Chronic vs. Acute

As you might guess, I do my best to stay away from antibiotics-but  when a hangnail picked up a staph infection and turned into this in 18 hours, I was happy to use them after a 25-year break! The D.O. I went to at Steamboat Medical Group tried to help me avoid having it lanced–but in the end, that seemed a much better choice than losing my thumb. I was scared.

And after doing some research and quizzing the doc about how common staph infections are–sometimes with fatal results from a small cut or hangnial–I want to encourage you to make wise decisions when you have an acute situation.

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The 3 Musketeers for Immune Support

As a volunteer with Courtesy Ski Patrol in Steamboat, I see the more typical acute situations that come to mind with that term, but you are more likely to see and/or feel an acute situation like my thumb at home or work. If something comes up quickly, within a matter of hours, seeing a health care practitioner can be just as important as if you have a fractured femur. Yes, I still took an antibacterial herb (chaparral) and special care with my diet including fresh garlic daily–but I am most grateful I didn’t mess around with this one. Help prevent possible infections by:

• Washing your hands with HOT water and regular soap (not Anti-bacterial) often, especially after handling menus, shaking hands or being in public.
• Do your best not to touch your face whenever in public
• Be especially careful with small cuts/hangnails when you will be in public; use a little coconut oil with a drop of tea tree essential oil
• Get plenty of sleep; ideally 9 1/2 hours in the winter!
• Minimize sugar and include at least of one of the following in your daily diet: garlic, ginger and onions (if on any blood thinners, check with your HCP first)

For chronic discomfort with a stubborn injury you have already seen your HCP about, try Essentrics® in a live class with me or another certified Essentrics instructor or enjoy many DVD choices or WiFi at www.Essentrics.com  Or…watch/record free episodes of Classical Stretch on PBS.

Though I still love yoga after teaching it for 17 years, I am hooked on daily Essentrics since its number one goal is to rebalance your body by stretching and strengthening every muscle. January is a great time to set your intenetion to do it daily, when possible. In addition to teaching Mondays and Fridays @ 10 AM, Sundance Studio, I am offering a new Essentrics Apres Ski class in my downtown carriage house. Wednesdays 1/10-1/31 from 3-4 PM $30 for all 4 classes or $10 drop-in cash or check only[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]