March 2014 Gemini Hospice

Reducing Hospital Admission Rates

How Plantar Fasciitis Might Be Affecting Your Life

Saving Money With Specialized Health Care Plans

MARCH 2014 FREE

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March 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine —

T he blooming desert and the sweet aroma of orange blos-soms in the air are the first things that come to mind when I think of March. As the temperatures warm up, it’s the per-

fect opportunity to spend the day hiking local mountains, explor-ing the wonders of the Arizona desert in bloom, or heading to the lake for some fishing and relaxation. When visiting these areas, always pay close attention to your surroundings and remember we humans are the guest in the “homes” of rattlesnakes, spiders, scorpions, bobcats, and even mountain lions. Watch and listen for the warning signs of dis-gruntled “homeowners” who may not be in the mood for com-pany. I also suggest carrying a small bag to pack out anything you brought in, and take time to pick up items someone else may have dropped. Leave the place a little nicer than you found it, and enjoy knowing you made a difference today.

Sincerely,

Monica Tegg/OwnerHealthy Cells Magazine, East [email protected]

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As both a new resident and professional in the state of Arizona, life started again for me and a practice I wanted to build. There are the classic direct mailers, or the several network mixers

one can attend to promote who and what they do as profession. However, meeting with the editor of Healthy Cells Magazine, Monica Tegg changed my growth and exposure. I now have potential clients that inquire about my practice and or have read an article I have written for the magazine. The distribution and circulation has meant so much to my growing practice. Clients are now aware of my existence here, my level of practice, and how I may help them. I have much gratitude for Monica and her team for their quality of work, and the affordability to make it happen. What a wonderful way to enter and be welcomed to the community. That’s what it’s all about.

Yvette Saint Thomas MDSliding Doors Therapy602-460-1229SlidingDoorsTherapy.com

This Month’s Cover Story:Volume 2, Issue 3

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Fact or Fiction:Test Your Knowledge About Arizona Pests, Part I

Physical:Antibiotic Resistance and What ItMeans to the General Population

Emotional:Lions and Lambs

Nutritional:Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right

Diagnosis Facts:Type 2 Diabetes: A Ray of Hope

Special Needs Options:Medicare and Diabetes

Rewarding Free Time:Finding Purpose and Structure in Retirement

Ultrasonic Thrombolysis:New Treatment for PulmonaryEmbolism Cuts Recovery Time

Aftercare Services:The Big Focus: ReducingHospital Readmission Rates

Women’s Health:Cervical Cancer: Prevention and Detection, Part II

Habits of Health:Choosing Your Health Path

Quality of Life Safety:Caregiving Safety Equipment

Community News:Health Connect Expo

Chronic Foot Pain:How Plantar Fasciitis Might Be Affecting Your Life

M A R C H

Mission: The objective of Healthy Cells Magazine® is to promote a stronger health-conscious community by means of offering education and support through the cooperative efforts among esteemed health and fitness professionals in the East Valley.

Healthy Cells Magazine is intended to heighten awareness of health and fitness information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for medical attention. See your healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment. The opinions, statements, and claims expressed by the columnists, advertisers, and contributors to Healthy Cells Magazine are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher.

Healthy Cells Magazine is available FREE in high traffic locations throughout the East Valley, including medical facili-ties and other waiting rooms. Healthy Cells Magazine welcomes contributions pertaining to healthier living in the East Valley area. Limelight Communications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for their publication or return. Solicitations for articles shall pertain to physical, emotional, and nutritional health only.

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For advertising information, contactMonica Tegg, owner, Valley of the Sun Edition

Cell: 480-204-3090 • Fax: 309-691-2187PO Box 6233, Chandler, AZ [email protected]

2014

Gemini HospiceThe Gemini Trifecta pg. 14

Healthy Cells Magazine is a division of:

Cover and feature photos by Kimmy Bee Photography


Arizona is a beautiful place to call home, but it comes with a unique array of pests. Some of these pests are harmless, while others can cause serious health problems. See how

much you know about the Valley’s creepy crawlies, and find out which ones can endanger your health.

Fact or Fiction: Black widow spiders are more poisonous than rattlesnakes.Fact: You may not know this, but the black widow spider venom is 14 times more toxic than rattlesnake venom. It’s a neurotoxin that can trigger muscle pain and spasms. Severe bites can cause coma, respiratory failure, and even death. Children, the elderly, and people with high blood pressure or chronic illness are at the highest risk of experiencing a severe re-action from a black widow bite. Symptoms can include a pricking sensation, followed within the hour by a dull ache, a stiff abdomen, restlessness, fever, sweating, nausea, rash, and headache. Your doctor may administer blood pressure drugs, muscle relaxants, and pain medicines to ease symptoms.

Fact or Fiction: Every scorpion is a dangerous scorpionFiction: More than 50 kinds of scorpions live in Arizona, but only one is known to cause health problems. That would be the bark scorpion, which has a poisonous sting that can cause unpleasant

symptoms and serious issues for young children and the elderly. Unfortunately, if you see a scorpion in your house, it is most likely a bark scorpion. These pests are often found in firewood, bedding, and shoes. A recent study by the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center found that the majority of scorpion victims were stung in their bedrooms or living rooms. If your child is stung, you may notice unusual blinking, muscle spasms, drooling, swelling, and sweating. Adults may experience numbness, tingling, slurred speech, vision issues, muscle twitch-ing, and trouble breathing. In an extremely small number of people, scorpion stings can cause respiratory and cardiac issues that can be fatal. When a child is stung by a scorpion, you should immediately contact poison control or seek medical care. Health profession-als can administer anti-venom treatments, along with sedatives and other drugs to help manage symptoms. Many adults who are stung don’t require treatment, but if you’re experiencing severe or widespread symptoms, you should get immediate medical help.

Jim LaBrie is a father and grandfather and the owner of Bug & Weed Mart, a do-it-yourself retail store that specializes in bug and weed prevention, with five locations. To learn more about pest prevention and protection you can visit www.bugweedmart.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/bugandweedmart.

fact or fiction

Test YourKnowledge About

Arizona PestsPart I

By Jim LaBrie, Bug and Weed Mart

— Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — March 2014

Antibiotic Resistance and What ItMeans to the General Population

By Martin Fekete, DHSc, CSP, SPHR, National Professional Employer Organization

Over the years we have heard many news stories about antibiotic resistant bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus (SA), which is commonly referred to as “staph” infection. This and numerous

other bacteria have evolved over the years and have resulted in strains of bacteria that are now antibiotic resistant. Recent news stories have surfaced throughout the country about people who have contracted these bacterial infections and died. The two most commonly publicized resistant bacteria strains are MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococ-cus aureus) and VRSA (vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus). Most public health officials, doctors, and research scientists fear that the increasing growth of these drug-resistant bacteria will eventually result in full antibiotic resistance, making current treatments completely ineffective. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately two million people in the U.S. are affected by these serious infections annually. It is estimated that another 23,000 die each year directly from these resistant infections. An additional amount die from the complica-tions associated with the antibiotic resistance. Although the total eco-nomic impact is difficult to estimate, public health officials place the range somewhere around $20–$35 billion annually (2008 estimates). The ongoing development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is also putting a strain on an already overburdened health care system. So now that we know the cost and impact to our health care system, how can the average health consumer protect their health and reduce this develop-ing crisis?

