relief. Everybody else in it was very serious … but I had a wonderful time.” Her current live one woman comedy show titled “My Life On A Diet” is about true diets she has been on, and the movie stars she met, from Joan Crawford to Marylyn Monroe, whose advice she sought about what to eat to make her as famous and slim as they were. 50-year Marriage In 1965 Bologna,an Italian Catholic boy from Brooklyn, married Taylor, a Jewish girl from the Bronx. Their wedding was telecast from TV host Merv Griffin Studio. Now married over 50 years,Taylor and Bologna have each had individual careers, but they have also made a name as a couple for their writing. In 1970, they shared an Academy Award nomination for best writing of a screenplay based on material from another medium for their silver screen version of their Broadway hit “Lovers and Other Strangers.” Highlights of their successful collaboration also include “It Had to Be You,” “Bermuda Avenue Triangle” and “Acts of Love and Other Comedies.” With great good humor they tell how they renew their marriage vows every 7 years … in a different religious ceremony each time (Catholic, Jewish, Hindu,etc.). A later stage collaboration which includes stories about their marriage are “If Ever You leave Me, I’m Going With You.”
Renee, 80, is known as much for her brilliant smile as her capacity to look like a sad sack when her husband is her straight man on stage. It’s that famous face of hers, whether sad or smiling, that made her ask Cindy Cohen, her personal make-up artist, to develop a firming serum that would immediately tighten her face and de-puff the area under her eyes before performing on stage and screen. Now Renée Taylor is becoming even more famous for creating a face tightening serum called faceLOVE™ which has received rave reviews for its ability to work instantly and effectively. FaceLOVE™ has peptides in it, protein, which is healthy for the skin and works in seconds … which is amazing. One $59 bottle will last for several months and it comes with Free Shipping and Free Lipstick. With just a few drops, this
better-than-Botox product, faceLOVE™, will diminish fine lines and wrinkles, depuffs under the eyes, tightens the skin and makes skin appear smoother. The name face-
LOVE™ came, says Taylor, because she wants women’s faces to feel like when your grandmother holds your face in her hands and you feel loved. With faceLOVE™ your skin will feel firmer, tighter, smoother and less wrinkled. You will look and feel younger in 30 seconds!
You appy faceLOVE™ with your finger; one drop directly on all the individual lines and wrinkles of the face, around the eye area, and the neck. One drop can be used on several areas. faceLOVE™ is best used on a clean dry face allowing moisturizer to absorb completely. This will give the best tightening effect. The serum can be used over foundation for a more natural tightening effect. faceLOVE™ Visually diminishes fine lines and wrinkles in 30 seconds, removes puffiness under the eyes, instantly restores and tightens for younger looking skin, restores skin for a smoother and firmer and radiant look, reduces pore size, best anti wrinkle serum, lifts, tightens and firms for 8 hours!
Visit rtfacelove.com
or call toll free 1-855-502-3002. Banzaiwellnessmag.com
April/May 2014
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Contact Lenses Are Not One-Size-Fits-All Dr. Amanda Weiss, Optometrist Have you ever worn a pair of pants that was too small? They might be tolerable at the beginning of the day, but by the end of they day, your waist is uncomfortable, you feel like you can’t breathe, and when you finally take them off, they leave a mark where the waistband was fitting too snug. The consequences of a day in tight pants are that you had to skip a big lunch and you couldn’t pick anything up off the floor. Now imagine we’re talking about a contact lens on your eye that doesn’t fit. It’s too tight, it does not permit your eye the oxygen it needs, it’s nearly impossible to remove, and it leaves a mark when it does come out. The consequences of a poorly fitted contact lens could be a scratched cornea or a red eye with inflammation and residual scarring. Besides the power in a contact lens that corrects your blurred vision, there are other important numbers that your Optometrist considers when fitting your contact lenses. The Base Curvature defines the amount of curve in a lens. If your eye is shaped flat like a plate, and you wear a contact lens that is shaped like a bowl, the lens is going to fit too tight. You will feel the edge of the lens where it rests on your eye, your eye may become red as the day progresses, and you may develop inflammation. This is the result of a lack of oxygen from a lens that is so tight it impedes blood flow to your cornea. Alternatively, if your eye is shaped like a baseball and you wear a contact lens that is shaped like a plate, you’re likely to feel the movement of that loose lens throughout the day and to experience significant fluctuation in your vision as it moves on your eye. The Diameter of a contact lens specifies its size. It is surprising to most that a larger contact lens is typically more comfortable and provides more stable vision, especially in the case of astigmatism. The Big One: What’s it made of? The amount of water, silicone, wetting agent, and the general make up of a contact lens determines how moist it will stay, how much oxygen passes through it, how long it can be worn, and how often it should be replaced. The frequency with which a person plans to wear contacts, the activities that he or she will be doing while wearing the contacts, medications the person is taking, and an examination of the tears on the eye are all things that should be considered by your optometrist in selecting the appropriate contact lens. Every year new contact lenses are introduced to the market. A great eye doctor will stay informed of new contact lens developments in order to insure you the greatest vision and health in contact lens wear. Contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all, and should not be fitted this way. You are unique and you deserve to wear contact lenses and pants that fit you well! Please visit seavieweyecare.com for more information
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April/May 2014
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Live Healthy TIPS FOR SUCCESS: For a lot of people starting to exercise seems as easy as trying to tame a fire breathing dragon. If you are concerned about any current health conditions be sure to consult a physician, to make the best plan for you. Gym costs concerns? You don’t need a gym. With the right knowledge, you can get a very satisfying full body workout at home. When starting your exercise plan or making any alterations to your current plan, be sure to consider AGE, current lifestyle/ physical activity, and health conditions. Buddy system! Some people will stick to a workout plan better with a workout partner, which builds accountability! Start a diary, noting how you are feeling physically, and mentally. This will help you increase your plan when it’s needed, as well as show you improvements and what works best for you.
