PAIN HURTS. It’s the biting impact of a slip and fall, a gnawing backache that keeps you up all night, or chronic discomfort that zaps your energy and interferes with your everyday activities and enjoyment of life.
The good news is, most pain can be managed. Metro Detroit pain specialists and other health providers offer a range of treatment options to reduce, relieve, and prevent pain. Back pain, for example, can often be managed with lifestyle changes, Pilates, chiropractic, and physical therapy. Stress management, meditation, yoga, and massage can also help patients cope.
Dentists and plastic surgeons provide comforting environments, sedation options, and minimally invasive treatments so patients can have the services they desire with little to no discomfort. As the country is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, many health care providers are seeking nonaddictive pain medications and alternative treatments to knock out pain and improve the quality of life and overall well-being of their patients.
Q: I’ve been told to just “man up” and visit a dentist. The problem is, my teeth don’t seem to get numb with an injection, and I don’t like the sound of the drill. A dental appointment is a real pain. How can I get a great new smile without feeling discomfort in the dental chair?
A: If you could fall asleep wrapped in a warm blanket on a soft Tempur-Pedic cushion and wake up to a younger, healthier, more beautiful smile, would you do it? That’s how easy it can be to transform your smile at the award-winning Cosmetic Dentistry Institute.
For people who are apprehensive about going to the dentist, sedation dentistry is a wonderful solution. “You can be completely relaxed while having a series of complex dental problems taken care of in as little as one visit. Sedation is great for those who have pain in areas of their body that make it difficult to sit in a dental chair,” says Dr. Craig Goldin, who has advanced training and certification in IV sedation.
Drs. Craig and Marcy Goldin, along with Dr. David Whalen, are skilled in advanced numbing techniques and dental pain management. They’re trained to help patients with jaw or TMJ pain, chronic headaches, and tooth pain.
“If you’re uncomfortable having your teeth cleaned, be assured that our hygienists are skilled in the use of laughing gas and local anesthesia for a more relaxing experience,” notes Dr. Marcy Goldin, an adjunct clinical lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. “Our beautiful office is nearly 6,000 square feet of the most advanced dental technology, along with soothing, spa-like amenities. Whatever dental needs you have, your visit will be efficient and high-tech, as well as comfortable and painless.”
The Cosmetic Dentistry Institute offers all phases of general, cosmetic, sedation, and implant dentistry, so you can have all of your dental problems conveniently treated in one office.
“If you have mouth pain from hopeless teeth or painful dentures, Teeth Tomorrow® Prettau® zirconia implant bridges are a life-changing alternative to traditional dentures. We provide an array of the latest dental techniques, including porcelain veneers, one-visit CEREC porcelain crowns, Oral Appliance Therapy to treat sleep apnea for those who can’t tolerate a CPAP, Invisalign invisible braces, and dental implants,” says Dr. Craig Goldin, a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. That distinction means he can both place and restore state-of-the-art implants. “Whether you’re missing one tooth or more, we can replace them with beautiful, natural-looking dental implants that will allow you to smile, chew, and speak more confidently, for a better quality of life.” Dr. Craig Goldin is one of only 65 dentists worldwide to be an Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), one of the highest distinctions in cosmetic dentistry.
“If you have multiple dental health concerns — damaged teeth, alignment issues, or overgrown or swollen gums — we can rebuild a comfortable, functional bite and a healthy, attractive smile with full-mouth reconstruction,” Dr. David Whalen says. “Through a combination of restorative procedures, you can have the picture-perfect smile you deserve in only two visits.”
The Cosmetic Dentistry Institute is your source for excellence in dentistry and unparalleled patient care and comfort.
Q: I’m extremely afraid of going to the dentist, but I need dental work — and I also don’t like to wear my CPAP. What are my best options?
A: First of all, with sleep dentistry you can put aside your fear of the dentist. Dr. Dolores Baran offers a range of sedation methods, so you can be totally relaxed and have most or all of your dental work completed in one visit.
“In our office we provide IV sedation, where the patient is in a twilight sleep — they don’t feel any pain and they don’t remember the experience,” she says. “Another option is nitrous oxide or laughing gas, a minimal sedation that makes you feel calm and comfortable while awake. There are also other methods for relaxation that are discussed with the patient and tailored to their specific needs.”
Dr. Baran and her team provide all phases of dentistry and use advanced technologies like the CEREC CAD/ CAM machine, which creates crowns and caps in a single office visit without messy impressions or painful temporaries. “From fillings and root canals to crowns, gum treatments, and implants, patients can have everything done here while they’re asleep,” she says.
