Alternative Medicine Options in SWLA

The term alternative medicine is subjective and, from doctor to doctor, can vary. Here in the United States, it generally refers to treatment options for disease that aren’t considered mainstream and typically don’t involve pharmaceuticals. Harnessing the power of natural components and the human body itself, practitioners in Southwest Louisiana are bringing new options to patients.

Soak Up the Sounds for Better Health

by Angie Kay Dilmore

We all know how relaxing a warm bath can be, but there’s another type of bathing that can ease stress and anxiety, bring peace of mind, and promote healing – sound bathing.

Lissee Spiller, certified sound healing facilitator, says, “Sound baths allow our minds and bodies to rest and recharge so that we can function and move through life in a calm, focused, and balanced way.”

According to Spiller, sound bathing has been around for thousands of years. “Evidence of using sound for healing was found in Egyptian pyramids. Ancient cultures used different sound instruments for healing, as well as ceremonies. Native Americans used flutes and drums; the Aboriginal peoples used didgeridoos (long, large flute like instruments).”

Also called sound immersion or sound healing, this time-honored practice can have both mental and physical health benefits. A 2020 research review sourced from the National Institutes of Health indicated that sound immersion with Tibetan singing bowls decreased tension, anger, and confusion and improved mood in study participants. Sound immersion has also been shown to reduce pain and improve blood pressure and heart rate.

Spiller says that while sound healing has long been known to help people, it has only recently been scientifically studied for its benefits and become more mainstream. “Both the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic use sound to reduce pain and lower anxiety in patients. Sound is used in hospice care and cancer survivor support groups with great success.”

Sound immersion is different from simply listening to music. A session includes guided meditation by a trained professional who uses various sound healing instruments that produce deep, overlapping vibrations such as gongs, bells, Tibetan bowls, drums, flutes, chimes, and quartz crystal bowls infused with gemstones and minerals while participants lie in a comfortable position. The key is not only hearing but “feeling” the sound vibrations. Sound bathing is a full body listening experience where the mind and body are immersed into sounds and frequencies from the instruments. Spiller uses a “binaural beats” technique that creates an illusion in the brain by listening to two tones with slightly different frequencies at the same time. “This immersion allows all the senses to hear and feel the healing frequencies, thus balancing the body and mind into a calmer state. In this relaxed state we can respond to life’s situations instead of constantly reacting. The benefits of a sound immersion class are felt in the mind and body well after the class has ended. It is something that must be experienced in person for a full understanding and feeling of the benefits.”

Spiller adds that there is no single correct way to experience a sound bath. “Each experience is unique to and for the participant. It is about what resonates with a participant in that moment in time. Our bodies know what they need to balance themselves. By allowing ourselves to rest in the sounds, we give our body a chance to calm and balance itself.”

Lissee Spiller offers sound immersion sessions across South Louisiana and locally at Edgemont Healing Center, 1800 Kirkman St., Lake Charles. For more information on sound immersion or to check Spiller’s class schedule, go to lisseespiller.com or find her on Facebook.

Beyond Your Smile: An Introduction to Biological Dentistry

by Taylor Trahan Henry

By and large, trends indicate that people are becoming more aware of their health and the impact that medical treatment options can have on it – dentistry is no exception. There’s a need for practitioners who offer specialized services that go beyond traditional dentistry and utilize safer, less invasive, and less toxic treatment options.

“Many people are aware of the tooth-body connection, and they are looking for the least toxic treatment options,” says Dr. Michelle Corcoran, owner and dentist at Peppermint Sage Dental Wellness. “I always tell my patients that God is the greatest creator of teeth.  I cannot fix your teeth as well as He made them, but I can try to use the safest and most biocompatible options available to us while correcting any problems I see.”

Biological dentistry isn’t an attempt to stake out a new specialty for dentistry – it’s a philosophy that can be applied to all facets of dental health. Practitioners are always seeking the safest, least toxic way to accomplish the treatment needs of the patient, and they’re doing so while minimizing the impact on the patient’s whole-body health. Education is a big part of that. “Biological dentistry emphasizes the prevention of oral diseases,” says Dr. Corcoran. “It focuses on educating patients about how their oral health impacts their overall health.”

Treatment options available include things like dental ozone therapy, silver diamine fluoride, BPA-Free white fillings, and ICON resin infiltrate. “I actually got started down the path to biological dentistry at a conference focused on dental ozone therapy,” says Dr. Corcoran. “My eyes were opened up to a different approach to restoring patients’ teeth and helping them maintain overall oral health.” 

One of the most common assessments being performed in the office today are Airway assessments. “So many people suffer from sleep disordered breathing and it can wreck havoc on your daytime life too,” says Dr. Corcoran. “When they come in for that initial assessment, I am looking at their bite, TMJ, checking for tongue ties, swallowing patterns, and asking about snoring habits.” In children, sleep disordered breathing can cause bed wetting, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, or showing signs of ADHD. Patients who are not compliant with the use of their CPAP may also be looking for an alternative option to get a goods night rest. 

Treating the health of the mouth through preventative and restorative treatments is the same as in traditional dentistry. However, advances in modern dentistry have illuminated new, more natural materials and procedures for treatment. “My kids are probably the key factor that led me down this alternative dental care path,” Dr. Corcoran says. “For instance, that’s how I found out about the incredible benefits of silver diamine fluoride, and its use in treating early cavities. As a mother, I want the best care for my family. And as a dentist, I want the best care for your family, too.”

Peppermint Sage Dental Wellness is located at 632 W. McNeese St. in Lake Charles. To learn more about their services or schedule an appointment, visit www.peppermintsage.com or call 337-478-2960.

Count on Cannabis: How Medical Marijuana is Treating Patients

by Taylor Trahan Henry

In 2019, Louisiana legalized and began allowing for the dispensing of medical marijuana under the recommendation of physicians. Nine pharmacies were awarded a license from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to distribute and dispense medical marijuana to qualified patients. Medicis Pharmacy, located in Lake Charles, was awarded the license in the Southwest region which includes Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes.

Later, in August of 2020, medical marijuana cleared another hurdle when physicians became able to recommend cannabis for any illness that they considered debilitating to their patients. Dr. John Condos, owner of Medicis Pharmacy, says while there were misconceptions in the beginning, the Lake Charles based pharmacy has grown to be a trusted and needed resource for the community. “Our facility is safe, clean, and staffed with knowledgeable people,” he says. “There isn’t a stigma, as many assume, around this type of treatment. If you think it may be for you, try it out.”

While cannabis is not able to cure illness, its expansive properties have proven to help patients become less dependent on harsher medications and provide a higher quality of life with the relief of debilitating symptoms. “We are seeing patients be able to remove several or all pharmaceuticals from their regimen and replace it with cannabis,” says James Thibodeaux, pharmacist at Medicis. “The positive impacts are helping people get their lives back – better sleep, pain relief, increased appetite, reduction of nausea, and improved mood.”

There are many reasons a patient and their doctor may consider cannabis as a treatment option. Some common ailments include chronic pain, glaucoma, Parkinson’s, cancer, seizure disorders, PTSD, and muscular dystrophy. Just as with regular medicines, medical marijuana is dispensed under recommendation of a physician and through a licensed pharmacist and pharmacy techs. “When you go into the pharmacy, there is someone available to speak with you regarding dosage, drug interactions, and any other questions you may have,” Dr. Condos says. “The products being dispensed are tested and safe.” Cannabis, CBD, and THC are available in various formats – including but not limited to flower, oils, creams, edibles, and vapes.

The battle for legalization of medicinal marijuana wasn’t a short one and, even after passing, still contained a huge educational component for the public. “We are seeing more and more local physicians recommending usage because they believe in it and their patients are inquiring about it,” Dr. Condos says. “It’s not taboo, it’s not dirty. It’s something in the treatment toolbelt that is impacting lives in a meaningful way.” Telehealth evaluations are even available for those wishing to consult with a physician.

Medicis Pharmacy is located in at 1747 Imperial Boulevard in Lake Charles. Recently announced plans will also bring them to Jennings. For more information, visit www.medicispharmacy.com or call 337-420-8420.