Get UP and MOVE IT
MOVE IT!!!!!!!!
BY DR. ARIANNE WEISS PRESTIA
Why Is Exercise So Important To This Chiropractor?
I
n a Hollywood driven society we often associate exercise with weight loss. There is usually some image we desire to portray. However, when you look at all the benefits of exercise, appearance doesn’t rank #1. Truthfully most have heard that exercising is important to your health, but most don’t understand how important it really is. In my practice I see the relationship between exercise and quality of life every single day. This list could be MUCH longer, but here are a few reasons to start getting in that morning walk every day: Bone Density: Ever heard of osteoporosis? Weight bearing exercises promotes healthy bone density and could be a significant factor in preventing bone loss and/or help regain bone density once lost. Type 2 Diabetes is one of this nation’s most common diseases, studies show regular exercise decreases your probabilities of developing diabetes by 50-70%.... WOW! It also helps increase the effect of insulin in your body. Love Your HEART: Exercise decreases the risk of heart disease, AND stroke. Exercise Helps lower cholesterol and studies show people who are regularly active have better sleep habits
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RULE OF THUMB: it’s much better to start slow and gradually build up. Physical activity isn’t a magic pill, give yourself time to improve and see results. Make a 3-6 month plan and STICK to it. A lot of people start with an extreme plan in mind, then: pull, twist, sprain, strain, or just exhaust themselves, which they then have to recover from and never get back on the exercise wagon. Example: for a person who is not physically active, a workout plan might be a 15- 20 minute walk daily, where someone who is looking for improvement to a current exercise routine might add weight resistance exercises or interval training.
Attitude and positive outlook: People who exercise have a more optimistic outlook on life, groups that are physically active also have a decreased probability of developing symptoms of depression Lung Function: Regular exercise increases lung strength and capacity Increases muscle strength: Not just in the sense of top athletes and “macho men”, moderate exercise- increases blood flow, and stimulates cell strength and production, allowing the actual fibers to become stronger, this then aids in decreasing chances of muscle injuries Blood Flow: it might seem obvious when you exercise and your face turns a bit pink, however, this increase in blood flow can aid in overall physical function, from your brain, to ridding your body of inflammation
At Weiss Family Chiropractic Center we aim for optimal whole body holistic health care. For any questions please feel free to call us and visit us at either of our 2 locations.
Best Practices To Avoid Insurance Fraud By Thomas M. Prestia, Esq & Scott Harrison Holtz, Esq.
Concerns about insurance fraud have risen over the past few years. The number of suspicious insurance claims has increased so dramatically that authorities have taken drastic measures to aggressively fight fraudulent claims. The numbers regarding insurance fraud, especially Personal Injury Protection (PIP) fraud, are astounding. According to the Florida Department of Financial Services, 15,447 suspected fraud referrals were provided to the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Of the aforementioned 15,447 referrals, nearly half were solely for PIP fraud. Yet the number of Personal Injury Protection fraud convictions over that same period stands at merely 442 convictions. The question then must be posed, “Why is there such a difference in the numbers?” The simplest answer is that the Government is facing an uphill battle from the inception of the investigation. As with any criminal matter, the Government is required to prove all elements of the case beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt. Proof beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt is a heavy burden that challenges prosecutors especially in situations where the bulk of the evidence rests with “cooperating witnesses.” These initial cooperating witnesses usually come some combination of the individuals involved in a staged crash (if there is one in the PIP fraud scheme) and lower level employees of the clinic. The government will grant
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these individuals incentive, likely immunity from prosecution, in exchange for testimony incriminating clinic owners and/or other clinic employees. However, when using cooperating witnesses, the Government must live by the sword and can die by the sword. A well-crafted cross-examination can reveal inconsistencies with the witness’ story, efforts on the part of the witness to minimize his or her involvement in the scheme, personal biases against the clinic and its representatives, as well as the immunity deal that was reached with the government. Even though there is little doubt that proving the existence of a insurance fraud scheme at a clinic is a time consuming and difficult task, there is equally little doubt that getting caught up in such an investigation costs time, money, and can cause serious damage to the reputation of a clinic and the practitioners who work there. Luckily there are measures that can be taken by the by you to ensure that fraud has no place in your office or clinic. Here are a couple of ideas to avoid potential involvement: 1) Know who you are in business with. This may sound elementary, however, knowing the people who are rendering care to your patients, as well as acting as ambassadors of your facility to the general public is essential. Whether you are the owner of the facility, medical director, doctor, or staff member your reputation is only as strong as your weakest employee. While costs are always an integral part of the decision making process,
