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HEALTH<br />
Depression &<br />
orthotics<br />
Hi Doc! I have suffered from<br />
clinical depression for years. I have<br />
tried herbal remedies, but they<br />
haven’t been strong enough. Antidepressants<br />
make me very tired.<br />
Is there any other alternative you<br />
can suggest, or is there something<br />
I can take that will not make me<br />
feel so exhausted when I am on<br />
the anti-depressant. Ann<br />
My first recommendation is to<br />
get another opinion regarding your<br />
diagnosis. There are anti-depressant<br />
medications that work and do<br />
not create fatigue in patients. There<br />
are patients who are fatigued and<br />
are treated for depression and are<br />
fatigued. An appropriate diagnosis<br />
is as essential as treatment. I have<br />
seen many patients with your identical<br />
complaint. After a comprehensive<br />
workup, in many cases, there<br />
were other factors that caused the<br />
fatigue and contributed to the depression<br />
as well.<br />
One of the diagnostic tests I order<br />
is an assessment of the brain’s<br />
neurotransmitters. This looks for<br />
the exact chemical imbalance(s),<br />
and the testing leads to supplement<br />
recommendations for treatment.<br />
The treatment consists of amino<br />
acid supplements and herbs that<br />
balance the transmitters and help<br />
to produce deficient hormones and<br />
balance those hormones that may<br />
By Dr. Damien Brandeis<br />
be in excess. Herbs and supplements<br />
work, they just need to be<br />
used in the correct dose for the<br />
appropriate reason. Get a second<br />
opinion and try an approach that<br />
may help you heal.<br />
I am a waiter and have stood on<br />
my feet for 30 years. They hurt so<br />
badly when I get off my shift that I<br />
don’t know how much longer I can<br />
keep this up. I wear good shoes.<br />
What do you suggest?<br />
You need an assessment for orthotics.<br />
An impression of your feet<br />
is made after an assessment of spinal,<br />
hip and foot health. Foam impressions<br />
of your feet are sent away<br />
and a few weeks later, shoe inserts<br />
are returned to you. These inserts or<br />
Orthotics are placed in your shoes<br />
to provide support to your feet so<br />
that you can withstand rigorous<br />
activity on your feet. Orthotics are<br />
superior to mass produced shoe inserts<br />
because they support the exact<br />
structure of the bones in your feet.<br />
This therapy also helps to prevent<br />
future low back pain that will ultimately<br />
result.<br />
In the meantime, try some alternating<br />
hydrotherapy for your feet.<br />
This is a simple low-tech solution<br />
to sore aching feet. Get two buckets<br />
or pans large enough to hold both<br />
feet flat and side-by-side. Place very<br />
warm water in one and chilled if not<br />
icy water in the other. Dissolve one<br />
cup of Epsom salts per gallon of water<br />
in the hot pan. Soak your feet for<br />
10 minutes in the hot pan and then<br />
plunge into the cold water for two<br />
to three minutes. Return your feet<br />
to the hot tub for another 10 minutes.<br />
Perform several cycles of this<br />
therapy and your feet will feel great<br />
and you body will be totally relaxed<br />
as well.<br />
Dr. Damien Brandeis, NMD has a private practice located in northwest<br />
Chandler. For more information about Dr. Brandeis and his practice,<br />
visit drbrandeis.net.<br />
More News Online! www.ntouchaz.com<br />
34 | Issue #93 | April 2012 | ntouchaz.com news / politics / business / opinion
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