A New You - 2014

A NEW YOU Your Local Resource to a Healthier Life...

Stepping Out Stair Climbing with a View Photo: Andrea Swayne

Always take the stairs. This is an oft repeated bit of advice when discussing ways to incorporate bits of exercise into everyday life.

Most people hear this and think of it in terms such as: when faced with a choice between and elevator, escalator or stairs; take the stairs.

It makes sense. The human body’s main mode of locomotion is walking. Our bodies are built to do it with ease. Unless an incline, weights, long distance or speed is applied, simply walking—although an excellent way to stay fit—is not considered a “vigorous” form of physical activity. But, add stairs into the picture and it’s a whole new story.

According to an online Harvard Medical School health report, a Canadian research study found that between walking, lifting weights and climbing stairs, stair climbing was the most physically demanding. It is 50 percent more demanding than lifting weights or walking a steep incline and twice as strenuous as walking on a level surface.

The publication also cited a Harvard alumni study that showed, even at a slow pace, climbing stairs burns calories “two to three times faster than walking on the level.”

The study also showed the mortality rate of men who walk an average of eight flights of stairs per day is 33 percent lower than those who are sedentary. For those who walked 1.3 miles per day, the death rate was 22 percent

lower than the sedentary subjects.

Stair climbing machines have become a popular alternative for those who do not live or work in cities and are not faced with daily opportunities to forego a ride in the lift for an echoing stairwell.

Although both options get the job done, so to speak, neither are very fun or inspiring.

With so much natural beauty right in our own back yard, why not try “stepping up” your workout—outdoors in beautiful Dana Point.

The city offers four beautiful stairways, where the rewards for reaching the summits include breathtaking views of the Pacific, the Headlands and Dana Point Harbor.

Mix and match. Climb only to the first landing at first. Work your way up as your fitness level improves. Wherever you choose to take the stairs, the rewards to your wellbeing will benefit both mind and body.

Here is a short tour of four of the best places to climb while taking in awe inspiring views of Dana Point.

HERITAGE PARK The stairway at Heritage Park has 91 steps with a landing halfway up and two flat slightly inclined paths leading in either direction, should you feel like you’re done at that point. In fact, these paths stretch all the way to the top so you can elect to do stairs one way and paths the other.

Once at the top of the first staircase there is a series of three shorter 22- to 28-step

stairways each with a landing showcasing a higher and more picturesque vantage point of the Harbor than the one before.

The fifth and final set of steps, only 11 of them, lands you at the park’s highest Harbor overlook, a landing that has a compass rose built into the pavement so you can get your directional bearing while enjoying the beautiful view below.

If you prefer, you can start from the top, at El Camino Capistrano and Old Golden Lantern where park parking lot is located. But climbing first offers extra motivation, as each new view is like a prize for making it up each level.

The stairway begins across the street from the Harbor at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern, about a half a block west, just past Dana Marina Plaza.

LANTERN BAY PARK Also at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern, just across the street from the Harbor, one of the city’s most popular workout stairways leads up toward Lantern Bay Park and the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa. This climb is 118 steps to the top, with a landing about halfway up.

A paved path winds up and down here too, providing an alternative way to ascend or descend the incline.

Should you choose to start from the top; the park parking lot is accessed off of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Park Lantern, just before reaching the hotel.

STRAND VISTA PARK The main stairway at Strand Vista Park has 164 stairs with numerous landings and benches along the way. And from the very first step to the last, the view of the ocean, beach and headlands is breathtaking.

There are actually four alternate routes from Strand Vista Park down to the beach— two through the Strand at Headlands neighborhood, one zig-zagging trail known as the Switchback Trail and a funicular inclined elevator.

Flat, paved walking paths, at both the top and bottom, link the access ways, so walkers can make a loop.

The funicular provides a relaxing rest, should you need to take a breather on your way up or down.

HILLTOP PARK At the top of Cove Road, just across the street from the Chart House Restaurant on Green Lantern, is a 99-step stairway leading up to Hilltop Park.

These stairs are a trailhead, part of the system of nature trails atop the Headlands, surrounding the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center and Dana Point Preserve.

The trail at the top is a hard-packed dirt path, as are all of the Headlands trails and the view of the Harbor below is spectacular.

However you elect to add stair climbing to your exercise routine, you can’t go wrong, stepping out in Dana Point. —Andrea Swayne

A NEW YOU Your Local Resource to a Healthier Life...

