What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? 
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that can be quite painful and annoying to say the least. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a pinched nerve (the median nerve) in the wrist that will typically produce symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the first three digits of the hand. The nerve is typically compressed because it travels through the same space (the carpal tunnel) as several other tendons. When these tendons are over used and become inflamed, there is less space for the nerve and it becomes pinched. Carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed in the office performing a series of tests. 

Over 3 million Americans suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome each year. Fortunately, it is treatable without surgery. Many patients choose to avoid carpal tunnel surgery due to the low long term success rate (see reference below), the high cost for the procedure ($1,200 out of pocket up to $12,000 without insurance), and  the high percentage of patients that have the symptoms return even after a "successful" surgery. 

Coastal Integrative Healthcare in Edgewater and Palm Coast Florida have successfully treated carpal tunnel syndrome for years. Here are three of the top treatment options we use in the clinic to get fantastic long lasting results without the use of medication or surgery. 

1. Myofascial release technique - Also known as Graston, or Hawkgrips. These tools are specially designed to break up adhesions in the tendons that are the source of the problem. When the tendonitis heals, the inflammation goes down and the pressure is released off of the nerve. 

2. Extremity manipulations - when the joints in the hand and wrist are not moving properly, there is less space for the tendons and nerves to pass through the carpal tunnel. Manipulation to the hand and wrist will free up those joints and create more space. You should seek out treatment from a licensed chiropractor for this treatment or even better a hand and foot chiropractor such as Dr. Call in Palm Coast. 

3. Cold Laser - This amazing therapy puts a light energy into the cells of the tissues that are inflamed. This energy decreases inflammation and allows the tissues to heal and regenerate properly. 

If you are suffering from numbness and tingling in the hands, you might have carpal tunnel syndrome. To receive a proper diagnosis and see if you are a candidate for care, call the office at 386-427-8403 for a free consultation or click on the offer below. 

1. Nancollas MP, Peimer CA, Wheeler DR, et al. Long-term results of carpal tunnel release. J Hand Surg Br. 1995;20:470–474. doi: 10.1016/S0266-7681(05)80155-X.

Did you know at almost three quarters of a million people have knee replacements every year? 

That number to me is unacceptable. Why is it so common and how can they be avoided? 

Knee replacements are also very costly. The cost can range from $30,000 up to $80,000 and that's if there are no complications and doesn't include the months of rehab and recovery. 

Fortunately with modern technology, there are other options for patients today. Coastal Integrative Healthcare in Edgewater and Palm Coast offer Stem Cell Therapy. If you haven't heard of stem cell therapy, check out the link above to learn more. You can see testimonials from our patients on our YouTube page to see the results we have achieved in our office. We have the most experience in the area with stem cell therapy and are continuing to lead the charge!

If you would like a free consultation, call the office at 386-427-8403 or click on the link below and we will contact you. 

Today we had a 59 year old patient come in the office that was having neck pain for years. She stated she had been in a car accident back in 1993 and received some care for her pain, but that she didn't continue care after the initial treatment of a few months. 

We took x-rays. You won't believe what we found. Arthritis. Not just a little arthritis. A lot. Unfortunately she has arthritis so bad that I'm not sure how much we can help her at this point. 

Why do some people have arthritis and others don't? 

Often it can be because of a prior trauma suffered to the area. If that area is left untreated, then the body will not heal properly and it will lay down scar tissue. This can lead to permanent changes that are irreversible. 

We have patients that come to us immediately after an accident. The odds of this patient not having chronic pain are dramatically reduced as long as they continue with their care. 

What are some symptoms patient's experience after an accident?
Headaches
Neck pain
Back pain
Knee pain
Migraines
Dizziness
Loss of memory
Numbness and tingling in the arms and hands or feet


​

​I'm sure you know family member/friends who have had shoulder problems that required surgery and rehabilitation. Most of these injuries happen while doing the simplest acts - things that have been done hundreds of times in the past without incident. It doesn't just happen lifting weights. It can happen playing tennis, swimming, cleaning windows, or taking out the trash. 



What are your options if you have a torn rotator cuff?
An increasingly popular option is surgery. Between 1996 and 2006, the volume of shoulder rotator cuff repairs increased 141 percent. During this same time period, arthroscopic procedures on shoulders increased by 600 percent. Total and partial shoulder replacements have skyrocketed. Loyola University Medical Center performed 10 times more shoulder replacements in 2015 than 2010. Shoulder surgery success rates vary from 5% to 75%. Many factors can determine how successful a surgery might be. The re tear or "fail" rate of a shoulder surgery can vary from 20% to 90% depending on the size of the tear.

Another option for shoulder pain is a conventional treatment of cortisone shots. It will help the inflammation. They seem to work like a miracle, but they only provide temporary relief and need to be repeated. In the end, they actually contribute to additional fibrosis and chronic joint problems. 

Stem cell therapy and injections can regenerate and heal damaged tissue. This particular patient was told by his surgeon that he needed surgery, but was not given an outcome because the surgeon didn't know what he was going to find when he got in there. Opting for a less invasive treatment with better outcomes, he decided to try stem cell therapy. 

What does it mean to live life to the fullest? 

Mission Statement: The mission at Coastal Integrative Healthcare is to provide members of our community with excellent care at affordable rates. We believe everyone deserves to receive specific and customized treatment.

Our goal is to alleviate pain by correcting the cause of the problem. We want our patients to enjoy life to the fullest. To do this, we empower patients with knowledge to become active participants in their health care.

