Have you ever been to a primary care doctor and wondered why they focus on treating symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of your illness? Rather than take a patient-centered approach to address questions like, “Why are you ill?” they prescribe medications that alleviate symptoms but don’t do much to solve the underlying issue that’s causing you to be sick.
When you have a runny nose, you’re handed an antihistamine. When you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you’re prescribed a pill that treats the number. The truth is that this approach only tackles your symptoms. When the root cause isn’t fixed, your symptoms can get exponentially worse. Remember - your body’s dysfunction isn’t due to your meds not working.
This begs the question: Wouldn't you rather address the underlying cause of your health concerns so you can experience long-term relief? As a naturopathic doctor in Guatay, CA, Dr. Erica Oberg takes a functional approach to medicine and well-being instead of treating the symptoms her patients endure.
Health is a state of vibrant vitality, abundant energy, and positive affect. It can be learned, cultivated, and practiced by everyone. Dr. Oberg's approach to health and medicine combines the rigors of science with the wisdom of nature and our bodies. She is passionate about helping people experience a higher level of health and vitality. As such, her clinical practice focuses on preventing, reversing, and taming chronic disease, neuro-degeneration, and anti-aging.
Dr. Oberg specializes in nutrition & lifestyle, IV therapy, and identifying the underlying causes of disease using advanced testing and creating customized treatment plans to help individuals dial in their lifestyle, dietary supplements, peptides, bioidentical hormones, anti-aging pharmaceuticals, and more. If you’re looking for individualized, science-based, proactive functional, integrative, or natural medicine, we believe you’ll resonate with Dr. Oberg and work your way through life’s challenges with help from our functional medicine clinic in Guatay, CA.
Dr. Oberg and her team of licensed providers specialize in a range of naturopathic and science-based services, including but not limited to:
If you're ready to reclaim your vitality and learn more about Dr. Oberg's approach to health and medicine, we make it easy to get started. The first step is to have a complimentary 15-minute phone call to ask questions and determine if her approach is a good fit. Once Dr. Oberg understands your health needs and goals, your journey to optimal health and wellness truly begins.
Now that you know more about what makes Dr. Oberg different from other physicians, let's dig a little deeper into some of the most popular programs and clinical services offered at her functional medicine clinic.
As people get older, many things change in life. Often, those changes are good, like having more self-control, financial freedom, and patience. Others are hard to deal with, especially when they're out of our control. Like all things in life, our hormones change when we get older. These fluctuations can cause problems for both men and women, including:
If those symptoms sound familiar, you're not alone. A 2019 American Psychological Association survey found that almost half of women aged 30 to 60 in the US have experienced symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. Of course, as men age, they suffer from imbalanced hormones, too. Research from BodyLogicMD states that nearly 38% of males in America aged 45 and older have a testosterone deficiency.
The good news is that balancing your hormones and addressing the root cause of your symptoms doesn’t have to be hard. It’s a realistic goal with Dr. Oberg by your side. As a functional medicine doctor in Guatay, CA, she can help your body metabolize and detoxify both your own hormones and the endocrine-disrupting chemicals infiltrating your life. When your hormones are in harmony, you experience improved energy, mood, and overall health – and that’s something to be excited about.
Our comprehensive Three-Month Hormone Balancing Program is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your hormonal health. This is no "one-and-done service" - it's a holistic journey that spans three transformative months, offering the support and guidance to become confident, capable, and healthier than ever. Features of our hormone balancing program include:
You will receive support throughout your journey from Dr. Oberg, who will provide healthcare services, and our health coaches, who offers personalized coaching tailored to your specific needs.
Nutrition has a significant impact on hormonal health. A customized hormone-balancing diet plan will be provided to help nourish the body optimally based on individual goals.
We provide a range of practical strategies and tips for regulating hormone balance through your nervous system. These techniques aim to empower you to take control of your well-being.
When appropriate, we’ll prescribe you hormone replacement therapy (HRT), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), or growth hormone peptide therapy to help balance your hormones.
