I’ve spent a number of years finding ways to improve my health, I want to tell you about the 3 things I’ve started doing recently.

#1 Nutrition Response Testing – Muscle Testing – Applied Bioenergy Analysis – Emotion Code

We have a patient, an incredible patient, who came to us a few years ago. Initially when we asked what she did, she nonchalantly told us she did Nutrition Response Testing. You know when people are kind of amazing, but they are so modest you would never know unless you did some research about that person, asked a lot of questions, and eventually just made an appointment with them? That’s Izzi. Izzi and her business partner, Katie opened Innate Health Solutions just over a year ago in the Des Moines area (before you ask, it’s well worth the drive).

So what is it? (Good question!)

In all honesty, I am not sure I understand all of the services Innate Health Solutions provides. Most of these terms (Nutrition Response Testing, Muscle Testing, Applied Bioenergy Analysis, and Emotion Code) are fairly new to me. I know I will continue to learn more about their scope of practice, but here is what I know now: Nutrition Response Testing is a form of muscle testing that allows for assessment of underlying causes of ill health. The analysis is done through testing the body’s neurological reflexes and acupuncture points. The neurological reflexes are derived from the part of the nervous system whose job is to regulate the functions of each and every organ. They’re looking for a correlation between the state of health to the flow of energy in each organ and function of the body. As many of you know from previous emails, my gluten intolerance (which doesn’t really show outwardly but does have some profound neurological effects on my system) was a perfect excuse to explore NRT.

I’ve never seen anything like it, never experienced anything like it. Within minutes Izzi was able to confirm results (without me saying a word) from some of the tests Cody has had me take.

Additionally, I’m learning more about the importance of supplements. I’ve always known that taking supplements was important for overall health, but now I have guidance on what my body needs and how much.

In the past, by this point in a new program (I’m 3 months in) I would have lapsed into old habits. Instead, I feel energized and committed to practicing the program. Izzi continues to fine-tune what my body needs and each follow up appointment provides evidence that I’m on the right path. I’m eating healthy foods (with an occasional minor lapse) and getting a better handle on the balance my body needs with whole foods and supplements to reach optimal health.

At my visit last week I looked at Izzi and just said, “this is so crazy, you are crazy”. I immediately regretted my choice of words, I didn’t mean to discredit her long history of education, training, and practice. Luckily she didn’t take it that way and responded “that’s okay I like to be crazy!” Nutritional Response Testing is not easily explained, it needs to be experienced to understand the impact, to understand how it works. You won’t believe me until you’re lying on the table with your right arm up and no matter how hard you try you absolutely cannot resist the pressure of your tester.

#2 Sauna

We bought a sauna in March, an infrared sauna. Primarily for detox purposes (and primarily for Cody), but it’s been hugely beneficial for everyone to sweat and the systemic health effects are far reaching.

I look forward to sitting in the sauna every morning. Getting up at 5am for a workout so that I can finish off with a sauna session actually is enjoyable. My skin feels better, softer, smoother, tighter. I feel super energized, yet relaxed. My mood reflects in the way I treat people, the way I am living my days. After 30 minutes of 165 degree heat, quiet, sweat I step out of there a new person. Another unexpected bonus is that I’m reading a lot more… books, not my phone!!! An iPhone can’t stand the heat, and thankfully so, because it forces me to stop scrolling no one needs that negativity (or EMF exposure) so early in the morning!

There are a lot of options when it comes to saunas, and if you’ve ever thought about it I would say just do it. It’s one of the best investments we’ve ever made.

#3 Breath

If you’ve made it this far down the email, thank you. I will reward you with four embarrassing photos of me mouth breathing, taken by my beloved husband. During the day my tongue sits gently on the roof of my mouth, teeth slightly touching, breathing through my nose. Just like you should, the correct way. But at night it is a different story. My jaw relaxes down and back, Darth Vader sounds can be heard for miles, and it offers a perfect opportunity for blackmail.

I recently finished James Nestor’s book, Breath, which I highly recommend. Cody read it several months ago, but Cody and I are not always on par with our reading materials. I know you’ll find it surprising, but I rarely am able to understand what he is reading unless of course it comes in the form of a children’s book read to Vivi at bedtime! So…I hesitated reading Breath because I assumed I wouldn’t “get it”.

Spoiler Alert: I did “get it!”!

Nestor does a terrific job speaking to those of us without a biological, medical, or left brain background! My creative (not scientific) mind was able to grasp the concepts, told to the reader through personal experience and stories. If you’re not familiar with the book it “explores the million-year-long history of how the human species has lost the ability to breathe properly and why we’re suffering from a laundry list of maladies—snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, autoimmune disease, allergies—because of it.” – Nester

Breathing is life.

The how of breath has never been on my radar, until now. What I found most interesting is not the many dental connections made, but actually the amazing transformation stories (they even mention a study done at the University of Iowa!).

I found myself working on my breath while listening to the audiobook (I’m a mom, I try to multitask), and since learning more have been incredibly conscious of my own breathing. Do you know how hard it is to nose breathe while running?

Answer: It’s really hard.

I even started mouth taping when I sleep! Sexy I know (and most likely will result in more camera roll photos to use as blackmail). Nevertheless, I can definitely can feel a difference when I wake up in the morning.

If it’s not obvious by the type of dentistry we do, we are always looking for integrative ways to heal our bodies, to feel better, to thrive. I think what is most concerning about that sentence is that I’m implying that muscle testing, sweating, and breathing are unique forms of health when in reality they are the most natural, oldest forms of medical intervention. I’ll keep trying and implementing things that I know to be healing in order to keep myself healthy.