“Be true to your teeth and they won’t be false to you.”  
   ~ Author Unknown
​
Mom and Dad were diligent in their efforts that their children would have shiny, straight teeth. Growing up, my sister and I were driven to regular dental and orthodontic appointments despite our protests. Our parents knew a healthy mouth was important even without the scientific evidence that we hear about today. And we continued that routine with our own children.

Why? Because children learn good habits early, and you can’t be truly healthy without good oral health. Broken or missing teeth, diseased gums, cavities, and bacterial imbalances can spread illness of the mouth to other parts of the body. A healthy mouth is one of the immune system’s front-line defenses against numerous infections.

Chronic bad breath is due to the overgrowth and imbalance of bacteria found in the rear of the mouth. And a secondary source is bacterial gases and decay found in unhealthy gums and gum pockets.

As bacterial by-products and toxins accumulate, particularly in the gums, they can pass into the blood system. While there are other mechanisms at play, medical studies have linked many body ills to oral disease. These include:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Lung Disease
• Strokes
• Periodontitis (gum disease)
• Dementia
• Kidney disease

There are genetic mutations that cause some people to be born with missing or malformed teeth. But discolored or stained teeth and susceptibility to oral diseases are not significantly impacted by hereditary factors. So, while genetics may play a small role in bad teeth for some people, it is primarily lifestyle habits that contribute to poor oral health.

So, what are some good habits to adopt to boost your oral health? Consume “teeth-friendly” foods, rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. These include fruits and vegetables, yogurt, cheese, milk, and almonds. Avoid eating junk foods, hard candies and dried fruit. Never chew on ice or use your teeth as a tool to open things. Drink water instead of sports, sweetened, and carbonated beverages. Limit alcohol consumption. Brush your teeth after eating. If you can’t brush, rinsing with water will help. Avoid using tobacco or drugs, which promote tartar on the teeth, leading to stains and bad breath. And have regular dental checkups.

Bio-Touch has been shown to enhance oral health and alleviate pain and inflammation of the teeth, gums, and mouth. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn to help others feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”
        ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Did you know that life expectancy in the United States is steadily increasing? And more amazingly, the fastest growing segment of the American population is the 85 and older age group! Wow!

My hubby and I live in an active 55 and older community, and we love how fit and fun our neighbors are. They hike, bike, swim, golf, play tennis and pickleball, etc. We join in, too, and have signed up to play bocce ball this fall. Bocce ball is the most popular activity by far, with hundreds of participants!

But, along with these encouraging signs, there are also challenges that aging people face. Despite advances in health care, many older people have chronic, incurable, and progressive diseases. The most widespread health conditions are arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, pneumonia, dementia, and osteoporosis. Accidents, especially falls that result in hip fractures, are also common. These medical issues often result in the need for assistance with activities of daily living.

Older adults are at increased risk of being socially isolated or lonely. They retire from jobs, children move away, and friends and spouses pass away. The grief that follows the loss of a spouse can last many years and cause anxiety, illness, and depression.

Fortunately, recent studies suggest that healthy, successful aging is achievable. Many factors, including genetics, the environment, and lifestyle choices affect how we age.
Illnesses like diabetes, congestive heart failure, and some forms of dementia can be delayed or even prevented. Even loss of muscle strength is partly preventable. And most importantly, a positive attitude seems to help overcome illness and personal loss.

What are some steps to successful aging?

• Adopt and maintain healthy habits and a positive lifestyle.
• Avoid cigarette smoking.
• Have no more than one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period.
• Exercise regularly with weight-bearing, aerobic, and balance activities.
• Maintain a comfortable weight.
• Enjoy hobbies and interests, particularly social activities such as dancing, Tai Chi, card games, etc.
• Strengthen relationships with family and friends.
• Engage in educational activities to challenge the mind.
• Take advantage of nearby resources such as community support and local senior centers.

​Another important step to successful aging is having Bio-Touch sessions. Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate many symptoms associated with aging, especially the negative consequences of isolation. Bio-Touch lowers stress levels and contributes to feelings of being cared for.

