Naturopath, Holistic Nutritionist, Wellness Coach & Lymphatic Drainage Therapist & Massage Therapy, Natural Day Spa, Spa, Facials, Wax

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I've studied hormones and been exposed to an assortment of protocols, studies and research that I'd like to sum up for you today into one effective way to maximize weight loss and fat burn.

There seems to be an epidemic of individuals suffering from hormonal imbalance related weight gain.  So many of my clients are heart broken by their regimented dietary programs, extreme work out and weight training regimens and strict caloric monitoring.  All of which, has no real impact on balancing their internal physiological and chemical structure that leads to real weight loss.

Weekly, I work with numerous men, women, elders and teens who are all seeking the same goal: weight loss, fat burn and improved health and mental wellness.  For these clients, I implement a four tier process that addresses the hormones behind their body's inability to metabolize fat.  Plain and simple, I help their bodies achieve optimal balance by balancing the key hormones that are either in abundance or a deficit. 

Our own biochemistry is imbalanced and the only way to address weight loss is to address the biochemistry.  It's not an easy task and as I tell my clients, patience and tolerance of one's own body is necessary.   Our biochemistry is out of balance because of our stress levels (which we can control), our SAD diets which yield mineral and micronutrient deficiencies (which we can control) and not getting enough sleep or exercise (which we can control).

Knowing we can control our body's chemistry and make positive, lasting changes is the first real positive step towards weight loss.

The top 4 reasons individuals cannot lose weight are:

1. Adiponectin levels are low (helps burn body fat)

2. Ghrelin levels are high (drives hunger and crazing for sweets & fats)

3. Insulin Imbalance (excess glucose => less effective at lowering blood sugar)

4. High Cortisol Levels (stress hormone)

Top 3 things you can do TODAY to begin a weight loss program:

1. Add magnesium to your diet or start eating pumpkin seeds, juicing with kale and spinach can help increase your own body's adiponectin levels.

2. Sleeping a minimum of 8 hours a night will help decrease ghrelin

3.Drink 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar before a high carb meal.  ACV help to balance glucose levels just as effective as pharma drugs.

Testing your cortisol levels is also necessary.  A simple saliva test is recommended over a 12 hour span of time.  Taking a salive sample upon rising, at lunch time, dinner time and just before bedtime.  This can tell us a lot about the impact of cortisol levels and address the function of your adrenal glands.  Often individuals present with adrenal fatigue or low, inactive adrenals.

If you are looking for a more indepth weight loss program, please consider working with an expert who can help you balance the root cause of your hormone imbalances.  A local Naturopathic Physician, Doctor of Oriental Medicine or Acupuncture physician can help. 

If you would like to work with me specifically on the protocol that has proven to work with my clients, let's set up an initial phone consultation.  I work with clients all around the US and world and love helping tweak a few things that will make  your body chemistry work with you and not against you. An hour of your time will get us off to a good start.

Are you looking for a therapeutic massage or a deep tissue massage in St. Petersburg?

Every day we receive calls from massage customers seeking massage services but are not quite sure which is appropriate for them.  I thought I'd share with you a few massage services and how to know which one will help you address your goal of pain relief, relaxation, tension reduction and optimum healing. 

There are several different types of therapeutic massage in addition to deep tissue massage, such as:

• relaxation or swedish massage
• neuromuscular massage
• deep tissue massage
• therapeutic massage
• myofascial massage
• trigger point therapy
• pregnancy massage
• craniosacral massage
• acupressure massage
• hot stone massage
• sports massage
• thai yoga massage
• lymphatic drainage massage
• reiki

Many therapists will use a combination of techniques depending on what your body needs. In addition, therapists will often take additional classes in different techniques

 Different Types of Massage Services at Healthy Being Wellness Center

Deep Tissue: releases chronic patterns of tension through deep pressure on contracted areas. It focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Deep tissue massage is great at breaking down scar tissue and getting your blood circulating, but it may not be what you need on a particular day. A good therapist will apply the specific techniques and the right amount of pressure to address your need, and sometimes thatâ??s a lighter touch.

