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business spotlight
by Wendy Nadherny Fachon
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Chiropractic neurology is a whole-body approach to treating disorders by evaluating the functionality of the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system and the brain. Dr. Sherry Morrissette, DC, DACNB, BCN (biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience degree), has been practicing chiropractic neurology for 25 years. She combines hands-on techniques with state-of-the-art physiotherapy procedures and electroencephalogram (qEEG) neurofeedback.
Traditional chiropractic care applies manual manipulation to correct spinal alignment in order to alleviate a wide variety of physical ailments, including muscle strain, neck pain, chronic back pain and migraines. The spine is made of many bones called vertebrae; the spinal cord runs through a canal in the center of these bones. Nerve roots split from the cord and travel between the vertebrae into various areas of the body, however, these nerve roots can become pinched or damaged, resulting in physical pain or dysfunction.
Chiropractic neurology recognizes that pain and movement disorders may be a brain issue. The body could be sending the wrong signals, because of dysregulation in the brain—the body’s central signaling system. For example, peripheral neuropathy experienced as numbness in the foot, might be a symptom of a brain and/or a spinal problem, as opposed to a foot problem. Even organ dysfunction can result from spinal blockages and improper brain signals.
In addition to conducting a neurological examination, Morrissette uses quantitative qEEG as a diagnostic tool to measure electrical activity in different quadrants of the brain. The test is noninvasive, painless and safe to use. Electrodes in a cap are placed on the scalp to read brain waves, revealing important information about overall brain function, including stress levels, thought and behavior patterns. The test result is a brain map indicating dysregulated areas of the brain. Morrissette then uses the map to develop a neurofeedback protocol to retrain the brain in sending proper messages to the body.
Morrissette has used neurofeedback to help alleviate central nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. She also uses neurofeedback to treat ADHD, anxiety and other brain-based challenges, without medications. She offers oxygen therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and red light therapy to regenerate nerves and renew their capacity.
In addition, Morrissette provides weight loss and nutritional recommendations, as well as mineral and vitamin supplements to help accelerate the progress of healing. Patients come to Morrissette looking for a better quality of life and help in getting their nervous system to function at the highest possible potential.
The Chiropractic Neurology Center of West Greenwich is located at 16 Nooseneck Hill Rd., Ste. A, West Greenwich, RI. For an appointment, call 401-397-9948. For more information, visit ChiroWG.com. See ad on page 16. Wendy Fachon is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings and host of the Story Walking Radio Hour on the Dream Visions 7 Radio Network. Visit DreamVisions7radio.com and search out her podcasts on sustainable living.
Health in the New Year
10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022
by Sandra Yeyati
Every new year marks the convergence of endings and beginnings—an opportunity to assess where we’ve been and anticipate where we’re going. As this dynamic relates to our health, this year promises an intensification in the development and adoption of several trends that have been years in the making.
Plant-Based Foods Take Center Stage
The consensus among researchers is that filling our plates with colorful vegetables and fruits improves health and reduces our risk of developing a number of chronic degenerative diseases. “This approach, along with eating less meat and avoiding sugar, is wonderful to control blood sugar, lower uric acid and nurture your microbiome, which is fundamentally important to reduce inflammation, increase your body’s production of antioxidants and vitamins and help maintain the integrity of the gut lining so that you don’t get leaky gut and, therefore, inflammation,” says board-certified neurologist David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain and four other New York Times bestsellers.
Awareness of the devastating effects of industrialized meat production is also accelerating. “Avoiding animal products is probably the first and most important ethical choice one can make,” says Princeton University bioethics professor Peter Singer, author of the seminal Animal Liberation. “That’s going to dramatically lower your carbon footprint. You will no longer be complicit in the suffering of tens of billions of factory-farmed animals, and you won’t be contributing to the increasing risks of viruses being bred in factory farms.”
According to market analysis firm CB Insights, “As COVID-19 spread across the globe, shifting consumer behavior and virus outbreaks in factories has dealt major
blows to the meat supply chain, with the beef industry alone facing an estimated $13.6 billion in losses.” Several U.S. meat processing plants were forced to close their doors.
In response, a growing inventory of plant-based alternative proteins is emerging, offering new products that seek to mimic the experience of eating a juicy hamburger (Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods) or crispy chicken nugget (Simulate). Banza makes high-protein pasta from chickpeas. Retail sales of plant-based meals in the U.S. have grown by 25.5 percent over the past two years, and other manufacturers joining the field are Plantible Foods, Rebellyous Foods, Livekindly and InnovoPro. A recent survey found that 36 percent of consumers intend to increase their consumption of alternative protein sources in the near future.
Perlmutter cautions, “Just because they’re plantbased doesn’t give them full sanction. They may contain unfermented soy, which may not be non-GMO or organic, and per an article in the New York Times, their carbon footprint may be a lot higher in production of these products than we have been led to believe. Do a little research on these manufactured foods and go for plant-based options that aren’t processed. Shop the periphery of the grocery store.”
Telemedicine Will Continue After the Pandemic
According to management consultants McKinsey and Company, when COVID-19 began, the level of telemedicine increased in America 78-fold, peaking in April 2020. Although it has been declining since then, the use of telemedicine is still at a 38-fold increase compared to pre-pandemic times. “While it has leveled off, we are going to see persisting use of telemedicine in situations that involve basic communication with a patient,” says Perlmutter, citing compelling attributes such as cost savings, convenience and a lower carbon footprint because people don’t have to commute to a doctor’s office.
Perlmutter also anticipates an amplification of the use of wearable devices and home testing to provide biometric data that informs people about their health status and inspires them to modify lifestyle choices. The Oura Ring records the time it takes to get to sleep, how many times the wearer awakens during the night and how much time they spend in REM and deep sleep. This information enables people to modify day-to-day activities to improve the quality and quantity of sleep.
Apple Watch aficionados are increasingly relying on the device’s biofeedback features, including its newest metric, blood oxygenation, while diabetics and non-diabetics alike employ continuous glucose monitoring systems to pinpoint how lifestyle choices like food, exercise and sleep affect blood sugar levels. “That is not only trending now, but will increase quite dramatically as consumers push to learn “Core concepts like being present in the moment or taking in the other person in more about themselves,” Perlmutter predicts. “No longer is this information an empathetic way are rippling out into so going to be siloed in the many aspects of life.” doctor’s office. People are becoming more and more –Leslie Davenport empowered to learn this data about themselves and act on it.”
Learning to Improve Genetic Expression
“Our evolving understanding of epigenetics—how we can change our gene expression—is bringing more people on board to the idea that our lifestyle choices matter,” Perlmutter says. “When I went to medical school, we thought our DNA was locked in a glass case and that it would determine everything about us. Nowadays, we know that the expression of more than 70 percent of our DNA that codes for health and longevity is under our control and influenced by our lifestyle choices. The food we eat, whether or not we slept well last night, the stress in our lives, whether or not we spent time in nature—all of these things, moment-to-moment, change our gene expression. Holy Toledo! We now know that certain lifestyle choices are good for you because they favorably change gene expression. They teach it in med school now. It’s a breathtaking reality.”
Harnessing the Power of Low-Level Stress
Life hackers and high-performance junkies are looking to leverage something called hormesis, which involves introducing low-level stress to the body for a positive outcome, so that when the body repairs itself from that condition, it doesn’t just repair back to the previous level, but to a new one with an advantage. This includes exposing the body to a hot sauna or cold exposure through cryotherapy, as well as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating. “People are starting to see how good things happen when we engage in things that push us in places that are perhaps a little bit uncomfortable, activating mechanisms that help with metabolic health, immunity, cognitive function and even the growth of new brain cells,” Perlmutter explains.
Mental Health Destigmatized
When U.S. gymnast Simone Biles dropped out of the 2021 Summer Olympic Games citing mental health challenges, she created an opening for other people to speak up. If a world champion could reveal her vulnera-
bility on the global stage when the stakes were so high, certainly so could they. Her compelling story is emblematic of an emerging trend: Mental health is gradually becoming destigmatized.
