Support Your Joint Health
Herbal Treatment of Bulging Disc, Stenosis and Osteoarthritis in the Cervical Spine
Rebecca Harmon, LAc, CA
A 74-year-old female patient came to Rebecca Harmon's office with a chief complaint of neck stiffness and headaches on the top of her head. MRI results indicated multilevel degenerative changes of the cervical spine at her lower neck. Results indicated stenosis found at the left C5-C6 level. Impingement of the exiting C6 nerve root is the most likely the cause of neck stiffness and cause of headaches. In addition, there is an accentuated lordosis of the cervical spine, causing an increased sensation of numbness to her fingers due to nerve impingement. There is no evidence of cord compression and had an otherwise normal neurological exam. In addition, the patient has also been diagnosed with Scoliosis, Bulging discs at multiple levels of the spine, Bunions, Osteoarthritis, Lower Back Pain, Neck/Shoulder Pain, Pain in Legs, Sciatic Pain, Stiffness/Limited Range of Motion in the upper back.
Unfortunately, the pain has caused the patient to wake up throughout the night. Her days and evenings often consist of painful headaches and neck tightness. Emotionally the patient has noticed an increase in anger, irritability, and aggressiveness. This may in part be due to pain and lack of ability to get adequate rest. The patient is hoping to reduce her pain, decrease degeneration and improve her quality of life.
The patient was given both internal and external herbs from WAI to meet her goals. The treatment aimed to decrease pain and inflammation in localized areas and to improve joint and spinal disc degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, bulging disc or stenosis when used both short and long-term.
The patient started to notice a reduction of pain in both her headaches and neck pain within two weeks of using them. She had both a decrease in pain and a decrease in the occurrence with which she is also able to sleep better and has an improved mood. Overall, the patient was happy with her results.*
*Disclaimer: Individual results may vary
Decreased Joint Effusion and Symptom Relief in Bone-on-Bone Knee Osteoarthritis Patient
Dr. Marco Cazares, DC, CA
A 92-year old Hispanic female presented to Dr. Marco Cazares with complaints of chronic knee joint pain, with difficulty bending, walking, getting up from a chair and nocturnal pain. The patient describes severe joint pain, with a swelling of the inner and outer aspect of the knee joint capsule, with a pain intensity level of 8 out of 10, 10 being the worst. For ambulation, the patient uses a walker and she can only walk for approximately 10 to 12 minutes and stops for rest.
The patient is worried that her condition is getting worse and she does not want to have knee surgery. The patient has been seen by two orthopedic surgeons and has had extensive physical therapy. Her last orthopedic evaluation recommended partial knee replacement for her right knee, with a possibility of a repeat knee surgery on her left knee.
The patient has ratable findings for severe osteodegeneration type III/IV, with near bone-on-bone joint arthritis. Both MRI and X-rays are consistent with her exam findings. The patient has the option of surgical intervention; however, the risks outweigh the benefits for a person of her age.
Her third option was to commence on transdermal herbal patches from WAI, in conjunction with an herbal formula that enhances microcirculation to the joints. There are no reported side effects with these formulas.
After eight weeks using transdermal medicinal patches applied to the inner and lateral aspect of the knee the patient has noted substantial relief in joint pain and swelling, with improvement in range of motion. The patient can now bend or extend her leg without pain, with flexion much improved between 70 and 120 degrees, and this is measured bilaterally. As for activities of daily living, the patient has returned to sweeping and mopping her own house, doing dishes, vacuuming, and even walking around her complex. She is proud to report that she can now walk three times around her complex, which is equivalent to three city blocks and in spite of this effort she has no joint swelling. The patient states nocturnal pain is no longer experienced.
She is extremely happy with the results. Re-evaluation of this patient revealed an improvement of joint articular height, which was consistent with MRI findings, decreased joint effusion, and apparent changes in the articular structure.*
*Disclaimer: Individual results may vary
Hip Osteoarthritis Patient Pain-Free with use of WMI Therapies
Charles Newby, DC, MI
A female patient in her early 60s was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis and experienced pain in both hips. Her left hip was significantly more painful and severe than the right hip. The OA was so painful in her hips she had a hard time walking. Her doctors were recommending a hip replacement and the patient had a future appointment scheduled for replacing her left hip. She had already gone through a knee replacement surgery with little success and wanted to avoid the replacement surgery for her hip.
Her chiropractor, Dr. Charles Newby recommended the therapies from the WAI to increase blood flow, lymphatic circulation, and reduce joint inflammation. This protocol was recommended for both hips at the same time to avoid her from favoring one hip over the other. The therapies were recommended for a continuous 3 months and after the first month, the patient was feeling 75%-80% less pain in both hips.
The patient continued the protocol along with seeing her chiropractor on a regular basis for adjustments, exercises, and also was taking bone/cartilage supplements. After three months, the patient is experiencing little to no pain in both hips and was able to cancel her hip replacement surgery.
*Disclaimer: Individual results may vary
Comprehensive Knee Osteoarthritis Program Results in 28 patients
Dr. Filippini, D.C., Danville, CA
Introduction
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and a major cause of disability in the adult population. The pathophysiology of the disease is characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage, cartilage calcification, osteophyte formation, subchondral bone remodeling, and mild to moderate inflammation of the synovial lining. Symptoms include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, inflammation, and creaking of the joints.
Wei Musculoskeletal Institute osteoarthritis herbal treatment solutions help increase blood flow and lymphatic circulation and help enhance the chondrocyte’s ability to synthesize required collagen and proteoglycan to restore the damaged joint cartilage matrix, eliminate joint pain, and improve its functionality. They also help reduce joint inflammation and matrix metalloproteinase activity to reverse joint degeneration.*
A combined target approach utilizes Wei Arthritis Institute herbal treatment solutions and Dr. Filippini, D.C.’s modalities such as Cold Laser, PEMF, BioCharger, ATM, Rebuilder, HakoMed, and Rife equipment. These modalities focus on improving circulation, promoting healing, and stimulation of stem cell growth.
Results
Patient case results do align with the expected success rate of 90% stated for Wei Arthritis Institute musculoskeletal treatments. It is important to note that cases showing no response have complicated factors such as ulcerative colitis in one patient and issues with multiple organ systems and infections such as parasites in the second patient. Both patients are undergoing more complex herbal protocols to address these underlying health issues and improve their response to the program. However, many patients who expressed that their pain level was at 0 also presented with other confounding conditions. In patients who saw less than a 50% pain improvement (using as 0-10 scale), there were more indications that patients were very active during their program as well as had some compliance issues. The average age of patients who had less than a 50% improvement were 65 compared to 64.7 for those who saw a 50% or greater improvement. The average time for patients to see the improvement they described was about 14 visits for those seeing 50% or greater improvement as opposed to 13 visits for those seeing less than 50% improvement.
Data on pain level of patients who have successfully completed 1 month of a comprehensive Knee Osteoarthritis program utilizing Wei Arthritis Institute herbal treatment solutions and additional modalities.
Discussion
Patients who present with singular or bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis can expect a large degree of pain reduction in 13-14 visits through a knee program utilizing Wei Arthritis Institute herbal treatment solutions and additional modalities such as the BioCharger*. As seen in a large cohort prospective study 92% of patients saw some degree of pain reduction, with 43% stating they were pain-free.
Patients who did not respond as well as expected were often either less compliant, more active in their daily activities, or had underlying complications of a larger scope. The two patients who saw no pain improvement were known to have multiple complications. Both of these patients are currently working on addressing these underlying issues through more complex, individualized programs to address their entire well-being.
This finding represents significant hope for patients who are looking for alternatives in their approach to healthcare. Currently, patients who opt in for knee replacement are at risk of being in the 20% of patients who still experience knee pain post knee replacement.
This combined herbal and modality program has shown to reduce pain in 92% of the patients who started it, with further data needed as they continue their programs. This is promising for patients comparing options as an 8% risk of pain is preferable to a 20% risk of having pain. It would be the goal to continue to track patient outcomes and see if there is a decrease in pain for patients who have not yet finished their entire program. Regardless of the length of the program, it is evident that this targeted herbal, nutritional, and modality approach has hit the nail on the head and yielded patient results that speak for themselves. *
For the 2 patients whose pain stayed the same, Dr. Filippini, D.C. is applying further customized treatment using additional herbal formulas.
Reference [1] Beswick AD, Wylde V, Gooberman-Hill R, et al What proportion of patients report long-term pain after total hip or knee replacement for osteoarthritis? A systematic review of prospective studies in unselected patients. BMJ Open 2012;2: e000435. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2011- 000435
*Disclaimer: Individual results may vary
Knee Arthritis Pain Improvements
Dr. Nadia Ali –PA
The patient was diagnosed with arthritis of the knee. They were experiencing pain in the knee and down the leg to the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon appeared swollen and was stiff to touch. The patient expressed that they couldn’t walk for long periods of time without aches and pains as well as the inability to get comfortable at night. Movement and pain caused them to wake up at night.
Dr. Nadia Ali recommended WAI therapies. After one week, the patient expressed that they were not as aware of the Achilles tendon and swelling had decreased. The patient was able to get out of bed without being in pain. After finishing the therapy, the patient had taken their grandchildren to Disney and walked around the entire day and the knee had not affected them. The patient is extremely happy with the results and is doing well.
*Disclaimer: Individual results may vary
Pain Relief in Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis and Meniscus Tear Patient
Susan Russell, LAc, GA
A 68-year-old female patient was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of the knees and torn meniscus in both knees. She desperately wanted to avoid surgery as she had already had 6 back surgeries. She was taking painkillers and using laser therapy to help address her knee pain but she was still experiencing such horrible pain she could no longer walk. She also could not stand for more than 10 minutes. Living with this chronic pain did not allow her to out and spend time with her family like she would like to. She rated her pain as an 8 out of 10. The patients main goal was to avoid surgery.
She began a protocol from WAI along with some physical therapy exercises such as walking backwards. Four weeks on the protocol, the patient reported dramatic improvements. She was able to host company and had been on her feet non-stop with 50% less pain. She stated that there was no way she would have been able to walk and stand for those periods of time without the use of the WMI therapy. She is continuing on with treatment to experience more improvements.
*Disclaimer: Individual results may vary
