Austin MD July/August 2015 by Austin MD Magazine

J U LY / AU G U S T 2 0 1 5

PAMPER YOURSELF

SPA SERVICES

JUST FOR MEN

Beat the Heat

AVOID HEAT EXHAUSTION DURING HIGH SUMMER TEMPS

AUSTIN’S

HEALTHIEST

BODYWORLDS EXHIBIT A LOOK INSIDE THE HUMAN BODY AT THIS

NEW AUSTIN MUSEUM

NEIGHBORHOODS

THE MEN’S HEALTH ISSUE

COURAGE TRANSFORMED

a TRANSGENDER APD OFFICER’S story

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

CONTENTS JU LY /AU GU ST 2 015

AUSTIN M DM AGAZINE J ULY/ AUG UST 2015

20 PUBLISHER

Angela Strickland EDITOR

Nicole Carbon ART DIRECTOR

Elisa Giordano

WEB DESIGNER

Brandon Tipton

PHOTOGRAPHER

Steve Dement

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Jake Harding Malena Manning Samantha Schak

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

20 COVER STORY

Coming out as a transgender Austin police officer, Greg Abbink, shares his courageous story

38 LOEWY LAW

A holistic approach to practicing law sets this Austin attorney apart

50 TEXAS MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Austin’s newest museum takes you on a tour of the human body with its BODY WORLDS Exhibit

62 MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE OF AUSTIN

Dr. Michael Martin’s Acupuncture practice is on point with healing through alternative medicine

DEPARTMENTS 08 12 26 34 40 52 58 64 66 68 70

EVENTS LOCAL LIFESTYLE MEN’S HEALTH MEN’S HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH BOOK REVIEW SPORTS SPORTS & FITNESS DINING

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Giselle Suazo Arriaga Jon Black Molly Burton Nicole Carbon Eric Giesler Sam Jackson Kyle Jerome Richard Kelley Brad Kennington Shirat Ling Renee Hanson Malone Reyna Martinez Edward Ortiz Bob Pena Nathaniel M. Polnaszek Blakely Richardson Alina Sholar Justin Simon Charmie Stryker Gonzalo Veloz Katherine Voss

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Casey Chapman Ross Gonzalo Veloz

www.AustinMDmagazine.com

For adver tising and/or editorial information, please call Angela Strickland at 512-506-1248 or email angela@AustinMDmagazine com.

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THE SUMMER SIZZLE HAS FINALLY ARRIVED AND WE, AT AUSTIN MD, ARE HEATING THINGS UP WITH THIS ISSUE DEVOTED TO MEN’S HEALTH. Inside you will find a variety of articles detailing ways the men in your life can stay healthy – from visiting the The Spa at Four Seasons Austin to practicing yoga for a stronger body. A number of experts have contributed their advice, emphasizing the importance of physical health and urology exams. We will also look at some of Austin’s healthiest neighborhoods and how they promote wellness within the community. For us, this is a landmark issue! We are proud to present our cover star, Greg Abbink, the first transgender male to grace our magazine and to be a part of the Austin Police Department. The issues surrounding the LGBT community have caused an uproar in recent months, most noticeably with members of the same-sex being granted the right to marry nationwide, and are a popular topic of conversation among Austinites and city dwellers everywhere. Austin MD is happy to be a part of this conversation as we sit down with Officer Abbink and discuss his transformation. Thank you for picking us up and we hope you enjoy this issue and learn ways to watch out for the men in your life.

Scott G. Brown

Mortgage Loan Originator 512.865.0778 scott.brown@regions.com NMLS# 356713

www.regionsmortgage.com/scottbrown 8

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PUBLISHER /CEO

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EVENTS

The 7th Annual Hispanic Physicians Association Gala The 7th Annual Hispanic Physicians Association Gala benefiting student scholarships was held on April 25, 2015. Every year, a Hispanic Heritage is celebrated, and this year was Venezuela. Max Magallanes and Colleen Loza were honored as the 2015 scholarship recipients. The food was plentiful, the party was fantastic, and the night was a great success!

YHPAA of Austin’s Shaping our Community Gala For the fifth consecutive year, the Young Hispanic Professional Association of Austin (YHPAA) hosted its annual gala on June 20, 2015 themed, “Shaping Our Communities,” at the Mexic-Arte Museum in Downtown Austin with keynote speaker State Representative Celia Israel. The organization honored Vanessa Fuentes and Christopher Rios as its 2015 YHPAA Distinguished Young Leaders, and Mike Martinez as the recipient of the YHPAA Legacy Award. The 2015 YHPAA Annual Gala will support the organization’s scholarship program.

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EVENTS

Run to Hear 5K

On Saturday, May 23, 2015 participants gathered for the Run to Hear 5K at Lake Pflugerville. Proceeds from the event benefitted Any Baby Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hearing Aid Texas (CHAT) Program which offers financial assistance for children and adolescents with audiological needs.

SPAWGLASS SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT On Thursday, May 28, 2015 SpawGlass construction company hosted a Sporting Clays Shoot at Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club in Austin benefiting Any Baby Can. SpawGlass employees and Any Baby Can staff volunteers pulled triggers and kept score for competitive shooters who paid to participate in the 50 bird course. After the event, Tyler Carpenter, Project Manager for SpawGlass, presented Any Baby Can President and Chief Executive Officer, Andy Miller, with a check for $25,000 raised during the event, which was raised to a grand total of $32,262 after silent auction donations bids were tallied.

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Local Lifestyle

AUSTIN

Top neighborhoods for health and wellness

Healthcare

Peace & Quiet

When it comes to ease of access to healthcare, whether the issue is volume or variety, nowhere in Austin matches the neighborhoods around the intersection of 38th Street and Lamar: Bryker Woods, Pemberton Heights and, especially, Rosedale. Two major hospitals, a forest of medical buildings staffed by everything from internists to obscure specialists as well as a small universe of ancillary medical shops and services are all in walking distance for neighborhood residents.

The link between peace of mind and health is well documented. Some Austin neighborhoods excel at shutting out the stresses of the modern world and letting residents enjoy the slow, comfortable pace of residential life with spacious yards, tree-lined streets and attractive houses. Hyde Park and Tarrytown bring many of the charms of suburban life close to the city center. Further out, Circle C and Westlake Hills offer commuter options, as do neighborhoods spreading west along 2222 and Southwest Parkway.

parks & rec

One of the simplest ways to stay fit is to build exercise into the daily art of living. In several areas of Austin, residents can realistically walk to grocers and places of entertainment, and a good range of retail and service enterprises. South Congress (SoCo, if you must) and nearby neighborhoods such as Zilker and Bouldin Creek are the best known such areas. The new revitalized neighborhoods of East Austin, including East Ceasear Chavez and East End as well as Cherrywood and French Place, are pedestrian-friendly. Flying below the radar, the north central neighborhoods of Allandale, Brentwood, and Crestview are also quite walkable.

Plentiful opportunities for outdoor activity are excellent for both physical and mental health. They are also essential for families with children. Zilker, next to the eponymous mega-park, and neighboring Barton Hills and Bouldin Creek are premier areas for those who like time outdoors. The same can be said for any neighborhood with a border on Lady Bird Lake or the Greenbelt.

BY JON BLACK

AUSTIN’S NEIGHBORHOODS are a diverse lot — possessing the kind of unique looks, feels, and histories more commonly associated with East Coast cities than the younger settlements of the West. When it comes to health and wellness, not all of Austin’s neighborhoods are created equal. Which neighborhoods are the healthiest? Well, that all depends on what you mean by “health.”

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Walkability

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Local Lifestyle

THE ROSE OF GIVING Local Austin dental practice awards scholarship to students BY GISELLE SUAZO ARRIAGA / PHOTO BY STEVE DEMENT

ROSE DENTAL GROUP has awarded two deserving recipients with scholarships and is proud to continue its tradition of giving back to the community. “Rose Dental Group’s giving plan is made up of five different categories, one of which is education. Our scholarship fund was established in 2014 as a way to give back to our community’s future leaders,” said Charlotte Pieczynski, Community Relations Coordinator for Rose Dental Group. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be graduating seniors, have a minimum GPA of 3.5, complete an application, and submit their high school transcript, a letter of recommendation and two completed essays. Aside from displaying good academics, applicants should also display experience in community service and/or volunteer experience. “We want to recognize those students who go above and beyond - out of their comfort zone in terms of volunteer experience and community involvement. Both recipients of this year’s scholarships did that,” said Dr. Sergio Escobar, one of the founders of Rose Dental Group. Edith Gonzales, a 2015 recipient of the Rose Dental Group Scholarship, graduated from Austin High School. She will be attending the University of Texas at San Antonio in the fall, where she will pursue a degree in Nursing. Gonzales was involved in the National Honor Society, PALS, basketball, and softball at Austin High School. Her volunteer experience included participation in the Feast of Sharing and Feed My People. “I didn’t do the volunteer work because I felt like I had to, I did it because I wanted to, and I believe that made me stand out from the other applicants,” said Gonzales. Rafael Renteria, also a 2015 Rose Dental Group Scholarship recipient, graduated from

Stony Point High School. He will be attending “Local businesses such as our practice Texas A&M University, where he will pursue a should have initiatives to give back to show degree in Forensic Pathology. Renteria was insupport and because we are vital to the comvolved in the National Honor Society and was munity. As an Austin-based company, we also part of the baseball team at Stony Point High want to give back to members of the commuSchool. His volunteer experience included nity who are patients at Rose Dental Group,” mentoring children along with the rest of his said Dr. Rollin Sarradet, co-founder of Rose baseball team in nearby elementary schools. Dental Group. “One of the leadership qualities I believe made The Rose Dental Group Scholarship has me stand out from the other applicants was concluded for this year, but interested applimy ability to communicate effectively with cants are encouraged to apply beginning this people,” said Renteria. fall for the following 2016-2017 academic year. Rose Dental Group team members have a long history of WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THOSE giving back to the Austin comSTUDENTS WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND munity and often participate - OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE IN at volunteer events, such as the TERMS OF VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE MLK Jr. Blvd cleanup, Meals on AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. Wheels, and health fairs, where BOTH RECIPIENTS OF THIS YEAR’S they provide free oral cancer SCHOLARSHIPS DID THAT. screenings, to name a few. For more information visit, www.rosedental.net.

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Local Lifestyle

MAKE THE

PEPITO

USING DOS LUNAS CHEESE Learn how to make this signature Venezuelan street food BY GONZALO VELOZ / PHOTOS BY GONZALO VELOZ

I AM GONZALO VELOZ, a filmmaker and graphic artist from Caracas, Venezuela and recently moved to Austin, Texas. I have missed home so much, but have felt embraced by how many healthy, local products I am able to access to create my favorite Venezuelan dishes like the Pepito. Since living in Austin, I have learned about grass-fed, gluten-free and non-GMO food and why these aspects are important for a healthy lifestyle. I have also learned to support local food producers, like Dos Lunas Artisan Cheese, who focus foremost on quality. Gotta love the local food movement in Austin! The “Pepito” is a staple Venezuelan street food and is considered a junk food. Think of it as an indulgent sandwich, but so much better! All across Venezuela you can find food trucks and street stands serving this beautiful, amazing, and tasty treat in so many different versions. I’m going to show you how to reinvent this dish in an Austinite, healthy way using local and organic products.

INGREDIENTS serves two 1 package of tenderloin chicken breasts 1 red pepper 1 yellow pepper 1 onion 1 hass avocado 1 pack of Udi’s Gluten Free Classic Hot Dog Buns Dos Lunas Black Pepper Cheddar Cheese

SAUCE 1 tablespoon of Veganaise (Vegan Mayonnaise) 1 teaspoon of chopped coriander

Marinate the chicken with the rub of your preference, personally I like to use McCormick’s Montreal Chicken seasoning. You can use garlic powder and gluten-free tamari sauce. After marinating for 30 minutes, cut the chicken into small or medium-sized pieces. Chop the red and yellow peppers into thin, long slices and chop the onion into small squares. Heat a medium-sized pan to medium heat and add olive oil to cook the vegetables until tender. Add the chicken, cook thoroughly. Warm up the buns with steam until they’re soft, then fill them with the chicken, peppers, and onions. Cut the avocado into thin slices and place on top of the Pepito. Grate the Dos Lunas Black Pepper Cheddar and sprinkle on top of the avocado. Combine one tablespoon of Veganaise and a teaspoon of coriander and drizzle on top. Optional, place the Pepito in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese melts a little. For more information visit, www.doslunascheese.com.

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Local Lifestyle

DYEZZ SURVEILLANCE AND SECURITY GETS YOUR HOME

ON A FITNESS TRACK A security alarm and surveillance system to match your safety needs BY BOB PENA

this plan may have, especially in the evening or through the night. Wouldn’t it be worth your time to consider talking with an expert regarding the “security fitness” of your home or office? These experts focus on the principles of personalizing a security alarm and surveillance system to match your safety needs. Dyezz Security and Surveillance offers its customers, both at home and in the office, with security and surveillance systems at a price they can afford and provide good quality with access from almost anywhere with cloud storage and live, interactive streaming. How’s that for a security fitness plan!

