Depression is one of the most devastating and common diseases on the planet. It exacts a toll far more significant in pain and suffering than just about any other disease. The numbers are quite compelling. Treating depression with drugs is becoming common. The number of people treated over the last ten-year period increased by over 300%.

Currently, over 8 million people are using anti depressants. In no case, however, did the prescription solve the underlying reason for depression.

Depression is debilitating enough when it is caused by something temporary. For example, many feel depressed or discouraged during winter, when hours of darkness outnumber hours of sunlight, and anyone can feel depressed after losing a job or suffering a disappointment. Most people bounce back from events like these, and in time, they recover and move on. But others remain ”stuck“ in their depression, unable to change. One such patient was Mary, age 44, who had suffered major bouts of depression since age 9. She felt suicidal, hopeless, and cried easily. Her recovery was unusual: It did not involve prescription drugs or conventional psychiatric treatment. Instead, Mary turned to an innovative wellness protocol that has helped thousands recover from depression and other health and life concerns.

After I facilitated her wellness consultation, Mary chose Sea Change New York’s NSA (Network Spinal Analysis) and SRI (Somoto Respiratory integration). NSA and SRI both establish better brain-body connection and enhance awareness of the way breath and energy move through the bodymind, allowing the body and its systems to effectively shift tension into ease. These new strategies play a significant role in the wellness/illness experience. The body’s "tension patterns" release and the anchors to disease and illness behaviors, including depression, OCD, addictive behaviors, ADHD and emotional disorders fade or disappear. NSA and SRI teach the bodymind and soul new strategies for extraordinary health and living.

The three greatest factors contributing to disease and depression—bodymind behaviors, environment and genetic predispositions—there’s just one we can’t control. In my 18 years of clinical experience, I have learned that creating awareness to disease and illness behaviors and transforming them into healthy habits for a vibrant life plays a significant role in increasing the expression of your true potential. There are only two fears; fear of falling and fear of loud noise. All other fears are learned behaviors and can therefore be UNLEARNED! I have always believed that our thoughts, emotions and mindsets—when used effectively and purposefully—can be our most potent ally in the fight against depression and disease. When you combine that with body-centered wellness protocols such as NSA and SRI, you can transform and rewrite your life’s story.

When Mary first tried NSA and SRI, her depression was at its maximum - a ten on the zero-to-ten scale which was self-reported to measure discomfort. ”After a few rounds of NSA/SRI,“ Mary says, ”the tears subsided and the depression dropped from a 10 to a 6. There was even a smile or two.“

By week 6, Mary reported that her chronic back pain subsided. Her asthma went away and has not returned, even though it had previously required daily medication. Three traumatic memories that were probably linked to her depression all became ”OK“. Mary was very pleased with her progress, for her depression had dropped from a 10 to only a 4 or 5.

Then, two days later, Mary’s depression came back. However, the traumatic memories, back pain, and asthma did not return. With consistent NSA and SRI, her new neurological strategies were kicking in and as daily life’s challenges occurred, Mary was able to be more flexible and adaptable and her depression didn’t come back.

Since then she has slept normally, gone on long hikes with friends, enjoyed dancing, and has just returned from kicking up her heels for two weeks in Spain. ”There has been no sign of depression. It has been a flat-out zero!“

In addition to eliminating depression, NSA and SRI have been a consistently effective healing tool for anyone exploring the potential resources routed within one’s self, those searching for true authenticity and purpose, or anyone treating or recovering from illness and disease.

Yours in Wellness,

Deborah Musso, D.C
Director, Sea Change New York
The success coach for health and well-being

More information on NSA and SRI:
Mindbody Medicine
Research Corner: Network Spinal Analysis

“The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.”

Our lives really begin to change when we learn to shift our perspective on "problems". From the spiritual perspective, problems offer our best path to growth. Like it or not, pain gets our attention. Pain also challenges the ego’s perception that it is in complete control of life. This opens the door for soul’s guidance.

If we want to be rid of the pain, we must do the work that leads us to greater consciousness. Paradoxically, we can only get rid of the pain by moving through it. The next time you feel “poor me,” stop and ask, “What needs to change? What does my soul want me to learn?”

“No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

    — Author Unknown

GlaxoSmithKline and the U.S. FDA have sent a letter to doctors warning that the antidepressant Paxil could increase the risk of suicidal behavior in young adults. During clinical trials testing the drug, there were 11 suicide attempts made by participants taking Paxil, compared to only one suicide attempt among those taking a placebo. The 18-30 age group was at the highest risk, accounting for eight of the 11 Paxil-related incidents.

Most antidepressants currently have labels warning patients of the risk of suicidal behavior. The FDA has stressed that patients taking Paxil should be carefully monitored.

Sources:
New York Times May 12, 2006 and ABC News May 12, 2006

Do you have a specific health question? Send your questions to drmusso@seachangeny.com

Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling tired - even after a good night’s sleep? As the daily stresses caused by work, finances and other personal obligations begin to add up, lactic acid builds up in our bodies, producing that feeling of lethargy that many of us experience and over time can lead to depression.

SCNY considers rebounding, or steadily jumping on a mini-trampoline, one of the best things you can do to cleanse your body of excess lactic acid and condition your cells for peak performance on a daily basis. Incorporate rebounding into your morning ritual to relieve stress and get each new day off to an energetic start.

With minimal time or effort, you can derive the full range of benefits from rebounding. Just bounce on the rebounder gently, without letting your toes leave the surface. As you perform this simple motion, the upward motion bounces cells into acceleration, opening them up, and the downward motion gently squeezes cells with deceleration, allowing them to eliminate waste.

As you bounce on your rebounder, you will experience an immediate surge in energy. The low impact on your joints means you’re expending less energy than you would during more strenuous exercise, so your body ends up with more energy than you started with!

Not only is rebounding a very affordable and convenient method of exercise (you can purchase a rebounder at almost any sporting goods store!), it is also what we call an "N.E.T." activity, which means it’s something you can add to your daily regimen that requires "No Extra Time". As you’re rebounding, watch the morning news, listen to an audio book or review your voice messages-the possibilities are limitless!

Whatever activity you choose, just make sure you set aside specific times for rebounding each day, and stick to it for at least 10-30 days. Start by using your rebounder for five to ten minutes twice a day, regardless of your age, health, or fitness level. The energy you’ll experience in just that short amount of time will inspire you to make rebounding a habit for life!

Start building the awareness habit: Stop and pay attention. Set an intention to become aware of how you automatically react to different things in your life.

For example, how do you react to the alarm clock, the shower, traffic, work colleagues and situations, your partner or children? How do you react to anger or fear in someone else? How do you react to your own anger or fear? Become a witness to your own life. Pay attention to how you do things.

“What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.

— Abraham H. Maslow

Awareness is the key to all change. Penetrate blocks and find your authentic self. Open to new possibilities using your imagination and intuition.

“To be authentic is literally to be your own author -- to discover your own native energies and desires, and then to find your own way of acting on them.”

— Warren G. Bennis

More information on how to build awareness, read SCNY’s latest Successful Living Report

The following is an inspiring story from someone who has forever improved her quality of life with the help of Sea Change New York:

“I had been working with SCNY for a short time doing both NSA and SRI. During one appointment I was in a state of what I could best describe as trembling fear- or perhaps even trembling terror. I had been experiencing vertigo which was so extreme that I couldn’t stand and had to crawl. My acupuncturist had diagnosed it as inflammation of the middle ear and I was scheduled for an appointment with an ear specialist the next week. At the time of my visit, I was only mildly "seasick" but my thoughts kept questioning - what was the cause of my debilitating dizziness?

“My NSA/SRI session helped me work through the physical discomfort and helped me separate the physical sensations from the "what if" fears. I found that the symptoms at that point were manageable and eventually disappeared and everything I was afraid of fell away as well.

“The work with NSA/SRI had a lasting and liberating effect. Since I was able to work the trembling energy of fear out of my body this time, I knew that it would be possible to do so again.”

— Susy

Share your success story.

Tell us what you need to take your life to the next level. Send your newsletter ideas, comments and questions to drmusso@seachangeny.com.

The body experiences many types of stress each day, both good and bad. You may feel the anxiety and excitement of a new relationship, fatigue due to traveling for work, grief with death of a loved one or pressure of stretching a budget to making ends meet. These are inevitable parts of life. Being able to adapt to this changing tension without creating illness is true "wellness."

