Explore and Live in a World Without Pain

About 5 years ago I sought acupuncture for severe low back pain.

And I only did so after all other Western medicines had failed to significantly alleviate my daily back pain.  For me, it is true that combinations of physical therapy, diet, body weight maintenance, pharmaceuticals and exercise do help.  But when you have substantial physical and physiological damage in bone and soft tissue which includes tendons, ligaments and muscle, you’ll always feel a certain amount of acute to varying chronic pain.  For those that go under the knife to correct and alleviate pain, you are also at risk of creating more pain.  Each one of us must weigh the benefit to risk ratio of surgery vs. quality living and pain management.  And in the best case surgical scenarios, significant pain relief can be experienced but not guaranteed.

Because of my unique pain story, I prefer to work around the pain trigger points through daily exercise while trying different types of therapeutic pain management programs as opposed to more surgery.  As I stated, there is no guarantee that surgery will provide a pain free experience.  With that being said, I ventured into acupuncture.  At that point in my life I would have tried any type of therapeutic pain modality to relieve my pain whether I believed in it or not.  And at that time acupuncture was something I didn’t have a lot of faith in, but I was running short of options to relieve my low back pain.  Also, at the time, surgery was too risky for me because the probability of a worst case scenario was great.

My thoughts on acupuncture and to this day, I’m not sure how it really works, but I’ve mentally focused on electrical energy flowing throughout my body to assist in the healing power.  I do know our bodies have this “Chi” energy force that travels throughout our neurological highways where energy flow becomes blocked through illness, disease and injury which creates pain.  And when acupuncture needles are inserted at various points along these energy Chi meridian pathways: energy flow that was once blocked can become unblocked.  And if these highways become unblocked your pain can be substantially alleviated.  In various cultures this energy is not only called, or known as Chi, this life energy is also known as Prana, life force, Spirit, subtle and vital energy to name a few.

For me personally, acupuncture provides pain alleviation.  I can only explain it like this, I think of my body as an electrical circuit that has shorted somewhere and is giving me pain.  I know if I can remove the shorted circuit through another parallel neurological highway I can turn off much of the pain that would otherwise be signaled back to my brain.  If you’ve had injury, the damage is still there, however, the pain signal can be turned off.

This is easy for me to visualize through my mind’s eye.  Since I have an electrical background and physiological knowledge of the body these two things appear to allow my mind to accept this healing process; regardless of whether medical science has figured out a way to prove this in trial studies.  Which to date, they have not.

Many scientists consider acupuncture a pseudoscience because it cannot be proven through Western medical scientific trial the benefit of the needles, preparatory relaxation-meditation vs. variations of protocol needle insert techniques etc.   Also under what conditions it works, or what causes it to work for some but not others.  I can completely understand the difficulty of creating a blind study where test patients wouldn’t know whether a needle was sticking them for example, while others in the study were actually stuck in order to understand the significance of the skin penetration vs. no penetration and pain alleviation benefit.

I believe if you believe something is possible, through the psychosomatic (mind/body) healing relationship, the portion of the brain that allows healing through belief and visualization also allows healing of the body through the many electrical meridian circuits throughout the body.   Understanding this relationship allows those like I to channel acupuncture needle point connections to flow energy one way while diverting it from signaling pain back to the brain.

I will tell you there are different techniques used by acupuncturists when getting stuck with these tiny micro-thin needles.  Five years ago, I experienced two different aggressive styles of Chinese acupuncture that when these needles were manipulated into my low back caused great pain when setting the needles.  Thereafter, electrical current was added through wire leads with electrical source equipment sending pulsating electrical stimulation.  Although low voltage electricity is added within some therapy sessions, this is not always the case or necessary for acupuncture to work.

When I first experienced acupuncture, the hard manipulative needle insertion technique although painful seemed to turn-off a lot of the severe pain at the time.  After 10 sessions I called it good.  And because of the tenth session where a needle hit a sensitive nerve in my low back causing me to jolt, which was followed by a back spasm.  I didn’t go back after that.  This is because I hyper extended my low back while lying face down on the table.  Man, did that hurt; I was sweating bullets while that needle was manipulated into place.  I did finish that therapy session.

Thereafter and rightfully so, I had fear of going back to an acupuncturist and didn’t ask for another referral.  However, years later with a bit more education under my belt, I sought out a soft Chinese style acupuncturist that focused on various modalities prior to needle insertion.  Sensitive areas of the body to touch do much better with a soft style preparation acupuncturist prior to needle insertion.  Very light massage, relaxation and suction cup appearing devices to increase blood circulation allow for easy insertion without needle manipulation in hyper-sensitive painful areas using a shallow needle insertion technique.  Thereafter electro stimulation to the needles is applied in some sessions while not others.  This technique works well for me to remove the severe pain.

You ask why I went back after a jolt that hurt my back 5 years ago.  Because, even after that experience, I knew I received a pain relief benefit, before and after the jolt.  The years following that session, I knew I received significant pain relief.  To this day, my back is more pain free than had I not received any acupuncture.  Yet when you look at my x-rays and MRI’s, the injury sites throughout my back continue to worsen.  I don’t want the surgery if I can continue to manage the pain with various pain relief techniques.  So I figured, why not give it another shot.  Life must continue on, so I look for therapy that works in order to avoid surgery, so I can stay productive.

As of recent, I’ve gone through another series of acupuncture using the shallow needle penetration with suction cups, and electrical stimulation to increase blood flow after the needles are set to include meditation prior to and during the session.  The sharp unbearable radiating pain in my neck is gone.  However, the chronic achy dull arthritic pain is always present throughout my back which I can manage.  For me this is significant pain relief for which I’m thankful my health insurance pays.

I’ve read a few blogger sites on the benefits/to no benefits of using acupuncture.  The feelings on acupuncture are mixed throughout the medical and general community.  It’s considered by many that believe in Eastern medicine modalities as a valued natural science that can heal and alleviate pain and cure disease.  To Western medicine practitioners, many professionals and lay persons believe at best acupuncture is a pseudoscience that’s falls into categories more like magic and faith healing.

Instead of trying to convince you that acupuncture works, I think it is best to leave you with the following insight.  Like Pranic healing (link listed below), there is much our modern medical science does not understand and has no way to prove through clinical trials how life “Chi” energy actually heals and alleviates pain.  But to make a comparison of the misunderstood not too long ago, one must simply recall the thought process, “it was impossible for man to fly, let alone sore through space and land on the moon.”  Or, until Penicillin as an effective antibiotic was discovered; many with serious disease through infection were doomed to die with no hope of a cure.  During the times, these beliefs could think no other way with any solution that would ever change the outcome until science proved otherwise many years later.

I believe there is much in the world science does not understand about the human mind and body.  Let me give you one more relevant example.  It has long been said people on earth only use 10% of their brains capacity.   This too is controversial due to the “natural selection” concept.  Since the brain tissue has metabolically evolved throughout time, and to lose 90% of capacity would have catastrophic consequences on the human regulation of the body is the controversy in dispelling the 10% brain capacity use.

So maybe we are using a 100% of metabolic brain function, but maybe not 100% healing function within another part of the brain.  Is this line of reasoning possible?  Of course it is.  But then again, how do you prove this scientifically?  As of to date, science can’t.  So in relating this line of reasoning to the naysayer’s; acupuncture is just as valid for those that believe it works, so it works!  Just because a scientific relative blind study to prove it works has not been accomplished to date, does not mean it doesn’t work.  Science to date does not have the knowledge to empirically prove it.

Let’s assume our brains have room to evolve to make use of our Chi energy, even though science cannot tell you how it works for sure.  So if we dare to think there is room for evolving of the brain-body connection, we could think the following:  if science does not know how the healing Chi energy works using needles, there is no way to test each of our healing brain-body connections.  Each one of us that experiences a pain relief benefit may use a different part of the brain, brain function, or cognitive skill connection to the body when the needles are inserted, which activate the healing life force connection.  This would explain why it works for some and not others.  Others may be more or less in touch with this part of the healing brain-body connection.  I’m not sure how science would test these variables in a blind study.  Here lies the empirical sample test dilemma in proving the healing benefits connection using acupuncture.

So I’d say to you, if you have severe pain and have exhausted Western medicine resources, regardless of the negative opinion about acupuncture, what have you got to lose?  What doesn’t work for others may work for you?  You may have the ability to unlock a Chi force that is hidden within 90% of an untapped brain function that others like I are able to unlock.  And consider this, there must be some validity to it because many HMO practitioners refer pain patients to acupuncturists whether they completely believe in it or not.  And many health insurers cover the cost!  So there must be something to it.

I know surgery and/or chiropractics is not the answer for “my” pain relief without causing further damage to my weight bearing structure.  I’ve been able to avoid much of the pain pitfalls that these two practices, had I accepted the referrals and treatments may have worsened my pain story.  The key is, get more than one, or two opinions before you do something radical if you have a choice.  You cannot reverse damage caused through over manipulation of bone, tendon and ligaments, and a surgery that went bad.

I believe one day science will prove through relative and valid empirical trials how and why acupuncture works for many patients.  But like Einstein’s Theory of Relativity “Time was no longer uniform and absolute.” Physics could no longer be understood as space by itself, hence space and time was also dependant on velocity.  Until this time Isaac Newton’s physics and astronomy stood as a 200-year-old theory of mechanics.  So you see through time man evolves in many different depths of knowledge and understanding within the world we live, as well as the bodies we live in.

Listed below, I’ve left some links that further explain how acupuncture and Pranic healing may help you to alleviate your pain by activating a part of your brain that to date is unexplained scientifically, but for many this healing practice works.