the old saying “you get what you pay for” is something that most certainly should be considered. Knowing your business partner’s and/or employee’s background not only enables you to foresee what business relationship may either succeed or fail but it also enables you to retain control of your subordinates. Ensuring that the doctors and staff running the clinic are honest and dependable can be the determining factor to avoiding a lengthy and costly criminal investigation. 2) Supervision requirements The supervision requirements set forth by the Florida Statutes and the Department of Health can be thought of as relaxed. For example, if a clinic is exempt from licensure under Part X, Chapter 400, F.S., and wholly owned by one or more chiropractic physicians, the chiropractic physcicain merely needs to provide “indirect supervision” over a certified chiropractic physician’s assistant when that individual performs case histories, diagnostic testing, physical examinations, and therapeutic procedures. Indirect supervision merely requires “easy availability” for consultation and direction of the actions of the certified chiropractic physician’s assistant. “Easy availability” means the supervising physician must be in a location to enable him to be physically present with the certified chiropractic physician’s assistant within at least thirty minutes and must be available to the certified chiropractic physician’s assistant when needed for consultation and advice either in person or by communication devices, such as telephone, two-way radio, medical beeper or other electronic means.” While it may sound beneficial to not require a doctor to be onsite during patient care, this is when your practice maybe most vulnerable. Similar to the old saying “when the cats away the mice will play,” an untrustworthy staff member left unsupervised could lead to disasterious leagal mess. 3) No Kickbacks for referrals Patient brokering is a common and serious charge that many clinics can face. “Florida’s Patient Brokering Act of 1996 (the “Brokering Act”) is a criminal statute which makes it unlawful for any person to offer, pay, solicit or receive any commission, bonus, rebate, kickback or bribe, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, or engage in any split-fee arrangement, in any form whatsoever, in exchange for patient referrals to a health care provider or health care facility.” This statute is very broad and can apply to many “harmless gestures of thanks.” Providing items such as gift cards, concert/sporting event tickets, or even taking someone to lunch can be construed as patient brokering, if the actions are intended to obtain referrals. The statute does provide certain exceptions to this blanket rule, however, it is best to speak with an Attorney regarding your specific situation to ensure compliance with the rules. These are just a few elementary ways to ensure your facility does not get caught up in a criminal investigation; however, as you can imagine many other precautions can and should be taken to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations. If you would like more information on insurance fraud prosecution and how to avoid pitfalls that can place you in the crosshairs of an investigation, the attorneys of Prestia|Holtz P.A. can help. Please visit us online at www.prestia-holtz.com or contact us directly at (561) 360-3785. Banzaiwellnessmag.com
April/May 2014
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Simple, Clean, Elegant and
RESTAURANT REVIEW
G25 INC. Photography
Stonewood Grill and Tavern is a comfortable neighborhood restaurant. It has a cozy welcoming feel the second you walk through the door.
Y
ou are greeted by smiling and friendly staff who set the tone for your evening immediately. The decor is upscale with its dim lighting, warm woods, leather booths and stone accents. But most importantly the food is delicious! I was fortunate to have the opportunity to dine there recently with three other guests and we all agreed we would return often. Although not my first visit, it had been a while since I had dined there. I had forgotten how much I really liked Stonewood. The restaurant opened in Wellington, Florida in 2003 and has continued to evolve its menu. Our server Tracy, who has been working there for 6 years, and couldn’t have been more enthusiastic. She was so knowledgeable about the food and wine and helped us to make perfect choices. At her suggestion we started with a bottle of Meomi Pinot Noir which really went perfectly with everything we ate.
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Flavorful
With an eye toward eating healthfully we were quite happy to learn that they use fresh ingredients and locally grown whenever possible. We started off with an order each of the Bleu Chips (house made chips with fresh herbs, bleu cheese crumbles and balsamic reduction) and the House Smoked Salmon (glazed hot smoked salmon with whole grain mustard and dill, toast points and chive aioli). Both appetizers were colorful and packed with fresh flavor. For me the entree course was easy. Chicken Pot Pie is one of my favorite dishes and I knew I was ordering it the second I saw it on the menu. It was flavorful, rich, creamy and loaded with chicken and veggies. The others at our table were equally enthralled with their choices of Wasabi Pea Crusted Sea Bass, Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon and Shrimp and Scallops. All the entrees came with tasty sides. We were really stuffed from the ample portions of food we had already eaten, but Tracy insisted dessert was a must. So we had to indulge her by ordering the Chocolate Bread Pudding which is cradled in a warm Jim Beam bourbon sauce, topped with Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream and a house made dark chocolate cookie crisp. Our four spoons dug right in and we managed to polish off dessert in a flash. Our amazing food was created by Stonewood Banzaiwellnessmag.com
Grill’s 24 year old Executive Chef Lauren Bodden. After graduating from Florida Culinary School Lauren started working at Stonewood Grill. He has been there for four years from his home in Jamaica, starting in Pantry and working his way up quickly.
other important factors to making the restaurant so inviting are consistency, great service, a friendly environment in the dining room and in the kitchen and most importantly every guest should leave happy. Is it any wonder with management like that, that I can’t wait to return?
I asked the General Manager Craig Connely to describe the food and his response was “simple, clean, elegant and flavorful”. I could not agree more. He also pointed out that some
Contributing Editor Sandy Axelrod also published her own blog at www.foodandfondmemories.com and teaches hands on cooking classes. For more information call Sandy at 561-644-0552.
