Women’s Health in Lincoln, NE

In 2016, we’re more knowledgeable about health and wellness than ever before. This extends into key issues that exclusively affect women and how we can address them from both a preventative and curative perspective.

From hormone regulation and reproductive elements to nutritional requirements and fitness regimens, not to mention holistic remedies and practices that are much more beneficial in the toxin-prevalent world that we find ourselves living in today, there are many areas of concern that are best to be met head-on and addressed as opposed to ignored or overlooked. As we’ve all heard before, knowledge is power, and it’s not at all cliché in this matter. There’s plenty of helpful knowledge that our local professionals who are invested in the health of their clients and community have to offer, you just have to take the first step and ask!

Maintaining a healthy body weight is critical to feeling your very best, and is indicative of factors such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and hormone balance, among other things. With the stressful, fast-paced lifestyle that more of us have adopted in modern times, and with distractions and unhealthy yet more convenient options seemingly around every corner, it can be challenging to take care of ourselves in the ways we know we should. As such, it helps to have guidance and support from professionals who can actively help you to stay the course.

Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Center (www.pwlclincoln.com) Lincoln’s Staff Counselor, Stacy Pospisil, assures, “Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Center Lincoln is a place where you can come and confide in trusted experts. You can talk to us about your goals, which might include how much weight you would like to lose and the time frame in which you wish to do so. Based off of that and your personal workout regimen and lifestyle, we develop a plan specifically for you and scientifically proven to provide your desired results. Many women can try really hard for years on their own in attempt to look good and feel good, but with a team of people behind you rooting for you and a scientifically proven system, we are your answer! We want to be with you every step of the way during your weight loss journey; whether its 5 or over 100 pounds, we want to help you!

In fact, one thing I cannot stress enough is that we truly care about all of the people that we help on their weight loss journeys. We ultimately want to see our clients succeed in all of their goals, and when you have a team of people supporting you, it makes reaching your goals that much easier! We also teach you how to keep the weight off as well as lose it! As for me personally, I started working here at Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers in order to help educate people as to how maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent many diseases, including cancer. I am competing for Miss Nebraska this June and I wanted to work with people to also inspire them that they can accomplish anything! My personal platform is Kissing Cancer Goodbye with Education and Funding Research and I see far too often how a poor diet and lack of physical activity can have a major impact on the quality of someone’s life. My goal is to help everyone that I can have the happiest and healthiest life that they can!

While staying healthy can be quite challenging to do in our fast paced world, we have great tips and tricks for you designed specifically for your life. One quote that has always stuck with me is, ‘You have nothing at all if you don’t have your health.’ I think this is so true. Many women tend to take their health for granted until it is too late. In order to stay on track and live a happier, healthier life, give us a try today! You will only be one step closer to who you knew you always could be!”

As for what’s new at Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers, she adds, “Have you ever felt like you wish you could rearrange your body sometimes and just instantly shave off inches? Well, now you actually can! We have two LipoGenics machines at our office, which is a fairly new technology to hit the market! This is a completely safe, noninvasive laser contouring body system, and it is absolutely fantastic! This system works like magic, making it so that you can lose inches with just one treatment, and it is also a very relaxing procedure. We dim the lights for you, providing soothing aromas and relaxing music to enjoy as you lay back and decrease the size of your fat cells. I know it sounds too good to be true, but it works! I have definitely tried it and I love the lasting results! I have also used this technology in my preparation for Miss Nebraska, and I highly recommend it for anyone getting ready for summer or who just wants to lose a few inches in those problem areas to firm and tighten. It can also help dramatically reduce the appearance of cellulite or stretch marks!”

As a key part of maintaining a healthy body weight is regular exercise, your local fitness club will also be central to your support system, with professionals on-hand to help with anything from personal training to nutrition plans and a wide range of offerings to best fit your schedule and preferences.

“Motivation and empowerment are what many women have said about their group fitness experiences here at the LRC,” explains Janelle Thompson, IFPA Pro and Fitness Director at Lincoln Racquet Club (www.lincolnracquetclub.com). “Contributing to this is the community feel that is evoked, which brings about a sense of belonging where fitness then becomes a fun, social ‘meeting’ with friends. Whether it’s Boot Camp, Yoga, or Kickboxing we all know that working out with a friend can be a motivating factor especially for women, which only helps to turn any goal into a success.

