Category: Health

Manage Diabetes with Aquatic Therapy

Diabetes affects people in different ways, but those with type 2 diabetes frequently suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure and nervous system damage, including impaired sensation or pain in the hands and feet. Physical activity and keeping a healthy weight can help to manage the disease and prevent diabetic problems. Although walking may be the most convenient mode of exercise, those with weight issues, peripheral neuropathy or severe weakness or pain may find weight-bearing activities difficult. However, water provides a low-impact, safe environment ideal for type 2 diabetics.

The virtual weightlessness of being in water reduces stress on joints, bones and muscles. Water resistance provides the strength training needed to decrease blood sugar levels. Aquatic exercise burns calories more efficiently. A 30-minute walk on land burns 135 calories compared to 264 calories walking in water.

Benefits also include less soreness, increased circulation and improved balance and flexibility.

Don’t let diabetes drag you down. A safety-conscious aquatic-based therapy program can help keep you afloat by increasing energy, and improving physical and psychological well-being.

MOON PHYSICAL THERAPY, LLC
320 Ward Ave., Ste. 107, Honolulu HI 96814
Aquatic, Land-based and Manual Therapy and
Cardiopulmonary Rehab Programs
808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com
Like me on Facebook: Moon Physical Therapy, LLC

Diabetes affects people in different ways, but those with type 2 diabetes frequently suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure and nervous system damage, including impaired sensation or pain in the hands and feet. Physical activity and keeping a healthy weight can help to manage the disease and prevent diabetic problems. Although walking may be…
Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine & Kidneys

Our kidneys make up an important system in our bodies. They are responsible for many vital functions, such as removing wastes from our blood, controlling blood pressure and keeping our bones strong, for example. Such an important organ system deserves our best care and effort so we can keep it functioning well for our entire lives. Unfortunately, however, over 31 million people — nearly 10 percent of the population of the United States — are estimated to suffer from kidney disease and the number is increasing. Risk factors include being over 60 years old and having diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. The current treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure consist of medications to control symptoms, dialysis, and in some cases, surgery or transplantation. While these procedures can save and prolong lives, they are invasive and can cause severe side effects.

There are other options. One of the most helpful, effective and perhaps most unknown in America today is acupuncture and Chinese medicine. This 5,000-year-old medical science from ancient China has a long historical record of treatment of many different organ system diseases and a vast array of problems in the body. Within this system of healthcare, acupuncture treatment can be very effective in improving circulation and blood flow into areas of the body where there may be blockages or restrictions caused by kidney disease.

Chinese medicine uses thousands of herbs that can be specially combined to strengthen and assist the kidneys. It can also promote and support our vital organs and functions in the body by increasing oxygen and nutrient content in the blood to support the body’s intrinsic self-regulation and healing mechanisms. When used in combination with correct nutrition and conventional care, these methods can often significantly improve the functioning of the kidneys. From a Chinese medicine perspective, many cases of kidney disease and failures are treatable.

The healing power of our bodies is amazing.

LUNA ACUPUNCTURE & WELLNESS LLC
503-853-2866 | James@LunaAcupunctureWellness.com
www.LunaAcupunctureWellness.com

Our kidneys make up an important system in our bodies. They are responsible for many vital functions, such as removing wastes from our blood, controlling blood pressure and keeping our bones strong, for example. Such an important organ system deserves our best care and effort so we can keep it functioning well for our entire…
Walk With a Doc on O’ahu

L–R: UHA Director Howard Lee (WWAD O‘ahu sponsor), Vic Harris, Dr. Theresa Wee, Lori Wallace and Dr. Craig Kadooka.
Walking is low-impact and has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. In fact, walking as little as 30 minutes a day can have tremendous health benefits, such lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, improved mood, reduced coronary heart disease and much more.

Founded in February 2016, the Walk with a Doc (WWAD) on O’ahu program includes many ku¯ puna, along with family and friends of all ages. This collaborative effort between Dr. Theresa Wee and the UHA Health Insurance Company is a great example of how individuals and groups can work together to promote health in the community. This walk is free and open to all ages and fitness levels.

The walk begins with a health tip by Dr. Wee or another qualified health professional, then a five-minute warmup. Each individual in the group walks at his or her own pace for 50 minutes, followed by a cooldown with fruit refreshments donated by Stay Fit Physical Therapy. Perhaps the greatest benefit of all is the support and motivation contributed by each participant. They share stories of successes, struggles, and create an instant bond and camaraderie.

