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West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition Spring 2019

FEATURED ARTICLES

(see Rx for Oral Health, page 4)

for Oral Health

RICHARD C. MONTZ, DDS

Where health care

professionals go for their dental care

P eople often ask their physicians for recommendations when looking for health care pro-viders. After all, professionals

in the health care community have inside knowledge about the quality of care pro-vided and the degree of success achieved by their fellow doctors and dentists. � ey use that knowledge when choosing a pro-vider for themselves as well.

While looking for a local dentist, Roger Accardi, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist and president of Accardi Clinical Pharmacy, took advantage of his association with the community to make his decision. The qualities he looked for were competency, educa-tional background and character. He also wanted a dentist who was kind.

After reviewing dentists in the area based on his criteria, Dr. Accardi chose Richard C. Montz, DDS, of River City Dentistry in DeBary. Dr. Montz offers comprehensive cosmetic, restorative and family dentistry.

“Being in the Orange City/DeBary area for a very long time, I’ve had an opportunity to make fairly objective assessments of the level of care provided by most of the local health care profes-sionals,” Dr. Accardi remarks. “Dr. Montz had a spotless reputation and a sterling educational background.”

� e personality of the practice was especially important to Dr. Accardi. He felt he wasn’t getting the personal attention he wanted from his previous dentist. He got the sense that wouldn’t be the case at River City Dentistry, where Dr. Montz’s patients speak highly of the dentist and his sta� .

“I was very impressed with Dr. Montz’s acumen,” Dr. Accardi states. “His knowledge of pharmacology was quite a bit more sophisticated than what I cus-tomarily saw out of the dental profession.”

Dr. Montz values Dr. Accardi’s exper-tise as well. He often asks the pharmacist about various physicians in the area, as well as what he thinks about medications.

“� ere are so many new drugs on the market, it’s very di� cult to keep a handle on them all,” Dr. Montz elaborates. “It’s especially di� cult when the commercials cite more side e� ects of the medication than bene� ts. I often call Dr. Accardi for advice about the medications my patients are taking and about the providers who are prescribing them.”

Painless NeedlesOn a personal level, Dr. Accardi admits to having a longstanding fear of dentists and a particular dislike for the local anes-thetic injections that typically precede the actual dental work.

“I’ve always feared dentists,” Dr. Accardi con� rms. “� ey make me very nervous. I get anxious when anybody goes inside my mouth. I especially hate getting the needle.”

“Many of Dr. Montz’s patients get their prescriptions � lled by us, and the comments we hear about Dr. Montz and his sta� as well are always positive,” Dr. Accardi observes. “They’re acutely aware of the importance of kindness in the rendering of health care, and that comes readily across from his patients.”

At around the same time that Dr. Accardi began looking for a new dentist, Dr. Montz began using Dr. Accardi as his personal pharmacist. � at gave both doctors an opportunity to get to know one another personally and on a professional level.

Roger Accardi

Savannah Court of Orange CityWelcome Home

FHCN Special ReportNeed New Hip Joint?

Atlantic Ear, Nose & Throat, P.A.Reconstruction Project

Blue Ocean DermatologySkin Solutions

Alpha Medical GroupCatch the Wave

DeLand Chiropractic

& Spinal Decompression

6

Coastal Integrative HealthcareHit the Refresh Button

Dodging Disaster

Back in the Swim of Things

New Year Review

All in One

3Heart and Vascular Care, P.A.

9LAD

imaging, LLC

DeLand Implant Dentistry

12

DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression

An Ideal Fit

CosmetiC, implant and Family dentistry

Volusia Health Care NewsA PUBLICATION OF FLORIDA HEALTH CARE NEWS, INC.

Volusia Health Care NewsA PUBLICATION OF FLORIDA HEALTH CARE NEWS, INC.

What Conditions Respond to Stem

Cell Therapy?• Partial Tear of Rotator Cuff • Knee Arthritis and Degeneration• Plantar Fasciitis• Shoulder Pain• Tendonitis and Tendinosis

(biceps and triceps)• Medial Epicondylitis/

Lateral Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow/tennis elbow)

• Post-Operative Pain• Neurological Conditions

In-O� ce Procedure• Takes about minutes• No hospital, No ambulances,

No anesthesia• Zero recovery time

(There are some small limitations)• Expect signifi cant regeneration

within days• No adverse eff ects (% eff ective)• -day healing time

At Coastal Integrative Healthcare, we use umbilical cord stem cells that are donated by healthy mothers at live-birth C-sections and fl uid processed in a “clean room” environment that exceeds American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) standards and are subject to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) testing.

Timothy Ste� ik, DC, is a licensed doctor of chiropractic who graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida in 2011 and now serves as the clinic director and president of Coastal Integrative Healthcare. He is an adjunct professor at Palmer College of Chiropractic who earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology with pre-med from Brigham Young University in 2008. He is well-versed in the latest technology and techniques in his � eld and has been trained in the use of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Physical Impairment. Dr. Ste� ik is an active � tness enthusiast who was featured on American Ninja Warrior as “The Accordion Ninja.” His run can be seen on YouTube.

Greg Salter, MSN, ARNP, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Pre-Med from University of Tampa. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Bethune-Cookman College and earned his Master of Science degree in Nursing from South University in Savannah, Georgia. Since graduation, he has taken courses in joint injections, trigger point injections and regenerative medicine. Greg is a natural-born Floridian who was once a police o� cer in New Smyrna Beach.

Bryan Call, DC, is a chiropractic specialist who graduated with honors from Palmer College Chiropractic in Davenport, Florida in 2016. He has more than two years of diverse experiences and now provides his services for Coastal Integrative Healthcare in Palm Coast.

Hit the Refresh Button

JASON SCHULTZ, MDTIMOTHY STEFLIK, DCMELONY THOMAS, DCAMANDA VOZAR, DC

JOSE ORTIZ, DCBRYAN CALL, DC

GREG SALTER, MSN, ARNPJESSICA COLE, ARNP

Stem cell therapy rejuvenates damaged tissue, erases need for surgery

Visit them online at www.coastalintegrativehealthcare.com

A Healthier You

To see if stem cell therapy is right for you, Coastal Integrative Healthcare is happy to offer a free consultation with one of the doctors. To schedule an appointment, call or visit one of Coastal Integrative Healthcare’s locations:

OrlandoOrlando Stem Cells

7806 Lake Underhill Rd., Suite 106

(407) 985-5915Edgewater

315 N. Ridgewood Ave.

(386) 427-8403

I t was about 20 years ago, not long after she and her husband moved from Stamford, Connecticut to Florida, that Theresa Bongo

learned that she was one of approximately 1.5 million Americans suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Di� erent than the far more common osteoarthritis – a degenerative joint condi-tion a� ecting some 27 million Americans – rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes aches, pain and swelling in the joints as the body mistak-enly attacks itself.

“I apparently had it when I was living in Connecticut, but it never showed up on any of the tests I was given,” � eresa, 69, explains. “� e doctors there always thought I just had regular arthritis, so that’s what I was treated for.

“I was always a little skeptical because the medications they gave me never worked. It wasn’t until we moved to Florida and I had a particularly bad attack that they started looking further, and even then, it still took about a year to � gure out what it really was.”

Theresa’s bout with rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, slowly chipped away at her modestly active lifestyle. After a few years, she had to quit the bowling league she’d joined, and soon after that, she was forced to cut back on regular exercise, including her daily walks.

As her condition worsened, she tried physical therapy, but neither that nor medication did much to alleviate her symptoms, which grew to include a both-ersome left knee. Finally, with the help of her son, she found some relief.

“My son had been going to a chiro-practor, and one day, I asked him if he could � nd out if his chiropractor could help me,” � eresa explains. “I was hop-ing he could do something to help me go about my daily business a little better.”

Theresa’s son’s chiropractor is Bryan Call, DC, at Coastal Integrative Healthcare. After his initial consulta-tion with � eresa, he recommended a regimen of light physical therapy and exercise, the e� ects of which provided � eresa with the relief she was seeking. With one exception.

“� e only exercises he gave me that I couldn’t do were the ones that had me on my knees, so I � nally asked him, What’s going on with this knee?” � eresa relates. “� at’s when he said, Well, would you mind getting an ultrasound done on it? I said, No.”

� e ultrasound revealed that � eresa had a large tear in her meniscus. With her primary care physician suggesting she avoid surgery, � eresa turned to Dr. Call, who suggested she try stem cell therapy, which she agreed to.

Our Body’s Building BlocksStem cells are the basic foundation cells that grow all of the tissue and organs in our body. When injected into a damaged tissue or organ, they support the natural healing process by regenerating that tissue.

Also known as regenerative medi-cine, stem cell therapy uses stem cells to stimulate the body’s natural repair mech-anisms. Many in the medical community, including those at the National Institutes

of Health and the Institute of Medicine, consider it the future of medicine.

“It’s de� nitely on the leading edge of medical technology,” states Timothy Steflik, DC, of Coastal Integrative Healthcare. “� at’s because it’s a great alternative to surgery. It regenerates the body instead of trying to � x it or cover up a problem with surgery.

“� e real beauty of it is that it’s a one-and-done, in-o� ce procedure that takes about � fteen minutes and needs no anes-thesia. It’s a simple injection of the cells that are cryo-preserved right in our o� ce.

“For some patients, we do a color ultrasound to guide the injection because we need to be very specific where the cells are placed. � en, once the cells are injected, the patient just needs time to heal. � ey can return to normal activities right away.”

Stem cell therapy can be used anywhere in the body where there is arthritis, or a muscle or tendon tear, Dr. Ste� ik relates. In addition to knees and shoulders, medical providers at Coastal Integrative Healthcare have per-formed the procedure on hamstrings, ankles and wrists.

Not all patients are good candidates for the procedure. Patients who have su� ered a tear of more than 50 percent of the rotator cu� in their shoulder, for example, would be encouraged to try other options � rst.

Unbelievable Results � e tear in � eresa’s meniscus was not so severe that it eliminated her from can-didacy for stem cell therapy. She was, however, concerned that her autoimmune condition might reduce the e� ectiveness of the treatment. As it turns out, she needn’t have worried.

While most patients receiving stem cell therapy begin to notice a reduc-tion in pain and an increase in comfort within a month of the treatment, � eresa noticed a signi� cant reduction in pain within 48 hours of receiving the injection on May 29, 2017.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Theresa exudes. “I said, How can this be that I’m feeling so much better so soon? But it makes sense because when they gave me the injection, they knew right where the

tear was, and they directed the injection right into that area.

“And Bryan told me that these stem cells go right to where you have a lot of in� ammation. And I want to emphasize that he’s the reason I went ahead and did it, because I trust him, and he was so con-� dent that it would help me.

“So was my family doctor. He was all for it. He said, � is is the wave of the future, and he was confident it would help, too. Here I am a year and a half later, and my knee still feels good.”

So good that � eresa is walking and exercising regularly again. Her exercise routine is not an intense one. It’s designed primarily to keep her limber, and she is able to perform her exercises and walk modest distances without pain.

“I even think the stem cells have helped my arthritis because I don’t seem to be as achy as I was before,” she adds. “I still have a lot of in� ammation and swell-ing, but overall, I feel a lot better than I did before the stem cell therapy.

