Skinade: A Drinkable Skin Rejuvenation

The cosmetic industry is filled with all kinds of anti-aging products that can make your skin look younger, from creams and lotions to supplements. Skinade is a unique liquid drinkable supplement manufactured and developed in the United Kingdom. The serum boosts the natural production of collagen in the skin and improves the density of fibroblasts, which are important cells that rebuild connective tissue. Skinade is made of essential micronutrients and fresh water fish that helps repair skin minimizing the signs of aging and contains mangosteen giving it a natural peach taste. Skinade is less than 35 calories and free from any artificial ingredients, harmful chemicals and toxins. Continue reading “Skinade: A Drinkable Skin Rejuvenation”

What is the Cupping Therapy Trending Since the Olympics

39653874 - young female lying on front receiving cupping treatment on backIf you watched even a small portion of the 2016 Rio Olympics, then you most likely heard talk of cupping therapy. Gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps brought cupping therapy to the forefront when he arrived to the Olympic Games with purple circular marks on his skin. It only took a few minutes for the entire Twitter and Facebook world to spark up discussions about the marks, and we now have the answers. Continue reading “What is the Cupping Therapy Trending Since the Olympics”

Trust Your Health with a Doctor of Integrative Medicine

beavenFor many years, the use of surgery and synthetic drugs was known simply as “medicine” in the Western world, but today, patients have discovered alternative treatments that are often less invasive and cheaper than conventional medicine.

Integrative medicine, for instance, accounts for the body, mind, and spirit in order to identify the best therapies for healing. Doctors of integrative medicine are known for using natural, effective, and less invasive interventions whenever possible, and conventional medicine when needed, while also promoting health and prevention of illness. These doctors recognize that strong medicine is based in science and constantly evolving inquiry to better understand the human body and mind.

Patients who seek integrative medicine will find that lifestyle changes, smart diet decisions, natural herbs and vitamins, acupuncture, and other safe and preventative measures form the foundation of health, while a strategic blend of conventional and alternative treatments work to tackle specific health issues. Overall, integrative medicine treats the whole person, not just the disease, which has helped it soar to popularity in recent years. Continue reading “Trust Your Health with a Doctor of Integrative Medicine”

Chemotherapy or Natural Remedies?

chemotherapyOnce upon a time, cancer was a rare disease that only impacted the unfortunate and unhealthy, and most people felt that cancer would never have the audacity to impact their own lives. But times have changed, and cancer will now touch one in three lives directly, and every single life indirectly. We all know someone who has fought cancer, and we all know people who have succumbed to cancer.

This startling change of pace has led cancer fighters to seek alternative cancer treatment options using herbs, supplements, and other holistic practices. The decision of many patients to turn down the option to treat manageable cancers with chemotherapy has caused immense controversy in the past 15 years and drawn great attention to the benefits of traditional versus natural cancer treatments. Continue reading “Chemotherapy or Natural Remedies?”

The Secrets to Health Hypnotherapy

hypnotherapyHypnosis makes a great sideshow on the Vegas Strip, but it also offers a legitimate method to overcoming health challenges like quitting smoking, losing weight, managing phobias, controlling pain, and minimizing the impacts of insomnia. So how exactly does it work, and why should you give it a shot?

Defining Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is drastically different from the stage hypnosis used by entertainers to convince otherwise logical people to cluck like a chicken and belt out a Madonna song. Compared to entertaining hypnosis, hypnotherapy is a therapeutic strategy to change unwanted behaviors, manage problems, and achieve new goals. Not only is it safe and even rejuvenating, but it creates a hypnotic state in which the patient can achieve mental and physical self-healing. Continue reading “The Secrets to Health Hypnotherapy”

What the Alcat Test Will Do For You

food allergiesMany of us have always had a list of foods that just “don’t agree” with us, and often that list grows over time. Over the holidays, we tend to forego our normal diets and indulge in foods at gatherings and restaurants that confirm our suspicions of having food sensitivity.

Food allergies and food sensitivity symptoms can manifest themselves in the most obvious ways, such as indigestion, upset stomach and pain, irregular bowel movements, hives… Sometimes in less obvious ways that you may not even associate with foods, such as migraines, joint pain, fatigue and cognitive impairment. Continue reading “What the Alcat Test Will Do For You”

What is LDN (low dose naltrexone)?

Naltrexone is a synthetic drug that blocks opiate receptors in the                                                                                                    central nervous system, which are responsible for the pillsensation of pleasure derived from narcotics.  Naltrexone is typically used for heroin addiction and is FDA approved at doses of 50mg. It is also used in alcohol and drug addiction.

