Have you ever been late to see the doctor and turned away, or showed up on time and asked to wait an unreasonably long period of time? Both Mark Alyn, host of Late Night Health, and I both agree that doctors being too busy to meet their patient is a pathetic excuse, and we talk about this frustrating phenomenon on the show.

Click here to see the video on Youtube. You can also visit LateNightHealth.com or let us know what you think by sending an email to whathurts (at) latenighthealth.com.

Concussions are a dangerous but sometimes subtle injury that can frequently occur in sports, particularly football. Much of the time, though a person is experiencing one, there may not be any obvious physical signs like scratches or bruising that would show it. When a person experiences a powerful blow to the head, the brain may knock against the skull and a concussion occurs when the brain is damaged. Although sometimes resting is enough to recover, concussions can last for weeks, affecting your vision, balance, and even your emotions.

Safety on the field is vital, especially when considering high school football concussions are on the rise. Check out the numbers from GlobeLifeInsurance.com.

Click on the image to make it larger

Watch this video on YouTube.

Ever since I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life, I have worked passionately to make it a reality and I have always believed that if I am to be successful in my pursuits, I will find that success through balance. It is because of this I want to introduce to you a television program called Balance. Balance is a nationally-televised cable TV show that explores connections that people have made between health and wealth. The essential idea behind the show is that everyone is entitled to realize their full potential yet often what stands in the way is poor health or poor finance. However, with a balanced lifestyle that emphasizes wellness as well as taking care of yourself and your community, success can become a reality. The program offers the personal stories of guests who have achieved success in their careers and personal lives and can reflect on the — sometimes arduous — journey.

I was asked to speak about my own journey and I am excited to announce that the episode will air on the Discovery Fit & Health channel on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 5:00 AM. You will also get to meet Gavin Keilly, founder of GBK Productions, and hear how he came to be a successful entrepreneur and charity contributor as well as hosts Steven E. Schmitt and Trissa Tismal.

You can find Balance TV on the web at BalanceTV123.com and Gavin Keilly can be found at GBKProductions.com.

My colleague and friend Robert Ferguson, MS, CN, CEO of Diet Free Life, works tirelessly as a certified nutritionist and coach. He recently appeared on the Ricki Lake Show:

In the video we meet Steve, who has lost 200 pounds and wants advice about how to teach those same lifestyle changes to his daughter Jordan. When asked about what kind of dialogue needs to occur in the family to encourage these changes, he gives excellent advice. The trick is to talk in terms of energy and metabolism, while removing judgement from the equation completely. This way, instead of seeking approval, kids can focus on building a sense of holistic health.

Communication in the home is the most important element in teaching a healthy lifestyle. Kids are information sponges and have the capacity learn good or bad habits — this is why it is so important for parents to explain why yo-yo dieting is not the way, and to show how good habits can not only change the way you look, but also the way you feel.

To learn more, visit Robert Ferguson’s website DietFreeLife.com.

I love sharing what I know with others and discussing my patient care philosophy. I recently had such an opportunity with Jennylyn Gleave on The Jennylyn Show. We sat down together and discussed everything from the humble beginnings of my career as a 14-year-old hospital volunteer, to how the lifestyle of a professional athlete can impact overall health. I describe how the prescription drug abuse epidemic affects the doctor-patient relationship, and we discuss the issue of “biofeedback” and how emotional barriers can prevent effective treatment. Join us for an in-depth one-on-one.

Watch the video on YouTube.Or, you can view the interview on Vimeo. If you’d like to know more about Jennylyn, visit JennylynShow.com.

In the interview above, I talk with Stephanie Stephens from Mind Your Body about ways to control pain while avoiding surgery and pills. If you’re wondering what viscosupplementation is, or how radio frequency ablation works you’ll find the video helpful. Additional topics include: epidurals, TENS unit, pain pumps, and nerve/facet blocks.

Watch this video on YouTube.

With ergonomics issues turning out the be the culprit behind many cases of chronic pain, it’s no surprise experts are discovering that some of our favorite tablet devices such as the iPad are causing a great deal of shoulder and neck pain. In this segment for KRON 4 TV I explain how this could happen and some easy ways to avoid it.

Watch this video on Kron4.

Download the video

Watch this video on YouTube

It’s no secret that it can be really difficult to maintain your fitness and overall health when so many of your days are spent in the office. Employees can develop carpal tunnel from repetitive wrist movements and a constant deficiency in circulation can cause a number of cardiovascular problems. There are, however, some great solutions to prevent discomfort and a deterioration in health while at work. Some of the best results come from employers that lead by example and implement programs such as a walking group or a push for ergonomics awareness.

