Lifestyle Medicine at UPMC in Central Pa.

Lifestyle medicine is perfect for people who are seeking to improve their overall health. It can also help to prevent and reverse some chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and certain cancers. In addition, lifestyle medicine is beneficial for other chronic issues such as pain, obesity, high blood pressure, anxiety, and stress.

Lifestyle medicine is based on the six pillars of health: healthful eating, improving sleep, increasing physical activity, reducing stress, avoiding substance abuse, and managing relationships.

1. Healthful Eating and Nutrition: Did you know food can be medicinal? Whole, plant-based foods , such as vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are full of fiber and nutrients and can help your body heal and protect itself.
2. Improving Sleep: Poor sleep quality and lack of sleep can negatively affect the immune system. Dietary, behavioral and environmental changes can help.
3. Increasing Physical Activity: Consistent, regular exercise that can be maintained throughout life is a vital component of optimal health. This can be as simple as gardening or walking to as intense as running and push-ups, depending on your health goals.
4. Reducing Stress: Too much stress can lead to depression, anxiety, obesity, a compromised immune system and much more. Developing coping skills to help manage stress is a key component to overall health and well-being.
5. Avoiding Substance Abuse: Overuse of any addictive substance can increase risk for many health conditions, such as cancers and heart disease. Positive behaviors such as quitting smoking and limiting alcohol can help improve overall health.
6. Managing Relationships: Having a healthy home life and being connected to the community is essential to emotional resiliency and feelings of love and support.

A typical initial visit includes a history and physical exam; vital signs*, risk factor assessment, physical, lab work interpretation, diagnosis and management, along with plans for collaborative care and referral, as necessary.

*Vital signs in this context not only include the temperature, blood pressure, and height/weight (BMI), but also assessment of physical activity levels/exercise participation and nutritional/diet intake as determinants of health and well-being.

Contact Us

Need more information?

Call  717-627-4088.

Our Providers

• Eric O. Mueller, DO
• Donna M. Mueller, DO

Location