Regenerative Injection Therapy with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)Since I began treating patients with prolotherapy in 1999, I have had the opportunity to integrate the latest prolotherapy techniques and innovations into my practice. One of these innovations is the use of Platelet Rich Plasma matrix grafts, or PRP for short. Please let me tell you about this exciting innovation: What is Platelet rich plasma? PRP is processed from the patient’s own blood in an in-office procedure that concentrates the bioactive tissue growth factors found in platelets. These growth factors are known to stimulate the healing cascade in musculoskeletal injuries. Here’s how it works: All injuries result in tissue damage. The body’s natural response to injury is an organized process of regeneration and remodeling of damaged cells, ultimately returning the injured tissues to their normal state. Collectively this process is known as the healing cascade. This healing cascade is primarily controlled by bioactive tissue growth factors found in platelets. With PRP prolotherapy, these growth factors are concentrated and injected directly into the site of injury. Why use your own platelets? Platelets are tiny cells that are critical to healing. They are the body’s primary source of bioactive tissue growth factors, including CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor) PGDF (Platelet Derived Growth Factor), TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-beta), EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), IGF (Insulin Growth Factor), bFGF (basic Fibroblast Growth Factor), and VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. Together, these compounds control and regulate our natural healing cascade in response to injury and degenerative changes. By concentrating these growth factors and injecting them at the site of injury, a robust healing response can be achieved. PRP provides a fibrin matrix graft. Fibrin matrix provides the scaffolding for new collagen to form along damaged ligaments and tendons. With a fibrin matrix graft, even severely damaged tissues can re-organize and heal. PRP concentrates Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are multi-potent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types during tissue repair processes. Cell types that MSCs have been shown to differentiate into include collagen secreting cells, bone forming osteoblasts and cartilage forming chondrocytes. Together these cells have the potential of rejuvenating tissues damaged by injury, degenerative changes, and osteoarthritis. What does it do? The PRP process concentrates fibrin, mesenchymal stem cells, and platelets so that each cubic millimeter of solution contains 1.5 to 2 million platelets, resulting in up to a five-fold increase in platelets and bioactive growth factors. Because it is so concentrated, PRP acts as a potent tissue growth stimulant, amplifying the natural process of tissue repair and healing. Studies show that PRP induces the production of new collagen by the fibroblasts, bone and cartilage cells at the site of the injection, rebuilding the joint cartilage and strengthening injured ligaments and tendons. This new collagen is naturally incorporated directly into your existing cartilage and ligaments, making them thicker, stronger and more elastic. Is PRP Safe? Autologous (patient derived) PRP has been used for over 30 years as an aid in recovery following certain surgical, orthopedic and dental procedures. Over 6600 research articles have been published on the and safety of PRP. What kinds of injuries can PRP be used in? Medical researchers are reporting remarkable results using aPRP in the treatment of common injuries, including tendinosis, the regeneration of cartilage in osteoarthritis of the thumbs, knees and hips, and in non-surgical repair of rotator cuff tears. Published studies show restoration and smoothing of of roughened cartilage, improved range of motion, and resolution of pain in osteoarthritis of hips, knees and shoulders. Many other conditions respond to prolotherapy with PRP, including injuries to the back, neck, jaw, elbows, shoulders, hands, hips, knees, ankles and feet. Want to read learn more about regenerative injection therapy and PRP prolotherapy? Visit our website, www.MyCTM.org or www.prolodoctor.com, and click on Platelet Rich Plasma.
Hypertension Mellows with AcupunctureBonnie was having too many side effects from her blood pressure medication. Her ankles were swelling, and she often felt dizzy and tired. She sought my help in lowering her blood pressure. With regular acupuncture, her blood pressure dropped without having to tolerate the side effects of drugs. She is not alone. Researchers found that patients with hypertension achieved significant short-term reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following acupuncture treatments, according to a randomized, double-blind study, published in Circulation June 2007. It is important to note that these results were short-term. When researchers measured blood pressures again at both three- and six-month follow ups, they found mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures had returned to pretreatment levels in the active treatment group. This outcome suggests that reductions in blood pressure are based on receiving regular acupuncture treatments. This study shows that acupuncture offers an alternative antihypertensive therapeutic option to patients with mild or moderate hypertension who want to avoid drug therapy or use acupuncture as an additional option with other therapies. If you have high blood pressure and would like to explore acupuncture treatments or additional naturopathic treatments for your condition, call CTM for an appointment.
Stay Fit with the Slow Burn Fitness Revolution:How can 30 minutes of exercise twice a week turn back your genetic clock, make new brain cells, save your heart, and prevent osteoarthritis?Of all the lifestyle factors affecting longevity, exercise continues to lead the pack. In fact, researchers with the Veterans Affairs recently completed a study of 15,860 men, and found that after 7 ½ years, those who were “highly fit” had an all-cause 50% reduction in mortality, and “very highly fit” men had a 70% reduced all-cause mortality when compared to men of “low fitness”. That’s right, a 50%-70% reduction in the risk of dying from any cause! “Our findings show that the risk of death is cut in half with an exercise capacity that can easily be achieved by a brisk walk of about 30 minutes per session 5-6 days per week”, said chief researcher Dr. Peter Kokkinos. Younger genes? Does regular exercise actually lower the age of our genes? Genetic researcher Lynn F. Cherkas, Ph.D., of King’s College London, has found that regular exercise results in longer telomeres on our chromosomes, and these longer telomeres are associated with the ability of our genes to repair themselves, and to turn back the clock on biological age. More brain cells? Brain researcher Dr. Astrid Bjørnebekk at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has discovered that regular exercise stimulates new cells to be made in the area of the brain important for memory and learning. So now we know that exercise not only builds more muscles, exercise gives us longer, younger telomeres and more brain cells to boot. Can you spare 30 minutes twice a week? Now that we know that exercise can turn back your body’s clock, how do you work it into your busy life? I have learned that by exercising with the slow burn method, I can build muscle mass, gain the cardiovascular fitness I need for other sports, and stay free of nagging injuries, just by resistance training for 30 minutes twice a week. And I still have time for the 30 minute brisk walk. “Move it or Lose it”. When it comes to your heart and lungs, almost all the benefits from aerobic exercise actually come from increased muscle mass and and the resultant increased metabolic efficiency. The Slow burn builds muscles more efficiently than aerobics., and when your muscles become more metabolically efficient, they utilize oxygen more efficiently. And best of all, slow burners exercise with far fewer repetitive motion injuries and gain more benefit from their exercise, all in a fraction of the time. What about osteoarthritis and injuries? Studies have shown that the common joint disease osteoarthritis is mostly a sign of accelerated biologic aging. It is the sedentary lifestyle that causes the most damage to joints, while Slow Burn exercise has been found to protect joints from osteoarthritis and to reduces work related repetitive strain injuries. Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the “father of aerobics” has said “You should change your focus on exercise as you age—you need to save those joints and concentrate more on building muscle and less on aerobics.” Is a Slow Burn workout all anyone needs? No, but a once or twice a week slow burn can serve as your fitness foundation, freeing you up to do the other physical activities that you enjoy. Sound too good to be true? I thought so too, until I tried it. So if you want to get the most out of your fitness program, I suggest you get serious and read one of the following books: “The Slow Burn Fitness Revolution” by Michael Eades MD, “The Slow Burn” by Mary Eades, MD, and Michael Eades, MD, or the “Power of 10” by Frederick Hahn. References on the web at www.MyCTM.org.
Low Testosterone in Men:Andropause is more common than you think.What is andropause or male menopause? Andropause occurs in men when there is a steep decline in the anabolic hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This drop in hormones is common in men after age 40. How do I know if testosterone is low? Fatigue, memory loss, cognitive decline, depression. Lack of sex drive, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. Aches and pains, decreased flexibility, osteoarthritis of the joints. Decreased strength and endurance, thinning of the skin. Muscle loss, osteoporosis, obesity, easy weight gain. Estrogen levels rise with age. It may come as a surprise that the average 60 year old man has more circulating estrogen in his bloodstream than the average 60 year old woman! As men age, the balance between testosterone and estrogen often tilts in favor of estrogen production. As estrogen increases, testosterone production declines. Testosterone and DHEA are beneficial in many ways. Research on testosterone and DHEA shows that together they decrease heart disease risk, increase lean body mass, enhance immunity, strengthen libido, improve memory and prevent osteoporosis. Testosterone also lowers total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol, and decreases insulin resistance. What can I do? With the proper diet, regular exercise, and herbal medicine, we can delay the onset and treat the symptoms of andropause. In many cases, bio-identical tesetosterone replacement therapy is necessary to reverse many of the negative effects of low testosterone. Biologically identical testosterone has the same molecular structure and can produce the same effects as the natural testosterone produced by the testes. Biologically identical testosterone can be administered in topical gels or sublingual tablets. For some men, testosterone pellets can be implanted under the skin, releasing a steady amount of hormone over three to six months. Are there side effects? When correctly monitored, physiologic doses of testosterone have no adverse side effects. Before testosterone replacement is initiated, testosterone, estradiol and PSA (prostate specific antigen) tests are performed to determine the need for hormone replacement. To learn more, contact CTM.
If Your Waist Is Bigger Than Your Hips, Watch Out For DiabetesDozens of previously published studies provide evidence that being overweight can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While body mass index generally has been the accepted method of calculating obesity, other specific body measurements, such as waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio are also considerations.
According to the authors of the study, the size of your waist provides important insight into the potential diagnosis of diabetes. If you have questions about ways to predict, prevent or treat type 2 diabetes, call for an appointment with Dr. Horan.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Sees Brighter Days“I feel like I’m swimming under water lately, like I’m in slow motion. I’m depressed, tired and unmotivated,” Doreen explained. She had moved here from Arizona 10 years ago, and had never experienced seasonal depression before moving to Portland. “I think I have to leave the state every winter unless I can get help for it.” Doreen is experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression. Most SAD sufferers experience normal mental health throughout most of the year, but experience depressive symptoms in the winter. Some people are not depressed but may lack energy to perform daily activities. There are various theories about how SAD develops: possibly a lack of serotonin, or melatonin under-production in dim light. We undertook an aggressive strategy to combat Doreen’s SAD. If you have ever experienced symptoms of depression in winter, the following program is known to give a body the best chance possible at balancing the neurotransmitters that support well-being: Exercise. One of the best ways to combat depression is by exercising regularly. It is even more important for SAD winters, even though outdoor activities are restricted. The key is to find an exercise you enjoy doing, and do it daily. It could be a good time to explore new forms of exercise by taking classes. Give yourself permission to leave and try a different one if after a few times you feel it doesn’t work for you. Try yoga, tai chi, dance, kung fu, swimming, anything. The best kind of exercise is the kind you will DO. Be adventuresome. Diet. Caffeine and sugar might seem like a good idea for a quick fix when you’re feeling a little down, but these can make things worse in the long run. It is especially important to eat balanced meals, which include good quality protein and complex carbohydrates in order to balance our insulin levels, as swings in blood sugar levels can contribute to depression. A diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, seeds and nuts are best. The quality of your nutrition plays a big role in the quality of your mental function and mood. Feed your brain by eating well. Take a good quality multivitamin, and 3000 mg. of fish oil per day. We recommend Multigenics and EPA/DHA enteric-coated fish oil. NeuroFocus Test. The NeuroFocus test measures the most active neurotransmitters associated with feelings of well-being. It is a urine-collection test which measures the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, GABA, and their precursors. If the test detects a low neurotransmitter, it can be treated by supplementing with amino acids to restore neurotransmitter balance. Treat any underlying physical conditions. Certain diseases can contribute to depression, as can the drugs used to treat them. Get yourself tested to rule out thyroid or adrenal insufficiency, hypoglycemia, food allergies, yeast overgrowth, or heavy metal toxicity. Five Element Acupuncture. When we are not being true to ourselves or our soul needs, depression can result. Lack of acceptance can trap intense emotions and lead to energy blocks in the body. Five Element acupuncture can help to dissolve the blocks to knowing or honoring ourselves and allow us full access to our vital emotions. Full-Spectrum Lighting. SAD is often known to respond to full-spectrum lighting. If you have fluorescent lights in your house or office, change the bulbs to full spectrum. Also, consider investing in a full-spectrum light box specifically designed for SAD sufferers. For the best effect you must sit under or near the light for 30 minutes per day. Doreen’s NeuroFocus test showed she had normal serotonin, but low norepinephrine and low GABA. We supplemented her with an amino acid formula, made diet and exercise changes, and performed a course of four acupuncture treatments. As a result, she had the best winter she had ever experienced in Portland, followed by another successful winter last year where she felt well and optimistic that she didn’t need to leave the state after all. If you suspect you are suffering from SAD, consider evaluation and treatment with Dr. Horan.
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160 hypertensive patients had three treatments per week for six weeks of either active acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Needling points were chosen according to a typical prescription for the condition, while sham needling was done on locations not relevant for lowering blood pressure. At the end of the study, there was a significant difference in post-treatment blood pressures in both systolic and diastolic pressures in the active acupuncture group. The mean
24-hour ambulatory systolic and
diastolic blood pressures decreased after treatment by 5.4 mm Hg.
Do the Slow Burn. Slow motion weight training builds muscle mass and fitness faster than any other method. In fact, studies have shown that men and women following a slow motion strength training regimen achieve 50 to 100% faster strength gains than those following a traditional weight training program. When doing the slow burn, you lift less weight. You slowly do 3 or 4 very slow motion repetitions over 60 to 90 seconds until complete exhaustion (burn) of all three types of muscle fibers occurs. By completely exhausting these fibers, muscle growth factors are released, building muscle. Once your 3 or 4 reps are complete, you move on to the next muscle group. 
In a recent study, researchers analyzed the incidence of diabetes in a group of 27,000 men ages 40-75. These men were tracked over a 13-year period, measuring body weight and height, physical activity levels, dietary intake and incidence of smoking at regular intervals. Men with waists larger than 29-34 inches were up to 12 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes during the 13-year span of the study. When the waist-to-hip ratio was above 0.95, the risk of developing diabetes was seven times greater than for people with normal (<0.8) waist-to-hip ratios. For women, a ratio of 0.8 or less is considered low risk, and 1.0 high risk.