A recent post on the Nuesoft Blog shares some great advice when it comes to workplace wellness. In the featured Neusoft video podcast, I talk with Lindsey Coates about how to engage in a routine that works for everyone as well as how to encourage good habits and comfort. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Designate a coordinator to get everyone involved.
2. Create a board that will centralize all wellness information (leaflets, routines, leader board – if you want to make it a competition, etc.).
3. Walk as a group during lunch around the building or floor you are on.
4. Sit on a yoga ball for an hour a day while working on the computer. When your hour is up pass it to another team member.
5. Sign up as a group to do a 5k, softball team or other sporting activity. It’ll also promote morale!

To find out more, read the article and watch the interview on the Nuesoft Blog.

If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn, you’ve probably noticed that I have been posting about the new pages on my website. Along with a new design, we’ve added these new and easy to use pages so visitors and patients can quickly sort through a plethora of educational content on pain solutions, alternative treatments, and general health information that I have personally contributed to. The information is separated by video, audio interviews (podcasts), and text articles that can be conveniently sorted through. Here are some details about the new pages:

TV & Video

Television, radio, and videocasters come to Dr. Moshe Lewis seeking empathetic advice and empirical knowledge of pain, disease, healthy lifestyles, and technology. Watch over 20 educational videos featuring The Pain Coach himself on this convenient TV channel.

Blogs & Articles

Dr. Moshe Lewis is a guest contributor and writer to many sites including Fox News, Yahoo, Men’s Health, Everyday Health, Dr. Oz’s Share Care and his own blog. Browse the massive catalog of articles that Dr. Lewis has participated in recently.

Radio & Podcasts

Listen to all of the radio shows and podcasts Dr. Moshe Lewis has been featured on recently. From topics including yoga to chronic pain, these educational audio shows will keep you coming back for more.

Publications

This page received a small update. Read and download PDF articles, publications, and guides that Dr. Moshe has written for his patients and website visitors. These publications are educational documents about pain management, helpful alternative therapies, medical diseases, and general news about the health care industry.

These pages will be contributed to in the future, so be sure to subscribe or visit TheJetMD blog frequently and chat with me on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. We usually post two educational articles a week. If you have any recommendations for TheJetMD blog, we would be happy to hear from you.

KTVU's John Fowler interviews Dr. Moshe Lewis on the negative aspects of normal stretching. What kind of stretches lead to less injuries and allow you to perform 11% better? Watch to find out.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Listen: Can Yoga Be Bad For You?

Podcast Interview length: 51 minutes

Yoga Journal estimates that Americans spend over $5 billion a year on yoga classes and products. And this should come as no surprise – yoga is credited with lifting moods, revitalizing sex and reducing stress. But a recent New York Times Magazine article focused on how yoga can also cause serious injury. We discuss the safe practice of yoga.

In this interview I talk with:

• Baxter Bell, director of the Piedmont Yoga Studio’s teacher-training program in Oakland and a board-certified family doctor
• Glenn Black, yoga teacher featured in the New York Times Magazine article
• Jason Crandell, yoga teacher and contributing editor of Yoga Journal
• Kaitlin Quistgaard, editor in chief of Yoga Journal

Listen to this podcast on KQED

KPFA Radio - Interview with Dr. Moshe Lewis (Acute vs. Chronic Pain)

Interview length: 56 minutes — Interview date: November 21st, 2011

In this interview with Dr. Michael A. Lenoir on KPFA Radio's About Health, we touched on acute vs. chronic pain, Michael Jackson and dietary considerations. We answered many listener questions regarding increased sensitivity to pain, acupuncture, avoiding surgery, chiropractors, arthritis, the stress caused by pain, and more.

Listen to this interview on KPFA Radio's website

Click here to subscribe to the Life Improvement Podcast (using a Podcasting app)

Or copy this link into your preferred posting application: http://www.remmelwellness.com/advancements-in-health.xml

Or search your favorite service such as iTunes

Dr. Moshe was interviewed by Life Improvement Radio out of St. Petersburg, Florida. The show called Advancements in Health care featured new and innovative procedures and techniques for the pain community. Take a listen and let us know what you think!

Doctors are frequently given complicated medication requests from their patients who have chronic pain and insomnia.  It can often be challenging to help the patient understand when safety is being compromised and risk is being accelerated.  Treating celebrities is even more challenging for several reasons.  Most celebrities are quite charming and charismatic and at the same time live on the edge.  They push the limits between safe use of medication and the risk of death by often having multiple doctors prescribing overlapping medications.  Sometimes they have medications all mixed together and frequently are not clear about exactly what they are taking in terms of quantity and frequency.