While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

​“We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.”
​    ~ S. Kelley Harrell

Trauma affects the mind and body in so many ways. As a Bio-Touch practitioner, I remember working on two ladies at the Center who had suffered different traumas in their lives. Along with their other symptoms, they began to lose their hair. A lot of hair. One of them took to wearing a wig, and the other wore scarves to cover her hair loss. I felt so sorry for them having to go through that.

Then last year, after suffering a severe back injury, I, too, experienced this phenomenon. My hair started coming out in handfuls, lying in tangled clumps on my pillowcase. Luckily for me, my back is healing nicely, and my hair loss was temporary. But losing so much hair was devastating, especially while also dealing with extreme pain and sudden disability.

This kind of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. The trauma of severe pain and stress can be a “shock” to the system, causing hair roots to be pushed prematurely into a resting state. Telogen effluvium can be a short-term problem or it can cause permanent hair loss. As much as 70% of scalp hair is shed about two months after the “shock.”

Trauma is defined as a psychological and/or emotional response to an experience that is deeply disturbing. Trauma can result from being involved in an accident, having an illness or injury, losing a loved one, or going through a divorce. Extreme trauma can encompass experiences like rape, battlefield stress, or torture.

Because trauma reactions fall across a wide spectrum, psychologists have developed categories to differentiate between types of trauma. Among them are complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and developmental trauma disorder. 

Complex Trauma happens repetitively and cumulatively. The traumatic experience transpires within a particular time frame or within a specific relationship, and often in a specific setting.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after a person has been exposed to a terrifying event or has been through an ordeal in which intense physical harm occurred or was threatened. Sufferers of PTSD have persistent and frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal.

Developmental Trauma Disorder is a recent term in the study of psychology. This disorder forms during a child’s first three years of life. The result of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment, developmental trauma interferes with the infant or child’s neurological, cognitive, and psychological development. It disrupts the child’s ability to attach to an adult caregiver.

Many people undergoing traumatic events find themselves facing troubling symptoms. The severity of these symptoms depends upon the person, the type of traumatic event experienced, and the emotional support received after the event. Symptoms can be varied and are not always experienced in the same way by all individuals.

Common symptoms of trauma include:

Mood symptoms:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Shock
• Anger
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Despair
• Guilt
• Shame
• Self-blame
• Sadness
• Panic attacks
• Hopelessness

 
Behavioral symptoms:

• Frequent nightmares
• Being easily startled
• Fatigue
• Edginess
• Self-medication with drugs and alcohol
• Self-harming behaviors
• Difficulty concentrating
• Social isolation
• Avoiding certain events that may trigger memories
• Avoiding certain people

Physical symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Racing heartbeat
• Muscle tension
• Aches and pains
• Exhaustion
• Agitation
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Significant loss of scalp hair

Psychological symptoms:

• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Insecurities
• Repressed memories
• Dissociation
• Emotional numbing
• Constant fear
• Denial and disbelief
• Flashbacks – the individual may re-experience traumatic events over and over
• Emotional detachment
• Low self-esteem

Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with trauma. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

“The gut is the seat of all feeling.” 
       ~ Suzy Kassem
 
I was astonished to read in a Johns Hopkins medical article, how digestive diseases affect 60 to 70 million Americans annually. That’s a lot of people. What’s more, a study by consumer digital health care company, Amino, found that, like so many other health conditions from bunions to thyroid disease, digestive issues are diagnosed in women almost twice as often as men. Though not conclusive, there is evidence that stress, diet, lifestyle, and hormones are to blame.

The body’s digestive system is made up of multiple organs including the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestines, and colon. These organs work together to break down food and fluids into nutrients the body needs to be healthy. Waste products the body doesn’t need are eliminated.

Intestinal gas, burping, and abdominal bloating, although uncomfortable or embarrassing, are a normal part of the digestive process. However, gastrointestinal issues can occur that range from mild to serious or even life threatening.

Some symptoms of these issues include:

• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heartburn
• Ulcers
• Acid reflux
• Bleeding
• Trouble swallowing
• Hemorrhoids
• Fecal incontinence

 
 These symptoms can be caused by conditions such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Gastritis
• Appendicitis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Diverticulitis
• Pancreatitis
• Colon, colorectal, or stomach cancer
• Celiac disease
• Gall stones

 
Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms of digestive disease. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols.
 
Learning how to help people feel better using Bio-Touch is an incredible experience. And you can confidently use the healing power in your fingertips without worrying about negative side effects! 

“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.” 
     ~ Haruki Murakami

Three years ago, my mother was dying. She was 95 years old, had lived a great life, and was ready. Her journey to death took about six weeks, and my sister and I were able to share it with her as we sat at her bedside.

As heart wrenching as it was to see the physical changes taking place, it was awe-inspiring, too. Mom was conscious and lucid as she spoke to us about every day things. Then she’d look up towards the ceiling and tell us, excitedly, how she was seeing relatives and friends who’d been dead for years. Her brother had passed away a decade earlier. He was an artist, and Mom was thrilled watching him paint pictures for her-welcoming her upwards! She would say, “Oh, I wish you could see what I’m seeing!”

When Mom seemed agitated, I would touch her using the Bio-Touch points specific to stress. Almost immediately she would be calmer and breathe easier. She would smile and say, “You did that Bio-Touch on me, didn’t you?” She felt relief and so did I— I was grateful to have a helpful tool like Bio-Touch at my fingertips!

Death, like life, is a personal journey everyone experiences in their own unique way. And the care givers and/or loved ones of the dying person will be on a journey of their own as they witness this dying process.

Like my mother, the dying person may begin to see or speak to friends and relatives who have already died. Some people explain this as the veil being lifted between this life and the next, while other people believe these are hallucinations. Personally, I know my mother was not hallucinating.

The dying person may pick at their sheets and clothing in a state of agitation. They may have trouble swallowing food, liquids or medications or may refuse to take the medications prescribed. Other signs of the dying process:

• The body temperature lowers by a degree or more.
• The blood pressure lowers.
• The pulse becomes irregular and may slow down or speed up.
• There is increased perspiration.
• Skin color changes as circulation is diminished. This is noticeable on the lips and nail beds as they become pale and bluish.
• Breathing changes occur, often becoming more rapid and labored, then irregular and slower.
• Speaking decreases and eventually stops altogether.
• Periods of relaxation may be interrupted by sudden movements of arms and legs.

Rapid breaths followed by periods of no breathing at all, called Cheyne-Stokes breathing, may occur. Congestion in the airway can causing loud, rattled breathing. This change in breathing can be very uncomfortable for loved ones to hear, but does not appear to be unpleasant for the person who is dying.

Hands and feet may become blotchy and purplish (mottled). This mottling may slowly work its way up the arms and legs. The person usually becomes unresponsive and may have their eyes open or semi-open but not seeing their surroundings. Eventually, breathing will cease altogether and the heart stops.

Bio-Touch has been shown to help with breathing, ease agitation and pain, and relieve other symptoms of the dying process. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

​"Be where your feet are.”  
    ~Anonymous

The above quote is good advice. We should strive to be in the moment, and not regret yesterday or fret about tomorrow.

But whoever wrote that quote probably never had to contend with a bony bump jutting sideways out of the base of their big toe. Doctors refer to it as hallux valgus, but it’s better known as a bunion.

I remember staring in shock at my grandmother’s pretty, heeled shoes when I was a little girl. Grandma had taken the drastic step of cutting small slices into the sides of the leather for relief. I could see her bunions peeking out of her shoes!

A bunion makes the big toe joint stick out to the side, forcing the big toe to curve in closer to the other toes.

