Best Self Atlanta 1018-1118

bestself bes Atlanta’s “go-to” guide for health, beauty and happy living!

October / November 2018

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Better Sex

Like a fine wine, intimacy can improve as we age p.37

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Deeper Than The Diagnosis Care beyond the doctor’s chair for breast cancer patients p.44

COVER PARTNER PROFILE

Dr. Azi Nia creates a playful

environment for her patients with a focus on preventative and protective care at Nia Pediatric Dentistry. p.42

Rethinking Big Pharma Questioning the role of prescriptions in modern healthcare p.24

Midtown’s Hidden Gem Celebrated jewelry designer Mark Edge sees beauty in the forgotten p.22

My Best Self

Yogapreneur Ashley Lorenzo takes her passion for the practice to New Realm Brewing and beyond p.62

whole body health guide A-Z

Resources for prevention, healing, and living your best life! p.31 1018_000-001_COVER.indd 1

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BEST SELF Atlanta

11/10/17 11:30 AM bestselfatlanta.com

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14 PM 12:18 AM

bestself

atlanta

FOUNDER Sherri Adair

PUBLISHER Patti Stephens MANAGING EDITOR Laura Janelle Downey ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alex McCray

Brighten While You Tighten

EDITORIAL/SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT Wyndi Kappes ART DIRECTOR Dona Halliday

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MEDIA CONSULTANTS – PRINT/DIGITAL David Leonard dleonard@atlantabestmedia.com Dawn DeSantis ddesantis@atlantabestmedia.com Amy Smith asmith@atlantabestmedia.com

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SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT/ NORTH ATLANTA REGION Witt Beckman witt@atlantabestmedia.com SALES/MARKETING ASSISTANT Halen Adair hadair@atlantabestmedia.com OFFICE MANAGER Gail Sawyer CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Colosimo Susan Finch Ross Oscar Knight Katherine Michalak India Powell Melanie Preis Karon Warren

For print, web, email and digital advertising information, contact us at: 80 West Wieuca Road, Suite 115 Atlanta, GA 30342 (404) 303-9333 x15 FAX (404) 303-0030

Inquiries and submissions regarding advertising and editorial should be directed to the address above.

Atlanta Best Media does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does Publisher assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Readers are encouraged to notify Publisher when they suspect false advertising. Atlanta Best Media reserves the right to edit editorial for clarity and space availability. No content i.e. articles, graphics, designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Publisher.

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2550 WINDY HILL ROAD • SUITE 204 • MARIETTA, GEORGIA 30067

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BEST SELF ATLANTA

9/14/182018 9:35 AM5 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER

9/24/18 4:03 PM

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

contents OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018

Deeper Than The Diagnosis

Care beyond the doctor’s chair for breast cancer patients p.44

Rethinking Big Pharma

Questioning the role of prescriptions in modern healthcare p.24

Yoga instructor Ashley Lorenzo is dedicated to helping others experience the physical and mental benefits of the practice.

whole body health guide A-Z Resources for prevention, healing, and living your best life!

Better Sex

Like a fine wine, intimacy can improve as we age p.37

31

In every issue 10 12

15 16 18

6

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From the Publisher

19

Fun Calendar

Editor’s Letter

20

Health and Beauty

2018 Partners in Health

60

Best Cause

Best Bulletin

61

Give-Back Guide

62

My Best Self

Priceless Experiences

A Different Point of View Learn From Atlanta’s Top Healthcare Experts New Ideas and Activities

Best Bites

Healthy Eats and Treats

Best Fun

A Family-Friendly Golf Club, DIY Adventures, and Surf Fitness OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018

BEST SELF ATLANTA

Enjoy Our Great City Look Good, Feel Great

Betting on a Breast Cancer Cure, Online Giving, and More Community Volunteer Opportunities

Yoga guru Ashley Lorenzo talks yoga, life in Atlanta, and passionate pursuits

Midtown’s Hidden Gem

Celebrated jewelry designer Mark Edge sees beauty in the forgotten p.22

On the Cover:

Yoga instructor Ashley Lorenzo has a peaceful moment.

Photography: Ross Oscar Knight Photography

Photography by (top left) Michelle Norris Photography; (Mark Edge) Willett Photography.

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9/25/18 5:48 PM

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from the publisher

Meet Our Team of Aesthetic Dentists

Live A Rich Life I am so excited about the next couple of months.

I am going to Charleston, South Carolina, and celebrating the 20th anniversary of an annual girls’ trip with some of my dearest friends. A month later, I will be rejoining a group of comrades for the trip of a lifetime to South Africa (part safari and part wine tour). Both trips will be epic in their own way.

Academic research shows that people who spend money on experiences are happier than people who spend money on material items. In my younger years, I thought I would be happier if I had a nicer car, a bigger house, the coolest clothes and well, of course ... awesome shoes! The truth is, those things made me happy ... for a minute. And while I have always enjoyed my friends and having fun, it has taken me a few years to learn that the short-term thrill of buying things does not hold a candle to the joy and long-lasting memories made from sharing experiences.

So, if you are feeling lonely, bored, depressed or stressed, fight the urge to buy happiness.

Instead, plan an activity or take a class.

Learning feeds the soul and that knowledge is something you can build on for a lifetime.

Cooking with Team Building with Taste

A DIY pro Crates & ject with Pallet

Urban Escape Games

At Best Self Atlanta and Atlanta Best Media, we practice what I am preaching. These staff experiences are called a Team Activity Day (TAD).

We work together daily but our TAD outings result in shared experiences that have brought us closer together. Our Team Activity Days have provided us with memories to share and laugh about for years to come.

iFLY

Here are a few of the activities we’ve done together that we suggest you try.

Pound fitness

Be Your Best Self!

Sherri Adair, Publisher sadair@bestselfatlanta.com

8

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018

Tai Chi

Photos courtesy of (top left) Richie Arpino; (cooking) Team Building with Taste; (DIY) Crates & Pallet Marketing; (Escape) Urban Escape Games; (Fly) iFFLY; (Pound and Tai Chi) Brian Reeves, Perfect Day Photos.

(And It’s Not About Money)

Celebrating her 30th year in dentistry, Dr. Debra Gray King is a pioneer in cosmetic dentistry. She is one of less than 76 dentists worldwide to be an Accredited Fellow, which is the highest level of competence recognized by the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). She has been featured on The Doctors, Extreme Makeover, The Wall Street Journal, and various media outlets.

Dr. Charlie Cooper is an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). He has transformed thousands of smiles and his cosmetic cases are used in lectures nationwide. Dr. Cooper studied at the world famous Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He is a regular participant in the “Give Back A Smile” Program in which he and the ACCD donate their time and skills to help battered women achieve a new smile.

Dr. Brett Reeve studied Dentistry at the University of Southern California where he earned a membership to the Honor Dental Society “Omicron Kappa Upsilon.” He is a Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Dental Association. In 2015, Dr. Reeve earned the Hero in Healthcare award for his constant service in the community and outstanding dental work.

Cosmetic Dentistr 404.994.2562 | ACCDsmiles.com

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Celebrating 30 Years in Dentistry!

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“The ability to help our patients regain their confidence and discover the best version of themselves is a reward like no other. A beautiful smile can improve your appearance and may even change your life. It’s reasons like these that I have spent the last 30 years perfecting my smile design process.”

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from the editor A Different Point of View Have you ever noticed how a shift in perspective can completely transform how you see a situation, object or person? I love how this powerful mental change can impact how we interpret, react to, and categorize the things in our life. In this issue of Best Self Atlanta, I invite you to remain open to new ideas and notions.

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Beginning with our “Rethinking Big Pharma” article. Sanjay Gupta, MD, Tasneem Bhatia, MD (aka Dr. Taz), and more weigh in on the rising number of patients and doctors that are shifting to an integrative approach to healthcare. Instead of simply masking the symptoms of disease with pharmaceuticals, these experts pose the benefits of truly getting to the root of medical issues (p.24) and recommend that people explore alternative treatments such as cannabidiol (CBD).

Along similar lines, our focus on breast cancer coverage also takes a new all-encompassing approach. On page 44, professionals at some of Atlanta’s top hospitals and breast cancer facilities explain the wealth of resources that are available to treat the whole person. From exercise and nutrition to medical manicures, extending care beyond the usual chemotherapy treatment, should not be overlooked.

On a lighter note, our article about sex as we age busts myths surrounding intimacy in life’s later decades. This exciting read (p.37) 12:43 PM offers plenty of practical advice on how to stay sexually fulfilled and connected with your partner.

Finally, we talk with famed jewelry designer Mark Edge about how he discovers the hidden gems he incorporates into his ecovintage designs.

He also shares how he got his start in the business—it’s probably not what you’d expect!

represents top talent in the fields of

Whether it’s discussing a new treatment approach with your doctor or seeing the beauty in a forgotten coin, I hope you’ll be inspired to see things around you in a new light.

Happy reading,

Photo by: Sara Hanna

HAIR, MAKEUP, NAILS, AND Alex McCray

WARDROBE.

Coming in December/January The Green Room Agency represents award winning image creators that are ready to help you become your best self!

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Dare to Dream, Again: A guide to following a new career calling and going back to school.

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Eat Clean and Feel Your Best: Advice for healthy eating.

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And more of everything for happy and healthy living in Atlanta!

As seen on NBC, CNN, Bravo, TVOne, and more!

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Best of 2018: You voted for Atlanta’s best in health, beauty, fitness and beyond.

Photography by Sarah Diller’s Photographs.

Associate Editor

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BEST SELF ATLANTA 7/20/17 9:45 AM

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BEST SELF Atlanta

8/18/16 12:55 11 PM OCTOBER/ NOVEmber 2018

9/24/18 4:06 PM

2018 Partners in Health DENTAL HEALTH

Understanding Tooth Sensitivity

MEN’S HEALTH

By Jill M. Golsen, DMD

Golsen Family Dentistry A native of Florida, Dr. Golsen attended the University of Georgia, and received a Bachelor of Science as well as a DMD from the Medical College School of Dentistry in 1993. Dr. Golsen was a clinical instructor at Perimeter College School of Dental Hygiene and past president of the Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. She is also an international trainer for Kreativ air abrasion technology, where she trains dentists from all over the world on the technology. Dr. Golsen has been practicing for 24 years in Alpharetta. Dr. Golsen has two sons. One is a first-year Vet Med student at the University of Georgia and the other is a senior in high school. She is also a seven-year breast cancer survivor!

Read article on p.53. GolsenDental.com

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MEDICAL IMAGING

Screening Mammography Redefined

By John F. Arnold, MD, MBA

OutPatient Imaging (OPI) John F. Arnold, MD, MBA, is a board-certified radiologist specializing in Nuclear Medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee School of Medicine and completed a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the Methodist Hospital.

He completed a fellowship in Nuclear Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Arnold is also a MQSA-certified Mammographer. Read article on p.50. OutPatientImaging.net

VEIN HEALTH

Is Vein Health Vitally Important to Your Overall Health?

By David Park, MD, FACS, and Alexander Park, MD, FACS

VeinInnovations Brothers David (left) and Alexander Park are both highly skilled and very accomplished general surgeons and vein doctors. Since joining VeinInnovations in 2012, the Parks have truly enjoyed serving the Johns Creek community through helping patients with heavy, tired, restless and swollen legs improve their quality of life and overall health. Read article on p.58.

By Scott D. Miller, MD

WellStar North Fulton Hospital Men’s health advocate Dr. Scott D. Miller is an innovative surgeon with one of the largest and most diverse experiences in laparoscopic and robotic urology in the Southeast. As one of Georgia’s best surgeons, Dr. Miller is guided by one consistent philosophy: focus solely on patients’ special needs and perfect the techniques necessary to deliver the best possible care.

He believes that when patients have a better understanding of the conditions they are facing and how to improve their overall health, they have a chance to improve their quality of life.

Read article on p.51.