“It’s really an unbelievable treatment. It’s the best thing I ever did, which is why I have already recommended it and Bryan and Coastal Integrative Healthcare to so many people. And they’ve all gone to him, and they’re all very happy with him.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Photo by Jordan Pysz. mkb

Theresa is walking and

exercising regularly

following stem cell therapy

Page 2 | Volusia Health Care News | Spring 2019 | West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition regenerative mediCine

PRADIP B. BAIJU, MD, FACC, FSCAIROBYN KEMPF, PA-C

Get to know Heart and Vascular Care by visiting their website at www.havcorlando.com

Complete Cardiac CareThe staff at Heart and Vascular Care understands that you have a choice when it comes to artery care. They o� er the most advanced procedures to reduce symptoms and help you walk pain free. To schedule an appointment for a free vein screening at one of their two locations, call or visit one of their o� ces.

Longwood1385 West SR 434

Suite 206

Orlando1277 N. Semoran Blvd.

Suite 101(407) 730-8970

Pradip B. Baiju, MD, FACC, FSCAI, is a board-certi� ed interventional cardio-vascular specialist who has more than 30 years of experience. He received his medical degree from the University of Kerala Medical College in Kerala, India and completed his internal medicine residency at Wayne State University in Detroit. He completed his cardiovascular and interventional cardiology fel-lowship at Michigan State University and has practiced in the greater Orlando area since 2004. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.

Robyn Kempf, PA-C, began her education by earning an Associate of Science degree in Radiologic Technology from Portland Community College in Oregon. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Promotions and Education from Oregon State University. She then earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Public Health from Touro University in California. She is certi� ed by the National Commission on Certi� cation of Physician Assistants. Since her certi� cation, Robyn has acquired extensive experience working in vascular surgery, cardiovascular surgery, cardiology and advanced heart failure.

Dodging DisasterAdvanced techniques for unblocking arteries save leg

E arly last year, Ines ripped a nail on the big toe of his right foot. With his diabetes not well controlled, that minor injury degraded, and

as his daughter explains, caused a chain reac-tion that nearly cost Ines his leg.

“My father never told me about his toenail, and because we live in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands, we keep socks on his feet to protect him from mosquitoes,” shares Georgeanna.

“So I didn’t know anything was wrong until he told me his ankle was hurting him. When I checked his ankle, I saw his toe and it was a mess. I said, What’s going on here? Why is this smelling? His toe was very swollen and ugly.”

Georgeanna immediately took her father to the island’s hospital. � e doc-tors there were forced to remove Ines’ gangrenous toe.

“� e procedure was unsuccessful, and my father was left with a large wound on his foot that wouldn’t heal,” Georgeanna discloses. “� e wound was pretty serious. � ere was even bone exposure.

“St. Croix had recently endured a category � ve hurricane that compromised the hospital, so sta� there weren’t able to give my father the care he required. He needed more intense treatment for his wound. We decided to leave the island and go to Florida. We arrived in Clermont on Mother’s Day 2018.”

Once in Florida, Georgeanna’s cousin took her and her father to a prestigious hospital in Orlando. Sta� there called in a podiatrist who was also a wound care specialist. � e podiatrist took one look at Ines’ foot and immediately referred him to Pradip Baiju, MD.

Dr. Baiju is an endovascular spe-cialist and interventional cardiologist at

Heart and Vascular Care in Orlando and Longwood. He specializes in the pre-vention, diagnosis and management of peripheral vascular and cardiac disease.

called peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. That’s a common circulatory problem caused by a blockage or a narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet.

performing the second procedure, blood was once again flowing to the wound, Dr. Baiju reports.

During the third procedure, Dr. Baiju concentrated on the cholesterol-filled blockage near Ines’ knee and used a di� erent atherectomy device called the TurboHawk™ excision system to clear it.

“With this device, we shaved the blockage and removed it from the body,” Dr. Baiju explains. “Removing the block-age opens up the artery’s blood � ow. In treating Ines, we used the best technology available because di� erent types of block-ages require di� erent devices to get the best results.”

Return TripDr. Baiju’s treatments worked well for Ines. After � nishing the treatment, Ines and Georgeanna returned to St. Croix, but they returned to Florida yet again to show Dr. Baiju the � nal outcome of his e� orts.

“� ey told me the reason they came back was to see me and show me Ines’ foot,” Dr. Baiju says. “� e wound had completely healed. There was nothing there. It looked like a brand-new foot.

“It really made me happy that the family came back to tell us they’re doing well. Ines wanted me to see what his foot looked like because when I � rst saw him, they were ready to amputate his leg. Cases like these are very heartwarming.”

Georgeanna notes that Dr. Baiju’s treatments started working quickly for Ines. She and her father started seeing a di� erence in the size of Ines’ wound shortly after treatment began. And she agrees with Dr. Baiju’s assessment of her father’s results.

“Within three days of the procedures, we started seeing dramatic improvement in my father’s foot,” Georgeanna enthuses. “� e wound started healing. More � esh was growing from the inside out, which is the right way to heal.

“� e end result of Dr. Baiju’s treat-ment is that the wound on my father’s right foot is completely gone, and his foot looks healthy and normal again.”FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Background photo from

Pixabay. Before and after images courtesy of Heart and

Vascular Care. mkb

BEFORE AFTER

“� e wound care specialist called me in for an emergency,” Dr. Baiju recalls. “He told me he had a patient who might lose his leg due to a severe wound on his right foot. I saw him that same afternoon.

“The wound left by the amputa-tion of Ines’ toe was very deep. I could place three � ngers into it, and if I looked through it, I could see his bones. The doctors at the hospital were planning to

perform a below-the-knee amputation on Ines. � at’s when they sent him to me for a second opinion.”

As part of his evaluation, Dr. Baiju wanted to know how efficiently oxy-gen-bearing blood,

which promotes healing, was � owing to Ines’ right foot. � e doctor performed an x-ray examination of Ines’ arteries called an angiography. Results of that exam showed multiple severe blockages in the arteries in Ines’ lower legs, especially in his right leg.

“I determined that Ines didn’t have any blood � ow going down into his right leg,” Dr. Baiju con� rms. “He had a condition

“In Ines’ case, all the arteries below his knee were blocked – one hundred percent in some cases. He also had an eighty percent blockage at his knee joint. I had to open up those blockages and restore blood � ow to his foot.”

“Dr. Baiju told us that the arteries going down Dad’s leg were blocked, and blood couldn’t get to his foot to heal the wound,” Georgeanna echoes. “He said, Bring Ines to my center; I will take care of the problem.”

Finest Technology During the angiography, the doctor iden-ti� ed two di� erent types of blockages in Ines’ leg arteries.

“Some of them were � lled with cho-lesterol,” Dr. Baiju observes. “Others were made of cholesterol, but also con-tained calcium. Like cholesterol, calcium can accumulate in the arteries over time. In these cases, I use the Diamondback 360® Peripheral Orbital Atherectomy System to clear the arteries.

“This system uses a rotor blade with a diamond-tipped burr that spins at high speeds inside the artery. Using this system, we literally sand the calci-� ed blockage and create an opening for the blood to � ow through.”

Dr. Baiju used this system while performing the first two of three sep-arate procedures. Within a week of

West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition | Spring 2019 | Volusia Health Care News | Page 3artery and vein Care

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Smiles

Dr. Montz invites you to schedule your next dental appointment now! River City Dentistry accepts most dental insurance plans, and � nancing options are available to help ensure that Dr. Montz’s patients get the care they need and deserve. Find them in DeBary at:

189 South Hwy. 17/92Suite 100

(386) 668-2181

Dr. Montz and his sta� routinely work with all their patients, fearful or not, to help make them as calm, comfortable and relaxed as possible during their dental appointments.

“Whether they’re fearful or not, I treat all of my patients the same way,” Dr. Montz stresses. “A fear of needles is common, and not getting numb for procedures is another big fear of many patients. � ey’re afraid of being in pain while having their dental work performed.

“We take a few extra steps to prevent that and make getting the injections easier. We pre-numb our patients and take our time giving the injections. I’ve studied di� erent modalities and the best areas for injection because all people are not the same. It’s not a one-size-� ts-all scenario.

“It also takes some patients longer to become numb, and that’s not what we learned in dental school. Sometimes, we have to use more anesthetic or a di� erent type to get patients numb. Whatever it takes, we make sure they’re completely numb before we begin any work.”

Dr. Accardi can attest to that.“� e � rst time I needed anesthesia at River City Dentistry,

Dr. Montz said, I promise you, you will not feel it at all, he says. “I thought, How can that be? But I’ll be darned if that wasn’t the case. I did not feel the needle. Dr. Montz had me won over right away by the fact there was no pain involved in getting anesthesia in my mouth through the needle.”

As a patient, Dr. Accardi sees Dr. Montz for routine cleanings and checkups. He’s also in the process of getting some extensive dental work performed. A portion of the work has been completed.

“I’ve had crowns and some anterior repair work already done, some of it rather complicated from what I gather,” Dr. Accardi reports. “I also needed some orthodontic work, and Dr. Montz made extensive recommendations as to whom I should use.

“Dr. Montz outlined the other practitioners he thought I should review. I’ve never had anybody do that much extra work outside the context of simply doing their jobs. It was very complete, very impressive.”

“� e � nal choice of provider depends on who Dr. Accardi prefers to work with, especially if two di� erent recommendations are sim-ilar,” Dr. Montz describes. “I want him to be comfortable with the provider he chooses. I want everybody involved to be comfortable and on the same page so we don’t have any glitches in the process.”

Eyes on the ProcessDr. Montz notes that Dr. Accardi’s case is complex. � e dentist has already completed some of the necessary dental work. He’s now continuing the repair and cosmetic dentistry needed to achieve Dr. Accardi’s desired goal for his teeth.

“We’re slowly getting Dr. Accardi to where he wants to be because he’s needed some specialty work that I don’t do myself,” Dr. Montz notes. “� at’s the way I prefer to work when I have a complex case. If I did all the work myself, I’d be limiting myself and shortchanging my patients. It’s always best to have several pairs of eyes on the process.”

Visit River City Dentistry online at www.RiverCityDentistry.net or e-mail your questions and/or concerns to the o� ce at customercare@rivercitydentistry.net

Richard C. Montz, DDS, completed his undergraduate studies at Bowling Green State University, OH, and earned his degree in dental surgery from Ohio State University. Dr. Montz served as a dental o� cer in the US Navy Dental Corps from 1985 until 1992, both in the United States and overseas. He has been in private practice in DeBary since 1993. Dr. Montz has extensive experience in the � elds of cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry, as well as exceptional knowledge in the � elds of endodontics, oral surgery and restoration using dental implants.

(continued from page 1)

Why Choose River City Dentistry?Our commitment to excellence shows. We are passionate about providing the best care for our patients. Our team members have been handpicked to assure every patient receives the best treatment and the best service. Our team has been together for a number of years, which is rare in today’s market. With our mission, we are committed to always putting the patient first while providing the most efficient and up-to-date techniques.We continue to invest extensive time and resources toward advanced dental training. We believe that dental care goes beyond technical procedures to encompass the relationships built by great service. We are willing to do whatever is necessary for the patient to have a great experience. -Dr. Montz

for Oral Health

Dr. Accardi is not the only doctor who’s chosen Dr. Montz as their dentist. But, the dentist emphasizes that all patients of River City Dentistry are treated equally – with kindness, compassion, skill and quality care. � ose are reasons doctors and non-doctors alike have con� dence in Dr. Montz.

“We have several patients who are doctors who travel an hour each way to come to us,” Dr. Montz says. “We have other patients who aren’t doctors and know nothing about medicine who travel two hours each way.

“One thing these patients have in common is that they all have developed a level of trust in us that we work to maintain. � e main way we maintain trusting relationships with our patients is to treat all of them the way we want to be treated ourselves.”

Unequivocal RecommendationAs a member of the local medical community for years, Dr. Accardi has had the chance to evaluate many aspects of other health care providers’ practices. One of these aspects is the cost of care provided.

“Dental care can be costly, and I’ve witnessed within our commu-nity a rather wide range in pricing,” Dr. Accardi shares. “Personally, I’ve found Dr. Montz to be extraordinarily fair in his prices.”

Fairness is a draw for Dr. Accardi, but not nearly as much as the sensitivity to his fearfulness and quality of care he gets from Dr. Montz and his sta� at River City Dentistry. He’s so pleased with the outcome of his treatment so far, he regularly shares the word about Dr. Montz and his practice.

“� e dental work Dr. Montz has done for me has been superb,” Dr. Accardi raves. “It’s based on that work that I’m able to recom-mend him unequivocally. I’m happy to recommend River City Dentistry to my patients, knowing that they’re going to be treated well. I have no compunction about that.”

Dr. Accardi has developed tremendous respect for Dr. Montz as a colleague. He � nds the dentist knowledgeable, skilled and expe-rienced. As a person, he sees the dentist as kind, compassionate, honest and sincere.

“I � nd no arrogance, no pomposity in Dr. Montz,” Dr. Accardi assures, “and the sta� at River City Dentistry re� ects that easygoing guy. I’m happy to call Dr. Montz my friend.”FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Photos by Jordan Pysz. Graphic from Kisspng. mkb

Dr. Accardi trusts his dental health

to River City Dentistry

Page 4 | Volusia Health Care News | Spring 2019 | West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition

Barry LevineExecutive Publisher

Thom GiordanoAssociate Publisher

Gina L. d’AngeloCFO/HR

Roy CummingsEditorial Supervisor

Michelle BrooksCreative Director

Brian LevineProject Coordinator

Patti DiPanfiloAnnette MardisEditorial Staff

Laura EngelProduction Assistant

Nerissa JohnsonGraphic Designer

Nerissa JohnsonJordan PyszFred BelletPhotography

Steve TurkMario Hill

Kent BoothRobert MizeRick Bowser Distribution

River City DentistryCosmetic, Implant and

Family Dentistry

Coastal Integrative HealthcareRegenerative Medicine

Heart and Vascular Care, P.A.Artery and Vein Care

Alpha Medical GroupErectile Dysfunction

DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal DecompressionSpinal Decompression/

Weight Loss

Blue Ocean DermatologyDermatology

LAD imaging, LLCImaging

Atlantic Ear, Nose & Throat, P.A.Ear, Nose and Throat/

Facial Plastics

Savannah Court of Orange CityAssisted Living Facility 9243

DeLand Implant DentistryGeneral, Restorative and

Implant Dentistry

215 Bullard ParkwayTemple Terrace, FL 33617

(813) 989-1330

Volusia Health Care News

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Spring 2019

CosmetiC, implant and Family dentistry

John Ligeon, MD, is board certi� ed in internal medicine and is a 2001 graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Ligeon trained and specialized in internal medicine at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, where he completed his training in 2004. A diplomate in internal medicine, he has practiced in inpatient hospital medicine, as well as in outpa-tient primary care, for the past 14 years. His special interests include the areas of men’s health, preventive medicine such as weight loss and management, and care for US veterans.

Scott Hollington, MD, is board certi� ed in pathology, laboratory medicine, and informatics. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami Medical School in 1992 and became board certi� ed in medicine soon thereafter. He spent four years serving his residency at the University of Florida, Jacksonville and then spent a year training at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Texas. Dr. Hollington also practices emerging medicine, bringing to his patients treatments that are not widely available through conventional clinics.

Catch the Wave

JOHN LIGEON, MDSCOTT HOLLINGTON, MD

Noninvasive ED treatment improves sexual performance

T he � rst thing Tom* did upon returning to the United States following his 14-month tour of duty in Southeast

Asia during the Vietnam War was kiss his high school sweetheart. Later that same day, he went out and married her.

“I actually proposed in a letter I sent from overseas about six months before I came home,” the former US Marine Corps sergeant reveals. “She said yes in her next letter back to me, and we later decided we’d get married as soon as I got back, � rst thing.”

Natives of Central Florida, Tom and his wife have “been going strong,” as Tom puts it, ever since. � ey now have three grown children, a granddaughter, and a grandson on the way. � ere’s just one problem.

For the better part of the year that followed his 69th birthday last August, Tom had trouble developing and main-taining an erection strong enough to have sexual intercourse. � e issue is known as erectile dysfunction, or ED, and it’s more common than many think.

Studies show that more than half of all men will experience some form of erectile dysfunction during their lifetime and that the chances of dysfunction are even greater among men su� ering from hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Studies show that smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol and drugs (either illicit or prescription) can also cause erectile dysfunction, which is typically the result of circulatory impairment in the blood capil-laries or urogenital areas of the penis.

For years, medications such as VIAGRA® and CIALIS® have been the � rst line of defense against ED. If those prove unsuccessful, the next treatment option is generally injections into the penis. If that fails, the last resort has long been a penile implant.

Tom wanted nothing to do with the injections or implants, so after visiting a urologist, he � rst tried correcting the problem by taking CIALIS. “� e CIALIS worked okay for a while,” Tom says, but

he didn’t like the headaches that often came as a result of using it.

On the advice of his urologist, Tom considered trying another medication, but he soon took it upon himself to begin researching the problem and other forms of treatment. � at’s when he stumbled on the Extracorporeal Shock Wave � erapy or ESWT.

“I was searching the internet and � nally found this website for a place that didn’t treat erectile dysfunction with pills or injections,” Tom says. “I � gured it wouldn’t hurt to give them a try, so I called and made an appointment.”

Acoustic Wave Technology The practice Tom found is Alpha Medical Group. With offices in Palm Coast, Leesburg and Jacksonville, it specializes in the administration of the ESWT, which treats erec-tile dysfunction through the use of acoustical wave therapy.

Using a small, handheld device, the acoustical waves are delivered through a series of short, painless pulsations that not only open the blood vessels in the penis but s t i m u l a t e t h e nerve endings to enhance sensitiv-ity and enhance the feeling of an orgasm.

“The treat-ment is based on the same technol-ogy that’s used to break up gall-stones,” says Scott Hollington, MD, at Alpha Medical Gr o u p . “ T h e device transmits acoustical waves that break up the plaque and cal-cium that have built up inside the penis’ blood vessels.

“It works like a little jackhammer, except you don’t feel it because it doesn’t touch your skin. Once that plaque and calcium is broken up, you get better blood � ow, and it’s that improved blood � ow that leads to better, longer-lasting erections.”

In addition to providing better blood � ow through existing blood vessels, the ESWT also stimulates the growth of new nerve tissue, which is vital for achieving and maintaining healthy erections.

Dr. Hollington points out that it can also be used to treat Peyronie’s disease, which is what occurs when scar tissue builds up in the penis and causes an abnormal bend, or curvature, to the penis that can impede urination and/or ejaculation.

“By making certain adjustments to the machine’s settings, we can treat

the � brous tissue the same way we treat blood ves-sels and break down the scar tissue that may be causing that irregular shape,” Dr. Hollington informs.

ESWT treat-ments only take about 15 to 20 minutes to com-plete, but prior to providing any such treatment, Dr. Hollington begins his care f o r p a t i e n t s such as Tom by

doing a Doppler ultrasound exam to determine the amount of vascular compromise in the penis.

“We look for something similar to what a cardiologist looks for in the heart, which is an occlusion of seventy percent or more,” Dr. Hollington informs. “If we see that, we go ahead with the treatment, and we re-evaluate the blood vessels after completion of the treatment.”

Remarkable ResultsESWT calls for patients to receive two treatments per week for six weeks. Patients are then evaluated 12 weeks later and if necessary, they can be given a second, third or even fourth round of treatments.

Dr. Hollington says many patients opt for subsequent rounds of treatment, though most experience an improvement in sexual function after just one round. Overall, 83-percent of all men treated with the ESWT experience a reversal of their condition, the doctor notes.

Tom is one of those who reported positive results after just one round of

treatments. He says he may opt to have another round of ESWT treatments but that right now, his performance is more than satisfactory.

“I just turned seventy a couple months ago, and in the bedroom, I feel like I’m half that age,” Tom exudes. “It’s really remarkable what this ESWT does for you. And the treatments are all very quick and painless. A few minutes and you’re out of there.

“And one of the best things is how professional the technicians at Alpha Medical Group are. Let’s face it, this is a touchy subject for men. It’s not some-thing anybody is going to brag about. But they put you at ease, and make you feel comfortable.

“I can’t thank Dr. Hollington and his sta� enough for treating me so well and for giving me back this part of my life. � ey did a great job, and I recommend them and the ESWT for anyone who has a problem with ED.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. ESWT FHCN file

graphic. Wave stock photo from Pixabay. mkb

*Patient’s name withheld at his request

The New WaveThe physicians at Alpha Medical Group practice both traditional and naturopathic medicine. Their goal is to fi nd the root cause of their patient’s problems and to treat them with the safest, most eff ective drug-free, surgery-free treatments available. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call or visit one of their three locations.

Palm Coast515 Palm Coast Pkwy. SW

Suite 5

(386) 276-3075Leesburg

4120 Corley Island Rd.Suite 500

(352) 816-1901Jacksonville

6817 Southpoint Pkwy.Suite 503

(904) 763-1400Visit them on the web at www.alphamedicalgroup.com

West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition | Spring 2019 | Volusia Health Care News | Page 5ereCtile dysFunCtion

RAPID RESPONSECarolyn began feeling relief before her

decompression treatments were completed.

To learn more about DRX9000 nonsurgical spinal decompression or Ideal Protein, visit www.DelandChiropractic.com

JEREMY M. GORDON, DCMICHAEL MUNSON, DC

JASON JOB, DC

Jeremy M. Gordon, DC, is a graduate of the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL. He has been in private practice in DeLand since 1999 and is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and the Flagler-Volusia Chiropractic Society. He volunteers his time as a board member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and the Flagler-Volusia Chiropractic Society and was president of the asso-ciation in 2013. Dr. Gordon was named Chiropractor of the Year in 2007 and 2011 by the association and is the only two-time winner.

Michael Munson, DC, is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, FL. He is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and the Flagler-Volusia Chiropractic Society. Dr. Munson is an associate chiropractic physician at DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression.

Jason Job, DC, is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, FL. He is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and the Flagler-Volusia Chiropractic Society. Dr. Job recently joined DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression as an associate chiropractic physician.

Volusia County’s

Destination for Chiropractic, Wellness and Weight Loss

Dr. Gordon looks forward to hearing from the

readers of Volusia Health Care News. For additional information regarding his chiropractic

care or to learn if you are a candidate for the

Ideal Protein diet or the DRX9000 protocol, call or

visit his o� ce in DeLand at:

905 N. Stone St.

(386) 337-3883

Back in the wim of ThingsNonsurgical decompression therapy alleviates debilitating, radiating back and leg pain

W hen you’re busy raising four sons, you don’t have a lot of time for hobbies or outdoor activities. � at’s

why it wasn’t until much later in life that Carolyn McPhail, now 88, � nally took up quilting and swimming.

“I was more or less forced to take up swimming,” Carolyn reveals. “I fell one day back in the early Eighties and tore a tendon in my shoulder. My doctor told me it was either exercise or surgery, and I chose the exercise.

“I started swimming because lifting weights was boring to me, and after a while, I started going to De Leon Springs State Park and swimming in the springs there. I usually go two or three times a week when-ever it’s warm outside.”

� e weather was at its warmest one day last August when a horribly painful back problem developed that brought Carolyn’s swimming regimen to a screeching halt and even made it difficult for her to sit and do her quilting.

“I had been getting after the weeds in my yard for about a month, and I was doing a pretty good job of it, but for hours at a time, I was just bending straight down at the waist instead of kneeling down or bending my knees,” Carolyn remembers.

“I didn’t realize I was doing any harm to myself until I woke up in the middle of the night one evening in horrible pain. � at pain kept me up all that night and kept on through the next day and for many days after that.”

Carolyn says she and pain “don’t get on very well,” so she soon made an appointment to see her doctor, who prescribed Advil®. When that didn’t work, Carolyn’s doctor prescribed a week’s worth of hydrocodone, but that didn’t relieve the pain either.

� at prompted a call to a chiropractor whom Carolyn had seen occasionally over the years for various aches and pains, but that chiropractor was out of town. In the end, that turned out to be a good thing, Carolyn says.

“I didn’t know what to do next, but that’s when my daughter-in-law said she’d heard of a doctor who had helped a lot of people she knew with their pain,” Carolyn relates. “So, we made an appointment with that doctor, and I’m glad we did.”

The doctor Carolyn made the appointment with is Jeremy M. Gordon, DC, of DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression. During his initial exam-ination of Carolyn, Dr. Gordon discovered just how debilitating her pain had become.

“She had some pretty severe pain radi-ating from her lower back all the way down into her left leg and foot,” Dr. Gordon reveals. “In addition to having difficulty

sleeping, the pain was making it di� cult for her to just move around.

“She was in pretty severe shape, and I could see that it was a� ecting her quality of life, so after we took some x-rays, we started her treatment by giving her some standard chiropractic care, the kind we normally do with many of our patients.”

Those treatments relieved some of Carolyn’s pain and helped to increase her mobility a bit but not to the extent that Carolyn was totally comfortable. It was then that Dr. Gordon ordered an MRI that even-tually revealed the root cause of Carolyn’s back issues.

“� e MRI showed she had a pretty large disc extrusion,” Dr. Gordon informs. “� at’s a certain type of disc herniation where the inner material of the disc extrudes outwards to the di� erent layers of the disc. It’s a more severe disc injury than what you normally see.

“Disc injuries usually range from a disc bulge, which can cause severe pain but in terms of the injury severity is mild to moder-ate. � en you have disc protrusions, herniated discs and � nally this type of disc extrusion, which is a step beyond a herniated disc.

“In Carolyn’s case, it was extruding far to the left-hand side and compressing the nerve going down into her leg. � at was the cause of all her symptoms, which explained why she wasn’t responding the way we expected her to from our regular chiropractic care.”

� e severity of Carolyn’s injury was so great that many chiropractors would have turned her over to a neurosurgeon for a sur-gical consultation. Carolyn wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, so Dr. Gordon suggested she try DRX spinal decompression.

Time to DecompressSpinal decompression is a drug-free, nonin-vasive, nonsurgical therapy that can be used to treat bulging, herniated or protruding spi-nal discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, neuropathy in the arms or legs and post-surgical neck and/or back pain.

At DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression, decompression therapy is delivered through a machine called the DRX9000™, which has the capacity to produce 150 pounds of tractioning decom-pressive force through gentle motion.

“We get the patient comfortable on the table, and the DRX9000 creates a very gentle decompressive force on the discs that reduces disc pressure and helps pull some of that disc material back inward, which allevi-ates the pain,” Dr. Gordon educates.

Cervical and/or lumbar disc injuries can be treated with the DRX9000, which is typ-ically part of a treatment program comprised of 24 visits across ten weeks. Each visit lasts about an hour, with the � rst ten designed to determine the patient’s likely response.

“We start by treating patients � ve days a week for two weeks, and our goal is to see

a fifty percent improve-ment in function and pain in those first ten visits,” Dr. Gordon relates. “If we see that improvement, we continue with the remain-ing fourteen treatments.”

“Quite Comfortable”“� e treatments are actu-ally quite comfortable,” Carolyn says of the spinal decompression sessions. “The first thing they do is give you some heat on your back for about ten minutes, then you’re placed on this special table.

“You stand up and the table actually lowers you down. � ey secure you in with straps to make sure you’re safe. It feels like you’ve got a parachute on and are going to be jump-ing out of an airplane or something.

“Anyway, the table takes you down, and they put something under your legs, and like I said, it’s very comfortable. � en they introduce the pressure, and with each treatment, they raise the pressure a little bit till they � nd what works best for you.

“For me, it was � fty-two pounds, and the machine is actually stretching you, but you never feel like you’re being stretched. You just feel the pressure as it comes and goes, and it comes and goes about eighteen times during one treatment.”

Carolyn noticed a further decrease in pain and a greater increase in mobility within a couple of days of beginning the spi-nal decompression treatments. As a result, her quality of life began to improve as well.

“Almost immediately, she was sleeping better, which is rather typical in cases such as hers,” Dr. Gordon reports. “� e next thing that usually happens is that the pain starts marching its way out of the lower leg until it’s only in the lower back, at the source.

“When we see that, that’s what is called centralization of the symptoms, and that’s a good sign. It means the treatment is work-ing. Soon after the pain began subsiding, Carolyn was able to get back to many of her normal activities.”

Feeling Great AgainCarolyn con� rms that her back pain disap-peared completely long before the treatment

regimen was completed. Nevertheless, she says she gladly finished the treatments as they were prescribed to ensure the best possible outcome.

“I would say that after the fourth or � fth treatment, I wasn’t feeling any more pain, which was quite a relief because the bulging disc I had was a real doozie,” Carolyn says. “I was in a lot of pain, but now I feel great again, and I’m back to doing all the things I like to do.”

Weeding is not one of those things. Carolyn says she’s decided to put that chore o� for a while. She has, however, resumed her swimming regimen and is quilting pain free again, which is why she recommends Dr. Gordon and spinal decompression for anyone su� ering from radiating back pain.

“I’ve been recommending both of them left and right,” Carolyn exudes. “I tell people it’s a great treatment, that it did wonders for me. I tell them how nice and professional Dr. Gordon and his staff are and how thankful I am that I was able to � nd them. I couldn’t be more pleased with both of them, or with the outcome.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Photo by Jordan Pysz. Water

photo from Pixabay. Swimmer graphic from Kisspng. mkb

C oncerned about his weight, Orlando police o� cer Ben Stanaland tried several commercial diet programs in an attempt to shed

pounds. Despite some initial success, the numbers eventually moved in just one direc-tion: upward.

A large man, the former high-school football player stands 6-foot-4. His athletic build, assisted by weightlifting, helped to hide the extra pounds, but as his weight climbed, Ben continued to look for ways to slim down.

At one point, he adopted a new and more intensive exercise routine, but soon realized that rigorous workouts weren’t enough to ensure the weight loss he was seeking. First and foremost, he soon learned, it takes dietary changes.

“I started CrossFit®, and I was getting stronger and I was getting faster, with more agility,” notes Ben, now 35. “But I wasn’t get-ting any smaller. After a while, I � gured out that losing weight was going to have to start in the kitchen rather than the gym.”

Ben’s realization came at about the same time that he noticed a fellow o� cer on the force had begun losing weight.

“He was a buddy of mine in our motor unit, and by chance, we were assigned to ride together one day,” Ben relates. “I asked him what he was doing to lose weight, and he told me about the Ideal Protein® program. I decided I may as well give it a try and see if it might work for me.”

Complete, Customized ProgramIdeal Protein enables quick weight loss while boosting energy, fostering better appetite control, improving blood sugar and choles-terol levels, and reducing blood pressure. It is an easy-to-follow, comprehensive, custom-ized program that helps people such as Ben achieve and maintain a healthy weight in a way that becomes second nature.

“Ideal Protein helps limit the amount of sugars and dietary fats you take in

while providing a high-quality form of protein that’s easily absorbed,” explains Dr. Gordon. “Some other plans merely restrict caloric intake, so the body burns fat, which also burns muscle. Ideal Protein burns

stored fat while preserving lean muscle.”

Dr. Gordon recommends Ideal Protein over other diet plans and surgery. “While people can lose weight by cutting back on calories,” he says, “most can’t sustain that long term. And it’s not healthy to keep that lower level of caloric intake for an extended period.”

Dr. Gordon further warns that appe-tite suppressants are not the answer,

because they carry a risk of dan-gerous side effects and “don’t address the under-ly ing i s sue , which i s that patients are eating unhealthy foods or exces-sive quantities of healthy foods.

“That doesn’t happen with people who are on Ideal Protein because we make sure our patients learn healthy eating habits, so they can maintain their weight in a healthy range for the long term.”

And while Dr. Gordon agrees that surgery to reduce stomach size does decrease the amount of food a person can eat at a sitting, he notes that some surgery patients still don’t

achieve the results they expect and end up turning to Ideal Protein.

Rigorous physical activity isn’t necessary to lose weight while on Ideal Protein, but participants are required to take a multivitamin and ensure that potassium, � sh oil and calcium supple-ments are part of their diet.

No Pills, No Stimulants“We supplement because most of the dairy, grains and fruits are removed

from the patient’s diet while they’re on the program,” Dr. Gordon informs. “� ose food groups have lots of minerals, so the supple-ments ensure they get an adequate, balanced amount of minerals.

“But there are no diet pills or stimu-lants in Ideal Protein. � e program teaches people to eat healthy, because all of the plan’s food is designed to be low-carb, low-fat, with a moderate amount of protein and typically high in � ber.

“They help satisfy your cravings and hold you over until your next meal. One thing we don’t want is for people to be hungry.”

Dr. Gordon observes that what really sets Ideal Protein apart is the program’s one-on-one coaching and support system. � e clinic’s Ideal Protein Coach, Tracee Gmitro, meets individually with Ideal Protein clients to guide them on their journey to better health and wellness.

Ben meets with Tracee every week. He also attends nutrition classes as part of the program and delves into an Ideal Protein cookbook when preparing food at home. He says the program is an easy one to follow and notes that his waistline is proof that it works.

Since beginning the Ideal Protein pro-gram, Ben has lost more than 120 pounds and put the yo-yo dieting behind him.

“For somebody in my line of work with the schedule that I have, it has worked out well,” Ben says. “I’m able to pre-plan and take what I need to have in the car because I’m not sitting in an o� ce all day.”

In his work as a police o� cer, he adds, it’s important to be in good physical condi-tion. Being at a healthy weight is de� nitely part of that. He is still in the Ideal Protein program and plans to lose more weight to reach his ideal goal.

� e bottom line, he explains, is that he found a program that actually works for him.

“Now that I’ve found that Ideal Protein works for me, the sky’s the limit,” Ben emphasizes. “Yeah, it’s been great. The program works when you follow it.”FHCN staff article. Patient photos courtesy of DeLand

Chiropractic. Puzzle graphic from Kisspng. mkb

Ben and Tracee celebrated when Ben achieved a weight loss of 100 pounds through Ideal Protein.

Page 6 | Volusia Health Care News | Spring 2019 | West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition spinal deCompression/Weight loss

RAPID RESPONSECarolyn began feeling relief before her

decompression treatments were completed.

To learn more about DRX9000 nonsurgical spinal decompression or Ideal Protein, visit www.DelandChiropractic.com

JEREMY M. GORDON, DCMICHAEL MUNSON, DC

JASON JOB, DC

Jeremy M. Gordon, DC, is a graduate of the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL. He has been in private practice in DeLand since 1999 and is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and the Flagler-Volusia Chiropractic Society. He volunteers his time as a board member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and the Flagler-Volusia Chiropractic Society and was president of the asso-ciation in 2013. Dr. Gordon was named Chiropractor of the Year in 2007 and 2011 by the association and is the only two-time winner.

Michael Munson, DC, is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, FL. He is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and the Flagler-Volusia Chiropractic Society. Dr. Munson is an associate chiropractic physician at DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression.

Jason Job, DC, is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, FL. He is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association and the Flagler-Volusia Chiropractic Society. Dr. Job recently joined DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression as an associate chiropractic physician.

Volusia County’s

Destination for Chiropractic, Wellness and Weight Loss

Dr. Gordon looks forward to hearing from the

readers of Volusia Health Care News. For additional information regarding his chiropractic

care or to learn if you are a candidate for the

Ideal Protein diet or the DRX9000 protocol, call or

visit his o� ce in DeLand at:

905 N. Stone St.

(386) 337-3883

Back in the wim of ThingsNonsurgical decompression therapy alleviates debilitating, radiating back and leg pain

W hen you’re busy raising four sons, you don’t have a lot of time for hobbies or outdoor activities. � at’s

why it wasn’t until much later in life that Carolyn McPhail, now 88, � nally took up quilting and swimming.

“I was more or less forced to take up swimming,” Carolyn reveals. “I fell one day back in the early Eighties and tore a tendon in my shoulder. My doctor told me it was either exercise or surgery, and I chose the exercise.

“I started swimming because lifting weights was boring to me, and after a while, I started going to De Leon Springs State Park and swimming in the springs there. I usually go two or three times a week when-ever it’s warm outside.”

� e weather was at its warmest one day last August when a horribly painful back problem developed that brought Carolyn’s swimming regimen to a screeching halt and even made it difficult for her to sit and do her quilting.

“I had been getting after the weeds in my yard for about a month, and I was doing a pretty good job of it, but for hours at a time, I was just bending straight down at the waist instead of kneeling down or bending my knees,” Carolyn remembers.

“I didn’t realize I was doing any harm to myself until I woke up in the middle of the night one evening in horrible pain. � at pain kept me up all that night and kept on through the next day and for many days after that.”

Carolyn says she and pain “don’t get on very well,” so she soon made an appointment to see her doctor, who prescribed Advil®. When that didn’t work, Carolyn’s doctor prescribed a week’s worth of hydrocodone, but that didn’t relieve the pain either.

� at prompted a call to a chiropractor whom Carolyn had seen occasionally over the years for various aches and pains, but that chiropractor was out of town. In the end, that turned out to be a good thing, Carolyn says.

“I didn’t know what to do next, but that’s when my daughter-in-law said she’d heard of a doctor who had helped a lot of people she knew with their pain,” Carolyn relates. “So, we made an appointment with that doctor, and I’m glad we did.”

The doctor Carolyn made the appointment with is Jeremy M. Gordon, DC, of DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression. During his initial exam-ination of Carolyn, Dr. Gordon discovered just how debilitating her pain had become.

“She had some pretty severe pain radi-ating from her lower back all the way down into her left leg and foot,” Dr. Gordon reveals. “In addition to having difficulty

sleeping, the pain was making it di� cult for her to just move around.

“She was in pretty severe shape, and I could see that it was a� ecting her quality of life, so after we took some x-rays, we started her treatment by giving her some standard chiropractic care, the kind we normally do with many of our patients.”

Those treatments relieved some of Carolyn’s pain and helped to increase her mobility a bit but not to the extent that Carolyn was totally comfortable. It was then that Dr. Gordon ordered an MRI that even-tually revealed the root cause of Carolyn’s back issues.

“� e MRI showed she had a pretty large disc extrusion,” Dr. Gordon informs. “� at’s a certain type of disc herniation where the inner material of the disc extrudes outwards to the di� erent layers of the disc. It’s a more severe disc injury than what you normally see.

“Disc injuries usually range from a disc bulge, which can cause severe pain but in terms of the injury severity is mild to moder-ate. � en you have disc protrusions, herniated discs and � nally this type of disc extrusion, which is a step beyond a herniated disc.

“In Carolyn’s case, it was extruding far to the left-hand side and compressing the nerve going down into her leg. � at was the cause of all her symptoms, which explained why she wasn’t responding the way we expected her to from our regular chiropractic care.”

� e severity of Carolyn’s injury was so great that many chiropractors would have turned her over to a neurosurgeon for a sur-gical consultation. Carolyn wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, so Dr. Gordon suggested she try DRX spinal decompression.

Time to DecompressSpinal decompression is a drug-free, nonin-vasive, nonsurgical therapy that can be used to treat bulging, herniated or protruding spi-nal discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, neuropathy in the arms or legs and post-surgical neck and/or back pain.

At DeLand Chiropractic & Spinal Decompression, decompression therapy is delivered through a machine called the DRX9000™, which has the capacity to produce 150 pounds of tractioning decom-pressive force through gentle motion.

“We get the patient comfortable on the table, and the DRX9000 creates a very gentle decompressive force on the discs that reduces disc pressure and helps pull some of that disc material back inward, which allevi-ates the pain,” Dr. Gordon educates.

Cervical and/or lumbar disc injuries can be treated with the DRX9000, which is typ-ically part of a treatment program comprised of 24 visits across ten weeks. Each visit lasts about an hour, with the � rst ten designed to determine the patient’s likely response.

“We start by treating patients � ve days a week for two weeks, and our goal is to see

a fifty percent improve-ment in function and pain in those first ten visits,” Dr. Gordon relates. “If we see that improvement, we continue with the remain-ing fourteen treatments.”

“Quite Comfortable”“� e treatments are actu-ally quite comfortable,” Carolyn says of the spinal decompression sessions. “The first thing they do is give you some heat on your back for about ten minutes, then you’re placed on this special table.

“You stand up and the table actually lowers you down. � ey secure you in with straps to make sure you’re safe. It feels like you’ve got a parachute on and are going to be jump-ing out of an airplane or something.

“Anyway, the table takes you down, and they put something under your legs, and like I said, it’s very comfortable. � en they introduce the pressure, and with each treatment, they raise the pressure a little bit till they � nd what works best for you.

“For me, it was � fty-two pounds, and the machine is actually stretching you, but you never feel like you’re being stretched. You just feel the pressure as it comes and goes, and it comes and goes about eighteen times during one treatment.”

Carolyn noticed a further decrease in pain and a greater increase in mobility within a couple of days of beginning the spi-nal decompression treatments. As a result, her quality of life began to improve as well.

“Almost immediately, she was sleeping better, which is rather typical in cases such as hers,” Dr. Gordon reports. “� e next thing that usually happens is that the pain starts marching its way out of the lower leg until it’s only in the lower back, at the source.

“When we see that, that’s what is called centralization of the symptoms, and that’s a good sign. It means the treatment is work-ing. Soon after the pain began subsiding, Carolyn was able to get back to many of her normal activities.”

Feeling Great AgainCarolyn con� rms that her back pain disap-peared completely long before the treatment

regimen was completed. Nevertheless, she says she gladly finished the treatments as they were prescribed to ensure the best possible outcome.

“I would say that after the fourth or � fth treatment, I wasn’t feeling any more pain, which was quite a relief because the bulging disc I had was a real doozie,” Carolyn says. “I was in a lot of pain, but now I feel great again, and I’m back to doing all the things I like to do.”

Weeding is not one of those things. Carolyn says she’s decided to put that chore o� for a while. She has, however, resumed her swimming regimen and is quilting pain free again, which is why she recommends Dr. Gordon and spinal decompression for anyone su� ering from radiating back pain.

“I’ve been recommending both of them left and right,” Carolyn exudes. “I tell people it’s a great treatment, that it did wonders for me. I tell them how nice and professional Dr. Gordon and his staff are and how thankful I am that I was able to � nd them. I couldn’t be more pleased with both of them, or with the outcome.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Photo by Jordan Pysz. Water

photo from Pixabay. Swimmer graphic from Kisspng. mkb

C oncerned about his weight, Orlando police o� cer Ben Stanaland tried several commercial diet programs in an attempt to shed

pounds. Despite some initial success, the numbers eventually moved in just one direc-tion: upward.

A large man, the former high-school football player stands 6-foot-4. His athletic build, assisted by weightlifting, helped to hide the extra pounds, but as his weight climbed, Ben continued to look for ways to slim down.

At one point, he adopted a new and more intensive exercise routine, but soon realized that rigorous workouts weren’t enough to ensure the weight loss he was seeking. First and foremost, he soon learned, it takes dietary changes.

“I started CrossFit®, and I was getting stronger and I was getting faster, with more agility,” notes Ben, now 35. “But I wasn’t get-ting any smaller. After a while, I � gured out that losing weight was going to have to start in the kitchen rather than the gym.”

Ben’s realization came at about the same time that he noticed a fellow o� cer on the force had begun losing weight.

“He was a buddy of mine in our motor unit, and by chance, we were assigned to ride together one day,” Ben relates. “I asked him what he was doing to lose weight, and he told me about the Ideal Protein® program. I decided I may as well give it a try and see if it might work for me.”

Complete, Customized ProgramIdeal Protein enables quick weight loss while boosting energy, fostering better appetite control, improving blood sugar and choles-terol levels, and reducing blood pressure. It is an easy-to-follow, comprehensive, custom-ized program that helps people such as Ben achieve and maintain a healthy weight in a way that becomes second nature.

“Ideal Protein helps limit the amount of sugars and dietary fats you take in

while providing a high-quality form of protein that’s easily absorbed,” explains Dr. Gordon. “Some other plans merely restrict caloric intake, so the body burns fat, which also burns muscle. Ideal Protein burns

stored fat while preserving lean muscle.”

Dr. Gordon recommends Ideal Protein over other diet plans and surgery. “While people can lose weight by cutting back on calories,” he says, “most can’t sustain that long term. And it’s not healthy to keep that lower level of caloric intake for an extended period.”

Dr. Gordon further warns that appe-tite suppressants are not the answer,

because they carry a risk of dan-gerous side effects and “don’t address the under-ly ing i s sue , which i s that patients are eating unhealthy foods or exces-sive quantities of healthy foods.

“That doesn’t happen with people who are on Ideal Protein because we make sure our patients learn healthy eating habits, so they can maintain their weight in a healthy range for the long term.”

And while Dr. Gordon agrees that surgery to reduce stomach size does decrease the amount of food a person can eat at a sitting, he notes that some surgery patients still don’t

achieve the results they expect and end up turning to Ideal Protein.

Rigorous physical activity isn’t necessary to lose weight while on Ideal Protein, but participants are required to take a multivitamin and ensure that potassium, � sh oil and calcium supple-ments are part of their diet.

No Pills, No Stimulants“We supplement because most of the dairy, grains and fruits are removed

from the patient’s diet while they’re on the program,” Dr. Gordon informs. “� ose food groups have lots of minerals, so the supple-ments ensure they get an adequate, balanced amount of minerals.

“But there are no diet pills or stimu-lants in Ideal Protein. � e program teaches people to eat healthy, because all of the plan’s food is designed to be low-carb, low-fat, with a moderate amount of protein and typically high in � ber.

“They help satisfy your cravings and hold you over until your next meal. One thing we don’t want is for people to be hungry.”

Dr. Gordon observes that what really sets Ideal Protein apart is the program’s one-on-one coaching and support system. � e clinic’s Ideal Protein Coach, Tracee Gmitro, meets individually with Ideal Protein clients to guide them on their journey to better health and wellness.

Ben meets with Tracee every week. He also attends nutrition classes as part of the program and delves into an Ideal Protein cookbook when preparing food at home. He says the program is an easy one to follow and notes that his waistline is proof that it works.

Since beginning the Ideal Protein pro-gram, Ben has lost more than 120 pounds and put the yo-yo dieting behind him.

“For somebody in my line of work with the schedule that I have, it has worked out well,” Ben says. “I’m able to pre-plan and take what I need to have in the car because I’m not sitting in an o� ce all day.”

In his work as a police o� cer, he adds, it’s important to be in good physical condi-tion. Being at a healthy weight is de� nitely part of that. He is still in the Ideal Protein program and plans to lose more weight to reach his ideal goal.

� e bottom line, he explains, is that he found a program that actually works for him.

“Now that I’ve found that Ideal Protein works for me, the sky’s the limit,” Ben emphasizes. “Yeah, it’s been great. The program works when you follow it.”FHCN staff article. Patient photos courtesy of DeLand

Chiropractic. Puzzle graphic from Kisspng. mkb

Ben and Tracee celebrated when Ben achieved a weight loss of 100 pounds through Ideal Protein.

West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition | Spring 2019 | Volusia Health Care News | Page 7spinal deCompression/Weight loss

Save theSkin

You’re InBlue Ocean Dermatology

welcomes new patients. For more information on what they

can do for you or to make an appointment, call or visit them at

their o� ce in Port Orange at:

3951 S. Nova Road, Suite 3

(386) 256-1444

STANLEY N. KATZ, MDNITRA H. WELCH, MSN, NP-CJASON L. WELCH, MSN, NP-C

ALINA COLLINS, ARNP

Stanley N. Katz, MD, obtained his medical degree from New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ) in 1974. He has since played vital roles in a broad range of medical disciplines, his specialization being achieved in dermatology. With a diverse background and more than 44 years of experience, Dr. Katz is eminently quali� ed to care for even the most complicated dermatological cases. Dr. Katz is currently committed to working closely with the other providers on the Blue Ocean Dermatology team. Patients appreciate his thorough care and professionalism. Outside of the o� ce, Dr. Katz is an avid � sherman and enjoys nothing more than the strike of a bass.

Nitra H. Welch, MSN, NP-C, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Troy State University in Troy, AL. She was an ICU nurse for eight years. She earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing and her family nurse practitioner certi� cate from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Nitra also attended an advanced training fellowship at UCF. She is licensed in Florida as an advanced registered nurse practitioner and she is certi� ed by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Nitra also has national certi� cation as a family nurse practitioner and a dermatology nurse practitioner. She has been working in dermatology since 2006.

Jason L. Welch, MSN, NP-C, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Florida State University in Tallahassee. He was an ICU nurse for seven years. He earned his Master of Science degree in Nursing and family nurse practitioner certi� cate from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is certi� ed by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and holds certi� cation in family practice and dermatology. Jason is a United States Naval veteran, and he served as a combat medic during Operation Desert Storm. Jason has been working in dermatology since 2005.

Alina Collins, ARNP, received her Bachelor’s degree from Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio and her Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Prior to earning her Master’s degree, she worked as a registered nurse in the critical care unit of a Level I Trauma Center in Orlando. During her dermatology rotation while studying to become a nurse practitioner, she realized her passion for the specialty. Her area of special interest is primary prevention through education about the risks and early detection of skin cancer. Alina is sensitive to individual patient concerns and encourages patients to ask questions and understand their treatment plans.

Visit their website at www.BlueOceanDermatology.com or � nd them on Facebook at Blue Ocean Dermatology.

Skin SolutionsRoutine

checks can detect skin

cancers early

Larry counts on Blue Ocean Dermatology to treat his ongoing skin cancer.

A fter his discharge from the United States Air Force, Larry Crawford became a pilot for a large Midwestern

corporation and � ew all over the globe. He retired in 2005, when he was diag-nosed with liver cancer, and underwent a liver transplant in 2009. That sur-gery changed Larry’s life in many ways, including one way he never expected.

“One of the drugs they put me on for my transplant causes skin cancers to develop,” Larry explains. “It’s an anti-rejection drug for my transplanted liver. � e connection to the skin cancer was discovered up in Maryland, where I was living at the time. I knew I’d be on that drug forever, so skin cancer would be an ongoing issue for me.

“When I moved to Florida in 2012, I found a local dermatologist, but I was quite dissatis� ed with that group. � en, some-one here in New Smyrna Beach gave me the name of Jason Welch at Blue Ocean Dermatology, and I decided to try him out.”

Jason L. Welch, MSN, NP-C, is a certi� ed nurse practitioner specializing in dermatology at Blue Ocean Dermatology in Port Orange. Jason explained that Larry would need routine appointments to manage his ongoing condition. Jason also gave Larry some advice for steps to take at home.

“� e � rst thing Jason told me was to do skin examinations on a regular basis because the skin cancers pop up all the time,” Larry recalls. “Most of the time, they’re squamous cell cancers, but a couple of times, they’ve been basal cell cancers.”

� e three most common types of skin cancers are squamous cell carcino-mas, basal cell carcinomas and melanoma. Squamous cell carcinomas start in the squamous cells, which are thin, � at cells that form the top layer of the epidermis, the outer layer of skin cells.

Basal cell carcinomas form in the basal cells, which are the round cells found under

the squamous cells. Melanoma forms in the melanocytes. � ese are the cells that create the pigment melanin that gives skin its natural color. Melanocytes are located in the lower part of the epidermis.

“As far as doing skin checks, this isn’t my first rodeo,” Larry quips. “I’ve been through this quite a bit over the last few years. I can usually tell when something is a skin cancer or precancer. My wife checks my skin as well. We generally know if some-thing’s a problem, and we stay on top of it.

“When a suspicious area appears, Jason � rst does a biopsy. If it comes back positive for cancer, he cuts it out for me. Jason’s ‘body shop’ has always accommo-dated my needs.”

Cancer and PrecancerSkin cancer is the most common cancer a� ecting Americans, Jason discloses. More

people in the US are diagnosed with it than all other cancers combined. One in � ve Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.

“Skin cancer starts out as a pre-cancerous condition called actinic keratosis,” Jason informs. “Actinic keratosis a� ects more than � fty-eight million Americans. � e earlier we � nd this precancerous condition, the less likely it will develop into skin cancer.

“� ere are several treatments we o� er for actinic keratosis. � e most common is cryosurgery, which involves freezing the a� ected areas. We’re also equipped for Blue Light and Red Light � erapy, where we treat a large surface with a cream, then put the patient under a special lamp. � ere are also various prescription creams we can use.”

Several factors put people at higher risk for developing skin cancer. These

include performing outdoor activities between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., aging, genetics and skin type.

“� ere are four basic skin types, and we determine which skin type people have by how they typically respond to being in the sun,” Jason notes. “If people always burn and peel, and their color is light with a lot of freckles, they’re skin type one. People with this skin type are the most susceptible to skin cancer.

“Skin type two is people who burn, then tan, then the tan fades. People with skin type three typically have a little more color to their skin. � ey generally don’t burn; they tan. People with skin type four are those with darker skin. Skin in this type can generally tolerate the sun.”

When skin cancer does develop, there are di� erent methods for treating it. � e standard of care is Mohs sur-gery. During Mohs surgery, the surgeon cuts out the cancer and has the margins examined at the time of surgery. � is generally o� ers the best opportunity to remove the entire cancer.

“� ere are nonsurgical treatments we can use if the skin cancer is found early enough,” Jason reports. “� ese methods include cryosurgery using liquid nitrogen; electrodesiccation, which uses electricity to destroy the skin cancer; and super� cial radiation with the SRT-100, which deliv-ers a low dose of radiation to the a� ected area. � e key is early detection.”

Standing ReservationWhen Larry � rst met Jason, he liked the nurse practitioner right away. With Larry being former Air Force and Jason being a former Marine, the two hit it o� very quickly. Jason made a lasting impression on Larry.

“Jason is very knowledgeable,” Larry describes. “I’d rather no one but Jason cut on me. His sta� is exception-ally knowledgeable as well. I feel a great level of comfort when I’m at Blue Ocean Dermatology. I’m exceptionally pleased with Jason and his group.

“ M y s k i n c a n c e r i s a n ongoing issue as long as I’m on that anti-rejection medication, and I’ll be on it for the rest of my life. To treat my skin cancers, I’m sticking with Jason from here on. I guess I’ve got a standing res-ervation at Blue Ocean Dermatology.” FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Photo by Jordan Pysz. mkb

Page 8 | Volusia Health Care News | Spring 2019 | West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition dermatology

High-field MRI and MRA scansMulti-slice (16) CT and CTA scans

Ultrasound (4D OB images)Vascular studies

Digital mammographyBone density testingDigital radiography

LAD IMAGING1555 Saxon Blvd., Suite 401, Deltona

(386) 860-9336

LAD IMAGINGOver 40 years of experience

in the West Volusia areaE A S Y S C H E D U L I N G E X T E N D E D H O U R SM O S T I N S U R A N C E S C O M P E T I T I V E P R I C I N G

R E G I S T E R E D T E C H N O LO G I S T SB O A R D - C E R T I F I E D R A D I O LO G I S T S

Please visit LAD imaging on the web at www.LADimaging.com

Henry H.K. Nguyen, MD, is board certi� ed by the American Board of Radiology. He completed his undergraduate degree at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, and earned his medical degree from

the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, FL. Dr. Nguyen is fellowship trained in nuclear medicine. He is a member of the American College of Radiology, the American Roentgen Ray Society, the Radiological Society of North America, the Michigan Radiological Society, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound.

A l f r e d o H u r t a d o , M D , i s b o a r d c e r t i f i e d b y t h e American Board of Radiology. He completed his undergrad-uate degree at George Mason University in Fair fax, VA, and

earned his medical degree at the University of Ok lahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, OK. Dr. Hurtado is fellowship trained in mus-culoskeleta l and neuroradio logy. He is a member of the American College of Radiology, the Radiological Society o f N o r t h Am e r i c a a n d t h e Am e r i c a n Medical Association.

NEW YEAR REVIEW

Jamaica-born Clover Campbell came to the United States 20 years ago, and in 2012, she o� cially became a US citizen. � e Jamaican-American is

proud of her heritage and of her adopted country. Like many Americans, Clover battles several health issues that often require x-rays and other imaging exams. � at proved to be a challenge for her.

After relocating to Florida from New York, Clover started using a local hospital for her imaging needs, but she was dissat-is� ed there. � en, she was referred to LAD imaging, a fully accredited, outpatient imaging center in Deltona. � at change made all the di� erence in the world to her.

“I had been going to the hospital for my imaging services, but I didn’t like changing doctors,” Clover elaborates. “I wanted to establish a relationship with one doctor, and I could do that at LAD imag-ing. I also didn’t want to have to change sta� s or facilities, and I could stay at LAD imaging and build a rapport with the sta� .”

Among the exams Clover has done routinely at LAD imaging are mammo-grams. Because lumps continually form in her breasts, Clover undergoes a mam-mogram and ultrasound every six months. When she goes to LAD imaging, she’s happy to see the same skilled sta� mem-bers perform her exams.

“There’s a cyst in my right breast that’s been removed multiple times, but it keeps growing back,” Clover shares. “I’ve also had lumpectomies in my right armpit, near my breast. � at lump returns as well. Fortunately, the lumps have been benign, but I have to follow up on them in case anything changes.

“I love the staff at LAD imaging. � ey’re really awesome and warm. When I have a lump in my breast, it’s really scary because I don’t know if it’s a cyst or what it is. It’s really important to know the sta� . The technologist who does the breast exam always talks to me and explains everything she’s going to do. She educates me, and that calms me.

