DR. BROWN TREATMENTS

Acupuncture/TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese Acupuncture are offered. We employ standard needle and needle-less techniques, electrical technique, herbal (moxa) technique, and ear technique (also known as Auriculotherapy).

Trigger Point Technique
Manual techniques, including acupressure, and injections are offered to alleviate acute/chronic muscular tension and pain.

Prolotherapy
A therapy that promotes the growth of new tissue to support ligaments, tendons and bones.
Read more about prolotherapy »

Transcutaneous Nerve Conduction/Energy Therapies
A topical method of treatment to shortcut the pain receptor circuit, which provides relief of severe symptoms.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
In either an individual or group setting, MBSR involves learning a number of different ways to cope with and alleviate stress in your life.

COLD LASER THERAPY
This therapy, also known as LLT (low level laser therapy), is a painless, sterile, non-invasive, drug-free treatment which is used to treat a variety of pain syndromes, injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions and pathologies. Laser therapy can be used any time a patient requests or needs a drugless procedure for the control of pain, when conventional therapies have been ineffective, or when the acceleration of healing from injuries is desired. Some of the physiological effects of LLT are: increased cell metabolism, improved blood circulation, analgesic effect, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects, stimulation of wound healing.

WORKSHOP SERIES TO EXPLORE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS/SOLUTIONS

Dr. Brown is beginning to address the hard questions concerning the harming elements of the environmental conditions to which we are all exposed. She recently completed her certification in Environmental Medicine, which enables her to deal with these concerns firsthand. Our exposure to environmental toxins in the air, water, ground and food renders us vulnerable to consequences of health-related maladies.

In JANUARY, 2006 -- in conjunction with the Environmental Justice Network located in Fort Ord -- Dr. Brown will begin a workshop series devoted to exploring the health risks in our environment and some affordable solutions and treatments leading toward wellness and a better way of living within our world. 

(Stay tuned! Exact dates to be announced.)

DR. SHUNNEY'S TREATMENT MODALITIES

Therapeutic Nutrition and Dietary Counseling
Dr. Shunney understands that what you eat is the basis for your health. In fact, adopting a healthy diet is often the first step towards correcting health problems.

Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods has always been a cornerstone of Naturopathic Medicine, and a growing body of scientific knowledge validates this approach. Many medical conditions can be treated as effectively with foods and nutritional supplements as they can by other means, but with fewer complications and side effects. Naturopathic Doctors receive more than 140 classroom hours in clinical nutrition, including extensive training in drug-nutrient interactions; most medical doctors receive fewer than 20 hours in nutrition. - top


Diet Therapy ™ Software
In an effort to answer the eternal question, ‘What is the right diet?....
Dr. Shunney invested in computer software!

As most people know, diets are difficult to follow, give you little freedom of choice, address only weight issues, and often cause more health problems than they solve. Contrary to all the advertising we see and hear, no single diet fits everyone. Your biochemical individuality determines your unique nutritional needs. Medical conditions, body type, food allergies and intolerances, vitamin and mineral imbalances, and ideal weight are all factors that should be considered when determining optimal food selections for you. With all of these varying and interrelating factors - only a knowledgeable practitioner (with a great computer program!) can process the information and create the correct diet for you as an individual!

Dr. Shunney is now using the sophisticated new Diet Therapy™ Software program to create a diet that is simple to follow and just for you. Now what you eat can help treat your health problems instead of causing them and help you manage your weight, all while giving you more food choices than you thought were available.

Call to schedule your FoodPharmacy™ intake today. For new patients, the intake can be incorporated into your first visit. For established patients, it only takes about 15 minutes. After the intake, you will need to return the following week for 30 minutes to review the results. There is a $25 fee in addition to office visits. - top


Botanical Medicine
Plants have powerful healing properties that have been used for centuries in the treatment of disease. They are effective and safe when used properly, in the right dose and in the proper combinations with other herbs and treatments. In accordance with both the traditional healing arts and modern scientific research, Dr. Shunney uses plant substances for their healing effects and nutritional value. She also has extensive training in herb-drug interactions. - top


