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Written by Bob Eanes
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Sunday, 11 June 2006 23:23 |
Every BEA instrument is an Ohmmeter, i.e. it measures one thing – electrical impedance.
Back in the late 1940’s, Dr. Reinholt Voll, MD, began an investigation of the effects of electricity on the human physiology. In his studies, Dr. Voll used a technique known as Impedance or OHM metering. In simple terms, some materials are very electrically conductive, for example metals like steel and copper – electricity flows very easily through metals and therefore there is no substantial resistance to the electricity flowing through the metal. Other materials are not conductive, for example wood or rubber, and since these materials are not good conductors of electricity, their resistance to electrical current is very high. An Ohmmeter measures electrical resistance (impedance), and it is also capable of measuring conductance (the inverse of resistance) = (1/resistivity approximately).
Dr. Voll found that if he tested the electrical conductance on any general area of the human body, there was a fairly high level of electrical resistance. This is a curious point since we know that the body has a large volume of electrically conductive fluids within it. But, the skin is very resistant, by its nature, to electrical current. Dr. Voll also found that at certain specific locations on the anatomy, the electrical flow is much more conductive, and these points generally correspond to the Eastern Medical Acupuncture points. Therefore, you can use an impedance or Ohmmeter to test the acupuncture points. This is somewhat simplistic, but it does describe the basic process of BEA.
BEA Testing indirectly measures the “Energetic System” of the body. It does not measure the physiology, the biochemistry or the pathology components of the human body. However, the “Energetic System” is related to this component from the standpoint of physics, not chemistry.
Acupuncture is a science that works with the “Energetic System” of the body. The human body is biochemical (physical). It has an electrical component and also an energetic aspect as well. The acupuncture meridians are a communication and energetic flow network.
“Energetic”, in this sense, is a somewhat elusive term. Yes, the meridians do have some form of energy, but it is not electricity. There is a controversy about the validity of Acupuncture because scientists cannot measure the energetic system of the body directly, i.e. they cannot prove that acupuncture meridians exist by use of conventional measurements. It is important that you keep this fact in mind. BEA does not measure the acupuncture/energetic system of the body directly. This is not scientifically possible at this time. But, there is a bio-physiological phenomenon that occurs when you run electricity through the acupuncture points. The electrical flow (conductance) gives us an indication of the energetic health status of the meridian that we are testing. For example, if you are testing the Liver Meridian with an EAV instrument, the meter will give an indication of the Liver Meridian’s energetic status. Remember, energetic is not electrical, but we can use electricity to indirectly measure the energetic system.
Health Matrix Note: The terms BEA, EAV and EDS are used interchangeably through-out our website and literature, describing essentially the same process, consistent with nomenclature widely used in the natural medicine field.
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Written by Veronica LaChapelle, ND, PhD(c), CHS, CN
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Wednesday, 01 February 2006 22:44 |
Did the holidays leave you with a gift of the bulge, thanks to too many calories and not enough exercise? There is a safe, effective and healthy way to take off excess, unwanted and unsafe pounds, and keep them off.
It is estimated that by the end of 2006, obesity will be linked to more deaths than any other disabling condition. Obesity is the underlying factor in many major diseases such as heart disease, diabetes type 2, sleep apnea, joint deterioration in hips, back, knees, and ankles, high blood pressure, and many others. If your BMI (the accepted measure of a healthy fat/lean tissue ratio) is over 20 lbs. you are a higher risk of developing one of these life threatening diseases. If you are 5 to 10 pounds over, you may begin to feel uncomfortable and your clothes may begin to shrink or no longer fit.
We have found that weight loss begins in the brain. Unbalanced brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, cause cravings for sugar, chocolate and overeating. These brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, can be re-balanced with natural products bringing about healthy weight loss.
In addition to these supplements, life style changes are necessary and are easily accomplished with appropriate brain chemical balance. Drinking two to three quarts of fresh filtered water daily assists your ability to shed fat, exercise is essential, and eating a lower calorie diet without sugar and unhealthy fats will allow these extra pounds to fall away. Natural amino acid supplements taken with proper direction allow these changes to take place naturally without using stimulants or harsh chemicals.
During February free BIA’s, which determine the ratio of lean muscle mass to fat, will be offered as a service to all those who attend our weight loss lecture at 7:00pm, Thurs., at our clinic. Call 512-335-7179 to reserve a seat and to change your life.
