Dear Steve,

DID YOU KNOW that technology alone can't replace the human touch to produce meaningful weight loss in obesity treatment? The new study appeared in JAMA and was performed by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Giving people technology alone for the initial phase of obesity treatment produces unacceptably worse weight loss than giving them treatment that combines technology with a human coach. The need for low cost but effective obesity treatments delivered by technology has become urgent as the ongoing obesity epidemic exacerbates burgeoning health care costs.

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Steve: I've mentioned many times during consultations and in this newsletter that stress worsens inflammation through activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, there are simple skills that can be learned to manage the stress-related inflammatory cascade, even in severe cases.

A Journal of the Neurological Sciences study focused on simple skills to manage stress in multiple sclerosis patients. The skills were delivered over four sessions, and designed to be employed in their private life.

In addition to patient self-reports, the team measured physiological indicators of stress like pulse (beats per minute), breath rate (breaths per minute), and saturated oxygen. The measures were taken before and after stress management exercises.

The first session included psychoeducation and diaphragmatic breathing for relaxation. The second reviewed the nervous system and the stress response. The third introduced visualization and guided imagery that was individualized for each patient. The fourth focused on mindfulness and distress tolerance.

In all four sessions, patients achieved significant in-session improvements in breath rate, pulse, and saturated oxygen, as well as improvements from the patient health questionnaire scores, generalized anxiety disorder scores, and breaths per minute.

The results, according to the authors, "suggest that short-term treatment with stress management skills can impact physiological and emotional stress".

A 37 year-old type 1 diabetic mother of two recently came in to see Steve. For months, she was having trouble keep any food down, was in the ER incessantly, and was losing so much weight she was on the brink of being hospitalized for a lengthy period of time.

All she could tolerate were soup, oatmeal, rice, and Gatorade. At her appointment, she had to go to the bathroom several times to throw up. Suffice it to say, she was in crisis and according to her mother who was with her, "we are hoping for a miracle because she hasn't even been able to take care of her children."

Steve had a complete plan ready to repair her GI tract and correct nutrient deficiencies with specific dietary supplements, a special food plan, and other lifestyle recommendations. More importantly, she needed to get into the right headspace. She was so disillusioned by the myriad medical personnel she had dealt with over the past year with no resolution, trusting yet another health professional was difficult.

To her credit, she followed the plan to the letter. While there were several months of "two steps forward, one step back," as of now her blood sugar is balanced, there is not a hint of throwing up, her weight is normal, she is back to her vibrant lifestyle, and most importantly, she is a Mom to her children again.

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Disclaimer: Case reports are not intended for self-healing. Case reports are for references purposes only and should be discussed with your health professional.

Over the years patients have come in with lung congestion due to pneumonia or other infections. Recently a patient, who has seen me for a few years, came in with deep congestion in the lungs. Their medical doctor said it was a viral infection and was prescribed an antibiotic. The patient, however, wanted to see if there was any way to get relief before taking the prescribed medication. 

I initially checked and adjusted the spine for misalignments. The intention was to free up interference to the nerve signals to the lungs, and immune system. I then used a combination of ultrasound and electrical stimulation over the chest to relax the muscles and enhance the feeling of a deeper breath. Lastly I used a Class 3B low level laser on specific areas over the lung region to allow the light therapy to help the tissues release healing chemicals. 

As has been the case over the years, the patient let me know that the lungs were much better after the visit. Some have needed a few sessions depending on how deep seated their condition is. It’s scary to not feel like one can’t breathe so am grateful for the relief that patients receive.

Dr. Liselotte Schuster is a Holistic Family Chiropractor and has been in practice with Nutritional Concepts since 1989. She uses a variety of techniques to help children and adults reach their full potential, trusting in the healing powers of the body. Contact Dr. Schuster at (847) 509-9067 or drliloschuster@sbcglobal.net.

Bonnie, Steve, Liselotte, Lori, Sharron, Cindy, Diana and Carolyn