The Spine: A Foundation for Health

By Burton Wagner, D.C., Spinal Vitality

Often we go through life looking for ways to be healthier, happier, calmer and to take our well-being to the next level. What can we do to get better? To be healthier?

With all of the possible choices given to us today, where should we begin?

A great place to start is with your foundation. And what is your foundation? Your spine—the vertebra and the spinal cord.

Let’s take a look at just what your spine does for you.

There are 24 interlocking bones called vertebra that allow your body, the trunk of your body as well as your arms and legs, to move where you want. Turning your head in the car, playing sports, bending over to pick something up, getting your groove on on the dance floor and reaching out to hold your loved

Burton Wagner, D.C., Spinal Vitality. Photo: Andrea Swayne

ones are all possible thanks to your spine.

Your spinal cord, the link between your brain and every tissue in your body, is protected by those bones. Your spinal cord is a communication highway between your brain and body, which allows and coordinates every one of your body’s functions. Thanks to your nervous system, you can sense the environment around you and then react to it. Maintaining your health and well being, your digestion starting after a meal, your heart beating faster when you get excited or start running, your muscles contracting

in a stressful situation and so many more everyday functions happen with ease thanks to your nervous system and its protector, the spine.

Research has shown emotions are not completely confined to the brain. The spine is also a modulator of emotion. We will react to situations based on our previous experiences and emotional interpretations of those experiences—such as a certain touch that brings a sensation of fear or joy, feeling angry or depressed when confronted in life or that feeling that comes when walking into

your childhood home. If you have a posture of anger, you will be hard pressed to experience joy, and vice versa. Since the highest concentration of emotional and sensory receptors are found in the spine, in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, we can modify how we react to a situation by creating physical changes in the spine.

Your spine is also a modulator of your sense of self. Who you think you are is in part based on the shape, tone and position of your spine. We often say “out of sight, out of mind” and where it applies is your spine. If your shoulders are slumped over and your head hangs low you won’t get hired as a confidence coach. Look at how your posture and outlook on life is similar to that of your parents and family. The longer this stays in place the more it will determine who you say you are and how you experience life.

By working on your foundation (your spine) through chiropractic care, you can modify the shape, tone and position of your spine which changes your sense of self, the types of emotions you experience and your reactions to life. It also brings positive change to the physiology and function of your body, allowing it to move more freely and with better health.

In changing your spine, you are on your way to a new you.

Spinal Vitality and The B.L.I.S.S. Program, 30320 Rancho Viejo Road, Ste. 102, San Juan Capistrano, 949.616.5470, www.spinalvitality.com.

A NEW YOU Your Local Resource to a Healthier Life...

Here is a collection of resources in the tri-city area, to assist you in your quest for better health.

Alice P. Moran, DMD Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD, is a board certified periodontist who provides comprehensive, leading-edge periodontal care to preserve your special smile. Dr. Moran’s capabilities include guided dental implant surgery, immediate implant placement, including “all on four” or “teeth in a day” and aesthetic gum enhancement including pinhole gum rejuvenation and treatment of gum disease. She belongs to an elite group of periodontists—only 15 percent nationwide—who offer the Periolase as an alternative to traditional osseous surgery. 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com.

Club Pilates SJC Your third eye, the space between your eyebrows called “yin tang,” has the ability to bring a great sense of calm and stress relief. The space between your thumb and pointer finger known as LI 4 has the ability to alleviate headaches, constipation and sinus congestion. Apply gentle direct pressure in these areas to stimulate their effectiveness.

—Emily Valenzuela, LAc, CCN A Point of Health, Inc., 224 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. C San Clemente, 949.310.4044, www.apointofhealth.com

Align Pilates

City of San Clemente Beaches, Parks & Recreation Department

The team at Align Pilates Center focuses on bringing the body, mind and spirit into balance through quality instruction. Pilates is a form of movement developed to simultaneously strengthen, stretch, tone and align the body. It concentrates on proper form, breath and the mind/body connection to create a fullbody workout that is both very versatile and highly affective.

Pilates is truly a unique form of exercise that improves one’s health and quality of life. 26850 Ortega Highway, Ste. K, San Juan Capistrano, 949.481.3577, www.alignpilatescenter.com.

HEALTH HAPPENS in the City of San Clemente when you participate in summer recreation and enjoy the health benefits of city classes, camps and events. From toddlers to seniors, there is something for everyone from surfing to swimming, camps to adult leagues, as well as an abundance of amenities from beaches to pools, trails to parks. Select your summer adventure and make health happen in your life by registering online or visiting a center today! 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.361.8264 and 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, 949.429.8797, www.facebook.com/ sanclementerecreation, www.san-clemente.org/recreation.

Club Pilates SJC offers fun, safe group Pilates apparatus classes in a beautiful studio overlooking the San Juan Hills.

Classes run daily, with over 70 weekly options for beginners, intermediate and advanced. Certified instructors modify for injuries, prenatal clients and other special populations while keeping each class unique and fresh. Use the classical Reformer, EXO chair, wall-mounted Springboard and other smaller props for an incredibly challenging and effective workout. Classes start as low as $10. 27184 Ortega Highway, Ste. 206, San Juan Capistrano, 949.257.2292, www.clubpilatesstudio.com/locations/sjc.

Curves Kick start your weight loss in just 30 minutes, with something NEW from Curves and Jillian Michaels. You are going to love the changes you see with Curves Fitness as a part of the Curves Complete Plan.

All you have to do is show up, give us 30 minutes, and then go love your life. Try it for a week FREE! Call or email to book your free, no obligation consultation.

101 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente, 949.366.3680, curvessc@sbcglobal.net , www.sanclementecurves.com.

A NEW YOU Your Local Resource to a Healthier Life...

Yoga Wednesday inside the Casa Romantica. Courtesy photo

Casa Romantica Presents:

Wellness Wednesdays

By Berenika Schmitz, executive director, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

The role of cultural centers goes hand in hand with the health of communities. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente provides creative intellectual programming for all ages that enhance people’s well-being. Casa Wellness Wednesdays focus on the important health aspects that we should not take for granted.

We are pleased to have a variety of programs that enhance our knowledge of how to be healthy in our daily lives. The Center also provides guided tours of the Casa’s native garden, Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please join us for one, or many, of our upcoming wellness events.

CASA WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH Casa Yoga 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Inspired by multiple yoga traditions as well as contemporary styles of yoga and movement modalities, this class offers a blend of various disciplines to create a unique, integrated practice customized to the level of practitioners that are present. Primary focus of the class will be placed on breath, body and movement awareness, self-discovery and community connection. This class is suitable for both first-time and seasoned yoga practitioners.

Cost is $10. Classes are scheduled for Sept.

10, Oct. 8, Nov. 5, Dec. 10. In 2015 classes will be held, Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, May 6, June 10, July 8 and Aug. 5.

NOVEMBER 12 Holiday Wreath Making Noon. Master Gardener Jodie Cook leads a class on making holiday wreaths using succulents from the Casa Gardens.

MARCH 4, 2015 Cocina Casa Romantica: Taste the History of San Clemente 7 p.m. Chef Rene Fontes hosts a cooking demonstration on preparing healthy and delicious food based on area culture.

MAY 20, 2015 Memory: Where Did I Put My Keys? Tales from the Hippocampus for Anyone Over 30 7 p.m. Dr. Craig Stark, director of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, presents a talk on memory and aging.

JUNE 10, 2015 Fountain of Youth: Healthy Aging 7 p.m.

Zuzana Bic, Phd, MUDr., of UC Irvine speaks about nutrition, physical activity and stress management.

Admission to Wellness Wednesday events is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. For more information on the upcoming 2014/15 Casa Wellness Wednesdays programs, please call 949.498.2139, or visit www.casaromantica.org.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is a nonprofit organization and the historic home of Ole Hanson, the founder of the city of San Clemente. Casa Romantica provides programs for all ages in arts, music, history, horticulture and literature and is a premier Southern California cultural center, located at 415 Avenida Granada in San Clemente.

A NEW YOU Your Local Resource to a Healthier Life...

Choosing the Right Gym

offer more amenities. In San Juan Capistrano, the “Active” level 24 Hour Fitness is smaller but has all the basic necessities: cardio and strength machines and free weights.

The highest membership levels offer clients to use any 24 Hour Fitness gym, making them all the more convenient.

THE BASICS AND BEYOND

South Orange County is home to several health clubs and fitness centers of varying sizes and types

Fitness 19 93A Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente, 949.369.1999, www.fitness19.com/centers/ san-clemente

By Brian Park When it comes to choosing a gym, one size does not fit all. While some people prefer the intimacy (and privacy) of smaller community gyms, others need access to a greater selection of equipment, amenities and trainers that is typical of larger gyms.

Others have more practical criteria: location (“Can I get a quick workout in during my lunch break?”) and price.

Fortunately, in south Orange County, there are several types of gyms that cater to all needs. From larger facilities where just about any type of exercise is possible to smaller health clubs that focus on the basics, health conscious individuals have their pick of places to get their blood flowing, muscles aching and hearts pumping.

Fitness Elite/Xtreme Fitness 638 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, 949.661.6060, www.fitnesselite4women.com Rado’s Fitness 24470 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.488.7700, www.radofitness.com

Life Time Athletic

San Clemente Gym 123 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.1007, www.sanclementegym.net

24 Hour Fitness, San Clemente

Fitness 19

Xtreme Fitness

Rado’s Fitness

LifeSpa, a full-service salon and spa center, including hair, nail, massage, skin care and medi-spa services. At LifeCafe, clients can also fill up on tasty (and healthy) snacks and full meals.

The club can also be a place for families.

At Life Time’s Kids Academy, there’s a staff that’s solely dedicated to working with children, 3 months to 11 years old.

Kids aren’t just penned up in a colorful room with a few toys, though. At the Kids Academy, there are more than 65 classes offered weekly, including karate, yoga, music and even a Spanish immersion course.

Life Time Athletic is open seven days a week, from 4 a.m. to midnight.

gym can be hard enough for some, but what about finding the time to get in a complete workout?

24 Hour Fitness, the national chain of gyms, has made a name for itself because of its accessibility at all hours of the day.

Whether it’s before work, during a lunch break or right after clocking out, 24 Hour Fitness offers flexibility to people’s busy schedules. For night owls who would rather avoid the busy gym rush, 24 Hour Fitness is open for business.

The company’s newest location opened in San Clemente in late April. At 46,000 square feet, the gym features over 300 pieces of equipment, 30 classes a week and other amenities, like a heated indoor lap pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

“What makes us different is the convenience, for youth and adults,” said club manager Adrian Dixon, who said the gym is open all year, except Christmas.

The San Clemente location is a “SuperSport” level 24 Hour Fitness club—the second highest club type, after the “UltraSport” level, which are typically larger and

HIGH-END FITNESS Life Time Athletic 25600 Rancho Niguel Road, Laguna Niguel, 949.238.2700, www.lifetimefitness.com/ lagunaniguel This mega-fitness center has just about everything a person could ask for in a health club—and more.

Within this three-story, 128,000-squarefoot facility there are more than 300 pieces of exercise equipment and fitness machines, a three-story rock-climbing wall, two indoor full-size basketball courts, two group fitness studios, as well as studios for cycling, yoga and Pilates.

The club is the first to open in California for Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness and cost more than $50 million to build.

At Life Time, they emphasize that wellness and health are a way of life—the club is more country club than a typical gym.

Inside, a small army of certified personal trainers work with clients on a one-on-one basis or through 109 classes taught weekly, including eight signature courses. Nutrition coaches are also available to work with clients and put together personalized programs, based on Life Time’s myHealthScore program, which takes into account six factors: blood pressure, body fat percentage, tobacco use and glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

Rest and mental relaxation are also an important part of Life Time’s mission.

Their “resort-like” aquatic center features a 35,000-square-foot outdoor pool, a lap pool, whirl pools and splash pads. After a workout, clients can get pampered at

EXERCISING CONVENIENCE 24 Hour Fitness San Clemente: 110 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente, 949.245.0265 San Juan Capistrano: 27131 Calle Arroyo, Ste. 1701, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.9900 Finding the motivation to get to the

What community gyms lack in size, they make up for with camaraderie, knowledge and cost.

San Clemente Gym has been sculpting bodies and improving the health of San Clementeans for more than 30 years. What started as a fitness center started by two Austrian body builders has now become a family-owned and operated gym with a small but dedicated staff of trainers, many who were once clients themselves.

Rado’s Fitness in Dana Point was also founded by a body builder, world champion Rado Pagac.

Pagac and his certified staff, each with their own expertise, take the time to work with their clients and help them reach their fitness goals.