If you want to try acupuncture and your primary physician does not believe in it, and won’t refer you, or it’s not covered in your health insurance program, there are 3 things you can do.  During your employer annual health insurance selections pick a provider or policy that covers acupuncture within its listed services.  Or, if you have coverage for this service, but your referring physician does not believe in acupuncture and won’t refer you, request a new primary care physician.  Or request from your current primary care physician to be referred to a physiatrist.  Physiatrists are pain management specialists with an arsenal of pain modality resources for which one, if covered by your HMO will refer you to an acupuncturist if you’re willing to give it a try.

References:

Woodard, Marc.  Why a Physiatrist Offers the Best Rehabilitative Course.  Mirror Athlete’s Fitness Secrets!  June 23, 2011. http://mirrorathlete.com/blog/2011/06/23/why-a-physiatrist-offers-the-best-rehabilitative-course/

Craig, Gary.  Acupuncture Meridians Pathways of Chi Energy.  Healing with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques.  Website: http://www.healing-with-eft.com/acupuncture-meridians.html

Woodard, Marc.  What is Pranic Healing and Does it Work?  Mirror Athlete’s Fitness Secrets! July 23, 2010. http://mirrorathlete.com/blog/2010/07/23/what-is-pranic-healing-and-does-it-work/

Novella, Steven.  Does Acupuncture Work or Not?  Neurologica blog.  Sep 25, 2007.http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/does-acupuncture-work-or-not/

Woodamarc.  “Pain Depression Origins.” HubPages.  http://woodamarc.hubpages.com/hub/Pain-Depression-Origins

Physiotherapy Adelaide Site.  How Does Acupuncture Work?  Copyright 2011. http://www.howdoesacupuncturework.com/

Do We Use all of our Brain Power?  Google answer site. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/751682.html

Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: http://www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

Memories in Life are Precious

For those of you that have severe chronic pain and are considering the use of Fentanyl patches there are some considerations you may, or may not be aware.

Fentanyl was first synthesized and labeled by Janssen Parmaceutica in 1959.  The first intravenous anesthetic trade name of Fentanyl was Sublimaze.  Then following a series of mid-1990’s clinical trials a product was produced and marketed as a Duragesic alcohol gel infused patches.  These patches then were made available to patients with varing prescription dosages of fentanyl; time released to relieve chronic pain.  The patch is designed to release a specified dosage of the drug continuously for 48-72hours for chronic pain patients.

Thereafter, other pain relief products followed that included flavored lollipops with citrate mixed inert fillers under the name of Actiq (fentanyl oral transmucosal devices) and Onsolis (fentanyl buccal soluble film).  Also dosing is different if switching back and forth from Fentora to Onsolis.  For example, Fentora and Onsolis are given at lower levels than Actiq.

How does the patch work?  When the patch is adhered to the surface of the skin, the pain killer is absorbed where the opiate enters the blood stream.  Who gets the prescription?  Those that have painful cancerous condition, postoperative pain, or chronic pain conditions, such as constant low back pain are patients that use these patches.

How should you use fentanyl?  Never use more than what is prescribed in dose and frequency.  To use outside of the prescription can be extremely harmful to your health.  This pain medication when used correctly is very effective in controlling pain, but when used incorrectly can produce fatal results.

A huge problem now exists with abuse and addiction regarding fentanyl products.  These patches are entering the marketplace where illicit use of the patch is having deadly consequences due to the highly euphoric and addictive drug properties.  When the time released gel is removed from its blister pack and the gel material is consumed, or users double up on patches adhered to the skins surface, the health effects can be very serious.    For example, in 2005 Florida’s Dept. of Law Enforcement statistics show the patch resulted in 115 deaths.  And throughout the nation in recent years these numbers are up.

Since this pain killer can be 100 times more potent than morphine, drug dealers seek this stuff to provide their customers a quick high.  Inappropriate use of these patches combined with other drugs has also created a patient addiction, or street demand to turn a slow-release form of powerful pain killer into a dangerous high that can produce deadly results.

Tablets, sprays and popsicles were produced to treat and quickly alleviate sudden (breakthrough) cancer pain in patients that already had a high tolerance to strong narcotic pain medications, such as morphine.  If those on the street obtain fentanyl for a euphoric high and don’t understand the use, they can experience respiratory failure and death.

To date there are 12 different analogous (similar structure and in function to fentanyl) with various strengths under different labels ranging from 10 – 10,000 times more powerful than morphine.  For example, Carfentanil (Wildnil) has an analgesic potency 10,000 times that of morphine and is used to sedate very large animals.  Where Sufentanil (Sufenta) has an analgesic effect that is 5 to 10 times more potent than fentanyl and is used for specific surgeries on patients that are opioid tolerant.

These drugs because of potency have become ever more attractive to drug dealers because of the small volume it takes to produce a drug high.  This is a huge problem on the street because it is very hard to approximate the dosages to a point that will not cause the user to overdose.  For example, the fentanyl mixes sold on the streets are very difficult to dilute, especially the gel packs, tablets, films and popsicles because of the unknown potency multiplier within various fentanyl products.  And even if one known’s the various product strengths, proper dilution, or cutting of the product is another issue.

And to complicate illicit use is the mixing of fentanyl with other illegal drugs with one of many analogous clandestine products, e.g., heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, or morphine, etc.  And these hybrid drugs cut with fentanyl on the street is known as “China White.”  For the unsuspecting, your heroin purchase may not be what you think it is.  Now drug dealers acquire fentanyl to upgrade their product if they’ve purchased a low-grade heroin for example.  That’s right, now your drug dealer has a new specialty on his/her resume, “pharmaceutical chemist.”  A drug dealing chemist with no ideal about the medical implications of opiate intolerant users, potency of product, let alone understand the combined drug mix incompatibilities and risk to health and life.

Although fentanyl is commonly ingested; like heroin, it can also be smoked, snorted, or injected.  And if a drug dealer sells fentanyl as heroin to an unknowing user, overdosing symptoms can cause a quick depressing effect on the respiratory system because of its fast acting anesthetic effects.  How does the fentanyl end up on the streets?  Although it is not always clear on how someone got their hand on the drug, it has also been reported by patients that their medicine has been stolen, or law enforcement has tracked the drug source as manufactured and distributed from Mexico.

It is clear the patch, tables and other ingested forms of fentanyl when used according to a doctor and manufactures recommendations is safe.  However, law enforcement agencies say the problems are when patients have addictive disorders that cause them to use “any” drug in a way that it was not met to be used.

Patients that are prescribed these patches must also be aware of the following precautions, especially if they are using other medications.  Do not use these patches unless you are already opiate and morphine tolerant, or know you don’t have bad reactions to the following types of pain killers:  Kadian, MS Contin, and others).  Hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), oxycodone (Oxycontin), and Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Only a doctor can determine through patient consultation whether or not you are intolerant.  Also if you use a MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase inhibitor, “antidepressant drugs”) in the last 14 days, a dangerous drug interaction using fentanyl could lead toward serious side effects.  MAOI drugs to be aware of: furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Also, if you have the following medical conditions and before using the patch, tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following:  COPD (Cardio Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), irregular heart rhythm, epilepsy/seizures, depression, hallucinations, kidney/liver disease, low blood pressure, head injury/brain tumor, or a history of alcohol/drug abuse (addiction).  You also must be aware that the medications you use to regulate these conditions may also adversely react to the patch.  Instead of attempting to list all of the possible medications that may cause an adverse reaction with the use of fentanyl, your pain management specialist and medical doctors would be your best source of information and prior to prescription use advisement regarding these matters.

Handling fentanyl and use: do not freeze, or store this medication in warm or humid room conditions.  Use only dry fingers when handling tablets or film.  And do not use a tablet that has been left outside of its blister pack for more than a few minutes.  Simply flush down the toilet.  The FDA working with the manufacturer had determined this method to be the best for disposal to prevent accidental death.  And this type of disposal is only recommended with very few types of prescription drugs due to the lethality if it should be accidentally swallowed by a child.  The human safety aspect outweighs this drugs disposition recommendations compared to disposition instructions of other pharmaceuticals.

And only use 1 tablet or film should be consumed at a time.  When consuming, allow the film, or tablet to dissolve slowly in the mouth, do not chew, suck or swallow it.  Simply allow it to dissolve between your cheek and gum.  To ingest immediately may cause a severe health reaction.  If you feel dizzy, nauseated or bad in general spit the medicine out of your mouth.  Rinse your mouth out well with water and call your doctor.  On the flip side, if your pain doesn’t go away after the first tablet or film and if approved by your pain management specialist when break through pain occurs, wait 2 hours before applying another fentanyl buccal film, and at least 4 hours to treat a new pain episode with fentanyl buccal tablets.

Ensure, if you have pets, children, and you don’t finish a Popsicle type fentanyl pain killer to run hot water over it until completely dissolved.  And if you have extra buccal tablets lock them up.  To not secure these types of medications could potentially kill those that might consume them intentionally or accidentally.  Speak to your doctor if breakthrough pain is occurring more than four times a day while using this medication.  Also do not abruptly stop using this medication as it can have some serious withdraw side effects.  Never share fentanyl with anyone. There is no way you could know the effect the strength of this type of pain killer could have on another individual.  Also, it is not known if fentanyl will harm an unborn baby.

What are the overdose symptoms? Pinpoint pupils, extreme dizziness and weakness, shallow and slow breathing, weak pulse and clammy cold skin.  The side effects of an allergic reaction: hives, and swelling of throat, lips, face and tongue to include difficult breathing.  And the most serious side effects: heavy sweating, hot and dry skin, weak or shallow breathing, rapid heart rate, pale skin and extreme thirst to include concentration difficulties.  If you need medical attention call 911, or the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.  An overdose using fentanyl can be fatal.

Less serious effects that you should call your doctor and you may report to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088, or your primary care physician, or pain specialist:  swelling hand and feet, mouth sores at spots of medicine placement, headache, vomiting, nausea, constipation, dizziness and drowsiness.

