Is Direct Primary Care Right for You?

Many Americans are tired of their rising healthcare costs, which come from their insurer as well as many medical costs alongside their insurance premiums. This has the effect of potentially forcing patients to avoid seeing their doctor or seeking medical treatment until it’s too late at the emergency room, which can both put a strain on medical services and lead to worse outcomes. It’s well-known that regular visits to the doctor can help prevent conditions from forming or getting worse, and medical costs can make that harder to do.

Introducing Direct Primary Care

There’s a new way forward for medical care, that we here at Solstice are proud to be a part of. It cuts the insurance company out of the equation, keeping primary care costs down while providing quality personal care for all. For a monthly fee starting at just $39, patients can receive unlimited access to a doctor without any per-visit fees, next-day or even same-day appointments, and unlimited lab and imaging tests, because we know that care doesn’t just stop at the office. By providing primary physician care without hidden fees, patients are confident, knowing that they can see their doctor whenever they need to, getting the care that they need early on, while avoiding dealing with an insurance company in the process.

At Solstice Health, we’re excited to provide affordable and quality healthcare to patients. Contact us to learn more about our direct primary care service and plans to learn if this exciting care approach is right for you.

The Connection Between Weight Loss and Diabetes

The link between diabetes and weight loss are well-known, and that being overweight or obese significantly increases your chances of getting diabetes. What is not fully understood is the reason why this link exists.

Studies have suggested that fat cells around the abdominal area may cause your body to release chemicals that make it less responsive to the insulin released. Insulin is responsible for helping your body convert glucose into fat or energy. If your body is unable to use the insulin produced, your glucose will instead build up in your blood, leading to high blood sugar levels. This results in type 2 diabetes. Obesity also is linked to high levels of cholesterol and poor heart health, so watching and managing your weight will not only help you prevent or manage your diabetes, but also improve your circulatory system.

There is also one other connection between weight loss and diabetes. Sometimes, weight loss is a sign of diabetes. How can this be? As mentioned above, insulin is required to help your body convert glucose into energy or fat. If your body does not produce any insulin, your body will begin burning fat and muscle to generate energy, which leads to weight loss. If your lifestyle has not changed but your weight has, this may be a sign of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when your body is unable to produce any insulin as a result of an autoimmune condition that destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.

We can help you lose weight in a controlled and safe condition, helping you manage or prevent diabetes no matter your stage in life. To learn more about how your glucose levels can be managed as part of a diet, contact us at Solstice Health to learn more about our diabetic weight loss program that provides an all-natural, GMO-free, and medically-licensed weight loss protocol.

How Soluble Fiber Helps Manage Glucose

It’s often drilled into us by doctors and dieticians that we have to eat more fiber, and that it’s good for us. But what we don’t always remember is why. This week we’ll explain it in a little more detail for you, helping you to choose healthier foods and enjoy an improved lifestyle.

Fiber is not digested or but passed through your body. So why eat it at all? Because not being digested doesn’t mean it doesn’t provide any benefits to your health. A diet rich in soluble fibre can:

  • Maintain bowel health
  • Improve your bowel movements
  • Lower cholesterol levels
  • Keep your blood sugar levels in check

So how is this done? Soluble fiber means that it dissolves in water. This helps slow down the absorption of sugar in your diet, which keeps your blood glucose levels down for longer. This means a reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, or helping you manage your symptoms better if you already have it.

Foods rich in soluble fiber include fruits such as cherries, peaches, apples, and nectarines, as well as vegetables including soybeans, beans, and green peas. Of course, grain products are well known for being rich in fiber. Choose oats and whole wheat products for food that is rich in soluble fiber as well as being low on the glycemic index, helping to maintain or improve your heart health as well as keeping your glucose levels down.

To learn more about how your glucose levels can be managed as part of a diet, contact us at Solstice Health to learn more about our diabetic weight loss program that provides an all-natural, GMO-free, and medically-licensed weight loss protocol.

Foods with a Low Glycemic Index

A high blood sugar level can pose serious problems for everyone. If you have diabetes, it can exacerbate your symptoms, and if you don’t, a consistently high blood sugar level can cause diabetes in the future if you leave it unchecked. Foods with a low glycemic index are those with carbs that raise your blood gluclose level less than foods with a higher GI level. Foods with a GI level less than 55 are considered low.

Here are some foods to combine in your diet this summer to keep your blood glucose levels in check!

