Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

A hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) simply stated, is a screening test that measures the mineral content of your hair. However, a hair tissue mineral analysis is much more than a test for minerals.

Mineral Blueprint
    Providing a mineral blueprint of one’s biochemistry, a hair tissue mineral analysis can provide pertinent information about your metabolic rate, energy levels, sugar and carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress, immune system and glandular activity.

    A hair tissue mineral analysis performed by Analytical Research Labs, Inc., is a screening test for the level of 20 minerals and toxic metals in a sample of hair. It is a tissue mineral biopsy that is non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and extremely accurate. Our laboratory uses only the most advanced and sophisticated instrumentation available today, the Perkin Elmer Elan 9000 ICP Mass Spectrometer to assess mineral levels in parts per million or parts per billion.

    A hair tissue mineral analysis is considered a standard test used around the world for the biological monitoring of trace elements and toxic metals in humans and animals species. The same technology is used for soil testing and testing of rock samples to detect mineral levels.

    Hair, like all other body tissues, contains minerals that are deposited as the hair grows. Although the hair is dead, the minerals remain as the hair continues to grow out. A sample of hair cut close to the scalp provides information about the mineral activity in the hair that took place over the past three to four months, depending on the rate of hair growth.

Why is Our Hair Analysis Unique?
    Several factors combine to make our hair tissue mineral analysis the best in the industry!

    We are one of only two laboratories that do not wash the hair at the laboratory. Washing hair samples at the laboratory has been shown to erratically wash out the water-soluble elements. This creates much less accurate results. In a 2001 study in the Journal of the AMA (Seidel, S. et al., Assessment of Commercial Laboratories Performing Hair Mineral Analysis, JAMA, 285(1) Jan 3:67-72.) the two laboratories that did not wash the hair, of which we were one, showed superb reliability.

    We use technologically advanced testing instruments, including the Perkin Elmer Elan 9000 ICP Mass Spectrometer.

    We are proud of our laboratory quality control procedures. These include known controls which are tested at the beginning, middle and end of every batch of hair samples to insure the accuracy of the results.

    We automatically retest any reading that is out of a normally expected range, provided sufficient hair is available for a second sample.

    Test results are printed on an easy-to-read graph, unlike many of the other laboratories. This is a great benefit for both practitioners and their clients as well. The printed graph includes the mineral results, major mineral ratios and the oxidation type.

    We offer the only complete individualized test interpretation by the method developed by the late Dr. Paul C. Eck, our founder. This 15-20 page report is unique as it includes information related to your metabolic rate, energy levels, sugar and carbohydrate tolerance, immune system, autonomic balance, glandular activity and metabolic trends, a personal dietary supplement program, basic diet recommendations and other information that can be inferred from the test results.

    We offer the only personalized transition dietary plan based entirely upon the results of your hair tissue mineral analysis. This 25 page report includes three transition diets, menu plans and a wealth of information covering food preparation, eating habits, changing one's habits, cooking, shopping and other valuable information. 

Lakeshore Integrative HealthCare & Physical Therapy Centers was founded by Dr. Daniel E Varanauski, DN in 2003 as the Lakeshore Wellness Center and later the Lakeshore Naprapathic Wellness Center. As our health concept for combining physical, manual and acupuncture therapies expanded, the business philosophy developed into what is now Lakeshore Integrative HealthCare & Physical Therapy Centers - true integration of the highest quality in physical, manual and integrative therapies.

LIH&PTC currently offers what no other alternative/integrative health facility in Chicago offers: a comprehensive center of excellence for complementary and traditional health care designed to bring overall relief and balance to the body. Time tested Naprapathic care combining physical therapy and acupuncture with proven results.

An integrative model of care that blends age-old Naprapathic treatments, Physical Therapy, Eastern methods, and incorporating emerging medical treatments from evidence-based protocols. We guarantee a combined, focused, intelligent and caring approach with the most advanced techniques and the latest technology in pain medicine, physical therapy, manual medicine, bioenergetic stress testing, nutritional counseling, acupuncture and/or laboratory diagnostic testing to meet individualize treatment goals. We also have affiliated a large resource pool for advanced pain management via physiatry and other health specialties.

