The initial step in accurately assessing allergies involves taking a detailed history, which often can direct the physician as to which substances may be the underlying cause or trigger. In conjunction with conventional diagnostic methods of determining allergies (such as skin scratch testing and RAST testing), Dr. Ingels utilizes the Orion®, a non-invasive computer-based electrodermal screening instrument which measures changes in skin conductance. The Orion® is a computer-based method of evaluating sensitivities to many different substances including foods, inhalants (pollens, molds, animal danders) and chemicals. It was first developed by a German physician more than 50 years ago, but currently utilizes state-of-the-art technology combining the principles of computer engineering and quantum physics. The Orion® measures skin conductance along the surface of the skin using a specific non-invasive probe. Unlike scratch testing, the Orion® allows multiple items to be tested in a short period of time, which is particularly appropriate for young patients. The information gathered is then used in conjunction with standard tests to determine which allergens or substances are underlying one’s illness. This pain-free method does not pose any risk of serious allergic reaction, which is a potential risk with traditional scratch testing. This method is also safe to use with children and infants and is preferable for those with a fear of needles.

Food and environmental allergies/sensitivities have been shown to be an underlying component of many conditions. The following is a brief list of conditions associated with allergies.

Head/Eye/Ear/Nose/Throat Migraine headaches, conjunctivitis, blurred vision, light sensitivity, sore throat, hoarse voice, recurrent ear infections, runny nose, frequent colds, sinusitis, vertigo, ringing in ears, hearing loss or ear pressure.

Heart and Lungs High blood pressure, chest pain, swelling in arms and legs, irregular heart beat, fast heart rate, asthma, chronic bronchitis.

Endocrine Thyroid dysfunction, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and fibrocystic breasts.

Gastrointestinal Mouth or stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, vomiting, constipation, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, gas, bloating, belching, abdominal cramps.

Joint/Muscle Muscle pains, arthritis, swollen joints, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis.

Neurological Fatigue, seizure disorders, sleep problems, memory difficulties.

Neurobehavioral/Psychological Attention deficit disorder (ADD, ADHD), autism, PDD, Asperger’s, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, spaciness, confusion, mental lethargy, restlessness, learning disabilities, slurred speech, stuttering, irritability, poor concentration, indifference.

Skin Eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, itching, scaling, hives, angioedema.

Urinary Urinary frequency or urgency, irritation, delayed potty training.

*The Orion® is an investigational medical device only and the performance characteristics of this product have not been established by the FDA .

Proper control of allergies involves several steps. Avoidance of identified allergens is necessary, whenever possible. However, avoiding allergens is not always possible or practical (such as pollen or mold). Therefore, avoidance is combined with a specific therapeutic management program that involves using sublingual optimal dose neutralization (sublingual immunotherapy). The concept is similar to conventional allergy shots, but instead of injecting the substance, patients self-administer their drops under the tongue on a daily basis according to physician recommendations. Use of sublingual drops may be seasonal or year-round, depending on the type and amount of exposure to that allergen. Symptoms are often controlled rapidly once immunotherapy has begun. However, periodic assessment may be necessary for long-term management.

A major advantage of using sublingual immunotherapy is that it is much easier to administer than conventional allergy injections, since the treatments are done at home. A recent study published in Allergy (2001;56:989-92), showed that sublingual immunotherapy is extermely safe and no serious adverse reactions have ever been reported in the medical literature. Although the use of sublingual immunotherapy is considered “alternative” by conventional allergists, this method is not new or unusual. A 1998 report issued by the World Health Organization Committee on Allergy Immunotherapy stated that oral allergy drops were a “viable alternative to…injections”. In Great Britain, it is the preferred method of allergy management. Many physicians in the United States have been using allergy drops for more than 50 years.

Allergy drops are convenient and cost-effective for patients since it requires fewer office visits to the physician and the drops are administered at home. The cost of the allergy vials is also substantially cheaper than injections, with an average annual cost of $500-$1,000 per year, depending on the number of allergens being treated.

In some cases, the physician may suggest personalized immunotherapy (i.e. if you are allergic to cats, using your own cat’s hair instead of a standardized extract purchased from an allergy company), which often results in better control over certain allergies. Your physician will discuss the best way to approach treating your specific allergies.

Environmental medicine is a relatively new discipline in medicine and focuses on understanding how environmental factors influence our health and behavior. The development of more complex and chronic illnesses has increased over the last several decades despite the advances made in modern medical technology. Those of us who practice environmental medicine recognize that the body is dynamic and is constantly changing to adapt to its surroundings. When the body fails to adapt or does not adapt properly, biological and chemical changes occur that affect both organ and immune systems, ultimately creating symptoms. The goal then becomes to assist the body in maintaining its ability to change with its environment and restore health.

We are exposed on a daily basis to any number of potential stressors which may ultimately affect our health. These stressors may be external, such as exposure to pollen, mold, chemicals, infectious agents, contaminants in food or even physical phenomena such as extreme cold or heat. Other stressors may be internal, such as psychological stresses, genetics or malnutrition. The concept of “total load” then describes how the total sum of these stressors affect each person’s health. Environmental physicians work to help you identify these stressors and provide you with a comprehensive treatment program that effectively manages your illness and reduces your sensitivities.

Allergy identification and treatment is an important aspect of environmental medicine. Abnormal reactions to foods, chemicals or inhalants may be related to systemic or chronic disease. Dr. Ingels will likely discuss many aspects of your health, lifestyle and environment that may have been overlooked by your healthcare provider.

Therapeutic Nutrition
Therapeutic nutrition is the use of supplemental vitamins, minerals and amino acids to treat specific health conditions. It can also be used to treat nutritional deficiencies that could not otherwise be treated through diet alone. While any substance, natural or synthetic, has the potential to be dangerous, supplemental vitamins and minerals, when taken in appropriate amounts, can be beneficial in treating and preventing disease. Dr. Ingels is an expert in nutritional medicine and only use substances that have been studied and published in reputable journals. We will also evaluate any potential drug-nutrient interactions to ensure that there are no problems in combining a nutritional supplement with an over-the-counter or prescription medication. Natural alternatives to prescription medications may be explored if deemed safe and appropriate.

Therapeutic Diets
As part of our dietary counseling services, specific diets may be prescribed for a particular condition. Dr. Ingels works primarily with the allergy elimination diet and specific carbohydrate diet (SCD). These diets will be designed to help you achieve your health goals by providing you with guidelines to follow in meal planning and shopping. Additionally, we can provide you with recipes to help with your meal planning.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that has been in use for more than 200 years. Although the philosophy of homeopathy extends back to the days of Paracelsus in the sixteenth century, modern homeopathy has been credited to Samuel Hahnemann, MD. Homeopathy is based on the principles of like-cures-like. Highly diluted substances are given orally to treat symptoms that would normally be caused by giving the same substance at pharmacological amounts (i.e. giving homeopathic poison ivy to treat someone who has a skin condition that mimics a poison ivy rash). The exact mechanism of how homeopathy works remains unknown. There are few studies reported in medical journals, but decades of clinical observation have found it to be beneficial. The substances given may be derived from plant, animal, mineral or food sources. Specific dilutions (called potencies) are prescribed depending on the nature of the condition. Traditionally, low potencies are prescribed for acute conditions and high potencies are prescribed for more chronic diseases. This form of treatment is preferred for children due to effectiveness, gentleness, ease of administration, and safety.

The use of herbal medicine has been historically documented by cultures around the world and continues to be popular today. Each year new research is published that documents the health benefits, safety and efficacy of herbs. Available in a variety of forms including tablets, granular teas and loose herbal teas, herbs have never been easier or more convenient to take. Dr. Ingels will help determine whether herbal intervention might be helpful for you and which form would be the most effective. Particular attention is given to those people taking prescription medications. We want to ensure the highest efficacy of both the prescription and the herbs while avoiding any potential interaction between the two. Dr. Ingels highly trained and experienced in the use of herbal medicine and understand that just because a substance is natural, does not mean it is necessarily safe.

Western Herbal Medicine
The popularity of western herbal medicine in the United States has increased dramitically in the past two decades, with over 1/3 of the American population taking some form of herbs. Despite the argument by some conventional physicians that herbal medicine has no scientific basis, the fact of the matter is that several studies have shown that herbs can be as effective or in some cases, more effective than its conventional drug counterpart. Herbal medicine also has a deep historical basis, dating back hundreds to thousands of years. The efficacy and safety of herbs have been demonstrated through observation and repeated use over centuries, weheras most studies on conventional medications are often a matter of weeks to months. At Ingels Family Health, we use standardized extracts, loose herbs or solid extracts, depending on which form best suits your needs.

Some herbs are quite toxic and should only be used under the direction of a qualified practitioner of herbal medicine.

Our full service dispensary offers a broad range of professional grade herbs and supplements to meet your health needs. To ensure that the products you receive are of the highest quality, we purchase only from companies who participate in stringent third-party testing.

We understand that many people have allergies or sensitivities to chemical additives or preservatives. Therefore, we do our best to provide you with products that are hypoallergenic and do not contain unnecessary food coloring or additives.

If you would like a specific product that we do not currently have in stock, we will make every effort to special order it for you. You can call our office at 203-254-9957 or e-mail us at nefha@nefha.com to refill dispensary orders and we will be happy to ship your order to you or have it available for pick up.

Please note that dispensary orders are by prescription and will only be filled for current patients of Ingels Family Health.

Craniosacral Therapy refers to the connection between the cranium or head and sacrum, the bone at the base of your spine. For decades (since the early 1900′s) various forms of cranial manipulation have been used to treat a wide range of conditions, from headaches and ear infections to stroke, spinal cord injury, nervous system disorders, and musculoskeletal issues. Everyone is familiar with the body’s cardiac rhythm and the respiratory rhythm, yet there is a third important life sustaining rhythm called the craniosacral rhythm that results from the flow of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the brain and spinal cord.

The craniosacral therapist is skilled at feeling this subtle movement along with areas of restriction (tension, compression, adhesions, etc) in the skull, spine, sacrum, joints, muscles, lymphatics, blood circulation, nerves, and fascia (connective tissue). Areas of restriction lead to decreased nerve transmission, reduced fluid circulation, organ dysfunction, and diminished cell communication.

What can Craniosacral Therapy do for my health?

Patients often experience freedom and relief from their physical, mental, and emotional symptoms.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, light touch bodywork that utilizes the natural energy and intention of the practitioner to activate a patient’s self healing mechanisms and self-regulating capabilities.

Common conditions helped by Craniosacral Therapy In Adults: Acute / Chronic Injury, Chronic pain, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Neck / Back Pain, Neurological diseases, Headaches / Migraines, Vision / Eye disorders, Chronic Sinus issues
TMJ, Insomnia, Anxiety / Depression,Shock / Trauma

In Children: ADD / ADHD, Autism, Headaches, Behavioral issues, Ear infections, Failure to thrive, Growing pains

Most conditions can improve from this Therapy since your innate healing mechanisms are being reawaken.