Category Archives: Alternative Medicine

Diversity in any area or sector is a characteristic that is not only intrinsically fundamental to a population but also has practical necessities. Pluralistic form of healthcare systems in India has been one such example. Indias health services system comprises both modern and traditional forms of medicine (both codified and uncodified). These services have been healing people since centuries. As India sits on a gold mine of knowledge of several health systems, the major challenge is to back them up with gold standard researched evidence and integrate them into state health services on a mass level.

Lack of pluralistic understanding and research in medical health systems in the country has prevented us from showcasing the world our potential and capabilities in the field. However, latest advancements in technologies have opened up several opportunities and avenues for having a better understanding of various health systems to broaden and enhance the public health landscape of the country. It is now time that we draw attention towards bridging the gap between different health systems and place them on a globally commercial level. We will be better able to plan and put into practise evidence-based policies in the future if we concentrate on developing our grasp of potential epistemic pluralism in a public health context of dealing with knowledge-related issues like pandemics.

The world has seen even the strongest and the best health structures crumbling down on their knees in the last two years. At the same time, we saw that the pluralistic form of medicine gained a new and unique contextual importance. People did look at alternative medicines. A larger explanation for this shift in public opinion can be credited to the massive promotion done by the Ministry of AYUSH. People tried traditional forms of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha and later claimed that they were effective in managing the symptoms.

This shows that addressing the need of sufficient epistemic pluralism, especially in the context of public health threats, is important. However, in the case of India, there is a problem of research backing for alternate forms of medicine. Consumption of giloy, which has been used for millennia as a powder or tablet, has exponentially increased during the past two years. According to a research paper published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology last year, Indians careless consumption of giloy during the pandemic was causing liver damage. For us to have robust and integrated health systems, it is crucial that the Ministry of AYUSH modifies its policies, prioritises research, and makes traditional medicine evidence-based.

Medical pluralism does not only have an instrumental but also an intrinsic value for what it is in the end. There are four reasons as to why we need to have more growing and engaging discussions around the idea of pluralistic approaches towards medicine. They are: Revisiting the role of traditional medicine in national public health goals, preventing threat of commercial exploitation of indigenous knowledge, changing disease burden and search for therapies for care and addressing the shortages of human resources in rural areas.

While the consumption of traditional medicines have increased in the past two years, there is still a lot of scepticism around it. There is an urgent need to dispel both the uncertainty and hesitancy around using traditional forms of medicine. In the current state, an allopathic doctor is considered secondary to an AYUSH one. There are also significant differences in how much they are paid. Although biomedical knowledge was integrated into AYUSH training as per recommendations of the Chopra committee, no learning of AYUSH systems was incorporated into allopathy. To provide health security to people with limited financial means we need innovative and transdisciplinary perspectives on medical efficacy. This will take time and will only be possible if enough evidence is there to back up the doses and procedure.

India has an abundance of opportunities to explore and then integrate varied healing traditions. With proper evidence and research backing, we can not only just integrate other forms into modern medicine but also co-exist. Although there has been some progress since the formation of the Ministry of AYUSH. It has been noted that it is only Ayurveda that has reached the world. There is a lack of in-depth studies in other domains. Another important aspect is that India can benefit a lot through medical tourism if these fields are developed quickly in the form of verified alternative therapies. India accounts for almost 20% of global market share in medical tourism. Through appropriate measures around accessibility and ease, this can be leveraged upon and taken to a new level.

It wont be enough to simply hire AYUSH practitioners on a contract basis and provide the bare minimum infrastructure. Allopathy and AYUSH have to be compatible with one another. From ignoring, we have moved to integration of traditional medicinal knowledge to modern one. Now it is time to head towards coexistence. Both MBBS and AYUSH practitioners should be welcomed and respected, and patients should be referred back and forth between them for specialised diagnosis or treatment. In health centres, the two departments should communicate with one another for the benefit of the patients. There should be logistical preparations for a constant supply of medications.

Previously, other countries have used our traditional medicine and commercialised them on a large scale after enough research and evidence. India is sitting on a gold mine of knowledge of alternative sources of medicine. It is now time that we make appropriate use of the knowledge and leverage upon our advantages.

The writer is Assistant Programme Manager at The Takshashila Institution. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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India Can Show The World The Right Path For Medical Pluralism - News18

Examples of that embrace body, mind, and spirit were presented last week. This week, complementary and integrative medicine therapies will be presented. What is considered holistic, complementary, or integrative is a fluid concept in that many of the same therapies overlap these healthcare concepts. Traditional, well-researched medical treatments should be used regardless of which categories you choose to add to your treatment plan. Additional therapies should be fully discussed with your healthcare professional to ensure the treatment is right for you, will not conflict or counteract treatments, and will not cause harm. These actions are critical to ensuring you get the best healthcare for your unique needs.

Complementary therapies can be added to traditional western medicine to enhance your body's healing. They are not complementary as in free but complementary as they complement or add to traditional medical practices. Complementary therapies are known for helping with symptoms such as pain, sleep, and fatigue.

Integrative medicine is combining complementary therapies into standard medical treatment to improve the entire body. As a result, individuals with complex health issues may find they have a general sense of well-being due to the integration of wellness for their entire body.

Some examples of complementary medicine are acupuncture, art therapy, tai chi, and music therapy. Also included are yoga, mindfulness, and massage therapy discussed last week. There are many more therapies. These are just a start to thinking about complementary therapy.

Acupuncture

A complementary therapy based on Chinese medicine is acupuncture. This therapy inserts thin needles into the body at specific points. The needles may be just placed, turned, or have an electrical current applied. The theory is that this releases body chemicals that will stimulate natural healing within the body and mental wellbeing. There is a belief that this may stimulate central nervous system healing, but this has not been scientifically proven. It is used for a large number of conditions ranging from chronic pain from arthritis to digestive issues and mental health. This is an article about how acupuncture works.

Art Therapy

The use of art can be a therapeutic treatment. It can be an effective way to express issues with strong emotions, self-worth, stress, or anxiety. It is psychotherapy with art as the mode of communication. Art therapy is typically done under the direction and supervision of a certified art therapist who will use paint, drawing, collage, or sculping for the expression of thoughts and feelings. In some instances, the work is collaborative with the therapist, but mostly, the art is created by the individual under the supervision of the therapist. Recent research indicates it may raise serotonin levels in the brain. An article about art therapy and depression in elderly women is here.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is actually a martial art. Since most individuals do not really have a need for martial arts today, the practice has evolved into a stress reduction practice and gentle exercise. Tai Chi is a continuous movement that is done slowly with an emphasis on deep breathing. It carefully moves all parts of the body, which results in decreased stress and anxiety, positive effects on depression, improved balance, muscle strength, and breathing. As with yoga, the instruction of an educated Tai Chi professional will help you move appropriately for maximum benefit. An article about a clinical trial using Tai Chi for individuals with a hemiplegic upper extremity explains how Tai Chi complements traditional imagery therapy. Tai Chi is best learned with an educated instructor, but if you are interested in seeing how it can be adapted for those who use a wheelchair, here is a sample video from Truman, VA.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is a widely used and accepted therapy for reducing stress and improving mood and self-expression. There is abundant research demonstrating music therapy's effectiveness in aspects of mental well-being, spirituality, cognition, and socialization. Physically, music therapy has been effective in improving communication, social skills, memory, self-regulation, motivation, and even joy. A certified music therapist will provide music for listening, singing, playing instruments, or even composing music. They will understand the type of music you enjoy and how you want to participate. Individuals of all ages can utilize music therapy. It is often used as a distraction in medical treatments to reduce stress and anxiety. Music has been studied in individuals with mobility concerns for improvement of function. Here are some articles about music therapy and how it affects individuals:

Stroke

Parkinsons Disease

Neurological Disorders

Integrative medicine is the combination of therapies with traditional medical care. This might include biofeedback. Other treatments that can be included in the holistic and complementary categories include energy healing, yoga, tai chi, and meditation.

Biofeedback

One way to heighten your body-mind connection is through biofeedback. A non-invasive, non-stimulating sensor is placed on your body to measure heart rate, breathing, sweating, muscle activity, skin temperature, and, less often, brain activity. These body functions appear on a screen so you can see when the values change, indicating stress if the value rises or increased calmness if the values are lower. You can change your values by relaxing your muscles, regulating your breathing, focusing on calmness, or use of distraction from an issue. Once you have found the key to the regulation of your body functions, you can put these strategies into practice in different situations.

Biofeedback has also been used to capture minuscule movements after paralysis that can be harnessed into larger movements. For instance, you may not recognize a slight movement because it feels different after a neurological disease or injury. However, you may be able to learn how the movement feels now to be able to repeat it. An article about potential recovery from stroke using biofeedback is here.

Spinal cord injury and shoulder pain

Suppose you feel that you would like to expand your medical treatment to include other therapies that may improve your general well-being. Be sure to discuss options with your healthcare provider up front and throughout your process. This cannot be stressed enough. Your healthcare provider needs to know what you think so they can provide proper direction for your care. More than likely, they will be able to direct you to ethical and educated providers.

Pediatric Consideration:

As a parent, we want to do everything possible for our children. This may include holistic, complementary, and integrated healthcare concepts. Because children are still developing, ensuring the developmental process occurs is paramount. However, it can be stressful when it appears that things are not progressing as a parent would wish. You can use some of these therapies to make your child more comfortable. Music therapy is one that is integrated into routine care. It is well studied with demonstrated effectiveness.

If you choose other alternatives, be sure to include your childs healthcare professional. Never create two pathways that may not work together. For the best information about working within your childs medical situation, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a paper about the use of alternative medicine. It is a rational, reasonable, and realistic plan. You can read it here. This will assist your decision-making.

Linda Schultz is a leader, teacher, and provider of rehabilitation nursing for over 30 years. In fact, Nurse Linda worked closely with Christopher Reeve on his recovery and has been advocating for the Reeve Foundation ever since.

In our community, Nurse Linda is a blogger where she focuses on contributing functional advice, providing the "how-to" on integrating various healthcare improvements into daily life, and answering your specific questions. Read her blogs here.

And if you want more Nurse Linda, sign up for her monthly webinars here. Dont worry, we archive her answers so you can refer back and sift through her advice. Consider it Nurse Linda on-demand!

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Complementary and Integrative Medicine - Reeve Foundation - Christopher Reeve Foundation

Back pain can set insuddenly, from an accident, a fall, lifting of a heavy object, or it can develop more slowlyover the years because of a medical condition or age related changes inthe spine.

"It could range from a simple muscle aching to a shooting or burning sensation thatcould sometimes radiate down to the legs," explainedAhmed Nasiem, aphysical therapist.

Treatment of back pain varies depending on the cause and symptoms.

Most back pain usually improves with home treatment and good old rest within a few weeks.

But, while anyone can sufferback pain, several factors increase the risk such asage, heredity, weight gain and lack of exercise.

"Your spine maybe distorted or damaged from improper sitting, standing or slouching," said Nasiem.

"There are also jobs that require heavy lifting, pushing or pulling, which can injure the back. A desk job can also play a role, especially if you have poor posture or sit all day in an uncomfortable chair," he added.

However, patients who do not feel that they are getting the relief forback painexpected from conventional physical therapy treatment and/or prescribed medication fromphysiciansshould definitely consider the followingas a second option.

One, there is cupping therapy, in which local suction points are created on the skin using heated cups.

"The therapist allocates specific points for cupping and disinfects the pain area," explained Mohamed Magdy, an alternative medicine practitioner.

"The therapist thensoaks a cotton ball in alcohol and lightit on fire inside a glass cup. They remove the flame and quickly place the cup on thepatient's skin, creating a vacuum that draws up the skin tissue," Magdy added.

The air begins to cool after the skin seals the hot air in the cup, causing the skin to contract.

