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Holistic Allergy Doctor NJ

Tips for Surviving Allergies

Tips for Surviving Allergies
by Dr. Noémie Long
July 2019

 

Living in New Jersey, it can feel like allergy season is year-round. Ragweed season for example can last
from March to October. Other allergies can be year-long, even in the winter. And then to make matters
more complicated, people can have sensitivities on top of all that. Where do you begin?
Definition: First, we have to understand what exactly an allergy is and how it’s different than a
sensitivity:

 

Allergy

Sensitivity

Reaction time

Happens immediately

Happens gradually: hours after exposure, up to 9 days later

 

Symptoms

Life Threatening: Sinus congestion, hives, difficulty breathing, face or hand swelling, itching, wheezing

Not Life Threatening: bloating, joint pain, headache, weight gain, diarrhea, fatigue, constipation

 

Mechanism

The immune system releases histamine in response to trigger

Typically, due to a leaky gut, the body becomes sensitive to a trigger which causes inflammation

 

What the results mean

Once an allergy is established, it is forever. However, the goal should be to manage the severity of symptoms

 

Sensitivities may be reversible through proper care and support.

What to look for on blood test

 

IGE marker. Ex: “Corn IGE”

IGG or IGA. Ex: “Corn IGG”

Reliable tests

Quest, labcorp, most major lab companies. An allergist may also run a scratch test.

Microchip testing (ex: Vibrant) or Cyrex testing.

 

*Cyrex is the only test to offer sensitivity to raw AND cooked foods.

 

Unreliable tests

 

ALCAT, MRT, LRA

What should you do for an allergy?

First, you need to find out what the trigger is. If you already know,
try to avoid that trigger 100% of the time. There are traditional medical options, such as an epi-pen if
the reaction is severe. For less severe allergies, natural antihistamines like AllerDHQ or D-Hist JR (a
chewable for kids) can be used. If your allergies are derived from oral allergies, HistDAO can be your
best friend. HistDAO supplements diamine oxidase, an enzyme you make to get rid of histamine in your
gut. Some people have genetic changes that lower this enzyme.
Environmental modifications can include dust mite covers for bedding, HEPA filters for your home/work,
and weekly washing of drapery or bedding using hot water.

What are your triggers?

If you don’t know what your trigger is, or are unsure if you have an allergy or
sensitivity, Core Therapies has providers to help you. My post-doctoral training includes focusing on
blood work interpretation and balancing blood chemistry. Often, our natural body’s chemistry can hold
clues and hints about primary shifts starting to occur. Think of your car, we would never ignore a
rumbling noise coming from the engine; we would look into it early and not wait for smoke to appear.
Secondary conditions like allergy symptoms or sensitivity symptoms may relate to an underlying
physiological shift. We want to identify and optimize those changes before they cause issue or progress.

 

 

 

Neck Doctor NJ

The “Text Neck” Epidemic

The “Text Neck” Epidemic
By Dr. Sonia Marques

We have all been guilty of looking down at our phones or tablets for long periods of time and feeling a stiffness and discomfort in our necks as a result of it. Most of the time we aren’t even aware of how much time is passing by, but our bodies are certainly feeling the impact of our actions. Our technology-driven society has led to a common and ubiquitous condition coined “text neck,” or chronic flexion malposition of the head and neck. For some, this means limited range of motion and stiffness, but for many others the restriction is painful. Patients may also present with symptoms in the upper back and shoulders, as well as reporting headaches, altered vision and fatigue.

Long term consequences of progressive text neck syndrome include rounding of the shoulders, a rounded hump-like upper and mid back and eventually reduced respiratory volume. These postural changes include anterior head carriage, which is when the chin juts forward. Anterior head carriage increases the weight and stress to our necks and upper backs. A normal neutral head posture of 0 degrees correlates to 10-12 lbs of weight on our necks, whereas 45 degrees of forward head posture correlates to 49 lbs of weight to our necks! Essentially, a forward head posture of 3-5 inches adds hundreds of pounds of stress to the neck throughout the day. Years of this added stress greatly increases the potential for cervical disc herniations, as well as degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the neck and upper spine. Of particular concern is the long-term effects of text neck on children and adolescents who have grown up with this technology since infancy and oftentimes exceed the recommended daily amounts of screen time.

