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Psychology as Medicine-Epigenetics Expert & Speaker

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Jo

When we asked Paul Brenner, MD, PhD, what he meant by “Psychology as Medicine,” he explained it this way:

“For the past ten years, I have served as a Psychosocial Oncologist at the UCSD Health Systems/San Diego Cancer Center. I have found that the childhood emotional pain of cancer patients is most often similar to that of their parents. Recently, in rodent studies, it has been found that early stress is carried to the next generation on the X chromosome.

It has become evident to me that most of our negative, self- flagellating thoughts are related to our earliest, childhood unmet needs. Negative self- thoughts are the progenitors of our internal beliefs of being unworthy of love. These inner mental processes inform the brain, which in turn release neuropeptides and hormones that trigger responses needed to protect us from immanent danger. Over time, chronic fear- filled stimulation adversely impacts the immune system.

By revealing to the patient that their parents had a similar childhood and suffered with similar emotional patterns, there is an “Ah ha” moment. This is usually followed by forgiveness of oneself, as well as compassion for their parents.

I believe that trans-generation emotional patterns serve as epigenetics phenomenon and are handed down serially from one generation to another with either a resultant increase or decrease in the immune system towards pathological levels.

Individuals who presents with chronic illness are not responsible for creating their disease. They have taken on their historical emotional past. Therefore, treatment should involve traditional medicine. But I also feel, appropriate medical therapy can be enhanced through a simple form of psychotherapy and assessment.”

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Could Epigenetics Prevent Cancer?

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Jo

The field of epigenetics potentially offers individuals non-toxic therapies for the treatment and prevention of illnesses. Epigenetics is the study of those environmental forces that effect the expression of genes. This new field of science can empower individuals to become actively involved in their own health care by learning how to control the mind’s negative emotional patterns. The mind’s gift is creation and its curse is self-destruction.

Therefore, in learning skills to observe and change our thoughts, our beliefs and familial, psychological patterns, we have the potential to alter our inherited biology. This might account for the remarkable, spontaneous remissions that anecdotally appear in medical journals.

How our mental state interacts with our immune system contributes either to our to health or illness. This understanding empowers us to reshape our lives. We have the ability to effectively participate in healing our past and preparing for a healthier future.

Dr. Paul Brenner is a Physician and Psychologist who has combined these fields into Psychosocial Oncology. He serves in this capacity at The UCSD Health Systems/ San Diego Cancer Center. Listen & Watch Dr. Brenner as he discusses epigenetics at a recent TEDx event.

TIME magazine’s April 1, 2013 cover story “The Conspiracy To End Cancer” by Bill Saporito includes the field of epigenetics, whose research has reached mainstream oncology in the development of new biomarkers of the disease.

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Health care Reform Through Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Jo

- Saving Quality of Life & Our Economy

Complementary and Alternative medicine is not only evidence based, but the evidence for it’s healthcare cost savings is irrefutable. Our healthcare costs are out of control because we have a system based on Disease Management and not Health Care. Primary care should be prevention and wellness based, spotting and intervening on trends. 60% of all deaths are now due to chronic disease and it is all preventable. However, even according to JAMA the allopathic health system is not preventing it. Even worse 70-75% of all our health care dollars are being spent on preventable chronic disease and it’s bankrupting us.

In his programs, Dr. Rick Brinkman shows how our medical system got turned upside down, how Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) as health care reform can save us from our health care crisis and he will also show a clear path of personal responsibility that will change our world. Preview a sample speech HERE

Dr. Rick Brinkman is an internationally renowned speaker, trainer and co-author of 5 McGraw-Hill books including the international best seller, Dealing with People You Can’t Stand, which is translated in 23 languages and used as a text in graduate and undergraduate schools.

He is a naturopathic physician by training and focused on mind/body medicine. He found that people’s communication / relationship issues as well as life fulfillment issues could create physical symptoms.

He is a professional speaker, addressing audiences as large as 8000 people. His clients include: NASA, Lockheed Martin, Well Fargo, Sony Pictures, LucasFilm, the FBI, Department of Defense and countless associations.

Dr. Brinkman is known for his trademark style of ‘Educating through Entertainment’, using comedy and story telling to make the learning memorable. Invite him to speak to your next event where saving the quality of life and our economy is important to you and your attendees.