  1. Fruits: Some of the tastiest fruits in season have a low glycemic index, such as cherries, peaches, nectarines, and strawberries. They make for a refreshing snack while also helping to keep your blood sugar levels down!
  2. Pasta: If your pasta is made with white durum wheat, it has a GI level of just 44, meaning it’s perfect for anyone looking for a delicious meal while also watching their blood sugar levels. Just make sure it’s part of a balanced diet, as a low GI level isn’t the same as the total amount of carbohydrates you consume in your meal. Cook your pasta with meat or seafood to keep your glycemic load down, as they have no carbs.
  3. Oatmeal: Rolled or steel-cut oat bran or muesli are rich in all the good things for your body. They can help lower cholesterol and rich in fiber in addition to being on the low end of the glycemic index. This good for your health as well as keeping your blood sugar levels down. Combine it with blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, which also have low glycemic loads for a nutritious and delicious breakfast or snack!
  4. If you’re trying to cut down on meat, you’ll want a healthy protein-rich alternative. Baked beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, peas, and soybeans are all packed with protein and will keep your blood glucose levels down, thanks to their low numbers on the glycemic index.

To learn more about how your diabetes can be managed as part of a diet, contact us at Solstice Health to learn more about our diabetic weight loss program that provides an all-natural, GMO-free, and medically-licensed weight loss protocol.

Solstice Health Selected as Finalist at 2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards

At Solstice Health, we are extremely proud and honored to be named as a finalist at the 2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards for our contribution to innovation in the state. There will be an awards ceremony this October in Madison announcing the winners. Please read on for the full press release by the Wisconsin Innovation Awards.

Finalists Announced for 2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards

Winners to be announced at public awards ceremony on October 3 in Madison

Madison— July 12, 2018 — Thirty-four companies and nonprofit organizations have been selected as finalists for the 2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards. In total, 357 businesses, products and services from around the state were nominated. The finalists were determined by a panel of 21 statewide industry experts, with winners to be announced on October 3, 2018 at an awards ceremony at the Wisconsin Union Theater in Madison. Nominations spanned all parts of Wisconsin, represented large, medium and small companies, startups, established businesses, and nearly all industries.

The Wisconsin Innovation Awards Ceremony is open to the public, with ticket bundles currently available for sale. The event begins at 5:30 pm with a reception, and continues with the awards program at 6:30 pm. Ticket information and details are available at www.wisconsininnovationawards.com.

The Wisconsin Innovation Awards Ceremony is presented by Alliant Energy, American Family Insurance, Exact Sciences, First Business Bank, Green Clock Films, JP Cullen, Neider & Boucher, Props Unlimited, Wipfli, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, with support from Envision IT, HealthX Ventures, Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, Madison Gas & Electric, WARF, and Workloud.

2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards Finalists:

Company City
Acme Nerd Games
https://acmenerdgames.com
Barneveld
AquaMetals, LLC
https://aquametalsensors.com

Wauwatosa
Carex Consulting Group
https://carexconsultinggroup.com
Madison
Clean Beam, LLC
https://www.clean-beam.com
Necedah
ConsortiEX, Inc.
https://www.consortiex.com
Milwaukee
CORNCOB, Inc.
https://www.corncobinc.com
Waukesha
dodles
https://dodl.es
Combined Locks
Doyenne Group, Inc.
https://www.doyennegroup.org
Madison
EnsoData, Inc.
https://www.ensodata.com
Madison
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
https://www.feedingamericawi.org
Appleton
Forte
https://forteresearch.com/
Madison
Goods Unite Us, Inc.
https://goodsuniteus.com
Madison
Kohler Company WasteLAB
https://kohlercompany.com/wastelab
Kohler
LAUNCH- School District of Elmbrook
https://launch.yourcapsnetwork.org
Brookfield
MatchBack Systems Inc
https://matchbacksystems.com
Green Bay
Melius Outcomes
https://www.meliusoutcomes.com
Whitefish Bay
Nano Red Biotechnology, LLC
https://www.nanoredbiotech.com
Milwaukee
Nanolytix Inc
https://www.nanolytix.ca
Milwaukee
Oncata
https://oncata.com
Milwaukee
P4 Infrastructure, Inc.
https://www.p4infrastructure.com
Milwaukee
Photonic Cleaning Technologies,LLC
https://www.photoniccleaning.com
Platteville
Propeller Health
https://www.propellerhealth.com/
Madison
Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association
https://www.rebalanced-life.org/
Brooklyn
SmartUQ LLC
https://smartuq.com/
Madison
Solstice Health
https://solsticewi.com
Oconomowoc
Stimmi LLC
https://stimmi.org
Madison
TailoredCare
https://tailoredcare.com
Madison
The Crafter Space, Brewery Incubator
https://www.barleytobarrel.com
Milwaukee
The Mill Events
https://www.themillevents.com
Chetek
Torq Labs
https://www.torqlabs.com
Madison
Trinity Gunshot Alarm System, LLC
https://www.trinitygunshotalarm.com/
Baraboo
VisuaLeverage
https://www.visualeverage.com
Madison
Wolf Flow
https://www.wolfflow.io
Madison
WWBIC
https://wwbic.com
Milwaukee

###

About the Wisconsin Innovation Awards

The Wisconsin Innovation Awards (WIA) connects and showcases innovators throughout the state of Wisconsin, across industries and organizations of all shapes and sizes.

By producing and providing educational media content, organizing a statewide network of experts willing to mentor and support each other, and hosting events that highlight groundbreaking work, WIA is building a lasting legacy of instruction inspired by Wisconsin’s thinkers, makers, creators, and designers. WIA fosters innovation in this state and helps shine a light on companies throughout the state that have transformational ideas.

Therapies for Foot and Ankle Pain

A woman in a green tank top and gray pants sits on the floor, touching her foot with both hands, looking down with a calm expression, against a white background.

It’s no fun to experience pain at any time, but it’s especially no walk in the park to experience foot or ankle pain – literally. Our feet are what we use daily to get around, and to experience pain there of all places can mean a highly diminished quality of life and a lack of independence as a result. However, there are several ways that foot and ankle pain can be treated, allowing you to get back on your feet.

If your foot or ankle pain has come about from a recent injury, it’s a good idea to try the RICE procedure. Rest the area that is in pain, apply a cold pack or ice to the area to reduce swelling, compress the area with a bandage, and elevate it on pillows to reduce any further swelling. This procedure works best if performed immediately after an injury or a shock to the ankle or foot in question.

If good old-fashioned rest and recovery hasn’t helped relieve your foot and ankle pain, there are some exercises that may be able to help instead. Try flexing and stretching your feet and ankles to maintain your range of motion. It’s also a great idea to massage your feet to relax it and improve the chance of recovery and relieve some of the strain that’s causing your pain.

Sometimes solutions performed at home may not be enough in treating your foot and ankle pain, which is our clinic comes in. We offer a range of regenerative medicine treatments including stem cells and PRP that will put an end to any discomfort you may experience.

We offer a wide range of pain relief solutions that seek to minimize invasiveness as much as possible, allowing you to recover quicker. We understand that every patient is different, and we encourage you to book an appointment at Solstice Health so we can help you understand and decide what pain relief method is best for you.

What to Do Before Seeing a Doctor for Hip Pain

A middle-aged man in a blue shirt stands indoors, holding his lower back with both hands and grimacing in pain, suggesting he is experiencing back discomfort. Shelves with binders are visible in the background.

If you are feeling pain in your hip, a doctor’s visit is likely a good idea. But while it’s always encouraged to seek a professional medical help for serious pain, there are still things you can do at home to identify and relieve pain without visiting a clinic. Here are some of the things to try before seeing a doctor.

Is It Your Hip?

The first thing to do is identify whether the pain is actually in your hip, or somewhere else. Your hip is made up of bones, muscles, and nerves, but the area we often think of as our hip when we touch our sides is actually the pelvis. The actual hip region is closer to the groin and not has easy to observe or feel with your hands. It’s important to isolate the pain precisely in order to provide the best information to your doctor. If it is or isn’t your hip, this information can make all the difference in helping you decide what your prognosis will be – for example, if your hip truly is in pain, ice won’t be able to relieve it because your hip joint is deep within your body rather than near your skin.

Relieve the Pain at Home

Just because you plan on seeing a doctor for your pain doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do at home. There are some exercises you can try from the comfort of your own home that can help improve your relief outcome. It’s a misconception that the best thing to do when you’re in pain is to stay still and rest; actually, staying active (within certain limits) is the best way to maintain your range of movement. Simple, light workouts that can help include stretches, balancing exercises, and bending exercises.

To help relieve the pain before seeing your doctor, you might want to try over-the-counter pain medications, but don’t be too dependent on them – side effects even for medicines available without a prescription can do more harm than good. Nothing beats a doctor’s visit.

If your hip pain is going away on its own, you might not need to see a doctor about it, but this doesn’t mean you should be waiting for extended periods of time in the hopes that it will fade. Untreated pain can progress and complicate into something far more serious, or it may be a sign of a condition such as arthritis.

At Solstice Health, we offer a range of regenerative medicine treatments including stem cells and PRP that can put an end to your pain.

If you are suffering from hip pain, don’t delay in contacting us at Solstice Health, where we are able to help you identify and find you the best treatment solutions to eliminate your discomfort.

Fuel Your Recovery

Various fruits, including an orange slice, strawberries, red currants, and a green apple, splash into clear water, creating dynamic splashes and bubbles against a dark background.

Foods rich in Vitamin C not only boost the immune system, but they also help the body recover from the stress of physical injuries and difficult workouts. If you are looking for a natural alternative to your favorite sports drink, try this simple recipe out.

Here are some tips to get the most out of this tasty drink!