A study published in the May 2017 issue of Surgical Neurology International Journal concluded that “Musculoskeletal neck pain is a common multifactorial disease in children and adolescents, implying that there are numerous risk factors contributing to its development. Bending the head, neck, and shoulders over cell phones and handheld devices, along with distorted neck positioning when sitting, studying, and watching television, can lead to incrementally increased stresses in the cervical spine area. These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries. Other developmental, medical, psychological, and social complications are also of concern.

While it is nearly impossible to avoid the habits and technologies that cause these issues, young individuals should make an effort to perform activities with a neutral spine and to avoid neck flexion for hours each day. Most times, children and adolescents do not know they could be doing serious long-term damage to their bodies because the short-term effects are not as noticeable. It is only later in life that the effects can seriously affect the quality of life. This increases fears that younger people, who are society’s biggest users of smartphones and tablets, could be facing a future of pain and disability, or even taking years off of their life expectancy.

Assessment of postural anomalies and evaluation of spinal and muscle dysfunction allows the chiropractor to determine the best course for corrective action. Corrections may include active release therapy of dysfunctional muscles, soft tissue release, joint mobilizations, manual traction, as well as rehabilitative stretching and strengthening exercises and ergonomic and supportive care. Raising awareness on the consequences of musculoskeletal neck pain and providing methods of prevention of treatment is the key to managing “text neck” in both kids and adults. Although smart phones, tablets and laptops will always be necessary parts of our lives, we can certainly minimize their negative effects to ourselves and to our families.

Light Therapy NJ

The Healing Power of Light

The Healing Power of Light
by Dr. Jason Sonners

We are light sensitive beings. Our bodies convert sunlight into Vitamin D. UV rays can make our skin tan or burn. Dermatologists use light to treat precancerous cells or encourage skin peeling. In surgical centers, light can be used as a cutting tool. So why not use light as a therapeutic healing tool? We actually have a broad spectrum of laser and LED light devices with various uses and strengths at our disposal depending on what benefits we want to attain.

Most importantly, light can be used to attack inflammation in our bodies which, not properly treated, ultimately leads to many chronic illnesses. These include chronic pain, heart disease, stroke, cancer, further autoimmunity and many more. Whether we’re discussing trauma, concussion (TBI), or the varieties of arthritis and degenerative brain conditions: (Dementia, Alzheimer’s), we believe inflammation is a key factor causing the associated pain, brain fog, loss of normal function and decreased quality of life.

So at Core Therapies, we’ve decided to double down on that belief and bring new equipment and staff into our office to help us combat inflammation with every available tool. And that often begins with light! “Light Therapy” – or PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT) – means using laser and/or LED light in order to help improve cellular function. In addition to fighting inflammation, light can be used therapeutically in an attempt to reduce pain, improve skin health and complexion, increase our ability to produce energy and much more. We now have a number of Light Therapy devices in our office: Class 2, 3 and 4 handheld lasers, Violet handheld laser, Far Infrared Sauna and the only full body PBMT Bed in New Jersey.  Here’s a little bit about each to give you the basics:  Class 2, 3 and 4 Handheld Lasers – These handheld lasers are used one-on-one in the treatment rooms. Depending on the issues we’re addressing, we would determine which light or laser device to employ. These pieces of equipment can be used to relieve muscle, joint and back pain, heal tendons and ligaments and even be used to promote healing after a stroke or concussion as well as other brain conditions.  Violet Handheld Laser – Violet light is used to help with acne, sinus and other skin- based or gastrointestinal infection/bacterial imbalances.  Far Infrared Sauna – Far infrared waves penetrate the body to activate our sweat glands. By using light and heat, the sauna helps cells detoxify and improves circulation.  Full Body Light Therapy – This is somewhat similar to the handheld devices, but in a full body treatment. It is used as a full body cellular recovery tool – an excellent way to boost whole body healing, promote exercise recovery, combat systemic inflammatory conditions and more.

