While we all have basic health needs and care guidelines that should be met regardless of gender, there are also specific issues that women should be aware of and attend to in order to continue leading healthy, happy lives. For this reason, local health care professionals are wonderful resources for women of all ages in our community as they offer a wealth of specific recommendations and are a hub for the latest health and wellness information in their area of expertise.
One thing that women definitely shouldn’t skip out on is an annual wellness examination. While this can include a gynecological examination; it is not the sole focus. Andrea Davis, a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Women’s Clinic of Lincoln PC, explains, “Some of the fundamental services provided during these visits include a complete physical exam, laboratory testing, digital mammography, pap smears (per American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) guidelines), medication management, immunizations, sexually transmitted disease (STD) education and screening, and if necessary, diagnostic testing such as ultrasound. We also perform DEXA bone scans. These procedures are completed to evaluate the risk for the development of some chronic health conditions such as such as heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders and osteoporosis while others are to screen for some types of cancers. It’s important for women to remember that the pap smear is only a piece of the their entire gynecological exam. Those women who do not have a history of abnormal pap smears and are at least 30 years old may be able to have pap smears less often (such as every three years if indicated by your provider). However, you should continue to see your gynecologist on an annual basis. This allows your provider to better address new or worsening symptoms, adjust medications, and complete the appropriate screening exams and/ or procedures and tailor each patient plan of care more consistently. The ultimate goal is to keep women happy and healthy.”
Davis adds, “Women’s Clinic of Lincoln PC offers a variety of services for women of all ages. Some our services include gynecological and obstetrical care, infertility, genetic testing, counseling services, contraception counseling, STD education and testing, counseling on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) risks and benefits, and specific tests for bladder problems. We also offer a physician-supervised weight loss program which is conducted at our Family Health location. Additionally, we provide a variety of women’s health-related clinical research studies (some examples include endometriosis, uterine fibroids, hot flashes, low sexual desire, and overactive bladder (OAB)). Those who qualify receive the study medication, lab, physical exams, and other study related procedures at no personal cost.”
Dr. Kadi Fletcher of Fletcher Chiropractic offers the following information on the benefits of chiropractic care for women:
“Chiropractic care is beneficial for anyone with muscle and joint pain; especially women may experience more core muscle, hip and knee pain. It may also be very beneficial for women who experience migraine headaches, premenstrual syndrome, hormonal/menopausal symptoms, pregnancy pains, infertility issues, and fibromyalgia. General benefits include improved mood, more energy, less stiffness, and increased ability to move but specific benefits for women can include relief from PMS symptoms, pregnancy pain and ease of labor/delivery, difficulty with getting pregnant, decreased migraines and general symptoms.
Chiropractic manipulation to the spine, joints and pelvis is very beneficial but adding additional therapies like acupuncture, soft tissue/muscle therapy, and functional exercise which allows for improved results, quicker healing, and the decreased chance of the pain or symptoms returning. Acupuncture is useful for many symptoms but I have seen improvement with hormonal issues, infertility, fibromyalgia, allergies, nerve pain, muscle pain and general stress relief, just to name a few.
A strong core, proper spinal alignment and proper pelvic function is essential for correct posture, decreasing bladder incontinence and bladder problems that occur more commonly with women as we age. A stable pelvis and core is also important with pregnancy–when trying to get pregnant and for ease in delivery and less stress on both mother and baby. Proper neck and upper back posture for women is very important to relieve stress in middle back that can occur with incorrect posture due to the development of a women’s chest.
Being a health care provider and a woman, I can personally relate that it is easier for women to open up to another woman about their healthcare issues. A personalized treatment plan for each individual is also very important. Each person is different so treatment recommendations need to be different for each woman. Getting your spine checked out is important for keeping your body functioning at its best and keeping your body moving well as we age. Having a healthy spine and joints, eating healthy, and staying active all create a great environment for having a healthy pain free life as we age gracefully.”
Michelle Spicka, a Physical Therapist at Husker Rehabilitation and Wellness, PC, also speaks to the importance of proper pelvic function. She says, “I have a specialized practice at Husker Rehabilitation and Wellness, PC focusing on pelvic physical therapy. Many individuals (men and women) suffer from pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pain with pregnancy or abdominal pain. I have certification in Pelvic Physical Therapy indicating advanced training and the completion of research focused on pelvic and abdominal dysfunction. Often times it can take a team effort to help women overcome pelvic pain and dysfunction, but Physical Therapy is an important piece of the puzzle in solving these problems. I encourage all women to be comfortable and honest when speaking with their health care practitioner about any incontinence or pelvic/abdominal pain they may be having. My best advice is to never be embarrassed—there are a lot of resources and professionals who are there to help you!”
Lancaster Rehabilitation Center offers many different programs that are beneficial for women, depending on the specific needs of their patients. Beth Steele of Lancaster Rehabilitation Center advises that some of them include, but are not limited to:
Diaphramic breathing, which is deep belly breathing, is very beneficial. The deep breathing lowers the chance of cancer, heart disease, you are able to handle stress better, improve posture, decrease muscle tightness and generally deep breathers have better overall health.
Lower pelvic strengthening provides a great foundation for muscles at the core of the body. These muscles are able to stabilize the pelvis, support organs, and stabilize your back and abdomen and help with incontinence.
Balance training is very important to participate in. Balance training improves your body’s awareness, coordination, joint stability, reaction time, strength, power, agility and long term health and decrease fall risk.
Steele advises, “It is absolutely crucial for women to stay active, as women who are active tend to have less health issues in general. Whether that means going for a walk, attending a yoga class, or performing resistive exercises, any of those are going to be beneficial to your health. Putting stress on your bones with any activity will strengthen your bones. Moreover, women today can take everything they read and hear so literally. My best advice is to become your own expert of your body, and after all of the work and exercise, don’t forget to take time to rest and reflect on all you have accomplished and be proud of the conscious efforts you are making to stay healthy.”
RJ Wellness offers personalized consulting for your health needs, inside and out. Jason Ronell, Wellness Consultant and owner of RJ Wellness, says, “First and foremost, my goal is to help my clients be healthier and happier. To get to this point, I assess what the client’s needs are and then I develop a plan that will get them to that point. While everyone has a different issue that they are concerned with, I offer help and guidance in each unique situation by recommending adjustments that can be made, steps to take, and products and services that will support these actions.
Clarifying the personal issue that you want to improve is a great way to start on the path to improved wellness, but finding a reputable and trustworthy consultant who is associated with the specific product or service that can address it is the key to making progress and solving the problem. My best advice is to make yourself and your health your first priority. There are solutions to everything, it’s just uncovering them that can be tricky and that’s exactly where I can be of service to my clients.
With all of the supplements on the market, it is important to trust who you are buying the products and services from so do your research and make sure to utilize someone with knowledge, experience and a good reputation. As a Wellness Consultant, I not only offer personal experience but also the wealth of information and relationships that I have made with reputable sources for health and wellness products and services that can be utilized in a variety of different situations. My job is to point in you the right direction, and if I can’t help you, I will find someone who can!”
It is also very important for your hormones to be in balance and working for you, not against you. Holistic Harmony Healthcare specializes in assessing which hormonal levels are out of balance, and restoring that balance with natural therapies. Debbie Reynolds-Hughes, Nurse Practitioner and owner of Holistic Harmony Healthcare, explains, “There are many different factors that can disrupt optimal hormone balance. It doesn’t matter what the woman’s age is, I see teenagers all the way through women experiencing menopause. 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 even affects men and children. Thyroid problems are also a current epidemic affecting women and I determine and treat the underlying causes in order to create balance. Autoimmunity is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, and many healthcare professionals are not addressing that. 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. Once your hormones are in harmony again, the symptoms will usually disappear. When your hormones are properly balanced, your quality of life will improve. You’ll feel younger, more energized and more emotionally balanced. Hormones are the chemical messengers of your body, so when they’re properly balanced and functioning, all of your body systems work more smoothly. With accurate testing, and medical supervision, you can discover your current hormone levels. If your levels are low, using a combination of bio- identical hormone replacement therapy, nutrition plans, supplements and fitness guidance our nurse practitioner can help you naturally balance your hormones and feel better than you have in years.
