It’s safe to say that the last few months have been very challenging. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a business owner, a waitress or a student, it’s quite likely that over the past weeks, something in your life has fundamentally changed. In small ways and large, we’ve all been affected by COVID-19.
New stresses may have appeared. Old routines have been forgotten only to be replaced by new ones. These sudden changes can leave many feeling anxious or stressed. So, while it’s important to recognize the unfamiliar ground that we suddenly find ourselves on, it’s equally important to pay attention to our stress levels and our health.
What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
The answer to this question will differ from person to person. Yet when asked, many patients will respond with answers that revolve around the same themes:
Current stressors – COVID-19 has added even more stress to our daily lives.
Prior wounds – Current events may act as a trigger for past life events and bring back uncomfortable memories.
Some of these themes and how we can help are explored in greater detail below:
Finding New Coping Mechanisms COVID-19 has taken away many activities that we previously used to help deal with stress. Left unchecked, chronic stress can have significant impacts on our health. Stress raises the level of cortisol in our body while simultaneously reducing the levels of DHEA. This means we age faster, gain weight, and worsen existing health problems. Now more than ever, it’s critical that when dealing with high levels of stress, we find effective ways of dealing with it.
Safety and Security Feelings of safety and security also play a role in our overall well-being. The unexpectedness of COVID-19 has made us all feel less safe and more helpless. This can present with many different emotions or behavior that we wouldn’t otherwise turn to.
Social connections and isolation Meaningful connection with other people is not a luxury but essential to our survival. Human beings are social creatures. Apart from the sense of community and belonging that we naturally crave, we also get a sense of self-worth from our interactions with those around us. The isolation that COVID-19 has imposed on us can increase anxiety and reduce our ability to cope with it.True, meaningful social interactions can counteract the negative effects of isolation. In fact, studies show that those with more meaningful social connections tend to sleep better, have an improved mood and lower rates of depression. Unfortunately using social media and texts does not compensate for face to face interactions.
Steps You Can Take to Deal with Your Stressors
Talk therapy — discussing problems with a licensed professional can help patients unwind and keep a healthy perspective.
Meditation / Yoga – These activities are much healthier outlets than drinking alcohol or overeating. Meditation and Yoga are great relaxation tools to use.
Psychotherapy – Talking with an objective observer can relieve anxiety, decrease depression, and help individuals make choices that are more beneficial to their cognitive and emotional health.Therapy can also help patients deal with high stress levels and learn effective coping techniques such as guided imagery, autogenic biofeedback, HRV and self-hypnosis.Knowingly or unknowingly many of us carry past childhood traumas. These traumas can affect the way we lead our lives as adults. A therapist can help patients confront these traumas in a safe and secure environment. Ultimately, healing these traumas can make living easier today, and in the future.
Our Approach to Treatment
At The Kaplan Center, our staff members use a comprehensive and flexible approach that is designed to help each individual person heal themselves. Healing involves the mind, body and spirit. All techniques are tailored to individual needs and designed to help people effectively manage distress, dysregulation and build confidence.
Many patients find the psychotherapy component and its use of biofeedback techniques that involve measuring skin temperature, blood pressure and heart rate simple, fun, and effective.
In particular, EMDR is a therapy that helps heal wounds from disturbing life experiences. It has been extensively researched and proven highly effective at helping people heal from distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression and panic disorders. Since our emotional well-being is tied with our physical (somatic) state.
EMDR is especially helpful because it uses a body-based technique called bilateral stimulation using eye movements, taps or tones. This stimulation helps a person adaptively process information that may be incorrectly stored in the mind and body. That incorrect storage can make past memories feel like they are happening in the present and people re-experience the same awful feelings (shame, fear, anxiety, and anger) along with the same negative beliefs about themselves. The brain feels as if that past distressing event is happening at the current time. EMDR therapy corrects the storage problem so that past painful memories associated with past traumas lose their charge.
Patients can react to stimuli in the present without the past interfering. The healing that occurs when that information is stored in a more functional part of our brain is a permanent fix. EMDR heals trauma and attachment wounds and allows people to take back their lives.
As we try to navigate our lives into a new semblance of normal, stress, illness and mental health shouldn’t be forgotten. One reason to consider seeing a psychotherapist is that speaking to a professional can relieve anxiety, decrease depression, and help you see how to make choices that are more beneficial to your cognitive and emotional health.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
A N.Y. Times article cited a 2020 study out of Stanford where 36 subjects with various fitness levels exercised on a treadmill for 9-10 min and using the latest techniques showed almost 10,000 molecular changes during and after exercise.
With these new techniques, called “omics”, the researchers have isolated various molecules in our bloodstream that alter our biology. Metabolomics looks at molecules like appetite hormones and enzymes produced by the microbes in the gut; genomics looks at changes in gene expression; immunomics looks at the changes in the immune system; and, proteomics and lipidomics look at changes in proteins and fats. The list goes on. The author of the study quotes there is an “ orchestrated choreography of biologic processes” demonstrated to occur.
Why is this research important?
Recently we find that we are spending more time at home. We find ourselves sitting in front of the computer more than ever. Sitting too much weakens our immune system, increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression and decreases bone density. We need to learn to be more creative about how we move our bodies.
We are all concerned about how robust our immune system is against potential illnesses.
One of the best immune boosters is exercise and this recent study out of Stanford, published in the journal Cell, showed even less than 10 min of exercise produces changes in thousands of molecules which affect inflammation, DNA and tissue repair, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, metabolism, immunity, and appetite.
With less access to gyms, we need to be creative about making sure we incorporate exercise into our daily routine.
Hiking, biking, running, and many online classes including yoga are available. In addition, a total body workout is ideal to keep all of our muscles strong and stimulate bone density.
If time is short, one way is to do a 7-8 min workout using body weight and minimal props. Combining this with yoga improves bone density, strengthens our immune system, and stimulates proteins that reverse aging. So get out of your chair and move!
And there’s more to keep in mind…
Post-menopausal women have an increased risk of osteoporosis. Exercise is a key factor to improve bone density. Make sure you get a DEXA scan and review options for treating osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Evaluating gut health not only can boost your immune system but also can improve brain health. We have several tests to look at digestive health and a dietitian to help you navigate food choices.
Balancing your hormones (i.e. thyroid and sex hormones) can improve your metabolism. We have advanced testing to look at these hormones including cortisol to evaluate adrenal function.
NAD infusions can reduce DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), improve cognition and fatigue, reduce pain, and improve sleep.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
Now is the time to cultivate healthy living strategies like improving your diet, getting better sleep, losing weight, quitting smoking or vaping, cutting back on alcohol, or starting a regular exercise routine. Any of these changes will make a positive impact on your health, but sometimes the anxiety of making them can get in the way of getting started. If you need help setting and reaching any of your health goals, here are some ways we can help.
IV Therapy
Long-term vitamin and mineral deficiencies can wreak havoc on anyone’s health, not just the chronically ill (yes, that means you too!). IV Therapy is a highly effective way to deliver vital nutrients to the body whether you are looking to improve or maintain your health.
By restoring optimum levels of key nutrients, like Vitamin C (Modified Myers Cocktail), magnesium, glutathione, or NAD +, our IV patients see benefits that include an increase in energy, a decrease in stress, and improvements in mental focus and clarity. And unlike oral supplements, IV solutions are infused directly into the bloodstream and available for immediate use by your body.
IV Therapy is a natural and effective way to keep your immune system strong, keep your body hydrated, and minimize the negative health effects that come with life’s stressors.
Your body mirrors your diet. So, when you feel pain, fatigue, and anxiety, your body is trying to tell you something.
What we know is that chronic inflammation contributes to several pain conditions, as well as depression and other mental health disorders and that cutting out inflammatory foods can make a big difference. But we are not always successful in making those changes.
Professional nutritional counseling is a great way to tackle your personal health goals. Using the latest scientific research, years of clinical experience, and problem-solving skills, our providers can offer you help for every health concern, whether it’s managing an illness, reducing aches and pains, losing weight, or increasing energy and overall wellness.
Chronic sleep deprivation can impair the body’s immune system, physical reflexes, emotional stability, and cognitive functions. Severe sleep deprivation can result in weight gain, an increase in muscle and nerve pain, and even depression.
Acupuncture has been used to treat sleep disorders for thousands of years. Research supports acupuncture’s ability to calm the nervous system, increase melatonin levels, and increase periods of deep sleep (REM) to help restore healthy sleep patterns.
