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Ask Dr. Lo: Benefits of Aromatherapy & Essential Oils

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by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants (flowers, herbs, or trees) as therapy to improve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Aromatherapy may be used with other complementary treatments, such as massage or acupuncture, as well as with standard medical treatments to manage symptoms caused by cancer, stress, insomnia, and other health issues.

Essential oils are most often used with a diffuser or by diluting them with carrier oil and applying them to your skin.

Aromatherapy research with cancer patients has studied the effect of essential oils on anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and other health-related conditions.

Safety testing on essential oils has found very few side effects.  

Aromatherapy products do not need approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to improve the mind, body, and spirit.

Patients with cancer, as well as other health conditions, use it to improve their quality of life to reduce stress, anxiety, pain, nausea, and vomiting caused by the health issue or the treatments.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are the fragrant (aromatic) part found in many plants, such as the leaves, bark, or peel. The fragrance is released if the plant is crushed or a special steam process is used.

There are many essential oils used in aromatherapy, including, but not limited to, Roman chamomile, geranium, lavender, tea tree, lemon, ginger, cedar wood, and bergamot.

Each plant’s essential oil has a different chemical make-up. This effects how it smells, is absorbed, and how the body uses it.

Essential oils are very concentrated. For example, it takes about 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make about 1 pound of essential oil.

 How Do You Use Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is used in several ways.

In indirect inhalation, the patient breathes in an essential oil by using a room diffuser, which spreads the essential oil through the air, or by placing drops on a tissue or piece of cotton nearby.

During direct inhalation, the patient breathes in an essential oil by using an individual inhaler made by floating essential oil drops on top of hot water.

If you use massage as a method for aromatherapy, then one or more essential oils is diluted into carrier oil and massaged on to the skin.

You can also mix essential oils with bath salts during a bath or mix them with lotions/carrier oils and apply them to bandages.

The types of essential oils and the ways they are combined vary depending on the condition.

Studies Using Aromatherapy

Clinical trials of aromatherapy have studied its effect in treatment of anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and other health-related conditions in cancer patients.

A trial of 103 cancer patients studied the effects of massage compared to massage with Roman chamomile essential oil. Two weeks later, a decrease in anxiety and improved symptoms were noted in the group that had a massage with essential oils. The group that had massage only did not have the same benefit.

Another study of 58 patients with various cancers who completed six aromatherapy sessions showed a decrease in anxiety and depression compared with before the sessions began.

Newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia, who were hospitalized to receive intensive chemotherapy, inhaled an essential oil through a diffuser overnight for three weeks. Patients were given the choice of lavender, peppermint, or chamomile. Improvement was reported in sleep, tiredness, drowsiness, lack of appetite, depression, anxiety, and well-being.

A study conducted with patients using radioactive iodine, which may cause damage to salivary glands, found increased saliva production during treatment, which may decrease damage to salivary glands. In a randomized controlled trial, patients who inhaled a mixture of lemon and ginger essential oils had increased saliva production compared with the placebo group.

In a study of adult patients, at the time of stem cell infusion, tasting or sniffing sliced oranges was more effective at reducing nausea, retching, and coughing than inhaling an orange essential oil.

Women having breast biopsies were randomly assigned to receive lavender-sandalwood or orange-peppermint essential oil drops placed on a felt tab and attached to their hospital gown or to have no scent on the felt tab. Women who received the lavender-sandalwood aromatherapy tab had less anxiety than women who received the orange-peppermint aromatherapy tab or the no-scent tab.

In a study of inhaled lavender essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, or no essential oil, in cancer patients having needles inserted into a central venous port catheter, found patients who inhaled lavender essential oil reported less pain.

Side Effects or Risks to Aromatherapy

Safety testing on essential oils shows very few side effects or risks when they are used as directed. Most essential oils have been approved as ingredients in food and fragrances and are labeled as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Swallowing essential oils is not recommended.

Allergic reactions and skin irritation may occur when essential oils are in contact with the skin for long periods of time. Sun sensitivity may occur when citrus or other essential oils are applied to the skin before going out in the sun.

