Addiction is now defined as a chronic brain disease that changes not only how the brain works but its structure also.  Science is evolving the way addiction treatment is approached.  We now understand that addiction treatment needs to incorporate a whole body approach of addressing physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the disease.  By using a combination of medical management, behavior therapy and/or alternative treatments like acupuncture, it becomes easier for addicts to stay abstinent for longer periods of time.  This then allows the brain to heal neural pathways and hopefully repair damage that was done if possible.

Everyone person experiences pain at some point in their life.  Pain is an indication that something is wrong and needs our immediate attention to fix the problem or change behavior.  Every person feels pain differently and in different intensities.  This is commonly referred to as the pain threshold.

Myofacial Pain Syndrome 

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) encompasses a generalized pain syndrome of the muscles, ligaments and tendons, in other words the fibrous connective tissues of the body.  Fibromyalgia is a specific, chronic non-degenerative, non-progressive, non-inflammatory, truly systemic pain condition.  Many patients with fibromyalgia describe it as an overall constant ache and fatigue where their muscles feel like they have been overworked.  Sometimes the muscles may twitch and at other times they burn.

A headache is an aching or other pain that occurs in one or more areas of the head, face, or neck.  Headaches can be chronic, recurrent, or occasional in nature.  The pain can range from mild to severe enough to interrupt daily activities and cognitive functioning.  It is thought that most headaches involve a series of nerve fibers in the tissues, muscles, and blood vessels in and around the skull.

There are several types of headaches that can occur and generally are termed based upon the type of pain that is involved and the location of the headache.  For example tension headaches involve aching muscles and usually start in large muscle groups and spread out.  A migraine headache is a severe headache that is often described as a pulsating or throbbing pain in an area of the head.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by a combination or all of the following symptoms: cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can result in considerable discomfort and distress to those that are affected, but it does not tend to cause permanent harm to the gastrointestinal tract.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can range in severity from easily manageable to debilitating at times.  Most people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can manage their symptoms with a combination of diet, stress management, and prescribed medications.  In severe cases irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can affect work, ability to engage in activities, or ability to travel.  

Medical weight management can involve many factors to lifestyle counseling, nutritional support, prescription medication, and surgery.  Weight issues are a common complaint that many people have to deal with.  Sometimes it is difficult to lose weight on your own and you require more help than you can provide yourself with.

Many times it involves just knowing where to begin and what factors may be involved.  A thorough evaluation by your doctor to determine if there are aspects in your genetic make up or physiology that are making it difficult for you to lose weight.  Then having a nutritional counseling session to determine if specific nutrients are needed or even how to eat healthier may be helpful.  Then adding in an appropriate exercise routine to limit injuries and to enhance weight loss may be helpful.