What is a Minimally Invasive Spine Specialist?

Posted Thursday, April 24, 2008 by Indiana Spine Group

A minimally invasive spine specialist is a physician that specializes in the treatment of patients with spine disorders. The focus of their patient care is to diagnose the cause of the spine problem, and then to treat the specific cause of the problem which will usually alleviate the symptoms; i.e. back pain.

A physician who is a minimally invasive spine specialist is usually board-certified in anesthesia as well as pain management. Other terms used for this specialty include pain management, interventional spine specialist or minimally interventional spine specialist


Minimally invasive spine interventions for back and spine pain

For back pain sufferers, interventional pain management techniques can be particularly useful. In addition to a thorough medical history and physical examination, interventional pain management physicians have a wide array of treatments that can be used including the following:

Epidural injections (in all areas of the spine):

the use of anesthetic and steroid medications injected into the epidural space to relieve pain or diagnose a specific condition.

Nerve, root, and median branch blocks:

injections done to determine if a specific spinal nerve root is the source of pain. Blocks also can be used to reduce inflammation and pain.

Facet joint injections:

an injection used to determine if the facet joints are the source of pain. These injections can also provide pain relief.

Discography:

an "inside" look into the discs to determine if they are the source of a patient's pain. This procedure involves the use of a dye that is injected into a disc and then examined using x-ray or CT Scan.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Neurotomy (PRFN):

a minimally invasive procedure that disables spinal nerves and prevents them from transmitting pain signals to the brain.

Rhizotomy:

a procedure in which pain signals are "turned off" through the use of heated electrodes that are applied to specific nerves that carry pain signals to the brain.

Spinal cord stimulation:

the use of electrical impulses that are used to block pain from being perceived in the brain.

Intrathecal pumps:

a surgically implanted pump that delivers pain medications to the precise location in the spine where the pain is located.

Percutaneous Discectomy / Nucleoplasty:

a minimally invasive day care procedure in which tissue is removed from the disc in order to decompress and relieve pressure.

Ozoneucleolysis or Ozone discectomy:

has emerged as an affordable, least invasive approach and costs 2/3 of the price of conventional surgery. Ozone injected inside the affected intervertebral disc under c- arm guidance, causes shrinkage of disc and thus reducing the volume and lessening the pressure on nerves.

OSTEOARTHRITIS KNEE JOINT

OSTEOARTHRITIS is a disease characterized by degenerative defects in cartilage and related changes in sub-chondral [below the cartilage] bone, joint margins, synovium and structures around the joint.
Osteoarthritis is identified in 35% of people below 35 yrs of age and in around 85% people in age group of 70 – 79 yrs of age

People have many misconceptions about the disease and thus they tend to be inconsiderate about such a common and debilitating problem. In the following article there are few common queries of people which have been answered.
Q; what is the role of cartilage?
Cartilage is important for smooth and frictionless functioning of a joint. It acts as a cushion for absorption of mechanical stress suffered by a joint during movement.
Q; what are the Causes of cartilage damage?
Cartilage gets damaged in the process of ageing. Normally over weight increases the speed of cartilage damage and onset of symptoms in an early age. Early Cartilage can also start because of excessive use of joint or secondary to some disease of joint.
Q; what are symptoms?
1. Pain in knee joint is the earliest and most consistent symptom. pain
is usually aching, low grade and ill localized.
2. patient develop swelling in and around knee joint
3. There can be acute increase in pain after an episode of unusually prolonged exercise.
4. Neglected cases present with bowing of knees.
Q; what are the treatment modalities?

As it is said “all the happiness mankind can gain is not in pleasure, but in relief from pain “
So our main concern in treating a patient with osteoarthritis is to cure pain and enhance joint use. Treatment includes both medicinal and surgical options. Medicines serve purpose of a supportive and symptomatic treatment while surgical intervention tries to cure it from the root level.
There are two surgical options:
1. Total knee replacement- This is an expensive procedure and is usually preferred in neglected and grossly damaged knee joints. In this whole knee is replaced with an implant and life of implant is usually 15- 20 yrs. This procedure bears high risk of infection and person cannot squat or sit on floor after knee replacement.
2. Realignment procedure [high tibial osteotomy] - This is a relatively cheaper procedure as compared to TKR. In this procedure joint is not opened or replaced and chances of infection are negligible. Person after this procedure can squat, sit on floor and perform all his or her daily activity. This is a very good option and gives excellent results if opted in early stages of disease progression.

Homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine. In treating an illness it takes into account the unique emotional and physical traits of the individual concerned. So the medicine prescribed for two patients suffering from the
same disease will be different. Although homoeopathy works very quickly in common, everyday complaints, it is
a treatment for those in search of an instant cure in acute diseases.In chronic diseases, it requires careful self observation and the will power to stick to a plan of action. The reward for this is a greater sense of well- being, energy and resistance to disease.
HOMOEOPATHY IS SAFE,SIMPLE,SCIENTIFIC,ECONOMIC AND EFFECTIVE MEDICINE FOR ALL

How Dr. Binoy Vallabhassery Assesses
Dr. Binoy Vallabhassery categorizes people into constitutional types. In homoeopathic terms a person's constitution is his /her inherited and acquired physical, emotional and intellectual make up. A closely fitting constitutional remedy, selected according to these criteria acts preventatively and curatively.
In addition to examining the symptoms of an illness, he enquires the fears, food preferences and response to general factors such as weather. He also takes into account a person's physical appearance, weak areas of body. Dr. Binoy Vallabhassery then selects a remedy that closely matches a person's constitutional type.

General Factors
The weather,seasons,temperature
and time of day may worsen or improve physical conditions
Food preferences
Some people are inclined to crave sweet foods,while others
cannot tolerate them.Food likes and dislikes are an important
part of assessing constitutional types

Fears
Before prescribing a remedy,
homoeopaths take into account
tangible fears, ,for example,insects
and snakes and emotional fears,such as fear of death ,failure and insanity.
Personality & temperament
Some people are by nature optimistic and cheerful,while others are by nagative and irritable.Homoeopaths categorize
people according to their emotional characteristics.

What Dr. Binoy Vallabhassery Does.
The first visit to Dr. Binoy Vallabhassery includes an assessment of your overall condition. You will be asked a great many questions about the symptoms of your illness and what affects them, your medical history, your appetite, food likes and dislikes, thirst, sweat, stool, urine, sleep, dreams, weather changes, sexual sphere, your emotional state and regularity of your bodily functions. To women, some questions concerning their menstrual flow, menopause, or any other discharges will be asked. Some questions concerning your occupation, recreational activities and emotional state are aimed at determining to which constitutional type you most closely match. Complete secrecy regarding the details of the patient is assured.


Dr. Binoy Vallabhassery will prescribe a remedy and also advise you on changes to be made in your life style and diet.


At second visit particularly where constitutional treatment is being used, he will interpret your response to the remedy and
decide how to continue treatment.


The time for a consultation varies, but a minimum is 15 minutes (ideally1/2 an hour) is recommended for the first consultation.Subsequent consultations usually last for 3-5 minutes. The No. of visits you have depends on how serious your condition is and how long you have been ill.Medicines used for treatment are of Dr.Willmar
Schwabe Germany,Hapco-Calcutta,SBL.Ltd collaboration of Boiron France etc..Case analysis used by computer software-RADAR-VITHOULKAS EXPERT SYSTEM from Belgium.

Dr. Binoy Vallabhassery --- provide special treatment for

Headaches, Hydrocephalus, Eruptions of head, Hair falling, Vertigo, Styes, Diplopia, conjuctivities, Discharges from eyes, ears, nose, roaring in ears, epistasis, bleeding from nose, chronic coryza, sinusitis, chronic sniffles and sneezing, eruption of face, discoloration, offensive breath, ulcers of mouth, bleeding gums, delayed and difficult dentition, toothache, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, constant hawking, chronic roughness of throat, loss of appetite, vomiting, chronic colic, flatulence, eruptions of rectum, prolapsus, chronic constipation, diarrhoea, gall stones, haemorrhoids (Piles), Jaundice, hepatitis A,B,C&D,Bed wetting, Kidney Bladder-stone, Diabetes insipidus, UTI, Sedimentation of Urine, sexual debility impotence, STD, AIDS, Leukorrhea, Menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, Painful menses, profuse menses, Recurrent abortion, Painful coition, Palpitation of heart, Hyper and Hypotension, vericose veins, Back pain, Joint pain, Rheumatism, Asthma, Allergy, Chronic Cough, Eczema, Leucoderma, Herpes, psoriases, pruritus, purpura, scabies, pigmentation of skin, Ulcers, Urticaria, Warts whitlow, Fevers, Influenza, Increased sleep drowsiness, Insomnia (sleeplessness), Restless sleep, General weakness, Chorea, Goitre, Nervousness, Neurasthenia, Sciatica, Abscess, Anaemia, Cancer, Glands, Injuries, Marasmus, Obesity, Tumours, Childrens disease,ITP,etc,etc.

Vallabhassery Home[o] Medicine Kit �

1. VHMK No: 1 - For fever, cough, cold, coryza when started.

2. VHMK No: 2 - For debilitating fever, chilliness, with desire for hot water, associated with cough, breathing difficulty, one day after fever started.

3. VHMK No: 3 - For pain in ear, throat, tonsillitis, with or without fever.

4. VHMK No: 4 - For fever without thirst, urinary tract infections ( UTI ), pus in urine, loss of appetite, desire for open air, thick yellow nasal discharges, sniffles .

5.VHMK No: 5 - For loose stools ( diaohorriea ), flatulence, indigestion, vomiting, with or without fever with great chillness, wants thick blankets.

6. VHMK No: 6 - For high fever 103 -104F while taking other homeo medicines, if fever runs very high take 4-5 pills dissolve in one spoon water and drink whole at a time, then continue the medicine which was taken earlier as instructed. If after 4-5 hours fever does not come to 100 - 101F again take 4-5 pills.

7. VHMK No: 7 - For injures, head hit due to children's common falls when running or jumping or slight injuries when riding bicycles. Take 4 pills three times a day for two days.

8. VHMK No: 8 - For worm troubles, take 4 pills three times a day for two days every month.

9. VHMK No: 9 - For minor burns, take 10 drops of medicine mix with 1 table spoon oil ( coconut or olive ) and apply on the burned part.

10.VHMK No: 10 - For minor cuts or wounds, take 10 drops of medicine mix with 1 teaspoon boiled and then cooled water or distilled water, pour it to a dressing cloth and bind it with another dressing cloth. Clean the wound every day and repeat the same process for 3 -4 days

How to take medicine :

VHMK No: 1 to 5 take 4-5 pills dissolve in 1/2 glass of boiled and then cooled water or distilled water, with through clockwise string, according to intensity of illness take one spoon two hourly or three hourly for 24 hours. No need to take medicine while sleeping. Take 3 associated pills along with it three times a day for 2-4 days. If illness continue even after 48 hours call me or consult a physician.

Common instructions :

While taking medicines avoid coffee, salted fish, highly seasoned food etc., don't take medicines 1/2 hour before after food, don't wash hair when suffering from cold coryza, fever, cough, throat pain, eye-ear infections, drink plenty of water little quantity in short intervals when loose stools or vomiting occur. If vomiting is sever avoid drinking and eating atleast for 2 hours. Drink one or two sips of glucose salt mixture ( take 2 table spoon glucose, one pinch salt mix with 1 glass of boiled and then cooled water or distilled water 120 ml ) every 10 - 15 minutes intervel. If large quantity is drunk it may vomit after the water get warmed in stomach.

