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Why Posture Assessment is Key to Long-Term Pain Management.

When it comes to managing chronic pain, your posture may not be the first thing that comes to mind—but it should be. How you sit, stand, and move can have a profound impact on how your body feels and functions. Imbalances in your alignment can contribute to back pain from bad posture, chronic joint discomfort, and reduced mobility. Posture assessment helps you identify these imbalances early, helping you address the root cause of your pain and reduce your risk of future injury.

At Extension Health, we emphasize the connection between posture and pain relief. Through detailed posture assessment and targeted treatment protocols, we help patients pinpoint the source of their discomfort and develop strategies to correct it. From improving mobility to preventing lower body injuries, proper alignment is key to moving and feeling your best.

The Link Between Chronic Pain and Poor Posture

Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability in the U.S., and it’s becoming increasingly common. In 2021, the CDC reported that 51.6 million adults experienced chronic pain lasting longer than three months. Poor posture may not be the root cause of chronic pain, but it can significantly worsen it.

Modern life makes it far too easy to lose sight of our posture—most of us spend hours hunched over screens. Over time, this creates unnecessary strain on the spine and surrounding muscles. Ever finish a workday only to realize your neck, shoulders, and back are aching from sitting too long? That discomfort is often the result of poor posture, which can gradually lead to chronic pain.

Imbalances in posture force your muscles and joints to compensate, creating pain in unexpected areas. For example, poor posture often puts extra stress on the lower back, which can worsen over time. A posture analysis takes the guesswork out of identifying these imbalances, providing a detailed image of your alignment. It helps you see how spinal issues can also affect your knees, hips, and shoulders, helping you take targeted steps to correct them.

The Importance of Posture Assessment

One of the biggest challenges in managing chronic pain is identifying its source. Posture analysis removes the guesswork by providing a clear, detailed picture of your musculoskeletal structure. Advanced scans highlight where imbalances exist—whether it’s forward head posture, uneven hips, or excess spinal curvature—so you can take precise steps to correct them.

Instead of relying on assumptions, posture analysis gives you a customized roadmap to improve your alignment and reduce pain. This data-driven approach helps you prevent injuries and improve your long-term mobility.

How the 3D Postural Alignment Scan Works

When you get a posture analysis at Hudson Medical, you receive much more than a list of imbalances. You leave with a personalized movement plan tailored to your body’s unique needs. Here’s how the 3D Postural Alignment Scan works:

• Advanced Camera Technology: The scan captures over 1 million unique data points in just 30 seconds, creating a 3D image of your body.
• Scan Results: You receive a detailed view of your musculoskeletal structure, highlighting misalignments and areas at risk for injury.
• Personalized Movement Plan: Machine learning processes your data to deliver a fully customized movement plan. For example, if your scan reveals excess strain on your lower spine, your plan may include exercises to prevent lower back pain, improve spinal stability, and strengthen your core.

Correcting these imbalances not only helps reduce pain but also enhances performance and prevents future injury.

When to See a Pain Management Doctor

If chronic pain is limiting your mobility or affecting your daily life, it may be time to consult with a specialist. Our pain management doctors in NYC take a whole-body approach to treatment. Combining advanced diagnostics with targeted therapies, we create personalized plans that address the root causes of pain—not just the symptoms.

Which knee pain treatment is more effective?

Knee pain is one the most common pain conditions, affecting 25% of adults and accounting for an estimated 4 million primary care visits each year. Knee pain is caused by a wide range of problems, from sports injuries to overuse and degenerative conditions, like osteoarthritis. As such, treatment options for knee pain are specific to the pathology (i.e. source of pain) and can vary depending on the severity of symptoms. Among knee interventions, the genicular nerve block and genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are two of the most common surgical alternatives for persistent pain.

What causes genicular nerve pain?

The genicular nerve refers to a network of nerves that feed into your knee and are responsible for submitting sensory information, like pain signals, from the knee joint to the brain.

Genicular nerve pain is caused by a wide range of issues, including:

• Sports injury—Sprains, fractures, and tears across knee tissue can irritate the surrounding nerves.
• Osteoarthritis—As the cartilage in the knee joint wears down due to osteoarthritis, the bones rub against each other, causing inflammation and compression of the genicular nerves around the knee.
• Knee surgery—Some patients may experience chronic knee pain after undergoing invasive knee surgery due to nerve irritation or damage during the procedure.
• Overuse—Activities that involve repetitive stress or overuse of the knee joint, such as running, jumping, or squatting, can lead to inflammation and irritation of the genicular nerves over time.

What are genicular nerve blocks?

Genicular nerve blocks are minimally invasive solution and especially effective for genicular nerve pain induced by osteoarthritis.

Nerve blocks effectively disrupt the transmission of pain signals from the affected knee joint to the brain. A block procedure consists of local anesthetic and a steroid medication, injected directly into the genicular nerves under x-ray guidance.