At our functional medical office, we make it a point to correct the root causes of our patient's problems. We don't treat symptoms - but we do use them to figure out the underlying issues you're facing. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be time to consider HRT.
When you mention hormone replacement therapy, most people think the treatment is exclusively for females going through menopause. While that's partially true - HRT can relieve night sweats, hot flashes, and other menopause-related problems - men also deal with imbalanced hormones.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male sexual health. Low levels can result in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual performance issues. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be a sign of imbalanced hormones or low testosterone levels.
When your sleep patterns change - like when you have trouble falling or staying asleep - it could be a sign of a hormone imbalance. Testosterone is involved in regulating the sleep cycle, and insufficient levels of it can disrupt quality rest.
Imbalances in hormones can affect mental health and mood. If a man shows signs of irritability, mood swings, or depression, it could indicate low testosterone or other hormonal issues. Hormone replacement therapy can help regulate mood by balancing your hormone levels.
Menopause happens when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for at least 12 consecutive months. It is a result of declining sex hormone levels, causing the ovaries to stop releasing egg cells. During menopause, women face a range of challenges.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male sexual health. Low levels can result in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual performance issues. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be a sign of imbalanced hormones or low testosterone levels.
Irregular menstrual cycles are a common sign that women are nearing menopause, and their hormone levels may be shifting. The frequency of their periods may increase or decrease, and the amount of bleeding could be more or less than usual, while also lasting for a shorter or longer time.
Hot flashes are perhaps the most well-known symptom of menopause and a frequent sign that a woman's hormones are imbalanced. Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth and sweating that are usually most intense on your face, neck, and chest.
Don't let hormone imbalances dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your balance, energy, and vitality. By working together with Dr. Oberg and her team, you can unlock the path to a healthier, more harmonious you.
When you choose Dr. Oberg as your naturopathic doctor in Guatay, CA, a new world of healthy living and wellness options are at your disposal. One of the most popular and effective ways to give your body the goodness it needs is with custom IV therapy at our functional medicine office.
Customized IV therapy from Dr. Oberg is all about tailoring your treatment to meet your health goals and needs. Unlike one-size-fits-all IV clinics, our team considers factors like nutrient deficiencies, hydration levels, and overall health to create a customized infusion. This personalized approach gives you better and more applicable results, whether you're looking to get a boost of energy, fortify your immune system, or get relief from a specific ailment.
Your custom IV therapy begins with a consultation with Dr. Oberg. During your initial meeting, we’ll get a better sense of what your brain and body needs. From there, we’ll create a custom infusion for you – not just a formula that matches your height, weight, and age.
Our IV drip therapy menu includes infusions such as:
IV therapy is considered one of the best ways to get the nutrients and immune-boosting goodness your body needs because it gives you a more direct, efficient means of delivery. Unlike oral supplement, which often falls short due to digestive limitations, IV therapy ensures swift and comprehensive nutrient absorption. Some of the biggest benefits of IV therapy from a functional medicine doctor in Guatay, CA include the following:
IV fluids and electrolytes rapidly hydrate your body, providing an efficient remedy for dehydration resulting from illness, physical activity, or excessive alcohol intake.
IV treatment is able to increase energy and fight tiredness, which can make you feel re-energized.
IV infusions containing immune-enhancing vitamins and antioxidants can fortify your immune system and assist in recovering from illness.
IV therapy containing growth factors, exosomes, and vitamins is effective in improving the health and appearance of the skin and hair. These components complement hair and facial microneedling treatments exceptionally well.
IV therapy can help reduce the symptoms of toxic exposure, like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dehydration, whether it's from a basic hangover or prolonged exposure to molds, heavy metals, or other toxins.
Dr. Oberg’s personalized IV infusions can serve as an initial boost for making lifestyle changes and play a role in a sustained plan to control persistent conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer, heart disease, and others.
