Issue 139

ENGINEERING MEDICINE: BUILDING SOLUTIONS WITH DR. DEREK SAKATA, MD PG 23

THE ART OF MAKING TIME TO DO NOTHING PG 08

ISSUE 139

“What drains your spirit drains your body. What fuels your spirit fuels your body.”

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CONT 08 17 23 The Art of Making Time to do Nothing

The Surprising Health Benefits of Walking

Engineering Medicine: Building Solutions with Dr. Derek Sakata, MD

ENTS 29 34 41 Why Don’t Doctors Prescribe Exercise to Their Patients if Exercise is Medicine?

Personalized Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Judi Goldstone

How Mindfulness Helps with Addiction

ARTof

MAKING time to do

NOTHING WORDS BY LOUISA EMHOF

t’s often something that slips our minds in the crazy, hectic, busy lives that we live, but taking time for yourself is crucial to our health.

Yet, on average, we only spend 15 minutes a day doing something self-care-related.

Self-care doesn’t have to be all bubble baths and meditation, although these are also a great way to relax.

Sometimes, the simplest things like brushing your

Choosing to put your health and well-being as

teeth, moving your body every day, and making sure

one of your top priorities can be difficult, but

you’re getting sound, sufficient sleep can make the most

we’ve compiled some helpful suggestions to aid you on

significant impact on how you feel. Although these may

your journey towards unadulterated “me-time,” as well

seem basic, starting small as you acclimate yourself to

as some pretty compelling reasons why you should. So

self-care is essential.

here are some ways you can start putting your alone time first today.

8

TIPS AND TRICKS TO DO NOTHING

We’re so used to making sure we attend meetings and meet deadlines, so why not put that same energy into cutting out specific time for yourself ?

When was the last time you actually did

Getting rid of all distractions will quickly lead to

nothing? No phone, no TV, no thoughts of

boredom. But don’t be afraid of this boredom!

work or responsibilities. Although it may seem

Tapping into emotions is difficult to do when

counterintuitive, taking time to do absolutely

running around and keeping busy. Doing

nothing has terrific benefits.

nothing can help you gain emotional clarity and

Schedule time for yourself! Take a page from

lead to holistic well-being.

your professional life, open up your calendar,

Carving out time just for you can help you

and block off some “me-time.” We’re so used

connect with yourself more deeply than you

to making sure we attend meetings and meet

have in a long time. This will help you deal with

deadlines, so why not put that same energy into

problems more effectively, boost your creativity

cutting out specific time for yourself?

and improve your productivity! Spending alone

Getting up 15 minutes before your alarm usually goes off will give you an excellent opportunity for

time with yourself can also help you connect with your inner voice and improve concentration.

alone time. Of course, this earlier rising time may

Your relationship with yourself can improve

mean that you need to make sure to go to bed a

drastically by simply taking some time to

bit earlier too, but trust us, the time spent just for

intentionally be alone with yourself. This

yourself (no phone, no distractions) will be well

simple task can also help you improve your

worth waking up earlier.

relationships with the people who matter most

THE BENEFITS OF TAKING TIME FOR YOURSELF

alone helps you reconnect with your inner voice

Sitting down with the express intention of doing nothing seems counterproductive in our busy culture. But it can be one of the most

to you. Making a concerted effort to have time and shows you what’s most important to you.

This revelation can help you communicate your needs and desires more clearly with the people around you.

beneficial things with the least amount of work

Taking time to be alone with yourself can also

you can do right now.

give your brain a chance to unwind. When you’re

Aside from the health benefits, other ways of doing nothing can positively impact your life. For example, one study found that when we’re idle,

constantly working, your brain doesn’t have time to rest and recuperate. Alone time gives your brain a much-needed break with time to reboot.

we’re prone to daydreaming, making us more creative and better problem-solvers. So maybe the next time you’re stumped with a problem, take some time to do nothing and daydream.