"Because the hot air draws blood from the vessels into the body tissue, the body respondslike it would toan injury - it starts an inflammatory response, mobilising antibodies to the afflicted area in an attempt to start the healing process, while increasing the blood flow in the process," he noted.

In wet cupping, however, superficial incisions are made underthe skin using a surgical scalpel or a needle to allow the bodyget rid of toxin and waste. The ensuing mild loss of blood is thought to increase the quality of the remaining blood by the immediate elimination of toxins trapped in the tissues, and hence, making the patient feel better.

The US Olympic gold medalist swimmerMichael Phelps, made his debut in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeirowith his back and shoulders covered in perfectly round purple bruises, a few inches in diameter, after a cupping treatment.

phelps bruises stirred talks about cupping and its many benefits.

"I've done it before meets, pretty much every meet I go to," Phelps said in Rio at the time, according to the New York Times.

"So, I asked for a little cupping yesterday because I was sore, and the trainer hit me pretty hard and left a couple of bruises," he added.

Other celebrities who advocate for cupping include USgymnasts Alex Naddour, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Aniston, and David Arquette.

But can a couple of cups on your skin really make a difference?

"Cupping therapy has been around for ages and was used in ancient Chinese and Egyptian medicine to treat athletic aches and other pains," said Magdy.

"It was also used for athletes who aren't hurt to increase the blood flow, thus, help repair muscle fibbers after a hard workout," he added.

Evidently, cupping can effectively treat back pain, neck pain, headache and migraines, reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients, cellulites and facial paralysis among many other conditions.

Thus, in short, "cupping carries the potential to enhance the quality of one's life on so many levels," Magdy said.

The risks associated with cupping are minor, and include noticeable bruising that occurs due to the damaged blood cells.

"But it's nothing to worry about. The bruising you see is caused by the blood oozing from the vessel into the tissue," Magdy explained.

"It is normal and it isn't painful. It just means the treatment worked well," he noted.

However, if you have a bleeding disorder or take medicine that results inbleeding as apotential side effect, you might want to skip cupping because it can do further damage to your blood vessels.

Two, a chiropractic adjustment is another option to treat back pain.

It is a procedure in which trained specialists use their hands or a small instrument to apply a controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint.

The goal here is to improve spinal motion, as well asthe body's physical functions in general.

Sessions' durations tend to be short for the most part, typically rangingfrom 20-60 minutes.

"The first appointment usually involves a full needs assessment and, depending on the condition, the treatment program is usually 2 times per week for 2 to 4 weeks," explainedEmad Habib, a chiropractic and sports injuries doctor.

"During this time, patients feel noticeably better," Habibadded.

Reactions after the first session vary greatly from one person to another. These may range from a great sense of exhilaration to a feeling of aching and soreness in the spinal joints or muscles.

During a chiropractic adjustment, you might hear a cracking sound coming out of your bones, but do not worry.

"The cracking sound is caused by small pockets of air formed in the lubricating fluid which surrounds the joints," explained Habib.

"When the tissues are stretched during a session, the air pockets pop, making the cracking sound you hear," he added.

"However, a chiropractic adjustmentdone in the wrong waymay cause unwanted fractures or injuries. So, it is of the utmost importance to only have an appointment with an experienced chiropractor," Habib noted.

Chiropractic care will notnecessarily be your miracle cure-all. But it may provide significant relief for pulled muscles or strains and movement injuries in general.

Meanwhile, there are many forms of exercise that you can practice to keep your spine healthy, strong and aligned, thus, preventing back pain, such asswimming, walking, and yoga.

"Walking could be a great form of exercise for those suffering from back issues," explained Nasiem.

"But if you walk, don't do it for long, as long strides may be more painful for your back," he added.

"Put your phone away and keep your chin parallel to the ground to have the best walking posture," Nasiem advised.

Being active is the most important way you could help yourself if you have back pain.

"Keeping the muscles around the spine strong, will provide more support to the bones and joints and take pressure off them," Nasiem noted.

The more you move, the more your back will keep its natural range of movement. In fact, too much rest could make the pain worse," Nasiem said.

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Battle Ground Natural Healing offers a treasure trove of cannabidiol products, or CBD, to treat a variety of health conditions without the side effects people may experience from traditional medicine.

Co-founder Christina Townsend became interested in CBD to treat her own ailments.

I used to work in the medical field and I suffered from extreme anxiety, Townsend said. I had been on a lot of different medications for it, but they all had a lot of side effects or didnt work real well. I had a friend who had epilepsy and she was getting CBD hemp from her cousin in Oregon, and she had started sharing them with me and I would make them into a tea, and it got rid of my anxiety without any side effects.

Townsend said her friend then moved away so she lost her main connection to CBD products. She then had to take matters into her own hands.

When I started looking for CBD, I found that it either had higher contents of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which I didnt want (because) I worked in surgery, or it was very expensive, Townsend said.

From there, Townsend decided she wanted to provide good-quality CBD products that included no THC at an affordable price. THC is psychoactive, which produces the high associated with cannabis. CBD is non-psychoactive in nature and is safe for children, Townsend said. Prior to opening the store with her husband, Gabe, she said she worked as a surgical assistant.

Besides treating anxiety, she said CBD also helps people manage pain, inflammation, seizures, and neurological conditions like autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is more commonly known as ADHD. Townsend said she also has customers who use it to treat diabetes, control blood pressure or help with sleep problems. There are also variations of CBD products she sells that treat pets for many of the same issues.

In terms of things like autism, Townsend said parents told her CBD made a night and day difference for them.

CBD actually works with your endocannabinoid system, which is the master regulator of your whole body, and it is in charge of regulating mood and pain, and sleep, and basically all the functions in your body, she said. When its not functioning properly it can oftentimes create symptoms.

When autistic people take CBD, Townsend said their attention span improves and they are able to better regulate themselves. She said communication skills and sleep issues can be resolved for them as well.

For things like pain, she said traditional medicines can negatively affect other parts of the body like the liver, whereas CBD is not going to be damaging to those (body parts).

Not only is it not going to have those side effects and its not going to be damaging to your body, but its also going to have other benefits, Townsend said. So if youre using it to treat pain, its also going to help with your mood improvement, less stress and anxiety, (and) better sleep.

Before Townsend took CBD, she noted her anxiety manifested with symptoms like heart palpitations, shaking, and feeling like she would fall over. Nowadays, she said she doesnt get anxiety like she used to.

The store sells a wide variety of products like gummies, honey, capsules, drinks and bath bombs. They also sell topicals, which are creams applied to the skin for aches or pains, or tinctures, which are typically taken by putting it under a persons tongue.

Battle Ground Natural Healing is located at 715 W. Main St., Suite No. 115, Battle Ground. The business is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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Battle Ground Natural Healing provides CBD products as alternative to traditional medicine - The Reflector

Tucker says self-care plus traditional and alternative medicine which is the foundation of biohacking can work wonders radial and focused shockwave therapy, deep heat from TECAR, laser light therapy and peripheral electro magnetic frequency (PEMF), along with certain supplements, herbs, better sleep, topicals, mindfulness breathing and guided movements.

Dr. Tucker is in a unique position. He has been in practice for over 40 years and met a lot of smart people. He uses the experience of his colleagues and their collective knowledge plus the current science from around the world. He has cultivated relations with other doctors and has small group weekly zoom calls where medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, podiatrists, nutritionists, and the lay public share information about their preferences and what is working and what is sham.

Tucker has helped popularize TECAR Ask Me Anything (AMA), Shockwave AMA, Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and Physical Therapy (PT) AMA and Kinotek AMA. These on-going zoom calls with regular practitioners, educators, integrative medicine specialists, University and Hospital based medicine practitioners are using and looking at new and innovative methods and technologies like TECAR and focused shockwave. We like to share the benefits of non-invasive procedures that help athletes recover faster, and help regular people deal with chronic pain. We see difficult cases of pain heal better and faster using combination therapies like shockwave, Winback TECAR therapy and laser light therapy especially for patients with neuropathy and osteoarthritis.

Dr. Tucker treating with Winback

These doctors recognize that extensive studies have been done but cannot keep up with all the formation. Doctors get together and talk about everything from sports medicine, injuries, and best approaches to neuropathy, dementia and arthritis. In the Ask Me Anything format we share what we find works out in our practices for patient lives in real time. We talk about everything from products that claim to increase longevity, increase sexual vigor, costs of care, and how to optimize your body.

How do you know what works and what doesnt when it comes to Biohacking alternative medicine? Google search is easy but takes a lot of time to sort through. Biohackers are looking for well-done, independent studies on herbs, acupuncture, hypnosis, hyperbaric oxygen, etc. to guide them. Doctors banding together with the purpose of sharing experience, encouraging in-office research, education, and new evidence on alternative medicine, are gathering information to give to their patients. This practice takes solid science and natural experience behind them into Biohacking.

Here, are six alternative neuropathy practices that are among the most promising:

To visit Dr. Tucker, go to: https://www.drjeffreytucker.com/

Read more about Dr. Tucker and his work with laser treatment HERE.

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6 Alternative Medicine Tips for Neuropathy with Dr. Jeffrey Tucker - LATF USA

The majority of people who contract COVID-19 don't need to seek treatment and can typically battle the infection on their own. That's not always the case, however, especially for those who are high risk and have certain health conditions.

In an effort to prevent hospitalization and severe illness, multiple options are available, including antiviral pills and intravenous treatments. The criteria vary widely for each, and depending on your situation, one option may be recommended over the other.

Those seeking treatment are advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reach out to their health care provider, even if only experiencing minor symptoms.

As the BA.5 subvariant continues to circulate and more cases occur, here's what to know about the treatment options, including eligibility and possible side effects.

The latest treatment to garner widespread attention, Paxlovid is an oral antiviral pill that stops viruses from replicating inside the bodys cells and is meant for those currently infected with COVID-19. Paxlovid is available to people ages 12 and up who weigh at least 88 pounds, who have a positive COVID-19 test result, are showing symptoms and are at high risk for developing severe COVID-19, according to an article from Yale Medicine.

In older people and other high-risk patients, the drug was shown to reduce the chances of hospitalization or death from COVID-19. The pills work best if taken within five days from when symptoms begin.

Research suggests that a minority of those prescribed Paxlovid do experience a rebound case of the virus, such as what happened to President Joe Biden. In those instances, symptoms recurred four or five days after completing the treatment. The CDC in June said a brief return of symptoms may be a natural part of a COVID infection, and not related to Paxlovid. No additional treatment is needed for those who experience a rebound, according to health officials.

The drug has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization in non-hospitalized patients by 87% when given as a three-day course, according to a study from the New England Journal of Medicine.

Paxlovid does interact with many different medications, including blood thinners and cholesterol pills, so make sure your doctor is aware of your current medication list before discussing treatment.

Also known by the brand name Lageviro, Molnupiravir is recommended for people age 18 and up who are at high risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19. However, it should only be used when Paxlovid, Bebtelovimab and Remdesivir aren't available, as its efficacy was determined to be lower than originally reported.

The medication must be taken as soon as possible, within five days of symptom onset, according to Yale Medicine. Merck, the company behind the drug, initially reported the efficacy as 50%, but later adjusted it to 30%.

Those prescribed the medication should take four capsules every 12 hours for five days.

Molnupiravir is not recommended during pregnancy, since it has not been studied in pregnant women and has shown potential harm duringin vitrostudies. While the medication is still being studied and all of the risks may not be known, the most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea and dizziness.

The first drug approved to treat COVID-19 in late 2020, Remdesivir is the only antiviral treatment to receive full Food and Drug Administration approval - at least so far. Other treatments, including Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, are available under Emergency Use Authorization through the FDA.

Approved for both children and adults, Remdesivir is administered intravenously or through injection and must be given in a health care setting.

To receive the treatment, infants and children must be at least 28 days old, weigh over 6.5 pounds and be either hospitalized or at high risk for severe illness.

