CTW Magazine NOVEMBER 2014

Fifty Plus

JOE & CLARA PILATES INSPIRED HEALTH CLUB

NOVEMBER 2014 www.ctwmag.com

MEET THE WOMEN OF HOT IN CLEVELAND DEALING WITH KNEE PAIN & INJURIES MENOPAUSE & THE AYURVEDIC APPROACH LIVING THE BEST YEARS PAST 50!

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Contents

FIFTY PLUS NOVEMBER

DEPARTMENTS

2014

22/

06/ PUBLISHER’S LETTER

When I’m 64

28/ NATURAL APPROACH

The Good Years—50 and Beyond

by Dr. Sharon Norling

28/ 38/ BEYOND GREEN LIVING

Aging and Stress—You Can Reverse the Problem

by Jan Tucker, MBA

38/

18/

42/ DIRECTORY LISTING

10/ CONNECTION 1

Joe & Clara Pilates Clients Receive Tremendous Gains to Their Health

by Alicia Doyle

FEATURES 18/ HEALTH VIEW 1

Living Healthy to 100 “But Who Wants to Live That Long?” by Dr. Michael G. Willis, DC

22/ HEALTH VIEW 2

14/ CONNECTION 2

Life over 50 means transcendence for the cast of Hot in Cleveland

by Alicia Doyle

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

24/

Save your Knees—How to Reduce Knee Pain and Injury

by Ryan Krane

24/ HEALTH VIEW 3

The Ayurvedic Approach to Menopause by Dr. Aditya Sharma

32/ MIND & SPIRIT

Get Out of Your Head… and Into Your Life

by Wayne M. Levine

34/ PHYSICIAN PROFILES

The Physicians from PMIR Medical Center

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

WHEN I’M 64

WHEN I’M 64 I am sure many of you baby boomers remember the Beatle’s song from their Sargent Pepper’s album, “When I’m 64.” When the album came out and we immersed ourselves in its rich and unique compositions and lyrics, we envisioned and sometimes related to the story lines.

ANN K. CASTLE FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & PUBLISHER

I always found “When I’m 64” a curious and simple song, yet in the back of my mind I wondered how much would I actually relate to it in my future. Now that 64 isn’t that far off, am I going to look and feel like the characters portrayed in Sir Paul’s lyrics? Frankly, at this point in time, no. I do like gardening and don’t have any grandchildren (yet), but I find myself more active than expected. My mind is still 20 years younger than my body. Even though I have several aches and pains brought on by years of classical ballet training and performing—and life’s bumps and bruises in general— I still have a quick pace and good energy. For many of us, one factor in contrast with the lyrics is that with the state of our economy we are finding retirement completely unrealistic and out of reach. The song portrays a simple life where we surrender to rapidly aging bodies without a care in the world. But our economy tends to propel a lot of us forward with a different mindset—to take care of ourselves by staying active, connecting more with family and community, and keeping the mind busy and challenged.

My father is a good example of this mindset. At 92 he may not drive, but when I take him to the market for our weekly shopping excursion, his energy level and speed with that shopping cart is a thing to behold! He not only remembers what is on the shopping list, but knows everyone who works in the market by name. He also has an incredible sense of humor. His smile and laughter are what I think has kept him going all these years. In this issue, we introduce you to our cover ladies—the fabulous cast of Hot in Cleveland, and the beautiful and powerful women of Joe & Clara Pilates Inspired Health Club in Westlake Village. We offer vital information about the Ayurvedic approach to menopause, how to prevent knee injuries, living past 50 in good health and much more! So what changes will the next 3½ years bring when I do turn 64? Hopefully the changes will be slow, gentle and gradual. Frankly, I am just too busy to slow down for anyone and anything. But whatever comes, I will look forward to becoming a grandmother and covering little faces with love, gentle kisses and laughter. With Peace, Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

EMOTIONAL WELLBEING The holidays are filled with joy and laughter but can be an emotionally delicate time for many. Look for our December Emotional Wellbeing issue in stands near you and online December 1st at www.ctwmag.com

Ann

ERRATA In the October 2014 issue on page 44, Jan Tucker is the author of “Cancer and Our Chemicals—Russian Roulette.” 6

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PUBLISHER

ANN K. CASTLE

MARKETING DIRECTOR AND WEBMASTER DUSTIN SOEKER CREATIVE DIRECTOR JODY L. LEVITAN COPY EDITING JAN TUCKER, MBA ACCOUNTING DONNA BRYANT

ADVISORY BOARD

PHOTOGRAPHY MARY MYERS LORI SORTINO

ANDREA DOCTOR, LCSW, DCSW Home Health Administrator for Buena Vista Palliative Care and Home Health

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ALICIA DOYLE RYAN KRANE WAYNE M. LEVINE, MA SHARON NORLING, MD, MBA ADITYA SHARMA, PHD JAN TUCKER, MBA MICHAEL G. WILLIS, DC

STEVEN GREENMAN, DDS Specializing in Advanced Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry, Snoring & Sleep Apnea

CURRENT COVERAGE AREAS MONTHLY TO VENTURA COUNTY, WEST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, MALIBU AND THE CONEJO VALLEY; AGOURA HILLS, CALABASAS, CAMARILO, MOORPARK, NEWBURY PARK, NORTHRIDGE, OAK PARK, OXNARD, SIMI VALLEY, THOUSAND OAKS, VENTURA, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, WEST HILLS, WOODLAND HILLS

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES MARIAN GREEN marian@ctwmag.com 818.943.0751 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES ANN K. CASTLE ann@ctwmag.com or 805.341.2972 ALL OTHER INQUIRIES info@ctwmag.com

HILDA MALDONADO, MD Specializing in Functional Medicine, Anti-Aging Medicine & Hormone Therapy SHARON NORLING, MD Board Certified OB/GYN, Holistic/Integrative Medicine, Medical Acupuncture, Nutrition & Functional Medicine DENISE NOYER-EREZ, LAC, FABORM Licensed Acupuncturist Specializing in Women’s Health ADITYA SHARMA, PHD Founder of Geeta Ayurvedic Specializing in ayurvedic and herbal medicine ALON STEINBERG, MD, FACC Board Certified Cardiologist JAN TUCKER, MBA Founder of Whitelotusliving.com Specializing in green living, environmental awareness & spiritual yoga DAVID VILLARREAL, DDS Centers for Healing Specializing in Holistic Dentistry

WWW.CTWMAG.COM The opinions expressed here are those of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the publishers or management of YHC Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Publication of the name or photo of any person or organization in YHC Magazine should not be construed as an indication of that person’s expressed opinion. Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content of their advertisement in YHC Magazine. Photographers whose work is published in any advertising or editorial content within YHC Magazine agree to indemnify and save harmless the publishers from all liability, loss and expense due to a photographer’s failure to gain a model release. YHC Magazine is not responsible for loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork, or any other unsolicited material. Unsolicited material will not be returned. YHC Magazine’s liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction. YHC Magazine does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein.

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CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

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CONNECTION 1

JOE & CLARA PILATES INSPIRED HEALTH CLUB

STACEY PHILIPSEN

ROMINA LAYGO

GABRIELLE LAWRENCE

JOE & CLARA PIL INSPIRED HEALT

CLIENTS RECEIVE TREMENDO story by Alicia Doyle photography by Mary Myers

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

When I found Pilates I didn’t even think I needed it but once I started, my aging body began to wake with every breath and movement.

JOE & CLARA PILATES INSPIRED HEALTH CLUB, LOCATED IN WESTLAKE VILLAGE, OPENED THE DOORS OF ITS STATEOF-THE-ART STUDIO THREE YEARS AGO. IT IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY STACEY PHILIPSEN, ROMINA LAYGO AND GABRIELLE LAWRENCE.

Most Joe & Clara clients consider themselves baby boomers and were part of the fitness industry’s surge decades ago. While their passion for fitness remains strong their needs have evolved over the years.

“ H OW E X AC T LY D O E S P I L AT E S A F F E C T Y O U R WELL-BEING? This is the question we posed to 10 of our clients,” said Stacey Philipsen. “We found five key themes that have brought them to Pilates at this stage of their lives.”

BACK TO ME Ming Hsiao had dedicated the past 20 years to her children and husband. “The day my youngest went to kindergarten, I felt I was me again, like I was 10 years younger. For the next several years I thought, ‘Who needs exercise with all this driving, cooking, and school events?’ When I found Pilates I didn’t even think I needed it but once I started,

my aging body began to wake with every breath and movement. It began to transform and I acquainted myself with muscles I didn’t even know existed.” Gabrielle Lawrence says, “There are many women just like her at Joe & Clara. It’s wonderful to see them share stories and support one another through the journey.” Andrea Jaffe, another client, had a similar experience. After several years sitting in front of a computer she realized she needed to take control of her life and to begin looking after “the only body I will ever have.” Chris Friedman is also glad she refocused on herself because, “I greeted my 50th birthday during a time that I was feeling the most fit I had been in decades.”

LONGEVITY If the thought of bending over to pick up your first grandchild is giv-

ATES H CLUB

US GAINS TO THEIR HEALTH NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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CONNECTION 1

JOE & CLARA PILATES INSPIRED HEALTH CLUB

ing you more concern about your health than theirs, then you know it’s time to do something. It’s not going to get any better with time. Just ask Richard Dimino who has been committed to his private Pilates sessions twice a week for almost two years. He enjoys hunting but had

started to feel unstable while maneuvering in and out of boats and walking on uneven terrain. “Since I’m carrying a loaded rifle while doing this I also began to feel unsafe. Since starting Pilates, my balance, agility, as well as my breathing and posture have significantly improved.” Bill Powell is a retired executive who enjoys playing golf and tennis. Having always been fit and healthy, he could sense he was stiffening up and losing flexibility. “My measurement of the success of this program is that I can hit a golf ball farther than most within 10 years of my age. When I receive comments about the quality and speed of my rotation I always point to Pilates as the reason.” Marshall Matz is 77 years young and started with two 30-minute sessions a week. He has now increased to 45 minutes. “I view [Pilates] as an investment I’m making in myself and my health. I prefer private sessions where the instructor ensures I am performing each exercise with correct alignment. I’m still playing golf and enjoying the benefits both in and outside of the studio.” 12

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT “Like many women I know, I seemed to be on a constant search for that one thing that would be the allencompassing solution for the issues of weight gain, time limitations, high stress and physical constraints, including the hormonal struggles that presented themselves in my 40s,” said Marie Doherty who has spent the past three years taking classes three times a week. She explained, “The changes in my health have been amazing. I have been able to accomplish my original goal of losing 50 pounds. I have ongoing and noticeable improvements to my strength, endurance, muscle tone and agility. It is actually very empowering to know that I have been able to transform my body and my life into being that fit and healthy woman I was aspiring to be.” Weight management isn’t limited to women. Ramon Espiritu who started Pilates to improve his overall quality of life says, “It has helped me get rid of unwanted fat around my waist by teaching me proper breathing and strengthening my core.” Romina Laygo is quick to point out, “Both Marie and Ramon complement their Pilates routine with regular bouts of cardio and now they are able to go further and faster.”

POSTURE The accepted remedy to improve posture is core strength. But the core is much more than a flat stomach. It also includes back muscles, respiratory muscles, the deepest layer of abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor. Using support-

ive springs, Pilates can help you build all these muscles safely. Laurie Burns works as a psychotherapist and spends a lot of time sitting. She said, “Since starting Pilates I’ve developed better balance and more flexibility and have learned proper posture and the critical integration of mind and body.” Ramon’s occupation as an IT specialist also keeps him chained to a desk. His posture has improved and he has “attained optimum health and strength.” Colleagues have commented that he is visibly taller—some teased he had started wearing lifts in his shoes.

FEEL GOOD FACTOR Pilates centers around a deep mindbody connection which can be very restorative. Ramon explained, “It has increased my physical awareness. I have more energy and can feel the intrinsic difference in the flexibility of my joints and spine. It allows me to be present in an environment of peace and serenity. Pilates has transformed my life; it has given me a greater sense of respect for my body, self-confidence and the individual responsibility for good health practices.” Further, he added, “The mindbody connection is more akin to the mental power needed to perform Martial Arts.” Laurie explained, “You have to use your breath, your mind and your body; you have to focus on your core while keeping a neutral spine; every

The 3800 square foot facility features five state of the art workout studios, and highly skilled and classically trained Pilates instructors.

aspect has significance and every movement connects to the whole of your practice. I carry myself differently, I feel more graceful and I am kinder to my body because I have learned to appreciate its design and embrace its capacity for expansiveness and healing.” Richard summed it up well: “The self-confidence in the activities I do makes me feel as comfortable as I did when I was in my 40s. I have gotten compliments from my peers on my improvements and that makes the effort more rewarding.” Bill echoed these sentiments, adding, “I look forward to my sessions because they make me feel better about how I’m taking care of myself. While it doesn’t prevent aging, I think

of it as a positive way to improve the quality of life as we age.” Philipsen, Laygo and Lawrence agree: “All of us here at Joe & Clara are immensely proud to be able to provide a supportive environment for this segment of the population that is seeking a more balanced approach to well-being. We must pay tribute to Joe & Clara Pilates for leaving us with a workout regimen that encapsulates

self-awareness, longevity, weight management, improved posture and mental vitality.” “My work is fifty years ahead of its time.” Joe Pilates 1880-1967

To read the full-length testimonials visit www.joeandclara.com/testimonials, or for more information call 805.496.2929.

NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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CONNECTION 2

HOT IN CLEVELAND

LIFE OVER 50 MEANS TRANSCENDENCE FOR TH by Alicia Doyle

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

We still feel young— you feel our age more than we do.

VALERIE BERTINELLI HAS MORE EMPATHY AND COMPAS-

certain age who are best friends: Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick.

SION FOR OTHERS AND HERSELF. WENDIE MALICK HAS A DEEPER SENSE OF GRATITUDE. JANE LEEVES DOESN’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF ANYMORE. AND BETTY WHITE TRIES TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY DAY AT ANY AGE. For the cast members of “Hot in Cleveland,” which return to “TV Land” on November 5 at 10 p.m., life after 50 means moving forward as they always have with grace—and learning more life lessons along the way. “We still feel young—you feel our age more than we do,” said White, 92. “Hot in Cleveland” revolves around three fabulous L.A. women of a

Their lives are changed forever when their plane—headed to Paris for a girls-only celebration— unexpectedly lands in Cleveland and they soon rediscover themselves in a new promised land. Loving their new home, the women find themselves living under one roof and battling the sassy caretaker of the property they have rented — played by Betty White. White plays the role of Elka Ostrovsky, the opinionated caretaker of the house that the girls rent when they decide to stay in Cleveland. In addition to loving her vocation, White fuels her passion for animals by serving on the board for the Morris Animal Foundation and the L.A. Zoo. “We can still be fun,” White said of women over 50. “Good health is a major blessing and having a good sense humor helps too.”

E CAST OF “HOT IN CLEVELAND” NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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CONNECTION 2

HOT IN CLEVELAND

Hydration is also key. “I do my best to drink a lot of water,” said Bertinelli, who uses a free app called AddWater to help her keep track. “And I just downloaded another free app called Calm, to hopefully help motivate me to meditate more.” Her exercise routine at home is also ideal, White joked, “I have a twostory house and a bad memory,” she said. “I’m up and down those stairs a lot.”

At age 54, Bertinelli said the older she gets, “I find that I’m just trying to be a more aware human being. I forgive more and try to let things roll off my back more. It’s a work in progress.”

“D O N ’ T T A K E L I F E S O S E R I O U S LY ”

Exercise is a regular part of her life as well through Fitbit, a wireless activity tracker that measures data such as the number of steps walked a day. “I try to keep my steps to 10,000 or more with my Fitbit and I love competing with my Fitbit friends,” Bertinelli said. She also participates in a boot camp at the recording studio headed up by Ditanyon Demps. “And he kicks our butts twice a week.” 16

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

“Through Victoria I get to send up all of us who take ourselves too seriously,” Malick said. Aside from her career she enjoys tennis and horseback riding and recently took up piano lessons. “I’m also producing a movie about WildHorse Annie, a remarkable woman whose passion was to protect America’s Wild Horses and honor their rightful place on our public lands.”

Bertinelli, who portrays Melanie Moretti, said she loves how the character seems to be a heightened version of herself. “I get the opportunity to act out all the things I’m too uncomfortable to do in real life,” she said. When she’s not in front of the camera, Bertinelli volunteers for the East Valley Animal Shelter in Los Angeles by fostering kittens until they find forever homes. “Young kittens are usually euthanized if the shelters can’t get them fostered because of the dayto-day attention they need,” she said.

played Honor St. Raven for 27 years on “Edge of Tomorrow.” A legend in her own mind, she’s managed to start a whole new chapter in Cleveland where she fled four years ago with her best friends.

Malick also gives back as a spokesperson for the Humane Society of the United States and serves on the board of the Environmental Media Association, as well as the advisory board of Return to Freedom, a sanctuary for wild horses.

After 50, Malick felt a weight lift. “Even more so turning 60, when I entered my third act.”

“Through our charitable gift fund, A Drop in the Bucket, my husband, Richard Erickson and I support a field hospital in Congo,” Malick said. For exercise she starts each morning walking dogs, grooming horses and nuzzling a miniature donkey. “We have a menagerie of furry friends and they keep me honest,” she said. Malick also does Pilates or goes for a swim before work, and cycles or plays tennis on the weekends.

She plays the role of Victoria Chase, a former soap opera actress who

“I eat a pescatarian diet: fish, veggies, low carbs and very little sugar except

Looking back on her life so far, she advises “don’t take life so seriously. Find the humor in even the scariest stuff. Forgive yourself and others— that’s a hard one. I’m still learning.”

“D O N ’ T S W E A T T H E SMALL STUFF”

many working Moms can relate to.” For her that means school runs in the morning, grocery shopping after work, picking the kids up, cooking dinner, helping with homework and planning the next day with all their activities. “When I do get a week off it’s nice to volunteer at school,” said Leeves, who has been married for two decades.

for wine,” said Malick, who also takes vitamin supplements and drinks fresh lemon in warm water first thing in the morning. “I eat a lot of raw nuts and do a bullet juice a few times a week with spinach, almonds, blueberries, apple, ginger, cayenne and coconut water.” She’s also a big fan of sleep. “I try for eight hours a night. And the most important health tip: laugh every day.” At age 63, Malick said she doesn’t sweat the small stuff so much and has a deeper sense of gratitude. “I spend more time with the creatures I love—both two- and four-legged— and hanging out with these three women doesn’t hurt either,” she said. “And I think laughter, kindness and forgiveness help us thrive at any age. Ultimately, beauty is just being comfortable in your own skin.”

“W E ’ R E A L L G O I N G TO GET OLDER IF WE’RE LUCKY” For Jane Leeves, 53, doing the show and having two kids leaves very little time for anything else “as I’m sure

On the set she plays the role of Joy Scroggs, a character she describes as a hot mess, always unlucky in love and pretty clueless about relationships. “She can be vengeful, sarcastic and suspicious,” Leeves said of the role. “But she’s deeply loyal.”

bread basket. White flour and sugar are the enemy over 50.” When Leeves turned 50 “I was lucky enough to be surrounded by some pretty inspirational women: Betty, Wendie and Valerie. That’s been a true gift. I learned from all three the power of positive thinking.” Life is so much better after 50, “I feel more energized, probably because I don’t sweat the small stuff,” Leeves continued. “I feel more present—not looking back or forward just savoring the here and now.”

