Being healthy physically, mentally and spiritually is vital to our quality of life. The unique group of like-minded healing professionals at WellnessFirst has created a collaborative, patient-focused environment to assist those who embody a preventative lifestyle. While each practitioner is independent and operates their own business/practice, they strive to collaborate with one another to enhance the experience of each patient coming to their center.

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging

Your path to wellness might begin with a thermogram from Lynda Witt, CCT, who has been administering thermography screening tests for 11 years. Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) determines risk factors for disease based on inflammatory patterns. The technology assesses skin surface temperatures emitted by each individual. These patterns are stable over time; therefore, repeat imaging to monitor for increase or decrease in skin surface temperatures offers valuable medical information that may lead to intervention at a much earlier stage of disease development. Thermography is FDA registered, completely noninvasive and no contact with the body is needed. All images are interpreted by board-certified medical doctors.

Preventative screening requires that the client undergoes a baseline scan as well as a comparative scan after three months to establish stability, followed by an annual comparative scan to monitor trends. If results from the interpreting M.D. indicate increased risks for disease, the client may seek counsel with the naturopathic physician or the colon hydrotherapist at the wellness center. The natural approach to health may address lifestyle, and early interventions can begin so as to lower risks seen on the thermograms. Follow-up thermograms for comparative purposes can offer information as to the effectiveness of these interventions.

Witt perceives that thermograms are an integral part of preventative medical care as her clients utilize breast, upper-body and full-body imaging to observe how stress, pro-inflammatory diet, lymphatic congestion, hormonal imbalances and myofascial dysfunction can all be addressed to alleviate risks associated with disease and pain.

Colon Hydrotherapy

Vonnie Schultz Albrecht, R.N. provides colon hydrotherapy and probiotic reflorastation. Colon hydrotherapy, also known as a colonic, utilizes a gentle flow of warm, purified water into the large intestine to cleanse the buildup of waste. Albrecht has been in the alternative medicine field for 24 years and thoroughly enjoys administering colonics. “Colon irrigation is like taking your gut to the gym–think of it as water aerobics and a bath,” she says.

There are two basic types of systems that can be utilized for colonics: pressure or gravity. Albrecht developed a unique setup that integrates a closed gravity system with a traditional, FDA-approved, colonic instrument. “Many clients prefer the gravity flow, as it is quite gentle and allows the colon to fill and release simultaneously. It also provides more of an internal soaking which often improves overall results,” she notes.

Once colon function is optimized, colon hydrotherapy sessions can be performed on a monthly or seasonal maintenance schedule. “Go with the flow–the road to health is paved with good intestines,” she opines.

Functional Medicine – Finding the Cause

Naturopathic physician, Dr. DeeAnn G. Saber, NMD, practices functional medicine, which takes into account the whole person (body, mind and spirit). She emphasizes the doctor-patient relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, whether conventional or alternative. She describes herself as a “medical detective” and is more comprehensive than most doctors.

“I love what I do, and my visits are very in-depth. The initial intake is two hours,” says Saber. “We always start with the smallest impacting treatment in order to assist your body’s natural healing ability to put you back in balance. Through blood tests, hair analysis, saliva testing and physical exam, a full and comprehensive evaluation is utilized to determine possible causes of patient illness. By addressing those causes, you begin to see an improvement in the way you feel–energy levels increase, sleep quality improves and overall outlook on life improves,” she adds.

Saber graduated from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. She is a specialist in endocrinology, including the thyroid, hormones, adrenals and neurotransmitter systems. She is also a specialist in gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, she is a Native American Shamanic Practitioner and a massage therapist, so she can offer several modalities to help her patients heal.

As a testament to her commitment to help and empower her patients, Saber was recently given an award as “Most Caring Doctor” in the nation through SmartNDBiz.com.

Psychological Resilience

Jo Ruddy, Ph.D., is a master clinical hypnotherapist and a metaphysical life coach. Her areas of practice include a solution-focused approach to release unconscious patterns, releasing disease and holistic/metaphysical modalities for healing mind, body, spirit.

Ruddy works with patients who suffer from illnesses including Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, cancer and stroke. She also teaches people to heal or eliminate toxic relationships and illuminates false core beliefs that do not serve the highest good, but yet control much of one’s life. Through her gentle but direct guidance, her patients find answers to their struggles. As a result, they see their journey more clearly, with less self-criticism and more self-love.

The level of hypnotic trance may vary individually. However, the person doesn’t have to be in an unconscious state to get positive results. Ruddy uses a loving, clear, direct manner through NLP and unconscious dialogue to point out options and to create change in one’s perspective subconsciously. She can also desensitize painful memories while coaching a patient through shifting one’s perspective.

Ruddy recommends reading books by lifestyle experts Carl Jung, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle and Mark Nepo. She also offers past life regression for those who want to pursue past life experiences.

Psychotherapist Jodi Hardy, MA, CHt, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a certified heart-centered hypnotherapist. Hardy, who formerly worked at Sierra Tucson, learned to focus on root causes. Hardy refers to her approach as “going through the back door” to zero in on the source of the problem. Because she starts with hypnosis, she can often find the base reason straight away behind the presenting issues. She likes looking for the underlying cause, and she then assists the patient in addressing the core cause of it. She specializes in working with women and children. “I like working with children because children are fresh and open to making changes,” she expresses.

Spirituality is an important component of mental and physical health. People who search for meaning in their lives have lower levels of inflammation and less risk of disease. Using a broad scale of eclectic, therapeutic modalities, Hardy diagnoses, assesses and provides individualized treatment plans to help her clients. By reaching their goals, they can live more authentic, balanced and spiritually aware lives.

Ending Common Pain Cycles

Zachary Saber, LMP, BS, MA is a licensed massage therapist who practices myofascial release and structural integration. He describes his craft of myofascial release (MFR) as an energy-based, physical manipulation to release stored emotions held in the body due to injury, trauma, overuse or repetitive use, surgical interventions, etc. Any trauma to the body, physical or emotional, can cause the sliding surfaces between muscles or scar tissues to become adhesive and cause pain when one moves or stretches. “Myofascial release has a profound effect on relieving pain and improving circulation. It can improve sleep cycles as well.”

“Through myofascial release, pain-free movement can be restored and balance can be improved,” he says. His regular clients include police officers, firefighters, tennis players, golfers, swimmers and professional athletes. Saber also alleviates pain in patients with fibromyalgia, MS and neck and back injuries. He has numerous instances of ending chronic migraines for a number of clients through the use of physical manipulation.

Saber is frequently able to help patients who are facing surgery, so that they can avoid the more invasive procedure. “Pain cycles do not have to be permanent dysfunctions in your life and are often treatable with less invasive measures,” he notes.

Saber has undergone a great deal of training in structural integration. Additionally, he has worked with a Rolfer, a neurologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon. From his extensive background of education and experience, he has learned how to end common pain cycles for his patients.

Massage Therapy

To complete this collaborative wellness center, Lyla Sisson, LMT is skilled in Swedish and deep tissue massage. She especially loves working on chronic back pain and shoulders. Her motto: “I strive to promote a healing and relaxing environment with the mentality that massage therapy is an integral part of a person’s well-being and can enhance many aspects of a healthy lifestyle.”

There are no universal roadmaps to wellness, but knowledge can be the key to changing unhealthy lifestyles. If one follows the teachings of these professionals with their complementary skills, one will open the door to succeed in their journey to wellness.

WellnessFirst! is located at 3861 N. 1st Ave., in Tucson. Connect at 520-209-1755 or 3861WellnessFirst.com. See ad, page 3.