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Traumatic Brain Injury – 4 Things You Should Know

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Jo

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to learn more about a brain health issue that can affect any of us at any time, no matter our age, gender or athletic ability. March is now upon us, leaving us with some last licks on skis and skates. Spring sports season is coming and high school sports practices are getting started.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as concussion or closed head injury, is a major public health concern. The Centers for Disease Control report between 1.7 and 3.8 million cases of TBI in the United States occur annually. This is an astounding rate, especially when compared to the annual incidence rates of more recognized ailments such as breast cancer (176,300) or HIV/AIDS (43,681). Yet experts agree that even these high numbers probably grossly underestimate the incidence of such brain injuries, as they often go undiagnosed and unreported.
In addition, TBIs are associated with approximately 30.5% of injury-related deaths each year. Clearly this is something we should all know more about.

What is your TBI IQ? Here are 4 things about TBI that you may not know:

1. TBI Can Show Itself in Many Ways. TBI is caused by impact to the brain resulting from a direct or indirect impact to the head, face, neck, or elsewhere. You do not need to lose consciousness or experience serious symptoms at injury to have had a TBI. Additional symptoms of TBI include behavioral or emotional changes, diffuse physical complaints such as headaches, sleep disturbance, and cognitive changes including slower reaction times, difficulty concentrating, or feeling like you can’t think clearly or are in a “fog.” The more subtle symptoms associated with TBI can make it harder to recognize and easier to shrug off. However the growing body of clinical research underscores the importance of recognizing, assessing and treating all TBIs, no matter how “minor.”

2. TBI May Matter Over the Long-Term. More and more studies suggest that having a TBI, especially more than once, may have long-term consequences. Several studies in retired professional football players with a history of multiple TBI have found that they are at increased risk for memory impairment and dementia. In addition, Canadian researchers recently reported that former athletes who suffered a concussion over 30 years previously showed decreased cognitive performance and abnormal findings on brain MRI when compared with a similarly aged group who did not sustain such injuries. Taken together, these studies raise questions about the long-term impact of TBI for all of us, even if we do not play a professional sport. A review published last month by leading experts in the field proposes that repeated TBIs may cause a cascade of physiological changes in the brain that accelerate cognitive aging.

3. I’m A Coach Potato and Never Played Sports, Why Should I Care about TBI? Unlike most brain health issues, TBI is of concern for all of us, no matter what our age, gender or occupation. The age groups at greatest risk for TBI are children ages 0-4, teens, and older adults over 65. Falls are the second most frequent cause of TBI among the frail elderly and the very young, with adults over 75 having the highest incidence of reported TBI. About 50 percent of reported TBIs are the result of motor vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian-vehicle incidents. Car accidents are the highest cause of head injury in adolescents. Teens are also at greater risk for sports-related concussions, which often may go unnoticed or unreported. Studies suggest that young female athletes may be more vulnerable to TBI. In a recent report in the June 2012 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine researchers at Michigan State University found that younger female athletes take longer to recover from TBI-related symptoms than their male counterparts. Finally, our military troops are experiencing higher rates of documented TBI, in part due to changes in combat technology.

4. OK I’m Concerned about TBI – But What Can I Do About It? As research interest in closed brain injury grows, there is much we can learn about TBI, including what we can do to “mind our brains” when it comes to this increasingly common brain health concern. Here are a few steps to consider to lower TBI risk for yourself and others in your family, and some things you should know if you or someone you care for experiences a TBI:

~ Protect Yourself. There are many common-sense steps we can all take to lower our risk for TBI. Wear helmets (and insist that others do as well) for high impact sports, such as cycling, skateboarding and skiing. Your helmet should fit snugly and comfortably. And it should be strapped on. Wearing a helmet unstrapped may seem “cool,” but a helmet won’t do much if it flies off your head at impact. Finally, parents need to wear helmets, too. Insisting that your kids wear helmets and then leaving them off your own head isn’t setting a very good example. Always use seat belts in the car, which is not only a good idea but also the law in most states. Finally, look for and remove tripping hazards around the house, such as small area rugs or electric cords, which are a very significant trip risk especially for older adults.
~ Take Care of Your Athlete. If you have a child who participates in sports, check if their school or team requires baseline cognitive testing. Such tests offer a guideline when assessing a TBI injury, and many school districts now mandate such tests for participation in their athletic programs. Insist that your athlete use appropriate protective gear. Finally, if your athlete is injured, make sure that they receive appropriate assessment and treatment, and are given plenty of time to heal completely and are cleared by a doctor prior to returning to play. Be sensitive to any uncharacteristic changes in mood, attention, or academic performance, which may be signs of a missed TBI.

Anything Else I Should Know? Researchers are just beginning to understand more about the reasons individuals have different courses of outcome from TBI. One theory recently discussed suggests that having greater cognitive resources, or Cognitive Reserve, may reduce risk for the long-term consequences seen in repeated TBI. This argument is particularly interesting from a brain health perspective, as studies have previously shown that folks who are intellectually engaged over their lifetime may have an associated lower risk for dementia, perhaps due to greater Cognitive Reserve. Certainly staying intellectually engaged is simply just a good idea; as such activities appear to be protective for long-term brain health.

Cynthia Green author of 30 days to total brain health

Dr. Green's Book

Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author, and noted speaker who is a leading expert in brain health. Founder of the Memory Enhancement Program at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Green heads the Total Brain Health program, which provides professional certification training in brain health programs as well as programs for the general public. For more information on having Dr. Green speak at your next event, please contact Jo Cavender at jo@speakersonhealthcare.com.

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The Reinvention of Retirement by Dr. Bruce Clark

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Jo

Even though we didn’t go flying over the “fiscal cliff” and the “debt ceiling” hasn’t caved in, as 10,000 baby boomers per day slam into the life-stage we mistakenly call “retirement” …the anxiety level is palpable. Experts have been skeptical of the baby boomers ability to prepare for retirement since birth. Coming of age in the prosperous decades of the 50′s and 60′s, the consensus opinion was that unlike their “save, save, save,” oriented parents, the boomers were profligate spenders, with little or no appetite to plan or save for a future that seemed a long way off.

The experts were right!
The long-awaited phenomena of the mass retirement of the baby boom has begun – in earnest. They have chosen an auspicious time to begin this process having just completed the most economically tumultuous four years since the Great Depression.

There is reason to be concerned!
Workers 55+ report that in their retirement savings:
* 60% have <$100k
* 40% have <$25k
* 31% have <$10k
(*As Reported by the Employee Benefits Research Council’s 2012 survey.)

Twenty-five percent of this age group have no retirement savings at all. Astonishing as it may sound, a recent survey established that of the 58% of boomers who thought they had a “pension,” only 37% did. While many public sector retirees will benefit from a traditional pension, the private sector is another story. Between 1993 and 2010, the number of workers covered by traditional pensions has dropped nearly 50%, from 35% in 1993 to 18% in 2010, according to the Government Accountability Office. And as these same boomers worry about the future of Medicare and the cost of health insurance, suffice it to say that “fear” has replaced “faith” in healthcare.

I guess you could say, clearly, the future looks cloudy.
Equally astonishing is how little preparation has been made to navigate the second half of life issues that go beyond financial planning. Are we prepared for the life-stages that will dominate life’s second act…caregiving, empty nest, grandparenthood, career interruption, 2nd and 3rd careers, new family formation, divorce, remarriage, working in later life, long term care, widowhood, and perhaps a dozen others?

And what will likely follow retirement for many? More work. Whether they retire early or late, with or without suitable assets, it is important to recognize that baby boomers are likely to stagger their retirement over a much more protracted period of time than did earlier generations.

The question is “How can we help them prepare?”
Dr. Bruce Clark, formerly cofounder of the nationally acclaimed market research firms Age Wave and IPG offers a unique program for organizations seeking to better prepare their clients, or future clients, for the second half of life and retirement.

Somebody pushed the “reset” button on life as we know it. The economic events that began unfolding in 2008-09 have permanently changed the consumer and business landscape…and the dust has not settled yet. Unlike previous one-dimensional revolutions, this economic, demographic, social and technologic revolution, will impact each of us personally and professionally. All aspects of our lives will be affected as we prepare for retirement and the “second half of life.” The KEY to successfully navigating the life-stages of maturity will largely be the result of good life-planning. Invite Dr. Clark to discuss the “life-stages” that will most dramatically impact us in the second have of life and how “Life Planning” is replacing traditional financial planning and that it needs to begin earlier in life. He will discuss how your generation defines your approach to money, planning and retirement and new ways to work in a redefined retirement life-stage.

