Integrative Healing

The Brand Wellness Center * 19 West 34th Street Suite 1022 * New York, New York 10001 * 212 947-0073

Detoxification for Health

Everyday we are exposed to about 50,000 chemicals from the environment, water and the food we eat.

These chemicals poison the blood and circulate throughout the body, creating a toxic effect which can impact every organ in the body. Because our bodies are not adapted to processing and eliminating most of these chemicals, they accumulate over time causing chronic conditions, allergies and a number of other physical/emotional problems.

With more toxins in the environment than ever, it's critical to detox. It is recommended to detox for symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, sluggish elimination, irritated skin, allergies or low-grade infections; bags under the eyes; a distended stomach even if the rest of your body is thin; menstrual difficulties; frequent headaches or mental confusion.

Body detoxification is a process of eliminating these harmful toxins from the body.

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Detoxification removes impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when these systems are compromised, impurities aren't properly released and every cell in the body is adversely affected.

A detox program can help the body's natural cleaning process by:
        1) Resting the organs through fasting
        2) Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body
        3) Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin
        4) Improving circulation of the blood
        5) Refueling the body with healthy nutrients

Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life.

How Do You Know if You Need to Detoxify?

Holistic health practitioners suggest that everyone should detox at least once a year. A short detoxifying program is generally safe; in fact, scientific studies show that a detox is beneficial for health. However, precautions exist for nursing mothers, children, and patients with chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis. Consult your health care practitioner if you have questions about whether detoxing is right for you.

Ways to Help Your Body Detoxify

1. Eat plenty of fiber, including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.

2. Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.

3. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.

4. Drink at least 2 quarts of water daily.

5. Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.

6. Transform stress by emphasizing positive emotions.

7. Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back. Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.

8. Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate wastes through perspiration.

9. Dry-brush your skin or try detoxifying patches or foot baths to remove toxins through your pores. Special brushes are available at natural products stores.

10.Exercise, meditation or qijong are good. One hour every day.

After a detoxification program, you can cleanse your body daily through diet, supplements and lifestyle practices.

Where Do You Begin?

First, lighten up your toxin load. Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, white flour, refined sugars and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimize use of chemical based household cleaners and personal care health products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants and toothpastes), and substitute natural alternatives.

Another deterrent to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release stress hormones into your system. While these hormones can provide the "adrenaline rush" to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. So it's a good idea to detox stressful life situations along with detoxifying your body. Yoga and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring.

Modalities Available at The Brand Wellness Center

Ionizing Foot Bath

An ionizing foot bath is one method of detoxification involving the use of a special ionizing unit placed in warm foot bath which creates positively and negatively charged ions. The theory is that these ions are then absorbed through the feet, through the meridians, into the body and attach themselves to toxic substances and neutralize them. These toxins are then released through the pores of the feet into the water. As the detoxification process occurs, the water will often change color, indicating which organs and systems have been cleansed. It is extremely beneficial to preface this appointment with a reflexology appointment.

Foot Pads

Foot pads contain a naturopathic combination that draws toxins from the acupuncture points at the sole of the foot. This theory is based on Eastern medicine philosophy that toxins go downwards in the body through the meridians, during the day. They are then deposited away from the vital organs, in places such as the feet and are now easily accessible to be removed by the special treated footpads.

Rebounding

Rebounding involves using a mini-trampoline to jump, jog, twist or step-walk on the spot. The benefits of rebounding include stress reduction, increased oxygen supply throughout the body, and detoxification. These results have been well documented by many professionals in rehabilitation and conditioning. We are a distributor for Cellercise, the most effective rebounder on the market. Ask to see our short informative video when you come to our office.

Reflexology

Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure by thumbs and fingers to specific acupressure points and areas on the feet or hands, in order to improve the recipient’s health. Half -hour appointments are available for a nominal fee. Detox is even more effective when this visit is immediately followed by an ionizing footbath. Please call our office to set up a relaxing healthful appointment.

All Aspects of Energy Healing

Energetic blockages are released on the cellular level. See our Energy Medicine webpage for more details.

Nutritional Support

Dr. Brand is a Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC) and can work very closely with you to accomplish many of your dietary goals. We have an extensive intake form that will need to be filled out and submitted to the office at least 2 days before your counseling appointment. Please call the office if you would like further information about this service.

Hypnosis