- Holistic Alternativesat Essentials Day Spa
34302 US Hwy 19 N
Palm Harbor, FL 34684 - Holistic Alternativesat Contour Fitness
34310/34314 US 19 S
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Acupuncture
Acupuncture: The Original Biohack for Migraines
Having recurring migraines is similar to parenting a temperamental toddler. When they go from being annoying to actively disruptive and mildly infuriating, there is often little one can do but grit your teeth and persevere. The helpful suggestions for managing this occurrence involved a mixture of expert opinion, anecdotal hearsay, individual tinkering and a big dose of patience. So where does acupuncture fit into this picture? continue reading
COVID-19: Immunity & Our LI Community
Dear LI community,
As you already know, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is very real and it is everyone’s responsibility to help keep our community safe from the rapid spread of Coronavirus. To help slow the spread of this virus, it is now more important than ever to take an abundance of caution to help protect you, your family, our community and our healthcare system. Prevention is the best medicine. Below are some resources for our patients and community during this critical time.
What You Can Do To Take Care Of Yourself
The most important things you can do to support your immune system are basic:
- Don’t panic. Stress is bad for your immune system. It’s normal to have worried thoughts. Just don’t entertain them for too long. Make some time to do something enjoyable each day and connect with loved ones.
- Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face unless you just washed your hands.
- Get enough sleep. Turn off the screens and start winding down a little earlier.
- Drink lots of water to support healthy mucous membranes as a first line of defense. Hot water and tea have been shown to inhibit viruses in our throat.
- Eat more nutrient dense whole foods, soups, and bone broth.
- Eat less inflammatory foods: sugar, industrial seed oils, processed foods, alcohol, and foods you are sensitive to (wheat, dairy, eggs, nightshades etc.)
- Support lung health by doing some even breathing, preferably outdoors in fresh air, to move circulation and clear out toxins. Breath in through your nose for a count of 5, hold for 1 count, then out through your mouth for a count of 5, hold for 1 count. Repeat. Make counts even and not too long that you struggle.
What You Can Do To Help Boost Your Immune System
- Probiotics are an important part of your immune system. They’re available in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, raw sauerkraut, specifically labeled pickles, miso, kombucha (careful because it can contain lots of sugar and some caffeine). Consider supplementing with a concentrated pill or powder.
- Elderberry syrup is a go to recommendation for antiviral support that you can order online or get at Whole Foods.
- Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc are also good supplements to boost your immune system.
If you are feeling ill, or experiencing any of the following symptoms, please limit your exposure to other people in your community.
By taking action, you will significantly delay the spread of COVID-19:
- Fever (oral temperature 100.4° or higher) or symptoms of fever (such as chills or body aches) within the past 24 hours. Please do not consider yourself fever-free until your temperature has been normal for at least 24 hours without the use of Tylenol (acetaminophen). The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends avoiding Advil (ibuprofen) and other NSAIDs for COVID-19 symptoms until more information is available.
- Shortness of breath and/or cough that is not known to be caused by another condition (for example allergies).
- Travel within the past 14 days to areas that have people known to be infected with COVID-19.
- Close contact with a person known/suspected to be infected with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
- Healthcare workers who have been in contact with patients known/suspected to be infected with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
Up-to-date COVID-19 Data from the World Health Organization
For the current number of cases worldwide, the World Health Organization maintains a COVID-19 Situation Report worldwide. Click here.
While these times may feel unusually challenging, please know we will continue to monitor the current situation and evaluate additional measures to help support our patients, employees and community. Thank you and stay safe.
How to Stay Healthy As Winter Changes to Spring
For most people, the change of seasons from winter to spring is something to look forward to. But it also means a time when people tend to get sick or seasonal allergies start to flare up. This can make things miserable for a lot of people. As the weather fluctuates between freezing cold and warmer, sunnier days, it also wreaks havoc on our immune system and our sleep. Frequently, our bodies can’t keep up with the constant changes and we get physically run down. But there are some things everybody can do to help during the time of transition from one season to the next. continue reading
Acupuncture for Boosting Your Circulation
Healthy blood circulation is a vital component of life for human beings. Without proper blood flow, life would cease to exist. Blood isn’t the only thing that’s important, it’s what the blood is carrying that makes circulation so important. Blood carries fresh oxygen, hormones and nutrients that we absorb from our food. Without these components, the organs and tissues of the body become depleted, weakened and eventually stop functioning. Any blockages in the veins and arteries can deprive the brain and the rest of the body from the needed oxygen, which can then lead to a plethora of other medical issues. continue reading
5 Acupoints to Help You Navigate Your Stress This Winter
There are several acupressure points that are known to treat stress and stress related symptoms. It’s important to understand that acupressure is not the only form of treatment and having a balanced diet, exercise regime and lifestyle will also decrease the chances of stress being a factor in your life. continue reading
Acupuncture Happy Hour February 2020
Stressed?
Back Pain?
Headaches?
Tired?
The answer is in your EARS!
