February is a time for focusing on love and appreciation. As Valentine’s Day approaches, many people may shift their focus to others and may plan to do more for the ones they love. It is great to show appreciation for them, but don’t forget that self-care is just as important. Show yourself some love and attention like you would a close friend or partner. Many people do so many things for others or may have a lot of responsibilities with work, family or running a household that they often … [Read more...] about Focus on Self-Love, Self-Care and Appreciation This Month
The Vitality Doctor
Learning How to Care for Yourself During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast health is an important factor in women’s health, and being aware of any breast changes is essential. Doing regular self-breast exams will allow you to know your breast tissue so that you can detect any changes. Make sure to have your yearly well-woman exam and breast exam by a licensed physician and get a regular breast imaging-mammogram, thermography scans, MRI or breast ultrasound. A baseline is recommended at 35, then yearly after age 40, unless there is a personal or family history of … [Read more...] about Learning How to Care for Yourself During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Microneedling for Skin Rejuvenation and Hair Loss
As we age, the quality of hair and skin changes. Hair and nails can become thinner, more brittle, and the texture can change. The skin also become thinner with the decline of hormones and collagen depletion that happens naturally with aging. Although there are many causes of hair loss or thinning in adults, it may signify a hormone imbalance, thyroid disorders, mineral deficiencies, cardiovascular, metabolic or autoimmune issues. There may also be a family history of male pattern baldness that … [Read more...] about Microneedling for Skin Rejuvenation and Hair Loss
Considering Hormone Replacement Therapy in Perimenopause and Menopausal Women
Hormone imbalance can happen at any age and stage during life. Women can experience imbalance multiple times throughout their life from the onset of menses, through the fertile years and during pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and menopause. Perimenopause This phase of a woman’s life can be frustrating as her hormones are fluctuating and changing. Cycles can become heavier, irregular, infrequent or more frequent as a woman transitions into menopause. Usually, this stage lasts 10-15 years. … [Read more...] about Considering Hormone Replacement Therapy in Perimenopause and Menopausal Women
Hormone Safety Misconceptions: What Your Doctor May Not Know about Hormones
There are so many misconceptions, beliefs and media misinformation about the safety of bio-identical hormone replacement (BHRT) safety in women and men. One of the reasons is the blanket belief that all hormones are bad, when it is the synthetic hormones that have been shown to cause increased risk for cancer, blood clots, stroke and heart disease. The biggest challenge for physicians who decide that all hormones are bad is to see beyond what they are taught in their medical education, from … [Read more...] about Hormone Safety Misconceptions: What Your Doctor May Not Know about Hormones
Boost Your Immune System with Hydrotherapy You Can Do at Home
Hydrotherapy has been used in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, and has been utilized for its therapeutic benefits in the United States since the 1800s. Hydrotherapy consists of using various temperatures, pressures and forms of water for health benefits such as reducing pain and inflammation and boosting the immune system. Many physical therapists and doctors may recommend using hydrotherapy for treatment for pain and inflammation. Generally, most people are aware of advice to apply ice to an … [Read more...] about Boost Your Immune System with Hydrotherapy You Can Do at Home
The Vitality Doctor Christina Kovalik Helps Patients Navigate the ‘Hormone Shift’
Growing up in a health-conscious household laid a firm foundation for The Vitality Doctor, Christina Kovalik, but what really sparked her interest in the medical field was when her mom took her to observe a birth when she was 5 years old. “My mom was a childbirth coach and taught classes, so I became interested in the medical field at a very early age. The seeds were planted,” said Dr. Kovalik, who was born and raised in Phoenix. In pursuit of her dream, Kovalik attended Northern Arizona … [Read more...] about The Vitality Doctor Christina Kovalik Helps Patients Navigate the ‘Hormone Shift’
Gratitude vs. Appreciation: Tips to Create a More Joyful Life
Many people use gratitude and appreciation interchangeably. There is a difference between the vibrational feelings of gratitude and appreciation. Gratitude is being thankful and can come from a place of fear or lack by overcoming a struggle. You are happy to be over that struggle. Even when it is over, the energy lingers. Love and appreciation have the same feeling and energetic vibration. Appreciation is vibrationally aligned with who you really are. Reach for thoughts that make you feel … [Read more...] about Gratitude vs. Appreciation: Tips to Create a More Joyful Life
Hormones Out of Whack?
A hormone imbalance can occur at any age, but chances dramatically increase with aging. The fact is that after age 30, people produce 3-10% lower hormones each year. Although it is normal for hormone production to decline with aging, many people just don’t feel good. Many seek medical help to have all of their lab work run just to tell them they are “normal.” I commonly hear patients ask, “Why do I feel this way if everything is normal?” They breathe a sigh of relief to find out that yes, they … [Read more...] about Hormones Out of Whack?
Choosing the Right Aesthetic Treatments for You
These days, there are so many options to assist in decreasing the effects of aging and we can reap the benefits of many of the procedures that are available. It can be overwhelming to know where to start first. The Vitality Doctor can make it easy for you by creating a facial/body rejuvenation plan that best fits your aesthetic needs. Here are some options that I use in the practice that have been showing some fantastic results. Many treatments can be stacked for ultimate results. We make it a … [Read more...] about Choosing the Right Aesthetic Treatments for You