 

Any doctor interacting with Michael Jackson would be challenged to assert the proper balance of risk and benefit for several reasons.  Many people feel like they knew Michael because he grew up in the public eye and because his lyrics were so personal.  Given his chronic history of pain and his pursuit of excellence, insomnia was an insurmountable challenge.  By entering into a game of Russian roulette with Michael it was only a matter of time before the combination of deadly agents proved fatal. 

 

Doctors have a professional obligation to maintain a healthy relationship with their patient that does not compromise the standards of medical practice such that every encounter becomes another spin of the roulette wheel.  Careful documentation of the amount of medication that celebrities are taking, and a clear understanding of other doctors that may be prescribing, is critical to undertake a treatment plan with honesty.  Today even testing urine, blood, or saliva is not unreasonable to provide a better understanding of what a patient, or even a celebrity, may be taking.  A patient should not see this type of testing or monitoring as insulting as they can lower the risk of death. These tools are becoming standardized in pain management and are supported by all doctors being trained today.  In my practice, celebrity patients are drug tested with the same frequency as ordinary patients.  Despite all of these measures, some patients are willing to put their lives on the line, even if they are a celebrity, because they are not happy living in pain.  Even though they can bring happiness to others, they want out at all costs.  When a physician becomes embroiled in this type of situation, whether it be Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole, or Michael Jackson, they are kidding themselves to think that they are doing anything else besides assisting in suicide.

There is a plethora of really helpful and fascinating scientific research on what causes chronic pain. Scientists are digging through the human genome in order to find what causes the chronic pain that is so disruptive to our lives. The Huffington Post recently released an article on some of the latest findings:

Scientists have found a gene that regulates chronic pain, a discovery that could potentially boost the effectiveness of painkilling drugs, according to a new study in the journal Science.

The gene, called HCN2, is located at the pain-sensitive ends of nerves, Reuters reported. Apparently scientists had known about the existence of HCN2 before, but didn't know what role it played in pain.

Researchers found that by removing this gene from the nerve endings in mice, they no longer felt chronic pain, BBC News reported. They measured their pain response by seeing how quickly they reacted to pain.

TED recently had Richard Resnick — the CEO of GenomeQuest, a company that builds software to support genomic medicine — give a presentation on the research his company is doing. GenomeQuest is on the hunt for the specific genes that produce chronic pain:

Read the entire article on HuffingtonPost.com

Click here to learn more about the TED Talk “Richard Resnick: Welcome to the genomic revolution”

KGO Radio Interview: Dr. Lewis discusses recent Marathon Video Gamer Death
KGO recently interviewed me to discuss twenty-year-old Chris Staniforth, who reportedly played the game “Halo” on his Xbox for up to 12 hours at a time and died in May from deep vein thrombosis. This a condition triggered by sitting for extremely long periods of time. A coroner said that there was a blood clot that formed in Staniforth’s leg that moved up to his lungs to cause a fatal pulmonary embolism.

Deep vein thrombosis usually occurs among people who have to sit for long periods of time such as on a long-haul flight. With the advent of marathon video gaming, these clots can also form and prove deadly. Symptoms include swelling in the leg where the blood clot originates, followed by shortness of breath, chest pain and dizziness.

“After my research I saw there was no difference to Chris sitting at a desk on his Xbox and someone on a long-haul flight,” Staniforth’s father, David, told BBC News. In a statement, Xbox manufacturer Microsoft said that it encourages gamers to take breaks from playing, BBC News reported.

Ken McCoy Radio - Featuring Dr. Moshe Lewis M.D. (The Jet MD)

Ken McCoy recently interviewed me on his radio show. We had a great time discussing what pain management is, what pain management specialists do, and my philosophy regarding pain management in general. Click the play button on the audio player above to listen to our segment. Here’s an overview of what we talked about:

• Blending the best of eastern and western philosophies to treat pain in the most effective way.
• The holistic approach to treating pain: Diagnosing should never be done with a cookie-cutter. I get the story behind the pain, look at the patients lifestyle, how chronic is the pain, etc.
• Avoiding drugs when possible: Many chronic pain disorders can be treated with topical treatments such as gel patches, ultrasound, electricity, acupuncture, etc. This greatly reduces the chance of organ damage and side-effects.

• Trying to get patients to understand their medication: Medication is extremely important to many, but some forget what their medicine is supposed to be doing for them. Sometimes they no longer need to be taking it.

• Ken McCoy and I also discuss how I got started as a pain management, physical medicine, and rehabilitation specialist. * We discuss how the holistic approach to treating patients and the future of medicine/health.

• Why I find it important to raise public awareness of pain management.
• Why your chronic pain doctor will be your most visited doctor; pain “management” requires specialists who can dedicate themselves to their patients.
• Why pain management specialists are in high demand right now: We are living older, we are doing more than ever, everyone is personally effected by pain, celebrities find their expertise useful, and they often utilize a holistic approach to treating patients.
• McCoy and I talk about my latest media appearances. We talk about my latest public service announcement regarding the dangers of RSI and arthritis and how to treat these painful disorders.
• Insurance companies and their positive relationships with pain management specialists.
• What some of my everyday patients look like (age, physical activity, etc.)

Listen to the entire episode of Ken McCoy's show

Click here to listen to Taboo Talk #3: Staying Healthy on Father's Day

This podcast was released on June 15th, so the Father's Day theme is a little outdated, but the information is 100% relevant to the everyday life of a father.

Dads taking care of themselves

• They are very much appreciated. Parents live a stressful life and of course need some R&R and fun.
• Always think about your body; start exercising by walking for 20-30 minutes. Find a lifestyle that supports exercise.

Barriers to Dads getting proper treatment (2:30)

• Since Dads are busy, but they need to find the time to go to the doctor.
• Older parents often don’t want to go to the doctors due to fear. Checkups are necessary and should be done at least once a year. Finding illnesses early is essential.
• Dads like to take care of their cars and ensure it’s parts are working properly. They need to take of themselves in the same way.

What type of screenings do men need to take? (5:00)

• Our cancers tend not to show up as well on scans. Diabetes and high blood pressure are all real issues. Diet has a large effect on Fathers. High calorie, high salt, and unhealthy foods can effect our blood pressure and diabetes.
• At 40, Dads need to checkups often. Screening exams for prostate and colon cancer is critical after 40 years of age.

What can people do to prevent common pain ailments? (7:00)

• Exercise is essential for preventing common chronic pain issues in our later years.
• Glucosamine and Omega 3 are great for preventing joint pains.
• Our body is a machine that needs constant tune-up and more energy that you can acquire by working out and exercise.

What to do when you have been diagnosed (9:00)

• Overcoming those fears: find and work with doctors.
• The health care system is fragmented and finding the right medical practitioners is essential. Going to the doctor should be painless and easy.
• I encourage my patients to read and watch videos on their pain so they can be informed when going to the doctor.
• Bring someone with you to do the doctor. They can remember and help with additional details.

Keeping your relationships healthy (12:00)

• Give your kids and loved ones the time they need. It’s a challenge, but I have found it to be essential to keep relationships alive. 
• Doing non-passive activities are important to connect with your kids (and nature, depending where you do these activities).
• Encourage your kids to play sports; too much indoor-time is not healthy.
• Don’t forget to show your love!

How can parents establish a relationship with a doctor? (16:00)

• Use Angie’s List & Yelp, etc. to read doctor reviews.
• Doctors are very busy due to insurance companies.
• Private practice doctors tend to give a little more time to patients.
• Age: Some doctors have increased wisdom due to age. They also tend not to run around so much.
• Newer doctors also tend not to take on so many patients in the beginning.

Advice to Dads (19:00)

• Men don’t get enough credit. Father’s Day exists to others can show appreciate to their Dads.
• Dads need to love themselves and show love to everyone around them.
• Live life to the fullest!

Listen to this podcast on Taboo Talk’s website

This podcast was released in early in the May 2011 email newsletter.

Taboo Talk: a talk show featuring Lady Charmaine Day, Pastor and Christian Consultant of Unlimited Help Ministries Unlimited Help. Today Lady Charmaine talks to Dr. Moshe Lewis — Pain Management Specialist — about staying healthy and new advances in pain treatment technology:

Taboos

• Why men often neglect their medical issues (due to their schedule and lifestyle)
• How you should dress when visiting the doctor ### Having loved ones come with you to the doctor
• They can help remember things your doctor has said
• They can give additional details to the doctor

Being Healthier

• Drink more water, less sugar, eating fruits and vegetables
• Parents being role models for their kids
• Exercise: walking and exercise classes with care (don’t hurt yourself)

How do we get others to care about themselves?

• Volunteer work can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Positive influences and their effect on healthy lifestyles
• Constantly setting goals for you to achieve

Technologies influence on pain management

• Surgery is not as necessary as it used to be
• Utilizing eastern medicine and alternative medicine

Tips for the Christian community

• Stay active and social
• Avoid toxic items like tobacco and alcohol
• Being careful with sexual partners
• Diabetes is a real risk for many
• Belief in God can help us in these tasks

Listen to this interview on BlogTalkRadio

Listen to Dr. Moshe Lewis and Yvette Scott discuss pain management.