We are committed to staying ahead of the curve and bringing our patients the newest, highest quality treatment options that are grounded deeply in proven methods of healing recovery. Please ask us questions if you’d like to know more or try some of our new pieces of equipment.

Holistic Practitioners Florham Park NJ

Cold & Flu – What’s the Truth and What’s a Myth?

Cold and Flu: What’s the Truth and What’s a Myth?
By Dr. Noémie Long
November 2018
With cold and flu season approaching, it’s important to touch upon a handful of questions that I get time
and time again, things like which supplements should I take? How long should I take them for? Why
shouldn’t I take certain products and why can’t I give elderberry syrup year round? How do vaccines
work?
The answers to these questions are complex and vary for each person. To address the question of which
supplements to take and when, we have to establish a basic understanding of how the immune system
works. Think of a teeter totter or a seesaw. When you sit on one end, the other end rises up into the air.
The immune system has 2 major branches to it. Something called TH1 and TH2. When we eat things or
take certain products, we increase the TH1 side of our seesaw while decreasing the TH2 side. You can’t
raise one side without lowering the other.
These two parts of the immune system play important roles. The TH1 system does things like fight
bacteria and viruses. It is also pro-inflammatory. The TH2 system helps us fight parasites and also plays a
role with allergies. This system is anti-inflammatory. You can also think of TH1 as the gas pedal and TH2
as the brake pedal.
Certain foods activate our immune system in one way or another. For example, coffee is a TH2
stimulator. Most cold and flu remedies like elderberry, Airborne, emergen-C, vitamin C, echinacea, etc.,
are all TH1 stimulators (gas pedal). You want these to fight a cold. But taking these all the time can cause
your body’s immune system to always be in fight mode. This is inflammatory, can cause functional
immune exhaustion, and worst case scenario contribute to autoimmunity long term. Short term use of
these products can be helpful, as a rule of thumb we don’t recommend using daily “immune boosters”
for more than 3 months in a row. Remember that the Core providers are always here to help, so feel
free to ask if you are unsure about a product or for suggestions.
Very briefly let’s discuss how vaccines work. When we get sick naturally (or with flu-mist/ other inhaled
nasal vaccines) the bacteria/virus goes into our nose or mouth where it signals the alarm system of the
body through what’s called an IGA response. The immune system’s fight ensues from there and
afterwards causes a memory response and protection that lasts your entire life. With vaccine injections
you bypass the IGA system and instead trigger natural killer cells to blow up whatever is in the vaccine.
Because a different immune cascade is triggered, you typically need boosters and your protection
doesn’t last forever as titer levels fall.
In my teens I made the decision to get an optional vaccine and my life has never been the same. I was
initially healthy but after that day I developed an autoimmune condition. While ASIA or Autoimmune
Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants is thought to be uncommon, it happened to me. I’m not saying anyone
should avoid the decision I made, but make sure you’re healthy enough, have a family history that
supports vaccination as a safe choice for you or your kids and ask your doctor if you’re not sure. Have
immune cell breakdowns like a CD4:8 ratios and other testing done to see if you’re a good candidate for
vaccines or to make sure you’re not allergic to the additives like egg, gelatin or silicone. The flu causes
suffering for 3 days, an autoimmune condition lasts every day of the rest of your life.

Dr Long’s Favorite Cold product: IG 26 DF

IG 26 DF is a form of “hyperimmunized egg.” There is egg in this product so do not use if you are allergic
or vegan. Immunoglobulins and antibodies in the egg help stimulate your immune system to help
protect and give passive immunity against 26 different pathogens such as Shigella,
Staphylococcus(staph), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, H. influenzae, and
Streptococcus (strep).