Helping you achieve optimal health!

At ACNM, we view total health as the most priceless gift you can give yourself. To improve the total quality and quantity of your life, our providers can help you learn the tools necessary for you to create the best life your can. We understand that optimal health is not just the absence of illness or pain, but a state of balance and vitality.

Total Nutrition FAQs

Total Balance FAQs

Total Movement FAQs

Total Focus FAQs

Group Class Schedule

Total Nutrition FAQs:

Q: Is FirstLine Therapy a weight loss program?
A: The program is designed to help reduce the risks and effects of chronic illness (see more about this in the next question).  Those who want and need to lose weight usually do as a side effect of following the program.  Patients who do not have risk factors for chronic illness aside from being overweight can use FirstLine Therapy as an effective weight loss program.

Q: I'm at a normal weight, but I just don't feel well.  The FirstLine Therapy program isn't for me, right?
A: It could be right for you.  FirstLine Therapy is a program for optimal health, with the side effect of weight loss for those who need it.  The program was originally designed for:

• Reducing the risks and effects of chronic illness, especially heart disease and diabetes.
  
• Normalizing clinical labs and exams, including blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels.
  
• Improving symptoms such as low energy, difficulty sleeping, chronic pain, headaches, erectile dysfunction, and the effects of high stress.
  
• Improving body composition.
  
• Healthy aging.

Q: What is body composition, and how is it improved?
A: Body composition refers to the proportions of fat, water, and other tissues within the body.  Body composition can change while weight and other markers stay the same.  It is important to monitor body composition to make sure any weight that is lost is from fat and water weight, not from the rest of the body tissues (including muscle mass).  At every visit during the FirstLine Therapy program, your body composition will be measured using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA).  BIA is very similar to the body fat measurements done by some home scales, except the current travels through the trunk of the body, instead of from one foot to the other foot.  BIA is not safe for patients with pacemakers, other implanted electronic devices, or women who are pregnant.  Non-pregnant patients with electronic implants can still follow the program safely without BIA.

Q: I already have diabetes/high blood pressure/heart disease.  Is it too late to start lifestyle changes like this?
A: Not at all.  Many patients who have used this program end up having some their medication and supplement doses reduced or discontinued.  This program can help reduce the symptoms of your chronic illness, while increasing your quality of life.

Q: How effective is FirstLine Therapy compared to other treatments?
A: The components of the program have been researched for many years.  For a chart showing a comparison, click here.

Q: What are the components of the individual program?
A: The program has a food plan, exercise plan, stress management techniques, water recommendations, and optional supplements.  The program uses tools from the FirstLine Therapy program created by the Metagenics supplement company.  The food plan features whole, unprocessed foods that are available in your grocery store.

Q: What is a medical food?
A: A medical food is a category between a food and a supplement.  It contains nutrients (vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts) specially formulated to help manage specific chronic illnesses.  It usually comes in the form of a high protein-based powder (to be used in smoothies, drinks, puddings, or other forms) or a convenient bar.  The protein is usually soy-based, due to the beneficial effects of healthy forms of soy on the cardiovascular system.  For those sensitive to soy, rice protein-based options are available.  A medical food may be recommended to you, based on your current health profile and your individual goals.  Medical foods accelerate the progress of the FirstLine Therapy program - results may be seen in a matter of weeks instead of months.

Q: How long does the program take?
A: The initial phase of the FirstLine Therapy program is usually about 12 weeks, while the lifestyle changes are meant to be permanent.  When making such changes, it's best to have frequent appointments in the beginning (weekly for the first month), with the visits spacing out over time, as you become comfortable with your new routine.

Q: How often will I need lab tests done?
A: It is best to have the appropriate lab tests done within one month of starting the program.  Blood tests are usually repeated every 3 months until your levels normalize.  To get a personalized recommendation of the lab work you need before starting, give us a call at 907-452-3600.  If you're not already an ACNM patient, you may need an appointment for a workup and lab work recommendation.