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Knowing when to say goodbye...... Knowing when to say when is a question faced every day by families whose pets are sick, injured or old. It’s a decision made more difficult because the animal/ human bond has more and more become a valued part of many families. As Veterinary medicine, like human medicine, gives us more and more options for care, some times the question is not could we, but should we……. How do we know? You, the human, have to make the call. This is not a comfortable topic for many people, but with our local pet population ever growing, more and more this is a question that many families must face sometime in the course of pet ownership. “I understand that bond and how difficult these things can be, and more and more often we are asked this question on a daily basis” says Dr. Arunas Jonusas, Veterinarian at PetLife Animal Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL. “You know your animal best,” he said. “I can guide you but I cannot make that decision for you. … This is a personal decision to make for yourself and for your family member, your pet.” The American Veterinary Medical Association does not track the number of euthanasia cases in the U.S. each year, but veterinarians know it’s crucial to work with families before, during and after an animal’s death, regardless of its cause. But how do you decide to end a life? “It’s a hard decision for people” said practice manager Nicole Aromandi “We see a roller coaster of emotions with people.” To help the family make its decision, we ask if the pet was having more good days than bad days. Was he still able to eat and drink on his own, and to go outside; did he vomit, have diarrhea and ignore food? If he no longer could walk around comfortably, did he wag his tail when they came home? “Often times families must make this difficult decision” said a local Veterinarian. “Do we continue to treat, even if that is still an option” or “Do we allow the pet to go in peace and comfort, to end his suffering and possibly uncomfortable treatment” “We’d rather go two days early than two days too late.” When a family chooses euthanasia, they also must decide if they want to be with their animal for the procedure, and whether they want their pet’s body or cremains returned for burial. Some want a remembrance, like a snippet of hair or a paw print
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plaque. PetLife Animal Hospital takes a snip of the pet’s fur and places it inside a locket, as a gift to the family. “We give them something tangible to hold on to, something to remember” says Ms. Aromandi. “We have a protocol and guidelines for handling euthanasia” “We want to be very sensitive to every step of the process, from how the receptionist greets that family ... to how the family wants the setting inside the room (music, candles, etc) to sending them a sympathy card with a personalized note to acknowledge their loss.” Last week, a family had to euthanize their beloved 5 year old pet. Cancer of the spleen was diagnosed, and the dog had grown increasingly ill and uncomfortable. The dog had lost weight and would rarely eat his meal, grew increasingly lethargic and uncomfortable. The decision to end his life came with all the expected uncertainty, guilt and confusion. Still, on that day, they asked the vet for one last check. “You’re doing the right thing,” he kept repeating. “You guide the best you can but they need to make the ultimate decision,” said the Veterinarian. “Whatever decision they make is the right one for them.” Afterward, the family made the decision to request their pet’s cremains to be returned to them. “It was hard for me, even as an adult, I took the process as difficult as my kids did” the pet owner said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old; if you love something, the loss is difficult to bear.” Losing a pet is a universal grief, but “euthanasia can be a gift of love to relieve suffering, sometimes it is the greatest gift we can give” said Scott, a local Veterinary practice manager. “It is a big decision and not one to ever take lightly. In the event of a terminal illness or severe debilitation, it is very much the right thing to do, the ultimate gift.” “You reach a point where you have to say, ‘I’ve done as much as I can do for them. Their quality of life is not what they would want,’” When it’s time to let go, “you know in your heart you’ve done the best you could.” The family must feel at peace with their decision. The Procedure -The word “euthanasia” is based on two Greek words, “eu-“ and “thanatos,” which roughly translate
to “good death.” It is defined as the “act or practice of causing death painlessly, so as to end suffering.” - Euthanasia solution is administered through a vein. About 6 to 12 seconds later, the pet will take a slightly deeper breath, then grow weak and lapse into what looks like a deep sleep. The pet, completely unconscious, may take a few more breaths before she dies. - The solution, available only to licensed veterinarians, is a combination of chemicals that ends nerve transmissions and relaxes muscles. Without nerve impulses, there is no thought, no sensation, no movement. - When you’ve made your decision, ask for an appointment time when the veterinarian will not be busy, or for the last or first appointment of the day. Your vet will ask whether you want to bury your pet at home, (check with your local laws regarding home burial), private or communal cremation and whether you want his ashes returned to you.
Is it time? - Is the animal in incurable pain or continual discomfort that cannot be alleviated by drugs? - Is treatment of the condition no longer possible? - Has the animal suffered severe injuries from which he will never recover? - Does age or illness related issues now cause misery? - Has a terminal illness reduced his quality of life to such a point that he is no longer happy? SOURCE: dogbreedinfo.com
- You may want to save a bit of your pet’s fur, her collar or a favorite toy. You may want to bury or cremate her with photos, a flower, a personal letter or a poem. - If your pet doesn’t like car trips or the vet’s office, you can sedate the pet before the trip or when you arrive. Some vets are willing to perform euthanasia at your home. More and more families are opting for a private euthanasia service at home. The pet is comfortable and at peace in a familiar environment, not causing any additional stress or fear at this important time is also a wonderful gift to give your pet. Check the internet for local “at home euthanasia services” says Scott. - You can be with your pet, and maybe even hold him, during the quick and painless shot. Some people prefer to skip the procedure, and to say goodbye afterward. No one will judge your choice. If you decide to wait until it’s over. - Ask a trusted friend or family member to go with you, or to be available for a ride home if you want one. It’s OK to cry. You just lost a friend. There are local grief support groups for families who have just lost a beloved pet. Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists, a local specialty hospital, provides just such a support group to local pet owners. We encourage pet owners to take advantage of the help that is available to guide them through the loss and sadness associated with the loss of a pet. For more information please call petlife at 561-790-6464 or visit petlifefl.com
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no drug interactions or side effects. Valerian root – Valerian root can be taken in a concentrated capsule form and can be found in many supplement stores. Be warned; it is a bit smelly. It is most beneficial when taking herbs, not to take one everyday for an extended period of time. Just like anything else your body will acclimate itself and it may lose the effects. MERIDITY ORIENTAL MEDICINE Meredith Vorrath first became interested in alternative medicine while she was working at a supplement store in high school. Inspired by the improvement customers saw in their health by taking vitamins and herbs; she was interested in finding a career that would provide the opportunity to help people without surgery or pharmaceuticals. She eventually found acupuncture and oriental
Trouble Sleeping?
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medicine and was impressed with the healing effects and its wide range of application. She
You may begin the night wondering about an
logical that people assume the problem with their
attended the Florida College of Integrative
unfinished project at work, you glance at the clock
sleep might be remedied by supplementing with
Medicine and graduated with a Bachelor’s
and worry you wont get enough sleep in for the
this hormone.
in Health Sciences and a Master’s in Oriental
next day. You try to force yourself to sleep by
There is only one problem; many of us do NOT
Medicine.
reminding yourself how important it is to be fresh
have chronic insomnia. Insomnia is defined as
and awake for work tomorrow, but this has the
trouble sleeping on most nights for a period of a
opposite effect and you worry more.
month or more! Most of us are only losing sleep a
The next morning you’re tired and looking forward
few nights a week, hardly a reason for hormone
to the weekend when you will have a better
supplementation.
chance of sleeping soundly or sleeping late to
melatonin it should be taken every single night,
catch up. For many of us, the tone for the day is
but many people take it incorrectly, on an “as
set by the quality of sleep we had the night before.
needed” basis. This is a mistake as it disrupts the
With such a heavy workload, we tend to continue
natural hormone production cycle.
thinking about work responsibilities in our time for
There are many supplements that can be tried that
rest and relaxation. That is, we can’t seem to leave
are more suitable for the occasional restless night.
work at work, and it leaves us feeling tired for our
Tea – a herbal tea can be made and sipped
next day.
before bedtime most sleep aid teas have a
If you have found this to be true for yourself, you
combination of passionflower, chamomile, scullcap,
may have dabbled in different methods to help
and/or valerian root
yourself shut those eyes and get some extra ZZZ’s.
Rescue remedy – can be found at your local
One among many popular products is Melatonin.
tsupplement store and contains calming flower
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal
essences.
gland in the brain, which releases more of the
Neurexan – a homeopathic tablet that dissolves
hormone at night in order to aid us in falling asleep
under your tongue. Must be ordered by a
and maintaining our sleep-awake cycle. It is only
healthcare professional but is safest of all and has
April/May 2014
Also,
when
supplementing
Meredith Vorrath A.P. 561-523-9774 MeridityLLC@gmail.com www.meridity.com
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I
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am a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and a teacher. I am 32 years old. I want to live. I want to live longer than my dogs. I want to live long enough to grow old with the only man I’ve ever loved. I want to see my nieces grow up and fall in love. I want to watch my students change the world. I had only been married for a year when I was hospitalized for a GI bleed on May 31st, 2012. When I arrived at the ER that Friday night, I had no idea how dramatically my life was about to change. I felt fine – I had not been in any pain or had any indication that something was wrong. My husband and I had spent the prior weekend camping with friends in the Ocala National Forest. It was surreal to be in a hospital, getting a blood transfusion. I was diagnosed with colon cancer that weekend, and had an immediate colon resection. We all prayed that the cancer was caught early, and we were devastated to learn that there were 3 masses on my liver. I was 31 years old and I had stage 4 metastatic colon cancer. I missed the last week of school with my students. I wasn’t there to celebrate with them at their big dance, and I wasn’t there to beam with pride during the awards ceremony. Instead, I was getting ready to start chemotherapy and begin to fight for my life. I made it through that summer of chemo and was able to return to school in the fall. I was teaching 5th grade that year, and that group of students was particularly special to me. I began my career at Wellington Elementary as a kindergarten teacher, and over the years, also taught 1st and 2nd grades. Many of my 5th
graders that year had also been my students in kindergarten and 2nd grades, meaning I had been their teacher for 3 of their 6 elementary school years. It was an honor and a responsibility I didn’t take lightly. The kids knew about my cancer diagnosis, as I would need to leave work for chemotherapy. Some of my students were afraid, because they had relatives who had died of cancer. I told them there was no reason to be afraid – I told them they were going to see their teacher “live of cancer.” After consultation with Moffitt Medical Center, it was decided that I was a candidate for surgical removal of the tumors in my liver. That surgery was scheduled to take place in December. In the months before surgery, I underwent radiation to shrink the tumors as much as possible. The radiation had limited success, and a scan just prior to the surgery indicated that the cancer had continued to spread. In light of that news, my doctors determined that in addition to the removal of the right lobe of my liver, a hysterectomy and the removal of the gall bladder would also be necessary. I had surgery on December 27th, 2012 and spent 3 weeks in the hospital. I was able to return to work in February, while continuing chemotherapy for the remainder of the school year. It was a joy to watch my students grow and thrive, and I was so happy to be able to help guide this beloved group of students through their last months of elementary school. I finished chemotherapy in May and had an amazing start to my summer. In June, a federal grant allowed me to travel to Boston
