Charleston Woman Magazine by Charleston Woman

SPRING 2013

COMPLIMENTARY

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING WOMEN

Real

LAUGHTER is the

Best Medicine Cupcake the Clown (Robin McKinley) shares her journey

Inside the ER Get a firsthand glimpse at Trident Medical Center’s Emergency Department

In this Issue

From the Editor

20 21 22 24 25 26

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lori Samples Duncan loriduncan86@gmail.com

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE Melissa Cooper and Crystal Poston info@woman2womanonline.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Pastor Mark Crumpton Lori Samples Duncan Martha Green Suzy Dodds Kuppens Jamie Lober James T. Martin, Jr., M.D. Beth McCrary Dr. Drew McPhail

COVER PHOTO Tammy Bevins Photography

DESIGN Melissa W. Morris

PHOTOGRAPHY Clark Berry Photography KLinh Evelyn Grace Photography Tammy Bevins Photography

2 Spring has Sprung!

Events

3 What’s Happening?

Let’s Talk

4 5 7 8

If I Could Turn Back Time Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry Offers Messy Summer Fun that Mommies Don’t Have to Clean Up Chiropractic Care for Your Student Athlete America’s Next Top Model Victoria Henley

Professional

10 Get Ready for Some (Financial) Spring Cleaning

James Island Triathlete Becomes First Physician West of the Ashley to Join Palmetto Primary Care Physicians Family Caregivers Resources are Available Don’t Let Heavy Periods Ruin Your Summer Chronic Back Pain. Herniated Discs. Sciatica. Do I Really Need a Mammogram? Sometimes....You Need a Little Help at Home

Business & Web Directory 27 Contact our Advertisers

Personal Note 28 Be Grateful

Celebrating the Survivor in You! 12 Laughter is the Best Medicine Find us on facebook!

Charleston Woman Magazine Woman 2 Woman Publishing (803) 785-4475 602 Northwood Road Lexington, SC 29072

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. © 2013

Health & Wellness

14 16 17 19

Trident Health Emergency Department Are You Injuring Your Back at Work? What is Your Heart’s Actual Age? The Imaging Makeover

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

pring has sprung and in beautiful Charleston, God has painted us a picture of all his majesty on the canvas of the coast. What a beautiful time of year. Of course I am a little biased. I love the all the seasons in Charleston and the surrounding areas. We are blessed to live in state where the weather makes it easy to live an active outdoor lifestyle. It is my hope that this issue will educate, motivate and inspire you. We have made every effort to be certain the businesses within these pages are committed to providing quality services, products and exceptional customer service. I would recommend every business advertising here to my own family, neighbors and friends. Remember to let them know you found them in CWM, they are the reason this copy is complimentary to you. In this issue, we had the opportunity to interview Robin McKinley, affectionately known as “Cupcake” and she shares with us her journey with Type 1 diabetes. We also talked with a few local doctors about the Trident Medical Center Emergency Department. No one wants to go to the Emergency Room, but when you do go it’s important to have confidence in the people providing you with necessary emergent care. Check out informational articles on student athletes and chiropractic care from Dr. Quinn, and don’t forget to take time to read Suzy Kuppens advice for family caregivers. We are now working on our next issue of Charleston Woman Magazine and are looking for more local women who are willing to share their inspiring stories with you. Feel free to email us a short description of why you would like to see your nominated woman in CWM and a way to contact you, and we may feature them in our upcoming issue. Thanks for the emails and letters about our previous issue. We never tire of hearing your feedback. I am always interested in your take on our special features and our educational articles, feel free to email me directly at loriducan86@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Until next time. Your Friend, Psalms 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

Lori Samples Duncan Editor-in-Chief

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real

Women

Events NEW Summerville Chamber Members (January 1 – March 31, 2013)

• 1st Capital Insurance Mark Allen, (843) 216-2772 • Avana at Wescott Plantation

Angela Chumley, (843) 851-3665

• Blanton’s Mechanical and Sons LLC

Jimmy & Lorraine Blanton, (843) 851-7676

• Carolina One Real Estate Gay Hartmann, (843) 607-3400 • Charleston Furniture Keith Ellwanger, (843) 277-0490 • CPM Physical Therapy Ashton Pratt, (843) 900-0745 • Eastwood Homes at Fieldview Brooke Minick, (843) 303-3304 • Geoff Litz Photography Geoff Litz, (724) 664-8155 • Kingston Cigar Shop

Jeff Walker, (843) 832-4446

• Lakes of Summerville Joselyn Pew, (843) 875-9313 • McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture Anne Maguire, (843) 566-0771 • Midas Lowcountry John Hooker, (843) 821-0226 • Phillips Staffing Paula Alexander, (843) 569-3535 • PJ’s Brick Oven Pizzeria

Mike O’Keefe, (321) 626-1621

• Signet Human Resource Management Debbie Williams, (843) 266-8800 • Spectrum Paint Tony Johnson, (843) 873-2215 • StartingBlock Career Services, LLC Ellen Steverson, (843) 832-4567 • The Azalea Room, LLC JoAnn McCoy, (843) 509-5403 • Walgreens #1072 Anna Lybrand, (843) 821-4873 • Witherspoon Law Firm John Witherspoon, (843) 771-4791 • Zen Massage Center John Hammontree, (843) 572-0309

What’s HAPPENING? Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Nation May 4, 5 p.m. Colonial Life Arena, Columbia

The Corona Light Presents Kenny Chesney’s ‘No Shoes Nation’ Tour, starring Kenny Chesney, will feature Zac Brown Band. Special guests, Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves will also take the stage. www.ColonialLifeArena.com

Spoleto Festival May 24 – June 9

For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston, South Carolina’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera; theater; dance; and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. Now approaching its 37th season, Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival. In the decades since its inception, Spoleto Festival USA has firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading festivals, presenting more than 200 world or American premieres. Notable past premieres and commissions include: Monkey: Journey to the West by Chen Shi-Zheng, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett; Peter and Wendy by Lee Breuer; Creve Coeur by Tennessee Williams; The American Clock by Arthur Miller; The Mechanical Organ by the Nikolais Dance Theatre;Miracolo d’Amore by Martha Clarke; Empty Places by Laurie Anderson; Hydrogen Jukebox by Philip Glass and Allen Ginsberg; Praise House by Urban Bush Women; Three Tales by Steve Reich and Beryl Korot; and Tenebrae by Osvaldo Golijav. World-renowned artists who performed early in their careers at Spoleto Festival USA include Renée Flemming, Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, the Emerson String Quartet and Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

Annual Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival June 1, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Waterfront Memorial Park

The highly anticipated Sweetgrass Festival will celebrate the rich Gullah Geechee cultural heritage and provides the most extensive showcase of sweetgrass baskets in the Lowcountry area. This event features an assortment of unique handmade arts & crafts, paintings, live performances, and documentary films. Festival-goers will enjoy a day filled with entertainment that includes gospel songs and praise dance, storytelling and Gullah Geechee skits, basketmaking demonstrations and the Adande African Drummers and Dancers. Visitors will be treated to a variety of authentic Gullah cuisine, classic barbeque, fish, chicken and beverages offered for sale by more than 15 Lowcountry restaurants and food vendors. Children and adults will enjoy family friendly activities including a waterslide. Publications on Lowcountry Gullah Geechee history, fiction, and cookbooks will be available for sale as well. Admission and parking are free. The festival is a family event and no alcohol is sold. Animals, skateboards, and bicycles are not allowed.

Bikinis and Boardshorts 5K Run June 2, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Registration between 8 – 9:30 a.m.) Laurel Hill Plantation, Mt. Pleasant

This premiere 5K race will take place on the trails of Laurel Hill Plantation in Mount Pleasant. There is more to the Bikinis and Boardshorts run than just racing around in swim attire. Participants will enjoy a fun awards ceremony with light food and beverages, an inflatable water slide, and live music! Online and pre-registration will end June 1. On-site registration will take place on race morning between 8-9:30 a.m. at packet pickup. T-shirts available for participants who register prior to May 18. Participants ages 10-15 can register for this race, but must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Fees: $34/$28 CCR Discount. www.ccprc.com

Festival of Flowers June 20 – 23 Greenwood, SC

The fourth weekend of June will prove to be most entertaining for all ages. The George W. Park Seed Company’s famous Trail Gardens, featuring over with 1500 varieties of annuals, perennials and vegetables, will be open to the public. Tour the private gardens of local residents, or visit the craft, art and photo shows, one of the best in the southeast. Join us for more than 35 events including sports, concerts, tours and wonderful family fun! www.scfestivalofflowers.org www.charlestonwomanonline.com

Let’s Talk

If I Could Turn Back Time by Pastor Mark Crumpton

s I prayed about what the Lord would have me write for this article the Lord woke me up in the middle of the night with the thought of a mother full of regrets. It is a woman who’s name is not mentioned we simply know her as “Lot’s wife”. Gen 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (KJV) As a pastor I know that we may preach on this passage from many different angles however the simple reality is that this woman was a mother. A mother who “looked back” in deep emotional distress; a mother who was leaving some of her children behind in a land full of regrets. I think it is often very easy for us to look at the life of someone else and see very clearly their mistakes but when it is us too often we don’t see them so clearly until after we have made them. In life we all make

mistakes. The tragedy is not that we make mistakes in life or even as a parent. The tragedy is that many will wait until it is too late to turn around. I can not help but wonder what might have been if this mother would have turned around years earlier. I believe it may have saved her family. There was a very popular song in the late 1980’s called “If I could turn back time”. I am sure it was so popular in large part because all of us can relate. All of us have done things or said things we wished we had not. In life we all make mistakes. The good news is that no one expects you to be perfect. I want you to know that you

don’t have to live in a land full of regrets. Friends we can’t turn back time we can only go forward. You have time today to turn around and make some things right before it is too late. It is not too late to ask forgiveness and it is not too late to forgive someone that hurt you. I have already preached too many funerals where I witnessed someone “look back” with regret after it is too late. “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” — Alexander Pope

I think it is often very easy for us to look at the life of someone else and see very clearly their mistakes but when it is us too often we don’t see them so clearly until after we have made them.

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real

Women

I don’t know who this is for; but I know that the Lord cares enough about you and your family to wake me up in the middle of the night. Oh, how He Loves You! John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV) Bishop Mark Crumpton, Pastor of Lexington Church of God 1228 S. Lake Dr., Lexington, SC 29073 (803) 957-6675 Visit www.LexCOG.com or find us on Facebook

Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry

Offers Messy Summer Fun that Mommies Don’t Have to Clean Up

ummertime. That one little word sends kids squealing, eager for the freedom that summer promises. Kids have waited for this time for nine months – and finally, the time comes. School’s out!

Parents are… not so eager. The dreaded question lingers of what to do with their kids so they don’t sit in front of the TV or iPad. And, truth be told, maybe the parents are a little jealous of their children’s three month break. Well, watch out, parents! You’re about to turn green with envy. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry (CML) Camps will be in session for a whopping 13 weeks this year, a CML record of the most FUN ever! CML Summer Camp is offered May 20 – August 16 with both full day and half day options and prices starting at just $150. What does

this mean for parents? A simple solution to the summertime blues. Summer Campers will enjoy playtime in the Museum, messy fun outside as well as air conditioned fun indoors – all under the supervision of trained CML Camp Counselors. Each week is a new theme – from Messy Masters to Pirates and Princesses to Iron Chefs Camp – you name it, CML’s offering it! And, because each week is a new theme, your little one, aged 3-10, can enjoy every single week of CML Summer Camp – with no repeats! So, while you’re daydreaming in

learning and discovering …all with a boatload of fun!

Kids have waited for this time for nine months – and finally, the time comes. your office, rest assured that your little one is getting tuckered out and having the best summer ever, all at CML Summer Camp 2013! Because here at CML, there’s one thing we promise: exploring,

The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with a mission is to spark imagination, stimulate curiosity and encourage problem solving through the power of play in families from all backgrounds with young children. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, $8 for SC Residents and free for children less than 12 months of age. For more information please visit our website, www.explorecml.org.

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Chiropractic Care

for your Student Athlete by Dr. Nichole Quinn

O Dr. Quinn’s daughter Nevaeh Contact sports are not the only sports that require regular adjustments. Cheerleading, track and gymnastics are just a few of the sports that should be considered. I would like to focus on gymnastics and the importance of regular adjustments for kids participating in this sport. I am very partial to this sport because my six year-old daughter’s love for gymnastics. She started competing after her fifth birthday and has progressed more than I ever thought possible in a little more than a year. Recently, she was the all around champion at a meet and was a state champ last year. I believe that without regular adjustments, neither of these feats would have been possible. Talent alone can only take you so far. Your body has to be able to perform what your mind wants it to. When I talk to other chiropractors about my daughter’s gymnastics achievements, their reactions

are very similar. “How can you let her participate in gymnastics? You know the tremendous strain the sport puts on the joints in the body”. Yes, gymnastics does strain the joints in the body. However, I am taking care of her spine, ensuring her nervous system is functioning at its optimal level. This helps in the prevention of injuries. Many of my female patients in their twenties have a high level of degeneration in their spines. When I look at their history, gymnastics was a major part of their lives growing up. They never had their spines checked on a regular basis. The American Pediatric Association lists wrist, ankle, knee and low back injuries as some of the most common injuries in children participating in gymnastics. Spondylolysis, stress fractures in bones of the lower spine, is a common injury in athletes who do a lot of jumping, tumbling and back-bending activities. Symptoms include low

ne of the highlights of my profession is the opportunity to work with children. In my eight years of practice, I have seen the results of childhood injuries manifested into adult issues. Many of the aches, pains and injuries in my adult patients are the result of injuries sustained as a child. This is the reason I stress upon my patients the importance of having their children checked and adjusted regularly. This is especially true when the children are involved in sports.

Chiropractors help gymnasts maintain a healthy balanced spine... back pain that feels worse with back extension activities like back wallpapers or back hamstrings. Some of the benefits of taking your student athlete to see a Chiropractor include: • Improved posture • Increased range of motion • Improved focus and concentration • Increased flexibility • Improved recovery time • Reduced risk of injury • Reduced stress Does your child dream of being a college, pro, or even Olympic athlete? Chiropractic care played

a huge role at the 2012 London Games. A team of 18 Chiropractors was there to take care of the various athletes. Specifically, think of the women’s gymnastics team. They were flawless on the balance beam, which requires balance and focus. Chiropractors help gymnasts maintain a healthy balanced spine and react and adapt quickly and execute flawlessly. Whether your child is an aspiring gymnast, or has a passion for many sports, Chiropractic care can help them achieve their goals.

Dr. Nichole Quinn, D.C. has been practicing in the North Charleston area for over 8 years. She opened Total Family Wellness in 2011 to provide a family friendly atmosphere for her patients. Dr. Quinn is an active member of the South Carolina Chiropractic Association and International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. She resides in Moncks Corner with her husband Bryan, and children, Nevaeh and Peyton, with a third child due in June of this year. www.charlestonwomanonline.com

Let’s Talk

AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL

Victoria Henley

by Lori Samples Duncan

ictoria Henley wasn’t given the prestigious title of America’s Next Top Model via the reality show starring supermodel Tyra Banks, but that hasn’t stopped her from moving forward to accomplish her goals. Never really the quintessential pageant girl, Victoria was actually a “Tom Boy” before her first pageant — Little Miss Pulpwood — in her hometown of Colquitt, Georgia. After much prompting from her grandmother, she finally agreed to enter the contest. While Victoria doesn’t necessarily recommend pageants for everyone, she attributes her pageant experience with providing her confidence to speak in front of others. “Ultimately I am grateful for that one experience,” says Victoria, “but then those full glitz beauty pageants were never really my thing.” Animals have always been a big part of her life, as her parents ran a veterinary clinic in Colquitt, where even in the small southern Georgia town, Victoria had a passion for the entertainment industry. With her first subscription to Vogue at the age of eight and runway lessons around the same time, one might say that Victoria Henley was destined to be in magazines. “It was very odd for me to grow up in an agrarian community and have such a compelling interest in something that is so completely opposite from my environment,” she points out. “But my parents were always very supportive and encouraged me to pursue my passion.” While she travels so often that she doesn’t get to spend much time in Colquitt (she was in Columbia for a fashion shoot when we spoke), it is still her home base, and Victoria finds much comfort

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

in the supportive network that she has at home. Since appearing on the show, Victoria has been able to use the perks of the show to do things she has always done in her dreams, including traveling all over the US working runway shows for international designers and a recent stint at Miami Fashion Week. If you happened to catch Victoria on America’s Next Top Model, you may not have seen the very best of her personality. “The bad thing about reality shows,” says Victoria, “is the editing for ratings, where situations are set up, people are encouraged to fight. To be honest, watching myself on the season of America’s Next Top Model, some of the episodes were so over edited, that I was in shock at some of the things I saw…I definitely felt like I was pigeon holed into being one dimensional – the home schooled mother hen.” From her experience on the show, Victoria was able to learn some things, one very important that I hope we can all learn earlier rather than later: words are just words. “Everyone has their own opinion and you cannot let others’ opinions affect you in a detrimental way. You

Real

Women

must determine the core of who you are and no matter what hardships you face, you must always be true to yourself and never betray your code of ethics.” Another thing Victoria learned? Not to take herself so seriously. “Reality shows make you feel so silly,” she states. “I wish that sometimes I had just thrown my head back and laughed at the situation. That is my advice to women: take time to laugh every day.” (See Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart does good like medicine.”) With a title like “America’s Next Top Model,” I asked Victoria if she feels the pressure to always look her best. She admitted that her industry can be very superficial, and the pressure to look good is certainly there. But she says that she has breakouts just like everyone else. “Anytime you are feeling insecure about yourself, you just have to bring yourself back to reality and say, ‘This is me and I love myself for who I am,’” says Victoria. Admittedly a Type A personality, she reminds herself to ease up, regroup, and remember that everything is going to be okay. Sound familiar? But Victoria feels like being pretty is a state of mind, which starts with

the idea of not measuring up to some unreal standard, creating a negative atmosphere and negative energy that resonates with others. “In that way,” says Victoria, “it is not good to think in a negative way about yourself. We all have those days. Instead, I try to shift my focus to my blessings. I have such a wonderful family, two legs on which to stand, and I have done a lot of good in my life. We all have things we can be proud of.” A bright young lady with an obviously bright future, Victoria Henley was a delight to talk to. It is nice to see that even in the bustle of Hollywood, she remains grounded and committed to her values. But you know I couldn’t let her go without asking her for some beauty tips. (You’re welcome.) This is what she said: • Drink plenty of water • Get enough sleep • Always wash your face at night • She uses a Mint Julip (like the drink) Mask before bed (found at natural pharmacies or Ulta Beauty Supply) We all know that beauty starts from the inside and goes outward. Here’s to the beautiful woman YOU are!

Photo: KLinh Evelyn Grace Photography Stylist: Tyson Keanum

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

Professional photo by Tammy Bevins Photography

Get Ready for Some

(Financial) Spring Cleaning

S Ken York

pring is in the air — or, at the very least, it’s on the calendar this week. And if you’re like many people, you may be looking forward to doing some spring cleaning around your house and yard. But this year, why not go beyond your physical environment and do some “sprucing up” of your financial situation?

Here are a few possibilities to consider:

protect your family’s future, it’s important to have adequate life and disability insurance.

