Making a Difference
Fishing for Hope
August 27, South Padre Island
Building a Better
Connection with Clients
.................................................................................................
Henry Herrera, MD
Letter to the editor
T
he natural ways to be healthy just make sense; nourish the body with the foods it needs, move it the way it likes and relieve stress. This simple recipe for health however, isn’t always easy to follow.
For a long time, becoming truely healthy was something I always meant to do. For years, I’d think and plan myself into so many health kicks, but instead, I’d end up kicking myself year after year for not following through. I’ve never been unhealthy per se, I just knew that I could do a lot more to change my diet and lifestyle to maximise my energy and vitality. Being immersed in the world of natural health is proving tremendously beneficial to my health and well-being. Since joining TDM, I’ve been lucky to meet some of the industry’s most influential and knowledgeable individuals. A consequence of sharing with them my desire to achieve a finer fettle, is that these generous people have equipped me with some of the tools I need to cleanse inside and out.
In the next issue and beyond, I would like to introduce you to these wonderful professionals, who have so much unique, expert knowledge to share. I look forward to bringing you loads of interesting, insightful and inspiring facts and features during my time here at TDM. Thank you for having me. Wishing you health, happiness and harmony.
Elsa Menchaca Publisher
Photograph
Gerardo Garmendia
Design / Layers Patricia Huerta
Contributors
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Cynthia V. Catchings Rebecca E. Stocker Frank Esparza
The risks of sitting all day: Sedentary Lifestyle Affects Muscle Movement, Brain Activity Usually, sitting down feels good — such as after a hike, a long walk, or an eight-hour shift as a waitress. Sometimes, sitting feels good even after we do it all day long, mostly because we’re used to it (and let’s admit it, a little lazy). But at a certain point, sitting no longer feels good or necessary when we do it all the time. It begins to feel like our muscles are wasting away and our butts are turning into pancakes. More and more evidence is surfacing about the short-term and long-term risks of constant sitting. Though short bouts of sitting can allow the body to rest and rejuvenate itself, doing it all the time — behind your computer screen at work or on your couch at home — can and will ultimately hurt your mind and body. The reality is this: It’s not 1965 anymore, and scientists are beginning to realize that office desk jobs are bad for your health. While it may take some time for companies to catch onto this, it’s better for you to take action now on your own before the damage is done. In the video below, Murat Dalkilinç explains what exactly happens to your body when you’re sitting for long periods of time. If nothing else will convince you to start exercising more and perhaps using a standing desk at work, this video will. First and foremost, sitting curves your spine as you slouch, putting strain on your spinal cord and ultimately preventing your lungs from getting enough space to expand fully. With your lungs not breathing in completely, you have less oxygen being distributed throughout your body, which is exacerbated due to less circulation when you’re not moving. Less oxygen to your brain ultimately leads to lost concentration. So when you’re sitting, you’re probably focusing less than you would if you were moving around.
This is why research has shown that taking walks — especially in parks and in nature — is conducive to a creative, sharp, and concentrated mind. You may often feel lighter, happier, and more focused the very moment you step outside the office. This is because when your body is moving, so is your circulation, your breath, your “flow” — and the wheels of your mind are turning as well. Ultimately, our bodies are built for motion, not being couch potatoes. We have to give our bodies what it really needs: physical activity as much as we can. But there’s hope: Even if your job doesn’t allow you to work outside the office or use a standing desk, even just taking five-minute walks every hour will help unravel the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity will lengthen our telomeres, the caps at the ends of chromosomes that are tied to aging and stress — making us live longer, healthier lives.
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How To Lose Weight Through Hydration Increasing water intake may be key to addressing obesity Across the country, nearly 80 million American adults are obese, and the numbers are only growing. The obesity epidemic led a team of medical researchers from the University of Michigan’s Medical School to investigate how hydration plays a part in unhealthy weight gain. Their findings, published in the Annals of Family Medicine, suggest that drinking more water may be a powerful tool in the battle against obesity. The study’s lead author Dr. Tammy Chang, a family medicine professor at the University of Michigan’s Medical School, explained in a statement that the link between hydration and weight has been overlooked. "Staying hydrated is good for you no matter what and our study suggests it may also be linked to maintaining a healthy weight." For the study, Chang and her team examined data from 9,528 adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who took part in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using the participants’ detailed responses pertaining to their daily food and water intake, researchers found a clear pattern. Approximately one-third of the adults weren’t hydrated enough, and researchers believe those who are overweight or obese are missing out on the benefits the most.
