Pain Management Special Advertising Section
They say pain makes you stronger. That may be true of emotional pain, but when a nagging backache keeps you up at night, or recurring headaches affect your ability to concentrate, or the pins and needles of carpal tunnel make you lose your grip, you’re likely to feel weaker, tired and anxious — unless you take action. Pain is a warning signal that something is wrong. If you push through the discomfort or are resigned to put up with it, you place yourself at risk. When addressing pain early, before it leads to injury or becomes a chronic problem, it’s much easier to treat.
Pain is specific to each person, based on their perspective, so everyone’s pain is different. Metro Detroit pain specialists and other physicians offer a wide range of the latest treatments, and they can recommend the most effective options for each patient.
If you suffer from crippling degenerative knee pain, stem cell therapy may be the nonsurgical treatment you’ve been looking for. The patient’s own stem cells are used to regenerate articular cartilage, avoiding the risks of surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. Noninvasive, no-downtime lasers are helping people get back on their feet by speeding recovery from painful conditions such as tendon ruptures and diabetic neuropathy. Chiropractic physicians offer solutions to help relieve pain without surgery or long-term medication. Using sophisticated technology, dentists are addressing teeth and muscles to resolve pain issues, allowing patients to smile again.
There’s no gain from ignoring pain. Talk with your doctor when pain strikes.
Elite Podiatry
Q: Can laser treatments help my pain issues?
A: Noninvasive and painless MLS Laser Therapy effectively treats many painful conditions of the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Dr. Alexsey Kheynson, D.P.M., says the FDA-approved cold laser is nothing less than a miracle for reducing inflammation and for rapid relief of pain.
“In the first two or three sessions, people feel amazing relief. The laser can help to speed up the healing of tendon and ligament ruptures. It works phenomenally for people with neurological pain, especially those with diabetic neuropathy,” he says. “These patients suffer numbness and pins and needles in their feet, sometimes described as ‘hot pokers.’ With the MLS Laser, their pain is gone and they gain most of their feeling back.”
Unlike medications, there are no side effects with the laser. At Elite Podiatry, patients are evaluated by a licensed physician, not a tech or laserologist.
“Pain is not normal,” says Dr. Kheynson, who notes that “weekend warriors” are at risk for injury if they push through the pain or don’t stretch or warm up properly.
“You want to do a warm-up first to get the blood circulating and to feel your heart rate starting to climb. Then you kind of relax and do some good stretches to make sure everything is loosened up before you start your activity,” he says.
Dr. Kheynson and his colleagues recommend a personalized course of treatment for pain issues which may involve laser or physical therapy, trigger-point injections, surgical intervention, or lightweight orthotics that are custom-designed.
Elite Podiatry
James Herman, D.C., D.A.B.C.O.
Q: What can I do to decrease my back pain throughout the day?
A: Clearly, you need to know what’s generating your pain. If your pain is from a mechanical problem with your spine, there are a number of things to try that may help. First, use avoidance. In other words, if bending increases your pain level, don’t bend. The same goes for arching. Second, watch your posture! Small changes in your sitting and standing positions can make a huge difference. Lastly, don’t push through the pain if it’s sharp and stabbing when you change positions. Move slowly and work into the new position gradually. One more — try ice rather than heat, even if the pain has been chronic.
Dr. James Herman
James Herman, D.C., D.A.B.C.O.
Chiropractic Orthopedics
Address: 6431 Inkster Road, Suite 220
Bloomfield Township, MI 48301
Phone: 248-539-0100
Fax: 248-539-0110
Chiropractic Works, PC
Dr. Duncan Mukeku BSc., D.C., D.A.A.M.L.P.
Q: I’ve lived with back pain off and on. How can I find relief?
A: Pain is your body’s way of communicating that something is wrong. It’s like a “check engine” light in your car that shouldn’t be ignored. Instead of living with pain or covering it up with medication, it’s important to find the source of your pain and have it taken care of.
We often see patients with musculoskeletal issues who are on long-term medication use or have been told they need surgery. In most cases, their pain may be caused by misalignment in their spine or joints. We work with orthopedic specialists and spine specialists to help patients avoid surgery and the use of long-term medication. It’s very gratifying to help our patients live a better quality of life.
Chiropractic Works, PC
Oakland MRI
Q: How can Oakland MRI help with my pain issues?
A: Whether you’re sidelined with an injury or suffering chronic pain, you need the most accurate and timely diagnostics. Oakland MRI’s advanced high-definition Tesla imagers and digital X-ray technology provide the highest quality images for diagnosing even the most challenging health conditions. “Open” MRI options cater to patients who are larger-bodied or claustrophobic. The new C-ARM suite offers high-tech imaging for neck, back, and joint pain.
Oakland MRI’s soothing office décor, featuring privately commissioned paintings and sports mementoes, will help you to relax during your visit.