State law does not regulate aromatherapy, and there is no licensing required for practicing aromatherapy in the United States. Practitioners often combine aromatherapy training with another field in which they are licensed; for example, massage therapy, nursing, acupuncture, or naturopathy.

If you are struggling with health issues, call the Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center at 240-651-1650 for a free consultation.

Dr. Lo uses Nutritional Response Testing® to analyze the body to determine the underlying causes of ill or non-optimum health.

The office is located at 7310 Grove Road #107 in Frederick. Check out the website at www.doctorlo.com.

Health Revival with Dr. Lo

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Deb Abraham Spalding

Part 1: The Path to Healing Starts with NRT

Dr. Lo of the Nutritional Healing Center in Frederick has been a valuable Catoctin Banner Team member for several years. He advertises his business in The Catoctin Banner, and he’s the author of the “Ask Dr. Lo” monthly column. As the publisher of this newzine, I didn’t realize just how valuable Dr. Lo would become for me personally until February, when a friend said I needed to go see him and scheduled an appointment for me. 

I had spent months battling various aches and pains that prompted me to visit my doctor and emergency room (three times) for a series of ailments. The first was a band of chest pain that scared me enough to go to the emergency room in the middle of the night. Next was a torn calf muscle that had escalated from a fall. The third was severe back and abdominal pain that I thought could become something life-threatening. 

My assumptions were proven wrong as CT scans, x-rays, and blood tests revealed no explanation for every pain I had except the calf pain. For everything else, I was completely “normal!” I’ve decided that “normal” these days must be the constant state of tolerating aches and pains! I was baffled and embarrassed. But there had to be an explanation for pain so severe that I needed help to put my pants on. 

Walking into Dr. Lo’s office was my first successful step on my path to healing. Day one was a series of tests completed with Dr. Lo’s assistant, Mary, followed by Dr. Lo’s interpretation of the test reports. Dr. Lo’s patients will never remove clothing during a visit, nor will they have blood or body fluids extracted for testing. Isn’t that interesting? 

After analyzing my test reports, Dr. Lo asked me to lay on his chiropractic table. (I have yet to have a chiropractic adjustment since seeing Dr. Lo.) Then he asked me to place one hand over my area of concern, my abdomen/belly button in my case, and put my other arm up in the air. He had me resist his attempts to move my raised arm while he placed various vials of substances (food, chemicals, minerals, etc.) against my thigh. With each placement of a vial and each push of my arm, he’s asking my body if it has a problem with the substances in the vials. He narrows down the vials from sides of a case to rows and then to individual vials to determine the culprits responsible for a person’s dis-ease. 

This is called Nutritional Response Testing (NRT). So far, I’m halfway through my twelve-visit program with Dr. Lo. In the beginning, Dr. Lo revealed that I was toxic. I had filled myself with so much unhealthy food and exposed myself to metals that had caused my body to express itself in pain.  

I had an ionic foot bath at the end of my first appointment. There were all kinds of toxins pouring out of my feet! I started to feel better immediately. Over the next several weeks, the toxins left my body through a series of rashes. I’ve lost weight and I no longer have pain, not even joint pain. Now, I’m learning to deal with my stress levels and, with all of that pain behind me, I’m ready to be more active to rebuild muscle mass. I’m on an exciting journey! 

Dr. Lo has a wall filled with degrees and certifications. He’s a Doctor of Chiropractic and has run a large practice that he’s paired down over forty years to the specific method he primarily uses today called Nutritional Response Testing or NRT. He’s still a chiropractor, but chiropractic is just one tool in his tool kit.

You’ve heard the old saying, “You are what you eat,” right? Well, it’s true that we’re eating poisons and pesticides and bugs and metals and a whole bunch of man-made junk that our bodies DO NOT LIKE. When our bodies don’t like something, it presents us with aches and pains, inflammation, rashes, acne, flatulence, chronic dis-ease, and eventually disease. Dr. Lo can help identify our unique intolerances by asking our bodies to communicate via muscle testing. 