Support Mitochondria function and Anti-aging
Dr. Oberg offers carefully sourced and research backed regenerative therapies such as exosome and stem cell infusions. These can be powerful options for people recovering from chronic infections such as long COVID or Epstein Barr or Lyme. They are also powerful for neuro-regeneration and we frequently use them in stroke recovery and for traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Oberg offers personalized IV micronutrient therapy tailored to address specific nutritional deficiencies, hydration needs, and overall health. This therapy is based on advanced testing that evaluates your cells' nutrient levels. Whether you need more energy, a stronger immune system, or relief from different health issues, IV drip therapy can be customized to help you rediscover the very best version of yourself.
As we get older, our bodies experience a range of changes that affect our health and appearance. These changes are primarily caused by issues with mitochondria and cellular aging. However, there have been significant developments in regenerative medicine, offering the potential to turn back the hands of time and improve health. Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Oberg to begin your journey with regenerative medicine.
Regenerative medicine is an exciting, innovative field that centers on activating your body's innate regenerative abilities to repair and revitalize tissues, cells, and organs. Its focus is on improving your body's natural healing processes to counteract the impacts of aging and different health issues. If you find that old, nagging injuries won’t go away or that fine lines and wrinkles have become overwhelming, anti-aging medicine from a functional medicine doctor in Guatay, CA may be perfect for you.
At our naturopathic medical office, we use treatments like IV therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and Peptide Therapy to manage a broad array of health and aesthetic concerns. These treatments can aid in tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and enhancement of cellular function.
Anti-aging services offered at our functional medicine clinic include the following:
Peptides are fundamental components of proteins and play a crucial role in various biological processes, such as the aging process. Dr. Oberg offers peptide treatments to help counteract age-related decline, enhance muscle growth and performance, improve skin health, and more.
When you bring your hormones back into balance, you can fight back against issues such as fatigue, mood swings, reduced libido, and even erectile dysfunction.
Replenish vital nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration for improved energy levels, skin health, and immune support.
Exosomes are tiny vesicles generated from mesenchymal stem cells. These vesicles serve as powerful communicators, transmitting signals to various tissues in the body. Their main function is to trigger healing, regeneration, and repair processes, mimicking the actions of younger cells. They are considered to be one of the most effective strategies for combating the aging process.
When nutrition guidance, lifestyle adaptations, and powerful supplements are combined with naturopathic medical therapies from Dr. Oberg, you can reverse chronic diseases in your life and reach your anti-aging goals.
Our goal with regenerative medicine treatments is to rejuvenate deteriorating or aging tissue. Our approach to treatment centers on fixing and reversing damage instead of solely addressing symptoms like pain. Regenerative medicine harnesses the power of healthy cells to renew and restore function by enhancing the body's innate capacity for self-healing.
Dr. Oberg uses regenerative medicine to treat a range of issues, both aesthetic and injury-related, including the following:
Experience the future of anti-aging and regenerative medicine with Dr. Erica Oberg. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and embark on your journey to a healthier, more youthful you.
When you visit our functional medicine clinic, you can rest easy knowing Dr. Erica Oberg uses her unique skills, knowledge, and naturopathic principles for the betterment of your health and well-being. Unlike many traditional primary care providers, our team combines the best aspects of traditional wisdom and modern scientific medicine to diagnose, treat, and prevent chronic diseases.
You don't have to worry about us suggesting addictive pain medications or treatments that simply mask your aesthetic or medical challenges. Instead, our goal is to address the underlying factors holding you back. If you're ready to take the first step toward purposeful progress and healthy living, contact us today.
Giant cross removed from East County mobile home park; Couple erected the 14-foot-tall cross on Good FridayPosted and last updated GUATAY, Calif. (KGTV) - On a hill overlooking a mobile home park is a hole where a giant cross used to be before some residents were forced to take it down.“Sad, disappointed,” said Joyce, who can't help but get emotional when she sees the empty space above her backyard in Guatay, east of Descanso.The space had been filled with a 14-foot-tall wooden cross, which her...
