Weight Loss Using an Online App – My Experience

February 7, 2022 by Dr. Lisa Oskardmay DC, LAc.

Chiropractor and Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center chiropractic and acupuncture health clinic in Chapel Hill, we strive to help people learn ways to be healthier. Virtual and online programs offer a new and exciting means to obtain information and motivation and occasionally foster a healing community. I recently signed up for a new online program called Noom for weight loss and better eating habits. This blog post aims to describe my experience and offer an additional healthy eating tool others may also find helpful.

Healthful eating is one of the best ways to ward off weight gain, inflammation, and certain illnesses. Our society provides a vast array of eating choices, and sometimes it isn’t straightforward to choose healthy foods. Additionally, each person is different regarding their access to specific foods, exercise regimen, metabolism, genetics, and sleep. Having a readily available app on the cell phone or other device to keep track of these variables seems helpful. Additionally, the new app promises to provide online coaching to support health goals. Sounds good.

My experience with the app started with inputting personal data- height, weight, gender, date of birth, etc. Next, the system inquired about my weight loss goals and reasons for losing weight. Periodic ‘messages’ appeared to remind me to read particular articles related to my goals. The articles and messages appear to be autogenerated, but someone did rapidly respond to my one question about how to log walking/step taken each day. It turns out the app connects automatically to FitBit, which I wear on my wrist to get a proper step sound each day.

Helpful lessons from app psychiatrists guided me along the journey as I progressed each day. Topics such as motivation plan creation, breathwork, learning to love the scale, and identifying low-calorie foods support knowledge and understanding. Each day I dedicated 5-10″ listening to or reading articles provided. I found the information well presented and intriguing.

While weight loss is a fundamental goal of app participants, the psychiatrists point out that weight may fluctuate from day to day, so daily weighing in is, in their eyes, key to success. They point out that a person should weigh themself in the mornings before eating to keep fluctuations to a minimum. Other measurable attributes scalable on this app include blood pressure, blood sugar, amount and type of exercise, and water consumed. One can request reminder notifications to input each of these pieces of data each day. I chose to keep track of water, exercise, and food. Inputting other data just felt unnecessary and invasive.

When it came to logging food for each meal and snacks and beverages, the app provides space to ask for the type of food and serving size. The app lists a huge variety of ready-made foods and packaged entrees, making it easy to keep track of foods if you eat that kind of meal, highlighting calories, fat, protein, carbohydrate, and fiber content of each meal and snack. There is means to homemade input meals, as well, and to save items for future reference. I could see exactly how many calories I consumed and whether or not I had gone over or under my caloric burn that day. Incidentally, caloric burn is determined by a baseline calorie burn plus any other burn from exercise and walking.

I found the app helpful and enlightening in many ways, and a motivated individual will find many opportunities to learn more about themselves through this app and others like it. I liked the ease of data entry, except for the home-cooked meals aspect and the motivational conversations related to weight loss, sleep, exercise, and other elements. For the right person, this and other apps can provide a means to increase the personal awareness needed to navigate nutrition in our country.

Call 919- 929-1400 at the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay to discuss weight loss and healthy eating goals. Accepting new patients, we look forward to helping you learn more about how alternative medicine can help you. Schedule online 24 hours a day.

Telemedicine and Low-Contact EarSeed Acupuncture for Stress and Pain

June 6, 2020 by Dr. Lisa Oskardmay DC, LAc.

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

Ear acupuncture is a beneficial health service used by millions worldwide. During stressful times when patients need to avoid in-office visits, auriculotherapy paired with online care can help. As a licensed acupuncturist with additional training in ear seeds for ear acupuncture, Dr. Oskardmay is well prepared to help you get well and feel better without the hands-on care you already know.

Telemedicine is healthcare for patients who prefer the comfort and safety of their homes in place of an office visit. This type of visual and audio enabled virtual meeting enables practitioners and patients to meet in a safe, HIPAA compliant manner to discuss health concerns. Doctors such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, neurologists, and physical therapists provide this type of care for clients. Doctors and therapists can talk with one another, ask questions, receive advice, and other information. Practitioners can see patients, and patients can see practitioners.