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 11

STARTING YOUR SELFCARE JOURNEY TODAY

It can be difficult to do nothing regularly in today’s ever-moving world. To start, it may be

Now that you’re equipped with some practical ways to set aside time to do nothing, how can you get started today? One of the very first

helpful to plan to sit and gaze out the window the next time you’re in the passenger seat or on public transport.

steps you need to take on your journey towards

You don’t have to suddenly block out three hours

health and self-care is

a day to sit on the couch and don’t do anything.

accepting yourself as

Instead, start with five minutes at the same

you

Comparing

time every day when you choose to do nothing.

ourselves to others and

At first, this may honestly be a difficult task to

setting standards too

achieve. However, after a week or so of training

Starting with simple, realistic goals is a great way to ensure you don’t feel overwhelmed by cutting out time in your busy schedule to do nothing.

are.

high for ourselves steals

yourself to be okay with five minutes that don’t

joy and prevents us

seem productive, you’ll start looking forward to

from believing that we

that time just for you.

deserve taking time to do nothing.

Starting

with

simple,

realistic goals is a great way to ensure you don’t feel

overwhelmed

by

cutting out time in your busy schedule to do nothing. If all you can do today is make sure that you get up and stretch and move your body in a way that feels good to you, that’s great! You’re still taking time for yourself, and the more you prioritize yourself, the more benefits you’ll reap.

A PARTING REMINDER Taking time for yourself in today’s constantly busy culture may seem selfish or counterintuitive, but it is a crucial self-care decision. There are many ways you can carve out time, specifically to be alone and do nothing. Hopefully, this guide has given you some helpful suggestions on how to do that and why it is so beneficial.

Taking time for your mind and body to rest is vital for preventative healthcare. If you have specific questions about the best health choices you can make, be sure to reach out to your primary healthcare provider to get specialized recommendations.

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Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 13

INTERESTED IN WHAT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ARE SAYING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?

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the SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS of

WALKING WORDS BY KATHLEEN HERNANDEZ

H How often do you walk? Most people don’t get enough exercise in their day-to-day lives. But who would have thought something as simple as clocking in a 15-minute walk every day would

even have significant benefits? The good news

is that walking can provide a surprising array of health benefits, and it’s one of the easiest exercises to add to your daily routine!

“WALKING IS THE MOST ANCIENT EXERCISE AND STILL THE BEST MODERN EXERCISE.” - Carrie Latet

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 17

WALKING CAN IMPROVE YOUR MOOD One of the best reasons to start walking is to improve your mood.

Research shows that regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, releases endorphins and serotonin — chemicals in the brain that promote happiness and well-being. Walking also helps you take a break from work and other daily stressors and reduce anxiety and tension.

WALKING REDUCES YOUR SWEET TOOTH Studies from the University of Exeter found that 15 minutes of walking can curb chocolate cravings and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat during stressful situations.

WALKING EASES JOINT PAIN AND PROMOTES WEIGHT LOSS If you’re looking for an effective way to ease joint pain or promote weight loss, look no further than walking! Walking is a low-impact exercise that can help strengthen muscles and bones without putting too much stress on your joints.

Regular walking can even help reduce the risk of arthritis and other chronic diseases. And if you’re looking to lose weight, consider adding a brisk walk to your daily routine—you may be surprised at how quickly the pounds start melting away!

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WALKING CAN INCREASE YOUR LIFESPAN In addition to improving your mood, walking can also help increase your lifespan. According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, people who walked briskly for at least 30 minutes per day were less likely to die prematurely from any cause than those who didn’t walk regularly.

Another study on how centennials reach this impressive age milestone showed that their daily routine included long walks to keep fit and healthy.

WALKING CAN IMPROVE SLEEP Regular exercise will help you sleep better at night. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is naturally boosted by exercise. In a study published on WebMD, postmenopausal women who are physically active snooze better at night than sedentary women.

