We are talking UTIs, yeast infections, dryness, low libido hormone imbalances…the list goes on and on.

Recurring gynecological problems aren’t just a bother…they can really get in the way of leading a happy, healthy, productive life.  In fact, gynecological issues can contribute to emotional trouble, relationship/intimacy problems, and physical issues (for example, yeast infections and UTIs don’t mix well with exercise).

While almost all women deal with some sort of gynecological issue during their lifetime, the problems really start to get in the way when they are recurring.  While getting rid of the symptoms can help in the short term, treating the cause of the problem at the source is imperative for long term success…

Enter… Integrative Gynecological Care

Let’s see how Integrative Gynecological Care helped L.B.

A 68 year old mother of two and grandmother came to our office after 2 years of having chronic yellow vaginal discharge.  During those 2 years she had been seen and treated by several different providers with no success. After an exam and consultation, it was evident that she had also been dealing with recurring urinary tract infections, painful intercourse, vaginal dryness (which was masked by the discharge),  group b strep, and vaginal atrophy from a hormone imbalance. The significant vaginal atrophy was the contributing factor to the recurrent UTI infections.  A multifaceted, integrative approach was taken…one month of daily compounded vaginal suppositories with specific antibiotics, vaginal estrogen, and topical steroids…to address all the issues.  At her 6 week follow up, the patient was delighted that all the symptoms were gone and she was pleasantly enjoying intimacy with her spouse after 2 years.  A future plan of care included vaginal probiotics to keep normal flora present, as well as a list of preventive vaginal health routines.

In this case above, the patient came to me after seeing several other providers.  However, many times we work together with a patient’s current provider to come up with the best long term solution.  We are here to help and we aim to do whatever is best for your situation!

At The Renewal Point, we provide Integrative Gynecology in a private, comfortable environment with time to address any concerns from various angles.  While we provide the standard GYN testing, and assessments, we can also address any concerns about other areas of health – emotional, physical, mental health concerns. 

If you are interested in learning more about our services or how we can address your specific issues, we encourage you to call us at 941-96-4905, visit our website at therenewalpoint.com, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, or come to our upcoming seminar! 

Written By: Helena Williams, ARNP, MS – Advanced Nurse Practitioner

While these are great goals for the New Year, choosing a gym or a trainer, for those of us over 40 or those of us suffering with musculo-skeletal aches and pains, a regular gym may not be our best choice.

For those who wish to remain physically active the rest of their lives, life can get in the way; statistically: 8 out of 10 will develop back pain, 7 out of 10 shoulder instability, and 5 out of 10 hip or knee pain.  Eventually, these statistics can lead to surgery or disability.  So how can we mitigate these facts?  Let’s see what Terri B. chose to do, in her own words.

“After an MRI revealed several things wrong with my knee, I assumed surgery was required.  I entered the CKC Fitness program at The Renewal Point to address the feet and body alignment issues that Dr. Luedeka said were the root cause of my current knee issues and to hopefully prevent a future knee replacement.  I received far more from my participation in the CKC program than I anticipated….I am stronger, have better balance, more endurance, and a leaner body than I have for years.  All of this happened at a much faster pace than I ever would have guessed.”

There is a lot of misleading information out there when it comes to your health.  It is especially important for you to know what is really True North in the exercise industry.  If you are looking for the correct information and the right care…the medical exercise facility at The Renewal Point may be just what you need.

While I advocate exercise for every able body, many of us require the advantages of a medical exercise program, one that a regular gym simply cannot offer.

There are several important differences between The Renewal Point medical fitness program and other gyms.

