Wellness Blog
Health Inspired
Our health and wellness blog is a great way to stay informed and be inspired when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. Blog posts are added regularly.
Health Benefits of Sex… on the Sexes
In a time where many types of hedonism are accessible, it’s no wonder we pressure ourselves to abstain: television, social media, video games, shopping, unhealthy foods, etc... We’re surrounded at every given moment with a quick fix to quench whatever hunger we feel....
Strengthen and Improve Immunity with Body Massage
I personally love to receive a massage as it helps me keep my stress level down. When I am receiving a massage I have learned to go into a state of meditation and really lean into my body and let the therapist know how I am feeling emotionally and physically. No one...
Bidirectional Connection Between Mental Health and the Immune System
“You’re telling me that my emotions can affect my physical health? Are you sure about this?” Yes, yes I am so sure about this. And that is because there are actually two sects of science designated to this specifically. Psychoneuroimmunology: the study...
Boosting Your Immunity through Yoga, Breathwork, and Meditation
Immunity This month we are dedicating our blog posts to the topic of immunity! We can increase our immunity by giving our bodies plenty of rest, proper exercise, proper hygiene, an abundance of clean water, and whole foods. Throughout this month our practitioners will...
Welcome Home
This month I really struggled to write this blog. I started over what seemed like an infinite amount of times, wandering from angle to angle, none of them really capturing the heart of the message I longed to share. While Mental Health now has a month for awareness,...
Ampersand is Reopening August 3rd
We are thrilled to be returning to serve you as a whole, beginning August 3rd. Dearest Ampersand Clients, As you know, in order to foster safety and care, we are implementing many changes in our procedures and will need your help to have the smoothest transition...
Are You Truly Leading Your Best Self?
When my clients sign up with me, they are riding this “high of excitement” that they are ready to make the changes and take the steps in improving their overall self and self-image. Can I help them? Can I guide them? Absolutely. Will they follow through? That is 100%...
What Does Feeling “Good” Mean?
Feeling Well Enough to Feel Good or Even Great It’s May 2020. Usually this time of year I would be getting ready to get out on the water, or have family picnics, graduations, weddings, and all kinds of other seasonal activities. Instead of spending time with...
From the eyes of a School Teacher: COVID-19
Interview with Montgomery County Elementary School Special Education Teacher What did the path leading to teaching online during this pandemic look like? “So many questions. So much stress. Not knowing what each week, day, hour was going to look like. On...
Preventing Eye Strain
Tips on preventing digital eye strain The current Covid 19 situation has many of us working from home and logging long hours on computers and other devices. This can lead to digital eye strain. Digital eye strain is defined as the physical discomfort felt...
Finding the Gift Within the Wound: The Relationship of Pain and Resilience
One of my favorite stories is that of The Chinese Farmer and his Horse. As life presents him with a milieu of scenarios, his neighbors all respond to categorize these events as fortune or misfortune. But the farmer has been around the block long enough to know, life...
From the Eyes of a Respiratory Therapist: COVID-19
Elizabeth Brunner, Massage and Cupping Therapist at Ampersand, took the time to interview a Respiratory Therapist to get their perspective on our current pandemic. What do you feel you've lost through this? I feel as though I lost my freedom. Freedom to go...
“I met Jesse in 2014 when he was teaching speed and agility at Body Zone to my girls when they were 9 and 13. He was so in tune with their form and making sure they were doing the drills properly. When he left and started personal training it was a no brainer that we would follow him wherever he went. For the past 5 years my girls have been with him and he has truly become part of our family. My husband and I are so blessed to have him in our lives. We know that when our girls are performing at their best, that he has had a major role in that. Jesse supports our girls at soccer games and track and cross country meets. I even use him to stretch my girls for cross country at Wyomissing High School. We appreciate all Jesse has done with our girls and will continue to follow him in his next adventure.”
"Jesse Hershey is so knowledgeable about how our bodies work. He is a pleasure to work with and my sessions are so effective."
"Whitney was more than helpful in helping me prepare for my first half and full Ironman. She first pointed out issues to address that would allow me to properly absorb nutrients, and then helped me to make those specific changes to my diet. As a result I had more energy for training and gained more lean muscle mass than I ever have in the past. I was successful in both events (including placing 5th in my AG in my first half Iron and 18th in my first full). The help she has continued to provide allows me to be much more aware of how my body responds to what I consume, allowing me to fuel in the best ways that I can. Overall I can’t say enough about what working with her has helped me to do both performance-wise and on an everyday nutrition level."