Another study also found that daily walking had a significant effect on sleep quality and duration for healthy adults.

WALKING STRENGTHENS BONES AND MUSCLES Walking is a great way to strengthen bones and muscles. When you walk regularly, you’re constantly using different muscle groups in your body, which helps keep them strong and healthy. Additionally, walking can help improve balance and coordination, essential for preventing falls as we age.

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 19

WALKING REDUCES THE RISK OF DEVELOPING BREAST CANCER According to researchers, any physical activity can lower the risk of breast cancer. A study conducted by the American Cancer Society explicitly focused on walking found that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14% lower risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer than those who walked three hours or less. Women with breast cancer risk factors, such as being overweight or taking supplemental hormones, also benefited from walking.

“WALKING IS MAN’S BEST MEDICINE.” - Hippocrates

WALKING BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM During the cold and flu season, you can benefit from walking.

In a study of over 1,000 men and women, those who exercise at least once a week or less walked 43% less than those who exercised at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week. Moreover, if they fell ill, their symptoms were milder, and the duration of the illness was shorter.

20

BEGINNERS Monday to Saturday: Walk 10 minutes at a moderate pace.

Sunday: Take a stroll for 20 minutes.

INTERMEDIATES Monday: Rest.

Tuesday to Friday: Walk for 25

A PARTING REMINDER

HERE’S A PROGRAM YOU COULD FOLLOW TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR DAILY HABITS:

EAGER TO START YOUR NEW WALKING ROUTINE? Become a regular walker, and you will establish a routine.

When you have a routine, you are more likely to continue the activity and adopt healthy habits. Sedentary behavior is unhealthy for our bodies.

Any type of movement is better than none at all, and finding a type of movement that works best for your age

minutes at a moderate pace one

and fitness is key to feeling

day, 30 minutes the next.

empowered and motivated

Saturday: Walk 20 minutes fast.

to stick with it.

Sunday: Walk 45 minutes at a moderate pace.

ADVANCED Monday: Rest.

Tuesday to Friday: Walk 45 minutes at a moderate pace one day and 50 minutes the next day.

Saturday: Walk 50 minutes at a fast pace.

Sunday: Walk 60 minutes at a moderate pace.

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 21

ENGINEERING

MEDICINE BUILDING SOLUTIONS WITH DR. DEREK SAKATA, MD WORDS BY GAYE NEWTON

I

f you have the rare priv-

“I studied engineering and wanted

ilege of mastering two

to build guidance systems. But

disciplines, you are in a

the Cold War had just ended, and

unique position to use

there were no more jobs,” he said.

one field to benefit the other. With a capable,

creative team, Dr. Derek J. Sakata, M.D., made use of his dual knowl-

edge bases to develop medical

devices that improve patient care.

Dr. Sakata is the Vice-Chair of

Ambulatory

Surgery

and

Perioperative Innovation in the Department

of Anesthesiology

at the University of Utah Health.

He is responsible for more than 25 specialties, to include an emergency department and three primary care clinics. He wasn’t always in the medical field though.

So he switched gears and, with a nagging uncertainty, turned to medicine.

“I was fascinated by the medical sciences but still wasn’t sure I wanted to practice medicine. But I liked the science of anesthesiology,” Dr. Sakata shared.

What

finally

uncertainty

resolved was

that

combining

his engineering and medical expertise to find new ways to improve medical practices in anesthesiology.

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 23

If there are components of practice that we can offload to technology, we can be more hands-on at the patient’s bedside. That human factor of touch is so important.

FINDING A BETTER WAY “Wanting to apply my engineering skills to medicine is what pushed me through medical school. How can we do medicine better? But other doctors said, ‘We’ve always done it this way. There’s no reason to change.’ That’s why I pushed forward to get my medical degree.

THE BUSINESS OF INNOVATION ANEclear

“We developed a device for a better way of waking people up coming out of anesthesia,” Dr. Sakata shared.

