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A SAFER WAY TO MANAGE PAIN: EXPLORE NON-OPIOID ALTERNATIVES By: Dr. Vincent Sferra Natural Medicine & Rehabilitation Before starting with medications for your pain, consider safer non-opioid options to help you move past the pain, and enjoy liv- ing pain-free. Over the years there has been an increase in drug addiction and deaths prompted by the abuse of opioids for pain management. The increase in prescribed opioids is not only increasing the risk of addiction, but also depression, fatal over- doses and symptoms of withdrawal. People addicted to prescription opioids are also 40 times more likely to become addicted to heroin! In some cases, prescription medications are an appropriate part of treatment. Alleviat- ing pain with medication in the early stages can reduce inflammation and swelling in order to help you move past the pain and start your rehabilitation, but be reassured that we will not put our patient’s health at risk in order for them to live pain free! Since 1998, Natural Medicine & Rehabilita- tion (NMR) has taken a holistic approach to healthcare with our primary focus on phys- ical rehabilitation, clinical nutrition and services to help with stress reduction. These core services address the ‘Triad of Health’ pillars which can most easily be referred to as ‘you are what you EAT, THINK and DO.” By combining these core services at NMR, we can address a myriad of health problems at their source. Pain relief is clear- ly important; however the goal at NMR is never merely pain relief. We strive to be very specific in diagnosing the source of the problem, and will manage pain with vari- ous focused interventions and therapies without the dependence of narcotics whenever possible. By addressing the causative factors that can be rehabilitated, we have a much greater ability to keep people from ever getting started with opi- oids for pain management. For some patients, the therapeutic approaches such as Physical Therapy, Chiro- practic and Acupuncture may not be enough, resulting in a very limited ability to rehabilitate to full movement, strength and function, which are the ultimate goals. Here is where minimally invasive medical procedures that are performed in less than a one-hour office visit can be of great value not only for a person’s pain but for their ability to then rehabilitate effectively. The following minimally invasive procedures target the pain producing structures to help you progress with your physical rehabilita- tion program: • Epidural steroid injections help relieve a patient’s pain and inflammation, but more importantly it also helps them progress in their rehabilitation program in order to best manage the causative factors of their condition and prevent the pain from returning. • Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) uses radio waves to decrease pain signals from a specific area of nerve tissues. Once the pain is manageable the patient can begin a rehabilitation program. • Therapeutic nerve blocks contain local anesthetic to control acute pain. • Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to stabilize and stop the pain caused from a spinal fracture After appropriate pain management proce- dures, our integrated team of health care practitioners including Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists along with Biofeedback, Myofascial and CranioSacral Specialists will create treatment plans that are designed to rehabilitate the area in order to accelerate healing, establish stabil- ity and strength, improve mobility, and teach skills needed to prevent the problem along with the pain from returning in the future. Before you go down the slippery slope of taking opioids, consider how we can help you move past the pain, and enjoy living pain-free, without the dependence of nar- cotics, by integrating medical and natural approaches all available at Natural Medi- cine & Rehabilitation (NMR) with locations in Branchburg and opening a new NMR Pain Management location this winter in Somerset. Dr. Kandra is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management and is dedicated to the treatment of chronic pain symptoms for patients. He is trained at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, one of the country`s top Pain Manage- ment training programs. Dr. Sferra is board certified in Chiropractic Med- icine and Chiropractic Neurology, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association. He is the founder and Clinic Director of Natural Medicine & Rehabilitation. Dr. Sferra is the recip- ient of the “2005 Spirit of Somerset” award for his outstanding contribution to Health and Well- ness in the community. For more information visit www.NMRNJ.com or call 908-252-0242 3322 Route 22 West, Suite 1207-1208, Branchburg, NJ 08876 908-218-0300 908-218-0301 (fax) www.branchburgoralsurgery.com We Accept Most Major PPO Dental Plans Karl Maloney, D.D.S. Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Wisdom Teeth Dental Implants Bone Grafting General Anesthesia 3D Cone Beam CT Jaw Surgery Oral Pathology Facial Trauma Better Health. Better Life. Our holistic approach, combined with traditional medicine creates a unique and comprehensive healthcare facility, all in one location! Physical Therapy Chiropractic Pain Management Nutrition/Weight Loss Acupuncture Massage Therapy Biofeedback Therapy CranioSacral Therapy Hormone Optimization Skin RejuvenationPAGE 63