1.     If you’re not keen on juicing your fruits every day, you can make a large batch once a week, for example over the weekened.. Lemon and lime juice lasts for a while in the fridge!

2.     If you don’t want to do any juicing at all, just stop by your local juice bar and ask for a lemon/lime juice blend.

Natural Lemon-Limeade

4-8 cups of water, depending on how concentrated you want it.

1/4 cup Fresh Squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup Fresh squeezed lime juice

2 healthy pinches of Himalayan sea salt

2 Tbs to 1/4 cup maple syrup, depending on how you like it

Instructions:

Simply combine the juice and syrup into the water, followed by the salt. Stir until the mixture is completely mixed together. Enjoy.

Keone Kela Feels Good After Stem Cell Therapy

A baseball pitcher in a red uniform winds up to throw on a stadium field. Text reads: “Rangers’ Keone Kela feels good after stem cell therapy.”.

Keone Kela, a pitcher for the Texas Rangers, had been suffering from persistent soreness in his shoulder. He had been unable to play for entire seasons because of his condition. Kela decided to undergo stem-cell therapy treatment last November to stop the pain once and for all. He had bone marrow cells extracted and then injected into his shoulder, helping his body repair tissue and joints. After the treatment, he has felt much better and pain-free, allowing him to throw harder and better than ever before. “The body feels good,”, Kela said to Dallas Morning News. “The arm feels good. I’m ready to go.” Here’s hoping that Kela can take his pain-free shoulder and turning it into results on the field.

Stem cell therapy isn’t just for athletes, however. Anyone suffering from soreness in their body may benefit from the incredible results that stem cell therapy can provide. It’s just a matter of visiting your local clinic at Solstice and taking that first step in pain relief.

10 Foods That Help You Stay Young

A flat lay of 10 white spoon dishes arranged in a circle, each holding healthy foods like berries, nuts, beans, and vegetables, next to the text 10 Foods That Help You Stay Young on a wooden background.

It’s everyone’s goal to stay young both physically and mentally, and science has been hard at work for centuries trying to find the best ways to do so. Short of inventing a time machine, it’s impossible to simply turn back a clock to stay young forever. However, there are a number of natural foods that have been proven to at least slow the process down.

  1. Dark chocolate

Eating a small piece of chocolate with a high percentage of cacao has been proven to slow the effects of aging. Next time you’re in the grocery store, look for chocolate with between 70 and 90 per cent of cacao. Of course, it’s important that you consume it in moderation. Don’t let the delicious chocolate carry you away!

  1. Salmon

Salmon is rich in antioxidants that can help increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and improve blood circulation, as well as boosting the immune system and preventing DNA damage. Salmon fish gets its anti-aging properties from consuming bacteria and algae in the water rich in these antioxidants.

  1. Avocado

Avocado is well-known today for being a superfood and a healthy substitute to butter. Avocados have been proven to reduce cell damage, lower cholesterol, and boost the immune system with its rich collection of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. As a source of lutein, avocados can even reduce the risk of cataracts and other degenerative eye conditions.

  1. Nuts

There are many types of nuts out there and they all help to prevent chronic disease, cancer, and boost your cardiovascular system. Nuts such as chestnuts, walnuts, pecans, and many others are rich sources of unsaturated fats that are proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Of course, not everyone can consume nuts, so it’s important to make sure that you’re not allergic before incorporating them into your diet.

  1. Bone broth

Bone broth is a great way to absorb a range of minerals and healthy compounds that help to build and maintain bone strength. It’s also a great source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which help to reduce inflammation arthritis and joint pain.

  1. Maca root

As we age, our hormones aren’t what they once were, but there are natural supplements that can help to reverse this, such as the maca root. It’s a superfood that has been known to balance out estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the body. Maca has also been said to improve sexual performance and relieve symptoms of menopause.

  1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice known for its use in many tasty dishes, but it’s also a great way to prevent joint aging and degeneration of the brain. It’s a main source of curcumin, which is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation, lowers the risk of heart disease, and supports liver function.

  1. Blueberries

Blueberries are an excellent and delicious source of anthocyanins, which are known for its anti-aging properties, including preventing cell damage from free radicals, as well as slowing down brain cell damage.

  1. Collagen

Eating foods rich in collagen or adding collagen supplements to your meals have been found to protect the skin from the effects of aging. Studies have also indicated that it may also be helpful in the growth of bones and the maintenance of bone health.

  1. Figs

Figs are high in minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. They’re great for your digestive system, as well as potentially helping to lower cholesterol levels, and prevent cancer. Figs are also helpful in keeping your stress levels in check by preventing hypertension. Figs are a rich source of calcium, which helps to improve and maintain bone strength; this is especially essential for anyone trying to keep the effects of aging at bay a little while longer.

Come visit us at Solstice to learn more about how we can help you manage your nutrition as effectively as possible.