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Information Wellness Blog

Detailed Reviews and Guides about energy and informational health and wellness

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December 14, 2024|Editorial

How to Get a Body Scan in Las Vegas

Every cell in our bodies generates electromagnetic frequencies. AO Scan technology analyzes these frequencies and detects imbalances that could indicate potential health concerns.

Scans also help travelers manage chronic conditions, like arthritis and asthma, by providing insight into the energetic connections to those diseases. By using the scans to develop more efficient treatment plans for their patients.

DEXA Scan

DEXA scans (also called bone density tests) measure the strength and thickness of your bones. This test is essential, since bone loss can lead to fractures of hips and spine. DEXA scanning is quick, painless, non-invasive and utilizes low dose X-rays that are safe for your body; unlike standard X-rays which expose you to significantly more radiation that could harm internal organs.

At DEXA scans, patients lie on a table while an imaging device passes overhead and sends out X-rays that pass through bones and soft tissue and are detected by detectors on the machine. Once captured, images from these scans are displayed on a computer monitor and processed to assess your bone density, muscle composition, and fat tissue composition.

Your DEXA scan results will be transmitted directly to the physician who ordered it and include two measurements, T and Z scores. Your T score compares your bone density to that of a young, healthy individual and can help diagnose osteoporosis; while Z scores compare your BMD against that of population averages for age and gender based on age and gender; helping identify potential areas of concern to your physician.

Preparing for a DEXA scan involves eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water prior to your appointment. Furthermore, caffeine, alcohol and strenuous exercise should be avoided for 24 hours before scheduling your DEXA exam. Finally, loose clothing with no metal zippers or buttons should also be worn as this may help ensure an efficient scan experience.

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The scan is pain-free and takes approximately 10 minutes to perform. You will lie fully-clothed on a padded table while a mechanical arm-like imaging device moves over your body, creating slight pressure on your hips as needed to obtain accurate measurements.

Your results should be available within several days and reviewed with you by your physician, who may discuss recommendations and treatments if necessary. DEXA scans may also be covered by insurance; always contact your health insurance provider to check what coverage applies in advance.

VO2 Max Scan

VO2 Max Scan: Fitness Evaluation Measure is an assessment that measures how much oxygen your body can process during intense exercise. You’ll either be on a treadmill or stationary bike during this test and will be asked to blow into a face mask that measures carbon dioxide and oxygen exhaust while your heart rate is continuously monitored; results of this test provide invaluable insight into your aerobic capacity, set optimal training zones and help achieve athletic and fitness goals – an invaluable test for athletes looking to maximize physical potential!

RMR Scan

Engaging in an RMR scan is a fantastic way to get a clear idea of the amount of calories your body expends each day and maintain its current weight, as well as giving valuable information on the daily caloric needs necessary for maintaining weight maintenance. With this knowledge in hand, it becomes much easier to devise an effective diet and exercise program designed to either help you lose or gain weight while still maintaining muscle mass.

The RMR test is a quick and straightforward breathing assessment designed to measure how much oxygen and carbon dioxide your body produces during restful periods. As it can be performed quickly and effortlessly, this assessment makes an ideal way of learning about metabolism. Combining its results with other metabolic assessments like DEXA scans or VO2 max tests can give an accurate picture of body composition.

At DexaFit, we take the health and fitness needs of our clients very seriously; that is why our team of experts takes great care in making sure each test yields optimal results. In addition to RMR scanning, we also offer DNA fitness testing as well as blood panel screening for comprehensive analysis of how our bodies function so our clients can make better decisions regarding their own health and fitness. Our goal is to educate clients so they can make smarter choices regarding their health and fitness choices.

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Body Composition Scan

Body composition scans provide a valuable snapshot of an individual’s overall health and fitness levels, measuring fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass and basal metabolic rate (BMR). This information allows individuals to track their fitness progress over time and develop customized plans to reach their fitness goals. Furthermore, these scans may assist those seeking to optimize performance in specific athletic endeavors and reduce chronic disease risks.

DEXA scans provide a quick and painless method of measuring body composition by employing dual energy x-ray absorptiometry devices. DEXA provides accurate results that go beyond traditional BMI scores by accurately measuring lean muscle mass as well as visceral fat deposits in your abdominal region.

It also measures bone density, making this device an invaluable aid to those suffering from osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. Unlike traditional x-ray tests, this device utilizes two low doses of radiation at different energy levels to assess your body – this means only being exposed to one-seventieth of what would normally be found in everyday life!

The Body Composition Scan provides a graphical representation of your body’s fat and muscle composition, showing areas in need of improvement; for instance, low muscle mass could indicate more strength training could be beneficial. Furthermore, it highlights potential health risks such as excess body fat or elevated cholesterol levels that might require attention.

An analysis such as this one can be especially advantageous to athletes, enabling them to identify an optimal balance of muscle and fat in their bodies and customize workouts according to individual needs. Furthermore, such analysis helps prevent injuries as well as overtraining by assuring an appropriate muscle mass level is maintained.

Body Composition Scan also offers segmental water analysis, an invaluable feature of which allows individuals to monitor hydration levels and identify imbalances within their bodies, helping to achieve peak performance as well as reduce chronic diseases risks. This analysis breaks down intracellular and extracellular water to monitor overall hydration status as well as identify any imbalances. This analysis can be particularly helpful for athletes striving to reach peak performance as well as chronic disease risks.

December 13, 2024|Editorial

Wave Genome Germany

Wave Genome Germany (WGG) is a network of German laboratories that send sequenced specimens directly to RKI for whole genome sequencing, in order to generate an unbiased sample set that detects emerging variants and allows comparative analysis.

Molecular phylogeny and Nextstrain-based mutation events indicate that during the transition from wave 1 to wave 2, several SARS-CoV-2 variants attempted to increase their transmissibility by adopting mutations to their spike protein.

Molecular Phylogeny

Molecular phylogeny analyses compare DNA sequences from various organisms to reconstruct their evolutionary histories, providing clues as to dates of divergence and the evolutionary origin of species. Closely related organisms tend to share similar genetic molecules like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and proteins; this makes molecular phylogenetic analyses an accurate way of estimating time of divergence as mutation rates should remain similar across species sharing the same sequences.

Molecular systematics is an emerging discipline which utilizes molecular phylogenetic trees to classify taxa, predict morphological similarities and dissimilarities among them, and establish relationships with fossils. This approach is predicated upon the assumption that classifying any given taxon must correspond with its phylogenetic descent – however this method has its limitations; for example it requires large sample populations from each taxon which often is unobtainable; furthermore all valid taxa are monophyletic; this technique offers significant improvement over previous methods which relied solely upon morphological data alone.

An examination of Euphrasia genomes shows, for example, that at shallow phylogenetic scales postglacial colonization of North Western Europe was accomplished in multiple waves from distinct source populations. Furthermore, at deeper phylogenetic scales its phylogeny is structured by geography and ploidy; Euphrasia tetraploids form their own subgenus apart from Northern Hemisphere diploids.

Maximum likelihood is an excellent method for reconstructing phylogenetic trees, combining the likelihood of the tree topology and bootstrap calculation that assesses statistical confidence of individual nodes in the tree. Bootstrap values indicate how often an alignment was replicated randomly from its original state; high bootstrap values signify increased trust in tree topologies. This approach can provide useful data regarding relative timing of postglacial colonization events in a region as well as understanding patterns of disease transmission.

Deletion Events

Deletion events are a form of DNA mutation characterized by the removal of sections of DNA sequence. Deletions can range in size from one nucleotide to an entire chromosome. Most often, deletion events result from point mutations within genes themselves that are then repaired via recombination resulting in pseudogenes, or mutant versions with point mutations that lack their functional domain; Deletion mapping is one method that can help identify where deletion events have taken place; by comparing wild-type to mutant version of same genes then using mapping, you can identify its exact position on map as well.

As part of their genomDE project, researchers have identified many deletion events. These deletions alter the functions of many genes and proteins. One notable group of deleted genes involves those involved with anaerobic metabolism – including dehydrogenases involved with turning carbohydrates to energy. Another noteworthy group pertains to intermediary metabolism which helps plants survive in low oxygen environments.

Another intriguing finding from SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences was that wave-2 samples showed more deletion events than those collected during wave-1 samples, suggesting more active recombination during this second wave of pandemic transmission. This indicates that SARS-CoV-2 may quickly acquire its replication and transmission genes.

SARS-CoV-2 deletions may have come from previous infections. The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 has greatly accelerated its evolution by allowing bacteria infected by it to acquire genetic mutations faster. This has resulted in faster rates of transmission of the virus, with earlier manifestation of disease symptoms.

Reconstructions of CHKs show they are ancient duplications of core angiosperm genes that occurred multiple times during WGDs in different lineages of Brassicaceae plants. Reconciliation trees support this hypothesis that ancient duplications may account for HPT amplification across monocot and dicot species.

Transversion Events

Transition and transversion mutations differ from deletion events in that they are the result of specific allele frequencies that reflect population-level genotypes. Furthermore, transitions and transversions represent the primary form of point mutation found in proteins which lead to amino acid substitutions; their abundance thus provides insights into where point mutations originated in protein coding sequences.

We find the frequency of parallel replacements significantly greater than expected from random events, suggesting an elevated sensitivity of genetic code evolution to parallel processes. More specifically, multiple alleles with similar amino acid changes increase the chances that one or both will be replaced by one having compatible sequence changes.

To measure these events, we developed a method that counts paths or events according to their likelihood of producing transitions or transversions in particular codon positions. By employing this approach, we found that four times more transition events occurred than expected while seven times more transversion events took place than expected.

These results demonstrate that mutational biases play a significant role in driving parallel adaptation observed across our sample of proteins, though its magnitude varies across species indicating its impact is complex and requires further study.

Phylogenetic analyses also revealed that pseudo-HPTs had evolved at least twice independently, consistent with the hypothesis that the cytokinin signaling pathway emerged through multiple WGD events (see GDB). Monocot pseudo-HPTs more frequently experienced gene loss after WGD events while dicot pseudo-HPTs tended to co-retain them.

SARS-CoV-2 Proteome

At Calu-3 human lung epithelial cells were infected at an MOI of 0.1 with SARS-CoV-2 isolate hCoV-19/Norway/Trondheim-S15/2020 at five time points (3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postinfection) to assess host responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. A comprehensive analysis was performed including transcriptomics, TMT-based quantitative temporal proteomics (QTP), phosphoproteomics and acetylomics data.

Transcriptomics has revealed early changes to protein levels associated with viral replication and entry, while the phosphoproteome data provided a glimpse into Hippo signaling, DNA/damage response pathways, protein ubiquitination processes, alternate splicing mechanisms as well as protein acetylation processes. Acetylomics analysis identified decreased protein acetylation at multiple sites – including one on vimentin LRR domain which plays an essential role in viral entry yet it remains to be established whether differential acetylation could play any part in virus-host interactions.

Proteomics experiments identified peptides which were then used to create a SARS-CoV-2-host contactome map and utilized molecular docking analysis to detect binding sites between SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein RBD and the human ACE2 receptor; results demonstrated a highly conserved region on this receptor’s binding surface that likely accounts for its high binding affinity with RBD spike glycoprotein RBD.

At times of SARS-CoV-2 infection, other changes were noted in host cells, such as altered protein phosphorylation levels of those involved in cytoskeletal regulation being changed at multiple sites and DNA/damage/response and protein ubiquitination pathways being compromised.

Overall, the HuSCI virus-host contactome map demonstrated significant enrichment for host proteins known to be targets of other viruses or those that adapted their phosphorylation status in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. It was also abundant with proteins known to directly interact with SARS-CoV-2 RNA. This suggests that it can serve as an invaluable resource in understanding interactions between viruses and hosts.

December 13, 2024|Editorial

Biohacking For Mental Health

Biohackers employ various strategies to enhance their health, such as nootropics (drugs that enhance cognitive performance) and meditation.

They use strategies from competitive sport, like ice training to promote recovery. Furthermore, they take supplements and utilize mental health hacks like visualisation and mindfulness meditation.

What is Biohacking?

Biohacking is a lifestyle practice of using physical intervention to optimize health and performance, including weight loss. Biohacking may help with energy levels, sleep quality, cognitive functions, inflammation reduction and even longevity extension – and is an excellent way to prioritise wellness as highlighted by Kayla Itsines on her Sweat Daily podcast.

