Pioneering Regenerative Medicine At The Wellington Orthopedic Institute

In the world of orthopedic medicine, innovative treatments are revolutionizing how injuries and degenerative conditions are addressed. Dr. Michael Mikolajczak of the Wellington Orthopedic Institute is at the forefront of this movement, integrating cutting-edge regenerative medicine techniques to help patients heal naturally, without the need for invasive surgeries.

Mikolajczak believes in the body’s innate ability to heal itself. The connection between structure and function is foundational to understanding how the body recovers and restores balance after injury, he explained.

“As we continue to improve our knowledge about injury recovery, and understand the pathology on how Mother Nature historically has healed damaged issues, we are going to be able to utilize our own blood products in order to heal things quicker,” he explained.

By utilizing the latest advancements in regenerative medicine — such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) and exosomes — Mikolajczak offers patients a chance to accelerate healing, reduce pain and regain mobility, all while enhancing their body’s own natural healing mechanisms.

That is why Mikolajczak’s Wellington Orthopedic Institute is one of the only offices in the region offering SuperShot PRP, a more complete PRP injection featuring Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), which transport proteins and mircoRNAs essential for tissue rejuvenation, regeneration and healing.

“This is for patients who have injuries to their muscular-skeletal system — tendons, ligaments and joints,” he said. “It is used to heal and repair damaged tissues, which can be for adults from basically 18 to 95.”

Mikolajczak explained that the body has an extraordinary capacity to heal itself. Whether it’s recovering from an acute injury or managing a chronic condition, the body is equipped with powerful biological systems that repair damaged tissues, regenerate cells and restore function. He recognizes that the healing process begins within, and his regenerative treatments work synergistically with the body’s inherent ability to recover.

He said that this is a good option for performance athletes, and it has helped many equestrians, and also equines. While he does not work on animals, the concept works for them as well as humans.

“We use it based on the science of a patient or animal’s own blood, filtered and injected into the damaged tissues, both in the equine world, and for the high-performance athlete, to speed recovery and avoid surgery,” Mikolajczak said.

The Wellington Orthopedic Institute emphasizes the importance of this natural healing capacity, which is enhanced by regenerative medicine treatments. By optimizing this biological process, Mikolajczak and his team provide patients with the best possible chance for long-term recovery, helping them avoid the need for invasive surgeries and long recovery times.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) uses concentrated platelets from your own blood to accelerate healing. It reduces inflammation, alleviates pain and promotes tissue repair. Effective for tendon injuries, osteoarthritis and ligament sprains, PRP can help you recover faster with minimal downtime, and may even avoid the need for surgery.

A2M (Alpha-2-Macroglobulin) is a natural protein that protects cartilage from breakdown, especially in osteoarthritis. It helps reduce inflammation, preserve joint function and slow the progression of joint degeneration, offering a non-surgical option for managing chronic pain and protecting long-term joint health.

Exosomes, meanwhile, are tiny particles that promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation. They enhance healing by delivering growth factors to injured tissues, improve cartilage repair and help accelerate recovery from soft tissue injuries, offering a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.

These regenerative therapies leverage the body’s natural healing abilities, providing faster recovery, pain relief and improved joint function without invasive procedures. They are personalized, effective solutions for treating injuries, arthritis and degeneration, helping patients avoid surgery and return to full activity faster.

Mikolajczak’s commitment to innovative treatments and his deep understanding of the body’s healing potential make him a leading figure in regenerative orthopedic care.

At the Wellington Orthopedic Institute, the team is dedicated to providing patients with the most advanced, non-invasive options available. By focusing on the body’s natural healing processes, they offer a personalized approach to treatment, ensuring that each patient receives the care they need to recover fully and effectively.

The biggest benefit of all of this is to decrease recovery time and make possible surgeries unnecessary. “I call it another tool in my toolbox to avoid surgery,” Mikolajczak said.

This whole concept is cutting-edge science that will lead healthcare into the future.

“This has the potential to return injured patients — even chronically injured patients — to good health, bigger, better, faster and stronger,” he said.

Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury or a chronic condition, Mikolajczak and his team at the Wellington Orthopedic Institute are there to guide you on your journey to recovery. By utilizing the latest in regenerative medicine, they can help you tap into your body’s innate ability to heal, allowing you to return to a life of full function, free from pain and with minimal downtime.

Mikolajczak invites potential patients to take the next step toward recovery and experience the power of regenerative medicine firsthand by contacting the Wellington Orthopedic Institute to schedule a consultation. Together, they will explore the best treatment options for your unique needs.

The Wellington Orthopedic Institute is located at 10115 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 102, on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center. For more information, call (561) 670-2010 or visit www.orthowellington.com.

Improving Surgical Outcomes For Patients
Latest Technology Leads To Faster Recovery Times At Advanced Surgical Physicians

Story By Jaime Joshi Elder  |  Photos by Caleb Harris / Khanna House Studios

In 200 A.D., the Mayan civilization was in its infancy, the global population reached 257 million (less than the current population of the United States) and Leonidas of Alexandria started advocating for incision and cautery for breast cancer treatment — a process that became the standard of surgical care for the next 15 centuries.

However, over the past two decades, advances in surgical technology have accelerated at a dizzying pace. Surgeons have evolved from using scalpels to laser scalpels to operating the console of the da Vinci robot, a minimally invasive system that mirrors a surgeon’s hand movements while also delivering high-resolution, magnified images of what is being operated on.

Dr. Andrew J. Shapiro, medical director of Advanced Surgical Physicians in Wellington and the Comprehensive Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center, is a passionate advocate for minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery and advancements in breast cancer research. In 2023, he completed his 1,000th surgery with the da Vinci system and advocates strongly for the technology.

“I first started working with the da Vinci system in 2012,” Shapiro said. “As an advocate of ensuring the best possible outcomes for my patients, I saw that this technology had the potential to not only improve surgical outcomes, but also facilitate quicker recovery times and reduced hospital stays.”

This mentality is at the heart of his practice, Advanced Surgical Physicians. In addition to utilizing the da Vinci system, Shapiro and his partner, Dr. Kyle Eldredge, also employ traditional open surgery and laparoscopic techniques to treat the full range of general surgery conditions, including but not limited to breast cancer and benign breast diseases, gallbladder disorders, anorectal and colon conditions, as well as the treatment of pilonidal disease, melanoma and other skin cancers.

“Minimally invasive robotic surgery is used for so many different procedures, ranging from general surgery like we do at Advanced Surgical Physicians to gynecologic surgery like hysterectomies and urology procedures like prostatectomies and nephrectomies,” Shapiro said. “The procedure only uses small incisions, so it’s less traumatic on the patient’s body. This means less pain and blood loss. It means fewer complications and less scarring than with traditional surgery.”

This past April, Shapiro and Eldredge were each awarded accreditation as Surgeons of Excellence in Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation.

“This accolade reflects our practice’s continual effort to surpass the expected standards and lead in the development of safer, more effective surgical treatments,” Shapiro said.

As general surgery specialists, Shapiro and Eldredge both treat patients with a multitude of conditions, which can include: skin and soft tissue such as the breasts; surgical treatment of cancer; surgical treatment of traumatic injuries; care of critically ill patients who need surgery; the head and neck; the abdomen and its contents, such as the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, duodenum, the tail of the pancreas and the transverse colon; the endocrine system (hormones and glands); and the digestive tract.

They are also involved with their patients from the initial evaluation to prepping for surgery, performing the procedure and post-operative management.

“There is no greater relationship in medicine than a surgeon and their patient,” Eldredge said. “What inspired me to become a general surgeon was the ability to take complete care of a patient from the very beginning. From initially diagnosing what is ailing them to completing surgery and alleviating them of their pain or illness to watching them recover and feel better.”

Eldredge started his medical journey as an emergency medical technician and saw first-hand the difference that efficient and calculated care makes in the health and well-being of a patient. While in medical school at Emory University in Atlanta, he was awarded a fellowship in Robotic Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery and continues to serve Palm Beach County’s western communities with excellence in this field.

The strategic implementation of patient care in almost every area of the body is also what inspired Shapiro to pursue a general surgery specialty, as it echoed the training he received in the military.

A proud veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Shapiro completed his residency in general surgery at Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Ft. Gordon, Georgia, and went on to serve as chief of the Department of Surgery at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital in Ft. Polk, Louisiana, and was awarded a Combat Medic badge, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

“The ability to serve my country was my honor, but the ability to provide medical care to our brave men and women fighting for our freedom? That was my distinct privilege,” he said. “My career as a military surgeon prepared me for almost every surgical contingency, and I appreciate all the support we’ve received here in Wellington as a military family. It has a deep sense of community and is a great place to support and feel supported.”

Shapiro’s service didn’t end upon his honorable discharge from the army, and he continues to support his community today through philanthropic means.

In addition to hosting a 5K race to benefit the local nonprofit organization Clinics Can Help, which collects and redistributes durable medical equipment and supplies to families in need, Shapiro also works as a trainer with New Horizons Service Dogs, a nonprofit organization that partners trained dogs with the disabled, mostly in the area of wheelchair and mobility assistance.

“Andrew loves dogs and understands the positive impact a dog can have on someone’s life,” said Ilene Shapiro, Dr. Shapiro’s wife and office manager at Advanced Surgical Physicians. “Wrangler, our golden retriever from New Horizons Service Dogs, works with our patients at the office as an emotional support dog. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a lifechanging event, and patients and their families experience so much anxiety during this time. Wrangler works as an emotional support animal at the practice and helps bring about a sense of peace and calm. Both staff and patients at the practice love him.”

On top of all of this, and spending time with his family, Shapiro makes the time to serve as a voluntary assistant professor of surgery at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

“I was raised believing in the importance of service and community stewardship,” Shapiro said. “Both my wife and I believe that we are better when we work together in service to others. We try to reinforce these values both with our children and in our medical practice. We have traveled all over the country and are proud to call Palm Beach County home, and we are committed to providing the highest standards of care, bringing our patients options for the best health outcomes.”

To learn more about Advanced Surgical Physicians, visit www.toplinemd.com/advanced-surgical-physicians.

A Focus On Patient Care 
The Advanced Breast Center At Wellington Regional Medical Center Honored By National Program

The Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center was recently recognized as a Certified Participant in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers (NQMBC) Program. This distinguished honor represents a commitment by the breast center to provide the highest level of quality breast health care to patients.

Pam Tahan, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center, expressed her pride in the achievement.

“This certification is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team,” Tahan said. “We are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care, and this recognition reinforces our efforts and the positive impact we are making in our community.”

Measuring and comparing quality performance is essential in assessing patient care and allocating resources where improvement is desired. In today’s dynamic healthcare industry, breast centers are faced with providing quality care while simultaneously keeping costs under control. A center’s staff must not only be familiar with existing standards of care, but they must also be aware of new advances in technology. The Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center has taken a major step to ensure the program provides the best possible quality care to patients.

“Being recognized as a Certified Participant in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program is a significant accomplishment,” said Dr. Andrew Shapiro, medical director of the Advanced Breast Center. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence in breast health care and our dedication to adopting the latest advancements in medical technology and treatment protocols.”

As an accredited breast cancer program, Wellington Regional Medical Center has been recognized nationally as a leader in breast imaging and the treatment of breast cancer. As an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, WRMC has demonstrated excellence in mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI of the breast, as well as stereotactic, ultrasound and MRI-guided breast biopsies.

Dr. Sandra Mondro, a radiologist at the Advanced Breast Center, highlighted the importance of continuous improvement.

“This certification underscores our commitment to not only meeting but exceeding the national standards in breast health care,” Mondro said. “Our goal is to ensure that every patient receives personalized, state-of-the-art care tailored to their specific needs.”

Launched in April 2005 and now used in 45 states, the NQMBC program offers facilities providing breast health care the ability to track and measure breast center performance in more than 40 individual quality indicators. The program has been validated by multiple peer-reviewed medical journal publications. The most compelling component of the program is the ability of participants to enter their data and immediately compare their performance with other participating breast centers across the country.

The National Consortium of Breast Centers is proud to recognize the Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center as a Certified Participant. The facility will continue in its commitment to provide the highest quality care to its patients and work on keeping up a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence.

The National Consortium of Breast Centers promotes excellence in breast health care for the general public through a network of diverse professionals dedicated to the active exchange of ideas and resources. It serves as an informational resource and provides support services to those rendering care to people with breast diseases through educational programs, newsletters, a national directory and patient forums. Learn more at www.nqmbc.org.

Wellington Regional Medical Center is a 235-bed, acute care hospital providing high-quality healthcare services to the residents of central Palm Beach County since 1986. As a community hospital, accredited by the Joint Commission, WRMC prides itself on its continued commitment to remain on the forefront of advanced technologies and expand programs and services to meet the needs of the growing community it serves.

Learn more about the Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center at www.wellingtonregional.com.

New Treatment For Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Wellington Regional Medical Center Is Now Offering Inspire Therapy To Treat OSA

Dr. Deborah Loney at Wellington Regional Medical Center is now offering Inspire therapy, a breakthrough obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment option for those who cannot use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects 22 million Americans. When left untreated, OSA can cause vehicle and workplace accidents, worsening mood and memory, stroke, heart attack and even death. It occurs when the airway collapses during sleep and blocks the flow of oxygen to the brain.

When this happens, the brain senses a lack of oxygen and wakes the body up just long enough to take a breath, then falls back asleep. This cycle repeats throughout the night and causes poor, disruptive sleep.

Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation opens the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient uses a small handheld remote to turn Inspire on before bed and off when they wake up.

The safety and efficacy of Inspire was evaluated during the product’s STAR clinical trial. Five-year outcomes show patients using Inspire experience significant reductions in sleep apnea events and significant improvements in quality-of-life measures.

There have been more than 150 peer-reviewed publications on Inspire. These publications show results consistent with those seen in the STAR clinical trial.

“In our practice, we see many patients who have stopped using or are unable to tolerate CPAP,” Loney said. “Inspire represents a significant advancement in treating sleep apnea. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events, has a high level of patient satisfaction and a high therapy adherence. We are excited to offer this promising therapy to sleep apnea patients who struggle with CPAP.”

To learn more about Inspire for sleep apnea, visit www.inspiresleep.com or www.wellingtonregional.com.

Loney practices otolaryngology, which is more commonly known as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. In her practice, she works with many patients suffering from sleep apnea.

Originally from New York, Loney completed her undergraduate work at Queens College. For medical school, she attended Stanford University’s School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. There, she spent five years studying and doing medical research, and realized that she wanted to be an ENT. After graduating from Stanford, Loney headed to the University of Iowa in Iowa City for her residency. She worked at many locations around the United States and the world before moving to Palm Beach County to be closer to her family.

Both for sleep apnea patients, and for those with other ENT issues, Loney spends a great deal of time encouraging her patients to lead healthier lifestyles. “Watch what you eat, moderation is key. No. 1 is don’t smoke,” Loney said. “I also tell people, especially younger people, to not listen to loud music.”

Wellington Regional Medical Center is a 235-bed acute care hospital accredited by the Joint Commission. Celebrating more than 30 years of treating residents in Wellington and the surrounding communities, the hospital offers a wide range of services, including comprehensive stroke care, a comprehensive lung program, minimally invasive services, cardiac services, a birthing center and level III NICU, a comprehensive women’s center, hepatobiliary surgical procedures, intraoperative radiation therapy, interventional procedures, and a wellness and weight loss center.

Wellington Regional Medical Center is located at 10101 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. To learn more about the hospital, visit www.wellingtonregional.com.

A Seamless Connection
Tampa General Hospital Bridges The Gap In Complex Cancer Care

When Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast residents need specialized cancer treatments, they now enjoy a seamless connection to the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute.

Palm Beach Gardens resident Arthur “Steve” Barnes has been battling various types of skin cancer since 1981. His 42-year journey has taken him to dermatologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists, and last year, it took him to Tampa General Hospital (TGH).

“Most of my cancer has been pretty easy to treat — basal cell carcinoma and even squamous cell. But about three or four years ago, it started to get aggressive. It got complex,” Barnes explained. “I’ve been so blessed to have doctors who cooperate with or work at TGH.”

Barnes’ local dermatologist and surgeon referred him to Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, a Palm Beach County medical oncologist who serves as chief of the TGH Cancer Institute, executive vice president of Network Development, and vice president of Clinical and Translational Research.

“There are a lot of things about TGH that are unique and important, as well as hard to appreciate until you need a certain level of care,” Schwarzberg said. “There are wonderful physicians and pieces of the cancer treatment puzzle in Palm Beach County, but the lack of a unified, academic backbone limits access to translational research, clinical work and new drug development. Our relationship with TGH and the University of South Florida has been invaluable for our patients.”

Schwarzberg referred Barnes to Dr. Tapan Padhya, chief of the TGH Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, and professor and chair for the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

Padhya performed a surgical intervention on Barnes in Tampa within one month of first seeing him.

“Dr. Padhya saved all the nerves in my face and removed all the cancer because he and Dr. Schwarzberg were so on top of everything,” Barnes said. “I was worried I was going to come out looking like Frankenstein, so it’s really amazing I look as much like Brad Pitt as I do now.”

East coast patients who need a transfer to TGH enjoy a seamless transition to Tampa through the hospital’s Health Ambassador Program, which helps schedule appointments, submit paperwork, arrange hotel and travel accommodations, and coordinate follow-up care back home.

“This is the experience that we offer our patients on the east coast of Florida,” Padhya explained. “The home team of doctors in Palm Beach County establishes the initial trust with the patient and provides the ongoing care, and then I come in for the surgical event. But it’s a continuum of care. The TGH network has flourished and bridged the gap across the state.”

Barnes credits his successful outcome to the entire medical team, but also his family. His wife, daughter and son participated in his telehealth visits and encouraged him throughout the process.

“My family and prayer warriors pushed me to keep going when it got discouraging. My wife hugged me when I needed it during the battles with chemo and radiation. They prayed for me and for the doctors to do a good job,” Barnes said. “And I can’t say enough about how wonderful the medical staff was. They treated me like I was their grandfather or father. There’s something that Theodore Roosevelt once said that could be a theme for this hospital: ‘No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.’ TGH really cared about my case.”

Patients like Barnes now have access to the complex care they need in the environment where they need it.

“The continuity and integration are so valuable because we don’t have that in our backyard,” Schwarzberg added. “But now we have it as an extension, and patients can come back home to heal.”

For more information about Tampa General Hospital’s services in Palm Beach County, visit www.tgh.org/thepalmbeaches or call (561) 739-4TGH.

Early Detection Crucial The Experts At Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Are Specialists In Detecting And Treating Congenital Heart Disease

 By Dr. Stephanie A. Acosta

If your child has a congenital heart defect, then early detection, even before birth, is one of the most important steps that parents can take to improve outcomes and plan for their child’s future. Though rare, these defects are a reality for many parents. Congenital heart disease is the most common type of birth defect and present in about one out of every 100 births annually in the U.S. An estimated one million children and 1.4 million adults in the U.S. are currently living with congenital heart disease.

The Importance Of Early Detection 
As early as four months after conception, fetal imaging can detect most heart problems in a fetus, including congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, cardiac tumors and other heart abnormalities. A fetal echocardiogram is a safe, noninvasive exam that uses ultrasound waves to create images. The technology allows the unborn baby’s heart to be examined while the child is still in the womb. The echocardiogram is administered by sonographers with advanced training, and it does not pose any risk to either the fetus or the expectant mother.

By utilizing echocardiograms, specialists at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital can detect and begin the treatment for fetal arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms); complex congenital heart diseases that require intervention after birth; and simple congenital heart defects/abnormalities.

A Precautionary Measure
If your obstetrician recommends that you have a fetal echocardiogram, don’t panic. Fetal echocardiograms are most often ordered as a precautionary measure for expectant mothers who have a personal or paternal history of congenital heart disease, had another child with a congenital heart disorder, have been exposed to certain infections or medications, or have a medical condition, such as diabetes or lupus, that may increase the chances that the unborn baby will have a heart defect or abnormality.

If you are pregnant with more than one baby, your obstetrician may also order a fetal echocardiogram. If an abnormality is detected, you will be referred to a fetal cardiologist, a physician with expertise in diagnosing and managing heart conditions before birth.

Advance knowledge of a heart defect will allow your care team to provide comprehensive education and counseling to families; treat the condition before birth, when possible; create a comprehensive management plan for both before and after your baby’s birth; and evaluate the effect of extra-cardiac malformations on the heart and determine whether further treatment is necessary.

Knowledge that a baby-to-be has a heart defect is alarming news for any family. Yet sophisticated care methods available today are enabling the vast majority of these children to survive and thrive. The right care team will offer the best and most innovative treatments, world-class facilities, and spend time guiding you and your family through every step of the care process.

The Fetal Cardiology Program 
As part of its commitment to be where the children are, the Nicklaus Children’s Fetal Cardiology Program has seven convenient locations throughout the region, ranging as far south as Miami and as far north as Palm City. The program provides comprehensive care to families expecting an infant with suspected or diagnosed congenital heart disease. The team at Nicklaus Children’s includes pediatric cardiologists who specialize in fetal cardiology, advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology, as well as cardiac intensivists, neonatologists, geneticists and cardiothoracic surgeons who work collectively to meet the needs of families throughout their care journey.

The Fetal Cardiology Program is part of the Heart Institute at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, and it offers some of the most innovative treatments for congenital heart disease in the world. In fact, some of the treatments employed by the internationally renowned cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at Nicklaus Children’s were pioneered at the hospital before becoming the standard of care at other hospitals. The goal is to improve the care of infants with congenital heart disease through perinatal diagnosis, prenatal planning, post-natal care, and follow-up after birth and throughout the child’s life.

Welcome To Wellington
To better serve all communities throughout the South Florida area, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital recently opened its newest location in Wellington. The new Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists at Wellington location has board-certified specialists that provide consultations for babies, children, teens and young adults under 21 years old.

The program offers fetal and pediatric cardiology appointments, echocardiograms, Holter/event monitor testing, cardiac genetic testing and free EKG screenings for young athletes, among other services.

Same-day and next-day appointments are available at the Wellington location. To make an appointment, or to learn more, call (561) 877-5870 or visit www.nicklauschildrens.org/wellington.

Intimacy Blueprint For Couples Relationship Expert Richard Heller Explains The Seven Areas Of Intimacy

By Rich Heller

Intimacy is the holy grail of relationships. While often couples can slip into becoming roommates or living parallel lives, intimacy is our natural state. Reintroducing intimacy into the mix is the most surefire way to breathe greater life into your marriage.

You meet someone, and for a while, it’s all about the two of you and “love.” “In love” is super intimate. In this state, we are focused almost completely on one another. Studies show that this stage lasts about two or three years. Eventually, the “in love” part fades, and what you are left with is life, kids and a relationship that has evolved into tag-team child rearing. Perhaps friends with benefits.

Living like roommates may beat living alone, but when you get into a committed relationship with someone, “roommates” is not what you signed up for. It was all about the intimacy, and believe it or not, you can have that back.

We are super intimate from birth. We allow ourselves to be dependent on and enjoy the intimate care of our parents. Over time, we lose that sense of safety, and intimacy starts to become something of a challenge.

The beginning of re-establishing intimacy in a relationship lies in caring communication, trust and empathy. Caring communication establishes trust and safety. In caring communication, couples can tackle topics they may have been avoiding because it simply did not feel safe enough.

There are seven areas of intimacy where you can practice caring communication and rebuild trust and empathy — emotional intimacy, physical intimacy, financial intimacy, spiritual intimacy, recreational intimacy, sexual intimacy and playful intimacy.

These are seven areas where your intimacy can grow and blossom. Couples should take on one or more of these areas to work on. Talk about areas where it has felt a little unsafe, or explore areas where you have had success in the past.

Don’t know where to start? Read this together with your partner. Talk about each area. Which ones feel safer? Which ones feel a little scarier? Pick at least one area you will work on. Start with something that feels safe to you both, and also note the areas where you may need some outside help.

EMOTIONAL INTIMACY
Emotional intimacy is all about closeness through sharing feelings. The safer your marriage is for sharing emotions, the more intimate it will become. Whether you are talking about goal setting, child rearing, your role in the family, budgeting or sex, it needs to be safe.

Set a goal: What is a ground rule that will make it even safer to talk about feelings? How will you remind yourselves to practice it? What if things start to get a little hot while you are talking together?

“When you recognize a topic is becoming heated, give yourself a time out,” explained Melyssa Edmunds, a licensed marriage and family therapist with the Marriage Couch. “Make sure your partner knows that you will come back in 30 minutes (set a timer in front of them) to discuss the topic again. When our adrenaline is peaked, we don’t have access to the part of our brain that allows us to think rationally. It takes 30 minutes for that adrenaline to no longer be activated. During your time out, do not think about the hot topic. Listen to music, make sure you’re relaxed, then come back to address the topic so your partner doesn’t feel as if you’re avoiding the situation.”

It’s OK to disagree. Make a reminder sign to hang in the kitchen, on the fridge; somewhere you will see it daily.

To learn more, contact the Marriage Couch, located at 12012 South Shore Blvd., Suite 108, in Wellington. Call (561) 424-7175 or visit www.marriagecouch.com.

PHYSICAL  INTIMACY

This one is all about caring touch, such as holding hands, stroking hair, cuddling — any contact that feels caring. Touch is one of our most basic and ignored senses. The way we touch, the feeling behind the touch, the circumstances of the other person when we touch communicates so much more than words. If these little touches seem silly, like a waste of time, that means you need it even more!

Make a point of touching when you come together and separate in the beginning and end of your day. This could be a quick hug, kiss on the lips, holding each other’s hands and make eye contact. As you do this, notice what you are feeling when you touch. Where are you coming from? Where would you like to be coming from? Are you in a hurry or truly in the moment? If it feels rushed, what are you putting in front of this brief investment into your intimacy? When you are truly in the moment, how does it feel? Talk about this experience from time to time and express your feelings around touch.

Set a goal: Touch lips for seven seconds daily. You will be amazed at the intimacy it builds.

To learn more, contact Rich in Relationship at (917) 309-9045 or visit online at www.richinrelationship.com.

FINANCIAL INTIMACY
Believe it or not, 76 percent of all couples fight about money. When both partners understand their short-term and long-term financial goals, there is greater financial harmony. The trick is to get comfortable talking about money.

“To get comfortable talking about money, think of it as a tool to help you accomplish the things you want in life and nothing more.” financial planning expert Melissa Gannon said. “In and of itself, it only has the power we give it. It alone doesn’t make you happy; it’s not moral or immoral; it doesn’t love or hate you. Thinking of it as a tool makes money less taboo and allows couples to open up a dialogue. A more concrete approach is to explain to your partner what you want in ‘I’ language. For example, ‘I want to better understand how we invest our money.’ Or ‘I am afraid that if something happens to you, I won’t know how to find our accounts.’”

Set a goal: Have regular financial meetings to review how you are doing together. Make a point of being constructive rather than critical.

To learn more, contact Gannon at Castle Wealth Management, located at 201 Arkona Court in West Palm Beach. Call (561) 686-9604 or visit www.castlewm.com.

SPIRITUAL INTIMACY  
Being spiritually intimate is all about feeling connected to a greater whole. It could also encompass shared beliefs and practices. This may or may not be religious. This can be prayer, meditation or mindfulness together, and/or attending services. Spirituality can seem a little abstract.

“We can all benefit from our reconnection with spirit. Let our feet kiss this earth and nurture every piece in our intertwined environment,” said Sarah Palmer, a life coach at Dovecot Farm in Loxahatchee Groves. “In our daily distractions, let us take mindful moments to connect. Through breathwork and silence, we can feel more grounded and connected.”

Set a goal: Practice prayer, meditation and/or mindfulness together. Studies show that practicing any one of these four times daily will lead to you being less likely to get into a fight and increase marriage harmony.

Learn more about Dovecot Farm by calling (713) 969-8289 or visiting online at www.dovecotfarm.com.

RECREATIONAL INTIMACY
What are activities you both enjoy? Gardening, jogging, cooking together, any activity you both like will serve here. Pick activities based on your shared interest. Maybe you both like to travel, but you’re not sure the best way to go about it.

“Most people don’t know where they want to go. We find out what they want and how much they really want to invest for the experience. We want to make sure they have the best experience for what their budget allows,” travel agent Mark Elie of K&E Travel said.

If travel is not your thing, try something creative. All humans create. We may not be Michelangelo or da Vinci, but we are born creative.

“Art is really about self-expression. You don’t have to be a pro to have a good time creating. When couples create together in our studio, they have fun, relax and enjoy one another through open communication, appreciation and even a little laughter,” said Kris Barnett of the Wood, Paper, Glass art studio.

Set a goal: Find an activity that you both enjoy and add it to your calendar at least once a week and watch as your relationship continues to blossom and grow.

Learn more at K&E Travel, located at 12789 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 2C, in Wellington. Call (561) 966-9808 or visit www.ketravel.us. Wood, Paper, Glass is located in the original Wellington Mall at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd. To learn more, call (561) 557-9583 or visit www.woodpaperglass.com.

SEXUAL INTIMACY
Don’t be afraid to explore new ways to express yourself sexually together while leaving room for your partner to say no. If you’re less inclined than you used to be, there is no shame in that.

As we age, our metabolism naturally slows down. Talk to a medical professional about actions you can take to revitalize your metabolism.

“At Calla Genics, we believe intimacy is one of the cornerstones upon which stable, healthy communities are built,” Dr. Tiffany McCalla said. “Difficulties with sexual performance often starts in the 30s, with vascular issues being the most common cause. Luckily, there are noninvasive treatment options available to address several of the common causes, including wave therapy, hormone replacement therapy, platelet-rich plasma and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Ultimately, achieving intimacy wellness through these non-surgical treatments can lead to deeper connections with others and a greater sense of satisfaction in relationships.”

Set a goal: Schedule a getaway at least once a season to explore sexual intimacy together.

Calla Genics is located in the original Wellington Mall at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suites 9 and 10. To learn more, call (561) 252-5398 or visit www.callagenics.com.

PLAYFUL INTIMACY
Play is unbelievably underrated and will enhance all of the other areas. Play can be games; it can be humor. The root of play is imagination. If you are competitive, however, play can become a blood sport. My family has a law against mini golf for this reason. Luckily, there are many ways to build teamwork.

“Dancing is a great way to rekindle the romance because you play and work together as a team. Many of our students use dance as their date night so that they make sure to make time for each other and have fun,” said Doreen Scheinpflug of Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

Set a goal: Take a dance class. Have game night once a week and try out new games until you find at least one you both think is fun. Keep playing and be playful about it.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio is located at 157 S. State Road 7, Suite 103. To learn more, call (561) 812-3825 or visit www.fredastaire.com/wellington.

If these topics feel a bit uncomfortable, that is actually good! Intimacy is all about expanding comfortability with your partner. Having those slightly uncomfortable talks make it safe to do so, and your marriage will continue to grow.

Once you have tried out an area or two, make it a habit. Remember, it takes 30 days to start a habit and 90 days for it to take root. Each month, try a new area and expand the ways that you are growing your intimacy together.