By: Ashmar Mandou
According to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Latinos tend to be more sensitive to pain than other ethnic groups, however fewer Latinos report fewer pain conditions, such as osteoarthritis, which affects more than three million. Though Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States much less is known about their pain experience. So why do Latinos report fewer pain conditions? Studies have shown it might be due to cultural factors where Latinos are expected to work through the pain and manage it with holistic treatments, such as teas, herbs, and massages. Living with pain hinders normal every day function and movement and according to Neel Patel, Patient Care Coordinator for Pain Relief Institute (PRI), there are life-changing treatments currently available to help Latinos live an optimal life.
“Our main objective is to try to help folks experiencing joint pain with various options that are non-medicinal, no surgical, more natural approaches for health and joint pain,” says Patel. “I think with respect to osteoarthritis, it’s a progressive condition and as you well know there is no cure. So the approach is going to be more proactive and preventive. Latinos don’t have to live with the pain of aching joints to the point of needing surgery. We understand there are cultural influences that affect their decision not to immediately seek help, however the Pain Relief Institute is here to walk through the process with the patient in an effort to alleviate their concerns.”
PRI offers patients a plethora of pain management treatments, such as non-invasive laser therapy, gel injections for knees and shoulders, and stem cell recruitment. The Pain Relief Institute assures its patients they use the most cutting-edge technology to get them back on their feet in as little amount of time as possible. For those suffering with osteoarthritis it can be intimidating to turn to chronic medication use or surgery as a means to ease or control joint pain, PRI offers an alternative called Stem Cell Recruitment (SCR). Yes, the term may seem quite daunting but Patel assures it is painless. It is a more conservative alternative for individuals seeking relief for osteoarthritis, joint pain, meniscus tear, rotator cuff tears and labrum tears. In 2017 there were a reported 860,000 knee and hip replacements and 54,000 shoulder replacements in the U.S. This includes replacements due to injury, chronic arthritis and wear and tear. Many of these individuals likely would have avoided the replacement with the use of SCR as part of the treatment process, particularly when addressed early on, states Patel.
“There are other options besides surgery, especially if you seek help earlier on. We work closely with patients to create a viable plan that fits their ultimate goal, which could be running, biking, swimming, walking, etc., whatever the goal is we have our team work alongside them to help in their road to recovery. One of the treatments that we offer is Stem Cell Recruitment and requires only a single outpatient injection.”
The injection is performed under visual guidance for precise placement and patients experience no downtime following the injection. The treatment lets patients resume their normal lives as the SCR is regenerating and repairing the soft tissue in the joints. Stem Cell Recruitment injection takes less than 15 minutes, requires no local anesthesia, just a band aid over the injection site and the patient is ready to go.
The difference between SCR and traditional stem cell treatment is SCR can be covered by insurance for qualified patients making it a viable option prior to more invasive treatments. SCR is derived of minimally manipulated amniotic fluid containing growth hormones, cytokines, exosomes and hyaluronic acid (used in gel injections to lubricate joints), states Patel. “What I would like the Latino community to know is that they do not have to live with lingering pain. Be aware of the early signs of pain. Sometimes, it requires just a few weeks of rest, however if you find yourself still in pain two to three weeks later ask for help. Life is meant to be lived and our team at Pain Relief Institute is here to educate Latinos that surgery is not always the first and final option. We want our patients to have their joints working at optimal levels so that they can live life, pain-free.” To learn more about Stem Cell Recruitment or to schedule an appointment please call the Pain Relief Institute at 312-248-9289.