Similarly, the personal aspect of working one-on-one with female clients not only helps them work towards their fitness goals, but also allows us (as female trainers) a way to connect and understand what is important to the female trainee. Personal training can also provide a sense of understanding and confidence in the gym setting which often becomes a source of intimidation for women.

Strength training is also of major importance to females. This is not a new statement or a breakthrough, but certainly is worth repeating. We as females do not produce enough testosterone to become big and bulky as a result of strength training. This is a worry that I hear far too often. It does however, improves strength, aids in hormonal balance which can result in a lower body fat percentage, and of course produce that ‘toned’ look with muscle definition as an aesthetic bonus!

In terms of recommendations, our team makes it a point to stay informed so we are able to educate clients and members on what is reliable information and to dispel any misleading and unreliable information. With nearly unlimited access to all kinds of fitness related articles, it can be tough to know what to follow. As a professional, to be able to sort through some of the misinformation and to give the most up-to-date and/or accurate information to educate clients/members for the most effective way to reach their goals is a very important part of our Personal Training and Group Fitness services.”

Thompson also provides a few additional tips for women, particularly as it relates to keeping hormones in balance and those who are pregnant:

“In the area of women’s specific health and wellness we have seen more importance and significance in the way of hormones and the major impact they can have on fitness and performance goals. Understanding the fact that hormones can have a positive and negative affect on one’s fitness/physique can certainly be a step in the right direction in helping to gain an understanding of where to start.

Furthermore, the importance of nutrition has always been one of the most important aspects of reaching fitness goals. Proper nutrition with appropriate macro and micro nutrient goals are important for balancing female hormones. If a concentrated effort is made to effectively balance female hormones through diet, proper fitness and adequate sleep, positive fitness and physique goals are the result.

Based on their physician’s advice and guidelines, it is important for pregnant women to stay active. However, there are certain classes and exercises/positions that should be avoided and/or modified.

AVOID: *Exercises that position you on your back after the 1st trimester, because of the reduced blood flow to and from the heart that this position can produce. *Exercise that may cause trauma to the abdominal area. *Exercising in high heat. *Long periods of stationary or motionless standing, as this can cause changes in blood pressure. *Any exercise that may cause loss of balance.

ADJUST: *Adjust your core training. There are some great options to work your abs in 4-point kneeling, supporting yourself on elbows (ensuring you keep the chest lifted) or short hover holds. *Drink plenty of water. *Reduce intensity when you and your doctor think you should. *Let your care provider know what you are doing in the gym throughout your pregnancy. And remember to listen to your instructor–they’ll help you with some pregnancy options where needed.”

Remaining on the topic of pregnancy, one thing that’s been in the news and a major concern lately is the Zika virus. Jenna Van Pelt, MD, OB/GYN with Women’s Clinic of Lincoln, P.C. (www.womensclinicoflincoln.com) offers some need-to-know information for those who are considering traveling this spring and summer:

“The Zika virus is a virus transmitted by the Aedes mosquito that has recently come into the public’s eye as it is being shown to have implications on pregnancy.  Studies that have been done so far have shown an association with Zika virus and microcephaly, or small head, in fetuses.  Children born with microcephaly can have neurologic, vision, or hearing problems. The Zika virus currently is being actively transmitted in Central and South America, but the Aedes species of mosquito is found in the southern United States and parts of the Midwest as well. There is no treatment for the infection caused by the Zika virus.  Most people who are infected show only mild signs of illness, such as fever and rash.  Severe illness and death are rare. Current recommendation from the CDC is to avoid travel to the areas affected by transmission of the Zika virus if you are pregnant.  If travel cannot be avoided, use protection, such as bug spray with DEET and protective clothing with long sleeves, to avoid mosquito bites is recommended.  Studies have indicated that sexual transmission by an affected partner is also possible.  Pregnant women whose partners may possibly have been infected should abstain from intercourse or use condoms for the duration of the pregnancy.”

Another health-related diagnosis that’s become much more common today than ever before is ADHD. From raising children who are affected, to onset in later life, many women are facing the challenges associated with the disorder.

“Many women aren’t diagnosed with ADHD until after 30 years of age,” advises Jennifer Kampfe, owner of Fantastically Focused (www.fantasticallyfocused.com). “This is likely due to decreasing levels of estrogen. Estrogen supports neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.  As estrogen levels decrease, and stress and responsibilities increase, ADHD symptoms that were once manageable now become more obvious. Shocking to most, lower estrogen levels deplete dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain by 30%!  Because the ADHD brain is already lower on these neurotransmitters, ADHD symptoms can become much worse during menopause.  Typically, the combination of increased stimulant and estrogen treatment is successful.  Also important to note, Dr. Thomas Brown (www.drthomasebrown.com) cites a study that showed stimulants also helped non-ADHD women with cognitive decline associated with menopause.”

With respect to parents helping their children to manage the struggles associated with ADHD, she further advises, “As the mom of a child with ADHD, I think it is important for other mothers raising a child with an ADHD diagnosis to know they are not alone.  Parenting is a tough job, but parenting a child with Attention Deficit is even more challenging.  It can be a roller coaster ride of emotions, frustrating, and overwhelming. You find yourself caught in the trap of blame and self-doubt; falling for the lie that you must be doing something wrong as a parent when in reality, you are doing the absolute best you can.

As an ADHD coach, I not only bring my experience of raising two sons with ADHD, but I also bring exclusive coach training dedicated to Attention Deficit.  ADHD coaching can provide mothers with education and information about ADHD.  When a parent understands that there are neurological reasons their child is struggling in certain areas, he/she can begin to see their child through the eyes of understanding and compassion, rather than constant frustration and anxiety.  ADHD coaching provides the tools you and your family needs to create structure, routine and organization in your home.  Working with an ADHD coach will help you build confidence in raising your child and developing a positive, strong relationship with him/her.”

Indeed, the human body is a network of complicated biological systems that need to work together in harmony in order to maintain good health.  As such and as previously mentioned, it is also essential for your hormones to be in balance and working for you, not against you. Holistic Harmony Healthcare specializes in pinpointing which hormonal levels are out of balance and restoring that balance with natural therapies.

“There are many different factors that can disrupt optimal hormone balance, no matter what the age of the woman, explains Debbie Reynolds, Nurse Practitioner and owner of Holistic Harmony Healthcare (www.holisticnebraska.com). “However, hormone imbalances often do present as, and are easily confused with, signs of aging.  Many women are estrogen dominant through their whole lives, and balancing that out is the key to their wellbeing.  Toxins in our environment mimic estrogen, such as pesticides and herbicides, and they can latch on to our estrogen receptors.  This further throws the hormonal balance out of whack, and this can even affect men and children.

Thyroid problems are currently epidemic, affecting both genders but especially women.  At my medical clinic, I determine the thyroid hormone levels with a complete thyroid panel (a blood test) and treat the underlying cause in order to create balance.  Autoimmunity is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, and many healthcare professionals are not addressing that issue.  We live in a very toxic world and it is hard on our bodies, another reason for autoimmunity is poor digestive health and food intolerances.

Adrenal fatigue is becoming the 21st century stress syndrome and can be caused from burning the candle at both ends.  As our adrenal system is in charge of our fight or flight response, our body is constantly pumping out cortisol which is destructive and also causes weight problems. My goal is to help patients with lifestyle changes, which can be really hard but it is the only way to have complete healing of adrenal hormone imbalances.

Your hormone levels will fluctuate and decline as you age, but you can restore proper hormone balance through natural bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. This can be delivered in a plant-derived compounded form that can be ingested with a lozenge, applied topically, or through Hormone Pelleting, which is a simple in office sterile procedure that inserts a pellet in subcutaneous tissue and slowly releases hormones over three months.

When your hormones are properly balanced, your quality of life will improve. You’ll feel younger, more energized, and more emotionally balanced. As it is our goal to treat the whole person, Holistic Harmony Healthcare offers a variety of services that serve to naturally balance the mind, body and spirit.

In addition to bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, we offer aesthetic services, nutritional therapy, lifestyle coaching including weight loss and fitness, and holistic psychiatric services.”

For women of all ages and their families, it’s becoming increasingly more important to opt for all-natural products and remedies whenever possible for a host of reasons. With so many toxins in our food supply alone, as well as in so many of the products that are available on the market and being used daily by many of us, making a change for the better, no matter how small or large, will definitely have positive effects.