THESE EXPERTS FOCUS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF PERSONALIZING A SECURITY ALARM AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM TO MATCH YOUR SAFETY NEEDS.

For more information visit, www.dyezz.com.

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WHEN IT COMES TO MEN’S HEALTH and the importance of striving to be as fit as possible, it makes sense to develop a “fitness” plan, right? Without such a plan, our efforts at getting, and remaining fit, may result in disappointment and frustration, as without a fitness plan, we could be embellishing the “Ready – Aim – Fire” principle! It’s also a good idea to think about hiring a fitness professional to assist with the development of a fitness plan. Frequently, we take on this challenge on our own; there’s nothing wrong with that, and often this simple strategy works. But how often do these efforts last before we’re back to the past? Working with a fitness professional not only helps us to set realistic goals that assist in our achieving fitness goals, they also provide us with a nutritional surveillance plan – a plan that identifies not only what and how much we’re currently eating, but also how nutritious it is – it monitors what, how, and when we eat. Similarly, when we make plans for taking a vacation or being away from home for an extended time for any reason, most of us usually visit our next door neighbor the night before we leave and ask them to “keep an eye” on our home. Most of us know the many potential shortcomings

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COVER STORY

DEALING WITH THE

MENTAL PHYSICAL AND

EFFECTS One Austin policer officer shares his brave story of coming out BY SAM JACKSON PHOTOS BY STEVE DEMENT

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

OF BEING A TRANSGENDER

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

EVERYBODY LIKES TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE SOMETHING HUGE IN THEM – USUALLY THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL, A REVOLUTIONARY GAME-CHANGING INVENTION, OR A BRILLIANT SYMPHONY. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE THEY’RE RIGHT. MOST PEOPLE NEVER ACT ON THOSE THOUGHTS, BUT THEY KNOW HOW MUCH HOLDING THAT STUFF IN CAN HURT, ESPECIALLY IF THEY’RE THE CREATIVE TYPE. Now, imagine that instead of a book idea or a piece of music, there was a whole other person inside you, constantly clawing at your insides and whispering in your ear to let them out. That’s an unimaginable level of pain, and for most of his life, Senior Officer, Greg Abbink, of the Austin Police Department had to deal with that until last summer, when he publicly came out as a transgender man, the first Austin police officer to ever do so. That makes this summer all the more special for him, worlds apart from when he started on the force in 2004. In fact, his 11th anniversary is also the day of this interview, and in keeping with his reputation, he’s a veritable ray of sunshine, willing to explain all the subtleties of the transgender community that some might find baffling or difficult. Starting, of course, with the root of the problem that transgender people start having with themselves at some point. “It sounds like such a simple way to say it, but you’re born in the wrong body,” says Abbink. By the age of five, Abbink knew something had gone sideways with his birth, and his intensive pursuits of things like high school sports reflected that. “My brain thinks like a male, I act like a male, my impulses are male. Growing up, I would relate to males. I was interested in all the stereotypical male things. I was drawn to them naturally; no one had to show me,” he says. When graduation rolled around, Abbink jumped into the armed forces. There, his brain attuned to the rigor, order, and discipline of military life, and after that, law enforcement, and there he was able to tune out that voice telling him he wasn’t who he was supposed to be. But that voice still persisted over the years. Besides that, being an openly gay officer, like Abbink was in 2004, was still pretty tough. There was no organization like, say, the Lesbian and Gay Peace Officer’s Association (LGPOA) for another five years that offered support and aid to openly gay cops, and cases of crude gay jokes and formal complaints did happen. Three years after Abbink joined, current Austin police chief, Art Acevedo, took over and his administration became a wave of support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, regardless of whether they were civilians or cops. With gestures like encouraging officers to march in local pride parades with their police vehicles and their uniforms, Acevedo created an environment of acceptance that played a huge part in bringing Greg out of the shell he’d been in for so long. Sure enough, his fellow officers and the students he teaches at the APD’s safety school embraced him warmly. Coming out did wonders for Greg’s mental state, but it also brought some fitness related issues of its own. “On testosterone, your body redistributes the fat,” he adds. “So most men carry their weight all

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

around their midsection, and that’s where I’m noticing everything is moving to.” Fortunately for Abbink, focusing on his physical health and making changes to his exercise routines after his transition turned out to be “the fun part” of the whole experience, and he proudly notes some changes in those as well. Currently, he makes sure to work out at least three times a week, keeps a constant mix of cardio and weights, and wants to add swimming and Cross Fit in the future. “Because of the testosterone I’m on now, it’s been fun going to the gym and lifting weights,” he explains. “It’s been fun to see how the amount of weight I can lift or bench has increased. I recently went back to the surgeon for a checkup and he said, ‘Man, your shoulders are really filling out and getting thicker!” He also really loves to run around Austin, but downplays his abilities as a runner. “There’s two types of runners in this world: your race horses and your pack mules. I’m definitely a pack mule,” he says through chuckling. Jokes aside, his newfound abilities gave him a much improved score on the APD fitness exam. His treatments have also been bringing out inherited traits and genetic features that weren’t previously in play, including a massive increase in body hair, which Abbink says came from his father. “I look at pictures of my dad and I’m just like, oh no, I’m turning into my dad!” Right now, Abbink has just finished changing his birth certificate, passport, and other key documents, making himself a man on paper. Now, he can finally start looking to his future. He plans to get married again in Texas soon (he and his wife were married in New York since gay marriage was legal there). He wants to keep his career with the APD going. “Wherever they need me, I’ll be there,” though retirement feels a long way off. And with the rest of the world suddenly so much more interested in transgender people than ever before, Senior Officer Greg Abbink will be there, not just to protect and serve them, but to walk them through his experiences. “I got dealt an unlucky hand of cards and came out in the wrong body,” he remarks. “I consider myself a heterosexual male. That’s how I was born, that’s what I identify as, and it’s not a choice. What is a choice is for me to not undergo the misery of not identifying with my exterior any longer. I can do something about it, so that my outside can be in congruence with my inside, and I can live as normal a life as I can, and as happy and productive of a life as I can.”

I GOT DEALT AN UNLUCKY HAND OF CARDS AND CAME OUT IN THE WRONG BODY. I CONSIDER MYSELF A HETEROSEXUAL MALE. THAT’S HOW I WAS BORN, THAT’S WHAT I IDENTIFY AS, AND IT’S NOT A CHOICE. A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Gorgeous Guys All about male grooming

What is male grooming? As a term , “male grooming” it’s pretty new to our vocabularies. It was coined a few years ago by clever marketing people who wanted to open up the lucrative (but very femenine) beauty industry to the other half of the population. Of course the word “grooming” was carefully selected for his own connotations: dogs are “groomed”, chimps “groom” each other - it sounds primitive enough even the most bull-headed pub-goers . If they’d called it “male pampering” industry, the financial forecasts probably wouldn’t be as impressive as they are today.

Hello gorgeous

Though the term may be new “male grooming” has been present throughtout history in several civilizations.

Male Malegrooming groomingthroughtout throughtoutthe thehistory history 10.000 BC

Male interest in grooming & skin care could be dated back as early as 10.000 BC when men grommed themselves with fragant oils to clean & soften their skins & mask body odor. Early civilizations viewed personal grooming & makeup application as a science, which served as a means to obtain health, differentiate, various classes & create more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

300 BC

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By 300 BC, persian traders had introduced myrrh & franknincense to Mediterranean civilizations. The demand for these & scented oils, spices & herbs rose as they were necessary ingredients for men’s skin care, make up & grooming products.

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M E N ’ S H E A LT H

IMPROVEMENT IN SURGICAL TECHNIQUES OVER THE LAST FEW DECADES HAS LEAD TO IMPROVED OUTCOMES, FEWER COMPLICATIONS, AND A BETTER, OVERALL, PATIENT EXPERIENCE.

TO CUT OR NOT TO CUT, THAT IS THE QUESTION

The remaining steps in these techniques are quite similar, however. Recent research has shown that by implementing this simple concept, patients have had improved outcomes. Studies comparing the two techniques have shown a reduction in hematoma (blood clot) formation, infection rate, and less discomfort for the patient after the procedure. Despite improvement in complications, success rates have not suffered.

Learn if permanent sterility is right for you BY NATHANIEL M. POLNASZEK, M.D., UROLOGIST

vasectomy (NSV), also known as the “keyhole vasectomy,” has been described and implemented by many urologists. Traditionally, during a standard vasectomy two incisions are made on the scrotal skin to allow access to the vas deferens. However, with the NSV, a sharp hemostat is used to pierce the scrotal skin. The scrotal skin is gently spread to deliver the vas deferens (sperm tube) for ligation. Because there is no incision, no sutures are required upon completion of the procedure.

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For more information visit, www.roundrock.sw.org or call 512-509-0200.

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ost men reach a time in their lives when they have decided that the pitter-patter of little feet just isn’t in the cards any more. For my wife and I, that time came after the birth of our third child shortly after I had completed my urologic training. The thought of bringing another child into this world provided us with palpitations and cold sweats. When it comes to permanent sterility, there are essentially two surgical choices: vasectomy (for him) or tubal ligation (for her). Tubal ligation is most commonly performed using a laparoscope in the abdomen under general anesthesia and can be associated with inherent medical risk. Conversely, vasectomy is most often performed in the office with either light sedation or no sedation at all. For me, the decision was a “no brainer.” Vasectomy, the surgical cutting and sealing of part of each vas deferens, has evolved since its inception in the U.S. in the 1960s. Improvement in surgical techniques over the last few decades has lead to improved outcomes, fewer complications, and a better, overall, patient experience. Most recently, there has been a shift toward more minimally-invasive techniques. Additionally, the no-scalpel

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M E N ’ S H E A LT H

TESTOSTERONE AND MEN’S HEALTH

Texas Physical Therapy advices how to keep men in tiptop shape BY JUSTIN SIMON, ORTHOPEDIC CLINICAL SPECIALIST

en’s health starts with a conversation about testosterone, the primary male sex hormone in the body. We have known for sometime now that many environmental factors play a role in maximizing serum testosterone in men, which include a healthy diet, good sleeping habits – no more 2am Netflix binges gentlemen – and limiting stress. Furthermore, regular exercise and weight lifting can help maximize serum testosterone levels, and improve a man’s overall health. Here are four reasons your physical therapist is the perfect healthcare provider to help you maximize your manliness.

POWER MUSCLES NEED SUPPORT The Functional Movement Screen, Selective Functional Movement Assessment, and Y-balance test are all tools which can show relevant movement impairments. As you progress through a treatment regime, these tests can be re-administered to show objective improvement.

EXERCISE FADS FEEL BAD

COMPREHENSIVE SCREEN OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM Physical Therapists are experts of movements, and a good PT will perform a comprehensive screen of major muscle groups, along with joint mobility of the entire body. Joints need to be able to move through an established range of motion (ROM) to maximize muscle function. Your PT will identify and address any relevant impairments or loss of ROM to minimize risk of injury as you build strength.

THE FOOT BONE IS CONNECTED TO THE KNEE BONE This concept is known as regional interdependence and in some sense does matter. PTs have a host of standardized objective and measurable tests to determine how your body works together, while identifying any major asymmetries.

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

REGULAR EXERCISE AND WEIGHT LIFTING CAN HELP MAXIMIZE SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVELS AND IMPROVE A MAN’S OVERALL HEALTH.

We have all made New Year’s resolutions to get fit. We buy a video series and don’t make it past the second week. Exercise fads assume a high-baseline fitness level. Your PT will safely progress you to a level of strength and fitness required for competent exercise at your home and gym. Injuries are a major barrier to adding muscle and maximizing testosterone, and are best prevented, rather than treated. Your PT will help you achieve your overall movement and fitness goals related to strength. For more information visit, www.TexPTS.com.

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Many Olympic lifts require exceptional “form” to be performed safely. A spine without muscles will fail with as little as two newtons of compressive force. Elite powerlifters can safely put 17,000+ newtons of compressive force through the spine due to their highly trained deep stabilizing muscles. A good PT will evaluate the strength of these deep muscles, and train you to use them in positions required to add muscle to your body.

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

NOT ALL PROSTATE SIGNS POINT TO CANCER Take note of the warning signs to get you back on the path to health BY DR. ERIC GIESLER

or something not much larger than a walnut, the prostate gland can cause a lot of anxiety in men, and for good reason. This year alone, over 200,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. However, if the prostate becomes problematic this doesn’t always point to cancer. Particularly since, most of the time, prostate cancer is asymptomatic. Located just beneath the bladder and surrounding the urethra, the prostate gland functions to secrete seminal fluid transporting and providing nutrition to the sperm necessary for reproduction. Because of the prostate’s location, it has an affect on how the bladder empties as well as the flow of urine. A change in the flow of urine is usually an early clue that something about the prostate is not functioning properly. Over time, some men’s prostates will slowly enlarge although, this is not a normal part of aging. When urinating, they may experience a delay in starting, decreased force, a stream that starts and

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stops, or dribbling at the end of urination. Likewise, they may experience frequent urination, especially at night, and a feeling that they haven’t fully emptied their bladder. All of these symptoms may point to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate. Just as the name implies, this condition is not cancer and does not increase a man’s risk of developing cancer. Many of these symptoms could indicate prostatitis or an inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis is so common that numbers suggest 50% of men experience symptoms of an inflamed prostate. While a bacterial infection may be the root cause of the inflammation, the prostate can also become inflamed without the presence of bacteria. Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis, is characterized as mild to crippling pain in the prostate that lasts longer than three months and is not associated with bacteria.

