Countering the Prescription Addiction Crisis with NaturalTreatments for Pain

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 26, 2009 – August 2009- Atlanta, GA- The ubiquitous coverage of Michael Jackson’s tragic death has brought the epidemic of addiction to prescription painkillers and the problem of chronic pain front and center. Michael Jackson’s death has raised many questions. Perhaps the most important: How do we solve the enormously debilitating and often fatal problem of addiction to pain medication in the U.S.?

The skilled team of medical professionals at Progressive Medical Center believes that the solution to this crisis lies in integrative medicine and non-habit forming methods of treatment, “There are natural solutions which work with the body to manage pain safely and return the body to a state of balance,” insists Attending Physician at Progressive Medical Center, Dr. Frank Matalone, DO, NMD. “If the estimated 40 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain (according to a 2005 poll conducted by Stanford University and ABC News) only knew the power of acupuncture and bio-electric medicine alone, I believe we’d see a dramatic drop in narcotics addiction,” he adds.

The staff of highly-trained professionals at Progressive represent a truly integrated approach—including on-site Medical Doctors, Naturopathic Doctors, a Chiropractor, Patient Advocate, Nutritionist, Healthy Cooking Consultant, Physical Trainer, and more. These professionals work with one common objective in mind: to guide each patient to a place of comfort and balance—the natural way.

Alternative treatments like Intravenous Therapies, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Infrared Detox Saunas, and a comprehensive nutraceutical pharmacy are just a few of the healing amenities that are incorporated into a patient’s medical program at Progressive.
How bad is the problem?

Between the years of 1997 and 2007, the sales of five of major pain medications increased by 500%. In the same year, there were over 8,500 deaths nationwide, which involved prescription pain relievers, a 114% increase since 2001. Even for those who survive, there is the high risk of becoming addicted, falling victim to erroneous prescribing, or experiencing adverse side effects associated with medications.

The good news: there are alternative methods of managing pain that can provide long-lasting results without the risk factors associated with conventional pharmaceuticals.  
How is the Progressive approach different?

Progressive is the most comprehensive integrative and complementary medical facility in the Southeast. The unique perspective of the medical team at Progressive Medical Center believes that by taking the time to understand a person’s medical background and living habits and by basing their care on state-of-the-art medical testing, to analyze the body on a cellular level, they can unveil the true source of a person’s chronic pain and illness. Once the underlying causes for a person’s pain is identified, a tailored, individualized plan of natural treatment can be formed.

Bio Electric Therapy for Pain Management
One of the most successful therapies used for the management of pain at Progressive Medical Center is Bio Electric Therapy. Mike Gramazio , PhD,  ND practices this treatment, which uses broad-spectrum pulses to emulate the body’s natural electrical system. The body recognizes the natural electrical pulse that is being introduced and reacts to normalize or balance itself.

Bio Electro Therapy is used to treat pain caused by a myriad of the most common and painful conditions today, like:
•   Arthritis
•   Fibromyalgia
•   Sciatica
•   Shingles
•   Gout
•   Headaches (migraines, cluster, tension)
•   Carpel Tunnel

“The therapy works on the basis that our bodies are comprised of both a chemical and an electrical system”, Dr. Gramazio explains. “Helping to rid people of pain without the use of highly addictive drugs, is what gets me up in the morning and satisfies me every single day.” According to Dr. Gramazio, Physical Therapists have reported that in a month (or ten bio-electric treatments), strength and range of motion increase dramatically and pain, as reported by the client diminishes greatly.

Progressive recognizes that every person’s needs are unique and an individualized plan of action will vary accordingly. “Rarely is there a magic bullet to rid a patient of chronic pain and illness. True healing requires a multi angled approach,” explains Progressive’s founder and Managing Director, Dr. Gez Agolli. ND, PhD, “Instead of just stifling the pain with medication, we respect and listen to the message that a person’s pain is sending and we treat the root causes, while managing the discomfort through safe and effective methods.”

In-House Outcome Studies Regarding Bio-Electric Therapy
Electric and Differential Treatment for Ovarian Cysts, Lake Mead Hospital, 1991
Under medical supervision, women participating in a two-part study about PMS, unexpectedly experienced reduction in size of ovarian cysts from 5cm to .5cm, after two series of Bio-Electric Therapy treatments.

Diabetic Neuropathy, Arterial Eschema, and Gangrene, Lake Mead Hospital, 1990
In this study, in which Dr Gramazio clinically assisted, patients were originally being studied for alternative treatments, which included Bio-Electric Therapy, for the treatment of pain caused by Diabetic Neuropathy. Inadvertently, Gangrene in one of the patients was reportedly arrested.

Chronic Headache Pain, Medical Academy of Bulgaria, 1993
While working to classify all headaches into three types: cluster, migraine and tension, patients tested (under medical supervision), unexpectedly reported experiencing the auxiliary benefit of headache pain relief.  

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