I take a holistic approach because I feel like everyone is getting a pill when they should be looking for a better solution. For symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, where statistics show that 50% of the population will be on antidepressant medication at some point in their lives, medical providers need to be looking for the root cause. However, there are times when medication is needed until the underlying cause is treated and the mind/body becomes balanced again. Medical nutrition and amino acid therapy can help your own body make those neurotransmitters instead of masking it with a pharmaceutical that has side effects. I love what I do and see people get better as opposed to being stuck in a chronic illness path because I address the root of the problem.
I am also board certified in anti-aging medicine, so I help people not only feel good on the inside but also on outside. My analogy is that if you are driving an antique car that starts to get rust and dents, you take it to the body shop to fix it up. The same is true for aging; once you get your hormones balanced and you are feeling good but you look in the mirror and think ‘What the heck happened?’ you can also get your vibrant appearance back at any age. Not that you need to look 20 years old again, but that your outside reflects how good you feel on the inside. This can be done with a variety of aesthetic services that we offer.
As it is my goal to treat the whole person, Holistic Harmony Healthcare offers a variety of services that serve to balance the mind, body and spirit. This includes aesthetic services, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, a holistic bar full of items that provide nutritional support and detoxification options, nutrition therapy, lifestyle coaching including weight loss and fitness, and psychiatric services.”
Hormones also play a key role in your oral health and wellness. Everyone needs to take care of their oral health, but female hormones can lead to an increase in some problems, such as:
• Cold sores and canker sores • Dry mouth
• Changes in taste • Higher risk of gum disease
The health of your mouth and teeth can be a sign of your body’s overall health. Many diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and some eating disorders are linked with oral health problems. Regular dental exams help you maintain good oral health and avoid related health problems. Women may be more susceptible to oral health problems because of the unique hormonal changes they experience. There are five situations in a women’s life during which hormone fluctuations make them more susceptible to oral health problems – during puberty, at certain points in the monthly menstrual cycle, when using birth control pills, during pregnancy, and at menopause. Hormones not only affect the blood supply to the gum tissue, but also the body’s response to the toxins (poisons) that result from plaque buildup. As a result of these changes, women are more prone to the development of periodontal (gum) disease at certain stages of their lives, as well as to other oral health problems. Taking good care of your teeth and gums can help you avoid or lessen oral health problems.
Sometimes simply getting a dose of fresh air, relaxation, and spending time laughing with friends can be ‘just what the doctor ordered.’ Drew Philippi, owner of Group Therapy Bike Tours, explains, “It’s our belief that taking one ride on Group Therapy Bike Tours for two hours will help anyone experience maximum stress relief. A little fresh air, great company and good times can go a long way in contributing to an individual’s overall wellness. We take people out of their busy, stressful lives and submerge them into the therapeutic outdoors, while providing them an opportunity for exercise and social interaction.” Group Therapy provides tours in the Lincoln area, with pre-planned routes and itineraries available, but they are also able to customize a tour just for you. They can bring the pedal-powered trolley that accommodates 15 passengers (six on each side and a bench seat that fits three) to any destination, and always provide a sober driver who is responsible for ensuring a good time is had by all!
Women’s wellness, health issues, risk factors and preventative care are constantly evolving, and with this ongoing process there is always more to learn and consider when making the best decisions regarding your health. We encourage all women to be proactive about their health and wellness, and to utilize all of the knowledge and tools that are available to them, so that their future is bright—and healthy!