Sadly, many men ultimately develop prostate cancer. Current statistics indicate that 1 in 7 American men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. As the second most common cancer in men, 1 in 38 American men will die from the disease. While prostate cancer has been known to grow and spread rapidly, fortunately it is normally a slow growing cancer which allows time for treatment. Key to any prostate diagnosis is a thorough examination, which commonly includes a rectal exam, a PSA blood test, and a urinalysis when screening for bacteria. For African American men, and men who have had prostate cancer in their immediate family, annual screenings should begin after age 40. Numbers show that African American men have a 60% higher risk of prostate cancer during their lifetimes. For all others, it is recommended that they have an annual prostate exam starting at age 50. Men should also ask their doctor about having a blood test to check their Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level. The greatest benefits of screening appears to be in men ages 55 to 69. Since the prostate enables us to procreate, it’s an essential organ and important part of the sexual experience. Without it, we wouldn’t be here! Men should not fear or ignore their prostate since most prostate conditions can be suitably remedied. As I tell my male patients, “Respect the check engine of life.” When your body is hinting that something isn’t quite right, see your doctor. Dr. Eric Giesler has been with The Urology Team since 2008 and sub specializes in cancers of the prostate. For more information visit, www.urologyteam.com.

TOP PHOTO BY DR. STEPHEN HARDEMAN OF THE UROLOGY TEAM, HEAD SHOT PHOTO BY DUANE OSBORN OF O STUDIO

M E N ’ S H E A LT H

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M E N ’ S H E A LT H

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY

country which may be a haven for endemic disease such as typhoid, yellow fever, or malaria. Along with obtaining necessary vaccinations, whether traveling domestic or abroad, your physician may be comfortable prescribing certain medications for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or motion sickness, and possibly an emergency prescription for antibiotics, before you leave for your trip. The website, www.mdtravelhealth. com, is a great resource that highlights vaccinations which may be indicated, depending on where you’re planning to travel. Give your itinerary to a trusted friend or family member before you leave on your trip and let them know where you intend to stop and how you can be reached. It’s important that the people closest to you have a way of reaching you, if an emergency at home, or if you or your travel companions become stranded, and/or require assistance over the course of your trip. Pack a first aid kit, complete with bandages, antibiotic ointment, medical grade tape, 4X4-inch sterile gauze, scissors, and an elastic compression wrap. You never know when you or your companions might need first aid due to a fall, a burn, or an injury changing an unexpected flat tire in the middle of nowhere. It’s always best to be a little over-prepared, than not. Pay close attention to your level of oral hydration. Many people consciously avoid drinking as much water as they may actually need, while trying to avoid inconvenient restroom stops while traveling by car, or having to traverse multiple passengers from their window seat on an airplane while making their way to the restroom. Because conditions while traveling are often either hot or uncomfortable, there is even more reason to keep yourself well-hydrated. Throw in some vigorous playtime at a lake or beach destination and the risk of dehydration increases. It is commonplace to see out-oftown visitors in the ER, simply because they often misgauge the heat and humidity of a particular vacation destination and fail to hydrate adequately over the course of their trip. The ER can be an avoidable

BY RICHARD KELLEY, M.D.

he final school bell has rung for the year and the kids are ready for some summer fun in the sun. Vacation time is here and the opportunity to create memories lies before you over the ensuing three months to come. Hopefully, Texas has seen the last of deluge rains for a while, so whether you’re single or have family in tow, the promise of adventurous travel, whether domestic or abroad, begs for some guidelines to increase the likelihood that your treks will find you safe and healthy over the course of your travels. I’ve comprised a list of 10 things to consider as you trot across the U.S. or around the globe, which I hope will enhance your experiences for the better, with every stop and destination which finds its way onto your itinerary.

Visit your doctor first. I say this for a couple of reasons. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a check up, it’s far better to spot a problem before you leave home. It’s much wiser to clarify with your doctor, the true nature of that nagging, occasional chest discomfort, before you go hiking up a rock formation in Utah or snorkeling in the Bahamas. It’s also important to see your doctor to determine if any vaccinations are necessary before traveling to a

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A medical expert shares his top 10 travel tips for men

stop, if you will take the precaution to hydrate along the way to your destination. This should be common sense, but if you drink alcohol, don’t drink and drive. Something about traveling or going on vacation automatically throws many people into immediate party mode. Leave your drinking excursions until after you’ve arrived at your destination and take a cab to and from your destination if you plan to drink. If you’re traveling by plane, avoid excess alcohol, especially if you’ll be picking up a car upon landing at the airport and have farther to travel to reach your ultimate destination. In addition, be mindful about the extent of your alcohol consumption. Alcohol acts as a diuretic. Along with poor oral hydration, alcohol will only enhance your tendency to become dehydrated in a hot or humid environment. Be careful. Pack a reasonable amount of healthy travel food, water, and snacks if you’ll be traveling by car so you’re not reliant on fast food stops to cull you and your family’s hunger. If you’re traveling by plane, eat a good meal before reaching the airport. Let’s face it, on an empty stomach, the fact that you’re a captive at the airport enhances the likelihood that you’ll cave and pay $20 for a hotdog and a beer at the bar, simply because you failed to eat a good meal before heading to the airport. Make sure you pack a sandwich, healthy turkey wrap, or something substantial, along with a piece of fruit, nuts, or a protein bar to hold you over for a while if you know that you’ll be facing a layover between home and your destination. Do the same on the return leg of your trip as well. When traveling by car, and especially if you have a spouse and/or children traveling with you, remember this tip every time that you stop to fuel up. When you exit your vehicle and your passengers are waiting in the car while you’re pumping gas, always remove your keys from the ignition and take them with you, placing them in your pocket while refueling your vehicle. As much as none of us want to believe this can happen, there are carjackers among us. By removing the keys when you exit your vehicle, you decrease the unimaginable ability for someone to commandeer your vehicle while your loved ones remain inside. Lock your car doors when you get back in your vehicle and keep them locked while you’re driving. Also, when driving up to

a stop sign or stop light, always remember to leave a car’s length between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, to provide you space to get away and to prevent the possibility of being “boxed in” by one or more carjackers. Note: carjacking may not be anything you’ve ever had to worry about where you happen to live, but please realize there are some areas in the U.S., as well as abroad, where this is a very common practice. If possible, choose lodging and hotel accommodations where the rooms are accessible only through interior doors. These dwellings may occasionally be slightly more expensive than accommodations with exterior-only doors, but hotels with interior hallways are generally safer than those that exit directly to the outside. If you do happen to stay at a motel, avoid getting a ground-floor room next to the parking lot, as these are generally more accessible to anyone with ill intent on their mind. Try to at least get a room on the second floor, for added safety, when staying at a motel.

hand made jewelry

Choose a hotel that has a gym. Unless you’re going on a vacation where your physical activity will be high, you should consider making sure that the hotel has a decent gym. Because people have become more health conscious these days, and many of us are watching our weight, hotels are responding to the demand of their guests and in many cases, creating gym spaces which include multiple cardiovascular machines, treadmills, weight-training systems, and yoga mats. If the hotel you choose does have a gym, make sure you spend some time there over the course of your stay. Lastly, relax, get some rest, and have fun. It’s far too easy to return from vacation or travel, more exhausted than when you originally left home. Try your best to recharge your batteries while you’re away. Avoid overindulging on food, alcohol, late night outings, or too much sun. Make it a point to take care of yourself. Visit with the locals and enjoy features of the culture which may be different from your own. Turn your cell phone and electronics off when possible. You deserve a break. The real world will still be waiting when you get back. Happy travels!

www.moonchildartisan.com

For more information visit, www.austiner.com.

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MEN’S HEALTH

& BEAUTY

A GUIDE FOR MEN ON HOW TO fight the signs of aging

Dr. Ling shares nine procedures designed specifically for problems men face BY DR. SHIRAT LING

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reapply every hour while exposed to the sun. Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke. Get enough quality sleep. Exercise regularly. Even with the best preventive care, you may need a little assistance. Below are nine cosmetic procedures men should consider:

Microdermabrasion In a word, this gateway procedure is sandblasting and it feels like a cat licking you. Like sandblasting, it whittles down the superficial layers of dead skin to make wrinkles, acne scars, and pores less visible. Your face will feel like a baby’s butt after this quick procedure, and you will then have man-glow.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox Cosmetic, Xeomin, Dysport) This purified protein is injected into muscles to relax them. If anyone has asked you if you were mad at them, but you weren’t, this is for you. In just a few short days, you will look more relaxed, approachable, and younger. The results last 3-4 months, and muscles atrophy as treatments progress, so you can say goodbye to the Cro-Magnon brow.

Dermal fillers (Belotero, Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, Voluma) These fill in shallow and deep wrinkles, restore volume that was lost from temples, cheeks, lips, and lift the sunken under eye area. The results are instant and last six months to two years.

Laser Hair Removal Consider the neck both front and back. Pseudofolliculitis (razor burn / bumps) is an unsightly, but preventable, condition. With laser hair removal, hairs grow back finer and slower, and eventually, don’t come back at all. Unless you feel compelled to grow out all of your facial hair and have a wild-man look, get 6-10 monthly laser treatments while your hairs still have color. Other areas that you may consider are the armpits (especially if you’re a runner, and for reduction of body odor), unibrow, ears, and back.

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n my practice, men rarely come in on their own accord, it’s usually prompted by a significant other. With a little prodding, men do express concerns about aging. Fortunately, men do age more gracefully than women. Testosterone promotes a better foundation (bone density and muscle mass) to their faces from the start, so the skin has more support when things go south. Thicker, oily skin also makes recovery a bit faster for men, which is great, since they generally cannot tolerate as much pain as women. Thank goodness for numbing cream! First, a quick list of internal beauty behaviors everyone should practice. Drink at least half your body weight in water if you’re sedentary; more if you exercise. Wash your face with a cleanser specifically made for face skin immediately after workouts, and especially at night, ideally with a face brush. Exfoliate the upper face once a week; introduce retinoids twice a week to build collagen and speed up sloughing of skin. You naturally exfoliate by shaving, so be gentle with the lower half of your face. Apply SPF of at least 30 and

Photofacials This noninvasive procedure involves intense pulsed light that targets brown spots and blood vessels to make your skin one color and a bit smoother. This monthly procedure has no down time and you may return to work immediately, but be religious with sunblock.

CO2 Fractional Laser

RADIO FREQUENCY, USED TO TRIGGER FAT CELL DEATH, FEELS LIKE A HOT STONE MASSAGE AND

REDUCES FAT BY 20%

WITH EACH TREATMENT.

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Mesotherapy (spot fat reduction) These injections utilize several ingredients to permanently dissolve fat cells and burn off the released fat. This is great for jowls, double chins, stubborn saddlebags, and love handles. Gynecomastia, aka man boobs, are usually present with obesity and are a result of testosterone being converted to estrogen. Get your hormones balanced, then address the cosmetic appearance with mesotherapy, truSculpt, or liposuction.

TruSculpt Radio frequency is used to trigger fat cell death. This procedure feels like a hot stone massage, but reduces fat by 20% with each treatment. Treatments are monthly, and usually 2-3 sessions are necessary. This can be performed on all areas of the body, except over bones and above the jawline. Mesotherapy is best for the jowls.

With this treatment expect three days of looking sunburned. CO2 Fractional Laser vaporizes columns of skin to stimulate collagen to fill wrinkles, thicken and tighten skin, lighten discolorations, and reduce acne scars. This can be used near the eyes to build collagen and strengthen and tighten the skin around the eyes, so it is great for dark circles from thin skin and droopy upper lids. This laser may also be used to minimize the appearance of scars and stretch marks as well. It’s the iphone of cosmetic procedures. You should plan for a weekend out of the sun while recovering from this annual laser treatment.

Platelet-Rich Plasma This is a great add-on to the CO2 Factional Laser treatment to increase collagen production and speed healing. One tube of blood is drawn and spun down in a centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the platelets and plasma,

which contains eight growth factors that do the magic. The serum is placed on the holes produced by the CO2 laser or with microneedling, it’s like applying fertilizer after aerating the lawn. Don’t forget medical-grade skin products to protect your investment. Retinoids stimulate collagen growth and skin turnover. Hydroquinone lightens brown spots. Sunblock prevents future damage and complications; find one that is oil-free and lightweight, so you don’t feel smothered. This is just an introduction into the wide world of beauty. Schedule your consultation to determine your best options.

Dr. Shirat Ling, the Physician

Artist at Innate Beauty Medical Spa, personally performs all medical cosmetic procedures at her South First Street office. She has performed more than 9,000 ablative laser treatments and has been in medical practice for 15 years. For more information visit, www.innatebeauty.com.

A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

MEN’S HEALTH

& BEAUTY

MEN’S

HEALTH AND WELLNESS found at the spa Austin’s top spa treatments designed just for men BY JON BLACK

t’s no secret that summer in Austin can be hard on the body. When we’re lucky, daytime temperatures stay in the 90s. Let’s not even talk about when we’re not lucky. And, contrary to what a lot of non-Texans think, no, it’s not a dry heat. The season even makes many of our favorite recreational activities, such as swimming at Barton Springs, running at the Barton Creek Greenbelt, and picnics at Zilker Park, physically draining. Fortunately, we live in an era that understands men enjoy some pampering, too. Austin is home to many excellent spas and summer is the perfect time for scheduling a little relaxation and rejuvenation. The team at Austin MD has listed eight of our favorite spa treatments, perfect for treating yourself or that special man in your life. Ashiatsu Massage from W Austin’s AWAY Spa Developed in Japan, this sensational massage technique provides a therapeutic and deeply relaxing treatment. It is executed through customized pressure and massage strokes delivered by the therapist’s skilled and nimble feet. Details: 60, 75, or 90 minutes for $160, $200, or $240. Back Treatment from Mecca Gym and Spa Out of sight should not be out of mind. Your back is a big part of your body and deserves love and attention. This treatment cleans, exfoliates and treats back and shoulders (great for women, too). Details: 60 minutes, $100 member/$155 nonmember. Herbal Apothecary Allergy Relief Massage from The Spa at Four Seasons Austin Any time of year, Austin is brutal on allergies. This specially focused treatment blends aromatherapy with massage and hot towel compresses to relieve tension and gently open airways, allowing you to breathe easy again. Details: 50 – 80 minutes, $155 – $205.

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HERBAL APOTHECARY

Hiatus Massage from Hiatus Spa + Retreat The spa put its name on it, so you know it’s good. This massage combines Swedish techniques with aromatherapy to relax muscles, improve circulation, increase range of motion, and stimulate the skin and nerves. Details: 50 – 110 minutes, $69 –$128 for H-Circle members and $100 – $180 for nonmembers. Man Up Facial from W Austin’s AWAY Spa Your face is your first impression. AWAY Spa ensures you make a good one with this simple, effective and thorough treatment. Using Jack Black products and specifically designed for men’s skin, Man Up leaves you feeling clean and reanimated. Details: 60 minutes, $120.

HIATUS SPA + RETREAT

Men’s Nail Service from Mecca Gym and Spa Life is hard on your nails, you shouldn’t be. This treatment offers a complete clip, clean, exfoliation, and moisturizing with a clean, masculine Vetiver scent. And it comes with a beer or glass of wine. Details: 25 minutes, $25 member/$27.50 nonmember. Pura Vida Detoxifying Body Treatment from Four Seasons Spa This treatment combines multiple detoxifying techniques. An anti-inflammatory desert clay body mask, infused with therapeutic herbs, stimulates and purifies the lymphatic system while a full-body essential oil massage cleanses the skin and rejuvenates the mind. Details: 80 minutes, $205. Sports Therapy from Hiatus Spa + Retreat Playing hard can be hard on the body. This soothing, tension-relief treatment includes guiding stretching and releasing techniques for specific muscle groups. Details: 60 or 90 minutes, $88 for H-Circle and $119 for nonmembers or $117 for H-Circle and $159 for nonmembers.

W AUSTIN’S AWAY SPA HIATUS SPA + RETREAT

MECCA GYM AND SPA

MEN, THESE SPAS ARE WAITING TO WELCOME YOU. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT,

MECCA GYM AND SPA

The Spa at Four Seasons Austin: 98 San Jacinto Blvd., (512) 685-8160, www.fourseasons.com/austin/spa Hiatus Spa + Retreat: 1611 W. 5th Street, Suite 155, (512) 362-5777, www.hiatusspa.com Mecca Gym & Spa: 524 N. Lamar Blvd., 3rd floor, (512) 381-2680, www.meccagymandspa.com W Austin’s AWAY Spa: 200 Lavaca Street, (512) 542-3626, www.austinawayspa.com

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PROFILE

ADAM LOEWY Practicing law differently sets this personal attorney apart BY JON BLACK / PHOTOS BY CASEY CHAPMAN ROSS

“WE FOCUS ON LEAVING A LEGACY IN OUR CLIENTS’ LIVES,” SAYS ATTORNEY ADAM LOEWY. “WE AREN’T JUST HERE TO WORK A PERSONAL INJURY CASE. We help our clients any way we can whether it’s medical care, counseling or anything else. It doesn’t matter if they don’t have health insurance. We get them the care they need.” In the decade since establishing the Loewy Law Firm in Austin, he has earned a reputation for taking on challenging and high profile cases and helping his clients secure the care, dignity and compensation they deserve. Readers may be most familiar with his work through the widely covered 2014 case of Noe Niño de Rivera, a Bastrop teenager who sustained brain injuries after being teased at school. In addition to securing a settlement for Noe, Loewy helped facilitate state-of-the-art rehabilitation treatment for the young man. For Loewy, this holistic approach to meeting clients’ needs is not only one of the defining features of his firm; it is also an essential part of a good personal injury practice. He admits clients are sometimes surprised by the approach. “They think we’re just here for the legal part.” But he’s seen the big-picture approach pay off in many ways. “It creates a good attorney-client relationship, it helps them substantially and it even helps with the lawsuit and getting them the compensation they deserve.” Working with clients in such depth requires time and attention from Loewy and his team. He enjoys getting to know his clients as people and being available to them. For those reasons, he is extremely selective about the cases he accepts. “I’m focused on people who are in very serious catastrophic injury situations who really need my help,” he says. As a result, Loewy only handles 10 to 15 cases at any time, which he feels differentiates him from many other personal injury attorneys, some of whom may have hundreds of active cases at once. Loewy works diligently to build respectful and trusting relationships between his firm and Austin’s medical community. He views those relationships as essential both for the success of the firm and ensuring his clients get the care they deserve. “You have a lot of clients out there who are poor and have no insurance. Say they’ve been injured and need a shoulder surgery. It’s understandable that a doctor doesn’t want to do

the surgery for free or to bill Medicare or Medicaid and receive ten cents on the dollar,” he describes. But, because of the relationships and trust Loewy has built, he can tell doctors that money will be recovered in the case and they will treat the patient immediately — confident they will be paid in full when the case is concluded. His ability to get Noe Niño de Rivera the immediate rehabilitation care he needed while the case was still pending is an example of the power of these relationships to make a tangible difference for clients. More recently, Loewy was able to help a client who suffered extensive facial injures as a result of being hit by a drunk driver get fast-tracked for maxillofacial surgery. “That’s a win-win-win for everyone. The clients get needed care, doctors get to do their job and get paid in full and we get to help clients recover the money they deserve.” “I come from a science family,” Loewy says, explaining the very personal perspective he brings to his work with the medical community. “My father is a professor of neuroanatomy and my mother was a virology researcher.” Loewy holds doctors and health care professionals in very high regard and views working with them as an honor and pleasure, not just part of a case. Loewy received his JD from the University of Texas School of Law. After graduation, he spent six months practicing corporate bankruptcy law in Dallas and quickly discovered that specialty was not his passion. Moving back to Austin, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of opening his own legal practice. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “We’re going to continue being one of the leading personal injury firms in Austin. I want to get to the point were I am the ‘go to’ firm for any Austin citizen who has been injured or has had a loved one killed as the result of someone’s negligence,” Loewy says, laying out his vision for the future of the firm. “We’re very proud of what we do. We’re very proud of who we can help. I know how much good we’ve done for past clients and it gives me great pride to know how much we help people.”

I’M FOCUSED ON PEOPLE WHO ARE IN VERY SERIOUS CATASTROPHIC INJURY SITUATIONS WHO REALLY NEED MY HELP.

For more information visit, www.loewylawfirm.com or call (512) 280-0800.

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“IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THEY DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. WE GET THEM THE CARE THEY NEED.”

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Health & Beauty

d Ethn e

myths

Dr. Alina Sholar, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, shares the truth about sunscreen

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BY DR. ALINA SHOLAR

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t’s hard to miss the marketing efforts of sunscreen companies, especially when it comes to rating high SPFs on their products. Yes, it may intuitively seem that an SPF rating of 100 is better than an SPF of 30, but is it really? Like you, many of my patients are confused by the numerous available sunscreens and many marketing efforts just muddle the subject even more. UV radiation is part of the light spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. Both UVA and UVB penetrate the atmosphere and play an important role in conditions such as premature skin aging – wrinkling, leathering, and hyperpigentation, eye damage (including cataracts), and skin cancers. They also suppress the immune system, reducing your ability to fight off disease. UVA, which penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB, has long been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling (photoaging) because it destroys collagen and elastin fibers that keep the skin youthful and supple. Studies over the past two decades show that UVA also damages the basal and squamous skin cells called keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis, where most skin cancers occur. UVA is also the dominant tanning ray, and we now know that tanning, whether outdoors or in a salon, causes cumulative damage over time. A tan results from injury to the skin’s DNA; the skin darkens in an imperfect attempt to prevent further DNA damage. These imperfections, or mutations, can lead to skin cancer. Tanning booths primarily emit UVA. The high-pressure sunlamps used in tanning salons emit doses of UVA as much as 12 times that of the sun. Not surprisingly, people who use tanning salons are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. According to recent research, first exposure to tanning beds in youth increases melanoma risk. By damaging the skin’s cellular DNA, excessive UV radiation produces genetic mutations that can lead to skin cancer. These cancers strike more than a million and more than 250,000 Americans, respectively, each year and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, kills more than 8,000 Americans each year. UVB, the chief cause of skin reddening and sunburn, tends to damage the skin’s more

superficial epidermal layers. It also plays a key role in the development of skin cancer.

A QUICK LESSON ON SPF

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, which is a measure of the amount of time you can spend in the sun before getting a sunburn. SPF is not an amount of protection per se. Rather, it indicates how long it will take for UVB rays to redden skin when using a sunscreen, compared to how long skin would take to redden without the product. For instance, someone using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will take 15 times longer to redden than without the sunscreen. It’s important to note that SPF refers to the ability of a sunscreen to block UVB rays, which cause sunburns, but

Most UV filters are chemical. They form a thin, protective film on the surface of the skin and absorb the UV radiation before they can penetrates the skin, but there is evidence that this can still cause some hyperpigmentation. Further, when sunlight hits the skin, chemical absorbers absorb the active UV rays and release that energy and disperse it as heat into the surrounding tissue, which in turn can stimulate melanin production as the skin’s heat sensors signal that it is being attacked. The process of absorbing the rays and dispersing the energy can still trigger hyperpigmentation in the skin, but worse, they are also broken down by the UV light, making them less effective. My preferred choice is a physical block-

NO SUNSCREEN OFFERS 100% PROTECTION. SO, WE RECOMMEND SPF 30 PRODUCTS TO OUR PATIENTS AND SKINCARE CLIENTS. does not give any indication of it’s ability to block UVA rays. Remember, it’s the UVA rays that are the worst! SPF is not a consumer-friendly number. It is logical for someone to think that an SPF of 30 is twice as good as an SPF of 15 and so on. But that is not how it works. An SPF 15 product blocks about 94% of UVB rays; an SPF 30 product blocks 97% of UVB rays; and an SPF 45 product blocks about 98% of rays. After that, it just gets silly. No sunscreen offers 100% protection. So, we recommend SPF 30 products to our patients and skincare clients. Since both UVA and UVB are harmful, you need protection from both kinds of rays. You may see the phrases multi spectrum, broad spectrum, or UVA/UVB protection on sunscreen labels, and these all indicate that some UVA protection is provided. There are currently 17 active ingredients approved by the FDA for use in sunscreens. These filters fall into two broad categories: chemical and physical.

er. Physical blockers come in two types, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — natural minerals ground down to fine powders. In the past, these used to leave white residue on the skin; remember the lifeguard’s white striped nose? Now modern processing techniques have largely done away with that. A benefit of physical blockers is that they don’t decompose through sun exposure. When UV rays hit skin coated in physical blockers, they are simply reflected and cannot penetrate the skin at all.

NO EXCUSES. YOU SHOULD USE SUNSCREEN.