For south Orange County women who want to get healthy in a comfortable setting, Fitness Elite in San Clemente offers such a place. The facilities and group training found within this 22,000-square-foot club are what you would expect out of a high-class gym, but what makes Fitness Elite an ideal option for women is that trainers and nutrition coaches are specifically trained to help with their needs. Just next door, Xtreme Fitness, Fitness Elite’s co-ed gym, features top of the line equipment, a 30-bike spin room and hot yoga and Pilates studios.

At Fitness 19, although they’ve grown to become a national franchise, affordability remains their biggest draw and they haven’t lost the community feel.

Membership can range from $5 to $29 per month, depending on the types of services purchased.

At the San Clemente location, you’ll find all the different types of cardio equipment, as well as circuit training, free weights and strength training machines.

General Manager Alexander Marshall, a San Clemente resident, has fostered a community atmosphere at the gym and said he makes it a point to remember everyone by their first name, not just as a membership number.

A NEW YOU Your Local Resource to a Healthier Life...

Checklist: 15 Steps Toward a Healthier You

By Jake Gleason, MPT, OCS, Full Motion Physical Therapy

a balanced diet containing lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

You’ve made a decision to embark on a journey toward better health but where to begin?

Get into the habit of reading nutrition labels at the grocery store. Not all foods are created equal. Make a conscious decision to shop for natural foods and increase the variety of foods you consume. Most individuals have food habits that keep them in a rut.

Deviate from your regular diet and experience a new world of fruits, vegetables, herbs and lean protein.

You are probably thinking about how you can become healthier, be more pain free and move better than you do right now. The road to health can seem daunting. A simple systematic approach, such as a “to-do” list, may be just what you need to help you move forward with your goals.

Here is a checklist of 15 things to do to help you get started: A gradual, personalized exercise program that takes into account your anatomy and physiology is important. A physical therapist or other qualified medical professional can conduct an evaluation and assist with this.

Make yourself accountable to someone other than yourself. Log your exercises—either at home or at the gym—in a journal and inform your physical therapist or other medical professional about your progress.

Self-confidence is critical. Believe in yourself and your ability to become stronger, healthier and more functional. If you think you can, then you can.

Visualize yourself as being stronger, with

Jake Gleason, MPT, OCS, Full Motion Physical Therapy. Photo: Andrea Swayne

increased energy, as if you already achieved your goals. Positive expectations of health, vitality and energy are helpful to improve your health and well-being.

Never skip meals, especially breakfast.

It is the most important meal of the day, so start your day right with a healthy breakfast.

It will get your metabolism going and keep your appetite and blood sugar in check as the day progresses.

Find an exercise partner to help you stay consistent with your exercise regimen.

Drink plenty of water. Hydration is important for your blood, kidneys and joints.

Consistency is key. Exercise at least three to four times a week.

Always seek qualified help. Expert supervision provided by a physical therapist or other medical professional is important, especially if you are recovering from injuries or medical conditions.

Challenge yourself each week. Gradual progression is the only way to improve. Stay within the limits of pain. When in doubt, ask your physical therapist.

Be aware of what you eat. Fat has twice the caloric density of carbohydrates and protein. So limit your fat intake and consume

Make sure a five- to 10-minute warmup and a five- to 10-minute cool-down are part of your exercise routine. Don’t forget to include stretching in the warm-up and cool-

down to reduce the risk of injury.

Set specific goals for yourself—with the help of your physical therapist or other medical professional—and resolve to meet them.

Reward yourself for small victories; They are important milestones toward your larger goal. Positive reinforcement is the best way to stay on track and reach your health and wellness goals.

Many people think of physical therapy only after receiving orders from their doctor, following an injury. There are a few other smart reasons for consulting a physical therapist as you begin your quest for health.

If you are preparing to have surgery, getting some physical therapy ahead of time can make rehab a whole lot easier after your operation. In terms of developing exercise/ fitness programs, physical therapy can be a great place to start, especially if you have an old injury or surgery that you need to be mindful of. Physical therapists are also a valuable resource when it comes to picking a surgeon, personal trainer, yoga instructor or Pilates instructor.

Full Motion Physical Therapy, 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.542.5000; 150 Avenida Cabrillo, Ste. B, San Clemente, 949.388.6552, www.fullmotionpt.net.

A NEW YOU Your Local Resource to a Healthier Life...

Here is a collection of resources in the tri-city area, to assist you in your quest for better health.

