Women’s Health in Lincoln – May 2023

May is National Women’s Health Month, a time when women are encouraged to make healthy choices that are best for them. Good health leads to less stress and anxiety and higher levels of happiness and optimism. In addition, women who are mothers are also encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle not only to ensure they will be around longer for their children, but because kids tend to adopt their parents’ habits.

In welcome news, a recent study showed that people are less concerned with losing weight and more concerned with trying to live longer—a third of respondents said they exercise because they want to live a long and healthy life. There is an emphasis on functional fitness, which is a type of strength training that prepares the body for everyday activities, so you’ll do things like squats, bends and lunges. Luckily for us, we have hot spots like Club Pilates and Capital City Fitness to help us move our bodies and show them love.

Some of the crucial pieces of women’s healthcare include staying active, eating healthy, paying attention to mental health, getting enough sleep, managing stress, avoiding unhealthy behaviors, getting regular mammograms, physicals and vision and dental care. The list goes on, and it is a long list of things to fit into women’s already-busy schedules. But the consequences of NOT fitting them in can be pernicious to their long-term comfort and very life expectancy.

Start celebrating by scheduling a visit with your doctor. Annual checkups are important to keep up with – even if you are feeling great. Keep reading to learn more ways women can honor this month and prioritize their health.

Running Towards a Healthy Life

If you’re looking to improve your overall health, consider taking up running. According to Women’s Running, research has shown that it can provide you with a longer life, better sleep, improved cognitive function, weight loss, reduced risk of many cancers, reduced depressed, lowered risk of diabetes, pre-diabetes, and blood pressure, improved immunity, mood, and self-esteem, and more. In Lincoln, we are blessed to have access to the expertise and products that make running work for you, thanks to Lincoln Running Company.

Lincoln Running Company has been locally-owned and operated by the same family since 1976, the Rogers family. Their mission has been the same since day one… to help people in Lincoln find the right shoes and gear to be fit, and to keep them active, whether that be running, walking or moving.

They know what they’re talking about when it comes to running, and they walk the walk—or run the run, if you will! They’ll help you get geared up and pumped up to help you enjoy running and all of the positive health effects it delivers. Start with what you wear.

“Running pretty much makes you better at life! While I have no statistics to back this up, I am quite certain it is true based on the amount of time we spend telling people we went for a run, plan to run, have a vacation that’s coming up that’s all about running and of course taking sweaty photos,” said Co-Owner Ann Ringlein. “If it didn’t make us awesome we would hide it like our addiction to knowing what happened on the latest Real Housewives.”

Here are some of the ways that running makes you a better person and employee.

Great Stress Management – Running teaches you that you can go beyond your limitations. You can handle more. You can thrive. Some people need journals and meditation, runners need a little time on the trails to think things through and find answers.

Optimism – Because runners have a mechanism for releasing stress, we tend to be more optimistic. We’ve done a lot of hard things, this is just another that we need to take a step at a time.

Community – Runners understand the value of support. This means we’re willing to cheer others on in their endeavors and we’re willing to challenge each other to reach the best result. We know how to be genuinely happy in others success because it doesn’t detract from our own.

“I believe after the last three years we have learned that our health is important, and we feel that simplest way to be healthy is through running,” Ann explained. “No tee time, no court time, no special uniform, no certain time of day to do it – no pressure! We know your time is limited – but you have to take care of your health and recent studies have shown that exercising outside is the best physical – and mental – exercise you can do!”

The Lincoln Running Co is offering Beginner’s Luck once again this year – marking the 20th year of the beginning running class. Over the last 20 years over 5,000 people have participated in Beginner’s Luck!

Running is a very simple activity – it isn’t easy – but it is simple! You don’t need much to go on a run – a great pair of running shoes, which the Lincoln Running Co. can help you with, and a great attitude, which Beginner’s Luck can help you with.

At Beginner’s Luck, they have three tenants –

1. You don’t have to run as far as you think you should.
2. You don’t have to run as fast as you think you should.
3. You should run more often than you think you should.

Come join Beginner’s Luck this year and have the healthiest year you’ve ever had AND make some great running buddies! Sign up at getmeregistered.com.

The Danger You Can’t See: UV

Hot and sunny days are ahead of us, which means we are likely to be spending more and more time outdoors. Before you step outside, put on a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. Dr. Dan Novak from Premier Vision educated us on the dangers that UV rays present.

“Years of research have shown that sun damage from UV rays can lead to earlier cataracts and higher risk for age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the U.S.,” Dr. Novak explained. “Not only that, but the skin around the eye is very thin and sensitive. This area is one of the more common areas for skin cancers on the face.”