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BEST SELF ATLANTA

bestselfatlanta.com

9/25/18 11:39 AM

SPINE AND BACK CARE

FITNESS

The Ties That Bond: Make Friends and Get Fit at Windy Hill Athletic Club

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

By Jason W. Vélez, DO

Resurgens Spine Center Jason W. Vélez, DO, received his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford New Jersey, and his orthopaedic spine fellowship at OrthoCarolina Spine Center, Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Vélez is board certified by the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the Atlanta Spine Society, American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, North American Spine Society, and the American Osteopathic Association. Read article on p.57. ResurgensSpine.com

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Submitted by Karen Foley

Windy Hill Athletic Club As the general manager of Windy Hill Athletic Club, Karen Foley considers it her mission to help members achieve their fitness goals, no matter how big or small.

A fitness enthusiast herself, Karen loves to bike, cross-train and play tennis. She encourages members to focus less on sticking to a tedious exercise routine and more on working out in a fun environment however they like to move. With world-class indoor and outdoor tennis courts, swimming pools that rival those of Five-Star hotels, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and social events for the whole family, Windy Hill offers members a place to practice a healthy lifestyle and the coaching team to help them do so. The club’s promise is “to inspire you through movement, community, and personal attention,” which Karen lives by every day.

Read article on p.59.

WindyHillClub.com

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What You Should Know About Use of Bioidentical Hormone Supplementation After Menopause

By Grattan Woodson, M.D., FACP and Kim Teasley

FemeRegen At FemeRegen we focus our efforts on assisting women navigate the rigors of menopause. We have assembled a dedicated team of health specialists to assist women with the short and long term consequences of hormonal loss. These include providing them with balanced bioidentical hormone supplementation, weight management, exercise, and nutrition counseling. Kim Teasley our Director of Women’s Health Services has been in this industry for 10 years and provides our patients with hands on advice and counseling in the critical areas necessary for them to succeed. She knows the challenges women in the 50s face and is compassionate and responsive to their needs. Read article on page 54. FemeRegen.net

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Colon Cancer Screening Saves Lives Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates For more than 40 years, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates has been dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and compassionate digestive healthcare services to communities throughout greater Atlanta. The practice’s board-certified specialists treat all types of digestive symptoms and disorders, as well as offer services like nutrition counseling, pelvic floor muscle training, and preventive colon cancer screenings. Read article on p.55. AtlantaGastro.com BEST SELF ATLANTA

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018

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bestbulletin Wine On Demand Plum is a one-of-a-kind appliance ($2,000) that automatically preserves, chills and serves wine by the glass. Simply insert the bottle (cork on and all), and the gizmo will have fresh 1-ounce tastes or 5-ounce pours ready for you anytime. It also features a high-definition camera that scans the bottle label to determine the winemaker’s ideal serving temperature and even connects to the Plum app to show your dinner guests what’s on tap.

Photos courtesy of (top left) Plum; (top right) Range Boutique; (middle left) Intown Salt Room, photography by Mimi Erickson Photography; (bottom left) Perspire Sauna Studio, Laguna Niguel, photography by Ian Bailey of Jupiter Media Group.

Details: Available at Williams Sonoma; Plum.Wine

Party With a Purpose Grab your girlfriends and shop for a good cause on Oct. 11.

Lisa George, founder of the eclectic jewelry line, L George Designs, will host a shopping (L to R) Sabrina Davis, Tamika Jackson “fun(d)raiser” for the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund at the Southern-meets-California style clothing store, Range Boutique. The affair is part of the Fun & Fabulous Girls Night Out of Sipping & Shopping for a Cause event series that Range Boutique owner Sabrina Davis has put together to feature notable women and their favorite charities.

Details: 3872 Roswell Rd., Atlanta; RangeBoutique.com

Stress-Reducing Salt Six thousand pounds of Himalayan salt adorn the new Intown Salt Room. Inside its Meditation Room, guests can experience the mineral’s mood-boosting benefits from a salt lamp 100 times more powerful than its tabletop counterpart. Visitors can also rest in a zero-gravity wave lounger while listening to soothing sounds.

Details: 563 Memorial Dr. SE., Unit CU-A, Atlanta; IntownSaltRoom.com

Sweat It Out Atlanta will soon have its first studio completely dedicated to infrared saunas. Set to open in October, Perspire Sauna Studio Buckhead will be the first out-of-state location for the Californiabased brand. The more than 1,700-square-foot space will include 11 private sauna rooms that can be utilized for stretching, light weight lifting, or simply relaxing while watching Netflix on in-room TVs. The rooms are also equipped with chromotherapy, which uses the visible spectrum (colors) of electromagnetic light to heal the body.

Real Men Wear Pink For the third year, the American Cancer Society has announced its Atlanta class of Real Men Wear Pink candidates.

Throughout the month of October, the 27 prominent men will encourage women in their lives, and in the community, to take action in the fight for a world without breast cancer. Along with wearing pink every day during October, the participants will also raise funds for advanced early detection and prevention services, innovative breast cancer research, and patient support.

Details: 250 Williams St., Atlanta; MakingStridesWalk.org/RealMenAtlantaGa

Details: 322 Pharr Rd. NE., Atlanta; PerspireSaunaStudio.com bestselfatlanta.com

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bestbites Tuscan Kale Salad Culinary blogger, alumna of Food Network’s “All-Star Academy,” and 2017 Over 40 & Fabulous! winner, Lisa M. Washington, shares an easy-to-make recipe.

DIRECTIONS: Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a sauté pan on medium heat and then add the diced onions and peppers, sauté until soft.

Add the greens to the base of your plate and sprinkle the beans and artichoke hearts on top. You can enjoy this with an olive tapenade on toast.

Set aside once cooked.

Details: SetTheTableWithLove.WordPress.com

When it comes to taking care of aging loved ones, nutritious entrées are now one less thing to worry about. By bringing culinarians into the homes of the elderly to create meals for them, Chefs for Seniors makes aging in place even easier for those that find it difficult to prepare their own food.

After a two-hour weekly or biweekly visit, seniors are left to enjoy 10 to 12 servings of healthy meals such as swordfish with roasted peppers. Since its inception in 2013, more than 90,000 dishes have been made.

Details: ChefsForSeniors.com/Atlanta OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018

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Remove from heat and set aside.

Add diced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add beans and stir. Add the spices and stir gently, to keep the beans intact.

Cook for another 5 minutes.

Meals for Mom and Dad

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Add the remaining oil to the pan on medium heat. Add the kale and chard, sauté for 2 minutes; just wilting the leaves.

Bubbles from Blue Springs Sourced from the Blue Springs in the Pine Mountain ridge of Georgia, Montane Sparkling Spring Water is a flavorful and healthy bubbly option. Its unsweetened Cucumber Lime, Meyer Lemon Honeysuckle, Grapefruit Peach and original flavors are complemented by the water’s noticeably clean taste thanks to the deep, chilly quartzite spring it originates from. The refreshing sugar-free alternatives can now be found in metro Atlanta in select Kroger grocery stores and restaurants such as The El Felix. You can also pick up the beverage at Octane Coffee/Bar, Grant Park Market, and more.

Details: MontaneSpring.com

BEST SELF Atlanta

Photography by (top) Lisa M. Washington. Photos courtesy of (bottom left) Chefs for Seniors; (bottom right) Montane Sparkling Spring Water, photography by Hollis Callaway.

INGREDIENTS: • 1 can white beans, rinsed and drained • ½ cup red onions, diced, and an extra tablespoon for garnish • ½ cup red bell peppers, diced • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and diced • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon garlic and herb seasoning • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • Salt and pepper to taste • 2 bunches of kale, rinsed, dried with a paper towel, leaves roughly chopped • 1 bunch of chard, rinsed, dried with a paper towel, leaves roughly chopped • ½ cup marinated, artichoke hearts

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Photography by (top) Lisa M. Washington. Photos courtesy of (bottom left) Chefs for Seniors; (bottom right) Montane Sparkling Spring Water, photography by Hollis Callaway.

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Get On Board Bored with traditional paint and sip classes?

Take crafting to the next level and find your inner DIY master at Board & Brush. Rather than recreating a predesigned piece, here, you can choose from wood, glass, slate, canvas pillows, and more to customize with your own design. While you sip on a glass of vino, instructors will walk you through the process of assembling, painting, staining, and distressing (depending on your chosen material) your craft to meet your desired vision. The end result? A beautiful and personal handmade piece that you’ll be proud to display in any room of your home and skills you can use when tackling your next art project.

Details: BoardAndBrush.com Sarah Morrison, East Cobb location owner

Whether you’re looking to get a grip on your golf game or are searching for a way to unwind on a Friday night, TPC Sugarloaf has something for the whole family. The PGA Tour owned-and-operated facility recently expanded the fitness portion of its Lifestyle Center and added the Wellbeats virtual fitness training program. Post workout, members can also take advantage of a new full-service healthy café and the chance to enjoy two firepits, live music, and family-friendly activities like making s’mores. For more action, guests can hit the tennis courts, pools, and 7,259-yard championship golf course.

Details: 2595 Sugarloaf Club Dr., Duluth; TPC.com/Sugarloaf

Surf’s Up Ride the wave at City Surf Fitness Atlanta. This unique workout class combines the physical challenge of ocean adventure with fun. In a 35- or 50-minute session, you’ll “paddle it out” to an upbeat soundtrack on a 70-inch long and 22-inch wide mini board that is perched nearly 12 inches off the ground thanks to three inflated plastic balls under the board. Themed classes such as Pipeline – Leg & Butt add to the playful exercise experience where “surfers” will test their balance limits like never before.

Details: 724 Monroe Dr. NE., Ste. A, Atlanta; CitySurfFitness.com

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Photos courtesy of (top) Board & Brush Creative Studio - East Cobb, photography by Alex Logan Morrison; (bottom right) Amber McDonnell Photography.

Tee Off at TPC Sugarloaf

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Photos courtesy of (top) Board & Brush Creative Studio - East Cobb, photography by Alex Logan Morrison; (bottom right) Amber McDonnell Photography.

funevents

For more fun events, visit BestSelfAtlanta.com “School of Rock - The Musical” Oct. 16-21 Preparatory school students embrace their inner rock stars with the help of teacher, Dewey Finn, in this musical adaptation of the 2003 hit movie comedy.

FoxTheatre.org/SchoolOfRock Taste of Atlanta Oct. 19-21 Sample craft beer, wine, and food from over 90 chefs and restaurants.

Plus, see live cooking demonstrations.

TasteOfAtlanta.com Fall Vegetable Gardening Oct. 20 Get advice from the Farm Chastain pros on how to prepare your garden for fall harvest.

Piedmont.org/WomensHeartSupport Atlanta World Kite Festival and Expo Oct. 27 In addition to kite flying, bring the kiddos to enjoy live music, face painting, and more.

AtlantaWorldKiteFestival.com Women’s Heart Holiday Event Nov. 8 Celebrate the season and savor a delicious meal with chef Nancy Waldeck and Christi Hansen, MS, RDN, LD, at The Cook’s Warehouse in Midtown.

Piedmont.org/WomensHeartSupport Guaco Taco Fest Nov. 10 Fill up on guacamole, tacos, and margaritas at Atlantic Station while a live band and DJ perform. GuacoTacoFest.com Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ Nov. 13-Dec. 30 Plan a family night out to watch the stage adaptation of this classic Christmas TV special.

Puppet.org/Buy-Tickets/2018-19/Rudolph-TheRed-Nosed-Reindeer/ ATL Comedy Jam Nov. 17 Have a laughing good time with offbeat comics such as Lavell Crawford, DeRay Davis, and Kountry Wayne at the Fox Theatre.

FoxTheatre.org Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon & 5K Nov. 22 Hosted by the Atlanta Track Club, this turkey day tradition will get you more than ready to indulge. And once Thanksgiving dinner rolls around, you can sport your post-race medal with pride. AtlantaTrackClub.org/2018-ThanksgivingDay-Half-Marathon-5k Atlanta Christkindl Market Nov. 23-Dec. 23 Shop handcrafted products (think ornaments, nutcrackers, and toys) at this holiday market. While there, taste German food and beverages before taking a spin around the ice-skating rink. ChristkindlMarket.org bestselfatlanta.com

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Atlantans with diabetes can now access the first Food and Drug Administration-approved implantable diabetes device. The revolutionary Eversense® Long-Term Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System is a three-month sensor that eliminates the need for weekly or biweekly sensor insertions, explains Bruce Bode, MD, FACE, of Atlanta Diabetes Associates.

