Stay Healthy Spokane

The “Direct Primary Care” Model w/ Matt Dinsmore, ARNP

Matt Dinsmore, ARNP, joins the show to discuss his healthcare practice “Direct Primary Care” in Spokane. Listen to Matt and Luke discuss this unique healthcare model, which is designed to improve the patient-provider relationship, as well as lower the overall cost of healthcare. If you’ve ever thought that our healthcare model is “broken”, or at least highly flawed, you’ll definitely want to check out this interview!

 

Show Notes

During this episode, Jeannie shares information on several key topics: 

 

• Topic #1: The difference between the “direct primary care” model and the “fee-for-service” model. What are the pros and cons of each?
• Topic #2: The problems and barriers involved with using insurance companies (when insurance companies dictate your care instead of physicians). 
• Topic #3: Is the “direct primary care” (DPC) model for everyone… or only healthier people who don’t use their health insurance much to begin with? Learn how this model can be beneficial for a wide range of people, even those on Medicare.
• Topic #4: How does DPC work? What services are covered, and how do you handle more expensive procedures that aren’t included?
• Topic #5: Costs for enrolling with DPC.

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Dr. Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com

All About Colonics with Jeanne Tribbett (Colon Hydrotherapist)

Jeanne Tribbett, Colon Hydrotherapist, joins the show to discuss the health benefits of having a “colonic treatment”. Jeanne explains how colonic treatments work on a local level in your gut, and she explains how important the connection between your gut and your brain is for optimal health.

Show Notes

During this episode, Jeannie shares information on several key topics:

• Topic 1: Who benefits from colonic treatments (what type of medical conditions are treated with colonics)?
• Topic 2: What exactly is a colonic treatment?
• Topic 3: Why do so many people have issues with their colons (and the buildup of excess waste)?
• Topic 4: How does colon health impact your overall health, especially related to the connection between the colon and the brain?

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Dr. Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com

A Beginner’s Guide to Yoga with Sandy Nolting, PT, CYT

Sandy Nolting, Physical Therapist and Certified Yoga Therapist, joins the podcast to discuss the foundational principles of yoga. In this first podcast about yoga, Sandy will explain the basic principles of yoga to help you get started, which includes: intro to breathing and basic movement patterns and posture. This episode is perfect for you if you’re new to yoga or looking for a deeper understanding of the core principles!

Show Notes

Dr. Luke Gordon interviews his first live guest since the beginning of COVID to discuss all things Yoga. Here are the major topics for this episode: 

• Topic 1: Sandy explains her path to finding yoga. After starting as a Recreational Therapist and later becoming a Physical Therapist, Sandy was introduced to yoga in 2003. Since that time, she’s dedicated thousands of hours to practicing and teaching yoga. 

• Topic 2: What are the primary benefits of yoga (basic overview)? Sandy explains the myriad of health benefits of yoga, which includes things like: increased flexibility, increased strength, stress reduction, regulation of autonomic nervous system, chronic pain and inflammation.

• Topic 3: What are the foundational principles of yoga? Sandy explains the “8 Limbs of Yoga” and how the movements are only a small portion of the actual benefit of yoga. She also explains the foundational principles of breath, posture and movement.

• Topic 4: What are some mistakes to avoid with yoga (for beginners and ongoing students)? Sandy explains how you don’t have to be flexible to start yoga and how yoga is a process and a practice. Comparing yourself to others is a common mistake to avoid, as is having high expectations for your physical abilities. Remember, yoga isn’t just about movement!

• Topic 5: For people brand new to yoga, where should they start? Currently, the best place to start for people who want to work with Sandy is to inquire about our online Zoom classes. If you’d like access to free yoga classes, you can email Luke directly at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com. You can also visit this page to check out our 6 free yoga videos online: https://www.gordonphysicaltherapy.com/yoga-free-videos 

 

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Dr. Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com 

Understanding Knee Pain (What Causes It & How to Eliminate It)

Dr. Luke Gordon returns to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast and discusses a wide range of information related to knee pain, its various causes, and how to effectively eliminate knee pain. Here are the major topics for this episode: 

• Topic #1: Why is knee pain so common? The knee contains 3 distinct joints as well as 4 different bones. The bones include the femur (the long bone in your thigh), the tibia (aka your shin), the fibula (skinny bone next to your tibia) and the patella (aka the kneecap). There are several large muscles. The largest and most important muscle group in your knee is the quadriceps, 4 primary ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL), and several other structures: 2 menisci, several smaller ligaments, and the IT band

• Topic #2: Several other factors affect pain in the knee: Ankle stability and arch support, hip strength and alignment, and ongoing issues with pain (knee pain is often associated with hip & back pain)

• Topic #3: The most common type of pain we see in the clinic is Patello-femoral joint pain. Poor tracking of the kneecap leads to pain near the front of the knee. Typically associated with weakness in the quad and hip muscles.

