Chambers' Apothecary, Author at Chambers' Apothecary

Chambers’ Apothecary 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

December 8, 2017 Chambers' Apothecary

During the winter months, we encourage our customers to visit us for all of their winter-weather health needs – cold and flu treatments, vaccinations, and new feet or skis for walkers and canes – but regardless of what brings you in to see us, we encourage you to browse our Holiday Gift Guide for ideas for everyone on your list.

As an added bonus, Salt Lamps, Diffusers and Essential Oils are 20% off during the month of December, and upstairs in our Wellness Center, 30-Minute Sauna Packages are 15% off! If you’re having trouble deciding, gift certificates are always available.

1. Diffusers

We offer a wide selection of diffusers that can be used at home or at work. They come in designs that fit any aesthetic from Himalayan salt lamps to Zen-minimalism. Our diffusers typically cover an area up 1,000 feet, which makes them just as suitable to in-home meditation rooms as they are to larger living areas like living rooms and bedrooms. Plus, some – like Lulu and Jax – are made specifically for children’s playrooms. Diffusers can often come with additional features such as soothing lights that create a serene ambiance and pre-set run times to help make diffuser sessions part of your routine.

2. Essential Oils

A diffuser is only as good as the oils you put in it, so we offer oils from doTERRA, Ancient Apothecary and our own Chambers’ Apothecary line. We offer a Diffuser Blend Booklet to help new and experienced essential oils users create the perfect blend whether they are seeking “Focus” or “Peace and Calm.” The Diffuser Blend Booklet also includes special seasonal blends like “Winter Wonderland” and – our favorite – “Deck the Halls” (2 Drops Frankincense, 2 Drops Myrrh, 2 Drops Orange and 2 drops Cedarwood). They’re great to buy and use to get you and your guests in a festive mood, and they also make great gifts!

3. Engel Coolers and Tumblers

Winter in Franklin County generally means spending a lot of time outdoors in the cold and snow, so whether you are planning a week-long expedition into the woods or just scraping ice off of your windshield, Engel makes a cooler or tumbler for you. The coolers – like the ENG80-C – feature “Roto-Molded Construction” and are “IGBC certified bear resistant containers” so they can handle any situation. The spill and slip-proof tumblers are vacuum insulated to keep hot chocolates hot and frosty beverages frosty.

4. Melissa & Doug Toys

Our selection of Melissa & Doug toys and activity books make perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for creative kids. Not only do the sticker books and marker sets engage their minds, but they also keep the kids busy on long car rides during holiday travels to see friends and family. And not to worry – the kits that feature press-on sand and glitter are mess free!

5. Greeting Cards

We carry a large selection of greeting cards, so when you stop in to pick up a prescription, you can also pick up some Christmas cards. We always carry cards for birthdays, friendship, encouragement, get-well-soon and other occasions. While you’re here, pick up a “Congratulations!” card for yourself because between the diffusers, the coolers, the toys and picking up your prescription, you just completed your holiday to-do list!

Helping Breast Cancer Survivors Feel Like Themselves Again

October 13, 2017 Chambers' Apothecary

All too often, we encounter patients who, after undergoing a mastectomy, suffer the additional misfortune of a failed attempt at surgical reconstruction. The process can leave patients with uneven chest walls that rule out off-the-shelf prosthetic solutions. In these situations, women can sometimes go for years without being told that they might have other options.

When finding the right form, I always describe it as when a bride-to-be finds the perfect wedding dress and says, “This is it!” and they start crying. For many women, emotionally speaking, the arrival of a custom nipple or breast prosthetic is almost the same experience.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 200,000 women get breast cancer and more than 40,000 women die from the disease. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but about 10% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United states are found in women younger than 45.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and at Chambers’ Apothecary, we carry a variety of products and services that are designed to help breast cancer survivors reclaim their lives and feel like themselves again.

