Hello and welcome to the first issue of Dr. Frisch's E-News!  This is something that I've wanted to do for a long time, but wasn't quite sure how to do it with taste and a non-boring format.  I think that I have found a way.  

I am sure that this publication will change and evolve over the coming months and years, but I will always try to bring you topics of importance and interest!  

This publication is not just for patients of this clinic.  It is meant to be shared with both family and friends, as well as anyone else who may benefit from honest, straight-forward information on health related topics.

If someone wants to be notified directly when each publication is ready, they can contact the clinic and I will see that they are added to our notification list.

The topics discussed will be relevant to each of us.  I will voice my personal opinion, but if I didn't, it wouldn't be Dr. Frisch's E-News now would it?

Again, thank you for taking the time to read this and your comments are always welcome!

What's New?

Well, this news letter is a good start!

Three-Year Outcome After Auto Collisions:

A large percentage of automobile accident patients suffer from long-term pain after their injury.  Even after hundreds of studies, researchers are still not sure why some people recover quicker than others.  This study involved 506 people who had sustained trauma due to an accident:

• 76% had minor injuries
• Depression and money problems were more common with severe trauma.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was not uncommon and required care and/or medication in the following 3 years.
• Patients with seemingly 'minor' injuries still had problems three years post-accident that was now affecting their daily lives.

Psychological Medicine; 2002;32:671-675.

What this study shows is that even 'minor' trauma may have long-standing consequences when the problems are not treated properly and the injuries stabilized.  Long-term pain affects physical, as well as psychological health, leading to future, unforeseen problems.  Early detection and correction is the key.  Be smart, get checked if you've been involved in an accident. (GF)

Children and Whiplash:

A new Australian study showed that out of 105 children involved in automobile accidents, 47% had whiplash symptoms that persisted.  "Such high rates were unexpected and it suggests hidden incidence that's not being recorded."

Emergency Medical Journal; 2002;19:311-313.

These are just a few of the new research studies that I will be bringing to you in the future.  There is a lot of information out there, but unless you are exposed to it, you never learn it!

There are some bogus studies out there as well.  From time to time I will expose them as well and show you how to tell if you are being told the truth! 

Hints and Clues

Cold vs. Hot:" Who's Right?"

If you were like me, you were probably raised reaching for the heating pad as often as your toothbrush.  The fact is, we should have been using COLD PACKS! (who knew?)

• Cold reduces pain and inhibits scar tissue formation.
• Cold tightens blood vessels and limits swelling.
• Cold speeds healing.

                 RULE

Cold pack the neck (never the front) and the extremities for 15 minutes at a time. The back can sustain 20 minutes of cold at a time.  If you use cold longer than that, the brain thinks the area is going into 'hypothermia' and it dilates the deep blood vessels to try and warm the area.  This defeats the purpose of using ice in the first place. 

Let's not give heat a total bad rap.  It is of benefit if you have a 'stiff' joint that is NOT red, hot, swollen or tender.  Heat is also of benefit with vascular conditions like phlebitis.  Elevation of the area to which heat is applied is often of benefit as well.

Talking Points

Here is some interesting low back research data that you are unlikely to see anywhere else.  These studies were done in the 1990's, but they are still relevant today.  The information may seem disturbing at first, but it is factual.

• 60% of surgeries for low back discal herniations are unnecessary.  They would likely be more effectively treated with conservative care.

                            Spine 1994; 19:2234-8.

I wonder why they continually use the words 'conservative care' when they are talking about chiropractic? (GF)

• Cortisone injections for pain have been used for over 40 years, but there is little evidence that it is even effective or curative.  It is even considered an 'unproven procedure'.

                           Clinical Journal of Pain 1995; 11:89-90.

• More than 20,000 low back surgeries are performed yearly in the U.S.  There is also a DIRECT relationship between the number of surgeries in any given area and the number of surgeons in that area.

                                         Spine 1994; 19:1201-6.

• Medical care for low back pain is 10 times the cost of chiropractic care for the same diagnosis codes and conditions.  This doesn't even discuss effectiveness.

         Journal of Occupational Medicine 1991; 33(8): 847-52.

• Chronic low back pain is NOT the same as acute pain that lasts a long time.  It is a passive, degenerative process that requires active care to correct and stabilize.

                        British Medical Journal 1997; (June 7); 314.

                        "Knowledge Is Self-Empowering"

Eileen's Corner

My wife is a fabulous cook! I convinced her to 'help me out'.  You are going to love this column!

Mostaccioli

3 slices bacon chopped

1 lb. Italian sausage, crumbled

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves minced garlic

1 - 4oz. can fresh or canned mushrooms

1 - 28oz. can of whole tomatoes with juice

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp. dried basil (1 tsp fresh)

1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper

1-6 oz. can of tomato paste

2 tblsp sherry

8- 12 oz. mostaccioli pasta, cooked

grated parmesan for garnish

In a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat, fry the bacon until 'soft' cooked, not crisp.  Add sausage, onion, garlic and mushrooms and cook until the sausage browns.  Break up tomatoes and add with juice, bay leaf, basil, salt and pepper.  Bring to bubbling, then lower heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.  If the sauce seems too dry, add 1/4 cup water.  After 1 hour, stir in tomato paste and sherry, cover and simmer 15 minutes more.  Remove the bay leaf, toss with warm noodles and sprinkle with cheese.  Makes 4-6 servings.

    (Am I lucky or what?)

Everything Else

HYPNOS = Greek term meaning 'sleep'

HYPNOSIS = Greek term meaning 'sleep-like state

Every culture from the ancient Egyptians to the Greeks, Romans and, yes, even those stuffy Brits have used hypnosis for treating medical conditions for centuries.  They didn't always call it hypnosis, it may have been called a 'trance', 'state' or even a 'spell'.  Whatever it was called, it was still the same thing and it involved direct brain stimulation for a result!  Even Benjamin Franklin did investigative work in the field of hypnosis.

Treating patients with hypnosis fell from favor in this country due to religious persecution.  To use the state of hypnosis was to 'be in league with Lucifer'.  Popular television, movies and stage shows have portrayed the hypnotic state as something magical or mystical.  It sells tickets and makes money, but does an injustice to the actual medical benefits when used properly.  Most stage hypnotists do not understand it themselves and by keeping it 'magical' they won't be asked to explain what the brain is really doing because they don't know!

The American Psychological Association has done a wonderful job with ongoing clinical and research data that puts out the flames of inexperienced practitioners or fraudulent hucksters.  Controls are also in place to legally protect the public from deception.  If you are considering 'trying' hypnosis, remember, "Hypnosis is not the treatment.  Therapy performed while in the state is the treatment".  You should seek out a practitioner who is licensed in your state under a governing board that is also appointed by that state.

I am a member of the Minnesota Clinical Hypnosis Society.  The medical society has strict educational standards and requirements to even belong.  My original work in the areas of allergy control, circulation, smoking and others is based on science and neurology.  Clinical and research data will be the key to exploring brain function and aging in future programs as well.

To experience a fun and simple relaxation program, go to my link: "RELAX FOR FREE" on this site and try the 5 Minute Relaxation Program™.  I think you'll enjoy it.  You do it right in front of your computer.!  Call me with any questions.

Well, this first issue of E-News is a wrap!  I hope you found it enjoyable and informative.  See you next month!

Take care and be well,

Dr. Frisch