At Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, we believe in treating the whole person, not just isolated symptoms. When it comes to chronic gut issues, this holistic approach is particularly important. One key aspect that's often overlooked in traditional treatments is the role of the autonomic and enteric nervous system (ANS). In this post, we'll explore why addressing the ANS and enteric nervous system is crucial for achieving lasting gut health.

Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection

The gut and the brain are in constant communication, and this dialogue is primarily facilitated by the autonomic nervous system. This complex network of nerves connects your central nervous system to various organs, including your digestive tract. The ANS is responsible for controlling many involuntary bodily functions, including digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Why the ANS Matters for Gut Health

1. Stress Response: The ANS regulates your body's stress response through its two main branches: the...

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to compartmentalize our health. We often focus on treating symptoms or addressing singular aspects of our well-being. However, at TCLM, we believe in a more comprehensive approach. True healing isn't just about addressing one element of health—it's about nurturing the intricate symphony of mind, body, and spirit.

The Interconnected Web of Wellness

Our ability to heal is profoundly impacted by how we live our lives. It's not just about what we do when we're ill; it's about the daily choices we make. Let's explore some key factors that influence our healing potential:

1. Movement: The Body's Natural Medicine

How we move our bodies plays a crucial role in our healing process. Regular, appropriate physical activity:

• Improves circulation, delivering vital nutrients to tissues
• Stimulates the lymphatic system, aiding in toxin removal
• Maintains joint health and muscle strength
• Regulates hormones crucial for healing
• Manages pain and improves...

Are you tired of living with chronic pain? At Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, we understand the challenges you face and we're here to help. We're excited to announce our weekly Chronic Pain Group sessions, designed to provide you with the knowledge, tools, and support you need to manage and overcome your pain.

Details:

Join us every Tuesday at 1:30 PM for an empowering session led by our expert, Dr. Cheng Ruan. The groups take place virtually on Zoom for one hour and are billed identically to our medical visits. If using insurance, a copay will apply. A self-pay option is also available (contact our office for details). 

What to Expect

During these sessions, you'll have the opportunity to:

1. Discuss your specific symptoms and questions with Dr. Ruan
2. Learn about the science behind the mind-body connection and chronic pain
3. Discover tools to transform your pain experience
4. Explore physiological approaches to healing and root causes for chronic pain. 

Expert Guidance

Dr....

At Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, we're constantly striving to enhance our services and provide the best possible care for our patients. We're thrilled to announce some exciting updates to our September group visit schedule. We've added new programs and sessions designed to better serve your health needs and provide you with valuable tools for managing your well-being.

New Programs and Sessions

1. Mind-Body Program for Dysautonomia Patients

We're proud to introduce a specialized program for our patients dealing with dysautonomia. This program is designed to help you manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life through mind-body techniques.

• Led by: Geny Moreno, Mind-Body Medicine Practitioner
• Duration: 6 weeks
• Location: In-person at TCLM
• Two Group Options:
  • Ages 25-45: Tuesdays at 1:30 - 3:30 PM, Starting September 10th! 
  • Ages 45+: Thursdays at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Starting September 12th!
• Format: Group sharing, connection-building, and experiential...

At TCLM, we offer a range of specialized IV infusions designed to support your health and well-being. Whether you're dealing with chronic conditions like Dysautonomia and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) or acute issues such as viral infections, our tailored infusions can provide the boost your body needs. Let's explore how these powerful treatments can help you feel your best. Take a look at some of our IV Infusions and their potential benefits: 

1. Energy and Detox Support (Great option for POTS and Dysautonomia): 

For patients struggling with dysautonomia, including POTS, our Energy and Detox Support Infusion can be a game-changer. This infusion contains a uniquely balanced mixture of vitamin C, magnesium, B vitamins, and glutathione to support metabolic functions associated with energy production and detoxification. 

Benefits for POTS and dysautonomia patients:

• Helps manage fatigue and dizziness
• Supports stable blood pressure
• Addresses...

