At the Starsiak Osteopathic Clinic we are taking COVID very seriously. We are taking extra caution in keeping things sanitary and staying up to date with the governors orders and the ABMPs suggestions for a safe practice. As of right now the ABMP states there is no known way to eliminate the risk of transmission and infection and there is no risk- free environment in which to conduct business today. With that being said, here are some of the ways we are making sure we all stay safe while keeping the business open. 
All patients are to stay 6 feet apart, only one patient in the waiting area at a time, windows will be opened in between sessions for ventilation, hands thoroughly washed and sanitized up to the elbows before and after a massage, gloves can be worn if that feels safest to the client, minimal contact during check in and check out, all areas will be sanitized between patients. 
The only way to not get Coronavirus is to not be exposed, which means staying at home with 0 contact with anyone else. However, there are ways to protect your body and strengthen your immune system. One major thing that weakens the immune system is stress. This pandemic has definitely caused a lot of stress on our bodies. Some ways to get rid of stress are massage, yoga, meditation, supplements, etc. We offer massage, private yoga sessions, and many supplements that can help decrease stress and boost your immune system so that you can still enjoy life.

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-   I think there is no doubt that if you are reading this you have experienced or do experience stress. Short term stress is normal and needed for our survival. Our bodies have systems in place to help us deal with stressors, physical and mental. 
    
   When our bodies experience stress our heart rate and blood pressure may increase, breathing speeds up, knots in our stomach appear, etc. While these defenses are great in the face of actual danger.. Do we really need to feel this way on a daily or weekly basis because of things like work, children, money, relationships? Chronic stress contributes to a multitude of health conditions including: anxiety, depression, heart disease, cancer, chronic fatigue, insomnia, adrenal dysfunction, and so much more. All of these cause more issues in your life and it is like a never ending stressful cycle. The APA’s Stress in America Survey findings show that stress is interfering with our ability to function and is becoming a public health crisis.
What if there was something that could help your body adapt to stress better? So that you can save the increased heart rate and panic for actual dangerous situations and feel more at ease with the everyday stresses of life..
   
   Guess what! There is. These plants are called adaptogens. I love these guys. “Adaptogen” defines herbs that help “protect the body against physical, mental, and emotional stress by strengthening the immune system” (Medicinal Herbs 61). These amazing plants strengthen the body and create a healthier stress response.
    
Some of the effects of adaptogens include:

• Better energy circulation
• Decreased stress
• Balanced hormone levels
• Fight fatigue
• Improved attention
• Improved energy levels
• Improved organ function like liver and adrenal glands
• Improved function of body systems like gastrointestinal system

In addition to adaptogenic properties, most adaptogens have other helpful effects.  Some of the common adaptogens stocked and used by Dr. Starsiak are:

• Ashwagandha- improves sexual desire and function, increased muscle strength, decreased body fat, decreases joint pain, improves rate of sleep onset
• Shatavari- anti yeast, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti- anxiety, protects liver, balances hormones, anti- diabetes, treats menopausal symptoms, improves menstrual symptoms
• Guduchi- rich in antioxidants that have anti-aging properties, treats diabetes, helps with UTIs, fevers, infections, and digestive disorders
• Tulsi- (aka Holy Basil) anti-anxiety, anti- inflammatory, combats respiratory ailments, relieves arthritis, helps with digestive disorders
• Shilajit- brain function, anemia, anti- viral, helps with chronic fatigue
• Kapikacchu- treats Parkinson’s, anti- anxiety, relieves fever
• Adrenal Nourish (Gotu kola and brahmi, ashwagandha)- promotes balanced energy levels and stamina, supports function of the adrenals, anti-anxiety, nourishing to the endocrine system.

If you would like to know more about how you can use Adaptogens, call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Starsiak.


-Quinn

From how the media portrays drug use, to wrong knowledge  picked up here and there, it isn't hard to misunderstand addiction.  It's not a topic that's spoken of openly and frequently enough to really come to grips with it.
But, if you take a little bit of time to learn more about addiction and the reasons behind it, you can become more understanding and compassionate towards people suffering from it. 
To help you learn more about addiction, check out these common myths about why people take drugs that definitely aren't true. 
1. All Addicts First Started Taking Drugs to Get High
Despite what a lot of people think, not everyone who's addicted to drugs started taking them because they wanted to get high. In fact, doctors are prescribing very addictive medication every day. These are called opioids, and they're fueling a drug crisis in America.
In 2017, it was found that there were over 190 million opioid prescriptions. To put that in perspective, if everyone received a prescription, including children, over half of our population would be taking opioids. 
These opioids are so addictive that up to 12% of people taking them start abusing them.  By the way, 80% of heroin users started with an opioid prescription. It's a reason for using drugs that people often don't know about, but it's a huge problem in the US.
The problem here isn't with the addict, but with the medical industry. Make sure you know the signs of prescription drug abuse to keep your loved ones safe.

2. They Don't Want to Stop
The idea that addicts don't want to stop using or aren't trying hard enough is one of the most harmful myths out there. cOf course, there are some people who don't want to stop, but it definitely isn't always true.
The fact is that coming off of drugs is incredibly hard, even when you want to. This is because addiction changes the way a brain works. Over time, the brain and body become reliant on the drug to function close to normal. When you stop using it, everything in your body is shouting at you to start again.
Some withdrawal symptoms addiction sufferers have when coming off of drugs include:

• Intense nausea and vomiting
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Depression, anxiety, and other changes in mood
• Muscle aches and pains
• Diarrhea
• Hallucinations
• Intense craving for the drug
• Fast Heart rate
• Sweating
• Pupil dilation

Anyone that's seen an addict come off of drugs will know that it isn't easy and it's definitely not something they can just stop at will.

3. They Have a Bad Past
When people think of drug addicts, they often think of people with bad, troubled pasts. They imagine someone having grown up in poverty, from a broken home, and surrounded by other troubled people.
The truth is that addicts come from all walks of life and there's never a straight answer for why people use drugs. When people come in for addiction treatments, their pasts are all completely different from one another. They can be rich or poor, young or old; it doesn't matter. 
Drug addiction doesn't discriminate - that's the truth.
4. They Chose to Become Addicted
Although they may have chosen to take the drug in the first place - although that isn't always the case - no one really plans on becoming addicted. Why would they choose that?
The reality is that these drugs have a huge recreational appeal. From helping with social anxiety to relieving stress, there are tons of reasons why people might start using. But they're so highly addictive that before they know it, they're reliant on it.
People usually think they're in control, but the reality is that drugs take that control from them. The fact that even prescribed opioid users can become addicts is proof it's not as simple as a typical choice. 
Make sure to keep an eye for signs of drug use in men and women to make sure those around you aren't suffering. 

5. They Have Character Flaws
A lot of people think addiction is a character flaw, and that people with addictions are abnormal or outcasts. The truth is so far from that.  Everyone has some character flaws whether or not they have an addiction.
The National Institute of Alcohol and Alcoholism found that almost 20% of alcoholics lead functioning, normal lives. Drug users can have families, go out with friends, and have jobs. It's often when their addiction takes over that their lives begin to all apart, and the idea of character flaws is presented.
In reality, anyone can become an addict and it's not a character flaw, it's a disease.
6. Why People Take Drugs? They're Bored
A lot of people imagine that addiction begins when people are bored. They don't work and they have nothing better to do. Whilst boredom can be a cause, it's one of so many.
Here are just a few of the reasons why people do drugs:

• Succumbing to peer pressure
• To escape an unpleasant reality
• To relieve stress, anxiety, or other mental health problems

Usually, the main reason people start using drugs is down to one overriding point: to stop feeling bad. There's often an underlying issue, such as physical abuse, losing a job, or grieving for a loved one, which is the catalyst for drug abuse. They're suffering, and they turn to something to help them escape.
When addicts receive treatment, they often receive therapy too. There's a cause behind drug use that often runs deeper than we can see.
 Understanding why people take drugs is crucial to understanding anyone who might be suffering from an addiction. If you know someone with a substance abuse problem, make sure they get the help they need. 
Get in touch with our team to find out more about our addiction services.