"Hydration may deserve more attention when thinking about addressing obesity on a population level,” Chang said. "We often hear recommendations that drinking water is a way to avoid overeating because you may be thirsty rather than hungry." Change explained that even though feeling thirsty is the best sign to find out if your body needs more water, people may confuse the feeling of being run down or sleepy with hunger. So instead of reaching for a glass of water, they turn to a snack from their drawer at work or a second helping at the dinner table. By satiating your thirst with a bottle of water and waiting 20 to 30 minutes before eating, you’ll be less inclined to overindulge by accident. Most people use natural thirst as their drink guide, but the general guidelines recommend women consume 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of water a day, while men should consume 3.7 liters (125 ounces). According to the Food and Nutrition Board, roughly 80 percent of people get their water intake from drinking liquids, while the other 20 percent of their water intake comes from foods. Chang added: "Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content is good for you not just because of the nutrients they deliver to your body, but also because they can improve your hydration." In order to make sure the foods you eat provide you with enough water, choose your fruits and vegetables wisely. Cucumber, celery, radishes, tomatoes, cauliflower, star fruit, strawberries, and watermelon all constitute at least 90 percent water weight. Also, remember to avoid or limit drinks that dehydrate the body like coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol. If you still crave a sweet drink, infuse your water with a variety of fruits throughout the day
La Armonía de las emociones y tu salud!! Cada vez se asocia más el estado emocional de las
Hay una variedad de técnicas, métodos con los que
personas con su salud.
puede contar para llegar a un balance emocional, también cada individuo tiene una manera mas fácil
Las emociones negativas como la ira, el miedo, tristeza, melancolía, ansiedad, depresión, enojo, obsesión, no canalizadas y expresadas adecuadamente pueden causar graves deterioros en la salud del individuo, provocando también un malestar general en su entorno ya sea en su familia como en su trabajo, podría decirse que esta intoxicado y requiere liberarse de manera armoniosa tanto para su bienestar como para el de su entorno. Por el contrario las emociones positivas contribuyen al bienestar de la persona y su entorno.
para conectarse con ese bienestar, ya sea dando un paseo por el parque, tomando una clase de yoga, teniendo un momento de oración con el Creador o practicando técnicas como el EFT (Emotional Freedom Technics). Si ya ha ocurrido ese momento de ira o cualquier otra emoción negativa o se encuentra pasando por un momento de negatividad, tome en cuenta que el cuerpo también necesita limpiarse de esto así como cuando toma una ducha para refrescar y limpiar su persona. Dese la oportunidad de liberarse de toda esa carga
Como hacer un balance y mantenerse del lado de
de
las emociones positivas y sentir paz interior?
permítase vivir con más armonía, recuerde que las
emociones
y
pensamientos
negativos,
emociones tienen mucha influencia sobre su salud. Es un habito que es bueno construir y mantener el de todos los días tomarse un tiempo para relajarse, respirar profundamente y dejar que la serenidad tome lugar en su mente.
Maku Bustamante
Terapeuta en EFT (EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Terapias alternativas e Instructora de Kundalini Yoga
956.616.6936 makitohari@gmail.com Vitalityhouse
Benefits Of Honey
extend to killing bacterial infections; sugar and bee proteins are the fighters Honey is a sweet syrup and healthy alternative
Honey also contains a sprinkle of a protein called
and laden with benefits, one of the most power-
immune systems designed to protect them
to sugar that’s naturally produced by honeybees ful being its ability to fight off bacteria. The rich golden liquid can boost the immune system, aid in digestion and weight loss, and
bee defensin-1, which is a part of the bees’ against bacteria, specifically those that cause
disease. In 2010, a study conducted on the bees at a molecular level isolated the defen-
even alleviate cold symptoms. But
the
guys
over
SciShow find the potent antibacterial
sin-1 protein, which revealed how
at
their honey is able to treat burns and skin infections,
ingredi-
making
ents within honey are
it
a
potent
antibacterial ingredient.
what make it the fascinating fighter it
Ultimately, the ingre-
Honey is about 17
mare, which is why
is.
dients found in honey
are bacteria’s night-
percent water and
healthy
the rest is made up of
two types of sugar, fructose
and
dose of the sweet stuff.
both of which attract water.
However,
As a supersaturated substance,
temperature, giving it its viscous, gooey
can
its properties with a daily
glucose,
honey does not dissolve at room
adults
reap the benefits from
abstain
from
parents
feeding
should
infants
under the age of one honey because
about 10 percent of honey samples also
texture. When a bacterium, mold, or fungus
contain botulinum spores in them. The clostridi-
water right out of the foreign substance, render-
bacteria that can resist honey’s antibacterial
enters the body, honey will work to suck the ing the invader useless. Honey also doesn’t
contain enough water for bacteria or the like to live off, which is why it doesn’t spoil.
But sugar isn’t the only ingredient that makes
honey a supercharger antibacterial fighting
machine. Bees add glucose oxidase to the mix,
which makes honey very acidic and virtually impossible for bacteria to grow in. And when
glucose oxidase breaks down, it converts into
hydrogen peroxide, which destroys bacteria’s cell walls.
um botulinum bacteria is the one and only
properties because they’re already dried out so honey cannot destroy it by sucking out its water
source. While a healthy adult immune system can fight off the spores from growing inside of
us, infants have a young and underdeveloped system, making it risky to try the sweet stuff too young.
Dear Friend of Hope Family Health Center, that has provided free medical and counseling care to uninsured families in our community since 1996. Our mission is to provide comprehensive medical services to families and individuals of the Rio Grande Valley who have no insurance and who do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, County Indigent or any other form of medical health coverage.
have not seen a physician in many years and have advanced chronic illnesses. phlebotomists have volunteered their services to the uninsured. We also do not charge our patients nor do we run on a ‘scale for service fee;’rather, patients are asked to leave a $5- $10 donation for medical or counseling visits. We ask patients to pay for third in the payment of specialized care or medication. I am proud to say eighty percent (80%) of the volunteers at the clinic and within the community are those from Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. Many of the doctors at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance cannot see our patients in house but see our patients in their facilities pro bono or at a very low cost. raised $75,000 and each year the fundraiser has grown. In ten years the Fishing for HOPE tournament has raised over $1.7 million to help the uninsured in our community. We are extremely humbled by the passion Doctors Hospital at Renaissance has for the health of our Valley and for those most in need. DHR’s support of Hope Family Health Center directly impacts the health in our community one person at a time. We thank you greatly for partnering with us in our mission of HOPE.
Sincerely,
Rebecca E. Stocker, LCSW Executive Director/Social Worker 2332 Jordan Rd, McAllen, TX 78503 (956) 994-3319
Cynthia V. Catchings, LCSW-CLYL
Building a Better Connection with Clients
....................................................................................................................... Contemporary counseling models and techniques are as varied and diverse as the counselors and clients who use them. Most counselors have a particular theory, method or school of thought that they embrace. Yet, all approaches and techniques have at least one thing in common — their potential effectiveness is likely to be squished unless the counselor is successful in building a strong therapeutic alliance with the client. The crucial nature of the therapeutic alliance is not a new idea. In 1957, Carl Rogers wrote an article in the Journal of Consulting Psychology outlining the factors he considered necessary for a c h i e v i n g constructive personality c h a n g e through therapy. Four of the six items d i r e c t l y addressed the client-therapist relationship. Rogers asserted that the therapist must be genuinely engaged in the therapeutic relationship, have unconditional positive regard for the client, feel empathy for the client, and clearly communicate these attitudes. In the years since Rogers’ article was published, many other studies have explored the therapeutic alliance. In 2001, a comprehensive research summary published in the journal Psychotherapy found that a strong therapeutic alliance was more closely correlated with positive client outcomes than any specific treatment interventions.
What is a therapeutic alliance?
Many professionals describe it as a relational factor in counseling that includes three dimensions: goal compromise between counselor and
client, collaboration on counseling-related tasks and emotional bonding. Some of the best ways to form and strengthen this alliance are specific counselor behaviors that contribute to those three ‘alliance’ dimensions.
The Power of the Relationship
Although it may be next to impossible to find a counselor who doesn’t agree that bonding with clients is important, becoming overly dependent on technique and method still poses a common temptation for many professionals. In many cases, clients need a lot more than feeling understood or enjoying the benefits of being in a respectful, facilitative alliance. Yet, without the foundation of a constructive relationship, anything else that we do might not work very well or last very long. Hence, it’s critical for the counselor to learn the client’s worldview in order to enhance cooperation in the counseling process. When counselors diagnose the problem and launch into a prescribed method of treatment without first discussing the client’s concerns and goals, they are likely to be met with resistance. It is also difficult to accomplish true change unless the counselor is listening to what the client wants, not what other people think the client needs. If a counselor meets the client where he or she is, there is always the possibility of change.
Giving Clients Some Space
It is difficult to allow space for the client to take the session where he or she wants it to go and at the pace he or she feels comfortable with. This requires therapists to challenge their automatic tendency to want to direct the session and instead approach certain topics only when the client has opened the door. Allowing the client space, while simultaneously trying to establish communication, and ultimately an alliance, sometimes requires a bit of creativity and a lot of patience on the part of the counselor, but it is necessary.
Validation, Acceptance and Empowerment
Another critical part of getting clients to open up is making them feel heard and understood. As counselors, we have to remember to validate their story. Validation and acceptance are necessary parts of any therapeutic intervention, regardless of the client population.
Roadblocks
But sometimes, despite attempts to offer respect, validation and space, client and counselor still don’t click. Is it time to throw in the towel when both the client and counselor are frustrated? Not necessarily. In such situations, it is recommended that counselors again ask themselves if they have made their best effort at thoroughly understanding the client’s worldview. Even counselors who have absorbed a client’s worldview may forget that it is the client who ultimately is in charge. The client will define the goals that he or she would like to achieve. Another approach that can benefit the therapeutic alliance is subtly reminding clients that counselors are human too, with lives and interests that extend outside the office. Clients tend to open up and share more, when the counselors do that.
Extreme Resistance
We know that it is particularly difficult to connect with clients who have been mandated to counseling. These clients, typically ordered into therapy by the courts because they have a history of being abusive parents or spouses, or because they have problems with anger or substance abuse, simply do not want to be there. In those cases, to enhance client cooperation, and strengthen the therapeutic alliance, it is recommended for counselors to demonstrate knowledge of and respect for diversity and multiculturalism. Possessing an understanding and appreciation of the client’s culture can play an important role in the approach a counselor takes.
In certain cases, however, counselors might find that they cannot make the unwilling client willing, despite applying all their skills. Counselors can tray almost everything, but the client is not ready for therapy. In those cases, an option is to give the clients our card and invite them to call us if the situation changes. It is important to make sure that the client is there when we say to them directly, “if you change your mind and get to a place where you feel like we can do some work together, please give me a call.” In some instances, that makes them change their mind and become interested in therapy.
A Spirit of Excitement
Nevertheless, there most important thing to create an alliance is that little something — however small — that we can connect to on some level with every client, and that’s what motivates us to keep coming back. Trying to bring a spirit of excitement to the relationship that we can’t wait to come and have another session with them because there’s something about them that we find intriguing, something we want to learn and there’s something that we are really excited to continue discussing with them. At the same time, our interest in and excitement about clients has to be sincere, particularly with those who don’t want to be in counseling in the first place. If we fake it, they will know it, and they will stop trusting us more than ever. At the end of the day, a counselor’s authentic desire and determination to connect may be at the heart of the therapeutic alliance. Maybe, as a therapist, I am over positive and naïve, but I think that we can find something intriguing, good, or enjoyable about every client. If we dig hard enough, we are going to find something about the most resistant client that’s going to make us want to come back the next week. And once they sense that about us, it’s a game changer like no other.