Veronica LaChapelle, ND, PhD(c), CHS, CN is the Clinical Director at Health Matrix Healing Arts Spa and a doctor of natural medicine who has been practicing in Austin for approximately 10 years. Weight management is one of her specialties. (See the Health Note on the outside of the back cover of this issue.) 7212 McNeil Dr., #204. (512) 335-7179 www.essentialhealthmatrix.com
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Written by Dr. Veronica LaChapelle, ND, PhD(c), CHS, CN
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Sunday, 11 December 2005 23:08 |
Do environmental sensitivities and plant growing seasons have you trapped inside your home suffering with red, itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, sinus headaches and congestion? Do you suffer from central Texas’ cedar fever? Are you one of 40 million Americans that shy away from the outdoors during the height of the pollen season?
It is estimated that nearly 20% of Americans suffer with the discomforts of allergies. Cedar fever, oak and many funguses, molds and grasses are some of this area’s greatest generators of seasonal distress. These conditions are rarely life threatening; however, they do lead to periods of great discomfort, sleep loss and lack of productivity in the work place and personal activities. There are many over-the-counter medications which may assist in temporary relief of symptoms but most of them have side effects and offer no real solution! These products attempt to mask the annoyances after it is too late to address the cause.
We suggest a look at the causes of allergies and why sufferers have so much difficulty. An allergic reaction can be summarized as a dysfunction of the immune system creating a cascading set of inflammatory reactions to environmental antigens that may usually be considered harmless. The immune system then overcompensates, creating an allergic reaction, or more properly described as sensitivity. Over time, cellular memories are created that trigger reactions which generally produce greater symptoms.
Frequently, seasonal allergies are self-diagnosed and self-treated. Most people know exactly when their allergy season begins and how they will react. There are many medically-based tests for allergies- blood and skin tests are most frequently used. Both are invasive, may be painful and expensive. Once the allergens have been identified, the long process of “allergy shots”, also invasive, begins along with the risk of local or systemic reactions.
Current research has produced non-invasive test methods that identify allergies; these tests are painless and reasonably priced. After the allergens are identified, their effects are eliminated through natural methods that are free of side-effects. “Cedar fever” is particularly bothersome in this area. Well, though it is no comfort, the term “cedar” is a misnomer; the real culprit is juniper! The good news is that natural health practitioners can now easily identify the allergen and assist you to improve the immune system utilizing several different approaches. One method often used is a liver cleanse. The liver plays an important role in the detoxification process and needs to be functioning properly, especially if food allergies are also involved. Not all liver cleanses are effective so individuals should be very careful to work under the care of a properly trained health care practitioner. Other approaches to limiting or eradicating the impact of airborne allergens may utilize homeopathy, nutritional supplementation, and/or lymphatic drainage remedies.
Diet plays a large role in allergies and can impair the immune system’s performance against other allergens. A nutritional consultant will assist you eliminate offensive foods. Currently, there are many techniques for eliminating allergies that are all natural and non-invasive such as JMT. JMT is a technique that helps redirect the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which manages many bodily processes including the immune system. If your immune system is reacting to any type of allergen, your body perceives it as an invader (when it may not necessarily be unhealthy) and acts to remove it. The immune system may overreact or be misdirected for any number of reasons. Through a series of muscle tests and corrective actions, JMT can redirect the immune system so that it will not overreact to common substances.
At Health Matrix we utilize all of the above methods along with others to boost your immune system and improve its selectivity so that the allergy season no longer exists for you!
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Written by Dr. Veronica LaChapelle, ND, PhD(c), CHS, CN
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Friday, 01 April 2005 22:52 |
Clean Out Your House, and Clean Out Your Body
With the advent of Spring, we see new buds on the trees, grass turning green and birds nesting. We also need to weed gardens and prepare for new growth, as many of us clean out closets, paint homes and make minor repairs.
Often, we forget that one of our main concerns should be cleaning, purifying and detoxifying our bodies. Spring is the best time to do that cleaning. In Chinese medicine, the Springtime energy is the element that focuses the liver and gall bladder meridians, making detoxification much easier.