If those reasons alone don’t get your attention, Dr. Novak also shared that UV damage can cause premature age spots to show up on the eyes and surrounding skin. Even more, we tend to squint when it’s bright out – even if the sun isn’t in our face – which can ultimately result in “crow’s feet,” or wrinkling around the eyes.

“More research is coming out that women are at a higher risk for age-related macular degeneration,” explained Dr. Novak. “I am a big believer in preventative care, meaning I want to protect my patients now and not wait until a problem arises. NOW is the time to start protecting your eyes!”

Along with UV protection, Dr. Novak recommends polarized sunglass lenses. Polarized lenses help prevent the harsh glare we get from the snow, water, or cars while we are driving. Research has shown that polarized sunglasses help with our reaction time when driving in the bright sun and can prevent car crashes. Premier Vision offers a number of sunglass options that will not only protect your eyes and surrounding areas, but also help you to look your best!

At Premier Vision, they want to ensure that you, and every member of your family, experience the highest level of professional vision care in their office. By utilizing the latest techniques and state-ofthe-art equipment, their goal is to provide you with an exceptional eye care experience by treating you like a member of their own family. Healthy vision is imperative to leading a comfortable and fulfilling life and this team of local eye care specialists promises to go above and beyond to help you achieve it.

A New Way to Workout

Like we mentioned in the introduction, working out isn’t all about losing weight anymore. Exercise is a great way to keep your body healthy in many ways, and it can also help you feel more comfortable in your body and understanding how it moves. A great way to connect with your body as a whole is through Pilates.

An international brand, Club Pilates is a low-impact, effective fitness routine loved by people of all backgrounds all over the world. These full-body workouts strengthen muscles, improve posture and correct muscle imbalances, helping members feel their best and live life to its fullest, all while offering a low impact workout that can accommodate everybody. Club Pilates offers Reformerbased Pilates as it incorporates other modalities like Chair, SpringBoard and Jumpboard for low-impact, core strengthening workouts.

“Carving out an hour a day for your health and wellness is something you should not skip. Invest in you! Repercussions from not attending to our physical bodies are vast,” Club Pilates Owner Christine Krueger said. “Being overweight is the cause of many diseases and contributes to diabetes, heart health and mobility. Doing pilates improves balance and flexibility. As we age, these areas tend to decline. Pilates will help you maintain and improve these vital functions.”

It may be hard to find time to work out or get exercise in after a long day at work, especially with a family or kids at home.

“These days, it is hard to have a good work/ life balance. Many people are taking care of children as well as aging parents while working outside the home,” Christine said. “We all have issues trying to manage our time. Everyone is busy with work, home life and play time activities. If we don’t take time for our health however, it will take time from us eventually. We offer classes seven days a week from early morning to late evening and on the weekends so that you can get in your workout. As women, we tend to take care of everyone else before we take care of ourselves. The problem is, if we don’t take care of ourselves, we won’t be able to care for others.”

Club Pilates not only has nearly 800 studios open in North America, but is also one of the largest providers of a comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Program in the world; the 500-hour program is designed to thoroughly and safely teach group Reformer Pilates classes along with TRX and Triggerpoint. Club Pilates is open in Lincoln at 8222 Holdrege St. They are excited to help the Lincoln community reach their goals and enjoy this beneficial exercise.

The Future of Surgery

Women have unique health needs, for sure, and Women’s Clinic of Lincoln is a great place to meet them. With a focus on the overall goal of improving healthcare for women, Women’s Clinic of Lincoln has been serving the community of Lincoln since 1973. They are a leader in quality, personalized healthcare to generation after generation. Their large, diverse staff allows them to offer comprehensive women’s healthcare all at one location.

Women’s Clinic of Lincoln OB/GYN surgeon James Maly, MD, was an early advocate of robotic-assisted surgery. He performed some of the first gynecologic robotic surgeries in our state in the early 2000s.

“We surgeons focus on being precise and efficient to give our patients the best possible surgical outcome. Using robotic systems, we can very precisely and gently perform delicate operations under perfect magnification and lighting, which can reduce complications, shorten patients’ surgery and anesthesia time and help them recover as quickly as possible,” explained Dr. Maly. “Taken together, it was clear from the start that these factors could significantly improve patients’ outcomes, compared to where we were historically, especially with open surgical procedures.”

