There’s no denying it; the practice of medicine has evolved over the years, and it’s all for a good cause. New diseases and viruses are emerging and reemerging, hence the need for more innovative and advanced medical approaches to help combat the infections more effectively. Solutions like telemedicine, immunotherapy, point-of-care (POC), diagnostics, Functional Medicine, etc., are proving to offer a more patient-centric approach to improved healthcare.
Today, we focus solely on Functional Medicine. What is it, how is it different from conventional medicine, and how is it changing healthcare provision for the better? These and more details are available in the section below. So let’s go!
Functional Medicine (FM) Overview: What Is It?
The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) defines Functional Medicine as “an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach which empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying root cause of disease and promote optimal wellness.”
Put otherwise; Functional Medicine is an alternative approach to healthcare, where the practitioner aims to comprehensively understand the patient’s medical history, genetics, lifestyle, and biochemical factors. The practitioner then leverages data analytics to draw insights from the collected information and design a customized treatment plan for improved patient health.
FM shifts away from the conventional disease-centered approach to medical practice in that it focuses on the whole person rather than an isolated symptom. Thus, it allows practitioners to address disease complexities exhaustively, leaving no stone unturned. Come to think of it, one condition such as a chronic disease may result from different causes like genetics, lifestyle, or environmental factors. In the same regard, one cause may be the root of multiple conditions. And that’s why you need the Functional Medicine approach for improved healthcare, as it focuses on particular manifestations of diseases for each patient.
How is Functional Medicine Different from Conventional Medicine?
Perhaps the most apparent difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine is that the latter treats patients based on their symptoms, whereas the former digs out the underlying causes of disease. Below are five other differences that prove that FM is a more superior approach to healthcare provision.
Patient-Centered vs. Doctor-Centered
Functional Medicine promotes health holistically by following the patient-centered care evaluation approach. That means the practitioner listens and learns from what the patient’s going through before developing a tailor-made treatment plan to address the individual-specific needs. However, we can’t say the same about the conventional medicine approach, where the healthcare provider examines the patient’s symptoms for diagnosis without caring what caused the symptoms.
Health-Oriented vs. Disease-Oriented
In the conventional approach, the practitioner aims to identify a disease by examining symptom patterns and combating/treating them by prescribing drugs used to treat any other patient with a similar illness. On the flip side, FM aims to promote health improvement and vitality for each patient. As such, the practitioner digs into the factors that cause disease and recommend the right treatments for returning the patient to their original optimal health. Beyond medication, FM treatment may involve diet changes, proper nutrition, regular exercising, etc.
Cost-Effective vs. Expensive
FM is overly cost-effective for patients in the long run because it aims to unmask the root cause of disease and prevent it from resurfacing in the future through sustainable treatments and lifestyle changes. On the other hand, conventional medicine requires patients to purchase costly medications that they may need to take indefinitely. Even worse, there’s no guarantee that the drugs may resolve the underlying issue. Instead, most of them only suppress the symptoms.
Holistic vs. Specialized
With Functional Medicine, one practitioner can holistically take care of any patient, regardless of whether the underlying issue falls in their area of practice or not. However, that’s not the case with conventional medicine; it separates practitioners depending on their specific specialties, such as gynecology, psychiatry, immunology, neurology, etc.
How Functional Medicine Improves Health and Healthcare Provision
Functional Medicine is what the healthcare industry has been missing to enable patients to achieve optimal levels of health restoration while saving on costs. The patient-centered approach puts more power in an individual’s hands, allowing them to control their wellbeing and make sustainable lifestyle changes to enhance their health.
Overall, FM improves patient health and healthcare provision by:
Improving Patient Engagement
The FM approach is designed to empower patients to be co-creators of their health and wellbeing alongside the medical practitioners. The patient and the clinician have a mutual relationship, and they both develop and implement a suitable treatment plan to improve the former’s wellbeing. This engagement increases the patient’s commitment to fully implement the treatment plan for the sake of their health and wellbeing.
