The Vegas Voice 3-21

My Two Fur Babies
By: Mary Richard / Health Fitness
I
’ve read and heard many times that people
who are pet owners tend to live longer. Yes, I
believe it to be true. I’ve been a pet momma most
of my life, having dogs, cats, a rabbit, parakeet and turtles (not all at
one time, though!)
At present, I am the proud momma to two beautiful kitties, Pierre
and Andre. Pierre is a Maine Coon/Tabby mix and Andre a black and
white tuxedo. Both are rescue kitties.
Pierre was adopted from the Nevada Humane Society when he was
5 months old and Andre was found abandoned under a shrub at one
month. Andre was turned into my vet by a kind stranger who found
him, and I brought this beauty into my home.
They have been such a joy and I never know what to expect -
especially from Andre. The little mischief maker likes to open up my
cabinets and throw items on the floor.
He’s a very curious creature. Pierre, on the other hand, is very gentle,
and is forever watching Andre getting into mischief.
This April Andre will be seven years old and in July Pierre will be
eight. I never regret adopting them (or did they adopt me?)
I started writing a children’s book about Andre’s antics and one of
these days I’ll finish the book!
When I’m playing my Zumba music to arrange playlists for my
classes, they are both nearby listening with their ears twitching. I know
when they approve a song - is that crazy or what?
At times when I’m creating choreography, they are watching with
tails wagging. Zumba kitties I call them!
So, yes, they bring such joy to me, especially during this pandemic
time. So if you are looking for a fur baby companionship that gives you
daily loves and comfort, think of adopting a beautiful dog or kitty from
a rescue or animal shelter.
For however long they are with you, every day is a joy and helps you
live longer!
POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND HAPPY HEALTH TO ALL!
Mary Richard is a long term supporter of senior fitness. She
teaches Zumba, toning and dance classes throughout the Las Vegas
Valley. She can be reached at zumbaqueen@cox.net.
Advances in Pain Treatment
By: Kyo Mitchell / A Healthier You
Last month I wrote on the use of an electrical
stimulation device known
as alpha-stim to help treat
anxiety, depression and insomnia.
I have never received so many responses from
readers asking to know more about this. They stated
that they no longer wanted to be dependent on drugs
to help them with these conditions and wanted an
alternative with no side effects.
In that light, I think it appropriate to address a
similar issue. Many elderly patients suffer from pain.
The conventional medical approach is to give
some form of pain killer, whether that be an antiinflammatory,
an opioid based drug etc. Where these
remedies do provide relief, there can be side effects, they may become
less effective, or they may become addictive.
What most people may not be aware of is that there are other means
of decreasing pain that are not pharmaceutically based. Just as the
alpha-stim machine sends an electrical signal to alter the physiology
associated with anxiety, depression and insomnia, microcurrent can
be used to change the physiology of the body to decrease or stop pain –
sometimes permanently.
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March 2021
Microcurrent is not the same as a TENS machine which simply
overwhelms a nerve’s ability to fire so you do not feel pain while the
machine is on. Microcurrent signals specific aspects of the physiology
of the body to naturally correct a problem, such as
being stuck in a chronic inflammatory cycle.
Because it focuses on specific aspects of physiology,
microcurrent is a little more complex to use than the
alpha-stim machine. With the alpha stim machine,
you attach it to your earlobes and turn it on. It is a
one size fits all deal.
The microcurrent has to be programmed
specifically for what is wrong that is causing the
pain. This means addressing both the tissue(s)
affected and what has been done to cause pain.
This form of treatment can be done in a doctor’s
office (I use it daily in my practice) or the machine can be purchased,
and the person uses it at home as needed. If you are suffering from
pain, and drugs are not working or having side effects, you may want
to look into this option.
Dr. Kyo Mitchell served as faculty at Bastyr University in Seattle
and Wongu University in Las Vegas for over a decade. Dr. Mitchell
practices in Summerlin and can be reached at 702-481-6216 or
rkyomitchell@gmail.com.