1. Gyms are not medically guided. The Renewal Point medical staff is qualified to teach proven, science evidence-based techniques in an individually-customized program, which insures  safety and effectiveness with a high level of oversight.
2. Gyms may not require a high level of certification or training. The Renewal Point medical staff is degreed and certified. You have, at your disposal, a Medical Doctor, Masters level Nutritionist, Doctor of Physical Therapy, CKC Certified Fitness Trainer, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and professional nursing staff, all working together to provide effective physical conditioning programs.
3. Gyms cannot offer exercise programs for disease management. With our qualified medical staff, The Renewal Point focuses on prevention strategies and disease management for conditions such as: degenerative joint disease; back, shoulder, knee and hip pain; as well as cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases.
4. The Renewal Point staff is experienced in integrating your fitness program with our already successful hormone balancing, nutritional counseling and medical weight management programs.  Again, these services are simply not available at a gym.
5. Our CKC Fitness Training Program, designed and directed by Dr. Dave Luedeka, MS, DPT, and carried out by Matt Jones, ACSM/CPT, has already helped hundreds of patients recover from neck and low back pain, shoulder instability, knee and hip disabilities. CKC Fitness or Closed Kinetic Chain Fitness is a state-of-the art strength and conditioning program that can help the average person to the injured to the athlete.  CKC works by forcing the muscles, tendons, and joints which become broken down by aging, trauma, and wear to realign and reintegrate.

To learn more about this groundbreaking program, we encourage you to come to an upcoming seminar.  For more information, to schedule an appointment, or RSVP to a seminar…you can call us at 941-926-4905, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, or visit our website at TheRenewalPoint.com.

References:

Exercise and aging: Can you walk away from Father Time. Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School. Published March, 2014

The 21st Century has brought with it an array of new advancements in healthcare and integrative medicine!  In this video, learn about optimizing the human lifespan through:  Extending parts of the chromosome (telomeres), Breakthroughs in stem cell research and joint regeneration, Detection and correction of nutritional deficiencies and hormone, balancing, Toxin elimination – reducing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer risk, Altering human genomes – turning them on/off, Slowing and possibly reversing the aging and disease process.

We use a researched, tested, and novel approach to fitness, developed by David Luedeka, MS, DPT and carried out in our office by Matt Jones, CPT/ACSM. From the person recovering from a major fall to the professional athlete looking to increase their skills, our fitness program can help!  

4 ways your workout should change after you turn 40….

“There’s no getting around biology: with the passage of time, we all become a little stiffer, squishier, and wobblier.  That said, the 40-something you, can be as strong as ever.”  This is the message claimed by Vonda Wright, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and mobility specialist, in a recent TIME article.  The trick she says, is exercising smarter.

As an example, my wife, Sherry’s, idea of staying fit has changed over the years.  When she was younger, it was aerobic dance, circuit training, and walking.  In her late 40’s, she found those ways of exercising simply did not work for her.  With the degenerative effects of aging and wear and tear on her body, she had developed multiple orthopedic problems: a torn rotator cuff, herniated lumbar discs, neck and back pain, scoliosis, and osteoporosis.  I saw how frustrating it was for her because she valued being trim, fit, and active.  Even sitting in the car on extended rides was too painful for her.   Her options at the time were limited: take addictive pain killers, have multiple surgeries, or simply become sedentary.  None of those were acceptable.  Fortunately, she was introduced to Dr Dave Luedeka by a friend who had been dealing with similar problems.

 Dr. Luedeka, D.P.T., C.S.C.S. was working on a novel approach to counter the wear and tear of aging and injuries.  Because of the success he had had in patients with cases similar to my wife’s, the word had spread.  Many of his patients were medical physicians and their families.  After nine months of physical therapy and strength & conditioning with Dr. Luedeka’s medical fitness model, Sherry was pain free and within the 90th percentile of strength for women her age. 

Today, she continues to utilize Dr. Luedeka’s exercise program.  At 68, Sherry maintains the strength, stability, bones, and fitness of a much younger woman.  (Women with orthopedic problems in their 40’s are usually worse or debilitated by their late 60’s.)

Dr. Luedeka’s Formula

* CKC or Closed Chain Kinetic exercises force the muscles, fascia, joints and tendons to restructure and stabilize along the entire body.  (Dr. Luedeka’s CKC Fitness program is now a proven model used by University athletic teams, professional athletes, the US Tennis team and hundreds of other people just like Sherry.)

* HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training, which adds a cardiovascular component to CKC, is proven to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and diabetes.  It helps you manage your weight, get a good night’s sleep and look and feel better.