Women are 2 to 3 times as likely as men to have bunions, often developing them from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly (especially high heels, shoes with pointed toes, or shoes with narrow toe boxes). For other people, bunions are caused by factors beyond their control. These can include:

• a family history of a foot type that is susceptible to bunions
• neuromuscular disorders
• conditions affecting the joints (e.g., arthritis)
• severe injury to the foot
• deformities at birth
• problems that affect the way a person walks (e.g., rolling in at the ankles)

At first, bunions may cause no pain. But as the big toe begins to turn in towards the other toes, there will usually be redness, pain, swelling, and tenderness in the area around the joint. Pressure inside the joint or from footwear pressing against the bunion may also cause discomfort. As the affected toe curves closer to the other toes on the foot, these toes can become painful as well.

Complications of bunions may include corns, calluses, hammer toes, and ingrown toenails. Other complications include irritation of the nerves surrounding the bunion area. Excess rubbing of the bunion against the footwear may lead to changes in the skin, resulting in corns or calluses. Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe immediately next to the big toe. A hammer toe is slightly raised and points upwards from the base and downwards at the end of the toe. Ingrown toenails can result from increased pressure from the big toe on the other toes. There may also be a decrease in the amount a joint can move when affected by the bunion.
​
Bio-Touch has been shown to ease the symptoms of bunions. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to mainstream medical protocols. And there are no negative side effects to worry about. Everyone, even children, can learn Bio-Touch!

 "Just breathing can be such a luxury sometimes.” 
​       ~ Walter Kirn

     I don’t have asthma, nor does anyone in my family, but I can’t think of anything that would be more frightening than fighting for my next breath.

Theresa Cannizzaro, a respiratory therapist, was featured in an article on Asthma.net. She had asked some of her patients to describe what it felt like to have asthma. Here are their answers:

     “Fish out of water.”
     “There is an elephant sitting on my chest.”
     “I cough so much that I can’t catch my breath.”
     “My chest feels tight and heavy.”
     “I feel like there is a pillow being held over my face.”
     “I am short of breath and can hear myself wheezing.”

Asthma is a long-term condition that can cause wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing. It often starts in childhood, but it can happen for the first time at any age. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, ranging from very mild, occasional breathlessness and wheezing, to very debilitating symptoms.

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways —in particular, small tubes called bronchi. The bronchi are more sensitive than normal because of this inflammation. When a trigger of some kind irritates the lungs, the airways become narrow, the muscles around them tighten, and there is an increase in the production of sticky mucus (phlegm). This makes it difficult to breathe and causes wheezing and coughing. It may also make the chest feel tight.

Common Asthma Symptoms

• Coughing: can be dry or mucus-filled, often worse at night or early morning
• Wheezing: whistling or squeaky sound, especially when exhaling
• Chest tightness: feels like something is squeezing or sitting on the chest.
• Shortness of breath: hard to catch breath or breathe deeply enough.

Anyone of any age, family background, race, gender, or general health can develop asthma. Researchers think many genetic and environmental factors play a role, especially during the first years of life when the immune system is developing.  

These factors include:

• Family history: If parents or siblings have asthma, increased chance of developing it.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke: Smoking, or exposure to secondhand smoke, especially in early childhood or from mothers who smoked while they were pregnant.
• Environmental irritants: Exhaust fumes, air pollution, indoor allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches and mold, chemical irritants or industrial dust.
• Premature birth or respiratory illnesses that harm the lungs: Children born prematurely or who suffered from a respiratory illness early on.

​​
Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with asthma. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

​“Tinnitus…the sound that no one else hears.” 
    ~ Author Unknown

About 10 years ago, my husband’s aunt told us about a weird phenomenon she was experiencing. Aunt Dorothy was in her late 80s and laughed as she related hearing what sounded like a radio playing, off and on, in her home. She lived alone and made sure that the radios and TVs were turned off. Yet, she still heard voices, music, and static as if a radio was blaring. She was no longer laughing a month later as she described how the noises were keeping her up at night and driving her nuts.

Tinnitus, from the Latin word meaning ringing, is the perception of sound within the human ear when no external sound is present. It is a fairly common problem, affecting about 1 in 5 adults and children, or nearly 36 million Americans.

