|
 |
|
Our integrative health care team offers a wide variety of
services for the treatment of many medical problems, including:
AGING AND MENOPAUSE
Diagnosis might include:
- Detailed laboratory evaluation
for various hormonal and nutritional deficiencies, biochemical risk factors, and disease markers
Treatment might include:
- Natural hormone therapy—for women and men
using bio-identical hormones (just like you had when you were younger) and plant-based therapies to safely reverse loss of bone, improve sexual function and restore stamina in women and men. This can be a natural remedy for osteoporosis, night sweats, hot flashes mood changes and fatigue after menopause. It is very different from conventional hormone replacement therapy, with a far superior safety profile.
- Dietary counseling and nutrient therapy
can address high risk conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar, in ways that can reduce or eliminate the need for harmful medications.
Link to websites:
Life Extension Foundation (www.lef.org)
“I am fortunate to have Dr. Barry Elson as my physician. He turned my life around.
He practices traditional and state-of-the-art integrated medicine. His excellent
staff are dedicated and do all they can to accommodate their patients.”
Agnes J, 83
|
^ Back to Top
ALLERGIES
(including foods, molds, pollens, and other inhalants)
Diagnosis might include:
- RAST blood testing for immediate and delayed food and mold sensitivities
- Intradermal skin testing for inhalant and food allergies
- Laboratory evaluation for immune deficiencies
"Allergy treatments and supplements have helped open my sinuses. I’ve learned to identify allergy symptoms and avoid allergenic foods and irritants much better."
William A.
|
Treatment might include:
- Optimal-dose neutralization therapy
uses the results of the intradermal skin testing to produce customized allergy therapy which consists of a tiny dose of the substance you are allergic to. Treatment comes in two forms for you to choose from: sublingual drops (placed under the tongue) for use at home, or allergy shots, which you can receive weekly at our office (or we can provide treatment vials for your primary care physician to administer). The correct dose of antigens will just “match” the individual’s level of antibodies and eliminate the development of symptoms when taken regularly. It is likely that your level of reactivity will gradually decrease over the course of therapy, until the point where treatment becomes rarely needed, if at all.
- Food allergy diagnosis and therapy
starts with blood tests and/or elimination/rechallenge diets to help you figure out your food allergies. Some of these symptoms might not appear until several days after you eat the food, making it difficult to figure out what you’re allergic to without blood testing. In our own laboratory, IgG RAST tests help us figure out these delayed sensitivities; IgE RAST tests determine your more immediate reactions. Special medical foods (UltraClear and UltraCare for Kids) are available to make elimination diets much easier. We can provide treatment for underlying bowel conditions, allergy therapy, and advice regarding meal planning and preparation. Fixing food allergies can provide relief from a wide range of troubles, including headaches, arthritis, asthma, congestion, bowel symptoms, and fatigue.
- Environmental controls in your home or workplace
- Dietary modifications and guidance
- Special therapies for chronic sinusitis,
aimed at opening up the sinus passages,
treating underlying allergies, and improving immune response.
"This is the best spring I’ve had in 15 years of tree allergies."
David D.
|
Related Articles: Hay Fever, Breathe Easy, Food Allergies
“I was a chronic sinus and allergy sufferer. I constantly battled sinus infections …
Since I have been a patient of Dr. Elson’s, I have made unbelievable progress toward
a healthy and much happier life. The care and attention that he and his entire staff
have personally given to me have been above and beyond any of my expectations.”
Gail Z
|
^ Back to Top
ASTHMA
Diagnosis might include:
- Computerized lung function testing (spirometry) in our office
- Allergy evaluation (see Allergies above)
Treatment might include:
- Allergy therapy (see Allergies)
- Nutritional supplements to help your airways stay open
- Education to prevent exposures and exercise-related symptoms
- Medication program
- To prevent asthma recurrence and relieve acute symptoms, we provide
education in
when and how to use medications safely, and how to monitor your response at home.
Related Article: Breathe Easy
"I am a totally different person now. Two years ago I walked in the door of NWA scared and confused by the traditional doctors who couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. With the enthusiasm and support from everyone (main office, doctors, technicians) I am so much better! My primary care doctor has thanked me for pursuing doctors who could help me, and now she is a believer in alternative resources."
Bette S.
|
^ Back to Top
CANCER
Treatment might include:
- Dietary counseling for prevention and improving chances for survival
- Nutritional supplement therapy to boost immune response
- Intramuscular and intravenous nutrient therapies to promote healing
- Help with evaluation of therapeutic options and research protocols
- Counseling and guided imagery training for self-healing
^ Back to Top
CHRONIC FATIGUE AND FIBROMYALGIA
Diagnosis might include:
- Detailed laboratory evaluation
to assess for the presence of the many potential underlying causes of chronic fatigue, and to determine if there are other contributing factors which will need to be addressed
"When I first started coming here I slept 15 hours a day and still had a hard time doing everyday things because I was so tired. Now I can sleep 6 hours a day and live a normal life."
Lori S.
|
Treatment might include:
- Nutritional supplement therapy to boost energy levels
- Effective treatment for insomnia
- Body work for chronic pain (see Pain)
- Elimination of gastrointestinal dysfunction
- Replacement of nutritional deficiencies
- Balancing of thyroid, adrenal, and other hormones
- Treatment for hidden systemic infections
"My IV treatments at NWA have helped me get from being stuck on my back to living life again. Three years ago I could barely get out of the house, and now I work three jobs, go to school full time, and play guitar in a band. I don’t know where I’d be without this place."
A.F.
|
Related Articles: Handling Your Hypoglycemia, The Candida Question, Breathe Easy
"For the first time in 14 years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I have hope that I can continue to improve. I have seen 34 MD’s in 14 years – all over the country – and Barry is the most compassionate and genuine. He practices the “art” of medicine. His MD is solid, but he looks at the whole body and integrates sound nutritional practices into the treatment regimen."
Amy D.
|
“I had chronic fatigue and severe digestive disorders for many months. Two conventional MD’s told me that they could not find anything. My fatigue continued and I became quite depressed. I came to see Dr. Elson. The first thing he did was order an extensive blood and intestinal laboratory evaluation. Within a week, the results had returned, and he immediately initiated a treatment program. My condition was healed completely in three weeks.”
Dr. Michael S, Amherst, Massachusetts
|
^ Back to Top
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
Treatment might include:
- Nutritional supplement therapy: a safe alternative to drugs
- Stress management and counseling (see Stress)
- Psychotherapy
- Eye-movement-desensitization (EMDR) for post-traumatic stress disorder
- Hormonal balancing, including thyroid, estrogen, and adrenal hormones
^ Back to Top
DIABETES
Diagnosis might include:
- Evaluation for blood sugar control
- Assessment of associated risk factors
Treatment might include:
- Dietary counseling
- Exercise rehabilitation (see Pain)
- Nutriceutical therapy
to improve glucose tolerance and reduce risk for related conditions
^ Back to Top
HEADACHES (including MIGRAINES)
Diagnosis might include:
- Laboratory evaluation
for mold, food or chemical sensitivities, heavy metal toxicity, tumors, or hormonal imbalance
Treatment might include:
- Medication and/or oxygen therapy to relieve pain
- Specific nutrients and herbs to prevent symptoms
- Avoidance of foods that contain tyramines and other causative factors
- Treatment for mold, food, and chemical sensitivities
- Heavy metal detoxification
- Pain therapies, including chiropractic care, OMT, or massage (see Pain)
"I've learned to think about taking care of myself. I have fewer headaches, weight loss, and more energy. I appreciate the team approach. I like understanding what healthcare is all about and taking preventive steps to maintain good health."
Cyndi T, math consultant
|
^ Back to Top
HEART AND VASCULAR DISEASES
Diagnosis might include:
- Detailed laboratory evaluation for metabolic risk factors
- Electrocardiogram (ecg)
Treatment might include:
- Risk factor reduction strategies
- Dietary counseling
- Nutritional supplement therapy
- EDTA chelation therapy
is a therapy that can open up blocked arteries in people with heart disease, or blockage in the blood vessels which feed the brain (strokes) or legs (claudication). It is considered “experimental” by some, but is supported by a significant body of medical literature. It is currently being researched for this purpose by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), but is available now.
- Exercise training (see Pain)
- Stress management training (see Stress)
- Smoking cessation
hypnosis, self-hypnosis training, and/or behavioral therapies are available
"Chelation therapy probably saved my life, and it certainly improved the quality."
Cornelio C.
|
^ Back to Top
HEAVY METAL TOXICITY
Diagnosis might include:
- EDTA/DMPS (IV) or DMSA (oral)-provoked urine testing for stored heavy metals
- Blood testing for recent exposures
Treatment might include:
- Specific nutrient therapy to enhance liver detoxification
- Chelation therapy
to remove excess heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, arsenic or cadmium. This can reverse problems with mental function, memory, balance, hyperactivity, autism, chemical sensitivity, fatigue and other conditions.
^ Back to Top
HYPOGLYCEMIA (LOW BLOOD SUGAR)
Treatment might include:
- Specific nutrient therapy including protein and B-vitamins
- Dietary modifications
including protein-containing snacks, avoidance of sugar and caffeine
Related Articles: Handling Your Hypoglycemia, Food Allergies
^ Back to Top
INSOMNIA
Treatment might include:
- Nutriceuticals
such as calcium, magnesium, 5-HTP, GABA, phosphatidyl serine, melatonin, and various herbal preparations
^ Back to Top
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME and INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Diagnosis might include:
- Laboratory evaluation to assess digestive function
determining the presence of enzyme deficiencies, gastrogram testing in-office to evaluate stomach acid levels, testing for intestinal yeast (Candida), bacteria, or parasites, ruling out inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis), assessing for food intolerances and allergies, checking for functional nutritional deficiencies
Therapy might include:
- The “4 R” Program:
Removal of intestinal yeast, bacterial or parasite overgrowth, Reinoculation with beneficial bacteria, Replacement of missing digestive enzymes and/or stomach acid, Repair of the injured intestinal mucosal lining
- Effective therapies for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
reducing the need for potentially harmful medications
Related Article: The Candida Question
^ Back to Top
LEARNING DISABILITIES AND AUTISM
Diagnosis might include:
- Detailed laboratory evaluation
to uncover hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, digestive problems, nutrient and neurotransmitter deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, food allergies (see Heavy Metal Toxicity and Food Allergies)
Treatment might include:
- Dietary counseling
to help with food intolerances/allergies and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Specific nutritional supplement therapy
- Heavy metal detoxification if needed
^ Back to Top
LYME DISEASE AND OTHER CHRONIC INFECTIONS
Diagnosis might include:
- Detailed laboratory evaluation
to assess for the full range of microbes which can cause fatigue and/or joint pain
Treatment might include:
- Oral and IV nutrients and herbs to enhance immune response
- Oxidative IV therapy to enhance immunity
- Antibiotic medications
^ Back to Top
MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ILLNESS
Diagnosis might include:
- Laboratory evaluation
to study liver detoxification function, allergies, and immune status
Treatment might include:
- Counseling on chemical fume avoidance and alternatives
- Specific nutrient therapy to enhance immune response
- Detoxification programs to reduce chemical burden
- Evaluation for heavy metal toxicity (see Heavy Metal Toxicity)
Related Article: Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
^ Back to Top
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Diagnosis might include:
Treatment might include:
- Specific oral and IV nutrient therapies for:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS), including dietary fatty acid modifications, vitamin B12 injections, calcium EAP, food allergy avoidance, Procarin, fatty acid therapy, low-dose Naltrexone
Alzheimer’s Disease—including heavy metal detoxification, neurotransmitter augmentation with specific nutrients and herbs, detection and replacement of nutrient deficiencies, anti-oxidants and CoQ10
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease),including detoxification of chemical and heavy metal load, amino acids, antioxidants, DHEA and specific nutrient therapies
- Parkinson’s Disease,including IV glutathione, supplementation with amino acids, antioxidants, coenzyme Q10, melatonin, folic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, phosphatidylserine, NADH, and dietary modifications to maximize medication effectiveness and tolerance
^ Back to Top
OBESITY
Diagnosis might include:
- Laboratory evaluation
to check for thyroid hormone deficiency, metabolic typing, food allergies
- Body composition analysis and monitoring in-office
Treatment might include:
- Dietary counseling
various approaches to suit your individual metabolism and needs, including UltraMeal medical food replacement programs, low fat/reduced calorie programs, low carbohydrate, low glycemic index, or Zone (40/30/30) diets
- Exercise training
to help you develop an individualized and medically supervised exercise program, with the support you need to stick with it
- Nutritional supplementation
- Thyroid hormone therapy to enhance metabolism
- Food allergy therapy
Related Articles: Handling Your Hypoglycemia, Meal Replacement Programs for Weight Loss, New Light on Getting Lighter
^ Back to Top
PAIN
(including fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, muscle spasm,
arthritis, neck and back pain, headaches, and migraines)
"Less than 6 weeks of chiropractic adjustments helped me to eliminate low back pain."
April T.
|
Treatment might include:
- Colchicine IV therapy for spinal disk disease
- Chiropractic care
This approach uses traction techniques to gently open up and free the spine to relieve pain from arthritis and disk disease. Our chiropractic physician performs spinal adjustments (precise manipulation to realign the spine and restore full range of motion, relieving nerve root pressure to enhance organ system function), sacro-occipital technique (gentle, precise and specific pelvic and cranial adjustments to restore balance and optimal function) and deep-tissue release (targeted massage to relieve muscle pain and tension).
- Osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT)
This is a gentle, hands-on approach that can free up any restrictions or imbalances anywhere in the body that are interfering with ideal function and health.
- Cranial osteopathy
- Advanced trigger point injection techniques
These techniques use tiny doses of sterile salt water or a local anesthetic to break up muscle spasm and relieve the pain. This technique is especially helpful for fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, or chronic muscle strain.
- Therapeutic massage
- Exercise rehabilitation
This is individualized instruction in therapeutic stretching, yoga, Pilates® and aerobic exercise techniques to improve your flexibility, relieve your pain, protect your heart, and strengthen your bones and joints.
- Stress management and counseling (see Stress)
"Barry Elson and staff literally saved my life, by helping me recover from two accidents and chronic fibromyalgia. There is no way to overemphasize the caring, medical, and integrative excellence of Barry’s own professional practice, in addition to what he commands of the practitioners, IV, and allergy departments, and even the receptionists. They have given me wings when I never dreamed I would be able to stand ever again. These are just words, which can never truly relay how much the practice has helped me to live (and to want to live) again with chronic problems. They have inspired me to help others who are experiencing the same."
Marilou B., RN, MSN
|
“This has been the only place/therapy that has made my life bearable from the
constant pain. If it was not for my visits here, I do not know what I would do.”
D. Farina
|
^ Back to Top
PREGNANCY
To help expectant parents to prepare for a safe,
healthy, confident, and joyful birth experience:
- Certified Nurse Midwives of Midwifery Care of Holyoke
(in affiliation with Holyoke Hospital)
offer prenatal, postpartum, and gynecological services in our office.
- Vicki Elson, MA, CCE
provides childbirth classes, which emphasize confidence, strength, joy, and informed choice.
^ Back to Top
PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)
Treatment might include:
- Specific nutritional supplementation to restore hormonal balance
- Neutralization therapy for progesterone intolerance
^ Back to Top
SMOKING
Treatment might include:
- Hypnosis and self-hypnosis training
- Behavioral therapies
- Nutritional support
^ Back to Top
STRESS
Treatment might include:
- Stress management and counseling
Mindfulness-based stress reduction utilizes the moment-to-moment awareness of breath, bodily sensations, and mental activity.
- Psychotherapy
- Eye-movement-desensitization (EMDR) for post-traumatic stress
EMDR is a psychotherapeutic technique that teaches an accelerated form of information processing. It utilizes aspects of cognitive therapy along with bilateral stimulation of the eyes or ears to foster healing from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Strategies for coping with illness or other life transitions
Related Articles: Learning to Relax
^ Back to Top
WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUES
Diagnosis might include:
- Office gynecology examination
for vaginal infections, pap smears and preventive care
- Hormonal evaluations
Treatment might include:
- Natural Hormonal Therapies
We use “bio-identical” hormones (just like you had when you were younger) and plant-based therapies to reverse loss of bone, sexual function and stamina in women and men. This can be a natural remedy for osteoporosis, night sweats, hot flashes mood changes and fatigue after menopause. It is very different from conventional hormone replacement therapy, with a far superior safety profile.
- Natural and medical treatments for vaginal inflammation
"Besides receiving help for my physical problems, I’ve found Lisa Nicotera and Catherine McGarty easy to talk to, especially on more sensitive issues. We often end up laughing together, because we all agree that mind and body are not separate entities."
Lyndsay T.
|
^ Back to the Top
© 2005, Northampton Wellness. All rights reserved.
|
| |