“We pride ourselves in providing the best possible experience for our patients,” says Oakland MRI’s CEO, Susan V. Swider. “Each and every patient is given individualized care in a comfortable and calming environment. Our compassionate staff will treat you as if you’re a guest in our home.”
Be assured that Oakland MRI’s board-certified radiologists will promptly interpret your test results. Your physician can log onto a secure website within 12 hours of testing to access your diagnostic images and detailed reports. Each patient leaves the center with a copy of his or her own images on a compact disc.
When you’re in pain, you don’t want to wait for an appointment. Oakland MRI offers quick and easy scheduling, including next-day appointments and extended hours to accommodate busy schedules. By law, you can choose the diagnostic facility you prefer, Swider points out.
“You deserve an imaging and diagnostic center that will provide you with a comfortable environment, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly trained professionals. Oakland MRI is just the place.”
Oakland MRI
Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center
Q: How can posture alignment improve my backache?
A: Poor posture is the primary cause of neck and back problems, says physical therapist and Pilates instructor Ron Jegadeesh.
“The first thing people notice when they do Pilates is that their posture and alignment have changed. They have a sense of power, grace, elegance of movement, and self-confidence. As the sessions progress, they notice improved flexibility and strength,” Jegadeesh explains. “I also teach postural exercises that the client can do at home or at work. I ask them to make a habit of keeping their body in good alignment as they go about with their daily activities. They learn to sit taller, stand taller, and walk taller.”
Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center
Arbor Dental Associates
Q: Excluding infection or gum disease, what could be the cause of my tooth pain?
A: Tooth pain can be triggered by hyperactive musculature in the head and neck. As part of a comprehensive patient exam, Dr. Christopher Paulson palpates muscles to check for trigger points that can lead to tooth pain or TMJ pain. He also does a thorough bite analysis to identify any potential pain trigger issues.
“We use Doppler ultrasound to listen to the jaw joints for clicks or pops. This helps us to potentially determine whether there’s a TMJ breakdown or dislocation. Changes in the joint itself can affect the bite — which, in turn, could cause tooth pain, jaw pain, and headaches,” says Dr. Paulson, who takes a preventive approach to pain with his patients.
“We look at the bite to see if it’s equalized, or if the forces need to be redistributed. An overload on a single tooth by even three-tenths of a millimeter can create a pain cascade in the mouth, head, and neck. When we find discrepancies that we can’t treat with a dental solution, we refer patients to physical therapy for a medical solution.”
Arbor Dental Associates
Avery Arora, M.D.
Q: What are some common sources of hand pain, and the options for treatment?
A: Painful conditions of the hand are often related to arthritis, tendon problems, or nerve disorders, says Dr. Avery Arora, a board-certified hand surgeon who offers both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.
“Carpal tunnel is by far the most common problem I see. Patients complain of numbness, ‘pins and needles’ or a swollen feeling in the hand that can sometimes radiate up the arm and wake them at night. They may have difficulty with their grip and find themselves dropping things,” Dr. Arora says. “The nerve in the area of the wrist is compressed, due to anatomy or inflammation. Conservative treatment involves splinting at night, and sometimes therapy or injections — but most often, patients benefit from surgery. It’s important to address the problem early to prevent permanent loss of hand function.”
Trigger finger can be a very painful condition whereby an individual’s finger is stuck in a bent position due to thickening of the tendon or its surrounding sheath. The finger can snap and suddenly straighten, or it may need to be manually straightened. Trigger finger is typically treated with steroid injections, but it may require surgery.
Arthritic pain in the hand often presents at the point where the thumb meets the wrist, Dr. Arora says. “It’s related to overuse. The first line of treatment is splinting, to immobilize the joint, and avoidance of activities that can irritate the joint,” he explains. “When pain persists, steroid injections can provide long-term relief in the majority of patients. If the maximum number of injections is exhausted, then surgical treatment is the next step.”
Avery Arora, MD
The Lakeside Center for Implant Dentistry
Alan F. Robinson, D.D.S., PC
Q: I’m having pain due to my loose dentures, and I’m embarrassed when the dentures slip as I’m talking. What can be done?
A: You’re not alone in your struggle with your dentures. Fortunately, this problem can be solved by stabilizing your dentures with Minimally Invasive Dental Implants that allow your dentures to snap into place and stay there. These comfortable and affordable implants can be placed in a single short visit, without incisions or stitches. You can enjoy eating your favorite foods and feel confident smiling and speaking in public again. Minimally Invasive Dental Implants can also be used to anchor permanent crowns to replace single or multiple missing teeth. In as little as one visit, you can improve your smile and experience an enhanced quality of life.
Alan F. Robinson, D.D.S, P.C.
Right at Home
Kristina Mazzie, R.N.
Q: Isn’t it normal to have more trouble with pain as we get older?
A: As we age, we should not accept pain as being normal. For example, pain in joints and while walking may be caused by arthritis or other treatable musculoskeletal conditions. Left untreated, the pain may compromise our ability to move easily in our environment, resulting in a loss of independence.