What is Antibiotic Resistance? Antibiotic resistance is really nothing but an evolutionary process. This process of evolution occurs continuously throughout nature. How-ever, due to the cell division of bacteria and its fast growth rate, they

pass along their drug resistance to new cells quickly. One of the main underlying problems in modern society has been the overuse of antibi-otics for every medical treatment. Due to this overuse, we have seen a significant increase in drug-resistant bacteria. The CDC estimates that 50 million courses of antibiotics prescribed annually are unnecessary.

Who is at Risk? Since an estimated two million people in the U.S. are affected by these infections annually, what specific target groups are at a higher risk? The decreased effectiveness of antibiotics to fight infections not only hinders our ability to fight routine infections, it complicates the treatment of other diseases that are typically associated with high infec-tion rates. For example, patients experiencing any type of treatments or surgeries, such as joint replacement, cancer therapy, or organ trans-plants, are at a much greater risk. Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, or asthma can all be affected adversely and even face life-threatening conditions. In response to this growing concern, many health care facilities have adopted mandatory face mask usage for the staff and patients' families and visitors. Additionally, antibiotic safety for the general population is being implemented by health care facilities and public health officials through public awareness campaigns and advertisements. Legislators are re-viewing options to restrict antibiotic usage through possible regula-tory actions and through recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control to all health care providers on the appropriate use of antibiotics. In many instances, this overuse may not only result in a resistance, but can, in many cases, cause adverse drug interactions. A general example, which the CDC surveys, is emergency depart-ment visits. The CDC estimates that “antibiotics are responsible for almost 1 out of every 5 emergency department visits for adverse drug

physical

Martin S. Fekete,DHSc, CSP, SPHR


events.” The public needs to understand that antibiotics are powerful drugs and highly effective in fighting various diseases. However, there are times when antibiotics can be harmful and dangerous. The three main concerns that the general public needs to be aware of relating to antibiotics are:1. Antibiotics can have side effects, including allergic reaction. They

may also interfere with medications the patient is taking for other medical conditions.

2. Over-use of antibiotics when not truly necessary can result in drug side effects

3. Over-use can build a resistance against that antibiotic resulting in less effective antibiotic treatments in the future.

In conclusion, drug resistance is an evolutionary response to the use of antibiotics and is a natural process. However, the over-use of antibiotics and the ability of bacterial cells to reproduce and transfer their drug resistance characteristics to new cells have created a seri-ous health care challenge. The Centers for Disease Control has is-sued recommendations on fighting back antibiotic resistance. Some of these efforts involve infection prevention through proper hygiene; establishing antibiotic resistant reporting and tracking programs that quantifies drug resistant occurrences and provides rates for response and planning purposes; and improving antibiotic prescription practices through issued recommendations and education referred to as "anti-biotic stewardship.” Finally, ongoing developments in new drugs, di-agnostic tests, and research into drug resistance and its evolutionary process are also in process. As medical and scientific advancements continue, new drugs and treatment alternatives will be developed. However, the main challenge to society will be preventing the overuse of these new medications,

which is the cause of our current drug-resistant dilemma. The public awareness of drug resistance and health care provider involvement in practicing antibiotic stewardship should significantly reduce and elimi-nate our current drug resistance challenge.

Dr. Martin Fekete is Director of Human Resources and Risk Man-agement at National PEO, LLC. a professional employer organization devoted to assisting small and medium businesses. He is also a mem-ber of the American College of Epidemiology.

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iWomen’s Health Care655 S Dobson rdSuite 101 Bldg A

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emotional

Methods of self-harm:• Burning with matches or cigarettes• Carving words or symbols in the skin• Breaking bones• Hitting or punching• Head banging• Biting• Pulling hair • Persistently picking at a wound

They are usually described as a loner, and do not share their problems with friends, colleagues, or a professional. They also do

Lions and LambsBy Yvette Saint Thomas, MD, Sliding Doors Therapy Yvette Saint Thomas, MD

Have you ever heard the saying, "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb?" I have often wondered if that could be applied to some-

one’s behaviors through times of stress, hardship, or struggles that plague them daily. Some take deep breaths, others find a type of meditation; however, there are many that deal with their struggles through self-harm. Someone using self-harm is not able to manage or handle a situation so creating a physical pain seems to bring about a “high” that diverts, for the short term, their problems that seem over-whelming. This high from self-harm is quickly gone and usually replaced with shame.


emotional

not share the way they deal with coping day-to-day. The stigma of seeing a psychologist or counselor would suggest they are “crazy.” People will talk, their secrets will be exposed, making it a difficult step to seek or ask for help to start the recovery process. Self-injury is woven into our society and most often overlooked because of our busy lives. We don’t realize it can be our neighbor, friend, our children, and the co-workers we associate with daily. They smile, but are quiet about their personal experiences, never really sharing events or occasions in their lives. Even their outward appearance is masked. Cutters will wear long sleeves and pants even on warm or hot days. They shy away from activities at school and work to avoid the risk of others getting to know them or dis-covering their scars or other visible evidence of their self-harm. Hats or scarves are worn to hide missing hair they have pulled out. No one knows. Their secret is safe. Self-harming also gives a troubled individual a way of having some control over what they feel. When situations are out of their control, such as family turbulence, loss of a job or loved one, etc., self-harm is a release of what they do have control over. They feel it’s their life, and only they can have control over what they do to their bodies. Self-mutilation also shows the signs of the hurt, pain, or even anger they hold inside. They are only visible to them: war wounds of an internal battle they are reluctant to get help with. Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.org), which is a wonderful source for help, described symptoms and signs of self-harm as:• Scars from burns or cuts• Daily fresh cuts, scratches, bruising• Keeping sharp objects on hand

• Broken bones• Wearing long sleeve shirts and pants in hot weather• Claiming to have accidents or mishaps• Spending a great deal of time alone• Pervasive difficulties in interpersonal relationship• Statements of hopelessness and worthlessness• Persistent questions about their personal identity: who am I,

what am I doing here?• Behavioral and emotional instability, impulsively, and unpredictability

They need to find the support and help that will help them un-derstand the issues that plague them, and, through this under-standing, learn how to cope and eventually heal which will lead to healthier ways of dealing with present and future issues that may arise. If you know or suspect someone is self-harming or being abused, please contact a local organization or hotline that will help get the support your friend, family, or colleague needs. Be the lion that roars for help when someone cannot find their own voice to ask. Find your voice. Discover your roar.