Preview Dr. Clark’s videos:

The End of Retirement? Options for the Second Half of Life, Work, Career

Our Clients Define Themselves by Their Lifestage

Preparing for Long Life is a Recent Phenomena

For more information on Dr. Bruce Clark, click here.

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Voice of Caregiving Conference to Give Caregivers Information

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Karen

Jane Gross, the founder of the NY Times’s New Old Age blog, is set to keynote “The Voice of Aging: Family Caregiver’s Conference” in Indianapolis, IN. The symposium will not only help with advice for the caregivers, but it will also provide access to some of the best resources available. According to AARP, there are over 42 million unpaid family caregivers in the U.S. today. Carol Applegate, the symposium founder talks about the conference on WTHR-TV http://www.wthr.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8322135

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Northern Hospital of Surry County

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Jo

“Thank you for being so attentive and providing information to us in a timely fashion.” – Northern Hospital of Surry County

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6 Ways Physicians Can Control the First Page of Google

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Jo

Google is the most common way current and prospective patients find more information about your practice. Do you know what’s in the first page of your search results? Research shows that less than 10 percent of searchers look beyond the first page, so it’s important to focus on your first-page presence.

Software Advice, a business that reviews medical software and provides business advice for physicians on their profitable practice blog, recently published an article on how this can be done. Here are a few of their tips to consider when developing an online reputation management strategy to help own the first page of Google:

1. Find Blog Topics – Blog posts should be compelling and well-written. The first step is finding content that people want to read. Since a physician’s audience is typically made up of current and potential patients, the content should be engaging, educational, and most importantly, easy to understand. For example, a good start is blogging about frequently asked questions or the best preventative measures for patients.

2. Edit Your Work – Google can penalize a site for poorly written content. No matter how good you are at writing, have a second set of eyes look over your work to ensure the ideas make sense and are easy to understand. Ask a colleague who is familiar with the material to edit for content, and then ask another unfamiliar with the subject for a second perspective.

3. Avoid Repetition – People do not want to keep reading the same things, so keep the topics focused but specific to the different areas of healthcare you offer services for. Also, if you are listed on different websites, write a different bio for each one and focus on what you do for each organization.

4. Share Your Content – Spread the word about your new content. When you first begin writing, be sure to promote your content to individuals that will enjoy it. Additionally, ask friends, family, patients and colleagues to share your work with their connections and social media channels. The more content you produce and the more regularly you send it out, the easier it will be to build following.

5. Ask Others to Share Your Content – When others link to your content, it’s like a high-five in the eyes of Google. Ask affiliates, medical associations, colleagues and other credible sources to link to your material. It will further demonstrate authority to Google and build a larger following for others to read your material.

6. Be Relevant and Avoid Spam – Share your content on websites that are relevant to your material. If a website seems “spammy” and you suspect its owners are participating in suspicious activity, stay clear of that website. A mention on a relevant website such as a top association in your speciality will increase your credibility in the eyes of both readers and Google.

Building your online reputation is an ongoing process. But if you take action with these tips, you will begin to see improvements. Monitor your progress and check your google searches weekly. By taking control of what people see about you online, you are securing your success for the new year and beyond.

On-line marketing Expert, Mike Newhouse is available for keynotes for your next event. Call us 503-345-9164 to check on his availability.

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Lessons From A Heart Attack Survivor

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Jo

Valentine’s Day. Those two words summon a lurch in my stomach and a flutter in my heart. Who among us has not suffered at least one disappointing February 14, our hearts shattered by an unappreciative or unrequited love? Some of us, however, take a broken heart to a whole other level. Literal heartbreak. I did.

Eighteen years ago, shortly before Valentine’s Day, my heart began to race chaotically and erratically fast. I got light-headed, passed out and then — I died. This is not an exaggeration. I have proof: a copy of my Medical Incident Report. Question 24 of the form asks, “Patient Condition on Arrival of First Fire Department Unit.” Two answer options are provided: (1) Alive, or (2) Dead. My report has a big circle around option two. So it’s official.

It still seems absurd that a vibrant and healthy woman in her 30s could literally drop dead within seconds of growing dizzy. That just doesn’t happen to physically active, young people who are non-smokers. Or does it? I am here to assure you — it happens! Much more often than most of you know. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of natural deaths in the United States.