We aren’t lab rats. Some people are concerned that sunscreens, especially chemical-based ones, can be absorbed through the skin and cause hormonal changes in people. That came from a study where scientists had the mice literally bathe in the sunscreen daily and even eat it. There are no studies that demonstrate proof of estrogen-like effects in

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humans using sunscreens, even daily. The benefits of using any sunscreen far outweigh the outside risk of these effects. If you still are concerned about xenoestrogens in your sunscreen, make sure they are PABA-free and phthalate-free. Zinc particles can’t run around in our bodies doing harm. At least 20 published studies have also looked at whether physical blockers can pass through the skin into the body, and have shown that penetration of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is negligible. Even then, zinc is a beneficial mineral and titanium is inert in the body. Another possible concern is that blocking the sun’s rays could result in vitamin D deficiency. There are other ways to get vitamin D — it’s in milk and in cereal. Skin allergies are manageable. If you have allergies to one of the chemical absorbers, there is usually another chemical you can change to. But I’d just turn to the physical blockers in any case. Often, it’s the fragrance or preservatives that give people reactions. Some complain that sunscreen causes pimples. Well, like anything, if you use cheap products on your face, it can cause acne due to comedogenic substances in the sunscreen. This is an easy fix. Use sunscreens that are made for the face and, better yet, are from skincare companies, who are most cognoscente of this problem.

ANOTHER POSSIBLE CONCERN IS THAT BLOCKING THE SUN’S RAYS COULD RESULT IN VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET VITAMIN D — IT’S IN MILK AND IN CEREAL. Two exceptions for not using sunscreens include the following scenarios; most skincare experts advise against using any type of sunscreen on babies younger than six months of age. They should be kept out of the sun entirely. And people with broken skin or rashes should talk to a doctor before applying sunscreen to those parts of their bodies. Whatever product you choose, experts recommend using a water-resistant sunscreen applied liberally one half hour before going outdoors. Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours or after swimming, drying off, or sweating. Our Favorite is the PROTECT & SERVE® Tinted Sun Shield SPF 30. A high-performance tinted physical sunscreen (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide block and reflect both UVA and UVB radiation) protects the skin with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 and serves as an elegant make-up primer for a smooth, weightless finish, we love this! This product is free from oils but filled with antioxidants, your skin will experience pure luxury with this skin protection. Your skin will never feel heavy, oily, or uncomfortable when you use this product that is meant for any skin type, including aging, acne prone, or sensitive skin. The water-free formula stays on longer and is ideal for sensitive and post-procedure skin. The tinted formula smoothes fine lines and adjusts to most skin tones. Both products are available at the spa.

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Alina D. Sholar, M.D., is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in Austin, Texas. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and she is highly trained in all aspects of plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including breast surgery, burn surgery and facial cosmetic surgery, as well all other aspects of aesthetic cosmetic surgery. She received her B.S. in biomedical science with magna cum laude honors from Texas A&M University, and she went on to earn her M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch on a full-tuition merit scholarship. There, she was awarded the prestigious Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Award and Achievement Citation for Women in Medicine. Sholar then completed a full five-year residency in general surgery at the University of Louisville, where she was awarded the John W. Price Award for Excellence in Medical Student Instruction. She then continued her study of surgery by completing an additional residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Tennessee. Today, she is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and she is a medical illustrator and an accomplished artist whose medical artwork has been published in prestigious medical journals and textbooks including the Annals of Plastic Surgery and the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Journal. A Texas native who is proud to be a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Sholar loves her rescued dachshunds, and she and her husband are passionate about supporting local animal rescue organizations. For more information visit, www.sageandsweetgrassspa.com.

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45 Club Estates Parkway • Austin, TX 78738 A U S T I N MD M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Health & Beauty

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

to avoid vericose veins

Bunker Vein & Imaging Center shares the TOP FIVE WAYS to avoid this serious and unsightly condition BY REYNA MARTINEZ

Dr. Stephen R. Bunker is an expert in diagnostic radiology and the treatment of vein disease. He attended Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Lettermen Army Medical Center in San Francisco. He is a Division Chief in the Department of Radiology, California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and is Board Certified by the American Boards of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. He uses cutting-edge technology for the diagnosis and treatment of vein disease and is dedicated to helping his patients understand their individual diagnosis, the treatment options available, and the reasons for the individualized treatment plans recommended for their care.

outcome if treatment is not sought out early. The seriousness of CVI, along with the complexities of treatment, increase as the disease progresses. That’s why it is very important to see your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of CVI. If you feel the need to treat yourself, why not treat yourself to a healthier longer life. To prevent mild forms of venous disease from forming or progressing, making some simple healthy lifestyle changes can often be the most effective approach.

• Managing blood pressure and body weight • Exercising regularly • Strengthening calf muscles • Elevating legs whenever possible • Avoiding periods of prolonged standing or sitting • Eating a diet low in salt and rich in high-fiber foods If you are experiencing pain, swelling, or discomfort in the legs, do not put off seeking the help of a vein specialist. Even after making some of the lifestyle changes listed above, you may find that your varicose vein symptoms continue to progress. Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek treatment — you could end up with a much more serious problem. Bunker Vein & Imaging Center offers a free consultation to keep your legs healthy and strong!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BUNKER VEIN

ulging, bluish cords beneath the surface of your skin arise, they become abnormally thick, full of twists and turns. Your legs and feet begin to swell, you feel constant pain that can seem to be throughout your body. Ignoring the issue or believing that it is primarily cosmetic is a dreadful mistake that can put you at risk for serious health problems in the future. The veins in your body play an important role in circulation, carrying blood from various parts of your body back to your heart. When the oneway valves in your veins get weak, they may allow blood to flow backward and pool in your veins. Your veins then get bigger causing spider veins and varicose veins. This happens most commonly in the veins in the legs and thighs. Up to 60% of people in the U.S. have varicose veins. In summer we celebrate Men’s Health Month, which means we must heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men. Men, though less likely than women to develop varicose veins, are still at risk, 42% of men are expected to develop varicose veins by the time they reach their 60s. However, a majority of those do not seek treatment until symptoms worsen. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) can be an

For more information visit, www.bunkervein.com.

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Health & Beauty

MELANOMA –

are you at risk?

Dr. Richardson of Westgate Skin & Cancer reveals top risk factors BY DR. BLAKELY RICHARDSON, FAOCD

Risk Factors The risk factors for skin cancer, and specifically melanoma, can vary. Some are well known, others may not be. They include:

Tanning Beds – Both current and past use

Sun Exposure – Consistent sun exposure, especially intermittent sunburns over time

A Fair Complexion – This includes light colored skin, eyes, red or blonde hair, and those that have freckles

Multiple Atypical Moles – These can pop up anywhere, even in your bellybutton

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Family History – If someone in your family was diagnosed with melanoma Personal History – Having had melanoma at any time in the past or other specific types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer Men – Overall, there are more cases of melanoma in men than women

A Suppressed Immune System – As an example, someone who has had an organ transplant Age – Those that are above 60 are at higher risk. Although cancer is generally less common in younger individuals, statistically, melanoma is the most common form of cancer for those under 30

MOST PATIENTS EITHER DON’T APPLY ENOUGH SUNSCREEN OR FORGET TO REAPPLY WITHIN A FEW HOURS, AFTER SWIMMING, AND OR SWEATING.

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t’s no surprise that living in Texas, especially in Austin where we enjoy an outdoor culture, leads to consistent sun exposure. The sun’s harmful rays are a major risk factor for most forms of skin cancer. There are various types of skin cancers, but the one that deserves the most attention is melanoma due to its aggressiveness and high mortality rates. Are you curious why the Surgeon General issued a call to action for skin cancer awareness and prevention in 2014? Read on, I’ll review risk factors, common misconceptions, detection, and how to prevent skin cancers, especially melanoma.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS I have dark skin, so I am not likely to get melanoma. Hispanic and Black individuals are less likely to develop skin cancer than white individuals, but they are at higher risk of dying from it. As an example, a very aggressive and fast-spreading form of melanoma, known as acral lentiginous melanoma, is more common among darker-skinned individuals. It’s commonly found around the nails, or on the palms and soles as a suspicious growth or dark band. All melanomas follow the ABCDE’s. The ABCDE’s are a set of rules, and are not etched in stone as fact. There are some forms of melanomas, such as the aggressive nodular melanomas, that are raised and do not always follow the rules.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WESTGATE SKIN & CANCER

All melanomas are dark. Some melanomas are “amelanotic,” which means they have no pigment, they are usually pink, red, or scar-like white and can be missed by patients and even dermatologists. Because they are easy to overlook, they are often diagnosed when they are more advanced. Can any doctor remove my moles? While many physicians can and do remove moles, I stress the importance of seeing a board certified dermatologist for mole evaluations and removal. Dermatologist are trained explicitly in skin concerns and generally have special tools, such as a dermatoscope, that aid in the detection of possible skin cancers. This extensive training and use of specialized tools make a big difference in the decision process when determining if a mole should be biopsied; a procedure where a piece of the mole tissue is taken and sent to a dermatopathologist for review under a microscope. It is extremely important that suspicious mole biopsies be sent to a dermatopathologist for review. General pathologists are trained to look at tissue samples from all organs in the body, while dermatopathologists receive specialized training in skin lesions and skin disorders. Many receive residency training in dermatology prior to dermatopathology. This is why dermatologists typically send their biopsies exclusively to dermatopathologists. There are some moles that fall in a gray zone in which even dermatopathologists may not agree, therefore having a specialty-trained dermatologist and dermatopathologist are essential to ensure a patient has the clearest and most accurate options and treatment possible.

Does the procedure really matter? I just want them snipped off and thrown away, someone to use a laser and remove them, or maybe I can just use a chemical that will melt them away. No! Removing moles in any of the aforementioned ways is the worst thing that can be done. Any pigmented mole or lesion should be removed by a board certified dermatologist, and if biopsied, sent to a board certified dermatopathologist for review under a microscope. There are examples and situations where “removal” with all of the aforementioned techniques have led to metastatic melanoma since the original melanoma was never properly identified. The relative survival rate for metastatic melanoma is 16% over a five-year period and less than 10% over a 10-year period.

What to look for: The ABCDE’s of Melanoma One half unlike the other half

Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border

All melanomas happen in sun exposed skin. Melanomas can occur in areas that never see the sun, such as inside the mouth, in the nether regions, under the nails, and even in the eye. Melanomas that occur in these areas are often detected later than in other areas, so it is important to examine everywhere.

Varied from area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue

Skin Cancer Prevention The best form of prevention is awareness and minimizing the risks! The top three things you can do to reduce the risk for yourself and loved ones include:

While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.

Sun Protection – I tell my patients to use a zinc oxide based sunscreen and reapply often. Most patients either don’t apply enough sunscreen or forget to reapply within a few hours, after swimming, and or sweating. Sun protective clothing, hats, and swimwear all work and are readily available…and thankfully, are more fashionable in the last decade! Avoid Tanning Beds – If you’re actively using tanning beds, you should stop immediately. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, quit cold turkey. If you have used tanning beds extensively in the past, you’ll want to make visiting a dermatologist for a skin check part of your annual health habits. Seeing a Dermatologist Annually – Any board certified dermatologist will be able to quickly identify areas of concern. If any of the previously mentioned risks factors apply, or if you have a spot of concern, you should make an appointment. For more information visit, www.westgateskin.com.

A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.

In Summary Get to know your moles and perform monthly self-exams. Go through your ABCDE’s and take note when you see an old mole changing or a new mole appear. Make and follow through on plans to include skin checks as part of your annual preventative health habits with your physician. In the end, the best advice I can offer is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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Health & Beauty

A SUMMER VACATION

for your skin with skyn ICELAND

Skin that not only survives, but thrives this summer Too much coffee, not enough water, another marathon work week, an afternoon run without sunscreen, donuts and wine for dinner.” Sound familiar? All of these resonated with me. These are some of the phrases on the packaging of the new skincare line, skyn ICELAND. These products are free of parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, sulfates, and other icky things. It’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free and arrives just in time to help us survive the harsh elements of summer – salt, sun, wind. Give yourself, and your skin, a summer vacation. Founder and president, Sarah Kugelman, created skyn ICELAND as an answer to her own personal stress that was wreaking havoc on her skin. “I had cystic acne, scars, and incredible dehydration,” says Kugelman. She created the product line to counteract the impact stress has on skin. The name skyn ICELAND came about when she traveled to Iceland and took note of the natural resources, the purity and cleanliness of the place, and the flawless skin of the people living there. For her, “Iceland represented the ideal landscape for stress-free living.” Along with launching a superior product line, the company’s mission is to educate people on the causes, signs, and affects of stress, while teaching them how to manage it. There is an entire line of products designed for every skincare need. Currently, I’m using the ANTIDOTE Cooling Daily Lotion with Icelandic Kelp, Icelandic Moisture with Broad-Spectrum SPF 30, and Arctic Face Mist with Multivitamin Complex. The lotion relieves redness and blemishes while reintroducing nutrients and oxygen back into the skin. The broad-spectrum moisturizer protects skin from the damaging affects of the sun and hydrates and helps repair signs of aging. The mist offers a refreshing relief and healthy glow. After cleansing and exfoliating I slather on the ANTIDOTE Cooling Daily Lotion and spike it with a few drops of rosehip seed oil – a miracle oil with many skin benefits and it adds a subtle and appealing glow. Going on, the lotion gives a gently tingling sensation and has a cooling affect on the skin, which feels so good during these sweltering summer months. After applying my makeup, I spritz with the Arctic Face Mist to set my makeup and give it a dewy finish. It’s a wonderful refresher loaded with vitamins to protect and repair skin. This mist may be used throughout the day and sometimes I spray it on a cotton ball, wipe away stale makeup and shine after a long day, and then touch up my foundation and blush for a quick refresh before heading out after work. I use the Icelandic Moisture when I know my skin will be exposed to the sun for a period of time during the day – when going on a long run, or when the weekends involve going to the outdoor farmers markets and a day playing in the sun. The natural mineral formula goes on a little dense and white, assuring you are protected, but then quickly absorbs to a translucent and almost dry finish. I tested it one day under my workday makeup to see how well it worked under makeup and how my skin would react to it after a full day. It absorbed seamlessly, and almost acted like a primer for my makeup. As the day wore on, my face looked fresh without any oily residue or added shine. Thumbs up for this sun protection product! There’s an entire product line of yummy products and more on the way to get your skin glowing and ready for fall and winter. skyn ICELAND is available at Ulta stores in the Austin area and nationwide beginning in August and online too. A skincare line designed for stress-free living, yes please!