Pink Perfect Adhesive Nipple Prosthetics

For women who have undergone unilateral or bilateral mastectomies, we offer adhesive nipple prosthetics by Pink Perfect. Each prosthetic is custom made by an artist based on a cast of the patient’s nipple before the procedure, a cast of her remaining nipple or she can select one from a book that resembles what she had before in terms of shape, size, color and texture. The prosthetics have a surgical-grade adhesive that can be worn for up to three weeks. It is waterproof so it can be worn in the shower, ocean or swimming pool, and flexible enough to move with the person as she performs her daily activities.

ContourMed Breast Forms

ContourMed Breast Forms are, generally speaking, for women who have tried several other options, and they were either not a candidate for certain procedures or they unsatisfied with the results. Perhaps their reconstruction failed and trying again is no longer an option. In these cases where previous attempts at reconstruction have left her chest walls scarred or uneven so off-the-shelf prosthetics leave gaps, ContourMed Breast Forms are the best available solution to make her feel like herself again.

First, we scan the patient to create an image that we can send to ContourMed, and they make the form that uniquely fits that patient. The process typically takes three to four weeks from scan through delivery, and they are detail-focused to match skin color, nipple color and other qualities.

ContourMed Breast Forms are prescribed based on medical necessity, so patients who aren’t good candidates for an off-the-shelf solution, then this would be our next step. Most commercial insurances cover it as long as there is a medical necessity form, and as always, we take care of the paperwork to see if you are approved.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

If you haven’t heard, Chambers’ Wellness Center – located upstairs from Chambers’ Apothecary – is now open and fully operational, and one of the services they provide is Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Many mastectomy patients have their lymph nodes removed, which can leave them susceptible to lymphedema. For this reason, we have always carried arm sleeves and gloves to help manage lymphedema, but now our own Randi Weist administer can show you how to perform a Lymphatic Drainage Massage to help keep it under control.

Don’t go another day without feeling like yourself. If you have any questions or would like to be fitted for a prosthetic, visit us in downtown Chambersburg or call us to discuss your options.

Nancy Mazariegos
DME Specialist and Mastectomy Fitter
Chambers’ Apothecary
278 Lincoln way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717.263.0747

Chambers’ Wellness Center is Now Fully Operational

October 2, 2017 Chambers' Apothecary

Chambers' Wellness Center Massage Therapy

Chambers' Wellness Center Ionic Footbath

Chambers' Wellness Center Infrared Sauna

Chambers' Wellness Center Himalayan Salt Cave

Today is the official opening of Chambers’ Wellness Center, located on the second floor of Chambers’ Apothecary in downtown Chambersburg! With the completion of our upstairs renovations, Chambers’ Wellness Center is a complimentary facility to Chambers’ Apothecary, and it is a logical step towards bringing patients to optimal health using natural and holistic approaches.

We previously opened our Salt Cave to the public as part of a “soft” opening throughout the month of September, and we have gradually expanded our offerings as the construction was completed. Our services now include Ionic Footbaths, an Infrared Sauna, Massage Therapy, a Himalayan Salt Cave and a variety of Wellness Consultation Packages.

Let me give you a quick tour of what you will find when you schedule an appointment with Chambers’ Wellness Center.

1. Ionic Footbaths

Inside the first door on your right is our Ionic Footbath room. During a footbath session, an electrical current will pass through a set of plates in the bath emitting positive and negative ions to re-energize and detoxify the body. The water in the baths contains a special sea salt and has the mineral concentration of ocean water.

You will immediately experience the relaxation of the footbath, but it will continue detoxifying the body for up three days after the session. The footbath package can be enhanced to include a foot massage and essential oils.

2. Infrared Sauna

Our Infrared Sauna uses Near, Mid and Far Infrared wavelengths to penetrate deep into body tissues maximizing your detox session. While the process does use heat to trigger sweating (your body’s safe and natural detox method), it is a gentle, soothing heat that promotes relaxation.

In addition to being a soothing way to detox, Infrared Saunas offer other benefits including lower blood pressure, skin rejuvenation, cell health, weight loss, pain relief, improved circulation and wound healing. Sessions are either 30 or 60 minutes, and we offer light and sound therapy as an added option.