In part 2, we discuss…

• Healing the entire person - cultural, mental, and physical
  • Acupuncture
  • Prioritized Physical Therapy
  • Pain solutions without opioids
  • psychological support
  • Getting people out-and-about
  • Making time for health
  • About addiction to opioid pain drugs
  • Alcohol and drugs - building tolerance
  • Restorative Yoga

Featuring

• Dr. Moshe Lewis, MD
• Yvette Scott, PN

Listen to Dr. Moshe Lewis and Yvette Scott discuss pain management.

In part 1, we discuss…

• Media and TV show’s effect on pain management
• The myths of pain managements
• Living longer and the pain that arises at older ages
• Non-opioid drugs for pain management

Featuring

• Dr. Moshe Lewis, MD
• Yvette Scott, PN

A Cup Of Cold Water’s “Managing Your Pain” was featured on Comcast Channel 15 (Bay Area, CA) at these times:

• Thursday, March 24 @ 7:30p.m.
• Saturday, March 26 @ 9:30a.m.
• Sunday, March 27 @ 1:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 29 @ 7:30p.m.

I recently helped write an article on managing Arthritis pain with Healthline.com. It’s comprehensive and gives quite a few treatment tips that pain management specialists prescribe. If you are currently suffering from Arthritis, I highly recommend you employ some of these methods. Here is the list of the categories they dive into:

• Healthy Lifestyle
• Cold/Heat Treatment
• Over-the-Counter Medication
• Prescription Medications
• Disease Modifying Drugs
• Trigger Point Injections
• Physical Therapy
• Surgery
• Alternative Treatments

More than 40 million Americans are affected by Arthritis. If left untreated, arthritis can become a chronic condition with symptoms of severe pain and swelling that seriously disrupts everyday life. Learning how to live with arthritis can be extremely difficult, but by making healthy lifestyle changes and incorporating different treatments, you can manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Treatments for arthritis will depend on your individual health needs, severity of pain and other symptoms associated with the arthritis.

Read the entire Healthline article Managing Arthritis Pain

I recently took part in a video for SOMA Orthopedics in San Francisco. They made a high quality video introducing their acupuncture services. I am interviewed half way into the video.

Video details:

By Brian Lilla
Featuring: Moshe Lewis, Mikel Davenport
SOMA Orthopedics (SOMAortho.com)

See how acupuncture is done, learn how it works, and see patient testimonials. Experience the wonders of acupuncture at SOMA Orthopedics in San Francisco.

 

View on Vimeo and YouTube

Listen to Dr. Moshe Lewis, Yvette Scott, and Dr. John Cuniff discuss heart disease.
Click here to watch part 2 of "Heart Disease - A Silent Killer".

 

Part 1 focuses on:

• Learn about common risk factors for heart attacks.
• Salty foods and their role in heart disease.
• The benefits of Exercise

Featuring:

• Moshe Lewis, MD
• Yvette Scott, PN
• Dr. John Cuniff

Dr. Moshe Lewis will be interviewing Dr. John Cunniff of the Stanford Medical Center for two special segments titled "Heart Diseases: A Silent Killer" and "Managing Your Pain." Both of these specials will be featured on channel 15 (Comcast) at these times:

Heart Disease: A Silent Killer

Thursday, March 17 @ 6:30p.m.
Saturday, March 19 @ 9:30a.m.
Sunday, March 20 @ 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22 @ 7:30 p.m.

Managing Your Pain

Thursday, March 24 @ 7:30p.m.
Saturday, March 26 @ 9:30a.m.
Sunday, March 27 @ 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29 @ 7:30p.m.

Both specials will be live-streamed at creatvsj.org

Taboo Talk #1 - Alternative Ways to Obtain healing
Listen to Charmaine and I discuss pain management such as Tai Chi, Yoga, and other ways to stay healthy that are compatible with the Christian religion.

Taboo Talk, a Christian talk show featuring Lady Charmaine Day (Pastor, Author and Christian Consultant www.ladycharmaineday.com). Taboo Talk helps individuals transform their mind, body, and spirit utilizing the principles of Jesus Christ! Show Topic: Alternative Ways To Obtain Healing. Guest Star: world renown Dr. Moshe Lewis. Subject Matter Expert on pain management and alternative medicine. This is a show you don't wont to miss. In 30 minutes Dr. Lewis covers a broad range of topics regarding healing and proactive things you can do to obtain healing.

Dr. Moshe Lewis, a physician who specializes in musculoskeletal injuries and diseases at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, explains what rhabdomyolysis is, what causes it and how it is treated.

(via USA Today)