Often described as reflexology for the ear, there are hundreds of points on the ear believed to represent a micro-system of the whole body, with points for areas both physical and emotional.
The stimulation of these points is known as Auricular Therapy or Auriculotherapy. It can be accomplished with acupuncture needles, acupressure seeds, or laser stimulation.
Acupuncture Happy Hour
Saturday, February 1, 2020, 5 PM - 7 PM
The standard fee for Auricular clinic will be $20.
Swarovski crystal upgrade $30.
Make sure to stop by to experience these mini treatments at Holistic Alternatives:
380 Park Ave. Palm Harbor, FL 11743
$20 Entrance Fee. Parking lot on Cannon Court.
Auricular Acupressure using Swarovski Crystal Ear Seeds
Our Swarovski crystal acupressure ear seeds use metal pellets plated in 24-karat gold, giving you added bling to your ear.
OPEN HOUSE – Palm Harbor Community Auricular (Ear) Therapy
at Acupuncture Happy Hour February 2020
Proponents of auriculotherapy suggest nearly any health condition can be addressed by this powerful technique. During our open house, we will show you how ear seeds can help stimulate correct points for a variety of conditions.
Acupuncture can be used for the following, but not limited to:
Migraines / Headaches, Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Memory, Focus, Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia, Libido, Fertility, Allergies, Arthritis, Constipation, Depression & more.
If you’ve been curious about what acupuncture can do for you, now is the time to try it!
Holistic Alternatives offers a drug free, non-surgical means to pain and stress relief.
Acupuncture Happy Hour February 2020
Due to the lack of side effects, the safety and efficacy of treating stress / pain with ear seeds, it can be an excellent choice for patients of all ages.
Stay Healthy This Winter with a Balanced Qi
Winter’s element is water and is associated with the kidneys, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is considered the source of all qi and energy within the body. Winter is also associated with the bladder and adrenal glands.
Focusing on inner reflection, rest, energy conservation and storage during the winter months is when it’s most important as it helps us to properly nourish our Kidney Qi.
Below are a few methods you can learn about and apply during this season in order to maintain a balanced qi. continue reading
Natural Pain Relief Solutions for Sciatica
Sciatica is a general term for pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which is in the lower back. It is a common condition affecting roughly 3 million people annually.
Typical causes for sciatica are a herniated disc, bone spurs or even a tumor. These conditions press on the nerve, causing pain that radiates down the hips, buttocks, lower back, and/or the back of one or both legs. It is more common for sciatica to affect just one leg, and the pain may extend all the way to the foot.
In addition to pain, sciatica can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, or even a burning sensation in the affected area. It is not uncommon for individuals suffering from sciatica to catch their foot on the ground when walking.
Treatment Modalities
Sciatica is a treatable condition. Treatments for sciatica pain relief include massage, acupuncture, and herbal therapy. Holistic Alternatives can provide all of these forms of therapy and can tailor a plan using any combination of the three to address your pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be a highly effective treatment for sciatica, addressing pain and symptoms without drugs or surgery. Scientific studies have shown that acupuncture has a total effective rate of over 80% in treating sciatica when used alone, a rate that increases when used in combination with herbal medicine. Acupuncture can address sciatica pain by lowering the levels of certain biochemicals in the body, reducing pain and inflammation. Benefits have been observed from treatments using both traditional acupuncture and electroacupuncture.
Acupuncture can have both immediate and long-lasting impacts on sciatica pain. In addition to reducing inflammation, acupuncture causes the body to release natural opioids, reducing the intensity of sciatica pain. Further, acupuncture has been shown to aid in the repair of nerve damage. Indeed, at least one meta-analysis of numerous studies of sciatica treatments has shown that acupuncture is more effective than medication in treating sciatica.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can be an effective means of reducing the pain of sciatica, with studies suggesting that massage can be more effective than non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in treating sciatica pain.
Massage can reduce muscle tension and lead to the release of natural endorphins, both leading to diminished pain. Massage therapy also improves blood circulation and reduces stress, further contributing to diminished pain and improving the body’s natural healing abilities.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal therapies have been used for thousands of years to treat sciatica pain as a part of traditional Chinese medicine. Herbal therapies have particularly measurable benefits in reducing pain from sciatica when combined with acupuncture. Studies have shown that a combination of acupuncture and herbal remedies can have a total effective rate of 95% in treating sciatica pain.
Qualified in all the above forms of therapy, Holistic Alternatives can offer a drug free, non-surgical means to sciatica pain relief.
Robert Lutz
L.Ac., LMT, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
Contact Robert to schedule an appointment:
Texts welcome (727) 266-3000.
TCM practitioner for over 20 yrs:
- Licensed Acupuncturist
- Licensed Massage Therapist
- Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
- Reiki Master
- Ordained Interfaith Minister
- Optavia Coach
- Certified Nutritionist
- Certified Fitness Trainer
“I offer alternatives to harsh drugs & invasive procedures when practical & safe to do so. I believe in supporting the healing qualities & wisdom of your body. Clients receive quality care with uninterrupted attention for 60 minutes or longer per session.”
