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The support staff at Anderson Therapeutics wish a very Happy Birthday to our Founder, Tiffany Anderson. Her professional background, life experiences, and published resource guide led to the launch of the Anderson Therapeutics website. This online space offers FREE resources, tips, and tools to those managing chronic conditions and/or living with artificial joints.
We wish you the best in health Tiffany!
The Anderson Therapeutics Team
Aging is simply a natural progression through life. For me, the term age-friendly refers to behaviors and practices that enhance my quality of life, plus allows and challenges me take full accountability for any consequences. At my website my 3 Key Concepts to Improved Health demonstrates how I approach a healthy lifestyle.
Last night* I watched a program on my local PBS station called, Fast Forward. The hour-long program followed four different families who were challenged to consider how they viewed the topic (and reality) of ‘aging’. In the film the millennial aged children and their parents wear customized suits to simulate a body decades older than their current self and are also enhanced with make-up, faux skin, and wigs to give them a sneak peek of themselves at age 85. The question is whether the participants might change their current habits for the betterment of their future self after the experience. The film noted that very few people in general are preparing themselves for their mature years and are either putting off conversations about the topic or avoiding it altogether. The most important subjects addressed in this film are that we should be having candid discussions with loved ones about our expectations towards getting older…such as care taking roles, financial responsibilities, and housing needs. Having a living will is essential for adults of any age - a living will is a document that states your wishes clearly and can be completed easily, and for free, here.
Topics that the program missed revolved around physical health such as weight, diet, and activity. These factors are ones that we have the most control over and that have the most powerful impact on how well we age, how we prevent illness, and how well we can manage any current health conditions. For example, shedding 5 pounds of excess weight reduces 20 pounds of pressure on your joints. Eating more leafy greens increases antioxidants and can reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, and a daily walk promotes cardiovascular health. Aging friendly is up to you.
Be Well. ~Tiffany
*This post first published on March 25, 2021.
How would you describe your brain?
According to the National Institute of Health, the brain is the most complex part of the human body. This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior. Lying in its bony shell and washed by protective fluid, the brain is the source of all the qualities that define our humanity.*
Well said.
Given the importance of this organ, protecting and investing in brain health is crucial to maintain a high quality of life. Today I’m sharing a link to a FREE podcast that outlines a lifestyle guide to prevent cognitive decline. This is from a series offered on the Plant Strong website. Check it out here.
Be Well. ~Tiffany
*Source: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Know-Your-Brain
What exactly is Guided Imagery? An expert defines this method as, “a gentle but powerful technique that focuses the imagination in proactive, positive ways.” Follow the preceding link and you’ll have an opportunity to sample an audio clip and learn more about this impactful resource. My own experience with Guided Imagery has been life-changing. I’ve used this method for decades to help me better manage stress, to improve my quality of sleep, and as a recovery tool after surgery.
Our mind is a powerful tool. During meditation, brain waves move into a relaxed state. Guided imagery provides a script to direct your thoughts in a positive way. When you recall a pleasurable event such as a favorite vacation or a wonderful meal, how many senses are awakened in you? Can you picture the setting, evoke certain smells, and even recall vividly how something tasted? Both guided imagery and meditation harness your mind’s abilities and can help with pain relief, stress management, and restorative sleep. Using these techniques for pain management is an affordable option. They have no side effects, co-pays or restrictions, and with the use of a CD,download, or audio files, you can access them anywhere you have space to sit or lie down quietly.
- Excerpt from Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery, Chapter 4, Pain Management, pg. 74. by Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES
Read more about Guided Imagery and the woman who pioneered this work in clinical settings. Belleruth Naparstek, LCSW first introduced personalized audio cassettes for cancer patients in 1987 that offered remarkable results.
Be Well. ~Tiffany
Simple choices can strengthen your immune system and protect your health. Lifestyle choices such as avoiding tobacco, eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, maintaining a healthy weight, and if you do drink alcohol...drink in moderation. Sound familiar? These suggestions are lifestyle choices that have a powerful and positive impact on your health. *
Additional steps to boost immune health and prevent illness include:
Spending time in nature and enjoying moderate time in the sun.
Drinking herbal teas.
Meditation, prayer, and deep breathing techniques.
Thymus Thumping. Learn about this lymphoid organ and how thymus thumping can benefit you and your family. Check out this video demonstration and/or these easy to follow steps on a patient education sheet from the Seattle Children’s Family Resource Center, titled, The Three Thumps, here.
This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Take what is useful, investigate these options, and speak to your physician before incorporating something new into your personal wellness plan.
Now, more than ever, take good care of yourself to prevent illness, and invest in your health.
Be Well. ~Tiffany
*This post is an excerpt first shared in the September 2019 Anderson Therapeutics monthly newsletter, emailed to subscribers, and archived online. Please note that monthly newsletters shifted to seasonal/quarterly editions beginning March 2020. Read the September 2019 issue in it’s entirety here.
Image courtesy of Adobe Free Stock photos. https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=thymus+gland
The spine is our support system, helping to keep us upright. Practicing good posture and articulating your spine will help to prevent back pain and minimize existing muscle tension. Staying well hydrated and stretching regularly, even while seated, are simple steps to soothe your spine.
The Yoga pose known as cat/cow is one way to articulate your spine by first rounding your back (mimicking the arched back of a cat), then arching your back (pushing your belly forward as a cow). A formal Yoga class isn't necessary, and most people can safely practice this pose while seated as shown below. Here are two additional tips to soothe your spine...
Draw your knees towards your chest. This movement relieves low back pain and tension by lengthening the spine. And also can be performed while seated or lying on your back.
Think ergonomics! Place a foot rest under your desk at work. By raising your feet a bit while seated takes pressure off of your low back and improves circulation. A foot rest can be purchased or something as simple as a stack of books, a sturdy box, or nailing a few boards together. The goal is to raise your feet so that your knees are in line with, or a bit higher than your hips.
Be Well! ~ Tiffany
*Blog post first published October 12, 2017
Incorporate this gentle stretch daily. Arch, round, repeat.
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
