Your Overall Health

Welcome to In Health Clinic, Homeopathic Practice! My name is Reena Abraham, Classical Homeopath. I look forward to working with you! Below you will find some useful information to help you understand how your visits with me will help you in your quest for improvement and lasting change in your overall health and well-being. You, […]

As the seasons chan ge and the weather gets colder, do you feel yourself getting glum? The days are shorter, and we don’t see much sunlight after work hours as the sun sets earlier.  If you are among the 10-20% of people who suffer from this, you may have something called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or […]

This is one of the most common causes of pain in the low back, buttocks with symptoms that travel down the leg. It is commonly self-diagnosed, but immediate care is rarely sought making it one of the more common and frequently untreated conditions in our country. What is Sciatica? Sciatica is pain, weakness, numbness that […]

The immune system is an ever talked about topic in our modern world with autoimmune conditions on the rise and kids at school getting sick every other week. It is important for everyone to know which vitamins, herbs and minerals are most essential to keep us healthy. We have 1 child that is school age […]

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) effects about 4% of the population in a severe way, 10% to 20% in a mild to moderate way and many more people may just feel a little lower when looking up at a grey sky. It is also 4x more common in women than in men. If you have a […]

What is ESWT? Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, also known as ESWT, is a non-surgical treatment option for chronic plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, shoulder tendonitis, and other chronic tendinopathies. “Extracorporeal” means “outside the body.” Shock waves, also known as pressure or sound waves, are generated by a special ESWT device and focused onto the targeted […]

Millions of Americans are suffering from what we call brain fog and they often worry that it is dementia. But brain fog is when the brain’s ability to think quickly or to respond to more complex tasks or speed of remembering something is compromised; just like the processor speed of a computer that is running […]

With Autoimmune issues on the rise today, people are more and more concerned with prevention and how to protect themselves. What is an Autoimmune condition? Whenever the body starts attacking its own tissue and cells, we characterize this as autoimmune. Some of the most common autoimmune conditions are hypothyroidism, gastro-intestinal issues, arthritis and many more. […]

What is back pain? Back pain typically occurs in the lumbar spine and pelvic region otherwise known as the buttocks.  The pain can occur from a tightening of muscles or joints that get jammed due to a specific incident or small injuries that occur over time from work, athletics or even desk jobs. What is […]

Present your diet as a get “Healthy Plan” instead of a weight loss plan. People are pretty excited about someone pursuing health but the we often get jealous of someone potentially losing more weight than themselves (there is an oddly sabotaging attitude about this issue).    Also as a doctor I would much rather people […]

What is acid reflux? Also commonly known as heartburn, acid reflux can range from mild and infrequent to severe and constant.  There are many causes of this painful problem.  Some cases are diet sensitive, meaning the issue is caused or exacerbated by the intake of specific foods and drinks.  Some common culprits are coffee, alcohol […]

Allergy Hygiene Remove hat, outer shirt and shoes in your garage after a walk outdoors during pollen season. Pollen will cling to your clothes and keep exposing you long after you have come indoors. Wash your face as well which will help pollen stay away from your mucus membranes. Keep Windows Closed and run your […]

What are the common causes of stomach pain? Some of the most common causes of stomach pain are gas, acid reflux, peptic ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, SIBO, food sensitivities and over eating. What helps to differentiate the cause of the pain? • Gas – Bloating and pressure in the tummy that may cause flatulence or […]

How Adjustments can benefit more than just the bones, joints and muscles.  The most common time for a patient to seek out a Chiropractor is when they are in pain or have just been injured. We as a profession are known for our ability to treat Headaches, Neck pain and Low back pain.  For optimal […]

Running: to go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground. What are the main Muscles and Joints Involved? Muscles used during running: Hamstrings – works when your foot leaves the ground […]

TMJ and Acupuncture What is TMJ/TMD? TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint.  The actual disorders associated with this joint are more appropriately termed TMD and refer to issues in the muscles and bones around the jaw.  Often patients report pain, clicking, lock jaw, headaches, and neck pain associated with TMJ dysfunction. What causes TMJ/TMD? The patient […]

Craniopathy is used to determine and adjust misalignments of the separate cranial bones.  The cranial bones each have their own movement pattern with each breath as the CSF surges in the skull with each breath. The movement should be equal and free on both sides. One side or both sides of a particular cranial bone […]

As the seasons change and the weather gets colder, do you feel yourself getting glum?  The days are shorter, and we don’t see much sunlight after work hours as the sun sets earlier.  If you are among the 10-20% of people who suffer from some seasonal depression, there are things you can do to combat […]

So the holidays are coming or your neighbors annual BBQ is around the corner, but all of these events just give you heartburn, gas, constipation or diarrhea.  This may be a sign that you have some food allergies, our gut needs to heal from something, or it may be as simple as needing some digestive […]

We have long since discovered the brain to be the master control center of of the body and its organ systems. More recently we have begun to understand that the body has a “second brain” via the vast network of neurons in the gut known as the enteric nervous system. The number of neurons in […]

Cupping has gotten a lot of press lately, especially after the Olympics.  Many athletes were pictured with large, unsightly round bruises on various parts of their bodies and the benefits of cupping were widely discussed.  So here are the basics. What is cupping? Cupping is an ancient Chinese practice used to relieve many ailments.  Today […]

What is the Ear? The external ear is called the auricle. It is the pretty part of the ear that we see on the outside of the body and where we hook glasses or wear earrings. The mechanics of the ear exist inside the hole in the head into the auditory canal that proceed to […]

Our office used to have people suffering with terrible allergy symptoms during the spring and winter months . But this article was written in the summer because in California more and more people are having allergies due to growing climate changes and our fire season. One surprising solution to provide relief for breathing issues is […]

Many people suffer from frequent headaches. There are many types of headaches. For treatment to be beneficial it is necessary to differentiate the causative factors. Acupuncture is a safe, drug-free alternative headache treatment without side effects. Stress induced/tension headaches Busy lifestyles and work schedules can create high levels of stress. When the body is in […]

Our body has a built in detoxification system that allows us to get rid of unwanted particles that build up from our own natural processes – examples include using our muscles, hormones and other naturally occurring duties that our body performs. The goal of a detox is to reduce the amount of toxins we put […]

What are the causes of some shoulder pain? Rotator cuff injury – tears or strains to the rotator cuff muscles Rotator cuff tendinitis – this is inflammation of one of the rotator cuff muscles usually by overuse. Frozen shoulder syndrome (adhesive capsulitis) Thoracic outlet syndrome Osteoarthritis Rotator Cuff impingement syndrome Bursitis Tenosynovitis (inflammation of the […]

How does acupuncture effect pain? Acupuncture works in a variety of ways to ease pain.  It releases endorphins which are our bodies’ natural painkilling chemicals.  Acupuncture also acts on serotonin levels and it has been shown that opioid peptides are released during acupuncture as well. Acupuncture also reduces inflammation and increases blood flow and circulation […]

Prevention, Acute Stage, & Recovery It is important to note that Chinese Medicine is extremely effective as a preventative measure.  Regular acupuncture can help to balance the body thus decreasing frequency of illness.  Our recommendations listed below are useful for prevention, and can also help to kick a sickness out once it begins, shortening down […]

Exercise Exercise increases circulation throughout the body. This means the white blood cells which are the integral part of the immune system, are able to scan the body more quickly and more frequently. This will allow them to find a pathogen early and rid of it before you get a chance to notice any symptoms. […]

What is Tendonitis? It is the inflammation of the soft tissue specifically the muscle that connects to the bone. What are the most common types of tendonitis? Tennis Elbow Golfer’s Elbow Achilles Tendinitis De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Swimmer’s Shoulder Patella Tendinitis Tendinitis of the Wrist Why does Tendonitis occur? It occurs when extra strain is placed […]

The air indoors, especially in the winter months can get a nasty build up of a wide variety of particles and gasses just from our daily lives. The American Lung Association voiced great concern that as a nation we have low-quality air and it can be connected with allergy problems and asthma. One of the […]

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Pain and Dysfunction 85-90% of people will experience a TMJ-related symptom in their lifetime according to one study. Women tend to be affected more severely than men. What is the TMJ? The TMJ is the joint that allows you to open, close, and move your mouth from side to side. There is […]

How do ankle sprains usually happen? It occurs with a twisting motion, most commonly with your toes pointed down and in. Some ways this can happen are as follows: -Stepping on an uneven surface -Landing on the outside of the heel -Running with too much cross-over What are signs of a sprain? -Swelling, commonly on […]

Knee pain is very common among our population. It can occur from injury or medical conditions such as gout, arthritis and infection. What are the common Knee injuries causes? Ignoring minor knee pain – tight muscles and inactivated (non-working)muscles can leave a knee open for injury and more serious injury. Excess weight – there is […]

Exercise does a lot to keep you healthy and some of those benefits are also true for pregnant women. Exercise will: reduce blood pressure decrease cardiovascular risks like the formation of clots help to maintain an ideal body weight help to manage stable diabetes Additional benefits specific to pregnant women include: Improving the labor process […]

The holiday season that starts from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and ends with the New Year. A common holiday feast condition is indigestion – full and burning sensation, upper abdominal pain, bloating or nausea. In Chinese medicine, indigestion is known as food stagnation. Symptoms include a lack of appetite and a bloating feeling in the stomach. The […]

When the holidays are here we have too many parties and social errands to run, we can get overwhelmed. Anxiety or panic attacks can happen to all of us and will generally feel like your heart is racing, you can’t catch your breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, sometimes narrowing vision and sudden fatigue. If you know […]

Catch colds, allergic rhinitis or flu easily? There is a famous Chinese formula called Jade Windscreen (Yu Ping Feng San) which can enhance the natural line of defense to ward off sickness. In this formula which consists of: Astragalus, White Atractylodes, Ledebouriella, we often ask patients to take the tincture who have recurrent colds. Although […]

When taking care of our gut, (which is our bodies gatekeeper) we have to look at the bacteria that live there and their specific job and functions. The gut has about 100 trillion bacteria in the body.10 bacteria to every 1 human body cell (kind of important huh?)So how do we make sure that you […]

What Causes Leaky Gut? Some experts will state that the most common cause of leaky gut is ingesting foods that a person is allergic to. So what comes first the leaky gut or allergies? We just don’t know yet! What is Leaky Gut? This is a condition where partially digested foods, toxins or bacteria pass […]

Respiratory illness started early this season. Once school was back in session, many adults and kids alike had a fever, chills, body aches, extreme tiredness and coughing. For some, symptoms worsened and turned into pneumonia and bronchitis. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are very effective tools for faster recovery. They can accelerate the bodies healing process […]

Based on a recent compilation of research done by Christopher Oswald, DC, CNS he has shown that not only does a properly aligned spine reduce pain and prevent injury, but it also boosts and modulates many of the major players in the immune system.   This means that when a friend or family member starts […]

What is Carpal Tunnel? This is a condition that is defined by tingling and numbness in the hand and arm which usually occurs gradually over time.  It eventually leads to hand weakness and is due to an impingement of the median nerve which runs down the center of the forearm (when you are looking at […]

What are the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalance? Mood disorders: depression and anxiety, mood imbalance Adrenal Dysfunction: fatigue and insomnia Loss of Mental Focus:  ADD, ADHD, cognitive function and mental fog Addiction and Dependency Hormonal Imbalances: Estrogen Imbalance, Androgen dysfunction Loss of Appetite Control: obesity and insulin resistance * Symptoms often worsen with the addition of […]

Traveling to your summer vacation destination typically requires sitting in a car or plane for at least a few hours leaving you tin-man stiff and achy. Your body prefers to move, bend and flex which isn’t always easy in the sky or on the road and travel isn’t the only culprit. Sitting at a desk […]

What happens when the adrenal gland is dysfunctional? One can experience hypo function of the adrenal gland itself and hyper function of specific hormones of the adrenal gland. Adrenal insufficiency is less serious but can cause major lifestyle dysfunction. Hypo Function Addison’s Disease – a failure of the adrenal cortex which can be caused by […]

What is the Kinesio Taping Method? Kinesio taping helps the body’s natural healing process by supporting and stabilizing muscles without changing natural motion. Kinesio taping, also known as elastic therapeutic taping (ETT), was developed by Kenzo Kase, D.C. in Japan in the 1970s to use in chiropractic care. How does Kinesio Tape work? Kinesio taping […]

The test that was developed for the Book Thyroid Power: Ten Steps to Total Health [Paperback] by Dr. Richard L Shames, M.D. and Dr. Karilee Halo Shames, R.N., Ph.D.    This test is not a complete guide that you have a thyroid condition but can lead you in the direction of whether testing is necessary. […]

  The most common vitamin deficiency in America is Vitamin D. However, in a study done by William Shive at University of Texas at Austin, they found that 50% of people taking supplements are still deficient in some vitamins.  The deficiencies are because the supplements and vitamins may or may not be bio-available; meaning that […]

What are delayed-onset reactions? When a separate non-anaphylactic reaction occurs within 2-72 hours after exposure, it is considered a delayed-onset reaction.  Most people believe that these are due to foods. However since allergies are cumulative it may also be from environment allergens as well as insect reactions. This reaction is mediated by the IgG antibody […]

Self-­‐Myofascial Release Using a Foam Roller.How do I know if I should be doing foam roller massage? If you have a chronic area of injury like a bad knee or an ankle prone to sprains, you should definitely be foam roller massaging. Sprains and strains occur in ligaments and muscles when they are stretched beyond […]

    What is the Myofascial System? The Myofascial System is made up of the body’s muscles, fascia, ligaments and tendons.  It is sometimes described as a single web-like structure that attaches muscles to the bones creating a body suit that runs from our toes to the top of our head.   What is the […]

  If that resolution of hour-long daily workshops is long forgotten, don’t despair! New research shows that you can reduce the risk of heart disease by adapting your workout and spending less, yes we said LESS, time at the gym! Just remember these three keys to heart fitness: Cardio, Strength and Stretch Cardio Interval training […]

  SAD is a type of depression that develops during the dark and cloudy grays days of winter.  Surprisingly, this depression doesn’t surface until the spring and early summer, after the winter months have sapped our energy and lowered our moods.   What are the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?   While loss of energy […]

What is the role of the cardiovascular system?   The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels (veins, arteries, arterioles and capillaries).  The cardiovascular system is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body providing oxygenation, homeostasis, regulation, protection and waste removal.  Pulmonary circulation carries blood between the heart and lungs while systemic […]

  Castor oil packs aid in the elimination and detoxification of the body. Indications: The castor oil pack has many applications and is used in many conditions including uterine fibroids, non-malignant ovarian cysts, headaches, migraines, abdominal pain un-explained, nerve pain, constipation, colitis and other intestinal disorders, gall bladder and liver conditions, arthritis and chest colds. […]

If you have a chronic area of injury like a bad knee or an ankle prone to sprains, you should de8initely be foam roller massaging. Sprains and strains occur in ligaments and muscles when they are stretched beyond their normal pattern of motion. This can also occur due to micro trauma when repetitive minute injuries […]

What is GI the tract? The GI tract consists of the stomach and lower intestinal area in addition to the transitional segments. The organs are the stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon) and the rectum.  The upper digestive tract includes the mouth, duodenum and esophagus. What does the GI tract do? The GI system is […]

  How well are you sleeping?  Your sleep is an important health indicator so it’s important to determine if a disruption in sleep patterns is an isolated incident or a symptom of something more serious. In today’s busy world, most people believe that feeling tired is just part of life and something they have to […]

What is the Difference between Vertigo and Dizziness? Dizziness is a common ailment that is classified into 3 types: vertigo, syncope and nonsyncope nonvertigo.  Each has unique symptoms and all are related to the sense of balance. Syncope is defined as a brief loss of consciousness (fainting) or by dimmed vision, light-headedness and a general […]

Most people think that osteoporosis is strictly a woman’s health concern. However, more than 2 million men suffer from this condition that causes bones to be brittle and prone to fracture. Men develop osteoporosis about a decade later in life than women, and though men have fewer osteoporosis-related fractures than women (one-third of all hip […]

What is Back Pain? Back pain is usually a pain that occurs in the lumbar spine and pelvic region otherwise know as you buttock.  The pain can occur from a tightening of muscle or joints that get jammed due to a specific incident or small injuries that occur over time from say construction work, running […]

   What is Libido? Libido is a person’s sex drive or interest in sexual activities. It is usually determined by a combination of hormones that our body secretes as well as neurotransmitters that cause us to desire sex in the first place.  Neurotransmitters are chemicals released in our brain and nervous system that stimulate different […]

What is a Headache? Generally defined as a continuous pain in the head.  The medical term ranges from cervical or neck pain to general headache as a diagnosis.  Headaches can be hormonal and for example occur with a women’s cycle or they can be trauma related such as post concussive syndrome.  They can occur due […]

How was the Graston Technique Developed? The Graston Technique was conceived by David Graston, an athlete who suffered a debilitating knee injury and was frustrated by his lack of progress using traditional methods for rehabilitation. However, the origin of this technique is quite a bit older. In fact, many patients naturally call Graston “scraping”, which […]

In California, every season can be allergy season. It’s hard to know whether sneezing and a stuffy or runny nose is a common cold or a reaction to the lovely tree outside your bedroom window.  With so many treatment options, we want to share In Health’s tips on how to weather your allergic season, whenever […]

What is bursitis? Bursitis is caused by inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body.  There are approximately 160 bursae in the body.  The major bursae are located bordering the tendons near large joints such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, […]