Accelerating the Clinical Adoption of Scientific Discovery
Did you know that there’s usually a 15-17 year gap between scientific discovery and its clinical adoption in conventional medical practice? FM drastically reduces this gap by using evidence-backed findings to translate scientific breakthroughs into clinical solutions in real-time. FM clinicians adopt innovative medical solutions earlier and combine them with a patient-centered approach to improve healthcare.
Offering a New Operating System
FM’s never-seen-before clinical model brings a new approach to assessing, diagnosing, preventing, and treating chronic diseases. And the results? Conditions that were believed to be untreatable in the outdated disease-oriented practice have been resolved hassle-free by Functional Medicine.
Incorporating the Latest Medical Technologies
After collecting patient information, FM leverages the latest technologies in data analytics, systems biology, genetic science, etc., to derive valuable and accurate insights concerning specific conditions and their causes. These technologies help practitioners understand how lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors cause diseases to emerge and progress.
Final Say
Overall, it is safe to state that Functional Medicine is the face of improved health and healthcare provision. The patient-centric approach aims at treating the whole person, not just their symptoms – and it works! Even more amazingly, the treatment provides a long-term solution to devastating conditions by offering sustainable medications and promoting lifestyle changes. That means you won’t need to spend frequently on expensive drugs, which only suppress the symptoms in most instances.
Ready to try out Functional Medicine for your long-standing conditions? Great! Schedule a consultation with one of our highly trained physicians, and begin your journey to lasting health improvement. Here’s to living healthily ever after!
Functional Medicine Offers a More Patient-Centric Approach to Improved Health
/in Functional Medicine, Health, News /by Matthew ThorsonThere’s no denying it; the practice of medicine has evolved over the years, and it’s all for a good cause. New diseases and viruses are emerging and reemerging, hence the need for more innovative and advanced medical approaches to help combat the infections more effectively. Solutions like telemedicine, immunotherapy, point-of-care (POC), diagnostics, Functional Medicine, etc., are proving to offer a more patient-centric approach to improved healthcare.
Today, we focus solely on Functional Medicine. What is it, how is it different from conventional medicine, and how is it changing healthcare provision for the better? These and more details are available in the section below. So let’s go!
Functional Medicine (FM) Overview: What Is It?
The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) defines Functional Medicine as “an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach which empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying root cause of disease and promote optimal wellness.”
Put otherwise; Functional Medicine is an alternative approach to healthcare, where the practitioner aims to comprehensively understand the patient’s medical history, genetics, lifestyle, and biochemical factors. The practitioner then leverages data analytics to draw insights from the collected information and design a customized treatment plan for improved patient health.
FM shifts away from the conventional disease-centered approach to medical practice in that it focuses on the whole person rather than an isolated symptom. Thus, it allows practitioners to address disease complexities exhaustively, leaving no stone unturned. Come to think of it, one condition such as a chronic disease may result from different causes like genetics, lifestyle, or environmental factors. In the same regard, one cause may be the root of multiple conditions. And that’s why you need the Functional Medicine approach for improved healthcare, as it focuses on particular manifestations of diseases for each patient.
How is Functional Medicine Different from Conventional Medicine?
Perhaps the most apparent difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine is that the latter treats patients based on their symptoms, whereas the former digs out the underlying causes of disease. Below are five other differences that prove that FM is a more superior approach to healthcare provision.
Patient-Centered vs. Doctor-Centered
Functional Medicine promotes health holistically by following the patient-centered care evaluation approach. That means the practitioner listens and learns from what the patient’s going through before developing a tailor-made treatment plan to address the individual-specific needs. However, we can’t say the same about the conventional medicine approach, where the healthcare provider examines the patient’s symptoms for diagnosis without caring what caused the symptoms.
Health-Oriented vs. Disease-Oriented
In the conventional approach, the practitioner aims to identify a disease by examining symptom patterns and combating/treating them by prescribing drugs used to treat any other patient with a similar illness. On the flip side, FM aims to promote health improvement and vitality for each patient. As such, the practitioner digs into the factors that cause disease and recommend the right treatments for returning the patient to their original optimal health. Beyond medication, FM treatment may involve diet changes, proper nutrition, regular exercising, etc.