While nausea is the most common side effect, hypersensitivity, including infusion-related and anaphylactic reactions, have occurred following treatment in some instances, according to Yale Medicine. Given both in an outpatient and hospital setting, the drug inserts itself into new viral genes to block replication of the virus, shortening the time it takes seriously ill patients to recover.

While data has shown not all monoclonal antibody treatments have worked against all COVID-19 variants, some have been deemed effective in combating the omicron strain.

Bebtelovimab, which was authorized in February, is available for adults and children ages 12 and up who weigh at least 88 pounds and are at high-risk for developing severe COVID-19. An intravenous injection is given for at least 30 seconds, according to health officials, which stated the drug must be given within seven days of symptom onset.

Considered to be an alternative treatment by the National Institutes of Health, it should only be used in cases where Paxlovid or Remdesivir aren't available or appropriate.

Another monoclonal antibody, Evusheld, serves a different purpose.

Unlike the aforementioned treatments, it serves to keep immunocompromised people who don't respond to vaccination from getting sick, according to Yale Medicine. Available to anyone 12 years and older and 88 pounds, the drug shouldn't be given to those with an active infection or anyone who was recently exposed.

Doses will be given in the buttocks, during two separate injections, one after another, with repeat doses every six months. Hypersensitivity, bruising, swelling, pain and soreness at the injection site are possible after the shot is given.

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What Medicine Can You Take for COVID? Paxlovid, Remdesivir and Other Treatment Options - NBC Chicago

A primary care clinic start-up is differentiating itself by being the first primary care group staffed only by nurse practitioners (NPs).

Minneapolis-based The Good Clinic chain is designed to emphasize patient engagement, continuity of care, and an emphasis on wellness and convenience through a unique nurse practitioner-driven model, says Larry Diamond, CEO of Mitesco Inc., which operates The Good Clinic brand.

More than half of U.S. states26 states, Washington, D.C., and two U.S. territorieshave granted patients full and direct access to care by NPs in adopting Full Practice Authority (FPA), according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

FPA is the authorization of NPs to evaluate patients, diagnose, order, and interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate and manage treatments under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing. This regulatory framework eliminates requirements for NPs to hold a state-mandated contract with a physician as a condition of state licensure and to provide patient care.

The Good Clinics NP model evolved from the shrinking volume of primary care practices in the United States, which in turn, occurred because of low reimbursement rates to primary care physicians, Diamond says.

Whats happened over time is because reimbursements are low, physicians graduating from medical school with these huge student loan bills can't afford, even if they wanted to, to go into primary care, and so the number of new docs coming out of medical school who want to go into primary care has been waning, he says.

The AMA (American Medical Association) says there's a shortage of about 25,000 to 35,000 primary care providers, which is one of the reasons why all of these urgent care centers have popped up, because in America today, it's typically two to five weeks waitlist to get in to see your primary care provider for just a normal visit, a physical, or just a follow-up, Diamond says. So, America learned, Oh, if I have an earache, a sore throat, or a cut, let me run over to the urgent care clinic, and the challenge there is that we stopped providing care and just started fixing problems.

But the prevalence of chronic diseases requires that healthcare do more than simply fix problems, he says.

Diabetes is at an all-time high, and pulmonary issues, well, they all start somewhere and it's typically because they're not addressed earlier in their disease process, he says. And the government finally has recognized that if you focus on prevention, you can avoid a lot of the costs associated with people developing chronic illnesses, and then deteriorating with them, where it always costs more to address a problem later in its cycle.

Nursing is better aligned to primary care from a philosophy perspective than medicine, Diamond says. Nursing is about working with a patient over time, to help them overcome some of the challenges that they're experiencing, where medicine has evolved to be much more about one and done. Let me do something and solve the problem, Diamond says. And with chronic illness in America, it's not typically a one and done type of solution.

Good Clinics began when the physicians that started MinuteClinic, which has since been sold to CVS, added Diamond to their team to create a primary care model that was whole-person focusedone that considered physical health, behavioral health, stressors, and how they use the healthcare system.

The concept is about, How do I take care of a person soup to nuts? [by] considering complementary and alternative medicine or whatever the person is interested inyoga, meditation, supplements, vitamins, standard medicineand to have a relationship where we co-develop a wellness plan with that person.

For example, the adolescent population has been struggling with depression and anxiety after COVID and are frequently prescribed antidepressants by behavioral health services.

No. 1, theyre not looking at their physical health to understand How is their nutrition? because nutrition in adolescents really is the start point of how you feel mentally, behaviorally. We were finding thyroids that are not operating at the levels they should be, and we're finding that their vitamin D and vitamin B levels are not the adequate level, Diamond says. Nutrition is the first starting place when you're trying to address behavioral health issues, and unfortunately, so many of the behavioral health services operate in isolation of primary care.

The companys first clinic opened in February 2021, and by the end of the year it had six clinics operating around Minneapolis. This year, it expects to open an additional 12 clinics in Minnesota, Colorado, and Arizona and by next year 50 clinics are expected to be in operation in states where NPs can freely practice at the top of their license.

And though NPs have FPA in slightly more than half of U.S. states, that doesnt preclude The Good Clinic from expanding into states where NPs dont have FPA, Diamond says.

Nurse practitioners pretty much in every state have the ability to practice; what changes as you go state to state is they often have to practice under the tutelage, from a quality control perspective, of a physician, he says. There are different levelsa physician [may have to] review chart review or they may have to sit in on a certain number of patient visits with a particular nurse practitioner. So, you can operate our model in all 50 states; it just becomes a little bit more expensive.

Georgia and Texas, for example, have the highest level of quality assurance, and Florida requires a physician to sit in on all medical exams. But that wont prohibit The Good Clinic from expanding into those states.

It just lowers it on the list, Diamond says, as to where were going to want to start.

Carol Davisis the Nursing Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.