For additional information about self-harm or other conditions you may be experiencing, please contact Dr. Yvette Saint Thomas by phone: 602-460-1229, or by email: [email protected] or online: www.slidingdoorstherapy.com.

Source: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases/self-injury/basics/symptoms.

Financial donors may qualify to take a dollar-for-dollar tax credit when you file your Arizona state taxes. Any donation amount qualifies, up to $200 for single filers or $400 for married filers. Shoebox makes bulk purchases and will put your donations to good use by purchasing items like deodorant for .33 cents each and toothbrushes for only .06 each.

Please join us in making a difference in the lives of the valley’s homeless and working Poor. droP off locations listed on website.

we need your helP getting some much needed toiletry Products. the most needed items are:• toothpaste• shampoo• shaving cream

• wash cloths• free hotel toiletries

Shoebox MinistryRestoring dignity to the homeless since 1988.

www.shoeboxministry.org • [email protected] • 480-905-1610.


nutritional

• Boost flavor with seasonings. Fill a few salt shakers with herb and spice blends to complement different recipes. Rosemary and tarragon do wonders for chicken. Try some Cajun seasoning in soups. Experiment – you might acquire a taste for fenugreek.

• Reward yourself with planned indulgence. A Saturday fast-food run won’t undo the benefits of a week of low-fat, low-so-dium eating. It will make those burgers and fries taste and smell even better, and help you stay motivated for the next six days.

• Think of the supermarket as a black hole of nutritional decision-making. You’re safest around the perimeter, among the fresher, less-processed foods. The forces increase closer to the center. The pull in the snack and soda aisle can be irresistible.

• Make the Nutrition Facts and ingredients list on food la-bels required reading. Label reading is empowering. It makes you feel like a CSI detective. (“Aha! High fructose corn syrup! Just as I suspected.”)

• Explore your local farmers market. These places are also hotbeds of food awareness. When you want to learn more about your role in the food chain, this is where to start.

Building a Better Diet With those pointers in mind, shore up your diet on these nutri-tional foundations:• Whole grains: As an ingredient or served alone, the variety of

grains is eye-popping. Try brown rice pilaf and chilled bulgur salad. Buy or make breads and pasta with whole-wheat flour. Use bran cereal, run through a food processor, instead of bread crumbs in meatloaf.

• Fruits and vegetables: They’re like Fruit-Loops for grown-ups: brilliantly colored and naturally sweet. Sweet veggies? Yes, and they’re good introductions if you’re vegetable averse. Say hello with sweet potatoes, butternut and acorn squash, and sweet varieties of onions, peas, and corn. Work up to the stronger per-sonalities: green beans, broccoli, and perhaps, one day… Brus-sels sprouts. Ripe, locally raised, freshly picked produce packs the greatest punch. But with modern processing, some canned and frozen varieties keep some nutrients better than “fresh” food that traveled 500 miles and sat two weeks between picking and purchase. Just watch for added sodium and sugars.

We have all been told since we were small about the im-portance of "eating right." But what if we just don't like the taste of "heathy" food? Are we doomed to staying

at the table until we finish our vegetables? No, there is a way to combine taste and nutrition. Now is the time to learn how to eat right. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has named March as National Nutritional Month. This year's focus is on how to combine taste and nutrition to create healthy meals that follow the Dietary Guidelines. Chances are you’ve heard the doctrines of eating right: eat complex carbs for time-released energy, fresh fruits and vegeta-bles for age-fighting antioxidants, and lean meats for low-fat pro-tein. So, why haven’t you pitched those pork rinds and stocked up on shredded wheat? Because shredded wheat tastes about as good as the box it comes in. It’s an image problem good nutrition has battled since the 1830s, when Sylvester Graham (of cracker fame) gave us his (day-old, high-fiber) bread-and-water, no-meat, spice-free diet: road to righteous health is a narrow path, paved with Post Toasties. Don’t believe it. There are cheeseburgers in paradise – just not as many as in… the other place. In that spirit, and at the risk of confusing religious traditions even more, we offer a balanced, Zen-like approach to achieving nutritional nirvana – in other words, painless steps to improve your health, possibly save a few dollars, and maybe shed a few extra pounds. One caveat: before changing eating habits significantly, re-check the information on food-drug interactions for any medica-tions you’re taking. Good-for-you foods aren’t so good for you if they affect the medication’s effectiveness. Grapefruit juice, for example, has been shown to interfere with some cholesterol-lowering drugs. Listed below are a few tips to help ease your transition to healthier diet and eating right:• Work on one habit at a time. Instead of an extreme pantry

makeover from “teenage sleepover” to “Soviet peasant,” pick one problem area — sugary foods, say — and focus on finding healthier alternatives.

• Go halfsies. If cutting caffeine is your goal, mix regular and decaf coffee. Blend full-fat and 2 percent milk to lower your fat intake.

By Christine Venzon


• Legumes: Yes, that means beans. Think beyond the tomato sauce-covered stuff in the red can. Think lentils and limas, black beans and black-eyed peas. Think meatless main dishes and satisfying sides. To avoid embarrassing “gastric events,” boil dry beans a few minutes, then refrigerate overnight. Most of those troublemaking indigestible sugars will dissolve in the water. Rinse the beans and cook in fresh water until tender.

What about artificial fat and sugar substitutes and foods made with them? Most studies show they’re not harmful in moderation. But don’t use them as a prop; develop a taste for the natural flavors and textures of healthful foods instead. Why buy low-fat salad dressing low-fat sour cream when (for less money) you can get a quart of equally zesty, naturally low-fat buttermilk to make your own homemade dressing, seasoned just the way you like (maybe with fenugreek), and have some left over to zip up your baked potato? Or your Brussels sprouts. You can "Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right" and March is the time to start. Check out the website: www.eatright.org to learn more.

Fenugreek The major use of fenugreek is in curry powders. It is an ingredient of Panch phoron, the Indian five-spice mixture. When fish is curried, particularly strong-tasting fish such as tuna and mackerel, fenugreek is frequently included in the spice mixture. Many chutneys and pick-les incorporate it and it also gives a tangy aroma to vegetables. The leaves, both fresh and dried, are used in meat curries, dhal and vegetable dishes, and chutneys. The seeds are an ingredient of the Middle Eastern confection, halva. Flour mixed with ground fenugreek makes spicy bread. In India, the roasted ground seeds are infused for a coffee substitute or adulterant. A tea can also be made by infusing teaspoon of seed with two cups of water for five minutes.

Source: Encyclopedia of Spices, www.theepicentre.com

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Type 2 DiabetesA Ray of Hope

By Jarom Ipson, NMD, Real Health Medical Center

diagnosis facts

The Diabetes Epidemic We have all heard of diabetes and either we person-ally or someone we know has been impacted by it. The CDC’s most recent study, conducted in 2010, showed that nearly 1 in 10 Arizona adults have diabetes. It is also estimated that 33 percent of Americans are pre-diabetic, but patients are not aware. The study also projects as many as one of three U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue.1 This disease is rapidly growing and affecting more and more people. For us to make strides against diabetes we need to understand what it is and how our nutrition and diet affects it. Once that basic understanding is established we will be able to see a glimmer of hope in combating and preventing diabetes.

Besides Being Dangerous, What Exactly Is Diabetes? Years of research have been done on insulin and blood sugar levels, so what exactly is diabetes? Simply stated, diabetes is the inability to process sugar in the blood stream, leading to uncontrolled blood sugar. When we eat food, the digestive system breaks it down into smaller and smaller pieces of nutrients — so small that eventually the body can absorb it and transfer it to the blood stream where is can be used. One of these key nutrients is glucose, or sugar. Glucose is vital for every cell in the body. It is the primary source of energy. The body produces insulin to get the glucose out of the blood stream and into the cells. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, which helps the body regulate the body’s blood sugar level. In type 1 diabetes, there is not enough insulin because the body doesn’t produce enough or any of it. In type 2 dia-betes, the cells in the body have become less sensitive to the effects of insulin (though the body still produces it), making it harder for the body to react properly to sugar in the blood stream. In most cases, type 2 diabetes pa-tients have high levels of insulin in the blood as a result of the body’s ability to detect high blood sugar levels. Because of this, the body produces more insulin—as it should when the blood sugar level is high. Another action of insulin is to tell the body to store sugar. The body has a place where it can store sugar very easily: fat cells. With high insulin levels, it is nearly impossible to lose weight because insulin is constantly telling the body to store fat.

Keeping a Healthy Balance If glucose is so important for the body, why are so many complications associated with diabetes? As impor-

Jarom Ipson, NMD


tant as glucose and insulin are, they must be kept in a healthy bal-ance. Because of this, is it vitally important for those with diabetes to check their blood sugar regularly. Things we eat and the things we do (e.g., stress, exercise, sleep) can have an influence on blood sugar levels. When the body is exposed to high or continually fluc-tuating blood sugar levels, it damages body organs, tissues, blood vessels, and overall body function. The body likes to be in balance, called homeostasis, so when something is off, negative effects are inevitable. These effects may not appear right away, but over time, the negative impact builds up, creating a complex problem as a result of diabetes. There are major complications associated with diabetes, which is what makes it so dangerous. Heart disease, vision, kidney, nerve damage, slow wound healing, digestive issues, depression, and obesity are just the start to the expanding list. The number of indi-viduals who have these complications is ever increasing. A recent study2 showed that “a diabetes diagnosis doubles your chance of dying from any cause.” The recent CDC numbers show that not all patients with type 2 diabetes are getting proper care. Some key components of care for diabetes include: annual eye exams, annual foot exams, a dia-betes self-management class, minimum twice yearly hemoglobin A1C monitoring, and daily monitoring of blood glucose levels. These simple instructions, tests, and checkups are essential be-cause they provide early detection of the warning signs that worse things are to come. They also provide the doctor and patient with information necessary to the current and future state of the pa-tient’s health.

The problem is that most people don’t go to the doctor until something is really wrong. It is important to look for the early signs of imbalance — before type 2 diabetes sets in and the negative effects are inevitable.

Hope Everyday more and more type 2 diabetics and pre-diabetics are taking things into their own hands. Type 2 diabetes doesn’t develop overnight; it comes in response to an unbalanced lifestyle and dietary habits. Bottom line: type 2 diabetes is preventable. Not only is it preventable, type 2 diabetes is reversible. However, there is not a magic pill that makes diabetes go away. With careful guidance from a trained doctor, the bad habits can be changed, nutrition and diet can be improved, side effects will decrease, and the body can be restored to a healthy state.

What can you do today? Call Real Health Medical Center at 480-726-7800 (Chandler office) or 480-861-4362 (Gilbert office) to schedule a complimentary consultation where you can learn more about the Real Health Diabetes Program. This program is specifi-cally designed to reverse type 2 diabetes and prevent diabetes in pre-diabetics and other at-risk individuals. We have seen patients make amazing progress and know that you can too. This may be the most important call you make, so don’t delay. For more infor-mation visit www.RealHealthArizona.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RealHealthAZ.

1. www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/diabetesreportcard.pdf2. www.diabetesincontrol.com

Sliding doors therapYYvette Saint Thomas, M.D. Specializing In:• Lectures on marriage and family counseling • Seminars• Depression• Adolescence Behavioral Disorders• Elder care/dementia• Private and Group Retreats Available

Satisfy the body and the mind in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere at the healing cafe. Have a healthy drink and snack, then we’ll talk.

Contact us for more info at 602-460-1229 or email: [email protected]

Finding you an answer when no one else can.


feature story

The word “Gemini” has many meanings for my family and me. My twin sister, our two older brothers, and I were all born under the astrological sign of Gemini, and is where

we got the idea for the names of our three companies: Gemini Hospice, Gemini Home care, and Gemini Hospice Foundation. We are proud of all three companies and the distinct purposes they all serve in the community. Because my siblings and I have lived in the valley for 30 years, we have been able to “hand pick” most of our employees. Not only do we have other family members who work for us, includ-ing our mom who is the director of finance for our hospice, but we also have extended family, friends, and previous co-workers that we know, like, and trust working for us. We are very proud of our team and believe that you will truly experience something dif-ferent and unique by choosing Gemini Hospice or Gemini Home Care to meet your needs or the needs of your loved ones.

Gemini Hospice The first company we started was Gemini Hospice. We have been providing care to patients in the community for a little over a year. Because we are family-owned and operated, I feel we bring a little something extra to our patients and their families. Our motto is “from our family to yours” and that is exactly how we treat our patients and their loved ones, as if they were a part of our family. As owners of the company, we personally visit our patients’ homes to check on their well-being as well as those caring for them. After being out in the community and talking with people, we have found that there are many misconceptions about hospice.

