Other services and protocols in Aurora

Allergy or Sensitivity?

Did you know that only about 5% of the U.S. population has a true food-related allergy? This means that food allergies are pretty rare. However, food-related sensitivities are undetected by allergy testing and can cause chronic health problems. The only way to establish that food-related sensitivities are at the root of your health problem is with the ALCAT Test.

The ALCAT Test is a blood test that identifies reactions to over 300 foods, chemicals and other substances associated with inflammation that are linked to chronic health problems like migraines, aching joints, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, eczema, hyperactivity/ADD, asthma and even obesity.

The ALCAT Test differs from other food allergy or intolerance tests as it accurately and objectively measures leukocyte cellular reactivity in whole blood, which is a final common pathway of all mechanisms. The test utilizes electronic, state of the art, hematological instrumentation. Standard allergy tests, such as skin testing or RAST are not accurate for delayed type reactions to foods and chemicals. They measure only a single mechanism, such as the effect of mast cell release of histamine or the presence of allergen specific IgE molecules. Delayed reactions to foods and chemicals are NOT IgE mediated.

The ALCAT Test also differs from standard IgG tests in that they rely exclusively on one immune pathway, serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG). In fact, high food specific IgG titers are indicative only of exposure, not necessarily intolerance.

The ALCAT Test reproducibly measures the final common pathway of all pathogenic mechanism; whether immune, non-immune, or toxic. It is the only test shown to correlate with clinical symptoms by double blind oral challenges, the gold standard.

The Ness L300 Foot Drop System uses mild stimulation to lift your foot to help you walk more safely and easily on flat ground, up and down stairs, as well as on uneven surfaces. This light-weight device is designed to fit just below your knee and to be put on and taken off with one hand. Use of the NESS L300 may eliminate the need to wear a rigid, heavy orthosis.

We are the first private physician practice to offer this advanced technology to the Chicagoland area! To learn more about the NESS L300 and to find out if this device is right for you, call us at (800) 916-Elan or visit www.bioness.com.

Our nervous system influences how we think, feel, and act, as well as how the rest of our body functions. At Elan Wellness we believe the function of the central nervous system, including a balance of neurotransmitters, plays an essential and central role in the health of all body systems.

We advocate an assess-address approach to nervous system function. This process entails laboratory assessment of the body’s chemical messengers, via urinary neurotransmitter and salivary hormone testing. Based on your laboratory results, a treatment plan can be designed to address the spectrum of neurotransmitter and hormone imbalances.

In our younger days we were able to concentrate, complete tasks, and cope with day-to-day living. On the other side of the coin we were able to rest, relax, and enjoy our days. Now it seems as if everything has suffered; achievements are less because of our inability to focus, stress follows because of lack of achievements, home life is affected, relationships suffer, and to complete the circle we can no longer escape the agitation of the whole situation because relaxation and rest are miles away.

Today’s multi-tasking life style and high paced society propels us into this situation. If you are experiencing any of the following there is an ANSWER!

Do you experience?

Autism, stress, low mood, mood swings, anxiousness, depression, irritability, agitation, tension, panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, focusing or remembering, sleep disturbances or difficulties, headaches, fatigue, lack of energy, weight issues, or food cravings.

The ANSWER is that the body’s stress response system is dysfunctional. It is a physical problem interconnected with your emotional issues. The brain chemicals that help us to respond to stress appropriately can be in limited supply due to diet, stress, exposure to toxins, and/or genetics.

The word “Orthomolecular” comes from the Greek word “ortho” which means “correct” or “right”, and “molecule” which is the simplest structure that displays the characteristics of a compound. So, literally, it means the “right molecule”.

Orthomolecular medicine describes the practice of preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances which are natural to the body. This alternative therapy employs vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to create optimum nutritional content for the body, as well as the right environment and equilibrium. Like most alternative medicine techniques, orthomolecular medicine targets a wide range of conditions.

Orthomolecular medicine was developed by Linus Pauling, Ph.D., winner of two Nobel prizes, in 1968. It is designed to enable individuals to reach the apex of health and the peak of their performance by utilizing only naturally occurring substances (e.g. vitamins, minerals, enzymes, trace elements, co-enzymes). The proper balance of these substances in the body is the key to reaching physical, mental, and emotional health and stability. Orthomolecular medicine can be used therapeutically to treat diseases such as hypertension, sleep disorders, cancer and AIDS; or preventatively to impede the progress of degenerative disease and aging. When all is said and done, however, the main objective of orthomolecular medicine is to help the patient reach an optimal level of health; his or her self-esteem will probably improve in the process.