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'The Good Clinic' is the First Primary Care Group Staffed Solely by Nurse Practitioners - HealthLeaders Media

Cincinnati, OH Regenerative medicine gives hope to patients living with musculoskeletal pain in Cincinnati. Compared to traditional treatments that rely on medication or surgery, regenerative therapies harness the bodys ability to heal and repair itself, allowing patients to recover quicker. QC Kinetix (Eastgate) is an advanced regenerative orthopedics clinic providing natural customized treatment plans. The team of qualified medical providers proactively supports tissue repair by delivering critical nutrients to the injury site, improving circulation, and removing inflammatory compounds.

Whether a patient is a professional athlete, weekend warrior, or nature enthusiast, their performance depends on their mobility. Active participation in the field, gym, or hikes leaves little time for pain, inflammation, or physician visits. The regenerative clinics team is just as passionate about patients performance. They create a treatment strategy that eases pain/inflammation, gives the body a chance to trigger the healing process, and helps maintain their posture/form. The non-surgical therapies relieve pain from a torn rotator cuff, golfers elbow, tennis elbow, shoulder pain, wrist pain, ankle pain, torn Achilles tendon, and tendon/ligament tears.

Regenerative medicine techniques work best as part of a recovery routine that includes rest, physical therapy, and bracing. By combining regenerative medicine approaches with traditional sports injury treatments, patients experience strengthening tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues. Alongside sports-related injuries, QC Kinetix (Eastgate) treats patients with musculoskeletal pain resulting from trauma, falls, poor posture, lifestyle choices, repetitive/jerking movements, or muscle overuse.

The clinics regenerative therapies are popular for joint pain relief and management of soft tissue injuries. By stimulating the bodys natural healing response, the team eliminates the need for pain medication, anti-inflammatories, therapeutic massages, or extensive physical therapy. Their treatment techniques are also an excellent alternative where other traditional orthopedic treatments or costly surgical procedures have failed.

Many patients discovered QC Kinetix (Eastgate) while searching for natural knee pain treatments. The team creates plans that address bone-on-bone osteoarthritis, decreased range of motion, chronic knee pain, knee cracking/popping, torn meniscus, and torn ACL. The clinics natural regenerative techniques help knee joints heal and repair without knee replacement surgery, arthroscopic surgery, steroids, physical therapy, or extended recovery time.

When joint tissues become irritated, inflamed, or worn down over time, a patients immune cells react by destroying the cartilage. The result is chronic arthritis pain in the shoulders, hips, ankles, wrists, elbows, low back, feet, hands, and knees. While medicine, physical therapy, and surgical procedures decrease inflammation in joints, they dont slow down the progression of the disease. However, biologic therapies provide long-term relief by using the bodys existing healing mechanisms to improve pain. The providers include a variety of treatment methods after performing a comprehensive examination of a patients condition and health history. Check out their website to learn more about regenerative medicine Cincinnati.

Call (513) 847-0019 to request a consultation or learn more about regenerative medicine. QC Kinetix (Eastgate) is located at 4357 Ferguson Dr, Bldg 3, Suite 210, Cincinnati, OH, 45245, US.

Media Contact

Company NameQC Kinetix (Eastgate)Contact NameScott HootsPhone(513) 847-0019Address4357 Ferguson Dr, Bldg 3, Suite 210CityCincinnatiStateOHPostal Code45245CountryUnited StatesWebsitehttps://qckinetix.com/cincinnati/eastgate/

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QC Kinetix (Eastgate), a Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Cincinnati, offers Alternative Treatments to Surgery for Chronic Pain and Sports Injuries -...

If you're experiencing discomfort in your anal area, one of the first things that come to mind for many of us is hemorrhoids.

That's the big misnomer.

"Hemorrhoids are the great scapegoats for all sorts of anal issues and discomfort," says Sean Langenfeld, MD, Nebraska Medicine colon and rectal surgeon. "Because of their location, it's very difficult for most people to know what's going on with their anus so they assume it's hemorrhoid. Less than 50% of people who complain of hemorrhoids actually have hemorrhoids that cause symptoms. More often, they have other diagnoses ranging from small issues such as pruritus ani (anal itching), anal warts, or anal fissures to large issues such as abscesses, fistulas and cancers."

Derrick Eichele, MD, Nebraska Medicine gastroenterologist, agrees, and adds, "If you do experience new onset bleeding, it's better to get it checked early with your primary care doctor than to wait. This will allow us to rule out other alternative competing diagnoses and get you the appropriate treatment."

Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions that live inside the anal canal. They are a part of normal human anatomy. Everyone is born with three of them. These internal hemorrhoids help keep the anus closed at rest, which helps with continence. Hemorrhoids can become uncomfortable when they are swollen and inflamed. Common causes include constipation and straining, prolonged sitting on the toilet, pregnancy and strenuous exercise.

Hemorrhoids fall into two categories.

Internal hemorrhoids are the most common type. Despite commonly-held beliefs, hemorrhoids are not usually painful. They can cause painless, bright red bleeding and may bulge outside the anal opening, also known as prolapse, during bowel movements. If they get large enough, patients may see or feel a soft, pink bulge of tissue prolapsing out of their anus. This tissue goes back inside on its own, but sometimes it needs to be pushed back in.

An external hemorrhoid is a soft cushion of skin-covered vascular tissue that lives just outside the anal opening. Severe straining and strenuous exercise can cause these tiny vessels to rupture, which is similar to a blood blister. The ruptured or thrombosed hemorrhoid can grow under the skin and become firm and painful. It is usually dark blue in color and often ruptures producing small dark blood clots.

While thrombosed hemorrhoids are very painful, they are not dangerous to your health and improve over time similar to a skin bruise. If the pain is severe, they can often be removed in the office by a colorectal surgeon.

If you suspect you may have hemorrhoids, Dr. Langenfeld suggests making the following lifestyle changes that can help relieve your symptoms usually within two to seven days:

"In many cases, a suspected case of hemorrhoids ends up being a different issue," notes Dr. Langenfeld. "If the anal symptoms do not get better in a short period of time, a visit with your doctor can help determine if another issue exists. People who are searching hemorrhoids on the Internet should try to find a reliable online resource, such as the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons website. They should also be searching anal fissure since this is a much more common cause of anal complaints."