• Topic #4: Other common causes of pain. Ligament sprains (MCL is the most common), Muscle strains, Meniscus tears, IT band irritation, Arthritis, Fractures, trauma and surgery.

• Topic #5: The Single Biggest Mistake People w/ Knee Pain  Make. You may have guessed it: the biggest mistake is that people tend to IGNORE their pain for way too long, which can run the risk of more permanent and severe damage. The other mistake you should try to avoid is MASKING your pain with things like medications. Instead, try to HANDLE your pain as quickly as possible (which is explained in the next section!). 

• Topic #6: What Does Successful Treatment of Knee Pain Look Like? At Gordon PT, we take a 2-step approach to helping our clients eliminate knee pain for good. Step 1 is to determine the ROOT CAUSES(s) of the pain, and Step 2 is to design a PT program catered to these specific issues. During Step 2, we follow the “3 Phases of Recovery”, which are outlined below. 

• Topic #7: The “3 Phases of Healing” Once you know the cause(s) of your knee pain, you can now move forward to treating it! In Phase 1, we focus on reducing pain and inflammation, with an emphasis on hands-on therapy and gentle exercises. In Phase 2, as pain is improving, we start to incorporate more stretches and exercises to help sustain these improvements. And in Phase 3, when pain continues to decrease, we’re looking at returning to full activity, including more demanding activities, such as jogging, hiking, sports, etc. It all depends on what you love to do! 

• Topic #8: Still looking for more help? If you’d like more help getting to the root cause of your knee pain and achieving lasting pain relief, Luke wraps up with 2 good options. 

• Option #1: If you live in the area, you can request a FREE 30-minute “Discovery Visit” with one of our PTs! During your free consultation, one of our PTs will help you do 2 things: Discover what factors are contributing to your knee pain, and determine if we’re the best ones to help you decrease your pain and increase your activity level. 

• Option #2: Request a copy of Luke’s FREE report on Knee Pain by calling the clinic at (509) 892-5442, or visit https://www.gordonphysicaltherapy.com/knee-pain/ to download the report directly to your phone or computer. If you’d like more information on Total Knee Replacement Surgery, visit this link instead: https://www.gordonphysicaltherapy.com/total-knee-replacement/ 

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Dr. Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com

Back Pain & Sciatica: Effective Strategies for Lasting Pain Relief!

Do you or a loved one suffer from lower back pain and/or “sciatica”? If so, you won’t want to miss this episode! Luke shares an in-depth look at what causes back pain and sciatica, how to test for the various causes, and ultimately how to achieve lasting pain relief (so you can enjoy an active lifestyle!). Whether you have mild pain, moderate pain or severe pain, you’ll find this information will help you discover effective strategies for lasting pain relief. 

Show Notes

During this episode, Luke covers a large scope of information related to lower back pain and sciatica, including the following major topics. 

• Topic #1: What is “Sciatica” The episode kicks off with a discussion of what sciatica actually is (nerve pain running down the back of the leg) vs. what sciatica isn’t (other types of nerve pain, including pain extending into the front of the thigh. Luke explains the anatomy and location of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in your body, as well as  the anatomy of the spine.  

• Topic #2: The Top 3 Causes of Back Pain & Sciatica In this section, Luke explains how there are 3 primary structures that can cause back pain and sciatica, which include: bulging/herniated discs, degenerative changes and SI Joint dysfunction (SIJ). He also explains how to test each of these 3 structures to determine which of them are causing the pain. 

• Topic #3: The Single Biggest Mistake Back Pain & Sciatica Sufferers Make. You may have guessed it: the biggest mistake is that people tend to IGNORE their pain for way too long, which can run the risk of more permanent and severe damage. The other mistake you should try to avoid is MASKING your pain with things like medications. Instead, try to HANDLE your pain as quickly as possible (which is explained in the next section!). 

• Topic #4: What Does Successful Treatment Look Like? At Gordon PT, we take a 2-step approach to helping our clients eliminate back pain and sciatica for good. Step 1 is to determine the ROOT CAUSES(s) of the pain, and Step 2 is to design a PT program catered to these specific issues. During Step 2, we follow the “3 Phases of Recovery”, which are outlined below. 

• Topic #5: The “3 Phases of Healing” Once you know the cause(s) of your back pain and sciatica, you can now move forward to treating it! In Phase 1, we focus on reducing pain and inflammation, with an emphasis on hands-on therapy and gentle exercises. In Phase 2, as pain is improving, we start to incorporate more stretches and exercises to help sustain these improvements. And in Phase 3, when pain continues to decrease, we’re looking at returning to full activity, including more demanding activities, such as jogging, hiking, sports, etc. It all depends on what you love to do! 

• Topic #6: Still looking for more help? If you’d like more help getting to the root cause of your pain and achieving lasting pain relief, Luke wraps up with 2 good options.  
  • Option #1: If you live in the area, you can request a FREE 30-minute “Discovery Visit” with one of our PTs! During your free consultation, one of our PTs will help you do 2 things: Discover what factors are contributing to your back pain and sciatica, and determine if we’re the best ones to help you decrease your pain and increase your activity level.
  • Option #2: Request a copy of Luke’s FREE report titled “The 14 Best Kept Secrets for Eliminating Back Pain” by calling the clinic at (509) 892-5442, or visit https://www.gordonphysicaltherapy.com/back-pain/ to download the report directly to your phone or computer. 

 

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com

"How to Improve Your Balance & Prevent Falls"

Luke is back with another solo episode, sharing a huge amount of information about how you can improve your balance and reduce the likelihood of having a fall. The topic of balance/dizziness/fall prevention is one of the most important topics for many adults, as it can have such a dramatic impact on their lives. Make sure to share this with someone who’s had a fall or would like to do everything they can to avoid one!

Show Notes

During this episode, Luke covers a large scope of information related to balance, dizziness (vertigo) and fall prevention. Here are the major topics:

• Topic #1: The “Downward Spiral of Having a Fall…” This is the introduction to the workshop, which involves a discussion of how even having one isolated fall can significantly impact someone’s life. Here’s what tends to happen to someone who’s had a fall: they’re AFRAID of having another fall...this fear causes them to avoid activities that challenge their balance...as they become less active, their balance and strength get worse...as this happens, they become more likely to have another fall...meanwhile, they’re avoiding activities they used to enjoy, and they start to experience things like depression and anxiety...their “quality of life” is getting steadily worse over time, all because of one fall… If this sounds like you, this information should be very helpful! 

 

• Topic #2: 3 Basic Steps to Maintaining Proper Balance. In this section, Luke gives you the overview of how balance works. Simply stated, here are the 3 steps: you must SENSE your balance, your brain must PROCESS this information, and your body must be able to RESPOND. Luke discusses how certain things can go wrong with these 3 steps. This knowledge helps you understand how to improve your balance. 

• Topic #3: The “3 Balance Systems”. Learn all about how your body/brain sense your balance. The 3 systems include your vision, your sensation and your inner ear. Luke also explains a simple way to test the function of these 3 systems. 

• Topic #4: Other Factors that Affect Your Balance. Balance is a multifaceted process, and there are several other factors that you need to understand and identify before trying to improve your balance.

• Topic #5: What is Vertigo? Have you ever experienced the sensation of movement, swaying or spinning? Luke will explain how to understand and address vertigo, including “BPPV”.

• Topic #6: How do we Successfully Treat Balance/Dizziness Issues? Now that you understand more about how proper balance works, as well as how many factors you need to consider, it’s time to talk about how to successfully improve your balance!

• Topic #7: What’s Next? To wrap things up, Luke shares 2 options with you if you want to take the next step towards improving your balance... 

• Option #1: Request a FREE 30-minute “Balance & Fall Risk” Assessment with one of our PTs! During your assessment, one of our PTs will help you do 2 things: Discovery what factors are limiting your balance, and determine if we can help you improve your balance with PT treatment.

• Option #2: Request a copy of Luke’s FREE report titled “9 Simple Ways to Improve Your Balance and Prevent Another Fall” or visit www.GordonPhysicalTherapy.com/balance to download the report directly to your phone or computer. 