Leeves believes the biggest myth about being over 50 is that somehow the best is behind you. “I thought I’d be ready to take it easy and let it all go a bit. Far from that. I think you gain confidence,” she said. In her 20s and 30s she would never have dreamt of leaving the house without makeup. “Now I really don’t worry too much about what other people think,” Leeves said. “My husband thinks I’m sexier with no makeup, a snuggly sweater and jeans. So that’s a big help.” Exercise, a big part of her life, involves three miles daily on an inclined treadmill followed by weights. She also is mindful of her skin using sunscreen every day and wearing hats and scarves in California’s sunshine. “I’m more careful with my diet now,” Leeves said. “Gone are the days of the

She used to think women were lying when they said it gets better, “but it does. Age is all relative. Betty at 92 thinks I’m a kid.” She advises, “So slap on the sunscreen every day, try every wrinkle cream on the market, try something new every now and again and laugh,” Leeves said. “We’re all going to get older if we’re lucky, so I want the happy lines.” NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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HEALTH VIEW 1

LIVING HEALTHY TO 100

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

LIVING HEALTHY TO 100

“BUT WHO WANTS TO LIVE THAT LONG?” by Dr. Michael G. Willis, DC

SCIENTISTS AROUND THE WORLD TELL US IT IS NOW A REALITY TO LIVE TO A HEALTHY AGE OF 100—IT IS POSSIBLE! BUT I’LL BET MANY OF YOU READING THIS ARE ASKING NOT ONLY HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE, BUT WHO WOULD WANT TO? Why would anyone want to live to be 100 when today, the quality of life in the later years is the single greatest cause of emotional and financial stress—to elderly people, and to elderly parents and their children—too often leading to ruination for all involved? Sure, we see the cute story on the evening news about one of our elders who, despite the odds, lived to be 116 and was just lovin’ life— certainly a person to be cherished. But this is a rarity and that’s what makes it newsworthy.

Perhaps the question to ask is, if we are to live to be 100, how can we ensure that the quality of those years will be higher than for today’s 70, 80 or 90-year-olds? For that answer, we have to turn to the experts—the wisdom keepers—the ones who live it day-by-day. Ask anyone over the age of 70 what the most important thing in life is and they will tell you, “If you have your health, you have everything!” So when we speak of the quality of life, we really must speak about health. When we speak about health, we must address our body’s ability to function and adapt rather than just what or how we feel. The difference between feeling and function is perhaps the single biggest misunderstanding we have when it comes to true health.

W H AT I S T H E D I F F E R E N C E B E T W E E N FEELING AND FUNCTION? We experience our lives through our five senses—sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Unfortunately these senses do not adequately inform us regarding our body’s state of internal function and its ability to adapt to problems until it is often at a critical state. For example, we cannot sense problems with our heart, the presence of cancer or a blood clot or type II diabetes in their early stages. We are easily fooled into believing we are healthy in the absence of a symptom or a fullblown diseased state.

NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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HEALTH VIEW 1

LIVING HEALTHY TO 100

The World Health Organization defines health as: “…a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

A DEFINITION OF HEALTH TO FIT REALITY The World Health Organization defines health as: “…a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Isn’t that a better definition of health than just, “I’m not sick.”? If we define health as the ability to function at the highest level capable for as long as possible in order to adapt better, when is the best time to start focusing on improving our health so we can achieve that high quality of life? Is it when we turn 99? 70? How about 60? 50? You’re right—the answer is, right now!

THREE KEYS TO REACHING A HEALTHY 100 Now that you know what health is and that the quality of life is a direct result of healthy function and healthy adaptation, you’d probably like to know the keys that will unlock a life of extraordinary health and longevity. Spoiler alert—You have actually had the keys all along, but perhaps like most, you got so busy with life that the keys got buried under the stack of important things to do. So here they are, exposed once more.

M OV E W E L L — E AT WELL—THINK WELL The message here is that all the other important stuff we need and 20

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

want to get done gets done a lot quicker with a lot less hassle if we make these three elements the foundation of every day. Simply put, if you move well you have more oxygen for all the cells in your body. This will reduce the flood of stress hormone (cortisol) and toxins that circulate in your body. Eat well and you will efficiently fuel every cell, tissue and organ in your body to produce more energy and have the raw materials needed to repair damage. Think well and not only will you further reduce stress and eliminate a massive amount of negative self-talk that triggers stress, but your quality of life will increase exponentially. You can imagine that each one of these parts has a direct and synergistic effect on each other. One more important key regulates and coordinates all the others—the nerve system: your brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves.

THE MASTER KEY Remember I said we experience our lives through our five senses? Well, we live our lives and have those experiences through the function of our nerve system. Without it, those senses, our health and our lives couldn’t exist at all. So when we talk about health and healthy function and having a

high quality of life to 100 years of age, we have to know if our nerve system is functioning well or not. But that subject is too expansive for the purposes of this article at this time. If you would like to know more, ask your chiropractor how you can ensure your nerve system is functioning properly, and if not, what you can do to correct it. If you need help finding a chiropractor that focuses on painless, non-invasive nerve system function testing and analysis, contact us and we will help you find a doctor of chiropractic near you who performs this specialized course of action. Finally, understand it is never too early or too late to make a difference in your health. A wise man once said, “Procrastination is the thief of health.” Health is an inside process expressed outwardly. How well it’s expressed is up to you. Having a high quality of life to 100 is possible with the proper resources and a coordinated, specific plan of action. The only question is—are you ready to make it a reality? For more information, contact Drs. Michael and Laura Willis at Better Health & Wellness 40 W. Cochran Street, Suite 104 Simi Valley, CA 93065 805-527-4767 or visit www.betterhealthandwellness.com

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HEALTH VIEW 2

SAVE YOUR KNEES

SAVE YOUR KNEES HOW TO REDUCE KNEE PAIN AND INJURY by Ryan Krane

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

Re-Balance Don't know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WRONG?

When the legs, hips and feet are out of alignment, unnecessary stress is placed on the knees.

THE KNEE IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON BODY PARTS WHERE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE PAIN. A BIG REASON SO MANY OF US SUFFER FROM KNEE PAIN IS A COMBINATION OF POOR FLEXIBILITY, LEG WEAKNESS AND IMPROPER POSTURE IN THE LEGS, HIPS AND FEET. To help offset this knee pain and prevent injuries, individuals need to be on a comprehensive training program that includes knee strengthening and knee stretching exercises. Standing, running and walking with proper technique are also vital to achieve healthy knees. When the legs, hips and feet are out of alignment, unnecessary stress is placed on the knees. Gait analyses and postural assessments are extremely beneficial. The clinician can determine if the biomechanics, posture or gait are functioning properly. If any postural imbalances are detected, your clinician can create a customized program to eliminate the imbalances and improve the mobility and alignment in your body. To prevent knee injuries you can listen to your body and allow for rest and recovery. Many fitness enthusiasts exercise even with knee pain and as a result do not allocate sufficient time for proper rest and recovery. This makes them more susceptible to aches, pain and injuries. By simply adding more rest days into your exercise program, you greatly reduce the risk of an injury.

TWO EXCELLENT EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN AND STRETCH THE KNEE THE KNEE SQUEEZE This exercise isolates all the small muscles around the knee. To perform this, lie down on your back with your knees bent. Place a ball about the size of a soccer ball between your knees and squeeze with modest tension. Hold this position for 30 seconds. I recommend performing two to three sets with a 60-second break in between sets.â&#x20AC;?

