 1. Practice self-compassion. Know that your feelings are normal and valid, and that it’s OK to feel whatever you’re feeling. Remind yourself that what’s going on is temporary and try to find comfort in knowing that we are all going through these tough times of uncertainty together.
2. Lovingly renegotiate your personal space. At this time, you may be spending your entire day in a home with your partner, children, or multiple roommates. This is a time to discuss boundaries and needs within the spaces we share. When we are proactive about re-negotiating our space, there’s an opportunity to get on the same page and mitigate conflict. 3. Stay connected. In times of high stress, staying connected with our loved ones and our communities is crucial. Just because we are physically isolated, doesn’t mean we have to be socially isolated. Fortunately, we live in a time where there are many ways to stay connected via technology. Take advantage of them! 4. Maintain routine. Routines keep us steady. These actions seem small, but a little peace and comfort can go a long way. In times like these it can be easy to throw your routine out the window, but routine is what keeps us level-headed when things are shifting around us. As best you can, keep your same wake-up and bed times, brew your favorite drink in the morning, put on new clothes, do an at-home workout, and read a chapter in your favorite book at night. The key is to find the balance of keeping a regular routine and over scheduling yourself. 5. Limit your media exposure. While most of us want to stay informed, the constant talk about the virus in the news and on social media can be overwhelming and can feed into our fears and anxiety. Limit the amount of information you consume by intentionally setting boundaries around what you watch and read.
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 We've been using Diagnostic Solutions as our go to lab for comprehensive gut evaluation. We were so excited to see that they just rolled out a COVID19 testing option for providers. Read below to get the most up to date information on this testing option. We are now ordering these tests for patients that meet the criteria - click here to book a phone or video consultation with us.
*Patients who present with nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are more likely to accurately test positive or negative Ten percent of patients presented with diarrhea and nausea one to two days before they developed fever and respiratory symptoms. And in some cases, digestive symptoms were the primary symptom of COVID-19. Further, GI symptoms with COVID-19 may indicate a more severe course of illness. For example, abdominal pain was reported more frequently in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. SARS-CoV-2 can also be detected in fecal specimens of asymptomatic patients. References: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/03/26/negative-coronavirus-test-result-doesnt-always-mean-you-arent-infected/ While this has been a difficult decision, I feel wholeheartedly that it is the right one. Out of an abundance of caution SFIM will be temporarily closing our physical practice starting tomorrow, March 17th, 2020.
We will take this in 2 week increments as we all learn more. Just like you, we am hoping this blows over quickly and we are trying to control as much as we personally can at this point. In order to ensure that happens, now is the time for leadership and setting an example in our personal and professional lives. The work we do is in close proximity with others and involves multiple patients coming in and out of the same room. While as much as we don’t know about this virus we DO KNOW that any of us can be asymptomatic and still be shedding virus. While we have always maintained a sterile, well ventilated, sanitized and clean office, we are simply not set up for infectious disease containment on this level. While the work we do is important, it is time for all of us to do a hard ego check. I am following the lead of most other non-essential medical offices. The time is NOW for us all to do our part to flatten the curve before it is too late. This will have major financial implications for most. In light of that I am offering complimentary or pay by donation/what you can no questions asked herbal or phone consultations. We can do this over the phone or skype/facetime. Chinese Medicine excels at immune strengthening and even treatment of onset of symptoms as an adjunct in this case to your work with your medical doctor. We can also do corrective exercise instruction for those of you experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Further, if the whole social distancing thing is starting to wear on you, if you’re lonely, afraid or even just need to chat we are here for you anytime. ***If the situation is more acute, please contact us as well, we are seeing a limited amount of patients in the office who are in need***. Click here to book an online appointment In good health, Elanita and Jennifer  To stay healthy, avoiding the bad stuff is key- refined sugar, processed foods, additives, excess alcohol and beverages stored in crushable plastic. But you can also up your nutrient game by crowding your plate with these veggie wonders- packed with vitamins and minerals that boost your body’s immunity. Some of these foods have particular constituents that can inhibit the coronavirus such as kaempferol, phycocyanobilin, and beta-glucans (1, 2, 3).
Include these often and try eat a colorful variety of whole, seasonal foods each week.
 The coronavirus is all over the news, and the stats seem to get worse each day. Similar to SARS, it’s categorized as moderately contagious. As you know, antibiotics cannot treat the virus. Fortunately, there are simple, proven steps you can take to protect yourself. Read on for our prevention AND treatment suggestions.
The coronavirus spreads from person-to-person in close proximity, similar to other respiratory illnesses. Primarily spread through coughing and sneezing, the droplets can travel several feet and stay suspended for minutes. So how can you protect yourself? CDC recommendations to avoid contracting the Coronavirus:
We stock all of the items below and are ready to help you stay healthy - you can also order online through wellevate PREVENTION
If you are sick, fear not: Check out this natural viral fighting gladiator!!
