1.19Jan

The Inevitable Decline of
the Body: Part II
By: Kyo Mitchell / A Healthier You
Last month we discussed the concept of one specific drug used
to treat each specific medical problem. To reiterate, when the
medical problem was due to one specific cause (such as a bacterial
infection) this strategy worked well.
However, many of the medical problems we see these days have
multiple causes which contribute to the problem. Because there are
multiple causes, a single drug (or even two or three) may not address
all the factors to the problem allowing it to perpetuate.
Let’s give an example. Many people, as they are older, deal with pain.
They may take some form of pain reliever which is designed to block
inflammation and pain, but this strategy can actually perpetuate the
problem. The reason the body gives you a pain sensation is that it is
trying to prevent you from using the damaged tissue (and making the
damage worse) until it has time to repair the damage.
If you take a pain reliever, you no longer feel pain and may
continue to use the damaged tissue. This can create further damage
and perpetuate the pain/drug/damage cycle further.
Obviously if your tissues can heal faster than the damage, you
will eventually heal. If the damage is extensive or continues to occur
faster than your body can heal, you will live in chronic pain. The pain
relievers may be able to block the pain for a few hours, but they are
not dealing with the underlying problem.
To effectively treat pain, you need to deal with all aspects of the
healing process. This includes:
1. Removing any pressure, tension or torque damaging the tissue.
2. Decreasing the pain/inflammation.
3. Cleaning out any old, damaged tissue.
4. Getting the tissue out of a state of “shock” after being traumatized.
5. Rebooting the signals along the perineural tissue.
6. Increasing blood flow to bring raw materials to the area.
7. Helping the body lay down healthy new tissue.
A pain reliever will only address step Number 2. Next month:
Potential solutions.
Dr. Kyo Mitchell served as faculty at Bastyr University in Seattle
and Wongu University in Las Vegas for over a decade. Dr.
Mitchell practices in Summerlin and can be reached at 702-481-
6216 or rkyomitchell@gmail.com.
30
January 2019
A New Year - New Goals
By: Mary Richard / Health Fitness
WOW! January 1 st and another new year
already! Where did 2018 go? I turned a
magic 74 years young last month and love it!
I have great friends, family, a home, wonderful jobs, health and 2
beautiful fur babies. LOVE MY LIFE!
I’m on to new goals this year. I don’t make resolutions – just new
goals. One thing that I will do this year is put an empty jar on my
kitchen counter, put happy thoughts or events into the jar and then in
January 2020 take out all the happiness that has transpired throughout
this year and read them. Did that for 2018 and was I surprised at my
“happy thoughts!”
So did we all gain a few pounds in 2018? Don’t stress about it. Just
take it easy – better to lose a few pounds at a time slowly than to crash
diet. Try to enjoy the goodies if you must – but in moderation.
I try not to deny myself of any of the wonderful sweets, chocolates,
etc. – even indulging in a holiday drink or two. I found one secret to
keeping your alcohol in moderation is to have a sip of water every so
often when drinking wine or cocktail. It sure helps!
I also try to nibble on some veggies before venturing out to a party.
Then I am not so famished when I get there and eat more than
I intended! Someone told me that we might just as well take the
chocolates that we eat during the holidays and just slap it on the hips!
I thought that was pretty funny!
Life is shorter than we think! Make 2019 a year to reflect on what we
did in 2018. Set some goals (not resolutions!) to try to attain what you
didn’t do in 2018.
Make a conscious effort to exercise more, try to lose those added
pounds that suddenly appeared around the middle, eat healthier, enjoy
your friends, make new friends. Enjoy each and every given day.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND HAPPY HEALTH TO ALL!
Mary Richard is a long term supporter of senior fitness. She
teaches Zumba, toning and dance classes throughout the Las
Vegas Valley. She can be reached at zumbaqueen@cox.net.