Hot Stone Massage: This massage incorporates warmed basalt stones that improves the circulation of the nervous system and it will help relax the muscles especially the tired and stressful muscles you have from work. It is very soothing because the heat from the stones will transport through the key points of your body to help in proper circulation of the blood.

 

Sports Massage: Sports massage has different forms depending on the intention for the work. Pre-event is a warm-up to prepare athlete for event. Post-event provides a cool down â?? return body to homeostasis and speed recovery time. 

One of the main uses of sports massage is to make sure muscles do not tighten up or form knots. Knots in muscle can lead to pulls, strains and tears, and obviously pain and discomfort. By keeping muscles relaxed before competition you can avoid injuries during an event. Post-event massage will help to prevent muscles from tightening, causing pain and being unable to compete later.

During training, treatment allows one to maintain extensive workouts and training regimens while minimizing discomfort and risk of injury. And when it comes to rehabilitation of injuries, sports massage helps with range of motion, inflammation and circulation, similar to some other types of massage. 

Sports massage has become a major part of professional athletics these days, in everything from Baseball to Mixed Martial Arts. In fact, athletes in combat and other sports that require repetitive motion in either training or competition are perfect candidates for sports massage, even non-professional athletes. One of our more famous sports massage clients is pro-tennis athlete, Serena Williams.  

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Most of our clients are interested in deep tissue massage, and that makes sense because it is a great way to manage pain. Deep tissue massageâ??as well as the other therapeutic massage methodsâ??can give you a lot of relief from chronic pain. Many of our clients come in for frozen shoulder treatment and neck painâ??two side effects of working on computers all day.

Deep Tissue Side Effects

Many people want to know what the side effects of deep tissue massage are. Thatâ??s a great question, and it varies from person to personâ??and it can even vary for you depending on whatâ??s going on in your body the day you get a massage. Typically, people may feel more muscle soreness for a day or two after the massage, especially if the therapist gives you a strong massage. A deep tissue massage shouldnâ??t cause horrible painâ??and if it does you need to tell your therapist you need less pressure. However, if theyâ??ve been working your muscles, you will probably feel it as the toxins leave your body.

Where to Get Deep Tissue Massage, Therapeutic Massage, Relaxation Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Trigger Point Massage, and Reiki in St. Petersburg ( we service the following zip codes: 33701, 33702, 33704, 33706, 33714, 33707, 33708, 33709, 33710, 33713, 33716, 33611, 33629, 33609, 33621)

At Healthy Being Wellness Center we offer a wide variety of Massage Therapy Services, we specialize in deep tissue massage, sports massage, cranial structural massage, hot stone massage, pregnancy massage, swedish massage, lymphatic drainage massage,  . We offer deep tissue massage near St Petersburg, Tampa, Largo, Clearwater, Tierra Verde, Seminole, Pinellas Park, Feather Soundâ??all of Pinellas County and Hillsborough County. We even have clients that come to us from Brandon, Bradenton and Sarasota!

Schedule an appointment today- we are open 7 days a week. Appointments can be made on line via our online scheduling system.

 

Healthy Being Wellness Center

7005 4th St N. Suite 3

St. Petersburg, Fl 33702

HealthyBeingLLC.com

727-502-3464

 

Sometimes mornings are hard to whip up a good healthy, hearty and nourishing breakfast. 

My own standard staples are healthy protein, fruit smoothie and boiled eggs with fresh fruit and an herbal tea.

As we start to get into the fall and winter months, I start to add a heartier breakfast menu:  Oatmeal.  The good kind- the steel cut, original oatmeal least processed.

Many clients of mine complain about the prep time of steel cut oatmeal, but I've figured out a way to cut down the prep time.  I prep an overnight soak - I soak the oatmeal in hot water for at least 6-8 hours.  Then it only takes about 2 minutes to prep them in the am.