In case of doubts please call + 91-481-2301473 between 9:30 am & 5:00 pm IST

ELECTION
AND
SUPERLIVING

DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

In India, which is the largest democracy in the world the parliamentary elections are in offing.
Every one is possessed and charged with the elections. Some say they are useless and some say that they are the most useful; in fact sacred!
Do we really care to elect the best amongst the millions of emotions and thoughts arising every moment in our mind? Do we really try to behave in accordance with the best emotion and thought in our mind? Do we respect democracy in our life?
Whether you respect democracy or not; if you want to be democratic in your life; then there is a way!
Practice NAMSMARAN. Gradually the best of emotions and thoughts would triumph in your life and hence in public life!
This is SUPERLIVING!
You may give it a trial and verify!
Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar

EXISTENCE
OF
GOD

DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

The meaning of the word existence is not simple.

If you consider the existence of a pencil, and that of fire then you would realize that the nature of existence of the two is quite different. Similarly the existences of laser rays, X rays, space, time, feelings, thoughts, consciousness, dreams; are very different from one another.

Existence of God therefore; though debated frequently; is not debated with adequate seriousness and depth, by both; the so called theists i.e. believers and the so called atheists i.e. nonbelievers!

The existence of God as propounded by seers; does not imply three dimensional existence! It implies the experience, the consciousness or the state of being! God therefore; is neither an object of experimentation in laboratory; nor a matter of belief! Existence of God can be and therefore ought to be realized individually and through consciousness!

But how can it be done? It is said by seers for centuries; that it can be done by the practice of Namasmaran.

BUT
WHAT IS NAMASMARAN?

Namasmaran means; remembering the name of God, Guru, great souls; such as prophets and holy objects such as planets and stars. It may be remembered silently, loudly, along with music, dance, along with breathing, in group or alone, either with counting by rosary (called SMARANI or JAPAMALA) or without counting. The traditions vary from region to region and from religion to religion.

However the universal principle underlying NAMASMARAN is to reorient your physiological being with your true self. In
fact while reorienting with true self you aim to establish and strengthen the bond or connection; between; your physiological being; with your true self. You aim at reunification with yourself!

Since remembering your true self is the pinnacle of or culmination of individual consciousness, and individual consciousness is the culmination of every activity in life, remembering any name of God or Guru (any symbol of your true self) is equivalent to opening the final common pathway for the individual consciousness associated with
every possible activity to get funneled into or unified with objective or cosmic consciousness.

Thus NAMASMARAN is in fact the YOGA of YOGA in the sense that it is the culmination of consciousness associated with every possible procedure and technique in the yoga that you are familiar with. It is the
YOGA of YOGA because it is the
culmination of consciousness associated with all the activities in the universe, which it encompasses as well! It is YOGA of YOGA
because everybody in the world irrespective of his/her tradition and the beliefs; would eventually, ultimately and naturally reach it
it; in the process of liberation. Even so called non believers also would not “miss” the “benefit of remembering the true self through one symbol or another”!
Just as NAMASMARAN is YOGA of YOGA it is meditation of meditation also! It is the natural and ultimate climax of every form of meditation.

These facts however have to be realized with persistent practice of NAMSMARAN and not blindly believed or blindly disbelieved
with casual approach!

In short NAMSMARAN is super-bounty of cosmic consciousness for every individual to realize it (cosmic consciousness)! This is truly a super-bounty because a person who experiences it, rises above mercenary,
commercial and even professional and
charity planes and manifest super-
transactions in his or her life!

These are just few observations to give rough idea about what is NAMASMARAN.

NAMASMARAN is an ocean of bliss. Its true meaning is beyond description in words and has to b experienced, most preferably, by billions!

References:
Namasmaran: Dr. Shriniwas kashalikar
Sahasranetra: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Holistic Medicine: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Stress: Understanding and Management: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Conceptual Stress: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
All available for free download on
www.superliving.net
and
www.scribd.com


DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR