Arrowhead Healthstyle - Summer 2017

Summer 2017

Defying the Odds Senior Olympics Gold Medalist Ray Beaufait Shares His Secret to Overcoming Knee Pain

Battling the Cost of Prescriptions How One Valley Company Helps Their Customers by Providing Prescription Cost Hacks

Finding a Better Way Redirect Your Focus Toward Better Healthcare

Working Wisely Is Your Job a Pain in the Neck?

Sweet as Sugar Let Nature Take its Course When it Comes to Sweetening

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Contents

Summer 2017 4 VITALITY n Working Wisely n Avoiding Bad ‘TENDONcies’ During a Workout n Saving Money on Prescriptions

13 INNOVATION n Healthcare vs. Health Insurance n Health Innovations

22 HEALTH & WELLNESS n iEverydayCARE n Don’t Get Burned

30 LIFESTYLE & NUTRITION n Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training n Finding a Better Way n Ask the Expert: Regenerative Medicine and the ‘Weekend Warrior’ n Sweet as Sugar

18 COVER Defying the odds Arizona Senior Olympics Gold Medalist Shares His Inspring Comeback

36 PUZZLE

28 FEATURE Battling the Cost of Prescriptions How One Valley Company Helps Their Customers

by Providing Prescription Cost Hacks Visit us online at healthstylemagazine.com

Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

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Editor’s Letter

It’s Time to Take Charge

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Doug Houvener is a devoted husband, dad, marketing manager, and graphic designer with a passion for motivating people to be their best and making them laugh in the process. He believes wholeheartedly in the magic of working together with a supportive team to provide incredible experiences and outcomes.

In his humble opinion, the best things about Summer are grilling and pool days (with SPF 50, of course), enjoying the great indoors with his son and wife, and the existence of remote start and air conditioning.

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minutes after my son was born this April, I was sitting next to my wife feeding him. I remember the distinct feeling of overwhelming joy, but also the sudden drop that came with the realization that I was suddenly responsible for another human life. “Am I feeding him right?” “Can he breathe?” “Am I giving him enough support behind his head?” I was a rookie, I had no idea what I was doing here! How could a nurse trust me so blindly?

Too often we find ourselves paralyzed by options, fearful of change or the foreign. You’ve never been here before — how could you possibly know what’s best? Without proven context, it’s also really easy to doubt yourself and your accomplishments — something that’s even got a clinical name: impostor syndrome.

It’s important to find ways to continue to grow and improve as a human being, personally and professionally. Impostor syndrome strikes as soon as you start down the path of growth and self-improvement — “are you sure you can do this?” “what gives you the idea that this is within your capabilities?” The doubts are endless.

When Psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes named this condition in 1978, they described it as a sense of “phoniness in people who believe that they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement.”

The great news if this feels all too familiar: you’re not alone. People like Maya Angelou, Tom Hanks, Neil Galman, Sheryl Sandberg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Emma Watson have all talked about their experiences with impostor syndrome.

To be honest with you, that list shocked me.

But it also taught me something: we’re all human, and no one’s an expert. The best we can do is the best we can do, and we should be okay with that. In today’s fast-paced world, the pressure to keep up or outperform others is so great that it can often stop us in our tracks. So with that in mind, the theme behind this issue is ‘take charge of your surroundings’ There is no greater example of that than

Healthstyle Magazine • Summer 2017

our cover story – Ray Beaufait. When Ray was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening illness, he decided to take charge and never look back.

I’ve also had the distinct pleasure of speaking with several small business owners in the Valley for this issue — all of whom are taking control of their healthcare costs using a revolutionary health insurance strategy called Redirect Health.

In this issue, we also discuss the rampant over-prescription of opioid painkillers, and what can and is being done to help curtail the issue — including some revolutionary new treatments for weekend warrior injuries.

Remember — no one is perfect. But the one thing that we do have is the ability to take charge of our situations. What will you change with this outlook?

Doug Houvener EDITOR Doug.Houvener@ArrowheadHealth.com

Special Thanks

On the Cover

Ray Beaufait, a 74-year-old athlete, has been an avid runner his entire life. When he became severely ill a few years ago and was left struggling with leg and knee pain, he turned to Arrowhead Health Centers. With comprehensive treatment, he was able to return to his active lifestyle and has taken home multiple gold medals.

Special Thanks Ray Beaufait Mike Bechtol Becky Bowers Robert Byrne Elie Goodman

Creative Development Director ISAAC MOYA IMoya@RepublicMedia.com Editor JIM WILLIAMS JLWilliams@RepublicMedia.com A division of The Arizona Republic 200 E. Van Buren St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 General Manager CAMI KAISER CKaiser@RepublicMedia.com

Contact Us Have a question, comment or idea?

Want to advertise in Healthstyle Magazine?

Contact editorial@healthstylemagazine.com

Holly Mack Kelly Maurer Armando Mendoza Victoria Tweedy Robert West

Project Manager NICK KOSTENKO NKostenko@RepublicMedia.com Design CARL BEZUIDENHOUT CarlBez@me.com

ADVERTISING Community Relations Manager BETHANY TRAETTINO bethany.traettino@ arrowheadhealth.com Dir. MVA & IWP MATT COEN, DC matt.coen@arrowheadhealth.com Advertising Coordinator LINDA KNOEBEL lknoebel@republicmedia.com

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Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

3

Vitality

Working Wisely Is Your Job A Pain in the Neck?

BY PAT WHITNEY

W

hat do Leonardo de Vinci, Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemingway all have in common?

They knew better than to sit all day while they worked. Long before the word ergonomic was created, these great minds used stand-up desks. And, unknowingly avoided some of the pitfalls associated with sitting for hours on end at workspaces that, over time, lead to pain and disability.

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Healthstyle Magazine • Summer 2017

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Vitality

Today, with approximately $1 out of every $3 in worker’s compensation costs from workplace injuries attributed to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), individuals and corporations alike are paying close attention to workplace ergonomics.

Workplace Pain The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that work-related MSDs, injuries and disorders of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and cartilage) are a leading cause of pain, suffering, and disability in the American workplaces.

“People don’t often associate pain and disability with static postures,” says Robert Byrne, DC, at Arrowhead Health Centers. “Long periods of static positions can cause low back and neck injuries. Strain injuries arise from extending into positions not intended for the body.

Repetitive movements, like those from mouse work, and awkward postures are the biggest offenders.”

The result is neck and back pain or sore wrists and fingers, he says. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. On average, workers take 28 days to recover from carpal tunnel syndrome, longer than the time needed to recover from amputation or fractures.

“Backs are not meant to sit for long periods,” he adds.

“The body is meant to move — not be static. A low-back injury can happen anywhere according to the job you’re doing. The problem is slowly progressive. You may be used to being in that position for years. Coupled with degenerative changes and the aging process, static positions over time will lead to injuries.”

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Healthstyle Magazine • Summer 2017

Simple Solutions: • Use chair with lumbar support that follows the curve of your spine • Avoid static or awkward posture.

• Stretch or walk around every 30-45 minutes • Consider sit/stand desks • Do forearm flexions of extension muscle • Use ergonomically correct distances at between body and work station

Do’s and Don’ts of Ergonomic Workplace Design Do: Adjust the height of your chair with feet resting flat on the floor or on a footrest.

Adjust armrests so your arms gently rest on them with your shoulders relaxed.

Don’t: Sit with legs outstretched or feet crossed.

Do: Keep your phone close.

Don’t: Stand up to get items you can’t comfortably reach.

Do: Place your mouse nearby. Keep wrists straight, upper arms close to the body, and hands at or slightly below the level of your elbows. Alternate hands on mouse.

Don’t: Place mouse on a different level than your keyboard.

Do: Place your phone on speaker or use a headset while writing or typing.

Don’t: Cradle the phone between your head and neck.

Do: Be sure there’s enough clearance for your knees, thighs and feet under desk. Place blocks beneath desk legs if too low. If too high and can’t be adjusted, raise chair or use a footrest.

Don’t: Store items under your desk.

Do: Place monitor directly ahead an arm’s length away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. If

you wear bifocals, lower the monitor one or two additional inches.

Don’t: Look up or down at your monitor to avoid neck strain. Rest eyes periodically by focusing at something in the distance.

Ergonomically designed workplaces reduce pain and injury, increase productivity, improve morale and decrease complaints.

That’s working wisely.

Dr. Byrne is a Chiropractor at Arrowhead Health Centers. To learn more about the services AHC provides, visit arrowheadhealth.com/chiropractic/

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Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

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Vitality

Avoiding Bad ‘TENDONcies’ During a Workout Listen to Your Body Before You Inflict Damage

BY RACHEL JABLON-O’GRADY

F

or exercise enthusiasts–whether novice or experienced–there’s no better feeling than sore, tired muscles as evidence of a great workout. But should we feel the same way when that soreness is in our joints?

The answer is a flat-out, stomach-crunching “No.” When we overextend our muscles doing bicep curls or strain our wrist joints in downward-facing dog, the overstressing of muscles, tendons and ligaments causes pain. The high stress from “improper form” or using too much weight can weaken or even tear muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Recognize the Signs “As a sports medicine doctor, most of the patients I see exercise to perpetuate good health, even if it causes extreme pain and suffering,” said Dr. David Carfagno, DO, CAQSM, Sports Medicine Specialist. “Some are not highly paid professional athletes whose livelihood depends on their fitness level. They oftentimes feel like they have to just live with the pain or play through it.”

The body usually sends us alerts or signals along the way before anything drastic happens. The alert is what we refer to as...aches and pains. The message is “stop doing this to me.” The trick is to listen to these alerts (aches and pain) and take immediate action. Usually the best action doesn’t

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Healthstyle Magazine • Summer 2017

require any special equipment or medical doctor’s opinion.

Simply listen to the message and rest the area, allowing your own body to heal itself.

Unfortunately, most athletes or exercise enthusiasts, i.e., gym rats (you know who you are), believe that you should play through your pain. Our bodies have a way of responding to that way of thinking by increasing the pain levels until you get the message. Sometimes, a great deal of damage is done before the message gets through to our brains. Sooner or later, your body’s “warning signals” will get your undivided attention. Usually, when that happens, you are forced to refrain from exercise for a much longer period of time or seek expert medical advice.

Getting to the Root of the Pain Early Joint pain is most effectively treated when the underlying cause of your pain is clearly identified at the very beginning of treatment. A thorough evaluation of your problem by a skilled pain management specialist is a good starting place. In addition, your doctor might want to order specific diagnostic studies. These tests might include X-Ray, CT, MRI or the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound. You probably know the benefits of X-ray, CT (computerized Axial Tomography) and MRI but may be unaware of MSK Ultrasound. Let me provide you with some basic

information about this valuable diagnostic study.

“MSK Ultrasound has helped me do a more efficient job in treating my patients,” Carfagno said. “It’s just like an extension of my clinical exam. I evaluate the patient and then take a peek with the ultrasound to see if I need further testing or in most cases, determine a course of action right then and there. It’s always the best-case scenario when I can get my patients quickly back to living a pain-free life.”

Affordable, Effective Treatment MSK Ultrasound is a highly detailed diagnostic study that provides high resolution, motion imaging of a body or body part. It is being used in major hospitals and elite medical clinics throughout the United States, including the exclusive Kerlan Jobe Clinic. The technology has no restrictions to its use and has a low cost of operation at approximately $200 per procedure.

The cost factor has become a major consideration with many insurance plans that have a high deductible. Especially when compared to the high cost of an MRI which can range between $600 to $2,500 out of pocket, depending on what the insurance company dictates.

Oftentimes, because of its high sensitivity, the MSK U/S

can identify issues that most other imagining modalities such as X-ray, MRI may not be able to see. The little nuisances and subtleties that occur when muscles or tendons move can actually be watched in real time.

If you have the early warning sign of joint pain and simply resting the body part hasn’t worked, look into working with a medical professional who specializes in your type of injury.

Proper care at the beginning of your problem can return you more quickly to the activities you love — without the pain.

Wishing you a happy and healthy life.

Rachel Jablon-O’Grady, RMST is a co-founder at MSK GUIDE™ (Guided Ultrasound Injection and Diagnostic Experts™) and Senior Technical Specialist of Orthopedic Ultrasound. She is a frequent author on health IT and enterprise imaging transformation. You can contact her at rach.jab1@gmail.com or visit Orthopedicultrasound.net.

Dr. David Carfagno is the Medical Director AZ PF Chang’s Rock and Roll Marathon and Assistant National Medical Director Competitor Group Rock and Roll/Tri Rock Series and Ringside Physician, Arizona State Boxing and MMA Commission Ringside Physician, USA Boxing Phoenix Magazine, Top Doctors, Sports Medicine, 2010-2016

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Vitality

Saving Money on Prescriptions Convenient, Affordable Pricing Is Within Your Reach

BY BRIAN SODOMA

T

here’s nothing worse than knowing you could have paid less for something you already bought. It’s a familiar nagging feeling for many Americans, especially when it comes to prescription drugs.

An insurance copay may only be $20 for a medication.

On the surface, it seems like the right price, but what if you could get it for $4? It happens more often than you think, says Mike Bechtol, director of care logistics for Redirect Health, a unique healthcare plan that taps its industry expertise along with numerous technology tools to find the best prescription prices for its growing membership base.

“More than half the time you can get cheaper prescriptions without using your insurance card,” Bechtol said. “What we like to say is there’s a fair cost to everything out there … it’s just that consumers may not know where to look or how to find it.”

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Healthstyle Magazine • Summer 2017

Doing the Legwork for You With Redirect Health’s EverydayCARE plan, a patient’s care logistics team knows where and how to find the best prescription prices for you. In addition to not being burdened by office visit copays under the plan, the care logistics team scours discount opportunities with a variety of online tools, including GoodRX and One RX, to find the best deal.

Sometimes finding the right deal may mean simply switching to another nearby pharmacy.

“Where you pick up your prescription really matters,” Bechtol emphasized. “If I tell you, ‘hey, it costs $64 at a drugstore, but if you’re willing to go to a grocery store, it’s only $10, you’re probably going to say ‘yes.’.”

If generic versions for particular medications are in low supply, that doesn’t mean you automatically need to pay hundreds of dollars for a prescription. Discount codes located by the care logistics team can save you serious cash.

“Someone who makes $15 an hour shouldn’t worry about whether they should buy groceries or medications; it’s not a fair question to make people answer.”

–MIKE BECHTOL

Sometimes, the discounts are so good, the name brand prescriptions can be found for generic prices, Bechtol added.

Added Value Redirect Health’s 24/7 phone line is available to all members for both physician consultations as well as prescription management. The team also places a follow-up call to patients to assure they received their medication. The move helps members stay on track with their treatment and wellness plans. About 25 to 30 percent of patients don’t pick up their prescriptions, Bechtol said, and part of the reason is affordability.

“Someone who makes $15 an hour shouldn’t worry about whether they should buy groceries or medications; it’s not a fair question to make people answer,” he said. “When you pull the curtain back on all this, you realize this is not a big magic trick. … We do it 100 times a day and 75 percent of people have no idea how we do it. It’s not that they’re not smart. They just don’t have the time to navigate this.”

By building an affordable, financially responsible and responsive healthcare plan, Redirect Health does have the time to find the best prescription prices without you needing to pay for an expensive insurance premium.

To see how Redirect Health is able to offer the best care at a reasonable price, visit redirecthealth.com.

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Innovation H

HealthCARE vs.

Health Insurance Separating Health Insurance from Healthcare for Better Patient Outcomes

BY BRIAN SODOMA

T

ed Batycki wanted to provide healthcare options for his employees. However, the owner of Natural Choice Preschool in Phoenix is one of thousands of small business owners around the country trying to do the same thing, only to run into a well-known problem: high deductible insurance plans that offer little, if anything, in the way of true care for consumers. In fact, with huge out-of-pocket costs for minimal care under a high-deductible insurance plan, he felt as if he was doing more harm than good.

“When I looked at it, I wasn’t doing them any favors by offering insurance coverage,” Batycki said.

Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

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H Innovation

Putting Care First in a System That Doesn’t More than 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies are the result of a health problem and almost three-fourths of those cases involve people who have health insurance, says Mike Bechtol, director of care logistics for Redirect Health, a healthcare plan that became a solution for Batycki.

It’s an area of confusion for millions of Americans — to think that in order to receive good care, you need to have an expensive health insurance plan. Thousands of business owners like Batycki are learning that’s not the case.

Batycki put healthcare first when he purchased a Redirect Health EverydayCare plan for himself and each of his employees who opted for it. For $105 a month per person, Batycki and his team members have access to unlimited primary care and preventative visits with no copays, unlimited telemedicine, and prescriptions that cost a fraction of most insurance prescription copays.

“It’s a cost-effective way for me as a small business owner to provide employees healthcare in an exceptionally complicated market.”

– TED BATYCKI “It’s a cost-effective way for me as a small business owner to provide employees healthcare in an exceptionally complicated market,” he added.

Batycki experienced the Redirect difference first hand.

Redirect providers were able to diagnose a herniated disc in his neck. The experience required two office visits at no cost, and an MRI, scheduled the same day, for only $250, which often costs $1,000 or more with insurance.

“I have friends in healthcare who said I must have had an inside connection to pay that price and get that kind of service,” he added. “What I loved most about it though was that these were decisions made by me and my doctor. … We didn’t ask for the approval of insurance. … There was no one in the way trying to protect their profits.”

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Healthstyle Magazine • Summer 2017

Removing Insurance from Primary Care Bechtol hears similar stories every day from those paying high insurance rates and getting nothing in return.

Bechtol emphasizes that insurance does have a place in the healthcare system, however, only for major medical emergencies — certainly not primary care.

The Redirect team will often pair inexpensive major medical insurance plans with the EverydayCare plans to cover a catastrophic emergency. Meanwhile, 90 percent of care falls into the primary care arena, which can be navigated very inexpensively when taking away administrative costs associated with insurance plans.

X-ray procedures are a primary example, Bechtol said.

Redirect customers pay only $34 and there’s no copay for the office visit.

By eliminating insurance from primary care, health outcomes are better, too. About 75 percent of EverydayCare cases can be handled through telemedicine and costly emergency room visits for plan members are 68 percent lower than the CDC national average. In addition, physicians don’t need to worry about coding systems for billing, allowing them to better focus on patient needs.

“When I had my office visits, the providers weren’t rushed at all,” Batycki said. “I genuinely believe this should be the way of healthcare on the prevention and primary care levels. It works really well.”

To learn more, visit redirecthealth.com.

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H Innovation

Health Innovations Redirect Health Delivering Affordable, Quality Care

BY JOAN WESTLAKE

M

ention innovations in healthcare and what probably comes to mind are discoveries in surgery, medications and techniques for treating disease and injury.

Mike Bechtol, director of Care Logistics for Redirect Health, said that also vital to the transformation of healthcare is creating the most efficient and affordable ways people can find the best care. Three innovations with the goal of optimal patient access to care are 24/7 Care Logistics, fair prescription pricing and the Healthcare Blue Book.

24/7 Care Logistics “Redirect Health designs healthcare plans and we started by researching what worked best with Arrowhead Health Centers employees,” said Bechtol. “We found as we removed obstacles to care such as co-pays and deductibles for basic care visits and labs plus made it really easy for people to get care right when they needed it; unnecessary emergency

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Healthstyle Magazine • Summer 2017

room and physician visits were eliminated because most consultations could be done over the phone.”

From this beginning, 24/7 Care Logistics was created and is now offered to businesses across the country and, in Maricopa County, available even to individuals. Here is how it works: • One number to call anytime of the night or day including weekends and holidays • Patient call goes to a team of medical assistants and providers • Patient electronic medical records are immediately accessed • Basic information is taken over the phone • Medical provider is given complaint details and patient records • Medical provider creates and shares a care plan with the patient in a step-by-step consultation • 75 percent of the time, everything is completed over the

phone—diagnosis and prescribing—eliminating driving to a medical facility and waiting • The 25 percent who go for an in-person visit have their care plan sent ahead along with a call to the physician, chiropractor, specialist or hospital to which the patient has been directed Companies can find out more about 24/7 Care Logistics at redirecthealth.com; individuals at IEverydayCare.com.

Fair Prescription Pricing The 24/7 service also includes researching the best price for a medication. The general public can go to websites such as GoodRX.com to search. But the 24/7 care team has expertise in such comparisons as well as the knowledge to ask questions of the prescribing physician about options for the most affordable and effective versions of the medication.

Healthcare Blue Book At HealthcareBlueBook.com, search for pricing on medical procedures and hospital visits. Costs can vary dramatically and may be lower than what you would pay through a health insurance plan. Anyone can search but it takes time

and a level of expertise that can be a challenge, especially when arranging the costs with hospitals, which the Redirect team does.

As an example of hospital savings, Bechtol said one client paid $17,000 for the birth of a child in 2015 and then, using Care Logistics’ services, paid $4,600 in 2016.

“Our employees had 68 percent fewer ER visits than the Centers for Disease Control’s national average because we eliminate co-pays, get the best prices and create immediate access to care,” said Bechtol. “It’s putting patient needs at the vanguard of progress.”

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Innovation H

Defying the Odds Arizona Senior Olympics Gold Medalist Shares His Inspiring Comeback

BY MEGHANN FINN SEPULVEDA

PHOTOS BY RICK D’ ELIA

A

The experience gave him a new perspective on life.

“I asked myself what I really wanted to do,” he said. “I quickly came to the conclusion that getting in shape and playing ball was what I desired most.”

Fitness Fanatic

Beaufait slowly started working out in a gym and joined a senior softball team. While he had made significant health improvements, he still suffered from leg and knee pain.

In 2015, a neighbor recommended Arrowhead Health Centers. That fall, Beaufait made an appointment with them, hoping to find some relief.

“After an evaluation and X-rays, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my joints,” Beaufait said.

Beaufait became a patient of Arrowhead Health Centers’ comprehensive Osteoarthritis of the Knee Program, the Valley’s only medical facility accredited by the OsteoArthritis Centers of America.

s a 74-year-old athlete, Ray Beaufait is focused on maintaining good health. But several years ago, his life came to a screeching halt when he became severely ill and was hospitalized. Following intense rehabilitation, Beaufait was committed to regaining his active lifestyle. An avid sprint runner, he was set on competing in the Arizona Senior Olympics, but struggled with leg and knee pain.

Last winter and fall, Beaufait received comprehensive treatment at Arrowhead Health Centers. Four months later, he won gold medals in three sprint events.

Beaufait had remained active throughout his entire adult life, playing softball and basketball, often participating in various amateur leagues. Following an injury when he was 43, Beaufait took up golf, but always wanted to return to the sports he loved most.

After retiring as a financial executive in 1998 in Charlestown, Indiana, Beaufait began contemplating his next steps. He and his wife, Pamela, purchased a winter home in Surprise, Arizona and were looking forward to enjoying their golden years together.

An Unexpected Setback In 2014, Beaufait became extremely sick and was hospitalized.

Doctors tested him for dozens of medical conditions and diseases but the cause of his illness was unknown.

During his month-long hospital stay, Beaufait lost 70 pounds and became frail and weak. The outlook was grim.

“I wasn’t expected to survive,” he said.

Eventually, he was well enough to go home. He began physical therapy to gain muscle strength and had to learn how to walk again.

Road to Recovery

Unique Approach “Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cartilage in the knee that happens naturally over time,” said Andrea Knuth, care logistics supervisor at Arrowhead Health Centers. “Our unique approach provides a solution to patients who want to avoid a knee replacement.”

Over the course of eight weeks, Beaufait received five hyaluronic acid injections in his right knee, which improved the pain and reduced swelling and inflammation.

“The injections nourish the cartilage and add cushion to the knee space,” Knuth said.

He also started physical therapy and was fitted for a custom knee brace for his right knee.

“Ray wanted to maintain his activities without experiencing any problems,” said Adrienne Amarillas, DME

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H Innovation

“I wasn’t expected to survive.”

— RAY BEAUFAIT coordinator at Arrowhead Health Centers. “A knee brace helps pull open the narrowing in the joint space, decreases pressure and allows the fluid from the injections to last longer and be more effective.”

A Promising Outlook Last summer, Beaufait started running again.

He was determined to compete in the Arizona Senior Olympics.

He hired a track coach to develop strength and gain speed. In October 2016, he went back to Arrowhead Health Centers and had his left knee fitted for a brace.

“I was amazed at how well I could run without the fear of hurting my knees,” Beaufait said. “The braces give me support and let me run as long as I want without any pain.”

Determined for the Future It was cold and rainy on the morning of Feb. 18, 2017, when Beaufait competed in the Arizona Senior Olympics, but his training paid off. He won three gold medals in the 50-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter sprints.

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Today Beaufait is training for the Kentucky Senior Olympics and the Ohio Senior Olympics, taking place this summer.

He hopes to continue to run, lift weights and remain active for as long as he can.

“My future goal is to break a world record in a senior Olympics sprinting event for my age group,” he said.

Learn more about the Osteoarthritis of the Knee Program at Arrowhead Health Centers at myOAprogram.com.

Are You Struggling with

KNEE PAIN? Introducing a Breakthrough Treatment Program for OsteoArthritis of the Knee

Have you been told surgery is your only option for the OsteoArthritis pain in your knees? We have your solution.

Using this patented, proven treatment program, Arrowhead Health Centers’ team of multi-specialty providers combines highly specialized diagnostics, medical treatment, and functional strength training to get to the root of your symptoms and help get you back to doing the things you love. Call today for a free oneon-one consultation with one of our knowledgeable providers.

Know the Signs & Symptoms.

When the cartilage in your knees is damaged, you may start to notice the following symptoms getting worse over time: • Joint stiffness in the morning or upon standing up • Aches, pains and swelling • Limited range of motion • Locking or popping sensations

• Uneasiness caused by instability • Difficulty walking up and down stairs

Join the 91% of Patients Experiencing Relief.

Arrowhead Health Centers is offering a no obligation one-on-one consultation with one of our doctors.

• Covered by Medicare & most major insurers • FDA-approved non-surgical process • Custom knee bracing for support where you need it most

• Performed by specially trained & accredited medical providers • Latest Regenerative Placental Tissue Technology containing placental stem cells and other special growth factors*

*Regenerative Medicine portion is not covered by insurance.

What Causes OsteoArthritis?

OsteoArthritis is commonly referred to as ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. As you age, the cartilage in your knees can wear down, reducing the natural cushioning in your joints. When this happens, it can cause the bones in your knee to rub together, which is the source of the pain experienced with OsteoArthtitis of the Knee.

Patient Testimonial “Before the OsteoArthritis Knee Program, every step hurt. I just remember that I couldn’t ride my bike or even walk, really, when I first started the program. But as I went through the program, I was able to continue my active lifestyle more and more – even before I was done with my program. It really worked!” - Jane R.

Call Us Today!

Space is limited to the first 30 callers.

888-996-0366 Chandler | Glendale | Mesa | Scottsdale | Surprise/Sun City | Prescott Valley

Arrowhead Health Centers is the only provider in AZ accredited by the OsteoArthritis Centers of America.

Health & Wellness

iEverydayCARE Easy Access and More Affordable Options for Healthcare

BY KRISTINE BURNETT

W

hen it comes to health insurance, the adage “you get what you pay for” doesn’t always hold true. While health insurance premiums, deductibles and copays continue to rise, access to providers is becoming increasingly difficult. Thankfully, iEverydayCARE™ offers an affordable alternative to the traditional insurance-based model.

A subscription-based health program, iEverydayCARE gives members convenient access to an entire team of healthcare professionals for one set monthly fee. A program of Redirect Health, iEverydayCARE is the latest healthcare innovation of David Berg, DC and Janice Johnston, MD. This husband and wife duo first entered Arizona’s healthcare community in 1997, with the launch of Arrowhead Health Centers. The company now has six locations throughout the Valley.

Simplifying Healthcare Drs. Berg and Johnston together co-founded Redirect Health in 2013, with the goal of simplifying healthcare for individuals and employers struggling to meet the costly and often confusing mandates of the Affordable Care Act. “Having health insurance doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting the best care,” explained Holly Mack,

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enrollment specialist at Redirect Health. “iEverydayCARE gives members the best healthcare options for managing routine preventive health services, common illnesses, and minor injuries.” iEverydayCARE members receive 24/7 concierge medicine services, including unlimited primary care and chiropractic office visits, preventive health screenings, immunizations and laboratory services.

Individualized Care Plans “It’s our full integration of health services and care coordination that creates a truly individualized care plan,” Mack noted.

Mack says iEverydayCARE works best when paired with a high-deductible insurance plan to cover select specialist visits, hospital services or other catastrophic healthcare needs. Since iEverydayCARE isn’t health insurance, it doesn’t interfere with private or governmentfunded health plans.

“As an iEverydayCARE customer, you can really make it your own,” Mack said. “The more you utilize the services and work with your provider team to keep up on your health, the less likely you are to wind up in a specialist’s office or hospital.”

Guaranteed Acceptance Enrollment in iEverydayCARE is open to individuals of all ages with no pre-existing condition clauses or other exclusions.

“We have a strict guaranteed acceptance policy, so everyone is eligible,” Mack noted. iEverydayCARE members can see providers at Arrowhead Health Centers locations Valleywide and at the Redirect Health office located in the Scottsdale Airpark. A toll-free number gives members direct 24/7 bilingual access to a team of providers, including medical assistants, nurse practitioners and physicians. Membership also includes prescription benefits. Best of all, there are no copays or deductibles to meet when seeing a provider. The set monthly fee covers it all. iEverydayCARE monthly membership is $105 for an individual, $200 for a member plus a spouse, $200 for a member plus children, or $300 for a family of two adults and unlimited children. There is a 60-day money-back guaranteed and no enrollment contracts, meaning members can cancel at any time.

To learn more or to enroll in iEverydayCARE, visit ieverydaycare.com.

Accidents Can Be Scary.

We understand — that’s why we developed our motor vehicle accident program.

You know choosing the right medical provider can be the difference between relief and a long-term injury after an accident. We’re here to make treatment easy for you. With convenient Valley-wide locations, same day & next day appointments, and a coordinated team of multi-specialty providers, Arrowhead Health Centers helps make recovering from an injury after an accident easy.

Have you or a loved one been in an accident? Call us 24/7/365.

888-570-6988

Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

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602-277-6211 www.tocamd.com Team Physicians and Orthopedic Surgeons For:

Health & Wellness

Don’t Get Burned Tanning Beds Continue to be a Leading Cause of Melanoma DAVID M. BROWN

D

id you know that 5 blistering sunburns in your lifetime will double your risk for skin cancer? 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime — we know that tanning beds are a culprit contributing to this stat. So why do we still use them?

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Health & Wellness

The beds, as with other sunlamp products, use one or more ultraviolet lamp(s) to induce skin tanning. These release UV-A rays and UV-B rays which, respectively, damage your DNA and burn your skin. As a result, their use is increasingly correlated with three skin cancers: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Numbers Tell the Story According to the American Academy of Dermatology, those who have been exposed to radiation from indoor tanning are 59 percent more likely to develop the worst of the three, melanoma, than those who have never tanned indoors, according to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

This echoes other studies worldwide, including by the World Health Organization, documenting similar connections between skin cancer and the use of tanning beds.

And, while the effects are well known, 30 million people, many of them teenagers, use tanning beds at least once a year, as reported in the Feb. 28, 2017 “STAT” magazine. Most often, the beds are used for aesthetics, that is, to quickly tan for furthering career, personal self-image and romance.

Anywhere from 18,000 to 19,000 indoor tanning salons and 15,000 to 20,000 other facilities offer these services in the U.S., the FDA said.

“Even with just one episode with a tanning bed, those in their 20’s face a sixfold chance of developing some kind of skin cance” –DR. ROBERT WEST, MD “There’s little question about the evidence, as different studies have reached similar conclusions,” said Dr. Robert West, MD, Family Practice Director at Arrowhead Health Centers. The University of Arizona Medical School graduate has been working with the company for four and a half years and leads its Safe Skin Program.

Cumulative Damage “Even with just one episode with a tanning bed, those in their 20’s face a sixfold chance of developing some kind of skin cancer,” he added. In addition, they risk skin burns,

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premature skin aging and eye damage. And, on continued exposure, the effects accumulate as you age.

The costs are increasing. Tanning beds create $343 million each year in medical costs in the U.S., according to the “STAT” article. These and similar sunlamp products produce 3,000-plus hospital emergency room cases a year, said the FDA, based on figures from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at the Centers for Disease Control. And, this doesn’t include cases in outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices and those not medically treated or reported.

Dr. West regularly diagnoses and treats some of the cancers at Arrowhead Health Centers. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer, with more than four million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to skincancer.org. “It appears as a nodule with a mother of pearl sheen, clear and pearly. The good news is that it’s noninvasive, and doesn’t metastasize like some cancers,” Dr. West said. “And, it’s curable for the most part when appropriately treated.”

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is more dangerous, as it can metastasize, that is, spread. “It occurs as a pink and scaly area and can spread, so it must be attended to quickly,” Dr. West said. For both BCCs and SCCs, he frequently performs a staged excision similar to Mohs surgery to remove the

affected areas. And, for the most part, this resolves the problem with an office visit.

Deadly Melanoma The most invasive and dangerous is melanoma, a dark or black-pigmented area that metastasizes quickly, requiring immediate attention and often specialist care. “This can appear anywhere on the body, including the retina,” Dr. West said, noting that if it’s detected early, surgical removal is usually successful. If the disease spreads, diagnosis is not as optimistic. “It’s the number-one cancer killer for young people,” he said.

Fortunately, genomic research is helping to find answers, and new screening methods are being introduced, he added.

In addition, the FDA is becoming more and more vigilant, requiring black-label warnings on product labeling and in promotional materials such as “Attention: This sunlamp product should not be used on persons under the age of 18 years.” Also required are special controls and meeting an electronic product performance standard.

New Rules The FDA is also considering two proposed rules and is still accepting consumer input. The first would restrict use of sunlamp products to those 18 and older. In addition, it also would require indoor tanning facilities to inform adult users about the health risks of indoor tanning and to obtain a signed risk acknowledgement.

The second rule would require that sunlamp manufacturers and tanning facilities improve the safety of these devices, such as limiting the amount of light allowed through protective eyewear.

Dr. West and his associates at Arrowhead Health Centers provide patients information about the beds and recommend against their use. “I would not allow my daughter to use them,” he said.

“People are really paying twice for services at tanning salons. First, there’s the price of admission and second, the high risk of skin cancer going out the door,” he added.

“And that’s a very high price for a tan.”

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Choose West Valley ENT for helpful, friendly, personal service that will have you feeling better in no time.

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Call Today (602) 892-4866 843-4844 Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

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Health & Wellness

Y

ou’ve heard the stories: NFL players rely on prescription painkillers to stay in the game.

People suffering chronic pain spend years overusing drugs to mask symptoms. Young patients with short-term symptoms quickly become addicted to painkillers and lose their lives.

Overuse and abuse of prescription opioids are at epidemic levels.

Treating the Symptoms “Patients in pain are desperate for help. They are typically unaware about the treatments that are offered to them,” said Deepesh Shah, MD, board-certified in both interventional pain medicine and anesthesiology and director of Pain and Anesthesia at Arrowhead Health Centers.

“When they see their primary care physicians, urgent care, or emergency room physicians many are given narcotic painkillers as a way to help with the symptoms,” Dr. Shah said. “These medications will cause physiological dependency in as little as three weeks.”

The result: Patients continue to take medications regardless of pain levels and experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if they stop.

Cycle of Abuse

Desperate for Help Specialists Offer Solutions Beyond Prescription Painkillers

BY SUSIE STECKNER

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“This creates a potentially vicious cycle that is challenging to break,” Dr. Shah said.

Education and consultation with pain specialists are vital for patients, whether suffering a recent injury or chronic condition. Though prescription medications have their place in treatment plans, specialists today can offer a broad range of pain management options.

Classes of non-opioid medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, durable medical equipment, behavioral therapies, and interventional therapies can all help alleviate pain symptoms, Dr. Shah said.

Since 1999, the amount of prescription opioids sold in the United States has nearly quadrupled, though Americans are not reporting an overall change in the amount of pain they suffer, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The consequences are deadly: More than 90 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, the agency says.

Focus on the Problem A very public legal fight is shining a brighter light on this everyday battle. In a lawsuit filed against the National Football League, more than 1,800 players allege that doctors and trainers were negligent when they gave out narcotics and anti-inflammatory painkillers to keep players off the bench.

Whether a player’s headline-grabbing story or a patient’s private struggle, opioid use is alarmingly prevalent.

“Often times, it begins innocently enough for patients,” said Victoria Tweedy, MSN, NP-C, a certified nurse practitioner and member of the pain and injury management team at Arrowhead Health Centers.

“It starts with acute pain. They threw their back out, were in a car accident, broke a leg,” she said.

Arrowhead Health Centers, a center of excellence for pain management, offers myriad solutions under one roof. Patients will want to consult with pain specialists to explore all the options for their specific conditions.

Looking for Answers One prescription leads to another and another, regardless of pain levels and other available pain management tools in the tool chest, Tweedy said.

Though risk of an overdose may ring the loudest alarm, patients more often experience a long list of health and quality-of-life issues with long-time opioid use, she said. For instance, a chronic pain sufferer who has become accustomed to taking opioids may think nothing of adding new medications that could cause drug interactions. Long-term opioid use can also impact how vital organs function and lead to bone loss.

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Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

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Lifestyle

Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training Elevate Your Heart Rate, Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism and Increase Energy

BY MEGHANN FINN SEPULVEDA

t’s the new workout everybody is talking about: high-intensity interval training or HIIT. A great option for busy people who don’t have a lot of time to exercise, HIIT involves repeated bouts of high intensity effort followed by varied recovery time, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, including aerobic activity and strength training. At Orangetheory Fitness, a leader in HIIT, highly qualified coaches inspire and challenge participants to reach their goals.

I

Heart Rate Training A HIIT workout encourages participants to complete intense work periods that may range from 5 seconds to 8 minutes long, and are performed at 80 percent to 95 percent of a person’s estimated maximal heart rate, the maximum number of times your heart will beat in a minute without overexerting yourself,

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according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

During the 60-minute workout at Orangetheory Fitness, participants utilize a heart rate monitor and aim to alternate between the Orange Zone — 84 to 91 percent of their maximum heart rate — for 12 to 20 minutes, and the active recovery Green Zone for approximately 23-35 minutes, based on age, gender and body weight.

“This approach takes heart rate levels up and then down, which requires more energy than performing an exercise at the same pace,” said Jennifer Ayala, head trainer at Orangetheory Fitness in Downtown Phoenix. “People are burning fat and getting results twice as fast.”

Equipment and Exercises One of the reasons why HIIT has become so popular is that it can be modified for any fitness level.

“Each individual can truly make the workout their own,” Ayala said. “Although monitored by trainers, participants are able to keep track of their progress and push themselves.”

At Orangetheory Fitness, workouts incorporate the use of treadmills, rowing machines, TRX® suspension training and free weights, great for those who need motivation or want to switch up their exercise routines.

“People aren’t getting bored because we change the workouts all the time,” Ayala said.

It’s a HIIT! High-Intensity Interval Training has been shown to improve: • Aerobic and anaerobic fitness • Blood pressure • Cardiovascular health • Insulin sensitivity (which helps the exercising muscles more readily use glucose for fuel to make energy) • Cholesterol profiles • Abdominal fat and body weight while maintaining muscle mass

Proven Results Orangetheory Fitness, with 22 Valley locations, uses science to stimulate the energy and vitality in each participant’s body so they will begin to feel stronger with each interval.

According to Orangetheory Fitness, the science behind the program is excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC).

After cardiovascular exercise or weight training, the body continues to need oxygen at a higher rate than before the exercise began — also known as oxygen debt. The body will use and burn more calories for up to 36 hours after the workout is complete.

For maximum results, experts suggest performing a HIIT workout a minimum of three times per week.

“Women can expect to burn between 400 and 700 calories per session,” Ayala said. “Men usually burn 700 to 1,000 calories.”

Source: The American College of Sports Medicine

For more information, visit orangetheoryfitness.com.

Dedicated to Patient Care

At Arizona Endocrinology Center

AR-0008647008-02

We are committed to providing quality patient care.

We offer comprehensive treatments of Diabetes, Thyroid disorders, Osteoporosis and various Hormonal dysfunctions by utilizing the latest in medical advances and state of the art technology.

Contact Info: Arizona Endocrinology Center 15640 N 28th Drive Phoenix, AZ 85053 Phone: 602-439-9000 Fax: 602-978-5233 www.azendo.com

PHYSICIANS Chet S. Monder, M.D. Rohit Dwivedi, M.D. Carrie A. Phillips, M.D. Meera C. Menon, M.D. Helen Y. Kang, M.D.

Stefan Hasinski, M.D. Richard O. Dolinar, M.D. Radhika Vattikuti, M.D. Hyun-Suk Chong, M.D. Yasmin Akhunji, M.D.

PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR Gurbaksh K. Sandhu DIETITIAN Anastacia Fellows, RD

Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

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Lifestyle

Finding a Better Way Redirect Your Focus Toward Better Healthcare

BY DEBRA GELBART

F

For both consumers who have had trouble affording health insurance—and a recent Kaiser study found that in 2015, 46 percent of uninsured adults tried to get coverage but didn’t because it was too expensive—and physicians who want to return to patient-centered healthcare, Redirect Health offers a better way.

A low monthly fee gives individual enrollees access to unlimited primary care every month through a network of accredited centers lead by local healthcare provider Arrowhead Health Centers. Benefits of an individual plan — called iEverydayCARE — include routine, preventative and chiropractic care; no co-pays or deductibles; immunizations and routine lab tests; same-day or next-day appointments with no waiting; a prescription savings plan; and assistance with coordinating and managing the cost of non-routine care.

“You don’t need health insurance to get actual, valuable healthcare,” said Redirect Health co-founder and medical director Janice Johnston, MD. “Too often, what we see with traditional health plans are premiums and deductibles so high now that no one has any money left to pay for the healthcare they need.”

Redirect Health also offers a plan that employers can provide to their workers called EverydayCare, and it brings employers into compliance with the Affordable Care Act without breaking the bank, starting at $105 per individual employee.

How Redirect Health Changes Patients’ Experience Redirect Health walks patients through their care “from deciding where to go to following through with the provider’s recommendations for diagnostic tests, treatments, prescriptions, or consultation with specialists to follow-up until the problem is resolved or adequately controlled and even to settling the bills,” explained Becky Bowers, FNP-C, a board-certified family nurse practitioner who is a part of the provider team at Redirect Health. “The same team is involved from the beginning to the end, so the patient is not telling the same story to multiple entities and wondering where to go next.” If appropriate, a provider can take care of a health issue over the phone without the patient having to set up an appointment and come in. That provider is available 24/7, Bowers said.

“Because we provide telemedicine and access to healthcare 24/7, we are here to make patients’ lives easier and healthcare

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more efficient,” said Kelly Maurer, FNP-C, also a nurse practitioner on Redirect Health’s team.

Encouraging More Providers to Join the Redirect Health team Redirect Health is growing so impressively (it’s now available in all 50 states) that the company is looking to recruit more providers to provide care to Redirect Health enrollees. “So many providers I talk to outside our organizations are frustrated by the paperwork, bureaucracy and waste that has become so commonplace in today’s healthcare environment,” said Brent Cope, FACHE, CEO of Arrowhead Health Centers.

In fact, in April of last year, Medicus, a physician-recruiting services firm, conducted its 13th annual Physician Practice Preference and Relocation Survey, sent to 10,000 randomly selected doctors. More than 2,300 doctors responded, representing more than 21 specialties and 50 states.

Fewer than 3 percent of respondents awarded the Affordable Care Act an “A,” the survey found.

Most physicians give the law a “C.”

‘It’s a Win-Win-Win’ The frustration doctors feel “takes away from their true passion: helping people get better,” Cope said. “What we’re building with Redirect Health is a system that allows providers to focus on patient care by removing the frustrating inefficiencies and surrounding them with an integrated team that supports them.

Even better, this approach helps simplify the patient experience, too. And with a simpler, more efficient process, everyone saves money. It’s a win-win-win for providers, patients and employers who often support their employees’ families in purchasing healthcare.”

If you’re a physician who wants to be able to deliver more patient-centered care, visit get.redirecthealth.com/ providers/ for more information on joining the Redirect Health team.

If, as a consumer, you’d like more information about accessing more efficient healthcare, visit redirecthealth.com

Ask The Expert: Regenerative Medicine and the “Weekend Warrior” A conversation with Deepesh Shah, MD, the Director of Pain Management for Arrowhead Health Centers. Dr. Shah has been with Arrowhead Health Centers for five years and is double board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management.

BY PAULA HUBBS-COHEN

Q

What is regenerative medicine technology?

Regenerative medicine is the process of regenerating human tissue or cells in order to attempt to restore function and, in the pain management world, decrease pain.

“A weekend warrior is a person who uses the weekend to work on being physically fit and pushes themselves in an attempt to achieve defined results.”

Q

What are some state-of-the-art regenerative medicine treatments that can be used to help weekend warriors?

Two state-of-the-art regenerative medicine treatments that we use here at Arrowhead Health Centers are Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, or PRP, and Placental-Tissue Matrix therapy, or PTM. Weekend warriors typically value their time and these injections allow for healing and regenerating healthy tissue so that these people can continue with their desired activities with minimal or no pain.

injection of PTM which show radiographic evidence of new regenerative tissue.

Q

Q

Q

Q

What exactly is Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy (PRP)?

This is a technique in which autologous blood (a person’s own blood) is taken and spun several times to concentrate platelets rich in growth factors and cytokines to help promote healing.

How does PRP work?

The exact mechanism is not well understood, however, conceptually, an increased concentration of platelets is injected into the damaged area. The growth factors can be concentrated to up to 10 times the normal levels in the blood. The result is that this facilitates the body to heal and decrease pain.

What is Placental-Tissue Matrix therapy (PTM)?

PTM is connective tissue that is derived from donor placentas to help replace damaged tissue.

Q Q

How does PTM work?

As with PRP, this is not well understood. The combination of connective tissue, extracellular matrix and growth factors are vital in the regenerative process and several studies have been done both pre- and post-

— DR. DEEPESH SHAH, MD

What’s the difference between PRP and PTM? One comes from your own body (PRP), while PTM is from donor tissue. PRP is also aged to the age of the patient while PTM is almost always nine months old.

Are these first-line treatments?

They absolutely can be first-line treatments. They can both work well for soft tissue injury, tendinitis, arthritic conditions and so forth.

Q

What do you find most exciting and innovative about Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy and Placental-Tissue Matrix therapy?

There are no limits to their indications. We can use them for nearly any kind of pain or physical restriction. What’s more, I have not seen a negative side effect so far.

Q

If readers have any questions about Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy or Placental-Tissue Matrix therapy or would like to schedule a consultation, what should they do? Please call (888) 627-0817 and request a consult with Dr. Shah.

Lifestyle & Nutrition

Sweet as Sugar Let Nature Take its Course When it Comes to Sweetening Your Favorite Foods

BY MICHELLE JACOBY

C

onsider the fact: The average person takes in 400 calories a day from added sugar, mostly from refined sugar and syrup sweeteners. With this mind, more of us are decreasing our sugar intake by substituting it with artificial sweeteners that may satisfy the sweet tooth, but may also have harmful side effects.

Fortunately, natural sweeteners are healthy and delicious alternatives to refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. They taste like sugar, act like sugar and can be used like sugar. Better yet, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, substituting natural sweeteners can increase your antioxidant intake.

If you’re looking to keep things sweet the all-natural way, try these healthier sugar alternatives:

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Raw Honey A true superfood, raw honey is packed with vitamins and nutrients—including enzymes, antioxidants, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin B6, riboflavin and niacin—that help neutralize free radicals, while promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.

You can find raw honey at your local farmers market, health food store or even directly from a local beekeeper.

Look for darker honey—it’s richer in flavor and has greater health benefits. (For an added boost of nutrition, consider adding bee pollen to your diet. It contains almost all of the nutrients required by the human body to thrive.)

Raw honey works best, well, raw. Avoid cooking it.

Rather, drizzle it on breakfast cereals, over whole grain toast, on yogurt and in salad dressings. And while honey is great in coffee and tea, heat can compromise its nutrients. Wait until your drink is warm enough to sip comfortably, then add honey to taste.

Dates Dates are loaded with potassium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and vitamin B6, which makes them easily digestible. They’re also known to metabolize proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and evidence shows they may help reduce LDL cholesterol in the blood, which reduces the risk of stroke.

A main ingredient in energy bars, dates are incredibly sweet and have a sticky consistency. You can make a paste out of raw dates by soaking them in hot water until soft, then processing them in a food processor (look for a recipe online). Date sugar is also available at natural food or health food stores.

Use date paste in your favorite cake or cookie recipe to cut out refined sugars and boost nutrients. You can also use it for fruit pie fillings, or to sweeten muffins and brownies.

Maple Syrup Not just for pancakes anymore, maple syrup is an outstanding source of magnesium, which helps produce collagen and promote skin and bone health. It also contains calcium, potassium and zinc, and is rich in antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative damage.

When choosing a syrup, consider the color. Dark syrups may have higher mineral and antioxidant levels. It also tends to have the strongest maple taste, which may help you use less.

For instance, when cooking or baking, you can substitute white sugar with maple syrup and end up using three-fourths of what the sugar calls for (example: 4 tablespoons of sugar equals 3 tablespoons of syrup).

Unlike raw honey, maple syrup can stand the heat, so feel free to use it in anything. Add it to marinades and sauces, glaze cookies or cakes, or sweeten granola, coffee or tea.

Blackstrap Molasses A byproduct of processing cane sugar, blackstrap molasses is the liquid left over after the sugar has crystallized. Organic molasses is highly nutritious and is rich in copper, calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, selenium and vitamin B6. And, according to a study at Virginia Tech, it also has been shown to have higher antioxidant levels than any other sweetener.

Blackstrap molasses has a rich, intense flavor and aroma, which may limit its use. Rather than using it directly on your favorite foods, such as a topping on toast or oatmeal, use it to sweeten marinades and sauces, especially for savory dishes like baked beans and pulled pork. It’s also a popular ingredient in baked items such as cookies, muffins and pies.

Coconut Sugar You’ve heard of coconut water, coconut milk and coconut flour. Well, now there’s coconut sugar, which is packed with polyphenols, iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, antioxidants, phosphorous and other phytonutrients, which help prevent disease and keep the body working properly. It also contains inulin, a naturally occurring, indigestible carbohydrate that acts as a prebiotic for healthy gut bacteria.

Coconut sugar is extracted sap from coconut blooms. It’s heated, then evaporated, resulting in sugar similar to brown sugar.

Since it measures just like regular sugar, use it in your favorite recipes that call for sugar. Keep in mind that it’s a bit more coarse than refined sugar.

You can give it a quick whirl in a food processor to give it the texture you’re looking for.

Summer 2017 • Healthstyle Magazine

35

Puzzle

BEFORE THE BRITISH INVASION

ACROSS 1 “Glinda of Oz” author 5 ___ de deux 8 Finking sort 11 Award for excellence 19 “Give that — cigar!”

20 Milky and iridescent 22 Orchestral introduction 23 Start of a riddle 25 Fishel of “Boy Meets World” 26 Dice, e.g.

27 “Yoo- ___ !”

28 Zodiac sign before Virgo 30 Relaxed 31 Riddle, part 2 37 Boating tool 38 Suffix with butyl 39 Jewish round dance 40 Slalom curve 41 Old Dodge models 43 Foreigner 46 Glove worn at first base 48 Logging tools 52 Riddle, part 3 56 Facet 59 Preminger of cinema 60 Thereabouts 61 With 62-Across, student’s grade booster 62 See 61-Across 64 Siberian dog 67 Catering hall receptacle 69 Feeling sick 70 Infomercial host Popeil

36

71 Riddle, part 4 75 The Great Lakes’ ___ Locks 76 Start for cycle 77 Big NYSE event 78 Name of Amazon Echo’s

personal assistant 79 Buzzing (with) 81 ___nova 83 Feedbox fill 86 Gel in a lab 88 Extra details 89 Riddle, part 5 94 Has an itch 95 Towed-away car, maybe 96 Wren dens?

97 Actress Pfeiffer 101 Hosp. zones 102 Bar brew, in Berlin 104 “____already said ...”

106 Vain sort’s problem 107 End of the riddle 115 Uproar 116 “___a go” 117 Tart’s cousin 118 Golf’s McIlroy 119 Journeyed 122 Riddle’s answer 127 Nephew, e.g.

128 Non-piercing bit of jewelry 129 Nephew of Abel 130 Appraises 131 Big insurance company, for short 132 Bro’s counterpart 133 Look at leeringly

Healthstyle Magazine • Summer 2017

DOWN 1 Audi rival 2 “Yeah, that’s the spot!”

3 Mythical beast 4 ___ Picchu (Inca site) 5 Woolen ball on a hat 6 Kwik-E-Mart proprietor 7 Younger Obama girl 8 Glancing rebound 9 Actress Ortiz 10 Part of ATM 11 Beckett’s “Waiting for ___ ” 12 Some gametes 13 Football’s Dawson 14 Moisture-removing additives 15 Geyser stuff 16 City on the Arkansas 17 “Stormy Weather” composer Harold 18 Like some marshes 21 Maned beast 24 “Fingers crossed!”

29 Beguile 31 Yucky stuff 32 Slam into 33 Large meal 34 Skye of the screen 35 Is leaked 36 Villa d’___ 42 Covered with frosting 44 Thin and graceful 45 “A Mighty Fortress ___ God” 47 They’re uncertain 48 Female, e.g, 49 Craftsperson 50 Military commander 51 “Giant” skiing events 53 Still sleeping 54 Arthur Conan ___ 55 Sells from a cart, say 56 Covered with brushwood 57 Smelted stuff 58 University in Granville, Ohio 63 Basketball’s ___ Thomas 65 Stockpile 66 ___ Kan (old brand of dog food) 68 Raises 72 Most needy 73 Tests 74 Bedevil 80 Walk across a creek 82 Rte. parts 84 Nile biter 85 Second-rate 87 Very, to Verdi 90 Screws up 91 Rare blood type, for short 92 Lima-based flag carrier of 1973-99 93 Tesla rival 98 Rejecting 99 Custard ingredient 100 Greek dawn goddess 101 Swamp birds 103 Foot or shoe part 105 Sharpening belts 107 SAG- ___ (labor union) 108 Angler’s aids 109 Spoken tests 110 Star bursts 111 Pokes fun at 112 Of financial matters: Abbr.

113 Gets better 114 “___ ed Euridice” (Gluck opera) 120 Fleur-de- ___ (royal emblem) 121 Eden dweller 123 Laugh syllable 124 12, to Nero 125 Loudness: Abbr.

126 WNW’s reverse Source: uclick.com

Puzzle answers online at healthstylemagazine.com/ summer-2017/

Rethink. Repeat. Relief.

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Think SUPARTZ FX for your patients’; physical and financial health.

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Learn more at SupartzFX.com *Supartz FX [package insert]. Durham, NC: Bioventus LLC; 2015.

References: 1. Strand V, Conaghan PG, Lohmander LS, et al. An integrated analysis of five double-blind, randomized controlled trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of a hyaluronan product for intra-articular injection in osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006;14:859-866.

SUPARTZ FX is indicated for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics, e.g., acetaminophen.

You should not use SUPARTZ FX if you have infections or skin diseases at the injection site or allergies avian (bird) products (feathers and eggs).

SUPARTZ FX is not approved for pregnant or nursing women, or children. Risks can include general knee pain, warmth and redness or pain at the injection site. Full prescribing information can be found in product labeling, at www.SupartzFX.com or by contacting customer service at 1-800-836-4080.

SUPARTZ FX is a trademark of Seikagaku Corp. Bioventus and the Bioventus logo are registered trademarks of Bioventus LLC. SMK-001523

03/17

Š2017 BIOVENTUS LLC.

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