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SUMMER 2012

A HEALTH AND WELLNESS PUBLICATION FROM OTSEGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

OMH Becomes

Preferred Provider of Graston Technique

Here if You Need Us:

EMERGENCY CARE

A Closer Look at YouENDOMETRIOSIS

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Here if You Need Us: Emergency Care

Many of the activities that make summer great – biking, swimming, grilling, playing sports, gardening, camping, hiking and more – can also result in accidents and illness. Fortunately, our emergency department team is here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide you and your loved ones with emergency care should it become necessary.

Jon Foltz, MD, a physician with Otsego Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), advises everyone enjoying summer activities to make sure to take needed precautions to prevent injuries and illness.

“Wearing helmets, life jackets and exercising extreme caution around campfires can avert

some pretty serious injuries,” stated Foltz. “Even simple things – like wearing sunscreen and keeping adequately hydrated – can keep folks out of the ED.”

The initial minutes after an injury or medical crisis are often the most critical. By knowing how

to distinguish emergency, urgent and routine health concerns, you can help make emergency care as efficient and effective as possible.

IS IT AN EMERGENCY?Trust your instincts when deciding if you or a loved one needs immediate medical attention. Symptoms that generally indicate an emergency include:

• Uncontrollable bleeding. • Head injury or broken bones. • Poisoning or suspected overdose. • Inability to breathe or shortness of breath. • Seizure or loss of consciousness. • Persistent chest or abdominal pain or pressure. • Sudden slurred speech, visual changes or weakness.• Numbness or paralysis of an arm or leg. • Major burns. • Intense pain. • Severe reaction to an insect bite,

medication or food.

In an emergency situation, immediately call 911 for an ambulance. Paramedics can begin treatment on the way to the hospital. Don’t attempt to move the victim or perform a medical procedure if you are unsure how to do it. And don’t try to drive to the emergency room if you or the victim requires immediate care.

URGENT BUT NOT LIFE-THREATENING?If you or a loved one experiences a minor mishap that requires medical attention but is not life-threatening, consider visiting an urgent care clinic or scheduling a same-day appointment with your primary care physician, rather than heading to the emergency department. Urgent care medical conditions often include sprains, minor cuts, ear infections, high fever and respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Otsego Memorial Hospital MedCare Walk-In Clinic is located at 1996 Walden Drive in Gaylord, and is open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. “Our staff is well trained to handle minor emergencies that need immediate care but are not life-threatening in nature. We have immediate X-ray services on location and are able to handle most injuries and illnesses,” stated Ronald Weisberger, DO, a physician at OMH MedCare Walk-In Clinic.

Ailments such as a cold with a sore throat and minor skin rashes may go away on their own, so it’s generally OK to wait a few days before visiting the doctor. Remember to schedule routine health exams through your primary care physician to stay on top of your health. The OMH Medical Group hosts a variety of practices with primary care physicians accepting new patients. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease or asthma, your doctor can advise you about symptoms that may require emergency, urgent or routine care.

Jon Foltz, MD Ronald Weisberger, DO

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Here if You Need Us: Emergency Care

OMH MEDCARE WALK-IN CLINIC1996 Walden Drive

Gaylord, Michigan

(989) 731-4111

OMH EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT825 North Center Ave.

Gaylord, Michigan

(989) 731-2100

OMH PHYSICIAN REFERRAL LINEOMH Medical Group practices are accepting new patients.

(989) 731-2300

Make sure to take needed precautions to prevent injuries and illness.

HERE FOR YOU

To be prepared for an emergency,

keep a list of emergency numbers

and your family members’

medications and allergies near

the phone and in your wallet.

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GRASTON TECHNIQUE

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Soft tissue injuries are not only some of the most common injuries seen in a physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, but they can also be particularly challenging and often painful to treat. Injuries ranging from tennis elbow to foot pain can be linked back to soft tissue dysfunction. Yet, despite the pain, there is hope for patients. Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) in Gaylord recently became the only preferred provider of the Graston Technique in northern Lower Michigan. The Technique uses specialized instruments to make significant improvements in a patient’s therapy experience and recovery.

The Graston Technique is a superior method to deliver myofascial therapy. This technique effectively breaks down scar tissue and reduces inflammation that causes pain and restricted mobility. Simple in design, yet technologically advanced, surgical steel instruments are used to comb over and “catch” fibrotic tissue, immediately identifying areas of restrictions. Once identified, the therapist utilizes the instruments to reduce restricted tissue, while stimulating specialized cells in the body to promote healing. Ultimately, clinicians work with patients to restore healthy functioning tissue and help patients get back to their maximum functional potential.

“I am thrilled with the outcomes of the Graston Technique; patients are achieving their therapy goals in less time and virtually painlessly,” said Christopher Hope, OTR, Director of Rehabilitation

Services at Otsego Memorial Hospital. “When the Graston Technique has been added to a patient’s individual plan of care and combined with an appropriate home exercise program, our patients have seen an unprecedented level of success.”

According to Hope, patients are also very excited about the positive outcomes of conditions where soft tissue dysfunction is present. Examples of soft tissue dysfunction include: Achilles tendinitis; carpal tunnel syndrome; fibromyalgia; tennis elbow; knee, neck and foot pain; scar tissue; and shin splints. Patients have demonstrated an increase of more than 40% in active range of motion of an involved limb as well as significant reduction in complaints of pain after the initial treatment with the Graston Technique.

The Graston Technique is used by a variety of clinicians, including physical and occupational therapists, chiropractors and athletic trainers. In fact, although this technique is seeing phenomenal results, successful outcomes cannot fully be achieved without participation in an overall therapy program. The technique is not a substitute, but a complement to a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation and a clinician’s manual skills.

For more information about the Graston Technique, or to find out if it is right for you, please contact OMH Rehab Services at (989) 731-2341 or visit MyOMH.org.

OMH Becomes Preferred Provider of Graston Technique®

GRASTON TECHNIQUE

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The Technique:

• Separates and breaks down collagen cross-links, and splays

and stretches connective tissue and muscle fibers.

• Increases skin temperature.

• Facilitates reflex changes in the chronic muscle holding pattern.

• Alters spinal reflux activity (facilitated segment).

• Increases the rate and amount of blood flow to and from

the area.

• Increases cellular activity in the region, including fibroblasts

and mast cells.

• Increases histamine response secondary to mast cell activity.

WHAT IS THE GRASTON TECHNIQUE®?The Graston Technique incorporates a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that

enables clinicians to effectively detect and treat scar tissue and restrictions that affect normal function.

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Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases, affecting an estimated one in 10 women of childbearing age. The disease often causes severe abdominal or pelvic pain and infertility, and can develop in any menstruating woman. Otsego Health & Wellness sat down with Dr. Jessica Kiley, an obstetrics and gynecology physician at Otsego Memorial Hospital. According to Dr. Kiley, “Endometriosis should be viewed as a chronic disease that requires a lifelong management plan with the goal of maximizing the use of medical treatment and avoiding repeated surgical procedures.”

CAUSE AND SYMPTOMSResearchers continue to explore the role of genetics, the immune system, hormones and even environmental factors in the development of the disease, but a definitive cause remains unclear. Endometriosis occurs when endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus, grows outside of the uterus, such as on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic tissue, bowels or bladder.

Just like the normal endometrial tissue, each month the endometrium outside the uterus thickens, breaks down and bleeds. However, instead of exiting the body through the vagina as menstrual bleeding, the tissue outside the uterus bleeds and becomes trapped and irritates surrounding tissue. This may lead to the growth of cysts, scarring and adhesions, which can cause pain and infertility. According to Dr. Kiley, clinical manifestations of endometriosis fall into three categories: pelvic pain, infertility and pelvic masses.

Other symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Extremely painful menstrual cramps, often increasing over time.• Intestinal pain.• Pain during or after intercourse.• Painful bowel movements or urination, especially

during menstrual periods.• Heavy periods. • Spotting or bleeding between periods.

TREATMENT OPTIONSAny woman who thinks she may have endometriosis should visit her doctor to discuss her symptoms and undergo a pelvic exam. Your doctor may then request an imaging test, such as ultrasound.

Dr. Kiley noted that pain medication (specifically NSAIDS/anti-inflammatories), hormone therapy and surgery may be used to treat endometriosis. Hormones, such as birth control pills, help regulate the growth of endometrium by reducing or regulating the menstrual flow. Laparoscopy can be used to remove the endometrial tissue from outside the uterus and has been shown to reduce pain and improve fertility. Consult your healthcare provider for more information.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kiley or either of her partners in practice, Lori Burke, MD, or David Miner, MD, please contact the OMH Medical Group Obstetrics and Gynecology office at (989) 731-2105.

Jessica Kiley, MD

A Closer Look at You

ENDOMETRIOSIS

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This publication does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2012 Otsego Memorial Hospital.

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