Clean your portfolio of “clutter.” When you go through your house, you may find some clutter in closets, storage areas, on top of desks, under beds or just about any other place. Your investment portfolio also may contain clutter, in the form of investments that no longer meet your needs. Consequently, it’s a good idea to “de-clutter” your portfolio periodically by selling those extraneous investments and using the proceeds to help purchase others that may be more effective in helping you make progress toward your financial goals. Consolidate your investments in one place. As you clean your house, you may find that you have many common items, such as brooms, hammers, duct tape and so on, scattered among various rooms. It might be more efficient to keep all such objects in one central location; this can help prevent you from needlessly replacing or duplicating them. As an investor, you may have an IRA with one financial services provider, an old 401(k) with a different one, and some other investments with yet another institution. If you consolidated all these investment vehicles with one provider, you might be able to save some fees and expenses. Perhaps even more importantly, by uniting all your investments in one place, you may find it easier to follow a central, unified investment strategy. Check for “gaps” in your financial strategy. Every spring, it’s a good idea to check your gutters for leaks, your sidewalks for cracks and your paint for chips. By doing so, you’ll help protect your home and surroundings. To help

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real

Plant seeds for growth. When spring arrives, it’s time to plant the seeds for your flowers and vegetables. As an investor, you also have to be concerned about growth. Specifically, you’ll want to consider investments that have the potential to grow enough to help provide the financial resources to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement. Consequently, you should review your portfolio to determine if it contains an appropriate amount of growth-oriented vehicles for your individual objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. Seek professional assistance. When you’re tidying up for spring, you may find some jobs that you can’t do alone, such as cleaning a heavily stained carpet, unclogging a blocked drain or trimming the highest branches on a tree. For these tasks, you might need to call in trained professionals. It’s the same with investing: You can do some things on your own, but for complex tasks such as creating and maintaining an appropriate investment strategy, you may need to work with a financial professional. Consider putting these spring-cleaning tips to work soon. They may just help put some sparkle and shine into your financial “house.”

This article was provided by Ken York of Edward Jones. To learn more about your investment options, call (843) 824-5595 or visit www.edwardjones.com.

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Real WomenWoma n c e l e b r a t e s t h e s u r v i vo r i n yo u Charleston

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Celebrating the

Survivor in You!

he ad in the newspaper for clown classes immediately caught Robin McKinley’s eye. She couldn’t remember a time in her life when she had not wanted to be a clown and join the circus. Living in Washington, DC for just one year with her husband’s job, joining the circus was out of the question. With her husband’s blessing, clown classes were not. He thought it was a great idea and encouraged her to go for it. It would give her something to do and when they returned home to Mt. Pleasant, she could open her own business. In 1990, Robin launched her career as a clown after attending the Advanced Studies in the Art of Clowning and various other clown schools and workshops. Upon her return to Mt. Pleasant, she started her own business. Cupcake and Company has been amusing kids of all ages at birthday parties, corporate promotions and company picnics since 1992. Robin (Cupcake) has even performed center-ring routines at the Royal Hanneford Circus. Robin also donates her time and talents as Cupcake the Clown to the annual JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes held on Daniel Island and to other JDRF events in the Charleston area. JDRF is an organization founded in 1970 and dedicated to improving the lives of people living with Type 1 Diabetes. Diagnosed at the age of 24, Robin knows firsthand what it’s like to live with T1D. “I remember when I first started my business as Cupcake the Clown and going from here to there, sometimes 5 parties in a day, I would have to book my parties around my shots and my meals. That was a royal pain.” Thanks to JDRF funded research she has seen diabetes treatment and management tools improve since her diagnosis 27 years ago while pregnant with her first child. Robin’s doctor originally diagnosed her with gestational diabetes. After giving birth, her blood sugar did not return to a normal range as it usually does with gestational diabetes. She lost a lot of weight quickly, experienced extreme thirst and had no energy at all. After finally giving in and going back to the doctor, she was found to be in ketoacidosis with a blood sugar of 700. Left untreated, ketoacidosis can be deadly. An unknown trigger had caused Robin’s body to quit producing its own insulin. Robin has chosen to treat and manage her dia-

betes with multiple daily injections of insulin instead of embracing newer technology like an insulin pump. She is amazed at how far things have come and marvels at the newer insulin pens that simply dial a dose of insulin. Robin admits, “One of the hardest things about living with diabetes is having to account for everything that goes in your mouth and sometimes knowing too much.” There is much more information available today than when Robin was first diagnosed. Robin uses the internet to connect with other people living with Type 1 diabetes in the Diabetic On-line Community (DOC). One of the best things about living with Type 1 diabetes is the courageous children that Robin has met over the years. Knowing the signs and symptoms of T1D all too well, Robin was able to help a friend get a correct diagnosis for her 9 year old daughter, Neeve. “When I saw Neeve on the soccer field it was horrible in my eyes because I knew what the family would be going through and she is so young. But, she is doing fantastic, playing lacrosse, on a dance team and she just received a great checkup. She has been living with T1D for almost 3 years now. Her family is so grateful they I recognized the symptoms.” While Robin has been successfully living with Type 1 Diabetes for the past 27 years, she doesn’t necessarily view herself as a survivor. “It’s a way of life that was given to me and I have to live it to the best of my ability. It’s a journey and I’m going to make the best of it.” Her best advice to newly diagnosed families is to connect with their local JDRF chapter and find ways to get involved. “It will be okay, the future is brighter than it has ever been for people living with T1D.” Beth McCrary of Lexington, SC is a freelance writer and the mother of a daughter living with Type 1 www.charlestonwomanonline.com

Trident Health

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT by Jamie Lober

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he importance of the emergency room in our community cannot be overstated. While it may seem like things run smoothly there, it is not without a lot of effort and hard work on the part of the physicians and staff. “It is complicated in the emergency room,” said Dr. Karen Kriza, medical director of Trident Medical Center’s ER. It is like having a random box of candy show up at your doorstep because you never know what to expect. “The emergency room is basically the safety net for anyone and everyone who wants to come for whatever medical reason or psychological problem, or if someone is unsafe,” said Kriza. The emergency room does not discriminate. “The thing that is unique about the emergency room is that anybody who comes will be seen regardless of their ability to pay,” said Kriza.

There is always something interesting happening in the emergency room. “You do not always get to save someone’s life but it is a good feeling when you leave a shift because you know that you have had an impact on people’s lives,” said Kriza. It takes a team to have positive outcomes. “I enjoy all of my partners because they are amazing and it is a hard job; it is fun to interact with the different specialties at the hospital and it is never dull,” said Kriza. The physicians that walk through the emergency department are as diverse as the patients. “If we have a stroke

Staff was drawn to the field of emergency medicine due to its diversity. “The emergency room is one of the few places where you can truly do a little bit of everything, and I also like the fact that we are one of the few remaining that will literally see anybody for anything,” said Kriza. There is a wide range of issues that bring people through the door. “Some of the more common complaints are chest and abdominal pain, trauma, the flu and lately we are seeing a lot of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” said Kriza. The goal is that the staff does everything they can to achieve the best outcome for each individual. “Lately there has been a lot of attention to sepsis, which is when a patient has a life-threatening infection. We make sure they get the full services they need, very aggressively and very early because they tend to have better outcomes that way,” said Kriza. There are constantly new advances. “Trident is a stroke center and there are some changes with clot-busting medicines that we use now,” said Kriza. People are receiving diagnoses quicker as a result of new technology. “We are doing everything from bedside ultrasounds to bedside blood work where we can get test results back in five minutes now on certain blood work,” said David Mizzell, emergency department director. The new discoveries are another reason that makes the broad scope of emergency medicine appealing to those who provide it. “One of the interesting things about the job is that we always have to adapt to something new,” said Kriza.

person may come in for a stubbed toe, another for chest pain; regardless of the complaint, it is that person’s emergency and they came in because they needed to be seen.So it is our job to take care of them,” said Mizzell. The emergency department is a fast-paced environment. “Sometimes when we are busy we do everything we can to get someone in front of a physician. Sometimes, that means playing musical beds or shuffling patients around to get new patients evaluated quickly. It can be challenging based on volume,” said Mizzell. The team work aspect makes this easier and helps patients do well. “I would call it instant gratification, being the fact that you can see someone come in and they can turn around, like they can be in severe distress and with our treatments in a matter of a couple of hours you can see instant improvement,” said Mizzell. Every action the staff takes can have an effect on the patient’s life. “We have stroke patients come in and we react quickly and give them certain medications and you can save a patient’s tissue and functionality for the rest of their life, which definitely sends you home feeling like you did something worthwhile that day,” said Mizzell.

‘The emergency room is one of the few places where you can truly do a little bit of everything...’ Dr. Karen Kriza patient their neurologist will come; if we have a chest pain patient we have a cardiologist; if we have someone with appendicitis there is a surgeon, so we are dependent on the whole hospital system,” said Kriza. Knowing what to expect in the emergency room makes things easier. “When a person first walks through the door we, off the bat, try to assess them and find out what is wrong in the quickest way possible,” said Mizzell. This may mean testing is necessary. “We do EKG’s immediately and the emergency room physicians and nurses work closely together to rule out the most severe things, meaning if it is heart or respiratory-related,” said Mizzell. They want patients to feel that all of their needs are being addressed, including pain and anxiety. “One

While nobody wants to go to the emergency room, you should know they are there for you when you need them. “We always want to be looked at as the front door to the hospital for any emergency, medical or otherwise,” said Kriza. People are their own best judge. “In general, I think people know when something just is not right and they know they can always come to us and we are available,” said Kriza.

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Health & Wellness

ARE YOU Injuring Your Back AT WORK? by Dr. Drew McPhail Dr. Drew McPhail

he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 70 percent of the general public in industrialized nations experience back pain at some point in their lives. They also have evidence that suggests that 16 percent of all workers’ compensation claims are related to back pain — and that these claims account for 33 percent of total costs. These numbers vary from studyto-study, but appear consistent or lower than most other studies. Obviously, time loss from work for these injuries is also enormous. As such, many employers are interested in ways to not only treat back pain when it occurs, but to prevent these injuries in the first place. Chiropractic is effective at doing both. Unfortunately, some jobs require postures that inevitably lead to back pain. National Institute for Occupational Safety and health confirms that: Low back disorders are associated with: “heavy physical work, jobs that need great physical strength, work-related lifting and forceful movements, awkward postures including bending, twisting, and other extreme postures, and jobs with whole body vibration.” How can your doctor of chiropractic help? He can be very helpful in determining what postures in your job can be risky and offer solutions such as exercises that can strengthen the muscles used, stretches that can be done during breaks, and education on posture and lifting techniques. Perhaps there are changes that can be made to your

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work area to change the way that the job is done, such as raising or lowering the work area. If you have already injured yourself and are not getting better at the rate that you believe that you should, or if you have just injured yourself, immediately schedule an examination by a chiropractic physician. If proper care is instituted promptly, it is much easier to minimize the long-term effects of the injury. The chiropractic physician will use standard orthopedic and neurological tests, as well as x-ray to determine the cause of your problem, and then you will be treated with a combination of physiotherapies and manipulation. Manipulation has been scientifically studied and recommended by the Agency for health and Public Safety as a very effective method of treatment for back pain. Studies by malpractice insurance carriers show that the incidence of adverse outcome is extremely small and significantly less than even common over -thecounter drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin. Most importantly, however, a chiropractic physician will discuss

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home care, including exercise, nutrition and how to arrange your home and work environment to prevent further injury. Your employer may enjoy having your chiropractic physician evaluate your actual work process to determine simple changes that can help you and other employees and decrease workers compensation costs for them. If you have back pain related to a work accident, ask your employer to assist with a referral to a chiropractic physician. Dr. Drew K. McPhail is a practicing Chiropractic Physician at McPhail Chiropractic with over 7 years experience. He is a nationally recognized author of 2 books and has written many articles. Dr. McPhail is a certified Sco-

liosis specialist by CLEAR Institute for Scoliosis. If you have any questions, or would like more information on this topic, contact Dr. McPhail at 1709 Old Trolley Rd. Summerville, South Carolina 29485, (843) 873-2225, drmcphail@drmcphail. com or visit www.DrMcPhail.com.

Health & Wellness

What is Your Heart’s Actual Age? The interactive Heart Health Profiler survey, now available online through the Trident Health home page (tridenthealthsystem. com), can estimate your ‘heart age’ based on a variety of factors.

How old is your heart? It may be older – or younger – than you expect. The interactive Heart Health Profiler survey, now available online through the Trident Health home page (tridenthealthsystem. com), can estimate your “heart age” based on a variety of factors. If your real age is 55, but your heart age is 65, that means your cardiovascular risk is more like that of a healthy 65-year-old who does not have serious risk factors. Similarly, if your heart age is 45, that means you have a cardiovascular risk comparable to a healthy person 10 years younger. “It’s a way to help educate people about what their risks are,” says Allison Walters, Trident Health assistant vice president for cardiovascular services. “Sometimes people don’t realize that they are at risk.” In addition to your heart age, the survey provides you with a result report that estimates your risk of having a cardiovascular event (heart attack, stroke, heart failure

or peripheral artery disease) in the next 10 years. Plus, your report will rate your general risk in 10 categories while providing easyto-follow explanations and tips to help you make positive changes, when possible.

Risk factors you can change include: • Smoking • Cholesterol – total, HDL, LDL • Blood pressure – systolic and diastolic • Fasting blood sugar • Weight/body mass index (BMI) • Physical activity

Risk factors you cannot change include: • Age and gender • Existing cardiovascular disease • Diabetes • Family history of early cardiovascular disease If you have specific numbers for your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and fasting blood sugar from a visit with your primary care provider or a screening, it’s good to

have those handy while doing the survey. But even if you can’t answer all the questions, the survey can provide valuable feedback. The survey is not intended as a substitute for seeing a doctor for a checkup or a medical diagnosis. Rather, it can provide insightful information that you can share with your primary care provider. Your result report is easy to save and print out. One of the most important takeaways for participants is that they can make changes in their lifestyle, and in some cases with medication, that will have a positive impact on their heart health. “More people die of heart disease than all cancers combined,” says Dr. William D. Yarbrough, Trident Health’s medical director for cardiovascular services. “The good news is that the death rate from cardiovascular disease has dropped by as much as 50 percent in the past 30 or 40 years. We’re making a lot of progress.”