Chiropractic adjustments are important to keep our energy pathways open, but I’ve learned they can be only temporary relief if we don’t determine whether there’s a nutritional component that’s at the root of our pain. Get this! After just six weeks through Dr. Lo’s NRT program, my sciatic back pain — for which I’ve been tolerating and seeking chiropractic help over the past twenty years — is GONE! 

Dr. Lo understands that there’s a level of disbelief to overcome with NRT. He found NRT because he had his own health emergency in 2006. While working at his large chiropractic practice in Crofton, Maryland, he experienced vertigo and was physically sick. Even he, a doctor, couldn’t find an accurate analysis for his problems. He found a doctor who used an Applied kinesiology approach to nutrition. This doctor found that Dr. Lo had a virus in his ear. This journey led Dr. Lo down his own path to healing. He was looking for answers and went to a session at BWI Airport and discovered NRT. 

By 2009, he had cut back his practice and now enjoys life, especially playing Pickleball. He found the road to healing himself and took his practice along with it. His discoveries changed his practice from a large enterprise taking insurance for chiropractic to stopping the insurance game and focusing on nutrition with chiropractic as a tool. 

We haven’t been schooled to believe that we know the answers for our health. We’ve been schooled to seek out a doctor’s testing and interpretation and then take the pills that are prescribed. Now we’re a society that’s getting sicker and sicker. 

Dr. Lo is our sleuth. He’s our tenured NRT practitioner. He’s dedicated his life to truly helping others. In many cases he has shown a path of miracles.

Dr. Lo is shown in his office where he meets with clients.

Photo by Deb Abraham Spalding

Health matters

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Ask Dr. Lo

L e t ’ s G e t Mo v i n g

P h y s i c a l A c t i v i t y a n d H e a l t h

by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center

Some physical activity is better than none at all, so start slowly and build up from there.

   If you are a healthy adult, it is advised that you make aerobic and strengthening activities part of your regular routine. If you have a health problem such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, ask your healthcare professional about the types and amounts of physical activity you can safely do.

Aim for at least an accumulation of 2.5 hours per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

Walking fast, jogging, dancing, and other types of aerobic activities make your heart beat faster and may cause you to breathe harder. Try to be active for at least 10 minutes at a time without breaks. You can count each 10-minute segment of activity toward your physical activity goal. Aerobic activities can include biking, swimming, brisk walking, jogging, pickleball, racquetball, dancing, jump-roping, rebounder, or engaging in activities that will support you such as chair aerobics.

Try to do aerobic activities at a moderate intensity. Do the “talk test” to make sure you are exercising at a pace that you can maintain. You should be able to speak a few words in a row, but you should not be able to sing.

Aim to work in at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days. Add a brisk walk after lunch, dinner, or when your schedule permits as a way to boost the amount of aerobic activity in your life.

Do strengthening activities twice per week.

Try adding strength-training activities to your schedule. Squats, lunges, deadlifts, lat pull-downs, pull-ups, push-ups, triceps pull-downs, bicep curls, and standing calf-raises are a few examples.   Activities that make you push or pull against something will help you improve your strength and balance.

   Strength training helps you build and maintain bone and muscle. So, to help strengthen your whole body, work all the major muscle groups, including those in your legs, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms. Doing two to three sets for each muscle group twice per week is a great start. You can try different activities to find out which ones you enjoy most. Try lifting weights or working out with resistance bands. Isometric exercises also work.

The good news is that activities that build strength in your lower body may improve your balance. Try activities that work your ankles, feet, and lower legs.

Pilates and yoga may improve balance, muscle strength, and flexibility. You can also try tai chi or practice standing on one leg.

Take breaks from being still.

Recent studies suggest that long periods of inactivity may be linked to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Add motion to your day. Download an app to your phone, computer, or other device to remind yourself to take breaks. Routine tasks such as sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, raking leaves, mowing, and other yard/house work can also be part of your physical activity plan.

How Can I Start to be Active?

First, pick activities you enjoy. Create a list of the ones you would like to do, such as walking, aerobics, tennis, rowing, or taking a class at a fitness or community center. To increase your activity level, add an activity that sounds fun and try it out. You are more likely to stay active if you choose activities you enjoy. Start slowly and add a little at a time.