Giant cross removed from East County mobile home park; Couple erected the 14-foot-tall cross on Good Friday
Posted
and last updated
GUATAY, Calif. (KGTV) - On a hill overlooking a mobile home park is a hole where a giant cross used to be before some residents were forced to take it down.
“Sad, disappointed,” said Joyce, who can't help but get emotional when she sees the empty space above her backyard in Guatay, east of Descanso.
The space had been filled with a 14-foot-tall wooden cross, which her husband placed there on Good Friday.
Joyce requested that her last name not be used, along with the name of her mobile home park.
“My husband just had this in his heart,” said Joyce.
Joyce says it all started when her husband saw two large pieces of wood about to be thrown away by a neighbor—and became inspired.
“He was hoping someone would be able to see it and bring them closer to God,” said Joyce.
Her family put it together and painted it, before her husband dragged it up the hill, adding a light to illuminate it.
Right away, Joyce says neighbors started coming up to her.
“They had expressed to met that it was a blessing… They loved it, really excited it was up,” said Joyce.
That excitement wasn't shared by all.
On May 8, an email from the mobile home park manager identified the cross location as an "easement," adding, "We cannot have people constructing whatever they like on the property."
Joyce, who believes the cross was not in a common area, ultimately decided not to fight it.
“We didn't want to be evicted, to be moved out,” said Joyce.
After she posted about her dilemma online, a flood of people became interested in helping find the cross a new home.
“That in itself is inspiring to me,” said a tearful Joyce.
Last week, after a final notice from the mobile home park, the cross was removed and an Alpine family picked it up.
But Joyce says the story won't end there. Because of the online response wanting to claim the cross, her family plans to build smaller, 4 to 6-foot crosses, and donate them to anyone who wants them.
“One cross got put down. We want to put down hundreds more,” said Joyce. “We just hope to inspire the community around us… help more people willing to put God in their heart.”
Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
East County News ServiceMarch 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The state of California has established a new website called the Human Right to Water Portal, in compliance with a 2012 law that makes California the first state in the U.S. to recognize a right to safe, clean, affordable and accessible water for all state residents. But a review of the new website shows that many East County communities, schools and public water systems are in violation of safe, clean drinking water standards.Water supplies for the Barret...
East County News Service
March 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The state of California has established a new website called the Human Right to Water Portal, in compliance with a 2012 law that makes California the first state in the U.S. to recognize a right to safe, clean, affordable and accessible water for all state residents. But a review of the new website shows that many East County communities, schools and public water systems are in violation of safe, clean drinking water standards.
Water supplies for the Barrett Lake mobile home and RV park had high levels of uranium. AT the Ocotillo Oasis Mobile Home Park, water tested too high for fluoride.
Guatay’s water system had high uranium levels, as did Rancho Santa Teresa Municipal Water Company. Pauma Valley has nitrate contaminants. So does the Quiet Springs Mobile Home Park in Warner Springs and the Willowside Terrace Water Association in Alpine.
The Warner Springs Unified School District’s well tested too high for arsenic.
The new website includes info on over 3,000 water systems in the state with an interactive map showing 292 public water systems currently out of compliance with federal standards.
A new law passed in 2015, the Resilient, Affordable, Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities Framework, allows the State Water Board to order mandatory consolidations of water systems that don’t meet safe drinking water standards. Failing public water systems that serve disadvantaged communities can obtain management services help from the state to attain compliance.
The biggest challenge is a lack of funding to help subsidize water rates for low-income residents, as well as costs for an administrator, operation and maintenance of clean drinking water systems.
On February 8th, the State Water Board hosted a workshop at which members of many communities voiced concerns about clean water affordability and accessibility, as well as options for a low-income rate assistance program they believe is needed.
Assuring safe, clean drinking water is apt to become even more difficult in the future, since Donald Trump’s executive order rolling back Clean Water Act protections on streams that provide drinking water for many Americans, including hundreds of thousands of people here in San Diego County, with additional cuts planned in laws that prevent pollution of public waterways.
Learn more by reading a press release at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/press_room/press_releases/2017/pr021417_hr2w_portal.pdf(link is external)
Visit the new Human Right to Water portal at http://waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/hr2w/index.shtml(link is external)
Visit the database of water systems with violations at http://waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/hr2w/docs/data/hr2w_web_data_active.xlsx(link is external)
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
By Miriam RafteryDecember 17, 2015 (Descanso) – Gateway to Cleveland National Forest, the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains, Descanso is a small town that takes pride in its rural tranquility, scenic beauty, and rich history.The very name means “place of rest” in Spanish, a haven where early travelers stopped off to encamp beneath the shade of pine and oak trees beside fresh-flowing water fed by mountain streams. Descanso Valley was once known as Guatay Valley,...
By Miriam Raftery
December 17, 2015 (Descanso) – Gateway to Cleveland National Forest, the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains, Descanso is a small town that takes pride in its rural tranquility, scenic beauty, and rich history.
The very name means “place of rest” in Spanish, a haven where early travelers stopped off to encamp beneath the shade of pine and oak trees beside fresh-flowing water fed by mountain streams. Descanso Valley was once known as Guatay Valley, reportedly(link is external) derived from the Kumeyaay Indian name for “Na-Wa-Ti-e,” meaning Big Chief’s House, as Native Americans called the majestic mountain often veiled in mist beyond meadows strewn with wildflowers, golden in the sun.
Long-time resident and environmental leader Duncan McFetridge says this of his chosen home: “Descanso is a little mountain village that lives in peace with forest wilderness and traditional cattle ranching—a remembrance of things past and a place where I feel at home driving a 43 International." (photo, left).
Also an artist, his elegant woodcarvings depict wildlife from eagles (photo, right) to mythical creatures. He once carved a boulder on his property to honor a bull named Romeo and being at one with nature,shares his kitchen with a spotted skunk that sleeps there in the winter months (photo, right).
Like many Descanso residents, he
enjoys hiking through the national forest and along the Sweetwater River, finding hidden gems such as this verdant pool about a half hour's hike from his Descanso home, where his "spiritual grandson", Ki, enjoyed a swim on a recent warm, sunny day.
“People don’t realize how wonderful the weather is in Descanso,” says Jeni Sall, who lives out along Oak Grove Drive in a spectacular home in a fairy-tale like setting (photo, below left). “In summer, it’s ten degrees cooler here than in El Cajon and we have lots of shade trees.”
Descanso has an elevation of 3,573 feet (higher than Ramona and just under the elevation of Julian). The average annual temperature is just under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with monthly averages ranging from up to 90 in August, dipping into the high 30s in January. Descanso averages about 2.5 inches of snow each year, according to
USA.com.
Sall’s property is crowned by her beautiful custom wood home with cathedral windows framing mountain meadow views (photo, right). It also includes a forest of towering Manzanita trees, their red, twisted trunks standing in vivid contrast to a carpet of fall leaves or occasionally in winter, a pristine blanket of snow. In spring, when wildflowers bloom, it’s also a perfect time for saddling up a horse in her stable, then hitting the trail much as people have been doing in this valley for centuries now.
Her property ([photo left) adjoins the California Riding and Hiking Trail, a state resource that connects up to the Pacific Crest Trail.
“You can ride from my property to Canada or Mexico without having to hitch up a
horse trailer,” says Sall. Also, the
Merigan Trailhead at the Merigan Day Use Area links up to Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, which has a popular waterfall about a mile in, connecting to miles more adventures.
Yet her home is just 10 minutes from Alpine, which has amenities such as a supermarket, many shops and restaurants as well the Viejas Outlets Center and Casino/Resort. A business consultant, she travels to San Diego, a 40 minute drive or so, a couple of times a week.
Housing is surprisingly affordable here compared to other areas in San Diego or even East County; a custom home with rustic elements and modern conveniences here may run half or a third what you’d pay in more well-known neighborhoods in inland suburban or coastal communities. Sall's home is for sale with an asking price of $735,000, a dream home at a dream-come-true cost. (Note: Sall has offered to donate $1,000 to East County Magazine if you buy her home and mention this article. Call her 619-659-1121 or e-mail her at Jeni.Sall@gmail.com(link sends e-mail) at for details.)
There are
still many ranches in the Descanso Valley, where you can hear the sizzle of a branding iron (photo, left) and find cattle roundups, as well as horse ranches and some new livestock not found here in historic times.
Out at the San Diego Alpacas ranch, formerly Atlas Alpacas Amy Alyeshmerni loves raising the gentle, fleecy animals that are native to the Peruvian Andes mountains. (photo, right)
“What’s so interesting about living in Descanso is that the landscapes shift into ever more gorgeous vistas on each street—no two views are alike!” she says. “There is a huge diversity in my neighbors – young and older, more moderate means to comfortable, families and empty-nesters, religious and atheist. It truly is a community of neighbors—there is no shortage of help when you need it. We’re so blessed.”
To reach Descanso, take I-8 just east of Alpine and take the exit for Highway 79. If you go south, you’ld head to Japatul Valley. Turn north under the freeway just a short way and you’ll reach the Descanso village. It includes the Descanso Trading Post, Perkins general store with a gas station, a feed store, a Post Office where farmers pick up chicks (fluffy yellow baby chickens, that is, shipped direct), an eclectic antique and gift shop, and a couple of restaurants, Descanso Junction (photo, left) and Veronica’s Kitchen. The town also has a Catholic and a Methodist church, a county library, and a historic town hall built in 1899.
Over at the Descanso Junction on Highway 79, the aptly named Tammy Cooker has been serving up delicious and hearty fare since 2003. She opened just before the Cedar Fire and kept her doors open for firefighters , stranded travelers and evacuees. That friendly spirit permeates the whole town to this day.
Cooker recently opened up a barbecue catering business (photo, left, with her daughter) and remodeled the Junction, which now includes tables and a rustic bar bearing brands from all the historic ranches in East County. Trees scorched by the cedar fire (photo, right) frame a bar with a saloon side overhead, and if you stop in, be sure to savor the Junction's home-made pies, too.
Turn off the main highway just past the Descanso Junction restaurant to discover meandering roadways that lead to the rest of Descanso’s hidden treasures, including a bubbling stream at the end of one long, winding road, trails, ranches and scenic wonders. Turn
left on Viejas Grade Road (at the general store) to reach the historic town hall. Turn right past the general store to access a country road that ultimately leads to trailheads for some of East County’s most spectacular scenic wonders, Cedar Creek Falls and Three Sisters Falls,( but be prepared for a long and rugged all-day hike to access those two destinations.)
The Descanso Fire Station is home to the Laguna Hot Shots team; many local teens become state firefighters or join the Forest Service, since the Cleveland National Forest adjoins the area and some property owners with Descanso addresses, such as McFetridge, are actually inholders within the federal forest. Not surprisingly, McFetridge is as co-leader of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation.
Descanso is also the official home to KNSJ radio (photo, left), a public station which has its transmitter high atop Monument Peak standing guard above the town.
The town has several annual festivals. Over at Our Lady of Light, people flock to the annual deep pit barbecue (photo, right), where slabs of beef are slow-cooked overnight in a huge pit. The event includes vendors, prize drawings, a rummage sale and opportunities for kids to practice their roping skills.
Vaquero Days, held at the Granny Martin Rancho and museum in Descanso, shows off extreme cowboy skills, a mountain man camp and more. Descanso was long also the home to Garry McClintock, a famous saddle maker who documented the history of vaqueros in a book. When he passed away last year, riders from far and wide held a memorial ride in tribute.
The town’s biggest annual event is Descanso Days, drawing visitors from across the county and beyond. It features a parade with equestrians, vintage cars, tractors and more. You’re apt to see the Winchester Widows and Grand Ladies of the Old West astride some magnificent horses (photo, left).