​The answer is different for everyone that walks through our door. Today we had two amazing patients in particular (They are all amazing in some way). One of them is an profession extreme sport athlete. He teaches BASE jumping and will be working in Norway in a few months. He has done thousands of sky dives, hiked the Appalachian trail and much more. We also had an elite competitor on American Ninja Warrior receive treatment today. He lights himself on fire while swinging from obstacles. 



​
These are two patients that came in not because of just pain, but because they want to continue to live life to the fullest in the way they enjoy life. For many of our patients, it is lifting up and playing with the grandkids, playing shuffle board, walking on the beach, playing golf three times per week, running a 5K, or playing kickball at the YMCA. It doesn't matter what it is that you enjoy to do, but our goal is to help you enjoy your passion. 

Last weekend, I was fortunate enough to swim with sharks in the Bahamas! What a cool dive trip! This was something I had looked forward to for years. For me this is living life to the fullest. Watch a clip below!

When a new patient comes into our office, we take a detailed history and ask: "What activities would you like to be able to do again?" This questions starts a list of goals that we start working towards for that particular patient. Our goals are for you to reach your goals. 

What are your goals? How can we help you achieve them? 

Click below for a free consultation.

This morning I woke up to a flooded dishwasher. The water would not drain. Since my wife and I were married almost 10 years ago we never owned or lived in a house with a dishwasher (besides her ;) until now. 

When I went to investigate the problem, I found clogged filters and pipes and hoses with all kinds of grease and even broken glass!

After an hour of cleaning and using the shop vac to get it all cleaned up, I thought, "this is just like the patients we see in our office." 

How so? If I had protected my investment with some regular maintenance, I wouldn't have this problem! The same can be said about your health. By the time you have a symptom or problem, it can already be too late. 

The worst words I hate to hear in the office are, "I thought it would go away by itself." 

Don't wait, call 386-427-8403 today before it gets serious. 

Thanksgiving has passed. Our food drive was a huge success. Thank you to all that participated. We received hundreds of pounds of food and were able to pass it on to those in need in our community. 

I love Thanksgiving because we have an opportunity to reflect on what we have been blessed with. Our families, our homes, our health, our potential, and so much. I love Christmas because it is an opportunity to give. I saw this great YouTube video that gave people in New York City the option to buy something for themselves or to buy something for someone in need. It is worth the 1 minute of your time to see the good in humanity. 

To GIVE back this year we are doing a Toys for Tots drive! As always we want to encourage your participation so we are raffling off some great prizes for those that help us out. We are giving away a FitBit Charge 2 and a 1 hour massage in the office! 

Drop off an unwrapped toy and get raffle tickets to win. There are other ways to enter the raffle, none of which cost anything, so ask our always friendly front desk!

Thank you for the support from the community and see you soon!

BOOM! You are sitting quietly at a red light when in a second your life changes forever because of a distracted driver.

Nobody plans on getting in an accident. But what you do immediately after can affect you for the rest of your life. You have some important decisions to make. Where do I get medical care? How do I get my car fixed? Should I hire an attorney? 

I'm giving three reason why you SHOULD hire an attorney. 

1. The insurance company (yours or theirs) tries to "settle" with you before you have had an MRI or have seen a doctor. 

We have seen patients that get a "great offer" from an insurance company before they get proper medical diagnostic testing. After the testing was done, their condition was much worse than anticipated and they needed more medical attention which they could no longer afford because they had already settled with the insurance company. Don't take a settlement offer from your insurance company until you have seen a doctor, had all the proper diagnostic testing, and consulted with an attorney. 

What if it is "just a fender bender?" Studies have shown that more often than not, more damage is done to your body at lower speeds such as 5 mph than accidents at high speeds. A fender bender is all the more reason to get checked out quickly.

2. You have pain or anxiety you didn't have before. You are worried how this will affect your future. How will you pay for all the medical bills? Car repair? Lost wages? Future employment? 

These are all questions that the attorney can answer for you. You don't have to worry about them anymore. Let them take care of it. You should focus on your health and getting your life back to normal. 

3. You want to focus on getting your health and life back. You don't want to be dealing with long phone calls, paperwork, and deadlines. 

Who likes a good long phone call that results in nothing? Or how about filling out confusing forms and paperwork and wondering if you did it right? Save that for the attorney and doctors that are familiar with accident cases. 

Who should you call? We work with the top accident attorneys in Volusia County and New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater. Our office can recommend an attorney that would be a good fit for you and your case. We only recommend someone that we trust and will take care of our patients. 

Our doctors and staff are trained on how to take care of car accident and other accident patients. Don't trust just anyone with your health after an accident. 

Call today for a free consultation 386-427-8403 or click below for a special offer. 

What fills you with Gratitude? 

I love working in a small friendly town. I love helping people overcome pain naturally and without drugs or surgery. 

A few weeks ago while I was at a conference in New York City I had a few hours to spare so I visited Ellis Island. As I walked the halls and building my great grandfather walked over 100 years ago I was overcome with a feeling of appreciation for the sacrifices he went through so future generations like me would benefit. 

Then I thought of what I've been blessed with and how we've been able to bless the lives of those in our community. I am very fortunate to work in a very rewarding profession. We get to hear patients talk about their successes and wins every day as they heal. 

A patient made a comment to me last week that "You must get tired of hearing everyone complain all day." Well, it's quite the opposite. We are blessed to hear the successes from back pain, sciatica, head aches, knee arthritis, etc. It's something that I'm so passionate about that I get excited just writing about the successes. 

Watch the video below.