FAQ

What is chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and its painful cousin, fibromyalgia (FMS) are chronic health disorders characterized by a combination of severe exhaustion, insomnia and physical weakness, extreme tiredness or lack of mental clarity, and mental confusion. It can be accompanied by other symptoms such as anxiety and depression. In fibromyalgia, generalized pain is also present. It can be caused by a number of different things that affect your body and mind, and it is important to isolate the root causes.
These are some of the causes of chronic fatigue:
Autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, arise when the body attacks itself with antibodies, which normally fight disease. These conditions can become severe and cause debilitating fatigue along with pain. Supporting your immune system and making it function optimally can prevent autoimmune flare-ups and help address the cause of your fatigue.
Blood sugar / diabetes
Healthy regulation of blood sugar is one of the main culprits for causing fatigue in our society today. Diabetes is extremely common and regulating blood sugar is crucial for a healthy metabolism and energy level. Diet and lifestyle are important issues to address to get to the root cause of maintaining a healthy blood sugar level and preventing fatigue from happening before it starts.
Adrenals
Adrenal fatigue is another possible culprit. We are constantly bombarded with stress, be it physical, emotional, or both. The body's natural ability to respond to stress can deteriorate over time, so it is important to support these crucial metabolic glands. Often a focal point of the functional medicine approach, the adrenal glands deteriorate over time due to constant stress. Lab tests may be done to make sure the adrenal glands are working properly.



What does Detoxification mean?

Detoxification means cleansing the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. However, when these systems are compromised, impurities aren't properly filtered, and the body is adversely affected.



What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is an increasingly common yet sometimes controversial diagnosis used to indicate depletion of the adrenal glands. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenals for use in the regulation of blood pressure. In response to stress, the adrenals release greater amounts of cortisol. Adrenal fatigue is thought to occur when the adrenals have become overtaxed by excess cortisol release and can no longer produce levels of cortisol necessary for optimal body function.



What is chronic sinusitus?

Chronic sinusitis occurs when the spaces inside the nose and head (sinuses) are swollen and inflamed for three months or more, despite treatment. This common condition interferes with the way mucus normally drains and congests the nose. Breathing through the nose can be difficult and the area around the eyes can feel swollen or tender. Chronic sinusitis can be caused by infection, growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps), or swelling of the lining of the sinuses. Also called chronic rhinosinusitis, the condition can affect both adults and children.



What is Candida?

Candida is a yeast fungus that normally exists in small amounts in your mouth and intestines, where it aids in digestion, but when the levels increase, it can become systemically damaging.



What is Candida Syndrome?

Candida Syndrome is caused by an overgrowth of the candida albicans yeast that lives naturally inside the human stomach, vaginal tract, mouth, and skin. In its natural amounts, the Candida albicans yeast is harmless, but in an overgrowth, it can cause serious illness and other gastrointestinal issues. Candida overgrowth can attack any organ or system in your body relentlessly 24 hours a day. Eventually, it can change into a pathogenic fungus with roots that cause a myriad of symptoms. High levels of candida can leak from the intestines into the bloodstream, causing a series of uncomfortable symptoms that can have long-term health implications. Overgrowth is caused by the introduction of a foreign chemical into a patient’s body. Steroids, antibiotics, and alcohol have all been known to cause candida syndrome. Other causes include birth control pills, estrogen replacement therapy, acute and chronic stress, recreational drugs, chemotherapy, and a poor diet. Symptoms of candida syndrome include recurrent oral thrush, gas and bloating, itchy skin and other skin abnormalities, vaginitis, allergies, muscle aches, and more.



What's the difference between a sauna and an infrared sauna?

Unlike a traditional sauna, infrared saunas don’t heat the air around you. Instead, they use infrared lamps (that use electromagnetic radiation) to warm your body directly. “These saunas use infrared panels instead of conventional heat to easily penetrate human tissue, heating up your body before heating up the air,” explains physical therapist, Vivian Eisenstadt, MAPT, CPT, MASP. An infrared sauna can operate at a lower temperature (usually between 120˚F and 140˚F) than a traditional sauna, which is typically between 150˚F and 180˚F. ​ Manufacturers claim that in an infrared sauna, only about 20 percent of the heat goes to heat the air and the other 80 percent directly heats your body. ​ Supporters of infrared saunas say the heat penetrates more deeply than warmed air. This allows you to experience a more intense sweat at a lower temperature. ​ This environment is more tolerable, which allows you to stay in the sauna longer while increasing your core body temperature by two to three degrees. ​ ​ What are the supposed benefits of using an infrared sauna? The supposed benefits of using an infrared sauna are similar to those experienced with a traditional sauna. These include: ​ better sleep relaxation detoxification weight loss relief from sore muscles relief from joint pain such as arthritis clear and tighter skin improved circulation help for people with chronic fatigue syndrome ​ ​



What is Holistic Health?

Holistic health or holistic healing is often defined as a form of healing that looks at the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. This kind of holistic healing often involves multiple complimentary medicines and alternative healthcare practices that can overlap with modern-day western medicine, but will go beyond the singular treatment of symptoms to support more than just the body. Some alternative healthcare practices that often are found within the realm of holistic health are: chiropractic herbalism massage energy work (reiki) therapy yoga/meditation acupuncture physical therapy general western medicine nutrition personal training When all of these complimentary therapies come together for holistic healing, a person is much more likely to experience wellness on a deeper level that allows for a more joyful and truly healthy way of living.