Pomegranate The Red Jewel
Scientists discover anti-aging compound that humans get from eating this glamorous fruit For thousands of year, pomegranates have stood as a symbol of rebirth, fertility, and eternal life, and according to a new study published in the journal Nature Medicine, the fruit may live up to its expectations and have the power to stop us from aging. A team of Swiss scientists from Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) have just discovered a potential key to rejuvenation called urolithin A (UA). But the fruit doesn’t produce the magical-seeming molecule on its own — instead, the human gut transforms the pomegranate compound during digestion. "It's a completely natural substance, and its effect is powerful and measurable," said the study’s co-author Patrick Aebischer, the head of the neurodegenerative disease laboratory at EPFL, in a statement. “For it to be produced in our intestines, the bacteria must be able to break down what we're eating. When, via digestion, a substance is produced that is of benefit to us, natural selection favors both the bacteria and host.”
works differently, which means the amount of UA each person produces could change depending on their particular colony of gut bacteria. “Species that are evolutionarily quite distant, such as [worms and mice], react to the same substance in the same way,” said the study’s co-author Johan Auwerx, a researcher at EPFL, in a statement. “That’s a good indication that we’re touching here on an essential mechanism in living organisms.” Aebischer and his team are working with biotech company Amazentis to develop a safe nutritional supplement for aging consumers. Until then, you don’t need to chug gallons of pomegranate juice to render some of the benefits for yourself. Any foods that contain the ellagitannins, which start the anti-aging domino effect in the first place, may do the trick. "Precursors to urolithin A are found not only in pomegranates, but also in smaller amounts in many nuts and berries,” Aebischer said. “Our objective is to follow strict clinical validations, so that everyone can benefit from the result of these millions of years of evolution."
After drinking squeezed pomegranate juice or eating the jewel-like fruit piece by piece, a natural substance within the fruit, called ellagitannins, are broken down by the intestinal bacterial in the stomach, which converts it into UA. When humans age, the mitochondria, which are the engines of the cell, begin to degrade over time and lead to muscle weakening. But when researchers exposed UA to elderly nematode worms, they lived nearly twice as long as nematodes that did not receive the UA compound, and researchers believe it’s because the compound has the ability to salvage and restore failing mitochondria. “It's the only known molecule that can re-launch the mitochondrial clean-up process," Aebischer said. “We believe our research, uncovering the benefits of urolithin A, holds promise in reversing muscle aging.” When they tested UA on mice, researchers found similar results. Older mice were 42 percent better at endurance running than mice that weren’t given UA before exercise. This led the research team to believe UA could unlock the ability to reverse aging in humans. However, everyone’s gut
Source: Auwerx J, Ryu, and Mouchiroud L, et al. Urolithin A Induces Mitophagy and Prolongs Lifespan in C. elegans and Increases Muscle Function in Rodents. Nature. 2016.
McAllen-Hero status isn’t reserved only for those brave men and women who rush into burning buildings or step into the front lines of war. “There’s a hero in all of us,” said Frank Esparza, Regional Director of Field Operations for United Blood Services, this area’s non-profit community blood service provider. “Ordinary people are saving lives every day. They do it while they are on lunch break or while they are running errands. They have found the hero in themselves by donating blood.” Several years ago, United Blood Services took the innovative step of highlighting donors rather than patients in its blood drive posters and materials. The organization continues that focus with its national marketing campaign that invites people to “Find the Hero in You” by donating blood three times a year. “We asked a donor, a young man, why he gives so consistently three or four times a year,” said Frank Esparza. “He said, ‘It feels so good to save someone’s life. Why would you do it just once?’” It’s that kind of persistent, frequent giving that assures a safe, dependable blood supply every day. “We are reaching out to all existing donors and need new blood donors as we start our summer months. The need for blood at area hospitals continues all year long and donations typically decrease over the next three months. Our blood drive schedule is very light during the summer because colleges and high schools are on summer break, and employers who sponsor blood drives are short-staffed because of vacations,” said Esparza, To encourage the habit of blood donation, United Blood Services has expanded its rewards program. Donors can earn points for donating frequently and staying involved year after year. The points are redeemable for movie and restaurant gift certificates and other prizes.