Chiropractic physicians can assess posture and movement limitations and make further diagnostic suggestions if needed. Well-trained in exercise and physical therapy prescription, they can also suggest other modalities to perform at home to support and enhance spinal health that impacts the whole body. Licensed acupuncturists are well versed at inquiry and diagnosis using Chinese medicine methods, much of which is possible using Telemedicine. Patients can learn future steps they need to take to improve their health, learn new exercises or nutrition protocols, and determine how and where to obtain further required help safely.

Additionally, EarSeed acupuncture is a technique some acupuncturists provide either by patient instruction or in the patient’s vehicle to enhance a telemedicine visit. EarSeeds can be applied using low/no-contact. Also known as auriculotherapy or ear acupuncture, EarSeed acupuncture uses small seeds or magnets attached to a dermal tape, which one applies to a specific portion of the outer ear to enhance healing. EarSeeds can stay in for several days to a week or more. The outer ear contains regions related to nearly every body part, even mental conditions such as stress. Gently applying a painless ear seed or magnet can impact mental and physical health and take a telemedicine appointment to the next level. Some practitioners utilize EarSeed `bling`- Swarovski crystal-embellished ear seeds over gold that look great.

Telemedicine and Low-Contact EarSeed Acupuncture for Stress and Pain

Don’t let your health suffer when you can’t come to the healthcare facility. Schedule a telemedicine appointment today and get the results you need. Many insurance plans cover telemedicine appointments during a pandemic or other health concerns, and some do not even charge the standard co-pay to support participant’s good health. You’ll be surprised how a telemedicine virtual meeting can help, and EarSeeds ear acupuncture might be an added benefit. For more information on Telemedicine and auriculotherapy, contact Dr. Lisa Oskardmay, DC, LAc an acupuncturist in Chapel Hill, NC. Call us at Acupractic to schedule a consultation.

The Connection Between Pain, Inflammation and Depression

February 28, 2019 by Dr. Lisa Oskardmay DC, LAc.

Acupuncture Chapel Hill, NC

Stress from pain or mental distress creates inflammation which exacerbates pain and depression- a link recognized by Chinese for millennia but only recently acknowledged by western medicine. The stress-pain-inflammation connection is real; but, diagnosis and treatment frequently do not reflect this critical fact. People who have high levels of stress or pain or inflammation can get confused and have trouble thinking clearly or sleeping well or coping with life. Acknowledging that stress and physical pain can cause depression is an essential first step to get patients the help they need.

From a Chinese medicine 5 Element perspective, injury or mental stress consumes water channel yin resulting in excess fire consuming heart yin. Increased pain and inflammation extinguish joy. Recent medical research shows that body inflammation crosses the blood-brain barrier causing brain inflammation resulting in a neuronal conflagration, confusion, and withdrawal, all hallmarks of depression. Some people with higher levels of chronic pain withdraw into alcohol or pain medications or other drugs in an attempt to reduce their symptoms. These can create a downward spiral as they increase inflammation and decrease the person’s ability to deal with problems, sleep soundly or make good choices.

This new understanding of the broader cause of depression from stress and injury can help practitioners and family and friends improve their patients, and loved ones recover more fully. Recognize that sleep and rest are necessary to heal. Reliance on pain medications that mask pain may be helpful to allow sleep, but long term use causes dependence can result as well as increased risk of injury to already destabilized body regions.

Some anti-inflammatory medications have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing both pain and depression. Inflammation lowering products can reduce heat volatility in the body as well as in the brain, affecting the cause of both anxiety and depression in those people. For instance, NSAIDs have been shown to reduce pain and improve the antidepression effects of medications in some people who have pain and are also taking antidepressive medications. So-called COX2 inhibitor drugs have been shown to reduce both — anxiety and depression in certain types of patients. The connection between anti-inflammatory usage is increasingly recognized.

Unfortunately, not every prescribed remedy has this beneficial dual effect, and some anti-inflammatory products have their side effects and can’t be used continuously. For instance, corticosteroids are used primarily to reduce inflammation, but they also inhibit the immune system, negatively affect calcium absorption, and can increase blood sugar. NSAIDS and COX2 inhibitors increase the risk of infections and cardiovascular events. One needs to assess the risk-benefit of any treatment at all times.