 

 

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com 

Sleep: Why It’s SO Important & How to Get More of It! with Dr. Lindsay Donahue

Dr. Lindsay Donahue (Naturopath) from “Valley Naturopathic & Acupuncture” returns to the podcast for the second time to discuss the importance of sleep, why so many people struggle to get a full night of it, and how we can improve our quality and quantity of sleep (which leads to improved health across the board!). If you struggle with sleep, this episode should be an excellent resource for you!

Show Notes

This episode features several main topics, which are listed below:

• • Topic 1: Why is sleep so important? What are the health benefits of sleep, what happens to your brain and body while you sleep, and what happens when you don’t sleep enough? 

 

• Topic 2: What does ideal sleep look like (and what dictates the sleep rhythm)? Your sleep rhythm is controlled by 2 primary factors: your “sleep load” due to adenosine building in your system throughout the day, and your circadian rhythm (which is associated with cortisol levels). Not everyone’s sleep rhythm is the same...a great example we discuss is the evidence of “night owls” and “morning larks”. Dr. Donahue also explains the different stages of sleep, such as deep sleep and REM sleep, and length of sleep each night, as well as the role of melatonin for initiating sleep. 

• Topic 3: Why is sleep so hard for people to get enough of, especially adults? We discuss why/when most people start having issues with sleep, and how does this progress. There are multiple factors we discuss in detail, including these top 5 reasons people struggle with sleep: constant electric light, regularized temperatures, caffeine, alcohol and the modern work schedule.

• Topic 4: How do caffeine, alcohol and sleep drugs affect sleep? Dr. Donahue explains how caffeine negatively affects your “sleep load” by blocking adenosine from binding to its receptors. We also discuss the negative effects of alcohol, which includes its ability to rob you of REM sleep. And we save the worst for last: a discussion of the very real dangers of using sleeping medications (which don’t actually improve your sleep but come with some scary and predictable side effects, including death). Oh boy!

• Topic 5: Sleep and chronic diseases. Specific diseases that are directly affected by sleep and the lack of it (neurological issues like Parkinson’s, dementia, autoimmune disorders, etc.). We discuss the “glymphatic” system, which helps cleanse your brain while you sleep, and how lack of sleep is associated with several chronic diseases. 

• Topic 6: How can people improve their sleep? Dr. Donahue and I discuss a number of strategies and tactics to improve your sleep, including: screening yourself for sleep apnea, reducing your exposure to light and screens (especially at night), decreasing your body temp at night (lowering your thermostat and taking a warm bath/shower), decreasing caffeine intake (especially in the afternoon), decreasing alcohol intake, considering using melatonin to help initiate sleep, regular exercise, supplements, acupuncture, yoga and/or breathing, meditation and keeping a consistent sleep schedule. It’s quite a list!

• If you’d like to contact Dr. Donahue for more information about natural healthcare or how to improve your sleep, her information is below. 

 

• Phone: (509) 263-2130
• Website: https://www.spokanenaturalmedicine.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spokanenaturalmedicine/  
• Blog: https://www.spokanenaturalmedicine.com/blog-masonry/

 

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com 

10 Ways to Achieve Your Goals in 2020!

Luke is back with another solo episode, this time discussing ideas for making positive changes in 2020. During the episode, he’ll share 10 ideas to help you reach your goals in 2020, starting with advice on how to change the way you think, followed by specific tactics to implement. He also shares several resources and books for continued learning and growth. 

Show Notes

Now that 2020 is in full swing, it’s a great time to look ahead and start thinking about what you’d like to achieve this year. If you’re hoping for a year of abundance and growth, I have 10 ideas to share with you that should help you along your journey! Here’s a brief overview of the 10 topics for this episode:

• Idea #1: Control = Responsibility. This is one of my favorite “mindsets” when it comes to personal growth and goal attainment. Simply put, if you accept responsibility for your life, you will also gain control over it. This contrasts to the way many people think, especially those who are fond of blaming other people and other circumstances for their lot in life. Stop blaming others and start taking control! Now you’ve got a chance for growth!
• Idea #2: The Power of Positive Thinking. The thoughts you allow yourself to think will dictate the course of your life. Consider one of my favorite quotes: “Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.” If you want to achieve positive things this year, you’ll need to change the way you think. And one of the best places to start is by eliminating negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones.
• Idea #3: Read Something! Following the need to focus on positive thinking, one of the easiest ways to think more positively is simply to read something positive (I’ll share several books for you to consider below). Bold statement: watching TV is not doing you any favors, especially if you watch the news or other negative programming. So consider reducing your time in front of the TV or on social media, and start reading something positive instead! 
• Idea #4: Surround Yourself with Like-minded People. If you’re looking to make positive changes in your life this year, one of the best strategies you can use is to surround yourself with other people who are also trying to learn and grow. On the other side of the coin, you’ll want to distance yourself from those people who will hold you back, especially those people who will try to talk you out of your goals. It’s time to find your tribe!
• Idea #5: Define Your Goals (and your definition of “Success”). Before you can get started in the right direction in 2020, you’ll want to determine exactly where you’d like to go. In addition to defining your goals in as much detail as possible, spend some time thinking about why these goals are important to you. To help with this process, consider this quote from Earl Nightingale: “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” In other words, you get to choose what you want out of life (your “worthy ideals”), and then “success” is the pursuit of these ideals/goals. Make sure you give this some thought before simply adopting standard goals just because everyone else thinks those things are important. 
• Idea #6: Tell Someone About Your Goals. Once you have some goals in place that are really important to you, one thing you can do to increase your chances of reaching your goals is simply to tell someone about them. When you do this, you gain an immediate bump in your accountability. Even better, consider sharing your goals with an “accountability partner”, someone who can help you along the way and encourage you. Ideally, this is also someone you can help keep accountable (think of having a workout buddy).  
• Idea #7: Make a Plan. Now that you’ve decided where you’d like to go and what you’d like to achieve, it’s time to make a plan to help you reach your goals. Don’t get stuck on this tip, just give it some thought before you start expending your energy in the wrong direction.  
• Idea #8: Take Action! With your plan in place, it’s now time to get moving in the right direction! For many people, the hardest part with anything new is simply getting started. Consider the rocket-ship analogy: rocket ships use up 97% of their fuel just to get off the ground and break the earth’s gravitational pull. After that, they need very little fuel to stay on course and move towards their destination. So don’t get stuck thinking too much (“analysis paralysis”). When in doubt, just get moving in the right direction and then adjust your course as needed!
• Idea #9: Enjoy the Ride! Have some fun! Going back to the idea of thinking positively, you want to make sure that you enjoy the process of growth and change vs. saving your feelings of joy for when you actually reach your goal. Failure and setbacks are part of the process, so try to see them for what they are: opportunities for learning and growth. 
• Idea #10: Get Some Help. All of these ideas sound really nice and easy, but the reality is that sometimes we just need a little help. Specifically, you might want to consider working with a counselor, coach or mastermind group (or all 3) to increase your chances of success. So don’t be afraid to ask someone for help :-)
• Additional Resources: during the podcast, I mention several books. Here’s a complete list of them:
  • “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale
  • “Energy Bus” by Jon Gordon
  • “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale
  • “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
  • “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
  • “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com 

"Intro to Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine” w/ Emily Farish

Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner Emily Farish joins the show to discuss the origins of acupuncture, how acupuncture works, and who typically benefits from treatment. She also shares her knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine and explains how it compliments using acupuncture. Prepare for a wealth of information!

Show Notes

This episode focuses on 5 main topics, which are listed below.

• Topic 1: The history of acupuncture. Emily explains how acupuncture is simply one tool used in Chinese medicine, which has been evolving for the last 3,000-5,000 years. She also goes into detail about how pulse reading is a valuable diagnostic tool that helps her determine where to direct the acupuncture treatment (as well as which herbs/supplements to recommend).
• Topic 2: How does acupuncture work? Once you figure out the area you want to target with acupuncture, you now know which points to focus on. Essentially, using specific acupuncture points helps direct the brain’s attention to that specific area. This is a neurological approach. In addition, the points also tell the brain where to direct additional blood flow. Another way to think of this is that acupuncture helps the body direct its energy, which has loosely be thought of as “Chi”. Emily also explains that the definition of Chi isn’t quite that simple, but it’s a good working model for most of us!
• Topic 3: Health benefits of acupuncture. There are a number of symptoms and conditions that acupuncture can help with. This includes helping people with pain, fatigue, sleep issues, inflammation, digestive issues and neuropathy (just to name a few). Acupuncture is also a “holistic” approach, meaning that it aims to improve the function of the overall system. One way it does this is by helping to calm the nervous system, which allows the body to relax, recover and heal. In medical terms, we refer to this as activating the “parasympathetic” nervous system, which we discuss in detail on the episode.
• Topic 4: Common Misconceptions & Questions. The biggest question people typically have is in regards to if the needles will hurt and how deep they go. Emily explains that the depth of the needles depends on the target of the treatment, but for the most part the needles don’t go in very deep and are completely painless. Emily also explains that she expects her clients to start experiencing positive results from treatment within the first 3-4 sessions.  
• Topic 5: Herbal Medicine. Emily talks about herbal medicine throughout the podcast, as it is an integral part of Chinese medicine and works hand-in-hand with acupuncture. We don’t go into specifics regarding the herbs, as we focused on acupuncture instead.