Misconceptions About Hospice• Hospice is only for the last few days of life. Hospice is for

those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and should the illness take its natural course, have 6 months or less to live. Of course, doctors who are writing the orders for hospice do not have a crystal ball and cannot predict exactly when someone will pass. Patients have been known to be on hospice well over 6 months. As long as they continue to show a decline in their health, hospice is appropriate. If they do not show a decline in health, they are “graduated” from hospice services and can return when their health declines again.

• Hospice is a place. The hospice concept was put in place to provide care and comfort to those nearing end of life in their own home or wherever they may call home. There are places called in-patient units and skilled nursing facilities where some patients are placed because they need 24-hour care or symp-tom management for the last few days.

The Gemini TrifectaBy Cathy Peterson, CEO, Gemini Home Care

Casey Carter Ruiz with Enrose Estates resident Ed Moerder


• Hospice is only for those with cancer. In 1983, Medicare originally only approved hospice services for those with can-cer. In 1994, this changed. A doctor can now write an order for hospice for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, ALS, end stage renal disease, COPD, failure to thrive, and much more.

• Hospice only provides care and comfort. Hospice is a Medicare part A benefit with no out-of-pocket cost for those 65 and older or for those who have been on disability for two or more years. Hospice services include, but are not limited to, the following: durable medical equipment, sup-plies, and medications related to the patient’s diagnosis; a social worker to help with funeral planning, aid, and at-tendance, applying for long term care, etc.; a chaplain who provides spiritual and bereavement services (note: bereave-ment services continue for 13 months after the patient’s death); and a nurse, CNA, and medical director who work with the family and the patient to provide a plan of care that best meets the needs of each patient. Hospice services also come with a volunteer and music therapist.

Because of these misconceptions, we have made it our goal to get out into the community and educate people about this wonderful hospice benefit. We have “community educa-tors” that work with the local senior centers, mobile home parks, group homes, assisted living facilities, doctor’s offices, chambers of commerce, Veteran’s groups and various other agencies to do “hospice 101 presentations,” blood pressure clinics, ice cream socials, and much more.

L to R: Corey Normoyle, Casey Carter Ruiz, Cathy Peterson, Cameron Normoyle

Wayne Ramm giving guitar lessons to Enrose Estates resident Marlowe Cliff


One of the things we hear the most from people who have expe-rienced hospice with their loved ones is that they wish they would have used this wonderful benefit sooner. Gemini Hospice is committed to excellence in both our business practices and professionalism by addressing the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of care as an integrated whole. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive, competent, quality care that optimizes comfort and dignity and is consistent with the patient and family needs and goals. We promise to de-liver timely, end of life care that is well coordinated, family centered and includes bereavement and counseling support. We believe in continuity of care consistent with the needs of the patient, family and caregiver, as it pertains to the terminal diagnosis, culture, en-vironment and appropriate level of care. We acknowledge, without discrimination, the dignity, comfort and choices determined by the patient, family and caregiver including the election of the Medicare Benefit or alternative health care options. It is our goal to implement these core concepts with integrity and will do whatever is ethically feasible to serve the best interest of our patients at all times.

Gemini Home Care The goal of our second company, Gemini Home Care, is to pro-vide care to people in their home or wherever they may call home. It’s a non-medical company, meaning our caregivers can provide companionship, help with activities of daily living, transport clients to appointments, do light housekeeping, laundry, give medication

feature story continued

reminders, and help prepare nutritious snacks and meals. We pride ourselves on providing great care at a minimal cost. Care-giver services are all private pay at a rate of $17 an hour for all services. Our caregivers are RN trained, have a clean background check, negative TB skin test, first aid and CPR certifications, main-tain a valid driver’s license and must pass a drug test. We are bonded and insured, our employees are W-2 employees and we offer workman’s compensation. Aside from the fact that we are family owned and operated; another thing that sets us apart from other home care companies is a portion of our profits go to local charities.

Gemini Hospice Foundation Our third company is called Gemini Hospice Foundation. This is a non-profit company that grants the “last wishes” of those on hospice and also provides support to other local non-profit companies. Whether you need, hospice, home care, or both, we can help. You can call our hospice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you will get a “live person” to answer any questions you may have. We have a great reputation in the community and have established many working relationships with other companies that also provide services to our wonderful elderly community. If we can’t help you, we will find someone who can.

Gemini Hospice and Gemini Home Care are family owned and operated with care and compassion being our main goals. Whether you or your loved one need home care or hospice, we can help.

Gemini Hospice is located at3960 E. Riggs Rd Suite #4 Chandler, AZ.

Call 480-883-1353 for more information orvisit www.geminihospice.com.

Gemini Home Care is located at 3950 E. Riggs Road Suite #1 in Chandler, AZ.

Call 480-883-1750 for more information or visit www.geminihomecareaz.com.

Gemini Hospice RN case manager Ericka Bigler withGemini Hospice patient Loreen Menges

Cathy Peterson with Enrose Estates resident Marlowe Cliff


special needs options

I recently received a call from a potential client who realized he missed the annual enrollment period for changing his Medicare plan. He was horrified that he’d be married to his current plan

for another year. I explained several options that were exceptions to the rule, and determined that since he is diabetic, he’d have a

special enrollment opportunity to change to a different plan. Much to his surprise, this special needs plan will literally save him thou-sands of dollars this year alone. Many people are not aware these special needs health plans exist. They are designed to reduce the out-of-pocket expense for people with certain medical conditions like diabetes and some heart diseases. Companies providing these plans frequently offer reduced copayments and special enrollment periods. The insurance companies realize certain medical conditions will require more frequent doctor visits, medication, and monitoring to help keep you healthy. By reducing the out-of-pocket expense to

manage your disease, you’re much more likely to visit your doctor regularly and, in the long run, avoid expensive hospital stays. This saves the insurance company money as well. This reduced cost allows you access to better care and helps keep symptoms and other conditions at bay. Many of these plans also come with gym memberships and transportation at no ad-ditional cost! Living with diabetes or heart conditions doesn’t have to break the bank. You can get help with your much needed care and save money too!

Have questions about health insurance? Call me at 480-220-7233, email [email protected], or visit www.insurancebypatty.com. With 25 years of experience, I can simplify insurance quotes and policy term so you can understand them.