to participate in a program called “Teaching American History.” American history is my passion. I love to inspire my students with the story of our country. Because I am such a history nerd, Jason (my husband) and I also went to Washington D.C. that summer. I love Washington D.C. -- I co-chair the safety patrol club at my school and have always chaperoned the annual trip, but I had never had the opportunity to go on my own. This trip with my husband was planned as a celebration of the end of my cancer treatment. our country. Because I am such a history nerd, Jason (my husband) and I also went to Washington D.C. that summer. I love Washington D.C. -- I co-chair the safety patrol club at my school and have always chaperoned the annual trip, but I had never had the opportunity to go on my own. This trip with my husband was planned as a celebration of the end of my cancer treatment. I had another recurrence of cancer to the liver in July. I started a new school year (a teacher’s life is always measured in school years) in August, but was scheduled for another liver surgery in November. This surgery was easier but I had several complications, and was hospitalized two more times. Fortunately, I was able to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. We rang in the New Year in Orlando and enjoyed a New Year’s Day touring the world in Epcot. A follow-up scan in February indicated another recurrence. This time the diagnosis was more severe. The cancer had once again recurred in my liver, but this time there was new spread to my lungs. Surgery is no longer an option due to the extensive metastasis. My doctors are telling me that 2 years would be “optimistic”. I refuse to accept that I will not live to be 35 years old or celebrate my 5th wedding anniversary. Chemotherapy is cumulative. That means that every time I resume it feels like it never stopped. Round one in July of 2012 wasn’t so bad. Round one in March 2014 feels like round 20. My hair has started to fall out, and for the first time I feel like I have cancer. The doctors at Envita are on the cutting-edge of cancer
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research and treatment. No other cancer center in the country is doing what they are doing, and most importantly, no other cancer center is seeing the kind of results they are seeing. They are confident they can offer me more than 2 years. They believe remission is possible. The proposed treatment plan at Envita gives me hope that I might grow old with my husband, and that I might see my amazing students change the world. The success stories at Envita are inspiring. I intend to be one of them. Banzaiwellnessmag.com
5/15/14
April/May 2014
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Meet
Mike Brown The 2013 Officer Of The Year By Helen Strauss
561-249-7520
Results or Excuses.. the choice is yours. Tae Kwon Do Cardio Kickboxing Conditioning Weights Boxing Weight Loss Self-Defense Boot Camp Body Sculpting I had the pleasure of meeting Officer Mike Brown who was awarded Officer of the Year 2013 in the City of Boynton Beach. He began his law enforcement career working as a detention deputy for the Broward County Sheriff’s office. However he didn’t start out there. Officer Brown began his career in law enforcement with the Broward Sheriff’s office in 1999. In 2004 he went to the Boynton Beach Police Department, spending the last 3 years in their K9 unit. His dream growing up was to be a police officer even though no one else in his family ever was. Officer Brown moved here from Long Island, New York approximately 19 years ago where he resides with his beautiful wife, 3 children and 4 dogs. He doesn’t look at what he does as work and says that it’s all about catching the bad guys and keeping our streets safer. With his faithful and most trusted partner, Filip, Mike is ready for action. Filip is a full bred German Shepherd born in Czechoslovakia with a keen sense of smell which also makes him valuable as a bomb sniffing dog. Officer Brown attributes his success to his fellow officers. Without them, he would not be the officer he is today. “Everyone plays a vital role in catching the bad guys and we have to trust in each other” say Brown. You never know where you might find him arresting someone since the entire city of Boynton Beach is his territory. When Officer Brown is not busy keeping our streets safe, you can find him at the gym pumping iron or otherwise enjoying quality time with his wife and children. You will also see him making sure Filip stays in shape by walking him several times a day and playing fetch with him. While at work Filip has full use of the K9 field where he can run and play with his toys until his shift begins. All citizens of Boynton Beach can sleep safer at night knowing that Officer Mike Brown and Filip, are watching out for them.
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Call us today! 561-644-5020 10101 Lantana Road, Suite M Lake Worth, Fl 33449
Independent Imaging, the Best in Early Detection Advances in early breast cancer detection have come a long way in the past ten years, as the doctors at Independent Imaging will tell you. Dr. Eric Baumel, Dr. Jonathan Huber and Dr. Thomas Kirchner gather around the computer monitor to demonstrate the amazing detail in “breast tomosynthesis,” also known as 3D mammography.
