Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is another powerful energy medicine.  Traditional Acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of energy called  ‘Chi’ as it courses through the energy pathways called meridians.  Meridians cover the body somewhat like the nerves and the blood vessels do but are said to have a functional-energetic anatomy rather than a physical presence. The theory states that these meridians provide the chi (life force) to the various tissues and organs of the body allowing them to function properly. If the energy flow is blocked or impeded (stagnant) or in excess in a particular meridian, this imbalance may create disharmony or disease in the organs affected by that meridian. How does the practitioner know which one to treat? The acupuncturist will make a diagnosis and treatment plan based upon a history of the symptoms of the patient including a pulse and tongue examination or the use of an electric devise. Based upon these findings, the practitioner uses fine filament- like needles to insert in specific points (called acupuncture points) located in the appropriate meridian to correct the energy flow.  Alternatively, the practitioner may use their fingertips to apply sustained pressure at these points. This is called acupressure. If the energy is blocked or stagnant the treatment will allow the energy to flow properly again. If the energy is excessive, the treatment will reduce the energy to a proper amount. In this way, acupuncture regulates the flow of energy to the body by restoring balance. I have seen acupuncture help in acute situations including the pain associated with injuries, sprains, strains, headaches colds and sinus infections, as will as chronic conditions such as chronic fatigue, chronic migraine headaches, arthritis, insomnia or the effects of stress.

Why do I need to take supplements? 

Doesn't our food contain all the vitamins I need?  

Do they really work?

My Medical Doctor says that vitamins are a waste of money.

By Dr. Richard Bisceglie, DN, CNS

I have been asked these questions many times before. There is a lot of information and misinformation out there regarding our nutritional health. This becomes apparent when it come to supplementation. I would like to address a few of the key issues related to this.

We need supplements for a variety of reasons under varying circumstances. The foods we eat have been processed, sprayed with chemicals, given growth hormones and antibiotics and if that is not enough, pickup up environmental pollutants along the way. Many individuals have extra demands placed on their bodies because of specific conditions (i.e., pain syndromes, degenerative joint disease, cardiovascular, auto immune conditions, allergies, obesity). Even our water may contain several substances that we do not want to ingest; chlorine, estrogen, and other long chemical names. Are you beginning to see why our nutritional needs may not be met simply through our food?

Patients often come in and tell me that their doctor told them that they didn’t need vitamins. Please remember most medical doctors get very little in the form of supplemental training and how they may apply it to medical conditions. Specialized training is needed to fully appreciate the complexities of nutritional medicine. Even the medicines we are taking have side effects. Medication in many cases is life saving. However, supplementation may be indicated to help with the side effects. Many compromise our liver function. Some increase muscle and joint pain, even more effect our digestion. If we are not digesting and absorbing the foods we do eat, we further leave our bodies vulnerable to disease and dysfunction and yes…even weight gain.

To complicate matters even more, the supplement industry is unregulated or self regulated. That is a double edge sword. It leaves the door open for unscrupulous manufactures to distribute inferior product. They may not even be aware of key factors like where the batch material is obtained and the quality control procedures. Does the company do clinical trials, research?  However, this self regulation gives us more freedom when recommending a supplementation protocol. We cannot make claims that any supplement “cures” anything. We can however, say that certain compounds have been shown to help with particular conditions.

Health care professionals have the serious responsibility to evaluate products and apply our rigid standards to ensure efficacy and not allow the patient to waste their money on products that do not work!  To fully understand how these nutrients effect the body, one needs to understand disease processes and the additional demand that is placed on systems to help repair and restore to health. Beware of individuals who claim to be this or that kind of specialist and not licensed to dispense medical or nutritional information and how it may apply to any conditions.

Don’t settle for less!

Dr. Bisceglie is a state licensed board certified doctor of Naprapathic Medicine and a national board certified nutritional specialist.  He has conducted many seminars on nutrition and physical medicine.

Dr. Bisceglie has also published peer-reviewed clinical articles in Journal of the American Naprapathic Association, and the Alternative Network directory.

If you have any further questions or would like to speak with the doctor, please contact  Dr. Bisceglie at the Center for Holistic Medicine in Riverwoods at 847-236-1701.

Dear friends,

Congratulations! We have survived 2009.