If you’re not sure where to begin, a Functional Medicine (FM) assessment is a great place to start. Using a systematic approach, we’ll take a close look at 6 major areas of health, including the immune system, to identify areas of imbalance or deficiencies that may be limiting your overall health or contributing to disease. Once identified, you and your doctor are ready to set goals and create a roadmap to achieve them. Because of its whole-health approach, an FM assessment and its recommendations can help prevent illness while optimizing your current state of health.
There is a lot you can do to keep your immune system strong. To make an appointment for any of the services listed above, or for more information, call 703-532-4892, ext. 2.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
Life, Stress and COVID-19
/in COVID-19, Long Covid, Mental Health/by Jodi Brayton, LCSWIt’s safe to say that the last few months have been very challenging. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a business owner, a waitress or a student, it’s quite likely that over the past weeks, something in your life has fundamentally changed. In small ways and large, we’ve all been affected by COVID-19.
New stresses may have appeared. Old routines have been forgotten only to be replaced by new ones. These sudden changes can leave many feeling anxious or stressed. So, while it’s important to recognize the unfamiliar ground that we suddenly find ourselves on, it’s equally important to pay attention to our stress levels and our health.
What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
The answer to this question will differ from person to person. Yet when asked, many patients will respond with answers that revolve around the same themes:
Some of these themes and how we can help are explored in greater detail below:
COVID-19 has taken away many activities that we previously used to help deal with stress. Left unchecked, chronic stress can have significant impacts on our health. Stress raises the level of cortisol in our body while simultaneously reducing the levels of DHEA. This means we age faster, gain weight, and worsen existing health problems. Now more than ever, it’s critical that when dealing with high levels of stress, we find effective ways of dealing with it.
Feelings of safety and security also play a role in our overall well-being. The unexpectedness of COVID-19 has made us all feel less safe and more helpless. This can present with many different emotions or behavior that we wouldn’t otherwise turn to.
Meaningful connection with other people is not a luxury but essential to our survival. Human beings are social creatures. Apart from the sense of community and belonging that we naturally crave, we also get a sense of self-worth from our interactions with those around us. The isolation that COVID-19 has imposed on us can increase anxiety and reduce our ability to cope with it.True, meaningful social interactions can counteract the negative effects of isolation. In fact, studies show that those with more meaningful social connections tend to sleep better, have an improved mood and lower rates of depression. Unfortunately using social media and texts does not compensate for face to face interactions.
Steps You Can Take to Deal with Your Stressors
Our Approach to Treatment
At The Kaplan Center, our staff members use a comprehensive and flexible approach that is designed to help each individual person heal themselves. Healing involves the mind, body and spirit. All techniques are tailored to individual needs and designed to help people effectively manage distress, dysregulation and build confidence.
Many patients find the psychotherapy component and its use of biofeedback techniques that involve measuring skin temperature, blood pressure and heart rate simple, fun, and effective.
Modalities that may be used include: Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Sensorimotor psychotherapy, mindfulness, HRV biofeedback, Interactive Guided Imagery and Self-Hypnosis. All these techniques help clients connect to their mind’s bodies and emotions.
In particular, EMDR is a therapy that helps heal wounds from disturbing life experiences. It has been extensively researched and proven highly effective at helping people heal from distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression and panic disorders. Since our emotional well-being is tied with our physical (somatic) state.
EMDR is especially helpful because it uses a body-based technique called bilateral stimulation using eye movements, taps or tones. This stimulation helps a person adaptively process information that may be incorrectly stored in the mind and body. That incorrect storage can make past memories feel like they are happening in the present and people re-experience the same awful feelings (shame, fear, anxiety, and anger) along with the same negative beliefs about themselves. The brain feels as if that past distressing event is happening at the current time. EMDR therapy corrects the storage problem so that past painful memories associated with past traumas lose their charge.
Patients can react to stimuli in the present without the past interfering. The healing that occurs when that information is stored in a more functional part of our brain is a permanent fix. EMDR heals trauma and attachment wounds and allows people to take back their lives.
As we try to navigate our lives into a new semblance of normal, stress, illness and mental health shouldn’t be forgotten. One reason to consider seeing a psychotherapist is that speaking to a professional can relieve anxiety, decrease depression, and help you see how to make choices that are more beneficial to your cognitive and emotional health.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
7 Minutes a Day For Better Health
/in Treatments, Wellness/by Lisa Lilienfield, MDGet moving and boost your immune system!
A N.Y. Times article cited a 2020 study out of Stanford where 36 subjects with various fitness levels exercised on a treadmill for 9-10 min and using the latest techniques showed almost 10,000 molecular changes during and after exercise.