As the dog days of summer set in, many of us with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and other forms of dysautonomia are bracing for an uptick in unpleasant symptoms. The intense heat and humidity can be a major trigger, leading to flare-ups of issues like heat intolerance, excessive sweating, and difficulty staying hydrated.

For those of us in Texas, the summer can be an especially brutal time. The combination of high temperatures and our dysautonomia creates a serious challenge, making it even harder to stay active and manage our symptoms. When you feel like you're really struggling to get through a flare-up, there may be a helpful solution to consider - high-dose vitamin IV therapy.

Our "Energy Detox" IV infusion is designed specifically for the unique needs of those with conditions like POTS and Dysautonomia. It contains a blend of key nutrients including vitamin C, magnesium, B vitamins, and glutathione. This infusion can provide support for the metabolic...

Addiction is often viewed through a lens of pathology and judgment, but what if we approached it from a more holistic and integrative perspective? This approach can shift our understanding from one of condemnation to one of compassion, growth, and transformation.

Understanding Addiction from a Holistic Perspective

Addiction as a Pathway to Self-Understanding

Addiction can be seen as a manifestation of the human desire for connection and wholeness. Instead of judging addictive behaviors, we can understand them as attempts to fill a perceived void or to seek a sense of completeness. This perspective encourages compassion and empathy, recognizing that addictive behaviors are often rooted in deeper emotional or spiritual needs.Limiting Belief: "I can’t change."

• Reframe: Change is a natural part of growth and healing. Addiction can be a pathway to deeper self-understanding and transformation.

Integration of All Aspects of Self

A holistic philosophy emphasizes the integration of...

At Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, we're committed to addressing the root causes of chronic health issues. One often-overlooked factor in overall wellness is airway health. Did you know that having a small airway, narrow palate, tongue tie, or any malocclusion can impact your whole body? Many people who experience chronic pain, posture issues, neurological symptoms, and other health concerns may actually be suffering from an airway or sleep disorder caused by structural issues that begin with the mouth and jaw.

To shed light on this crucial aspect of health, we're thrilled to announce the next installment in our popular Ask the Expert Series. We've previously hosted enlightening conversations with sleep specialists, airway-centric dentists, bodywork specialists, and other experts, providing our patients with valuable insights into airway health and sleep.

Now, we're excited to welcome Susi Quintana, Myofunctional Therapist and Founder of the Airway Team, for Round 2 of our...

One of the most crucial aspects of our health is the nature of our relationships. Many health coaches refer to aspects of life that have nothing to do with nutrition as "primary food." This concept highlights the profound impact our connections with others have on our overall well-being.

Have you ever noticed how your eating habits change when you're lacking fulfilling relationships or struggling with loneliness? Most people either lose their appetite or turn to food as a replacement to fulfill a deeper craving for social connection. As human beings, we have an innate desire to be seen, heard, and genuinely cared for. When these needs go unmet, it can be challenging to maintain health in other aspects of life, including nutrition.

Unhealthy relationships can take a significant toll on us. Think back to a time when you experienced a difficult relational dynamic or experiencing consistent unresolved conflict over time. You may recall how it spilled over into other areas of...

Sleep disorders have long been recognized as a common complication of various neurological conditions. However, recent research has unveiled a fascinating and complex relationship between autoimmune neurological disorders and sleep disturbances. At the Texas Center for Lifestyle Medicine, we believe it's crucial to understand these connections to provide comprehensive care for our patients.

Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Sleep: An Overview

Autoimmune neurological syndromes occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the nervous system. These disorders can affect various parts of the nervous system, leading to a wide range of symptoms. Recent studies have shown that sleep disturbances are not just a side effect of these conditions but can be a central feature of the disease process itself (Dubey et al.).

Common Sleep Disturbances in Autoimmune Neurological Disorders

Research has identified several sleep disorders associated with autoimmune neurological disorders:

1. ...