The device comes with a transmitter that sits on the arm and sends data to the Eversense app and can even provide vibration alerts when glucose swings low or high.

Treating HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cancer Treatment Centers of America® has enrolled Atlanta patients in an ongoing study to evaluate a new treatment option (the inhibitor Tucatinib) for the aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that 20 to 25 percent of the approximately 246,660 annual breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S. are HER2-positive.

Details: CancerCenter.com/Clinical-Trials, HER2CLIMB.com

Fashion for a Cause Local Bettina Benson founded Chloe Kristyn in 2016 to make well-made everyday wear accessible to women on the go. Each versatile piece incorporates classic silhouettes while encompassing movement. Benson has also partnered with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and donates five percent of sales to its Safe Families Office program in collaboration with Partnership Against Domestic Violence.

Details: 1800 Howell Mill Rd., #450, Atlanta; AtlantaDiabetes.com

Natural Nail Care

Details: ChloeKristyn.com

Photos courtesy of (middle left) Westside Provisions District; (middle) Chloe Kristyn, photography by Byron Brown; (middle bottom) Nyssa Green, photography by Austin Holt.

Photography by (middle right) Mary Motch.

Modern Diabetes Monitoring

Nyssa’s Nods A Loving Reminder Luxury nail spa Nouvelle will soon have a new home in the Westside Provisions District. Relaxation-seekers can indulge in manicures and pedicures with soak and aromatherapy options created with the salon’s signature blend of natural ingredients (lemongrass, etc.). The highly trained staff can also adorn fingernails and toenails with hand-painted art.

Confidence Nuggets are bracelets with messages of empowerment, strength, and self worth. Founder and designer Christen Shefchunas was a successful swim coach who noticed that the women she trained would do 99 things right, but focus on the one thing they got wrong. She began designing bracelets with beautiful colored beads and one gold bead. The gold bead is a reminder to celebrate even the smallest victory, because when you do, you gain a “nugget” of confidence. Shefchunas recently launched a bracelet she designed with competition swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist, Missy Franklin.

Details: 1100 Howell Mill Rd., A08, Atlanta; NouvelleNailSpa.com 20

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Details: ConfidenceNuggets.com

By Nyssa Green, professional makeup artist and founder of The Green Room Agency

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photography by Byron Brown; (middle bottom) Nyssa Green, photography by Austin Holt.

Photography by (middle right) Mary Motch.

Q&A

FOR THE* HOLIDAYS! To GET findREADY a top-rated plastic surgeon, you’ll have to travel...

to your own with backyard.

Dr. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Whitaker, M.D., F.A.C.S., is Double Board-Certified† and among

the most experienced Facial Plastic Surgeons in Atlanta having performed thousands of facial cosmetic procedures.

She has been recognized as one What are some quick methods to help reduce wrinkles of America's Topholiday Plasticparties, Surgeons in time for get-togethers, etc.? We’re closesurvey to the of holiday season now, but you still have in getting a national her peers. options. Neurotoxin injections, such as, Xeomin® or Botox®, can quickly and effectively diminish Atlanta Face & Body offers the latest the wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and brows. Most of my patients will see results technological advances for nonsurgical in a few days following treatment and the benefits last for three and minimally-invasive procedures. to four months. Additionally, we can tighten the skin with microneedling treatments known as Vivace as well as Platelet Focusing on natural, balanced results, Rich Plasma (PRP). So, if you’re looking for that short-term we can help you look your personal benefit, neurotoxins, Vivace and PRP are your best friends! best, whatever your age!

I’m in my 40s and am starting to lose my youthful facial shape. What can I do to help reverse that trend and regain that shape? My Liquid Facelift can have your shape coming back in time for the holiday season. Generally, as we move past our 20s and 30s, we start to lose that fat volume in our cheeks and it can start to invert your facial shape. My Liquid Facelift is a customized combination of dermal fillers and Xeomin neurotoxin designed to lift and contour facial features by replacing lost volume. The amazing thing about my Liquid Facelift is that you can recreate a more youthful look and the results can be realized in as little as a few days, lasting up to a year or more.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS SOMETHING JUST FOR ME.

Q

Q

Q

OK, I’ve got years of sun damage on my face. What are my options? IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is used for photofacials. We can treat the mild sun damage you have, freckles, irregular pigmentation and even light brown spots not only on your face but also décolleté. At Atlanta Face & Body, we use a combination of Fractional Laser Resurfacing and IPL to also treat wrinkles, crow’s feet and acne scarring. During the holiday season, you can be glad that you’ll likely maintain that summer glow after treatments. Best thing is, you can see results in a few days and there is no downtime.

Q

I have a new favorite dress style that I’m looking at for holiday parties and my body is not responding. What can I do to look my best in a cocktail dress? I get this exact request every year and it’s one of the most gratifying things I do as a plastic surgeon. We have several options, such as, SculpSure,™ Smartlipo™ and Vanquish ME.™ Depending on the desired results from where you are today, I can customize a treatment plan that, believe it or not, can be achieved in time for your first holiday party with minimal downtime. So, go get that dress and let’s talk!

Elizabeth Whitaker, M.D., F.A.C.S.

ELIZABETH WHITAKER, MD, FACS • Top Doctor* ed Facial Plastic Surgeon • Fellowship Trained: FacialDouble PlasticBoard-Certifi Surgery Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker received her medical degree from Duke Plastic Surgeon • Double Board-Certified† Facial University. She did her residency training at Emory and completed • Former Chief of Facial Plastic Surgery, Augusta University her facial plastic surgery fellowship at Tulane where she trained with Dr. Calvin Johnson, an internationally known facial plastic surgeon. She served as the Chief of Facial Plastic Surgery at Medical College of Georgia before moving back to Atlanta and into private practice. The seasoned doctor has performed more than 4,000 face-lifts and is one of the most experienced facial plastic surgeons in the field.

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ATLANTA FACE & BODY CENTER ATLANTAFACEANDBODY.COM

678.888.3223 BEST SELF Atlanta

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Mark Edge Midtown’s Hidden Gem

In the eyes of this celebrity jewelry designer, beauty can be found in the most unexpected materials.

By Melanie Preis

Photography by Willett Photography.

Hair and Makeup by The Green Room Agency.

Mark Edge’s obsession with hunting down vintage materials, like 1920s Parisian coins, for his renowned Mark Edge Jewelry line extends to his own, unique collection of art, antiques and objects that evade proper classification.

This talented creator recognizes the beauty of the past and celebrates its importance by taking special materials and objects and presenting them in fascinating, new ways.

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“The materials that I find sort of dictate what I will be designing,” Edge says. Described as “ecovintage,” Edge’s jewelry focuses on the reclaimed, recycled and reinvented. And his ability to repurpose materials in inventive and exciting ways isn’t something that just fell in his lap—he’s been honing his skills for more than 30 years.

Edge found his passion for jewelry all the way back in junior high school, in his native Birmingham, Alabama, when his father offered him two options that summer: attend a silversmithing class in a local mall or escort his father to the family’s lumber company. The answer was easy.

“For 15 hours over the course of a month, I learned jewelry,” Edge says. “By the end of that class, I had the best piece of jewelry [a sterling turquoise ring]. I then started selling to boutiques and I couldn’t even drive. I was ‘the kid at school with jewelry’ and sold it from eighth through 11th grade.”

While at the University of Alabama, Edge put the jewelry business on hold. However, in 1994, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch Mark Edge Jewelry.

Today, Edge creates his wearable art, popular with celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Courteney Cox, based on the available materials that dictate the look. Though the materials may change by the season, there usually are some common themes between collections—for example, there are always opposites in his work; perhaps shiny, dressier beads are paired with a dark pendant. He may come across interesting metals or coins at antique shops, estate sales or other random places and then let the pieces permeate his psyche until he’s ready to start working.

who walks into his eclectic home is greeted by its welcome wagon, which comes in the form of a Chihuahua named Jack.

The friendly dog isn’t only Edge’s companion, he also helps him be his “best self” by getting him out and about. The two enjoy walking in Piedmont Park and visiting the Atlanta BeltLine. Edge also stays fit by exercising about three times a week at LA Fitness and following a low-carbohydrate, organic diet.

“I used to drink a Coke a day, which is basically toxic,” Edge admits. “Sugar is like rust on a steel pipe, so I try to be good.” Being “good” involves eating healthy, getting educated on nutrition and asking chefs and waiters what exactly is in a meal he orders. He swears by the book “Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?” by Mark Hyman, MD, for helping him understand and address what food choices to make.

All that healthy eating, which he mostly does at his beloved MetroFresh, as well as at other Midtown hot spots like The Optimist, Better Half, and Farm to Ladle, added to his workout routine help Edge stay healthy and energized for future projects. Oh, all that combined with his secret weapon: weekly 20-minute chair massages at Highland Spa. (“That 20 minutes is amazing and rejuvenating—I can solve all of my problems!”)

Photos courtesy of Mark Edge Jewelry, photography by Josh Hobgood Photography.

Photography by Willett Photography.

“I love what I do for a living.

Humans need a purpose and something to get up for every day, like volunteering for a charity that they support.”

—Mark Edge

“Getting started is the hardest part,” says Edge. “I’m slow to start but once the ideas happen, they’re just pouring out of my head. By the end of the process, I’m like a jet engine and it takes a while for me to stop. It’s a bizarre process that becomes really easy and exciting.” Edge is a man who values authenticity and integrity at its highest form—both in his work and the art and antiques he collects.

His Midtown residence is filled with more than 100 pieces of art, from mostly local artists, as well as unique knickknacks like antique globes, oddball lamps and midcentury, gothic accessories. Anyone bestselfatlanta.com

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Creating a vision for his jewelry company isn’t on that list of problems, though. “I love what I do for a living,” Edge says confidently. “Humans need a purpose and something to get up for every day, even if it’s volunteering for a charity that they support.” Edge works with Open Hand Atlanta and donates jewelry to numerous charity auctions.

It’s hard for him to describe upcoming collections (though Fall/Winter will feature those lovely French coins from the 1920s) because much of his design originates from what he discovers at places like Scott Antique Markets. However, he knows the special quality of something when he comes across it.

“Being picky is almost a burden,” says Edge. “The benchmark is set so high for me to like something.

I’m an artist. It’s all about having love for what you do—I can’t imagine having a job I didn’t love.”

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Rethinking Big Pharma How questioning the role of prescriptions in medicine can lead to true health

By Jennifer Colosimo

N

ever before have Americans taken so much medicine. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, in 2014, over one million people took a trip to the emergency room due to adverse drug effects. About 124,000 of them died. Roughly half of those deaths could have been prevented.

With American society so conditioned to take a pill for whatever ails us, we’ve found ourselves in the middle of a serious drug crisis. And we’re still not feeling any better. “We’re prescribing a lot more medications than we need. When it comes to pain medications, for example, we [the United States] take over 80 percent of some of the world’s opioids (like hydrocodone and oxycodone),” says Sanjay Gupta, MD, faculty neurosurgeon at The Emory Clinic and chief medical correspondent for CNN.

Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz), MD, founder of CentreSpringMD

Nationally recognized, Dr. Taz, is a wellness expert who is boardcertified in integrative medicine, pediatrics, and holistic medicine.

She is a best-selling author and a frequent guest on “TODAY,” “The Dr. Oz Show,” and “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”

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The good news is that there’s a shift happening right now, inspiring patients to question the prescriptions they’re given and explore other options to start taking control of their health. With the right knowledge, it’ll require our society to view medicine in a new light, one that asks doctors to combine the best of the conventional methods we’ve used to get better for years, with natural, practical options that get to the root of the issue—a harmonious alternative to help shape a healthier future … one that’s looking bright.

Why a Pill Isn’t a Panacea We take a lot of medicine. There’s a pill for aches and pains, high cholesterol, diabetes, you name it; but it’s not enough anymore, as the risks include addiction, vitamin deficiencies, and the obvious fact that we’re simply masking what may actually be wrong with our body.

Especially for aging patients, the habit is starting to catch up.