Cost-Effective vs. Expensive
FM is overly cost-effective for patients in the long run because it aims to unmask the root cause of disease and prevent it from resurfacing in the future through sustainable treatments and lifestyle changes. On the other hand, conventional medicine requires patients to purchase costly medications that they may need to take indefinitely. Even worse, there’s no guarantee that the drugs may resolve the underlying issue. Instead, most of them only suppress the symptoms.
Holistic vs. Specialized
With Functional Medicine, one practitioner can holistically take care of any patient, regardless of whether the underlying issue falls in their area of practice or not. However, that’s not the case with conventional medicine; it separates practitioners depending on their specific specialties, such as gynecology, psychiatry, immunology, neurology, etc.
How Functional Medicine Improves Health and Healthcare Provision
Functional Medicine is what the healthcare industry has been missing to enable patients to achieve optimal levels of health restoration while saving on costs. The patient-centered approach puts more power in an individual’s hands, allowing them to control their wellbeing and make sustainable lifestyle changes to enhance their health.
Overall, FM improves patient health and healthcare provision by:
Improving Patient Engagement
The FM approach is designed to empower patients to be co-creators of their health and wellbeing alongside the medical practitioners. The patient and the clinician have a mutual relationship, and they both develop and implement a suitable treatment plan to improve the former’s wellbeing. This engagement increases the patient’s commitment to fully implement the treatment plan for the sake of their health and wellbeing.
Accelerating the Clinical Adoption of Scientific Discovery
Did you know that there’s usually a 15-17 year gap between scientific discovery and its clinical adoption in conventional medical practice? FM drastically reduces this gap by using evidence-backed findings to translate scientific breakthroughs into clinical solutions in real-time. FM clinicians adopt innovative medical solutions earlier and combine them with a patient-centered approach to improve healthcare.
Offering a New Operating System
FM’s never-seen-before clinical model brings a new approach to assessing, diagnosing, preventing, and treating chronic diseases. And the results? Conditions that were believed to be untreatable in the outdated disease-oriented practice have been resolved hassle-free by Functional Medicine.
Incorporating the Latest Medical Technologies
After collecting patient information, FM leverages the latest technologies in data analytics, systems biology, genetic science, etc., to derive valuable and accurate insights concerning specific conditions and their causes. These technologies help practitioners understand how lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors cause diseases to emerge and progress.
Final Say
Overall, it is safe to state that Functional Medicine is the face of improved health and healthcare provision. The patient-centric approach aims at treating the whole person, not just their symptoms – and it works! Even more amazingly, the treatment provides a long-term solution to devastating conditions by offering sustainable medications and promoting lifestyle changes. That means you won’t need to spend frequently on expensive drugs, which only suppress the symptoms in most instances.
Ready to try out Functional Medicine for your long-standing conditions? Great! Schedule a consultation with one of our highly trained physicians, and begin your journey to lasting health improvement. Here’s to living healthily ever after!
Is Ketamine Therapy Effective in Treating Depression?
/in Ketamine, News, Pain /by Matthew ThorsonIf we had to list the most common mental health disorders, depression would be way up there. According to the World Health Organization, over 260 million individuals across the board suffer from depression globally. If left untreated, depression can even lead to suicide, an occurrence that can leave many heartbroken and affect the labor market considerably.
This type of mental disorder cannot be defined as just normal sadness. If you go through a bitter experience, you’re likely to feel unhappy and sad. That’s normal. But when it comes to depression, it is usually characterized by other symptoms such as:
As if the above symptoms are not enough, this mood disorder has been linked to autoimmune diseases. It is not unlikely for a person suffering from this specific mood disorder to also have diabetes, arthritis, and even cardiovascular issues.
While the cause of this type of mental disorder is not clear yet, there are a few contributing factors. As stated by the National Institute of Mental Health, it can be triggered by:
Before we proceed, this article aims to talk about one main treatment option for depression: Ketamine. But before we get into that, we must explore the other options.