Patients with knee osteoarthritis may experience significant relief from their chronic pain. However, nerve blocks are not designed to be long-lasting pain management solutions.

Patients who respond well to two genicular nerve block treatments may qualify for a longer-lasting ablation treatment.

What is a genicular nerve ablation?

Genicular Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency Ablations are also minimally invasive, though they may provider longer lasting relief than their nerve block counterparts. Radiofrequency ablations disrupt pain signals using heat. Using x-ray guidance your doctor administers electrodes directly on the irritated genicular nerve. Then, a high voltage current passes through the electrode to create a precise heat lesion on the nerve, effectively stopping pain signal transmission.

Genicular Cryoablation

Similar to a RFA, a cryoablation interrupts pain signals transmitted by nerves in the knee. Whereas RFAs use heat to target the affected nerve, a cryoablation uses extreme cold. 

During cryoablation, your doctor employs X-ray guidance to place thin needles called cryoprobes into the irritated genicular nerve. Once the cryoprobes are in place, your doctor administers CO2 gas to freeze the tips of the needles down to -80℃. The extreme cold damages the irritated nerve to effectively stop the pain signals. Like a RFA, nerve regeneration may occur after 6-9 months.

Nerve block vs. ablation?

If you’re looking for an alternative to total knee arthroscopy, both nerve blocks and ablations can provide pain relief. But the two are not necessarily equal treatments.

Nerve blocks are effective early treatments—not only do they alleviate pain, but they also indicate whether or not a longer-lasting treatment like an ablation will effectively reduce pain. While a radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation can provide relief for up to 9 months. In other words, a nerve block is a necessary stepping stone on the path to an ablation.

When it comes to mitigating pain there is no single solution. Certain pain interventions effectively target certain conditions. The only way to really know which surgery alternative is best for you, is to consult with a pain management specialist.

References

Bunt, Christopher W et al. “Knee Pain in Adults and Adolescents: The Initial Evaluation.” American family physician vol. 98,9 (2018): 576-585.

Iannaccone, Ferdinand et al. “A Review of Long-Term Pain Relief after Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation in Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis.” Pain physician vol. 20,3 (2017): E437-E444.

Conger, Aaron et al. “Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: Current Evidence and Future Directions.” Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) vol. 22,Suppl 1 (2021): S20-S23. doi:10.1093/pm/pnab129

Chang, Yi-Wei et al. “Functional outcomes and physical performance of knee osteoarthritis patients after ultrasound-guided genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation.” Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), pnab280. 17 Sep. 2021, doi:10.1093/pm/pnab280

These treatments can provide immediate relief for sciatica pain.

Sciatica is among the most common pain conditions, affecting up to 40% of people at some point in their life. Yet, despite its prevalence, this nerve pain remains largely misunderstood. Whether you’re seeking immediate relief for sciatica pain or want to prevent the pain from ever recurring, these sciatic nerve treatments and pain prevention methods are proven to reduce irritation.

But before we dive into proven treatments, let’s review some basic sciatica points.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to nerve pain radiating along the path of the sciatic nerve. It is technically not a condition, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. This pain usually stems from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest in the body—starting in the lower back and running down through the buttock and legs. When something like a bone spur or herniated disc compresses the sciatic nerve, it causes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness thought the body parts along the sciatic path.

This nerve pain is often described as shooting or searing and unlike other common conditions where the pain is constant, sciatica is characterized by its flare-ups—often lasting anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Though flare-ups may dissipate on their own, that is not a reason to minimize this pain condition. Anyone who has experienced sciatica knows that the pain is, at best, destabilizing and, at worst, debilitating.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica may occur as a result of a number of degenerative conditions or injuries, including:

• Herniated disc
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Lumbar degenerative disc disease
• Spondylolisthesis
• Muscle spasm
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

What is the best injection for sciatica?

Because sciatica pain typically occurs in spurts, lasting a few days to a few weeks before dissipating, some patients are hesitant to pursue pain interventions. But even if your Sciatica pain is not constant, it is still real—and sometimes debilitating. If you’re in need of immediate relief for sciatic pain—and rest and over-the-counter medications are just not helping—there are several pain management treatments and injections that can alleviate pain and irritation.

Immediate relief for sciatica pain

Epidural Steroid Injections:

• These injections deliver a corticosteroid medication directly into the space around the spinal cord and nerve roots (the epidural space). By decreasing inflammation around the nerve roots, steroid injections can alleviate compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve, leading to reduced pain, numbness, and other symptoms of sciatica. The anesthetic medication combined with the steroid in the injection can provide immediate, short-term pain relief while the steroid takes effect over the next few days to provide longer-lasting relief.