A heart attack is like a house fire, he says. You should know what to do in case of an emergency, but because of the threat of damage and death, it is best to prevent it from happening in the first place. Many people may not consider the possibility of heart problems until middle age or later, but it’s important to face risk factors and make changes as early as possible. For example, the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines call for all adults age 20 or over to have a fasting lipoprotein profile – which measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides — at least once every five years. After smoking, cholesterol is one of the biggest risk factors affecting cardiovascular disease, says Dr. Yarbrough. “Everyone should know what their cholesterol levels are.” To find your heart’s age right now, visit Tridenthealthsystem.com

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For Quality Compassionate Caregiving You Can Trust... Look For The Green Umbrella Elder Care Management and Support Services Needs Assessment • Home Care • Care Coordination Suzy Dodds Kuppens, RN BSN

www.home-care-plus.com

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(843) 628-3642

1036 eWall Street, Mt. Pleasant

Health & Wellness

The Imaging MAKEOVER

options.

ccording to Oxford Dictionaries a “makeover” by definition is “a complete transformation or remodeling of something.” It’s time for patients to keep an open mind and gain a better understanding of their healthcare

More than 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies are declared as a result of medical bills according to the American Journal of Medicine. That’s alarming! It’s also not completely out of your control. Most major financial decisions we make are based on gathered information, bids and quotes. Have you ever purchased a car or remodeled your kitchen and didn’t question the charges until you received your bill? Of course not! Why should decisions about your health be different? You should take encouragement to seek as much control as possible over your healthcare decisions as they relate to your finances. Ask for a quote on your non-emergent medical procedures. The services provided by Tricounty Radiology are one example of how seeking more information can make a difference in your financial well-being. Their services

are 60% less than area hospitals while maintaining the same quality and increased convenience. Not only will the cost of your procedure be less expensive at Tricounty Radiology, there are no additional charges for hospital fees or a radiologist’s interpretation. As the consumer, you have every right to decide who will provide your medical care. Set your mind at ease by making an informed decision. Consideration should be given to your physician’s recommendation. However, providers affiliated with a hospital or that have ownership in imaging equipment are often pressured into offering their hospital’s imaging services or their own equipment as the first choice. Just because your physician works for the hospital or has his/her own imaging equipment, doesn’t

As the consumer, you have every right to decide who will provide your medical care. mean you have to obtain your care in their facility. Always weigh your options before making your choice. When it comes to your health, a good value is always important. However, it should not be your only deciding factor. A few mind openers to consider… How soon can you be seen? If you are referred for an MRI and the facility requested by your physician cannot see you for several days or even weeks, are you willing to wait that long? Remember, rapid scheduling

for your imaging equals rapid results to your provider. This ultimately will expedite your treatment plan and get you back on the road to recovery. Is this facility choice convenient for you? Tricounty Radiology offers same day/next day appointments, as well as, extended/weekend hours for some services. They also have three convenient locations in North Charleston, Summerville and West Ashley. Are you getting the best quality care? MRI, CT services offered at Tricounty Radiology are accredited by the American College of Radiology. This accreditation is the industry’s standard to evaluate staff qualifications, quality control, safety policies and image quality. They also have three local board certified and fellowship trained radiologists. Are you claustrophobic? In addition to three high-field MRIs, Tricounty Radiology proudly offers the only true open MRI in the Charleston area. The open MRI is ideal for claustrophobic patients. Claustrophobic patients can consider Tricounty Radiology’s option for oral sedation offered at no additional fee compared to costly IV sedation offered by the hospitals. Determine whether this expensive and risky type of sedation is necessary for you to complete your exam. Free your mind by knowing that ultimately, as long as you have a referral from your provider, you can determine where your go for your imaging. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and learn about your options from your provider. In most cases, providers are very supportive once they understand your needs. By “making-over” your thought process on how to determine where to get your imaging, you are able to see the advantages of going to Tricounty Radiology. THE CHOICE IS YOURS! www.charlestonwomanonline.com

Health & Wellness

JAMES ISLAND TRIATHLETE BECOMES FIRST PHYSICIAN WEST OF THE ASHLEY

to join PALMETTO PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS

n a short fifteen years Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, which employees over 700 healthcare professionals today, has grown from three physicians’ offices located in Summerville to 32 physicians’ offices spanning over seven counties. While the group has established offices as far as Hampton and Lake City, Robert J. Teachman, DO, an established physician in the James Island community, is the first physician West of the Ashley to join the group. Dr. Teachman has been treating patients at his James Island office for over 3 years and was most recently with Coastal Family Care Associates, an affiliate of Trident Health Systems. He received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and went on to complete his Doctor of Osteopathy at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Teachman is Board Certified in Family Medicine and his medicinal interests include Preventive Medicine, Wellness, Nutrition, and Sports Medicine. He is

happily married with 3 children: Ryan (8), John (6) and Zachary (3). In his spare time, he is an avid marathoner and triathlete. He has been on staff as physician for several runs, including the Cooper River Bridge Run and Kiawah Marathon. He currently enjoys volunteering as the team physician for James Island High School. “Our mission is to facilitate healthier lives in the communities that we serve,” mentions Ron Piccione, CEO for Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, “and our physicians and staff have done just that in our communities – including

Walterboro, Hampton, Kingstree and Lake City. Dr. Robert Teachman has been serving his patients in James Island with the same mission and medical philosophy. We could not be more pleased about welcoming him to our group.” The office is located at 776 Daniel Ellis Drive, Suite 1-B near Lowe’s and will continue to operate under normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Teachman, call (843) 7950300.

About Palmetto Primary Care Physicians Palmetto Primary Care Physicians (PPCP) is a group practice comprised of nearly 90 clinical providers with a wide range of expertise in primary and specialty care including internal medicine, vein specialty, gastroenterology, neurology, sports medicine, disease management and acute illness. PPCP provides patient-centered services such as a state-of-the-art urgent care clinic and diagnostic center that is open 365 days a year and a Nurses Triage Line that is available to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The company has over 550 employees in the Lowcountry and provides exceptional medical care for our patients through 28 physicians offices. For more information, visit www.palmettoprimarycare.com.