Medicare and DiabetesHealth Plans Can Save You Dollars

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rewarding free time

Honey, they offered me an early retirement package!” announced my husband, upon returning home from his job one evening. Al-though those words were welcome, they also produced a new

fear that we did not plan. After reviewing the options, our fear turned to joy, as my husband would be free from his 40-year career. If you’re like most people, it’s the day you dream about for years; there’s no alarm clock, you can relax all day, or do those planned proj-ects. Most people enjoy the freedom for a few months but it doesn’t take long for boredom and isolation to sink in. The lack of structure, purpose and activity each day can lead to health risks, including de-pression, weight gain, or worse. All too often you don’t realize how much you conversed and engaged with colleagues and others, and how much your life was centered around your job. Here are a few activities I’ve discovered:• Volunteering is a great way to explore a passion that you may have

wanted to follow before, but your career always seemed to take up so much time. My choice was volunteering for the American Cancer Society. Our church also has many opportunities to drop in and serve in several ministries and missions. What are you passionate about? There are so many nonprofits that can use your help.

• Take a course and learn something new. Look to see what your city is offering in the way of recreational learning. So far I’ve learned photography tips and how to Salsa dance. Next is to learn to speak Spanish, which is great brain exercise.

• Join a group that meets around a particular interest. Hubby is at-tending a guitar Meet Up group twice a month in hopes of finally becoming a rock star! There are Meet Up groups for book clubs, food and wine, hiking, and almost any interest you may have. These are fantastic opportunities to meet new and interesting people who enjoy the same.

• Exercise. Move. Stay active. Go outside. It’s good for the body, brain, and soul. Do what you like, or are able to do. Hiking, dancing, golf, tennis, yoga, bicycling, or just going to the gym to move and pump a little iron. It will keep us stronger and our spirits higher.

• Get a part time job or start a small business that you have a passion for. We joined a relationship marketing company and are enjoying the benefits of additional income, new friends, continuing educa-tion, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and nationwide travel. Either of these options will still allow for the pursuit of all your other interests and time for visiting family and loved ones.

So now our days are structured, but flexible, and filled with things that give purpose and meaning to our lives. Each day has an element of something new to learn or do, keeping us active, challenged, stimu-lated, and engaged in this exciting chapter of our lives.

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Finding Purpose andStructure in Retirement

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ultrasonic thrombolysis

For patients suffering from blood clots in the lungs, relief can be just hours away. A new treatment tackles the problem, known as pulmonary embolism, at its core. The procedure,

called pulmonary artery ultrasonic thrombolysis, sends ultrasonic waves via a catheter directly to the blood clot, loosening its fibers so the medication can be more effective. During this procedure, an anticoagulant is infused directly at the site of the clot. This new treatment can lessen symptoms in just one day and patients have been discharged in five to seven days in some cases. One of the first patients to receive the procedure, 63-year-old Mark, couldn’t sit up without being short of breath the morning of his hospital visit. Twenty-four hours later, “I felt great,” he said.

Mark has been enjoying the shortened recovery time, “I got up this morning, and walked three-and-a-half miles,” he said. Just three weeks after his procedure he said, “I feel better than I have in a long time.” In the past, patients were given an anticoagulant orally or through an intravenous infusion, and would need bed rest for about two weeks. This didn’t always resolve the issue, and the longer they were hospitalized, the more complications they were prone to have. Pulmonary artery ultrasonic thrombolysis changes that by relieving the patient's symptoms more quickly. This really is a life-saving procedure.

Pulmonary Embolism An estimated 300,000 to 600,000 people are affected by pul-monary embolism each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood clots may form in the legs after long periods of time sit-ting or lying down, often when recovering from a surgery. The

New Treatment for PulmonaryEmbolism Cuts Recovery Time

By Kayla Ford, Banner Desert Medical Center

clots can then break off and travel to the lungs, causing difficulty breathing, and pressure on the chest similar to the feeling of a heart attack. Without treatment, pulmonary embolism can cause pulmonary circulatory collapse. Common signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough, which may produce blood. Other signs that can occur are leg pain or swelling; clammy or discolored skin; excessive sweating; rapid or irregular heartbeat; and dizziness. If anyone thinks they may have symptoms related to pulmo-nary embolism, they should contact their primary care physician or cardiologist as soon as possible, for diagnosis and treatment if necessary.

Kayla Ford is the catheter lab senior manager at Banner Desert Medical Center. For more information about this or other available treatments, contact Banner Desert Heart Care at 480-412-4500 or www.bannerhealth.com/Desert.

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aftercare services

Today there is a major focus on reducing readmissions of dis-charged hospital patients. Statistics say 20 percent of hospital discharges result in a readmission in the first 24 to 72 hours...

astonishing! Hospitals have determined the high readmission rate can be contributed to by patients feeling nervous about transitioning home, uncertain about their discharge instructions, tired, afraid their condition might worsen, or unhappy with their hospital experience Medicare patients may be the highest at risk for readmission. Eigh-teen to 20 percent of Medicare patients are re-hospitalized within 30 days of discharge and 33 percent readmit within 90 days. As many as 13 percent of these readmissions are avoidable. Readmissions are not primarily due to hospital error. They are about making transitions effectively. Avoidable readmissions — potentially preventable re-hospitalizations — can be reduced with improved stan-dards of care and discharge planning. Some of these changes include:

The Big FocusReducing Hospital Readmission Rates

By Dana Tate, Hospitality Health Arizona, LLC

• Insuring patients understand and follow their discharge instructions, especially when dealing with medications. Two-thirds of Medicare readmissions are due to medication noncompliance.

• Increasing patient follow-up and monitoring. Many patients aren’t seen by physicians promptly after discharge. In fact, 50 percent of Medicare patients had no interaction with a physician between dis-charge and readmission. With no one to help them schedule and keep those appointments, a significant gap in care occurs, and pa-tient health deteriorates.

• Improving communication between the discharging hospital and primary care physicians. Quite often, physicians are not kept in the loop about discharge plans. One review found that only 3–20 percent of hospitals communicate with the primary care physician, and only 12–34 percent of primary care physicians have access to discharge summaries during the first post-discharge visit.

Change is on the horizon. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is beginning to hold hospitals accountable. In October 2012, CMS began withholding payments for excessive readmissions. Their first focus was on congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarc-tion, and pneumonia. In 2014 they will include chronic obstructive lung disease, coronary bypass grafting, percutaneous coronary interven-tions, and vascular procedures. Their goal is to incentivize hospitals to improve patient health by extending care services beyond the hospital setting, thereby reducing costs. The incentives they are putting in place have created a whole new way to think about health care. It’s not just about the numbers. Patient experience will play a key role in measuring the effectiveness of a hospitals inpatient and dis-charge planning. It will be critical for hospitals to support patients using aftercare services. These services will be crucial in the first 24 to 72 hours of discharge. Expect great changes in our health care system!