Dr. Thomas Kirchner, Dr. Eric Baumel and Dr. Jonathan Huber of Independent Imaging
Independent Imaging, located in Palomino Park in Wellington with three other locations, is the only site in the Western Communities offering this level of state-ofthe-art radiology, including the tomosynthesis. This is considered “the best of the best” in the industry. “Anything that can help us…and prevent a patient from coming back for additional visits, giving us higher level of confidence with the results is a very good thing,” says Dr. Kirchner, referring to their state-of-the-art technology. “The breast tomosynthesis and 3D mammography,” explains Dr. Huber, “is the only technical advance in decades in this field.” You can clearly see it on their faces – they are excited about this technology, which puts us light years ahead of yesterday’s methods of detection. “We catch early cancers all the time,” says Dr. Baumel. “And that’s the most rewarding part – when we can help patients find out exactly what’s wrong.” Dr. Baumel outlines the challenges of radiology with today’s patients. “When you talk about the key to good radiology, it’s basically a ‘Where’s Waldo?’ It’s all about finding the abnormality and putting it in the context of the patient.” This includes knowing the patient’s history, any past or present conditions and understanding the whole context. The three doctors are well-respected in our Wellington area medical community and have all originally worked in the local hospitals. Each doctor has been working in the field of radiology for approximately twenty years, bringing a wealth of expertise to their patients. Dr. Kirchner explains that this helps in two ways – first, it makes the local doctors more likely to call upon them and second, it is a great help that the doctors at Independent Imaging know exactly what is needed (and sometimes needed quickly) for doctor’s offices and patients. CEO of Independent Imaging Dr. Daniel Ghiragossian is proud of the excellent care, beautiful facility and successful results that Independent Imaging brings to patients every day. “The caring quality of our staff is infused in all of them from day one. If you treat everyone like you would treat your grandmother, you cannot go wrong.” He constantly reminds his staff that when a patient is coming in for testing, he or she is probably nervous about it. As they refer to him at Independent Imaging, “Dr. G” stresses that each staff member needs to have “the most respect for their patient’s condition” every time. “There is nothing that we won’t do to make sure that the patient is comfortable,” explains Dr. G. If the technologist shows appreciation for the patients and what they are going through, they are able to get the testing done and work with the anxiety at hand, he says. Also, keeping the process quick and efficient is also a great help to the potentially anxious patient. “Customer service is the core of what we do here,” says Staci Martin, Marketing & Development Manager for Independent Imaging.” From the person who greets patients at the front desk to the technician who reads the data, they are ambassadors of good service for Independent Imaging. Independent Imaging locations are in Wellington, in Lake Worth (near the JFK hospital), in Palm Beach Gardens and in Belle Glade. Banzaiwellnessmag.com
3D Mammograms 1 of 10 Breakthroughs That Will Change Medicine
April/May 2014
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TMJ and the Neck – What’s the Connection? One of the most common and troublesome problems that I’m noticing in my practice is a condition known as Temporomandibular joint dysfuction, or TMD for short. In fact, many of you may have heard someone talk about their TMJ or having TMD, but didn’t quite know what it was. TMD involves the joint that connects your jaw to your head. Proper movement of this joint is critical to proper function. When the jaw It has a profound affect on people because dysfunction of that joint can cause a variety of problems including: TMJ Sharp/stabbing jaw pain Inability to open the jaw properly Headaches Neck pain Painful clicking Teeth grinding Clenching and much more
It has rapidly become one of the more common reasons for visits to a neurologist and pain clinics, because of the dramatic impact that this sensitive piece of anatomy has on a person’s quality of life. Many times, this condition is treated with medi-
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cations like neurontin or anti-depressants. In some cases, muscle relaxers or injections to the joint. What does this have to do with the neck? A search of PubMed will show numerous references for increased incidence of TMD in conjunction with a whiplash injury, or head/neck trauma. A systematic review of these papers show that people with whiplash/head injury actually have more severe pain and more pronounced dysfunction of the joint. Another review showed that just treating the TMJ in these whiplash related cases showed poorer outcomes suggesting that the cause of the problem may be outside the joint itself. The whiplash associated cases showed just a 48% improvement compared to the non-whiplash cases which improved 75% of the time. That leaves a huge amount of people who are still in pain and suffering because the primary insult to the body was not addressed properly. TMD usually comes in 2 varieties. Muscular dysfunction – the muscles of the jaw (pterygoids, masseter, temporalis) become hypertonic and dysfunctional creating pain ful musculature and sloppy movement. Articular dysfunction – the joint itself can have problems. Dislodging of the disc, arthritic degeneration, and inflammation can irritate the very sensitive nerve endings that cover the joint. Not much can be done about arthritic breakdown of a joint. However, this is a less common cause of TMD. The most common causes of TMJ problems stem from muscular imbalance and dislodging of the articular disc. In a way, these two problems are intimately related. When you have bad jaw muscles moving the jaw abnormally, then it leaves more room for the articular disc to shift out of place. So what can make these jaw muscles dysfunctional? To know that, we have to know what
controls the muscle. Every muscle in your body is controlled by a nerve. Whether it be a big bulky bicep, an achy sore back muscle, the blood pumping heart muscle, and the food digesting stomach. For the jaw muscles, a special nerve called the Trigeminal Nerve emanates from the skull and provides innervation for the face, jaw muscles, teeth, brain, and other important structures. The trigeminal nerve is one of twelve specialized nerves called Cranial Nerves. The unique thing about Cranial Nerves is that they do not exit out of the spine. They actually begin come out of the brain and the brainstem, and exit out of the skull. Therefore, a problem with one of the cranial nerves is usually indicative of a problem at the brain stem.
Atlas Displacement, Whiplash, and the Brain Stem One of the reasons that my office gets referrals from dentists and neurologists for TMJ patients is because of how Atlas Displacement Complex
Banzaiwellnessmag.com
impacts the health and function of the brain stem. While the top of the neck doesn’t apply direct pressure to the brain stem, the movement and function of the neck has large implications for this important piece of anatomy. When someone has an episode of whiplash, there can be substantial damage and injury to the neck, but the more concerning portion is what happens to the nervous system. A phenomenon known as Central Sensitization occurs. This problem happens when the brain stem fires inappropriately to the limbic system and reticular activating system (the places where pain is interpreted in the brain). When this happens, even the slightest touch or movement can trigger a pain sensation in the brain. This is why many doctors can find no physical damage to the body, but people will suffer with chronic pain issues like fibromyalgia. People recognize this quickly when the pain is stemming from the neck, shoulders or back, but the reality is that this same thing is happening in the jaw muscles. To get to the root of someone’s problems, we have to evaluate this critical, but under studied part of the nervous system. How does Structural Chiropractic address this? Restore healthy biomechanics to the neck – create a state of Normal Structure in the neck so that the proper signals get to the brain. Increase circulation through the brain – proper alignment ensures that blood to and from the brain stem properly. Proper blood flow means better nerve firing.
Restore healthy biomechanics to the jaw – Once the neck alignment is restored, most of the time the jaw will reset on it’s own. However, sometimes gentle jaw adjustments may be necessary. This can be done with the help of a skilled specialist called a Neuromuscular Dentist like Dr. Natalia Tsar.
For more information please visit www. http://chiropractorwellington.com/tmj-and-theneck-whats-the-connection or call (561)-247-0044
April/May 2014
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NONADDICT
By Arlene J. Sherman, C.HT
“Why can’t they just stop?” Such a familiar refrain. Well, “they” many not be unwilling, just unable. At some point in all disease, the body does what the body does. A cancer patient can be willing to stay in remission, but it unable. Once your body/mind has become addicted, you have no more control than if you wanted to control cancer. No one wants to lose control of themselves, lose their families, homes, businesses, reputations. No one wants to be an addict, a diabetic, a person with cancer. “Yeah, yeah,” you’re saying, “if I could control my diabetes or cancer by behavior, I would just do it.” Simply put, you have no idea what you are talking about. The biochemistry of the brain of an addict has been altered. Once a person goes from casual using or drinking to losing control of their ability to stop using and drinking, the brain has already been altered. Sometimes the brain can repair, sometimes not. And even though this has become a disease, it is treatable. The frustration of family members, the disruptions to family life are heart wrenching. The difference between addiction and other diseases is, we don’t get angry at anyone whose disease is anything besides addiction People are starting drug use at very young ages. The reasons are many. It is harder to get a young person to go into recovery because they have not suffered horrific consequences. Additionally, drug
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use has become so mainstream. It is now actually a rite of passage for many adolescents, But, what if “your” addict is older? Some have tried over and over. They have lost so much. For some, rehab is no more than a drying-out period to get some relief from being dope sick or maybe just a last- ditch effort to avoid jail time. Some are just so tired of the daily fight to get more drugs. The lying, stealing and feeling dope sick make them try over and over. Unfortunately, the success rate is dismal.
Many new medications are able to control cravings of this brain disease. I hope that some of the information that Angel’s Recovery can provide will be helpful in giving renewed hope to all those who have suffered as the loved one of an addict.
Don’t give up hope, don’t despair, but do give up being an enabler. Do give up anger; do give up blame and guilt. As the Alcoholics Anonymous saying goes, “You didn’t cause it…you can’t control it…you can’t cure it.” Do educate yourself; do join groups with like-minded people for support and understanding. Recovery begins when the addict is ready, not when you are ready, no matter how badly you wish it. The only person who can do something about their addiction is the addicted. Keep in mind, there is an army of people who want to assist you during these difficult times. Take advantage of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Just like the addict, you are not alone. Addiction is a disease, make no mistake. The person who can start and stay on the road to recovery is not you. More often than not, hard decisions have to be made. Cutting a family member off from all contact and financial help may have to happen. If you are able, keep them on your health insurance plans so that paid rehab is a possible option. It is a real lifesaver on this very rough sea. Get involved with others that are facing the same challenges you are dealing with. Let YANA be your mantra. You are not alone. To learn more visit our site www.angelsrecovery.com Call now for a FREE DETOX by referral: 877-634-8488
Don’t Use Acupuncture as a Last Resort By Sandy Axelrod
Dr. Cameron Bishop wants patients to know that they should not wait until all else fails to come to an acupuncturist. By that time the problem has frequently been exacerbated by treatments and medications that have not worked and often have made the patient worse.
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In modern traditional medicine physicians use
post operatively. First it readies the body to accept
in Integrative Medicine. And Dr. Cameron Bishop
prescription medications to treat illnesses. The
the treatment and after surgery it aids in recovery.
also teaches acupuncture at Atlantic College of
problem is that it is pretty much a guessing game
Although one can tell that this is his true calling,
Oriental Medicine here in South Florida as well as
as to which medicines will work because the doctor
Cameron originally went to Japan to study martial
in San Francisco, California.
doesn’t really know how the patients body will
arts. It was in Japan that he started to learn about
His patients are mostly men and women under the
metabolize the drug. Acupuncture can help the
the wonders of Oriental Medicine. He was teaching
age of 50 who are healthy and want to stay that
body heal itself. For that reason more and more
English at a hospital there to make ends meet when
way. Because acupuncture helps you heal yourself
surgeons are suggesting acupuncture both pre and
he became increasing fascinated by acupuncture
it helps keep away the aches and pains associated
and its healing properties.
with aging. Acupuncture works on anything from
When he returned to the states at age 26, he
weight loss to hypertension. He invites you to
thought he would teach martial arts and practice
experience gentle and effective acupuncture for
acupuncture on the side. But he had a rather rude
more energy, better sleep, less pain with optimal
awakening. You needed a license to practice and
mental and physical health! He offers gentle
you could not get a license without attending an
Japanese
accredited school. So of course, that is what he did.
Advanced Chinese Style Acupuncture, Laser
When he moved to South Florida he found that
Therapy, Homeopathic InjectionTherapy and Bio-
working side by side in a doctors office would be
puncture.
beneficial to his career. But after six years in a
To contact Dr. Cameron Bishop for a consultation
doctors office he decided to open his own practice
you can reach him at 561-533-7475. Or visit him in
in Lake Worth and that is where he still is eight years
his office at Palm Beach Acupuncture, 1505 North
later. He also holds the first accredited Doctorate
Federal Highway, Lake Worth, Florida.
April/May 2014
Acupuncture,
Chinese
Herbology,
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