Regardless of how debilitating the condition is, it can and should be treated. Before treatment was discovered, the mood disorder under discussion could cause suicidal thoughts and even the action itself. The symptoms can affect someone’s career and relationships.
There are several ways depression can be treated, such as:
Depending on how severe the condition is, one can receive one of the above options or a combination. But what do you do if the above choices don’t work? This is where Ketamine comes in to use.
Ketamine Treatment for Depression
In 1960, Ketamine was used in the War to treat injured militaries. The treatment was used as anesthesia. Today, the drug isn’t just used in prescription form to treat persistent pain and even PTSD. Two years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted the drug to be used to treat depression. But not just any type of depression, but the treatment-resistant depression.
When all the other treatment choices don’t work, this is the choice most turn to.
Prior to the approval of the drug, it was still being used to treat the condition due to its effectiveness.
FDA approval has ensured that the drug’s availability is limited and is given by physicians accordingly. The only way to legally get access to this drug is through a certified doctor or physician to treat major depressive disorder, pain, or PTSD. Any other way of access to it would be considered illegal and for illegal use.
How Does the Therapy Work?
Ketamine functions as an antidepressant. However, there’s a major difference between antidepressants and Ketamine. For instance, normal antidepressants target areas in the brain, such as neurotransmitters that deal with the release and reabsorption of serotonin. Ketamine, on the other hand, targets the NMDA receptors found in the brain.
Let’s break apart how the drug works for a better understanding. Once the drug, Ketamine, is consumed, it attaches itself to the NMDA receptors. Once it has done this, the drug stimulates the release of a hormone known as glutamate.
Glutamate is what activates AMPA receptors to set about a process called synaptogenesis. Synaptogenesis causes the release of specific molecules that encourage neurons to communicate. This, according to research, has a positive impact on one’s cognitive process and mood.
How Is It Administered?
Two types of Ketamine are used in dealing with depression that has resisted other forms of treatments. They include:
Is the Therapy Effective?
Ketamine doesn’t always work for everyone, and research is yet to uncover why. But if it does, it’s quite effective. For instance, intravenous Ketamine is known to cause a positive response after a maximum of three blood infusions. However, if the doctor sees no response from the patient, they are advised to seek other treatment options. Perhaps even a Nasal Spray might work, as long as the patient remains under medical supervision while using it.
In line with the directon of the National Institute of Mental Health, Ketamine should be administered intravenously. This way, its effectiveness is increased and will likely work better than antidepressants.
What Are the Benefits of This Treatment?
In conclusion, Ketamine is not only approved but highly effective in treating major depression. It’s a much safer option than other medications that encourage the development of an addiction. This is true since only a few sessions can help reap positive results.
Here, at Advanced Spine and Pain Clinics of Minnesota, we offer effective ketamine therapy and many more. If you’re unsure where to look for help, look at our website to learn more about us. But if you’re ready to start treatment, book an appointment with us today. Do feel free to browse through our blog for more information.
New study – Effectiveness of epidural amniotic fluid injection for low back pain
/in Back Pain /by Matthew ThorsonA study was recently completed on the use of epidural amniotic fluid for lower back pain. Dr. Matthew Thorsen was involved in the study, which was published in The Spine Journal Volume 20, Issue 9, Supplement, September 2020, Page S82
The study concluded that AF epidural injections are most effective for patients with lumbar HNP and moderately effective for those with stenosis. AF injections for DDD patients gave inconsistent results. See below for complete details or click here.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT
Epidural corticosteroid injections have long been used to treat pain and inflammation associated with lumbar HNP, DDD and spinal stenosis symptoms. amniotic fluid, AF, is rich in the components that are believed to contribute to healing by minimizing inflammation. AF injections in nonspinal conditions have been shown to be safe and avoid adverse effects related to steroids.
PURPOSE
To investigate the efficacy and safety of a single amniotic fluid injection into the epidural space for the treatment of low back pain. Specifically, this pilot study is to define indications for future large-scale comparative studies. Three diagnostic LBP patient groups were evaluated, HNP, stenosis, and DDD.
STUDY DESIGN/SETTING
IRB approved prospective three cohort clinical study.
