SOHMA’s own Dr. Daniel Hoover was interviewed by the host of Voice America, Nelinia Varenas, on Friday, December 4th, at 8:00 a.m.. He spoke about his personal experience and offered insights into how cultivating purpose can bring peace to one’s life.
Click here to listen.
Tips for Growing Young At Any Age
George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Indeed, if you’ve ever thought, “this is normal for my age” or “it’s due to old age”, then you might be limiting your potential.
While there are many age-related challenges, most are not. Yes, as we mature, there are certain changes that are inevitable, from the accumulation of oxidative stress to general wear and tear from gravity. However, while most of today’s “age-related” complaints seem normal, they are often just common. They are the result of behaviors and choices we make over a lifetime that have been accepted as normal, and which accelerate the aging process. Common (unhealthy) behaviors that have been normalized (and contribute to rapid aging) are eating processed foods, living a sedentary lifestyle, and “growing up” and attributing every ache, cold, memory lapse, etc. to getting older.
Here at SOHMA, we encourage patients to look to the “exceptions to the rule” of aging. We invite patients to notice the differences in those who are amazing examples of graceful aging–to notice how they eat, move, and think. In fact, studies have revealed that aging is related to a sociological phenomenon. People age based on how the people around them age. Look to the cultures that have more centenarians than anyone else. What are they doing differently? How do they feel about their elders in their society? A great example of healthy aging are the Rarámuri or Tarahumara Native American people of northwestern Mexico who are renowned for their long-distance running ability both young and old.
Simply put: the single biggest difference between senior patients is how they think about their challenges. Those that attribute their aches and pains to a recent workout are almost always the ones that look and feel younger than their peers. Aging is inevitable, but the way we choose to eat, move, and especially think makes the biggest difference in how we age.
Food for thought: You either get better with age, or worse. Which outlook serves you the most?
Unveiling Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Practices in the Modern Day
Acupuncture is an often ill-understood, yet very important component of traditional Chinese medicine. It has been in practice, in one form or another, for roughly 2,500 years. The traditional thought process of acupuncture holds that a body’s life force or energy – called qi – is distributed via lines in the body called meridians. Disruptions in the flow of this energy result in pain, soreness, imbalance, or illness. The insertion of a very slim needle opens and loosens the meridians, bringing relief and allowing a normal flow of energy to resume. Almost all modern needles are single-use, stainless steel, and carefully sterilized to prevent any risk of infection.
Acupuncture has recently been undergoing a huge resurgence in popularity as people discover its potential for healing. It is most commonly sought to help relieve lower back pain, but can be used to address nausea, vomiting, and pain in other areas – particularly the knees. Acupuncture’s effectiveness at combating certain types of pain is detailed by some Cochrane reports, and a 2012 meta-analysis details the four types of chronic pain that it is most helpful against. Currently, every woman undergoing childbirth at the University College London Hospital is offered acupuncture to assist with the pains of the birthing process. The procedure has proven very popular in China, the US, Australia, and all of Europe – Germany alone boasts 45,000+ registered acupuncture professionals.
Acupuncture is an ancient practice that the modern day helps us to better understand, implement, and appreciate. We know now that, for instance, the insertion of the tiny needle likely stimulates a release of endorphins, which counteract the pain of the person being treated. In the hands of a skilled and licensed practitioner, this ages-old procedure becomes a potent tool to improve one’s personal health and happiness. Acupuncture perfectly fits SOHMA’s model of combining ancient wisdom with modern, enlightened practice. If you feel that acupuncture may be able to enrich your life and provide some relief, call us. SOHMA is dedicated to helping you improve your life at the crossroads between the old practices and the new.
Chiropractic Today
Long before the advent of modern medicine – before pill-popping, IV machines, before any surgery more complex than amputation – people still had a need to take care of their bodies. In the earliest known medical documents of recorded history, we can find allusions to the chiropractic care people engaged in to soothe their stresses and woes. Hippocrates himself once demanded of his readers; “get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite of many diseases.” A little over two thousand years later, we can only conclude that Hippocrates gave excellent advice.
Over the years, increased knowledge of the body has allowed chiropractic care to flourish, become more nuanced, and accurately address a huge number of the imbalances and issues a body can accumulate. In the United States alone, there are approximately 77,000 Doctors of Chiropractic treating 27 million adults and children across the country. According to the Consumer Reports Health Rating Center, chiropractic outperformed all other back pain treatments available, and is now classified as a primary care approach for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of back pain and spinal disorders.
At SOHMA, we strive to bring you the best combination of ancient practice with modern implementation. Our Doctors of Chiropractic come to you with the finest aspects of over 2,000 years of accumulated medical knowledge – all with the comfortable amenities of a contemporary studio. Whether realigning your vertebrae, relaxing your muscles, or providing your body with the strength and care to tackle the days ahead, SOHMA can help you. Come in and partake of our warm, welcoming facilities and unparalleled care – for the better alignment of your mind, body, and spine.
Tai Chi Retreat for Trauma
On August 20th 2015, we had the privilege of facilitating a self-care session for the Los Angeles County Dept of Mental Health Wraparound Coordinators. Included was a brief discussion on Tai Chi philosophy and how it relates to trauma-informed practices! We also led the entire Tai Chi 24 form Yang Style to bring the mind back into the body.
People said it was life changing.. We had so much fun and so did they!
If you are interested in having SOHMA do a mind-body session at your next company event, contact us to learn more.
The session was led by our Instructors who are also professional Health Care providers: Founder and Owner, Dr. Daniel Hoover DC, LAc, MH, Mind-Body therapist, Veronika Lee LCSW, and Expressive Arts therapist, Madoka Urhausen LMFT ATR-BC.