Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/447803
Health and Wellness Magazine • 47 CALL uS ToDAy 303.367.1166 Are you or a loved one in need of rehabilitation? We're here to help. A Spalding representative can answer your questions and get you to a specialist. sLoWing THe quick-Fix Deaths from accidental narcotic overdoses have nearly quadrupled in the past decade, with the most dramatic spike coming in the 55- to 64-year age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "It's the generation that doesn't want to get old," says Dr. Sheldon Goldberg, a physiatrist and pain specialist at Spalding, noting that the issue is prompting tighter federal and state regulations. Arthritic knees, degenerative disks, and repeated injuries due to deconditioning are some examples of what's causing pain in today's older Americans, and two chief factors are fueling the drug abuse: Doctors with no time, and patients with a "fix-it-now" attitude, Goldberg says. But quick fixes are not how pain specialists roll. At Spalding, doctors and therapists first get to the root of the problem, Goldberg says. From there, a comprehensive team creates a plan to help the patient manage the pain in a holistic way. That might start with medicine from Goldberg to get patients up and moving, but his prescription pad is less likely to include addictive narcotics and more apt to target a specific type or area of pain. For instance, Goldberg prescribed a pain patch for Dermer's back, which Dermer says has worked well in combination with a menthol-based cream he picked up from a massage therapist. The doctor gave him a low dose of anti-inflammatories for arthritis and, after discovering that much of Dermer's disabling pain stemmed from a nerve disorder, he prescribed a low dose of anti-seizure medication that quiets the nerves. The goal then becomes finding ways to reduce all drugs, and the Spalding team uses an array of non-pharmaceutical treatments to ease pain, including electrical stimulation and physical, occupational, and behavioral therapies. "These are not new modalities," says physical therapist Julia Cowan. "The challenge is, it takes a team, and it takes a lot of time. It's about looking at the whole person and brainstorming options." For instance: An occupational therapist might offer a jar-opening tool for arthritic pain in the hands; a nutritionist might help with diet changes and weight loss to reduce pain in the knees or back; and a physical therapist might teach muscle-strengthening exercises to support joints and reduce pain. "And we create a special exercise program that develops core muscles and allows patients to move in a functional manner that doesn't increase their pain and motivates them to stay active in spite of their pain," Cowan says. Making a coMMiTMenT Exercise and education are main focuses at Spalding, where therapists and patients spend much time in the gym recapturing fitness. "If you can find more natural modalities to manage pain, you will have a far better outcome in the long run," Cowan says. "Our bodies weren't meant for medications." Adds Goldberg: "Diet and exercise have much fewer side effects than drugs. It's not always the favored message, but it's the best message." With the encouragement of his two sons and wife of 51 years (family are always included in treatment planning at Spalding), Dermer has since worked regularly with a private exercise trainer, whom he also credits for getting him back on the soccer sidelines. And he now uses a walker (although with much grumbling) that Goldberg prescribed to prevent falls. Dermer says Goldberg made a difference in his life and didn't make him feel like "part of an assembly line. He talks to me, and you have confidence in what he's telling you, because what he's done so far works. I've learned how to cope with the pain and function well. I'm somewhat normal again," Dermer says. And then he adds: "But I still hate the walker." Dr. Sheldon Goldberg, medical director, physiatrist and pain specialist at Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital in Aurora, helps patients reduce narcotic use. did you knoW? colorado ranks second among all states for prescription drug abuse. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) of all pharmaceutical-related deaths in 2011, 74 percent involved opioids, such as codeine, oxycontin, Vicodin, demerol and Percocet. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) "Our bodies weren't meant for medications. Diet and exercise have much fewer side effects than drugs."