Beyond Chronic Pain
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative disease caused by wear and tear of the cartilage that lines the joints, resulting in pain, stiffness and inflammation. This condition, also known as osteoarthritis, can affect any joint in the body, but is most common in the spine, hands, knees, and hips.
Physically, osteoarthritis is the wear and tear of cartilage, a type of gelatinous cushion, which over time causes friction between the bones, resulting in pain, inflammation, and difficulty moving the joint. With physical activity, the symptoms worsen, affecting the development of physical activity and complicating other natural actions such as walking or simply performing a movement.
Treatment of osteoarthritis focuses on relieving pain, slowing the progression of the disease, and improving the patient’s quality of life. This is done with analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as some topical medications that allow mobility and reduce pain.
Other treatments include weight loss for obesity, physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint, and intra-articular injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid. Finally, in very advanced cases and when conservative treatments do not work, surgery is performed to replace the affected joint.
Tendinitis
Also known as tendinopathy, tendinitis is an inflammation and irritation of the tendon, the tissue that connects the muscles to the bones. The tendons are responsible for transmitting the force that we realize in our body to the muscles to produce movement in the joints.
Excessive repetition with abnormal weights and repeated injury may be the most common cause of tendonitis. For example, people who lift weights, play tennis, golf, or do heavy manual labor are prone to this condition. Also the natural condition of aging, poor technique in the execution of movements and lack of warm-up or stretching in sports practice.
Improvement in the symptoms of tendinitis can range from rest and activities other than those that cause discomfort, to medical intervention or surgery. For mild pain, applying ice to the affected area is recommended to reduce inflammation and pain. Also, physical therapy with strengthening exercises and lots of stretching to help restore the natural function of the tendon.
Surgery is the most extreme option when symptoms persist or are severe and the affected tissue needs to be repaired or removed.
Tendinosis
Tendinosis is a chronic and almost permanent pain condition caused by the degeneration of a tendon, as opposed to tendinitis, which is an acute inflammation. Tendinosis involves structural changes, not necessarily inflammation as in tendinitis.
Aging, repetitive injury or genetic factors may be the cause of this condition, which manifests itself with permanent pain in the affected area, weakness, stiffness and impairment of quality of life for the development of any activity.
In order to reduce the symptoms, the medical part focuses on the treatment of the pain and then on the healing of the tendon, in cases where it is possible to intervene. First of all, physiotherapy is carried out with strengthening exercises in order to regain mobility and flexibility. Shock therapies with high-energy sound waves and, in other cases, injections of platelet-rich plasma to stimulate the regeneration of tendon tissue are also used.
This disease is usually complex and with long-term treatments, so it is always recommended to be accompanied by medical professionals who help in the physical and mental work to overcome the discomfort.
Chronic injuries
These are physical ailments that persist over a long period of time, causing pain, discomfort and ongoing dysfunction of a limb or joint. These conditions are usually caused by factors such as repetitive trauma, overuse, poor activity performance techniques, lack of adequate recovery or a pre-existing medical condition.
Optimal recovery from a chronic injury requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple disciplines, from the physical to the mental. Initially, activities that cause pain or discomfort can be suspended to avoid aggravation and create a favorable environment without pressure. Also, physiotherapy work, with a focused and complementary program to pain management.
In addition to physiotherapy, which focuses its work on the affected area, complementary treatments such as acupuncture, shock wave therapy, cold/heat or compression to reduce pain can also be performed. Assistive devices, pain medications, and relaxation techniques may also be adjusted.
Injuries of this nature can affect a person’s mood due to delays in recovery, so it is important to have ongoing psychological support from a professional to help understand the need for treatment and the patience required to overcome the condition.
Chronic Inflammation
These are persistent inflammatory responses in the body that can be associated with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and others with autoimmune characteristics. Also, fractures, tears, or sprains in bones or joints, can present with a chronic underlying inflammation, which makes recovery difficult.
The problems resulting from this condition require constant medical follow-up with regular check-ups, depending on the complexity of the diagnosis. A lifestyle change is recommended, with healthy habits like a balanced diet (sometimes requiring a special anti-inflammatory diet guided by a nutritionist); stress management techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga and deep breathing; good sleep habits and practice some physical activity, exercise or a sport.
There is also low-grade chronic inflammation, which is silent, not accompanied by the typical signs of acute inflammation such as edema, redness, pain or heat. However, it generates an imbalance in the balance that the body normally has between inflammation, as a normal repair mechanism and that is present in our body, and the modulation of the same, produced by other elements that resolve the inflammation in a timely manner.
This is produced by bad sleep habits, exposure to toxins, the presence of pathogenic germs or imbalances in the intestinal flora, chronic stress, sleep disorders, pro- inflammatory diet, sedentary lifestyle, among others.
Its approach consists in the search for those factors that generate or perpetuate inflammation, with the objective of optimizing them; this, together with some supplements that can support their modulation, such as the use of omega 3 fatty acids, turmeric, boswellia, among many others. Likewise, the use of intravenous infusions of some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants together with exosomes, stem cells and biopeptides or medicinal ozone.
At CELL REJUVENATION INTERNACIONAL
Wide-ranging Medical Expertise
We have a team with the maximum knowledge to treat patients with general medicine, autoimmune and degenerative diseases.
Specialized Care for Injuries and Disorders
This idea emphasizes their specialized care for a range of conditions, including orthopedic injuries, spinal disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.
Advanced and Compassionate Diagnosis
This idea underscores their commitment to advanced, professional, and compassionate diagnosis for complex medical cases.
Autoimmune Diseases
When the immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and organs, causing inflammation and damage, it is called an autoimmune disease. These conditions can occur in systems and organs such as joints, skin, kidneys, heart, and others. Another characteristic of these conditions for patients is the psychological issue due to the uncertainty caused by their symptoms.
According to medical literature, there are about 80 types of autoimmune diseases that affect millions of people of all ages around the world. Many external symptoms of these diseases are related to redness, swelling, heat and pain, rashes, skin spots, joint pain and stiffness, fever, weight loss, fatigue, mouth sores or inflammation.
Thanks to advances in medicine, there are now many treatments available to manage these conditions and help reduce pain or improve patients’; quality of life. After the initial medical diagnosis, controlled medication of the immune response with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, biologics, and non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs is used.
In the case of joint-related treatments, physical therapy and rehabilitation help to improve the quality of life and stop the accelerated progression of the disease.
In the case of complementary therapies, modulation of inflammation, as described above, can be optimized with antioxidants, supplements and use of exosomes, biopeptides and stem cells.
Degenerative diseases
A disease or disorder in which the body’s tissues or structures deteriorate over time, affecting the condition of systems and organs such as joints, discs, bones, muscles, and the nervous system. The most common diseases are related to osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
Each case requires a different and complex treatment according to its stage of progression and symptomatology. The priority in the procedures will always be to improve the quality of life of the people, slow down the progression, avoid pain or uncomfortable situations for the patients and create an adaptability to the conditions of the environment to facilitate the performance of their activities.
In the first place, medications are used to relieve pain when there is inflammation, control motor symptoms and improve cognitive function, depending on the diagnosis. Another modality is physical therapy to strengthen muscles, improve mobility and reduce discomfort in the affected joints.
In severe cases, when the above options are not effective, surgery is considered to intervene in affected areas such as joints or spinal discs. In many cases, these procedures do not allow for 100% recovery of function, but they do allow for significant improvement in function.
Another of the tools we have to help regenerate tissues by slowing or stopping progression and in some cases reversing some symptoms or signs, is the use of stem cells and biopeptides.
Neuralgia
It is the pain produced by a nerve. It can be an acute or chronic condition and usually manifests as a twinge, tingling, burning or rushing that follows the path of the affected nerve or nerves. Neuralgia may occur with or without nerve damage, i.e., with or without neropathy.
Neuralgia can be caused by nerve compression, nerve injury, inflammation, infection, autoimmune disease, or other chronic conditions such as trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, occipital, and median or Hunt’s nerve neuralgia. This sensory disorder can be very uncomfortable for sufferers.
For example, the main characteristic of trigeminal neuralgia is that it appears as a kind of electrical discharge in a specific area of the face. Similarly, it manifests itself as a pain that appears and disappears suddenly and lasts about 2 minutes.
Since this discomfort is painful, the basic treatment is to relieve it with analgesics, antidepressants or anticonvulsants to block the pain signals and reduce the sensitivity of the nerve. Another option is blockade by injecting local anesthetics or steroids into the affected area.
If the discomfort is excessive and cannot be controlled with medication, surgery may be performed to decompress or repair the affected nerve.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a disorder caused by damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. These distant nerves, called peripheral nerves, are responsible for sending sensation to different parts of the body and controlling the movement of the legs and arms. They also affect the bowels and bladder.
Neuropathy can be caused by conditions such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency, Lyme disease, exposure to toxins, kidney disease, alcoholism, and others. Symptoms in a patient are associated with pain, tingling, muscle weakness, altered sensation, spasms, and difficulty coordinating movement.
The main basis for the management of neuropathy is control to stop its progression, reduce symptoms and understand the underlying disease that caused this disorder. This last diagnosis is critical to controlling the disease, because if there is no pre- existing condition, a wait-and-see approach may be recommended to see if the neuropathy improves.
If there is an underlying pre-existing condition, treatment is initially directed at the pre-existing condition and reducing major risks. However, medications such as analgesics, anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsants, topical treatments, and antidepressants are used to treat the condition. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, physical therapy and, in some cases, surgery may also be used if the condition is caused by pressure on the nerves.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
This is a common complication in patients with diabetes that affects the peripheral nerves (those outside the brain and spinal cord), especially those in the lower extremities. It is caused by damage to blood vessels and high blood sugar levels.
The types of diabetic neuropathy are: Peripheral neuropathy, which affects the feet and legs, and in some cases, the hands and arms. Autonomic neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves that control internal organs, altering blood pressure, digestive system, bladder, sexual organs, sweat glands, eyes, among others. Focal neuropathy, which affects individual nerves, usually in the hand, trunk, head or leg. And finally, proximal neuropathy, which is nerve damage in the hip, buttock or thigh.
To prevent this condition, it is very important to control diabetes as a primary disease by controlling blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Activities, diet plans and healthy habits that help reduce nerve damage should also be carried out.
It is very important for people with diabetic neuropathy to constantly check their feet for problems. If there are any red flags, a doctor should be consulted to confirm or rule out any serious signs.
Osteoarthritis
A degenerative disease that affects the joints, primarily the cartilage, the tissue that covers the joint surfaces. This wear and tear occurs gradually due to an adjacent condition or aging, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joints. These conditions are most common in the knees, hips, hands, and spine.
Although older people are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis because it is the primary cause of their disability, it can also affect younger people due to cartilage damage, bone changes in the joints, or deterioration of tendons and ligaments due to impact activities or repetitive use.
The diagnosis of the condition is made by a rheumatologist, who in turn is responsible for formulating the treatment to counteract the pain and discomfort generated in the joints. These recommendations range from a combination of physical therapy and medications to surgery in severe cases.
Initially, patients are instructed on weight control and exercise to combat osteoarthritis. As the disease progresses, however, they may also be prescribed medications, physical therapy exercises to improve mobility, and the use of braces or canes.
In this case, complementary therapies to the above measures include the same as those discussed in the section on neuropathy, since this condition falls into that category.