Do you remember earlier in the year looking down into the blackness of the abyss and being afraid?  At that time, rather than dwelling on the news, we reminded ourselves to look deeply within and determine what was really important to us. We reminded ourselves that we were unique souls that have unique lives waiting to fulfill the destiny that we came here to do. We re-examined our health, our relationships, and our work lives with the promise to pursue what was real, what had meaning and do the best we could. We immediately felt better because when we make a commitment to improve our lives, even using baby steps, one at a time, we immediately create a few feet of solid ground, a holy spot, a little sanctuary of integrity and truth that allows us to feel grounded in the world of flux around us.

Our center committed to this kind of change last year. After an intensive group process where we confronted some difficult truths, we opened up our creativity and heartfelt desires and reformulated and rearticulated our vision and mission in an attempt to embrace our unique destiny. We are transforming ourselves into team that works together in a holistic center for medicine, wellness, education and transformation. Our entire staff, both administrative and clinical, is remolding itself as a team to deliver more excellent treatment options,  more educational opportunities, and the desire to help you change your life in a positive direction, ie. treatment, education and transformation

How are we doing this?   

Build a treatment team

Firstly and thankfully, we are retaining and attracting experienced and mature practitioners in many fields. Witness the brand new addition of our new acupuncturist, Valerie Merner and RN wellness educator Linda Kramer and read about them in this newsletter. In the past year we have added TAT ™, with Dan Levin, reflexology and energy healing with Elsa Du Plessis, chiropractic and food allergy testing with Dr. Christy Matuziak, as well as welcoming back Amishi Natani P.A. to her homeopathic, general medicine practice after the birth of her first child.  All of our practitioners are available to you either directly or as a referral from your provider.

Education

We are meeting bi weekly and updating our knowledge of nutrition, supplements, remedies, energy medicines, psychological techniques and helping each other change in an upwards direction. This is reflected in our website education initiatives. Please use our website and read the articles that we make available to you there and in the clinic. And please take advantage of the classes offered at the clinic. Many hearts in our clinic reside in education and helping you take charge of your own health and life.

Transformation

We are evolving souls. Let us help you. For some, it will be the treatment to lessen pain. For others, it will be diagnosing and correcting a vitamin d deficiency. Others will need an energy boost and still others, will need instruction in stress reduction or support in tackling a difficult marriage.

In conclusion, welcome to the Center for Holistic Medicine team of 2010, where we celebrate the evolution of the human spirit by offering the tools, expertise and guidance for treatment, education and personal transformation using medicine, health and wellness as the vehicle.

To your health (and drop me  a line)

Jerry Gore M.D.

Linda Kramer RN, BSN, MS, HN-BC  Women’s Wellness Practitioner

1/28:  Achieving Optimal Wellness (1-2:30 pm or 7:30-9 pm) 

Fee:  $25

Achieving optimal health and true well-being requires an inner harmony that results from the integrated, congruent functioning of the body, mind, emotions and spirit.  We are not helpless victims of genetics or environmental toxins, doomed to suffer ill-fated diseases.  It is possible to create optimal health by utilizing the principles rooted in medicine’s new frontier:  psychoneuroimmunology (PNI).  PNI provides a scientific foundation for the Body-Mind-Spirit connection. Learn to integrate this expanded approach into your life and maximize your health.

2/4 (1-2:30pm and 7:30-9pm):  Menopause:  Navigating the Transition with Grace and Ease

Fee:  $25

Do you experience mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, decreased libido, hot flashes, sleep disturbance and fuzzy thinking?   In this workshop we explore how the common symptoms of midlife hormonal upheaval invite a rebirth of the self into the second half of life.  Accept the invitation – listen within to the whispers of your heart and the wisdom of your soul.  Courageously pursue your passions as you enter the second half of life with a renewed sense of purpose and power.

2/11/10 (1-2:30 pm or 7:30-9 pm) Restful Sleep

Fee: $25

Are you tired of being tired? Do you toss and turn struggling to fall asleep at night? If so, you may be among the growing number of adult Americans who are aging more rapidly as a result of inadequate sleep.  Lack of sound sleep also increases your risk for diabetes, depression, anxiety and weight gain. Restful sleep requires a delicate balance between the body’s systems, hormones and neurotransmitters (brain chemical messengers). Apply the information offered in this session to decrease health risks and start waking up in the morning feeling well-rested, energetic and enthusiastic.

http://www.holistic-medicine.com/category/education/class-and-lecture/class-and-lecture-registration/

A testimonial.  “I came to Joe for relief of chronic neck and shoulder pain.  I had tried many things for help:  I tried physical therapy under the treatment of a physiologist only to have the pain return after treatment ended.  I tried massage therapy that allowed temporary relief of symptoms that always returned, sometimes within the week. 

It was only after Joe treated my son that I thought Myofascial release could help me.   It was very clear from our first meeting that this was going to be a different experience.  Joe spent a lot of time listening with intensity and understanding of my personal trauma that I have never before experienced from any other human being – practitioner or lay person.  The way he explained with utmost clarity how the trauma was unfinished and remained in my body causing the pain was totally fascinating to me and nothing anyone had ever thought of to try to help.  While he made no promises, it all totally made sense.  The depth of his knowledge and the totally informed answers were incredibly reassuring to me.  He not only thoroughly knew his craft, but his extensive knowledge of the systems of the human body was incredible.

After the first session with Joe I experienced physical as well as emotional release for the next two days.  Lucky for me, Joe was available by phone to help me through this time.  This, after spending an extra hour helping me in his office without charging me for his extra time.  I find his level of commitment to the patient’s healing overwhelmingly sincere and altruistic.  He is totally and selflessly motivated to helping his patients.

In a mere matter of a month, my chronic neck and shoulder pain that had been interrupting my daily life for over 9 years was completely gone.   It was so astounding to me that he could accomplish quite clearly and simply what the western medical community could not.  That he could figure out the root cause of the pain and work seemingly with little effort at understanding it and helping me work through it is nothing short of amazing.   

Thanks to Joe for helping my first born  

 My 9 year old son was born with a birth defect that required multiple corrective surgeries, ongoing medical treatment and a steady flow of pharmaceuticals to maintain health.  I brought him to Dr. Gore’s office to see how the multitude of specialists might be able to improve his health and his life situation.  It was under these circumstances that we met Joe.  He was charged with the task of helping my son work through the trauma of over 14 surgeries and promoting good health and well being.  A large task indeed!

My son has received excellent medical care from specialists in western medicine, for which I am truly grateful.  In fact, my son would not be alive today if not for the swift, highly professional and specialized care he has received in his 9 years.  However, I believed that he needed more than the medical community could offer him.  For instance, after an occurrence when my son was in extreme pain, his specialist told me there was no way to relieve the pain if it should occur again.  This was not an acceptable answer for me as would be true of any mother watching her child scream in pain. 

The solutions for his rare medical condition were limited at best.  In addition, he was having minor symptoms as a result of this early trauma in his life that were not issues that the specialists could attend too, nor did they seem to be of any importance to them.  These symptoms did however have significant impact on our daily lives – stomach aches, problems concentrating in school, lack of ability to handle his responsibilities.  I just knew there had to be better answers then I was getting from these highly trained specialists. 

Joe had incredible empathy and an innate understanding of my son and his circumstances.  Joe spoke to my son in such an incredibly respectful and understanding way and instantly made my son at ease and completely comfortable with this new and somewhat unorthodox procedure.  While my son never complained about all the medical procedures he had to endure, there was something special about coming to see Joe.  My son actually gave a holler of joy every time I told him we were going.  Not only did Joe respect him and everything he had to say, he actually looked him straight in the eyes and told him how incredibly he was handling his unique physical situation.  He even told him how special he was to have been given this challenge.  What an amazing gift of words for a 9 year old boy and how fortunate I am as a mother to be able to give that gift to my son. 

The way Joe interacted with my son helped me to see my own son in a new way, with a new light shining on him and his situation.  Joe has given us the incredible gift of health, well being, support and incredible words.  I feel by bringing my son to Joe that I am giving my son a gift of new ways to think of himself, new ways to live a full and healthy life, and a new friend that understands and respects him. 

Joe’s skills are not just limited to physical treatment.  While he is working his magic with his hands, he often gives helpful advice on dealing with life, friends, siblings, and homework.  You just can’t buy better health care than that with your insurance dollars.  And, I know for a fact that western medicine cannot help in this way either. 