With these new techniques, called “omics”, the researchers have isolated various molecules in our bloodstream that alter our biology. Metabolomics looks at molecules like appetite hormones and enzymes produced by the microbes in the gut; genomics looks at changes in gene expression; immunomics looks at the changes in the immune system; and, proteomics and lipidomics look at changes in proteins and fats. The list goes on. The author of the study quotes there is an “ orchestrated choreography of biologic processes” demonstrated to occur.
Why is this research important?
Recently we find that we are spending more time at home. We find ourselves sitting in front of the computer more than ever. Sitting too much weakens our immune system, increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression and decreases bone density. We need to learn to be more creative about how we move our bodies.
We are all concerned about how robust our immune system is against potential illnesses.
One of the best immune boosters is exercise and this recent study out of Stanford, published in the journal Cell, showed even less than 10 min of exercise produces changes in thousands of molecules which affect inflammation, DNA and tissue repair, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, metabolism, immunity, and appetite.
Questions? Give Us a Call!
703-532-4892 x2
With less access to gyms, we need to be creative about making sure we incorporate exercise into our daily routine.
Hiking, biking, running, and many online classes including yoga are available. In addition, a total body workout is ideal to keep all of our muscles strong and stimulate bone density.
If time is short, one way is to do a 7-8 min workout using body weight and minimal props. Combining this with yoga improves bone density, strengthens our immune system, and stimulates proteins that reverse aging. So get out of your chair and move!
And there’s more to keep in mind…
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
4 Ways We Can Keep Your Immune System Strong
/in Treatments, Wellness/by Kaplan CenterNow is the time to cultivate healthy living strategies like improving your diet, getting better sleep, losing weight, quitting smoking or vaping, cutting back on alcohol, or starting a regular exercise routine. Any of these changes will make a positive impact on your health, but sometimes the anxiety of making them can get in the way of getting started. If you need help setting and reaching any of your health goals, here are some ways we can help.
IV Therapy
Long-term vitamin and mineral deficiencies can wreak havoc on anyone’s health, not just the chronically ill (yes, that means you too!). IV Therapy is a highly effective way to deliver vital nutrients to the body whether you are looking to improve or maintain your health.
By restoring optimum levels of key nutrients, like Vitamin C (Modified Myers Cocktail), magnesium, glutathione, or NAD +, our IV patients see benefits that include an increase in energy, a decrease in stress, and improvements in mental focus and clarity. And unlike oral supplements, IV solutions are infused directly into the bloodstream and available for immediate use by your body.
IV Therapy is a natural and effective way to keep your immune system strong, keep your body hydrated, and minimize the negative health effects that come with life’s stressors.
More info →
Nutritional Counseling
Your body mirrors your diet. So, when you feel pain, fatigue, and anxiety, your body is trying to tell you something.
What we know is that chronic inflammation contributes to several pain conditions, as well as depression and other mental health disorders and that cutting out inflammatory foods can make a big difference. But we are not always successful in making those changes.
Professional nutritional counseling is a great way to tackle your personal health goals. Using the latest scientific research, years of clinical experience, and problem-solving skills, our providers can offer you help for every health concern, whether it’s managing an illness, reducing aches and pains, losing weight, or increasing energy and overall wellness.
More info →
Acupuncture for Sleep Management
Chronic sleep deprivation can impair the body’s immune system, physical reflexes, emotional stability, and cognitive functions. Severe sleep deprivation can result in weight gain, an increase in muscle and nerve pain, and even depression.
Acupuncture has been used to treat sleep disorders for thousands of years. Research supports acupuncture’s ability to calm the nervous system, increase melatonin levels, and increase periods of deep sleep (REM) to help restore healthy sleep patterns.
More info →
Functional Medicine Assessment
If you’re not sure where to begin, a Functional Medicine (FM) assessment is a great place to start. Using a systematic approach, we’ll take a close look at 6 major areas of health, including the immune system, to identify areas of imbalance or deficiencies that may be limiting your overall health or contributing to disease. Once identified, you and your doctor are ready to set goals and create a roadmap to achieve them. Because of its whole-health approach, an FM assessment and its recommendations can help prevent illness while optimizing your current state of health.
More info →
There is a lot you can do to keep your immune system strong. To make an appointment for any of the services listed above, or for more information, call 703-532-4892, ext. 2.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2