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Pain Management
Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Physiotherapy together are very powerful treatments for acute and chronic pain. Most of our patients see complete or partial relief of their pain in six treatments or less. If your condition could benefit from additional pain management procedures, Dr. Brown will refer you to another doctor for those services. He will not just keep treating you three times a week forever like most Chiropractors. There are many procedures, such as Prolotherapy, that are available to treat stubborn painful conditions that do not involve massive doses of cortisone and prescription drugs. Unfortunately, the average person in our society has never heard of these procedures. These procedures are most effective when integrated with treatment in our office. Listed below are some additional procedures that Dr. Brown may recommend that you combine with treatment in our office:
Prolotherapy
"Prolo" is short for proliferation. Prolotherapy injections cause the proliferation (growth, formation) of new ligament/tendon tissue in areas where it has become weak. Ligaments are the structural "rubber bands" that hold bones to bones in joints. Ligaments can become weak or injured and may not heal back to their original strength or endurance. This is largely because the blood supply to ligaments is limited, and therefore healing is slow and not always complete. To further complicate this, ligaments also have many nerve endings and therefore the person will feel pain at the areas where the ligaments are damaged or loose. Tendons are the name given to tissue which connects muscles to bones, and in the same manner tendons may also become injured, and cause pain. The prolotherapy injection consists of a mixture of Dextrose, Lidocaine and Sarapin, which is injected into the ligament or tendon where it attaches to the bone. This causes a localized reaction that stimulates the tissue to repair itself. The majority of patients treated with prolotherapy respond within 4-6 treatments, some more, some less, depending on the health and vitality of the patient. Dr. Brown is a Prolotherapy patient himself and he highly recommends this procedure.
Neural Therapy
Neural Therapy is a conservative, non-surgical procedure that treats chronic neck and low back pain. The majority of adults will experience some type of acute pain condition. For many patients, these episodes will resolve in a few weeks. However, in some cases, these short-term episodes turn into chronic, recurring pain, thought to be caused by increased sensitization of the nerve cells that transmit pain signals. As a result, many of these patients progress to a persistent pain pattern that can last for many years. Treatment options for these patients usually consist of strong pain medications, invasive spinal procedures and surgery. Now there is a much less invasive treatment option available - Neural Therapy. Using innovative injection techniques, FDA-Approved medications are delivered directly to the deep tissues near the spine in order to reach the nerve pathways that transmit pain. It is believed that this type of stimulation alters the abnormal sensitivity of the nerves that give rise to chronic pain.
Trigger Point Injections
The treatment consists of injecting a local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication into a localized area of muscle spasm and pain. The injections are used to break the cycle of muscle spasm and pain. The procedure usually involves little discomfort and can be repeated on an occasional basis. Most trigger-points are improved within 2 to 3 injections and best results are obtained by using some form of muscle therapy and strength training along with the injections.
Platelet Therapy
Platelet therapy is a huge advance in the treatment of the source of pain. This treatment stimulates tissue healing in areas with more severe injuries with degenerative changes. Our platelets contain "Growth Factors" that stimulates healing at a genetic level, activating the growth of ligaments, tendons and cartilage. A patient's blood is drawn and the platelets separated by a computerized centrifuge. The platelets are injected into ligament strains, tendinosis, and within joint capsules and around cartilage.
Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is the technology of administering medicines into the skin (3-5mm). This allows a small amount of medication to be very effective to the treated area without affecting the rest of the body. The technique was originated in France by Dr. Michel Pistor in the 1950's. Mesotherapy spread quickly thereafter. Dr. Pistor became successful at treating certain types of hearing loss with intradermal injections of procaine around the ear. Dr. Pistor founded medical organizations and wrote books about mesotherapy in France, where it is now considered to be a part of mainstream medicine. Mesotherapy is one of the fastest spreading medical techniques in the world due to its success in treating cellulite, spot adipose reduction, and facial rejuvenation capabilities. Intradermal therapies are used to treat professional athletes because little to no down-time is needed after the procedure.
Prescription Medications
Sometimes people need pain medications. If you are tired of your doctor overprescribing, underprescribing or prescribing the wrong medications for you, Dr. Brown works with doctors who will write the proper prescriptions in the proper dosages. Our ultimate goal is to get you off medications, not keep you on them forever. Pain medications, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants can be part of an overall treatment plan to reduce and eliminate the need for medications.
Insurance Coverage
Prolotherapy and the other alternative pain management procedures above are not normally covered by health insurance. However, prescription medications used in conjunction with these procedures are normally covered by health insurance.
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Integrative Medicine of Scottsdale, PLLC
Dr. Brown is currently enrolled at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe to earn his Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) degree. As an NMD, Dr. Brown will be licensed to perform Prolotherapy and the other procedures described above and to prescribe medications. Until then, if Dr. Brown determines you are a candidate for the procedures described above, we recommend Dr. Strom at Integrative Medicine of Scottsdale, PLLC*.
Dr. Strom is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) who practices with an emphasis on Pain Management. He is licensed to perform Prolotherapy and the other procedures described above and to prescribe medications. He practiced as a Doctor of Chiropractic for 12 years, so he understands how to integrate medical procedures with the treatments in our office. He and Dr. Brown work together to resolve painful conditions as quickly as possible. You can visit his website at Integrative Medicine of Scottsdale, PLLC.
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*Integrative Medicine of Scottsdale, PLLC is independently owned and operated
and in no way affiliated with Brown Chiropractic & Acupuncture, PC
www.brownchiro.com
Last Modified: Tue, 3 Jan 2006
Copyright © 2006, Brown Chiropractic & Acupuncture PC, Tempe, Arizona
Metro Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, AZ
Pain Management, Physiotherapy, Personal Training, Weight Loss
All Rights Reserved
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