While there are many professional people in Dr. Gore’s office that have helped and respected my son, Joe has an incredibly special way of relating to him that goes far beyond the physical help of his hands and Myofascial release.  It is like getting a complete tune up every time we see Joe.  My son and I always walk out of there feeling emotionally rejuvenated, able to handle all that comes our way, able to get on with our next tasks knowing that it is all going to be OK. 

Thanks to Joe!”

by M. H.

Natural, bio-identical horomone replacement therapy and horomone balancing for women of all ages.

Jerry Gore, M.D. and staff are diagnosing and treating women and improving their horomonal systems using saliva testing, nutrition, herbs and bio-identical horomones when appropriate. If you or someone you know is suffering from PMS, Menopause, or interested in learning more, please call Jerry Gore, M.D. today at 847-236-1701.

Medicine in the News:

Natural Flu Prevention and Treatment

Jerry Gore, M.D.

We have all been inundated by the media lately regarding Swine Flu. As a proactive approach, I’d like to share with you some historical information as well as answer the most frequently asked questions. The Chicago Tribune headlined a story in early March stating that as Flu season hits high gear, this year’s most common strain has developed resistance to the drug Tamiflu, a 100% resistance in the united states.   

First, take a deep breath and relax – holistic medicine can help!

Second, remember, no self help is a substitute for a qualified health care practitioner’s evaluation. Try the methods only as an aid or during the first 12-24 hours. If there is no relief then consult a physician.

Historical data on Homeopathic treatment on flu epidemics: Taken from National Center of Homeopathy:

Perhaps the most recent use of homeopathy in a major epidemic was during the Influenza Pandemic of 1918. The Journal of the American Institute for Homeopathy, May, 1921, had a long article about the use of homeopathy in the flu epidemic. Dr. T A McCann, from Dayton, Ohio reported that 24,000 cases of flu treated allopathically had a mortality rate of 28.2% while 26,000 cases of flu treated homeopathically had a mortality rate of 1.05%. This last figure was supported by Dean W.A. Pearson of Philadelphia (Hahnemann College) who collected 26,795 cases of flu treated with homeopathy with the above result.

The most common remedy used was Gelsemium, with occasional cases needing Bryonia and Eupatorium reported. Dr. Herbert A. Roberts from Derby, CT, said that 30 physicians in Connecticut responded to his request for data. They reported 6,602 cases with 55 deaths, which is less than 1%. Dr. Roberts was working as a physician on a troop ship during WWI. He had 81 cases of flu on the way over to Europe. He reported, “All recovered and were landed. Every man received homeopathic treatment. One ship lost 31 on the way.”

Please be aware that a natural approach exists to flu prevention and treatment. Here are some ideas for boosting your immune system and avoiding some common problems associated with fall/winter illness:

DIET:
Avoid mucous producing foods (sinusitis, asthma, flu, bronchitis, ear infections, etc.), such as milk and cheese, beef and pork, wheat, bananas, refined sugar and corn oil. Use more of beans, peas, chicken(dark part), rye, spelt, buckwheat millet, apples, pears, molasses, olive oil, sesame oil, and spices (turmeric, cumin and garlic). Apples, pears and raw vegetables actually help to reduce mucus.

VITAMINS:
Vitamin C helps stimulate your natural killer cells that mop us viruses.  Vitamin A also has “anti-viral” activity and Zinc has a reputation for healing “colds”. Making and drinking a pitcher of freshly juiced vegetable and/or fruit juice every day gives you the antioxidants you need to help boost your immune system. Taking large doses of Vitamin C (up to 10,000mg daily, as your body tolerates) can boost the immune system.  
 
SUPPLEMENTS:
Echinacea - take a dose or two when you feel that cold or flu just coming on. Add Goldenseal to it if the mucous turns from clear to yellow. Rosemarin supplements, Echinacea angustifolia tincture (5 drops in water, 3 times daily during infection, or 1 time daily for up to 2 weeks to help boost immune system then take 1-2 week break), Astragalus and certain other medicinal herbs, and Oscillococcinum (standard protocol for administration is 3 doses daily for three days) are likely to confer some protection as well. Ginger, taken as a tea, will warm up your innards.  Garlic has anti-bacterial properties-add it to your food.
 
REMEDIES:
Km-6x (Kali-mur) is a common tissue salt and can help prevent what’s “going around”.  It is also indicated for conditions with clear mucous, such as a drippy nose, or cough with whitish expectoration.  Aconite 30c taken at the first hint of something coming on can sometimes stop it in its tracks.  Gelsemium 30c  is recommended for the flu characterized by a droopy energy, heavy eyelids, fatigue, etc.  Bryonia  for slow, hot and dry chills all over, the least amount of movement makes it worse, cough causing headache. Eupatorium Perfoliatum for shivering, painful so that bones feel broken, bursting headache, movement makes it worse. Mercurisus Solubis for chills, thick, acrid, smelly, yellow-green discharge, thirst, alternate between hot and cold like a human thermometer, if a sore throat is present it’s accompanied by salivation, and a bad taste or bad breath.

STRESS REDUCTION: 
Chronic stress reduces our ability to fight off viruses and bacteria.  Take 5 minutes for relaxation during the day by breathing or some gentle exercising, or formal relaxation program.  Make a habit of it so it will grow with your expanding life style.
 
ATTITUDE:
Winter has the properties of COLD and DARK.  Balance this by adding HEAT and LIGHT to your life; elements of transformation and change.  Choose a class, lecture, hobby, and a field of study.  Work on improving a relationship or changing a habit.  Call a loved one-love is light and warmth.  

Q: Is there anything homeopathy can to do prevent the (swine) flu?

A. Homeopathic immunization uses two main methods – the nosode (a remedy made from the microbe itself) and the genus epidemicus (a remedy that matches the symptoms of an epidemic).

No nosode has yet been made from this virus, and no genus epidemicus been established. However, the US Navy (that just happened to be in Mexico) found that the new virus contains DNA of Influenza Type A and Type B, Asian Influenza, Swine Flu, and Avian flu. We have a recent nosode for Influenza Mix, which is the closest match and likely to be effective. The standard protocol for administration is 3 doses daily for three days.

Q: Is there anything else one can do to protect oneself?

A. Making and drinking a pitcher of freshly juiced vegetable and/or fruit juice every day gives you the antioxidants you need to help boost your immune system. Taking large doses of Vitamin C (up to 10,000mg daily, as your body tolerates) can boost the immune system. Rosemarin supplements, Echinacea angustifolia tincture (5 drops in water, 3 times daily during infection, or 1 time daily for up to 2 weeks to help boost immune system then take 1-2 week break), Astragalus and certain other medicinal herbs, and Oscillococcinum (standard protocol for administration is 3 doses daily for three days) are likely to confer some protection as well.

Q: If I get sick what should I take?

A. Homeopathic treatment is likely to be an effective treatment for any new flu-like illness. Homeopathic hospitals had a less than 1% mortality rate during the last major real pandemic -1918 Spanish Flu epidemic, while conventional hospitals had between 30 and 60% mortality rates. For additional statistics on homeopathic treatment and the 1918 epidemic visit: http://www.naturalnews.com/026148.html .

As always, homeopathic treatment must be individualized. Since there are many homeopathic remedies for the flu, we recommend you contact us for a consultation, should you develop symptoms or are interested in preventative measures.

Call today to schedule your consultation and don’t let the media cause you to panic!

847-236-1701

Some information provided by Homeopathic Associates and The Homeopathic College

The information contained in this mailing is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat, prescribe or diagnose any disease, ailment or infirmity. If symptoms develop, please contact your physician or emergency medical help.

What is Homeopathy?

by Jerry Gore, M.D.

Introduction

Homeopathy is a system of medical therapeutics developed by German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). The medicines (remedies) are prepared from natural substances such as plants, minerals, and animal tissues and are prepared and recognized in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration. They are non-toxic, used in extremely low doses, and are safely used with infants, children, and adults. Homeopathy is practiced in England (widely practiced, recognized, and paid for by health insurance plans), France (30%of the population has used remedies and 6 medical schools offer courses), Germany (60%of all orthodox physicians use remedies), India (government sponsored homeopathic hospitals and medical collages), Latin America as well as becoming more popular in the United States.