THE CALF STRETCH, USING A STRETCH BAND To begin, lie down on your back and wrap the stretch band firmly around one foot while extending the leg upward in the sky and leaving the unused leg down on the ground. When ready, flex your foot toward your face and then immediately away from your body while keeping your leg straight the entire time. I recommend performing two to three sets with 10 repetitions on each leg. Both exercises are great for stretching and strengthening the muscles around the knees. If you perform these two exercises two to three days per week, your knees will become stronger, more flexible and be less susceptible to injuries.

For more great training visit www.RyanKrane.com to learn cutting edge secrets from his videos, newsletter and articles.

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HEALTH VIEW 3

AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO MANAGE MENOPAUSE

AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO

MANAGE MENOPAUSE by Dr. Aditya Sharma

MENOPAUSE IS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY WOMAN. ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA, MENOPAUSE IS A NATURAL TRANSITION, WHICH EVERY WOMAN EXPERIENCES IN HER LIFE. IT IS THE ENDING OF A WOMAN’S MONTHLY MENSTRUAL PERIODS AND OVULATION. IT ALSO SIGNALS OTHER CHANGES TO THE BODY AND MIND, BROUGHT ON IN PART BECAUSE THE BODY BEGINS PRODUCING LESSER AMOUNTS OF THE HORMONES ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE (AMONG OTHERS). MENOPAUSE IS NOT A DISEASE. IT IS A NATURAL PROCESS IN A WOMAN’S LIFE. MENOPAUSE IS A NATURAL HORMONE (ESTROGEN) DEFICIENT STATE THAT OCCURS AT THE AGE OF 45-55 YEARS.

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

With proper guidance and simple lifestyle changes women can easily avoid most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause to a great extent.

Ayurveda associates menopause with aging. Aging is a ‘Vata’ predominant stage of life. Thus, the symptoms of menopause experienced by some women are similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata dosha rises and upsets the normal balance of the body. There are different types of menopause.

ing of intense heat in your body on some occasions, profuse sweating at night, excessive hair loss, irregular menstrual periods with excessive or scanty bleeding, burning and increased frequency of micturation, vaginal dryness and itching, joint pain, edema, irritable nature and sleeplessness lassitude.

TYPES OF MENOPAUSE AND THEIR SYMPTOMS

Ayurvedic Treatment: The type of treatment depends upon the dosha in which the woman’s menopausal symptoms are manifesting. Most women are unaware of the right kind of treatment, diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise, which should be done during this period. With proper guidance and simple lifestyle changes they can easily avoid most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause to a great extent. Various Ayurvedic herbs can be used during the period to strengthen and rejuvenate the female reproductive system along with herbs to regulate the hormones and calm the emotions. Many herbs, which rejuvenate and tone the female reproductive system, are also helpful; Aloe gel, Shatavari, Saffron, Kapikacchu, Ashwagandha, taken in milk decoctions, if possible, or in their different preparations like Shatavari compound. Aloe gel is specific for maintaining the youthfulness of the female reproductive organs.

Vata dominated menopause – nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, depression, lack of skin tone, mild hot flashes, constipation,vaginal dryness. Pitta dominated menopause – anger, irritability, short temper, hot flashes, night sweats, urinary tract infections, skin rashes. Kapha dominated menopause – weight gain, sleepiness, sluggishness, yeast infections, slow digestion, fluid retention. Perimenopause is the time prior to menopause when we start having hormone related changes—these can start during our early 40’s. The symptoms we get and the order in which we get them vary from woman to woman and a small percentage of women have no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms are: hot flashes, insomnia, irregular bleeding, vaginal dryness, anxiety, depression, fatigue, weight gain, fuzzy thinking, loss of libido and more. The common symptoms of menopause are as follows: anemia, weakness, feel-

Balancing Vata dominated menopause: Vata is naturally cold, light and dry, if these tendencies are increased causing the vata dominated menopause symptoms. Make sure your drinks are warm and that you are eating warm food rather

NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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HEALTH VIEW 3

MANAGE MENOPAUSE

than salads. Try to eat your meals at regular times and go to bed early. Learn relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga— these will help to calm your nervous system and make you feel more secure and confident. Decrease caffeine, sugar and other stimulants. Spices such as fennel, cumin, cardamom and ginseng are beneficial. Balancing Pitta dominated menopause: Pitta is naturally hot, oily and intense; if these tendencies are increased, this causes the pitta dominated menopause symptoms. Increase the amount of cold water you drink and cold foods you eat. Have more sweet, juicy fruits such as melons, apples, plums, mango, pears etc. Stay out of the hot sun and try to avoid eating hot spicy foods, hot drinks and stay away from alcohol. Try not to work yourself into a frenzy—the less aggravation you have the better. Meditation is a great way to help keep yourself calm. Shatavari is an excellent herb to take for menopause, it has general cooling qualities which help reduce the hot flash symptoms and help you to cope with mood swings. Balancing Kapha dominated menopause: Kapha is naturally cold, oily and heavy; if these tendencies are increased this causes kapha dominated menopause symptoms. Eat light, dry, warm food and avoid refined sugars, white flour, pasta and potatoes. Eating fruit, whole grains, legumes, and lots of vegetables will be beneficial. Getting up early prior to 6 am is preferable—use the vata energy that is dominant at this time to keep you alert and motivate you during the entire day. Kapha women can tend to be heavier and prone to weight gain, so it is important to exercise and stay active if you are prone to kapha imbalances. Exercise will help with fluid retention, weight gain, improving your mood, energy and memory. It is better to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to evaluate the proper herbs and diet program for you according to your constitution.

Aditya Sharma, Ph.D., is a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist of the Geeta Ayurvedic Healing Center, Inc. Dr. Sharma is located at 9107 Wilshire Blvd., Suite # 450, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Phone: (805) 404-2664 Website: www.rishiherb.com E mail: aditya2@pacbell.net 26

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

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NATURAL APPROACH

THE GOOD YEARS–50 AND BEYOND

THE GOOD 50 and Beyond by Dr. Sharon Norling

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

YEARS BY THE TIME YOU REACH 50, YOUR HEART HAS BEATEN MORE THAN ONEAND-A-HALF BILLION TIMES. YOUR LUNGS HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN 400 MILLION BREATHS. YOU’VE LAUGHED, LOVED, WON AND LOST. One thing you never want to lose is your health. The human body is a durable machine. It operates without interruption, day after day, year after year. But are you taking the right steps to keep this vital machine as healthy as possible through midlife and beyond?

Be Good to Your Body— It’s the Only Place You Live We are often shocked and surprised by the untimely deaths of celebrities, athletes and people we know. We all know someone who seemed to be the picture of health but suddenly died or developed a serious, fatal illness. Many of these tragedies could have been prevented if the victim had known they were suffering from a silent disease. Diseases don’t just happen overnight. The truth is, disease is rarely silent, and illness is rarely isolated. As we get older, one or more of our organs will start to fail before we are even aware of it. You may have a few grey hairs or a temporary lapse in memory. These are not the first signs of aging: by the time they occur you’re already in the process. For example, before you are diagnosed with diabetes, your elevated sugar levels are damaging your blood circulation, your kidneys, your skin, your eyes, your heart and your brain. A higher blood sugar, even without diabetes, can cause destruction in tissues and create silent diseases.