“It’s becoming acceptable to talk about our feelings and ask for help, and this trend is shattering unhealthy cultural myths, like the erroneous assumption that if we talk about our emotions we’re going to fall into a pit of despair and sadness,” says Licensed Integrative Psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, the author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. “There’s a boldness among younger generations that are challenging the status quo and demanding to be accepted as they are. Tucking away anything that might not be socially acceptable is a part of the past. Kids want their families and adults to accept and love them exactly as they are.” On Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, #itsoknottobeok is a popular hashtag.
Mental health surveys show that eco-anxiety in particular is prevalent among the young. Late last year, scientists at the University of Bath, in England, interviewed 10,000 youth between the ages of 16 and 25 across 10 continents. In the U.S., 68 percent said that the future was frightening. Almost half admitted that they had distressing feelings related to climate change on a daily basis, 42 percent believed that the things they valued most would be destroyed and 35 percent feared that their family security would be threatened.
A Surge in Coaching
According to Davenport, “In addition to therapy becoming more acceptable, I’ve seen coaching become more common as another option in which people don’t have to examine their past and can instead look forward. A coach can help them make sense of their life, set goals and hold them accountable.” In a few decades, mindfulness practices have catapulted from Buddhist monasteries to corporate boardrooms and have become a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. with an 11 percent annual growth rate. “Mindfulness has been emerging for a while, but at this point, it’s a household word,” Davenport says. “People are talking about mindful eating or mindful conversations. Core concepts like being present in the moment or taking in the other person in an empathetic way are rippling out into so many aspects of life.”
Therapy and Meditation Apps Abound
Redefining the conventional, in-person therapy session that is 50 minutes in a quiet room, therapy apps allow people to have short phone calls, video chats or text exchanges with a therapist for a low monthly fee. Notable therapy apps include BetterHelp.com, OnlineTherapy. com, BrightSide.com and Calmerry.com. For meditation, Calm.com, InsightTimer.com and HeadSpace.com are dominating the field.
Virtual Experiences Are Here to Stay
Many people that were devastated by isolation and loneliness during the pandemic sought social engagement via streaming and app-enabled webinars, exercise routines or art classes. Suddenly, virtual conferences attracted participants from all over the world. Davenport relishes the fact that she was able to take tap dancing classes from a renowned New York City teacher, even though she lives in Washington State. “In a surprising silver lining, we’ve come to appreciate the convenience of these virtual experiences, which we likely wouldn’t have attended in person before the pandemic.”
Sandra Yeyati is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
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Your Healthiest Year Yet
Exciting Advances in Functional Lab Testing
by Gary Kracoff
Functional lab testing can be a helpful way of assessing the body’s needs. It can be beneficial for understanding the “why” of a symptom and shed light on what the imbalances may be so they can be addressed directly. Testing can help with metabolic imbalances, hormonal issues (female, male, adrenal, thyroid), gastrointestinal, detoxification, stress, anxiety, sleep and metabolic pathways. These labs tests are now available to everyone and are usually flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) eligible.
Here are a few examples: • Dutch Adrenal test - Accurately tests adrenal cortisol production and its metabolites. This is very helpful for people with sleep issues, stress and/or exhaustion. • Dutch Complete - Female and male hormone test that includes the Adrenal test. • GI Map - Research indicates that gut health impacts overall health. This comprehensive stool test detects parasites, bacteria, fungi and more. Some conditions that warrant testing include irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, digestive complaints and skin issues. • Methylation Panel - Testing for MTHFR has many people feeling they cannot methylate properly. There is a lot more involved than just the MTHFR gene. Methylation is a chemical process that happens billions of times per second in every cell of the body. Methyl groups are transferred and donated between many different molecules which change their structure and function. Methyl groups act like billions of switches which turn genes on or off, help regulate mood, detoxify hormones, produce energy and promote healthy aging. This panel looks at more than just MTHFR and can help determine what support is needed. • NutrEval - This comprehensive functional and nutritional assessment helps identify root causes of dysfunction and treat clinical imbalances that are inhibiting optimal health. This advanced diagnostic tool provides a systems-based approach to help individuals overcome chronic conditions and live a healthier life. It includes a built-in scoring system to guide therapy around needs for methylation support, toxic exposures, mitochondrial dysfunction, fatty acid imbalances and oxidative stress. Results provide nutrient recommendations for key vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids and digestive support based on a functional evaluation of important biomarkers. • Organic Acid Test (OAT) The Organic Acids Test (OAT) offers a comprehensive metabolic snapshot of a patient’s overall health with 76 markers. It provides an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria. Abnormally high levels of these microorganisms can cause or worsen behavior disorders, hyperactivity, movement disorders, fatigue and immune function. Many people with chronic illnesses and neuro-
logical disorders often excrete several abnormal organic acids in their urine. The cause of these high levels could include oral antibiotic use, high sugar diets, immune deficiencies and acquired infections, as well as genetic factors.