PATIENT SAMPLE
Patients were enrolled who had LBP and leg symptoms for more than 3 months with clinical and MRI findings for HNP, stenosis or DDD. Inclusion criteria necessitated that patients had not responded to medications, physical therapy, and chiropractic.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Back pain and leg pain VAS, ODI, PROMIS, pain medication usage.
METHODS
After obtaining consent, 20 patients in each diagnostic group, had 2mls transforaminal epidural AF injected at symptomatic level using fluoroscopy. Pre- and postprocedure outcomes were obtained with follow-up outcomes obtained at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3-4 months, 6 months and 1 year.
RESULTS
The average age (± SD) of HNP, stenosis, and DDD patients was 39±13, 57±10, 44±14 respectively. There were no complications or other adverse effects. HNP patients had the greatest reduction in symptoms with average LBP VAS improvement from 6.5 to 2.4, leg VAS from 5.7 to 1.5, and ODI from 35 to 6. Stenosis patients had LBP VAS from 6.1 to 3.7, leg VAS from 6.0 to 2.2, and ODI from 41 to 29. DDD patients had LBP VAS from 6.8 to 4.6. Within groups, HNP had significant improvement at all follow-ups for VAS back & leg pain, Pain Diagram, ODI, and PROMIS-Phys. Stenosis patients had significant improvement at all FU <8 months for VAS back & leg pain, Pain Diagram, ODI, and PROMIS-Phys. DDD group had significant improvement at all FU for VAS back pain. Between groups, there was no difference in pretreatment measures. HNP had significantly greater improvement in VAS back & leg pain, & ODI compared to DDD.HNP had significantly greater leg pain improvement compared to Stenosis. Stenosis patients had significantly greater improvement in VAS leg pain compared to DDD. HNP patients had the greatest reduction in pain medications. Of patients that failed AF, 2 HNPs had discectomy and 4 DDDs had fusion/TDR which is dramatically less surgery than in prior steroid injection studies by the authors
CONCLUSIONS
AF epidural injections are most effective for patients with lumbar HNP and moderately effective for those with stenosis. AF injections for DDD patients gave inconsistent results. Future prospective studies of AF vs steroid injections are warranted for HNP and stenosis patients.
Dr. Matthew Thorson Featured by Mpls. St.Paul Magazine for Expertise in Regenerative Medicine
/in News /by Matthew ThorsonMpls. St.Paul Magazine recently released its 2019 ‘Faces of Minneapolis-Saint Paul’ special edition, which features our own Dr. Matthew Thorson as the face of Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Thorson is one of the leading regional experts using Regenerative Medicine to treat chronic pain and illness, helping patients avoid surgery by offering a wide range of non-surgical treatments. View the feature below to learn more – to schedule a consultation with Dr. Thorson or any of our expert providers, call (612) 207-7463.
Best Places to Live if you Have Chronic Pain
/in News /by Matthew ThorsonAlthough many people assume it’s a myth, the climate in which you live can have an impact on your chronic pain. In this article, we will talk about how weather and climate can affect your pain, and some of the best areas to live if you are in chronic pain.
How Weather & Climate Impact Pain
You may have heard your grandpa complain about knee pain when it gets cold or right before a storm. It’s been parodied in movies, tv, books, etc. for decades, and many people assume it’s just an old wives tale (i.e. not true).
But the truth is that cold weather can lead to an increase in joint pain. Changes in air pressure can also lead to headaches and pain in the joints – especially in people who suffer from arthritis or chronic pain conditions.
Knowing that, you may assume that warm weather climates are the best for people who suffer from chronic pain. Many older patients do migrate to warmer climates when they retire, and one of those reasons is often to ease their chronic joint pain. However, there are many other considerations you need to take into account before packing up your life and moving.
Other Considerations
Of course, weather should not be your sole criteria when you are considering a move to lessen your pain. Family, friends, work, and other considerations should take precedent. One of the most important things you need in the fight against chronic pain is a pain management doctor who understands your condition. If you already have a trusted pain doctor in your area, that may be reason enough to stay put (even if you live in a frozen tundra like Minnesota). A great doctor in a cold climate is better than a bad doctor in a warm climate.
If you have any questions about how to treat your chronic pain, contact a pain management physician as soon as possible. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board-certified pain doctors have been treating Minnesotans with all manner of pain conditions for over 20 years. Call our office today to set up your appointment.
How Pain Impacts Your Vital Signs
/in News /by Matthew ThorsonVital signs are measurements of the body’s basic functions. Doctors routinely check these vitals in emergency situations, as well as during routine checkups to get a sense of the patient’s overall health and well-being. There are four basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration. In this article we will talk about how pain can influence a patient’s vital signs.
Temperature
Testing your internal body temperature is a good way to tell if your body is suffering from an infection or other malady. Pain often goes hand-in-hand with an increased body temperature. When your body is dealing with an injury, illness, or infection, your temperature goes up as your body attempts to resolve the issue at hand.
Pulse
Pulse is a measurement of your heart rate. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals often check your pulse by holding two fingers to your wrist or neck and counting the heart beats. An increase in heart rate is a typical response to pain in the body.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure of the blood within the body’s circulatory system. Increased blood pressure is another common bodily response to pain.
Respiration
Respiration is a test of your ability to breathe. When your doctor uses his or her stethoscope and tells you to breathe in and out during a clinic visit, they are checking your respiration rate.
At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN we treat the full scope of a patient’s pain and other symptoms. Our pain management physicians have over twenty years of experience helping Minnesotans reduce their pain and keep it at bay. If you are going through life in pain, stop dealing with it and get the medical attention you need. Call today to set up your own appointment with a pain physician who can diagnose and treat your pain. Our primary clinic is located in Edina, but we treat patients throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs.
Medical Cannabis for HIV/AIDS Patients
/0 Comments/in Medical Marijuana /by Matthew ThorsonHIV/AIDS prevents the body from effectively fighting off infection. It is a serious condition that (unfortunately) has no cure. However, there are treatments available to patients that can help reduce the symptoms caused by HIV/AIDS. In this patient education article, we are going to discuss the benefits of medical cannabis for patients with HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS
HIV (short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. The virus specifically attacks the body’s T cells – whose function is to fend off disease and infection. As the virus progresses, it can destroy such a large number of these T cells that the body is unable to defend itself against diseases and infections.
There are 3 stages of HIV:
The symptoms of HIV/AIDS can range from mild to severe. Here are a few of the most common symptoms:
Medical Marijuana as Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for AIDS. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. Medical cannabis can help curb many of the symptoms of HIV/AIDS – including headaches, nausea, and pain. Contact an approved medical marijuana provider to see if you are a good candidate.
Minnesota Medical Marijuana Clinic
At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota, we make it a point to provide compassionate, one-on-one care to every patient we treat. Our double board-certified pain management doctors have decades of experience providing care for patients throughout the Twin Cities. We are also certified to prescribe medical marijuana in Minnesota. With clinics in Edina and Minneapolis, we are fully equipped to diagnose and treat your pain. Contact our Minnesota pain doctors today to set up your appointment.
Can Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy Help Treat Plantar Fasciitis?
/0 Comments/in PRP, Regenerative Medicine /by Matthew ThorsonPlantar fasciitis is a foot condition that can cause long-lasting pain and discomfort. If left untreated, the condition can worsen and make even simple tasks like walking painful. There are many ways to treat plantar fasciitis – including regenerative medicine techniques. In this article, we are going to talk about plantar fasciitis and how Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy can be a suitable treatment option for the condition.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition in which the plantar fascia (a long band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes) becomes inflamed. This could be the result of a foot injury, or simply repetitive strain over time.
There are many potential options for treating plantar fasciitis – from rest and bracing, to surgery. While conservative methods typically do not provide enough long-term pain relief, many patients want to avoid surgery if at all possible. Platelet-rich plasma injections offer patients such an alternative – providing long-term pain relief, without having to undergo surgery.
Is PRP a Good Treatment Option?
PRP therapy begins with the extraction of a small amount of blood from the patient. That blood sample is then put in a centrifuge that separates all the elements. The platelet-rich plasma, once separated, is made into a PRP solution, which is then injected into the plantar fascia. These blood platelets go to work right away repairing the damaged plantar fascia tissue.
Find out if you are a good candidate for PRP Therapy.
Twin Cities Pain Management
At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota, our double board-certified pain management doctors have over two decades of experience treating patients for both acute and chronic pain conditions. We work one-on-one with every patient we treat to find the best treatment solution – whether it’s pain medication, steroid injections, or regenerative medicine treatments like PRP therapy. If you have foot pain stemming from plantar fasciitis, PRP therapy may be a good treatment option for you. Contact us to see if you are a good candidate. Reach out to us today to set up your appointment at our Edina or Minneapolis pain management clinics.
Medical Cannabis for ALS Patients in Minnesota
/0 Comments/in Medical Marijuana /by Matthew ThorsonALS is a debilitating disease that attacks the nerve cells in a patient’s body. Unfortunately, there is no cure for ALS. But numerous treatment options can help alleviate symptoms and reduce pain in patients with the disease. In this article, we are going to focus on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and its treatment options – specifically, medical marijuana.
What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease that weakens the patient’s muscles and impairs their ability to physically function. Commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease (after the famous baseball player), ALS causes the body’s nerve cells to gradually break down over time, resulting in disability. In addition to muscle weakness, here are some of the common symptoms of ALS:
The exact cause of ALS is unknown, and there is no known cure. However, symptoms can be addressed and alleviated with various treatment methods – including medical marijuana.
Medical Marijuana for ALS Patients
There are several prescription medications that can help slow the progression of ALS symptoms, and physical therapy can help sustain mobility. So how can medical marijuana help? Medical cannabis can help improve patient sleep patterns and mood, increase appetites, and boost speech ability.
Minneapolis Medical Marijuana Doctors
At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our board-certified Minnesota pain doctors are fully approved to prescribe medical marijuana to qualifying patients. With over twenty years of experience providing pain management care to patients throughout Minnesota, we have the knowledge and experience needed to effectively address your condition. If you are suffering from ALS, make an appointment with a qualified pain doctor to see if you are a good candidate for medical marijuana. Contact us today at one of our medical cannabis pain management clinics (located in Edina and Minneapolis) to set up your appointment with one of our skilled physicians.
Medical Marijuana for Tourette Syndrome
/0 Comments/in Medical Marijuana /by Matthew ThorsonTourette syndrome is a nervous system disorder that causes involuntary tics such as blinking or shouting. These symptoms can cause a lot of pain if left unchecked. In this article, we are going to talk about Tourette syndrome – its causes, symptoms, and how medical marijuana can be an effective treatment option.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette syndrome is a disorder affecting the nervous system that causes a person to make involuntary and repetitive movements and/or sounds, such as:
The exact cause of the condition is unknown – though genetics are thought to play a role. Typically, symptoms begin to manifest in childhood. Sometimes Tourette symptoms dissipate with age, but they may last well into adulthood.
Treating Tourette Syndrome with Medical Marijuana
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Tourette syndrome. However, that does not mean that the symptoms can’t be mitigated. The tics associated with Tourette syndrome can be severe and cause a lot of pain. Tourette syndrome is a chronic condition that can last for many years, or even for the patient’s entire life. Medical marijuana can help reduce the anxiety and stress associated with Tourette syndrome, and also decrease the severity of the patient’s tics.
Minneapolis Medical Cannabis Clinic
At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our pain management physicians are approved to prescribe medical marijuana to Minnesota patients with qualifying conditions. Our doctors are board-certified in pain management and have been providing pain management care to patients throughout Minnesota for the past two decades. We are trained in a wide variety of pain relief treatments – including regenerative medicine techniques (PRP & Prolotherapy), and medical cannabis. If you are suffering from Tourette syndrome, give us a call today to see if medical marijuana can help. Contact us today at our Twin Cities pain clinics (located in Minneapolis and Edina) to set up an appointment with one of our physicians and see if you are a good candidate for medical cannabis.