Our body is constantly detoxifying and repairing, utilizing specific organs and systems: the liver, lungs, lymphatic system, kidneys, blood, skin, and intestines. Sleep patterns also provide both physical and emotional cleansing. Our world is full of toxins-- additives, preservatives, and chemicals added to food; poor quality or a deficiency of water; soft drinks, caffeine, and refined sugar; and heavy metals, including mercury in dental fillings, vaccines, and contaminated fish, aluminum in toothpaste, medications, and deodorants. Many times our bodies become over-burdened!
A gentle detoxification program supervised by a health care professional may be all one needs to get the “house cleaning” done. If there are other toxins or heavier burdens, a more intensive program may be needed, such as a parasite, heavy metal, or virus removal. Each of the major detoxifying organs needs to be supported through this process.
Remember that healing begins from the inside out, and the best programs are designed to support the whole body while reducing stress on all the organs, using only all natural, non-invasive remedies and protocols.
Dr. Veronica LaChapelle is the clinical director of Health Matrix, 7212 McNeil Dr., Ste. 205. Call (512) 335-7179 for more information. This article first appeared in Austin All Natural Magazine.
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Written by Dr. Veronica LaChapelle, ND, PhD(c), CHS, CN
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Saturday, 01 April 2006 23:16 |
The Importance of Healthy Body Composition
A lot of the resolutions that get made in the first month of the year have to do with health, and a lot of them have to do with weight. Whether you’re overweight or of normal weight, you should be aware of the fact that body composition has a huge impact on your health. Even if your weight is within a normal range, you can still have an unhealthy or altered body composition.
What is unhealthy body composition? Generally speaking, it refers to carrying too much fat in comparison to lean tissue (like muscles or organs), and it’s often referred to as a high fat-to-lean ratio. As your body’s fat-to-lean tissue ratio increases, so do your health risks. In fact, unhealthy body composition often leads to obesity (defined as 30 pounds or more overweight). Obesity is a condition associated with many critical health concerns, including:
Heart Disease Stroke High Blood Pressure
Back Pain Kidney Disorders High cholesterol
Metabolic syndrome Osteoarthritis Type 2 Diabetes
Estrogen-related Problems Excess fatigue Some forms of cancer
Urinary incontinence Hysterectomy Respiratory Problems
Gallbladder disease Sleep Apnea Depression
and gallstones
What are the factors that contribute to unhealthy body composition? The following factors can easily lead to a high fat-to-lean ratio:
A high-fat, high sugar diet Excess alcohol intake
Lack of exercise Hormonal disorders
Overeating Parasites
Heavy metals and other toxins Trauma, chronic pain
Cushing’s syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism
Certain medications like steroids, antidepressants or anti-epilepsy drugs
Did you know?
More than 60% of the U.S. population is overweight, with over 25% of these considered obese.
Almost 30% of U.S. children and teens from 6-19 years of age are categorized as overweight. Over 70% of these adolescents have a chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
In America, approximately 47% of those who are overweight and 71% of those who are obese have high blood pressure.
Half of all overweight and obese adults have cholesterol levels higher than they should be (above 200mg/dL).
Approximately 25% to 33% of Americans have insulin resistance, which, if left unchecked, may develop into type 2 diabetes. About 70% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
These are astounding statistics, but you don’t have to take chances with yourself, your children, or your grandchildren. Good health and good health habits can be re-established, and many negative factors can be reversed through proper diet, exercise, and personalized nutritional support with professional guidance or lifestyle coaching. According to the National Institutes of Health, lifestyle modifications such as healthy nutrition, diet, and exercise are the preferred methods for achieving healthy body composition. Change your lifestyle… and change your life.
Reverse the looming symptoms of illness with FirstLine Therapy®, a combination of diet, exercise, and lifestyle modification that’s designed specifically for each individual.
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Written by Veronica LaChapelle, ND, PhD(c), CHS, CN
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Sunday, 01 January 2006 22:42 |
Worldwide parasitic infection, from malaria to tapeworms, has reached 3 ½ billion people. Hookworms feed on the blood of 1.5 million people. Cryptosporidium may, and has, infested city drinking water systems. If you think this is a problem only in third world countries, guess again; approximately 90% of U.S. citizens have at least one type of parasite. Most are unaware of it until it starts to affect their health, and many parasitic infestations are not diagnosed even then.
Human beings are wonderful hosts for parasites, but they show tenaciously bad behavior toward their host. (How’s that for ingratitude?) Parasites live on the essence of our being and are so complex that no vaccine will touch them. They live in every organ of our body, and can cause a plethora of symptoms like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can sometimes be life threatening, and those with compromised immune systems or the young and frail have the greatest risks of death.
The physical structure of parasites resembles that of our own, with complex nervous and digestive systems, and they’re classified into three groups. Protozoa are simple one-celled organisms such as cryptosporidium and Giardia. Worms, a second class, are multi-cellular organisms such as roundworm and tapeworm. A third type, ecto parasites like mosquitoes and fleas, live on the host.
Parasites come to us; we do not have to go to them. They are contracted in three primary ways: through food, drink (mostly water), or sexual contact. Swimming in unsanitary water is also a source of infestation. Imported foods play an important part in spreading parasitic infections, and improperly cooked meats can also lead to parasite infestation.
Parasitic symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle weakness, foggy thinking, confusion, immune disorders, Lyme’s disease, low weight, overweight, bloated stomachs, malaise, and brain illnesses. Some researchers have even linked many cancers to parasitic infestations.
The good news is that parasites may be easily managed with proper supervision from a natural health care practitioner. Health Matrix has successfully eliminated many types of parasites from most clients utilizing natural means. The secret is to know that they exist and provide a simple, natural protocol to invite them to leave.
Veronica LaChapelle, ND, PhD(c), CHS, CN is the Clinical Director at Health Matrix Healing Arts Spa and a doctor of natural medicine who has been practicing in Austin for approximately 10 years. Weight management is one of her specialties. (See the Health Note on the outside of the back cover of this issue.) 7212 McNeil Dr., #204. (512) 335-7179 www.essentialhealthmatrix.com
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Written by Dr. Veronica LaChapelle, ND, PhD(c), CHS, CN
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Tuesday, 01 November 2005 23:03 |
The term “pandemic” is being heard on newscasts almost every day, but what exactly does it mean? An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human population, causing serious illness and spreading easily from person to person worldwide. A pandemic is different from a seasonal outbreaks or epidemics of influenza, which are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses already in existence. Pandemics are caused by new subtypes, or by subtypes that have never circulated among people or haven’t been seen in some time. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss.
Pandemic viruses emerge as a result of a process called “antigenic shift”, which causes an abrupt, major change in an existing influenza A virus. These changes are caused by new combinations of proteins attached to the surface of the virus, and result in a new subtype. The appearance of that new subtype is the first step toward being considered a pandemic, but it also has to spread easily from person to person. Once a new pandemic influenza virus emerges and spreads, it normally becomes established among people and moves or circulates for many years as a seasonal epidemic of influenza. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization both have large surveillance programs to monitor and detect influenza activity around the world, including the emergence of possible pandemic strains.
The largest pandemic during the twentieth century was the “Spanish flu” which occurred in 1918-1919, causing a death toll of more than 500,000 people in the U. S. and up to fifty million world-wide. Most of those who died were young, healthy adults.
What can we do to be prepared against the “new flu”? First, there is no vaccine for the new flu, commonly referred to as the bird flu. Currently, this virus strain is mutating and being passed among animals, particularly birds, but also tigers and other cats. There is a large concern that the mutation will continue, eventually being passed to humans and spread by them. No flu immunization for this new virus strain will be available for at least six months, and probably longer. Secondly, many don’t wish to be vaccinated due to possible toxins contained in the vaccine, including mercury, antifreeze, and formaldehyde. If you want to avoid taking vaccines, the healthcare professionals at the Health Matrix recommend some daily preventive activities that can help prevent flu by increasing your immunity:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly before eating.
2. Eat healthy foods, and exercise three to five times per week.
3. Drink six to eight glasses of good quality drinking water daily.
4. Use a solid vitamin support program, with good professional advice.
5. When appropriate, use quality homeopathic remedies.
6. Improve lymphatic support and drainage.
7. Massage therapy helps improve lymphatic drainage and improves body energy flow.
8. Limit exposure in crowded places.
9. Make rest and sleep a priority.
10. Laugh a lot and manage your stress levels, since viruses tend to like unhappy people.
The Health Matrix, directed by Veronica LaChappelle, N.D., is located at 7212 McNeil Dr. #204, just north of Hwy. 183, and offers natural healthcare by certified professionals, unique spa services and products, and nutritional supplements. Call (512) 335-7179, or visit www.essentialhealthmatrix.com.
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