'N Touch Blog

As the holidays approach, my nose is being overworked. Have you noticed the smells of the season? Air fresheners and scented candles are generally the culprits. They may be unhealthy for you. Some scented candles deliver lead to the atmosphere. With the addition of synthetic aromas, your liver can get overloaded by its detox function. Here are my healthy holiday aroma alternatives.

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Kirk, what’s the problem with fast food?  Why such a bad rap for you trainers?  Like it’s that bad.  If I want my Jack in the Box I’m having it.  I’m tired of all the whining.  Like I’m gonna have that mowed grass crap you guys all eat.  How do they expect us to eat like that when fries and a burger do the job.  I mean, that’s protein and there’s not icing on the fries.  I don’t get it!  Mark, Phoenix

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Eric is sixteen. He is charming, smart and so energetically available that you just want to grab him and steal away out the back door to take him home with you, even though he belongs to the best parents in the world. He has spent most of his life fighting cancer in one part after another of his body. His parents are incredibly courageous, loving people who have moved mountains to get him the best possible care. Time after time, they breathe in the belief that they have beat the C-enemy only to be overwhelmed and overpowered with the grief of oh God, not again. His sister sits vigil after chemo and tells him he looks even more marvelous without his hair each time. Mom and Dad have investigated every possible medical and holistic therapy, seen the best healers and doctors and have spoken to God a million or more times. Psychics tell them Eric has beaten it. Doctors tell them Eric has beaten it. And what does Eric think? Well, Eric has given me a new perspective about the holidays.

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By Dr. Dina Evan

Nobody’s kid should be on the street, but even if you don’t have any, yours are on the street…ours are on the street! According to CBS News, it is estimated the poverty rate for kids in this country will soon hit 25 percent. In Arizona alone, there are more than 25,000 homeless kids in school. These children would be the largest American generation to be raised in hard times since the Great Depression.

That means 1.5 million kids have no home of their own, no bathroom, no bedroom or bed in which to sleep safely. No place to hang a poster, lie upside down or listen to music. 1.5 million is the population count of a city the size of Philadelphia. Forty-percent of those kids are gay and lesbian. In many cases, just by being homeless, and on their own, they are breaking the law in many states. So very often, kids try to stay underground by avoiding shelters and other services that could help them get their lives together. One study said that only about half of homeless teenagers make use of shelters, drop-in centers, etc. The other half, afraid of being sent home, put in foster care, or even put in jail, prefer to try to make it on their own which puts them at very high risk of sexual abuse, drugs and child trafficking.

If we look at this problem strictly from an economics perspective, that is 1.5 million fewer life-time customers, fewer video game buyers, fewer electronics purchasers, movie goers, service people, construction workers and fewer computer geeks. That’s 10,500,000 fewer jobs filled and 546,000,000 fewer paychecks each week and hundreds of billions of dollars a year in lost income and cash flow into the economy.

If we look at it from an intelligence perspective that’s 900 billion ideas and concepts lost to focus on shear survival every day. From a humanistic perspective, it’s a loss of our humanity and compassion, sense of connectedness, family and community and it’s a never to be regained loss of innocence. It’s a loss of trust and belief in the potentials and possibilities provided to other kids.

The stress caused to a kid who has no idea how to keep him self, or her self, safe at night without a home to go to is monumental. They experience stunted growth, chronic medical problems, inadequate bone and muscle growth and lack of neurological development that negatively affects normal brain functioning and information processing. Processing problems may negatively hurt the child’s ability to understand social relationships, or may make completion of some academic tasks impossible without assistance or medical help from others. Lack of adequate medical care may result in long-term health problems, impairments or infections. The problems are exponential, as is the pain. There’s no end to it.

So, what is an ethical, compassionate response to the homelessness of our children? Any response that is empowering and does not involve a misuse of power pr position is the right one.  As adults, any kid who needs help or comes to us for help should be off limits sexually, or in any other exploitive way period the end! A kid may be, and often is, willing to trade safety and lodging for sexual favors, but the cost in self-respect is devastating to both the child and the perpetrator. The shocking truth is that this is the growing trend and means of survival today for both boys and girls. Our first ethic to have is always, hands off. A homeless child has already been victimized enough. Think about a kid you know and love being forced to sell sexual favors on the street for money for food and lodging.

