• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
The Brain Health Magazine
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Brain Health Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Dancing with Darwin

A three-pronged modality for wellness

in Brain Function, Mental Health, Nervous System
March 9, 2022
0
Dancing with Darwin

By Kelly Harrigan

Today, we’re taking dance lessons with Darwin, and our dance instructor is Dr. Steven Saltzman. Saltzman is a Johns Hopkins-trained physician with a background in anti-aging and regenerative medicine and a passion for wellness and integrative medicine. His unique approach to patients combines his background in both modern and alternative medicine with his philosophy of seeking natural therapies and proven science. He tries all these therapies on himself before recommending them to patients.

“You can use both approaches to heal with an emphasis on utilizing what is safe, natural, and effective for you.”

Saltzman spent the last 15 years researching methods that make the greatest contributions to our health, while being non-invasive and avoiding prescription drugs. Saltzman developed a three-pronged modality: foundational care, oxygen therapies, and challenge therapies.

No, this isn’t a Lego game, hitting up the oxygen bar, or being on a game show. Saltzman’s book, Dancing with Darwin: Challenge Therapies for Optimal Health (Coldwater Press, 2020) explores the three-pronged modality, so let’s dive in.

“Foundational care” means the basics of good health. Eating a healthy, organic diet. Making sure you hydrate. Detoxing your body from processed food and unhealthy chemicals. Exercising appropriately for where you are with your health. Maintaining healthy sleep habits (say goodbye to screen time well before bedtime, indulge in a good book, and treat yourself to a face mask and tea). Trying not to overschedule yourself and reducing lifestyle stressors.

Tell me something I haven’t heard before… 

Saltzman’s next phase is oxygen therapies. This isn’t just a post hangover indulgence at the Las Vegas airport after a bachelor party. Oxygen is the currency of life in our bodies. The more you have, the better off you are. Oxygen increases cellular work, so ‘Show Me the O2!’ Modern day humans don’t get enough oxygen because we live in an environmental era of increasing carbon dioxide and daily exposure to other increasing toxins, forcing our bodies to work overtime. Deep breathing calms our central nervous systems. Enabling more oxygen to work its magic in our cells fights environmental stressors, helps our bodies run at an optimal level, and assists in the anti-aging process and fighting disease. His book details the “disease costs” we pay for having low levels of cellular oxygen.

Here’s where we rise to the challenge!

(Everybody loves a bad pun…)

Dr. Saltzman based his challenge therapy on a widely known but underutilized science of hormesis. The essence of this science is distilled to the phrase “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” (Kelly Clarkson for karaoke night, anyone?). This means a stressor that engages us makes us more adaptable and tolerant of it in the future. The human species spent 2.5 million years adapting so the fittest survived. In our modern era in first world countries, we don’t do that anymore because we live in a state of continuous comfort: the opposite of evolutionary history. We live in perfectly temperature-controlled climates, enjoy a plentiful food supply, and face no significant threats except those humans created.

These challenge therapies, such as exposure to temperature extremes, fasting, and exercise, as well as the use of medical oxygen therapies, demonstrate hormetic “challenge” therapies. Dr. Saltzman’s approach can meet you where you are and can cover a wide range of needs from reversing medical disease and states to supporting longevity and even promoting peak performance for athletes. The ramifications are significant, both physically and financially. Better health means reduced medical costs. If you have a TBI, your credit card will agree.

Increased education about this concept can assist people with introducing challenge therapies into their routines to restore health and vitality to their lives. This concept takes therapies an individual may need and creates a bespoke program for that person and their health at their current state, with the idea of laying a foundation to optimize their health to get them to the next level. For example, someone with a TBI may need physical therapy to retrain muscles. You’re not going to run, or walk, or lift 100 pounds until you properly retrain your muscles in micro movements to get you to the point where you can begin training for those bigger leaps.

Each person is unique and deserves medical care tailored specifically to them.

In any type of brain injury — whether it’s a stroke or concussion — cells die, and that area does not recover. However, the outlook is positive for the protective penumbra around those dead cells. This penumbra contains cells in a state of suspended animation with a low oxygen supply from the injury and inadequate blood flow to the penumbra. Treatments like the hyperbaric oxygen chamber show cellular angiogenesis, or new blood vessel growth and increased blood flow around the damaged area, helping the body regain function.

The current medical system in this country sets out for profit, not for health, as evidenced by the opioid epidemic. Dancing with Darwin explores Saltzman’s modalities and suggestions for integrative and natural therapies, with a goal to assist people without significant financial resources in finding better options than surgery or pharmaceuticals. Sing along with Kelly on the radio as you explore Dr. Saltzman’s suggestions.

Dr. Saltzman is the founder and director of VitaltyHealthChallenge www.vitalityhealth.challenge.com and the author of Dancing with Darwin.

Kelly is a single mum, veteran, and TBI survivor with a girl child and a Frenchie, oolong tea in hand and humor on hand. She lives in Annapolis, Maryland.  

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare Via EmailPinterest
Next Post
How Fast is Your Fight or Flight Going?

How Fast is Your Fight or Flight Going?

SIGN UP

BLOG

Eye-Ear Connection Plays Major Role in Proprioception

Eye-Ear Connection Plays Major Role in Proprioception

By Deborah Zelinsky, O.D. “Vestibular information is integrated with proprioceptive and other sensory inputs to generate our sense of motion,” say authors of a recent study published in a 2021 issue of Current Opinion in Physiology (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cophys.2020.12.001). This explains why patients with vestibular sensory loss or other vestibular impairments find “everyday activities like walking” to […]

Read more
Proprioception and TBI

Proprioception and TBI

by James A. Heuer, PA Proprioception, simplified, is disturbed balance. Proprioception is how a person knows the position of the body, the location of their legs or arms, and how their head is held. It is the awareness of where the body is, and it is learned throughout a person’s lifespan. As muscles strengthen, they […]

Read more
Smoky Quartz for Balancing and Grounding

Smoky Quartz for Balancing and Grounding

By Kristen Brown Owning your place and space in the world takes a powerful mindset. Whether it’s navigating terrain physically or navigating situations mentally and emotionally, you will always find opportunities to see and feel where you’re at in the moment. One simple way to bring more awareness to your body, mind, and spirit is […]

Read more
This Professional Speaker & Auctioneer Couldn't Talk Her Way Out of Brain Injury Symptoms

This Professional Speaker & Auctioneer Couldn’t Talk Her Way Out of Brain Injury Symptoms

By Ed Roth Letitia Frye will be the first to tell you she doesn’t sugar coat anything. But she did try to hide a few things, namely the ocular and physical limitations her brain injury caused her at work and home. West Coast-born, East-Coast raised, Letitia doesn’t have a 9-5 desk job or a typical […]

Read more
Our Children are Our Legacy: Ensuring a Daughter's Success

Our Children are Our Legacy: Ensuring a Daughter’s Success

By Ian Hebeisen 20 years ago, Mike Lang returned home to find his house empty – not unusual, since he knew his wife Kelly and their two daughters were at a ballet rehearsal. Upon checking the answering machine, however, Mike learned that they never made it to their destination. “The message was from our friend […]

Read more
Joy Essential Oil

Joy Essential Oil

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief A complementary tool that can help you achieve a healthy lifestyle, essential oils are easy to use and smell great, with a variety of uses. All oils are not created equal. I personally only trust the Young Living brand because I know they maintain complete control over their product from seed […]

Read more
From Concussion to Competition

From Concussion to Competition

By Mohammed Elamir, MD, FACP, Aviv Clinics Physician When 14-year-old Linden Perry came to Aviv Clinics, we asked about her expectations of our program. “I just want to be me,” she answered. It’s a response we hear frequently at Aviv Clinics, where our unique, comprehensive medical program helps people improve their brain function. Whether they […]

Read more
Proprioception: a Mind-Body Connection

Proprioception: a Mind-Body Connection

by Dr. Kassie Kaas, DC Proprioception, also referred to as kinesthesia, is defined as your ability to sense your movement or body position. That internal awareness helps you determine if you are standing, seated, in motion, or experiencing a gravitational force even with your eyes closed. Millions of special receptors located in joints, tendons, skin […]

Read more
Mexican Fried Rice

Mexican Fried Rice

by Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief What You Need: 7 oz. (300g) chicken breast 2 cloves garlic, crushed scant ½ cup (100g) rice 2 tbsp. coconut oil ½ red onion, chopped 1 red pepper, diced ⅜ cup (100g) sweetcorn, drained ½ cup (100g) red kidney beans, drained 1 tomato, peeled, chopped 1 avocado, stone removed, flesh diced […]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

  • And these are just the reported numbers. There are estimates that this number is likely double!!! Chances are you or someone you love will experience a TBI in their lifetime. 

#tbi #braininjury #pcs #concussion #advocacy
  • Just received the newest issue of @miradormagazine …Mirador is an age-appropriate, dementia-friendly publication created for people experiencing cognitive change.

I am contributing a regular seated yoga feature in each issue … because yoga is so important for neuroplasticity and overall brain health. 

#brainhealth #neuroplasticity #dementia #cognitivedecline #braininjury #tbi #abi #concussion #pcs #dementiafriendly #seatedyoga #chairyoga #accessibleyoga
  • Today is World Disability Day, also known as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

As someone living with an invisible disability I take a lot of pride in educating others that not all disabilities are seen, and to never judge a book by its cover. 

Someone may look or seem able bodied, but you should never make a blanket judgement about what they should or shouldn’t be able to do. 

I use the elevator a LOT to go up just one short of flight of stairs. It’s really annoying when someone says something like “let’s just take the stairs” because they don’t want to be inconvenienced by waiting for the elevator, without taking my needs into consideration. 

I get it, I look fine and able bodied. It’s easy to forget that I’m disabled. 

But this is exactly why I take these moments to share and educate. 

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know I’ve spent hours lobbying at the State Capitol and the Nation’s Capitol for disability rights. I also started an awareness campaign called #NOTINVISIBLE (right before the pandemic hit). I take awareness and education very seriously, and am always looking for groups to speak at if you know any! 

What are YOU going to do today to celebrate? 

#worlddisabilityday #disabilityday #dayofpersonswithdisabilities #iamdisabled #invisibledisability
  • The FREE @LoveYourBrain Mindset Challenge starts now! 

Give yourself the gift of balance, PLUS a chance to win great prizes when you sign up before November 18th.

The end of the year can be filled with busyness, overload, and difficult emotions. That’s why they’re inviting you to find balance and tap into inner peace, resilience, and overall well-being this season!

When you join the challenge you
  • Look what I picked up from the printer!! It’s here and it’s almost ready to ship! There’s still time to order your copy 

www.concussiondiscussions.com/pre-order
  • Day four lineup 
@integratedbraincenters 
@drkassie_k 
@healthybrainnow 
www.concussiondiscussions.com 

#concussion #braininjury #tbi #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery
  • Day Three Lineup: 
@amyzellmer 
MO Functional Neurology 
www.concussiondiscussions.com

#concussiondiscussions #concussion #pcs #postcincussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery #braininjury #tbi
  • Day Two’s lineup:
@the_shiu_clinic 
@healthybrainnow 
@portlandchiropracticneurology1 
@northwestfunctionalneuro 

#concussiondiscussions #concussion #braininjury #tbi #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery
  • Today is DAY ONE of the Concussion Discussions and our lineup is: 
@healingresponse 
@integratedbraincenters 
@kaplanbrainandbody 

There’s still time to register and get in on this free virtual summit! 
www.concussiondiscussions.com

#braininjury #concussion #tbi #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery #functionalneurology #funcneuro

© Copyright 2019 | The Brain Health Magazine

  • Advertise With Us
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us

DISCLAIMER: THIS MAGAZINE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE - View PDF

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.