=KRIUSOTM 8UHKXZ 0 :KGINSGT *5 GTJ NOY YZGLL decisions—however large or small. We specialize in: Family & Health Pediatric Medicine Womens Services Health Services Womens Health Services Womens Disease Management & Prevention Serving James Island: 776 Daniel Ellis Drive Disease Management & Prevention Disease Management & Prevention Wellness Visits Robert J. Teachman, DO

Suite 1-B Charleston, SC 29412 (located near the Lowe’s off Folly Road)

900 Island Park Drive, Suite 101, Daniel Island, SC 29492 843.856.6402 | PalmettoPrimaryCare.com 843.795.0300

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Health & Wellness

FAMILY CAREGIVERS Resources are Available

by Suzy Dodds Kuppens, RN

Suzy Dodds Kuppens, RN An aging baby boomer population means this number is only going to increase. Becoming a family caregiver can take a physical and emotional toll regardless of who you are caring for, but studies show that caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can be even more taxing. With a staggering one in eight Americans age 65 and older suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, family caregivers could be looking at tremendous health consequences if they take on this role without support (Alzheimer’s Association, 2012). You may have heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child.” At Home Care Plus, we firmly believe it also takes that village to turn around and care for our elderly loved ones. The same report by the Alzheimer’s Association shows that family caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients and those with other forms of dementia often provide care for a longer period of time than other care-

re you a college-educated woman over 46 years of age? If so, you fit the profile of the typical family caregiver, and you may soon be joining the ranks of the 34 million Americans providing unpaid care to an adult (AARP, 2008). givers. They report higher feelings of emotional stress and depression than people providing care for loved ones with other diseases. A family caregiver’s health isn’t the only thing at risk. Providing unpaid care for such a long period of time often has a detrimental effect on the caregiver’s personal finances, both in the form of time away from paid work and having to use retirement or other savings to be able to provide care (Alzheimer’s Association, 2012). Given the health risks that come with caring for a loved one with this disease, it is critical to make your own mental and physical wellbeing a priority. It may be tempting to skip your own appointments when you’ve spent countless hours at the doctor’s office with your loved one, but it is even more important to schedule and attend your annual checkups and screenings. Staying physically active, eating and sleeping well, and making time for yourself can help you better cope with the demands of caregiving.

Consider bringing in outside help so you can continue to work full or part-time. Reaching out for support is not a sign of failure. Without question, other resources can help you to maintain a sense of balance within your family and in your life. If you are the sole caregiver for your loved one, using in-home care like that provided by the experienced team at Home Care Plus once or twice a week will give you a much needed break so you can clear your head and recharge yourself physically and mentally. On a personal level, I struggled whether to care for my Dad as his daughter or his full time nurse. I wanted to give back to my Dad what he had given me all of my life, and I soon realized that we as a family could not do this alone. We sought help and during his final days I was able to love and care for him as his daughter again. Our Home Care Plus team has both professional and personal experience in eldercare management and caregiving. We work with the family, friends and the community

Becoming a family caregiver can take a physical and emotional toll regardless of who you are caring for... to provide the physical, psychosocial and emotional support needed throughout this overwhelming process—allowing you the time and peace of mind to be daughter, son, sister, brother or friend. AARP, 2008: Houser, A., et al., AARP Public Policy Institute, Valuing the Invaluable: The Economic Value of Family Caregiving, 2008 Update, 2008, http:// www.aarp.org/relationships/caregiving/info-11-2008/i13_caregiving.html Alzheimer’s Association, 2012: 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, http://www.alz.org/downloads/facts_ figures_2012.pdf www.charlestonwomanonline.com

Health & Wellness

Don’t Let Heavy Periods Ruin Your Summer! by James T. Martin, Jr., MD and Martha Green, PA-C

t’s almost time to break out the swimsuits for long days at the beach, neighborhood pool parties, boat rides on the lake, and fun at the waterpark with the kids. But if you’re dealing with heavy or crampy periods, summertime or even life in general is no day at the beach. While heavy monthly bleeding is not usually life threatening, it is very important to discuss with your health care provider. If you spend a few days each month wrapped up in a cover-up or you just don’t even bother to leave the house because of heavy periods, there is good news for you. There are many reasons why women experience heavy periods, including infections, polyps and fibroids, as well as hormonal causes from the irregular function of ovaries. Most of the causes are benign and very treatable. Once your provider narrows down the cause of the condition, he or she can then help to find the appropriate treatment.

discuss them with your health care provider to find an option that is tailored to your unique situation. Treatment options include the use of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, subdermal implants, IUDs, vaginal rings and patches) to curb the heavy flow. Other hormonal medications that help control menses are available. In addition, there are non-hormonal medications that can help. If the cause of the condition is polyps or fibroids, your provider may choose to remove them.

Every woman is different, and a one-size-fits-all treatment approach does not work when it comes to heavy monthly bleeding. There are several treatment options available, and you should

Endometrial ablation is an in-office procedure to remove all or most of the endometrium, the uterine lining that sheds each month causing the bleeding. In our office, endometrial ablation is essentially painless with women returning to normal activities no later than the next day. After endometrial ablation over 90% of the women will have much lighter periods or some will have no more periods.

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The ultimate solution to heavy monthly bleeding is a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy only removes the uterus and not the ovaries so a woman will still have normal hormone production. 99% of the hysterectomies we perform are minimally invasive, meaning they are done through very small 1 inch or less incisions instead of a large 6 – 8 inch incision from a traditional hysterectomy. By using the daVinci robotic surgical system, even a uterus with fibroid tumors or more difficult procedures can be performed laparoscopically and result in much less post operative discomfort, as well as reduce the risk of infections and blood loss. Additionally, recovery time is dramatically reduced. There is no reason why a woman should let heavy monthly bleeding interfere with her

normal everyday activities, especially when there are so many treatment options available. The friendly providers at the office of James T. Martin, Jr., MD are happy to help. Give us a call at (843) 5727123 to schedule an appointment with one of our providers to discuss this condition if you are suffering from it.

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Specializing in malignant and benign breast disease.

Jennifer Beatty, DO, FACS Jennifer Fiorini, MD, FACS

MOUNT PLEASANT LOCATION 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 130

NORTH CHARLESTON LOCATION 2910 Tricom Street

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Health & Wellness

Chronic Back Pain. Herniated Discs. Sciatica. Anyone who has back pain or neck pain caused in whole or part by a damaged disc may be helped by Disc Ease Therapy. There is a very good reason why thousands of former back pain sufferers are calling non-surgical lumbar decompression the “eighth wonder of the world.” This amazing new bio-technology is responsible for cracking the back pain code for thousands of FORMER pain sufferers. The lumbar/cervical decompression more specifically known as Disc Ease Therapy is a quantum leap forward in bio-technology that corrects low back conditions such as herniated discs, bulging discs, protruding discs, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, sciatica, posterior facet syndrome, and failed back surgery syndrome. The world’s most advanced non-surgical treatment for low back-related conditions. Disc Ease Therapy, the world’s most advanced nonsurgical treatment for low back related conditions, was developed after many years of research and clinical tests by a team of physicians including a world renowned neurosurgeon and bio-medical engineers. Four years ago, our doctors were introduced to Disc Ease Therapy. They have been extensively trained and certified and have recently purchased Disc Ease Therapy units. According to our doctors at Back2Health The Disc Ease Therapy targets a specific lumbar level or disc. It creates a negative pressure or a vacuum effect inside of the disc allowing the center or nucleus of the disc to be re-absorbed into its proper position, unherniating the disc. Dis Ease Therapy rehydrates the disc. Disc Ease Therapy rehydrates the disc. When describing the treatment of a degenerative disc, using the Disc Ease Therapy, Back2Health uses a sponge as an analogy for the decompression process. “A degenerative disc is like a dry sponge—it should be like a wet sponge. So by creating this pump-like action through the Disc Ease Therapy, we can rehydrate the disc with nutrients and restore it to its optimal function.” Research began on spinal decompression more than a decade ago. A team of top biomedical engineers and physicians investigated the phenomena. The Disc Ease Therapy uses the technology that came out of their research.