In many cases—infections, heart attacks, a stroke, e.g.,—it’s warranted, but when 4,468,929,929 prescriptions were filled by Americans in 2016, the necessity gets a little thin.

Photo courtesy of (top right) CNN.

“Doctors, unfortunately, have a limited amount of time to spend with their patients, so their answer to any ailment is to prescribe a medication,” says Dana Neacsu, MD, owner of Medical Creations Integrative Medicine in Sandy Springs. “Not only should you try to understand why you are prescribed a drug but also question the use, especially when it is not accompanied by lifestyle changes meant to address the underlying cause.”

Other questions to ask your healthcare provider include asking if the drug is known to cause major adverse reactions, if you’ve been on a medication for too long, if adding another prescription is too many, and if what you’re taking puts you in danger of a negative drug interaction.

“We question our kids’ schools, we want to know about our grocery stores and things around our lives. We should be treating our body and the things we put into it the same way,” says Gupta.

Honing in on Your Healthcare Options Knowing you can potentially say no to most medications, you can start exploring the other options that exist. And the best alternative isn’t cold turkey. In fact, something called integrative medicine takes the best from both worlds to provide patients the best possible outcome.

Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz), MD, founder of CentreSpringMD, explains the growing popularity of this approach. “Patients want more from their healthcare providers in terms of time and substance and functional medicine fills that void and provides solutions that are not bestselfatlanta.com

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Sanjay Gupta, MD,

faculty neurosurgeon at The Emory Clinic and chief medical correspondent for CNN Dr. Sanjay Gupta is the multiple Emmy® award-winning chief medical correspondent for CNN. Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, plays an integral role in CNN’s reporting on health and medical news for all of CNN’s shows domestically and internationally, and contributes to CNN.com.

“

We’re prescribing a lot more medications than we need. When it comes to pain medications, for example, we [the United States] take over 80 percent of some of the world’s opioids (like hydrocodone and oxycodone).

”

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always pharmaceutical based.” Integrated medicine combines state-of-the-art conventional medical treatments, like medications, surgeries, etc. with other, natural therapies like acupuncture, energy healing techniques, supplement protocols, lifestyle changes, etc. that are carefully selected and shown to be safe and effective. Blending conventional and alternative medicines also utilizes medical technology, but uses the results to create a personalized approach for each patient, a plan based in techniques and choices that appeal to them and work for their lifestyle and personality.

“Integrative medicine is not antimedication, but rather opposed to just Band-Aiding a symptom with drugs. It focuses on the whole human being—the body, mind, spirit and involvement in the community,” says Neacsu.

In addition, alternative medicine practices can be cheaper for patients, and can prevent significant (read: expensive), chronic diseases in the future. Gupta says, “The fact that we can actually do things that don’t require medications, that don’t require procedures to improve our health, they’re just based on our own knowledge of our body and our own holistic approach to our body can not only make a difference—it can make a huge difference.”

“I usually tell this story about one of my patients—a lovely lady in her mid-60s who came to see me searching for a hormone replacement protocol because she was tired, and lots of her girlfriends were on hormone replacement therapy,” says Neacsu. “She felt like that was the answer.

I sat down with her and we talked about everything going on and it was clear to me from the beginning that this was more than just a hormonal imbalance. In fact, I told her we are going to start with a very conventional approach, testing her hemoglobin levels.”

The short story was a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, which worried Neacsu, because at this age that usually indicates something else is wrong.

Dana Neacsu, MD, owner of Medical Creations Integrative Medicine in Sandy Springs

Dr. Dana Neacsu is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

She believes that by integrating elements of healing, therapy, wellness, nutrition, stress reduction, and other practices, that patients will start to see real, lasting results and improvements to their health.

“

Integrative medicine is not antimedication, but rather opposed to just Band-Aiding a symptom with drugs. It focuses on the whole human being.

”

Maximizing Your Medication

“I picked up the phone and called her primary doctor who quickly arranged further testing, which showed she had a huge polyp in her stomach and she was losing blood from that,” she says. “This was quickly taken care of by a gastroenterologist, and luckily was benign. She came back to me soon after the surgery and we worked together on finding the right supplements for her body, including iron.

We worked on balancing her hormonal and adrenal glands, which were taxed after all of these events. We tested her for [other] vitamin deficiencies and discovered some additional problems and we fixed those too.”

When it comes to the role patients have to play in taking their health in their own hands, Gupta says this, “I am one of these doctors who thinks that ultimately, the patient is in charge. The patient is empowered. Nothing that I do is going to work unless the patient actually wants to make these changes themselves.” He adds, “A majority, of chronic disease in this country is lifestyle induced. We know that relatively simple changes that don’t require you to turn your world upside down can make a huge difference. We often think of the good lifestyle changes such as eating right, exercising, getting enough rest as things that will help you in the future, but the reality is that those things can not only improve your health, but make you feel better right now.”

Neacsu says that together, they are working on preventing other problems like cholesterol imbalance and memory decline from occurring in the future. Today, her patient is doing great and this is still one of Neacsu’s favorite stories, because in her opinion, it’s the best example of what medicine should be like in this era.

Neacsu notes, “Every patient needs to understand how addressing lifestyle changes will lead to a more sustainable result, although it will not be as quick as with pills. There are so many excuses, but the truth is by not taking care of the current health issue now, one will eventually end up in a worse situation.”

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Join us for our Casino Night Fundraiser

Honorary Chair Otis W. Brawley, MD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, American Cancer Society Emcee Kaedy Kiely, 97.1 The River Afternoon Drive Host Chair Barbara Propst Muirhead Presented by

Royal Flush Sponsor

Full House Sponsor

Media Sponsor

October 27, 2018 7 pm to 10 pm Capital City Club, Brookhaven

Tickets are $150 and are sold in advance only.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.beverlyfamilyfoundation.org Benefiting The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation, a Georgia 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting lower income breast cancer patients in metro Atlanta by removing financial barriers to beginning and successfully completing their treatment.

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She reminds patients, “See it as an investment and an education, probably the most important investment of your life.”

Craig Fabel, president of Green Roads

Adding Cannabidiol (CBD) to Your Healthcare Options Craig Fabel, president of Green Roads, a company that manufactures and distributes products made with cannabidiol (CBD) as a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals is excited about what he is hearing from their customers. He says, “Over the last 10 years in the U.S., there has been a growing epidemic of abuse and overdoses involving opioid painkillers. Growing sources of research are confirming CBD as an effective natural alternative to prescription painkillers.”

CBD can be used to treat chronic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathic pain, autoimmune diseases, anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, skin allergies, migraines and more. But that’s not even the best news. Research shows using CBD can actually be good for you.

Photo courtesy of Green Roads of Florida LLC, photography by TFC Marketing.

“When someone is addicted to opioids, there are measurable changes that have occurred in their brain, the parts of their brain that are responsible for judgment, for learning, and for memory have been affected by that and that’s part of what makes it a brain disease,” says Gupta.

“We know that CBD actually crosses the blood-brain barrier and can help heal those parts of the brain that have been damaged by opioids.”

It also helps relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms and it’s cutting down on the number of opioids people consume, because they’re taking medical marijuana for their pain instead. Less opioids means less opioid prescriptions and fewer overdose deaths—a significant fact when tens of thousands of people die every year from opioid overdose in the U.S.

Changing the CBD Perception to End the Opioid Crisis Fabel, whose Green RoadsFamily Program supports over 100 families through product sponsorship and various nonprofits says, “It is inspiring every day to come to work and hear stories of relief, from children with epilepsy to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.”

“The biggest misconception about medical marijuana is that [people] don’t think of it as a medicine,” says Gupta. “They think of it as just a substance that you have to smoke to get high. It’s important to know that it’s a

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Since becoming president of Green Roads in July 2018, Craig Fabel has worked to expand the company’s offerings of pharmacist-formulated products and further its mission to improve the lives of its customers.

“

Growing sources of research are confirming CBD as an effective natural alternative to prescription painkillers.

”

nonpsychoactive substance and you don’t have to inhale it. It does have medicinal properties and we know that not only can it work as a medicine, but it can work oftentimes when nothing else has.”

“Recently, we’ve had the first cannabis-based drug [Epidiolex] approved by the FDA,” Gupta adds. “The FDA is saying, ‘Hey, there’s a cannabis-based drug that we’ve approved.’ At the same time, in this country, they’re saying it has no medicinal benefit. You can’t say both at the same time, and yet here we are.”

Green Roads has taken a leadership role in the industry by supporting research and development, to improve products and gain consistent results for customers. They are partnering with well-respected academic institutions to work with legislation to protect consumers from poor quality products in the marketplace.

“I have the opportunity to be part of something bigger than all of us, to change lives and enable positive change across the world,” says Fabel. “Every day at Green Roads we get to help people live longer, stronger, better, healthier lives and we are doing it the right way, the safe way.”

Resources: CentreSpringMD, CentreSpringMD.com CNN, CNN.com Green Roads, GreenRoadsWorld.com Medical Creations Integrative Medicine, MCIMAtlanta.com

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A NEW WAY TO MUSEUM Nature Trails • Outdoor Exhibits • Treetop Experiences Included with Museum Admission | Members FREE

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SPECIAL SECTION

whole body health guide A-Z Fitness & Movement 9Round 30 Min Kickbox Fitness 2899-B N. Decatur Rd. Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 343-0286

9Round.com/DecaturGAN 9Round is the ultimate 30-minute, total-body, kickboxing circuit! We don’t waste a minute of your time. It’s the END of boring cardio and the first workout is ALWAYS free! 9Round is dedicated to providing a unique, fun and proven workout that guarantees results!

body stations and personal attention to the client is what makes them unique. Owner Pamela Molinari is a 32-year veteran trainer whose achievements include being voted Best Fitness Facility 2018 by My Sandy Springs magazine.

The Center for Integrative Yoga Studies 1924 Clairmont Rd., Ste. 140 Decatur, GA (404) 217-7453 IntegrativeYogaStudies.com

Club Pilates

5968 Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 588-2500

ClubPilates.com We believe Pilates is the best workout in the world, so we’re bringing it to the masses! Increase your strength, flexibility, and stamina no matter your fitness level or injury history. Whether you’re a fine-tuned pro athlete or you’ve had 3 ACL surgeries, Pilates is for every body!

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YogaSmyrna.com Giving Tree Yoga is a mindful studio located in the Smyrna Market Village. Our classes are perfect for both beginner and advanced students. Our teachers will guide you through your practice and offer modifications for all levels of experience. We offer Vinyasa Flow, Gentle Flow, Yoga Basics, Yin/ Restorative Yoga classes.

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Dulce Vegan Bakery & Cafe 1994 Hosea L. Williams Dr. NE. Atlanta, GA 30317 (404) 624-7417

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HiveFit.com Truly the purest and healthiest supplements in the market. A science-based company with a holistic approach offers high quality, yet affordable products for the whole family and all fitness levels. This Alpharetta-based company was started after seeing the current supplement industry sacrifice quality for profits. “We are recovering and saving the supplement industry,” says owner and formulator, Raul Hiteshew.

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presence. In fact, by neglecting to apply daily sunscreen during the colder months, our skin is often more susceptible to harmful radiation than it is during the spring and summer.

Schedule your yearly skin checks today!

3167 Peachtree Rd., Ste. F Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 975-3487 KaleMeCrazy.net

Loving Hut

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MetroFresh

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{SAMA} Food For Balance

sleep apnea patients. The three main factors that impact obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are age, anatomy, and weight. Untreated OSA has been shown to take almost seven years off your life—it is a matter of life and death.

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Sublime Tree

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CentreSpringMD 1401 Dresden Dr. Atlanta, GA 30319 (404) 814-9808

CentreSpringMD.com At CentreSpringMD, our team of eight board-certified providers use an integrative approach to get to the root cause of your symptoms. Led by Dr. Taz Bhatia, MD, our team has brought healing to more than 14,000 adult and pediatric patients. From thyroid to food sensitivity, weight loss to ADHD—our team is committed to helping your whole family thrive.