For additional information or questions regarding services, please contact Dana Tate, Owner/Patient Care Liaison of the Hospitality Health Arizona, LLC. We are a resource link for health care transitions. Our responsibility is to support distressed patients and advise them and their relatives about health care options. We will provide each individual and their family a personalized service design for their individual needs. I can be reached via email at [email protected] or phone at 602-376-0023. Visit online at www.hospitalityhealtharizona.com.

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women's health

Cervical CancerPrevention and Detection

Part IIBy Cyndi Ayoub, WHNP, iWomen’s Health Care

What is the difference between a Pap and an annual or wellness visit? The wellness visit is performed once a year with either

a primary care physician or an obstetrician. It generally includes a Pap test, as well as pelvic and breast exams, and a general physi-cal. This is the time to update the following:• Life and work situation• Family health history (any new serious illnesses in your family?)• Your health history• Current medications, herbs, and supplements (bring list)• Your need for medication refills• Your need for health screening tests based on age and personal

and family history (such as mammogram, test for sexually trans-mitted diseases, and colon cancer screening)

• Immunizations

New concerns or evaluations for detailed chronic conditions should be scheduled at a time separate from the annual or pre-ventive visit. Ongoing health problems need more attention, so the office will want to plan accordingly for those appointment times. When there are concerns at the time of the annual appointment, you along with your provider will need to determine if a separate appointment is required. Patients should be familiar with their insurance policy. Different types of insurances have different rules. Most insurance policies allow for one annual exam within a 12 month period and may deny payment if the appointment is scheduled even one day before the 12 month period. Here’s a general guideline for scheduling a wellness exam. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology a women should have her first Pap test at the age of 21. Testing is no longer recommended three years after becoming sexually active. Your medical provider can help determine what the current guidelines suggest for you.• Those younger than 21 years old can still schedule an annual well

exam to start them on a lifelong path of healthy habits and wellness.• First Pap at the age of 21• Women 21–30 years of age should test every three years with

your annual well exam.• Women over age 30 with “normal” Pap and HPV results can be

tested every five years at the time of the annual well exam. HPV can take more than 10 years to develop into cervical dysplasia.

• After the age 65 many women might discuss with their medical provider the option to stop having the test as long as they have had three negative Pap and HPV results within the past 10 years. Remember that the Pap test is a part of the annual well exam and not the same as the pelvic exam.

Women may not need to have a Pap smear if she has under-gone a surgical procedure that has removed the uterus and cer-vix (total hysterectomy) and has not had abnormal results for Pap smears, cervical cancer, or other pelvic cancer. Please consider contacting your medical provider if it has been longer than 12 months since your last well exam.

For information or to schedule a consultation, contact iWomen’s Health Care. Call 480-855-5900, email: [email protected] or visit www.iwomenshealthcare.com. iWomen’s Health Care is a bou-tique style practice that believes in partnering with patients for care. “Your care, your comfort, our expertise!”

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habits of health

Considering our modern conveniences and lifestyle choices, it isn’t surprising that an ever-increasing downward health descent is affecting a greater majority of people — almost

90 percent of Americans fall into a not-sick-yet pattern of health.* There’s a good chance that unless we become individually mindful of our daily habits — how we eat, drink, sleep, and man-age stress — many of us aren’t going to enjoy our golden years with abundant energy and vitality. How do we begin to change the state we’re in and set foot down a healthier path? First, stop for a moment and check your internal compass to determine what di-rection you are actually headed in. Based on the daily actions you are taking, are you on a path that leads toward illness or toward disease? Do you help or hurt your body with your daily habits? Symptoms Are Created By Our Daily Actions Let’s examine a few examples of how our consistent daily ac-tions affect our health and lead us to doctors for diagnosis:• Overeating highly processed, nutritionally-devoid foods over-

works the pancreas and facilitates your body’s storage of fat. This can lead to the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

• A lack of daily movement and exercise allows your muscles to become weak and flabby. Without adequate energy expenditure — too many calories in versus calories out — your body begins to store excess fat. This can lead to pre-obesity. Obesity can lead to diabetes and heart disease.

• Not getting enough sleep, and managing your stress levels, cre-ates inflammation in your body. This can lead to a dependence on medications to relieve a variety of symptoms — your body’s way of signaling that you are not healthy.

A Sense of Mindfulness Developing a sense of mindfulness is key to changing or im-proving your health status. Changing, or improving, the state of your health first begins by understanding that you’ve got to take charge and take responsibility for your own daily choices. This means you can’t passively wait for doctors, drug companies, or the latest weight-loss products de jour to come up with a solution. Consider that no one knows your life like you do—what you deal with daily in your mind, how you respond to stress, what you eat, drink, how you are sleeping, or how your body is affected and truly feels. You are the only one who lives in your body and can honestly communicate what goes on inside to the outside people in your life — your friends and family, and your doctor(s) who rely on your description of your symptoms and then with medical testing to provide their expert diagnosis. There are known basic principles of health. Things we know that we must do to maintain good health that are every bit as basic as breathing air to stay alive. It takes applying those principles into daily habits.

Is Your State of Health Thriving or Simply Surviving?

Choosing Your Health PathBy Judith Garner, Independent COPE Certified Health Coach, Take Shape For Life®

Ask yourself these few questions and begin to re-route yourself down a healthier path and away from a downward, not-sick-yet spiral. You can use your answers to help choose the right health path and direction that you desire:• Do I experience any symptoms — my body’s way of signaling

the state of my health?• Are my daily habits creating greater health and vibrancy, or do I

live in a state of survival and on an accelerated path to disease?• Is my health declining or improving each day?

Fortunately, with developing a sense of mindfulness and tak-ing decisive action toward improving your health habits, a detour can be taken right away that can help your future. This detour is a better, healthier path that leads us toward a life filled with health and longevity and away from sickness and disease. Your path can change at any point on your journey, and that change can occur almost instantaneously. It’s never too late to refocus and create daily habits of health that will eventually crowd out our old habits of disease. I help people who want Optimal Health — guiding them to lose weight and learn Habits of Health to keep it off for good! We have mentors and coaches in every important area of our life — school, work, sports, and skills. Why should weight loss and maintaining our health be any different? For information, or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Judith Garner, Certified Independent Health Coach with Take Shape For Life® at 480-560-7842, email [email protected] online at www.judithgarner.TSFL.com/explore.

