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Q. Can you tell me what has happened to my hot peppers? For the second year, they grow to about a foot tall no taller and the flowers that form drop off. I planted them in April and they’re in a location that gets lots of sun. What do I need to do to solve my dilemma?

A. Hot or Chili peppers fail to flourish and flowers because of temperature, poor pollination or air circulation, and excess nitrogen. Of these, temperature is the most likely cause. Chili Peppers are extremely sensitive to temperature. It’s the night time temperature that the most critical as they like warm days and nights. The plants stagnate when the temperatures dips below fifty-five degrees and the cool conditions prevent buds from forming. Once the plants stop growing, they are very slow to recover when the temperatures warm up. It’s more likely to be a problem with those plants planted in March/April than those planted in May. You avoid this problem by planting around Mother’s Day. By then, the rainy season should be over and the temperature should be on the rise. If we’re having a cool and wet early spring then delay the planting. Poor air circulation, and pollination is not usually a problem with the in ground plantings but with those in containers especially those growing next to a wall. You’ll find pepper blossoms are even more sensitive to temperature during pollination. You may need to entice pollinators to the area by adding some brightly colored flowers nearby, such as Marigolds. Excess nitrogen causes the plant to puts all of its energy into foliage growth. Low fertility and low moisture levels can also result in poor flowering, bud drop and stunted growth along with irregular watering. But I don’t believe that poor air circulation or excess nitrogen is you problem. Next year my suggestion is to stagger you’re planting to see the difference. I’d plant one plant in April, May and even June and evaluate the performance. The late season planting will be the better performers.

Q. My climbing roses have finished blooming for the year. They need to be pruned as they’re way too dense. Can I prune them way back now?

A. This is one of those yes, no, or depends on, answers. You’d do your heaviest pruning on all types of roses during the winter months. They’re also pruned after every flush of flowers to shape the plants and control their size. It’s not unusual for many varieties of roses to bloom year round although the foliage isn’t pristine. The exception is Lady Banksia and Cecil Brunner because their spring bloomers and should be sheared back after the blooming period. When their cut back during the winter, the spring flowers are not as dramatic. With older Hybrid Tea varieties such as Peace, Chrysler Imperial, or Queen Elizabeth, you need to be careful pruning them severely as they bloom on the second year wood. If you prune too heavy, you’ll get no flowers next year. If this is a variety introduced this century then these varieties for the most part bloom on both the new and old wood. So, it doesn’t matter what’s removed or left. The biggest concern with pruning all types of roses way back or severely during the summer months is sunburn. The green, exposed canes will be damaged from the mid to late afternoon sun. These canes turn black on those plants facing south, west or in the southwest direction. These damaged canes typically die. You protect the canes by leaving a fair amount of leaves. If you live inland where it gets hot, I’d wait till winter to prune while your odds for success is greater along the coast. Again, this applies to cutting them back severely. You can thin out some of the growth now as long as you don’t exposed to many of the green canes. I could be more specific if the variety was known. If it is, then I’d consult a nursery professional at your favorite garden center for his or her opinion. They’re the best resource for what would be best in your area.Q. I removed my lawn and replaced it with California Natives and other water-wise plants. They have been in for two years and are doing very well. I’m very pleased. Do you know if they have any special fertilizer requirements?

A. Native plants have no special fertilizer requirements as they’re not heavy feeders. True California Natives are best fed in November just before the rains while the rest are fed in early March before the flush of new growth. I’d take the plant list to your favorite garden center and have the nursery professional advice you as to which time period is best for each plant. I’d use a general organic fertilizer like EB Stone or Dr Earth Organic All Purpose Fertilizer. One application is all that’s necessary per year.

 

Let’s take a look at many diseases that are really symptoms and are truly warnings to us to correct our habits.

Arthritis: Proven by Colon Dong, over 50 years ago, to be treatable with diet.

Colitis and/or Chrones: Many causes, but commonly bad diet, food sensitivities, and change in intestinal bacteria.

Acne: Many times caused by dairy products.

Depression and Anxiety: Poor sleep, bad diet, untreated stress.

Obesity: Poor sleep, candida dominance in the intestine, poor diet, poor lifestyle.

All of the above can be covered up with drugs to ignore the WARNING.

Much of Western medicine is a result of junk science, teaching doctors to treat symptoms, not patients. It appears that the current medical establishment has a goal of forcing drugs on us to feed the monstrous cash cow. I was just informed that some medical insurance companies will not pay physical therapists for the use of microcurrent therapy or white laser to treat pain. Why should a treatment option without side effects be replaced by drugs with sometimes horrible side effects? 

That is the reason that I wrote my last book, WHY? The Question that Could Save Your Life. To have the best chance for a wonderful, healthy and productive life, you must take a strongly proactive part in your healthcare. We don’t have to experience the morbidity associated with aging. Before I woke up to this subject about ten years ago, I was, like many others, having the usual stays in the hospital and going under the knife for very preventable diseases.  That is all in the past now and I am experiencing the best health of my life.

At AODTC, my holistic TMJ and sleep apnea practice, we take time on our initial exam to learn as much about the many factors contributing to the patient’s vitality as possible.  I have taken the time to study physiology at Cal, acupuncture at UCLA, endocrinology (hormones) at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and many more. One example of how my patients benefit is in the case of migraines. My acupuncture training has helped me to find other potential reasons for the migraine symptoms rather than simply labeling it a migraine. I have had patients who were suffering for years, using prescriptions drugs with side effects for headaches, finally able to be free from this horrible pain, without medication! 

When your body is crying out for help with warning symptoms, don’t let anyone say to it, “take this pill and stop crying”.  You find out why it is crying and take away the cause. It could save your life. Alternative medicine, which includes ancient medicine, concentrates on the total body and mind. It is the future of healthcare.

If you are suffering from TMJ symptoms, headaches, popping in your jaw, or sleep apnea, we can help. Visit www.aodtc.com for more information, call 925-837-8048.

 

The Rotator Cuff muscles (four muscles in total) are the primary support structures for the shoulder. Therefore, even minor dysfunction associated with these muscles can create pain and decreased performance of everyday tasks.  A Rotator Cuff injury can be caused by many everyday activities. These activities include traumatic events (e.g. fall on an outstretched arm, “yanking” of the arm), repetitive motion (e.g. throwing a ball, carrying children) and chronic improper posture (e.g. operating a computer, driving).

There are three major types of Rotator Cuff injuries that we treat successfully:

1. Rotator Cuff Muscle Tears: This is a partial tear of one or more of the four Rotator Cuff muscles. Rotator Cuff muscle tears are often accompanied by deep achy pain in the shoulder and arm weakness.
2. Tendonitis: Tendons are at the ends of each muscle and attach the muscles to the bones they move. When there is inflammation of these tendons it is called Tendonitis. The symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tendonitis are often trigger point pain over the tendon accompanied by deep, achy pain in the shoulder and arm weakness.
3. Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome: Chronic injury of the Rotator Cuff can lead to a “pinching” of the nerves passing through the shoulder. This is commonly referred to as a Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Impingement. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling or sharp, shooting pain into the arm or hand.

HOW DO I HEAL MY SHOULDER PAIN?

The most common forms of medical treatment for Rotator Cuff injuries are anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and surgery.  Although meds and injections may reduce the severity of pain associated with rotator cuff dysfunction, they are not a long-term solution and may do more bodily harm than good in the long run. Surgery is a last resort and should only be used if there is irreparable damage to the shoulder that cannot be handled with proper rehabilitation.

First:  Heal the Damaged Tissue

Ending the pain caused by a Rotator Cuff injury requires stopping the cycle of inflammation that is creating the pain. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously.  During Laser Therapy, the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane.  This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, pain is relieved and function is restored.

Second: Correct the Shoulder and Postural Mechanics

Long-term pain relief of shoulder injuries involves rehabilitation of the shoulder, neck, and thoracic spine.  Shoulder rehabilitation is achieved by utilizing specific postural adjustments, exercises and specific posture stabilizing methods in order to re-establish proper motion and strength of the shoulder joint. Ongoing strengthening and stretching exercises are used to rehabilitate the musculature of the shoulder to ensure lasting results. 

If you suffer from chronic pain, it is worth your while to spend some time figuring out which of any number of factors are contributing to your pain — we will help you explore which combination of therapies will help you heal it. The good news is — you can do it without drugs, and you can get back to the activities you love!

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

Step aside lip Shimmers. Creamy Lipsticks are back in a big way, making mouths look refined, full and thoroughly youthful. Here, the rules for doing lipstick right, right now.

Ever struggle with lip color and what shade to wear? Ever wonder what season red is appropriate or even how to wear a red lipstick and with what? Do you ever question what lip color goes with your coloring?  To add to the confusion if coral lip colors make you look older than you really are? These are just a few questions we get every day in our beauty boutique. The right color lip color is a game changer, it can make you or break you and make you look more balanced, updated and more youthful than ever. Wearing the wrong color can make you look tired, drab and older than you look.

Now let me tell you, there is no wrong or right in make-up but changing your lip color now and then is not only positive but constructive. Most beauty companies change with the seasons. While this can be confusing to some, many women love this notion. It allows their outer beauty to shine while their inner beauty gets a nice mental lift. Expressing yourself with a lip color brings independence—standing your ground and owning your look with confidence. It means loving yourself; it shows you are proud of who you are and proud to be a woman!

With so many lip colors out there to choose from you need to find a balance; a color- balance to look like you. After you have achieved your color-balance, then you can explore new colors. Right now, the new go to lip color is neutral. Neutrals can be tricky but as a rule, find lipsticks with a soft tone and creamy finish. A nice creamy nude or soft pink finish will hydrate the lips giving them a fuller, smoother look. The prettiest nude color is slightly brighter or deeper than your skin tone. If you’re pale, look for something with a hint of pink. Those with yellow or olive undertones look best with brown nudes and peach nudes, which is the trend as of now.  

Not all girls can go for that nude look. If you are the type that likes bright pinks and corals try to find a shade in that family but toned down. Choose the brighter shade based on your lips natural color not your skin tone. Women with pale lips look best in cherry red or soft corals. For naturally reddish lips try a rosy pink or cranberry. For dark lips orange and burgundy’s are ideal. These colors will look current, updated and more polished. Avoid the vampire effect: Blue or black-based shades that are too dark can be severe, aging and even a little scary. Look for lip colors with berry undertones tones if you want to go dark.

 If you are struggling with what lip color looks best on you or you don’t know how to choose a lip color for yourself, the professionals at The Rouge Cosmetics can help you choose just the right lip color. They are expert color specialist with years of experience, always updating with the new trends of the season. You will be pleased with the large selection of lip colors and textures they offer by Fleur Visage Cosmetics. At The Rouge Cosmetics they offer color consultations for make-up, custom foundations and of course color consultations for the lips.