DP Pilates & Barre

Now celebrating its third year, Desa Prana, is expanding and changing its name to DP Pilates & Barre. Barre classes, the latest craze in mind-body fitness, are renowned for the results achieved in sculpting and toning the body. Using ballet principals to sculpt legs and thighs, Pilates methods to strengthen core and light weights to tone arms, Barre classes are undeniably effective in shaping, toning and tightening.

34700 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste. 205, Capistrano Beach, 949.443.1700, www.desaprana.com.

Fitness 19 Fitness 19 was founded by industry veterans who believed that the traditional health club model wasn’t meeting the needs of most people.

They started Fitness 19 to give customers more of what they really want out of a fitness membership. The result is a simple fitness club concept—an extremely affordable, family-friendly facility that offers state-of-the-art cardio, strength and free weight equipment. 93A Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente, 949.366.1999, www.fitness19.com.

Chiropractic for back pain? That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Many pregnant women utilize chiropractic care for more comfortable pregnancies and births.

Often parents bring their newborns in to be evaluated after birth, especially traumatic births. Many parents seek—or are referred by their well-informed pediatrician, OBGYN or midwife—chiropractic care for complementary wellness care as their children grow, as well as for a drug-free approach to ear infections, asthma, growing pains, headaches, chronic illnesses, etc. —Jennifer James Padrta, D.C., A.C.N. Adjust Back To Health, Inc., 32382 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.9355, www.adjustbacktohealth.com

Hanson’s Market As San Clemente’s only natural and organic whole foods store proudly serving south Orange County, Hanson’s is dedicated to healthy lifestyles, carrying fresh and organic produce, grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, locally baked artisan breads, gluten-free everything, sushi, craft beer and wine, herbals, supplements, vitamins and eco-friendly household products.

Our deli is famous for its all-natural meats, artisan cheeses, vegan choices, fresh salads and raw juicing/smoothies. Hanson’s is open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. 415 Avenida Pico, Ste. P, San Clemente, 949.218.1690, www.hansons.com.

The Healing Tree The Healing Tree is an organic meditation and healing arts studio located in the beautiful beach city of San Clemente. At Healing Tree our intention is to create a place where you can feel safe to explore you, to rediscover you and to play with you. Come and take shelter under our tree and reconnect with your authentic self. NEW STUDENT SPECIAL: 33 days for $33. 1401 N. El Camino Real, Ste. 11, San Clemente, 949.212.3442, www.thehealingtreeoc.com.

It is very important to know that varicose veins—those bulging veins that you see on the surface across the legs and feet—are not just a cosmetic problem. They can be not only very painful, but life threatening. Your legs carry a network of veins. A healthy vein contains valves which open and close to assist the return of blood from the toes to the heart. Vein disease and varicose veins are caused by damaged or diseased valves which result in backward flow of blood in your legs. This condition is called venous reflux. Treatment takes about 15 minutes and is done without anesthesia and there is little to no pain.

–Dr. Anne Luhan, M.D., F.A.C.S. EliteMedizin, 34052 La Plaza, Ste. 102, Dana Point, 949.388.4800, www.elitemedizin.com

Smile Design Dental Group

White Lotus Day Spa

At Smile Design Dental Group we strive to provide the highest quality yet affordable cosmetic and family dentistry for South County residents of all ages. What sets us apart from others? We have gathered the best dental specialists in our comfortable office with state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technology in dentistry. Our doctors, hygienists and staff are highly trained in their respective dental fields. Please check out what our patients are saying about us on Google, Yelp and Angie’s list. 390 Camino De Estrella, San Clemente, 949.481.2000, www.smiledesigndentalgroup.com.

White Lotus Day Spa is an intimate space where you can rejuvenate and relax in a warm, tranquil environment. Serene inspired surroundings soothe the senses and provide for a truly comfortably experience. We customize over 30 types of natural chemical peels based on an individual’s needs. In addition to our outstanding skincare services we offer relaxing, hot stone, therapeutic and deep tissue massages as well as spray tans, eyelash extensions and eyelash tinting. 24582 Del Prado, Ste. F, Dana Point, 949.496.2977, www.whitelotusdayspa.com.

In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, Picket Fence Media provides guest opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of Picket Fence Media. Information included in this special section should not take the place of medical advice. Readers are encouraged to speak with a health care provider before beginning any new health or workout regimen.