Robotic surgery is routinely accepted across the world, and today’s surgeons are almost universally trained in robotic techniques. It’s been Dr. Maly’s privilege to serve as the medical director of the robotic surgical program at Bryan, where robotics are used widely, including in gynecologic surgery, colon resection, heart surgery and lung surgery. This technology has expanded from large cities and university medical centers to being available in many regional and community hospitals. So, patients often now can stay close to their homes and families rather than having to travel to access the advantages of robotic surgery.

“Impressive new technology continues to roll out, such as telesurgery, where the surgeon is at a location distant from the patient, and micro-surgery that could shrink the scale of surgical intervention beyond what is visible to the human eye,” shared Dr. Maly. “These new developments are very exciting. Our patients deserve the best technology available, and robotics have led to really outstanding innovations in surgery. Robotics will likely be key to improving our patients’ surgical outcomes long into the future.”

Dr. Maly, vice-president and part-owner of Women’s Clinic of Lincoln, PC has provided care for women for over 40 years. He received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1976 and completed his residency program at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City in 1981. He became board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1983. He has training and experience in infertility and endocrinology, high risk obstetrics and robotic surgery to name a few. Dr. Maly belongs to many local and national medical organizations. He has clinical interest in minimally invasive female surgery and infertility. He has performed laparoscopic procedures since the mid 90’s and was the first in the area to perform a single incision laparoscopic hysterectomy in 2009. He also performed the first robotic GYN surgery in the Lincoln area in 2005.

“Routine gynecological exams are a key part of a woman’s total healthcare, and at Women’s Clinic, we also offer gynecological in-office procedures, GYN surgery including robotic-assisted, as well as infertility care, clinical research, comprehensive breast-care procedures, 3D mammography, digital 3D ultrasound, bone density testing (DEXA) and in-office laboratory services,” said Dr.Maly.

These services help to manage the full spectrum of gynecological conditions, including everything from uterine fibroids to abnormal bleeding, endometriosis, painful intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, incontinence, polycystic ovarian syndrome and more. They also provide the full range of services for maturing women in the years after they stop having periods, and they work to make your life better during those last 30 years or so. They guide you through safe treatments with estrogen, as women’s hormones are critical to how their bodies function. Proper hormone balance can help preserve your bone strength and help you avoid osteoporosis, help avoid urinary leakage and so much more. Women’s Clinic of Lincoln can help you through all of your unique women’s health need.

A Pharmacy on Your Side

When we find ourselves recovering from an injury or illness, there’s a chance that medications are involved in the process. Getting back into top-health already presents enough challenges, so don’t make finding a pharmacy that is there for you one of them. We recommend Nebraska LTC Pharmacy, a concierge pharmacy that strives to offer the “small-town” level of service you can count on while also providing the highest level of care for their patients. LTC pharmacy was founded by Fairbury native Shannon Shultz in 2011, when she recognized a need in the community for a pharmacy that did more than just count pills and slap labels.

You’ll notice the high level of care from your first call to the pharmacy: No automated systems, no punching in prescription numbers, just great personal care. They want to help you with your or your loved one’s medications and preserve your independence, providing everything from free-adherence packaging, free delivery, in-home consultations, medication reconciliations with your physician, and more. They provide individualize patient care that increases safety and prolongs your independence at home. Nebraska LTC Pharmacy eliminates the need to travel to a pharmacy to pick up prescriptions by offering delivery services, and they help you to keep better track of medications by increasing the adherence of the packaging with easy-to-use blister packs. Nebraska LTC offers free at-home consultations to assess your current medication situation and help sort through current and old prescriptions, disposing of anything that a patient is no longer needing or may be expired. Their goal is to provide unmatched care, customer service, and attention to detail that far exceed that of retail pharmacies.

“Each patient has the option to choose which type of packaging they want to receive their medication in – multi-dose blister pack, 31 day blister pack, seven day blister pack, pill box or vials – and how often they’d like to receive their medications – weekly, every four weeks or every 12 weeks,” explained Shannon. “They can pick it up, or we can mail or deliver it to them. We also uniquely offer in-home injections and we accept all expired medications for destruction and encourage compliance with an appropriate medication plan.”

When giving care to an individual taking medications, contact Nebraska LTC to confirm that prescriptions are safe to take together. The pharmacist will do a medication review and contact any doctors involved with a patient’s care to ensure there is understanding all around.

Sweat it Out

An awesome gym that works hard to keep you engaged and stick with your goals is Capital City Fitness & Performance. They are a locally owned small business that has been helping the city of Lincoln get fit for the past 13 years. They are home to the only Training for Warriors (TFW) affiliate in Lincoln, which is a group training program that encompasses signature warmups, speed training, strength training, endurance training, flexibility work and nutrition with a unique motivational approach and welcoming family environment. They know that if you don’t have fun and enjoy the training, you won’t do it. TFW is not designed as a sport or competition, but focuses on you competing against and bettering your body, mind and spirit.

