Hammond-Beyer Health Center

Sweaty Stinky Icky feet?

Dr. Kim Hammond-Beyer — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:05:23 +0000

Treat Your Feet…and your shoes

Soothing & Purifying Body Powder

Keep your feet purified and fresh with an all-natural powder. Sprinkle on feet and toes or in shoes during and after running, walking, hiking and cycling. This powder can also work as a deodorant all-over body powder.

½ cup cornstarch
½ cup baking soda
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops sweet orange essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil

Sift or whisk together cornstarch and baking powder. Sprinkle with essential oils and whisk/sift again. Store in a jar with a perforated sifter top.

Grapefruit Tea Tree Foot Bath

Turn any down time in front of the TV or reading a book into a rejuvenating spa experience with this easy foot bath. A great purifying treatment, this will revitalize the whole body while softening calloused heals and toes. Follow up with a foot scrub.

1/3 cup sea salt
12 drops grapefruit oil
6 drops tea tree oil
basin of very warm water

Sprinkle sea salt with oils and mix. Dissolve into basin of water and soak feet for 15 to 20 minutes.

ALL ESSENTIAL OILS ARE AVAILABLE HERE AT HBHC!

Statin Drugs Increase Diabetes Risk

Dr. Kim Hammond-Beyer — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:34:29 +0000

Most of us have heard about the muscle, liver, kidney, and neurological consequences of statin use, varying from mild to permanent damage to, in very rare cases, death. Now there’s another concern. A study of 161,808 post-menopausal women studied over a minimum of eight years showed an increased incidence of Type 2/adult onset diabetes in those taking statin drugs.

Use of statin medications to lower cholesterol by post menopausal women was shown to significantly increase the risk of developing type II diabetes in this population, according to a recent study. (Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(2):144-152. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.625) An increased risk ratio of 1.71 was found among statin users...this means you have almost twice (well, 1 3/4 is more acurate) the risk of developing diabetes if you are on a statin drug.

It is common knowledge that type II diabetes increases ones chance of experiencing a major cardiovascular event and all the other consequences of diabetes, including kidney failure, peripheral neuropathy, and blindness.

Lifestyle changes are essential for reducing your risk of heart disease, whether you take a statin or not. Lifestyle changes you should consider making include quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet that’s low in white flour, sugars, and fat (especially saturated and trans fats), exercising 30 minutes a day on most days of the week, managing stress effectively (massage, mind-body therapy, counseling, and hypnotherapy all available here at HBHC), and taking appropriate nutritional supplements.

Our nutritionist, Beth Kelley, can help you design a diet to lower cholesterol and reduce blood sugar levels at the same time, minimizing diabetes risk. You also can consult with Beth or one of our chiropractors, Dr. Jay or Dr. Kim, about what supplements may work for you. At the very least, all people on statins should also be taking CoEnzyme Q10, a powerful anti-oxidents whose levels are decreased by statin use. Scientists believe free radicals contribute to the aging process, as well as a number of health problems, including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants, such as CoQ10, can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.

Other natural cholesterol reducers include red yeast rice, increasing fiber in your diet, tumeric, niacin, garlic, weight loss, low glycemic foods(low white flour, low sugars, agave or stevia instead of sugar), avoiding processed and fast foods, and regular exercise.

Reference: Statin Use and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women in the Women’s Health Initiative. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/archinternmed.2011.625
Read more: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/coenzyme-q10-000295.htm#ixzz1sKCeyevK; b http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03028/High-Cholesterol.html

Dr. Jay Performs, Construction Update, and Help Wanted

Dr. Kim Hammond-Beyer — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:07:41 +0000

It’s March, and spring is upon us. And pollen is upon us, our cars, everywhere! The Triple Crown Horse Events start this weekend here in Aiken, SC with the Aiken Trials on Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day. Dr. Jay Rising is moonlighting as a professional musician, playing his clarinet with the Aiken Big Band for their St. Patrick’s Day Dance from 8pm-11pm at Aiken Electric Coop. Tickets are still available! Dr. Kim (me) and her husband are looking forward to the big band music and maybe even dancing a dance or two. You can stop by the office for tickets, which are $18 per person. This is a no alcohol venue, and good times will be had by all, if previous performances I’ve attended are anything to go by.

And construction is ALMOST OVER! Building has new windows, new siding, painting is almost complete. Landscaping has begun. We have regained our quiet calm atmosphere that was quite challenged by the noise and disruption of our normal routine.

We are looking for a part-time afternoon/evening shift front desk person. Should you or anyone you know be interested, please send resume to hbhealth@aol.com, or come by the office to fill out an application.

Check out our special for March…20% of all muscle, bone, and joint supplements! This includes our patient favorite, Formula 303, a natural muscle relaxer and tension relief. And all other supplements and topicals, including another favorite, BioFreeze!

Construction Zone!

Dr. Kim Hammond-Beyer — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:25:08 +0000

We are getting a much needed and appreciated face-lift! Our landlord, Dr. Maria Glinski (downstairs in Animal Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Clinic), is in the process of repairing and updating this 1970′s building. We have new windows and are in the process of getting new siding. We also have a new landscape plan being put in place. Our blinds haven’t arrived yet, so we’ve had to be a bit creative with window dressing…let’s just say that we’re putting our sheets and table coverings to good alternate use.

Please excuse our mess as our building and grounds are beautified. We are open for business as usual!

February’s Here!

Dr. Kim Hammond-Beyer — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:39:48 +0000

We’ve got great specials for February and Valentine’s Day! All aromatherapy products are 20% off. This includes all the essential oils, lotions, massage and skin care oils, and specialty wellness products, as well as diffusers. And especially for Valentine’s, we also have Massage Gifts certificates 20% off! This is one gift that is always appreciated, and is great for anyone on your list, regardless of age, gender, religion, disability, political views (thought I’d mention that in this election year ) …and we use fragrance free lotions for any clients with asthma or environmental sensitivity. Sounds like it’s also perfect for the person you should love the most- yourself!

Take advantage of these mild days to get outside and walk, or just enjoy nature. I’ve been reading about nature therapy/environmental therapy lately. It turns out that spending time in a natural environment may be a critical ingredient for healthy humans. Research is confirming what many of us have suspected; time in the outdoors, in contact with the earth whether it’s grass or dirt or pine straw promotes not just mental health, but physical well-being, too.

It’s especially being researched for kids with ADHD with great results. We are lucky in Aiken to not only have good city parks and recreational facilities, but we also have the huge and beautiful natural area of Hitchcock Woods. And when you add in the fact that most of us, even here in the sunny south, are deficient in Vitamin D….that’s even more impetus to go outside. So make your body, mind, emotions, and spirit happy: GO OUT AND PLAY (or read, write, listen, feel, think, draw, paint…just go outside!)