Approximately 37 million Americans are affected by arthritis. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage, which covers and protects the bone within the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammation in the lining of joints and possibly other internal organs.

Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling around or in joints. These symptoms can make it hard to move and do daily tasks.
Arthritis can affect people of all ages. It usually last a long time; for many people , it may not go away. Arthritis pain is caused by inflammation, damage to joint tissues, muscle strain and or fatigue. The emotional ups and downs of arthritis can add to your pain.

Your mind play an important role in how you feel pain and how you respond to illness. Talk to your doctor, nurse, physical or occupational therapist about how you can make your life more healthy. Get involved in a favorite activity or hobby. Remind yourself of what you can do rather than what you can’t do.

Many different types of medicines can help control the pain and swelling of arthritis. Take your medicines exactly as your doctor instructs. Do not skip a dose or stop taking your medication unless your doctor recommends it. This can increase your pain to a large degree.

Those with arthritis can improve their health and fitness through exercise because exercise keeps joints moving, increases energy, improves sleep and helps keep bones and muscles strong. It can also help you effectively manage your pain. A physical therapist can recommend an exercise program for you.

Many different devices have been developed to make tasks easier and more efficient and reduce the stress on painful joints.
1. Cooking and clean up: Use can openers, mixers, blenders and the dishwasher. Use a wheeled cart to move heavy items.
2. Laundry and house cleaning: Sit to sort and iron clothes. Use a sponge mop with an easy squeezer. Use a long handled feather duster.
3. In the Bathroom: Put grab bars around the tub and toilet. Use a raised tile seat if you have trouble sitting or rising from the toilet.
4. In the Bedroom: Use a long handled shoehorn. Buy shoes that have Velcro or buy elastic shoe laces.
5. Leisure time activities: Use a card rack to help playing cards. Use a push button phone or a pen tip to dial.

Contact your local Arthritis foundation office about local support groups for people with arthritis or pain. Sharing your feelings and experiences with a group can make living with arthritis easier.

Helene Kaplan, licensed physical therapist has her own practice providing physical therapy at home to patients with limited mobility and transportation.
Miss Kaplan has been a practicing physical therapist for more than 25 years. She believes there is a real need for this community service since many patients are in too much pain or are physically too week to leave their homes. Some are unable to transfer in and out of a car or manage stairs. Others do not have transportation and cannot afford to pay for a taxi or do not with to bother friends or family. This service is also appropriate for those patients who enjoy the one on one close contact that a patient may not receive in a clinic environment.

Miss Kaplan accepts Medicare Assignment and private pay and can be reached at 516-538-6799.

Chronic pain, no matter what the reason, is unfortunately a life changing event. It becomes difficult to accomplish even the simple things, like washing the dishes, which were once routine. Helene Kaplan, P.T. can help you regain your sense of self, all in the comfort of your own home.

Helene brings compassion, professionalism and 25 years of physical therapy experience right to your front door. “People hate to rely on others when they have a hard time getting out on their own”, said Helene. “I provide personal one- on- one therapy, specifically tailored to my patient’s individual needs, in the comfort and security of their home. I work with many seniors, but anyone in pain and who has difficulty getting out of the house will benefit from my service.”

Earlier in her career as a physical therapist, Helene developed a physical therapy facility within a rehabilitation center, and has worked in schools for children with disabilities. Thirteen years ago, she decided to use her abilities to help housebound people. Post surgical patients and those with decreased mobility, joint pain, poor balance or simply body weakness that has developed over time will benefit from Helene’s treatments. She brings all the necessary equipment such as steppers, bands, as well has free weights-to reduce joint pain and inflammation and increase muscle strength, rang of motion and energy.

There’s another important advantage to having physical therapy in your home, too. “By going into my patients homes, I am able to help in ways that i can’t in a facility setting.” Helene explained.” I see their living situation and can recommend changes that will improve the quality of their lives, such as changing a favorite chair or outfitting the bathroom to better suit their needs. May patients and I enjoy the social, more relaxed aspect of working at home too.”

Helene also makes having physical therapy at home painless. “A simple call to me will set the wheels in motion”, she replied. Helene even obtains the physical therapy prescription from the physician to make it easier for her patients. An important point-if your are on Medicare, my services are completely covered with absolutely no fees paid by the patient. Helene also has network of connections to other in-home care providers, such as physicians, optometrists, podiatrists, beauticians.. the list goes on.

Helene is also a nutritional consultant and can give you advice on diet and lifestyle changes that will also help with joint pain and fatigue. “It’s all part of my goal to help my patients revitalize their lives”, she said. For more information call Helene Kaplan P.T. 516-538-6799.

If your fasting blood sugar is higher than 100, you have Pre-diabetes. If it’s higher than 125, your have Diabetes.  The hormone that controls the amount of blood sugar that enters your cells (as fuel) is insulin.  People who hare diagnosed with type 1 diabetes do not make this hormone due to a problem with their pancreas.  Those individuals need to take insulin to control their blood sugar.  Most people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2  diabetes.  They often make plenty of insulin, but the insulin doesn’t work well.

In type 2 diabetes, why are the body’s cells resistant to the insulin?  Roughly 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.  The trouble starts when they eat too many calories, day after day.  These excess calories turn into fat that needs to be stored.  At first the fat fits into your fat cells.  When the fat no longer fits in the cell, that’s when the fat starts to spill over into the muscle, liver and pancreas.  The fat blocks the signal for the insulin to store blood sugar into the cell, causing insulin resistance.  A decline in muscle mass due to aging also contributes to a diabetes risk.

How can we help to reduce high blood sugar levels?  You can start by controlling the number of calories you consume, especially calories from sugary beverages and carbohydrates like grains, cakes, bread, pastas , rice, potatoes and cookies .  Eat leaner animal protein along with plant protein and non-starchy vegetables at meals.  Weight loss is important.  Aerobic and strength training exercise reduces blood sugar levels, increases muscle mass and insulin action and helps with weight loss. There are medications that can help, but often times they are not enough.   

 There are many nutrients like cinnamon, magnesium, alpha lipoic acid and chromium that may help lower blood sugar levels.  When taken together in a formula they can be very powerful.

Pure Encapsulations’ is a company that makes nutritional products. There products can be taken with medications as well. They have no artificial dyes, fillers or preservatives, are highly inspected and pharmaceutical grade.     That is the reason I recommend Pure Encapsulations’  GlucoFunction Formula.   It is a combination of many herbs well known to help reduce blood sugar levels.

Click here to order GlucoFunction.

** This product is not intended to prevent, cure, treat or diagnose disease.

To some of us, the stresses of the holidays are just part of the chaos that makes up the holiday season, and we can take it with a grain of salt.  But to many of us, the holidays are a very unhealthy time.  Stress ( from shopping , cleaning and cooking for Passover )  has been shown to raise heart rate and blood pressure levels.  Even after the holidays are over, we have the stress of paying the bills for all the kosher for Pesach food that we have purchased and we are beginning to think about paying and doing our taxes.

Every challenge to the mind and body creates a demand on the adrenal glands, the walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney.  These glands release a particular group of hormones that bring about physiological changes that help our body cope with stress.  When these hormones are released over a long period of time they have negative effects.  They can contribute to insomnia, belly fat production, weight gain, high blood pressure, migraines and poor immune function.

Taking active steps to beat stress and calm your nervous system is essential for optimal health.  Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to take the edge off in stressful situation.  During times of stress, most of us take shallow breaths from our chest.  Abdominal breathing is much healthier, more relaxing way to breathe. Just four deep belly breaths will do the trick and get your body out of the “flight or fight mode” so common with stress.  Simply inhale for four seconds (while expanding your stomach like you are filling up a balloon) and then exhale for four seconds.  Pause for two seconds before the next breath and breathe this way for a minimum of four breaths.  Studies have shown that massage increases endorphin release, which is excellent for treating anxiety.  Going for a massage during your lunch hour or after work may do you a world of good.  Many nail salons offer 10 minute mini-massages. Done on a regular basis, yoga and meditation combat abnormal responses to stress.

It is important to take care of your adrenal glands so they respond appropriately to stressful situations.  Consumption of caffeine, tobacco products and alcohol are believed to exhaust the adrenals.  Also, high fat diets and diets loaded with sugar should be avoided since they put the adrenals through an unneeded workout.  Eating a well balanced diet, having a solid workout regimen and proper hydration all help the health of the adrenal glands.

Pure Encapsulations ‘  Phyto-ADR  Formula  can assist in keeping the adrenal glands healthy . Their Cortisol Calm Formula may help reduce anxiety.  Order them online at HeleneKaplanHealth.com
Questions? Contact me at [email protected] or 516-538-6799.

***These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure disease.

The best way to start controlling your fasting blood sugar level is to monitor your daily sugar intake. Your fasting blood sugar should be no higher than 85.  Limit yourself to 10 teaspoons of total sugar a day including the pasta and breads that are converted to sugar.  Packaged foods are labeled according to grams of sugar and carbohydrates, not teaspoons. Use this formula to find out exactly how much sugar is in your food:

(total grams of carbs-total grams of fiber) divided by 5= total teaspoons of sugar.

This will give you the total teaspoons of sugar in a serving of that food.

If you seek additional support for sugar control, try adding the herb cinnamon to your coffee and recipes .   Pure Encapsulations’  Glucose Control Formula  is a combination of many herbs that can also assist in blood sugar control. Order it online at HeleneKaplanHealth.com

***This product is not meant to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.

SeroPlus Functions:
• Promotes serotonin synthesis to promote relaxation, moderate occasional stress, and support healthy eating behavior*
- – Supports serotonin production with cofactors vitamin C, vitamin B6
and Metafolin® L-5MTHF; L-5MTHF is the form of folate that easily
crosses the blood brain barrier*
• Enhances healthy sensitization of serotonin receptors and nervous system function with inositol*
• Maintains healthy serotonin activity and reuptake with taurine*
• Supports serotonin production with cofactors vitamin C, vitamin B6
and folate; L-5MTHF is the form of folate that easily crosses the blood brain barrier*
- In a randomized controlled trial involving elderly individuals, magnesium (contained in this product)
offered statistically significant support for positive mood*
- In another double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial involving
young women, zinc (in this formula) supplementation offered statistically significant
support for positive mood*
Magnesium is required for supporting the overall integrity of this pathway. When released into the synapse, serotonin is subject to reuptake or degradation by MAO. The remaining serotonin binds to serotonin receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, which use inositol-mediated signal transduction to translate the message into signals that support relaxation, moderation of occasional stress, and healthy eating behavior.*
Recommendations
Pure Encapsulations recommends 2-4 capsules daily, in divided doses, between meals.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects Or Precautions?
Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women. Certain ingredients have been associated with gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea or flatulence. Rarely, inositol has been associated with fatigue, headache or dizziness. Consult your physician for more information.
Are There Any Potential Drug Interactions?
These products are not intended to replace SSRI, MAOI or other psychiatric medications and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. Do not use concurrently with SSRI medications or MAO inhibitors. 5-HTP may be contra-indicated with sedative medications.

 

Consult your physician to discuss using this product as the first line of attack against depression, stress and anxiety.
SeroPlus
two vegetarian capsules contain v 00
vitamin C (as ascorbic acid)…………………………………………………………………………………… 100 mg
niacin (as niacinamide)……………………………………………………………………………………………..20 mg
folate (as Metafolin®, L-5-MTHF)…………………………………………………………………………. 500 mcg
magnesium (as di-magnesium malate)…………………………………………………………………….100 mg zinc (as zinc picolinate)……………………………………………………………………………………………..10 mg
5-hydroxytryptophan………………………………………………………………………………………………..100 mg
inositol (as myo-inositol)………………………………………………………………………………………… 500 mg
taurine (free-form)………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 200 mg
pyridoxal 5’ phosphate (activated B6)………………………………………………………………………..10 mg
other ingredients: vegetarian capsule (cellulose, water)
2-4 capsules daily, in divided doses, between meals.
Metafolin®

For more information and to order this product, go online to HeleneKaplanHealth.com

 

***This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

     Headaches are one of the most common reasons people see their primary care physician, and they account for 20 percent of outpatient visits to neurologists.
According to the National Headache Foundation, more than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic or recurring headaches.
Many can include migraine, tension-type, cluster and others. Some are due to  TMJ (jaw) joint disorders and cervicogenic headaches, which are attributed to disorders of the neck.  Headaches are often caused by a combination of factors including musculoskeletal, psychological and neurovascular issues as well as chemical imbalances in the brain. Thus, a thorough medical evaluation is necessary with any onset of a new or ongoing headache.  Dysfunction to the joints and discs of the upper cervical spine is another cause often seen in patients with headaches.

Allergies and magnesium deficiencies  can also lead to headaches.  Stress can be another cause of headaches.
Headaches can be  treated by various clinicians including nutritionists, dentists, massage therapists and physical therapists.
Physical therapy offers a wide range of options for patients who wish to treat their headaches without medicine.
Correcting postural dysfunctions can be done through postural education which includes instruction in proper work station set-up, sleeping positions or proper body mechanics for every day activities.
Postural retraining generally consists of developing a program focused on stretching shortened muscles, while strengthening weak muscles.
Physical therapists can also improve the mobility of the upper cervical spine and jaw through numerous hands-on techniques which can result in reducing the occurrence of headaches.
Nutritional counselors and nutritionists can help a headache sufferer determine if his headaches are due to a nutrition- related problem. A good idea is to keep a food journal and note times of headaches as well. Headaches can occur when an allergen is consumed up o 48 hours before the headaches begins.  Foods that can trigger headaches include nuts, chocolate,  onions, caffeine, artificial sweeteners  and alcohol.  Food allergy testing is a good option as well.

Tension headaches can be caused by abnormal reaction to stress. Yoga and meditation are stress fighters.

 

Pure Encapsulations’  offers headache sufferers various magnesium supplements to cope with a possible magnesium deficiency.  (Those with a magnesium deficiency can also suffer from body muscle tightness and spasms.)    Pure Encapsulations  also offer products like their Daily Stress Formula and  Cortisol Calm to reduce stress. Order them online at HeleneKaplanHealth.com

***These products are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.