Anal itching (pruritus ani) itching near the anal opening due to irritation to the skin in the area.

Anal warts caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), anal warts are caused from direct sexual contact with an infected person.

Anal abscess an infected cavity of puss near the anal opening usually caused by an infection of one of the anal glands usually inside the anal opening.

Anal fissure a tear in the skin just inside the anal opening usually caused by trauma to the anal canal such as a large, hard bowel movement.

Anal fistula a small tunnel connecting a previously infected anal gland with the skin outside the anal opening usually caused by a previous anal abscess.

"Hemorrhoids are not dangerous and typically don't turn into more severe problems, but they can be distressing and uncomfortable," says Dr. Langenfeld. "The important thing is to rule out other causes if they do not go away on their own within one to two weeks after trying some simple lifestyle changes."

If you continue to have rectal bleeding, depending on your age and risk factors, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to rule out other possible sources of blood loss, says Dr. Langenfeld.

"Your primary care doctor can determine your diagnosis and help you implement lifestyle changes to alleviate your symptoms," says Dr. Langenfeld. "If symptoms linger, your primary care doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon for treatment."

Hemorrhoids that cause moderate or severe symptoms may require surgery. "The most common office procedure for hemorrhoids is rubber band ligation.

"Rubber band ligation is a safe, effective and pain-free procedure that can be performed in your doctor's office that involves placing a rubber ligature tightly around the internal hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply," explains Dr. Langenfeld. "This will cause the hemorrhoid to shrink and eventually slough off over one to two weeks."A severe thrombosed hemorrhoid may require excision, which can often be performed in your doctor's office. This involves making a small incision to drain the clot and usually brings significant relief, notes Dr. Langenfeld.

Need an evaluation?Suspect you may have hemorrhoids or another type of anal issue? Call 800.922.000 to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.

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What causes hemorrhoids, and when should you see a doctor? - Nebraska Medicine

Bengaluru:About three and a half years ago, Joseph,suffering from severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (SAH) as well as lung tuberculosis, was lying in a semi-coma at Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva, Kerala. The 65-year-olds liver was deteriorating rapidly.

Over the course of his hospitalisation, he attended his daughters engagement ceremony chaperoned by medical attendants. However, he worried that he would not live to see her wedding.

He couldnt get the recommended treatment of steroids for his liver due to his TB. He was told that a liver transplant was the only procedure that could save him, but since he was also suffering from SAH, to prevent the risk of a relapse, he needed to go through a mandated sobriety period of six months before surgery.

But Joseph did not have the luxury of time. That is when he was offered an unusual option Faecal Microbiota Transplantation, or stool transplant.

It is what it sounds like. Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), also called bacteriotherapy, is a procedure where human stool with good bacteria from a healthy, screened donor is transplanted into the intestine of the recipient patient through the mouth, nose, or via an enema.

The procedure restores the gut bacteria the beneficial bacteria that line our intestines improving gut and colon health. It has been experimentally most commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders.

At Rajagiri,FMT has been adopted by hepatologists (liver specialists), owing to therelevance of the gut microbiome (beneficial bacteria in the intestines) in liver disease.

We thought it was strange, but they told us its a lifesaving treatment, Josephs daughter Shervia, 29, told ThePrint. Even if experimental, it was his last chance at life.

Josephs family gave their consent and the treatment began in early 2019. A faecal material suspension liquid mixed with undissolved solid matter was created from a donors stool and directly poured into a tube going into Josephs nose and to the small intestine. He was given an infusion of 100 ml for seven to eight days.

He started responding and improving almost immediately, said Shervia.

A month later, Joseph was dischargedto everyones surprise and relief, much aheadof Shervias wedding.

I had no problem. The experience was good. It is because of the treatment that I was able to attend my daughters wedding. Before the procedure, doctors had said they would not be able to allow me to attend. But today I am fine, and Im also able to drive normally, said Joseph, who has been disease-free for over three years.

Shervia said she would recommend FMT to anyone for whom liver transplant isnt an option, as it is inexpensive, easy, and efficient.

FMT procedures havebeen gaining clinical relevance since early studies in the 1950s, andthe method hasproven to be consistently and highly successful in treating gastrointestinalbacterial infections that dont respond to antibiotics.

It has been adopted in several hospitals around the world as an experimental treatment. Its usage is increasing with growing evidence that gut bacteria imbalance contributes to a host of conditions, including allergies andasthma,cancer, andliver disease.

While a handful of hospitals in India have used it, Rajagiri in Kerala is the only institute in the world to have consistently performed FMT on a case-by-case basis for severe SAH cases.

Also read: Where did Earths early life forms get oxygen? Scientists finally have some answers

The FMT programme at Rajagiri Hospital is headed by hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, senior consultant and clinical scientist at The Liver Institute there.

Dr Philips, also an expert member of the Centre of Excellence in Microbiome Studies, an upcoming scientific programme beingdevelopedby the Government of Kerala,had performed hisfirst FMT in 2014 as part of his hepatology training and thesis work at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in New Delhi.

When identifying topics for his thesis, Dr Philips, speaking to ThePrint, said he came across many rigorous papers that showed intestinal microbes playing a role in the cause and progress of several liver diseases, especially alcohol-related ones.

Since FMT was already a recommended treatment for the drug-resistantClostridioides difficileinfection (CDI), Philips sought to conduct the first human pilot trial for treating SAH patients, who didnt have alternative therapies available to them, with FMT.

As part of my thesis, I started the worlds first stool transplant protocol for the sickest group of [SAH] patients in 2014, at the time equipped with our kitchen blender, donated by my wife Teena, for homogenising fresh stool in my makeshift, dingy storage room cum FMT Lab at the lowest ground level at my institute. And it paid off, he said.

We found that close to 85 per cent patients on FMT survived one year, compared to 33 per cent on non-FMT standard care in our study, he added.