We can apply engineering to medicine and

Prolonged exposure to anesthetics increases

improve our care to help more people. If

the risk of delirium, postoperative cognitive

there are components of practice that we can

dysfunction and other complications. ANE-

offload to technology, we can be more hands-

clear’s purpose is to clear inhaled anesthetics

on at the patient’s bedside. That human

quickly from the brain after surgery. It aug-

factor of touch is so important,” Dr. Sakata

ments increased ventilation to clear anesthetic from the lungs

explained.

with an absorber that

Dr. Sakata provided an example that affects

captures exhaled an-

all physicians.

esthetic. It also uses a rebreathing loop to

“Electronic health records consume

increase carbon dioxide

a fair amount of our time.

to clear anesthetic from

We’re looking at how to streamline that process so that I’m not on my computer so much, but rather face to face with a

patient,”

Dr.

Sakata shared.

With his partners, Joseph Orr, Ph.D., Dwayne Westenskow, Ph.D., Steve Blackwell, and Mike Slatter, Dr. Sakata founded Anecare and Dynasthetics. They researched and created devices that improve the field of anesthesia.

24

the brain. As a result, the patient has a safer, faster recovery, which is especially important if they are elderly, obese or pediatric.

This product originated during Dr. Sakata’s residency.

“I thought, ‘What if I start to ventilate them very, very quickly, but I also get rid of carbon dioxide? I need to be able to breathe really fast but also keep the carbon dioxide at a normal to a higher level to increase brain blood flow,’” Dr. Sakata explained.

The team developed a computer program,

“We know from the literature that you have to

conducted the required testing and built the

get the anesthetic level to below five parts per

device that is currently on the market.

Vapor-Clean Based on the ANEclear, Vapor-Clean is designed to help patients with malignant hyperthermia, a disease which can be

million. There has to be nothing in a circuit. So we decided to build filters,” Dr. Sakata said.

Sales of this device are growing and benefiting patients around the world. Nearly 2,000 facilities in about 20 countries now benefit

triggered by inhaled anesthetics. It affects

from this excellent device.

the body to the point where it starts breaking

VitalsBridge

your cells down.

“The VitalsBridge provides simulations of

Anesthesia machines release anesthetic vapor

patient issues so that we can train better

after vapor is used in them. To make them safe,

clinicians and healthcare providers,” Dr.

they have to be flushed with a fresh gas flow for

Sakata explained.

quite a while. The Vapor-Clean performs this function in less than 90 seconds.

The VitalsBridge’s realistically simulated vital signs for manikins and standardized patients are produced and updated on a commercially available patient monitor. Trainees learn to interpret vital signs on the same monitors used in actual practice. It displays nine types of data, including oxygen saturation, blood pressure and carbon dioxide. An app controls the simulation.

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 25

Looking toward the future, Dr. Sakata sees improvements and more focus on medical prevention, teamwork among medical staff and patient education.

“Usually, you have to go to an expensive simulator center to do these things. It can cost about $80,000. So the team came up with this little box that basically can take anybody and hook them up to any monitor and simulate changes in the monitor, like having a heart attack or other scenarios for health providers to react to. And it’s much less expensive,” Dr. Sakata said.

The Next Device Another device in development is an oxygen delivery device. Dr. Sakata said that he regretted not having it out before COVID-19 hit. It could have made a huge difference in the treatment of COVID patients since the device was better than a standard nasal cannula and monitors patients better than most other devices.

This product has exciting implications for the future.

“It could change the face of anything from how well we sedate patients to possibly home care in the future. Maybe not all patients have to be in a hospital. As hospital beds become more scarce because of the pandemic, this would have been an exciting device to have,” Dr. Sakata explained.

26

CONCLUSION Dr. Sakata has found a productive and beneficial way to alleviate his uncertainties upon entering the medical field. He applies his engineering expertise to build new, better ways to practice medicine. The devices he and his partners create save time and money, bring doctors closer to their patients, and help achieve better outcomes.