 

If you’d like to learn more about how working with Emily might benefit your health, she’s happy to speak with you on the phone. Simply call the number below to arrange a phone consultation. She also offers a 20-minute in-person consultation so that you can meet her and discuss your situation before committing to any type of treatment. Her information is below.

• Phone: (509) 217-9262. 
• Website: https://emilyfarishacupuncture.com/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Emily-Farish-Acupuncture-165860430547152/  
• Blog: https://emilyfarishacupuncture.com/blog/ 

 

Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com 

“Health Benefits of Cryotherapy” with John Brumbaugh

John Brumbaugh, owner of “Spokane Nutrishop & Cryotherapy” joins the show to discuss the potential health benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC). Listen to John and Dr. Luke discuss the history of WBC, how it works, and the people who experience improved health with its use. 

Show Notes

• The history of Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC): the use of cold therapy dates back as far as 2500 B.C., when the Egyptians used cold water to treat various injuries and inflammatory conditions. Modern-day WBC, which uses nitrogen gas instead of water, started in the 1970’s in Japan by Dr. Toshima Yamauchi, whose primary focus was helping people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
• How does cryotherapy work? WBC features freezing cold nitrogen gas, which is pumped into an upright chamber. The extreme cold (as low as -300 degrees F) is sensed by your skin and essentially “tricks” your body into thinking you’re freezing. This triggers rapid vasoconstriction in the blood vessels in the extremities. As these blood vessels constrict/tighten, the blood is sent deeper into your core to conserve your body temperature. As the blood flows into your core, it passes through your body’s natural filtration system, where lactic acid, amino acid waste and inflammation are naturally metabolized.
• How long does it take? The whole process takes about 3 minutes. Once you step out of the chamber, your skin senses that you’re no longer freezing, and your filtered blood quickly returns to your extremities and skin as your blood vessels open up. Your core temperature doesn’t drop much, as the nitrogen gas is completely “dry” and isn’t able to steel much heat from your body (vs. water, which will steel your heat very rapidly).
• What does cryotherapy feel like? A WBC session is much LESS intense than an ice bath or cold tub. Depending on the setting you choose (there’s a beginner setting if you’re new to cryo), it will feel very similar to walking onto your back porch in the winter with your shirt off and the wind blowing. In other words, your skin will feel extremely cold. However, the effect on your core temperature is fairly negligible, so you experience the same benefits of an ice bath without the extreme sensation of the water and without the rapid drop in your core temperature. 
• Who can benefit from cryotherapy? While the “evidence” is still largely anecdotal, several groups of people are reporting benefits from WBC. This includes athletes, people with metabolic issues, and people with autoimmune/inflammatory issues. Many people also report improved energy and improved sleep. Weight loss may also be a secondary benefit, although this is not the main focus of cryotherapy.
• Who should AVOID cryotherapy? People with heart conditions, especially related to high or low blood pressure, should exercise caution before starting WBC. As stated above, your blood vessels will rapidly constrict during the session, followed by rapid dilation when you exit the chamber. This can have a mild effect on your blood pressure. If you have any concerns about your safety, it’s always best to consult your physician before starting. 
• Would you like to try cryotherapy for FREE? Simply mention the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast to receive your first cryotherapy session absolutely free! No strings attached, and no obligation in order to claim your free session. Simply call John or visit his social media platforms (listed below). 
• Phone: (509) 413-1601. Website: https://www.spokanenutrishopandcryotherapy.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpokaneNutrishopAndCryotherapy/ Instagram: spokanenutrishopcryotherapy.  
• Thank you for listening to the “Stay Healthy Spokane” podcast! If you have any comments/questions or ideas for future topics, please reach out to Luke at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com