In recent years, lower doses of naltrexone have been used to treat autoimmune conditions such as MS (multiple sclerosis), rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease. The lower dosing of naltrexone is commonly referred to as LDN (low dose naltrexone). The typical dose ranges from 3.5mg to 4mg and is recommended to be taken at bedtime. Low dose naltrexone is inexpensive and well-tolerated.

LDN was first used by a physician in 1985 who found that it boosted the immune system in AIDS patients. It is thought that by briefly blocking opioid receptors, LDN causes an increase in endorphins and enkephalins (our body’s natural pain killers). These natural opioids are believed to influence our immune system as we have opioid receptors on immune cells. In particular, blocking the opioid receptors at night is thought to cause a longer up regulation hence LDN is recommended to be taken at night.

At Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness we offer Holistic Primary Care to our patients including Low Dose Naltrexone. Our offices are located in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

craniotherapyCraniosacral therapy is a treatment modality based on the concepts of both cerebrospinal fluid flow and skull suture flexibility.  It is also called cranial balancing, cranial osteopathy, and craniopathy.  This therapy was developed in the early 1970’s by chiropractor John Upledger.

Proponents of craniosacral therapy (CST) describe it as a subtle manipulation of the cranial sutures to release deep muscle tension and improve overall health and homeostasis.  With very light manual pressure applied by a trained provider, cerebrospinal fluid that is palpated at the cranial suture lines can be redistributed to re-establish holistic balance.  The core concepts of CST are the inherent motility of the cerebrospinal fluid and the mobility of the cranial bones.

During a session, the CST provider places their fingertips along the cranial sutures and focuses on the subtle pressure variances.  Soft touch is exerted with allows the provider to balance the pulsing and shifting along these areas.  Craniosacral therapy can be utilized for such conditions as anxiety, insomnia, pain, and stress relief  It is often used as an adjunct to other treatment modalities (acupuncture, massage, medications) rather than a first-line treatment.

Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness, a holistic internal medicine practice, maintains offices in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Is Meditation Beneficial?

Woman practicing yoga on the beachDuring meditation people sit quietly, witnessing internal thoughts and external stimuli without getting too engaged with them. There are many forms of this ancient practice. The origins of meditation are in ancient spiritual and healing practices – mainly from India, China and Japan. Relaxation and meditation have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of many diseases as it improves both psychological and physical health. Individuals who practice meditation view the mind and body as inseparable.

The two most popular forms of meditation are Transcendental Meditation (TM) and mindfulness mediation. TM is derived from Hindu tradition and promotes relaxation through the use of a mantra. A mantra is a word or sound used for concentration. Mindfulness meditation trains the participant to be an observer by focusing on what is happening in the present moment both internally and externally.

There are four basic elements common to medication techniques – a mental device (such as a word), a passive attitude, a comfortable posture and a quiet environment. A number of recent studies have explored to what degree we can exercise control over things that were thought to be non-changeable.
Research has found that meditative practice can change the workings of the brain including learning and states of consciousness. Studies have shown that the areas of the brain that govern concentration, mood and memory all experience increased signaling during meditation. Physical functions such as a decrease in the production of stress hormone, and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory function have all been documented during mediation. Adults with cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer disease may also benefit from meditation, as recent studies have shown that meditation may change the mapping of brain circuitry. Other disorders such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain and sleep disturbances related to cancer may also be improved with meditation.

Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness offers comprehensive medical care with holistic treatments including acupuncture, vitamin testing and nutritional counseling. Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Vitamin D and Protection Against Autoimmune Disorders

3d vitamins.Exposure to UV radiation seems to protect against autoimmune diseases such as MS and Type 1 diabetes.  Studies have shown that the closer you live to the equator, the less likely you are to develop an autoimmune disease.  Individuals who reside in the southern United States are less frequently diagnosed than individuals who reside in Canada and the northern United States.  The early years matter also, if you lived in the south your first 10 years, you have a reduced risk of developing MS even if you move to a northern state or area and reside there the rest of your life.

The production of vitamin D is triggered by ultraviolet B rays from the sun.  Vitamin D helps modulate your body’s defense system.  Studies have shown that in individuals who have the potential for developing autoimmunity, vitamin D reduces the risk and may in fact slow the progression of certain autoimmune disorders in their early stages.  2000-4000 IU’s daily of vitamin D is recommended by most experts.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers comprehensive vitamin and nutritional testing to her patients.  As well as alternative treatment options for many health conditions, including autoimmune disorders.  Offices are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.