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Hormone Optimization Therapy for Men vs Women

Hormones are essential when it comes to cell communication and are responsible for regulating most of our bodies’ functional systems. However, as men and women age, those hormones can change or become imbalanced. Many turn to hormone optimization therapy to balance and restore hormone levels. Impact Medical Group of Tampa is committed to offering the best hormone optimization therapy options for both men and women. Read on to learn more about this innovative approach.

Hormones are at the root of our body’s growth, metabolism, and reproduction functions. Produced by glands in the endocrine system, they play a critical role in regulating your fight-or-flight response, hunger, and mood. By constantly sharing information with organs to promote behaviors and activation, even a slight decrease in hormone production can be harmful to the body. We know that age and health conditions are just a few of the factors that may affect hormone production. Diminished production usually begins in our early 30s and can dramatically accelerate into our 50s and beyond. Restoring hormonal balance with bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can alleviate symptoms but also slow down the aging process by preventing age-related illnesses like cardiovascular disease.

Generally, symptoms will look different in men and women. Most women experiencing hormonal imbalances report having hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, and more. Osteoporosis can also be a symptom of hormonal imbalance during menopause. Men who experience hormonal imbalance report a decrease in muscle mass, loss of energy, erectile dysfunction, and more. Depression and fatigue are seen in both women and men as well.

Hormone optimization therapy may be the answer you need. Studied for over a century, bio-identical hormone replacement uses hormones that are chemically identical (in molecular structure) to those produced in the human body. These hormones create a more natural hormone response and lessen the chances of experiencing unwanted symptoms.

If you are interested in optimizing your health and restoring balance within your body, contact the Impact Medical Group of Tampa today. Call us at (813) 283-1910 or visit us online to schedule an appointment.

Here’s How You Can Keep Menopause Symptoms Under Control

Menopause can be a challenging time. Though it’s a natural biological process that every woman experiences, the symptoms can make this time in your life more than unpleasant. Impact Medical Group of Clearwater shares three ways that you can keep menopause symptoms under control. 

1. Mood Changes

Some women who experience hormonal fluctuations report a feeling of being out of control. Increased irritability, anxiety, and fatigue are common symptoms. To combat mood changes, try relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, and manual paired with a nutrient-dense diet.

2. Incontinence

Here are a few strategies to help improve the various forms of incontinence that can plague menopausal women. Stay hydrated to keep urine diluted (clear or straw-colored) and avoid highly acidic or caffeinated food and beverages that may irritate the bladder lining. These include foods like oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, coffee, and sodas. Kegel exercises can also reduce incontinence while strengthening pelvic floor muscles.

3. Insomnia

To get some relief from those sleepless nights, try incorporating a regular sleep routine. Eliminating screens an hour before bed, waking up and going to bed at a consistent time, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine late in the day can lessen the chance of insomnia. 

Menopause symptoms can be triggered by changing hormone levels. Beginning around age 40, estrogen and progesterone levels start to decline. This causes the body to enter perimenopause, a phase that precedes menopause and lasts on average, 4-8 years. Menopause begins after that, and symptoms can continue for 4-5 years. This means that most women experience menopausal symptoms for over a decade! At Impact Medical Group of Clearwater, our experienced team can help alleviate those uncontrolled symptoms with our hormone optimization therapy. Call our team at (727) 292-0200 to make an appointment today!

Avoid Out-of-Pocket Costs with Chiropractic Care

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, returning to full health should be your first priority. Often, recovery includes chiropractic care. As with any medical procedure, navigating the finances of it all can be stressful. Luckily, you have options. Read on to learn how you can get the chiropractic care you need while avoiding out-of-pocket costs.

Auto Insurance

Some auto insurance policies cover portions of your medical bills—including co-pays and deductibles—if you’ve been injured in a car accident. This policy is often referred to as medical payments coverage, or MedPay. Check your car insurance coverage to determine whether you have MedPay. It’s a relatively inexpensive coverage that can be a big help in the event of a car accident.

Also, if you live in a no-fault state—like Florida—it’s easier for you to seek medical treatment after an accident. All Florida drivers who hold auto insurance policies are required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This coverage can pay all or a portion of your chiropractic bills, regardless of who is at fault for the accident, which means you won’t have to wait until your case is settled to receive money for a no-fault insurance claim. You can get the care you need, without paying out-of-pocket costs.

Health Insurance

If you have health insurance, check your policy to see if it covers costs associated with chiropractic care. The good news is that most health insurance plans include coverage for chiropractic services, but each policy will provide a different level of coverage. Some standard care treatments that are generally covered by health insurance include deep tissue manual therapy and dry needling. Keep in mind, you’re responsible for any co-pays or other costs not covered by your policy.

Medical Liens

As you’re searching for a chiropractor, look for one that will work on a lien. If you’re pursuing legal action following your accident, many chiropractors agree to work on a lien, saving you from out-of-pocket expenses. Under this arrangement, the chiropractor waits to get paid for their services until you receive your settlement. Use caution, though, because if you don’t receive money in a settlement or the settlement doesn’t cover the full cost of your care, you may be responsible for the remaining balance.

Worker’s Compensation

If you were injured in a car accident while acting in the scope of your employment, you may be eligible to file a worker’s compensation claim. Whenever you’re injured on the job, worker’s compensation is often the primary payor, or the first insurance policy used to cover medical expenses related to the injury.

Get on the Road to Recovery After a Car Accident

Injured in a car accident? Don’t hesitate to seek the care you need from your trusted chiropractor at Impact Medical Group in Lutz. We’ll work with your insurance company to reduce your out-of-pocket costs as much as possible, so you can get on the road to recovery without financial burdens. Call us today at (813) 536-0373 to schedule your consultation.

Summer Means More Car Accidents, 5 Tips for Staying Safe

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most accidents happen in the height of summer. If you are planning a fun-filled summer vacation, you’ll want to take every precaution necessary to ensure that things don’t go sour. The caring professionals at Impact Medical Port Richey are here to teach you why summer accidents happen and what you can do to avoid becoming part of the statistics.

Why Summer Accidents?

So, why do most accidents happen during the summer? For the simple reason that everyone loves to take trips during this time of year. Whether it be time off from school, summer holidays, or the joys of warm weather by the beach, there are so many enticing reasons to hit the road and spend time with friends and family. However, this way of thinking leads to an increased possibility of accidents on the road.

Watch For Student Drivers

If everyone has the same idea of going out for a bit of fun during the same time of year, the chances of an accident increase due to too many people on the road at once. Student drivers are especially affected since they’re nowhere near as experienced as more seasoned drivers and may not know how to handle the traffic well.

Weather and Vehicle Conditions

Other factors play into accident causes as well, such as extreme weather altering the road conditions. Florida is no stranger to thunderstorms which can lead to wet and slippery roads, power outages, and so on. The intense heat can also have an adverse effect on your vehicle, causing your tires, engine, and battery to go out at the worst possible time.

Ways to Stay Safe During the Summer

There are many dangers on the road, but there are steps you can take to stay safe and improve your chances of avoiding potential accidents.

Follow the speed limit. By keeping a consistent speed, you’re able to better identify when other drivers are speeding or driving irregularly to keep you on your toes.

Avoid using your phone while you drive. Cell phones are the number one distraction that causes car crashes. It’s best to pull over to a safe spot or wait until you reach your destination before checking your phone.

Keep a safe distance from the car ahead of you. You never know when the car ahead of you may stop on a dime. If you hit their rear, you’re more likely to get the worst of the damages and you could be placed at fault. Many new cars come with automatic safe distance assist features which you can use to your advantage.

Get a thorough car inspection. If your vehicle fails you on the road, there’s not much you can do. Have a licensed mechanic take a deep look into your vehicle to identify any potential issues before they happen.

Never drive under the influence. This goes without saying, but many people still fail to follow this basic rule. By avoiding drugs or alcohol before you drive, or by waiting a good amount of time after consuming, you won’t become a danger to yourself and others on the road.

What to Do After an Accident

Even if you take all of the necessary precautions, you’re not completely immune from getting into a car crash. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible and have your body checked by a physical therapist or a chiropractor like the professionals at Impact Medical Port Richey. Our trained staff will be able to coax your body back to normal while easing inflammation, building on muscle strength, and improving your range of motion.

Call Impact Medical Port Richey today at (727) 848-3377 to schedule an appointment and begin your treatment.