Dietary and lifestyle steps to reduce inflammation can work to reduce pain and depression and should be used whenever possible benefit the patient without side effects. Patients are advised to take all steps possible to get restorative sleep and eat a regular healthy diet to reduce stress. Other measures to consider include: walk in nature, eat small meals, soak in lavender scented Epsom salts, avoid confrontations and other stressful life events including loud noise and distressing television; and take time to meditate, read supportive literature or reflect on life. Herbal concoctions such as ashwagandha or rosemary have been clinically shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol.

It is possible to reduce pain and inflammation and stress causing depression. If you aren’t able to achieve these goals on your own, contact a professional for help.

Contact Acupractic Natural Healing Center for more information on how to reduce pain, inflammation, and depression.

Tips for Snow Shoveling to Avoid Injury

February 19, 2019December 11, 2018 by Dr. Lisa Oskardmay DC, LAc.

Shoveling snow can result in back injuries or worse. We all need to get out of the house eventually following a huge snowfall like the one we just experienced here in Durham, NC. Keep a few things in mind, however, prior to going outside to shovel that snow. Back injuries and heart attacks due to snow shoveling are all too common and can be avoided. When shoveling snow, take a moment to assess the situation and realize the job may take more time than you think. Don’t rush the process—hurrying will add to the possibility of falling as well as increase the stress of the situation. Get your warm high traction boots on, suit up, grab your shovel, and head outside once you’ve taken a few moments to consider how to best approach the task. Wet snow is going to be very heavy. When you dig your shovel down into the snow, assess how heavy each shovel full is before trying to lift it, especially if you plan to twist around and pile that shovel full to the side.Twisting with the added weight of snow can injure your back quickly; doing that repetitively can cause spinal joint irritation or even a herniated disc. You may not feel the effects of injury immediately due to the numbing effects of cold so be sure to take breaks periodically. Be aware of the amount of cardiac exercise involved in moving snow, as well. Crouching, digging, lifting and twisting heavy loads repeatedly in the cold puts a lot of strain on your heart, especially if you are stressed in a hurry. Stay safe out there!

Cupping for Colds and Flu

December 6, 2018November 21, 2018 by Dr. Lisa Oskardmay DC, LAc.

Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that many people have heard of in conjunction with the Olympics as a treatment for muscle aches. Were you also aware that cupping can be an effective treatment for cold and flu symptoms? That’s because cupping relieves congestion in the body and stimulates movement of energy to restore and heal. Cupping deep tissue massage improves blood flow and helps to detoxify the area cupped and connected regions.
What is cupping?
Cupping utilizes silicon or glass shaped `cups` under which vacuum is created via suction or oxygen consumption. When placed on the skin and slid across trigger points and knots, cupping is an unparalleled example of transverse friction massage combined with skin lifting technique. Common areas of application for persons suffering from congestion, colds and flu include the midback between the shoulder blades, the upper back and shoulders, and lower back just below the ribs around the diaphragm. Stimulation of these areas with cupping reduces muscle spasm and helps with respiration and lymph flow. Following cupping you ill experience redness and warming to the area cupped as blood flow is increased and the skin and underlying muscles are rubbed with friction.
Essential oils and ointments can be applied on the skin surface prior to cupping. Oils such as eucalyptus, lavender and frankincense are anti-inflammatory, warming and pain relieving. These and other oils aid in circulation and naturally support the immune system. Other oil choices can include: oregano, rosemary, tea tree, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint, cinnamon, clove bud, grapefruit, sandalwood, basil, juniper berry, thyme, sage, ginger, cypress, and pine. A few drops of each essential oil can be added to a carrier neutral oil and massaged into the skin. Cupping performs gentle exfoliation and blood flow stimulation which helps the oil absorb while also helping to `exteriorize` toxins and reduce stagnation in general.
Persistent cupping marks that stay on the body post-cupping can be unsightly and undesirable to some. These can be avoided by moving the cups around and reducing the amount of time the cup is left in one place. Discuss this and other treatment goals with your practitioner prior to treatment. Also, some people may be concerned with the use of hot glass cups and the potential for burning of the skin. Many practitioners use unheated silicon cups today to avoid that concern.
You may receive cupping therapy as part of a holistic treatment regimen for cold and flu that also includes acupuncture treatment or the chiropractic adjustment, or all three together. These alternative medicine remedies for cold and flu are very effective for improving overall health and the body’s ability to heal itself naturally. Acupuncture meridian therapy improves metal yin (lung) and water yin (kidney) energy flow to heal the lungs and reduce stress in the body overall. Chiropractic adjustments to the neck and back improve nerve flow to vital organs such as the lungs and heart, and increase respiratory motion under the ribs and reduce congestion in the chest. Cupping works well with these treatments.
Following cupping therapy for colds and flu, keep the cupped area covered for 24 hours to avoid cold and wind exposure of the cupped area. If possible, try to retain warmth and rest for several hours to allow the treatment to take its full effect.
When you aren’t feeling well, contact your acupuncture and chiropractor provider to see if cupping can help you. It can improve your health and well-being on many levels.