Looking toward the future, Dr. Sakata sees improvements and more focus on medical prevention, teamwork among medical staff and patient education.

“We need to understand who our audience is and who we are communicating with,” Dr. Sakata concluded.

Dr. Sakata took a career shift necessitated by a crumbling job market and turned it into a career dedicated to creating new, innovative ways to serve patients better.

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 27

EXER Why don’t doctors prescribe

CISE to their patients if exercise is medicine?

WORDS BY ADREANA MENDEZ

E

xercising can be a chore sometimes, but it’s super important for your overall health!

Not only does it benefit each of your body systems, but it also is helpful for your mental

health. Now, you’re probably wondering, since

it’s so helpful, why your doctor doesn’t just prescribe you exercise. Well, we have a few explanations for this, as well as information on how exercising is beneficial for you.

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 29

Exercise Benefits Just the thought of exercising sounds like a ton of work. Nevertheless, exercising can have a lasting impact on your health. Not only will it keep you healthy, but it will also help you live a more wholesome life.

Physical Health Benefits Several health risks are reduced through routine physical activity, such as cancer, dementia, other mental issues that come with age and cardiovascular issues. For example, studies show routine physical activity can lower the risk of colon cancer between

“Several health risks

17% and 30% and breast cancer risk by 20% to 30%.

are reduced through

Exercising for at least 30 minutes at least five days

routine physical

a week reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases since physical activity improves cholesterol levels

activity, such as

and can lower blood pressure. Additionally, exercise

cancer, dementia,

reduces factors associated with metabolic disorders can be a combination of being overweight, having

other mental issues

high blood pressure, low HDL, high triglycerides or

that come with age

high blood sugar.

and cardiovascular

Exercise on its own is essential. However, if you’re looking to lose weight, it’s important to balance

issues.”

calories too. Studies suggest that exercising for 30 minutes at least five days a week can help with

weight loss. Aerobic exercises are among the recommended exercises for weight loss since they mix in the cardiovascular exercises necessary to get your heart pumping.

Exercise is also beneficial for bone, joint and muscular health since they become strengthened when you engage in vigorous physical activity.

Activities to strengthen muscles and bones include running, brisk walking, jumping jacks and strength training. The more you exercise, the healthier and stronger you’ll be as you age.

Mental Health Benefits Exercise has been shown to improve cognition in children since it keeps the brain alert and reduces anxiety and depression in adults. Studies report brain health improvement after physical activities. Studies also show that exercise can prevent or reduce the risk of dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

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31

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Reasons Your Doctor Might Not Be Talking about Exercising Physicians often forget to prescribe exercise to patients more often than not. Studies cite a lack of training at the undergraduate level. The doctors’ physical activity level is another reason physicians fail to prescribe exercise to patients.

In 2015, the Canadian Medical Association noted that medical students and residents reported insufficient competency in prescribing exercise to their patients upon graduation. However, prescribing exercise has been effective in increasing how much people exercise.

Communication barriers such as physician bias against overweight patients and overweight physicians feeling unqualified to communicate about exercise prevent healthy discussions about exercise. In addition, studies show that overweight physicians provided less generalized health advice than colleagues who were at a normal weight.

Another issue doctors have come across is ensuring their patients follow their exercise prescriptions. Cardiologist David Sabgir, M.D., noted that while he attempted prescribing exercise, he saw little success. As a result, he founded Walk With a Doc, a group that pairs patients with doctors for walks to get patients to exercise and engage with physicians. President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Cate Collings, M.D., says doctors need to be more specific in their exercise prescriptions, so patients know what to do, how long and how often for their particular condition.

A Parting Reminder Exercising can reduce the risks for various complications, and the sooner you start, the better! As you age, your body will be susceptible to more health complications. However, you’ll be healthier and feel better once you make a routine of engaging in physical activity.