I'd like to share with you one of my favorite Oatmeal recipes:

2 cups water
1/8 tbs himalayan salts
1/4 cup pre-soaked steel cut oatmeal
1/8 cup fresh ground flax seeds
1/8 cup chia seeds
1 organic green apple, chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts)
1/3 cup dried fruit (cranberries, blueberries, huckleberries)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp agave nectar or raw honey

It's yummy, it's protein rich, it's heart healthy and it'll super charge your day!  Enjoy!

Weight loss is a serious topic in the health world.  From physicians recommending patients with diabetes and  heart disease to individuals who are seeking to change their bodies and lifestyles - weight loss is a vague and often elusive mission that leads to frustration, additional weight gain and self loathing and worse, self sabotage.

Recently, I attended a medical seminar that focused on nutritional deficiencies and inflammatory responses within the body as a key factor in the link between weight gain, obesity and the achievement of weight loss.

Weight loss is an individual effort-- not one single protocol will work for all people.  This is why diets, diet pills, appetite suppressants and other "fad"-ish methods will not work.  

What is required and has been proven to work is an individualized approach that assess four key elements of potential imbalance:

• Metabolic Function
• Nutrition Deficiency
• Hormones (including cortisol) 
• Inflammation (food sensitivities, physiological stress, etc)

If you are have been attempting to lose weight and have been failing and yet you are eating right, working out and nothing is changing- it may be a good idea to consider an individualized approach that suits your body, your chemistry and will get you properly balanced and will address the root cause of what is slowing your weight loss.

I conduct in-person and phone consultations with my clients.  With the right testing, we can create a program to achieve optimal weight loss.  Results vary, but my clients can expect to see changes within 2-4 weeks.

For more information contact Melissa, 727-502-3464 or by email.  Visit our website to schedule your consultation today. 

As a nutritionist, my practice is built around maximizing nutrient intake and conversion and synthesis within the body.  For many, our day to day lives extracts or minimizes nutrient intake or worse, we are void of many key nutrients.

When I begin work with a new client, we'll often assess their nutrient levels via a blood based micronutrient test provided by ALCAT labs. This test is key for being able to aid the client in nourishing their body but it also can help us identify how and why nutrient deficiencies are integral to the root cause of whatever ailment or situation they are in.

What I've noticed over the past 4 years in working with clients utilizing these labs, there are 5 common nutrient deficiencies:

• Calcium
• Choline
• Magnesium
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E

Calcium is key for building strong teeth and bones and aids in nerve and muscle health.

Choline helps heart and brain function and even reduces breast cancer risk.

Vitamin D is a powerhouse - it's really a hormone as more research finds its hormonal links.  Manufactured in part by the liver, a healthy, detoxed liver is essential with this vitmain.  Vitamin D aids bone health and improves immunity, lowers risk of cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin E slows the aging process as it fights free radicals. It also reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and certain cancers.

If you are dealing with a weakened immunity, slowed surgery recovery, fatigue and any diagnosed disease or illness- it's a good idea to get a micronutrient test done.

And if you are consuming pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs) it's definitely essential to test your micronutrient levels to see where these drugs might be creating deficiencies.

For more information about these tests, please call our office 727-502-3464 or visit our website.  Follow us on facebook for more health tips.

A botanical injection therapy "biopuncture"  helps stimulate your body's natural healing process.

Biopuncture is grounded in conventional diagnosis. Based on several decades of clinical experience and research, biopuncture is a safe, effective new tool to fight pain. It can be used alongside conventional treatments or when conventional or alternative treatments fall short. It is not a stand-alone treatment. Typically, in a sport, spine and pain practice, the best results occur when the patient can combine biopuncture with good nutrition, which improves their bodyâ??s ability to heal and lessen tissue inflammation. 

A Harvard MD treating chronic pain has seen great results in treating pain with severe and often "irreversible" pain.

The National Center for Health Statistics reports that approximately 4 in 10, or 75 million, Americans live with chronic pain (back pain, arthritis, joint pain, tendonitis, shoulder pain, nerve pain, overuse injuries etc). To put this into perspective, pain afflicts more people than diabetes, heart disease/stroke and cancer combined according to American Academy of Pain Medicine. Among other factors, we know that pain is more common in women, with increasing age, and also after traumatic injuries. Arguably, chronic pain needs to be on every physicianâ??s short list of the top health issues facing patients.
 

How does biopuncture work?
Biopuncture is a therapy using mostly plant-based ultra-low dilution product formulas which are injected into specific body regions to relieve pain and inflammation. The majority of injections are micro-injections with a very small needle just under the skin or into the muscle. One of the benefits of directly injecting the area of pain appears to be a â??turbo effect,â? or a much faster healing response.

In biopuncture, small doses of products are injected in order to stimulate or â??wake upâ? the natural healing processes. The healing effect comes from â??insideâ? your body â?? not from the products themselves. Itâ??s the reaction of your immune system, which will produce the proper reactions to regain natural healing.

How is biopuncture different from acupuncture?
Biopuncture is not the injection of homeopathic formulas into acupuncture points. Biopuncture does not follow acupuncture meridians; the skilled practitioner instead looks for local â??pain pointsâ? and â??origin pointsâ? in the affected region. A pain point is likely to be a tender superficial nerve, inflammed tissue or trigger point (muscle knot).


What are the most common micro-dose formulas used in the US?
The most common products used in sports medicine and pain practices are Traumeel®. Lymphomyosot®, Spascupreel® and Zeel®.  Traumeel® is used to reduce pain and swelling. Lymphomyosot is used for lymphatic drainage. Zeel® is used for arthritis. Spascupreel® is used for muscle spasm. Each of these formulas contains a combination of botanical and mineral ingredients, i.e. Traumeel ® has arnica montana to reduce swelling, comfrey to decrease joint pain, chamomile and St. Johnâ??s Wort to reduce pain, and calendula (marigold) and echinacea to stimulate the immune system. The product which is best researched and most widely used in oral, topical and injectable forms is Traumeel®.  (Ed. note: The author has no financial relationship with Traumeel®; however, much of the published research focuses on this product.)

What conditions are typically treated with biopuncture?
The common factor is pain and inflammation, be that in a soft tissue or joint or in the lining of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract.  Each of these tissues has nerves that become chronically inflamed and cells that secrete chemicals that initiate and maintain pain and inflammation.

•  Musculoskeletal problems: sprains and strains, joint pain, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, shoulder pain (rotator cuff syndrome, impingement), mild to moderate arthritis, back/neck pain, nerve pain, painful scars, residual pain after surgery
• Medical problems: asthma, hay fever, irritable bowel, eczema, bronchitis, migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome

What can a patient expect if they choose to pursue biopuncture treatment?
Most people, unless they have a true needle phobia, are surprised by how well they tolerate the injections. Very small needles are used for the majority of injections. The number of injections per session depends on the nature and severity of your problem.

An elbow problem typically requires 5-10 specific injections. Common ankle sprains or acute injury heal within a few weeks, usually more quickly than if left without treatment. Chronic pain over many months or years may require several weeks or a few months of treatments.  I tell most of my patients that they will have treatments up to about 2 months; usually by week 4, both the patient and I can see objective results.  If a patient has significant medical illnesses, the course may be longer or ineffective. This treatment does require more patience than cortisone injections for instance because we are trying to heal the problem and not simply suppress the symptoms.  Biopuncture is not meant to treat serious illnesses such as infections or cancer. Patients with severe depression, fibromyalgia, auto immune disease (lupus), multiple sclerosis or other major illness may not respond at all or may only be partial responders.

Symptomatic relief may take a while, especially when the problem has been there for months or years. However, when dealing with fresh injuries, these injections can give results very quickly.

If you are curious about biopuncture or alternative treatments to address pain an inflammation in your own body please give us a call ( 727.502.3464) or visit our website for more information.

Whether you are into extensions, lengthening mascaras, or lash growth treatments, lashes are hot right now.

We love and carry an amazing natural lash enhancer from Image Skin Care called Ageless Lashes.  As a natural focused wellness center we stand behind many natural skin care products and supplements and LOVE the Ageless Lashes.  They work amazingly and it's a natural, non-toxic product that is healthy and will support the health of your lashes.


Many of our clients here at the center seek us for oncology related support and oncology related 
services like Oncology Facials, Oncology Massage and Lymphatic Drainage Massage.  These clients often lose their lashes during their treatments of chemo and radiation.  We recommend using the Ageless throughout their entire process and it will help support the strength of their lashes to minimize fall out and breakage.

This eye lash enhancer both enhances the look of your eye lashes as well as stimulates follicle growth and strength. The result is fuller, longer and healthier eye lashes. Regular usage will dramatically improve the texture and youthfulness of lashes.

Directions: use morning and evening for maximum results, applying a thin line of product to the base of the lash line. 

For more information about this product or to order it from us- please call our office:  727-502-3464.

Recovering from a cesarean delivery can often be a slow process.  Our services at Healthy Being Wellness Center focused on pre and post delivery services to maximize healing and speed recovery time so new moms can enjoy their new, sweet bundles of joy.

Healing the scars from a cesarean delivery requires a new mom to take it easy days and even a few weeks post surgery.  We don't talk a lot about it, but a cesarean delivery is a major surgery and one that can pose a lot of potential risks and complications.   Some of our local hospitals conduct C-Sections about 44%-46% of the time, so there are a lot of new mother's in our are who are dealing with c-section healing.

Almost immediately post surgery, we recommend applying two serums to the incision site- honey and  pure vitamin E.  Honey has been a great scar reducer and helps minimize internal scarring. 

Massaging the scar is essential within 3-4 weeks of the surgery.  There is a process called cross fiber friction that we recommend.  It helps to break up any adhesions and scar tissue that may be beginning as the scar heals.  Some individuals are what I call super scar producers.  These are individuals who develop keloid or raised scars.

After surgery, scar tissue will develop where the surgical incision is in the skin. If muscles and tendons were cut or repaired, scar tissue will develop there. After injury like a cesarean section, scar tissue will develop in the muscle as it heals.  Scar tissue is the bodyâ??s normal method for healing body parts that are injured.

Massaging a scar that is not fully healed can cause damage to the developing scar tissue and this can delay healing. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the scar is fully closed and no scabbing present to begin scar massage.
 Cross-fiber friction involves doing transverse movements to the surgery site in order to loosen up their fibers.This can be performed by opposing thumbs moving in motions opposite one another.

Laser Scar removal is another recommendation and does not require the same waiting period as scar massage.  Laser treatments soften, smooth, flatten and restore skin to its normal texture quickly.  

At Healthy Being Wellness Center, I work with clients with a variety of scars and intense scar tissue and adhesions using a special zinc serum that enhances the natural healing process of the skin.  I apply the zinc serum to the incision site and within minutes begin using our blue light laser tool to improve the health, the look and the feel of the scar. 

Often, we'll see immediate and noticeable changes during our initial session. 

If you are suffering from an unsightly, raised or pink scar please consider scar massage or laser scar treatments to enhance your healing process.

Relieve Stress & Relax with this 

Swedish Relaxation Massage Special

$40 - 50 min

Relaxation Massage is ideal therapy to relieve daily stress, tight muscles and minor aches and pains. Increases circulation, improves immunity and melts away tension, to promote more restful sleep, increased energy and improved flexibility.

Benefits of Swedish Relaxation Massage

• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
•  Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow--the body's natural defense system.
•  Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
•  Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body's largest organ--the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
•  Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
•  Reduce spasms and cramping.
•  Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins--amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
•  Relieve migraine pain. 

Our Healthy Being Team is committed to providing compassionate, intuitive and professional licensed therapeutic bodywork treatments. We take on a holistic approach, using trans-formative massage treatments to help your mind, body and spirit achieve relaxation and rejuvenation.


We are open 7 days a week and work later in the evenings.  We offer online scheduling or you can call to book you $40 Relaxation Massage today (727-502-3464)
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