Is the Chiropractic Adjustment Safe?

December 6, 2018October 2, 2018 by Dr. Lisa Oskardmay DC, LAc.

Is Getting Your Back and Neck by a Chiropractor safe? Many people ask this important question before coming into our office. People understand that their spine and nerves are delicate and need to be protected- it seems dangerous to have your spine adjusted (colloquially `cracked` or `popped`) to improve your health- doesn’t it? And what is a chiropractor? Many people have heard that chiropractors `aren’t real doctors` because they don’t graduate from medical school, and they understandably question the hands-on nature of the adjustment when so many other doctors never touch them at all!

Nonetheless, chiropractic is an extremely safe treatment regimen that has helped millions of people worldwide achieve better health on many levels. The cracking noise many hear during an adjustment is the release of energy that was stuck in the spine and has been released. Chiropractors explain this to their patients. Following internship and graduation from a 4 year chiropractic postgraduate program, chiropractors take board exams similar to MDs and DOs. Chiropractors are licensed in every state and most countries worldwide. Chiropractic malpractice insurance is among the lowest in the healthcare industry. Most health insurance plans and medicare have recognized the value and safety of chiropractic care and cover it for their members.

Chiropractic care is a hands-on therapy that emphasizes balance and posture at the spinal level. Following history and examination, your chiropractor will identify problematic, inflamed vertebral units and apply therapy to these areas. The chiropractic adjustment, when applied by a licensed, professional doctor of chiropractic (DC) mobilizes specific vertebral units with speed and a minimal force using hands-on techniques or with a precise instrument. Therapies such as massage, acupuncture, TENS or ultrasound relax and heal surrounding soft tissues provide additional support. Your chiropractor will provide home exercises and nutrition suggestions to empower you in maintaining your health. Acupuncture may be used to improve the healing response of the chiropractic adjustment, a very safe and quality treatment duo.

The major support of your body, the spine, is responsible for balance and posture. Misaligned vertebrae result in postural distortions and vertebral fusion over time resulting in painful immobility. Additionally, spinal nerves exit between each vertebral unit at inter-vertebral foramen (IVF). Back pain or neck pain indicate a vertebral unit has become inflamed which impacts the spinal nerve at that level. Seemingly distant problems such as indigestion, headaches, shoulder, or knee pain can result from spinal nerve derangement and can be improved with spinal mobilization.

Everyone can benefit from having their spines checked by a chiropractor. Whether you have back pain or neck pain, headaches or discomfort anywhere in the body, or if you have concerns about your posture, you should make a spinal check appointment. Chiropractors appreciate referrals from their friends in the medical community who recognize the safety and value of this holistic treatment. Pain relieving drugs, anti-inflammatory medications, and surgery have their place, but people who choose chiropractic first are relived at its safety and efficacy.

Our chiropractic and acupuncture office has been proudly serving the Durham and Chapel Hill community since 1995. For appointments call Acupractic Natural Healing Center, the offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay

(919) 929-1400 email: schedule@acudocnc.com Contact us!

Chiropractor and Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

Acupuncture Chapel Hill, NC

Serving the communities of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, and the rest of the NC Triangle