 How does it work?

1. Remedies are made through a process of diluting and shakeing. For example, a piece of red onion (allium cepa) may be diluted with distilled water and alcohol by taking one part onion and 99 parts of alcohol and water thus giving us a 1C potency (1/100^th). This is commonly given in a 30C potency meaning that this dilution has been repeated 30 times resulting in a remedy that has the “energy”of the onion without actually having any onion left in the dose. Therefore homeopathy is called an “energy medicine”.

2. The remedy (in this case allium cepia) is then prescribed for allergic symptoms, hay fever, etc., characterized by a burning, watery discharge from the eyes; just as if the person was exposed to an onion! This is called “like cures like” meaning that if a substance (the onion) can cause symptoms in a healthy person (burning, tears) then it can stimulate self healing of the same symptoms in a sick person (allergy, flu, etc.). Another example would be the herb chamomile. When diluted into a remedy and given to a healthy person, the person develops symptoms of irritability and impatience. Therefore, when given to a child with an ear infection and irritability, or a teething baby with swollen gums showing a restless, whiney snappish irritability (sound familiar?), self healing is stimulated and the child becomes cured.

 What does homeopathy treat?

Pregnancy:

Nausea of pregnancy

Aches and pains associated with carrying the baby

Toning uterine tissues to make delivery easier

Nursing mothers:

Breast infections

Children:

Teething made easy

Ear infections

Side effects from vaccinations

Eczema and allergies

Asthma

ADD/ADHD type problems

Emotional problems

Women’s health:

Cystitis

Yeast

 Fibroids

 PMS/PMDD

 Infertility

 Pre and post menopausal symptoms

 Osteoporosis

Men’s health:

Prostate difficulties

Infertility

Adult (both sexes):

Colds

Sinusitis

Irritable bowel

Fatigue

Skin problems

 Headaches

 Hypertension

 Heart problems

 Arthritis

Insect bites

 Injuries

 Recovery from accidents or surgeries

 Anxiety

 Depression

 Grief

 Transitions in life

and more…

Elderly:

Joint pain, memory loss

What does the doctor do?

 Study the symptoms

The doctor will ask for all your physical and emotional symptoms and try to individualize, i.e. what makes these symptoms unique to you. For example, a 35-year-old woman complains of a sore throat and cough. She is under stress of children, car pooling, school needs, etc. and has been feeling anxious lately (physical and emotional history). The Doctor now finds out what is unique to her: the sore throat is right sided, feels burning, and is better from hot drinks.  Her anxiety is worse from the disorder in her life (others thrive on disorder). This history points to a specific remedy that fits her unique set of symptoms (arsenicum). One dose, consisting of 5 pellets melted on the tongue, and her sore throat and anxiety disappeared. (Remember- a remedy to fit your unique symptoms).

 Study the person

People can be said to have different constitutions. For example, 2 men desire help for their headaches. Mr. A has the following characteristics that are unique to him: he is warm (kicks the covers off at night), messy (but knows where everything is) forgetful and spacey (misplaced the keys), collects things (may be a packrat) and likes to talk (argue, speeches, etc.) and often has red itchy rashes on his skin. Mr. B. has a different constitution. He is serious, holds on to old hurts, feels worse after being consoled, craves salty foods and suffers with hangnails, cracked lips, and eye problems. Mr. A. received a dose of the remedy Sulphur. Not only did his headache go away, but he cleaned his house, threw away old “stuff” and found his memory improved. Mr. B received Nat. Mur. (sodium ) as a remedy. His headache improved, his disposition became lighter, he and stopped craving chips (salt). Therefore, by studying the person, we look for their individuality and give the remedy that fits their constitution thus enabling the self healing to take place. Remember a remedy is specific to your unique constitution. 

