Monday, April 15, 2013

It's Allergy season....again!

Achhhhoooo!!!
allergiesIt's that time of year again!!!    If you live in Austin and other allergen-laden locales, you are certainly familiar with the outward symptoms of airborne allergies.  
  
How are the allergies affecting you? 
  
Are you suffering from itchy eyes, congestion, headaches, or ear aches?  If so, you may be familiar with allergies and what they can do to you. But did you know that depression can actually be a symptom of an allergy at work in your body?So can muscle aches, joint pain, anger and irritability, even an inability to think clearly. The list of allergy symptoms goes on and on.
  
The exact cause of allergies isn't known. Western science defines an allergic reaction as the body's defense mechanism against an allergen or foreign substance. The body's immune system takes over in an attempt to protect it. Ironically, your body is making you uncomfortable by fighting what are often benign substances.  So why is Pollen or Mold kicking your butt right now and not your neighbor's or your spouse's?  We found the answer is YOUR Immune System strength and your immunity against the allergen!   
  
Allergies to airborne substances - cedar, ragweed, mold, dust, mountain juniper, are often indicative of inflammationsomewhere in the GI tract. They are typically secondary to a food allergy that is creating the inflammation.  So rebuilding the stomach lining, will decrease allergies, even airborne!    
  
Some allergens are actually inherited, but these are few. In fact, allergic reactions to soy, peanuts, dairy products, and wheat appear to be the only genetic allergies. Changing the pH and calming the inflammation of the bowels is the key to reducing or eliminating allergies. While it isn't an overnight process, the results are worth it-living without sinusitis, itchy watery eyes, headaches, pressure, fatigue, drainage, sinus infections, irritable bowels, spastic colon, diarrhea, and constipation.    
  
You may be shocked to discover how many of your seemingly unrelated symptoms are actually allergies.Other symptoms of allergies include migraines, heartburn, fainting, blood-sugar problems, indigestion, and even mood disorders. Often, depression is actually a result of commonly ingested allergens, and many people find they can reduce or eliminate their need for psychotropic medications by modifying their food intake.  
  
In our office we use homeopathic remedies, herbs, acupuncture/acupressure and adjustments to alleviate allergy symptoms and rebuild the stomach to address and fix the cause.  All of these combined together is how you can be allergy free! 
  

Chiropractic
By releasing stress on the nervous system, chiropractic permits the immune system to function more effectively-something all allergy sufferers need. A nervous system without stress functions more efficiently. Recent understandings in psychoneuroimmunology reveal that when the nervous system functions better the immune system benefits.     Chiropractors correct a basic cause of body malfunction to improve the function of your immune system  Freed of nervous system stress, your body will work more effectively to neutralize the allergy-causing chemicals in your environment. 

As Dr. Kurt Donsback has said: "A healthy body is capable of neutralizing these toxic substances and a body which has malfunctioning defense mechanisms cannot. The emphasis on allergies must be on building a healthy body, not on trying to use evasive tactics by eliminating all the allergens."

Acupuncture and Acupressure 
Acupuncture and Acupressure can target the areas where the allergies may stem from.  This is a procedure that is designed to open and increase the energy flow (Qi) throughout the body.  Once the body has a thorough energy flow, the body will become balanced both hormonally, physically and mentally.  With allergies, we can treat the root of the problem, as well as where the problem manifests itself within the body. 

Probiotics 
Again, working on the immune system is the most important defense against allergens.  The good stomach bacteria (probiotics) train your immune system to distinguish between pathogens and non-harmful antigens, and to respond appropriately. This important function prevents your immune system from overreacting to non-harmful antigens, which is the genesis of allergies.  

Natural D-Hist and Texas Allergy 
Both are fast acting and help reduce allergy symptoms. Both are sold only by Dr.'s and I do carry both in the office as well as a high grade probiotic. 

Natural D-Hist combines Quercetin, which is a mast cell stabalizers that inhibits compounds that affect the nasal passageways slowing down nasal discharge, with Bromelain which supports the mucousal lining and slows down the mucus viscosity.  D-Hist does not leave you with that "hang over" feeling that other over the counter medications may leave you with. 

Texas Allergy Spray is a homeopathic remedy that slowly introduces Texas Allergens into your system such as Ragweed, Mold and Cedar.  By introducing small amounts before allergy season hits, your body will build immunity to the allergen when it comes into contact with the real thing. 
 
If you or someone you know has tried everything and is still suffering from allergies come on in, let us see if we can help!  

Welcome Dr. Rita Castriotta to Infinity Wellness Center


Exciting News!! Help us welcome Dr. Rita Castriotta to Infinity Wellness Center! That's right, we are Expanding!   We are super excited to have her join our practice.
 
Dr. Tenesha is still keeping her same schedule and hours. Together we can't wait to help and serve more people

Help us welcome Dr. Rita back to Austin.  Dr. Rita Castriotta holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with High Honors from The University of Texas at Austin, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree with High Honors from Parker University, and a Massage Therapy License.
 
Dr. Castriotta is originally from Manfredonia, Italy, but has lived in Austin since 1993. She has been a salsa dancer since 1995, is a voracious reader, and enjoys Ashtanga Yoga, weight lifting, hiking the numerous greenbelts and parks in Austin, and playing with her dog Sparky. 
 
She has worn many hats over the years, including working at a Trauma Tech in Breckenridge Hospital's Emergency Room and later as a Math and STEM teacher and curriculum writer at the Ann Richard's School for Young Women Leaders where she was part of the founding group of teachers and administrators who launched the school. 
 
While in Chiropractic school, Dr. Castriotta participated in a 10-week internship at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center of North Texas as well as a Chiropractic Mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Mission Life International.  
 
Dr. Castriotta is certified in Activator Technique but also performs manual adjustments depending on the needs of her patients. She is a certified Neuro Emotional Technique Practitioner, a technique that addresses the stress we store in our bodies that prevents us from healing. 
 
Dr. Castriotta has also been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2005 and incorporates myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and acupressure techniques into her treatments.  She has seen patients ranging in age from 2 weeks to 95 years old and has a passion for bringing a higher quality of life and increased vitality to those under her care.
 
Stop in to say hi and meet Dr. Rita at your next appointment.  To welcome her we are offering a New Patient appointment with her at half price! See coupon below.