Pain Relief Comes in Many Forms - Bio-Structural Integration™ and LILT

Pain relief comes in many forms, but they're not always easy to find.

Sir Willam Osler, former professor of medicine at McGill and John Hopkins Universities once remarked, "A doctor does not fully understand a disease until he suffers from it."

Due to a recent illness, I couldn't agree more.

During Arthritis Month, I wrote a column about osteoarthritis, how it is possible to decrease the risk by losing weight, taking vitamin C to manufacture collagen (the major component of cartilage), and using your two legs to pump nutrients into damaged cartilage.

It's ironic that a few weeks later, I suddenly developed increased pain in one hip. Then one morning I could hardly walk, even with the help of a cane. Osler was right. You have to experience pain to know how crippling and soul-destroying it can be.

I believed that time and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs would cure me. I was wrong. Finally, I consulted an orthopedic surgeon, who wondered if I'd suffered an undetected fracture after a recent fall during a trip, or possibly had a bone malignancy. But tests showed osteoarthritis, not enough for a hip replacement.

While this was going on, I noticed an ad on TV during the U.S. Open tennis matches. Former tennis star Billie Jean King was stating authoritatively that playing tennis can fight pain. That's a very misleading remark. If Billie Jean had handed me the racket a few weeks ago and told me to play tennis to relieve pain, I might have said some unsporting things to her.

What she didn't acknowledge to viewers were her two knee replacements. I'll bet she wasn't hitting tennis balls before surgery relieved her agony. I totally agree that exercise can help decrease the risk of arthritis. But once acute pain strikes, patients are unable to exercise. The pain is simply too severe. Osler knew that, and so do I.

Moreover, there aren't a lot of options to relieve arthritic pain. I found anti-inflammatory drugs of no help. Neither were a couple of drinks at 5 o'clock. But at least these made me happier.

So what to do?  I once again relied on Dr. Fred Kahn, founder of Meditech in Toronto, and a pioneer in the use of low intensity laser therapy (LILT). Several years ago this treatment gradually eased spinal pain and saved me from surgery when I suffered a ruptured disk.

LILT is now used to treat a number of conditions, such as chronic and acute back pain, sciatica, tender joints due to arthritis or injury and other orthopedic conditions. I'm convinced this non-invasive therapy can spare many patients from the surgeon's scalpel.

How does low intensity laser therapy work?

Dr. Kahn says,

"LILT gives a jump start to the body's natural healing process. It delivers energy to the tissues that is then transformed into biochemical energy. This decreases swelling, accelerates healing and increases the pain threshold. LILT also triggers the release of endorphins, morphine-like substances that inhibit pain sensation. It also increases cortisol, the forerunner of cortisone and angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels."

So what was the result of my call? I limped with difficulty to Dr. Kahn's clinic in downtown Toronto for several days. But pain continued and I began to wonder if this time LILT would fail. Dr. Kahn, however, is a very persuasive physician. He urged me to continue. By his 12th treatment, pain began to subside and I was able to discard my cane. Now I'm back to work.

Today, arthritis is the leading cause of disability affecting 50 million North Americans. I don't know how many of these sufferers could be helped by LILT, as no therapy cures everyone. But it is non-invasive, does no harm, and I've seen many patients helped by it. And the sooner osteoarthritis and other painful conditions are treated, the better the result.

LILT is not available in all parts of the country and unfortunately treatment is not covered by government health plans. ...  - by Dr. W. Gifford-Jones, The Saturday Sun, First posted: Saturday, September 24, 2011 02:00 AM EDT http://www.docgiff.com/

LILT is available at Osteoklinika and forms part of our Bio-Structural Integration™ treatment!

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810.  Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™ at Osteoklinika!  

Laser Therapy and The Benefits of Bio-Structural Integration™

As part of our Bio-Structural Integration™ process we use this amazing technology!

What is Laser Therapy? (Low Intensity Laser)
                     
The technology utilizes super luminous and laser diodes to irradiate diseased or traumatized tissue with photons. These particles of energy are selectively absorbed by the cell membrane and intracellular molecules, resulting in the initiation of a cascade of complex physiological reactions, leading to the restoration of normal cell structure and function.

The process is curative and therefore results in the elimination of symptoms including pain. In addition, it enhances the body's immune system response and facilitates natural healing.

The therapy is completely safe and has no adverse side effects.

The technology is highly effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, arthritis, sports injuries, wound healing and a wide range of dermatological conditions.

What are the Clinical Benefits of Laser Therapy? 

Highly effective for many disease conditions Eliminates pain Reduces the need for pharmaceuticals Restores normal range of motion and physical function Easily applied Non-invasive Non-toxic No known adverse effects No drug interactions Often makes surgical interventions unnecessary Provides a treatment alternative for patients that have not responded to conventional therapies production and release of Endorphins - natural analgesics Cortisol - precursor of cortisone Growth hormone - instrumental in tissue repair ATP - improves and regulates cellular metabolism In addition, there is - Increased protein synthesis - collagen, DNA, fibroblasts Venous and lymphatic flow facilitated Increased angiogenesis - elevation of oxygen saturation Enhanced immune response, etc. These are just some of the many processes that accelerate cellular regeneration (cartilage, epithelium) and restore normal cell morphology and function. "To me, at this point in time, it would almost be medical negligence bordering on medical malpractice not to try laser treatment before prescribing drugs or surgery for conditions such as these. ..." Dr. Phil Harrington For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810.  Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™.

Bio-Structural Integration™: Osteoarthritis

Did You Know?

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis; it affects one in 10 Canadian adults.

• It affects women and men equally (past 60).

• Anyone can get OA, but it is more common as we age.

There is no cure for OA, but when you are diagnosed early and start the right treatment, you can take control of your disease and may delay or even avoid severe damage to your joints.

Nothing lasts forever, including your joints. Decades of running, jumping, kneeling, and climbing stairs eventually wears down their cushioning cartilage, leaving bone rubbing painfully against bone. When joint cartilage erodes, joints become stiff, swollen, and arthritic.

Contrary to common belief osteoarthritis does not create inflammation in the joints and it is not a hereditary condition.

It is the result of chronic inflammation around a joint that the body can't heal on its own. The wear and tear caused by misalignment of the joints, tightness of the muscles and connective tissues and congestion of inflammatory fluids around the joints results in a reaction of the Central Nervous System to strengthen the compacted bones with deposits of calcium.

If this process goes uncontrolled it will lead to the destruction of cartilage and bone!

Living with a chronic disease like arthritis can be very frustrating, especially if the medications prescribed by your doctor don't seem to have the desired effect. In these instances, it can be tempting to exhaust all possible solutions for bringing your pain under control. A popular option for many people with arthritis is complementary and alternative therapies, which are treatments that fall outside the scope of traditional medicine. Examples include osteopathy, laser therapy, naturopathic medicine, special herbs, acupuncture, yoga and meditation.

Bio-Structural Integration™ realigns the joints using Osteopathic Structural Adjustments and Neuromuscular Massage Therapy to release muscular and ligamentous tension.

BioFlex Laser Therapy when used consecutively heals chronic inflammation by triggering numerous positive physiological reactions at the cellular level. This in turn aids in the structural stabilization of the joints and reduction of pain. In the absence of inflammation and when proper alignment of the body is achieved osteoarthritic changes will not form.

In the next step I recommend Rehab Yoga exercises. This, taught by a Certified Yoga Teacher, further assists in creating better range of motion and reduction of joint stiffness. These modified Yoga poses will stretch and strengthen muscle and connective tissue surrounding the joints.

My method of Bio-Structural Integration™ is designed to improve the quality of your life in a much shorter time compared to other alternative therapies. It is drug-free, safe and doesn't cause any negative reactions.

You can choose to feel this way!

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810.  Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™!  

Bio-Structural Integration™ Includes Rehabilitative Yoga!

Rehabilitative yoga or restorative yoga is a gentle, relaxing practice using supported asanas (poses) and simple yoga props such as bolsters, pillows and blankets.

Props create a safe and supportive environment allowing for release and relaxation of the body/mind.

Slow, deep breathing with enable you to completely relax, revitalize and restore energy.


State of Being - State of Doing

The complete relaxation response allows for the release of deeply held tensions while strengthening the immune system.  It encourages a state of being rather than doing, therefore it is beneficial to our clients who have suffered chronic pain and who need a more gentle yoga experience.

Rehabilitative yoga is highly effective after receiving pain treatment and immediately after healing from injury and dealing with the fear of re-injury!   

 

At Osteoklinika, our Bio-Structural Integration™ program includes an one on one yoga "treatment" from our Yoga therapist and free Yoga for one month at Hot Yoga Wellness.

Clients have been amazed at the results, especially those who had no yoga experience or had fear around the yoga experience.

No more Fear!

Please call us at Osteoklinika about our pain and stress management techniques.

For more information, Andrew and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810.  Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about what we do at Osteoklinika!