Excel Chiropractic

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Medical Weight Loss by

Healthogenics

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Aesthetic Body Sculpture Clinic & Center for Anti-Aging

4840 Roswell Rd. NE., Bldg. D, Ste. 100 Atlanta, GA 30342 (770) 777-7707 SlaterMD.com

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Dermatology Consultants Covington (770) 784-0343 Buckhead (404) 351-7546 Marietta (770) 971-3376

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whole body health guide a-z offer customized weight loss programs for children, teens, men, and women, and specialize in helping those that have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

North Atlanta Dermatology 3850 Pleasant Hill Rd. Duluth, GA 30096 (770) 814-8222 NADerm.com

Medi-Weightloss, Woodstock

Progressive Medical Center

12195 GA-92, #144 Woodstock, GA 30188 (678) 540-7827

MediWeightloss.com/Locations/Woodstock The Medi-Weightloss® Program is not a diet; it’s a lifestyle change! Get off the dieting roller coaster and rejuvenate your life, learning to live healthy and lean for a lifetime. Our trained professionals help make your weight loss journey stress free and uncomplicated. Initial consultation is FREE! Now accepting insurance.

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Revive Atlanta MD

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The Saul Clinic of Chiropractic

6667 Vernon Woods Dr. NE. Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 252-0014 AdjustCause.com

Three D Wellness

555 Sun Valley Dr., Ste. C1 Roswell, GA 30076 (678) 621-8100 ThreeDWellness.com

TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Morrow Family Medicine Located in Cumming and Milton (770) 781-8004

MorrowFamMed.com Morrow Family Medicine is a technologically advanced ”Old-Fashioned” family practice. Are you looking for providers who care? You will find a home with us! We have two locations: Cumming and Milton. Our walk-in hour from 7:30am to 8:30am is very popular. Morrow Family Medicine ... bringing care back to healthcare.

8010 Roswell Rd., Ste. 120 Atlanta, GA 30350 (770) 360-9271

MyTurningPoint.org TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation is a unique nonprofit organization that improves

WellStar Kennestone Hospital 677 Church St. Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 793-5000 WellStar.org

Relaxation & Clarity Art It Out Therapy Center 4300 Paces Ferry Rd. SE., Ste. 357 Atlanta, GA 30339 (770) 989-1300 ArtItOut.com

Clinical & Forensic Psychology Services 2751 Buford Hwy., Ste. #410 Atlanta, GA 30324 (770) 396-2206 ClinicalForensicPsychSvs.com

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Empower Rehab & Wellness 1708 Peachtree St. NW., #103 Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 597-7308 AtlantaEmpower.com

Gedalia Healing Arts (678) 357-3443

GedaliaHealingArts.com

Hypnotherapy of North GA 110 Samaritan Dr., #212 Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 353-3243

HypnosPro.com Hypnotherapy of North Georgia is a provider of hypnotherapy services for the Metro Atlanta area. Hypnotherapist, Raymond Berger helps

quality of life for breast cancer patients by providing, promoting and advocating specialized and evidence-based rehabilitation.

Services include physical therapy, massage therapy, counseling, exercise classes, and education programs. TurningPoint is located in a clinic off Roswell Road in Atlanta.

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BEST SELF Atlanta

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whole body health guide a-z people struggling with Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Confidence issues, Insomnia and PTSD. Medically, Hypnosis can help clients with: IBS/Crohn’s, chronic pain, drug-free childbirth, smoking cessation, permanent weight loss and more.

Atlanta Humane Society

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Intown Salt Room

563 Memorial Dr. SE., Unit CU-A Atlanta, GA 30312 (678) 974-7867 IntownSaltRoom.com

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Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta Atlanta (404) 897-5556 Duluth (678) 417-7555

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Bowlero

2749 Delk Rd., Marietta, GA 30067 (770) 988-8813 Bowlero.com

Callaway Gardens

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Lisa Washington - Health and Wellness Life Coach/ Reiki Practitioner (770) 598-6493

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Urban Explorers of Atlanta

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Come with or without a partner and...

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Fine Wine

Sex Gets Better With Time

By India Powell

S

ex—and certainly the fun, freeing, and fulfilling kind—is typically thought of as the domain of the young. But once the fog of conditioned limiting perceptions is cleared out of the way, the exciting truth is revealed: Sex actually gets better with age.

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The Inn

at Brevard

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Come Experience the Magic of the Mountains.

We invite you to enjoy the relaxed elegance and charm of our European-style southern mansion.

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Spa-like setting

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770-745-4999 | RAGThymeSalon.com 4180 Austell Rd., Austell, GA 30106

BEST SELF Atlanta

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An Upward Trend Because youth can also come with preoccupations about appearance and the imagined perceptions of others, as well as the complicated layers of still budding emotional and spiritual identities, sex can be less enjoyable before age 40 than after.

The saying, “youth is wasted on the young” certainly does not apply in this case, since many of the things that make sex most enjoyable are more easily tapped into with maturity.

Elaine Wilco, MA, LPC, founder of IntimacyAtlanta, is a therapist who helps couples reconnect with each other and their own sexuality.

She says couples who are actively enjoying sex in their 70s actually report having greater satisfaction than earlier in life. This is because they learn to enjoy sex beyond the previous mental constraints and beyond the traditional physical perceptions of sex itself.

“Sexual activity is healthy. There is no age where it is expected that we become sexually inactive. There are many forms of intimacy.”

—Scott D. Miller, MD, of WellStar Health System

“They know how to enjoy each other in different ways, and that arousal is not just physical.

They have learned to create more sexual pleasure by working together,” she says. According to Wilco, there is an entire paradigm shift that can happen later anytime in life around sex.

This shift expands the possibilities of how expansively sex can be enjoyed. The perceptions of physicality, self, family, priorities and more change dramatically with the metamorphosis that can happen later in life.

A Very Healthy Sex Life Urology and urologic laparoscopy specialist Scott D. Miller, MD, of WellStar Health System, explains that allowing declining hormone levels and other factors to detract from your sex life can become a vicious cycle. “While stress and depression can take away the desire to have sex, one of the benefits of an active sex life is that it can reduce stress and depression,” Miller says.

Adding, “Sexual activity is healthy. There is no age where it is expected that we become sexually inactive. There are many forms of intimacy, and it is part of who we are as humans and couples.”

It’s All Sex For men, Miller says, the drop in testosterone levels that occurs naturally and steadily with time can present challenges.

Erectile functionality can become less dependable, which can create anxiety around the idea of having sex. This is especially true if the emphasis is primarily around penis-vagina intercourse. bestselfatlanta.com

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“The ‘performance’ concept is a lot of pressure on men,” Wilco says. Adding that the pressure to perform can cause men to withdraw from sex into themselves and feel like they have failed their partners, although most don’t actually verbalize these feelings. This can lead to the partner feeling hurt or thinking the man no longer finds her attractive.

Another reason it can be important to expand the idea of what constitutes having sex is that women’s bodies change physiologically after menopause. The thinning of the vaginal walls and reduced lubrication can lead to tearing and irritation. And because the vagina becomes spongier and extends during arousal, Wilco explains, artificial lubrication is not always enough. “There can be too much emphasis on intercourse and not enough on everything else,” Wilco says. “Manual and oral sex are not just ‘foreplay;’ I call them ‘outercourse,’ which includes all forms of sex not restricted to intercourse.”

Even if there are health conditions that affect one’s ability to have intercourse, such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes or hormonal issues, Miller says, adjustments through hormone replacement, oral medications or diet and exercise can help get things back on track. For those struggling with erectile dysfunction, Tariq Hakky, MD, of Advanced Urology suggests adopting healthy lifestyle changes, vacuum erection methods, penile prosthesis and more. When dealing with the aftereffects of a major health event, such as a heart attack, it’s important to keep the expectation that sex will return in time, and to explore forms of intimacy beyond intercourse.

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CHECK OUT OUR OTHER EVENTS ONLINE!

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Getting Hotter Tips for Enjoying Better Sex Later in Life

• Some sexual positions work better with an aging body than others. Make full use of pillows, high-quality lubricant and toys to support your body and maximize your experience.

• Slow everything down. Take all the time you need to build arousal.

• Don’t focus on an erection or an orgasm as a goal but on the entire intimate experience together.

• Get away from chasing the unicorn of simultaneous orgasms.

Allow each partner to be aroused as and when he or she is.

• Avoid putting the emphasis on desire as a signal for sex. Be intentional about sex. Get into the mood with a massage or dancing—something pleasurable that doesn’t depend on feeling the desire first.

—Elaine Wilco, MA, LPC, founder of IntimacyAtlanta

The Age Advantage Miller points out that age can bring one very distinct physical advantage when it comes to sex. “Certain things, physically, we get better at with age. When we’re younger, we may be faster and stronger, but when we are older we have lots of endurance,” he says. He adds that later in life, certain stressors such as young children and demanding work are less of a concern and it’s easier to relax and focus on enjoying the relationship and physical intimacy.

Beyond the Limits Atlanta-based sex coach Haley Helveston, founder of Holistic Health with Haley, specializes in helping women reconnect with their sexuality. She says that clear communication and a deeper understanding of our own bodies are the keys to sex getting better as we get older.

“Sex and pleasure are limitless,” Helveston says. “There is a life force energy in sexuality that many don’t tap into. It can be a spiritual awakening and life-changing experience to discover the various types of orgasms that are possible.”

Learning about using meditation and breathing techniques before and during sex can greatly deepen the experience, especially since many women require a longer sexual experience in order to have an orgasm. Sex is a sacred experience and much more pleasurable when treated as such. Exploring tantric breathing techniques can help in discovering the depths of the full spirit-body-mind sexual experience.

It is also crucial at any age, Helveston says, that a woman knows her own body very well. “Many women assume the guy is going to know what to do,” she says, “but all bodies are different. A woman needs to know how to please herself.”

Clearing the Negativity Wilco says the deeper sense of inner connection within oneself that can happen with age also enhances the potential for a more enjoyable sex life. “So many women deny themselves being comfortable sexually earlier in life because of what they believe they ‘should’ look like. If a sexual response is based on appearance, then it’s going to decline with age,” she points out.

As both women and men clear away the subconscious blocks, negativity and “shoulds/shouldn’ts” around sex, it opens up endless possibilities for continued enjoyment and expansion together. “Sex should get better as you get older,” Helveston says. “Don’t believe the negative perception that it’s going to be bad and boring. You get to constantly evolve and grow yourself sexually.”

Resources: Advanced Urology, UrologyGeorgia.com Holistic Health with Haley HolisticHealthWithHaley.com IntimacyAtlanta, IntimacyAtlanta.com WellStar Health System, WellStar.org

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COVER PARTNER PROFILE

Tooth Fairy Dr. Azi Nia creates a whimsical wonderland for her patients at Nia Pediatric Dentistry.

By Katherine Michalak

F

or Dr. Azi Nia, board-certified pediatric dentist, establishing a practice in the heart of East Cobb was a natural extension of her commitment to serve the families of her beloved community. “This is

Dr. Azi attended the Georgia State University, graduating with her undergraduate degree in mathematics and chemistry. She continued on to the Medical College of Georgia where she earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine. In order to become a specialist in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Azi completed a three-year residency at Children’s Hospital Colorado where she also served as chief resident. During these three years, Dr. Azi treated a diverse population of medically compromised patients and people with special healthcare needs and was an active participant with the craniofacial lip and palate team.

Shortly thereafter, she received the status of Diplomate by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Azi is dedicated to providing excellent pediatric dental care and building confidence in her patients. Creating a positive dental experience customized to each young patient is central to Dr. Azi’s practice philosophy. She believes in supporting her patients and their families by finding realistic solutions and preventing problems before they arise. Dr. Azi’s greatest goal is helping a child overcome their fear and anxiety, getting them to a point where they enjoy their appointments. “We want to change [the typical child’s] fear of dentistry.” We focus on preventative care using the latest technology and a fun friendly environment 42

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF NIA PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY; PHOTOGRAPHY BY (HEADSHOT AND STAFF PHOTOS) CATMAX PHOTOGRAPHY.

home for me,” Dr. Azi (as her patients call her) says. “Being here makes perfect sense.” She moved to East Cobb over 20 years ago.