“Every time she does the exam, I pray, Oh God, thank you for sending this person who always comforts me. � en I get the feeling everything’s going to be okay, and I’m going to be � ne.”

LAD imaging calmed Clover’s anx-iety about insurance as well. When she needed an exam and was worried about getting treated because she hadn’t met her deductible, the sta� at LAD imag-ing worked directly with her insurance company to be sure Clover could get the exam. � eir extra e� ort impressed her.

“With my insurance, I have a share of costs, like a deductible,” Clover relates. “Most facilities tell me they can’t treat me because of my share of costs. Last year, I had to have an x-ray done on my low back and hip and hadn’t yet reached my deductible. I called LAD imaging, and they said, It’s okay, Clover. Come in, and we’ll take care of you.

“� ey told me they’d do the exam and send the paperwork to my insurance. LAD imaging accepted me even though I hadn’t reached my share of costs. With them, there was no problem getting treat-ment. � ey didn’t say I couldn’t come in. LAD imaging is a real blessing.”

Diff erences and Deductibles� e beginning of the year is a good time for people to review their insurance ben-e� ts, recommends Barbara Borden, center director at LAD imaging. Changes can occur in bene� ts that people may or may not be aware of. Sometimes, changes occur in patient’s insurance information, or they may receive new insurance cards.

“When patients schedule an exam, they need to let us know if they have a change in their insurance or a new insur-ance card, including the new Medicare cards,” Barbara stresses. “We always ver-ify insurance before patients come in so they’re aware of what they’ll owe, whether they have a co-pay or a deductible.

“In the new year, we’re required to ask all patients for their insurance cards so we can get the correct contact information from it. Some people get frustrated by this, but we have to do it to verify their insurance and � nd out if anything has changed for the patients.”

When starting the new year, it’s very important for people to be familiar with their insurance policies – what has stayed the same, what has changed and how any changes are going to a� ect them.

“Patients need to understand their coverage before they arrive at a physician appointment or a facility for testing,” Barbara states. “Otherwise, they may be surprised to find that the amount of a co-pay has changed, a co-pay is required when none was before or another change has occurred that they were not expecting.”

Barbara recommends that patients pay close attention to policy deductibles

Find out what’s changed in your insurance before using it

and how much is being met with each medical service. Most deductibles start at the beginning of the year. � at means they reset to the full amount. For instance, if the deductible is $2,500, the patient will need to pay that much out-of-pocket for covered medical services before the insur-ance company begins to pay.

“A common misconception is that deductibles must be met all at once,” Barbara describes. “And when patients mistakenly believe costs of a test will be high because a deductible is owed, they may delay a recommended exam.

“For example, a patient who has a � ve hundred dollar deductible and needs a medical study may believe that � ve hun-dred dollars will be required out-of-pocket immediately. However, when insurance companies contract with providers, they set allowable rates for services. � e allow-able rate for a medical test, such as an MRI, may be less than the deductible, which means the patient will owe less.”

Some people have flexible spend-ing accounts or HR plans through their employers to help them with their deduct-ibles. LAD imaging has a contingency for people who don’t have such plans.

“If patients need an expensive exam, such as an MRI, and it’s going toward their deductibles, we can set up a payment plan,” Barbara explains. “Patients pay a percentage down, then make installment

payments to pay off the balance. The payments are generally extended over anywhere from three to six months.”

Comfortable and SecureProviding quality patient care is LAD imaging’s top priority, Barbara empha-sizes. They are fully accredited by the American College of Radiology® and par-ticipate in most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. A commitment to their community is another of the cen-ter’s main concerns.

“One reason I chose LAD imaging is because they meet all of my health needs,” Clover says. “Another is because they always work with my church. Every year in October, they provide calendars and support for our breast health event.”

For Clover, those are important reasons for choosing LAD imaging, but the most important reason may be the relationships she’s established with the physicians and sta� .

“� e rapport that I have with the sta� at LAD imaging is why I always make my imaging appointments there,” she con� rms. “I feel comfortable and secure knowing that I’m going to LAD imaging for all my imaging needs.

“I will always and have always recom-mended LAD imaging to others.”FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Photo by Jordan Pysz.

Graphic from Pixabay.com. nj

Clover regularly depends on LAD Imaging’s services.

YOUR CLEAR CHOICE FOR IMAGINGSM

ALFREDO HURTADO, MDHENRY H.K. NGUYEN, MD

West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition | Spring 2019 | Volusia Health Care News | Page 9imaging

DEVANG SHAH, MDDANIEL L. ROTHBAUM, MD

Visit Atlantic Ear, Nose & Throat on the web at www.myENTdoctor.com

The skilled physicians at Atlantic Ear, Nose & Throat

welcome your call. They are located in Lake Mary,

DeLand and Orange City. For an initial consultation

at any location, call:

(407) 774-9880 or

(386) 774-9880

For Audiological & ENT Expertise

Reconstruction ProjectRestoring function, aesthetics following Mohs surgery

Pat Lawson

B lond-haired, blue-eyed and light-skinned, Pat Lawson is a child of the 70s who grew up just outside of Atlanta,

Georgia, where she spent most of her weekends boating and water-skiing on nearby Lake Lanier.

� row in her family’s annual, two-week summer vacations to Panama City Beach and the fact sunscreen didn’t really become a thing until the 80s, and it’s easy to understand why Pat has spent the past 30 years battling skin cancer.

“I have a family history of it that includes my brother dying from

melanoma,” Pat relates. “Not only that, but most skin cancers are attributed to those early burns we experience as a child and teenager, and I had plenty of them.

“As a result, I have been under the constant care of an excellent dermatolo-gist since 1984, and last March, I had Mohs surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma on my nose that was very extensive. I wound up losing three-fourths of my nose.”

Mohs surgery involves the microscopic removal of thin layers of cancerous skin tissue that is immediately examined while the doctor and patient wait for the results. � e procedure is repeated until the tissue removed no longer contains cancerous cells.

Knowing it would be extensive, Pat was advised to make plans to begin recon-structive surgery the day after the Mohs procedure was completed. She made those arrangements with Daniel L. Rothbaum, MD, a board-certi� ed otolaryngologist who specializes in facial plastic surgery at Atlantic Ear, Nose & � roat.

Skill Test “Following the surgery, Pat was missing a large portion of her nose.” Dr. Rothbaum

explains. “� e nose has three layers. � e deepest layer is the internal lining or inside of the nose. � e second layer is cartilage that forms the structure of the nose; and the third layer is the outer skin.”

The internal lining of Pat’s nose remained largely intact through the sur-gery, Dr. Rothbaum reports, but large parts of cartilage and a great deal of the outer layer of skin were missing.

To rebuild the structure of the nose, Dr. Rothbaum harvested cartilage from Pat’s ear, shaped it, then sutured it to the remaining cartilage of the nose. In this way, he rebuilt the structural foundation of a properly functioning nose.

Next, Dr. Rothbaum worked to replace the missing skin on Pat’s nose. � at objective was achieved by a combi-nation of three � aps in which skin from the bridge of the nose, the right cheek and forehead were used to reconstruct various subunits of the nose.

Dr. Rothbaum is well known for his skillful reconstructions. For this rea-son, Pat’s dermatologist recommended Dr. Rothbaum for the job.

“It takes a highly skilled physician such as Dr. Rothbaum to do this surgery well because I’ve seen others come out with results that are not as pleasing as Dr. Rothbaum’s,” Pat states. “He’s really good at it. He’s also very compassionate and optimistic, and I couldn’t be more pleased with his work.

“I have a fully functional nose, and I would encourage anybody who has to go through the surgery I had to see Dr. Rothbaum for their reconstruction.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Photo by Jordan Pysz. mkb

Daniel L. Rothbaum, MD, is board certi� ed in otolaryngology and spe-cializes in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology. He’s a leader in balloon sinus dilation surgery in Central Florida. Dr. Rothbaum graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in Cambridge, MA with a degree in

social studies. He received his Medical Doctorate (MD) degree from Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. Dr. Rothbaum completed his internship and residency training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Devang Shah, MD, is board certi� ed in otolaryngology. After receiving his medical degree with honors from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, he completed his surgical internship and residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1997. Dr. Shah is a member of the American Academy of

Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery and has served as chair of the department of surgery at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, Orange City. He coauthored several journal articles investigating the relationship between microscopic inner-ear structures and hearing function and has presented his work at research conferences.

OPS™ replacement surgery more precise

T he number of Americans hav-ing hip replacement surgery has grown steadily over the past 18 years. It’s estimated

that this year, more than 300,000 peo-ple will undergo the procedure, up from 138,000 in 2000. � e procedure, fortu-nately, has improved as well.

A recent advancement to hip replace-ment surgery was the release and FDA approval of a technology that helps surgeons determine the most accurate alignment of the replacement implants. � is technology is the optimized position-ing system, or OPS™.

� e inspiration behind OPS is the fact that no two people move the same way, and this can make a significant impact on the proper positioning of the hip implants. OPS is designed to account for the di� erences. It tailors the implant placement to each patient.

The hip joint has two essential parts, the ball and the socket. � e ball of the joint is the head of the femur, or thigh bone. � e socket, or acetabulum, is a concave depression in the pelvis, in which the ball sits. � e ball and socket are the parts that are replaced during surgery and must be positioned appro-priately for the best outcome.

To get the proper position, hip replacement surgery using OPS begins long before the procedure is performed. An extensive preoperative evaluation is � rst performed to determine how the patient’s femur, pelvis and spine work together during routine daily activities. This

evaluation provides a speci� c functional simulation of the patient’s movement.

� e information is essential to achiev-ing optimum results during surgery. If the implants aren’t positioned precisely during surgery, there’s a greater risk for compli-cations such as premature wear, implant loosening and dislocation, as well as nerve impingement.

The preoperative evaluation also includes imaging such as x-rays and CT scans to generate pictures of how the patient’s hip moves in three dimensions. The imaging captures the anatomical geometry around the person’s hip joint.

Using all of the information gath-ered from the preoperative evaluation, surgeons create exact 3-D models of the patients’ anatomy. � ey then use these models as guides to optimize implant position during the hip replacement procedure.

The preoperative evaluation is the � rst step in the hip replacement using OPS process. � e second step is using the system during the procedure itself. During surgery, the 3-D model, which is unique to each patient, is combined with a laser guidance system. Surgeons match up the laser points to ensure the optimized plan is accurately recreated during surgery.

Need for OPS� e most common reason for needing hip replacement surgery with OPS is deterio-ration of the hip joint from arthritis. � e most common type of arthritis is osteo-arthritis, also known as “wear and tear”

arthritis. Osteoarthritis generally devel-ops with age. It’s estimated that more than 28 million Americans su� er from the disorder.

Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint in the body, but it most often a� ects weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips. � e hip is one of the largest joints in the body, and like other joints, its surfaces are covered with a smooth cushioning material called articular cartilage. � is cartilage enables the bones to slide over one another more easily.

Joints also contain another cushion-ing substance called synovial � uid. � is � uid lubricates the joint cartilage and aids in movement. With osteoarthritis, the articular cartilage begins to wear away, and the synovial � uid begins to thin out. � is results in the bones of the joint rubbing together without cushioning. Damaged bone may also start to grow. � ese result-ing growths are called bone spurs.

All of the damage to the hip joint is degenerative; it gets worse over time. It also causes pain, swelling and other symp-toms that get progressively more intense. Additional symptoms of osteoarthritis include tenderness around the hip, lim-ited range of motion, a grating sensation with movement and di� culty walking.

� e doctor can generally diagnose osteoarthritis through a complete his-tory and physical exam. � e doctor will con� rm the � ndings with an x-ray of the patient’s hip.

Treatment for osteoarthritis generally begins with lifestyle modi� cations, such

as switching from high-impact activi-ties to lower-impact activities and losing weight. Other conservative treatments include doing physical therapy, using support such as a cane when walking and taking anti-inflammatory and/or pain medications.

If conservative treatments fail to relieve symptoms, the doctor may sug-gest surgery. Surgical options include hip resurfacing and total hip replacement. FHCN staff article. mkb

Need New Hip Joint?

Page 10 | Volusia Health Care News | Spring 2019 | West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition ear, nose and throat/FaCial plastiCs

speCial to FhCn

At Savannah Court, executive director Judith Robinson

helps to promote a homey, family-like atmosphere.

Resident ambassador promotes family-like atmosphere

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

All through her youth and well into adulthood, Sylvia Daniel never had any desire or reason to leave her beloved home of

Prattville, Alabama. � en some health issues forced her hand a few years into retirement.

“I had been having some trouble, and then one day, I fell and hurt myself,” Sylvia explains. “My daughter, who lives in DeBary, explained that it was just too far for her to drive back and forth to check on me all the time and asked if I’d move to Florida.

“I told her that if my sister Hattie was willing to go with me, I would, because Hattie and I are both widows, and I didn’t

Visit them at www.savannahcourtorangecity.com and at Facebook.com/SavannahCourtofOrangeCity

want to leave her there all alone. So, once Hattie agreed to go with me, we made the move down here together. � at was in 2012.”

Sylvia and her sister lived together in DeBary for a little more than four years, until Hattie developed some health issues of her own that prompted her to move to Texas, where she was cared for by the niece she raised.

When Hattie died about two years ago, Sylvia was faced with having to make yet another move. � is time, she wanted to be sure the move was to a place where she not only felt comfortable and cared for but would never need to leave.

The place she found is Savannah Court of Orange City, a senior living community that provides assisted living services, senior day care services for care-givers who need a day for themselves, and respite care for seniors recovering from ill-ness or surgery.

Nestled just 20 minutes between Metro Orlando and Daytona Beach, Savannah Court of Orange City provides residents with a cozy, small-town ambi-ance while also o� ering all the amenities necessary to carry out an active lifestyle.

“We’re not too big, and we’re not too small,” says Judith Robinson, executive director at Savannah Court of Orange City. “And one of the big plusses we have here is that everything is on one � oor, which is great for our residents.”

Family-Like AtmosphereActing on tips from some friends, including one whose mother was already living there and strongly recommended it, Sylvia’s daughter was the � rst to suggest Sylvia take a tour of Savannah Court of Orange City.

“� is friend’s mother had been liv-ing there for two years, and she said she loved it, so we decided to go by and take a look,” Sylvia con� rms. “I immediately liked it because it’s not a real big place. It’s a smaller community where everybody knows each other.

“It felt a lot like home to me in that way, because Prattville is not a big town. It’s one of those places where everybody is like family. � at’s the thing that attracted me the most about Savannah Court. Everyone there treats you like family.”

Sylvia made the move to Savannah Court of Orange City in May 2017. Since then, she has become more than just a resident. Sylvia, in fact, is one of the � rst people new or prospective residents meet when they � rst visit the community.

“� ey call me the welcoming ambassa-dor,” Sylvia explains. “When a new person comes in to the community or if we have someone who is thinking about coming here and hasn’t made up their mind yet, I talk to them and show them around a bit.

“I show them our calendar of activities for the month and everything that we have here. We have a beauty salon, for example, and an activity room, and I just try to make them feel welcome and at home and let them know they’ll have friends here.”

A Friend to Many Sylvia is a good friend to the staff at Savannah Court of Orange City as well. She often makes use of the small oven she has in her apartment to bake treats as a

way of o� ering a special thank you to the sta� members for their care and concern.

“I cook cornbread or corn muf-� ns and cookies and other things like that,” she says. “� e sta� really seems to like them, and it’s my way of let-ting them know I appreciate all that they do for us because they’re all so kind and attentive to our needs.

“I’m usually pretty active, but just like anyone else, there are days when I’d rather just stay in my room. And when I do, someone

always comes around and checks on me just to make sure everything is all right, which is so nice of them.

“Like I said, everyone is like family here, which is one of the reasons it’s such a good place. � e meals are great, the laun-dry and cleaning services are great, and the people are great. And because of that, my time here really has been wonderful.

“It’s home for me now.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Judith’s photo by Jordan

Pysz. Header graphic from kisspng. mkb

Enjoy Retirement

LivingSavannah Court of Orange City o� ers gracious senior living, including assisted living, respite care and senior day care services. For more information or to schedule a tour, call or visit Savannah Court of Orange City at:

202 Strawberry Oaks Dr.(386) 259-6872

Welcome HomeWest Volusia/Lake Mary Edition | Spring 2019 | Volusia Health Care News | Page 11assisted living FaCility 9243

Rajiv Patel, BDS, MDS, has practiced general dentistry in DeLand for more than years. He is board-certified in implant dentistry through his desig-nation as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the

American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Patel is one of the select few general dentists certifi ed to admin-ister IV sedation in a dental offi ce. He is a member of the Florida Dental Association, American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

DELAND IMPLANT DENTISTRYRAJIV PATEL, BDS, MDS

Call Today!Dr. Rajiv Patel is known for his exceptional, caring attitude toward his patients and his work. He is committed to delivering the most advanced, personalized dental care while offering patients a unique and satisfying experience. Along with the sta� of DeLand Implant Dentistry, he welcomes new patients and any questions concerning the o� ce’s full range of dental services, including cleaning and preventive care, sedation methods, and cosmetic, restorative, prosthetic and implant dentistry. For an appointment, please call or visit the o� ce in DeLand in the Spring Oaks Professional Center:

150 McGregor Road

(386) 738-2006

MEMBERSHIP at DeLand Implant Dentistry

For detailed information about DeLand Implant Dentistry, please visit www.delandimplants.com

DeLand Implant Dentistry off ers a membership program for individuals and families. Member benefi ts include free cleanings, access to prime appointment times, same-day emergency care and reduced fees for any dental work, with no limit on total treatment discounts.

Additional Services Include:• Preventive care, including

cleanings and x-rays• Crowns and bridges• Root canals• Essix aligners• Dentures and partials• Dental implants• Veneers and bonding• Oral surgery – wisdom teeth• IV sedation

All in OneReaping the bene� ts

of comprehensive evaluation and care

A firehouse in a small village just outside of Troy, New York is among the many struc-tures Arthur Herman built before he turned his general contracting business over to his

son and retired to Florida in 1990.Now 85, Arthur remains quite active. In addition to

looking after the four apartments he rents out, he spends a good part of his summers back home, helping his son run the family business. It was during one of those visits that a major dental issue arose.

“It was a year ago this past August,” Arthur explains. “We were having a party at my son’s house, and I don’t even remember what I was eating at the time, but my bottom front teeth, three of them, just broke o� .”

Arthur’s sudden mishap prompted an emergency trip the very next day to a nearby dentist, who pulled what was left of the three broken teeth as well as two others nearby and created a bridge for Arthur that soon proved to be a problem all its own.

“� e partial plate he made was made of metal, and it never really � t all that well,” Arthur relates. “It was aggravating, and of course I had to take it out and clean it all the time, and one day while cleaning it, the thing just broke in half.

“A few days later, a friend of mine was over to my place, and we were talking about this broken bridge and the fact the dentist that I’d seen up north said I needed to go back and get the rest of my lower teeth pulled out.

“Well, � nally, this friend of mine says to me, You know what, Art? My aunt recently went to see a dentist who works right around here, and she said he was the best dentist she ever saw in her life. Maybe you should go see him.”

Better Than Expected � e dentist Arthur was referred to is Rajiv Patel, BDS, a board-certi� ed implantologist who founded DeLand Implant Dentistry and vows to deliver advanced, per-sonalized and comprehensive care to his patients in a comfortable, relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Acting on their friend’s advice, Arthur’s wife called Dr. Patel’s o� ce the next day and made an appointment for Arthur, who soon learned that his dental problems weren’t quite as dire as he’d been led to believe.

“When Arthur � rst came to me, he explained every-thing that had happened to him during his visit and that the dentist there had already made a lower denture for him in anticipation of Arthur returning to have the rest of his lower teeth removed,” Dr. Patel informs.

“But just as I do with every new patient, I started with Arthur by � rst doing a comprehensive evaluation of the entire structure of his mouth, meaning the jaw bones, the joints, the soft tissue and oral cavities – everything.”

What Dr. Patel’s detailed exam revealed was that the remaining lower teeth that Arthur’s previous dentist planned to remove were in fact very healthy, could be easily maintained and that removal was completely unnecessary.

� e exam also revealed that Arthur had previously received two dental implants on the upper right side where some teeth had been lost and that the area around his lower jaw where he was now missing teeth was strong enough to support implants.

� at led Dr. Patel to conclude that the best way to cor-rect the problem with Arthur’s missing lower teeth was not with a new removable partial, such as the one he was initially � t with, but with an implant-supported � xed bridge.

“For many patients, a denture for the lower arch is not the best option, because lower dentures are very unpredictable,” Dr. Patel explains. “Not only that, but a lot of people have trouble getting used to the removal of them and the care. � at’s why I recommended the implant-supported restoration.”

A Perfect Fit Dental implants are titanium, root-shaped, screw-like bodies that are surgically placed into the jawbone. A sin-gle implant supports an abutment and a crown that is attached to the implant, creating a new tooth. Two or more implants can support a � xed bridge.

Once they’re placed into the jawbone, dental implants typically require between four and six months to heal. It is at that point that the abutment and crown can be added. During the waiting period, patients typi-cally wear temporary crowns or a bridge.

Depending on how long the teeth have been miss-ing, some patients may have to undergo a bone-grafting procedure to ensure they have enough bone to support the implants. Because he had only recently lost his teeth, Arthur did not require any grafting.

“He was one of those patients who has an abundance of bone there,” Dr. Patel con� rms. “His biggest concern was function, which is why I recommended the implant-supported bridge, because the function is much better.

“Dentures de� nitely hinder the chewing ability. In fact, function drops signi� cantly with removable den-tures, and Arthur’s a big guy who needs a lot of chewing power, so the implant-supported bridge was best for him.”

Acting on Dr. Patel’s recommendation, Arthur opted for the implant-supported bridge. In accordance with that decision, Dr. Patel � t � ve implants into the front and left side of Arthur’s lower arch as the support system for what would be a nine-tooth � xed bridge.

Dr. Patel didn’t stop there. He also created a new bridge for the two implants Arthur previously received in his upper right arch. Arthur received that new bridge during the summer of 2018. A few months later, in December, he received his new lower bridge.

“I can’t believe how good this new lower bridge � ts,” Arthur exudes. “It’s just perfect. And it didn’t take Dr. Patel any more than a few minutes to � t in there and make sure everything was right with it. Now, I can eat anything I like, and my teeth look great.

“I definitely made the right decision getting the implant-supported bridge. It’s the best way to go. And I de� -nitely made the right decision going to see Dr. Patel. I really enjoy his work, and his manner with his patients is great.

“He made me feel comfortable, and he was able to do everything I needed right there in one o� ce. He did the exams and the implants and gave me these new bridges. I couldn’t be happier. He’s a great dentist.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Photo by Nerissa Johnson. mkb

Arthur Herman

& Trouper

Page 12 | Volusia Health Care News | Spring 2019 | West Volusia/Lake Mary Edition general, restorative and implant dentistry