Consequently, FMT has saved the lives of many liver patients at Rajagiri.

One such person is 37-year-old Deepesh. He had been suffering from liver cirrhosis in 2018, undergoing treatment in Coimbatore. He was extremely weak, had shaky legs and couldnt even eat. His urine was discoloured, indicating damage. His doctors, too, recommended Rajagiris FMT treatment.

We trusted the doctor [at Rajagiri]. Everybody knows he is an expert, he said to ThePrint.

Deepesh underwent the same transplant procedure through his nose for eight days. Since his recovery, he has felt different.

After the treatment I had no problems I had energy again and regained my appetite, he said. Deepesh continues to be in good health.

Liver disease isnt the only disorder to be cured by FMT. In fact, it is more widely adopted for gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and more.

The very first FMT procedure conducted in India in a clinical setting on a patient was performed by Dr Avnish Seth, gastroenterologist and hepatologist currently with the Manipal Hospital in Dwarka, Delhi, in 2014.

At the time, he performed theprocedure at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram on a patient with ulcerative colitis, caused by CDI in a patient who had undergone heart surgery as well.

The 44-year-old male patient was on ventilator support and had reduced kidney function, so the procedure was performed thrice via colonoscopy.

The patient improved rapidly without steroids and antibiotics, and Seth has continued to perform FMT procedures.

Dayanand Medical College in Ludhiana also performs FMT procedures under Dr Ajit Sood for ulcerative colitis and Crohns Disease, both forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

ThePrint reached Dr Sood and Dr Seth by email, but did not receive a response.

Also read: 66-year-old U.S. man is the fifth in the list, but the oldest patient to be cured of HIV

The infusion of stool through a feeding tube sounds repulsive, but its far from it, assures Dr Philips.

A healthy donor is carefully selected and screened, especially for bacterial CDI, which is commonly driven by antibiotic use. Up to 100 grams of fresh stool is diluted with saline, milk, or water, and blended. This suspension is then administered through a feeding tube down the mouth or nose to the small intestine, or through a colonoscope as enema.

The stool suspension is given at the bedside and the whole process is over within 10 minutes. Since it is given deep into the small intestine, the chance of regurgitation and gaseousness from the procedure does not exist, said Dr Philips, who regularly performs the procedure for SAH and other liver diseases.

He further said that none of the patients complain of smell or distaste after the procedure because they are made to sit up for an hour post-procedure and also given medication to propel the suspension.

Dr Philips teams work has shown the benefit of FMT for a range of conditions, including alcohol addiction, antibiotic resistance, and drug-inducedliver injury.

They have also, according to Dr Philips, performed the first, largest and longest follow-up study on FMT in alcohol-associated hepatitis, and were able to show the change from bad bacterial profile to a good one starkly.

Dr Avnish Seths long-term follow-up study for ulcerative colitis had patients get periodic FMT treatments for maintenance and rescue, demonstrating successover five years.

Stool transplant was first documented in 4th century China by physician Ge Hong, and subsequently by physician Li Shizhen in the 16th century, who had their patients drinkyellow soupto treat stomach disorders. The firstpaperto be published in modern medicine for FMT in humans was in 1958.

The treatment has also been widely adopted by veterinariansand is also naturally exhibited in the wild by animals, many of whom often consume faeces of their own or other species.

The reason Joseph, Deepesh and many others have benefited from FMT is the enhanced clinical understanding of the gut microbiome, or the combined ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that inhabit our body, which help regulate our health and immune systems.

Also called the gut flora or microbiota, it plays a key role in digestion and healthy functioning of intestines. Disruption in the gut microbiome is believed to contribute to elevated blood sugar and cholesterol levels, fluctuations in weight, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and other illnesses includingcancer.

It affects even the brain and nervous system, due to the two-way biochemical signaling mechanism called thegut-brain axis, which causes molecules produced in the intestine to affect the brain. Thus, the gut microbiome is thought to play a major role in cognition and mental health as well.

Trialsstudyingirritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have also shown that patients who had been clinically diagnosed with depression saw a remarkable improvement in their mental health after FMT.

Gut floras health is influenced by lifestyle habits and nutrition, and by diseases and antibiotics. Its disruption is exacerbated by antibiotic use and can manifest as an upset stomach of various kinds, bloating, flatulence, andevenincreased anxiety and depression.

In non-diseased people, it can be typically fixed by cutting down sugar and meat, increasing fermented and prebiotic foods, and exercising. But those with severe disease where the gut bacteria are also involved, like liver cirrhosis and SAH, undergo a more brute-force version through FMT.

When the stool transplant occurs, it regularly floods the small intestine with healthy gut flora. This likely causes the unhealthy bacteria to get displaced over the next few days and die out because the good bacteria compete for the same resources in the intestine.

It is alsolikelythat filtrates from the healthy stool, such as bacteriophages and enzymes, are the drivers of FMTs efficacy.

While FMT has been wildly successful, with the first randomised controlledtrialfor CDI treatment even stopping early due to its overwhelming positive results, it is still in the experimental stage and has extremely strict clinicalprotocols.

If performed without thorough screening, there is risk of transferring infections from donor torecipient. Adverse events in trials havedocumented mild and short-lived gastrointestinal distress that get resolved by themselves by the time the treatment is finished, but irritable bowel syndrome has been exacerbated in some.

One person in the USdiedin 2019 after receiving FMT containing a drug-resistant bacteria, whichalsoinfected one other person who received the same donors sample in pillsfrom a different batch.

The role of FMT as a therapeutic option for SAH is still in its fetal stages, warned Dr Philips. Currently, FMT must only be done within research protocols and possibly on a case-by-case basis for those interested in it after informed consent.

We need rigorous, high-quality randomised controlled trials and validation and repeatable outcomes from those trials for us to include FMT as a therapeutic option in routine clinical practice, he added.

(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)

Also read: Yale researchers make hearts of pigs beat again hours after death. Its a big deal

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Poop has its uses too. Faecal transplants are the new treatment for cancer, liver disease - ThePrint