The idea of being active at least 2.5 hours per week may seem like too much at first. Start by moving for 10 minutes a day. Every few weeks, add 5 to 10 minutes until you are active at least 30 minutes most days.

Set a goal, add it to your calendar, and do it.

Setting goals and having a plan to realize them helps you stick with a physical activity routine.

Set specific short-term goals that you can track. For example, instead of saying, “I’m going to be more active this week,” set a goal of walking 30 minutes a day for 3 days this week.

Think of the days and times you could do the activity, such as first thing in the morning, during lunch breaks, after dinner, or on Saturday afternoon. Look at your calendar, phone, or computer to determine the days and times that work best and commit to those plans in writing. Also, set your phone to send reminders to help you stay on track. You can also confide in a close friend to help you stay accountable.

How Can I Overcome Physical Activity Roadblocks?

Starting a physical activity program and sticking with it is easier than you think. You can overcome these common roadblocks to physical activity and “just do it.” You will feel better in the end when you accomplish the goals you set for yourself.

If  work, family, and other demands are making it hard to be active, try the tips below for adding physical activity to your daily routine. Remember, every little bit counts.

•   Do 10 minutes of physical activity at a time. Spread bursts of activity throughout your day.

•   Add a 15-minute walk or activity that you will stick with during your lunch break or after dinner.

•   Make activity part of your daily routine. If you have time, walk a flight of stairs or, instead of driving, walk or bike with your child to school.

•   Take a break from sitting at the computer or TV. Stretch or go for a short walk. Perhaps do some jumping jacks or push-ups against the wall.

   If you are not motivated and find it hard to get moving and working out seems like a chore, then here are some ideas that might keep you moving:

•   Switch it up. Try a new activity, such as dancing, a racquet sport, or water aerobics, to find out what you enjoy most.

•   Make it social. Involve your family and friends. Physical activity is good for them, too. Plan fun physical activities that allow you to spend quality time together and stay on track.

o    Meet a friend for workouts or train together for a charity event.

o    Join a class or sports league, where people count on you to show up.

o    Find an activity you can enjoy with your children, like dancing to music, hiking, or playing sports such as basketball, tennis, or racquetball.

o    Seek support from someone who will inspire you to get moving and help you reach your goals. This could be a family member, coach or trainer.

o    Have a list of people close by that can help you out if need be. Perhaps they can watch the children, pick the children up from school, work out with you, or just continue to encourage you as you make progress.

If the weather is not ideal, you can reach your fitness goals in any weather by: (1) Wearing the right gear. A rain jacket, sun hat, and sunscreen, or winter clothes will protect you and help you stick to your plans; (2) Find a place to stay active indoors. Download an app to your phone or other device to be active at home, or take an indoor class when the weather is bad.

If cost is an issue, check out your local recreation (rec) or community center. These centers may cost less than other gyms, fitness centers, or health clubs. Find one that lets you pay only for the months or classes you want, instead of the whole year. Choose physical activities that do not require special gear or advanced skills. Check out the local Goodwill or Thrift Store to see if they have some of the equipment you may need. Racquetball racquets, baseball bats, golf clubs, etc. are usually easy to find at a secondhand store.

Prepare to break through your roadblocks. What are the top three things keeping you from being more active? Write them down and stop using them for an excuse. Find a solution. If you cannot join a gym, then start walking in your neighborhood. If you have very little time, then jump rope or do jumping jacks for five minutes a day. If you do not have anyone to watch your children, then be active with your children. You can take walks together or play games such as “catch” or basketball. Find a friend or family member you trust who is willing to watch your child while you exercise. Some people take turns watching each other’s children. Some exercise facilities have free day care.

If you are struggling with health issues, call the Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center at 240-651-1650 for a free consultation. Dr. Lo uses Nutritional Response Testing® to analyze the body to determine the underlying causes of ill or non-optimum health.

The office is located at 7310 Grove Road #107, Frederick, MD. Check out the website at www.doctorlo.com.

*Content Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Ask Dr. Lo Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

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& Nutritional Healing Center

Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s ability to remember, think, learn, and carry out even simple tasks. “Dementia” describes a variety of diseases and conditions that damage brain cells and impair brain function, which includes Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. It is often difficult to distinguish among the different types of dementias because some of the change processes in the brain are similar to other forms of dementia.

The terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” should not be used interchangeably. The two conditions are not the same. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia.

Dementia is a broader term for conditions with symptoms relating to memory loss, such as forgetfulness and confusion. Dementia includes more specific conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and others with related symptoms. Other types of dementia are vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), mixed dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, Huntington’s disease, and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. 

Cognition and Aging

Our brain health and our thinking and reasoning abilities, called cognition, may decline as we get older. Changes are gradual and vary from no change to small changes (mild cognitive impairment) or severe changes (dementia).

Most agree that the components of good brain health include: language, thought, memory, ability to plan and carry out tasks, judgment, attention, perception, remembered skills, the ability to live a purposeful life.

Some people never develop a serious decline in cognitive function, and not all who develop mild cognitive impairment develop dementia.

Possible Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Memory problems are typically one of the first warning signs of cognitive loss. According to the National Institute on Aging, in addition to memory problems, someone with Alzheimer’s disease may experience other symptoms such as memory loss that disrupts daily life, getting lost in a familiar place, or repeating questions. They may also have trouble handling money and paying bills; have difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure; have decreased or poor judgment; misplace things and are unable to retrace steps to find them; and changes in mood, personality, or behavior.

If you or someone you know has several or even most of the signs listed above, it does not mean that you or they have Alzheimer’s disease.

Some causes for these symptoms, such as depression and drug interactions, are reversible. However, they can be serious and should be identified and treated by a healthcare provider.

Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not currently known, but research suggests a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors may contribute and affect each individual differently. The most recognized risk factor for developing cognitive decline and dementia is advancing age. According to the National Institute on Aging, the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years after age 65, and the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia increases dramatically after age 80.

Alzheimer’s Stages

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, which means the symptoms will gradually worsen over time. Alzheimer’s is broken down into seven stages:

Stage 1—There are no symptoms at this stage, but there might be an early diagnosis based on family history.

Stage 2—The earliest symptoms appear, such as forgetfulness.

Stage 3—Mild physical and mental impairments appear, such as reduced memory and concentration. These may only be noticeable by someone very close to the person.

Stage 4—Alzheimer’s is often diagnosed at this stage, but is still considered mild. Memory loss and the inability to perform everyday tasks are evident.

Stage 5—Moderate to severe symptoms require help from loved ones or caregivers.

Stage 6—At this stage, a person with Alzheimer’s may need help with basic tasks, such as eating and putting on clothes.

Stage 7—This is the most severe and final stage of Alzheimer’s. There may be a loss of speech and facial expressions.

As a person progresses through these stages, they will need increasing support from a caregiver.

Who has Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias?

Experts estimate that more than 5.5 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease. More than 90 percent of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia cases occur in people age 60 and older. A small number of people, age 30 to 60 years, develop “early-onset” Alzheimer’s disease. This “early-onset” form of the disease often runs in families.

In American communities, only about half of the people who would meet the criteria for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias have been diagnosed. In addition, there is a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia among Blacks and Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates 14 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s disease by 2050, with many more affected by other forms of dementia.

Prevention and Treatment

Currently, there are no medications that definitively prevent, treat, or cure these conditions, and medical professionals are unable to diagnose the disease before symptoms occur.

Scientists are evaluating whether strategies like exercise, changes in food habits, maintaining relationships with friends and family, or “brain games” can prevent or slow Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions. These activities also could improve quality of life for the person with memory loss and the care partner. The medical field is still learning about this disease, and health professionals’ knowledge and understanding continues to grow as research, technology, and clinical practices evolve.

Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia addresses several different areas: helping people maintain mental function, managing behavioral symptoms, and slowing or delaying the symptoms of the disease.

If you are struggling with health issues, call the Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center at 240-651-1650 for a free consultation. Dr. Lo uses Nutritional Response Testing® to analyze the body to determine the underlying causes of illness or non-optimum health. The office is located at 7310 Grove Road #107, Frederick, MD. Check out the website at www.doctorlo.com.