* Flexibility and Balance.  Remember how Dr. Vonda Wright, in her book Fitness after 40, recommends that people over 40 shouldn’t exercise more, they should exercise smarter?  The smart move is to improve your flexibility and balance.

*Functional Strength Training.  When you were younger you might have “hit the gym” to lift weights or do circuit training on a consistent basis.  But as you age, you need to build functional strength over strength in isolated muscle groups. The idea behind building functional strength is to improve your abilities using groups of muscles you would normally use in everyday life.

How to get all these in just one program…. Read on.

If you are interested in ‘exercising smarter’, we encourage you to contact us at The Renewal Point to learn more about how you can benefit.  Designed by Luedeka and carried out in our office by Matt Jones, ACSM/CPT, the CKC Fitness Program is a state-of-the art strengthening and conditioning program that can help the average person to the injured to the athlete. To schedule a complementary consultation or get more information,  call us at 941-926-4905, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, or visit our website at TheRenewalPoint.com.

Spark up a ‘merry and bright’ romance for the holidays and 2019!

Whether it’s the mistletoe, crackling fireplace, or bringing in the New Year …there’s something about the holidays that lends itself to romance.  But, for many women (48.2%…to be exact), female sexual dysfunction (the female equivalent of erectile dysfunction) is a barricade to a healthy sex life. 

A lot of times we chalk up our decreased libido to “a normal part of aging” or “being married a long time…losing that honeymoon feeling,”; however, if it’s bothering you and you wish that you could get that “spark” back…you can!

Lynn B., a 63 year old female, came to the office expressing concern about “decreased libido”.  She had been placed on hormone replacement therapy by previous providers and her lab values were within normal range; however, her libido had not improved and, in fact, it was affecting her relationship with her spouse and they had not had intercourse in over 6 months.  A physical exam revealed that she not only suffered from severe vaginal atrophy but also significant clitoral retraction. (The clitoris is the female sexual appendage and thereby the equivalent to the penis in a male. If a woman does not have clitoral stimulation then it  is often very difficult for her to achieve an orgasm.) A plan of care consisted of use of topical estrogens and testosterone vaginally. The patient was educated on how to apply this medication for 2 months and after 2 months the patient was happy to report that she is enjoying intercourse again with no further libido issue!

This is an extremely common scenario, but it definitely doesn’t stop there…other common problems include painful intercourse, inability to achieve orgasm, low/absent sexual arousal, and aversion to sex.  And, while having just one of these issues is more than enough to deal with, 23.2% of women surveyed had two or more forms of sexual dysfunction.  The great news is that we can address almost all of these issues successfully!

Many times, a simple plan of hormonal cream and exercises can fix the problem. Other times, trigger point injections are the key.  And, then, some cases are more complex ~ addressed through combination therapies, counseling, and/or surgery.  Many times, the treatment can be fully completed in the office, other times, we work in conjunction with a counselor and/or specialty surgeon. 

Above all, the main thing that I want women to remember is that you aren’t alone ~ whatever the problem may be, we are here to help and all patient care is completed privately and confidentially.

If you are experiencing any of the issues above, or any others that you are concerned about, I encourage you to call our office (941-926-4905) , come to our upcoming seminar, email us (info@therenewalpoint.com), or contact us through our website TheRenewalPoint.com. 

This holiday season and new year, let us help you bring the merry and bright back to your sex life! 

Source: Helena Williams, ARNP, MS, is a Board Certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner at The Renewal Point. With an extensive background in integrative medicine, Helena works together with her patients to create a holistic and individualized approach, in order to bring them to an optimal quality of life. Her specialties include Female Sexual Dysfunction, Bio-identical Hormone Balancing, Metabolic Weight Loss, Medical Aesthetics, IV Therapy, Nutritional Therapy, and NeuroAdrenal Balancing.

References:

Yale School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Cleveland Clinic

Throughout my childhood, I was fortunate to have two of the most wonderful grandmothers in the world. Sadly, beginning in early middle-age, both suffered from back pain: deformities caused by scoliosis, degenerative discs and osteoporosis. Their last fifteen years were hampered by a poor quality of life until they were finally unable to care for themselves at all.