BY NICOLE CARBON

For more information visit, www.skynICELAND.com.

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ICELAND REPRESENTED THE IDEAL LANDSCAPE FOR STRESS-FREE LIVING.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SKYN ICELAND

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PROFILE

TAKE A TOUR THROUGH THE HUMAN BODY Experience BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life the Texas Museum of Science & Technology BY NICOLE CARBON

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CENTRAL TEXAS’ GROWING REPUTATION AS A TECHNOLOGY MECCA, THE NEW “SILICON VALLEY OF THE SOUTH,” SPARKED A UNIQUE VISION FOR ASTRONOMER AND EDUCATOR, TORVALD HESSEL. His vision was to build a museum in the area specifically dedicated to science and technology, including a planetarium, which Austin was lacking. Within a span of a few short years, the vision became a reality as the doors recently opened to Cedar Park’s new Texas Museum of Science and Technology (TXMOST). Hessel is serving as founder and Executive Director and President of the museum. We had a chance to catch up with Hessel, learn a little more about him, the museum, its inaugural exhibit, the world-renowned BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life, and his essential role of bringing this fascinating scientific aspect to the folks in the Austin area. Hessel earned his expertise from working at the Artis Planetarium in Amsterdam where he developed planetarium presentations and taught Astronomy to kindergarden level through adults, including fellow astronomers. He received his Masters Degree in Astrophyics from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In the late 90s Hessel moved to Austin, and later was able to engross himself in full-time work at TXMOST. Nicole Carbon: What other projects have you been involved with? Torvald Hessel: In principle this project is my first. It is not every day you open a new Science Museum. However, through this project, I also serve as president of the Southwestern Association of Planetariums, encompassing all facilities in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and

Texas. And, on the side, I am an adjunct professor of Astronomy for Austin Community College. NC: What is the most unique aspect of TXMOST? TH: Right now Austin is the largest city in the U.S. without a planetarium or a (multidisciplinary) science museum. Traditionally, these facilities get built by cities or universities, but for some reason that never happened here. It is very unusual to have a grass-roots organization take this upon themselves and actually be able to open doors. NC: Why Central Texas (Austin-area) for this project? TH: Central Texas is perfect for several different reasons. Most importantly is that we are the “Silicon Valley of the South.” There is an incredible amount of high-tech industry here, yet no science museum to inform or excite our own children in the field of science and engineering. Additionally, the research taking place at the University of Texas is world class. There is a department, for example, that has designed satellites and is operating them as we speak. The data from that is an integral piece in bettering our understanding of climate, like the extreme storms and flooding we experienced here in May. And nobody is aware that this amazing science is taking place right here in town! As the capitol of Texas, and a hub of science and technology in all its aspects, it is simply amazing that we do not already have a state of the art science and technology museum! NC: Who is the audience for the BODY WORLDS exhibit?

TH: Everyone who has a body. No seriously! One thing I am always explaining to visitors, especially school groups, is that the exhibit is an exhibit about you. You only have one body, and you will have that one body the whole rest of your life. So, when you are looking at the exhibit, you are actually looking at yourself, and how beautifully everything works together to make you, you. So, anyone curious about the working of their own body, is our audience. NC: What’s next for TXMOST? TH: We are in the process of bringing a planetarium into the facility, which we hope to open before the end of the year. BODY WORLDS is scheduled to be here through September 20, so we’re also looking for our next exhibit. The idea is that every six months TXMOST will be a totally different facility talking about different subjects, explaining what a permanent science museum can be for Central Texas. NC: Are there any upcoming events or other uses for the TXMOST space? TH: Yes! Surrounding BODY WORLDS, we’re scheduling an array of events to include a speaker series with panel discussions on various medical subjects, organizing “Sketch Night,” a yoga night, etc. Now that we’re open, and recovered from the stress of opening a new facility in two and a half weeks, we can’t wait to finally operate like the science museum the capitol area deserves!

THE RESEARCH TAKING PLACE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS IS WORLD CLASS. THERE IS A DEPARTMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT HAS DESIGNED SATELLITES AND IS OPERATING THEM AS WE SPEAK. For more information visit, www.txmost.org.

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HEALTH

PREVENTION IS KEY WITH

HEAT EXHAUSTION Scott & White offers their sound advice BY KATHERINE VOSS

stroke can cause permanent disability or even death — call 911 if you think someone is having a heat stroke. Until help arrives, move the victim to a cool, shaded area, remove excess clothing and dampen the skin with moist cloths.

Some additional tips for dealing with the sun’s rays:

While the summer heat can take a toll on anyone, those at most risk include:

 Drink water frequently. Avoid alcohol, coffee, sodas, and tea as these can lead to dehydration.

   

Children under the age of four Seniors over age 65 Overweight individuals Persons who are already ill or taking medications

“The solution is water, water, and more water,” says Dr. Jarvis. “Staying hydrated with plenty of cool water is the most effective tool in preventing heat-related illnesses. In extreme heat, the body cannot disperse heat properly and body temperature soars. Water helps the body adjust to high temperatures and restore fluid lost through sweating.” Dr. Jarvis goes on to say, “Don’t forget the sunscreen as well.” For more information visit, www.roundrock.sw.org.

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 Familiarize your body to the increasing heat by gradually spending more time outdoors.

 If possible, avoid spending prolonged time outside between 12pm and 4pm, which is the hottest time of day.  When outdoors, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. “Remember, your body can only take so much fun in the sun, and pushing it to the limit can be very dangerous. Heat illness can develop rapidly and with very little warning. Use commonsense this summer – slow down, take breaks, and drink plenty of fluids,” offers Dr. Jarvis.

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JUNE 21 marked the first day of summer, that was the beginning of what had become a hot summer in Central Texas. Although summertime in Texas is ideal for outdoor events such as family barbecues and swimming parties – with these outdoor activities come the dangers of heat-related illness for adults and children. The old adage, “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen,” is particularly important this time of the year, says Jeff Jarvis, M.D., emergency medicine physician at Scott & White Healthcare – Round Rock. Jarvis explains that heat exhaustion is a serious illness triggered by insufficient body fluids and prolonged exposure to heat. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, tiredness, clammy skin, extreme thirst, muscle cramps, and often nausea or vomiting. Heat exhaustion can quickly progress to heat stroke, a medical emergency. “A heat stroke occurs when the body’s cooling system fails and the body cannot regulate its temperature. Warning signs include increased body temperature, dry skin, a rapid pulse, disorientation, or unconsciousness,” explains Dr. Jarvis. Heat

HRF HealthResearchFunding.org’s Heat Exhaustion: By the Numbers  Heat injuries occur when the body reaches temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, which may cause cellular damage after 30 minutes or so of elevated temperatures.  Heat stroke from exercise is one of the three leading causes of sudden death in sports activities.  Deaths from heat-related issues between 2005 and 2009 rose to higher rates than any others observed during any other five-year periods in the past 35 years.  Since 2010, there have been at least 20 deaths related to heat.  100%. That’s the survival rate for heat exhaustion when rapid, proper treatment is given to someone suffering from the issue.  31% of the deaths from heat exhaustion symptoms were attributed to exposure to excessive natural heat.

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 In 2006, which is the second hottest year that has ever been recorded, 3,100 US workers had a heat-related illness that caused them to miss work.  44. That’s the number of heat-related occupational deaths that were reported in the US in 2006.  According to the National Weather Service 10 year average for heat fatalities was 170 between 1998 and 2007.

 On average, 38 kids die every year in vehicles because they were forgotten about and left in the heat. Since 1998, that’s an average of one child dying every nine days.  More than 70% of heat stroke deaths occur in children younger than age two. Three out of 10 of those incidents occur when a child enters a hot location and cannot escape on their own without the caregiver’s knowledge.  Since 1998, 619 children have died in vehicles from heat-related issues in the U.S.  A car can reach 110 degrees when temperatures are only in the 60s. Heat exhaustion can take place when the outside temperature is as low as 57 degrees.

 Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.

 There were five player deaths in America 1931-1959 from heat. There were 103 player deaths in America 1960-2000.

 The death rate in the U.S. for heat-related causes since 1979: 0.5 per 1 million.

 Heat exhaustion rates are the highest for athletes who play high school football.

HEAT EXHAUSTION IS A SERIOUS ILLNESS TRIGGERED BY INSUFFICIENT BODY FLUIDS AND PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO HEAT.

For more information visit, www.HealthResearchFunding.org.

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HEALTH

ACCORDING TO THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 30,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral cancer per year. Only half of these people will live five years after their diagnosis. This rate is higher than many other cancers that we hear about routinely, including cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and testicular cancer. The reason for the higher incidence of deaths is not that it’s difficult to diagnose, but that it’s frequently not discovered until the later stages of the disease, or until it has metastasized to other organs. Human papilloma virus 16 (HPV 16), which has been implicated in the increase in oral cancer in young non-smoking individuals, has also contributed to the higher incidence. DEMOGRAPHICS In the past, oral cancer mostly had been seen in people over age 40, who use tobacco products or consume alcohol. Due to HPV 16, it is now being diagnosed in a much younger population. HPV 16 is a virus that is sexually transmitted through partners. It is also responsible for 90% of the cases of cervical cancer. Previously, oral cancer was found more in males than females with a 6:1 male-to-female ratio. The incidence in females has increased and currently there is a 2:1 maleto-female ratio. It is seen twice as often in the African American population than in Caucasians. RISK FACTORS Oral cancers found in the anterior of the mouth are largely due to tobacco and alcohol consumption. But, cancer in the anterior of the mouth is declining, possibly due to early detection, decrease in smoking, and increased education.

in the mouth that does not resolve within two weeks should be evaluated by a dentist. Any lumps in the mouth or neck, difficulty swallowing, speaking, or chewing also should be evaluated. The most common places for oral cancer are the floor of the mouth and the tongue. The palate is a much less common area, but still is seen, especially in countries outside of the U.S.

OPEN WIDE AND SAY

“AHH” Why a look inside the mouth is vital to prevent and catch oral cancer BY DR. MOLLY BURTON, DMD

HPV 16 is responsible for most of the cancer found in the posterior of the mouth. Oral cancer on the lips is mostly caused by ultra-violate radiation and is declining due to increased awareness of the damaging effects of sun exposure. A diet low in fruits and vegetables also has been linked to oral cancer. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Oral cancer usually starts out painlessly and may go undetected for a long period of time because the changes in the tissue are subtle. It can begin as a red or white patch, or a small, hardened ulcer. There are many other conditions that can mimic oral cancer, such as trauma to the mouth or oral lichen planus, which is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects mucous membranes inside the mouth. As a general rule, any sore or pigmented area

Word of Mouth

BY ROSE DENTAL

For more information, visit

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www.rosedental.net.