Walking is truly the miracle drug, especially for our ku¯ puna. Come out any Saturday at 8am at Central Oahu Regional Park (meet near the tennis courts) for exercise, fun and fellowship.

WALK WITH A DOC
808-677-9988 (Dr. Wee) | www.walkwithadoc.org

Walking is low-impact and has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. In fact, walking as little as 30 minutes a day can have tremendous health benefits, such lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, improved mood, reduced coronary heart disease and much more. Founded in February 2016, the Walk with a Doc (WWAD)…
Progressive Program Improves Balance
Balance. It’s something everyone takes for granted without a second thought about how crucial it is to daily living. However, it’s wise not to underestimate the importance of having good balance, especially in our senior years.

In addition to an increased risk of falls, poor balance and mobility can limit daily living activities and participation in leisure-time activities. Thus, it is essential to incorporate balancebuilding exercises into physical activity programs. Equally as important is a proper training progression to not only maintain or improve balance, but to ensure safety while practicing these exercises.Below is an outline of the components of a properly progressive balance training program.

Balance training exercises should start with placing the feet in a series of positions that gradually reduce the base of support, holding each stance for 10 to 30 seconds. These exercises provide subtle changes in balance, similar to those experienced in everyday life, allowing your body to learn how to respond appropriately so balance is maintained while standing still:

Feet together as close as possible

Semi-tandem (one foot ahead of the other as if taking a step)

Full tandem (heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other foot)

Standing on one foot
Gradually, introduce additional exercises that do the following:

Add dynamic movements to react to disturbances and changes in balance (leaning or stepping in different directions, lateral and forward reaching, picking up an object from the floor and tandem walking)

Reduce visual input by closing the eyes or dimming the lights

Challenge the vestibular system by moving the head from side to side

Challenge the somatosensory system by standing on foam pads or another type of unsteady surface
Another important progressive component is the modification of the use of hand support.
General guidelines for a proper progression of hand support include:

Holding onto a chair with both hands

Holding on to the chair with only one hand

Using just one finger to balance

Moving both hands free of the chair, but keeping them nearby — just in case

The key to balance exercises is to challenge yourself within your personal comfort zone. Progressing too rapidly can actually contribute to a fall. Many seniors perform these exercises with the assistance of wellness trainers as spotters. The spotter’s role is to stand by to steady participants, ensuring they do not fall, a necessary component of safety and effectiveness allowing seniors to challenge themselves and improve to more advanced types of exercises.
Balance. It’s something everyone takes for granted without a second thought about how crucial it is to daily living. However, it’s wise not to underestimate the importance of having good balance, especially in our senior years. In addition to an increased risk of falls, poor balance and mobility can limit daily living activities and participation…
‘It’s a Natural Part of Aging…’ Not So Fast!

Aches and pains, having to avoid certain things, imbalance — people often have the misconception that these problems are a natural part of aging. There are physiological changes that naturally occur with aging, but these should only be contributing factors rather than the determining factor. The key factor is that the human body is highly adaptable. The unfortunate aspect is that this applies to both the bad as well as the good.

If the body is not challenged to move the correct way, it will naturally develop bad habits that ingrain deeper as time passes. The body’s high adaptability becomes a detriment in that it masks the problem until it grows big enough to cause pain. Higher levels of pain cause greater compensations, which in turn, cause greater deviation from normal, healthy movement.

Like any bad habit, it can take a lot of mental effort to correct. Fortunately, in most cases, the amount of physical effort is minimal in comparison to the mental effort. So, by reversing the unconscious bodily bad habits into normal movement, pain, lack of mobility, instability, etc., should all be resolved.

Muscles provide roughly 80 percent of the body’s stability and even 90-plus-year-old muscles retain high adaptability. Benefits can be achieved through therapy aimed at restoring normal protection and movement of muscles.

PRIME PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC.
600 Queen Street, C-2, Honolulu HI 96813
808-286-0914 | www.primepthawaii.com

Aches and pains, having to avoid certain things, imbalance — people often have the misconception that these problems are a natural part of aging. There are physiological changes that naturally occur with aging, but these should only be contributing factors rather than the determining factor. The key factor is that the human body is highly…
Homeopathy Demystified

In the world of natural medicine, nothing is so commonly misunderstood as homeopathy. Even among well-educated consumers who can name the best supplements for every condition under the sun, mystery prevails…

Homeopathy is vastly different than allopathic medicine. Food, herbs, supplements and most allopathic medicines work on the biochemical level: Chemical constituents are digested and utilized.

Homeopathy works on the bioenergetic level. Working through the body’s energy system and bearing some similarities to acupuncture, homeopathic medicine may deliver messages almost instantly through the body’s nerve pathways. Homeopathic medicines relieve everything from allergies to arthritis pain to flu symptoms.

Developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann more than 200 years ago, “homeopathy” means “similar suffering.” By using trace amounts of natural substances, which at high doses caused symptoms similar to those he was aiming to treat, Hahnemann created nontoxic treatments that safely awakened the body’s healing response.

One of the greatest appeals of homeopathy is its universal safety.

Regardless of age, health conditions or the use of other medications, homeopathy is nontoxic.

Today, hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated homeopathy’s efficacy, and it’s now covered by many national healthcare plans.

DR. KING’S NATURAL MEDICINE BY KING BIO
1-800-237-4100 | www.kingbio.com/stores

In the world of natural medicine, nothing is so commonly misunderstood as homeopathy. Even among well-educated consumers who can name the best supplements for every condition under the sun, mystery prevails… Homeopathy is vastly different than allopathic medicine. Food, herbs, supplements and most allopathic medicines work on the biochemical level: Chemical constituents are digested and…
A Better Reason to Eat More

I have said for years that eating more may be better for weight loss than eating less. At first, people are a bit shocked to hear this until they realize that I mean eating more food — but still eating fewer calories. How is this possible? Here is a simple example. If you eat an average-sized apple, it would be about 90 calories. If you eat a muffin that is the same size (a large muffin), it could contain as many as 550 calories.

Because of this vast difference in the concentration of calories, you would be better off eating three apples — which would be much more food but still less than half the calories (270 calories). The wide difference in calorie concentration, of course, is because muffins are made of processed food products such as flour, sugar and oil.

Easier Weight Control
The result of eating whole, unprocessed foods such as the apple is that you will feel full faster and remain full longer than if you eat a lot of processed food. This is important because it is much easier to control your weight when you become satisfied longer with fewer calories. A full explanation and table of foods that fit this description are included in The Peace Diet.

Health Benefits
Eating in this way carries a number of health benefits. Of course, we all know that controlling weight helps to reduce the risk of many diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, alzheimers disease and even cancer. It is also important to know that one of the most wellestablished ways to longevity is to restrict calories. By using this approach, controlling calories doesn’t have to feel like the deprivation of eating less food.

New Findings
Eating in this way is beneficial for possibly another very good reason, according to recent scientific research. Hundreds of new research projects are now finding that gut flora, i.e., the microorganisms that live in your intestinal tract, can affect your health dramatically. Research shows that gut flora from a rat that lost weight through a gastric bypass and implanted into an obese rat can cause weight loss in the obese rat without the bypass. This is a possible indication that the change in gut flora is what causes weight loss.

Additional research suggests that even diabetes may be controlled by changing gut flora. In fact, the reason that participants in my health programs lose weight and find their diabetes disappearing may be a result of a change in gut flora induced by a change in diet. This may be the reason why eating more — that is, more whole, unprocessed foods such as apples, vegetables, beans and whole unprocessed grains — is better for you by providing the right fiber and nutrients for healthier gut flora.

WELLNESS CENTER Complimentary & Alternative Medicine
600 Queen St., Ste. C2, Honolulu HI 96813
808-628-8784 | www.drshintani.com
The Peace Diet book, available at www.PeaceDiet.org

I have said for years that eating more may be better for weight loss than eating less. At first, people are a bit shocked to hear this until they realize that I mean eating more food — but still eating fewer calories. How is this possible? Here is a simple example. If you eat an…
Strategies to Ease Morning Stiffness

Try using additional pillows for proper body alignment in bed.

Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning? Or taking longer for joints and muscles to loosen due to stiffness?

The basic causes of morning stiffness are lack of physical activity, not sleeping properly and chronic conditions like arthritis. Try these strategies to loosen up:

• Five minutes of movement in bed can ease discomfort. Performing simple and controlled stretches for 30 seconds before bed and after waking up is especially important. Anything less than 20 seconds will not allow the muscle fibers and tissues to lengthen.

• Heat therapy. Use a heating pad while stretching in bed or perform a range-of-motion exercises in a warm shower.

• Additional pillows ensure proper alignment. Lay on your back or side with a pillow between your knees or in front to prevent rounding. The fetal position causes excessive spine curvature. Lying on your stomach stresses the neck.

• Use a proper pillow: Pillows piled too high push your chin into your chest; too low elevates your chin, compressing your upper spine. Place a towel roll under your lower back for support. Good night… and sweet dreams.

MOON PHYSICAL THERAPY, LLC
320 Ward Ave., Ste. 107, Honolulu HI 96814
Aquatic, Land-based and Manual Therapy and
Cardiopulmonary Rehab Programs
808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com

Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning? Or taking longer for joints and muscles to loosen due to stiffness? The basic causes of morning stiffness are lack of physical activity, not sleeping properly and chronic conditions like arthritis. Try these strategies to loosen up: • Five minutes of movement in bed can ease discomfort.…
You Are What You Drink’

In the August-September issue of Generations Magazine®, I profiled experts in the medical field and reported what they had to say about ionized, restructured alkaline water, and its ability to improve health.

The article generated more comments and requests than any of my previous three articles, so I will share more profiles and comments from experts in the medical field as a incentive to try ionized, restructured alkaline water.

Ionized Water History
Virtually all longevity researchers agree that free radicals are responsible for the aging process.
The fundamentals of ionized water technology were first developed in Japan in the early 1950s. Full-scale development started in 1954. Following the efforts of Japanese medical doctors, the water ionizer was approved for medical therapeutics by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Rehabilitation in January of 1966. Over 30 million people in Japan have used the water ionizer over the last 40 years.

After 60 years studying Hunza water from a mountainous valley in Pakistan, Dr. Henry Coanda discovered that it differs from regular water. As a young man, Dr. Patrick Flanagan was offered the opportunity to join Dr. Coanda and continue his research. Together, they discovered the water’s alkaline properties as well as an extraordinary amount of active oxygen (hydrogen with an extra electron), a negative redox potential and a high colloidal mineral content.

Dr. Coanda, who coined the expression, “You are what you drink,” concluded that the water contains the secret to reversing the aging process, adding that water affects our health more than any other nutrient.

Sources: Dr. Henri Coanda, the Romanian father of fluid dynamics, nobel prize winner, holder of over 600 patents, is considered to be one of the greatest scientist of all time.

Dr. Patrick Flanagan, named 1997 Scientist of the Year by the International Association of New Sciences, holds over 300 patents and has advanced degrees in nanotechnology, chemistry, bio-sciences and medicine.

Free Electrons and Body Acidity
There is no substitute for a healthy, balanced diet, especially one rich in antioxidant materials such a vitamin C, vitamin E and betacarotene.

However, these substances are not the best source of free electrons that can block the oxidation of healthy tissue by active oxygen.

Water treated by electrolysis to increase its reduction potential is the best solution to the problem of providing a safe source of free electrons to block oxidation of normal tissue free oxygen radicals.

Alkaline living water (ionized) is regarded by a growing number of healthcare professionals as the best water to drink; it is listed as a medical devise in Japan for treatment of degenerative diseases.

Source: Hidemitsu Hayashi M.D., Heart Surgeon, Director of the Water Institute of Japan

When the blood continues to develop an acidic condition, cells begin to die. Other cells in this affected area may survive by becoming abnormal and malignant. Malignant cells undergo abnormal cellular division — the beginning of cancer. Modern medicine treats these malignant cells with radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. These treatments are not effective if the body remains acidic.

Source: Keiichi Morishita M.D., PHD, author of The Hidden Truth of Cancer

For more information on hydration and hydron alkaline water research, visit www.astinternational.com/hydrationwater research.html.

ENAGIC USA INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR
Alan Matsushima, Health and Wellness Consultant
808-384-7354 | trader_808@yahoo.com

In the August-September issue of Generations Magazine®, I profiled experts in the medical field and reported what they had to say about ionized, restructured alkaline water, and its ability to improve health. The article generated more comments and requests than any of my previous three articles, so I will share more profiles and comments from…
Prevent Injury When Caring for Kids

Bob and grandson, Corbin, enjoy playing at the beach. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Pimentel
Even for the fittest of grandparents, taking care of grandkids can really take a toll on your body. The most common areas of injury are the neck, shoulders, back and knees.

Here are tips to prevent those aches and pains.

If you are inactive, wrestling on the floor or walking around the zoo can have a real impact on your body. Regular exercise is important, but any type of physical activity will make it easier to keep up with your grandkids. Maintain an active lifestyle to keep those muscles strong and joints lubricated. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.

Repetitive movement can cause serious damage if you are not used to the activity. To avoid a rotator cuff tear when repeatedly throwing a ball or pushing a swing, you must know when to stop. Listen to your body, stop when you get tired and steer the kids to a break or a different activity.

Use good body mechanics when bending to pick up a child. Widen your stance and base of support to maintain balance, bend at your knees rather than hinging at the hips, hold the child close to your body, keep your shoulders back and avoid slouching.

Keep fit and take precautions to ensure that you stay healthy as you enjoy your grandchildren.

MOON PHYSICAL THERAPY, LLC
320 Ward Avenue, Ste. 107, Honolulu HI 96814
Aquatic, Land-based and Manual Therapy and
Cardiopulmonary Rehab Programs
808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com

Even for the fittest of grandparents, taking care of grandkids can really take a toll on your body. The most common areas of injury are the neck, shoulders, back and knees. Here are tips to prevent those aches and pains. If you are inactive, wrestling on the floor or walking around the zoo can have…
The Link Between Diabetes & Hearing Loss

Studies show hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes than those who do not have the disease, mainly due to poor circulation. Elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow to certain areas. The lack of blood flow causes damage to the structures of the inner ear, which are highly vascularized and do not have a backup blood supply. Hearing loss could be the result of permanent damage to the blood vessels in the inner ear.

Diabetes is becoming an extremely common disease, making it a larger contributor to hearing loss. Because of the relationship between hearing loss risk and diabetes, it is a good idea that people with the disease get their hearing tested annually to watch for decreases in hearing ability.

Five Facts About Diabetes and Hearing Loss
1) There is a proven link between diabetes and hearing loss in adults over the age of 60.
2) Everyone should have their hearing screened as soon as they are diagnosed with diabetes.
3) Diabetic patients can experience progressive hearing loss.
4) Adult onset hearing loss often contributes to social isolation, cognitive loss and depression.
5) Hearing aids can help.

Hearing loss studies have shown the benefits of hearing aids, including improved overall health, better interpersonal relationships and a reduction in frustration, anxiety and depression.

HEARING CENTER OF HAWAII
848 S. Beretania St., Ste. 311, Honolulu HI 96813
808-597-1207 | www.hearingcenterofhawaii.com

Studies show hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes than those who do not have the disease, mainly due to poor circulation. Elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow to certain areas. The lack of blood flow causes damage to the structures of the inner ear,…
Exercise for Better Body Functionality

In 2012, at age 62, George Crowder retired from his profession as a regional fire prevention chief.

“I was a highly qualified, able-bodied firefighter,” said George. “Besides emergency responses and standbys, much of the days was consumed in maintenance. In my younger days, I was invincible. If you wanted something moved or carried, I was your man. As I aged, I noticed a decline in my muscle strength and tone. My balance and coordination were starting to decline, and most of all, I was losing my functionality.

George and his wife, Norma, reside in a four-bedroom home on a 6,000-square-foot lot in Windward O‘ahu.

“Maintaining my home, yard and automobiles was starting to become a huge chore,” said George. “After working in the yard or doing other maintenance chores, I would be sore for days and have to take aspirin for my aches and pains.

In August 2013, George and Norma attended Generation’s Magazine’s® Aging in Place Workshop at the Ala Moana Hotel.

George and Norma Crowder now work regularly together on balance, flexibility, strength and a disciplined diet.

“We were totally inspired by two senior women who were demonstrating exercises — Joan, 92, and Doris, 78,” said George. “They were exercising on a stability ball. I was absolutely blown away by their agility and vitality. I knew after seeing them there was hope for my wife and I to regain our function in our golden years.

George and Norma started working out twice a week, focusing on strength, flexibility and balance — all the things we lose as we age.

“Personal Trainer Diane Cadinha is a stickler for body functionality, and mind-body connection,” said George. “We are going on three years and my function, balance and flexibility have improved dramatically. Maintaining my home is no longer a huge chore. Gardening has become a joyful activity again, and aches and pains are no longer an issue.

George said his biggest challenge has been his diet.

“My highest weight was 330,” he said. “Now I’m down to 250. Diane educates us about the importance of getting enough fruits and vegetables every day. She always says that sugar is our worst enemy for creating inflammation in the body. Giving up the Coco Puffs from Liliha Bakery, the flaky doughnuts from Zippy’s and the crispy malasadas is not an easy task for me, but I’m working on it — one day at a time!

SHAPING UP FITNESS STUDIO
Mililani and Downtown: 250 Ward Ave., Ste. 206
808-221-3905 | shapingup@hawaii.rr.com
www.shapingup808.com

In 2012, at age 62, George Crowder retired from his profession as a regional fire prevention chief. “I was a highly qualified, able-bodied firefighter,” said George. “Besides emergency responses and standbys, much of the days was consumed in maintenance. In my younger days, I was invincible. If you wanted something moved or carried, I was…

Previous Page Next Page