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

• If sciatic pain stems from sacroiliac joint dysfunction, then a sacroiliac injection may help to alleviate discomfort. During a sacroiliac joint procedure, medicine (comprised of a local anesthetic and steroid medication) is injected into the sacroiliac joint, which is located at the sacrum. A randomized study randomized demonstrated that intra-articular injections of corticosteroids into the SI joint provided significant pain relief in 50% of patients with SI joint-related leg pain, which includes sciatica-like symptoms

Facet joint injections

• Inflamed or misaligned facet joints can contribute to irritation around the sciatic nerve. Facet joint injections are a procedure in which medicine (a mix of a local anesthetic and steroid medication) are administered into the facet joints, which are located in the vertebrae and allow for movement. If these joints degenerate, they cause irritation around the nerve.

Injections may help with spinal nerve pain symptoms temporarily, but they do not cure the underlying condition. Ultimately, their effectiveness varies from person to person and may have risks like infection, nerve damage, or temporary worsening of symptoms.

Your pain management doctor will determine which treatment is best for your sciatic based on your underlying condition and the root source of the nerve irritation.

How to keep your sciatic nerve healthy

Beyond in-patient treatments and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, there are other lifestyle shifts and alternative therapies you can incorporate into your day-to-day to reduce your risk of sciatic nerve pain.

1. Schedule time for exercise: Exercise is one of the most effective preventive measures for nerve irritation. Though sciatica specifically stems from nerve irritation, stiff muscles surrounding the nerve contribute to an overall feeling of tightness and discomfort. Incorporating movement into your scheduled every single day keeps your muscles loose.
2. Work with a physical therapist: If you’ve dealt with sciatic nerve pain in the past and want to keep the pain from returning, physical therapy can teach you proper stretching and core-strengthening exercises that are specifically tailored to your body and how you move.
3. Pay attention to your posture: Ultimately, sciatica is the result of compression along the nerve. Over time poor posture puts excessive strain on your back, which can lead to strained back muscles and misalignment. Sitting up straight, taking breaks from sitting during the day, and maintaining an upright, neutral spine while you walk are all small changes that have a big impact on your spinal health.
4. Maintain a healthy weight: Carrying excessive weight also places extra pressure on your spine and back muscles, and studies show that obesity is a risk factor for recurring sciatic nerve issues.

Whether you’re seeking immediate relief for sciatica pain, or hoping to prevent the onset of future flare-ups, it’s vital to pay attention to your spinal health as a whole. The more you can support your spine with movement, weight management, and posture control, the more you can reduce your chances of spurring on intense nerve pain flare-ups.

References

Fortin JD, Vilensky JA, Merkel GJ. Can the sacroiliac joint cause sciatica? Pain Physician. 2003 Jul;6(3):269-71. PMID: 16880870.

Visser LH, Woudenberg NP, de Bont J, van Eijs F, Verwer K, Jenniskens H, Den Oudsten BL. Treatment of the sacroiliac joint in patients with leg pain: a randomized-controlled trial. Eur Spine J. 2013 Oct;22(10):2310-7. doi: 10.1007/s00586-013-2833-2. Epub 2013 May 30. PMID: 23720124; PMCID: PMC3804708.

A pilot study co-authored by Hudson Founder Dr. Jonathann Kuo reveals the safety and efficacy of stem cell exosomes for lumbar facet joint pain.

Dr. Kuo, founder and Chief Medical Officer of Hudson Medical, recently co-authored a pilot study assessing the efficacy of treating lumbar facet joint pain (lower back joint pain) with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes. 

You can explore the safety and efficacy results of this study here.

Over the course of the 3-month study, 20 adults were injected with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes, and their progress was assessed via regular in-office and virtual check-ins. 

The pilot study found that  the injections did not spur adverse effects in the patient sample, indicating the safety of bone marrow-derived stem cell exosomes. 

Further, the group experienced significant progress across severity, interference, and disability indices. Here’s a breakdown of their average score improvements across each index:

To build on the promising results of this pilot study, Hudson and Dr. Kuo will continue to participate in groundbreaking research that explores the therapeutic potential of exosomes. 

Congratulations to Dr. Kuo and his co-authors on this groundbreaking study.

While interest in weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy soared in 2023, health influencers and wellness enthusiasts on social media sought out other “more natural” ways to achieve the same lifestyle results—without any injections. Cue the induction of Berberine into TikTok. For a few months videos titled “Is Berberine nature’s Ozempic?” and “Everything you need to know about nature’s Ozempic,” proliferated the For You Pages of anyone with an algorithm geared health and wellness. Amid the Ozempic craze, berberine gained a niche cult status as a natural weight loss solution.

So, What is Berberine?

Berberine is a plant-based compound that has been studied for its efficacy in lowering blood sugar, supporting weight loss, and improving cardiovascular health. 

Historically, berberine has played a role in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and has been used to treat a wide range of health concerns, including indigestion, infections, and wounds.¹ And in Western culture, berberine is increasingly valued for its studied ability to balance metabolism and regulate blood sugar levels.

How Does Berberine Influence Metabolic Health?

Regulates blood sugar

Insulin regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, primarily muscle and fat cells. When blood sugar levels rise after eating a meal, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin then binds to insulin receptors on cell surfaces, which triggers a series of events leading to the movement of glucose transporters to the cell membrane.

These transporters help shuttle glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, where it can be used for energy production or stored for later use. Additionally, insulin inhibits the release of glucose from the liver into the bloodstream, further helping to lower blood sugar levels.

When you consume foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels spike. In response, the pancreas releases large amounts of insulin to help cells absorb the excess glucose from the bloodstream.²

If this pattern of high blood sugar and insulin release occurs frequently due to a diet high in sugar and refined carbs, it can lead to insulin resistance.

Research shows that berberine can help regulate blood sugar by activating the enzyme AMPK. This enzyme helps cells take in glucose for energy, which can improve insulin sensitivity and production.³

Berberine may also support healthy blood sugar through the promotion of Glycolysis, which is the breakdown of glucose into energy.⁴

Supports weight loss

Berberine is not a miracle weight loss pill. Rather, it is a dietary supplement. When taken with exercise and a healthy diet, berberine may help reduce body fat by blocking genes that create fat.⁵ This gene blocking prevents the accumulation of deep belly fat near your organs. This buildup can cause serious health issues such as diabetes.

More research is needed to fully understand how berberine affects body weight. More research is needed to understand how berberine affects body weight. A review in 2020 suggested that this compound could help reduce BMI. However, more studies are necessary to confirm its impact.

Is Berberine nature’s Ozempic?

Supplementing with berberine can lead to significant health improvements that relate to weight, including visceral fat loss which can curb your risk of future chronic conditions, like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, there are no current studies that prove that berberine alone initiates weight loss like Ozempic, Mounjaro, or other semaglutide and tirzepatide medications.

Simply put, videos on your For You Page titled “Berberine: Nature’s Ozempic” are not giving you all the facts. Berberine may help with weight loss processes, but it doesn’t cause weight loss like FDA-approved medications.

Ozempic was initially approved as a diabetes medication, and researchers subsequently noticed that this diabetes drug also led to notable weight loss.  This GLP-1 drug works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone which is produced in the intestines following food intake.⁶ GLP-1 receptions in the brain, pancreas, and gut affect how we crave food, digest food, and manage blood sugar after eating food.

• GLP-1 brain receptors: help to regulate appetite by increasing satiety. More research shows that GLP-1 can help control cravings for food and substances by regulating dopamine levels in the brain.
• GLP1-gut receptors slow the movement of food in the GI tract and increase satiety, or the feeling of fullness after eating a meal.
• GLP-1 pancreas receptors stimulate insulin secretion.

Originally developed as a medication for people with diabetes to manage blood sugar, Ozempic is a breakthrough medication, helping patients lose up to 15% of body weight.

While berberine can support weight loss, there are no studies indicating that it operates on GLP-1 receptors throughout the body in the same way Ozempic does—any claim that the two are one and the same is just another internet fallacy.

Berberine vs. Ozempic

Determining the best medication and/or supplement for you depends entirely on your goals. If you’re looking for help with managing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and supporting diet and exercise-based weight loss, berberine may be a good option. (Although not all berberine supplements are created equal, Dihydroberberine, a derivative of berberine is more easily absorbed by the body.)

If you want to boost your metabolism and lose weight fast, Ozempic injections can help. You can start seeing weight loss results in just a few weeks with Ozempic injections.

While diet and exercise are still the hallmarks of weight management, data-backed supplements and medications can help you reach (and maintain) your goals, while also supporting your whole-body health.

Additional considerations

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or medication regimen, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications.

Keep in mind that supplements are not direct Ozempic alternatives. While they may offer metabolic health and weight management support, they are not formulated to springboard your weight loss journey in the same fashion as a prescribed GLP-1 medication. Additionally, supplements are also not direct substitutes for a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Managing weight, for both lifestyle and longevity purposes is a daily effort. While medications can accelerate the process and supplements can support your overall health, enacting positive lifestyle changes is what yields long-term results.

Which is right for you?

Questions about which weight loss medications and supplements are right for you? Book a complimentary consultation with our nutritionist to learn more about our personalized weight loss program, including medication, clinical consultations, and advanced body composition scans.

References

1 Neag MA, Mocan A, Echeverría J, Pop RM, Bocsan CI, Crişan G, Buzoianu AD. Berberine: Botanical Occurrence, Traditional Uses, Extraction Methods, and Relevance in Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Hepatic, and Renal Disorders. Front Pharmacol. 2018 Aug 21;9:557. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00557. PMID: 30186157; PMCID: PMC6111450.

2. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/glucose-diabetes

3. Jun Yin, Jianping Ye, Weiping Jia, Effects and mechanisms of berberine in diabetes treatment, Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, Volume 2, Issue 4, 2012, Pages 327-334, ISSN 2211-3835, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2012.06.003.

4. Yin J, Gao Z, Liu D, Liu Z, Ye J. Berberine improves glucose metabolism through induction of glycolysis. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jan;294(1):E148-56. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00211.2007. Epub 2007 Oct 30. PMID: 17971514; PMCID: PMC2464622.

5. Yueshan Hu, Erik A. Ehli, Julie Kittelsrud, Patrick J. Ronan, Karen Munger, Terry Downey, Krista Bohlen, Leah Callahan, Vicki Munson, Mike Jahnke, Lindsey L. Marshall, Kelly Nelson, Patricia Huizenga, Ryan Hansen, Timothy J. Soundy, Gareth E. Davies, Lipid-lowering effect of berberine in human subjects and rats, Phytomedicine, Volume 19, Issue 10, 2012,

Pages 861-867, ISSN 0944-7113, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.05.009.
6. Chang, Lee-Shing. “Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss.” YouTube, Harvard Medical School of Continuing Education, 5 May 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6gt4A_3Whs.

Looking to improve your immune system? Ozone therapy, or ozone blood therapy, is said to be one of the most efficient ways to stimulate the immune system—helping your body heal from illness and fight off infection.

How does ozone therapy work?

Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms, whereas the air we breathe is only made of two oxygen molecules (O2). Being more reactive than oxygen, clinical studies show that ozone may accelerate healing by improving local tissue blood supply and activating the growth of new connective tissue and capillaries.(1)

Additionally, research suggests that when ozone comes into contact with your blood, it activates the production of more proteins and red blood cells, which enhances your body’s oxygen supply.(2)

Furthermore, clinical studies focused on the effects of ozonation have also found that after ozone is administered into your bloodstream, it can detoxify pathogens from your system, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast. (3)

Ozone therapy benefits

The benefits of ozone range from boosting vascular health to enhancing immunity, and it may be prescribed as an adjunct therapy for a variety of medical conditions:

• Neurological: Ozone therapy has potential in treating neurological conditions by activating the antioxidant system to reduce oxidative stress. This can help with chronic neurodegenerative diseases and strokes. (4)
• Pain and inflammation: This therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation by activating pathways in the body. It boosts antioxidant systems and reduces inflammation. This is particularly relevant in the management of spinal pain and diabetic complications.(5)
• Wound healing: Ozone therapy has demonstrated efficacy in improving the healing of chronic wounds. It has antibacterial effects enhance the process of wound healing and may improver overall quality of life among patients. (6)
• Vascular: Clinical studies have indicated that ozone therapy improves blood flow and reduces oxidative stress, both of which are beneficial in treating vascular conditions. (7-8)
• Infectious diseases: Ozone’s potent bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal properties make it useful in treating infections. It can directly kill microorganisms and enhance local blood circulation, which aids in the healing process.(9-10)

Ozone therapy 2.0: EBOO

EBOO (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation) is a more advanced ozone treatment that uses a closed-circuit machine to filter up to 2 liters of blood, removing cellular bi-products before the ozonation process. (It should be noted that although it is said that the cellular bi-products consist of heavy metals, toxins, and microplastics, no published studies have confirmed the make-up of the bi-products.)

Once the blood has been filtered and treated, it is exposed to UBI (ultraviolet blood irradiation), which is known for its anti-microbial properties and ability to boost the immune response.

What to expect during EBOO treatment

• Step 1: Blood is withdrawn (via IV) and passed through EBOO’s state-of-the-art filter.
• Step 2: After filtering, the blood is treated with medical ozone and exposed to UBI to activate the ozone molecules.
• Step 3: Finally, the filtered and ozonated blood is re-administered back into the patient’s bloodstream via IV in a second vein.

Once the blood is administered back into your body, it has been cleaned and ozonated to promote your body’s natural immune response and healing properties.

EBOO is commonly used to treat chronic inflammation, long-COVID, autoimmune issues, heavy metal toxicities, and chronic infections from mold or Lyme disease.

Though it is still widely considered an adjunct, alternative medicine, advanced IV ozone therapy may expedite the healing process—and enhance the overall health—for patients living with a range of autoimmune diseases and chronic conditions.

Ready to receive ozone therapy?

Or, if you still want to learn more about the treatment you can check out our full treatment guide here.

References

1 Pasek J, Szajkowski S, Travagli V, Cieślar G. Topical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Versus Local Ozone Therapy in Healing of Venous Leg Ulcers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 20;20(3):1967. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031967. PMID: 36767335; PMCID: PMC9915083.

2 Seyam O, Smith NL, Reid I, Gandhi J, Jiang W, Khan SA. Clinical utility of ozone therapy for musculoskeletal disorders. Med Gas Res. 2018 Sep 25;8(3):103-110. doi: 10.4103/2045-9912.241075. PMID: 30319765; PMCID: PMC6178642.
3 Tiwari, Sansriti, et al. “Dental applications of ozone therapy: A review of literature.” The Saudi Journal for Dental Research, vol. 8, no. 1–2, Jan. 2017, pp. 105–111, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjdr.2016.06.005.

4.The Possibilities of Using the Effects of Ozone Therapy in Neurology. Masan J, Sramka M, Rabarova D. Neuro Endocrinology Letters. 2021;42(1):13-21.

5.Therapeutic Relevance of Ozone Therapy in Degenerative Diseases: Focus on Diabetes and Spinal Pain. Braidy N, Izadi M, Sureda A, et al. Journal of Cellular Physiology. 2018;233(4):2705-2714. doi:10.1002/jcp.26044.

6. Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Wounds Before and After Treatment With Medical Ozone. Izadi M, Bozorgi M, Hosseine MS, Khalili N, Jonaidi-Jafari N. Medicine. 2018;97(48):e12505. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012505.

7.Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation: Clinical and Biological Implications of Ozone Therapy. Di Paolo N, Gaggiotti E, Galli F. Redox Report : Communications in Free Radical Research. 2005;10(3):121-30. doi:10.1179/135100005X38888.

8.Ozone Acting on Human Blood Yields a Hormetic Dose-Response Relationship.Bocci VA, Zanardi I, Travagli V. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2011;9:66. doi:10.1186/1479-5876-9-66. Copyright License: CC BY

9.Ozone Therapy in Medicine and Dentistry: A Review of the Literature.El Meligy OA, Elemam NM, Talaat IM.Dentistry Journal. 2023;11(8):187. doi:10.3390/dj11080187.10.Ozone Therapy in the Management and Prevention of Caries.AlMogbel AA, Albarrak MI, AlNumair SF.Cureus. 2023;15(4):e37510. doi:10.7759/cureus.37510. Copyright License: CC BY

Prenuvo and Galleri early-detection cancer tests can offer peace of mind or time to proactively plan.

With cancer diagnoses on the rise, early detection cancer tests are more vital than ever. A recent cancer report from the American Cancer Society projects a record-breaking 2 million diagnoses in the U.S. in 2024. Even more confounding than the case count is the uptick in cases that will impact the under 50 population.

For the first time, people under the age of 50 are seeing an increase in diagnoses, while the percentage of cases stemming from the 65 and up population is on the decline. And because younger generations are not accustomed to being at such high risk, they may not be as vigilant about screenings. It is important to note that while incident rates are on the rise, the risk of dying from cancer is not rising alongside incident rates.

Which types of cancers are on the rise?

According to the ACS, incidence cases for six of the most common types of cancer are growing across age demographics.

• Breast
• Prostate
• Endometrial
• Pancreatic
• Kidney
• Melanoma

Additionally, there is a spike in specific types of cancers across sub-demographics (based on gender, age, and pre-existing conditions):

• Colorectal cancer in people younger than age 55
• Liver cancer in women
• Oral cancers associated with HPV
• Cervical cancer in women ages 30 through 44

While incident rates spike, there are currently only five recommended and widely accessible cancer screenings:

• Breast (Starting at 45, younger for those at higher risk)
• Cervical (Starting at 25, every 5 years)
• Colon (starting at 45, younger for those at higher risk)
• Prostate (starting at 45, younger for those at higher risk)
• Lung (starting at 50 for those who smoke or used to smoke)

According to studies, 70% of cancer deaths are caused by cancers without recommended screenings.¹

Are early detection cancer tests necessary?

For anyone who may be at higher risk due to family history or lifestyle, early detection cancer tests may be life-preserving. Finding signs of cancer as early as possible (before the cancer has time to spread) creates the best chances survival, with some studies indicating a 5 year survival rate at 4x higher than when cancer is detected at later stages.²

Today, advancements in early detection cancer tests and scans have made it possible for younger people who may be at high risk to identify cancer cells and get ahead of treatment. Prenuvo’s Full-Body MRI Scan and Galleri’s multi-cancer early detection test are two of the most sophisticated detection options available.

What’s the difference between Galleri and Prenuvo?

Galleri Multi-Cancer Detection Test

The Galleri blood test analyzes over 1,000,000 DNA methylation sites in your blood sample to detect a specific signal shared by more than 50 types of cancer.

What can Galleri detect?

• Anyone over the age of 50
• Anyone with a family history of cancer

Prenuvo Full-Body MRI Scan

The Prenuvo MRI scans for over 500 cancers and conditions using advanced imaging techniques (with zero radiation) that detect abnormalities in your tissue.

What can Prenuvo detect?

• Anyone over the age of 50
• Anyone with a family history of cancer or other life-altering diseases.

Whether your family history puts you at a higher risk of developing cancer, or you are looking for a way to take on a more proactive role in your longevity, early detection cancer tests can grant you the time you need to proactively treat a cancer diagnosis. Our team of expert medical providers are ready to help you take the next step in preparing for your future.

References

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2022. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2022 https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2022.html. Data on file GA-2021-0065.
2. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (www.seer.cancer.gov) SEER*Stat Database: Incidence – SEER 18 Regs Research Data, Nov 2018 Sub. Includes persons aged 50-79 diagnosed 2006-2015. Data on file GA-2021-004.

Is a plant-based diet the key to health and longevity? Does what you eat really matter if you have “good genes?” These are the questions at the heart of Netflix’s latest foray into diet and wellness culture, You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment. And over the course of the docuseries, participants turn to body composition analysis from advanced technology, like DEXA scan, to find out.

Over the course of the four-part docuseries, viewers follow along as four pairs of identical twins take diverging nutritional paths, with one twin committing to a vegan diet and the other to an omnivore one. And the producers don’t just rely on anecdotal evidence to highlight the stark differences between two drastically different approaches to eating. Instead, they used advanced technology like DEXA scans to measure the fissures in cardiovascular and metabolic health between each pair over twins throughout the 8-week experiment.

What is a DEXA Scan?

The Dexa Scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) was designed to precisely measure bone density and has evolved into a full-body composition analysis tool due to its precision in distinguishing between bones,  fat, and lean mass.  

The DEXA Scan machine functions by emitting two low-dose x-ray beams that can differentiate bones, muscle, and fat. The machine then produces detailed images across each region of your body, indicating your muscle:fat ratio and overall bone density.

Why does body composition matter?

To a certain extent, you can assess your diet based on how you feel. Do you have more energy? Do you feel less brain fog? Are you sleeping better? Is your skin clearer? Your answers to all of these questions reveal whether or not you are on the right nutritional track. But perception can only take you so far. When it comes to making lasting metabolic and cardiovascular health progress, data is king.

On You Are What You Eat, each pair of twins completed a body composition analysis before embarking on their new lifestyle plans. The body composition tests visualize what’s actually happening beneath the surface–someone may feel physically fit, but a precise breakdown of body fat: lean muscle mass may reveal sneaky metabolic and cardiovascular health risks, including visceral fat. This type of fat lies deep, below the surface and around essential organs. A higher percentage of visceral fat indicates a higher likelihood of developing chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes. 

Not only are body composition tests necessary for sounding the alarm at early signs of chronic disease, but they also simplify the process of measuring results. No one can argue with data. Before-and-after visceral fat analysis, body fat and lean muscle mass % indicate whether or not your lifestyle changes are really making a difference in your overall health. Additionally, there’s a reason why every diet how-to article instructs readers to log their progress: it works. Tracking results over time contributes to motivation. When it comes to losing fat (or gaining muscle) there may be some weeks where the shifts are too minute to really feel. But data never lies.

The power of personalization.

No two bodies are exactly the same. As this show proves, even if you are a twin, varying lifestyles differentiate your physiology. The diets and fitness plans that work for some people may not work for others. And that’s okay. Your health and longevity doesn’t need aggregate anecdotes. It needs personalized insights. Here are a few things DEXA scans reveal about you:

• Body fat %
• Lean muscle mass
• Muscle symmetry
• Visceral fat
• Fat Mass Index (fat in relation to your height)
• Android to Gynoid ratio ( Also known as the apple to pear shape ratio. A breakdown of where fat is stored in your body. Android fat refers to fat around your belly and Gynoid fat refers to fat around your hips.)

As seen on You Are What You Eat, scales and BMI metrics are tools of the past, because your weight can only tell you so much about your health. DEXA scans are among the technologies paving the way for lasting metabolic and cardiovascular health improvement. Getting a complete picture of your muscular health, fat percentage, and chronic risk factors is the first step to achieving your weight goals and boosting your longevity. DEXA scans are among the technologies paving the way for lasting metabolic and cardiovascular health improvement.

Ready to learn more about your own body composition? Schedule your DEXA scan today.

Our founder Dr. Jonathann Kuo, MD recently spoke to our referral partners over at The Lanby about the future of pain management, the role of hospitality in healthcare, and ketamine.

What advancements or research within the field of pain management are you currently most excited about?

I am enthusiastic about several recent advancements in pain management research— particularly in the areas of regenerative medicine, neuromodulation, and advanced, minimally-invasive techniques for chronic pain relief. In regenerative medicine there have been rapid and significant developments in biologics and orthobiologics, aimed at enhancing the body’s natural healing processes by activating intrinsic pathways. We’ve achieved notable success with a combination of treatments, including platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow stem cells, placental matrix, exosomes, Wharton’s Jelly, and other sophisticated biologics, as well as peptides.

Another intriguing area is neuromodulation, which involves increasingly advanced neuro-stimulation devices. These devices can modify the mechanism and perception of pain by precisely targeting spinal nerves and delivering specific electrical impulses to alter pain perception.

I’m also excited about the use of various minimally-invasive procedures to treat chronic pain, including lumbar decompression (the MILD procedure), Intracept or basivertebral nerve ablation, and spinous process spacers for spinal stenosis treatment.

The field of pain management is rapidly evolving with technological advancements, and it’s thrilling to be at the forefront of discovering new methods for pain treatment.

What role does ketamine therapy play in addressing pain and associated mental health concerns?

Ketamine therapy is emerging as a promising treatment for both chronic pain and associated mood disorders, particularly depression. Recognized as a safe, dissociative anesthetic, ketamine creates a unique out-of-body experience akin to a psychedelic-like state. This effect has the potential to restructure existing thought patterns, enhance neuroplasticity, and promote neuronal growth. By doing so, it addresses not just the physical aspects of chronic pain, but also its mental manifestations, including commonly associated mood disorders, like depression and anxiety.

Ketamine has a long-standing medical history, but its application in pain and mood disorder management has gained significant momentum recently. Its safety profile is well-established, and our practice has observed notably positive outcomes when ketamine is integrated with other treatment modalities. This synergy enhances the overall efficacy of our approach to managing the complex interplay of physical pain and mental health concerns.

At The Lanby, we value hospitality as a key factor in optimizing health outcomes. In what way do you apply the tenets of hospitality to your approach to care?

At Hudson Health, our care philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles of hospitality, ensuring that each patient receives a personalized treatment experience. We understand that chronic pain is a multifaceted issue, encompassing both physical and psychological aspects, and our approach is tailored to address these diverse needs.

Our commitment to hospitality is evident in several key aspects of our approach:

• Customized Treatment Plans: We recognize that each patient’s journey with chronic pain is unique. Therefore, we dedicate ourselves to creating individualized treatment plans that cater to their specific needs.
• Holistic Care: We take a comprehensive view of pain management, considering both the physical and psychological components of chronic pain. This holistic perspective is crucial in providing effective and empathetic care.
• Soothing Environment: We believe that the ambiance of our office plays a significant role in the healing process, and we have meticulously crafted a calming environment that supports this belief.

You can read Dr. Kuo’s full interview over on The Lanby Blog.

Peptides are gaining more recognition and interest for their ability to stimulate a wide range of health benefits, including weight management, stress management, and muscle growth. People looking to support their muscle mass without the risk of synthetic growth hormones are turning to growth hormone-releasing peptides. And although they sound similar there is a sharp distinction between this class of peptides and the synthetic human hormones that we have come to associate with doping scandals and shamed athletes. 

What are growth hormones?

Growth hormones are small proteins that our pituitary glands naturally secrete. These hormones stimulate the growth of bones and cartilage, but production begins to steadily decline around the age of 30. 

As our natural levels of growth hormone decline over time, it becomes harder to build and maintain lean muscle mass. But supplementing with the right growth hormone peptides can trigger your body’s production of natural growth hormones to support lean muscle mass. 

How do growth hormone-releasing peptides work?

Peptides stimulate the pituitary gland to produce and release natural growth hormones, and  supplementing with the right growth hormone-releasing peptides can trigger your body’s production of natural growth hormones to support lean muscle mass. 

Ipamorelin and CJC 1295 are two growth hormone peptides that are commonly administered together. Ipamorelin stimulates the release of growth hormones

CJC-1295 can increase and sustain levels of growth hormones. By triggering and helping to sustain growth hormone production Ipamorelin and CJC 1295 can help you reduce fat and build lean muscle mass. 

What are synthetic human growth hormones?

Synthetic human growth hormones increase growth hormone levels exogenously, and in doing so they actually inhibit any natural production of growth hormones by the pituitary gland. 

Synthetic growth hormone injections also induce sharp increases and fast declines in growth hormone levels, because synthetic hormones don’t align with the normal fluctuations of natural growth hormones, which are influenced by sleep cycles, exercise and food intake. As a result, reaping the muscle building benefits of synthetic growth hormone requires daily tracking. 

If you’re looking to build lean muscle mass, growth hormone-releasing peptides are the safer choice. In addition to being illegal in most professional leagues, synthetic human growth hormones are also risky and are often accompanied by negative side effects like, increased insulin resistance, swelling, pain, and increased risk of cancers. 

Learn more about peptides here.