Joint Replacement Resource Guide

Butternut to Bionic earned 4/4 star reviews from GoodReads and touted as, “highly recommended reading” by Reader Views. This resource guide was nominated for the 2018 AARP Purpose Prize, 2018 Health Literacy Award, and the 2019/2020 Reader Views Literary Award.

Amazon reviewers like Lynn L., Registered Nurse states, “This book belongs in every doctor’s office. Every patient’s home.” Naturopathic Physician Dr. Leslie P. commented, “Even though it is specific for those going through hip replacement, her advice is relevant for most any type of surgery.”

Butternut to Bionic is a story of personal triumph AND a resource guide unlike others. Why? The conversational style of the book discusses how to incorporate alternative therapies into preparation for, and recovery from, joint replacement surgery. Alternative therapies such as Acupuncture, Reiki, Therapeutic Massage, Dietary Therapy, and Aromatherapy are widely used by patients during recovery from surgery though are topics not often addressed with their physician…but they should be.

Butternut to Bionic introduces readers to author Tiffany Anderson and her personal experience of recovery from serious illness leading to dual hip replacement. Personal anecdotes, candid observations, and private details add to the unique approach of this guide. Drawing on her 22+ years of professional experience in the field of health, she has written this book from the patient’s perspective to help others facing similar circumstance. Hip and knee replacement recipients, family members, caregivers, and healthcare providers will find this book intriguing, insightful, and useful. A companion website shares FREE wellness resources and a weekly health blog. Get your copy of this guide in paperback, e-book, or on Kindle here!

Best in Health,

The Anderson Therapeutics Team

Happy World Sound Healing Day!

Today is the 19th annual World Sound Healing Day. Join us! Learn how you can participate in this event…

Be Well. ~Tiffany

https://www.worldsoundhealingday.org/

On this day, many thousands of people through our planet will be creating Healing Sounds encoded with the intention of Love & Compassion to send a sonic valentine to the Gaia Matrix, our beloved Mother Earth, with the intention of raising the consciousness of all sentient beings.

Lemon Essential Oil: Antiviral, Antifungal, Antibacterial

“The day before my first hip replacement surgery I packed a variety of personal items for my hospital stay. Besides my clothing and essentials, I brought along the following:

• Arnica and other homeopathic remedies

• Hand sanitizer

• Lip balm

• Lemon essential oil and cotton balls

Why lemon essential oil? Lemon has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties…plus I enjoy the uplifting smell. I placed a few drops on a cotton ball and swabbed my food tray, wiped down the hospital bed rails, cleaned off the television remote control, and placed a scented cotton ball in my pillowcase.”

-Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES

Excerpt: Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide to Hip Replacement Surgery, Chapter 2- Preparing For Surgery, pg. 46.

Having worked in a hospital, I recognize that staff work diligently to keep facilities clean AND a hospital is teeming with all sorts of contaminants. After all, hospitals are where sick and injured people go to get well. Even though the rates of MRSA (staph infection) contracted within a hospital setting have dropped markedly over the last decade, MRSA still accounts for 20% of hospital infections. Plus there are additional infectious diseases to be concerned about.

Proactive patients take extra measures to protect themselves and take action to prevent infection. Simple preventative steps = added safety for better health.

After an invasive and life-changing surgery it was well worth my time and minimal effort to help sanitize the area I was recuperating in. I follow a similar and simple cleaning routine while I travel; using lemon essential oil to clean the interior of rental cars and disinfect my seating area when I travel by air. I practiced these efforts long before the current pandemic and will continue to practice these efforts long after. Most importantly, I wash my hands often. Read more about the health benefits of lemon essential oil and find a recipe for an inexpensive lemon hand sanitizer here.

Be Well! ~Tiffany

Improving Sleep...

Sleep restores us, sleep has the power to rejuvenate us, and sleep relaxes us.  

Sleep can be a long lost friend for those of us with chronic conditions. Long periods of restful sleep may sound like a fanciful dream or the luxury vacation you may never experience – or perhaps you’ve never experienced restful sleep. I understand – getting enough quality sleep has been a challenge for me since childhood.  

There are a variety of techniques and tips that can help…without a prescription! 

Resting is another way to relax and rejuvenate. Yes, we do rest while we sleep. Though we can rest without sleeping. Rest while you meditate, rest as you enjoy a porch swing on a summer evening, or rest for a few moments wherever you are with eyes closed. Guided Imagery, music therapy, nutrition, meditation, and EFT tapping videos are some of the useful tools that beckon me to a good nights rest. Catnaps or taking a few moments to practice deep breathing exercises are simple ways to restore energy. Rest is one of my 3 Key Concepts to Improved Health, find more information here.

Be Well. ~Tiffany

Fitness at Home...Safely and Effectively

Exercising at home can be a convenient way to maintain (and improve) your fitness level and help you to achieve (and maintain) a healthy weight. Since many of us, myself included, are working from home and staying indoors due to winter weather, an at home workout simply makes sense. After my own gym closed amid the pandemic shut downs I had to make some adjustments to my workout. The exercise equipment I already had at home, as well as taking advantage of virtual fitness classes have helped me to remain active. Check out the ideas and tools below if you are looking at ways to exercise from home. And remember, speak to your physician if you are just starting an exercise program or have any limitations that might prevent you from exercising safely.

• Free weights - ideal for maintaining strength, building stamina, and promoting bone health. I began weight training over 25 years ago, learned a routine from a personal trainer, and have found this to be the most effective exercise for toning. A set of 5 lb, 10 lb, and 15 lb weights work well for me.

• Online and televised exercise classes - Miranda Esmonde-White is by far my favorite instructor. As a retired ballerina, and a woman closer to my own age, I find her Classic Stretch workouts to be inspiring, challenging, and they are often shown for FREE on public television. YouTube, AARP Fitness, and countless other sites offer exercise videos.

• Calisthenics - The Royal Canadian Air Force created the XBX Plan in the 1960s for men, women, and children. These exercises are highly effective and the XBX Plan include charts, modifications based on age and ability, and ways to monitor your progress. You can download a free guide for Women and for Men.

• Mini elliptical - if you are short on space and miss larger gym equipment such as treadmills and the elliptical I recommend looking for a mini version. I have the Stamina InMotion mini elliptical at home and use it daily. The nicest option of this piece of equipment is that I can use it while standing or place under my desk and use it seated while I work. There are numerous options online for around $100.

• Yoga mat - whether you practice Yoga or not this tool is useful for stretching, abdominal work, and relaxation techniques such as the “Legs up the Wall” pose which promotes circulation, eases tension, and reduces low back pain.

Be Well & Stay Well. ~Tiffany

Reducing Inflammation Quickly and Effectively...

Inflammation is a protective response. This response is how our body fights off things that are harmful, such as infection, injuries, and toxins. In many ways, inflammation is an attempt to heal, though chronic inflammation occurs when our body is in a constant state of distress. When we are injured, acute inflammation we might experience it as redness or swelling, whereas chronic inflammation displays a wide variety of symptoms such as fatigue, rashes, fever, and abdominal pain*. To best manage inflammation, recognize the source and respond accordingly as per your doctor’s orders. There are four lifestyle factors that are linked to chronic inflammation, and these factors are entirely within our control, they are:

• Smoking

• Obesity

• Alcohol

• Chronic Stress

To reduce inflammation caused by these factors, begin by incorporating healthy lifestyle behaviors and reducing additional factors that are within your control. Stop or reduce alcohol intake, avoid tobacco, lose weight, and find ways to better manage stress. If your inflammation is mostly caused by a specific condition, speak to your doctor and discuss ways you can manage your symptoms. Here are ten cases of severe, mostly Rheumatoid arthritic conditions that were cured by diet.

Educate yourself, knowledge is power. Check out this article: Inflammation 101. Also, invest time in movement. Moderate exercise (for 20 minutes) has also been shown to reduce inflammation, learn how. Consider home remedies such as apple cider vinegar tonics, personally, an ACV tonic works wonders for me. Remember, this advice is not designed to replace professional care, check with your doctor before implementing any method or making any changes that impact your health.

Be Well. ~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES

• Founder, Anderson Therapeutics

• Author, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide to Hip Replacement Surgery

*Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-inflammation

How to Combat Compassion Fatigue...

Compassion fatigue has been described as the “cost of caring” for others in emotional pain and refers to the profound emotional and physical erosion that takes place when helpers are unable to refuel and regenerate*. This type of fatigue is often seen among helping professionals and individuals who are responsible for care taking. Compassion fatigue can be resolved, minimized, and prevented.

First; identify and understand your current situation. Take an assessment - download this free tool/PDF.

Implement and practice daily self care methods such as taking breaks, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and legumes. Learn to say no and maintain healthy boundaries. Find and build a culture of support. Unwind with time in nature, meditation, or breathing exercises. Keep yourself well hydrated and get adequate rest. FREE Stress management and healthy lifestyle resources can be found at Anderson Therapeutics: Soothe - Nourish - Rest…3 Key Concepts to Improved Health.

Compassion Fatigue and burnout can lead to very serious problems, such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. When this happens you deserve to have help. Talk to your physician about options such as counseling.

Be Well. ~ Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES, Author - Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery

*Source: https://www.tendacademy.ca/what-is-compassion-fatigue/