Organic Acids Test also includes markers for some vital vitamin and mineral levels, oxidative stress and neurotransmitter levels and includes markers for oxalates which are highly correlated with many chronic illnesses. If abnormalities are detected using the OAT, suggestions can include supplements, such as vitamins and antioxidants, or dietary modification. The OAT is strongly recommended as an initial screening test. • DNA analysis – Functional Genomic Nutrition DNA analysis integrates genetic raw data, lab work results and patient symptoms to help understand if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are activated and creating issues, and how specific pathways may be compromised. SNPs (pronounced “snips”) are copying errors when an existing cell divides to make two new cells that will each have a complete set of genetic instructions. Sometimes, however, cells make mistakes during the copying process which lead to variations in the DNA sequence at particular locations, called SNPs. Knowledge alone that a SNP is present is not helpful and may lead to supplementation that is not needed or may be detrimental. It does not provide a big picture of how metabolic pathways affect each other and if the pathway is functioning properly.
With the help of specialty labs, people can get a comprehensive overview of how well their body is performing. By catching any markers early on, individuals have a chance at reversing or stopping disease progression altogether.
Dr. Gary Kracoff is a naturopathic doctor and registered pharmacist at Johnson Compounding and Wellness Center, located at 577 Main St., Waltham. For more information on functional lab testing, call 781-893-3870 ext. 2 or visit Natural Compounder.com. See ad on page 21 and Resource Guide on pages 35 and 37.
Vibrant Healthy Living
The Power of Manifestation
by Benjamin Blackett
The new year often brings questions to mind as we seek improvement in one or more areas of our lives. Questions about our financial stability, health status, career choices and relationship status. One of the keys to an improved life is to notice our longing and discontent. Once we notice our longing and discontent, we can come to a place where we take our next step and design the life we would love living—a vibrant and healthy one.
While dietary adjustments and exercise regiments can improve our health and well-being, the real way to progress is to become clear on our purpose and what it is we would love to be, have and do. In other words, create a vision. It is not enough to have a vague vision of a ambiguous idea. Life coach and personal development expert Mary Morrissey says, “The universe thinks in pictures,” so the more specific and detailed we can make the picture, the more likely we will be able to create it.
We can begin creating our well-defined vision of a vibrant and healthy life by asking ourselves some questions. What activities am I participating in? What places am I travelling to? What am I doing for creative outpouring in the world? What kind of people am I working with? What kind of income do I have? What does abundance look like in my life? What are the gifts I am sharing with the world? What relationships am I nurturing and growing? Our detailed answers to these questions are guides to our vibrant and healthy living.
Then, once we have a blueprint for our vibrant and healthy life, we need to make the challenging step to leave behind some of our old life patterns that no longer serve us and start creating the life we desire. This is not airy-fairy fluff or just some whim; this is meta-physics, quantum physics and science that has been around for centuries.
Since the early 1900s, authors such as Wallace Waddles (The Science of Getting Rich), Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich), Genevieve Behrend (Your Invisible Power), Neville Goddard (The Power of Awareness) and Ernest Holmes (The Science of Mind) have been thought- leaders in this field. Before them, we had leaders in Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Thomas Troward. Today, modern-day teachers such as Mary Morrissey, Bob Proctor, Les Brown and Dr. Joe Dispenza are helping us rediscover the wonders and power of manifestation and remind us that it is possible to live the life we dream of.
Benjamin Blackett is a life mastery consultant, motivational speaker and TranscenDance facilitator through his business A Creative Healing Place. Learn more at Facebook.com/ Benjamin.Blackett, Facebook.com/BenjaminBBlackett and BenjaminBlackett.LifeMasteryConsultant.com. See ad on page 25 and Resource Guide on page 34.
