Beat Your Stress Hormone Nine Ways Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central Florida

Beat Your Stress Hormone – 9 Natural Ways

To beat your stress hormone you first have to understand it.  The stress hormone Cortisol is meant to help us.  It is produced by the Adrenal gland.  When we are overloaded with the many forms of stress from our modern world we can sometimes enter into the state of Cortisol Flooding which is a symptom of Adrenal Fatigue.

Check out: Adrenal Fatigue – Chronic Stress Response

Cortisol helps regulate blood pressure and the immune system during a sudden crisis, whether a physical attack or an emotional setback. This helps you to tap into your energy reserves and increases your ability to fight off infection.

The trouble arises when relentless stress can keep this survival mechanism churning in high gear, ruining the hormone’s good intentions.

Constant high cortisol levels can cause:

  • sleep problems

  • a depressed immune response

  • blood sugar abnormalities

  • abdominal weight gain

“When cortisol spikes, it tells the brain to eat something with a lot of calories—a great survival tactic if you need energy to run away from a lion.  But not so great if you are stressed over a mother-in-law, paying bills, highway traffic or other modern issues.

To gain control over the Cortisol stress hormone our mind and body has a natural balance.

Relaxation.

Beat your stress hormone with these 9 easy and natural ways

Cut Cortisol 66% – Music soothes and heals

Music can have a calming effect on the brain, especially while you’re facing down a major stressor. When doctors at Japan’s Osaka Medical Center played tunes for a group of patients undergoing colonoscopies, the patients’ cortisol levels rose less than those of others who underwent the same procedure in a quiet room. Even if an invasive gastrointestinal exam isn’t in your immediate future, you can forestall cortisol spikes in other stressful situations—when hosting dinner for your in-laws, for instance—by queueing up background music. And to wind down faster at bedtime, listen to something soothing instead of watching TV.

Check out this 30 minute YouTube stress busting gentle music.  Dawn your headphones, close your eyes and for 30 minutes just breath slowly and deeply, focusing on your breath and feel warm energy flow in as your inhale and dark stress leave as you exhale.  You can even listen to this over your lunch break relaxing in your car.  Or laying in the grass at a nearby park.

 

Cut Cortisol Naturally with Sleep Reduce Stress Hormone Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central Florida

Take a nap if needed. Get at least 8 hours of sleep but some people need more to deal with stressful periods to cut cortisol.

Cut Cortisol 50% – Sleep 

What’s the difference between getting six hours of sleep instead of the suggested eight? “Fifty percent more cortisol in the bloodstream,” Talbott says. When a group of pilots slept six hours or less for seven nights while on duty, their cortisol levels increased significantly and stayed elevated for two days, found a study at Germany’s Institute for Aerospace Medicine. The recommended 8 hours of nightly shut-eye allows your body enough time to recover from the day’s stresses, Talbott says. When you fall short of the mark, take a nap the next day—Pennsylvania State University researchers found that a midday snooze cut cortisol levels in subjects who’d lost sleep the previous night.

Cut Cortisol 47% – Drink black tea

The “cup that cheers” has deep associations with comfort and calm—just think of how the English revere their late-afternoon teatime. As it turns out, science confirms the connection. When volunteers at University College London were given a stressful task, the cortisol levels of those who were regular black-tea drinkers fell by 47% within an hour of completing the assignment, while others who drank fake tea experienced only a 27% drop. Study author Andrew Steptoe, PhD, suspects that naturally occurring chemicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids may be responsible for tea’s calming effects.

Cut Cortisol 39% – Laugh

The pal who keeps you in stitches can do more than distract you from your problems—her very presence may help temper your hormonal stress response. Simply anticipating laughter is enough to reduce cortisol levels by nearly half, according to researchers at Loma Linda University.