Often, our elderly loved ones don’t want to bother us with the pains they’re experiencing. If your loved one receives services from Right at Home, know that our caregivers are trained to note changes and will alert the client and family, so proper treatment can be sought and problems averted. Another concerned set of eyes on your loved one can be so valuable.
Right at Home Home Care
Address: 903 N. Main Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: 248-629-1330
Fax: 248-629-1331
Website: rahcare.com
GENEMEDICS
Q: Are There Natural Alternatives to Help Control Your Pain?
A: Natural alternatives such as Glucosamine, Boswellin, and Curcumin can help relieve various types of pain. Often, these natural alternatives can do so more effectively than prescription medications, and they have fewer side effects. Many have also been shown to have cancer-protective properties, anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidant properties, as well as other health benefits.
Medical studies have shown that Glucosamine Sulfate is more effective than Ibuprofen (i.e. Motrin) for pain caused by osteoarthritis. One study showed that 1,200 mg of Ibuprofen per day relieved pain more effectively in the first two weeks, but 1,500 mg per day of Glucosamine Sulfate reduced pain much more than the Ibuprofen after eight weeks.
The physicians at Genemedics Health Institute use the highest quality nutraceuticals on the market, which are guaranteed to give you the best results. You can shop for Genemedics Nutrition products (including Glucosamine-containing Joint Health or Turmeric/Curcumin containing Bio-Curcumin) at www.genemedicsnutrition.com, or call 800-277-4041 to set up a free consultation with a medical doctor.
Genemedics Health Institute
Stem Cell Therapeutics
Kevin Crawford, D.O., David Jankowski, D.O.
Q: My doctor said I need knee surgery. Is there an alternative treatment that doesn’t require a painful and lengthy rehabilitation?
A: Stem cell therapy is a breakthrough treatment for people who have chronic degenerative knee pain. We remove stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow and then inject those cells into the damaged knee joint to regrow articular cartilage that has worn down.
This brief outpatient procedure is safe, essentially pain-free, and requires little or no downtime. Patients have reported quick and progressive improvement. We were the first recipients of our treatment, and have personally experienced the benefits.
Stem cell therapy is a one-time procedure for potentially lifelong cartilage replacement. We’re the first in Michigan to offer this therapy, and we’re eager to begin treatment in other joints of the body.
Stem Cell Therapeutics
Stem Cell Injections
Address: 751 Chestnut, Suite 203, Birmingham, MI 48009
Phone: 248-712-4641
Website: www.stemcelltherapeutics.com
Theodore C. Hadgis, D.D.S., PC
Q: What is a neuromuscular dental approach to treating pain?
A: Headaches, migraines, facial pain, neck aches, and shoulder aches can often be related to a bite that is out of alignment. Dr. Theodore Hadgis utilizes noninvasive, cutting-edge technology to evaluate and treat both the teeth and the muscles to address these issues. Computerized tracking devices evaluate jaw movement and can identify irregularities.
“We use T-scan computerized occlusal analysis to precisely evaluate the patient’s bite.
As the patient bites down on a sensor, information is displayed on the timing and forces of the bite, and any disharmonies, so we can make any necessary adjustments,” he explains. “We also use a TENS machine. It delivers mild, low-frequency impulses that flush out buildups of lactic acid from the jaw muscles to help the jaw relax in its most natural position.
“When using a neuromuscular dental approach,” Dr. Hadgis says, “we give our patients beautiful, functional, pain-free smiles.”
Theodore C. Hadgis, D.D.S., PC
Danielson Endodontics
Q: What is the endodontic experience?
A: When you have pain and inflammation in the mouth, your stress level skyrockets — and you worry it will hurt even more if you have to have a root canal.
At Danielson Endodontics, the goal is to make patients feel as comfortable as possible and to reduce their anxiety levels.
“Everyone on our dental team is knowledgeable and eager to assist patients with any concerns,” says Dr. Nils Danielson, D.D.S., M.S., M.S. “We educate our patients about the procedure, answer any questions and, if they choose, we explain the process step-by-step to take away the fear factor of the unknown.”
Patients learn that they are in control. The treatment session will not continue if something doesn’t feel right or is uncomfortable.
“The profound dental anesthesia that we provide is at the base of what allows patients to be relaxed and pain-free,” Dr. Danielson says. “Nervous patients can sometimes benefit from oral sedation combined with inhalation sedation. We use local anesthetics to thoroughly numb the area being treated.”
With state-of-the-art equipment, root canal therapy is performed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Patients receive the care they need in a friendly and supportive environment.
“Often, I find myself singing during a procedure. It’s not the best singing,” Dr. Danielson says, laughing. “My dental staff and I might joke about life scenarios that have happened to us. Patients have said they enjoyed listening, and that our banter relaxed them and they forgot about their tooth.
“By focusing on the individual patient’s needs, we create the best endodontic experience.”
Danielson Endodontics
Arnold Gross, DPM, PC,
Eric Foreman, DPM
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