References,

Novella, Steven.  Does Acupuncture Work or Not?  Neurologica blog.  Sep 25, 2007.  http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/does-acupuncture-work-or-not/

MedicineNet.com. Fentanyl Tablet (Cancer Pain Only) – Buccal, Fentora.http://www.medicinenet.com/fentanyl_tablet_-_buccal/article.htm

Answers.com.  Fentanyl Citrate Oral Lozenge.  http://www.answers.com/topic/fentanyl

Drugs.com.  What is Fentanyl.  http://www.drugs.com/fentanyl.html

University of Florida.  Fentanyl Pain Patch Abuse Can Be Deadly.  July 7, 2005.  http://alcoholism.about.com/od/prescription/a/bluf050706.htm

Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: http://www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

Task Specific Training for Muscle Growth Success

It has long been the practice for athletes and body builders, when conditioning muscle “regardless of fitness goals,” the repetitions per set would be in the ranges of 4-15 reps per body part.  And to vary the repetition range and weights within each set would set the foundation for the greatest muscle mass and endurance gains.  The exercise physiology behind muscle growth shows us that 4-8 reps per set will stimulate strength while growing and bulking muscle.  While 9-20 reps (and greater) per set will stimulate muscle for greater endurance and body building symmetry.  And while knowing this information, learning how to apply it toward task specific fitness goals to competitively excel above others is the challenge.

Body builders and athletes for years have been using various types of “high speed low drag” practices to build muscle mass, strengthen and tone the body.  In many cases, novice followers attempt to understand these practices and duplicate the results.  Many tend to over train and train without variation of exercise and use incorrect technique that also risks injury.  When these bad practices occur repeatedly, capitalizing on the effort spent in the gym does not yield the expected results.

Exercise performed repeatedly without the right workout modulation, “work and recovery time” does not allow the muscle to “self correct” its muscle memory course to greater gains when work effort to body is not commanded correctly by the brain.

Simply stated, if you continue to apply the 4-15 repetition rule using essentially the same poundage, per repetitive set each day, your muscle can not be stimulated in a way to further activate muscle growth, strength and/or make significant endurance gains for lack of memory to do so.  The physical and mental body must be connected to stimulate and yield the physical results you seek.

When you stick to a strict repetition/weight training rule, you then begin to stick to an exercise conditioning program that doesn’t change your desired fitness outcome.  Stimulation of the muscular neural highway becomes very dependent on the brain’s central nervous system to hyper activate its psyche for further physical performance gains.  And in order to do this requires focus to work more intensely, while conditioning the body to fatigue during each set, for each muscle group.

So the question now becomes, how do you psych the mindset to “self correct muscle memory” for greater enhancement of the working muscles?  You must train yourself to change your routine frequently.  This technique yields a higher motivational effort each time you work the body.  The motivational mindset regardless of physical work must also focus intently to continue supercharging the electrical signals to working muscle.

And in changing your routine, you will want to consider adding in cross-training activities such as swimming, jogging, walking, hiking racquetball, etc.  This will provide variation in your daily routine, which is also something to consider incorporating into your days of rest.  Cross-training activities have a way of stimulating the motivational centers of the brain to muscle memory connection for the greater good of the fitness goal.  But if you incorporate a cross-training activity on a day of rest, you would serve your mind, body and spirit well “not” to work your body too hard.  Make it a fun day and enjoy yourself.

But only through knowledge of understanding task specific training, cross-training, muscle fatigue, and proper rest-recovery principles, then one can excel and rise above “any” physical challenge.

This is why when you focus on task specific conditioning like walking, or jogging the motivational electrical stimulus to endure this type of activity does not require the same motivational “mindset” stimulus that is required of heavy squats, or sprinting.  Regardless of whether you want to build huge python arms, or become a world body builder, or a professional football player; apply task specific conditioning principles with intense focus and you’ll see positive muscle growing results.

Task specific conditioning means, if you condition muscle groups to become a competitive body builder for example, this does not mean you’ll become a competitive NFL tackle.  Why?  Because to become competitive within either aspiration will require training “uniquely” for the task specific activity, or event that muscle memory is required to compete.

Also, one must consider there is no guarantee that one’s genetic physical build will yield the right balance of metabolic tissue composition “in any muscle grouping,” or to tolerate a chosen physical work stress.  This is true even when a balanced fitness conditioning program is applied.  If the latter is the case, this does not mean you should quit the competitive game; rather you would likely excel at another fitness goal.  Although many have aspired to replicate Hulk Hogan’s or Arnold Schwarzenegger’s physiques not all are genetically coded to do so.

Every one of us has the physical ability to develop muscle to become competitive at any age.  It’s more a matter of finding a passion complementary to your strengths that motivates one to become competitive.  And if you can find what you’re good at while enjoying the activity, you can excel at it if this is your desire.

Another good example of task specific training; if you’re training to become a competitive biker you need to train on the bike you’d be racing.  If you’re spending most of your time in the gym using a stationary bike and weight lifting equipment, your chances of placing in the actual bike race event is not good. Why?  The muscle memory becomes conditioned for stationary equipment, not road resistance and atmospheric conditions.

In this case, the “partially” conditioned muscle memory and psyche become disconnected during the actual bike race event if you train mostly indoors. The brain to muscle stimulation electrically is not trained to fire muscle maximally throughout the competitive event.  If you don’t train mostly on the actual bike and on environmental road surface, it’s like running your car with low tire pressure; you don’t get the same traction.

So how would one train to condition muscle fiber to stimulate muscle growth, tone, strengthen and improve muscle condition to achieve a competitive fitness goal?  Regardless of whether you want to grow the biggest biceps, or become a competitive runner, walker, hockey, football, baseball, or basketball player, etc., knowing how to condition muscle maximally for any event or fitness goal will depend on knowing how to vary training technique for each muscle group.

Case and point:  When considering a weight lifting program:  Training to failure may require you to change your 8-12 repetitions per endurance exercise activity to fall more into the variable range of 12-20 reps.    This is especially true if you’ve not changed up your weights and your 8-12 repetitions don’t work your muscles to failure.  And if you’re truly working towards a muscle endurance-sculpture goal, 12+ reps per set “to failure” must be your fitness exercise goal to yield the results you seek.

The lower the repetitions per strength exercise set will mean heavier use of weights within the following ranges (4-8 reps/set).  This low range will grow muscle and increase strength if your last repetition is to failure per each set.  The higher the repetitions per set (12-20 reps/set) will require lowering the weights to complete the high rep end/set to condition muscle for muscle toning and endurance.  And to reach the maximum muscle benefit will require the last repetition be done to failure and muscle fatigue is realized.

This means it is very difficult to complete the last repetition.  It is wise to have a spotter to assure you don’t get stuck and hurt yourself using free weight equipment during your training sessions.  And you should not seek to complete any more repetitions “even with a spot” after extreme muscle fatigue.  To do so would overwork muscle and risk possible injury!

When you hit that end rep count per set, the muscle should be fatigued.  If not, your training is not intense enough and your muscle memory to maximize growing muscle strength and/or endurance will stall.  And in training, you must choose exercise sets to train for task specific activity that will condition you to failure with each set, or activity event.  If you condition your body to muscle failure, muscle will be trained with high electrical brain stimulus which will keep muscle conditioned for task and you will be more competitive during an actual event.

When your training becomes routine without variation in frequency, duration, or intensity; the drive to push yourself to failure stalls for lack of mental stimulation and muscle memory disconnect.  And low motivation will ignite an equivalent electrical signal stimulus to working muscle.  This is what stalls many athletes’ that want to increase their competitive game.  Finding a long-term conditioning program that trains to optimally boost muscle memory stimulation is the name of the game.

There are a lot of training techniques out there on how to grow and strengthen muscle.  But you also must be aware that when you train muscle to fatigue, you must also allow enough time to rest before you work the same muscle groups again.  The rest periods vary amongst the professional fitness think tanks.  But a winning consensus appears to be, give each muscle group (legs, calves, arms, chest, back, abs, shoulders) at least 48hours before you fatigue them again.  And other professional sports and body builders will tell you to wait 72 hours before working the same muscle grouping.

Why is this?  You’ll end up over training and then muscle will weaken, growth-strength will be compromised, which can also put you at risk of injury.  The 1-2 day rest rule is dependent on what fitness task specific goal and competitive event you want to participate in.

If you want to learn more about task specific training and training techniques to grow-strengthen, tone, increase muscle endurance and rest training cycles etc., you can find much more information through any Internet search engine.

What should take away from this information?  To get out of stalled muscle building routine you must change your daily repetition/set and exercise activity to vary with more focus and intensity to muscle failure per exercise set.  You must also build in enough rest time throughout the week while not doing back-to-back similar routines.  And while doing these things, remember to incorporate cross-training activities that compliment your overall competitive fitness strategy.  These techniques will stimulate muscle memory to fire muscle fiber using all 8 cylinders.  If you train this way, your muscle growth, endurance and strength goals “will not” stall, you’ll prevent injury and you’ll maintain a competitive edge above others.

References:

Woodard, M.T., Science Proves Exercise Alone May Promote Weight Gain, October 2009, Science Proves Exercise Alone May Promote Weight Gain.

Mejia, M., Men’s Health.  October, 2005,  http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/muscle-building-myths-debunked

McCarrell  Jeff.  S.A.I.S Mass-Building Routine, November, 2002, http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jeff1.htm

Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: http://www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

The Golden Years Don't Have to Be Painful

It is now known through scientific studies there is a correlation between low levels of vitamin D in the body and pain.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that chronic pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States.  And they also show through research that a significant amount of pain patients lack Vitamin D in their diet.  This research also concludes on the average, pain patients with low Vitamin D levels use twice as much “on average” pain medications (morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone) than those that supplement their diet.  And those also low in Vitamin D also have higher measures of body fat which place them in the obesity category.

Where does this vitamin come from?  It comes from sun exposure and a few natural occurring foods you consume:  E.g., tuna, salmon, mackerel, cod liver oil, mushrooms.  Small amounts can be found in beef liver and egg yolk.  Of course, there is fortified vitamin D in the American diet, i.e., milk, cheese, ice cream, breakfast cereals, orange juice, yogurt, margarine, etc.  Apparently, it is very difficult for many to get “enough” Vitamin D nutrient in the daily diet, unless you get adequate (1hour) sun exposure daily. Of course, natural exposure to the sun’s benefits is dependent upon season, weather conditions, geography and not always considered healthy for those that receive too much exposure.

Vitamin D is essential to propagate calcium absorption for healthy bones and bone growth.  And low levels of this Vitamin for too long can result in bone surface softening (osteomalacia), where this condition causes pain.  And the area of the body that seems to suffer greatest for lack of this nutrient and most prone to pain is the lower back.  For those that suffer from fibromyalgia, bone and joint pain, phenomenal pain relief can be experienced through vitamin D supplementation.

Researchers state a daily 1000IU/day to grow healthy strong bones for children and adults that suffer from chronic pain could experience significant pain relief at a 2000IU/day regiment.  Also the health risk with “D” supplementation has a highly favorable safety profile when used simultaneously with prescription drugs.  This supplementation simply doesn’t interact with many types of drugs unless one uses extremely high doses of Vitamin D (e.g., 50,000IU and over).  Since vitamin D also promotes a healthy nervous system, those that suffer with radiating neuropathic pain can also experience better pain alleviation, movement function and greater quality of life experiences.

If you are self paying for your pain prescriptions, also keep this in mind.  A daily 2000IU/day for Vitamin D can cost as little as $.07-.10/day.  This could be your safe, cost effective ticket to alleviating chronic pain in a way where other prescriptions have failed and without breaking the bank.  Although there is no guarantee this will be a complete substitute for your pain relief program, it is likely it would help alleviate your pain and do no harm.  However, it is always prudent to ask your physician about vitamin D supplementation for pain relief.  I will tell you that physiatrists (pain specialists) will advise you to supplement with 2000IU/day for chronic pain alleviation.  If your lab results show lower than 50-70 nonograms/milliliter; a vitamin D supplement for natural pain relief will most likely help you relieve pain.

Since there are so many natural chronic pain relief supplements to choose from, listed below are the top candidates for further research and dietary pain supplement consideration.

Anti-Inflammatory plants and herbs – If you’re not big on NSAID medicines because of the possible long-term side effects (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and Celebrex)… Try turmeric, green tea, ginger, rosemary, cat’s & devil claw, and willow bark.  The apparent winner of all the natural anti-inflammatory I’ve listed appears to be the turmeric.  Significant pain relief for those that suffer from osteoarthritis and back pain (Leopold & Edwards, T., M.D.).  Turmeric can be purchased as a capsule supplement.  Patients using blood thinners should first check with their physicians if a turmeric pain supplement would be right for them.

Magnesium – This is a tough supplement to get in daily quantities because most of us don’t eat enough of the following foods:  Soy products, peas, beans, whole grains, bananas, dried apricots and avocados, sunflower, pumpkin seeds, etc.  It appears magnesium supplementation can help those that suffer with fibromyalgia and migraines.  What depletes magnesium levels in the body? Alcohol.  Chronic pain patients may well benefit with this additive in their diet.

Fish Oil – Not only does omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties to relieve chronic pain, it can also help with many other conditions, i.e., depression, asthma, cardiovascular problems, autoimmune (rheumatoid arthritis), back pain, some nerve pain and headaches (Rakel, David P., MD, founder and director of the University of Wisconsin’s Integrative Medicine in Madison).  The effects of fish oil can be boosted by combining with other natural supplementation from this list.  However, Dr. Rakel advises you consult with your doctor.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – There appears to be scientific controversy over migraine pain relief with Vitamin B2 use.  Dr. Rakel thinks it’s safe to try for a period of 8 weeks considering its safety rating.  However, consult your treating physician for frequency, dose and duration of use.

Glucosamine sulfate – The best data on joint pain alleviation comes from glucosamine supplementation.  The data is very good on osteoarthritis pain alleviation in the knee and slowing the progression of the disease.  And supplementation with chondroitin combined could provide additional benefits.

Bromelain – This is an enzyme that is derived from the pineapple plant.  These enzymes appear to reduce inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis.  There appears to be a mystery on how this enzyme gets absorbed through the stomach lining.  The mystery is the stomach acid should neutralize the benefits of this enzyme.  More research is needed to understand how the delivery system transports the benefits of this enzyme through the digestive system.

Capsaicin – Topical capsaicin is derived from chili peppers.  The soothing effects when applied to skin for all types of pain relief include:  Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, shingles, osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy.  And like many of the other natural pain relievers, may offer relief for fibromyalgia and headache pain.

Alpha-lipoic acid – Like acetyl-L-carnitine (a nutrient that seems to ease and regenerate damaged nerves and restore sensitivity over time due to nerve pain from diabetes).  Alpha-lipoic acid appears to help for those that suffer with diabetic neuropathy.  Not only do scientific studies show pain reduction, but also the slowing of the neuropathic condition.  This in fact could protect the nerves from further damage.  Another benefit for people with diabetes is that Alpha-lipoic acid may enhance insulin sensitivity and help those that suffer nerve damage from cancer treatment.

References:

MNT Medical News Today, Vitamin D a Surprising Champion of Back Pain Relief, 25 June 2008, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/112633.php

R. Morgan Griffen, WebbMD, Natural Pain Relief: Chronic Pain Supplements, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/chronic-pain-relief?page=1

Anderson, Bryan, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Researchers Link Vitamin D and Chronic Pain Relief, March 20, 2009, http://newsblog.mayoclinic.org/2009/03/20/mayo-clinic-researchers-link-vitamin-d-and-chronic-pain-relief/

Evert, Alison, MedlinePluse, Magnesium in diet. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002423.htm

Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: http://www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

Should We Be Concerned About RF Amplification in Large Gatherings

    There has been growing concerns of whether or not RF (Radio Frequency) generated from cell phones cause brain cancer and tumors.  So what is radio frequency?

     It is a form of electromagnetic radiation energy.  But unlike one of two types of electromagnetic radiation energy:  1) Ionizing (e.g., x-rays, radon, and cosmic rays) is known to increase risk of cancer, where 2) Non-ionizing (e.g., RF and extremely low frequency, or power frequency) is not known to cause cancer.

     It is accepted within the scientific and health organizations that in order for cancer to develop there must first be damage to the DNA.  Non-ionizing radiation has not been found to damage the DNA, or known to increase chemical carcinogenic reaction within animal research studies.  With “ionized energy,” there is a known risk to damage DNA and cause cancer.

     There now have been approximately 30 studies on cell phone use.  The current results of these studies mostly illustrate little evidence between cell phone use and disease.  And when compared to increased cell phone use within these studies, no connection with cancer and tumors could be empirically produced.  You’d expect after all the negative news on cell phone use and effect on health, there’d surely be data to prove this connection by now.

     With that being said, there were 7 studies performed and published from a Swedish research center that reports an increased risk of cancer from the side of the head the cell phone is most often used.  This data seemed significant because those in the study used cell phones for a 10 year period, or longer.  But in digesting this information, it is perplexing because not only is there “not” an increase in brain cancer cases within the Swedish population during the time of these studies, there is also no other study group(s) globally that could make these claims.  So how much weight do you give this study?  Error on the side of caution is a safe bet.

     The problem with this type of controlled study, the protocol must be developed in a way that considers environment, changing technology, cell phone frequency/duration and when cell phone use began in the subject’s lifetime.  And probably a hundred other unique variables to make the test results significant enough to lay claim to cell phone use and the ill-health connection.

     It is a fact cell phone technology has changed dramatically over the last 20 years and there are far more subscribers than any other time in history.  And the demographic not participating in these studies that would be most important to understand is our children’s cell phone use.  If significant findings of an ill-health connection are to be identified, you’d think there would be something to be concerned about within this age group.  Why is this?

     Our children have had longer lifetime exposure to the changing cell phone technologies with varying RF waves from an early age.  Current studies thus far have been performed on adults and not on children.  This leads to a serious unanswered question with regard to our children’s use of cell phones.

     Children’s use of cell phones must be considered in future studies if we want to put this cause and effect connection to bed.  And this type of study must be done uniformly within various geographies to determine “if at all” RF waves on a child’s nervous and blood brain barrier system should be an ill-health concern.  Why is this connection important?  The Adults nervous system is mature where a child’s neurological brain is still growing to maturity.  And with that fact, a young Central Nervous System (CNS) could likely and significantly be influenced through the blood brain barrier to neurological tissue by RF energy.

     And since this type of energy may be able to significantly penetrate the blood brain barrier; the nervous system would receive the greatest absorption with device use at the ear.  Since I have an excellent recollection of electrical systems, I know that two electrical sources (1: Generated by RF device & 2: Brain’s CNS) where both conduct electromagnetic forces, cause opposing or attracting force fields upon each other. 

     This concept can be illustrated simply by thinking about two magnets next to each other.  E.g., similar poles of two magnets (electrical sources) facing each other repel one another, while the opposite poles attract one another.  And since our bodies are magnetically, electorally and chemically wired, how would another energy source (cell phone) offset this delicate balance for which the brain’s neural electro-conductors and CNS is dependent upon? 

     The question I’d want to answer in an epidemiological study with cell phone use; “is it possible that these two opposing electro-magnetic forces could disrupt a portion of the brains electrical-chemical balance, thereby “may” also have impact on the CNS and then propagated to distal portions of the body?  And are there other illnesses and disease that are now occurring within our children because of too much RF exposure?

     A big problem with past cell phone use and disease connection studies, it is difficult to eliminate all the bias to get accurate data.  For example, subjects recalling the frequency and duration of cell phone use in a day for one.  And those that are diagnosed with brain cancer are more likely than those that don’t have brain cancer or tumors to participate in the research.  Also, those that had a lot of cell phone use were more likely than those with little cell phone use to participate.  In other words, finding a baseline sample that removes bias has proven to be very difficult.

     Another parameter variable that has proven to be difficult is how do you accurately account for and how do you rule out other environmental conditions that may have brought about an expected disease result that had nothing to do with cell phone use?  What other life experiences had the participants been exposed to that may have contributed to their cancer, or tumors long before cell phone use began.  Was the cause of disease from RF energy or something else?  The shear fact that there is little scientific data to date to quantify and qualify the absorbing effect of RF energy on our bodies does not mean we shouldn’t have a concern.  Rather, these studies have not found a way to remove the bias to get the results we as consumers seek.

 Here is what professional research & health organizations report on this Issue

  International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – Part of the World Health Organization states, “There is a possibility of carcinogenic impacts on humans, based on limited data.  But the most significant evidence appears to be within cancer in rodent’s studies and other studies with possible effects from RF energy on the blood brain barrier.”

 The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHAS) Recognizes there is some risk.  However, the evidence is not yet strong enough to prove RF empirically causes cancer, or tumors.

 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety of machines and devices such as cell phones.  The FDA states that studies have failed to prove RF impact on biological health relationships within epidemiologic studies.

 Both U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) state, although there are studies that raised concerns over possible cell phone use and risk, there is no statistical significance, or scientific evidence to show that cancer, tumors, headaches, dizziness, memory loss, or any other ill-health effect is from the result of cell phone use.

  In Conclusion,

     Parents concerns about cell phone use and ill-health effects will not likely go away until our children are brought into this type of research.  And when these studies are done, better data will be obtained from a child’s early cell phone use.  And in a way that more accurately validates usage in environment with cause and effect data.  A child’s control study, I believe will eliminate many questionable data variables that have otherwise made it impossible to make the RF and cancer/tumor connection through adult bias studies.

     So it makes sense that if research had a clinical study focused on children’s cell phone use and then tracked the study group for a period of years, maybe then you’d find a substantiated cause and effect connection.  Although, we all hope this will not be the case.  However, it is best to error on the side of caution, so I’ve provided the following recommendation to limit you and your children’s exposure to cell phone RF until research proves/disproves any relative and significant hypothesis.

 Recommendations:

1.  To ensure the heart pacemaker concern is addressed, simply don’t place your cell phone in your shirt pocket.

2.  Studies do show a connection of cell phone use and high vehicular accidents.

3.  If you are worried about RF, then purchase a hands-free device, or ear piece to keep the phones antenna away from your ear.

4.  Limit your use of cell phone or keep your conversations short.  Definitely hold off from buying your children phones until they are out of their adolescent years.

5.   Choose a phone with a low SAR value around 0.0001 watts kg.  This value greatly reduces the RF energy that is absorbed by any part of your body the phone is next to.  If you want more information on a phone to purchase based on the safest energy levels, visit www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid.  On this page, you will see instructions for entering your FCC ID number located on the cell phone.   This number can also be found behind the battery pack.

 Other Help/References,

 1.  Call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

2.  Visit them at http://www.cancer.gov or http://www.cancer.gov/espanol

3.  Chat using Live Help, NCI instant messaging service at http://www.cancer.gov/livehelp

4.  E-mail, NCI at cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov

5.   http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/AtHome/cellular-phones

6.  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones

Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: http://www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

To Do What You Want Should Be Your Most Prized Possession

        How does the pancreas become unhealthy and if it does, what does this mean to your overall health and quality of life experiences?

     Pancreatitis is when the pancreas gland becomes inflamed and its metabolic functions become partially to fully ineffective.  Not only is this life sustaining metabolic function impaired with acute dysfunction, it is also a very painful experience.

     So where is the pancreas located and what’s its role in the bodies overall metabolic function?  The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach and below the liver.  The pancreas has two main functions.  It is responsible for enzyme secretion that aids in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fat.  It also works in harmony with the liquid bile your liver produces to assist in digestion as well.  The bile is stored in the gall bladder, and is also activated when food is consumed.   The liver, pancreas, gall bladder and stomach’s small intestine entry way reside in close proximity to each other.  Together these organs perform a very high level metabolic function to regulate energy and food nutrient absorption through the digestive process.

     The combination of this bile liquid and pancreas hormonal secretion is absorbed through the small intestinal wall after food has been consumed and activated for digestion at the stomach’s exit and small intestine entry way (duodenum). When the pancreas stops producing these digestive enzymes, or these enzymes are blocked from doing their job in the intestines, all sorts of complex health problems can/do occur.

     The second function of the pancreas is the production and release of insulin and glucagon.   The release of these two hormones is responsible for maintaining blood glucose metabolism from the foods you consume for the bodies energy.  These hormones store and release the calorie energy when needed.  When blood sugar stops being regulated optimally by the pancreas, then one becomes diabetic.

     The enzymes secreted from the pancreas become active when absorbed by the small intestine.  However, if the enzymes are not released and held within the gland it becomes inflamed.  These trapped secretions then can begin to eat up the inside tissues of the pancreas after a meal.  At this point, one can bleed internally while the gland begins to experience tissue death.

     How does the pancreas get to a state of cannibalizing and destroying itself?  Let’s take a look at the statistics to hone in on the main culprit.  More cases of pancreatitis are seen in men than women.  And it appears that 70% of the pancreatitis cases in the United States are caused from alcohol abuse.  And 45% of these patients convert an acute condition to chronic due to the alcohol repeatedly inflaming and scarring the gland.  Then the patient experiences varying-to-constant pain in the abdomen and back.  In 10-15% of the total pancreatitis cases the cause of the disease is unknown.

     There are other ways in which acute pancreatitis occur:  Genetics, certain habits and diseases.  And in any case or cause, if the pancreatic ducts become blocked during digestion, the enzymes can become trapped within the pancreas.  Or if the bile secretion becomes blocked (gall stone blockage) this can be very painful and create other digestive ill-health issues. In either case, you’re going to experience a painful medical condition that requires treatment.  Other conditions linked to pancreatitis: Autoimmune problems, damage to ducts through surgery; an accident that damages the gall bladder, or pancreas; and high blood fat levels (hypertriglyceridemia).

 Symptoms: 

     You’ll experience pain tender to touch in upper left side, or middle of abdominal.  And this pain may be worse after eating, or drinking foods higher in fat.  The pain can also radiate to the back below the left shoulder blade and is felt worse when lying on the back.  Other symptoms can include: Indigestion, hiccups, clay-colored stools, skin rash, sores, swollen abdominal and mild yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).  Due to malabsorption of food, weight loss may be experienced because the gland does not release enzymes necessary to break down the food to feed the body adequately.  And if the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are damaged, diabetes will ensue.

 Diagnostic tests:

     Imaging tests that show pancreas inflammation and damage: Abdominal CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound.  Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and biopsy for tissue sample.  Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to look at bile ducts using contrasts and X-rays.  There is also a pancreatic function test to see what levels of digestive enzymes are being released.  And a glucose tolerance test to measure pancreas insulin production.

 Treatments:

     With acute pancreatitis patients are primarily treated with fluids and pain medication.  These attacks usually last a few days.  However if the gland is complicated by necrosis (tissue death), or inflammation, other damage can occur to heart, lungs, or kidneys.  During chronic cases, fluids may need to be drained around pancreas, or gallstones removed.  Blocked pancreas ducts may need to be opened.  In severe cases dead or infected pancreatic tissue may have to be surgically removed.  With chronic pancreatitis, continued alcohol consumption will increase the risk of further health complications.

 Prognosis:

     With most acute flare-ups, the symptoms after treatment go away in a few days to a week.  However, if acute turns to chronic pancreatitis then life-threatening illness may follow.  The death rate is high with hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis that can also impair the liver, heart and kidney function.  Pancreatitis can return any time and is really dependent on cause, and patient compliance with treatment and following lifestyle change recommendations.

 Risk Factors and Prevention:

     Avoid alcohol, or limit significantly your consumption of alcohol. A low-fat diet will be helpful to include proper medications for fewer and milder attacks if you experience acute pancreatitis.  Children with fevers should avoid aspirin; also if a child has a viral illness (to reduce the risk to Reye syndrome).  Risk factors for chronic pancreatitis: Alcohol, hereditary conditions (i.e., Cystic fibrosis), gallstone disease, high triglyceride condition and lupus.

     So how serious do you think acute pancreatitis is?  I’d say if you are experiencing early symptoms of an inflamed pancreas, or have had gall stones, or are a diabetic, I’d say your pancreas health is pretty important stuff to pay attention to.  And if you can change your behaviors and habits to never experience pancreatitis, count yourself fortunate.  Why is that?  Because once you have pancreatitis it could become chronic after a period of time.  Then you are looking at a permanent treatment program for life and possibly a painful and early death.

     Can treatment help alleviate and cure the most severe conditions? Of course treatment is going to alleviate much of the discomfort. But once the damage is done, you then become dependent on pharmaceuticals, frequent out/inpatient treatment, diagnostic testing, lab tests, and diet restrictions. This then becomes your cure.

 References

Banks PA, Freeman ML; Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Practice guidelines in acute pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol . 2006;101:2379-2400.

 Frossard JL, Steer ML, Pastor CM. Acute pancreatitis. Lancet . 2008;371:143-152.

 Owyang C. Pancreatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine . 23rd ed.

 Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 147.

¹Russo MW, Wei JT, Thiny MT, et al. Digestive and liver disease statistics, 2004. Gastroenterology. 2004;126:1448–1453.

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-pancreatitis?

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/acute-pancreatitis/overview.html?

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreatitis/#acute

Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: http://www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

    The mindset change required to work around your pain is most important in order to meet your fitness goals; especially if your challenge is to manage acute and chronic pain.  The mind must learn to embrace and adapt to a specific ill-health pain condition(s) and/or physical-mental limitations in order to increase fitness levels.  And it is important to understand your medical condition and limitations before applying exercise.  Without this knowledge you may further injure yourself during activity.

    The only true way to understand your limitations brought about by pain is to work with your medical providers.  By working with medical pain specialists you can then better understand what triggers and aggravates your pain when working through Range-Of-Motion (ROM) activities.   By becoming knowledgeable about your body and ill-health pain condition, you “can” prevent further aggravation or injury and alleviate your pain with customized exercise programming.  A fitness goal of yours should be to “find a way” to continue some form of movement activity no matter the mobility status (bed ridden, wheel chair, walker, cane, or other ambulatory challenges, e.g., prosthetics).

     Exercise activities are important because body movement provides oxygenated-enriched blood, while strengthening and providing nutrients to muscles, tendons, ligaments and vital organs no matter how “limiting” the movement may seem to the patient.  Exercise movement activities also activate natural feel good pain reducing endorphins.  These hormones are necessary to provide a feeling of overall wellbeing and thwart depression.  Physical activity is also a metabolic booster:  Weight control, immune deficiency exciter, repairs tissue as a mending facilitator, tones muscle, improves cognitive brain function, realigns and strengthens posture, improves cardiovascular health and promotes good skin, hair, nails etc., with many more benefits too numerous to mention.

    It also must be understood that not all preexisting, or recent injuries to the body you experience may ever be 100% pain free.  This is because once there is internal-external, or injury breach to the bodies postural integrity, it is most likely this damage will be felt infrequently after the mend and throughout life.  And as you age, and if activity exercise is not continued this pain can become more problematic.

     Most first experience acute (infrequent) pain after injury, or surgery, and then with age, these infrequent (acute) trigger pain sights can become a chronic pain condition.  If movement is limited for too long because of pain, this can/does become more aggravating if ignored.  If you experience unacceptable pain after injury or surgery, ensure you follow up with your medical specialists.  Don’t just ignore the pain for years.  Learn to properly manage an ill-health and/or alleviate a painful condition by working with the right referred medical resources in a timely manner.

    My personal experience when managing pain, whether acute, or chronic; pain is less severe if exercise and activity are applied daily.  And when adequate movement is not applied, frequency and intensity of pain episodes at damaged tissue sites tend to increase. 

    This then translates from the mind to the body an unacceptable pain experience.  With unacceptable pain, the mind tells the body to “guard” the pain.  Guarding simply means the mind instructs the muscles to tense up and become rigid at the pain sight to prevent full ROM within a body segment to reduce the pain.  Another way to explain this is the body becomes less flexible and unwilling to use a full ROM to accomplish work.  And this guarding condition if allowed to continue “will” create more radiating pain while reducing your ability to accomplish work.  Guarding can also damage other tissue in the surrounding trigger pain site; because now other muscle tissue that creates the guarding effect is now under stress.

     When the mind tells the body to guard a segment of body, it becomes isolated to varying degrees when work (i.e., task, exercise, activity) needs to be done.  And since this body segment is guarded the circulatory system that provides oxygenated enriched blood to this area is also working metabolically less efficient.  And when chronic guarding occurs, this segment of body (muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and organs) is now very prone to further ill-health aggravation and injury for lack of sufficient nutrients.  This is how more tissue damage and pain occur!

     Internal tissue damage requires a constant supply of oxygenated-enriched blood and nutrient lubrication through good circulation to heal optimally.  With movement activity, damaged tissues, i.e., nerves, muscle, and joints that create the stiffening and tightening effect can be relieved.  And this relief can prevent further damage to surrounding tissues while mending the trigger pain site and maintaining the neural connection integrity.

    Keeping pain within toleration requires one to be more in tune with the body’s trigger mechanisms.  In other words what movement causes your pain and how can you apply proper exercise technique to reduce the guarding effect?  While working with your physician and pain specialists, you must listen and apply their exercise instruction to improve overall muscular endurance, circulation and flexibility when customizing your fit-healthy pain management program.   And to do this will require you tolerate an “acceptable” amount of pain.

     Although your primary care physician will not provide customized exercise prescription information to manage pain for the encompassing being… Instead learn as much as you can about your medical condition(s) and limitations and apply information I provide to you to learn how to advocate for the “best” referred pain management services (Visit MirrorAthlete Free Articles Repository often to learn these best known fitness secret practices).  Learn to advocate and self-refer to a pain management specialist through your primary physician (i.e., immunologist, rheumatologist, generalist-holistic pain specialist, physical therapy, physiatrist, sports medicine, certified pain management fitness trainers, orthopedic specialists, etc.).

    By working closely with your primary care physician, you can activate many needed referred services to help you better manage your pain.  In this way, you begin to build a customized activity exercise program that will help to alleviate your pain and increase your overall fitness levels (Cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, strength, muscular endurance, improved posture, reduced body fat, encompassing being mending, neural conductivity repair etc.).

     You also may be taking a cocktail of pharmaceuticals, causing you to lose productivity and gaining weight only to find out years later, your pain disease has progressed to the point you need surgery!   Again, my point is to learn as much as possible about your medical pain condition “while in the early stages of development” and advocate through your primary physician to self refer to the medical pain specialist you need.  Don’t just accept years of pharmaceuticals to bandage your underlying pain problems.

    If your pain management program is just about pill management, this will likely create many other secondary risks that will complicate your pain story and make it more difficult to focus on exercise activity to alleviate your pain.  Why is this?  Because your body & mind can’t feel the natural healing effects (biofeedback mechanisms are broke due to the numbing effect of opiates) from exercise if overusing medications that also have mind altering qualities.  Therefore your brain messages body to quite the exercise and take more pills to offset the ever increasing pain.  Note:  I’m not saying to stop taking your prescribed medications.  I’m saying you may need help in “balancing” your prescription use with exercise activity.

     Fortunately, I now live a lifestyle with tolerable managed pain.  Although I must admit, to get to this point was not easy.   And I understand, my pain will always be with me and I do have to manage it daily.  Nobody else can mentally, physically or spiritually do this for me.  It would be easy to become depressed about daily pain, but pain and depression once managed can be very tolerable.  And the only way to do this is through medically managed pain therapy that incorporates a customized exercise and daily activity fitness program that is “always” unique to each pain patient.

     It is also understood one can have pain in a specific, or multiple areas throughout the body.  It is my experience after going through many medical consultations and conversations with other pain patients; most are not educated on how to work around pain and prioritize the pain therapy safely, especially if you suffer from multiple pain sites.  I believe this has mostly to do when a physiatrist, sports medicine, exercise physiology or physical therapist is not involved in a pain patient’s therapy. 

     The next thing you should think about when identifying your fitness goals while working around pain, what do you enjoy doing?  Do you enjoy exercising in a gym, walking, biking, swimming, gardening, shopping, arts and crafts, reading, computer work, etc?  Why do I ask?  Because without an identified patient activity goal of interest, it is hard to know what the right motivating movement and exercise activities should consist of for therapeutic pain alleviation success.

     When I list activities, it also should be understood that mental exercises that appear to be more sedentary then physically active do not “activate optimally” your body’s fit-healthy metabolism.  But any activity can improve the overall condition of the body whereby depression, anxiety and stress is minimized, hence an overall health benefit is gained.  For example, if bed ridden, a mental activity stimulus can transfer a portion of that benefit to the physical body.  This is due to the psycho-somatic neurological connection (mind-body).

     Once you identify your physical and mental limitations to include fitness goals that may interest you, pay close attention to the prescribed pharmaceutical(s) you ingest.  When you pursue fitness activity, as mentioned previously; medications can reduce pain sensation (numbing effect) with a false sense of security while increasing physical activity loads.  Also, there are many medications used that regulate blood pressure, balance hormones, cholesterol control, weight management, depression, the list goes on.

     I do not claim to be an expert in pharmaceuticals or their prescribed use.  However, it is well known your health risk(s) will increase when pursuing an exercise program while on certain medications.   Therefore you need to consult with your pain management specialist [seek referral to a physiatrist first before customizing an exercise program if you have chronic pain].  Also ask about safe usage of prescribed medications before participating in any exercise program!

     For those that are using more pharmaceuticals and moving less, you must find some way to become less dependent on pain killers.  If not, fitness levels and overall health issues tend to get worse through time.  I’m not advocating you quit using your medications!  I’m advocating increasing your daily activity levels while balancing pain medications to reduce your overall pain experience.  I know through fitness activity you’ll become less dependent on the opiates.  Of course, you need to work through this process with your pain management specialist to help you reach this balance.

     I believe if patients are armed with safe exercise fitness activity, pain management information and therapy options, they would enjoy a better quality of life, especially if they suffer with chronic pain.

     It is unfortunate our medical and health insurance institutions are not designed, or set up with a consistent therapeutic exercise protocol for pain patients.  It is for this reason I write these types of articles so you can learn how to live fit-healthy lifestyles even if you suffer with chronic pain.  Learn to advocate directly with your primary health provider and pain specialist(s) for referred medical services to improve upon your fitness levels while alleviating pain.  In this way you can achieve your fit-healthy goals, improve upon your ill-health condition and increase your quality of life experiences!

     By reading Mirror Athlete Articles you can learn how to customize a fitness-pain management program that works well for you (subscribe to our free monthly eNewsletter and be sure to stay up-to-date on all hard to find fitness secrets information).

 Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: http://www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

Family Support at the Hospital is a Huge Plus

    If you have a loved one in urgent care, or are now experiencing serious ill-health issues yourself, it would be wise to ensure a family member or significant other advocates on your behalf should health further deteriorate. Why?  Because a well educated, informed and/or concerned family or significant other “often” can provide valuable medical information to the treating physician.

     This becomes truer if your loved one is no longer able to make decisions and provide accurate medical information to medical staff.  And in knowing ones medical history and current health profile “is” enough to save, or prolong life with the right advocacy skill sets!  Don’t think so, you will want to reassess how you view the medical services applied within the disabled and senior citizen ranks.  Why is that?  Our medical service industry is built upon quick patient turnaround.  This has mostly to do with the ever increasing costs and finite medical services-specialties, drugs and diagnosis technology resources.  So as push comes to shove, making room for another patient becomes the status quo.  It would be prudent to ensure your loved one receives the best treatment possible by advocating on their behalf.  Senior citizens don’t have the luxury of time on their side when it comes to accurate diagnosis and treatment.

    There are limits to finite human resources and what can be provided, or expected under emergency circumstances in the ER scenario.  And this is especially true if a patient intake area is under heavy demand.  Tempers often run short and emotions are less than tempered. And the patient and family member expectation for immediate medical services is high.

     This then requires the skill sets of a “cool head” and “experienced” family medical advocate to understand the situation and communicate accurate medical information on a loved one’s behalf.  I know, the typical patient expectation is that the medical staff knows best.  But even under the best case scenarios, vitals will not tell staff the entire medical history of a complex ill-health condition(s).  And this becomes even truer if the patient’s primary care physician is not available for an immediate consultation with medical emergency staff. 

     At a minimum, if you are designated as the families medical advocate for a loved one:  Ensure you have medical insurance information, a contacts list of patient doctors and specialists and a list of current medications on hand.  It would also be good to carry a current medical history transcript for the patient.  Or if you have power of attorney, simply go to the hospital’s medical records, request patient documents for the current year and ensure you highlight (yellow marker) the recent diagnosis, treatment and drug prescription listed on the medical transcripts.  Also arrange if you’re going to be out of town, or on vacation to provide an envelope with the patient’s medical transcripts and other information to an alternate family advocate as a backup plan.                       

    Contact listing and medical transcripts are good.  But it would be better if the family advocate could obtain some level of knowledge on how their loved one’s chosen HMO is organized at the emergency triage, patient holding and in-patient intake services.  Without this understanding, you’re missing pieces of the puzzle in advocating for the best possible care.  It also helps to have some customer service skill sets in talking to the doctors assessing the situation as they are now making decisions on treatment to stabilize.  In other words, if you have a choice of a family member advocate, ensure they are customer service oriented.  A bull in a china shop mentality will not help matters.

     So I put this question in front of you…  How could the emergency intake personnel know about a complex medical history simply based on the current vitals and symptoms that got the patient admitted?  The answer is simple, they can’t.  They read the vitals, treat the symptoms to stabilize and then depend on information the patient or family advocate, or primary care physician provides.  The goal of ER medical personnel is to stabilize the patient.  Until other information on the patient is received; lab work and other referred medical services are initiated while the patient waits further results processing in patient holding.

     If the seriousness of your hidden medical condition is an underlying unknown to the medical staff and treating physician, you’re “now” stable vitals will move you to a lower triage priority category while waiting on various lab results in patient holding.  A good example I know almost everyone can relate if you’ve gone through urgent care:  If you are stable, you’ve experienced hours before you are passed through the next phase of treatment.  And this delay in medical treatment for many disabled, or our senior citizens is not good for their overall health outcome!

     If you depend solely on the subjective judgment of an examining doctor, including your primary care physician, you’ll be treated by their understanding of the current symptomatic, physical examination, lab results, x-Rays, etc.  And this may not be in the patient’s or your family’s best interest.  It would behoove the family advocate, or patient learn as much about the ill-health condition(s), HMO policy’s and medical organization services; and armed with past and current medical information to become a part of the treating physicians decision making process.  Without this advocacy resource plan a loved one and/or family members may experience more pain and suffering that need not be. 

Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

For Each Day That Passes a New Beginning is Possible

Many of you will go through your day and not give a second thought to the calories you consume, and for others this is all you think about.  And as the days pass, so do the weeks, months and eventually years as pounds are gained.  At some point you’ll have to “just admit it and say, I’m fat.”  But not without first going through denial and “likely” causing “other” ill-health problems along the weight loss venture.  To complicate the scenario, you now have also focused on losing the weight at all costs.

 And understandably so, it is the reality for many have become a product of their environment.  It seems reasonable to assume someone other than the consumer should have some responsibility for America’s obesity problems, “don’t you think?”  Especially the fast and processed food industries and educational-health institutions.  But I wouldn’t hold my breath on this occurring anytime soon and neither should you.  Only you can lead your destiny in life and weight loss and lean body maintenance is something “most” of us have control over.

 Unfortunately, the majority of you will first go through a sequence of denials prior to the “admission of your fatness,” and before discovery to solve the underlying problems of your weight problems.  And for overweight American, bad behaviors and habits; including dependence upon quick weight loss solutions contribute greatly to our national obesity and health cost dilemma that our nation faces.  Yes, you heard me right; many of America’s weight loss solutions are making us fatter!   You ask, “How could this be?”  Continue reading and you’ll soon understand.  And for others, I know you’ve got a good idea where I’m going with this.

 To determine if you’re overweight or fat is first hard to admit.

 It may be apparent that you are spending much more of your income on new, but larger sizes of clothing.  As far as the clothing selection is concerned, it is noticeable your style of wear has become a variety of stretch type pants, shirts and/or dresses with overlaying materials.  Ever so slightly as time goes by you notice your getting heavier on the scale and the clothe you wore a few months ago are getting much more tight.  But this is of no concern to you; for your husband/wife, friends and other colleagues tell you, you look great.

 Even though the feedback you receive about your appearance is generally positive, this reinforces the fact you are not carrying excess baggage on your body…  However, you see that the mirror and scale don’t lie and you avoid them!

 Can you accept the truth in order to resolve the underlying fat problem?

 Inherently you know your appetite always seems voracious and the extra calories are going somewhere.  You now consider you’ve been receiving mixed messages and begin to question whether or not you’re fat.  You begin a process of discovery to find the truth ever so carefully; because you fear it and know you’ll have to make drastic changes with your addictive food choice habits.

You are now more focused on the facts, i.e., during the evening your aware of snacking late at night and continue this practice just before bedtime.  Your mind also continues to question your judgment through your eyes about the body fat you see in the mirror and it is getting harder to ignore.  You know your fat and simultaneously disgusted with the fact you don’t know how to change your course.  For now you decide it’s easier to ignore the weight and not deal with it.

 You then finally begin to ask point black questions of your friends, family and significant other because you can’t help but know the truth through another set of eyes.  Even though you’re sure you’re not going to like the answer.  For example, you ask the question, “Be honest, do you think I’m fat?”  Keep in mind, only a close relationship, or friendship knows you and you know them to a point where they really can’t lie regardless of how the question is posed or answered.  You can read it in their body language and speech posture.

 Whether or not they give you an honest answer, you have your answer.  Now you have to learn to be honest with yourself.  And remember, if you allow a really good friend or significant other to be open and honest without chewing their head off, you’ll receive an honest forthcoming truth and maybe some good helpful insight.

 Other addictive food habits, signs and symptoms of becoming fat,

 When you go out for dinner you notice supersizing your portions.  You also cannot help yourself from ordering more appetizers and desserts before and after the main course.  Before bed, your popping ant-acids like their after dinner mints for upset stomach and heartburn.

 In the morning you now feel somewhat bloated, have irritable bowel-like symptoms; such as constipation, diarrhea and/or irregular bowel movements.  You sit on the toilet for what seems like hours.  It takes you longer to feel good throughout the day.  Over consumption of poor food choices cause digestive, bowel and stomach problems.  You see the doctor more often than not, and receive other “band aide” medications to mask the symptoms.

Even worse upon awakening, you feel extremely hungry to a point that is too painful to bear (over eating and poor food choice is also the cause of this effect).  And to kill the hunger, you select baked, fried, or processed convenience foods as a quick cure.  For the crowd on the go, you have a craving for a large coffee nudge, or energy drink and large muffin, or fast food instant breakfasts that adds instantly 1000+ calories of high octane fuel to start the day.  If you’re not fat or have ill-health problems now, you’re well on your way if these bad daily eating habits are not stopped.

And in-between your main meals you drink sodas, consume more energy drinks and snack until days end; only to begin this habitual consumption practice all over day after day.  Poor eating habits and bad quality food selection from the marketers of addictive food products has got you right where they want you.  You are hooked! 

 You know you’re fat, but can you “now” accept the truth and move forward?

 Once again you look at yourself in the mirror and begin to wonder if you’d be considered fat by some standard outside of your subjective thought process.  You bite, and in comparison to larger people in your area and most noticeably on many TV reality shows you are satisfied your body weight is average for your age.  So you continue on with the daily habits and behaviors for some undefined time while you ponder upon this new discovery… 

 Fortunately for some with weight problems correct their behaviors and food choice habits before permanently destroying their metabolism and ability to lose weight naturally.  They have learned and understand Americans have an obesity problem mostly caused by poor food choice addiction and lack of daily exercise.  And with this knowledge understand excess body fat is not healthy.

 Once one learns through discovery about the “am I fat” truth, it is easy to come out of denial and acknowledge having a body fat and weight problem.   At this point of reckoning it is also true, to lose the weight seems to be a daunting task.

 A daunting task it is.  Shortcuts to weight loss will make you fat permanently!

 And how does one find the least painful and affordable solution in the most expeditious manner?  To accomplish this task most will resort and fall prey to one of the hundreds of quick weight loss gimmicks to assist in quick weight loss reduction.  Only in time and almost always too late; one realizes after using quick result solutions for years understand they are temporary.  But at the time of use, they are grateful for these products because they seem to magically work when needed.  Conversely, what many don’t realize is the need to focus on long-term natural weight loss and “safe ill-health preventative practices” for permanent results so the metabolic mechanisms that “lean you out” don’t break!

 Weight loss gimmick solutions always stop working at some point during the aging process.  Why?  Because the body’s metabolism is a “complicated fine-tuned organic instrument” that requires natural organic means of fueling, exercising and safe weight sustaining practices throughout the aging process.  And man-made “non-organic” weight loss solutions will break this fine-tuned instrument through time if these practices are not stopped!  The quick results weight loss solutions adds more body fat and contributes to other ill-health effects on the mind, body and spirit of being.

 It is far better to self admit and be honest about your weight gain and do something about it then deny a known truth for your health’s sake.  And now you know, or have always known [but didn’t want to admit it] to use unsafe weight loss diet solutions for long periods of time can also cause other ill-health problems on top of the obesity problem, i.e., high blood cholesterol and pressure, congenital heart disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal and postural pain, cancer, immune problems, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Candida, the list goes on.

 The sooner you realize these truths, the sooner you can self-heal and begin to apply ill-health prevention practices and natural weight loss solutions that will last a lifetime.  And in learning how to have the will power to control your eating habits and feel good about yourself is priceless!  See how to customize a natural weight loss program that’s right for you and stay lean for life by reading the following Mirror Athlete eBook “Exposed Hard to Find Natural Weight Loss and Centurion Secrets” referenced link below.

 Reference Mirror Athlete Articles/eBook:

 Woodard, Marc T.  Mirror Athlete’s, Exposed Hard to Find Natural Weight Loss and Centurion Secrets, eBook.  World Wide Internet: http://mirrorathlete.com/Books.html: Portland, OR: Mirror Athlete.com. 2011.

 Woodard, Marc T.  This Year’s Fitness Weight Loss Goals, World Wide Internet: http://mirrorathlete.com/blog/2010/12/22/this-years-fitness-weight-loss-goals/.  Portland, OR: Mirror Athlete’s Fitness Secrets!  Mirror Athlete.com Blog, 2010.

 Woodard, Marc T.  The Silver Bullet Natural Solution to Wt Loss, Depression and ADD.  World Wide Internet: http://hubpages.com/hub/SilverBulletWtLossADDandAnti-DepressantSolution, Portland, OR: HubPages.com.  2010.

 Woodard, Marc T.  Weight Gain Cause “Over Looked Conditions.  World Wide Internet:  http://hubpages.com/hub/Unexplained-Weight-Gain, Portland, OR: HubPages.com. 2008.

 Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

Korean War Memorial Honors Korean Veterans

The practice of physiatry is approximately 50 years old.  So how is it many pain and immobility challenged patients have never heard of this medical specialty?

    Good question, I guess it’s possible this specialty could be considered the gold standard of rehabilitative medical treatment.  And available to pain and immobility suffers once other medical treatment has been exhausted.

    If you don’t already know about the discipline of physiatry, I will now fill you in on what this specialization can offer a chronic pain and immobility challenged patient that requires rehabilitative services.

   A physiatrist is a medical doctor that deals with muscular-skeletal, neurological, acute and chronic pain and rehabilitative therapy.  They are also referred to as a doctor of osteopathy who specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R); using noninvasive diagnosis, treatment and management of disease through “physical” means (Physical therapy and medications).

    They can perform all types of specialized tests that range from nerve and spine imaging to determine severity of nerve damage (e.g. electromyography, nerve conduction) to evaluate various nerve disease/disorders, etc.  They also specialize and work with patients that have a history in degenerative back and neck disease problems.  To include, but not limited to:  Rehabilitative treatment with sports and work injuries; and those diagnosed with arthritis, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, myofascial pain and spinal cord injuries.

    There are approximately 6000 physiatrists to date that specialize and focus on bad backs and the relationship to other parts of the body that also become affected.  For many patients that suffer from back pain and distal radiating pain to other body parts a direct connection to the pain origin can be substantiated and treated.  Radiating or distal pain from the origin pain source can take years to diagnose correctly and can be very challenging for many physicians.  In other words, so challenging primary physicians may take a subjective “shot in the dark” in referring a patient to a medical specialist that may, or may not be of immediate help.

    Sometimes these “shot in the dark” referrals may not pan out.  For me this was the case.  And I suspect there are many of you like me that had the same experience of visiting a lot of specialists and the end result was temporary physical therapy sessions, shots and more pills.  And only until a significant amount of time passed while working through a medical “status quo” policy driven health maintenance organization, did I finally get the treatment I needed.  And this occurred after I learned how to properly advocate and self refer to specialists that could treat me relative to my unique pain issues.

    It is my personal experience many of my medical referrals throughout the years to determine my pain origins were a waste of resources and time that lacked relative treatment.  I believe in my case, I should have been first referred to a physiatrist to determine the best rehabilitative course.  And it is also my belief that if this would have been the case, much of my pain and suffering would have been alleviated five years ago.  And to be honest, I’m not sure what the long-term impact will be on my health as a result of untimely and irrelevant treatment.

    Let’s now take a look at what the physiatrist’s educational requirements are so you can better understand their specialty background and how they as a “direct” referral source to other specialists may help you.

    Physiatrists go through 4 years of medical school and 4 years of residency training (1^st year – internal medicine/general practice; next 3 years emphasize specialty training; fellowships for additional specialization in sports medicine, brain injury (stroke), spinal cord, pain management and pediatric medicine.

    Their patient goal is also to treat the whole person’s physical, emotional, psychosocial and vocational goals.  This discipline also falls in line with Mirror Athlete’s principled fit-healthy concepts.  Mirror Athlete is about “ill-health prevention for the encompassing being (mind, body and “soul-spirit”) and is our principled fitness life philosophy.

    For many pain sufferers with chronic pain that have not responded to previous pain management and rehabilitative treatments, access to highly trained physiatrist resources can make a significant difference in increasing mobility and/or alleviating pain. 

    It is true; most of us have access to highly trained medical specialists through our referring physicians.  And it is also true a primary care physician will “usually” not refer you first to a physiatrist “for pain and mobility challenges. 

    You ask why this is.  My answer to you, I honestly don’t know.  The only thing I can think… Maybe it has to do with higher costs of services.  And maybe if you are stabilized and appear to be tolerating your disability, and/or don’t understand, or know you can self refer to see a physiatrist, the HMO policy advices primary physicians to follow a cost effective services protocol otherwise.

    However, I can share with you, if you can get a referral to a neurologist; you’re really in line to get a referral to see a physiatrist from that point if your pain is substantiated and will help with your disability rehabilitative objectives.

    It is surprising to me in the last 7 years; I’ve been referred to at least a half dozen neurologists, none of which led me to a physiatrist for my chronic back/leg pain until recent.  And what is most perplexing, my pain-medical story had not changed significantly through the years.  If I had known about physiatry resources 5 years ago, I would have known to self-refer from a neurologist to a physiatrist knowing what I now know.  Why not 7 years ago?  In my case, I understand now it took two years to determine and substantiate my pain origins.  And I now realize I could have self referred to a physiatrist after I had my second neurologist visit.

    My lesson learned and now passed onto you:  The medical policy and practice “status quo” when dealing with “substantiated” pain and/or immobility, coupled with depression will include pharmaceuticals and other treatment until (a) you reach a certain age.  (b) The pills are now creating other medical health issues.  (c) The risk of other complications is high if continuing the same pain and/or depression management course.  (d) Something substantiated and significant has changed, or has been found through CAT, MRI, x-Ray results and/or lab work and is complicating your pain, or mobility story.  (e) You self refer to see a neurologist from your physician, and then ask for a referral to see a physiatrist from your neurologist.   The later sequence is the best course toward rehabilitative pain alleviation of chronic pain, including range-of-motion and rehabilitative, limited mobility challenges [My experience].

    To treat a patient without considering the entire being is to allow a part of the component being to become ill.  When relative and timely treatment is not balanced, part of our “being” becomes depressed.  And it is also a fact as one will age; without relative and timely treatment, quality living experiences are negatively impacted.

    With the assistance of a physiatrist the patient has access to a team of specialists to assist in customizing a rehabilitative treatment program that incorporates healing for the encompassing being.

    The team of specialist the physiatrist may access to assist your ill-health conditions are: Speech-language pathologists, social workers, nurses, and psychologists, neurologic (brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injury), physical therapy, occupational and recreation therapists etc.  Other disabling conditions include amputations, complicated multiple trauma and pain, including burns rehabilitative therapy.

    Physiatrists also work with a whole team of specialists to restore independence in mobility, eating, dressing, and hygiene. The physiatrist also provides long-term continuity of care for functional problems that often persist after stroke.  Note: This is not simply a physical therapy program.

     In my opinion, a physiatrist is an encompassing-being, rehabilitative care provider.  And if you have not seen a physiatrist and if you’ve been suffering from chronic pain and/or are mobility challenged, also you have reached the end of your referral solutions; be sure to ask your primary care physician, or neurologist to see a physiatrist.

     A physiatrist referral sooner than later will provide most chronic pain and immobility sufferers pain relief and better quality care and living activity experiences.

 Internet Reference

http://www.spine-health.com/glossary/p/physiatrist

http://www.physiatry.org/Field_Section.cfm

http://www.umassmemorial.org/medicalcenterIP.cfm?id=3081

Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2011 Copyright, All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.