Be Proactive and Preventive— Get Diagnosed The key to prolonging good health and continuing to lead a vibrant and active life is the ability to diagnose and identify the underlying causes and inflammation that is aging your body. Patients often say to me that their joint pain, muscle stiffness, headaches, brain fog, diabetes or heart disease is happening just because they are getting older. It is not. The silent disease and inflammation have been occurring often for years. Seeing your doctor to find root causes of silent diseases is important before the disease or diseases manifest a deafening scream. Get specialty lab tests done before you get sick and certainly after you have a disease. The key to living a long, vibrant, active life is to find underlying deficiencies, inflammation, hormonal imbalances and toxicities. These are triggers to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, pain and Alzheimer’s. Even if you don’t have symptoms now, pathological changes are underway. At Age 40 or sooner you begin to decline in health. Even if you feel good you could have as many as 10 chronic illnesses that can be treated and reversed now before it is too late. Once diagnosed, you can protect your organs and reverse degenerative diseases using effective natural therapies whenever possible.

Science has not yet found a way to keep us young forever. But there is good news! The research on aging shows that, though we cannot stop the ravages of time or misspent youth, we can slow them down and reverse many disease processes. Experts know it is not simply our genes that determine who will live the longest in an energetic, diseasefree state. Our behavior and lifestyle choices determine our health 80 percent of the time. Knowing this should be strong motivation for all of us to take note and make the necessary changes.

Inflammation and Free Radicals, Sugar Toxicity There is no single cause of growing old. Many factors are often interrelated. For the past 20 years scientists have focused on free radicals as the cause of aging. The free radicals are caused by inflammation. Do you know the source of your inflammation? Are your muscles stiff, joints painful, cheeks red, abdomen obese, sinuses congested, intestines bloated and brain foggy? Your inflammation may be coming from IgG hidden food sensitivities, gluten sensitivity, undiagnosed gastrointestinal infection, hormone imbalances, elevated blood sugar, heavy metals, or neurotransmitter imbalance to name a few. You can’t fix something unless you know its cause. All these conditions can be diagnosed by specialty lab testing. Volumes of research reveal that sugar toxicity is a causative factor in many degenerative diseases, chronic illness and premature aging. Sugar is eight times more addicting than cocaine. In the 600,000 foods we have, 80 percent contain sugar.

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NATURAL APPROACH

THE GOOD YEARS

Your Sexual Health One of the distressing—and most often lamented side effects of the aging process is a loss of sexuality—its desire, enjoyment and performance. Healthy sexual function is related to overall health. Dr. Christine Northrup says the vagina is the barometer of your health. Others include penis health as a health indicator. The encouraging news is that age-related factors contributing to sexual dysfunction can be prevented and treated to maintain a satisfying sexual life into an advanced age. Optimizing dopamine function helps maintain desire, while healthy acetylcholine supports arousal, GABA helps enhance sexual release, serotonin is involved in resolution, and oxytocin enhances orgasms. Excellent specialty labs are available to test these neurotransmitters. For a healthy body, a healthy brain and an active sex life, balance your neurotransmitters, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. This information is vital for you. Research has shown the more sex you have, the longer and better you live!

Tips for Healthy Aging: Tests: • Neurotransmitter. • Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone. • Adrenal function. • Thyroid. • Comprehensive chemistry panels. • IgG food allergies. • Gluten sensitivity (Cyrex labs). • Gastrointestinal specialty test. • Heavy metal toxins. Treat naturally whenever possible: • Healthy lifestyle. • Liquid bioavailable comprehensive nutrient supplement. • Personalized medicine based on symptoms, disease and lab results. • Intravenous (IV) phosphatidylcholine for cell repair. • IV glutathione, a powerful antioxidant and master detoxifier. • Consider stem cell replacement.

Dr. Norling brings a lifetime of education, training and passion in both conventional and natural medicine. She is the author of Your Doctor is Wrong. Using specialized testing, she finds the root cause of symptoms, hormone imbalances and toxins. Get the personalized care you deserve. Contact Dr. Sharon Norling in Westlake Village at 818.707.9355, www.drsharonnorling.com. 30

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

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MIND & SPIRIT 1

GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND INTO YOUR LIFE

Get Out of Your Head…

and Into Your Life by Wayne M. Levine

WHEN I FIRST STARTED IN MY LINE OF WORK 20 YEARS AGO, THE PHRASE, “GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD,” WAS CONSIDERED JARGON. ONLY PEOPLE IN THE TRANSFORMATIONAL WORLD WERE USING IT. NOW, I THINK MOST PEOPLE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN OR OUT OF YOUR HEAD. When Jack is in his men’s group he’s constantly thinking about whether it’s the right time to chime in, and wonders if what he has to say is of value. He’s in his head. It means you’re not present. You’re thinking about something other than what’s happening or what’s being said. You’re analyzing or worrying rather than experiencing. Whatever you’re doing, you’re not really here—not present—not in the now.

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

When at work, Jonathan laments that he isn’t spending more quality time with his kids. When he’s at home, he obsesses about the details at work. He’s in his head. Several popular books have been written on this subject. I’ve read a few, and just couldn’t get through some others—they put me in my head! Having an understanding, an appreciation for what’s causing you to be in your head can be helpful. But like so many things, a little goes a long way. It’s difficult to solve a problem in your head by using your head. That’s why I’m a fan of taking action. When you take an action to change your behavior, it takes you out of your head and into your body—out of the problem and into a potential solution. Billy so wants to strike up a conversation with that cute brunette at the party. She seems just his type. He loves her laugh and she’s just the right height! But just as he’s about to approach her, he wonders what’ll it feel like to be rejected, the myriad reasons he believes she has for turning him down, and the many times his nerves have tripped him up in the past. He’s in his head, poor guy.

So, let’s get out of our heads, shall we? Getting out of your head won’t happen overnight. Meaning, even if you take an action, the thought process that has crippled you will still be there—maybe for a while. But if you continuously take action and fight against your entrenched perspective and negative thinking, you’ll eventually create new neuropathways in your brain and start to see the world differently. Paul is determined to be a more communicative husband. He knows he’s been afraid of his wife’s emotional outbursts (like he was of his father’s) and that his fear has caused him to walk on eggshells and avoid anything that might smack of conflict. Despite his plan, he’s too

worried to try something different tonight. He’s in his head. Here is my simple four-step plan to get you out of your head and into your life. It’s as simple as I can make it, simple enough for us men. Don’t look for anything more simplistic. You’re not going to find it. This is the easiest way out. Are you ready?

Step One—Commitment Make a commitment about what you’re going to do. Whether it’s approaching two women at the party, spending an extra 20 minutes reading to your little girl at bedtime, or making yourself available to listen to your wife, it all begins with the commitment. You don’t have to wonder about exactly how you’re going to do it yet, or what will happen if you fail. All you have to do is commit—heart and soul.