She and her family transitioned easily thanks to the welcoming environment of their new neighborhood. For years, Dr. Azi could be found working part-time at the Parkaire Kroger pharmacy while attending Georgia State University and developing the customer service expertise she’d bring with her as she studied pediatric dentistry and established her own practice.

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that takes that fear away. We want kids to have fun in a relaxing environment. Our goal for our office is to be far from the traditional dental offices.” In addition to standard pediatric dental services, Dr. Azi also offers hospital dentistry and laser treatment for lip/tongue ties to help infants with breastfeeding and toddlers with speech issues.

Her mission becomes evident the moment visitors walk through the front door of Nia Pediatric Dentistry and into the whimsical wonderland of Dr. Azi’s fully-customized clinic space (or possibly prior to that if they’ve spotted the hippo-emblazoned vehicle parked outside). More than bright colors or thematic displays, this entire office feels like a giant playroom—life-sized cartoon animal figurines perch throughout, lively murals feature impish creatures to spark the imagination, game and video terminals hover above exam chairs, baskets of toys and books delight curious little ones, and there’s even a quiet private work area for parents. Every element of the design incorporates the child’s perspective and caters to their needs while boasting the most advanced technology and involving parents in the treatment whenever desired. “A lot of times I think the kids read the fears of their parents,” Dr. Azi reveals.

“And parents always ask me, ‘Where were you when I was growing up?’ and ‘Can you see me as well?’”

The amusement at the office carries over into Dr. Azi’s personal life as well. “We have such a haven here in East Cobb. Great schools, true family-focused environment, parents who stay really involved with their children, and a strong community.” Dr. Azi and her husband, Dr. Farshid Nia DMD, MSD, who is the clinical director at BB Braces Braces and an advisory board member at North American Dental Group, spend time enjoying a variety of activities that include their two children, Shervin and Leena, and their three family dogs. “We go to East Cobb Park,” Dr. Azi says.

“And there are so many wonderful places to eat too! We love Camps Kitchen & Bar and Moxie Burger in Paper Mill Village, or Tijuana Joe’s for Mexican food, or Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar for seafood.” NiaDentistry.com, 1111 Johnson Ferry Rd., 770-479-9999.

The content for this article is brought to you by Nia Pediatric Dentistry.

Words of Wisdom from Dr. Azi Nia Dr. Azi (as her patients call her) strives to teach kids superior dental care, and she enlists parents to aid. “Parents should supervise brushing until kids can tie their own shoes and write in cursive,” Dr. Azi asserts. Adults should monitor the process to make sure the child brushes at least twice a day for two minutes each time. “Also, floss every day,” Dr. Azi instructs. “Rinses are good but they don’t replace flossing.” And what treats make her naughty list? “Drinking soda and juice constantly is soaking teeth in acid and sugar. Drink water! Kids need to snack on crunchy fruits and vegetables more and sticky candy less!”

Dr. Azi says,”A pediatric dentist is the

BACK ROW (L TO R): TAYL OR SMITH, AN FRONT ROW DREA BUTLER (L TO R): BROO , SARA HALV KE VANCE, NO ERSON RA JESSICA QU IBANO, SARA MESTEMAKER, DR. AZ I NIA, SEBASTIAN

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pediatrician for overall oral health. All kids should see a pediatric dentist by age 1.”

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Deeper Than The Diagnosis

The mental, spiritual, and emotional journey of breast cancer

By Karon Warren

R

eceiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating for patients. While there is an almost immediate focus on how severe the cancer is and what treatment options are available to eliminate it, the diagnosis calls for much more than just medicinal treatment. “Being diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer can take a toll on a person: body, mind and spirit,” says Emily Beard, women’s oncology program coordinator at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute in Atlanta. “In addition to the obvious fear and physical effects of treatment come a lot of other concerns, which vary from person to person.”

Stress over finances, worries for family members, effects on body image, and coming face-to-face with one’s own mortality are just a few of the many concerns that could and do arise following a breast cancer diagnosis. As a result, patients need much more than just medical treatment; they need palliative care that addresses these other issues. Think mental and emotional support, physical exercise, nutrition, and body image concerns.

When addressing these additional matters as part of the patient’s overall treatment plan, the benefits can be immense.

“Exercise is medicine, healthy eating can aid in healing, and acknowledging and processing the feelings associated with this journey supports and empowers the survivor to tap into strengths some never knew they had,” says Jennifer Kuca Lavoie, director of wellness, worklife and fitness for Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. “This equals control during unsettling times.”

In recent years, there has been a shift in the medical community wherein treatment for breast cancer patients now includes these additional aspects of care. In fact, after the initial diagnosis, many facilities and doctors now include an assessment to evaluate a patient’s mental and emotional well-being, their nutritional and physical exercise habits, their stress levels, and more in order to better serve the patient.

These evaluations go a long way in assisting medical professionals with addressing patients’ other needs beyond just cancer treatment. When a need is identified, patients can be directed to the appropriate services.

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Mental and Emotional Assistance

arts or even equine-assisted therapy.

Because a breast cancer diagnosis can spark a wide range of emotions, talking with someone who understands their situation can be a huge comfort for breast cancer patients. “Psychosocial health encompasses the mental, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions of what it means to be healthy,” says Cati Diamond Stone, executive director of Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta. “We encourage patients to talk about their feelings with a trusted source, which could be a family member, someone from their faith-based organization or a trained counselor.”

For example, Feel Beautiful Today is a nonprofit that brings free “Arts in Health” programs to cancer patients at treatment centers around the city.

“We use the arts as a tool to socially connect and encourage,” says Biviana Franco, founder and CEO of Feel Beautiful Today in Roswell. “Artistic tasks help patients understand and express themselves and hopefully lead them to an improved quality of life. We want to remind them of the person they still are despite the cancer diagnosis.”

While engaging with others in similar situations can be helpful, for some patients it may be best to take it one step further and speak with a psychologist or therapist.

“We perform a distress screening at the initial diagnosis or first treatment,” says Jennifer Kilkus, PhD, a clinical psychologist with the WellStar Cancer Survivorship & Support Department at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta.

“Some patients may need to see a therapist or psychologist, while others manage well with the help of support groups or by relying on family and friends. Our goal is to get patients the right level of care at the right time in their treatment.”

Support Groups Many hospitals, cancer centers and other medical facilities offer various support groups where breast cancer patients can seek out communal interaction with other patients. Some of these groups may be as simple as gathering together to talk out their different situations. Others, though, may take it a step further, involving therapies such as music, the

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Staying active during breast cancer treatment can go a long way in boosting the immune system, reducing stress, improving sleep or increasing emotional well-being. Although breast cancer patients may not be able to exercise at the same level they did prior to their diagnosis, physical activity is possible.

—Jennifer Kilkus, PhD, clinical psychologist with the WellStar Cancer Survivorship & Support Department at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta

If that screening identifies a high level of anxiety, stress or depression, the patient could receive a referral for a psychologist or therapist.

However, because every patient is different, therapy may not be necessary. “Some patients may need to see a therapist or psychologist, while others manage well with the help of support groups or by relying on family and friends,” Kilkus says. “Our goal is to get patients the right level of care at the right time in their treatment.”

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Physical Exercise

Staying active can be as simple as taking a walk or attending a yoga class.

“There is proof [from the American Society of Clinical Oncology] that for women who suffer from depression and anxiety, yoga and meditation are beneficial,” says Anita Johnson, MD, FACS, breast surgical oncologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Atlanta.

Nutrition When going through chemotherapy and radiation to treat breast cancer, patients may experience a number of diet-related side effects, including loss of appetite, a change in taste buds, and weight loss.

To address these potential issues, many medical facilities offer dietitian services.

“For me, this meant meeting with a nutritionist at my doctor’s office to learn more about how to eat healthy foods that will support my treatment,” says Stone, who is also a breast cancer survivor.

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Body Image One struggle many breast cancer patients face is with their body image. With the possibility of losing their hair, dealing with a gaunt appearance and especially dealing with the aftereffects of a mastectomy, keeping their self-esteem at a high level could be difficult. That’s why there are services that address this concern.

For instance, at the Cancer Support Center, housed at the Cancer Institute at Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) in Lawrenceville, patients can attend the “Look Good Feel Better” class, a resource from the American Cancer Society.

“We bring patients in, do their makeup through the Look Good Feel Better class, and a patient navigator based at GMC from the American Cancer Society can help them try on free wigs,” says Amy McEachin, RN, BSN OCN, oncology support clinic manager at Gwinnett Medical Center Cancer Institute.

In addition, many of the support services like yoga classes, support groups and meetings with dietitians may be free or very low-cost at area medical centers and hospitals. For instance, Lavoie says that Chapman Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Healthcare offers comprehensive programs including exercise programs for women with breast cancer at no charge to the patients and their family members. WellStar also offers many support services for free.

“Cancer centers and hospitals are now more fully integrating services like nutrition and fitness counseling, mental health services and other palliative care. It’s been a shift in the approach, and it is positively impacting the overall treatment plan and outcomes.”

—Cati Diamond Stone, executive director of Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta

At One Journey Together - A Cancer and Healing Boutique in Alpharetta, founder Lisa Gibson, also a breast cancer survivor, has brought together salon and spa services, custom wigs, prosthetics, compression garments and other complementary therapies to help cancer patients address their body image concerns.

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health insurance may cover those appointments if the policy contains a mental or behavioral provision.

Local nonprofits such as TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation can also be an option for low-cost services and even financial assistance.

The main mission of The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation is to improve the survival rates of lower income breast cancer patients by providing grants for insurance co-pays, prescription costs, transportation to and from treatment, and basic living necessities such as rent, utilities and groceries.

In the last 10 years, there has been a major shift to extend breast cancer treatment beyond just treating the disease, and this shift will continue going forward. “Cancer centers and hospitals are now more fully integrating services like nutrition and fitness counseling, mental health services and other palliative care,” Stone says. “It’s been a shift in the approach, and it is positively impacting the overall treatment plan and outcomes.”

For example, many patients are told they should not receive skin and nail treatments at traditional salons and spas because of their compromised immune system.

However, at One Journey Together, they are specially trained to assist these patients with these services.

“We offer our patients a safe, clean and comfortable environment where they can still receive the services they are used to getting with qualified professionals that understand the unique needs of the cancer patient,” says esthetician Caitlyn Smith.

Resources:

Finding Coverage

One Journey Together - A Cancer and Healing Boutique OneJourneyTogether.net

Receiving this multitude of services sounds easy given there are so many providers available in the Atlanta area; however, the costs could be prohibitive for many patients.

For psychological and mental treatment, it is possible

Piedmont Healthcare, Piedmont.org

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Cancer Treatment Centers of America, CancerCenter.com The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation, BeverlyFamilyFoundation.org Feel Beautiful Today, FeelBeautifulToday.org Gwinnett Medical Center Cancer Institute, GwinnettMedicalCenter.org Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, Northside.com/CancerInstitute

Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta, KomenAtlanta.org TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, MyTurningPoint.org WellStar Kennestone Hospital, WellStar.org bestselfatlanta.com

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TMJ Jaw Pain?

Popping & Clicking?

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Do you have Jaw pain or clicking when you chew or have headaches that can’t seem to be diagnosed? This could be a temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) problem. Other symptoms include shoulder and neck stiffness, earaches, dizziness and unexplained headaches. TMJ problems are often accompanied by cervical and TMJ ligament laxity. Once the lateral TMJ ligament becomes lax the joint will click. It is important to note that clicking in any joint is an indication of ligament laxity of that joint. The body’s compensatory mechanism for such a situation is to tighten muscles and to grow more bone. The end result will be degeneration, arthritis, and stiffness in that joint. A combination of Bio-therapeutic injections to strengthen both the cervical vertebrae and the TMJ joint combined with manipulations of the affected areas to re-align the joints will often solve this problem. Call the offices of Total HealthCare to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced medical professionals today if you are experiencing these symptoms.

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2018 LEARN FROM ATLANTA’S TOP HEALTHCARE EXPERTS

Partners In Health

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partners in health

Screening Mammography Redefined

By John F. Arnold, MD, MBA

The goal of any breast screening program is to find cancer early and reduce false positives.