The TFW system began as a fitness program originally created for some of the best combat athletes in the world more than 15 years ago. Today, the training methods of the TFW system can benefit anyone looking to lose fat, build muscle and feel good. TFW is taught by a global network of affiliated coaches and trainers that run the TFW system at licensed TFW locations.

Any gym can have equipment and offer workouts. What separates the TFW system from other training programs is its culture. Although TFW encompasses signature warmups, speed training, strength training, endurance training, flexibility work and nutrition all based on a comprehensive evaluation process, the most important component of the system is its motivational approach and family environment. At TFW-Lincoln, they know if you don’t have fun and enjoy the training, you won’t do it. TFW is not designed as a sport or competition, but focuses on you competing against and bettering your body, mind and spirit.

TFW has something for everyone, regardless of your fitness level. Their workouts are designed to help you develop the mental fortitude needed to take on the battle called life and reach your fitness goals. They have a philosophy of “Bringing Out the Warrior Within,” so focus on finding your inner “Warrior”!

Get Glowing

There are way too many trends in self-care and beauty to keep track of at once. If you have been putting off prioritizing the skin you’re in, try getting help from Skin Experts. Skin Experts is adding a modern touch to the skincare and facial treatment industry that go beyond the surface level. They brought their skincare revolution to Lincoln last year with the grand opening of their new location at 4400 Lucile Dr., STE 101. By combining the most advanced technologies with revolutionary skincare using ingredients for proven results, their experts are here to create long-term change you can really see. You will be able to customize your facial for your skin and add any booster at no additional cost for any skin type. From sensitive to combination skin, Skin Experts offers a transformation worth sharing.

Skin Experts combine technology from Europe and Asia with carefully curated ingredients that work synergistically to help skin look fuller, fresher, and younger. The skin care includes natural ingredients such as rose extract, hyaluronic acid, probiotics, microalgae, bakuchiol, and hemp seed oil. These may seem complicated but their lasting effects are quite simple. The ingredients create an uplifting natural aroma full of antioxidants and skin-refreshing properties, draws and maintain moisture from the environment directly to the skin, creates conditions for the skin to look younger, healthier, and more even. They also combat the effects of the environment and digital devices to reduce signs of aging. They are filled with a gentle retinol alternative that gives antioxidant protection for a healthy glow, safe for sensitive skin, and are rich in antioxidants and fatty acids which may help protect the surface of the skin to hydrate and soothe skin. The products are always free of harmful sulfates, phthalates, toxins, artificial colors, GMOs, and artificial fragrance.

Skin Experts also offer lifestyle-friendly treatments. They have customizable facials for all skin types and lifestyles. Getting in new routines of facials or peels that have days of downtime, irritation or redness overtime can sabotage your long-term goals.

Start at the Beginning

While we’ve talked about the full spectrum of holistic health elements, don’t forget the very foundation of your overall health: Your family doctor. A fabulous option for primary care in Lincoln is Access Family Medicine, which operates under a unique model and personal approach to family care. Access Family Medicine is Lincoln’s first Direct Primary Care clinic. Diagnostic and inhouse procedures, labs, imaging and medications are provided at wholesale cost. For a low monthly rate, you have unlimited access to a physician, including office visits with no additional charges or copays and virtual visits via phone, email, text and video conferencing.

At Access Family Medicine, their physicians believe that excellent health care can only be achieved with adequate one-on-one interaction, so they are doing just that. As a member of Access Family Medicine, here are a few of the benefits you will enjoy:

• Personalized care tailored to your preferences and comfort
• Minimum of 30-minute office visits
• Unlimited access to your physician: any time, any day – holidays included
• Timely appointments
• Full access to virtual medicine: phone, email, text, webcam and more
• Annual physical exams at no extra cost
• Diagnostic and in-house procedures at a wholesale cost
• Wholesale labs, imaging, and medications
• OMT services

Access Family Medicine patients receive personalized care tailored to each patient’s preference and comfort, without breaking the bank. Their number one priority is helping prevent, diagnose and treat your health issues with affordable solutions that work best for your life. Based on the philosophy of paying for what you can afford and insuring what you cannot, Access Family Medicine offers an alternative approach that has a host of benefits for individuals, families and employers.

Ladies, it’s important to be mindful of your health well beyond National Women’s Health Month. So many people in your life need you here, and they need you here healthy. We encourage you to reach out to these local health experts and resources to ensure you’re on track to live a long and fruitful life.