The communication barrier that causes doctors and patients to exercise can prevent patients from getting the push they need to engage in the physical activity they need. So, next time you’re in your doctor’s office, talk to them about your concerns. Take the first step and reduce that barrier!

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 33

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. JUDI GOLDSTONE WORDS BY LOUISA EMHOF

A

s the medical world expands and develops,

fascinating journey to alternative medicine. She shared

a fresh approach to patient care is becom-

her perspective on the effectiveness of this approach

ing increasingly popular. Alternative med-

and her personal story of how alternative medicine

icine develops a personalized outlook on

benefited her life.

each patient and approaches each person as a unique individual. Dr. Judi Goldstone, a hormone replacement therapy doctor, weight loss specialist and alternative medicine sician

at

Southern

phythe Cali-

fornia Center for Anti-Aging, uses her

expertise

to aid patients through

this

method. She describes this approach as “functional” because it gives a

34

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Dr. Goldstone puts herself in the category of an alternative, functional medicine practitioner. Although she started in conventional medicine, Dr. Goldstone saw the need for a more personalized approach to patient health. This need was especially apparent when dealing with aging and weight loss.

“I started as a general internist, and I did that for several years. And then I went into weight loss because I was always interested in that field,” she said.

flexible and holistic perspective to medicine.

As she was working in conventional medicine, she

Top Doctor Magazine had the honor and pleasure of

were becoming increasingly frustrated with not seeing

talking with Dr. Goldstone and looking at her

results or not being able to keep the weight off.

noticed that some people, especially the older patients,

“But then, I realized that people weren’t really maintain-

prevention. Therefore, our current system of healthcare

ing their weight loss, and a lot of them were struggling,”

should be called disease care. Another important aspect

Dr. Goldstone added.

of alternative medicine is that it attempts to prevent

As a result, she opened her practice to help

chronic illnesses and diseases.

her patients with the same symptoms she dealt

“It’s preventive medicine. We’re trying to catch the

with herself. On her journey towards better health,

disease before it catches you,” Dr. Goldstone concluded.

she was discouraged by the medical field’s approach to aging and its effects as inescapable and

irreversible.

Through

extensive

research,

training with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and experimenting on herself, Dr. Goldstone found that she could live a healthy, productive and happy lifestyle through alternative medicine.

Dr. Goldstone explains that “as we age, we’re susceptible to chronic inflammation and degeneration which can lead to illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, heart disease and worse.” At her practice, Dr. Goldstone and her team use the latest medical technology to evaluate, treat patients and perform regular checkups as preventative healthcare.

Alternative medicine evaluates and treats the body as a whole rather than the conventional disease management approach to medicine. “It’s looking at the patient as a whole” and being able to take care of every person’s individualized concerns. The current healthcare system is reactive and manages diseases with very little focus on

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 35

IMPORTANCE OF PAYING ATTENTION TO HORMONES Paying particular attention to balancing one’s body

“My job is to get everybody’s body into balance so they can age in top mental and physical health,” Dr. Goldstone said.

biochemically, including hormones. Replacing and

These patients have expressed how thankful they are

balancing hormones was a game-changer in her

for a doctor who “thinks outside of the box” regarding

journey towards health as well as her patients’. While

hormone

working in conventional medicine focused on weight

influences.

loss, she noted that many patients weren’t able to

balancing

and

considering

metabolic

keep the weight off.

PERSONALIZING MEDICINE

Dr. Goldstone noticed these people were typically

After Dr. Goldstone’s realization of a more holistic

menopausal women and men over 40. This discovery sparked her curiosity, and she began looking into possible links between hormones and health concerns such as maintaining a healthy weight.

“So then I started getting really interested in it [hormone

approach to patient care, she began medical training.

With this medical training and expertise, she could help patients with more than just her specialization.