The parade ends with a fair at the historic Town Hall (photo, right), where you can dance to a live music from a local country-Western band, see Native American dancing (photo, left), chow down on some tasty fare or lock up a friend as a prank in a Wild West moveable “jail.”
Through the years, the Town Hall has been used for literary and social purposes as well as political and religious ones, serving as the heart of the community. The Town Hall Association holds pancake breakfasts and other activities to help preserve this delightful piece of Descanso’s historic past.
A small town with a friendly feeling, Descanso truly combines the best of old and new in a spirit the welcomes visitors and newcomers, while proudly preserving its rich historical heritage and spectacular natural setting for generations yet to come.
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Stalking Cat (Dennis Avner) Occupation: Computer repair manDisorder: Unknown Cat has gone to extraordinary lengths to fulfil his obsession. He is gradually altering his appearance through extreme and painful surgery. The 44-year old grew up in a Native American community composed of people from the Huron and Lakota tribes. He says that his belief in their customs has driven him to transform himself into his totem animal - a tiger. Though he started life as Dennis Avner, he now goes by his Native American name ...
Though he started life as Dennis Avner, he now goes by his Native American name Stalking Cat, which he shortens to Cat. At the age of 23, he began his transformation by getting the first tiger-stripe tattoos on his body.
Over the years he has undergone an operation to give himself a feline cleft lip and another to give himself a flat, upturned nose. He has also paid for brow implants, and has had his ears elongated. Every morning, Cat also fixes synthetic whiskers to special attachments that are pierced through his lip. Cat lives in Guatay, a remote settlement in the hills of southern California, and makes his living by repairing computers for the local community.He now travels to Phoenix, Arizona to have his surgery carried out by body modification artist Steve Hayward. Cat cannot go under the surgeon's knife because it is illegal in the United States for a medical professional to alter someone's appearance beyond what society deems normal.
This also means that Cat has to brave surgery without taking anything for the pain. In the US, only qualified doctors are licensed to administer anaesthetic."It's something that I've always wanted to do - something that I've always had to do - but finding somebody that could do it is an entirely different matter," Cat says of his obsession.
He admits that he doesn't get much pleasure from the process of his transformation, only that it gets him closer to his goal. Cat says his aim is to become a perfect cross between a cat and a human, incorporating the best aspects of both. Professor Kevin Gournay of the Institute of Psychiatry says that it's possible that Cat could have an unusual form of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).We all have our pastimes but for some people this becomes an obsession. We can all be concerned about the way we look, but some people take it a bit more seriously than others. Programme Two, Seeking Perfection looks at what happens when a hobby becomes an obsession and gets out of control.
Football obsession
Gary is so obsessed with his football team he hasn't missed a match in 27 years. From the age of 11 Sunderland FC has become a way of life for him. Even his wedding won't be allowed to interfere with a big match.
Theodore is a gambler. His happiness relies on a visit to the casino to play the slot machines. He has turned to medical science to tackle head on his obsession with 'lady luck'. Is there something in the way his brain works that makes him, and other people like him, unable to control the pursuit of his pleasures?
Shop until you drop
Rosemary can't stop shopping, but when her spending frenzies began to spin out of control, 32 cars and three Steinway pianos later, this led to spectacular fraud and she knew she had to seek help.
Cross-dressing
Edwin is a man with two obsessions, women's shoes and masturbation. He has over 90 pairs of shoes and spends most of his life coming to terms with aspects of his sexuality.
Jennifer is so unhappy with her own reflection that she has spent her life obsessing over other people. She will fix on another woman and start to dress identically and act the same way. Thoughts of what it would be like to be them pre-occupy her mind 24 hours a day. Desire and jealousy are only two of the emotions she must battle against. Can her obsession be stopped?
Cool cat
Cat Man's body is covered in stripes, his ears have been pointed, his lip cut, his nose fattened, whiskers implanted and his teeth pointed - all to make himself look more like a cat. Where will his obsession with his appearance end?
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