Homeopathic Medicine
This powerful system of medicine is more than 200 years old, and is widely accepted in India, Great Britain, France and Germany. Based on the concept of 'like cures like', homeopathic medicine affects the body's 'vital force' and strengthens its innate ability to heal itself. Homeopathic remedies function on both the physical and emotional levels and seldom have side effects. Some conditions for which conventional medicine has no effective treatment respond well to homeopathy. Dr. Shunney uses homeopathic remedies for acute ailments, chronic conditions and allergy desensitization. Homeopathy is safe for adults and children of all ages, including pregnant women. - top


Bio-identical Hormones
Recent headlines have caused many women to look for alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). While dietary and lifestyle changes, supplements and herbs can often resolve a woman’s menopausal symptoms, there are times when hormones are the only option that provides sufficient relief. These women need to know that all hormones are not created equal.

In fact, this is not only an issue that concerns menopausal women. Hormonal imbalance affects women of reproductive age, as well as men. HRT, while conjuring up thoughts of an estrogen/progestin combination, commonly includes thyroid hormones, DHEA, cortisol and testosterone. All people taking hormones should know the difference between synthetic and bio-identical hormones.

Synthetic hormones are branded and patented pharmaceutical drugs. Patents allow drug manufacturers to price, sell and market their prescriptions as unique creations. To obtain a patent for a synthetic hormone (or any other drug), the molecular structure must be modified. The result is a hormone that looks very similar to the hormone that the body makes but, in fact, is very different in structure and function. Unlike branded drugs, bio-identical hormones cannot be patented because they are compounded to have the same molecular structure and function to those naturally occurring in men and women.

Dr. Shunney believes that bio-identical hormones are a vital alternative to synthetic HRT. While they do NOT remove all the risks involved with taking hormones, bio-identical hormones seem to be a ‘friendlier’ choice. They can relieve hormonal symptoms while minimizing the negative side effects and long-term health risks associated with synthetic HRT. Dr. Shunney can help you decide if bio-identical hormones are appropriate for you and, if so, direct you towards appropriate testing and compounding sources. - top


Arvigo Techniques™
The Arvigo Techniques™ of Maya Abdominal Massage address position and health of the pelvic and abdominal organs. This gentle, external and non-invasive therapy can alleviate many common gynecological complaints including painful or irregular periods and/or ovulation, endometriosis, PMS including menstrual headaches, chronic vaginitis and bladder infections, infertility, painful intercourse and difficult menopause. It can help also stabilize or shrink fibroids and ovarian cysts. Women who have scar tissue and adhesions in the pelvic region from a hysterectomy can also benefit from the enhanced circulation provided by these treatments. In addition, the Arvigo Techniques™ can help with constipation, varicose veins, low back pain and weak legs and feet.

In the Mayan tradition, the uterus is a woman's center, and if it is out of balance, she will be physically, emotionally and spiritually out of balance. Throughout the course of a woman's life, the uterus can shift out of its normal anatomical position. These ancient massage techniques can improve circulation, enhance lymphatic drainage and gently restore alignment and health to the pelvic and abdominal organs.

After your initial appointment, Dr. Shunney will discuss with you whether or not you are a candidate for the Arvigo Techniques™.
For more information, about Dr. Shunney's teacher, Dr. Rosita Arvigo, and the Arvigo Techniques™ go to www.arvigomassage.com.


Lifestyle Counseling and Stress Management
Changing your diet, figuring out how and when to exercise and starting a meditation plan are much easier said than done. Dr. Shunney will coach you on how to take the steps necessary to meet your goals. With her help, you will be able to examine and change the patterns you use to sabotage your best intentions and the ways in which your emotions contribute to your physical health. - top

Common Conditions and Diagnoses
Treated at Lemuria Health

Acute and Chronic Pain/Stress Syndromes that may be associated with:

FIBROMYALGIA

CHRONIC FATIGUE

TENDON/LIGAMENT/BONE INJURY

NEUROLOGICAL INJURY

CHRONIC POST SURGICAL PAIN

CANCER

ARTHRITIS

HEADACHE

COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME