Article – Integrative clinic great place for patients with knee pain

In this newsletter we will try to illustrate the thinking involved in integrative medicine. This thinking obviously applies to all problems, not just knee issues. We always start with a conventional workup to understand the issue, consider conventional treatment approaches, review possible complementary methods and develop a plan that usually involves some conventional and some complementary modalities.

Here is an example of how we would work with a patient experiencing knee pain:

At Life Medical our initial assessment would involve a physical exam which may indicate whether we are dealing with some internal damage vs some inflammatory process or some type of reversible strain. Imaging, like x-rays and/or MRI scan, bloodwork and some other tests may be necessary. Sometimes the cause of pain is still unclear even after the initial medical exam and tests, and at that point we ask other specialists to evaluate the patient, including a physical therapist, a chiropractor or others.

We consider all the alternatives

When considering therapies, we always weigh risks and benefits of the multiple methods available, as well as their curative vs palliative results.

While medical cannabis is usually the most effective and safest option for chronic pain relief compared to all other drugs, it is still not curative, so we must always consider other options to cure the problem whenever possible, and in order to prevent progression of damage.

For example, when an obese person with chronic knee pain comes for an appointment, in many cases these pains are due to some old injury, compounded by too much weight on the joints, which damages them more.

In addition to palliative treatment like acupuncture, medical cannabis (or some other drug if the patient can’t afford cannabis), we have to consider weight management as the main modality to prevent further progression of knee damage.

We also try to heal up the internal structures with Low Level Laser Therapy or another regenerative method like prolotherapy, PRP, stem cells or ozone.

In some cases, improving knee lubrication with certain injections or oral glucosamine preparations helps. Physical therapy and chiropractic also help by improving balance and function of muscles operating the knee. For best results, an approach integrating multiple modalities is usually the most effective.

Doctors at Life Medical use conventional approaches available at other clinics, but we also offer many other complementary approaches. In some cases, the complementary approaches may be more effective, safer and less expensive than the conventional methods.

Because most patients have no idea which treatment options are most appropriate for them, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation appointment with Dr. Jacob Mirman. He will listen carefully, review previous records and develop the correct treatment plan. for the widest discussion of options. This is where we try to figure out the pathological cause of pain and develop the treatment plan. He will explain all the suggested options clearly so each patient can make an informed choice.

Doctors at Life Medical use conventional approaches available at other clinics, but we also offer many other complementary approaches. In some cases, the complementary approaches may be more effective, safer and less expensive than the conventional methods.

Because most patients have no idea which treatment options are most appropriate for them, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation appointment with Dr. Jacob Mirman. He will listen carefully, review previous records and develop the correct treatment plan. for the widest discussion of options. This is where we try to figure out the pathological cause of pain and develop the treatment plan. He will explain all the suggested options clearly so each patient can make an informed choice.

Here are some of the treatment methods we may suggest for knee pain:

Physical Therapy for Knee Pain.
This group of modalities includes hands-on methods and the use of devices for treatment. Most of the time PT is covered by medical insurance. These methods include:

• Phonophoresis
• Ultrasound
• Cryotherapy
• TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
• Therapeutic Exercise
• Low Level Laser Therapy; we have had great success treating Osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease, in the knees; so much so that in many cases we have prevented and/or helped postponed knee replacement surgeries

Chiropractic. Many times chiropractic treatments lead to improvement when the condition is due to misalignment. Like physical therapy, chiropractic methods range from palliative to curative and everywhere in between. Chiropractic is often covered by insurance.

Acupuncture. Often acupuncture is useful in acute and chronic pain situations and can help to relieve pain. In some cases, it is actually curative. Acupuncture is often covered by insurance.

Homeopathy. This type of treatment addresses the underlying imbalance in a body that if foxed helps the body heal the condition that is causing the pain. In some instances, it is extremely helpful, in others it is not.

Invasive Therapies/Injections.

• Chronic Pain Injections
• Epidurals
• Nerve Ablations
• Trigger Point Injections

Regenerative Medicine

• Prolotherapy
• Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
• Adult Stem Cell Therapy
• Ozone

Medical Cannabis
At Life Medical we provide evaluations and certifications for patients who may be eligible for the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program qualifying through chronic and intractable knee pain. Cannabis seems to be hands down the safest and the most effective palliative medication for chronic pain. We have certified many patients for intractable pain and have seen them in follow up. The results exceed those of all prescription and OTC drugs with virtually zero side effects. Medical cannabis can be amazing for patients with knee pain. It also helps for anxiety, improves sleep, and tremendously improves the patients’ quality of life.