3. Massage Therapy

Across the hallway, we offer a variety of Massage Therapies including Lymphatic Massage and AromaTouch® Technique. Massage Therapy is a relaxing experience, but you might not be aware that it is also very beneficial for detoxifying the body, and it can help to relieve symptoms such as headaches, myalgia and fatigue.

Sessions can either be 30 or 60 minutes, and the Lymphatic Massage and AromaTouch Technique can be administered separately or in conjunction. Additionally, hot stones can be added on to complete the experience.

4. Himalayan Salt Cave

At the end of the hall is our Himalayan Salt Cave. Salt Caves are a powerful therapeutic healing health remedy for guests of all ages, and it is the equivalent of spending a day at the ocean breathing in the fresh air. Our Salt Cave experience includes 17,000 pounds of Himalayan salt, twinkling lights, soothing music and a radiant heat floor to help guests get the most of their experience.

We offer a variety of Salt Cave experiences including Yoga, Mommy & Me, Children’s Sessions, Massage Therapy and Guided Meditation Sessions. Sessions are 45 minutes long, and when the session is complete, guests can exit the cave and go about their day feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and relaxed.

5. Consultations

One of the overriding missions of both Chambers’ Wellness Center and Chambers’ Apothecary is to educate the community so they can make their own health-based decisions. To achieve this requires us to develop our patients’ general wellness knowledge while providing them with a clear picture of their own health.

An Educational Consultation includes a general overview of nutrition, supplements and essential oils. An Advanced Consultation uses a detailed history to develop a program using nutrition, pH testing, Bach Flower remedies and essential oils. I also provide Lyme Disease and Chronic Illness Consultations that include an education on the specific illness and a plan of action including nutrition, pH testing and nutraceuticals.

Appointments and Packages

We encourage guests of Chambers’ Wellness Center – whether they are individuals or a group – to contact us to schedule their appointments in advance for as many of our services as they wish. We offer packages that are contoured to our customers’ needs and specifications.

Randi Weist, ND, LMT, CNHP, CHS
Natural Health Specialist
Chambers’ Wellness Center
278 Lincoln way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 496 – 8553

Breathe, Relax and Escape in our Himalayan Salt Cave

September 5, 2017 Chambers' Apothecary

Chambers’ Wellness Center is excited to announce the completion and opening of our Himalayan Salt Cave! We’ve already had our first guests try it out this afternoon, and we look forward to introducing more people to halotherapy every day.

For the month of September 2017, your first session with us is free! Keep reading to learn more about the features and benefits of our Himalayan Salt Cave and how you can make an appointment.

The cave is one part of our larger upstairs renovation project that will increase our overall wellness offerings. The installation of the cave took two weeks, and it boasts more than 17,000 pounds of salt that was imported from the Himalayan Mountains.

Here is a quick guide to our Himalayan Salt Cave and what you can expect when you make an appointment with us.

What are some of the benefits of our Himalayan Salt Cave?

Salt caves promote energy and vitality while relaxing and calming the nervous and lymphatic systems. They are a great way to boost your positive moods. They are antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.

It’s equivalent to spending a day at the ocean breathing in the ocean air – without the exposure to dangerous UV rays. Salt is a powerful therapeutic healing health remedy for guests of all ages. Plus, you no longer have to go down into an actual cave or travel all the way to the beach to receive the benefits. You can come up to our second-floor wellness center and spend an afternoon relaxing and investing in your health.

Besides salt, what are some of the cave’s other features?

In addition to the (literal) tons of Himalayan salt, relaxing music plays from speakers that are discretely built into the cave’s ceiling. As far as outside noise is concerned, the room is heavily padded, and we strive to keep the upstairs wellness area as Zen-like as possible.

Additionally, the ceiling is dotted with thousands of small lights that resemble twinkling stars. There are also lights in the walls that add a warm ambience throughout the cave, and a string of lights along the floor near the entrance of the cave indicating where there is a small step.

Our cave is also equipped with a radiant heat floor for when you bury your toes into the salt.

