Regenerative Medicine

Although great progress has been made in the field of medicine, current evidence-based and palliative treatments fail to meet the needs of our aging population. There are few effective ways to treat the root causes of many diseases, injuries and congenital conditions. In many cases, physicians can only manage patients' symptoms using medications.

Regenerative medicine offers the potential to fully heal damaged tissues and organs, offering solutions and hope for people who have conditions that are beyond repair. This approach can offer an alternative to surgery that is less invasive and safe. We offer several treatment options that are consistent with these principles: Prolotherapy, Laser Therapy and Stem Cell Injections.

Prolotherapy

A type of injection treatment designed to treat chronic ligamentous or tendoninous injuries.  Usually associated with microscopic tearing of ligaments or tendons as a result of trauma, these injuries can result in chronic back, neck, headaches, and joint pain.  Treatment involves inserting a needle into the damaged structure and injecting an “irritant” solution to cause inflammation and bleeding.  In this manner, new tissue actually forms and strengthens the injured ligament or tendon.  The goal is to repair the injury with a series of injections and heal the painful condition.  

Read more

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is the delivery of electromagnetic energy into the body as photons. A form of laser technology used in medicine and referred to since the late 1960’s as “cold laser” or “low level laser therapy (LLLT)” has yet to achieve universal recognition and use by the medical community due to a lack of consistent clinical outcomes and poorly designed and outdated laser technology. Treatment parameters for LLLT were originally established from clinical studies using cells in vitro and in small animal models that recommended very low dosage levels resulting in inconsistent or negative clinical outcomes. The exciting news is that new and advanced technology is now available that overcomes these past challenges with consistent and positive clinical outcomes.

Research shows that tissues targeted by High Power Laser Therapy are stimulated to increase production of a cellular enzyme (Cytochrome C Oxidase) that is critical to the production of ATP. ATP is the currency of chemical energy in living cells. With increased ATP production and thus greater cellular energy, a host of biological responses are facilitated, such as mediation of pain, reduction of inflammation, reduced scar tissue, increased cell metabolism, improved vascular activity, and accelerated healing.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TREATED:
Nerve Pain
Neuropathy (Diabetes & Other Forms)
Non-healing Wounds
Pain & Healing Following Surgery
Trigger Points & Muscle Spasms

IMAGINE NO MORE PAIN:
Feel the Difference
In sharp contrast to "Cold Lasers" (LLLT or Low Level Light Therapy) which provides no feeling or sensation, patients FEEL each Aspen Laser treatment, as it works to provide laser light energy deep into the body to reach damaged cells and tissues. Results are typically faster than many other therapeutic modalities and patients often report signs of improvement after the first or second treatment.

See the Results.
Both acute and chronic injuries respond well to the Aspen Laser Treatment. Inflammation and swelling are quickly reduced to allow a greater range of motion in the affected area. This helps to regain activity and mobility while reducing scar tissue and adhesions which can slow recovery and healing. Sick and injured tissues are restored to optimal strength and vitality, providing greater functionality and preventing re-injury.

RESEARCH RESULTS:
Injuries treated with laser therapy heal faster
Laser Therapy has a strengthening effect on tissue repair
Laser Therapy improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage
It is an effective means of relief for many pain syndromes
It can improve immune response

TREATMENT BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Drug Free
Surgery Free
Non-Invasive and Painless
No Side Effects
Less Pain
Less Inflammation
Affordable Therapy Option

Read more

Stem Cell Injections

Stem cell injections are a promising area of medicine and research. Stem cells have the unique capability to transform into any cell the body needs, making them capable of replacing the specialty cells of the body that would otherwise be irreplaceable (such as muscle cells and cartilage). The ability to inject stem cells into these problematic areas can help to repair injuries that would otherwise potentially have become permanent.

Theoretically, a stem cell injection will be able to treat any condition of the body caused by damaged or missing tissue, with the stem cells simply becoming the cells the body needs. The majority of stem cell treatments are in the early stages of clinical testing.

There are several small studies available that have shown the benefits of stem cell procedures for musculoskeletal indications. This includes joint arthritis, tendonitis, ligament injury, and all types of sports injuries.

Some patients have been able to delay or avoid the need for surgery with these regenerative procedures.

Spinal Injections

Spinal injections are a form of diagnosis and treatment designed to treat back, neck, arm, and leg pain arising from many different sources.  These injections are done with X-ray guidance which makes them very safe and effective.  Pain may be caused by herniated discs, arthritis, nerve injury, spinal stenosis, neuropathy, shingles, disc degeneration, and/or trauma.  In many cases, excellent relief can be achieved.  There are numerous types of injections that we perform including:  epidural steroid injections, selective nerve blocks, facet blocks or joint injections, and sacroiliac joint injections

Read more

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a conservative procedure used to treat chronic neck or low back pain often caused by arthritis of the spine.  It is done under X-ray guidance and is very safe and effective.  Needles are positioned in very precise locations along the spine and an electrode located at the tip of the needle delivers a radiofrequency pulse.  This is not painful.  The radiofrequency current disrupts very small nerve fibers that convey pain signals from the neck or back.  It often provides pain relief for 6 months to 2 years.

Read more

Trigger Point Therapy

A form of injection treatment designed to treat muscle dysfunction.  Diagnosis is based on identifying areas in any muscle of the body which is not working properly by palpating for “tight bands” in the muscle.  Treatment consists of injecting these tight bands with a small amount of lidocaine which is a local anesthetic.

Read more

Osteopathic Manipulation

A hands-on form of diagnosis and treatment based on the following principles:

  • Structure governs function
  • The body is unified and interconnected (i.e. a problem in your foot can cause your back to hurt)
  • Health is dependent on the well-being of mind, body, and spirit 4. Life is motion—lack of proper motion in any part of the body can result in disease and pain

The focus of osteopathic diagnosis and treatment is to identify areas of the body that aren’t moving and to restore healthy motion. This can be accomplished with several techniques including muscle energy technique, myofascial release, high-velocity low amplitude treatment (i.e. “popping a joint”), and balanced ligamentous treatment.

Medical Cannabis

In 1970, the US Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act because they considered it to have "no accepted medical use." Since then, 29 of 50 US states and DC have legalized the medical use of marijuana.  The Cannabis plant has a history of medicinal use dating back thousands of years across many cultures. The use of medical cannabis is controversial.

Medical research is ongoing but there is evidence to suggest that it has some amazing healing properties for a wide range of health problems.

Qualifying Medical Conditions per Amendment 2 in Florida

  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV+
  • AIDS
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Crohn's disease
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those listed
  • Terminal illness
  • Chronic nonmalignant pain

What are medical conditions of the same kind or class?
This category allows doctors to certify patients who have symptoms or medical conditions that are both debilitating and similar in nature to the medical conditions that are explicitly named in the law.

What does it mean for a condition to be ‘debilitating’?
For a physical or mental health condition to be debilitating it must interfere with or limit the patient’s life activities. So what does this look like?

Do you miss work or other commitments due to symptoms? Does the condition interfere with your ability to sustain relationships, get around/drive/walk, perform manual tasks, concentrate, think, or communicate? Do you require medications or other treatments for symptoms? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, it’s likely the condition qualifies as debilitating.

Office protocol
If you are interested in medical cannabis and have one of the qualifying medical conditions, contact us to schedule a consultation. If you are interested in medical cannabis but aren’t sure if you meet the criteria as outlined, contact us to inquire! We will do our best to answer questions that you may have. Physicians in the state of Florida cannot “prescribe” medical marijuana but can authorize the use of medical cannabis to patients who qualify for it.

Step 1: Schedule a consultation with our physician
It is helpful to have medical records forwarded to our office prior to your appointment. You can also bring them with you and we will make copies of your records. We charge $300 for your initial consultation. Our physician will interview you, examine you, and review your medical records. We will discuss your condition, explain the options available in regards to medical cannabis, and formulate a treatment plan.

Step 2: Apply for your medical cannabis ID card through the FL Department of Health
We will input your initial registration into the database and you will be given a patient ID number. You will use this number to finish the registration process online (you can do a paper application if you want). You will need to pay a $75 processing fee. >>>Click here

Step 3: Contact us when you get an email with your temporary ID # approval
You will be mailed an ID card but we can input your marijuana order with the temporary ID#.

Step 4: Contact the dispensary of your choice to obtain your medication

Step 5: Follow-up care
We will typically see our medical cannabis patients every 3 months to assess the efficacy of the treatment. We are also available at all times to answer questions you may have.

Medication Management

Pain is a difficult thing to deal with.  Medication may be beneficial to use on a temporary or long-term basis depending on each individual.  Oral or transdermal medications can help improve your ability to function.  It is often an important component of a comprehensive pain management program.  We will work to find the right medication that works for you.

Exercise/ Wellness Counseling

Exercise and lifestyle choices are important to health.  Our practioners will ask you about your diet, exercise routine or lack of one, and any personal hobbies, beliefs, or goals.  We can make suggestions for altering your lifestyle to improve your health.

Neuromodulation

Spinal Cord Stimulation or Neurostimulation is a proven therapy that is used to relieve chronic pain and improve quality of life.  It involves the use of electricity to block pain signals that are transmitted by the nerves of the body as they travel to the spinal cord and brain

Read more

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is one of the oldest healing arts.  It is the application of soft tissue techniques to the neuromuscular system of the body with the intention of relieving pain, reducing muscle tension and stress, and improving circulation.

EMG/Nerve Conduction Studies

Nerve conduction and needle EMG testing is an important diagnostic test that can help identify the source of pain.  It is often done when someone has numbness & tingling, muscle weakness, or pain in the arms or legs.  It is done in our office by a physician and generally takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete.   This testing is safe and very accurate.

Integrative Pain Solutions

Integrative Pain Solutions