She committed to continuing education by attending conferences and keeping up-to-date on the latest medical techniques, research and technology. These

replacement therapy], and I began going to the meetings

factors combined allowed Dr. Goldstone to focus on

[of American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine] and

alternative, functional medicine and significantly

reading everything I could,” Dr. Goldstone explained.

impact her patients’ lives.

Making this connection was a significant breakthrough

The goal of anti-aging, holistic medicine is to help patients

for Dr. Goldstone in opening her own business. With the

avoid degenerative diseases and extend their healthy life

help of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine,

span. While traditional physicians focus on treating disease

she found balancing hormones, eating an appropriate

and managing chronic conditions with pharmaceuticals

diet, proper exercise, supplements and stress control

and surgical procedures, anti-aging doctors like Dr.

helped with reversing some of the effects of early aging,

Goldstone practice preventive health care that is truly

healing from burnout and getting rid of chronic fatigue

multidisciplinary. They blend advanced technologies

in herself and her patients.

for detecting degenerative diseases with wellness and prevention therapies, including nutrition, supplementation, mind/body medicine, detoxification and exercise.

36

“My job is to get everybody’s body into balance so they can age in top mental and physical health.”

- DR. JUDI GOLDSTONE

One of the critical aspects of alternative medicine is the focus on the whole patient.

“It’s personalized medicine; it’s treating the person as an individual,” Dr. Goldstone shared.

Dr. Goldstone takes the time to truly listen to her patients and learn what they need and what they’re looking for. This attention to the individual enables her to provide personalized and effective care. Her training and expertise as an M.D. also give her the advantage of knowing when patients need to be referred to a specialist.

ADVANCES IN THE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FIELD There are advances in various medical fields every day, including alternative medicine (the fastestgrowing field of medicine today). Some of these advances include biomedical engineering, cloning, nanotechnology, the use of stem cells, peptides, anti-aging drugs, 3D printing and more, enabling doctors to conduct better testing and treatment with the goal of helping people live healthier, more productive lives as they age. Dr. Goldstone utilizes various modalities that help her provide the best possible care to her patients.

When asked if functional medicine was advancing in technology, Dr. Goldstone responded, “It’s constantly changing. There’s always something new; there are many amazing new ways to evaluate and prevent degeneration of the body.”

The new technological advances help doctors such as Dr. Goldstone measure patients’ cognitive function, cardiac function and mental status, among many other things.

38

The field is also becoming more popular among medical professionals as an approach to patients’ health. Dr. Goldstone states she believes more and more doctors are moving towards alternative, functional medicine. It has

“I t’s personalized medicine ; it’s

treating the person

as an individual.”

become the fastest growing field of medicine.

“The field is going to expand. It’s expanding right now. And it’s going to keep expanding. More people are going to jump into it,” Dr. Goldstone concluded.

A PARTING REMINDER Top Doctor Magazine would like to thank Dr. Goldstone for taking the time to share her story with us.

We hope her perspective on the expanding field of alternative medicine has been beneficial and intriguing to our readers. If you would like to learn more about alternative medicine or Dr. Goldstone and her practice, please check out her website.

- DR. JUDI GOLDSTONE

Top Doctor Magazine / Issue 139 / 39

mindfulness HELPS WITH HOW

ADDICTION

C

WORDS BY LUKE ARGUE

ombating addiction has always been one of the hardest things to face. Addiction often forces people to look for solutions in any place that they can. However, emerging research may suggest that mindfulness, something few people view as a cure for addiction, may be a powerful way to combat addiction. While mindfulness may sound like a vague concept to some, the science is clear that mindfulness can be a crucial tool to successfully battling addiction.

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WHAT IS MINDFULNESS? According to Dr. Elizabeth Hartney, a former senior lecturer in

psychology and counseling at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom, “Mindfulness is a state of mental awareness and focuses that have been traditionally used in meditation practices, and has recently become popular as an element of certain types of cognitive behavioral therapy, such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectic Behavior Therapy.” Such mindfulness most commonly involves mental focus that allows individuals to increase their awareness of their sensations, surroundings and internal thoughts.