Dr. Baran is helping patients get a good night’s sleep with the Oral Sleep Appliance, which in many cases can replace the use of the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Many people don’t use their CPAP at night as they should because it’s annoying and uncomfortable to wear, but sleep apnea can be lifethreatening. Dr. Baran can perform an evaluation to see if you’re a candidate for the Oral Sleep Appliance, which can also be used to control snoring.
Call for a consultation. Wake up with a new smile, and a get good night’s sleep!
Q: How can patients safely manage their pain after surgery?
A: Dr. Ellen Janetzke and her team take a careful and respectful approach to postsurgical comfort care for their patients.
For example, Dr. Ellen explains that using local anesthetic prior to the procedure and pain pumps for post-procedure comfort allows for a more comfortable “wakeup” from general anesthesia.
These measures allow her patients to use the lowest effective dosage of opioids (if they choose to use them) for comfort during postsurgical healing. Dr. Ellen and her team take the opioid epidemic seriously and follow state guidelines by reviewing a patient’s medication history before prescribing an opioid. Patients can also manage their pain with non-opioid medications.
“We provide post-surgery instructions and we’re available to answer any questions to ensure our patients’ comfort, safety, and well-being during their recovery,” Dr. Ellen says.
Q: How does Dr. Ali Plastic Surgery & AMAE MedSpa manage discomfort during in-office procedures?
A: Three questions that are often heard from patients are: Does it work? Does it hurt? How much does it cost?
When it comes to discomfort, every patient is different, so Dr. Ali and his staff take a customized approach to managing pain. First of all, they seek to provide a very comfortable, relaxed environment for their patients.
Depending on the procedure, the provider may apply numbing cream about 30 minutes prior to treatment. The devices that have been incorporated into the practice’s treatment plans were specifically designed with their patients in mind. Offering some of the most cutting-edge devices allows Dr. Ali and his team to provide better treatments that result in less discomfort and improved patient outcomes.
Q: Given that there’s an opiate epidemic, with more than 70,000 deaths related to opiate use in 2018, why is it so difficult to get treatment?
A: The federal government and health professionals have not educated the public well enough to know that Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) options are available. Federal legislation has limited the number of health care providers who can prescribe the drug Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). The number of patients a physician can treat with Suboxone is also limited.
Insurance companies make it extremely difficult to treat OUD and uncontrolled pain. Belbuca (buprenorphine) offers substantial pain relief without the body building up a tolerance to it, as with opiates. For both Suboxone and Belbuca, patients who need immediate treatment could wait for more than four to five days for an authorization.
Preventing OUD is important, but it’s also critical to talk about making treatment easily available for people who need it.
Q: Are there ways to overcome the fear of going to the dentist?
A: The fear of pain that’s often associated with dental procedures keeps many people from living life to its fullest, yet it doesn’t have to be that way. With conscious sedation, dental work is completed while the patient is sleeping. IV sedation minimizes anxiety, and allows work to be performed without the patient feeling any anxiety or discomfort.
For patients with gum disease or gum recession, conscious sedation and minimally invasive technology have had transformative effects. Using the pinhole technique, treating gum recession is far more comfortable and predictable than in the past. The procedure eliminates the need to cut tissue from the palate or other areas to cover receding gums. Instead, a small pinhole is made in the gum tissue above or below the receded roots of the teeth, and special instruments are used to loosen and bring healthy gum tissue over the receded tooth roots, improving the appearance of the teeth.
Dr. Joseph Nemeth also performs LANAP, a laser procedure for treating gum disease that eradicates bacteria under the gums and permits new bone growth and gum reattachment. The benefits of healthier gums can reach far beyond oral hygiene — studies link gum disease to many other serious illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers, so it’s crucial to attend to your dental health. There’s no need to fear the dentist, because conscious sedation and minimally invasive procedures have reduced or eliminated any discomfort.
Q: My back always hurts. Pain medication only helps temporarily. Can physical therapy help fix my back?
A: Increasing numbers of patients suffer from chronic pain lasting weeks or months, which can be debilitating. The Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center successfully treats many patients with chronic pain. Why the difference? A Pilates-based physical therapy program.
Pilates helps to strengthen core-stabilizing muscles, and patients benefit from addressing muscle imbalances and postural asymmetries, thus decreasing wear and tear on the joints. The Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center’s owner, physical therapist Ron Jegadeesh, says: “Starting with the first visit, I evaluate postural alignment and teach proper breathing techniques. Then the patient progresses to gentle exercises to encourage pelvic and spine stabilization. Most patients notice a difference after the first few sessions.”
Pilates can be specifically tailored to meet the needs of a patient with movement restrictions and varying pain levels. A Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center, a trainer will design a program to strengthen the deep core muscles, optimizing pelvic and shoulder stabilization, and will use gentle stretching to lengthen tight muscles. Patients feel taller and stronger, and their pain levels dramatically decrease.
Q: I’ve had chronic pain for some time now. Is there a program that can get me back to my normal activities without using pain medication?
A: For people with long-term pain from an accident, injury, or a condition like arthritis, Team Rehabilitation’s Functional Recovery Program offers a tailored, interdisciplinary approach that restores everyday function and results in a better quality of life without a reliance on opioids.
“Every patient is given a customized program of exercises, cardiovascular workouts, and a stretching routine that incorporates balance and strength,” says occupational therapist Mary Pietrzyk, OTRL. “Patients also do weight training for both the upper and lower body. We concentrate on the total person, to improve their strength from head to toe.” Physical therapist Shekufa Irani, DPT, says many patients who come to this specialized clinic are using canes, crutches, or walkers to help manage their pain. “We work to wean them off of those devices and normalize their gait during the program. Our goal is that they won’t walk with a limp or need any assistive devices when they finish the program.”
Psychologist Olga Slavin- Spenny, Ph.D., presents many of the educational lectures for patients on topics that include stress management, mindfulness, relaxation, and other coping skills. “The lectures and exercises are done in group settings. Patients have an opportunity to talk with other people who have chronic pain and who understand what they’re going through. We have a very positive and supportive environment.”
To learn more about the Functional Recovery Program, call 248-849-0050.
Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy
We have a clinic near you!
Team-rehab.com
Q: What can I do to help relieve my back pain?
A: While there’s no substitute for seeking professional medical advice, there are things you can do at home to improve your symptoms. Lifestyle changes are among the most important thing you can do to help your condition. The first thing is to work on your posture, remembering to sit and stand straight, flexing your abdominal muscles. This means no slouching! Secondly, change your sleep patterns by finding the best position for pain relief, which varies from person to person and condition to condition. Try to get six to eight hours of sleep, depending on your current patterns.
Third, improve your diet and eating times. Weight loss, especially in the abdominal area, will strengthen the overstretched back ligaments, muscles, and tendons that worsen posture and exacerbate back pain. Fourth, and certainly not least, is exercise. There are many types of exercises you may choose from depending on your goals, but the single most important exercise you can do will be one that focuses on core conditioning. Properly coordinated core muscles stabilize the spine and create an incredibly firm base of support for practically all movements.
If these lifestyle modifications fail to relieve your pain, you may benefit from a formal consultation.
Q: I’ve tried for years to lose weight, but I’m still obese. Can weight loss surgery help me?
A: Minimally invasive weight loss surgery, either laparoscopic or robotic, reduces the amount of space in your stomach, so you eat less food and consume fewer calories. Unlike medical diets, surgery changes the body’s metabolism. This allows for sustainable and long-lasting weight loss when combined with proper lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.
Gastric bypass makes the stomach into a small pouch and redirects the intestines. Sleeve gastrectomy removes a portion of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube. Surgical complications are extremely low and patients are usually home in one day.
With surgical treatment, weight loss is substantial, typically 80-100 pounds. When a patient reduces their weight, they can resolve or markedly improve illnesses that are linked to obesity such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension, giving them a better quality of life.
Q: How do you know if your puffy, under-eye bags are caused by fatigue, allergies, or sinus problems?
A: Typically, these things are unrelated, according to ophthalmic and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Evan Black. “If you’ve had a good night’s sleep and you don’t have allergies or sinus disease, or these conditions have been treated, then the bags you see are what’s called herniated orbital fat — it’s the most common reason people have the appearance of bags under their eyes. This is based on the fact that the eye sits in a space called the orbit, which has fat compartments that can protrude under the eye.”
To improve the appearance of baggy lower eyelids, the fat may be removed, repositioned, and/or sculpted. Minimally invasive lower eyelid surgery is a no-stitch “bag” removal that dramatically improves the appearance of the area around the eyes.
“It’s a 30- to 40-minute procedure with local anesthesia and sedation for comfort. Since we’re not cutting or removing any skin, surgery risks are significantly reduced,” Dr. Black explains. “We also use a fractional CO2 laser to diminish wrinkles, improve tone, and tighten up the delicate skin in the lower eyelids. This outpatient surgery is a permanent solution that can turn back the clock and help you maintain a natural, youthful look.”
To learn more about lower eyelid surgery, call to schedule a consultation with an expert facial plastic surgeon.
Q: What are the possible long-term consequences of auto accident injuries, and how can chiropractic alignment help to avoid these problems?
A: When someone is involved in an accident, vertebrae shift out of place — affecting the discs, ligaments, and muscles. This can lead to sprain or strain injuries, or nerves being pinched. Pain may not show up for years after the accident and can come in the form of muscle spasms, tingling and numbness in the lower and upper extremities, arthritis in the joints, and other chronic pain issues.
After an accident, it’s important to have an alignment of the spine to take pressure off the nerves; this will help alleviate pain and prevent chronic pain in the future. While medications may temporarily relieve pain, chiropractic adjustments can correct the problem that causes your pain. If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, call Chiropractic Works, PC, and they’ll be there for you.
2018-2019: Nominated as a Top Chiropractor by Hour Media; 2015- 2016: Voted one of the Top Chiropractors in Michigan by Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare; 2015: Voted one of the Best Chiropractors in America.
Q: Can you help patients cope with or overcome their fear of going to the dentist?
A: While most people don’t look forward to dental appointments, Dr. Jessica Kakos insists that this doesn’t need to be the case. At Kakos Dental, Dr. Kakos and her staff have extensive experience treating patients from a wide variety of backgrounds and circumstances. The Kakos Dental team fine-tunes and tailors the dental experience for the unique needs of each and every patient.
“Our foremost goal,” explains Dr. Kakos, “is to keep the patient comfortable and to remind them that they’re truly in charge. Whether they need extra time to acclimate themselves, or whether they prefer nitrous oxide and/or the proper anesthetic for maximal comfort, we ensure that each patient’s experience is as pleasant as it is successful.”
Kakos Dental emphasizes patient satisfaction, because patients tend to neglect their oral health if they’re apprehensive. “In addition to the many other techniques we provide to help patients relax, we’ve discovered that one of the most effective tools is educating them about the process and what to expect,” Dr. Kakos says. “Patients are considerably more at ease when they understand what the goal of the procedure is, how it will be performed, and what the particular steps are. It removes the element of mystery that often makes people anxious. The less confused and more aware a patient is about their procedure, the easier it is to realize that it will be safe, painless, and successful.”
6443 Inkster Rd., Ste. 176
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
P: 248-855-4143
kakosdental.com
Q: My child snores while sleeping at night. Should I be concerned? Is it harmful?
A: This is a common question posed by many parents, and that’s no surprise since children are their parents’ top priority, as is their health and comfort.
It’s estimated that 12-15 percent of children between the ages of 1 to 9 snore, and 3 percent have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Snoring may be a sign of a sleep disorder. Some causes of snoring in children are:
• A deviated septum, which reduces the amount of airflow in and out of the nose.
• A respiratory infection, which can cause a stuffy nose.
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids. This is the leading cause of OSA in children; swollen glands block the airway, making it difficult to breathe.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
Children and adults who suffer from OSA can have many associated health problems. Children who breathe through their mouth have a two- to fivefold increase in upper airway resistance as compared to nasal breathers.
Some things to look for at night during your child’s sleep:
• Is your child restless at night? Do they wake up often?
• Do they snore more than three times a week?
• Do they wet their bed?
• Is their breathing interrupted by gasps? Are their shoulders and chest moving during breathing, rather than their diaphragm?
• Are they breathing through their mouth?
During the day, look for excessive sleepiness. Was it difficult for the child to arise in the morning? Do they have any learning, social, or behavior problems? Do they mouth-breathe during the day?
Here are some suggestions if you’re concerned about your child’s snoring:
• Videotape your child while sleeping, and show their pediatrician. Early intervention is extremely important.
• Remove all possible allergens from their bed, such as stuffed animals and down-filled pillows.
• A referral to a pediatric ear, nose and throat doctor may be necessary.
• Bring your concern to your dentist’s attention.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding your child’s snoring or sleep, please call Dr. Mindy Salzberg-Siegel.
Q: Can frequent massage experiences help manage and prevent pain?
A: Both relaxing and restorative, massage techniques can melt away your stress and boost your energy, sleep quality, and immune system — leading to less pain, as well as improved overall health and wellness.
Deep-tissue massage targets specific muscles with direct, deep pressure and stretches. Muscle tension is released, allowing the delivery of oxygen, blood, and nutrients to each cell. Soothing tensed muscles helps prevent injuries, reduce chronic muscular pain, decrease inflammation-related pain, and accelerate the rehabilitation of injuries. Swedish full-body massage uses broad, sweeping strokes with other gentle-yet-effective techniques for relaxation, pain relief, and improved muscle tone and joint flexibility.
Massage and bodywork techniques also stimulate your brain to produce endorphins that work as the body’s natural painkiller and help reduce dependence on pain medication. After a single session of massage, you’ll feel the rejuvenating effects within the body and mind.
Adopting the habit of having regular and frequent massage helps maintain and enhance the results, allowing for a continuum of self-care. At Spa Mariana, VIP Spa Memberships and Monthly Massage Memberships are available to assist you in living a life of less pain and discomfort, greater health, improved energy, and an increased sense of happiness and well-being.
6447 Inkster Rd.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
P: 248-792-2050
spamariana.com
|
|