Step Two—Ask for Help If you haven’t been successful to date, what makes you believe that doing something the same old way is going to get you a better result? Speak with a friend and get his perspective. If you don’t have any friends, seek out someone you can rent for a while, e.g., coach, counselor, therapist or clergy. Wisdom is essential. And stop kicking yourself because you happen to lack wisdom in this area. That’s what other men are there for. Next time you may be able to help another man with the wisdom you have to offer.

Step Three—Be Held Accountable Share your plan with another man. Don’t keep it a secret. Take your commitment out of your head and into the hands of someone who cares about you and is willing to consequence you if you don’t honor your word. A consequence could look like, “If I don’t speak with two women at the party, I’ll shave off the moustache I’ve had for 10 years.”

When you ask someone to hold you accountable, offer up the consequence and make sure it would hurt. You see, you don’t want to suffer the consequence. That’s why you make it potentially painful for yourself. If you don’t mean it, what’s the point of making the commitment?

Step Four— The Rubber Band This classic from cognitive behavioral therapy remains a wonderfully effective trick. Place a thick rubber band on your wrist. Every time you think about work when you’re with your kids, every time you become aware you’re analyzing instead of experiencing, and every time you start walking away from the woman instead of toward her, snap that rubber band hard. It’s your way of holding yourself accountable and becoming increasingly more aware of the resistance your mind is exerting to keep your body from doing what you want it to do. That’s it. My unpatented, four-step, no-guarantee-implied, certainlynot-fool-proof plan for getting you out of your head and into your life. Look, you’re bound to win some and lose some. But in the long run, if you embrace this simple methodology, you will see change take place and you will get out of your head. Won’t that be nice? Wayne M. Levine, MA, is a men’s life coach and director of BetterMen Coaching in Agoura Hills. He teaches men to be the best men, fathers, husbands and leaders they can be through individual, couples and group coaching, both in-office and via the phone. Wayne is author of the best-selling book, “Hold On to Your N.U.T.s—The Relationship Manual for Men.” Find out more, get a copy of Wayne’s book, and register for the BetterMen Weekend Retreat at www.bettermencoaching.com. NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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Physician’s Profile

Alexander P. Hersel, M.D.

PMIR Medical Center Founder — Pain Management Specialist Description of Practice Specializing in pain management

Educational Background Graduated from Hahnemann University School of Medicine Completed internship in Anesthesiology and Critical Care medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York Completed residency in Anesthesiology and Critical Care medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell Medical Center Obtained his Fellowship in Pain Management at UCLA

Memberships American Medical Association (AMA) American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) American Society of Pain Management (ASPM)

Website & Locations

Professional side:

www.paininjuryrelief.com

Dr. Hersel founded PMIR Medical Center in 2003. Utilizing a lifelong approach to the management of chronic pain, Dr. Hersel works closely with other healthcare professionals to maximize the efficacy of his patients’ treatments. Using some of today’s most cutting-edge procedures in the management of chronic pain, Dr. Hersel performs interventional procedures that include Botox for muscle spasms and migraine headaches, epidural steroid injections, facet blocks, nerve root blocks, morphine spinal pump plants and discography. A nationally recognized physician for Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants for failed back surgery syndrome, Dr. Hersel is one of the most experienced doctors in Southern California to use this technology.

2336 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 208 Santa Monica, CA 90404 Phone: 310-917-6800 Fax: 310-917-6804 1120 Newbury Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 Phone: 805-557-0096 Fax: 805-557-7360

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

Personal side: Outside of his practice, Dr. Hersel enjoys spending his free time with his family, volunteering in his community, and mastering the classic composition of the violin.

Physician’s Profile

Mahyar Okhovat, M.D. PMIR Medical Center — Neurologist Description of Practice Specializing in pain management

Educational Background Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science from UCLA Ross University School of Medicine Residency in Neurology at Kaiser Permanente, where he served as Chief Resident and was elected by his attending physicians to receive the Leo Munoz Outstanding Resident Award Fellowship Program in Neuromuscular Disorders at UCLA

Memberships

American Academy of Neurology American Academy of Pain Management American Headache Society

Professional side:

Website & Locations

Dr. Okhovat grew up in the San Fernando Valley and finished his education by completing a Neruomuscular fellowship at UCLA. He joined PMIR Medical Center in 2007 and utilizes an individualized, multidisciplinary approach to diagnose and treat patients with complex peripheral nervous system and muscle conditions. He is aware that each patient’s condition is unique, even if they display similar symptoms. Utilizing his specialized training in electromyogram (EMG) and nerve conduction tests, he provides patients with a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan for various conditions that affect the peripheral nerves and muscles. He believes in building strong patient relationships with attention and compassion, and provides every patient with an individualized treatment program specific to their needs.

www.paininjuryrelief.com

Personal side:

2336 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 208 Santa Monica, CA 90404 Phone: 310-917-6800 Fax: 310-917-6804 1120 Newbury Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 Phone: 805-557-0096 Fax: 805-557-7360

When he’s not helping his patients feel better Dr. Okhovat is very active in sports, including basketball, football, fishing, skiing and snowboarding.

NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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Physician’s Profile

Bradley Spiegel, M.D.

PMIR Medical Center — Pain Management Specialist Description of Practice Specializing in pain management

Educational Background Completed his undergraduate studies with a major in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara Graduated from New York Medical College Performed his internship and two-year externship in General Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles Completed residency in Anesthesia at UCLA Medical Center, specializing in Cardiac Anesthesia, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Management

Memberships American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) California Society of Anesthesia (CSA)

Website & Locations

Professional side:

www.paininjuryrelief.com

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Dr. Spiegel has been setting high standards for patient care in Southern California for more than 20 years. He utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to pain management that he has developed over the course of his professional life, including as Chief of Anesthesia at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California, and as an Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA. Dr. Spiegel has an exceptional ability to diagnose the root cause of pain and treat the pain condition and it’s underlying symptoms.

2336 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 208 Santa Monica, CA 90404 Phone: 310-917-6800 Fax: 310-917-6804 1120 Newbury Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 Phone: 805-557-0096 Fax: 805-557-7360

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

Personal side: Dr. Spiegel is an active volunteer for numerous non-profit organizations in the community. When he’s not seeing patients, he enjoys golfing and spending time with his family and his dogs.

Physician’s Profile

lnsun Lee, M.D.

PMIR Medical Center — Pain Management Specialist

Description of Practice Specializing in pain management

Educational Background Completed her undergraduate studies with a major in Biological Sciences from Columbia University in New York Graduated medical school from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York Completed residency in Anesthesia at Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Hospital Completed Pain Fellowship at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA

Memberships American Society of Anesthesiologists American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine California Society of Anesthesiologists

Professional side:

Website & Locations

Originally from New York City, Dr. Lee received extensive training at Columbia University for her undergraduate degree, medical school and residency in Anesthesiology. She continued her education at UCLA, completing her Pain Fellowship with a focus on interventional pain management. Dr. Lee performs a wide variety of procedures, from epidural steroid and plateletrich plasma injections, to nerve blocks targeted for complex regional pain syndrome, pelvic pain, and arthritic conditions of the spine. At the same time, she believes in the importance of a comprehensive approach to treatment that incorporates complementary and alternative therapies to address the diverse aspects of the chronic pain condition. Suboxone is an additional treatment option that can be prescribed by Dr. Lee for addiction therapy and pain management.

www.paininjuryrelief.com

Personal side:

2336 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 208 Santa Monica, CA 90404 Phone: 310-917-6800 Fax: 310-917-6804 1120 Newbury Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 Phone: 805-557-0096 Fax: 805-557-7360

When Dr. Lee is not seeing patients, she enjoys reading, cooking, and learning yoga.

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BEYOND GREEN LIVING

AGING AND STRESS

Aging and Stress

You Can Reverse the Problem by Jan Tucker

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

If we reframe our thinking about stressful situations in a more positive way, we can achieve far more than we can if we are pushed by stress

THE FACT IS, WE ALL HAVE STRESS IN OUR LIVES. IT’S UNAVOIDABLE IN TODAY’S WORLD. IT’S ALSO WELL-ESTABLISHED THAT STRESS IS A KILLER. BY ASSOCIATION, THIS MEANS THAT STRESS AGES US. THE MORE WE ARE STRESSED, THE MORE RAPIDLY OUR BODY IS REDUCED BY THAT STRESS. There is a new way to think about stress—a way that can help you grossly diminish the harmful and aging effects of stress in your life.

Stress Versus Balance When I talk about eliminating stress, ironically some people get a little irritated. Their first comment is that stress is a good thing—it’s a necessary motivator that helps them overcome problems, make progress and keep moving. They want to keep their stress. My response is simple—we don’t need to rely on stress to help us achieve. In fact, if we reframe our thinking about stressful situations in a more positive way, we can achieve far more than we can if we are pushed by stress. A study of stress and performance by the RAND Corporation shows “when an individual comes under stress, his cognitive performance and decision-making may be adversely affected.” Specifically, “stressed individuals are likely to screen out peripheral stimuli, make decisions based on rules of thumb, suffer from performance rigidity or narrow thinking, and lose their ability to analyze complicated situations and manipulate information. Task completion time may be increased and accuracy reduced by stress. In addition to effects on the individual, stress has

also been shown to negatively affect group functioning.”

Reframing Your Thinking The key to reframe your thinking about stress is to always remember that there is a difference between a stressor and being stressed—they are not one and the same. We can be faced with a stressful situation (stressor) while choosing to handle it in a calm, rational way (no stress).

Stressor ≠ Stress We do not have to accept the stress doled out by a stressful situation. Separating the two concepts in your mind will help you maintain balance in stressful situations. It will enable you to identify with remaining calm rather than being stressed. A Buddhist teaching illustrates this effectively. The teaching says if someone shoots an arrow at you and it lands at your feet (the stressor), you don’t have to pick it up and stab yourself with it. You don’t have to accept the stress. Your non-reaction transforms the stress into something harmless.

Comparing the Stressed Versus Balanced Approaches We’ve all seen situations where two people are faced with the exact same NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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BEYOND GREEN LIVING

( C O N T. )

circumstances, and they reach totally different outcomes by reacting differently. For example, a person who is tapped in to their intuition and to the natural flow of things can often take a stressful situation and skillfully find a way over, around or through it. They are adept at turning problems into solutions. Their motivation is to find the best way to achieve a favorable outcome without getting bent out of shape or getting others upset. These people value peace and balance in their lives, and they approach problems with a calm confidence. They take time to contemplate rather than reacting quickly.

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Health Essentials for natural living

• Group and private cooking classes • Nutritious and delicious personal chef services • Heavenly Heat far-infrared and traditional saunas • Multi Pure water filters • Austin Air filters • Natural Candle collection

DIANE ADDISON .

818.706.1888 | 800.653.8881 dianeaddison@aol.com www.dianeaddison.com 40

CTW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014

They are proactive rather than reactive. They have time to look ahead which helps them to reduce the occurrence of stressful situations. This stance is referred to as emotional intelligence (EI), and it involves the ability to remain calm under pressure. People with a high EI are able to do this because rather than looking at a particular problem as stressful and feeling the pressure of it, they look at it as something that can be overcome with the right approach. They separate the stressor from the stress. They realize that reacting with stress will make the problem worse rather than improving the situation. They know there will always be problems to solve—they expect them and build room into the schedule for them. Their approach is to focus all efforts on solving problems rather than being pressured by them. On the other hand, a person who is motivated by stress tends to be more reactive to problem situations. Their approach is often to put something in motion before thinking about the outcomes. This can lead to compound problems and additional stress. Those who live by stress tend to become more emotionally involved in the problem (they have a lower EI). They approach situations with control in mind rather than going with the flow and finding opportunities to pull resources together that fit naturally. It’s as though they have a little alarm in their head that puts them on alert when they see something alarming. They

buy into the stress and use it to overcome or control the problem. Those who thrive on stress feel like they are accomplishing great things as they move from one stressful situation to the next. But compared to the person with the balanced approach, their results and their health fall short. They tend to age more quickly. Better decisions are made when people use a calm, balanced approach rather than one involving stress. Even when a situation is inherently full of stress, such as the Ebola outbreak, those responsible for dealing with the problems can refuse to be driven by the stress and take a more productive, effective and efficient approach.

10 Tips to Increase Your EI The yoga lifestyle offers many techniques to greatly reduce your stress and increase your EI. Next month I will cover 10 yogabased tips to help you live a more balanced, stress-free life. If you want to explore this information now, visit www.destresspermanently.com/FreeEbook to download my free book on stress, “Ten Ways to De-Stress Your Life Permanently.” Stress is harmful. We can achieve more without the stress if we learn how to tap in to the natural flow of life where our intuition, positive attitude and openness can carry us much further than stress can ever push us.

Infrared Sauna Ceragem Massage Beds Sonic Life Vibration $39 1-1/2 hrs of BLISS Burn calories! Lower stress! 3625 E.Thousand Oaks Blvd #221 Westlake Village, CA 91362 (805) 777-8122

In the process our bodies will respond with relaxation rather than tension, our minds will be expanded rather than contracted, and the aging process will run a far more normal course. Jan Tucker is founder of the upcoming White Lotus Way, www.whitelotusway. com, whose vision is all about yoga—including positive thinking, returning to basics, tuning in with nature, unifying the world with compassion, and through all these principles—ultimately—world transformation. It’s about truth. Her web store, www.whitelotusliving.com is a place for consumers to learn about and gain access to truly green, natural products. NOVEMBER 2014 CTWMAG.COM

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