Biochemical individuality is the main principle of orthomolecular medicine. This principle was elucidated by Roger J. Williams, Ph.D. This principle is quite simple: every living organism is unique! Furthermore, each individual requires different relative amounts of nutrients for his or her satisfaction and optimal level of health. Several studies have proven the existence of biochemical individuality.

Other principles of orthomolecular medicine include the following:

1. Nutrition is the key aspect of diagnosis and treatment. Nutrient-related disorders can be cured once nutritional balance is achieved.
2. Drug treatment is to be used sparingly.
3. Environmental pollution and food poisoning are definite hindrances to optimum health that must be accounted for when determining the causes of illness. They must be eliminated immediately to avoid the arrival of pathogen diseases and symptoms.
4. Blood tests are sometimes unreliable and do not necessarily reflect accurate levels of nutrients found in the various tissues of the body.
5. Optimism, hope, and faith are valuable allies to both the physician and the patient in times of need and crisis. This is a principle that is unequivocally supported by all alternative medicine therapies.

The goal in treating disease is to bring all of the natural substances of the body into balance. The only way that a physician can help a patient stave off illness and reach optimum health is for him or her to take all of the patient’s nutritional factors into account. The types and amounts of the nutrients needed are determined by blood tests, urine analysis, and other tests for nutrient levels.

Orthomolecular medicine benefits children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly and is effective in the treatment of the following conditions: acne, allergies, angina, anxiety disorders, asthma, atherosclerosis, bruises, burns, candidiasis, cholesterol imbalance, chronic fatigue syndrome, colic, colitis, common cold, constipation, Crohn’s disease, chronic anemia, cystic mastitis, cystitis (bladder infections), depression, diverticulitis, eczema, endometriosis, gastrointestinal disorders, hay fever, headache, heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), heart attacks, heart disease, heavy metal toxicity, hives, hyperactivity, hypertension, hypoglycemia and diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and bowel intolerance, influenza, insect bites, macular degeneration, memory and cognition problem, mood disorders, muscle cramps, osteoarthritis, obesity and weight management, Parkinson’s disease, pellagra, psoriasis, Raynaud’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, shingles (herpes zoster), stress, and viral pneumonia.

“Orthomolecular therapy consists in the prevention and treatment of disease by varying the concentrations in the human body of substances that are normally present.” ~Linus Pauling, Ph.D., 1968

“For every drug that benefits a patient, there is a natural substance that can achieve the same effect.” (Pfeiffer’s Law) ~Carl C. Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D.

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) shows the subtle physiologic changes that accompany breast pathology (cancer, fibrocystic disease, lymph congestion, inflammation or vascular changes etc.), offering the chance to become aware of worrisome physiological changes before formal diagnosis.

Thermography is a test of physiology, while mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI are a test of anatomy. This means that we cannot detect masses. All women can benefit from thermal screening, especially younger women in their 30s-50s with dense breast tissue, overweight women, women with fibrocystic conditions, and women with breast implants.

It is also a valuable test to see the chest wall and the lymphatic system in the axilla that mammogram misses.

Breast thermography allows women to be proactive about their breast health at any age.

​Thermography is NOT a replacement of mammogram but it is a valuable adjunct. Thermography, along with either mammogram/ultrasound/MRI, and self-evaluation gives a comprehensive early screening opportunity for women.

Thermography is used as an adjunct to diagnosis and can show the earliest abnormalities which can prompt early intervention. It can also be used to monitor therapy progress for many conditions and injuries including but not limited to vascular disease, back injuries, stroke risk, headache, referred pain syndrome, unexplained pain, RSD, dental, TMJ, inflammatory pain, breast disease, nerve damage, digestive disorders, whiplash, disk disease, artery inflammation, arthritis and more.

• Non-invasive, painless, radiation-free
• It is unique to visualize physiological changes and metabolic processes
• Thermography can be repeated as often as you like without the danger of exposed radiation. It suited for regular/annual breast screening, including post-surgery or during treatment.
• It is useful for young or older women for whom mammogram is not appropriate – dense breast tissue, sensitivity to ionized radiation
• FDA approved as an ADJUNCT to mammogram since 1982
• Over 800 peer-reviewed studies on the effectiveness of thermography
• Over 83% accurate in the early screening of breast cancer. If it is combined with mammogram or ultrasound the accuracy is 95%
• Affordable
• No prescription necessary
• Efficient – your first visit will be approximately 30 minutes