01.03.2010 The Darkness of Depression, The Heaviness of Weight Management No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Chicken or the Egg?: Obesity and Depression

In a Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) multi-study, researchers found a significant link between obesity and depression.  “We found bidirectional associations between depression and obesity: obese persons had a 55 percent increased risk of developing depression over time, whereas depressed persons had a 58 percent increased risk of becoming obese.” Available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=636477

Dr. Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

23.02.2010 The War with Cancer No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Bitter Melon Extract: A New Tool Against Breast Cancer?

An intriguing Saint Louis University study indicates that Bitter Melon may potentially be helpful in the fight against breast cancer.  One of the researchers noted, “The bitter melon extract killed only the cancer cells, not the healthy breast cells.”  Although it’s just a preliminary study and hasn’t been human tested yet, it’s good to see research like this.  Available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=636317

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

22.02.2010 The Darkness of Depression No Comments

San Diego Psychologist: Be Happy for Your Heart’s Sake

A Columbia University study shows that happiness can potentially reduce the risk of heart problems.  The authors found, “For every point on the happiness scale, people were 22 percent less likely to have a heart problem.”  As reported by the San Diego Union Tribune.  http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/18/happiness-helps-when-it-comes-to-the-heart/

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

13.01.2010 What is Biofeedback? No Comments

What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is one of many tools that Dr. Schwartz utilizes to treat health conditions and improve quality of life.  It is a very basic, yet extremely effective physiological monitoring tool.  It is a non-invasive “treatment” in which patients are connected to a computer via electrodes to obtain information such as temperature, sweat gland activity, muscle tension, breathing, and heart functioning [NOT for treating or diagnosing heart conditions]. These measurements represent common physiological reactions to anxiety, stress, chronic pain and discomfort; even depression and trauma.  This data is then “fed back” to the individual via information displayed on a computer monitor. This information can be monitored while performing relaxation exercises, hypnotherapy sessions, during psychotherapy, etc; thus making it an outstanding learning and awareness tool.

13.01.2010 Headaches: A Big Pain in the Neck No Comments

Headaches: A Big Pain in the Neck

Headaches generally include discomfort and pain around the neck, shoulder, skull, eyes, scalp, jaws, and/or forehead.  Types of headaches include migraines (vascular), tension headaches (muscle contraction), cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and what we call “Atypical Migraines” or “Painless Migraines”