Mindfulness is divided into three separate elements which work together.

As explained by Pinnacle Treatment Centers, “Mindfulness practices, in general, focus on three primary things: awareness, disengagement and perception.” Pinnacle further notes that these elements involve developing awareness of one’s surroundings and sensations, learning to disengage from some of those sensations and learning to then experience the world without those sensations clouding your perception. By using all three of these together, one can achieve a state of mindfulness, enhancing their situational awareness and viewing the world without the interference of strong emotions or desires.

HOW DOES MINDFULNESS HELP COMBAT ADDICTION? Mindfulness increases awareness and perception can allow those suffering from addiction to identify and adjust the behavior which enables their addiction. The methodology of creating mindfulness to combat addiction, according to Pinnacle, is training individuals to recognize environmental facts that facilitate their addiction, disengaging from emotions that drive them to their addiction and making rational decisions to accomplish their recovery goals. Thus, by incorporating mindfulness training into addiction treatment, those struggling with addictions can positively change their behavior by becoming more mindful.

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Mindfulness’s positive impact on addicts seeking to change their behavior has already been scientifically documented. According to a review of clinical research regarding mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) from Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, “Studies indicate that MBIs reduce substance misuse and craving by modulating cognitive, affective and psychophysiological processes integral to selfregulation and reward processing.”

The science is precise; people suffering from addiction can rewire their brains to avoid addiction-based behavior through incorporating mindfulness. One such method of mindfulness-based intervention that can be particularly helpful for people suffering from addiction is mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP).

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“Mindfulness practices, in general, focus on three primary things: awareness, disengagement and perception.”

HOW DOES MINDFULNESSBASED RELAPSE PREVENTION (MBRP) WORK? MBRP seeks to apply the principles of mindfulness to behavior in order to stop former addicts from relapsing into their addictions. As noted by Dr. Hartney, it has the following components: • Automatic pilot and relapse • Awareness of triggers and cravings • Mindfulness in daily life and high-risk situations • Acceptance of whatever is happening and acting skillfully • The role of thoughts in relapse • Taking care of yourself as part of a healthy lifestyle • Social support and keeping your mindfulness practice going By utilizing these methods of MBRP, one can not only escape addiction through mindfulness-based intervention but also avoid a relapse by applying similar principles. This is because MBRP, like MBI, utilizes the connection between thought and behavior to help you regulate your behavior by becoming more aware and controlling your thoughts.

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“...mindfulness is likely an effective tool in helping people with addiction because it’s a single, simple skill that a person can practice multiple times throughout their day, every day, regardless of the life challenges that arise.”

HOW DOES MINDFULNESS COMPARE TO OTHER METHODS OF COMBATING ADDICTION? According to experts, mindfulness, particularly MBRP, may be more effective than other methods of combating addiction. As noted by The Greater Good Science Center, quoting James Davis, an MBRP researcher at Duke University, “...mindfulness is likely an effective tool in helping people with addiction because it’s a single, simple skill that a person can practice multiple times throughout their day, every day, regardless of the life challenges that arise.”

Mindfulness can be more applicable because, unlike other methods of combating addiction, you can practice being mindful at any time and in any place. Mindfulness is a form of thinking that teaches you to recognize a connection between your environment, feelings and behaviors. While some other forms of treating addictions may only be in place to cleanse someone of their addiction, mindfulness can stay with someone for a lifetime.

A PARTING REMINDER Ultimately, mindfulness-based intervention and relapse prevention are invaluable weapons in a person’s battle against addiction. Addiction is primarily a behavioral problem. Thus, it is no surprise that by teaching people to identify the underlying causes of their behavior, they can learn to combat the tendencies that lead them toward their addiction.

Mindfulness may be a new method of combating addiction, but according to science, it may be one of the most effective.

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