Ask the Expert

The medical staff at Progressive understands one of the most valuable assets you have in your journey to optimal wellness is knowledge. To help you better understand your body and the impact your environment plays on your health, experts from Progressive Medical Center have answered some of the most asked and little known questions in each of their particular areas of specialization.

What symptoms does the body display when stress is taking its toll on my health? How can I determine the root cause of my stress?

"Common systems of stress include Physical pain, digestive issues, sleep problems, panic attacks, depression, fatigue, memory loss, and heart palpitations. To find out if these symptoms are stress-related, look for them in combination. Stress is caused by an overload of the sympathetic nerve system—being in the “fight or flight” system for too long. To see if your sympathetic nervous system is being overused, look for the four main types of stress causes—structural (chronic pain), emotional (relationship issues), chemical (allergies), nutritional (poor diet). Remember to consider your background when evaluating stress, and think of any recent changes in your life that may have caused the stress. Practicioners such as myself can help you find the root of your stress by running a series of diagnostics on the nervous system. For example, acupunture can be used to tone down the emergency based sympathetic nervous system and switch back to parasympathetic nervous system." Cari Cater, DOM, Dipl.LAc (Acupuncturist)

Why should I see a chiropractor?

"Regular spinal check ups can help identify and correct spinal problems that may have occurred in a person’s life as early as the birthing process and childhood activities (learning to ride a bike, play sports, general "rough housing"), through adulthood. Chiropractic care can correct these injury-induced misalignments, as well as those from degenerative changes that occur as we age and approach the later years of life. The benefits of chiropractic health can also be seen throughout many aspects of total well-being, like: reduced arthritic symptoms, increased flexibility, better posture, better balance, more energy, enhanced sexual function (men and women), enhanced immune function, headache relief, reduced disk pressure, TMJ symptom relief, correction of infertility, reduction in menopausal symptoms, enhanced chemical balance, and the removal of trigger points or hot spots that cause pain." Dr. Melissa Arnold, D.C., B.S., LMT (Chiroprator)

Is it true that sugar accelerates the aging process?

"Where unrefined sugars (such as rapidora, sucrinon) have minerals encased and do little to accelerate the aging process, refined sugars have been stripped of many of their minerals. These sugars, while commercially preferable because of their long shelf life and low cost, lack the, calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, and copper that is present in unrefined sugars. When you eat refined sugar, it pulls minerals out of your body. Having been stripped of minerals, these sugars respond by taking minerals out of the body (through waste) to get back to their natural chemical state. Unrefined sugars, on the other hand, have less negative play on the body because they are already fortified with their natural minerals." Lupa Irie

What foods slow down the aging process?

"Good fats slow down the aging process. Of course, this answer begs the question of quality—which fats are good? In general, steer towards olive oil and coconut oil butter. These fats stimulate the thyroid gland, which can aid in fatigue issues. As for fats to avoid, stay away from canola oil. Canola oil is genetically modified, and does little to help the thyroid. US labels do not tell if foods are genetically modified, but other countries do (this is required for all European union nations). Lastly, proper preparation of food is key to good health. Do not settle for the quick and the easy. Microwaveable foods are good to avoid as a rule of thumb—choose the crock pot over the microwave. By avoiding fats and sugars that are of poor processed quality, you can slow down the aging process." Lupa Irie

How does Progressive Medical neuro-electric therapy feel? Is it safe with the medication I'm taking?

"Neuro-electric therapy is not nearly as scary as it sounds. Patients feel a light, buzzing sensation during therapy that some describe as rainwater under the skin. The procedure is comfortable, completely painless and there are no contraindications with other medications. Electrotherapy calms maladies in the body by re-educating the electrical impulses within the neurosystem. This can actually aid in the facilitation of pain of pain medication, possibly leading to lower required dosages. Within six to ten treatments, patients have reported permanent positive results in the area of pain management." Dr. Michael Gramazio, ND, PhD, FACFE (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Electrotherapeutics)

More Q & A's are coming to this page soon...                                                                 

We are the most comprehensive integrative medical facility in the Southeast. Call (770) 676-6000 today to begin your wellness revolution. This is your life, live it well!