Check back here during the first week of every month for monthly updates from Dr. Leonard.
August 2008 - Update from Dr. Leonard
July 2008 - Pins and Needles
June 2008 - Multidisciplinary Approach
Evidence Based Wellness Care
Many patients
frequently ask the value of various different treatment options. Most of
these inquiries are derived from advertising that they see or hear.
Ultimately the patient wonders "could this benefit me?" Sometimes I know
about the product or service, many times I do not. So today I would like to
discuss Evidence based clinical practice.
What is evidence based
medicine? Evidence based clinical practice (EBCP) is an approach to health
care practice in which the clinician is aware of the evidence that bears on
her clinical practice, and the strength of that evidence". Source: (http://hiru.mcmaster.ca/ebm/default.htm#What_is_Evidence_Based_Medicine (McMaster
University). Meaning that the practitioner decides to prescribe treatment
that has a greater value than a placebo effect in a controlled setting. The
placebo effect is the measurable, observable, or felt improvement in health
or behavior not attributable to a medication or treatment that has been
administered.
Steps to ensure confidence in various treatment
options.
- Trust your instinct. If it looks like and smells like a scam, it very well may be.
- Ask for evidence. Don't be afraid to question any practitioner why they choose a particular treatment remedy. Have them show you evidence (preferably from respectable journals and not marketing material from them or the manufacturer). If they are offended by your questioning, they may not fully understand the treatment or they don't have time to explain to you why you should use your resources (time, money and/or effort) for this particular treatment. Either way, that is not a provider that you probably want to invest your faith in.
- Do your homework. You are your own best doctor. The more you understand, the better off you are about understanding your health status. (Be careful of self diagnosing based on readings from the Internet). Don't be afraid of consulting your provider.
Prescribing medication in not necessarily
evidence based practice either. Every health care profession has its share
of quacks. I have been asked in the past why I became a chiropractic
physician versus a "real doctor", or patients have communicated that they
receive resistance from their colleagues when informing them of their
chiropractic or acupuncture visit. I chose to practice chiropractic,
acupuncture and nutrition because I believe in the body's recuperative
ability of healing itself. Sometimes it just needs some manipulation.
Sometimes it needs intervention (drugs and surgery). There are limitations
to everything, chiropractic and acupuncture are no exceptions. I have had
one patient tell me once that he would only allow an MD to manipulate his
spine. That thought scares me since 99 percent of MD's do not practice
manipulation. I have also had a patient tell me that their previous
chiropractor gave them detoxifying foot baths. Again there are limitations
to everything. Comprehensive health care, communication between providers
and thorough evaluation, referrals for advanced imaging and labs are traits
that are not typically found in quacks. Look for providers not afraid to say
"I don't know" as well as providers that are genuinely concerned about your
health and well being.
--
Yours in Health and Wellness,
Eddie Leonard D.C.,
F.I.A.M.A.
An Update from Dr. Leonard
Most of you have been patients and I hope that you
we were able to resolve your complaints/issues as well as educate you on how
to take care of yourself to prevent further complications and disease through your visits with me. If
you know me, you know that I am passionate about helping people and your
referrals have reflected that. A referral is the greatest compliment that
any health care provider can be paid, and all have been greatly appreciated.
We are getting ready to celebrate our 2-year anniversary here in downtown, and I wanted to let you know that I have not stopped working for you. It has been confirmed that I have been accepted to Harvard Medical School for a special 1-year residency in acupuncture that is designed for practicing physicians. This opportunity will not take away too much time from practice; the lectures are streamed through the internet and once a month I will be required to do one 40-hour rotation in Boston over a weekend. This experience will expose me to a variety of musculoskeletal and internal medicine conditions at one of the greatest medical facilities in the world and will greatly enhance my existing knowledge of acupuncture. I also commit that I will do my best to become a better provider so you have confidence that you are getting the best evidence-based treatment options available.
To all of you, thank you for putting your faith in me as a
doctor.
--
Yours in Health and Wellness,
Eddie Leonard D.C.,
F.I.A.M.A.
Pins and Needles
Many patients seem curious about acupuncture. Florida Wellness is
going to spend the month of July to educate our patients and lower the
barrier for you, your friends and family to seek acupuncture treatment.
We also wish to reward and encourage those who have or are currently
benefiting from adding acupuncture to their treatment regimen. There
are several different types of acupuncture; I practice medical
acupuncture which emphasizes evidence-based utilization of
acupuncture. I completed my Fellowship at the International Academy of
Medical Acupuncture, and have been tentatively accepted to Harvard
Medical School for a 300-hour acupuncture residence program. Don't
worry, for this will not interfere too much with the practice. It is
designed for practicing doctors and consists of mostly weekends. Below
answers several FAQ's about acupuncture. Please feel free to contact
me directly with any further questions.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat
and prevent illness for over 2000 years. Acupuncture is proven to
remedy acute or chronic ailments, relieve pain, enhance recuperative
powers, and strengthen the immune system.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is a safe medical procedure and is well known for its
efficacy and lack of side-effects when administered by a qualified
practitioner. Most practitioners use pre-sterilized, disposable needles
when administering an acupuncture treatment.
Does acupuncture go beyond pain?
Acupuncture and chiropractic medicine are used not only for pain
management, but also as a comprehensive system of health care and
maintenance. Athletes use acupuncture to achieve optimal performance
levels. Cancer patients are treated for the side effects of chemotherapy, enhancing their quality
of life. Detoxification treatments have been proven to help those with
chemical and/or substance dependency problems.
How much does it cost? Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Many insurance companies currently cover acupuncture treatments. Check
with your insurance carrier to determine your coverage, or give us a
call to check your benefits for you. For those paying out of pocket,
our rate for acupuncture treatment is currently $68. In researching
the rates other local practitioners charge, I have found my rates to
be significantly lower than most. This is and has been the
introductory rate which will be raised to a standard rate in the near
future.
What should I expect with treatment?
Hair-thin, flexible, single-use, sterilized and disposable needles are
placed at specific acupuncture points on the body. When the needles are
inserted, you may experience a sensation of tingling or warmth. People
are surprised to find that the treatments are actually quite relaxing.
The length and frequency of a treatment may vary for each individual
and will be determined by your doctor. Acupuncture treatments are
scheduled according to the nature of your condition. As you improve,
fewer visits are required.
What conditions are treated with acupuncture?
The following is just a short list of commonly treated conditions:
| Allergies/Asthma | Dizziness | High Blood Pressure | Rhinitis |
| Anxiety/Depression | Drug Addiction/Smoking | Immune System Deficiency | Sciatica |
| Arthritis/Joint Problems | Fatigue | Infertility | Sexual Dysfunction |
| Back/Neck Pain/Stiffness | Frozen Shoulder | Knee / Shoulder Pain | Sinusitis |
| Bladder/Kidney Problems | Gastrointestinal Disorders | Macular Degeneration | Skin Problems |
|
Childhood Illnesses |
Gynecological Disorders |
Menopausal Discomfort | Stress/Tension |
| Colds/Flu | Headache/Migraine | Paralysis/Numbness | Tendonitis |
| Cough/Bronchitis | Heart Problems |
Pre-Menstrual Syndrome | Vision Problems |
--
Yours in Health and Wellness,
Eddie Leonard D.C.,
F.I.A.M.A.
At Florida Wellness & Rehab, we believe that taking a balanced, multi-discipline approach to healthcare is imperative. Admittedly, most patients come through our doors with some sort of pain. We go through great effort to educate our patients that pain is only a small aspect in overall health and wellness.
What is wellness? The term wellness has become ubiquitous recently. Many have exploited the word and it has become "gimmicky" over the past few years. The term comes up for hair and nail salons, nutrition supplements and chiropractic offices. To us, wellness is proactive, people seek activity, products, and services to feel healthier, reduce the effects of aging, look better, and prevent illness. Wellness is characterized by problem avoidance and prevention. In my opinion, unless all of the above criteria are addressed, then one should not call themself a wellness practitioner.
Multidiscipline approach... Science has proven that Preventative Examinations, Laboratory Examinations, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, Massage and Nutrition all work, but each has their own limitations. We combine these health practices together with the goal of each and everyone of our patients to achieve wellness, far beyond just relieving pain. Our goal when someone walks through our door is to not only help manage their pain, or just correct their posture, which we are effective at doing. Our vision would be for people to modify their lifestyle for a lifetime of health and wellness. We look a the body, as a whole and not a sum of its parts. This paradigm allows us to achieve great success with our patients. Equally important is cross communication between all of your providers to create a global perspective of your health, which we do.
For these reasons and more, we feel justified about calling our clinic a wellness center, knowing that we are not part of a fad or phase, but offering comprehensive wellness practices far into the future.
--
Yours in Health and Wellness,
Eddie Leonard D.C.,
F.I.A.M.A.