Tinnitus can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head. It is usually described as a ringing noise. However, in some people it takes the form of a high-pitched whining, buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling sound, or as ticking, clicking, roaring, “crickets” or beeping. Others hear music and/or voices as if a radio is playing nearby.

Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes. Causes include ear infections, blood vessel disorders such as tumors, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis, foreign objects in the ear, nose allergies that prevent fluid drain and cause wax build-up, and injury from loud noises. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage receptors in the ear, causing hearing loss and ultimately tinnitus.

Tinnitus is also a side effect of some oral medications, such as aspirin and antibiotics, and may also result from an abnormally low level of serotonin activity. Sometimes tinnitus is simply a result of age-related hearing loss. In many cases, however, no underlying physical cause can be identified.
​
Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with tinnitus. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.

​I’ll admit it…I could try a lot harder to stay on a healthy eating plan all year, let alone during the holidays. Luckily, the New Year brings the promise of new resolutions designed to rein me back in from my culinary over-indulgences. It’s chocolate that I cannot say no to, even if my stomach feels about to burst. Full disclosure: as I’m writing this blog, fudge brownies are baking in my oven, the heavenly smell wafting around me like an aromatic hug.

Despite (or because of) my sweet, chocolaty tooth, I’d like to lose a few pounds. Nothing feels better than having ample room inside my jeans! But when do our extra pounds truly become a health concern?

Obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat. A person is considered to be obese if they are more than 20% over their ideal weight, or more precisely defined by the National Institutes of Health as a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 and above. A BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight.

Obesity, one of the most pressing health problems in the United States, has doubled among adults and more than tripled among children since the 1980s. It can reduce life expectancy by an average of 3 to 10 years, depending on how severe it is.

Obesity can cause a number of problems, including difficulties with daily activities.
Day-to-day problems related to obesity include:

• breathlessness
• increased sweating
• snoring
• difficulty doing physical activity
• low energy
• joint and back pain
• low confidence and self-esteem
• feeling isolated

Being obese can also increase your risk of developing potentially serious health conditions, including:

• type 2 diabetes – a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high
• high blood pressure
• atherosclerosis — fatty deposits narrow arteries which can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke
• asthma
• metabolic syndrome – a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
• several types of cancer, including bowel and breast cancer 
• gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)– stomach acid leaks out of the stomach and into the esophagus
• gallstones – small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder
• reduced fertility
• osteoarthritis – a condition involving pain and stiffness in the joints
• sleep apnea– a condition that causes interrupted breathing during sleep, which can lead to daytime sleepiness with an increased risk of traffic accidents, as well as a greater risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease
• liver and kidney disease
• pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes

Bio-Touch has been shown to ease health complications of obesity. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to mainstream medical protocols. And there are no negative side effects to worry about. Everyone, even children, can learn Bio-Touch!

​Menopause is just Puberty’s evil older sister~ Author unknown

Have you heard this joke? Who are the seven dwarfs of menopause? Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful, and Psycho! Ha-ha. Very funny. Menopause jokes are always good for a few chuckles, but not from women enduring the symptoms! It’s been nearly ten years since I went through this “change of life.”  Yet I still must endure, occasionally, the sizzling hot flashes that bloom within my body. I grudgingly call them my “power surges.”

Menopause is the end of a woman’s fertility—the end of her child-bearing years. It’s the transition period when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping.

Sometimes the menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. But more often, it slowly stops over time. During this transition, the menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for 1 – 3 years. The average age for women at the time of menopause is 51 years (in the United States).

Common symptoms of menopause include:

• Heart pounding or racing
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Skin flushing
• Sleeping problems

Other symptoms of menopause may include:

• Decreased interest in sex
• Forgetfulness
• Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
• Spotting of blood in between periods
• Urine leakage
• Vaginal dryness

Bio-Touch alleviates the symptoms of menopause for many women. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to mainstream medicine. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch. And there are no negative side effects to worry about!