Living in Seattle, I received excellent first responder emergency and medical care, and was restored to a full and active life. This can be largely attributed to King County’s shocking (pun intended) and exceptional 49 percent survival rate record for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, compared to the sobering national average of around 10 percent. Almost two decades after my killer collapse, nearly 383,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests continue to occur annually in the United States.

So on this Valentine’s Day, I turn inward to my own heart and ask: What heart-healthy choices am I making these days, to make sure I’m around to enjoy many more years?

1. I put me first. Call it selfish, I don’t care. If I’m going to be of use to anyone else in my life, I need to maintain the best physical and emotional shape I can. So I’ve moved “me” to the front of my priority line, thank you very much!

2. Girlfriends and pet companions are great medicine. Women’s “tend and befriend” response to stress has been documented to release oxytocin, causing a calming effect that reduces our risk of disease by lowering our blood pressure and heart rate. The soulful gaze of a beloved dog stimulates the same response, plus the deep emotional connection to a non-judgmental creature is invaluable.

3. Portion control means I don’t have to give up my favorite food. Need I say more?

4. Exercise (that I enjoy) keeps me sane and stimulated. It’s the most effective thing I do to keep my heart muscle strong, pliable, and clog-free. Plus cardiovascular workouts (like power walking or bursts of spontaneous ballet across my dining room) often get my creative juices flowing: Ideas flourish when I let my oxygen-enriched brain wander.

5. No more ostrich syndrome. I’ve pulled my head out of the sand and faced my ignorance and denial about my aging body. Education is empowerment, especially when it comes to my health. When I have questions about chest pain or odd symptoms, I get professional help, and if trying to diagnose myself via late-night Internet browsing, I only visit accredited sites.

6. Spa treatments equal nurturing. I’ll admit, I’ve grown too big for anyone to rock me to sleep. But a luxurious massage, facial, or pedicure feeds the child in me longing for touch, soothing, and sensuality. Despite the images we see in Viagra commercials, many people are touch-deprived. It’s a need that we all long for, and creates a cascade of relaxing hormones that lower our blood pressure and calm our souls. And it just feels sooo good.

7. I know my body as well, or better, than any doctor. Trust your intuition. Find a health-care professional who supports and partners you, not patronizes you. Second and third opinions are encouraged.

8. Laugh as often and as lustily as possible. The only downside: Vigorous laughter might trump your bladder control. Absolutely everything else about it is good for you.

Nothing is more important than cherishing and understanding the amazing organ that is your heart. Honor it, pamper it, and lovingly protect it. Make this Valentine’s Day a special one for your sweet heart. The one inside your chest!

Tracey Conway Heart Healthy Speaker

Tracey Conway, heart healthy, humorous, motivational speaker

2-14-13 Reprinted from the Huffington Post

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ACA – Reducing Hospital Readmissions and Healing in Community

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Jo

Dr. Carl Hammerschlag, a community psychiatrist, and pioneer in the practical applications of the new mind/body/spirit medicine recently spoke at the annual Trustee’s Conference of the MN Hospital Assn about how to keep people out of hospitals, provide better healthcare and inspire people to become the principal agents in their own healing. The Affordable Care Act represents a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery. As a culture we are moving from an interventional model of care to one based on prediction and prevention.

Among the many changes will be an attempt to reduce hospital readmission rates. Section 3025 of the Affordable Care Act establishes a hospital readmission reduction program that will penalize hospitals for readmissions within days and weeks after discharge.

Nearly one in five hospitalized Medicare patients returns to the hospital within 30 days. Most of them returned NOT because their previous illnesses flared up, rather they came in with new problems that in many cases were caused by the trauma of hospitalization. Dr. Harlan Krumholz, at the Yale Medical School, calls this “post-hospital syndrome” (JAMA.30:3, Jan.23, 2013) says patients “come into the hospital with one thing, but they leave with another”. It’s not because of bad hospital care; patients often take painkillers and other medications that can leave them confused (especially in unfamiliar surroundings). Extended bed rest can weaken a person’s muscles; and the chronic interruptions can lead to sleep deprivation.

These are challenging and exciting times; instead of discharging patients with prescriptions and directions, hospitals will create collaborative teams that heal in the community. Hospitals can become catalysts in making the cultural shift by integrating home health care, ambulatory care, social services, integrative health care, and volunteers.

Invite Dr. Hammerschlag to your next meeting to discuss the implications of the Affordable Care Act and the future of medicine in America.