While many biohacking techniques are considered safe, others can be risky and require medical oversight. For instance, biohackers who utilize supplements or research chemicals not approved for medical use could potentially alter the body’s chemistry in unpredictable ways. Other techniques may involve altering sleep through wearable technology and breathing techniques designed to increase quality sleep or using ice baths as stimuli to induce thermogenesis (controlled stress-or heat-induced stimulation for recovery and strength) stimulation of their thermogenesis pathway for recovery and strength gains.

Other biohacking techniques, like intermittent fasting, spending time outdoors and exercise, reducing screen time, and intermittent fasting are well-established and generally considered safe. But keep in mind that everyone’s physiology differs and health involves many variables; therefore it is advisable to consult a functional medicine doctor prior to engaging in any biohacking experiments.

Furthermore, biohacking raises ethical, social and cultural considerations. For instance, genetically modifying crops to address food shortages or altering human genomes for longevity raises moral and legal questions that may threaten natural balance of organisms. Furthermore, certain biohacking experiments could possibly alter their natural balance as a result.

Though many risks associated with biohacking can be reduced by conducting careful experiments under the guidance of an experienced practitioner, it’s still wise to research your options thoroughly and inform yourself. There are plenty of resources online available to you that will aid your biohacking journey and ensure you do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk.

Biohacking for Weight Loss

Biohacking can not only increase metabolism and aid healthy weight loss, but it can also enhance mental wellbeing. By adopting biohacking techniques into your routine, biohacking techniques can help you become an energized and productive version of yourself – an increasingly popular trend among Silicon Valley techies – and use its benefits towards reaching your health goals.

One of the most effective biohacking techniques for weight loss is optimizing sleep. By taking advantage of sleep’s restorative power, you can balance key hormones that regulate appetite and stress – without enough sleep cortisol levels increase and lead to fat storage which leads to weight gain. Implementing Calm or adding soothing rain background sounds into your bedtime routine may help ensure restful slumber – essential if you want to successfully lose weight!

Another biohack for weight loss is to incorporate activity-tracking wearables into your daily life, like activity trackers. Wearable devices provide accountability and motivation towards reaching fitness goals while monitoring heart rate and blood glucose levels which is especially useful for individuals who have diabetes, so always having access to a blood sugar meter is vital for effective monitoring.

Integrating appropriate supplements into your diet is a proven biohacking strategy for weight loss. There are various innovative supplements that can boost metabolism and enhance fat-burning; it is essential to conduct extensive research into their benefits prior to making any decisions regarding them; add them into your daily regimen under guidance of healthcare provider.

Cellular health and function optimization is another biohacking approach to weight loss that utilizes biohacking technologies. Achieve this through techniques such as improving mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress levels and encouraging detoxification can increase fat-burning capabilities within your body while creating an internal environment conducive to sustained and long-term fat loss.

Biohacking weight loss means finding out what works for your individual body, by combining scientific research with holistic nutrition principles. With this strategy in place, you can reach your health goals without compromising quality of life – if this sounds appealing to you consider consulting with a registered dietitian who can assist with finding out which nutritional strategy will be most successful for you.

Biohacking for Brain Health

Biohacking can not only increase brain power but can also make people happier about themselves. By raising awareness of one’s state of health and identifying potential issues in time to seek medical treatment before they worsen, biohackers use various tools and techniques to improve their wellbeing, such as tracking diets, using health tracking technology, or including mindfulness and meditation into daily routine.

Neuroplasticity, or the body’s ability to adapt over time, is central to brain biohacking and neurohacking in general. This process is achieved through regular exercise, healthy diet and cognitive exercises such as meditation. Nootropics and smart drugs may also be utilized to enhance performance and create new neural pathways.

The brain is the center of human thought and control, responsible for everything from memory retention to focus. For biohackers looking to boost their mental acuity, optimizing nutrition, prioritizing sleep quality, and including mindfulness practices into daily routines can all help enhance mental acuity. Furthermore, biohacking may even protect against age-related cognitive decline by strengthening everyday cognitive functions while protecting against age-related cognitive decline.

