Shining a Light: How Red Light Therapy Can Boost Your Wellness
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
2M ago
In the realm of alternative health practices, red light therapy has emerged as a beacon of potential benefits, harnessing the power of specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular processes. From skin rejuvenation to muscle recovery, the applications of red light therapy are diverse and intriguing. Let's delve into the science behind it, the various uses, and simple ways beginners can incorporate red light therapy into their routines. Understanding Red Light Therapy: Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, involves the use of red or near-in ..read more
Visit website
The Healing Heat: Uncovering the Science Behind Sauna Therapy's Health Benefits
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
2M ago
In recent years, sauna therapy has gained popularity as a holistic approach to health and well-being. Beyond the luxurious sensation of enveloping warmth, saunas offer a myriad of health benefits. Let's delve into the advantages, various methods of intentional heat exposure, the distinctions between dry and wet saunas, and some beginner-friendly protocols to embrace the heat for optimal wellness. The Science Behind Sauna Health Benefits: a. Detoxification: Sweating is the body's natural way of expelling toxins. Saunas induce profuse sweating, aiding in the elimination of heavy metals and ..read more
Visit website
Unraveling the Mystery of High Cortisol Levels in Women: A Guide to Understanding and Managing Stress Hormones
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
2M ago
In the complex symphony of hormones that govern our bodies, cortisol plays a pivotal role. Often referred to as the "stress hormone," cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands in response to various stressors, both physical and psychological. While cortisol is essential for regulating metabolism, immune response, and overall well-being, chronically elevated levels can wreak havoc on our health. In this blog post, we'll explore what cortisol is, delve into the symptoms of high cortisol in women, and discuss natural ways to reduce cortisol levels and restore balance to the body. What is Cortiso ..read more
Visit website
Unveiling the Sunshine Vitamin: The Vital Importance of Vitamin D
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
11M ago
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in several physiological processes in the body, including bone metabolism, immune function, and calcium absorption. In recent years, there has been a growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of vitamin D in cholesterol and sex hormone synthesis. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is essential for the production of sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. It is also a critical component of the cell membrane and helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D. However, high levels of c ..read more
Visit website
Exploring the Benefits of Low Glycemic Index Foods for a Healthy Lifestyle
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
1y ago
The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how quickly carbohydrates in food are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, and how they affect blood glucose levels. Foods with a high GI are digested and absorbed quickly, causing a rapid spike in blood glucose levels, while foods with a low GI are digested and absorbed more slowly, causing a slower, more gradual rise in blood glucose levels. For people with diabetes, controlling blood glucose levels is crucial for managing their condition and preventing complications. Eating foods with a lower GI can help with this, as they cause a more gradual ..read more
Visit website
Mastering the Moment: Unveiling the Health Benefits of Mindfulness
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
1y ago
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a program that combines mindfulness meditation, yoga, and body awareness to help people manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Developed in the 1970s by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, MBSR has become an increasingly popular form of alternative therapy for a variety of health conditions. Here are some of the health benefits of MBSR: Reduces Stress and Anxiety One of the primary benefits of MBSR is stress reduction. Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone ..read more
Visit website
The Essential Hormone: Understanding the Importance of Insulin for Overall Health
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
1y ago
Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar levels in the body. It is an underappreciated biomarker that is often overlooked by healthcare providers, despite its importance in maintaining overall health. Insulin works by helping glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream to enter the cells where it can be used for energy. When the body produces too much glucose, the pancreas produces insulin to help remove the excess sugar from the bloodstream. If the body produces too little insulin or the insulin produced is not effective, the result is h ..read more
Visit website
“My Doctor”
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
1y ago
One of my favorite sentiments to hear from patients is "Dr. X was my doctor for years." While it is a simple phrase, I think it does hint at some of the most important aspects of the doctor-patient relationship. I went to medical school to be a family doctor. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with a family doctor in my hometown before going to medical school. The aspect of his practice that stood out the most to me--even more than the medicine--was the relationship he had with his patients. He had some families in the practice that were represented by three generations. There was a tru ..read more
Visit website
Weight Loss, Insulin and Obesity: 5 Common Denominators
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
1y ago
The idea for this blog came after reading some of the more popular books in the weight loss genre—The Obesity Code, Why We Get Sick, and the original Adkins' Diet Revolution. Often times as humans, we focus on differences but I found many core elements reappearing in this collection of works. In highlighting them, hopefully this will reveal some useful information. 1. When you decrease total calorie intake, your body decreases metabolic rate Everyone has heard or used the phrase “fast metabolism or “slow metabolism.” Also, I am sure many folks have heard the phrase “Eat less, move more” as a f ..read more
Visit website
What is Osteopathy?
SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog
by Jarrod Couch
1y ago
A.T. Still was born in Lee County, Virginia in 1828. He became a physician and surgeon, trained in the conventional medical education. After becoming dissatisfied with the practices of medicine at that time (giving arsenic, mercury and other dangerous drugs) and poor outcomes in patients (to include the death of his own family members,) he decided to think differently. He started the first Osteopathic medical school in 1892. Today, Doctors of Osteopathy undergo the same medical training as and M.D., with the addition of approximately 200-250 hours of training in musculoskeletal manipulations ..read more
Visit website

Follow SWVA Direct Primary Care Blog on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR