DEAR DR. GOTT:
Recently you published an article about a young lady who had sudden onset motion sickness. The patient found that this developed over a period of 18 months and you advised trying powdered ginger capsules.

As a retired mechanic, I would like to offer another non-narcotic treatment. Many people don’t realize when the rear shock absorbers (“shocks”) or McPherson struts (“struts”) go bad on their car. They can feel it in the steering wheel when the front ones fail, but they get desensitized to the extra bounce when the rear set fails. The passengers, usually children, in the rear seats are actually traveling up and down a greater distance than the driver when this happens so the effect is greater on them.

An 18-month onset period is interesting since many car shocks only last about two years. Struts usually last longer and more expensive cars may be able to go about 10 years without failure. Failed rear struts generally cause more bouncing because they are much longer lasting than shocks.

Perhaps the young lady should have her car “examined” by a mechanic.

DEAR READER:
I have often said that doctors are like mechanics. Both examine, diagnose and treat ailments, one in cars, the other in humans. This may be an instance where the two professions come together to help the patient. Thank you for writing and offering an alternative cause to the diagnosis.

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Regarding your column about “frozen shoulders”, I would like to recommend an alternative treatment, orthopedic massage.

My 49-year-old husband had a frozen shoulder for 24 years. His right shoulder would go no further than 90 degrees laterally from his body. Ten months ago he volunteered to be a “demo” for my massage classed and his frozen shoulder was completely cured in less than 15 minutes, no cutting, no drugs, no anesthesia, and no pain. The instructor said that it sometimes takes two sessions. My husband did follow-up self-care exercises for about a month but hasn’t done any since and still has full range of motion.

My 82-year-old mother-in-law has also benefited from orthopedic massage. She had chronic pain (to the point of tears) despite taking Ultracet twice a day. She could only walk short distances with a walk. She received orthopedic massage once a week from my instructor and three times a week from me and in a couple of weeks her pain was tolerable. Within a few months she was off all pain medication and no longer needed a walker. It has been eight months and she still receives massage three times a week but she’s happy to be off the pills and able to enjoy life again.

I have been a registered nurse for 28 years and was a director of nursing at a long term care facility for five years. I now work for a health insurance company.

I originally took the 600 hour massage therapy training class as a fun bonding experience with my youngest daughter who wanted to be a massage therapist. To be an orthopedic massage therapist, you must undergo special training. What was supposed to be just a fun bonding experience has turned into something else. I never knew that so many people who have pain issues could be helped with this simple therapy.

Please let your readers about this amazing therapy.

DEAR READER:
You have provided two positive cases for this therapy. However, as I am sure you already know, there are several instances where this therapy can cause more damage than benefits.

While many orthopedic conditions such as muscle or ligament strain can be treated successfully with massage there are instances where more serious conditions can mimic the benign symptoms. Heart attack and stroke can cause muscle pain in some sufferers so it is vital that the therapist be trained to tell the difference. Certain cancers can also be caused to spread by massage therapy.

It is also vital to have an properly trained masseuse because improper technique can lead to problems such as lymphedema. In this condition, the lymph fluid accumulates in the extremities (usually the legs). Lymph fluid flows through the body similarly to blood. If damage is done to a blood vessel, bleeding, bruising and more can occur. With the lymphatic system, the fluid often backs up and accumulates in the tissues leading to swelling, pain and more.

I believe this is an appropriate option for individuals who have persistent pain due to muscular or joint problems. I urge anyone interested in pursuing this avenue of treatment first speak to his or her physician first to discuss whether this is a viable option for the specific condition to be treated. If it is, then it’s time to do homework. In order to get the best treatment, pick an orthopedic massage therapist who has documentation of certification, where and how long they trained and more. Also, if possible, ask for references and speak to past or present clients.

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been a nurse for more than 30 years. I believe that patients must trust and believe in their physicians to benefit fully from their treatments and plan of care. I would like to share my story with you and your readers.

My parents have been seeing the same physician for 25 years. I have questioned some of his practices in the past but felt it was my parents’ choice to see someone with whom they felt comfortable. For example, my mom saw the physician annually for a full physical and lab work but had to return for a second appointment to get the results (she gets two separate charges for this).

The following scenario explains a lot about this physician’s judgment.

After suffering from several strokes, my 83-year-old father has required total care from my 80-year-old mother. [Read more...]