Biohacking may seem alluring, but it should not replace healthy eating and regular physical exercise as a means of staying fit and healthy. Furthermore, improper use can have adverse side effects; to ensure maximum safety it’s always wise to consult a healthcare provider prior to trying any new fitness techniques or supplements.

Biohacking can do more than enhance brain health; it can also make people feel more in control and confident of themselves and their lives. Biohacking may reduce stress, improve digestion and promote restful sleep – as well as improving mood by decreasing levels of cortisol while increasing serotonin.

Many people associate biohacking with technological innovations, but it can encompass lifestyle changes as well. Biohacking encompasses anything from strict diets and intermittent fasting to adding meditation into your routine – each can lead to healthier living. But the most successful hacks involve staying true to basics: eating well, exercising regularly and getting enough rest.

Biohacking for Mental Health

Biohacking for mental health includes various lifestyle techniques, such as mindfulness and meditation practices, that enable individuals to remain in the present moment. Such practices can improve focus, reduce stress levels and spur creativity both at work or home; furthermore they can increase brain chemistry by supporting neural pathways and aiding memory retention.

Other strategies used to boost mental health through biohacking include optimizing sleep patterns, relieving stress through exercise and supplementation, tracking hormone levels and tracking their balance with cognitive performance. A diet rich in proteins and vitamins is known to balance hormone levels while keeping blood pressure down; consulting a nutritionist is highly recommended when selecting biohacks tailored specifically to you and your goals.

Biohacking techniques vary depending on gender. For instance, women may require different dietary and supplement strategies than men in order to maximize health benefits from biohacking techniques. A cycle mapping test may also be beneficial in tracking women’s hormone levels throughout menstruation so supplementation can be tailored accordingly. Though biohacking may promote healthier lifestyle choices, it’s wise to be wary of potential risks involved – it may be wiser working with a functional medicine doctor or healthcare professional who can guide self-experimentation and optimization effectively.

Biohacking can be an invaluable way to optimize both physical and mental wellbeing, increasing overall wellbeing while decreasing chronic disease risks and even lengthening lifespan. But biohacking alone cannot address mental wellness and emotional healing – this is where our holistic mental health treatment program at The Center * A Place of HOPE can help.

Diet, exercise and adequate rest can all work together to increase cognitive performance, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and enhance focus. Furthermore, these strategies can also slow aging and prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s. If you want to learn more about biohacking‘s potential benefits for mental health improvement, reach out to us now for a complimentary consultation with our team of experts – they are on hand with answers and tools designed specifically to optimize health for better overall wellness.

December 13, 2024|Editorial

Chinese Medicine and the Spleen

TCM regards the spleen as an organ of digestion, processing food and liquid into Qi and Blood for distribution throughout the body.

Acupuncture can provide nourishment to and support for its function in maintaining muscle tone in all four limbs of the body, including its ability to move muscles around.

Nourishes Blood

The Spleen is essential in providing essential nourishment to Blood cells to strengthen the body’s defence system and is especially critical as we transition from late summer (Earth) into fall or autumn (Metal). An underperforming Spleen makes you susceptible to colds, flus, and infections that could otherwise go undetected.

As a Greater Yin meridian, the Spleen is responsible for producing and transporting Qi and Blood throughout the body. It transforms partially digested food from the Stomach into Grain Qi which travels upward to combine with Air Qi inhaled through breathing to become Blood. Furthermore, the Spleen also distributes vital fluids throughout its own meridian to provide nourishment to limbs, bones and hair, with an overly-weak Spleen leading to easy bruising.

Emotionally, the Spleen is affected by worry, obsession and sympathy – too much of any can deplete its reserves, leading to poor digestion, bloating, weight gain and muscle weakness. Furthermore, its role is protecting organs by keeping them upright – prolapse is considered a sure sign that its strength has diminished.

Acupuncturists who treat the Spleen use acupuncture points that focus on strengthening digestion, increasing energy levels and decreasing dampness. Furthermore, they will consider any emotional aspects that come up regarding it as part of treatment.

Diet is key to supporting a healthy Spleen. Aim to consume warm foods instead of cold drinks as this allows the Spleen to use less energy breaking them down, and therefore boost its health more effectively. Such as whole grains, root vegetables and lean proteins. Soups, stews and broths all make fantastic Spleen-boosting foods as they allow the body to absorb nutrients with minimal effort required in digesting them.

Avoid foods that could create dampness in the body, such as raw foods, cold drinks and processed food products. Dampness impairs the Spleen’s ability to transform and metabolise food and fluids properly and can result in digestive issues or general fatigue as a result.

Supports Digestion

The spleen is responsible for converting food and fluids into energy (Qi) that the body needs, then transporting that Qi to our muscles and limbs. When its power is weak, this may manifest in digestive issues like bloating or IBS as well as poor appetite or generalized feelings of heaviness (such as water retention or polycystic ovary syndrome).

TCM believes that seasonal foods provide excellent nourishment for the Spleen as the organ is most active at various points during the year. Roasted root vegetables and hearty stews offer nourishment during winter, fresh berries and salads help clear away congestion in summer, while light broths and soups offer relief come autumn.

Cold foods and beverages tend to put pressure on the spleen, as they can slow its transformative function and contribute to slower digestion. Cold food requires additional digestive fire so if our spleen has already become overworked this may further deplete its reserves causing us to have to dip deeper into its reserves to digest what we ingest.

Eating a variety of foods and keeping mealtimes regular are both vital in supporting spleen health, along with chewing food thoroughly and not drinking too much fluid during meals. Warm and cooked foods should also be prioritised as these tend to be preferred over raw ones and cold beverages by your spleen.

Some herbs can provide extra nourishment for the spleen in the form of herbal teas, pills or granules. Astragalus membranaceus may boost immunity while strengthening and supporting digestion. You can find this herb at many natural health stores as powder. Si Jun Zi Tang also offers four herbs designed to strengthen and tonify overall Qi, providing much-needed support for Spleen health as well as tonify overall Qi; however it should be avoided if signs of deficiency arises since overworked spleen will produce excess heat that may be hard to control.

Calms the Mind

Chinese Medicine holds that emotions stem from the Spleen, and influence its functions alongside those of Heart, Liver, and Lungs. When out-of-balance Spleen can create emotional imbalances manifesting themselves physically as symptoms; having a healthy and strong Spleen can help you stay grounded while feeling calmer overall.

Acupuncture can provide invaluable support for the spleen, and you can take some steps at home to keep it nourished. Here are a few pointers to help get you going:

Eating well can have a dramatic effect on spleen health, according to TCM practitioners. They advise eating simple, cooked food that’s easy for digestion; since sweet is what the spleen loves most (such as fruit, honey and some vegetables), naturally sweet tasting food such as fruits can also benefit it greatly; also root crops like kumara squash etc have a beneficial impact.

Herbal medicine can be an invaluable aid to balance spleen function and increase mental clarity and focus. Our experts can tailor a tailor-made herbal formula that addresses your specific needs.

Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root) is an effective herbal solution to ease anxiety and promote relaxation, while Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed) may ease restlessness and promote sleep. Gan Cao (Licorice Root) may help regulate stress response while improving cognitive performance; Long Gu (Dragon Bone) and Mu Li (Oyster Shell) can also act as soothing herbs that can reduce anxiety while aiding relaxation and encouraging restful nights’ rest.

After experiencing trauma, we may shut off or close down mentally to protect ourselves. When this occurs, negative emotions may become trapped within a particular memory and become associated with that specific memory. Energy psychology techniques combined with acupuncture may help unlock memories and release associated emotion – specifically at GV20 and Yintang where our experts offer instruction. Our experts also can teach and supervise home practice of these techniques for maximum effect.

Nourishes the Stomach

The spleen and stomach are responsible for digesting food and beverages to produce energy sources for our bodies, such as Qi (pronounced “chee”) and Blood. This process ensures our muscles and limbs receive sufficient nourishment so they have enough energy to function optimally.

If your digestion isn’t functioning as it should or you are having difficulty digesting your food, it could be a telltale sign that your spleen and stomach are deficient. You might experience not being able to consume enough food; wanting but being unable to be hungry; feeling overwhelmed by work or life; experiencing feelings of being too much food to digest; excessive worry, rumination or intrusive thoughts as well as digestive problems like bloating diarrhea indigestion or fatty stool could all indicate this issue.

To nourish the spleen, it is best to consume foods that are warm and cooked – particularly soups, stews and broths – as these will be easier for the body to process and support its functions. Cold foods or drinks should be avoided as they place additional burdens on digestion. Yellow and orange foods as well as warm spices such as ginger cinnamon or fennel are excellent ways to stimulate its function in digestion. It is also advised that we chew our food thoroughly and eat in an ambient environment in order to give our spleen time and do its work effectively.

Spleen Qi is an essential component of overall body health and any reduction can lead to serious consequences such as weakness in limbs and muscles, fatigue and lethargy, excess phlegm or dampness in the body, loss of appetite, organ prolapse or other ailments. Therefore it’s vital to consume regular meals containing various types of food as well as take regular exercises so your spleen stays strong and healthy.

Acupuncturists are adept at assessing the health of your spleen and creating a treatment plan to restore balance to this essential energy center. Acupuncture can also provide significant health benefits that go far beyond just treating one condition; contact us now if you would like an holistic approach to improving your wellbeing!

December 13, 2024|Editorial

Vocal Resonance Exercises Speech Therapy

Resonant Voice Therapy (RVT) is a set of techniques designed to optimize vocal acoustic output for easier and healthier phonation, serving as an effective remedy against various voice disorders.

RVT may include techniques and strategies designed to manage nasal resonance, and shape sounds with desired gender expressions.

Resonant voice exercises include lip trills and straw phonation.

Nose and Mouth Resonance Points

Voice therapy to enhance resonance and projection enhances your ability to produce a clear, powerful, and rich-sounding voice that is well-balanced and free from strain. Vocal resonance refers to vibration of sound waves created by vocal fold muscles located within your larynx (voice box). Resonators within your mouth, nose, and throat contribute towards shaping this resonating vibration to give your tone quality its distinctive tone quality.

Your sound waves bounce off resonating areas within your nasal cavity, oral cavity and pharynx (voice box), acting like filters to shape what others hear as vibrations. Factors such as size of nasal cavities/glottis/glottis position of tongue/velopharyngeal valve closure all impact how your voice sounds.

At your voice consultation with an SLP, the clinician will listen to and ask where you feel your voice as you speak. Some patients may recognize immediately while others need additional explanation as to how their voice functions. Once this information has been presented to them, they’ll then provide several vocal resonance exercises based on where the patient feels their voice.

SLPs typically begin their vocal resonance exercises by assessing nasal and mouth resonant frequencies, with patients asked to hum while gently exhaling through their nose while making sound as though blowing air from their nose. Furthermore, patients should try and leave space between their roof of mouth and their tongue (without cupping it) when making sounds with these exercises.

After assessing nasal and mouth resonant frequencies, SLP will then move on to assessing pharyngeal and chest resonant frequencies by encouraging patients to yawn and swallow before asking them to speak low whisper so they can assess how their voice sounds; additionally they will check behind the throat and tongue to see if their breath remains within these spaces.

Pharyngeal Resonance Points

Just as pebbles bouncing off of a cave wall affect their sound, so does the way your vocal cords create theirs when speaking or singing depend on the shape of their airway they leave through. Your throat, mouth and nasal cavities, as well as any closure to your pharynx act as resonators to filter and shape what sound comes out – acting like filters to filter and shape sounds you create – similar to having an equalizer on a stereo, resonance effects how others hear your voice as well as how your own ears hear it.

Pharyngeal resonance differs from chest resonance in that it uses the body’s lower cavities as its source for sound resonators, such as chest cavities or skull. Instead, pharyngeal resonance uses the pharynx itself as an amplifier of sound for clearer and deeper resonance – essential for singers in higher registers to project without strain on the voice.

As such, it is vitally important that vocal resonance exercises be undertaken regularly in order to maintain healthy resonators in your throat, nose and mouth. A simple lip trill can strengthen diaphragm muscles and improve vocal resonance; tongue twisters or low note humming also helps improve voice quality and resonance. Utilizing the pharyngeal resonance point may also help you improve consonant clarity while decreasing breathiness.

Improved pharyngeal resonance can not only provide you with a richer tone, but can also extend the amount of time you can sing for longer by naturally amplifying sounds while reducing force going into your vocal cords.

One of the more frequent mistakes voice instructors and choir directors make when instructing students is encouraging them to open their mouths very wide when speaking or singing, in the mistaken belief that doing so will enable louder and easier singing due to increased space for resonation in their pharynx and larynx. Unfortunately, however, this technique actually narrows pharyngeal cavity while tightening submandibular muscles that press downward on larynx.

As much as it’s important to avoid exerting too much pressure on the pharynx, as overdoing it can lead to tension in both neck and upper back areas, practicing your pharyngeal resonance can help build up stronger muscles for resonation and become an integral component of successful speech production. For optimal resonator development try opening your mouth like you’re trying to yawn while swallowing simultaneously; repeat this 10 times to build up stronger pharyngeal muscles and develop stronger resonance systems.

Chest Resonance Points

While your chest, throat, mouth and nasal cavities all play an essential part in voice quality, the dominant resonance determines your overall vocal tone. To find your personal resonance it is best to speak or hum at different pitches and pay attention to where vibrations in the body feel strongest. A trained speech-language pathologist can assist in finding one that suits who you are best.

Proactive vocal resonance not only helps prevent strain on vocal folds, but it can also increase vocal range and power, clarity, projection, clarity of pitch, range and range, clarity and projection. By exploring all the resonating chambers in your body and learning how to shift and enhance resonance you can strengthen your voice while increasing its ability to be heard in noisy environments.

Many of the same techniques that assist those suffering from articulation disorders or voice disorders like cleft palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency also address resonance. This includes breathing and tongue movements as well as exercises designed to stimulate or decrease resonance characteristics of an individual – for instance transgender voice training usually includes altering these resonant characteristics so clients can produce feminine or androgynous sounds without altering articulation accuracy.

To activate pharyngeal resonance, sing scales or vowels with relaxed breath while singing scales or vowels. This will enable you to access the brightness that this type of resonance offers, making lower notes easier to produce more efficiently. However, too much pharyngeal resonance may result in muffled sounds with throaty qualities, possibly due to VPI or vocal fold enlargement as well as blockages such as deviated septums or stenotic larynxes.

Producing a “yawn-sigh” is an easy and effective way to activate laryngeal resonance, as it involves inhaling deeply through your nose while exhaling through your mouth. This exercise helps warm vocal cords while warming them further in any comfortable place – from bathroom mirrors or home to public places such as music lessons. Many singing teachers recommend it because of its ability to stimulate velum muscles and increase resonant frequencies.

Throat Resonance Points

Resonant Voice Therapy (RVT) is an innovative and effective technique used to enhance vocal quality, reduce strain on vocal folds and promote overall vocal health. Most commonly utilized by professional singers and actors, RVT can benefit anyone looking to produce a clearer, stronger and healthier-sounding voice. RVT promotes forward resonance in lower registers as well as emphasise a balanced amount of nasal and oral sound energy – this allows greater volume, power and pitch while improving clarity and pitch. Furthermore, RVT has also been proven effective in decreasing frequency/severity/ severity of nodules/polyps by reducing strain on vocal folds – this method also decreases frequency/severity/ severity/various other factors.

Your vocal resonance is the energy behind creating sound in your body, shaping everything from volume to clarity of your voice. Without optimal resonance production, voices often sound breathy or muffled while too much resonance may make hearing difficult or harsh. An SLP will evaluate your vocal tract for optimal resonant characteristics by listening for where they sense most energy coming from in terms of throat resonance, mouth resonance or elsewhere?

SLPs will assist in manipulating your articulators (lips, tongue and jaw) to achieve optimal resonant qualities for singing. This may involve altering tongue posture, lip tension or oral cavity configuration; also helping with learning how to synchronize vocal cord vibrations with airflow to minimize strain; using gentle onset techniques which teach people how to initiate phonation gradually and gently which encourage efficient vocal production without excessive muscle contractions.

Many exercises involve humming, which aims to explore vibrations within your mask resonance system and is an easy and effective way to warm up and engage your voice system. Other techniques may include changing pitch to find one that promotes vocal resonance or using straw phonation for back pressure regulation of airflow while stimulating balanced vocal cord vibrations.

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