Make your convenient appointment to give blood at www.UnitedBloodServices.org or by calling 956-213-7512. With each donation, donors receive a free total cholesterol test and earn points in United Blood Services’ Hero in Me rewards program. Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Fast Track Health History the day they donate. It’s at www.UnitedBloodServices.org. Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. For more information, visit www.UnitedBloodServices.org.
United Blood Services has been this area’s non-profit community blood provider since 1960, and serves patients in 18 hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley. The United Blood Services network is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service organizations, and is a founding member of America’s Blood Centers and the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks).
Frank Esparza, BS MT(ASCP)
Regional Director of Field Operations United Blood Services 1400 S. 6th Street, McAllen, TX 78501 Direct (956)213-7523 | Fax (956)213-7549 Cell (956)331-9559 www.unitedbloodservices.org ”Find the hero in you. Give blood 3 times a year.”
Where healing, compassion,
experience, and technology meet. Dr. Eugenio Galindo
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
McAllen Oncology Eugenio Galindo, M.D. 2717 Michael Angelo Dr. Suite 200 (956) 217-7000 www.dhr-rgv.com
Does music make you smarter? Music teachers everywhere are going to print this out and read it to their students: A study out this week shows that executive brain function — the strongest predictor of academic success — is better in musicians than in non-musicians. Of course, mounds of previous research has also suggested that playing music makes people smarter, but proving a direct link isn't so easy. Socioeconomic status is a predictor of school grades, but it's also a predictor of being able to afford clarinet lessons. Or maybe people who have the patience and aptitude for music are the same people who have the patience and aptitude for getting good grades — correlation isn't causation. For example, one study in 2011 tested the intelligence quotient of musician and non-musician children, ages 9-12. They also tested the children for indicators of executive brain function, that is, their proficiency at high-level thinking. Some of these indicators could include their ability to multitask, make good decisions, inhibit bad behavior, and solve problems. The author, E. Glenn Schellenberg, of the University of Toronto Mississauga, found that music and IQ were correlated, but the relationship between music and executive function was inconclusive. "These results provide no support for the hypothesis that the association between music training and IQ is mediated by executive function," Schellenberg wrote. Yet the neuroscientists behind the current research weren't so sure about that. The team from Boston Children's Hospital wanted to compensate for the shortcomings of other research. So they removed two important variables: matching the 57 study participants in their control and test groups for equivalent IQ and socioeconomic background (things like the education level of their parents and family income). In the end, they had two groups of children and two groups of adults, similar in many ways — except one group had significant musical training, and the other had very little. The doctors hooked everyone up to an MRI while administering a series of quizzes — like brain teasers — using things like letters and colors. Meanwhile, they took pictures of their brains in action. The image, above, shows what the scientists discovered. Musicians' brains were more active than the non-musicians' brains, and they performed better on cognitive tests. The results appeared Tuesday in the journal PLoS One.
"Since executive functioning is a strong predictor of academic achievement, even more than IQ, we think our findings have strong educational implications," said lead author Dr. Nadine Gaab in a summary of the findings. "While many schools are cutting music programs and spending more and more time on test preparation, our findings suggest that musical training may actually help to set up children for a better academic future." This study also furthers the notion that musical training in children with learning disabilities and the elderly could improve their brain function. In a separate 2007 study, 16 adults in a senior home took piano lessons for six months. By the end of it, those 16 had better working memory and multitasking skills than 15 seniors who weren't given piano lessons. "Future studies have to determine whether music may be utilized as therapeutic intervention tools for these children and adults," Gaab said. But what about causation? This study doesn't actually prove that the musical people weren't predisposed to their talent. In other words, their exceptionally quick thinking and problem solving might be the reason they're so good at music, and not the other way around. The team says its next study will be more like the senior home study, testing people over time to determine which came first, the music or the brains.
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