Your body does not know the difference between the stress of sitting in traffic and the stress of living on the African Savannah where you may be chased by a lion. The genes that run your biochemistry in modern life are those same genes that allowed your ancestors to survive harsh conditions of winter, famine and predators. When you are not easily adapting to stressful changes in your life, the body reacts as it is programmed to: by shunting nutrients and blood flow to muscles to escape a predator and storing up fuel in your body fat. You are hard-wired for survival, so resources are taken away from the brain, digestion and reproductive functions. This is how stress, over the long term, creates weight gain, disease and tension in your body.

Stress of modern life does not usually come in bursts as it would have historically. Our daily stress is chronic, constant and cumulative. This is a conundrum for your body’s chemistry, creating a whole host of symptoms and disease such as depression, anxiety, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, irritable bowel and infertility, just to name a few. These conditions are generally treated as separate conditions from the root cause: stress. This tends to work for some, have no results for others and can make many people worse. Treatment for depression and anxiety are good examples of how overlooking the cause can fall very short of promoting health. Anti-depressants for example, generally address only one neurotransmitter - serotonin. For many people, depression is not merely a low serotonin problem, thus they find no relief with medications such as Prozac or Zoloft.

Our stress response is a complicated orchestra of biochemicals that operate in a very delicate balance. Although we all have the same biochemicals, our particular imbalance is unique to each of us. Stress may produce depression in one person, but may result in weight gain and high cholesterol in another. To effectively and safely treat the manifestations of stress we need to examine diet, lifestyle and your particular biochemical imbalance.

For safe, effective, natural and customized solutions to your health concerns, make and appointment with our naturopathic doctor today and achieve a balanced life of wellness.

Brooke Kalanick, N.D., L.Ac., MSAOM

“As inside, so outside. As outside, so within.”

How do you take care of your skin? If you are following a holistic lifestyle, exercising regularly and eating as healthfully as you can, then it makes sense that you complete this cycle by nurturing your skin with an all-natural skincare regimen.

It is important to remember that the skin is a living part of your body. It is our largest organ, often referred to as the "third kidney" with several well-developed and interrelated circulation systems: blood, sweat, sebum, nerve and lymph. These systems are easily damaged by the absorption of chemicals; however by using a nutritious skin care system, you can prevent damage and even enhance quality. In fact, it is estimated that more than 5,000 chemicals are used in personal care products and up to 60% of these ingredients are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Clinical observation by medical doctors has shown that exposure to product ingredients including known or suspected carcinogens, neurotoxins and hormone disruptors, can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, anxiety, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes. Isn’t it wise to be extra conscious of what you feed your skin?

At Sea Change New York, experience a holistic facial using our all-natural product line, Jurlique. Visit us and enhance your skin’s natural vibrancy with a facial customized to suit your skin and its conditions. Your esthetician will pamper and nurture your skin with natural plant and vitamin extracts, herbal antioxidants, and organically and bio-dynamically grown herbs. Ingredients such as rose (Rosa centifolia) go further than treating just your skin. In addition to treating dry, sensitive, and aging skin, rose is an excellent anti-depressant.

Nature is full of beautiful ingredients that when properly cultivated, will greatly activate, stimulate and compliment the skin’s own natural eliminating, repairing, hydrating, and rejuvenating functions. Why not take advantage of them? Book a facial at Sea Change New York and emerge refreshed and inspired. Both your skin and body will thank you.

Kara Pursley, Esthetician and ITEC Beauty Specialist

More on SCNY’s Holistic Facials

Rejuvenate, re-hydrate, renew and relax with SCNY’s summer spa specials:

Honey Lavender Mint Sea Bliss

Buff your bod for summer clothes, beachwear and maximum glow. An exfoliating sea salt scrub is combined with a full body massage and aromatherapy for a 90 minute treatment essential for summer!

$150

More info on the Sea Bliss Facial

Blooming with roses for balancing, hydrating and calming effects on the skin, this one-hour treatment is ideal for skin that is dry or sensitive from over-exposure to the sun, wind and water. Green tea will be used to reduce puffiness around the eyes, leaving you with glowing skin and a refreshed over-all appearance.

Summer special price: $85

More info on the Tea and Roses Facial

Happy Hour Acupuncture

Does the work week leave you feeling drained? Trade in your cocktails for a rejuvenating wellness treatment! New patients can bring a pal and experience acupuncture at a two-for-one special price on Fridays from 5-7pm. $100

More info on Acupuncture Happy Hour