*Source: CDC-Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s Summary Health Statistics for the U.S. Population: National Health Interview Survey, 2011, Appendix III, table V

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Caregiving for a loved one at home or in a nursing facility is more than just companionship. It is also about their safety and peace of mind for the caregiver. A loved one's

safety is imperative in order for them to have quality of life while still remaining at their home, living with family, or in a nursing home. Caregiving consists of companionship, running errands, at-tending doctor appointments, preparing meals, engaging with the person, medication reminders, and safety. Safety tools give family members and the person “peace of mind.” It allows the family member to leave their loved one at home to go to work or run errands, while giving them both peace of mind knowing they have the tools to call for help in the event of a fall, an emergency, or a needed reminder to take medication. Most people are familiar with common equipment like walk-ers, wheelchairs, lifted toilet seats, shower chairs, and handrails. Today, safety tools are much more advanced and include:• Personal emergency response systems• Personal emergency response system with two-way pendant• Cellular personal emergency response system• Auto fall sensor• Tab safe medication solutions• Door and window sensors• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors• Bedside pressure mats• Around the clock monitoring system

Some additional benefits of in-home care safety technology are:• Improves health outcomes: For instance, it reminds seniors

to take medicine. Failure to follow prescriptions is attributed to 30 percent of hospital admissions among people over age 65, while 40 percent of people entering nursing homes are unable to manage medications at home.

• Quick response: Provides seniors a quick way to get help in the event of falls or other emergencies when they are alone. A quick response lessens the extent of injury or illness and long-term effects. The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than one-third of American adults 65 and older fall each year—and falls are the leading cause of death by injury for seniors.

• Monitors movements: Especially of persons who wander due to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related condi-tions. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that about 127,000 critical wandering incidents occur each year, in which seniors become lost, endangering their health and safety. Nearly half of wandering seniors not found within 24 hours become seri-ously injured or die.

Comfort Keepers Inc. offers safety tools to members based on their needs. For additional Safety Tools information, call 480-659-9201, visit www.comfortkeepers.com, or email [email protected]. Comfort Keepers of Chandler provides all levels of care and a wide variety of services. Caregivers are certi-fied and have on-going training to give them the all the skills to be the best caregiver they can be.

quality of life safety

Caregiving Safety Equipment By Sheriolyn Curry, Comfort Keepers Inc.


community news

Health Connect ExpoBy Jay Tibshraeny, Mayor, City of Chandler

Some people believe that the term “Spring Cleaning” comes from Persia. It is when families would perform "khooneh tekouni" — where everything in the house was thoroughly

cleaned before the first day of spring — which also marked the Persian New Year. Here in Chandler, spring is the perfect time to do a little clean-up of your wellness routine. If you do not have a regimen for sus-tained health, think about starting one. If you do have a routine, maybe shake it up a little. The perfect place to start is the Mayor’s “Health Connect” Expo, set to take place on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center, lo-cated at Tumbleweed Park (the southwest corner of McQueen and Germann roads). Chandler has plenty to offer in terms of wellness and fitness, but my “Health Connect” initiative is also aimed at connecting resi-dents with resources to make sure they also have good mental health, and strong finances. With all of the products and services on the market that are geared toward fitness and a more productive lifestyle, it can get a little confusing on just how and where to jumpstart your new devo-tion to a more fit routine. That is why we have brought together an array of displays, vendors and more, to help you make some new and healthy choices. The Tumbleweed Recreation Center will buzz with demon-strations, speakers, and close to 30 nonprofit organizations and

retailers. Demonstrations include cooking, Zumba and other dance workouts, and more. There will also be plenty of giveaways and best of all, the event is free!

For more details visit www.chandleraz.gov/connect or call 480-782-2200. The Expo is co-sponsored by our good friends at Dignity Health, and Chandler Regional Medical Center. The Recreation Center is located at 745 E. Germann Road within Tumbleweed Park.

HealthConnectExpo

Health Connect Expo

Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to NoonTumbleweed Recreation Center

745 E. Germann Road in Tumbleweed Park

www.chandleraz.gov/connect


Plantar fasciitis is defined as irritation or inflammation of the plan-tar fascia. This is the sheet of fascia, also known as connective tissue, located on the bottom of the foot. This tissue creates

padding and protection from the tremendous force, which comes through the feet while standing and walking or with intense activ-ity. This connective tissue also supports the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the area. It can become unusually tight and shortened due to an uneven gait (the way we walk) and other stresses we apply to the body. This can be very painful! This pain in the feet is a local symptom that is usually the result of structural imbalance throughout the whole body. You are more likely to get plantar fasciitis if you have problems with the arches of your feet due to being an active runner or if your shoes are in poor condition. You may also experience it if you have a sudden weight loss or gain which may cause tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles. Plantar fasciitis is seen in both men and women. However, it is more common in men ages 40–70. Plantar fasciitis is commonly thought of as being caused by a heel spur, but research has found that this is not the case. Heel spurs are seen in people with and without plantar fasciitis. This dysfunction can be extremely painful which causes walking to be difficult. The pain may develop slowly over time, or suddenly if you have just started an intense activity. The pain is usually worse in the morning when you take your first steps, after standing or sitting for a period, while driving, climbing stairs, or after extreme activity.

Some signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis are tenderness on the bottom of your foot. You may also encounter swelling and red-ness with stiffening tension residing in the arches of your foot. Some things you can do to help reduce the pain and swelling to rest the foot, decrease or stop the activity that caused the inflammation, ice the affected area, perform calf stretches, and receive manual therapy from a therapist trained in structural physiotherapy, massage therapy, and injury massage. Research shows that if you take a holistic approach to treating plantar fasciitis, you can get rid of the cause of the issue instead of treating the symptoms over and over again. Manual therapists can release the muscles that are creating the tension thereby allowing for better range of motion and overall better posture. A trained thera-pist will release the posterior calf muscles and Achilles tendon using structural physiotherapy techniques. After a series of treatments, re-patterning exercises are introduced into your specific care plan to prevent this dysfunction from coming back. When the tissue is re-leased, the muscles can return to their normal position and function-ing. The tension is gone, and, essentially, so is the pain.

We at Structura Body Therapies are trained to do just that with amazing results! Come in and see us for a free 30-minute consulta-tion to find out how we can help you live a more pain-free, healthy life! We are located at 1600 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler AZ, 85224. Call 480-686-8647 or visit us online at www.structurachandleraz.com.

chronic foot pain

How Plantar FasciitisMight Be Affecting Your Life

By Elaina Martinez, LMT, Structura Body Therapies

Elaina Martinez, LMT

chronic foot pain

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W ELLIOT RD.

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CIRCLE K & FILIBERTOS

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1-877-UBS-HERO (827-4376)

Give blood 3 times a year!www.UnitedBloodServicesAZ.org

1-877-UBS-HERO (827-4376)


1-877-UBS-HERO (827-4376)


1-877-UBS-HERO (827-4376)

March 2014 Gemini Hospice

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