The American College of Radiology Commission on Breast Imaging has performed a thorough review of the evidence that annual mammography screening starting at age 40 for women of average risk can decrease breast cancer mortality by about 40%. Benefits of screening also include tumors being found earlier and the ability to discover high-risk lesions earlier.

Supported by Research Over 70% of cancers occur in dense breasts.

Mammography has limitations in imaging dense breasts. The ASTOUND study is defined as adjunct screening with tomosynthesis or ultrasound in women with mammography negative dense breasts.

This was a multicenter screening trial of tomosynthesis and adjunct ultrasound screening in women with dense breasts.

Adjunct ultrasounds led to significantly higher incremental breast cancer detection, the rate per 1,000 screening mammograms was 7.1/1,000 screening exams for ultrasound and 4.0/1,000 screening exams for tomosynthesis.

Three studies—European Asymptomatic Screening Study, SOMO•INSIGHT Clinical Study, and performance studies

by Shane, et al.—included adding 3-D

OutPatient Imaging is introducing 3-D automated whole breast ultrasound at its Atlanta location. automated whole breast ultrasound to screening mammography to improve the performance of mammographic interpretation. Adding 3-D automated whole breast ultrasound has shown a significant increase in invasive cancer detection with a nominal insignificant decrease in specificity. Eighty-five percent of cancers found with screening ultrasound are node negative invasive cancer.

OPI is Leading The Way OutPatient Imaging is introducing 3-D automated whole breast ultrasound at its Atlanta location. Even better, OutPatient Imaging will be performing an automated 3-D screening breast ultrasound as an adjunct to all screening

mammograms with no additional cost to the patient during the introductory phase. Ultrasound is fully automated and takes approximately 30 seconds per breast. The exam requires no external compression other than the patient’s own body weight. The 3-D images generated from the ultrasound will be interpreted by the radiologist as an adjunct to the patient’s screening mammogram. Three-D automated breast ultrasound does not utilize ionizing radiation as tomosynthesis uses, therefore it can reduce the radiation exposure to the patient.

OutPatient Imaging is proud of its commitment to women’s health and will continue to offer patients a choice for all of their imaging needs.

OutPatient Imaging • 2284 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta, GA 30309 • (404) 225-5674 • outpatientimaging.net 5bestselfatlanta.com 0 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018

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partners in health Fall Sale Items

By Scott D. Miller, MD

E

veryone loves a great deal. It seems as though there is a sale for every season and every occasion.

At some point, these falling prices create a new normal, and thereby a new expectation. But does a good price necessarily mean a good value? Of course not. But we often approach our health the same way.

We are inundated with ways of measuring our health. Here are several examples: ¨ Lower weight or body mass index ¨ Smaller waistline ¨ Lower cholesterol ¨ Lower calorie intake All of these measurements focus on the elimination of a problem. However, the absence of disease is not the same as a picture of good health. Here are some of the questions that you should be asking yourself: ¨ Do I feel rested in the morning? ¨ Do I have the stamina to make it through a typical day without feeling totally drained in the evening? ¨ How many times per week do I feel stressed to a point that it takes me significant time and/or energy to return to a minimal stress level? ¨ What is my exercise tolerance?

Too many times in life we focus on the negative. For instance, if we feel that we are eating too many calories, we might reach for the 100-calorie packaged snack. In reality, a 250-calorie portion of fruit, cheese, and nuts would serve our health better, especially when we want to

fuel our workout for the day. As a result, we focus on a positive—healthy eating rather than calorie reduction.

Study after study has shown that when we focus more on maximizing our strengths rather than minimizing our weaknesses, we boost our performance more effectively. Of course, making small decisions every day is the best way to form a good habit. So stop being your own worst critic. Stock up on a healthy item for your diet. Increase a physical activity that you already do every day. Go to sleep 30 minutes earlier (sleeping is most people’s strength).

Although all those numbers that your physician measures are important to keep in line, that should not be your daily motivation. Building on your strengths

regarding healthy living is the best way to earn a good report in the doctor’s office.

When it comes to our health, rather than shopping for the best sale, we should look for everyday low prices.

Look for my article on “Chapter 11 Medicine” in the next issue.

Scott D. Miller, MD, is the Medical Director of Robotic Surgery at WellStar North Fulton Hospital. He is a urologist with WellStar Urology in Roswell and has practiced in Atlanta for over 20 years.

WellStar North Fulton Hospital offers the Know Your Heart Screening that can determine your risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions. Call 770-956-STAR (7827) to learn more or schedule an appointment.

Scott D. Miller, MD • WellStar North Fulton Hospital • 470-956-4230 • ScottDMillerMD.com bestselfatlanta.com

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Real patients‌ Beautiful results!

New Patients Welcome!

From a simple filling to a full smile we are here for you and your family.

Jill M. Golsen, DMD

2016 Past President of the Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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partners in health

Understanding Tooth Sensitivity

By Jill M. Golsen, DMD and Justin Parente, DMD

To understand why your tooth hurts, it’s best to start with a brief anatomy overview.

A pearly, white shell called enamel covers the surface of the tooth. This hard enamel protects the core of the tooth, which is made of a substance called dentin. It’s important for dentin to stay protected because it is softer, porous, and has important microscopic tunnels. Any damage to the enamel, or to any filling repairing enamel from a cavity, acid erosion, or trauma, could expose the microscopic “Whether temperature change or chewing is stimulating your tooth sensitivity, tunnels in dentin. These it’s time to see your dentist who will inspect your teeth and dental restorations tunnels communicate for damage or cavities that need repair. ” — Justin Parente, DMD, Endodontist with the hollow inside of the tooth, where a adjustment, or a small filling. If your tooth pain is severe, and the chamber houses a soft, pink tissue called the pulp. tooth is aching spontaneously, do not delay. Ask your dentist for a The Source of Pain referral to an endodontist, a dentist who specializes in comfortably The pulp tissue, often colloquially referred to as the nerve, treating toothaches and tooth infections. Severe pain could mean contains pressure receptors and is the source of most tooth the damage has caused irreversible harm to the pulp tissue, and pain. Any damaged enamel or fillings can expose the dentin, that the tooth will which will allow fluid to shift through the tunnels and stimulate likely require root pain from the dental pulp. canal treatment, Taking Care of the Problem a surprisingly Whether temperature change or chewing is stimulating your tooth gentle procedure sensitivity, it’s time to see your dentist who will inspect your teeth that will quickly and dental restorations for damage or cavities that need repair. alleviate all of Treatment could be as simple as a desensitizing toothpaste, a bite your problems.

Golsen Family Dentistry • Jill M. Golsen, DMD • (770) 667-0669 • GolsenDental.com bestselfatlanta.com

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partners in health What You Should Know About Use of Bioidentical Hormone Supplementation After Menopause

By Grattan Woodson, M.D., FACP and Kim Teasley

H

aving a physician who is skilled in women’s health, understands gynecoendocrinology, and is comfortable prescribing compounded pharmaceuticals is a requirement for hormone therapy replacement success. It is this physician who will monitor your clinical response to treatment, evaluate you for any side effects you might have, and adjust the dose of your compounded prescription to precisely meet your needs. A vaginal cream with the components described below can only be obtained from a compounding pharmacy following the ordering physician’s prescription. All of these elements are necessary to ensure a successful outcome for a woman on balanced hormone replacement therapy.

How the Hormones are Delivered In my opinion, the preferred way for a postmenopausal woman to use estradiol (a replacement for estrogen) is topically.

I recommend this because the dose that effectively reverses the estrogen deficiency state caused by menopause is one-tenth of the dose needed if given orally.

The surface of the vagina is ideal for absorption of steroid hormones. Applying them in an elegant cream by applicator at bedtime is a simple way to deliver the product that serves two purposes. The hormones are easily and completely absorbed through the mucosa of the vagina, much more readily than through the skin because there is no cornified epithelium to penetrate.

Secondly, the vagina, vulva and surrounding pelvic muscles are key targets for hormone replenishment in postmenopausal women.

The pelvic region is often inadequately treated with other routes of administration, be they topical, oral or injection.

A dose of 10 milligrams of natural progesterone administered to the vagina via a cream combined with the other sex steroids at bedtime is usually adequate to protect the uterus.

Annual monitoring

Having a physician who is skilled in women’s health, understands gynecoendocrinology, and is comfortable prescribing compounded pharmaceuticals is a requirement for hormone therapy replacement success. with transvaginal ultrasound technology is a good way to be certain that this approach is effective. There should be a minimal effect on mammogram density with this dose and use of it allows adoption of the every other year mammography recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force that avoids the pitfalls of annual testing.

The Importance of Staying Balanced The forgotten sex steroid is testosterone. To obtain hormonal balance and return women to a simulated premenopausal status requires the addition of an androgen. Testosterone is necessary for women to maintain their muscle and bone mass. The loss of ovarian

testosterone production at menopause robs women of half their androgen source.

The hallmark of frailty is the loss of muscle and bone mass and the replacement of that tissue with fat. Androgen deficiency makes it very hard, if not impossible, to build new muscle tissue. You can eat very healthy food, practice daily vigorous exercise but it is all to no avail. If you are androgen deficient, the mesenchymal stem cells that become muscle, bone, cartilage, and other healthy tissues cannot change into those tissues.

They become fat instead. To become a muscle cell, testosterone must occupy its receptor in the nucleus. Without testosterone, the stem cell will turn into a fat cell. This is why everyone needs testosterone.

Grattan Woodson, MD, FACP • 404-574-2373 • 1418 Dresden Dr., Suite #225 Atlanta, GA • FemeRegen.net 54 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018 bestselfatlanta.com

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partners in health Colon Cancer Screening Saves Lives

H

aving a colonoscopy isn’t something people get excited about, but preventing colon cancer before it starts should be.

In the United States, colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women, and it’s the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

If that isn’t enough to concern you, colon cancer also shows no signs or symptoms until it has advanced.

The good news is that colon cancer is one of the most highly preventable and treatable cancers when detected in its early stages during a screening colonoscopy.

While other colon cancer screening methods are available, a colonoscopy remains the only test that can prevent the disease through early detection and removal of precancerous colon polyps. Oftentimes, when other screening tests indicate a positive or abnormal result, a colonoscopy is performed as follow-up care.

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure performed under light sedation that allows a trained

gastroenterologist to visually inspect the inner lining of the large intestine—or colon.

A thin, flexible lighted instrument called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and guided through the colon. During a colonoscopy, the physician is actively looking for any abnormalities and is able to proactively remove any causes for concern at that time.

While the physicians at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates support this new guideline, it’s important to understand that many insurance carriers have not yet adopted this recent change. Be sure to talk to your insurance provider about your unique benefits before scheduling your colon cancer screening.

When should you get screened for colon cancer?

For more than 40 years, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates has been dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and compassionate digestive healthcare services to communities throughout greater Atlanta. To make an appointment at a location near you, call 1.866.GO.TO.AGA [468.6242] or visit AtlantaGastro.com.

In May 2018, the American Cancer Society released new evidence-based guidelines that lowered the recommended screening age for all average-risk adults from age 50 to age 45 (regardless of gender or ethnicity). For those with a family history of the disease, or other risk factors, screening could start even earlier.

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates • www.atlantagastro.com bestselfatlanta.com

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MORE DOCTORS, MORE ACCESS, MORE CARE The most trusted Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physicians and Orthopaedic spine surgeons in Georgia

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partners in health Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

By Jason W. Vélez, DO

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eck and back injuries are a pervasive problem resulting in significant healthcare costs and missed work. The good news is that the majority of patients will recover from their neck or back injuries without surgery. With conservative management including rest, physical therapy, medications, and controlled return to normal activity, these patients are frequently back to full activity within a few weeks. However, some injuries do not resolve and may require spine surgery in an attempt to get the patient back to their baseline status.

Minimally invasive spine surgery refers to an exciting and rapidly expanding set of surgical techniques that are becoming available to spine surgeons. The goal of these procedures is to use technologies that minimize tissue trauma, lower blood loss, lessen postoperative pain, shorten hospital stays, and achieve results that are equal to or superior to conventional techniques.

In this article, I will discuss a few of the procedures in which minimally invasive techniques are being used in order to enhance patient outcomes.

With the advent of tubular retractors, we are able to access the pathologic anatomy with less disruption of the surrounding muscle and fascial tissue. In the cervical and lumbar spine, this has led to the ability to remove herniated discs and bone spurs in an outpatient setting. With these techniques, studies have shown that patients experience less postoperative pain, use fewer narcotic medications, have a lower incidence of postoperative infections and return to work sooner than patients treated with traditional open surgery. Some long-term studies have shown a lower incidence of chronic residual pain as well.

When more involved procedures such as fusions are required, these less invasive techniques can, in many cases, still be utilized.

With the use of larger or sometimes expandable retractors, lumbar fusion can be performed as well. These approaches still allow for the removal of nerve compression and the insertion of hardware and bone grafts. Studies have shown that patients can recover faster with shorter hospitalization and return to work sooner following minimally invasive lumbar fusion.

With the availability of minimally invasive techniques, one must bear in mind that there are situations in which a minimally invasive approach may not be feasible. There are situations in which a procedure may be started through a minimally invasive approach, but because of difficult anatomy or complications encountered, the minimal approach must be abandoned in order to safely complete the procedure. Also, the degree of pathology, the patient’s unique anatomy, and the patient’s particular body habitus may influence the surgeon’s choice of whether to use a minimally invasive approach.

Recent advances in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery are helping to improve patient outcomes and decrease surgical morbidity. It is clear that the future of spine surgery is moving toward minimizing the approach related to trauma while treating primarily painful conditions.

While it is clear that not all patients are candidates for minimally invasive spine surgery, when used in the appropriate patient, the results can be dramatic with rapid patient recovery and high patient satisfaction.

Resurgens Spine Center • Non-surgical & Surgical Spine Care • 24 Convenient Atlanta Locations • ResurgensSpine.com bestselfatlanta.com

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BEST SELF Atlanta BEST SELF ATLAnTA OCTOBER / JUNE NOVEMBER / JULY 2018

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partners in health

Is Vein Health Vitally Important to Your Overall Health?

By David Park, MD, FACS, Alexander Park, MD, FACS

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ince VeinInnovations Johns Creek opened in 2013, surgeons David Park, MD, FACS, and Alex Park, MD, FACS, and sclerotherapist Laura Egan, RN, APRN, have been helping women and men alike have healthier, more attractive legs. Here is information on the vital importance of venous health to your overall health.

Why is venous health so important?

Venous health—the health of the leg veins carrying deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs—impacts more than just the health of a patient’s legs. Yes, varicose and spider veins, heaviness, pain, swelling, and restlessness can all impact the legs. But because these symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) creep up slowly, many patients don’t realize how poorly their veins are functioning until they have bulging veins, a lot of pain, and/or venous stasis ulcers.

What if people are not treated?

The longer people postpone treatment, the more involved treatment becomes. Delay increases the likelihood that heaviness in the legs has become a reason to forgo exercise, or that pain and restlessness have compromised restorative sleep. Lack of exercise and sleep become quality-of-life issues, affecting weight gain, aging—health overall. Untreated, some patients develop venous stasis ulcers, which are difficult to treat and heal.

What causes poor venous health?

When delicate one-way valves in leg veins fail, blood flows backward and pools, causing heaviness, pain, swelling, and bulging veins and/ or spider veins. Valves fail due to age, heredity, multiple pregnancies, and/or injury. Standing or sitting for long periods of time also causes problems. Many of our patients are also athletes, weight lifters, and men and women who played contact sports when they were younger.

Who has venous insufficiency?

An estimated 33 percent of women and 25 percent of men under the age of 50 have venous insufficiency. Over the age of 50, about half of all women and 40 to 45 percent of men have problems. The percentages increase with age.

What do patients find most surprising about treatments?

Most people don’t know varicose and spider veins are symptoms of a medical condition; they believe unsightly veins are just a “cosmetic” issue. Many people don’t know insurance covers medically indicated treatments. Patients are surprised to find out that the condition can be addressed in the office, with little or no downtime, and that treatments bring almost immediate relief.

What treatments do you do and what is involved?

All patients begin treatment with a thorough duplex Doppler ultrasound examination. When CVI is indicated, we choose the treatment that will work best for the individual. All treatments—radio frequency ablation, laser ablation, and ambulatory phlebectomy— are performed in the office, using local anesthesia. Ablative procedures shut down a diseased vein, rerouting blood to healthier veins. Procedures take less than an hour and most patients drive themselves to and from procedures. Spider vein treatment— sclerotherapy—is quick and virtually painless. In all cases, we encourage patients to walk and resume “light” normal activity and, depending on the patient and procedure, to avoid strenuous activity for a week or two.

For appointments, a free cosmetic ultrasound, or additional information, please call 678-731-9815.

VEININNOVATIONS • (678) 731-9815 • veininnovations.com 58 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018 bestselfatlanta.com

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BEST SELF ATLAnTA

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partners in health 2018 Partners in Health Minimally Spine Surgery The TiesInvasive That Bond: Make Friends and Get Fit at Windy Hill Athletic Club

By Jason W. Vélez, DO

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and back injuries are a pervasive problem

By Kareneck Foley

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Resurgens Spine Center • Non-surgicalWindy & Surgical Hill Athletic SpineClub Care••windyhillclub.com 24 Convenient Atlanta Locations • ResurgensSpine.com bestselfatlanta.com

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bestcause

-BACK IVE

Betting on a Breast Cancer Cure Join The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation for its Betting on a Cure casino night and help support the underserved breast cancer community in need of essentials such as food, assistance with paying the bills and much more. On Oct. 27, partygoers can look forward to an evening of bites, cocktails, and classic games such as roulette, blackjack, and others. While there, bid on silent auction goodies like a week at a Tuscan villa in Italy and autographed items from sports stars like Freddie Freeman.

Details: 7 John Portman Blvd. NW., Atlanta; BeverlyFamilyFoundation.org/GeorgiaEvents

Since 1986, the Arby’s Foundation has been committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Today, the nonprofit is focused on encouraging children to chase their dreams. Through leadership programs, external partnerships, and their own Start Here, Go Anywhere career readiness initiative, the organization strives to provide opportunities for the next generation. Through its Dream Big Atlanta concert with local Alex Guthrie, and Smashmouth, on July 17, the charity raised over $400,000 for local nonprofits such as the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Details: 155 Perimeter Center W., Ste. 1200, Atlanta; ArbysFoundation.org

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BEST SELF ATLANTA

Fundraising in the Digital Age

Photos courtesy of (bottom left) Arby’s Foundation, photography by Frank Gibson; (bottom right) Genna Brown, photography by Robinson College of Business staff.

Fueling Dreams

Atlanta native Genna Brown (pictured) and business partner Brandon Black are making fundraising effortless with the launch of GIVIN Charity Simplified, an online auction market. The nonprofit allows visitors to donate and shop for vacation home rentals, business services, and other various items with all proceeds (minus a maximum service fee of 10 percent) going to the nonprofit of their choice, like the Atlantabased Center for the Visually Impaired. Shopping for a cause or donating items to your favorite charity has never been easier!

Details: CharitySimplified.org bestselfatlanta.com

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give-back guide

Featured events For more events, visit BestSelfAtlanta.com

-BACK IVE

October 12-14 Susan G. Komen Atlanta 3-Day As breast cancer patients, survivors, and their supporters walk and run 60 miles over the course of three days, you can do your part by serving as a volunteer. The3Day.org

October 13 Service Saturdays at Outdoor Activity Center The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance needs helpers to remove invasive plants, prepare garden spaces for spring planting, and more.

WAWA-Online.org

October 21

October 25

October 29

Little Hands ... big LOVEFEST!

Hillside’s 130th Anniversary Celebration

The 15th Annual Lend Me an Ear: Fall Classics!

Come out for a kid-friendly service festival entirely orchestrated by youth, featuring interactive give-back projects, a bounce house, and more.

Facebook.com/CHC.Atl

October 24

Help provide hope and healing for children and adolescents struggling with emotional and behavioral issues during an entertaining evening at Serpas True Food. HSide.org/ 130th-Anniversary-Celebration

October 27

Pull for Piedmont Park

Race for Rest presented by Monday Night Brewing

Volunteers are needed to care for (think weeding, spreading mulch, etc.)

Atlanta’s green space.

PiedmontPark.org

Lace up for The Furniture Bank’s 5K, aiding those affected by homelessness and fleeing domestic violence. FurnitureBankAtlanta.org/ Events/Race4Rest

November 17

This comedic lineup of old-fashioned radio show creations by the Atlanta Union Radio Players will benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

ShakespeareTavern.com

Georgia Autism Speaks 5K This 3.1-mile race will help promote global awareness and an understanding of autism, as well as increase research and access to care and support for those living with it. AutismSpeaks.org

November 21

November 2 A Meal to Remember Help Meals on Wheels Atlanta provide food to seniors in need. Guests can enjoy a black-tie reception and fivecourse dinner presented by acclaimed chefs Art Smith, Ian Winslade, and Ami Dand.

MealsOnWheelsAtlanta.com

Thanksgiving Dinner with the Community Grace Community Fellowship Church is looking for volunteers to serve dinner to and connect with those in need (homeless, seniors living alone, ex-offenders in reentry programs). GraceCommunity FellowshipChurch.org

Look for this icon to find out where you can volunteer.

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my best self Ashley Lorenzo

Yoga is more than a means of movement for Ashley Lorenzo. It is a chance to connect and center one’s self and step back into the world as a more conscious member of society. Her classes are welcoming, inclusive and highly personal.

By Susan Finch Between field hockey and cross-country running, Ashley Lorenzo was always active growing up. But a class at Five Points Yoga (she still keeps in touch with her first instructor) in Athens, Georgia, nearly a decade ago changed her life in a way no other form of fitness had before. “There was something almost ritualistic about the practice that made me want to live with more integrity and an open heart,” Lorenzo says. Today, the E-RYT 200 and 500 HR-certified yoga instructor has over 1,500 hours of instruction under her belt and can be found leading classes at YogaWorks and New Realm Brewing, teaching private 60-minute lessons (Spanx founder Sara Blakely is a fan), and jet-setting to Europe for enchanting yogi retreats.

How did you discover yoga? While I’ve always been very active and in love with movement, it wasn’t until I finally let a good friend drag me to yoga for the first time that I knew it was meant for me.

It provided me with a guided sense of discipline and paved the way for a healthier lifestyle. It was the one place where I was able to focus on my breath, become quiet and gain clarity. It helped me to step back into the world from a more centered and authentic place.

How do you use a mix of alignment-based poses, meditation and breath work to help your students cultivate greater awareness in the physical body and beyond? My approach to teaching yoga is to keep things simple, and that always begins with the breath. While alignment is a huge focal point in my teaching, I don’t care if people can touch their toes or even get their feet behind their head. My job is to help people pay attention and the yoga practice forces you to expand your awareness to multiple points at one time. This is what is so special and sneaky about the way the practice works. It asks that you are truly present in the moment.

What are your private lessons like? My private lessons are much more intimate. This type of setting provides an opportunity for me to really understand a client and their physiology. Together, we work on gaining greater body awareness so that the practice can become as therapeutic as possible and shapes to fit their needs.

Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” —Dr. Maya Angelou

Tell us one of the funniest things that’s ever happened to you. I was mistaken for Shakira at the airport recently and gave her autograph to a small group of girls.

What do you like to do for fun? I love to travel and see live music. When I’m in Atlanta, I spend most of my weekends in my painting studio. If I’m not there, you can find me with my friends or spending time outdoors.

Who helps you be your best self? I’m very mindful of my blessings and am lucky to have such strong support from close friends and family.

They are always there for me, hold me accountable, encourage me to share what I love, and above all, just want me to be happy. I also love going to bartaco, grabbing a Grounded smoothie with greens from Kale Me Crazy, and shopping at Ponce City Market.

To find out more about Ashley Lorenzo and her yoga classes, visit AshleyLorenzo.com.

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BEST SELF Atlanta

Photography by Michelle Norris Photography.

What’s your favorite inspirational quote? “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal.

bestselfatlanta.com

9/25/18 3:07 PM

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