I vividly recall how proud my grandmother was when I received my medical degree. She told me, “I hope you can straighten out my bent body now.” Her statement hurt…research had little to nothing to offer at that time.

Focus now on a success story. Ms. S.W., a 47-year-old married, mother of two, herniated 4 out of 5 lumbar discs following a traumatic injury. Her pain was so intense that she could not sit in a chair without experiencing excruciating spasms of her low back. A physical exam and radiological studies revealed scoliosis, multiple herniated disks, and severe osteoporosis. Despite taking anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and remaining somewhat active, her pain persisted. Acupuncture and chiropractic helped for a short while, but her pain continued to progressively worsen over 3 months. Narcotic pain meds were offered, but considering the high risk of addiction, she decided against that option. Surgical approach was considered next, but after weighing the risks of surgery and speaking to her friends who had undergone back surgery, she decided against that as well.

            The problem with back pain:

• It is the single leading cause of disability in America.
• It is the second most common reason to visit a doctor.
• The opioid epidemic has led many health groups to consider other options.
• If not managed properly early in the disease process, many cases progress to a debilitating condition.

Faced with these discouraging facts, S.W. sought the help of David Luedeka, DPT, MS, CSCS. She had been referred by several friends with similar problems, who were pleased with their results. Then, following his recommended program of physical therapy and prescribed physical conditioning, she recovered and progressed in strength and conditioning to 90th percentile of women her age.

The good news is that was twenty years ago. To this day, S.W. continues the prescribed exercises. Her back pain, discs, scoliosis, and osteoporosis have greatly improved. (Remember what I said about back pain generally worsening with age.)

And, these results are not an isolated incident. Luedeka’s approach to musculoskeletal dysfunction has now helped hundreds of patients. His ongoing science evidence-based research on closed kinetic chain exercise and rotator cuff dysfunction at the University of Southern California is yielding break-through results.

Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC) technology, such as The Luedeka CKC Fitness System, is designed to correct inherent anthropologic defects in our bodies, which are exacerbated by a variety of challenges: aging, wear and tear, injuries, stress, poor metabolism, etc.

While Physical Conditioning has always been one of our foundational 4 Cornerstones of Health, we are excited and proud to now offer it in-office, in the form of this breakthrough and efficacious fitness model!  Designed by Luedeka and carried out in our office by Matt Jones, ACSM/CPT, the CKC Fitness Program is a state-of-the art strengthening and conditioning program that can help the average person to the injured to the athlete.

To learn more about the groundbreaking program, we encourage you to come to our upcoming seminar on September 27th from 6-7.  For more information, or to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 941-926-4905, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, or visit our website at TheRenewalPoint.com.

                        The Renewal Point 4 Cornerstones of Health

1. Hormone Balance                                           3.    Physical Conditioning
2. Nutrition                                                         4.    Toxin Elimination

By now, common knowledge says that toxins are extremely dangerous to our health. But, less considered are the potentially dangerous chemicals that can be found in every room in your home. And…, according to a recent report by Cleveland Clinic, “If not properly stored or used, these products could cause minor to serious and even life-threatening health problems for you or your children.

Unfortunately, we see people daily at The Renewal Point, already exhibiting symptoms of toxic exposure. One of the best defenses for your and your family is to learn when potentially dangerous chemicals can be found and learn how to avoid intoxication.

Let’s take a tour around your home and discover what some of these chemicals are, what health harm they may cause, and how to avoid them.

Oil-based paint – Inhalation of fumes can result in headache, nausea, and vomiting. Chronic exposure can cause liver, kidney problems, and cancer.

Safety tip – Good air purification; use water-based paint when possible.

Pet, flea, and tick treatment – Many of these products contain chemicals such as Imidacloprid, Fipronil, Pyrethrin, Permethrin, and Methoprene. Acute exposure – These chemicals can cause headache, dizziness, twitching, and nausea…Chronic exposure is carcinogenic.

Safety tip – Wear gloves while applying; wash hands; do not pet your pet for at least 24-hours; use green pet products when possible.

Indoor insecticide sprays can contain Diazinon, Propoxur, and Chlorpyrifos which can cause headache, dizziness, twitching, and nausea on acute. Chronic exposure can lead to endocrine problems, i.e., estrogen, thyroid, breast.

Safety tip – Avoid contamination with food, drinks, dishes, glasses, eating utensils, etc.; use green products when possible.

Groceries – Many non-organic foods contain pesticides and herbicides which can increase risk of endocrine problems, cancer, and breast disease.

Safety tip – Understand what are the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15 Foods in supermarkets; eat organic when possible.

Drinking and bathing water directly from faucets contains ever-increasing levels of arsenic and mercury which can cause multiple ills; cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, thyroid irregularities, just to name a few.

Safety tip – Water filtration system for your home, Reverse Osmosis, if possible.

With over 15 years experience in Toxin Elimination, a Board Certification in Integrative Medicine, and a Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative, and Functional Medicine, Dr. Watts has put together a Toxin Elimination Program that has helped thousands of patients. If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms talked about in this article, we recommend that you schedule an appointment or come to our upcoming seminar ~ we can help!  To schedule an appointment or RSVP to our upcoming seminar, you can call us at 941-926-4905, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, or visit our website TheRenewalPoint.com.

References:

1. Cleveland Clinic. Household Chemical Products and Their Health Risk.  

     https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11397-household-chemical-products-and- 

     their-health. May 2, 2018.

2. Brooke Nelson. The Hidden Danger Lurking in BPA-Free Plastic Products. https://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/bps-in-plastic/.
3. Sherry A. Rogers, M.D. Detoxify or DIE. Copyright © 2002 by Sand Key Company, Inc.

A Hopeful Solution to a ‘Grim Reaper’

“It is impossible to escape the grim news about Alzheimer’s disease,” so says Dr. Dale Bredesen, The End of Alzheimer’s. “There is no reliable way to prevent it, and the disease has for decades beaten the world’s best neuroscientists. Despite the billions and billions of dollars spent by governmental agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology wizards to invent and test drugs for Alzheimer’s, 99.6 percent of what we have come up with have been abysmal failures.”

A sad commentary, because we fear Alzheimer’s as we fear no other disease. Why?

● It is the only one of the ten most common causes of death for which there is no cure.

● It is not only fatal, Alzheimer’s is worse than fatal, robbing its victims of their very humanity and capacity for independence.

Here, finally, is the good news. The Buck Institute, University of Southern California has science evidence-based research indicating a 90% prevention and reversal of cognitive impairment. Better yet, these studies (now called the ReCODE Program) have helped hundreds of patients, over a period of seven years.

Patients in the study talk about the blessing of getting their lives back. One patient reported that he has allowed himself to think about the future again when he talks to his grandchildren. Another said her memory is better than it had been in thirty years. One musician’s wife said her husband returned to playing his guitar. The daughter of another said her mother, who had been disappearing slowly, is once again part of the family.

At The Renewal Point, we see many patients with mild to moderate cognitive loss or a strong family history for Alzheimer’s. It’s a scary proposition. “What will happen to me?” “Will I get Alzheimer’s?” “Is there anything that can be done?”

Thankfully, medical research now offers a solution. Running the appropriate lab tests recommended by Dr. Bredesen is the start.

1. Genetics – Sensitive Alzheimer’s risk genes such as APOE4, MTHFR, and COMT can be down-regulated.
2. Hormone Panels – Natural Hormone Balancing is known to lower cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s risk.
3. NutrEval – Correcting nutrient deficiencies to slow down and rebuild the brain.
4. Inflammatory Markers – Inflammation in the brain causes the neurons to burn out quickly. Inflammation can be squelched, if we know where to put the fire out.
5. Toxins Profile – Toxins such as mercury, lead, PCB’s, and mycotoxins get lodged in the brain and contribute to cognitive decline. Once toxins are detected, natural and traditional therapies can be implemented.