Keeping our Clinic Safe and Clean At San Francisco Integrative Medicine, we are using CDC advised methods to keep the clinic a clean and safe environment. In that spirit, we ask that if you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath, that you please stay home. We will be waiving our late cancellation fee while the coronavirus is active. That does not mean we cannot help you if you are feeling sick! Please feel free to email us directly at admin@integrativemedicinesf.com to get our suggestions. We have a portal at Wellevate.com that makes it super easy to order things we carry online. The BART is empty! Trader Joe's isn't giving samples! Whats going on!!
I know that you all are thinking about safety during the current coronavirus spread. We are writing today not to alarm you, but to put you more at ease in knowing the steps we are taking at SFIM to keep you safe and healthy. The virus is likely to cause only mild symptoms in most of us, but it is crucial that we all do our part in preventing its spread. There are new measures we are now putting into place and have always done to minimize patient risk. Because we have patients of all ages and levels of immunity, we are choosing to use the utmost precaution to make sure you are not exposed when you visit SFIM. CLEANING AT SFIM:
VISITING SFIM:
LIFESTYLE AND SUPPLEMENTS TIPS TO BOOST IMMUNITY
Thanks in advance for your understanding and patience as we navigate implementing best practices during this time. We have immense love and gratitude for each of you. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Meantime, be well and enjoy your day! In Health (And sickness) Elanita and Jennifer  Menopause is not an event that many women look forward to. The “Change of Life” is shrouded in stories of hot flashes and insomnia that accompany the ending of menstrual bleeding. No woman can know what kind of menopause she will have, but if her biological mother had a menopause, then her experience can be a guide. My own mother had a hysterectomy in the 1970s, and back then they took your ovaries too. Her menopause happened very early and was not helpful to my own expectations for myself. Turns out menopause came really early for me in my 40s. I was feeling hot all the time and went into the western doctor to see if I had some kind of low grade fever/infection. I was totally surprised when my FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) was at 121. FSH is a hormone your body makes to induce ovulation. But! When there are no more eggs left, your body keeps making the FSH because it doesn’t get the feedback that ovulation happened. As a result, FSH keeps going up and up. A menstruating woman’s FSH ranges from 4-20, then in peri-menopause goes up to 30, and then once you have stopped menstruating completely the number goes up to 130. I was shocked and for a time, a little sad, and had to grieve the end of my menstruating self. As a pragmatist above alll else, I needed to set about how to relieve the symptoms that were so foreign to me, like suddenly being hot all the time. I have spent my life freezing to death and ceaselessly shopping for the perfect cashmere sweater. Now I am hot and sweating and looking for caftans.  I dove back into my Chinese Medicine books with a renewed and intimate understanding of what “steaming bones” and “yin deficient fire” meant. Chinese Medicine serves women’s health in detail and with a deep understanding of constellations of symptoms. I engage the medicine everyday in treating women for all manner of menstrual irregularities, and this includes menopause too! I found a formula that worked really well right away. My hot flashes and sweating reduced, and I was able to sleep through the night.
I also had a more thorough hormone test done with a new company that does dried urine testing. The more data I could collect on my hormones the more focused my treatment could be. It would also spare me the expense of purchasing a whole bunch of supplements and just using trial and error to figure out what made me feel better. With the merging of Chinese medicine formulas, 1 hormone test, and 3 supplements, I have gotten my symptoms under control. I still have a hot flash here and there, but I’m not wondering if I will burst into flames at any moment. I am also not expecting that I can stop the natural flow of aging. Growing old is a privilege. I look really do forward to my hair graying and carrying the accumulated wisdom and experience that I have earned through these years. By Dr Jennifer Bezjak Photo Credit - Mahle Air Cooling
I've been thinking about how the Year of the Pig in 2019 closed the 12 year astrological cycle, and how it 2020 might represent a year to wrap things up, end old patterns, and be ready for a new life. I've been reflecting on the themes of the last 12 years, and the profound shifts that have happened. I've also been feeling the urge to remove objects that lost their importance as a way to mentally prepare for this next cycle. I'm excited to see what this next 12 years will bring. In the year 2020, we greet the Rat. The Rat is the first of the twelve signs. This means we are beginning a new 12 cycle. According to legend, the Jade Emperor set a challenge to create the order of the signs – they would be arranged according to their arrival to his celebration feast. The Rat and the Cat hopped lightly up onto the Ox’s back, unbeknownst to her, and hitched a ride. As they were crossing a river, though, Rat bumped Cat off into the water. When the Ox was about to cross the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed before the Emperor first! What does this story mean to us? - The Rat is a bit tricky and opportunistic, but also quite clever and resourceful. Being first in the cycle, he represents the dawning of a new day, with plenty of Yang energy. Rats’ ability to multiply in numbers makes them a potent symbol of fertility and abundance. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Each circle of twelve years also brings through a new cycling of the elemental energies that develops over the course of a 60-year calendar. Rat of 2020 is Metal. Metal rat is relatively grounded and stable. On the surface, he is always positive and sure of himself, but in secret, he worries that he is not always in the right.
Rat’s optimism and dynamic personality make him popular, even though his way of expressing himself might seem a bit brash or even downright rude. Rats know how to make the best out of a bad situation. They like to hoard rather than spend. This can be thrifty, but might also lead to hanging on to things that aren’t essential. Time to keep only objects and people in your life that spark joy. Rats tend to run around in a burst of energy and then get tired and sick. They also tend to get busy and forget to eat, and then eat too much of the wrong things. So, let’s all remind ourselves to pause frequently for rest and nourishment, setting ourselves up to do well when it’s go time. From San Francisco Integrative Medicine, we wish you good health and all the very best that the New Year has to offer! Photo credit anonymous pintrest photo
It's that time of year again for my popular Mini Reset Program holiday offer - 2 functional medicine consultations with me AND a Wellness Profile blood test included. The Wellness Profile is an extensive blood test screening which gives us a in-depth snapshot of where your health is at and screens for many conditions which may have an adverse effect on your health and/or hormones (normally $300). For more information, click here:
Package must be purchased before 12/31/19 in order to get the Wellness Profile testing included for free, but can be used at any time in 2020. To learn more or purchase, email laurie@drlaurieterzo.com. In other exciting news, I have been busy over this past year pouring my heart, soul, and 20 years of clinical experience into creating my new online program! Introducing: Fabulous Fertility Over 35! Fabulous Fertility Over 35 is a 12-Week Online Fertility Course to Maximize Your Chance of Getting Pregnant Naturally
I’ve worked with so many women who have struggled for so long getting access to this information…and there’s no reason you should struggle too. Fabulous Fertility over 35 is an online 12-week holistic course for women over 35 looking for expert holistic guidance on how to conceive naturally and help prevent miscarriages. I take all of the guesswork out of it for you! This course includes my Fertile DREAM Method: My five-phase proven approach to maximizing your chance of getting pregnant naturally. My mission is to give you a concrete, proven plan to help you take back control of your health so you can best maximize your chances of getting pregnant naturally, in less time. Each module is packed with information in a bite-sized format, using audio, action tasks, weekly meal plans, and accompanying cheat sheets. It is easy to follow, with actions you can begin immediately to have a positive impact on your fertility, and can be done at your own pace. You will also have direct access and weekly support with me, Dr. Laurie Terzo, as your expert guide during these 12 weeks, and with whom you can ask any questions to during our live calls. Throughout the 12 modules, I’ll walk you through how to:
It is a perfect compliment to receiving your acupuncture treatments and will enhance your work with your Chinese medicine practitioner because it shows you everything you need to be doing at home to maximize your fertility, in between your treatments. It includes:
For more information about the program, see HERE. For more information about Dr. Terzo, visit HERE 1. What is Microneedling
Microneedling is designed to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, large pores, and acne scars. Elanita uses Dermapen, a handheld device that resembles a pen but uses 12 microscopic needles to breach the surface layers of skin, creating very tiny wound patterns which break up old collagen and stimulate a natural healing process. The micro wounds stimulate the body’s natural healing response, which floods the area with red and white blood cells, oxygen, and all of the beneficial nutrients found in the blood. Additionally, microneedling is known to stimulate collagen production. Our collagen production tends to decrease as we age, but this treatment tricks the body into producing more of this compound necessary for smooth, youthful skin. 2. Why get micro-needling? These treatments smooth the look of scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and imperfections. Micropens have sanitary, disposable needle tips which can be customized for different areas of the face, which will need different levels of penetration for optimal results. The hand piece vibrates, which also stimulates collagen production. The results are usually fully visible in four weeks. Once the procedure is finished, we can utilize high grade serums or stem cells which can now penetrate deep into the skin. 3. Is micro needling good for everyone? Though most people can be treated very successfully with Micro Needling, there are those who have pre-existing conditions which keep them from being candidates for this service. The following issues are contraindicated for the Hemophilia Skin diseases, eczema, allergies, autoimmune diseases, current cold sores, history of cancer, tendency to keloid, current open wounds or infections 4. Is it painful? No, because our medical grade numbing will remove all sensation. 5 Whats the procedure like Depending on the method applied, the area of the skin and device used, a micro-needling procedure lasts between 45-75minutes. For safety and precision, sterile needles with disposable tips are used in the procedure. To numb the any possible discomfort, a topical anesthetic cream is applied to the skin’s surface after makeup and cream residues have been removed off the skin. The Elanita will proceed to create tiny punctures on the intended sites with a dermapen. After which an ice pack, serum, and/or hydrating mask is placed over the operated surface. It should be noted that in some instances, negligible pinpoint bleeding might occur which is nothing to worry about, as it can easily be controlled. |
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