“I have worked with Jesse for two years and am amazed at my improved strength and overall feeling of wellness and enhanced energy. He inspires me to do more but also encourages rest and recuperation. My golf game has improved as my overall strength and endurance have
increased. I consider Jesse a friend, and am grateful to have found such a knowledgeable and compassionate trainer.”
"As we all know...COVID put a damper on a lot of people's physical / mental health, and both Ariel and I fell right into that category. After we got engaged in April, we made a pact that we were going to get back in shape and be our best selves for the wedding. I heard about Ampersand through a family friend and immediately signed us up for a preliminary meeting with Whitney, where she did a deep dive into who we are as an individual and where we would like to see growth. From there, she built a separate plan for both of us to follow and then scheduled regular check-ins to see how we are doing. Whitney is beyond passionate about her occupation and does an amazing job coaching you through the journey. We couldn't recommend Whitney and the rest of the Ampersand team more!!"
“I met Whitney about four years ago. I had GI issues that were not resolving after seeing a gastroenterologist for about 2 years. I was diagnosed with irritable bowel with constipation. My doctor had prescribed two different medications which were ineffective. There was little nutritional counseling at this practice and I was instructed to avoid broccoli and beans and possibly take an enzyme if I wanted to eat these foods. My symptoms persisted and I was uncomfortable daily. I felt that some of my issues were from food because it seemed to correlate with eating. I just couldn’t figure it out.
A colleague recommended Whitney to me. He said his wife had worked with her and she was feeling much better.
I had a consult with Whitney. She was extremely thorough. We broke down my food intake and then made a plan. She suggested an elimination diet. At first I wasn’t sure I could do it! After 2 weeks I was feeling so much better! At 6 weeks my issues were more improved. I had intolerances that were unknown to me. Once we figured out what was best for my gut, my symptoms went away. I had been on Prilosec for 20 years for reflux and did not need it anymore. I was having regular bowel movements and GI pain and bloating were gone. I learned what was good for me and have felt well ever since. It took work and commitment on my part but with Whitney’s help I felt so much better! It is a daily commitment to eat what is right for me but the reward of a pain free, healthy gut is worth it! I could not have not done this on my own. Whitney’s counseling helped me immensely. I am so grateful I met her and know her!”
“I started to have gastric issues in March of 2020. After a colonoscopy, endoscopy, and a lot of useless tests I was diagnosed with a mild inflammation of the stomach lining. The doctors did not provide a solution. Luckily for me, Whitney George was recommended to me as a nutritionist. With her expertise, knowledge, compassion, and devotion she got me back from 95 lbs. to my normal weight of 108lbs. It has been the biggest challenge of my life. Whitney and I meet on Zoom, she is in PA and I am in NC. She provided me with a wonderful website called Cronometer. There I can enter daily what I eat and do. Cronometer breaks down my food letting me know if I need more or less of something. Based on her recommendations with supplements I got rid of some bacteria the medical systems only treat with antibiotics. Whitney has been holding my hand since May 24th, when I first met her on Zoom. When I panic, she is right there for me via phone or email, late at night or even on the weekend. I am extremely lucky to have her as I have no idea where I would today without her help.
Thank you, Whitney, for being such a caring human being.”
“I have been working with Laural Miller for a few years now. First as a life coach, where she helped immensely in my healing from marriage and continued healing from childhood trauma. She is now my trauma touch practitioner, and has created such a safe space for me to bring even more healing.
If you are local to Berks County and are looking for trauma informed healing, reach out to Ampersand and get in touch with Laural. God truly has gifted her in many ways.”
"The level of experience spread among the practitioners of this building is incredible. I'm able to get my physical therapy, personal training, massage, cupping, nutrition, and my career and goal orientation planning in one place. The best thing about this is that this place is truly the model of integrative health where every practitioner speaks with every other practitioner to give you the best chance for success in ever evolving goals.
I assure you you can't go wrong working with any or all of these individuals! Truly a gift to Berks county and surrounding areas."
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