Most importantly, though, air is blown into the room through a series of vents so the salt is experienced at a higher concentration to maximize the benefits.

How does the process work?

We ask that guests arrive approximately 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment, and we will greet them and get them signed in. We provide secure lockers for guests to place any personal items – phones and other devices are not permitted inside the cave.

Shoes are also not permitted inside the cave, but guests are encouraged to wear socks or socks can be provided.

Sessions are 45 minutes long, and clients can spend that time however they wish, whether it is relaxing, meditating or sleeping. Blankets are also provided to make the experience as cozy as possible.

When the session is complete, guests can exit the cave and go about their day feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and relaxed.

Who should consider salt therapy?

Salt therapy is a natural, safe and beneficial experience for people of all ages. Accordingly, we offer a variety of Himalayan Salt Cave experiences including Yoga, Mommy & Me, Children’s Sessions, Massage Therapy and Guided Meditation sessions.

It is also an opportunity to host a truly unique private party, meeting or bridal party.

How do I make an appointment?

Call Chambers’ Wellness Center at 717.496.8553 to schedule an appointment today! Or you can stop into the Apothecary in downtown Chambersburg to pick up a brochure or ask us any questions that you might have.

Randi Weist, ND, LMT, CNHP, CHS
Natural Health Specialist
Chambers’ Wellness Center
278 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717)496-8553

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

August 22, 2017 Chambers' Apothecary

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, so we thought that we would take this time to discuss some of the immunization and vaccination services that we offer at Chambers’ Apothecary. By now, you should have your back-to-school shots taken care of, but there are other vaccinations that we recommend people get throughout the year to protect against preventable diseases.

At Chambers’ Apothecary, all of our pharmacists are certified to administer vaccinations, so you can walk in, get the shot and be on your way. Typically, the process takes about 15-20 minutes, and no appointment is needed.

Here is a quick look at some of the more common vaccines to be aware of this fall.

Flu

It may still feel like summer outside, but as we move into the early fall months, we are on the cusp of Flu Season. The flu shot is available and recommended to every body, but it is especially important for the young, the elderly and the immuno-suppressed. The ideal time to get it is during September and October – before flu season hits the hardest. The vaccine usually includes the four strains of the flu that are most likely to be abundant in our region. There is a high-dose flu shot available for people over the age of 65 that triggers a larger immune system response.

Pneumonia

The pneumonia vaccine is primarily indicated for adults aged 65 years and up, although it is also recommended that people with asthma, COPD or other respiratory complications consider getting it. The pneumonia vaccine is a two-part series – one shot now, and a follow-up shot one year later.

Shingles

The shingles shot is also recommended for anyone over the age of 65 – especially for anybody who has had the chickenpox. People whose immune systems are currently suppressed on account of HIV or cancer treatment, organ transplant or other medical program should also talk to their doctor about getting the shingles shot regardless of age.

Traveling

Besides getting people ready to go back to school or prepare for flu season, we also provide immunizations for travelers. The vaccination requirements vary depending on the area or region of the world that you’re traveling to in addition to all of your regular shots. Malaria prophylaxis and typhoid are the biggest two, but there are others. Due to the specialized nature of these vaccines, we might have to order them in or, in some rare cases, refer patients elsewhere.

Pharmacists who are certified to administer vaccines participate in live training and maintain a CPR certification. On top of this, they participate in a continuing education program and complete a required number of credits every two years to keep their licenses active. This commitment to learning allows us to remain up-to-date and one step ahead of preventable diseases.

Feel free to call us or stop into the pharmacy in downtown Chambersburg to make sure you are ready for flu season.

Richard Collier
Pharmacist
Chambers’ Apothecary
278 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717.263.0747

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Author: Chambers' Apothecary

Chambers’ Apothecary 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

Helping Breast Cancer Survivors Feel Like Themselves Again

Chambers’ Wellness Center is Now Fully Operational

Breathe, Relax and Escape in our Himalayan Salt Cave

August is National Immunization Awareness Month