Orthomolecular medicine is based on the belief that individuals suffer from illness because of an imbalance in the body's optimal environment. Such an imbalance may be the result of a deficiency of a biochemical element needed by the cell such as vitamins, macro-minerals, micro-minerals or amino acids. Treatment is through supplementation of these elements given intravenously for maximum effect.
Intravenous Therapy
This technique is used to correct nutrient deficits at the intracellular level. IV's containing critical vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients are the signature therapy at our clinic. The custom formulation of each I.V. is effective because it bypasses the gastrointestinal system and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The nutrients penetrate the cells to promote repair and efficient metabolism. Intravenous therapy delivers the nutrients where we want them, directly into the circulation, where they can reach body tissues at high doses. Different formulations are used to correct different conditions.
Nutrients have been shown to exert pharmacologic effects if used in the right concentration. Intravenous administration of nutrients can achieve serum concentrations not obtainable with oral administration. This then provides a "window of opportunity" for the ailing cells to soak up the nutrients. Even though some nutrients will leak out, healing will take place before they do. Once the cells are "flooded" repeatedly with these nutrients improvement is cumulative. Patients who receive a series of IV treatments become progressively healthier and experience dramatic results.
Some of the different types of IV's offered at the clinic are:
-Vitamin Minerals IV (Myers cocktail)
-Glutathione therapy
-Alpha-Lipoic acid / L-carnitine therapy
-Vitamin C therapy (high dose)
-Kidney support therapy
-Chelation therapy
Iron Therapy
Anemia is a very common problem, especially in women. It is one of the most common causes for lack of energy, feeling low, slow and chronically fatigued.
Although hemoglobin numbers for many, fall into a “normal range,” their numbers may still not be ideal for them. Determining ferritin blood levels serve as a more accurate guideline for the resolution of symptoms of anemia.
Oral iron has an absorption rate of approximately 10%, so it may take months or years to restore blood iron levels back to an optimal level. As a result, it is much more effective to deliver the iron intravenously. A series of two or three -15 minute treatments (depending on how low the blood ferritin level is) are administered and patients report feeling more energetic and better soon after they receive treatment.
Biopuncture / Prolotherapy / Trigger Point Therapy
This innovative treatment is a non-surgical procedure used to relieve musculoskeletal pain. Rather than masking the pain, it targets the underlying cause and usually eradicates it. This treatment consists of injecting a biological solution into symptomatically affected areas with the primary aim of triggering the body's natural healing response and promoting increased circulation to the area. In most cases the pain subsides and the range of motion returns. Relief is noted after even one treatment, however, several sessions may be required to achieve lasting pain relief.
Biopuncture is mostly used for minor orthopedic and musculo-skeletal problems, whether acute or chronic. Neck pain, back pain, sciatica, sprained joints, frozen shoulder and Achilles tendonitis all respond well to this treatment. Biopuncture is also very successful in treating sports injuries, tennis elbow, and repetitive strain injuries. As an example, one may receive injections in the neck for whiplash and in the knee for joint pain, etc. Some of the products injected are designed to heal while others are used to relax the muscles.
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement
As we age, especially when we enter our forties, many natural physiological changes begin to take place, most noticeably, the female menopause. Less noticeably, many men also suffer from andropause, a decrease in the production of testosterone. Much medical research has been done to show that menopause and andropause are due to the declining levels of hormone production.
The brain cells also have receptors to these hormones; therefore, with decreasing amounts, the mind is also affected and can lead to poor memory, mood swings and depression.
Our overall well being and quality of life can be improved with the replacement of hormones in the body.
Bio-identical hormones are plant-based hormones that have the same chemical and physiological make-up as of those in our bodies. They are identical in biological structure and activity to those that the body naturally produces. The advantages of natural hormones are that they have fewer side effects and more positive biological outcomes than their synthetic counterpart.
The customized formulations are made up at a compounding pharmacy here in Honolulu.
In addition to hormone replacement creams, we also offer testosterone pellet therapy.
Men and women both need adequate levels of testosterone for optimal physical and mental health. Testosterone, delivered by pellet implant, has been shown to increase energy, relieve depression and improve overall sense of well being.
Low testosterone is one of the most common issues facing the aging male. Testosterone pellet therapy in men can improve erectile dysfunction, low libido, maintenance of muscle mass and incontinence.
Low testosterone in women can impact sex drive, cause weight gain, reduce muscle mass, and impact emotions.
Insertion is a simple "in-office" procedure involving a superficial incision in the upper hip area, placing the pellet (somewhat larger than a grain of rice) and closing it up with a piece of tape.
German Nosode Therapy
Nosodes are used to detoxify the body at the cellular level. Our environment is loaded with pollutants that we come into contact with every day. For example, we absorb chlorine while we bathe or swim in a pool and we breathe in lead from car exhaust. There is mercury in fish, cadmium in shellfish, pesticides in bread and hormones and antibiotics in meat and milk. It is not only prudent to limit our exposure to these chemicals, but also wise to remove them from our body. In order to do this we use a 10 week German homeopathic nosode injection program to cleanse the body of these harmful toxins. Injections are administered once weekly for 10 weeks.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy provokes a healing response to illness by administering substances that mimic the symptoms of the illness itself. It is believed that this strengthens the ability of the body to heal itself.