 Study the remedy

After studying the symptoms and or studying the person’s constitution, the doctor is now ready to choose a remedy that best fits the person. We do this by looking up these symptoms or constitutional characteristics in books loaded with information about remedies. For example, the books tell us that a right sided sore throat made better by hot drinks is the remedy Arsenicum, as mentioned above. But a left sided sore throat made worse by hot drinks is Lachesis (made from snake venom!). There are hundreds of remedies to choose from and each remedy has several pages of information about how it affects the entire body and mental functioning of the person. Through a combination of the doctor’s experience, our knowledge of the remedies, and the patient’s ability to notice their symptoms, a remedy is then selected for the person

 Following the progress                    

We are able to tell if a person is going in the right direction in their health care. We use the following rules:

• Relief from the physical symptoms
• Improvement in energy
• Improvement in mental functioning (balance, focus)
• A restored sense of purpose or meaning in life         

Case example: A 28 year old woman complained of PMS symptoms including swollen ankles, stomach upset, insomnia, fatigue and irritability. After studying the symptoms, the person, and the remedies, we selected Nux Vomica and gave her 5 pellets on the tongue once each night for a week. An ideal response would be to see healing on all the levels i.e., the swelling becomes less, her energy picks up, and she feels calmer and more whole. Beware of treatments that bring relief of physical symptoms while the person becomes worse on the energy level (”I just don’t feel right”) and/or  worse on the mental level (depressed, confused) or on the spiritual level(relationships, work, life choices, lose their sense of rightness).

Case example: A 72 year old woman complained of joint pain. A history showed that the pain was better from motion and warmth and worse from rest. She was also unsure about where to live and some important decisions to make. Anti-inflammatory medication had helped with the pain but left her feeling tired. She was beginning to feel discouraged (physical symptoms better, energy and mind worse). A remedy immediately came to mind that usually helps the pain in joints that is worse from rest and better from motion and warmth. But would it help or hurt her ability to feel, think and make decisions. With the whole person in mind, we selected a remedy that helps with arthritis and discouragement. After one dose of a middle potency, she returned and stated, “I feel my life is in order. I’m beginning to think through things properly and making progress on my living situation and thank you, my hip and knee are slowly but surely improving.”

Side effects

There are few side effects with remedies. That’s because they are diluted as they are prepared (described above) so that only the “energy” of the substance is given to the person. If an incorrect remedy is given over and over to a person, it is possible for that person to develop symptoms, so be sure to follow the advice of a practitioner that is well trained and experienced in homeopathic medical practice.

Cost

In most cases, homeopathic tissue salts and remedies are relatively inexpensive when compared to traditional pharmaceuticals.

Summary

Homeopathy is a system of medical therapeutics using natural substances in very small doses. It is known and practiced throughout the world. It’s becoming increasingly popular in the United States as  articles appear in national magazines, new research studies are funded, new training programs and societies emerge and hospitals embrace holistic medical programs

Why the renewed interest? As a practicing physician, I find the ideal medicine would be safe, cost effective, and useful in the incredible variety of situations as described above. It would work on all the levels (the physical, energetic and mental) needed in the daily practice of general medicine. The medicine would be flexible enough to span the age gap from infancy to elderly and the power should be adjustable so that a weaker or stronger potency can be individualized. Homeopathy fits this picture and gives me a powerful tool in treating the whole person!

Please accept this as a brief introductory explanation about the art and science of homeopathy. I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Jerry Gore, M.D.

Director Center for Holistic Medicine

Riverwoods/Deerfield

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• Losing weight is about changing  your relationship with food

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There are many ways to reduce stress because there are many causes of stress that are unique to each person.

1.      Avoid the Highs and Lows of Dietary Stress

The average consumption of sugar has increased from 12 to 150 pounds per year. This accompanies the prediction that 1 out of 3 born in our times will have adult onset diabetes at some time in their lives. The increased sugar in our bloodstream creates an insulin imbalance that creates an excited- up feeling with too much sugar followed by the low of too little blood sugar. This may cause tremor, sweating, headache, anxiety, depression, impatience, irritability and difficulty concentrating. This may be corrected with nutritional counseling. Try using complex carbohydrates, (whole grain breads, barley, and couscous) fruit, healthy fats (avoid vegetable oils and trans fats) found in olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds and coconut products. This will help you feel satisfied and use less sugar and avoid the dietary highs and lows.

2.     Try Natural Medicines and Supplements

For those of you who feel anxiety or depression, there are a variety of herbs, amino acids, vitamins and energy medicines that may help.

Valerian root is an old herbal standby found in many supplement formulae’s to help with insomnia. It is often combined with passionflower and magnesium for muscle relaxation.

The amino acid 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan helps to naturally build the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps both anxiety and depression and I have found it may replace the pharmaceutical antidepressants in the right circumstances.

Flower essences and homeopathic remedies (see “What is Homeopathy” article) are safe, easy to use and cost effective natural substances that can yield wonderful results. I suggested the flower essence Walnut to a patient who was undergoing a big change in her life that was keeping her from sleeping. Gentian for discouragement and Gorse for the feelings of helplessness are commonly prescribed. The homeopathic remedy Ignatia has calmed down the upset feeling in people who suffered from an acute loss of a job, loved one, or the shock of hearing bad news .The opportunity for us to use Mother Nature’s gifts to heal is becoming more available.

Find a physician who is trained and experienced in natural medicines and work with him/her as a team to reduce your use of pharmaceuticals as appropriate and promote your wellness.

3.     Exercise – but don’t overdo it!

Studies show that a little exercise can go a long way towards preventing heart disease - the number one killer of both men and women!

The amazing conclusion from this graph is that with a little aerobic exercise i.e., walking, the death rate drops immediately! Exercise is also shown to reduce cancer and aid in weight loss. You don’t have to overdo it. Just do something. With a little professional training, you can add flexibility, weight training, and balance work without hurting yourself.

     4.      Breathing and Relaxation = Goodbye Stress

This is probably the quickest way I know of to stop the stress response we call the “flight or fight response” right in its tracks. Our bodies are wired to respond to emergencies automatically by preparing our heart, blood pressure, endocrine glands, muscles, and all our organs to fight or run away from danger. But does following the stock market or driving a car or going to work or participating in home life look like this kind of danger? Usually not! So how can we shut off this automatic nervous system of ours? We do it by learning and practicing a simple breathing technique called Abdominal Breathing. I have witnessed many a patient calm down from anxiety in my office as we go through some simple steps involving inhalation and exhalation in a measured, quiet, and smooth way, avoiding pauses or irregularities in the breath. We have taught little children who are restless to  focus on their breathe and be able to fall asleep at night and we have helped patients in psychotherapy encountering difficult emotional times use breathing as a tool to allow them to relax and integrate what they are feeling and learning.

 Learn a breathing technique and make it your friend.

5.     Calming Thoughts-Create Peace of Mind

In the right time and the right place, I have found that there are some thoughts and attitudes that can bring instantaneous peace of mind.

1.       Helping others - whenever I become nervous before a lecture, I find that if I focus my mind on the idea of offering the lecture as a way of helping, then I immediately lose nervousness about pride or failure. It shifts to a sense of excitement and creativity and fun and joy. Joy allows total creativity because the sages say “joy knows no bounds” i.e. it brings us outside the everyday limits of our personality.

Take the focus off yourself and think of helping others. This may help the stress drain away.

2.      Trust in the rightness of things - most people believe in a creator but don’t seem to give this Authority the credibility to know what is right for his/her life! If you are a person who believes in a divine presence, then trust that your plan is the right one for you in this lifetime. This is the kind of trust that can bring a deep relaxation to the individual because they are connected from within even as the tides may rage around them from without.

3.      Fulfill your potential - every soul on earth is said to have a special mission- a unique contribution to make. The traditions say that each of us is given a unique set of skills and circumstances to make our own mark on the world that no one else can make. No one can have a conversation or draw or sing or write or carve or do anything exactly like you because you are unique. Begin making that special contribution that awaits you with your life.

 Remind yourself of this during the day, and feel uplifted and renewed and reoriented toward your true Self.

Summary

I hope you have enjoyed this brief discussion about stress reduction. I have a lot more information for each of the above modules. I personally use the above suggestions. I use nutrition, exercise, breathing and the calming techniques in my daily lifestyle. I add the natural medicines when working on a personal symptom or promoting greater wellness. Please read, learn, try things out and see what works for you. A little education and practice will take you a long way.

To your good health,

Jerry Gore M.D.

Dr.  Gore offers the above modules as an expanded program to:

1.       Corporations (Stress Reduction in the Workplace)

2.      Community wellness lectures

3.      Individual patients seeking holistic medical care or wellness counseling and/or coaching.

4.      Phone consultation as a holistic medical educator or wellness coach.

Questions, comments please call or use the website………