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Happy Thursday All!
Here's an interesting study on the comparison of costs and outcomes in patients experiencing #irritablebowelsyndrome (IBS). It shows that there is a "misalignment between patient and insurer IBS treatment preferences in practice." As an #integrativemedicine #doctor, I err on the side of natural remedies and #lifestylemedicine prior to recommending costly medications. Interestingly, the patients studied in this research preferred pharmacotherapy (medications). My Take: There are tons of helpful, low-cost interventions such as enteric-coated #peppermintoil, low FODMAPs diet, #cognitivebehavioraltherapy, #exerciseasmedicine and #acupuncture that can help improve IBS. As a nation, we must embrace dietary change, lifestyle modification and overall #preventivemedicine if we want to survive economically. What have you tried for your #IBS? #functionalmedicine #medicine #physicians #wellness #healing #nutrition #health #healthylifestyle #doctors #healthcaredelivery #IBS https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(20)31373-2/fulltext#.X5IrrsF9st8.linkedin
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Hey All,   Hi! How are you?
Welcome to my blog! It's been a while since I introduced myself, so I thought I'd take a moment to do so. I'm Ashley Maltz, MD. I'm a Board-Certified Internal and Integrative Medicine Physician practicing in Austin, Texas. Although I was trained as an allopathic physician (MD), I specialize in holistic (meaning whole-person) and natural care of individuals aged 16 & up. I believe that the body has the ability to heal itself when given the right building blocks --> proper nutrients, beliefs, emotions, movement, etc., but I also have allopathic medical tools at my disposal (aka, medications!) for when they are needed. Unfortunately, it is not so easy to provide the body with all it needs for optimal functioning in the current world we live in. We are unfortunately inundated with toxins like sugar, heavy metals, pollutants and chemicals from things like plastics. But, do not fret! I do not believe we have to live underground or off the grid to live happy, healthy lives. And I'm here to help be an example of this. I'm also here to guide you in your pursuit of health and plan to share moments of inspiration and knowledge here and on my social media pages regularly. You can read more about me in the About section of my website. Please reach out should you want more information about how I practice or just to say hi! I love to connect! Best wishes, Dr. M  Let’s talk about my most favorite mineral on the —> MAGNESIUM! . Magnesium is an elemental mineral found in the earth that, when absorbed in to the body at high enough doses, helps the body with: - Energy/ATP production - we NEED magnesium in the Krebs cycle to create these powerful nuggets of energy that we LIVE ON! . - Calming of the mind due to its relaxation effects. - Muscle relaxation —> adios muscle tension and pain! . - Improved digestion (depending on the form chosen) If you’re like me, you may be asking yourself how to get magnesium naturally and why am I not getting enough through my diet❓ There are MANY reasons for the lack of magnesium in our diets (mostly depletion of our soil from over farming) along with a ton of food-based sources of Magnesium, such as: . - spinach and leafy greens (the darker, the better) and seeds (not so much in peanuts, but they don’t have emojis for tree nuts) - beans and veggies not listed above and many more! That all being said, I highly recommend having a high-quality magnesium supplement on hand if you’re suffering from #chronicpain, #anxiety, #insomnia, #depression, etc. . At least 500 mg per day of magnesium glycinate, chelate or aspartame are best for absorption in to the body. Most people actually need more for therapeutic benefit. . If you’re on the constipated side, you can take mag citrate or hydroxide (milk of magnesia) to help with the bowels, but be aware that this likely won’t help with the above mentioned issues. Another FAB way to get magnesium is taking a nice long Epsom salt regularly (think 3-4 times per week or daily if you live with #chronicpain). Add some lavender essential oil or calming music and instant relaxation for body, mind, spirit! How do you use magnesium in your life??? Happy Healthy Day! #IntegrativeMedicine #FoodasMedicine #magnesium #element #chronicpain #depression #anxiety #insomnia #itselementarymydearwatson #functionalmedicine image source: http://www.scienceimage.csiro.au/image/2893  Happy New Year!
While I'm not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions as I believe they set us up for failure, the New Year is a time ripe with intentions to renew the body, the mind and the spirit... That's why I'm happy to announce West Holistic Medicine's new payment plan options! They are good for the combined package of 1 Annual Physical or Integrative Medicine Consultation Exam (up to 75 minutes) and a Follow-up visit (up to 30 minutes). Here are the details: 1. New Patients: $500 total ($350 annual exam + $150 30-minute follow-up) or $84 per month x 6 months2. Established Patients: $400 total (discounted annual exam $250 + $150 30-minute follow-up) or $66 per month x 6 months OR 3. Take $75 off the cost of a New Patient exam and Follow-Up when you pay upfront ($425)! (Offers cannot be combined). 4) I'm also offering a FREE Medical Acupuncture session or Trigger Point Injection session ($110 value) when you purchase 5 sessions - That's 6 sessions for the price of 5! ($110 x 5 = $550 total, divide by 6 session = $91.67 per session) Be aware that payment plans are NOT a membership plan. You are responsible for any extra visits or services outside of the specified visits covered in the packages above, including virtual visits**, lengthy telephone calls and/or secure messaging**. After an indulgent holiday season, it is time to invest in your health! Wishing you a life of optimal wellness, joy and prosperity, Ashley Maltz, MD **To be determined on a case-by-case basis. Just a little mid day Monday dancing before seeing patients! Nothing like Jackson 5 to get my flow going <3
#dancingdoc #dancingthroughlife #jackson5rules #shimmie #makelifefun #middaybreak #itallcounts #getmoving #energized https://www.facebook.com/amaltzMD/videos/883106295205306/ Have questions about how I practice medicine and/or who I am?
Check out my latest interview with Madeleine Wyke Silva of Holistic Healthcare in Austin A Resource for Patients - a one-stop shop resource for all your holistic health care needs in Austin. And don't forget to follow me on Facebook to get all my latest updates and news articles! Got anxiety?
Check out my tips for reducing it naturally in my article for Camille Styles. 🙌🏽💃🏻🙏🏽 https://camillestyles.com/beauty-and-style/ask-the-experts/5-all-natural-ways-to-beat-anxiety/ While the diagnosis of anxiety is a HUGE topic in and of itself, most of us experience distress, dis-ease, irritability, fatigue and the general feeling of “running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off” at least from time to time. Ultimately, our feelings about the world don’t change unless we change deep-seated habits, behaviors and thoughts. Doing things like regular exercise, getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night, avoiding social media, cutting back on activities that don’t bring us joy and sharing in engaging community events can definitely prevent or even treat mild, generalized anxiety. Ideally, we’d all live our lives to the fullest, engaging in fulfilling work that pays us well and leaves us enough time to stay active, sleep well, laugh with friends and family and volunteer. But, in reality, that simply is not the case for many Americans. They simply don’t have the time, mindset or resources to do all of these things. While I do think people need to check their perfectionism at the door, simplify their lives and work on themselves regularly to highlight what they truly want out of life, I am realistic that some aren’t ready to change their habits and that’s ok too. (I've written about self-care as health care before - Self-Care 101 blog post here.) In fact, I believe as time speeds up (which it is!) and our lives get busier and busier, we create this feeling of busyness in order to “get everything done”. So, sometimes we need a little help. Be that in the form of meditation, exercise, herbs or supplements, I’m all for it. I’m also FOR people who’ve tried these techniques and feel they need medication to help them out while they transform their habits and negative thinking. That’s where herbs and supplements may be of benefit (and occasionally medication). Here are my top 5 natural herbs/supplements for mild, generalized anxiety...you know, when your mind is spinning and going 100 mph; your heart is pumping a bit more than usual; and maybe you experience diarrhea or constipation when it worsens. I am NOT talking about panic disorder, PTSD, or severe anxiety (although the herbs/supplements discussed can help with those too): 1. Lavender This herb is one of the most calming scents known to man and it goes without saying that it’s beneficial to most. I have written about it’s unique properties as an essential oil and I often recommend it to be taken internally by those who are extremely sensitive to other herbs/supplements. In fact, on particularly tough days at my old job, we used to pass out cotton balls with lavender oil on them for all employees and staff. It really helped us stay calm and not react to external situations happening in the clinic. And our patients love when we are relaxed as we became more attentive to their needs. It’s calming to the entire nervous system when used both internally or aromatically. I highly recommend inhaling this essential oil throughout the day to decrease sympathetic tone (fight or flight) and increase parasympathetic tone (rest and digest) in the body. For internal use, I love a product called Lavela by Integrative Therapeutics, which is a brand that only healthcare practitioners and some local pharmacies can distribute (ie, People’s Pharmacy in Austin). --> Get 20% off retail with the link at the bottom of this post! 2. Ashwaghanda This herb from India is a potent adaptogen (meaning it helps you adapt to the world better) and can be found in many herbal formulas for anxiety, stress and the sleep. As it is a more “male” herb (the energetic blueprint of the herb), I often prescribe it with other herbs that compound it’s effects in a gentle way. It is a member of the nightshade family and thus, some people may not tolerate it. Also, given it’s latin name is Withania somnifera (with somno- being the latin root word for sleep), it can compound sedative effects of anxiety medications and antidepressants, so it should only be taken as prescribed by a knowledgeable practitioner. I highly recommend starting it at night to see it’s effect. --> Get 20% off retail with the link at the bottom of this post! 3. Kava Kava This root native to Polynesia and the South Pacific has been used ceremoniously and medicinally for centuries to improve sleep, decrease anxiety and promote relaxation. More recently, the herb received some bad press due to a few case reports (25 to be exact) of fulminant liver failure/damage after using the herb. It was subsequently banned from use in the U.S., but has since replenished its reputation after those case reports were found to have been isolated and potentiated by a mix of factors, such as alcohol and prescription drug use. In fact, the herb has become so popular, that Kava root bars are popping up nationwide! You can drink custom kava tea creations while getting work done or socializing! Win-win! What I love about kava (and it’s not for everyone), is that it relaxes the body while not affecting the mind. It can relax the mind as well, but it generally is not a mental sedative. My favorite form of this relaxing herb is in a tea made by Yogi Tea – it works well and tastes great! Beware of possible GI side effects such as upset stomach and diarrhea and make sure to consult with your doctor about any possible liver issues you have before starting this herb. Otherwise, you should feel relaxed and restored after drinking it. --> Get 20% off retail with the link at the bottom of this post! 4. Lemon balm Otherwise known as Melissa officianalis, this herb is in the mint family and can be used aromatically or internally for its calming effects. The plant is generally used to attract bees for honey making, thus I think of this herb as a happy plant. Only happy, thriving bees can make honey for their Queen. And this herb can help keep people calm in times of chaos. I generally recommend it in essential oil or tea form for nighttime use. It is often found in combination form with similar herbs that promote sleep and reduce restlessness. It, like most calming herbs, can cause sedation and can interact with prescription medications, so please consult your Integrative Medicine provider before starting the herbs listed. --> Get 20% off retail with the link at the bottom of this post! 5. L-theanine This amino acid found in green and black tea has been researched for it’s direct effects on the nervous system. While it is not generally my personal go-to recommendation, many people find it helpful for improving sleep, agitation and restlessness. It has been found to work directly on the brain and does so without sedation. Each cup of black tea contains about 25 mg/cup of L-theanine while green tea contains about 8 mg/cup. In order to get the recommend daily dose (200 mg), supplement form is promoted and is generally well tolerated. While this is just a partial list of herbs and supplements to help with mild to moderate generalized anxiety, I urge you to try one or two remedies (after consulting with your health provider and/or local herbalist) to see how they affect you. You will likely find they are beneficial and have minimal negative side effects. --> Get 20% off retail with the link at the bottom of this post! Other ways to achieve more calm in your day include using the breath (see my blog post on the 4-7-8 breath), exercise, acupuncture, journaling, yoga and just stepping out in to nature for some fresh air and vitamin D. If you’d like to learn more about any of these techniques or herbs/supplements, please contact me directly at amaltz@westholisticmedicine.com. The possibilities are endless! May your holidays be filled with calm and ease and may the joy of the season feel magical! In Health, Dr. M P.S. - These herbs are NOT intended for use during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. Please consult with your personal health care professional if your are pregnant or nursing.  Ten and a half years ago, almost to the day, is when I first stepped foot in Tucson, Arizona. It was 2007 and I had traveled away from my medical school as a knowledgable and somewhat competent 4th year student, to explore more of the Integrative Medicine concepts I had learned over the last few years. I had already completed rotations in all the major medical specialties but knew there was more to medicine than medication and symptom management.
I still recall driving the manual transmission car I had learned to drive the weekend prior to the start of the rotation. It had been leant to me by the medical student who was housing me and I loved the thrill of shifting gears and idling safely. That little car, a Honda Fit, took me everywhere and changed my view on what driving should be like. The most amazing place it took me was to the site of the Integrative Medicine Medical Student Rotation sponsored by the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. I walked in to the Spanish style hacienda, noting the beautiful desert landscaping and wildlife, and immediately felt like I was home. And I was! Inside the hacienda, a group of 15 incredible student/resident healers had gathered. We were weary from our medial training and were searching for better options for both ourselves (“Physician, heal thyself”) and our patients. And man, did we hit the Motherlode! Over the following 4 weeks, we delved in to a wide range of healing modalities, including Native American rituals (including a sweat lodge experience), botanical medicine, yoga, Buddhist meditation, sound healing, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Feldenkreis, massage therapy and the like. Our teachers were world-renowned experts in these areas, including Drs. Randy Horwitz, Victoria Maizes, Tieraona LowDog and the man who started it all, Andrew Weil. For the first time in our student lives, the focus was shifted to self-care and sustainable, natural medicine. Years of stress, doubt and insecurity that runs rampant in medicine, were shed from our bodies. Soul-level friendships were made as we formed an instantly congealed family of love. It was such a gift and it was a truly INCREDIBLE experience! Since that time, my friends and I have all gone on with our lives. Most have families and jobs they love. They continue to inspire me in their marks on the world, like Hansie’s recent endurance run of ?100 miles? and life adventures in New Zealand; Adam’s gift of communication and ability to be the calm in any storm; Stacy’s movement to ensure safe sidewalks in her community and her raising awareness of food allergies in the country; Gurindher’s political and social activism in San Francisco and Surya’s steadfast groundedness that I was able to re-witness firsthand while we worked together for a time in New Mexico. These people will always inspire me. I dedicate this post to them. With love from Tucson, Dr. M |
AuthorDr. Maltz earned a Medical Degree and Master in Public Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX. She completed a combined Internal and Preventive Medicine Residency at UTMB in June, 2011. She then completed a 2-year Integrative Medicine Fellowship at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT, during which she simultaneously underwent an intensive 1000-hour curriculum created by The University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Program founded by Dr. Andrew Weil. Archives
October 2020
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