Secondly, ask yourself what you do best. Maybe you have the financial means to support a shelter, or a rescue mission. Do you have the expertise to sit on the Board of an organization dedicated to helping the homeless and can you assist the organization become more effective and efficient? Are you willing to stop being a silent bystander when you see some kid being taken advantage of or abused by anyone, even a friend, who could take advantage of a homeless kid? Can you commit to becoming a mentor, a big brother or sister, or an advocate in some form that can help a teen have hope for his or her future?

The most important truth that we are missing today is that we are a family of one. We have distanced ourselves into believing that what happens to others has little or nothing to do with us. However, indecision and lack of action is a decision. It’s a decision to ignore our own humanity. If you have been wondering what your purpose is, this is a great place to make a real difference. Right now, some scared kid who needs you is at risk. What better way is there to make our community a better place for all of us than to brighten the life of a child?

Thanks for listening. Send questions to  DrDBE@attglobal.net or to editor@ntouchaz.com.

Dr. Dina Evan is a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist in the State of California. She has offices in Phoenix, AZ and Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Evan has won national acclaim as a human rights advocate. She is a columnist for several newspapers and has written five best selling books. For more information you may go to DrDinaEvan.com.

By Dr. Dina Evan

It might seem that it’s not easy being ethical these days. Nor is it easy to find people who stand up for what they believe in. Many are only ranting against the things don’t believe in, often with lies and deceit. It’s difficult to get a straight answer, or a direct and truthful response to any question. If you find that kind of stand up person, that’s someone you can elect to an office or with whom you start a business a relationship or a family.

It’s not easy finding people who are not so frozen in fear, that their own littleness, and morbidity has risen to the surface, and they are no longer being who they once knew they could be. If you find a person who is not made immobile, or who has not compromised his or her core beliefs with fear, that is a person with whom you can walk safely.

Not easy finding people are willing to take full responsibility for their own reality. These are people, who understand and embrace cause and effect and are fully in the process of commanding change. If you find that empowered person, join him or her in any endeavor.

Find me one person who is so divorced from her own arrogance and contempt that each contribution made, comes from a place of honest endeavor and you will have found the essence of consciousness.

It’s not easy finding people who are able to speak excruciating truth with empathy, compassion and understanding. If you find a person who can do this, you have found a true heart, free of any punitive emotional or psychological ego. That is a person you can love and be loved by safely.

The circumstances we are in today pull at our ethical edges and give opportunity after opportunity to leave the basic beliefs we may have about honesty, and integrity and ethical behavior. When there is no paycheck, there is no food. When there in no income there is no rent. When there are no accounts payable being paid, there is no business and often in these circumstances, the result is a loss of ethics, depression and fear that freezes us into inaction.

True as it is, that ethical people are hard to find, I don’t think we are going to find them shopping the racks at Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. Maybe we won’t meet them in the bar, in line at the grocery store or even in an OMG moment on Match.com. I think what we are talking about, is that ethical people would be easier to find if we each chose to be one them. It is in the trying times that we get a real peek at who we really are. It’s in the worst of times that we face the greatest tests of character. As Einstein says, “The great spirits choose the greatest challenges,” and these current challenges are not for the faint of heart. We are still experiencing a bumpy ride and we will each, in some set of circumstance, or another, have to decide who we are at the core of our being. The whole point of this time and era is to find our real selves again. It’s not about anyone else.

We have given over the responsibility for our welfare, our security and our peace of mind to those who forgot they were elected to act on behalf of the people, by the people and for the people- not solely the party, not solely the corporation and not the solely C.E.O.’s

The greatest gifts of this time are not found outside of us, but rather they are inside at the core of our own character. There are no longer any answers outside of us. They are all on the inside where they have been waiting all along. With each challenge, stop and ask the most important question of your life, “Who am I and what am I here for,” and then act in alignment with the truth you know, to the degree that you know it. It’s in that place that we will find each other and our true self. It’s in that pause that we identify and fine-tune our values and our ethics. It’s in that pause that we have the opportunity of stepping into greatness. The only way to have a world guided by integrity and ethics is if we embody these values and live them through our actions. Hmmm, perhaps that’s the point of this whole mess after all.

Dr Dina Evan is an author and  licensed MFT in California and a Spiritual and Executive coach in Arizona. She has won national acclaim as a human rights advocate and motivational speaker. You can reach her at DrDBE@attglobal.net, www.DrDinaEvan.com,602-997-1200 or
here at ‘N Touch and on her weekly podcast “50-minute Hour” on QTalkAZ.com

By Dr. Damien Brandeis

Dr. B:  What is the best option for someone with chronic lower back pain? I have tried physical therapy several times — no relief.  X-rays show I have a slightly bulging disc but not enough, the doctor said, to cause that much pain. I have had this since 2001 and am so tired of pain killers. Judy

The good news is: I have a solution for you. Thank you for an opportunity to discuss a new therapy I have been using in my practice. I have searched and studied alternative pain treatments for years. In the past, when all else failed, I prescribed prescription pain medications. But not any more!

I have found an effective therapy to replace the medications and most of the alternative pain treatments you may have considered.  Better yet, the FDA has approved this therapy for pain relief and control. The therapy utilizes “Scenar” (pronounced SKI-nar).  I am excited because my patients are receiving lasting relief from pain. This therapy is non-toxic, has few contraindications and can improve over-all health. While the FDA has approved Scenar for pain control, it is all that and much more. In Russia, Scenar is used extensively, in doctors’ offices and hospitals.

Scenar stands for Self Controlled Energetic Neuro-Adaptive-Receptor. In a nutshell, the therapy uses electro-magnetic energy to awaken and balance the nervous system throughout the entire body. In doing so, scenar regulates and relieves pain by creating a dialogue between the device and the nervous system. The therapy is quite similar to acupuncture and other medical therapies. As a result, the body regains control of the healing process and the pain resolves in the process.

Scenar was developed in the 1970s in the Soviet Union for the treatment of a variety of health issues for cosmonauts. The goal of the therapy was an effective treatment which would work in the weightless of space and could be used at the direction of a physician on Earth and at times without the input of a doctor. The Soviets were seeking a means of medical treatment for the Space station. Considering that people in the USSR were treated by the state for health issues, an effective and inexpensive therapy would also be useful on the ground. Other criteria were safety and universal application without harmful side effects or restrictions of application. The Soviets accomplished their goals and spent decades studying the applications for a number of diseases.

After over 40 years of study, the Soviets developed a thrilling therapy. The rest of the Europe, Canada and Australia have been using Scenar for quite some time. It is only lately becoming known within the United States.

Pain is like an indicator light on your car. It tells you there is a problem. It is your task to resolve it. You and your physician can ignore the indicator light, turn it off, or fix the issue. Many people ignore the problem by taking pain meds. This is somewhat like turning the indicator light off. Pain meds bypass the indicator light from your nervous system. However, the patient owns the choice and the result.

Scenar therapy does three things. First, it locates the issue and assists in diagnosis. You can tell a physician where the pain is. The device will confirm this. Also, it will actually tell the physician where the real issue is. Second, the device creates a dialogue with the body’s nervous system. This opens communication for healing and resolution. Third, because the device interacts with the brain, it allows the nervous system to balance which leads to resolution of many issues.

For instance, I have treated acute allergic headaches and acute sinus attacks with potential infections successfully with 15 minutes of Scenar therapy. In the past, I would normally have provided intravenous therapy or possibly antibiotic therapy. Patients have not required this after Scenar therapy. The body was able to generate and promote a natural immune response and resolve the pain by the end of treatment. Of course, Scenar does not replace good nutrition and all of the other ingredients for good health, but it does enhance the body’s ability to direct metabolism in a positive healthy manner. Scenar is simply balancing.

To this reader’s particular issue: Forty years of Russian research has demonstrated resolution of bulging discs and associated pain. Pain resolution occurs soon and the disc resolves relatively quickly over time. This treatment does not use surgery.  Scoliosis and a bending of the spine have been resolved as well. So while the FDA approved Scenar for pain control, the therapy does much more. I have successfully used this therapy to improve mobility and reduce pain in several patients with back pain. Some of these patients have had pain for decades. Their quality of life without pain is priceless.

We love your letters. Keep them coming! Thank you!

Dr. Damien Brandeis, NMD has a private practice located at the corner of Chandler Blvd and McClintock Road. For more information about Dr. Brandeis and his practice, visit drbrandeis.net. Or phone 480-855-6560 to make an appointment.