With over 15 years’ experience in toxin elimination, brain health, and hormone balancing, as well as a Board Certification in Integrative Medicine, and a Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative, and Functional Medicine, Dr. Watts has designed a Brain Health Program that has helped thousands of patients. If you, or someone you know, have been experiencing symptoms of cognitive decline, we recommend that you schedule an appointment or come to our upcoming seminar ~ we can help!  To schedule an appointment or RSVP to our upcoming seminar, you can call us at (941)926-4905, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, or visit our website TheRenewalPoint.com.

References:

1. The End of Alzheimer’s. Dr. Dale Bredesen. Copyright © Bredesen Publishing, LLC 2017.

At The Renewal Point, we have been inundated with patients trying to wean off psychotropic medication. We know it can be a frustrating endeavor. Consider the difficulty Ms. Robin H. encountered. (Taken from a story that recently appeared in the New York Times.)

Robin, a 54-year-old mother of four who lives near Concord, N.H., began taking the antidepressant Paxil 21 years ago for severe premenstrual syndrome upon the recommendation of her gynecologist. “He said, ‘Oh, this little pill is going to change your life,’” Robin said. “Well, did it ever.” The drug blunted her PMS symptoms, but also caused her to gain 40 pounds in nine months. Quitting was nearly impossible – at first. “My doctor tapered me too quickly,” she said.

She succeeded in her last attempt, in 2015, by tapering over months to 10 milligrams, then five, down from 20 milligrams and “finally all the way down to particles of dust,” after which she was bedridden for three weeks with severe dizziness, nausea and crying spells.

“Had I been told the risks of trying to come off this drug, I never would have started it,” Robin said. “A year and a half after stopping I’m still having problems. I’m not me right now; I don’t have the creativity, the energy. She – Robin – is gone.”

Long-term use of antidepressants is surging in the United States. The New York Times article goes on to say that these drugs have helped millions of people ease depression and anxiety, and are widely regarded as milestones in psychiatric treatment. But the rise in long-term use is also the result of an unanticipated and growing problem.

Many, perhaps most, people stop the medications without significant trouble. But antidepressants are not harmless; they commonly cause emotional numbing, weight gain, and sexual problems like a lack of desire or erectile dysfunction. Long-term users report in interviews a creeping unease that is hard to measure: daily dosage leaves them doubting their own resilience, they say.

Patients who try to stop taking the drugs often say they cannot. In a recent survey of 250 long-term users of psychiatric drugs, most commonly antidepressants, about half who wound down their prescriptions rated the withdrawal as severe. Nearly half who tried to quit could not do so because of these symptoms.

In our medical practice at The Renewal Point, we take an integrated approach to help our patients achieve emotional well-being. We find this approach to be the best way to manage weaning off psychotropic medication.

• Hormone Balancing: Rebalancing Gonadal, Thyroid, and Adrenal imbalances make it easier to get back on an optimal emotional track.
• Genetics: Certain genes can affect our psychological well-being. When detected, these genes can often be “turned on or off.”
• Nutrient Deficiency: Vitamin, mineral, and nutrient deficiencies contribute to emotional instability.
• Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Imbalances in neurotransmitters such as Serotonin, Dopamine, or Norepinephrine can intensify anxiety, depression, sleep problems, fatigue, etc. Rebalancing is key.
• Lifestyle: Diet, exercise, alcohol, drugs, fun, counseling, and social engagement enter into the wellness formula as well.

If you are interested in trying an integrative approach, we can help! Dr. Watts, MD, ND, MSNM and Helena, ARNP, MSN, are experts in Bio-identical and NeuroAdrenal (Brain) Hormone Balancing.  With over 25 years experience in hormone balancing, a Board Certification in Integrative Medicine,  a Post-doctoral Certification in Metabolic Endocrinology, and a Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative, and Functional Medicine, Dr. Watts has put together a Brain and Hormone Balancing Program that has helped thousands of patients renew their love and vigor for life.  To schedule an appointment, ask questions, or get more information, you can call us at 941-926-4905, email us at info@therenewalpoint.com, or visit our website at TheRenewalPoint.com.