Q: Is Total Body, Total Health covered by my insurance?
A: We can bill your insurance for the individual program. But coverage depends on your insurance benefits. Please call us to find out more.

Total Balance FAQs

Q: How can Acupuncture help an already healthy person achieve optimal wellness?
A: Acupuncture is all about balance. Acupuncture helps increase blood flow thoughout the body, helps to balance hormones in the body, and releases endorphins, which increases feeling of well being and wellness. Through these mechanisms, and more, Acupuncture can help with general well being and optimal health.

Q: What happens if I have a cold or injury during my time in the wellness program? Can I still get treated?
A: The answer is yes. If any injury or illness occurs, we can treat it directly with acupuncture, and still use points to help with optimal balance.

Q: Is Acupuncture a necessary therapy for wellness program?
A: Acupuncture, along with chiropractic therapy, naturopathic medicine, and counseling, can all work together to help optimize health and create balance withing body and the mind.

Q: What are free and easy ways to improve the quality and quantity of my life?
A: EXERCISE EVERY DAY! Daily exercise can help reduce chronic illness, help manage weight, increase energy levels, and help with healthy aging. Spine and joint hygiene is another important aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

Q: What is spine and joint hygiene?
A: This refers to moving every joint in the body in its full range of motion multiple times a day. This can help reduce joint degeneration, which can lead to arthritis and other chronic conditions. Dr Costello prescribes customized physical activity plans that include joint hygiene exercises.

Q: Why should I live a proactive lifestyle where I exercise everyday?
A: Aside from weight management and increasing fitness levels, daily exercise reduces your chances of chronic illness and disease. In its simplest terms, chronic illness is determined by genetics and environment (including epigenetics and lifestyle). While your family medical history can't be changed, you have the power to influences your body at the genetic level to reach and maintain optimal health. Hormone regulation, Sleep regulation.

Q: I have never worked out before, how do I get started?
A: Simply join the Total Body, Total Health wellness program. A good start to working out is doing a minimum of 30 minutes a day of walking, followed by some light stretching. Include fun activities that you enjoy like yoga, soccer, swimming, biking, etc. Dr. Costello will help you add in resistance training and spinal and joint hygiene to amek a comprehensive plan. This is a great starting place for most people with no experience in working out.

Q: How does chiropractic medicine help achieve optimal wellness?
A: The answer is simple: You cannot have optimal health without a healthy spine. Chiropractors are spinal specialists. You can improve the function of your nervous system by having a chiropractor regularly check and adjust your spinal column. When all the segments of your spine move together as a cohesive vital organ, you are much further along in your journey toward optimal health.

Q: Do I have to be crazy to see a counselor?
A: No. In fact, I don't see crazy people, I refer those patients to counselors who specialize in that.

Q: Do I have to have a mental illness to benefit from counseling or coaching?
A: No. Regardless of what level we are currently functioning at, we all are capable of more. We all have roadblocks that hold us back from moving to the next level. Sometimes roadblocks involve depression, anxiety, past trauma, or other mental health condition; some roadblocks involve blind spots, lack of motivation, unclear goals, or other non-mental health conditions.

Q: What can you do for me?
A: The real question is, "What can you do for yourself?" I will help you figure out the question.

Q: What will we do?
A: That depends on your individual goals and roadblocks. Generally we will brainstorm, trouble shoot, process and do exercises in session that are specific to where you want to get to and what is getting in the way. Often times you will have tasks to do between sessions.

Q: What will I work on?
A: What you work on will be defined by you. If you don't already have clear goals for yourself, I will help facilitate a process of discovering your preferred self and future.

Q: How does coaching or counseling help with my physical health?
A: Our mind and body is connected through thousands of sensory and movement nerve fibers that run through our entire body. What we think and feel has an impact on our physical body, and our body have and impact on what we think and feel. Change your mind and your body will change.

Q: What if I don't have issues to work on?
A: Then we will work to identify roadblocks, barriers, or obstacles that get in the way of becoming the employee, leader, spouse, parent, etc, that you want to be.

Have questions? Email us at acnm@acslaska.net or call us at (907) 452-3600!

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