Stress Relief Cortisol Hormone Reducer Massage Therapy Natural Medicine Center Lakelane Central FloridaCut Cortisol 31% – Schedule a Massage

A little pampering can rub your stress levels the right way. After several weeks of massage therapy, subjects’ cortisol levels decreased by nearly one-third, on average, according to studies at the University of Miami School of Medicine and elsewhere. In addition to keeping cortisol under control, massage sessions reduce stress by promoting production of dopamine and serotonin, the same “feel good” hormones released when we socialize with pals or do something fun.

Book Your Massage Appointment Now

Cut Cortisol – With Acupuncture

As reported Journal of Endocrinology, researchers led by Ladan Eshkevari, assistant program director of the nurse anesthesia program at Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies found that stimulated the body via acupuncture has significant results in lowering the stress hormone.  Read about it in the New York Times online here.

Book Your Acupuncture Appointment Now

Cut Cortisol 25% – Do Something Spiritual

Religious ritual fortifies many people against everyday pressures, and it can also lower cortisol secretion, report University of Mississippi researchers. Churchgoing study subjects had lower levels of the stress hormone, on average, than those who did not attend services at all. If organized religion isn’t of interest to you, try developing your spiritual side by taking a walk in nature’s “cathedral”—in the woods or along a beach—or volunteering for a charity.

Cut Cortisol 20% – Meditate

People who practiced Buddhist meditation significantly decreased both cortisol and blood pressure in a 6-week Thai study. Similarly, participants who meditated daily for four months decreased the hormone by an average of 20% in a study at Maharishi University, while levels in the nonmeditating control group actually went up slightly.

Here’s a sample guided meditation.  It instructs to lie down, yet you can do any meditation in a comfortable chair.  It can even be done over your lunch hour in your car with the seat tilted back comfortably.

Cut Cortisol 12-16% – Chew a Piece of Gum

Next time you feel frazzled, try popping a stick of gum into your mouth to instantly defuse tension, suggest new findings from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom. While under moderate stress, gum chewers had salivary cortisol levels that were 12% lower than nonchewers and also reported greater alertness than their gum-deprived counterparts. One possible mechanism: In past experiments, chewing gum increased blood flow and neural activity in select brain regions.

Weight Management Stuggle Gain Lose Hormone Therapy Acupunture Massage Holistic Healthcare Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central Florida

Weight Management Struggle

Hormones Play a Huge Factor In Weight Management

Are you having trouble losing those unwanted pounds?  Diet and exercise not enough?  It may be that your hormones are out of balance.  We can help.

There are many factors that go into our weight gain such as:

Thinking that it will just go away is a common mistake.  The cause of chronic sleep disturbances is complex and often require a multi-approach that might include:

  • Homeopathic herbal remedies
  • Aromatherapy
  • Dietary supplements
  • Prescription and Over-the-Counter drug evaluation consultation
  • Thyroid Function testing and therapies
  • Hormone testing and therapies
  • Nutritional Counseling
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage Therapy
  • Mental and/or Family Counseling
  • Stress Management Guidance
  • Increase Physical and Relaxation Activities
    • Yoga
    • Run, Jog, any physical activity you enjoy that gets the body moving
    • Meditation
  • Effective Rest and Sleep
Anxiety and Depression Counseling Hormone Therapy Holistic Healthcare Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central Florida

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and Depression are symptoms we often shy away from talking about.  We shouldn’t!  There is nothing to be embarrassed about.  Natural Medicine Center cares for thousands of individuals every year and many of our clients struggle with these symptoms.  You are not alone.  We can help.

Most people feel anxious or depressed at times. Life situations such as losing a loved one, getting fired from a job, going through a divorce, and other difficult situations can lead a person to feel sad, lonely, scared, nervous, or anxious. These feelings are normal reactions to life’s stressors.

Some people experience these feelings daily or nearly daily for no apparent reason, making it difficult to carry on with normal, everyday functioning. These people may have an anxiety disorder, depression, or both.

It is not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The good news is that these disorders are both treatable, separately and together.

For some, restoring their mood is as simple as eliminating the physical pain that is frustrating the individual.  This is something we specialize in this at the Natural Medicine Center of Lakeland (NMC).  For others who struggle with clinical depression, anxiety or compulsive disorders, the challenge may be greater to treat.  Rest assured that NMC is eager to help you overcome these challenges through:

  • Acupuncture
  • Massage
  • Hormone therapy
  • Nutrition
  • Professional mental health counseling
  • Prescription Drug counseling 

Understanding the facts of anxiety and depression is a great first step.

Please contact us today and get started on the road to better health.

Sleep Disturbance Cant Fall or Stay Asleep Hormone Therapy Holistic Healthcare Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central Florida

Sleep Disturbances

What is Sleep Disturbances?

Sleep Disturbance is anytime you break the natural sleep cycle with a period of being awake.  Sometimes you may be aware of it and others you may believe you slept soundly when in fact you may have experience many times throughout the night.  Everyone experience sleep disturbance.  It happens.  It is a problem when it becomes continual and chronic affecting your quality of much-needed rest.  There are over 40 different types of sleep disorders and are all categorized in three areas:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Excessive sleep

Lack of Sleep and Sleep disturbances can go hand in hand.  Lack of Sleep leans more to the inability to fall asleep such as insomnia whereas Disturbed Sleep is the lack of maintaining a consistent and constant sleep period.  Some people experience both together.  Sleep Disturbance can occur throughout the night without you even knowing it when you only partially wake or momentarily wake to adjust your position for example.  Disturbance of Sleep can be caused by many different problems.

Disturbance of Sleep can be caused by many different problems such as:

  • Nightmares
  • Night Sweating
  • Sleep Walking
  • Sleep Talking
  • Need to go to the restroom
  • Stress, Anxiety and Worry – Overactive Mind “Chatter”
  • Allergies and Respiratory Problems
  • Hormonal Imbalance
  • Chronic Pain
  • Muscle Stiffness
  • Persistent Headaches
  • Inadequate Matress or Pillow Support

The lack of sleep can have a negative impact on energy, mood, concentration, and overall health.

In some cases, sleep disorders can be a symptom of another medical or mental health condition. These sleeping problems may eventually go away once treatment is obtained for the underlying cause. When sleep disorders aren’t caused by another condition, treatment normally involves a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.

There are stages in your sleep that your body must go through to achieve a good night sleep, in fact there are 5. This cycles over and over throughout the night.


Stage 1 – Light sleep and relaxation of the muscles. ( can wake up)
Stage 2 – Activity in the brain slows and eye movement stops.
Stage 3 – Brains waves become slow (delta waves) and small quick waves occur.
Stage 4 – Brains waves are all delta wave.
Stage 5 – (REM) Rapid Eye Movement – dreams occur.

This usually takes about an hour and a half to complete 1 cycle. Sleep is needed for your body to function properly, so take care of yourself and do what it takes to achieve a good night sleep.

Thinking that it will just go away is a common mistake.  The cause of chronic sleep disturbances is complex and often require a multi-approach that might include:

  • Homeopathic herbal remedies
  • Aromatherapy
  • Dietary supplements
  • Prescription and Over-the-Counter drug evaluation consultation
  • Thyroid Function testing and therapies
  • Hormone testing and therapies
  • Nutritional Counseling
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage Therapy
  • Mental and/or Family Counseling
  • Stress Management Guidance
  • Increase Physical and Relaxation Activities
    • Yoga
    • Run, Jog, any physical activity you enjoy that gets the body moving
    • Meditation
  • Mattress and pillow support
Chronic Headaches Head Aches Hormone Therapy Holistic Healthcare Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central Florida

Chronic Headaches

Do You Suffer from Chronic Headaches?

Tension Headaches, Sinus Headaches or Migraines

More than an occasional headache, chronic headaches often interfere with the ability to live your life and can be caused by many things.  Conditions that may cause non-primary chronic daily headaches include:

  • Chronic Emotional, Environmental, Family or Work Related Stress
  • Lack of sufficient sleep
  • Lack of proper hydration – not drinking enough pure water
  • Consuming too much caffeine, sugars or alcohol
  • Lack of proper nutrition
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Inflammation
  • Infections

Many people take over the counter medications on a daily basis, others rely on migraine medications just to survive.    Some are surprised to hear that there are natural approaches to treating headache issues. Our clients often experience profound improvements in their symptoms.

Thinking that it will just go away is a common mistake.  The cause of chronic headaches is complex and often require a multi-approach that might include:

Medication overuse headache

This type of headache usually develops in people who take too much pain medication. If you’re taking pain medications — even over-the-counter analgesics (which include Acetaminophen / Tylenol) — more than two days a week (or nine days a month), you’re at risk of developing rebound headaches.

Please contact us today to learn how we can help you with your headaches.

Stuffy Head Sinus Allergy Allergies Homeopathic Remedy Holistic Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central Florida

Allergies – Finding Relief

Allergies got you down?

Allergies occur when the immune system mounts an aggressive response to a harmless substance.  Determining the offending substance or allergen can be very valuable, allowing you to avoid that substance as much as you are able.

Here at the Natural Medicine Center, we offer Allergy Testing.

Complete elimination isn’t always possible, like in the case of many environmental allergies, but there are allergens that can be eliminated, and if done, can greatly improve one’s life.  Though there is no cure to allergies, Natural Medicine Center offers acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional counseling and medical thermal imaging (Thermography) to help aid in the reduction of allergy symptoms.

Please contact our office today and learn how we can help you manage allergies.

Massage Therapy

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Throughout this page we’ve referenced several benefits to the specific massage therapy style.  We tailor your massage session to best address your health issues and current health condition.  For more benefits, don’t take our word for it, check out the information from the studies provided through the links here:

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health studies:

What is Trigger Point Therapy?

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache.

Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy is that it is used to treat the cause of specific pain.  Depending on the severity of the pain and the trigger point acuteness the duration and number of treatments.  It is typical for patients to feel better after each treatment.   As noted in the video it is possible to augment the professional treatments with self-treatment to assist the healing progress.  The video demonstrates using a rubber ball (we find Tennis Balls to be excellent) against a sturdy wall.  We have found that using the floor is another great method and allows for a wider range of trigger points to be comfortably accessed.

Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The results and benefits of trigger point massage are releasing constricted areas in the muscles thus alleviating pain. You can experience a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment. Receiving massage with trigger point therapy on a regular basis can help naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries.

What is Swedish Massage Therapy?

Massage Therapy Private Comfortable Rooms Sports Swedish Deep Tissue Massaging Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central Florida

Massage Therapy Private Comfortable Rooms

As the best-known type of bodywork performed today, one of the primary goals of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart.  Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

A study (referenced below) conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and published in The New York Times, found that volunteers who received a 45-minute Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as arginine vasopressin-a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. Volunteers also had increases in the number of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the immune system, and a boost in the immune cells that may help fight colds and the flu.

Swedish Massage Techniques

Additional Swedish massage techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, percussion-like tapping, bending and stretching. Before and during your Swedish massage session, communication is encouraged with your professional massage therapist so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.

What is Deep Tissue Massage Therapy?

Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage, but the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).

A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that people’s blood pressure fell after a single 45 to 60-minute deep tissue massage. Additionally, a 2010 meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that massage modalities like deep tissue reduce stress hormone levels and heart rate while boosting mood and relaxation by triggering the release of oxytocin and serotonin.

Please talk with your professional massage therapist to see if a deep tissue massage therapy would be beneficial for you.

Do You Want to Feel Better?

Sports Massage Therapy Holistic Health Integrative Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central FlordiaBenefits of Sports Massage Therapy

Sports massage therapy is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The therapy focuses on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements of the client’s choice sport.  Athletes and trainers have discovered that specially designed sports massage promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries and prepares their body and mind for optimal performance.

One of the key benefits of Sports massage therapy compared to other modalities is its ability to target muscle-tendon junctions. A 2010 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that even a 30-second massage improved hip-flexor range of motion. According to Health and Fitness Magazine, several new studies conclude that the massage encourages venous blood flow back to the heart enhances blood flow, which delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and promotes the removal of waste products and toxins.  Thanks to the relaxed state you’re in during and after the massage, your heart rate lowers.

Benefits of Reflexology Massage

Foot Reflexology Chart Plantar Bottom View Feet Massage Holistic Health Practices Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central FloridaFoot Reflexology massage (Click on Image at right for a larger view) can be a deeply relaxing and therapeutic modality for those suffering from plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries or even everyday work and play. Reflexology Massage will incorporate Swedish and sports massage techniques to the foot, calf and upper leg. This will not only help relieve toe pain, ankle pain, plantar fasciitis and common forms of arthritis but can also decrease stress and anxiety in the entire body. In addition, a variety of stretches can be beneficial. With pain and sensitivity in the foot, heel and calf areas, be sure to communicate your pain levels with your massage therapist during your treatment.

Foot Reflexology for Diabetes

Diabetes restricts blood flow to the feet, which can cause problems including numbness, tingling, calluses, and foot ulcers. Many diabetics are unable to find relief from these symptoms. Reflexology can help by improving circulation and reducing the risk of neuropathy. Some patients are so relaxed during a session that that their blood sugar drops.

Benefits of Cranial Sacral Therapy

Cranial sacral therapy (also known as craniosacral therapy) is a gentle, noninvasive form of bodywork that addresses the bones of the head, spinal column and sacrum. The goal is to release compression in those areas which alleviates stress and pain.

Cranial sacral therapy seeks to restore the natural position of the bones and can decrease  stress from chronic injuries as well as provide relief from migraine headaches, neck and back pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (the inflammation of the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull) and more.

According to the National Headache Foundation, approximately 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. Often, migraines are triggered or exacerbated by stress and poor sleep. In a study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, researchers found that participants who received bodywork like Cranial Sacral Therapy had better quality sleep and fewer migraines than participants who didn’t. Effects even lasted up to three weeks after therapy ended.

What is Hot Stone Massage Therapy?

Hot Stone Massage Therapy Holistic Homeopathic Alternative Health Care Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central FloridaHot stone massage therapy melts away tension, eases muscle stiffness and increases circulation and metabolism. Each 1 ½ -hour hot stone massage therapy session promotes deeper muscle relaxation through the placement of smooth, water-heated stones at key points on the body.

Everyone who has had a sore muscle has likely been told to “use a heating pad” to sooth the muscles and increase blood flow to flush the muscles with fresh blood bringing needed oxygen.  The hot stones work on the same premise with a more localized approach incorporating the gentle massage to access deeper muscle layers and release trigger points. The hot stones have a sedative effect that can reduce chronic pain and stress as well as promote deep relaxation.

Benefits of Geriatric Massage Therapy

Geriatric Elder Care assage Healing Hands Alternative Holistic Healtcare Natural Medicine Center Lakeland Central FloridaGeriatric massage therapy is designed to address the specific needs of the elderly population. This type of massage for the elderly uses gentle and light application of massage techniques and a light oil or lotion to permit the muscles to be worked on without causing excessive friction to the skin.  These techniques can help increase joint mobility, improve posture, combat depression, improve blood circulation; balance and flexibility, and reduce the pain of arthritis.

Geriatric massage can be especially helpful for maintaining and improving overall health as we age. It also has been shown to relieve anxiety and provide comfort, especially to touch-deprived elderly clients.