“At Herbs & More we carry several herbal combinations to help with everyday vitamin needs, pre-natal vitamins, herbs that help with breast milk production, as well as herbs for menopause,” advises Julie Boyd, owner of Herbs & More (herbsandmorene.com). “Women need to know that there are more options than just prescription drugs to help with hot flashes and hormonal changes; we offer herbal supplements to help ease this transition.

Today more than ever, we should all do our research and know what we are taking to support our continued wellness or are exposed to in our daily lives that could be harmful now or further on down the line.  We are happy to help you do research so you can make an educated decision on what you put into your body.”

Above all, staying educated, establishing a plan of action and following through are the essentials to good health. Particularly for women as they age, Katie Tiedeman, DPT, Midwest Regional Manager for Proactive Solutions, Inc. (www.pashealthandwellness.com), emphasizes, “Education is vital to help women recognize that many conditions they have traditionally disregarded as ‘part of getting older’ can actually be treated and controlled. We tackle a variety of health conditions that can plague women like chronic neck or back pain from postural weakness, stress incontinence from weakened pelvic floor stabilization, osteoporosis, and managing many autoimmune disorders that tend to occur more commonly in women like multiple sclerosis and lupus.

Many women experience frustration with their inability to tolerate work and leisure activities. They want to be active and productive in their career and family life, but their body has changed and they do not get the same results that they once did.  At Proactive Solutions, Inc. we recognize that women often times forgo seeking treatment for a physical ailment because their schedules are busy with work and all of the other life tasks they are trying to juggle. That is why we emphasize our ability to provide onsite health and wellness consultation for women at work to assess their needs and help them personalize their goals to get back to living the active and productive life that they strive for. We place an emphasis on prevention to teach women to be proactive in their health to avoid a minor health problem from becoming a more significant health problem.

For example, there continues to be controversy surrounding the treatment of preventing and managing osteoporosis. Many women are diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis and are placed on supplements or medications that come with a myriad of negative side effects. Proactive Solutions finds a way to engage women in increasing their physical activity through weight bearing activities that promote natural bone strengthening in addition to many other health benefits.

Also, in recent years incontinence has made its way into the media realm. Though seldom talked about, incontinence has plagued women for years. Now women are starting to realize there are effective non-surgical treatments to address this embarrassing condition through physical therapy. Refraining from dynamic activities, altering the way you perform your job, or worrying about what could happen if you suddenly sneeze is no way to live. The physical therapists at Proactive Solutions can help women zero in on muscle imbalances that contribute to this condition and help women minimize the negative impact that bladder incontinence can have on a woman’s life.

At Proactive Solutions, Inc., we make it a point to provide women with a female health professional who can empathize and personally speak with them on all aspects of health and wellness. The problem many times is the health and wellness plan does is not realistic for the woman of today. We make sure that is not the case with each of our clients because of our personal custom approach.”

As far as issues impacting all women, regardless of age, Tiedeman notes, “Many cancers, like breast cancer, are often times thought of when we think of diseases that impact women’s health. However, heart disease is the number one leading cause of death for women in the United States. While some factors for heart disease can be linked to hereditary traits, most risk factors can be well-controlled with leading an active lifestyle. Our goal at Proactive Solutions is to work with women to find activities that they can enjoy and incorporate into their busy lifestyle to help lower their risk for heart disease or manage a premorbid diagnosis of heart disease. We want women to be strong and healthy to continue to make the positive contributions they bring to our local workforce.

Ultimately women need to take a proactive approach in managing their health. The natural tendency is to put the needs of their family, coworkers, and friends first. The staff at Proactive Solutions help women understand the importance of preventative care including being diligent in having annual physicals and educating themselves on the early warning signs of common diseases such as heart disease. Often times small, subtle changes in our health occur and we ignore these changes thinking they are no big deal. However, as more little changes occur they have a cumulative effect which can become much harder to manage or reverse. By focusing on prevention we can quickly address the small physical changes that can occur and minimize or eliminate the negative impact they have on our ability to excel at work and at home.”

While there’s a lot that goes into maintaining good health, it’s easier than it seems to stay on track with the help of the experts in their respective fields. With all of the amazing benefits of staying healthy, it’s without a doubt the best investment in and most worthwhile pursuit for yourself and your family!