Lakeshore Integrative HealthCare & Physical Therapy Centers aspires for the best doctor-therapist-patient relationships and guarantees personal attention during and after your treatment. Our mission is to provide comprehensive and compassionate integrative care in a tranquil, healing environment.

Educating patients about their condition and how to take personal responsibility to create optimal health is paramount with Naprapathic Care. Pursuing advanced health concepts to increase your understanding and the development of healing techniques and nutritional therapies help us reach our goals together. We make sure you get the best of all alternatives so that you see results and the resolution of your problem.

We always strive to treat the whole person and not just your symptoms. Relief is fast and dramatic with our unique and specialized type of integrative care!

What is Naprapathy?

Naprapathy was being developed in the late 1800s and founded in 1907 by Dr. Oakley Smith, who unexpectedly departed from his own chiropractic training after that method, and a relentless search of other popular healing methods popular of the time,failed to work for his own chronic back pain. After much experimentation on himself (with his own brother assisting), Dr. Oakley Smith discovered a "cure" for his back problem by manipulating the soft body tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia) surrounding the spine, rather than only correcting the spine itself.

Dr. Smith believed that contractures and blockages in these soft tissues not only were the cause of back problems like his but also led to a wide variety of other physical complaints. These blockages appear as muscular contractions in response to physical injuries, poor nutrition, improper posture ... and sometimes even psychological conflicts having a physiological affect on the body. Dr. Smith felt that the common denominator in any disease is stress - physically, biochemically and emotionally-based. Under stressful conditions connective tissue such as fascia, muscle sheath, ligaments and tendons can contract. As these tissues become restricted, normal function within the area decreases. The concept that disease results from blocked energy, though not a new concept - being central to Oriental and Ayurvedic medicine - was considered highly innovative at the time in America and Europe.

In 1908 Dr. Oakley Smith founded what is today known an the National College of Naprapathic Medicine.

Modern Naprapaths

Naprapathic Medicine today is a licensed complementary healthcare system. Modern Naprapaths practice evidence-based medicine specializing in connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, fascia, cartilage and spinal discs) disorders, neuromusculoskeletal disorders and nutritional counseling. It is currently licensed in Illinois and New Mexico and known internationally in countries such as Sweden and Denmark with countless practitioners in several other European and Asian countries.

Naprapaths use their hands to gently release specific points of tension in the body that have become abnormally tensed and contracted related to poor posture, injury, accidents, repetitive motion, poor nutrition, stress and/or other assaults on the body.

The goal of the Naprapath is to bring overall balance using the body's key "guide wire structures" to help decrease irritation, blockages, improve circulation and restore flexibility and resiliency to the body. In addition to performing manual manipulation, Naprapaths are trained as holistically-based nutritional counselors that believe a favorable internal environment is essential for good health.

Naprapaths utilize postural counseling, therapeutic exercise and modalities such as ultrasound electric muscle stimulation, low level laser therapy (cold laser), vibration, heat and/or cold therapy, and nutritional counseling to enhance the results of a treatment.

Naprapath Vs Chiropractor Vs Physical Therapist Vs Massage Therapist Vs Acupuncturist ...

All healthcare professionals (theoretically) have one thing in mind - to help the patient get better. Each system uses a different approach - though these approaches often overlap in technique. The MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR in choosing a practitioner is the EXPERIENCE, SKILL AND INTENT of the PRACTITIONERS themselves! Acupuncture can be just as effective as Physical Therapy for pain relief - just as the right Naprapathic treatment can reduce pain and restriction. Lakeshore Integrative HealthCare, Ltd is unique in the Chicagoland area as we combine a holistic combination of Eastern and Western technques utilizing conventional and complementary alternative methods which include licensed physical therapists, acupuncturists, physiatry, massage and naprapathy!

Remember that all Naprapaths, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Medical Doctors, Osteopaths and other healthcare professionals vary greatly in the skill of their craft - just as well as do plumbers, sales clerks, lawyers and all other professions vary a great deal in their respective fields. Be sure to choose carefully. At Lakeshore Integrative HealthCare, we integrate the highest level of quality within a multidisciplinary setting to provide you with the highest care available in conservative medicine available.