TREATMENT There are several different modalities used to treat oral cancer, and often times, a combination of them is used. The type of treatment depends on where the cancer is located and how far it has progressed. Surgery may be used to remove a single tumor, or surgery may be required to remove large sections of the jaw or tongue. Radiation is used by itself, sometimes in the early stages of the disease, or commonly in conjunction with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is not currently used as the sole treatment for oral cancer, but when indicated, it’s normally combined with radiation therapy. 5 TIPS FOR PREVENTION • Stop using tobacco products, or better yet, don’t ever start • Decrease or eliminate alcohol consumption • Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables • Schedule regular dental visits • Wear sunscreen on lips, or stay in the shade Sources - www.oralcancerfoundation.org - www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/ oral_cancer - www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/ mouth-cancer

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HEALTH

FEELING TIRED ALL THE

TIME? Sleep apnea is a common problem in men that can’t be put to bed and left untreated BY EDWARD ORTIZ, MD

In addition, untreated sleep apnea has been shown in studies to have a negative effect on diabetes and high blood pressure, especially morning sugar and blood pressure levels. It raises the risk of major depression, cardiovascular disease, and death. Untreated sleep apnea also reduces levels of growth hormone and testosterone, which can reduce peak muscle performance and repair. Sleep apnea commonly affects men with increased neck circumference due to muscle or fat (body builders and college/professional football players commonly develop OSA). Crowding of the throat or airway due to a thick tongue or overbite also raises the risk. It is important to seek sleep centers that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and disorders of wakefulness (excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks). These include Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (pathologic snoring), chronic Insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome, Narcolepsy, and abnormal behaviors during sleep. To receive the gold standard of care for sleep disorders, we recommend seeing a board certified sleep

SLEEP APNEA RAISES THE RISK OF MAJOR DEPRESSION, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, AND DEATH.

specialist at an accredited sleep center. Sleep apnea is diagnosed by performing a diagnostic polysomnogram (overnight sleep study) in a sleep center. Patients are monitored by electrodes on the head, chest, abdomen, fingers, and legs that provide information on breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, leg movements, and brain wave activity. Sleep studies are monitored by registered sleep technologists. A common non-surgical treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure mask therapy (CPAP). The patient wears a nasal or full face mask interface attached by a long air hose to a CPAP machine. The machine gently and quietly provides a constant pressure of air (room air, not oxygen) that prevents the throat from closing, eliminating the apnea episodes and maintaining normal oxygen levels at night. CPAP therapy can dramatically improve sleep quality and daytime alertness while improving health and over all well-being. About the author Edward Ortiz, MD has been treating patients with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea/pathologic snoring, Insomnia, and Narcolepsy in Austin for nine years. He is interested in a holistic approach to treating patients in order to improve their sleep quality and quality of life. He practices at Sleep Medicine Consultants with Dr. J. Douglas Hudson. He is also actively involved in the pharmaceutical research industry, assessing the effects of medications on various sleep disorders.

For more information visit, www.qualitysleepcare.com.

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“I’M TIRED ALL THE TIME.” This is a common complaint among men who visit our clinic. Persistent daytime sleepiness is not normal at any age. Sleep disorders can affect men of all ages. For example, Obstructive Sleep Apnea can affect up to 25% of American men. Sleep apnea occurs when the throat closes and breathing stops for at least 10 seconds repeatedly during the night. This is commonly a silent condition that patients are not aware of. Many times their bed partners notice the symptoms and bring it to their attention. Sleep apnea can cause symptoms such as: • Decreased libido • Erectile dysfunction • Weight gain • Frequent urination • Decreased memory/concentration

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MENTAL HEALTH

The Growing Need for Bilingual

MALE CHILD PSYCHOLOGISTS The role of language in children’s mental health BY RENEE HANSON MALONE

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homes where Spanish is the dominant language, appear to be encountering increased difficulty negotiating their different environments, whether it be school or community. Specifically, as many of these children enter the school systems and are subsequently placed in programs designed to transition them to English-only instruction, an unintended consequence of this approach appears to be the lack of full development of their language skills, in either language. As many children appear to have less-developed language skills, it appears as though many face a substantial barrier that limits their ability to fully realize their academic potential. In addition to the demands of learning

two languages, these children also have to acquire the skills to negotiate different cultures they come into contact with (i.e. American vs. native), with the manner in which they do so also likely affecting their outcomes. Taken together, many children who come to the clinic for treatment, due to their less-developed language skills and evolving cultural identity,

MANY KIDS AND ADOLESCENTS, PREDOMINATELY THOSE FROM HOMES WHERE SPANISH IS THE DOMINANT LANGUAGE, APPEAR TO BE ENCOUNTERING INCREASED DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING THEIR DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS, WHETHER IT BE SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY.

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or over 64 years, the Austin Child Guidance Center has provided mental health services to underserved populations, regardless of their ability to pay. The agency not only provides counseling services to children and family members, but also offers affordable psychological assessments in both English and Spanish. Studies indicate the beneficial importance of children receiving therapy and assessments in his or her dominant or native language. However, it isn’t always easy to locate a qualified Spanish speaking therapist (LPC, LMFT, LCSW), and it is even more challenging to employ a Spanish speaking Psychologist. Roger J. Olivarri, Jr. Ph.D is a licensed bilingual psychologist employed at Austin Child Guidance Center. The Center has been so lucky to have Roger on staff, he is the first male, bilingual psychologist to be employed at the Center. In order to have well rounded services, a mental health agency should always strive to have a staff that reflects the demographics of the individuals they serve, which not only includes ethnicity, but gender as well. Olivarri is a true bilingual. He was raised in a bilingual family and received training and supervision in the delivery of bilingual services from multiple bilingual supervisors. He offers a unique perspective as he comes from a place of both personal and professional experience. It is not always the case that psychologists receive formal training from bilingual supervisors. This can be extremely beneficial in understanding and dissecting how language affects the developing brain and the mental health of bilingual children and adolescents. Through his work at the Center, he has reported various trends and gaps in services for local bilingual children. Olivarri says, “One of the more salient issues I have come across is the many barriers that the Latino population faces. Many kids and adolescents, predominately those from

FOR OVER 64 YEARS, THE AUSTIN CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER HAS PROVIDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.

often need the assistance to help translate and facilitate discussions with their family surrounding the many difficulties they are encountering. It should go without saying that an additional barrier is placed upon the family’s ability to help their children through a time of crisis. Given the limited availability of bilingual mental health practitioners and the limited resources dedicated to the training these professionals, there is obviously substantial room for improvement both within the mental health field and among other fields who work with the Latino population.” As you can see, Olivarri’s unique perspective, training, and insight within the growing field of bilingual mental health is paramount for cities like Austin, with the growing Latino demographic. The fact that he is a male bilingual practitioner in the field makes him more of a rarity. The American Psychological Association stated, “Psychology, once a man’s profession, now attracts mostly women.” Data from the 1986 APA report, “The Changing Face of American Psychology,” and the National Science Foundation show that the percentage of psychology PhDs awarded to men has fallen from nearly 70 percent in 1975 to less than 30 percent in 2008.” These statistics demonstrate the monumental barriers that social service agencies and behavioral health care centers face in acquiring a diverse staff that reflects the population they serve. The disparity of male psychologists in the field may silence a critical voice within the academic cannon and effective service delivery models. Furthermore, the representation of bilingual professionals from both genders increasingly becomes a sought-after commodity within the fields of mental health services for children.

For more information visit, www.austinchildguidance.org.

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MENTAL HEALTH

THE POWER OF SHAME Why following the “Boy Code” is not the right path BY BRAD KENNINGTON, LMFT, LPC AND LIZ GENTRY MA, LMFT –S, LPC-S

THE INHERITED MESSAGE OF SHAME IS THAT WE ARE INADEQUATE, INFERIOR, AND WORTHLESS. 62

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are especially vulnerable to shame and learn very early in life of its paralyzing power. The “Boy Code” The so-called “Boy Code,” according to William Pollack, PhD, is the set of rules and expectations that young boys are introduced to and must follow if they are to be accepted as a “true” guy, someone worthy to run in the pack. The messages espoused by the “Boy Code” instruct boys to not cry or share pain, act tough,

never show weakness, be macho and pursue status, dominance and power. And, of course, display nothing that is traditionally “feminine.” The messengers are too often coming from other males who boys look up to and wish to emulate including dads, uncles, older brothers, and teachers and coaches – guys who were also subjected to the “code.” To be accepted into the male tribe, you must behave a certain way. If you do not follow the code of conduct, then you are seen as a failure, as someone who just could not measure up. If you don’t make the cut, then you lose face and must endure the painful shame that follows. Author Gershen Kaufman describes shame as an “impotent-making experience.” Shame is like kryptonite to men. To avoid its debilitating effects, the “code” becomes part of the male psychological DNA. In some sense, shame is inherited. It is inherited because it was something done to us. It is passed down from generation to generation within our culture, subcultures, and our families. The inherited message is that we are inadequate, inferior, and worthless. The implicit message is “you are not enough.” Parents are unable to be a role model and teach their child their worth and value when they themselves do not believe they have worth and value. Shame: It’s Not Just a Guy Thing Our culture teaches men they cannot appear tender or soft and should be strong, both physically and emotionally. There is little room for vulnerability in the “Boy Code.” Men are not the only ones affected by shame. Women are taught they should be all things, to all people, all the time, and be perfect at it. They are to be good wives, good mothers, good daughters, good friends, and have a so-called “perfect” body too. When men feel inadequate they tend to blame others, they look angry and may explode outwardly. They repel feelings of inadequacy. When women feel

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hame can be crippling. It can cause us to stop dead in our tracks and freeze and do nothing out of fear of feeling more ashamed. It can illicit anger and rage in an attempt to protect us from further harm to our already-wounded ego. Men

inadequate they turn inward, they blame themselves. Women take on the problem and try harder to achieve the unachievable – perfection. Shame and Relationships Shame is toxic. Its poison reaches deep into our psyches, impacting our identity, self-esteem, and our intimate relationships. Problems arise when a couple in conflict find themselves locked in a dysfunctional dynamic. A crisis occurs in the relationship and threatens the connection. He gets angry and as a result blames and attacks when he feels inadequate. She internalizes the anger and problem as her own and doubles her efforts to be better, to be perfect. This dance gets set in Liz Gentry MA, LMFT –S, LPC-S motion and becomes their preSenior Director, ferred choice for how they, as a Austin Family Institute couple, respond when a problem Certified Daring Way Facilitator arises. Neither recognizes the real problem as their feelings of Liz has been practicing as a Marriage and Family Therapist shame. The dynamic can be even in Austin for over 20 years. She more complicated in gay coubelieves that in relationships ples where both male partners we have amazing opportunities to grow personally and in our may carry an inordinate amount connection to others. of shame for not only violating the rules of so-called traditional masculinity, but are violating the accepted codes and customs of one’s faith and family.

About the Author Brad Kennington, LMFT, LPC, is a therapist in private practice in West Austin. He provides therapy to individuals, couples and families, and he specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, relationship issues, anxiety and sexual orientation issues. He is also an associate faculty and clinical supervisor at the Austin Family Institute. Because of his work, Kennington has been quoted by Reuters and the Wall Street Journal, and he has been interviewed on Huff Post Live and on satellite radio.

In the end, each partner has a part to play in correcting and improving their relationship. By focusing on their part and not on the other, each has the capability of making tremendous changes benefitting their own functioning, which in turn, helps the couple functioning to improve. It is in the best of interest of men to admit when either they made a mistake, need help, or when they feel weak or threatened – a stance that is in direct conflict with the ingrained “code.” Women need to acknowledge their strength and that they are good enough. Each need to accept that perfectionism is not an ideal that is attainable.

For more information visit, www.bradkennington.com or www.austinfamilyinstitute.org.

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PROFILE

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“I WANT TO PROVIDE my clients with alternative approaches to wellness,” says Dr. Michael Martin of Medical Acupuncture of Austin (MAA). A medical doctor with more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Martin is also trained in acupuncture and neurofeedback. MAA clients are evaluated in a traditional medical fashion, and when appropriate, alternative therapies are employed to restore balanced health. “Although I am deeply grounded in Western Medicine, I recognize the limitations of our traditional approaches,” he says. “I believe there is a place in our healthcare system for alternative therapies that promote self-healing.” Launched in the past year, Dr. Martin created MAA to give patients the options of such alternative approaches. `Thirteen years as a primary care physician for Austin Veterans Clinic encouraged Dr. Martin’s research into alternative therapies. “It was my privilege to serve our nation’s veterans. During my time at the VA, my attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine began to change,” he explains. “In my interactions with veterans, I found that traditional Western medical treatments were inadequate for many suffering from chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and stress.”

Extensively examining data on alternative therapies, Dr. Martin discovered two which captured his attention. “There is a large body of research supporting acupuncture and neurofeedback for nearly all conditions in which I saw standard approaches failing. I was excited to find both are effective in facilitating the body’s natural self-repair mechanisms.” He resolved to pursue training in each technique through two highly regarded programs. For acupuncture, Dr. Martin trained with the Helms Medical Institute based in Berkley. To learn neruofeedback, he enrolled at the EEG Institute in Woodland Hills, California. During this process, Dr. Martin’s attitude shifted from healthy skepticism to a full embrace of the potential of the two therapies. Most people are familiar with acupuncture. “As a physician, my understanding of anatomy and physiology allows me to apply ancient healing techniques of acupuncture within the context of modern science,” Dr. Martin says. The other alternative therapy offered by MAA is less widely known. “Neurofeedback is a sophisticated form of biofeedback which works by providing clients with real-time feedback on their own brainwave activity. The client’s brain will instinctively use this information to

MEDICINE WITH A POINT Local doctor combines conventional and alternative approaches to healing BY JON BLACK PHOTOS BY STEVE DEMENT

self-regulate. It is a safe and painless procedure which is effective in relieving migraines, anxiety, and depression,” Dr. Martin explains. Dr. Martin is board certified in internal medicine. He received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine, graduating with honors, where he also completed his residency. Dr. Martin spent two years as an assistant professor of medicine for Baylor, teaching students at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. As with the practice of medicine itself, Dr. Martin wants his practice to remain dynamic, “Medicine is a continuously evolving discipline, and experience has taught me that we must always remain open to new ideas and approaches.”

I BELIEVE THERE IS A PLACE IN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES THAT PROMOTE SELF-HEALING. For more information visit, www.mdacupunctureatx.com.

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BOOK REVIEW

BOOK REVIEW:

BEN NEWMAN’S “LEAVE YOUR LEGACY” Do great things

BY GISELLE SUAZO ARRIAGA

veryone strives to be the best version of themselves, but many don’t know how to get there. “Leave Your Legacy” by Ben Newman follows Pierce in his quest to do just that. Newman, a six-time author and National Bestseller, writes the story of Pierce in a series of chapters that serve as steps to becoming your best self. Pierce Edwards was a man consumed by his career, a company called Black-Bird Tech that he built from the ground up, and plagued by jealousy when coworkers performed better than him. This all caused his family to drift away and was a catalyst to his unhealthy habits. “Pierce was inspired by the need for busy people to slow down and focus on what is most important in life. The characters he meets are based off of real people who have impacted me,” said Newman about his troubled protagonist. The beginning of the book shows Pierce returning from a trip where he met various mentors, most noticeably a man named Jon Davis, that inspired his desire for change. Newman has Pierce begin his road to redemption with small changes at home; he refuses a glass of Scotch, opting for tea instead, he wakes early in the morning for his daily meditation session, followed by a workout in his basement gym. These lifestyle changes follow Pierce to work where he is eager to instill this newfound want for transformation into his coworkers and employees. Pierce wants his company to be de-stressed zone; he tells his employees that they will no longer hold executive positions, but instead will work as team members that are all on the same level. Pierce also urges them to drink hot tea as a de-stressor. With changes to his routine and choices at work and at home, Pierce is creating a healthier version of himself. “I believe in the importance of balance in life to perform at our best. That includes nutrition, fitness and focus, and hard work in our careers with intense commitment to what it takes to drive success” said Newman.

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I BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCE IN LIFE TO PERFORM AT OUR BEST. THAT INCLUDES NUTRITION, FITNESS AND FOCUS, AND HARD WORK IN OUR CAREERS WITH INTENSE COMMITMENT TO WHAT IT TAKES TO DRIVE SUCCESS.

Sometimes the drive toward success will have its speed bumps and will bring down our motivation, but it is important to not lose focus of the ultimate goal. That ultimate goal needs to be reached by doing more than small lifestyle changes, one needs to want the change and work hard for it. Pierce goes through a difficult time accepting this and facing the truth that the only way to reach a transformation he will be satisfied with is by also changing the way he thinks. When he meets Dr. J, a psychologist he starts visiting in order to reframe his thoughts, Pierce is able to see his goals more clearly. The road to change is a long one for Pierce, but not an impossible one. The Pierce we meet at the beginning is very different from the one we meet at the end. By applying every lesson Newman explores in every chapter, one can start their road to change and accomplish the transformation we want. Along with the lessons, Neman includes various worksheets to write down your thoughts and daily goals. “Leave Your Legacy” will make you want to make every day Your Prizefighter Day.

For more information visit, www.bennewman.net/products.

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That’s why we’re here. We’ll help them pay a third of their monthly premium – Up to $120 per month.

Physician-Administered Acupuncture: Research shows acupuncture is safe and effective treatment for headaches, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and repetitive use injuries.

For a Consultation, please call 512-342-1912 or visit our website at www.MDacupunctureATX.com. 512.524.2618 www.texhealthct.org

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SPORTS

MENTAL TECHNIQUES FOR

BETTER GOLF In the game of golf the mental aspect is equally important to the physical BY KYLE JEROME

ow many of you have reached a point in your golf game where you feel like you’ve hit a plateau? You feel like no matter how many balls you hit on the range, you just don’t seem to get any better. Well, here’s another question for you, how many of you have ever spent any significant amount of time on your mental game? If your answer was, “Not much,” then you may have just found the problem. You are part of a special group, you are golfers. You picked the hardest game in the world to play. You also picked the best, and sometimes, most rewarding game in the world to play. You don’t have to be built like LeBron James or J.J. Watt to be a good golfer. You do, however, need to be able to think properly and decisively on the golf course. We’ll show you just some ways to do just that.

IDENTIFY YOUR WEAKNESSES Identifying your weaknesses lets you know where your game needs the most work. If the brakes on your car are failing, it won’t do you any good to go to the car wash. Your brake problem is still there. You know what the problem is, now fix it. You can do this very easily with your golf game by keeping track of where you are losing shots. Whether you are a scratch player or a 36 handicapper, this can be narrowed down to two categories – loose swings or bad decisions. Keep track and categorize your mistakes in one of these two categories. This lets you know if you need to spend more time working on the physical aspects of your game or your course For more information visit, www.golfdynamics.com.

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So instead of focusing all of your energy on hitting balls on the range, spend some time on your mental game this year. Keep track of your mistakes and focus more time on your weaknesses. Remember to set goals, identify your weaknesses and harness your expectations.

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SET GOALS Setting goals is important for several reasons. Goals help give you something to work toward to make yourself better. Goals are great, as long as they are attainable. Make sure when you set goals for yourself, think “baby steps.” The goals you set for your golf game should be attainable. If your average score is 90, you have no business thinking about shooting 72, yet. For example, set a goal of getting your average score down to 88. Once you’ve achieved that, reset your goal for 85. Resetting your goals is something you may have to do from time to time and that’s a good thing. It means you’re making progress. So the lesson here is, be realistic when setting your goals.

management. Efficiency is always the key when practicing, not quantity. HARNESS EXPECTATIONS Expectations are much like goals, if they are realistic they can be helpful. But if you watch Rory McIlroy on TV and go out the next day expecting to hit all of your shots like he does, well, that’s not realistic. Augie Garrido, the baseball coach for The University of Texas (coach Garrido has coached six National Championship baseball teams) has said, “Expectations hinder performance as much as any aspect of baseball.” The point here is to focus on the process and not the results. This perspective applies to golf as well. Don’t focus on what you want to shoot or even what you want to make on a particular hole, focus on the shot at hand. Build your round shot by shot. Don’t expect to shoot a certain score; expect to execute your shot the way you have it planned. Not only will this technique help you hit more shots the way you want, but it will also help relieve the pressure of shooting a certain score. The oldest cliché in golf is still the most applicable – one shot at a time.

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SPORTS

& FITNESS

Twist and STRETCH

Learn the benefits of this simple stretch to get the most from your practice BY CHARMIE STRYKER

Twist variations add a multitude of benefits to our bodies from the inside out – reducing back pain, improving digestion, detoxifying your digestive organs are just a few. Try implementing these twist variations to your routine and add a detoxifying element to your yoga workout.

Revolved Half Moon: Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana Starting in triangle pose, start to lean forward placing your hand about a foot above the pinky-toe side of your foot (use a block for assistance). Keep your other hand on your hip for balance. Once you are stable in your half moon, start to turn your gaze back to the floor and begin to rotate your body to square off to your mat. Switch hands, hand from the hip now reaches for the floor or block and the other extends towards the ceiling bringing you into a Revolved Half Moon. Hold for 5-10 breaths and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: Builds strength and stretches the body, while promoting focus and mental clarity. Practicing half moon improves your balance while massaging the spine and cleansing your digestive organs.

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Marichi’s Pose: Marichiasana Find a comfortable seated position, with legs straight in front of you in a staff pose. Lengthen the spine and engage the core. Bring your right knee to a bend, placing sole of your foot on the floor, bringing your heel as close to your sit bone as possible. As you inhale, raise arms and spine towards the ceiling and as you exhale start to rotate over your right shoulder. Right hand follows your gaze behind your back as your left elbow bends outside of your right knee, pressing against it to deepen the twist. Stay for five breaths and repeat on both sides.

Benefits: Seated spinal twists are great for stretching your shoulders and opening up your chest compression. This improves spine health, flexibility, and digestion.

Seated Spinal Twist: Ardha Matsyendrasana

Benefits: This pose is very grounding and strengthening for your legs, knees, and ankles. It improves balance and stamina while promoting a digestive cleanse and purification.

Find a comfortable seated position, sitting with spine tall and core engaged. Inhale as you raise your arms and lengthen your spine, as you exhale start to twist over your right shoulder. Right hand behind you in the direction of your gaze, left hand on knee deepening your twist. Stay for five breaths and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: Seated spinal twists are great for stretching your shoulders and opening up your chest compression. This improves spine health, flexibility, and digestion.

Revolved Side Angle: Parivrtta Parsvakonasana Start in a crescent lunge, hips square to the front, front knee bent as close to a 90 degree angle as possible and back leg straight with balls of your feet on the ground. Keeping the knee above ankle alignment. If it over extends, just widen your stance. Sink low into your crescent lunge and start to bring your hands to prayer position. Keeping the spine straight lean forward towards your front knee and as you exhale start to twist over your right shoulder. You can deepen the pose by sinking lower and pressing your left elbow against the thigh for a deeper twist.

Revolved Hand to Big Toe Pose: Parivrtta Hasta Padangusthasana Benefits: This pose opens up the hips and stretch your gluteus muscles. It detoxifies the body while improving strength, flexibility, and balance.

Start by standing tall with hands on hips in Mountain pose. Ground down through your feet and start to raise your right knee to a 90 degree angle. Keeping your hips square to the front, start to place your left hand on the outside of knee as you start to rotate over your right shoulder. Extend your right arm behind you allowing your gaze to follow. Once you feel more stable you can reach your left hand to your big toe on your right foot. Stay focused as you start to extend your leg forward (It’s ok if it’s bent). Start to extend your right arm behind you and allow your gaze to follow. Stay here for five breaths and repeat on the other side.

For more information visit, www.shaktisway.com.

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dining

TADASHI –

Upscale Japanese Cuisine in a Modern Space CHEF SUN IL IS CREATING STELLAR CUISINE IN THIS HILL COUNTRY SPOT BY GISELLE SUAZO / PHOTOS BY 3E2IA1 PRODUCTIONS

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Tadashi, a restaurant tucked in the Hill Country Galleria shopping center, offers fresh Japanese food straight from the cutting station of Chef Sun Il. Chef Il’s cutlery skills and attention to detail can be seen in every dish offered at Tadashi. He has been with Tadashi since they opened their doors in the fall of 2013 and has had a major influence creating their dishes. Menu options vary from your traditional sushi to more traditional Japanese dishes such as kushiyaki, which are skewered and grilled meats and vegetables. This summer, Il is offering a special fresh summer sushi complete with refreshing slices of kiwi and wild Hawaiian tuna accompanying complimenting flavors. The dish is a perfect representation of the healthy and modern choices Tadashi offers to its customers. “We have several customers who look for soy-free options, so we always keep a sauce made from coconut and amino acids handy and we also have many gluten-free items,” said Kevin

FRESH SUMMER SUSHI RECIPE Chef Il’s inspiration for this dish was to meld Dos Lunas Guayanes Cheese – a locally made cheese from grass-fed, free-roaming cows, and it’s 100% vegetarian and Non-GMO. This is a Venezuelan cheese recipe from the region of Guayana. This cheese makes a perfect addition to the the dish because it is unsalted. We also focused on local ingredients and wild tuna. Chef Il wanted to make it a very summer-style dish, so he added refreshing, thin slices of ginger, kiwi, and wild Hawaiian tuna. The sauce was inspired for the featured dish last year as a hatch green chile Texas poke. Chef Il wanted to add a little kick to the dish to open the guests' palate. The slow-roasted chiles help bring out the ginger and sweet kiwi while wonderfully complimenting the cheese placed on top of the vibrant wild bigeye tuna.

INGREDIENTS: 5 oz sushi grade Bigeye tuna or blue fin 1/2 kiwi peeled and thinly sliced Small knob of ginger thinly sliced Truffle oil 3 tsp Dos Lunas Guyanese Cheese crumbled Micro greens Edible orchid for decoration (optional)

For more information visit, www.home.tadashiaustin.com.

POKE SAUCE 500 ml sushi vinegar 250 ml low salt soy sauce 5 cloves garlic (grated) 1 tsp ginger (grated) 3 tbsp togadashi 3 tbsp red onion (finely chopped) 1 Jalapeño (grilled and cubed) 1 tsp sesame oil

PREPARATION: Stout, general manager at Tadashi. Tadashi has remained loyal to its Japanese roots by serving the fish they use in their dishes flown straight from the markets of Tsukiji, a small fish market in the city of Tokyo, and other neighboring countries. “The fish is not the only import we have at Tadashi, we also fly in East Asian radishes because American radishes are too small and there isn’t much we can do with them,” said Stout. Tadashi hopes to expand in the near future and introduce their contemporary take on Japanese cuisine to Austinites everywhere.

On a grill or a hot pan cook the jalapeño until it is soft and dark on the outside. Remove the seeds as well as the top layer of skin and dice remaining into small cubes. Add to a mixing bowl with all the sauces and mix. Set on ice to chill or in the refrigerator. Thinly cut the tuna and place on your plate. Add the thinly sliced ginger, kiwi, and crumble a little of the Guyanese Cheese on top. Finish with a drizzle of truffle oil and garnish with the micro greens and orchid petals. The poke sauce will last two weeks in the refrigerator and it also makes a great salad dressing.

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