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Surgery can be very risky and extremely expensive. Traditionally, surgery, pain medications and physical therapy have been the primary treatments employed by doctors to address most problems involving the spine. The complications from back surgery can be severe and may result in permanent debilitating conditions. Surgery can be very risky and extremely expensive. Pain medications can make it difficult for a person to carry-on with normal day-to-day activities and still does nothing to correct the underlying cause of the condition. Physical dependency on those drugs is also another very real concern. While physical therapy can sometimes offer temporary relief for the symptoms, most patients observe that the actual benefits were marginal at best and in most cases, allowed their condition to worsen—thereby making real correction more difficult. Another common treatment is steroidal injections. While this can also provide temporary relief, it is expensive and can also allow your condition to worsen as it only masks the pain. Disc Ease Therapy has proven to be a successful treatment for low back pain due to disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, arthritis, and posterior facet syndrome. This procedure has also provided a non-surgical option for a larger portion of the geriatric population suffering from degenerative disc disease when surgery in contraindicated. New patient protocol at Back2Health Physical Medicine includes a complimentary consultation to determine if the patient qualifies for disc rejuvenation therapy and any other therapy. Following the consultation, patients can undergo a neurological, orthopedic and spinal biomechanical exam. An x-ray will be taken to demonstrate force differentials involved in the underlying cause to most back and spinal conditions. Often times, patients find the Disc Ease Therapy so comfortable they fall asleep. The comfort level is due in part to the fact that the Disc Ease Therapy can target a specific disc level and exclude inhibitory muscle fiber action. Unlike traction tables, the increase and decrease of the decompression follows a logarithmic curve, which inhibits the first of muscle spasms, allowing the decompression to occur. Spinal decompression therapy achieves its effects through decompression of the intervertebral discs and facet joints.

SUCCESS STORY

I found information about Back2Health in a booklet one day when I was out to dinner. I called the number and I was accepted right away for an appointment. When I came in I was using a cane and sometimes a walker. After coming to Back2health five times I had to go away on a trip, and I was able to go on an Amtrak train all the way up to Pennsylvania without my cane. It was then that I new that Back2Health was the right place for me. Now I can do my chores at home, and I am able to walk in supermarkets. My knees were very bad, but now I can even dance! I have told my relatives about this and they are very impressed. Some even want to come to Back2Health to get treatment from out of state. I recommend the treatment to everyone! — Ruth Motley

Health & Wellness

Do I Really Need a Mammogram?

(YES, and here’s why…)

o much debate has occurred in recent years regarding screening mammography. This debate is concerning to physicians because much of it has happened in the lay press and on editorial pages. We do not want our patients’ medical decisions to be made by The New York Times, nor by an opinion piece that happens to be in a medical journal.

So for our educated consumers, here is what you need to know. 1. Screening mammography refers to the mammograms done on a routine basis in a woman with no symptoms. This is entirely different from a diagnostic mammogram done for the evaluation of breast symptoms or a lump felt by the patient or her physician. There are no questions about the usefulness of diagnostic studies. 2. Screening mammograms do save lives, but there is debate about how many lives. Not all women who have had breast cancer would have died from it. But even the very controversial 2009 US Preventative Services Taskforce Recommendation Statement conceded, “screening mammography reduces mortality.” But is it worth the cost of screening all women? It has been estimated that about 1500 mammograms have to be performed to save one life. Newer data show that to save one woman, 84 women would need to be screened yearly from age 40 – 84. Well, to that one woman and her family the answer is surely yes, it is worth it.

3. Not every woman who has a lump removed really needed that surgery. There are some non-aggressive abnormalities found that would have turned into cancer in as few as 10-20% of patients even if they had been left alone. Which patients could have been left untreated and suffered no ill-effects? We have no idea. That is why non-invasive precancerous cells are treated by removing them. Scientists are working hard to figure out in which patients these have malignant potential and they are getting closer all the time. Once this is better understood we will be able to spare many more women from treatment. 4. The earlier a cancer is detected, the simpler the treatment. Many invasive cancers will need to be treated with chemotherapy. Even in the best of circumstances, chemotherapy is no walk in the park. The earliest stage of disease can only be found by mammogram or MRI. That is when we want to make the diagnosis and save that woman from needing cytotoxic chemotherapy, not after the disease has spread. 5. There are benefits to having digital mammogram over the older analog version for some women, especially those with dense breast tissue. It is perfectly acceptable to ask your mammography center whether your mammogram will be digital. Readers will not need to worry about this in the Charleston area as all of the local mammography centers have upgraded to digital technology.

6. In spite of the US Preventative Services Taskforce Recommendation Statement that received so much attention, the American Cancer Society, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists all recommend yearly screening mammograms start at age 40 and continue for as long as the patient is in good health. At The Breast Place we have not changed our recommendation that our patients start yearly screening mammograms at the age of 40. Women at higher than average risk of breast cancer due to family history or other risk factors might be started at an earlier age or considered for breast MRI. This individualized risk assessment should happen in conversation with your primary physician or a specialist who can then recommend a customized screening plan. For senior citizens, the primary care physician is the most appropriate person to determine at what age she should cease screening mammography. Mammograms are not performed at The Breast Place, but we are happy to refer you to a local mammography center. Screening for Breast Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2009 Nov;151(10):716-726. Number needed to screen: lives saved over 20 years of followup in mammographic screening. J Med Screen 2004;11:126– 129 Annual Mammograms Now Recommended for Women Beginning at Age 40. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Press release July 20, 2011 American College of Surgeons Voices Strong Support for American Cancer Society Screening Mammography Guidelines. American College of Surgeons. Press release November 19, 2009 American Cancer Society recommendations for early breast cancer detection in women without breast symptoms (Last Revised: 02/06/2013). www.cancer.org

Dr. Jennifer Fiorini and Dr. Jennifer Beatty are surgeons specializing in malignant and benign breast disease at The Breast Place.

Mammography screening: a new estimate of number needed to screen to prevent one breast cancer death. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012 Mar;198(3):723-8

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Health & Wellness

Sometimes...

You Need A Little Help at Home by Lori Samples Duncan

ometimes, you could just use a little extra help. Whether it is the mother who just came home from the hospital with new twins, or the 92 year-old grandfather who is still able to live on his own, we could all benefit from a little extra help sometimes. BeWell Home Services provides just that: non-medical home care. Providing assistance with daily living (i.e., personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, and toileting), medication reminders, transportation to medical appointments, running errands, grocery shopping, light house cleaning and laundry services, BeWell can help with a plethora of personal and family needs. I sat down with the management team at BeWell to get a better understanding of their services and how they can help our readers. Across the state, as ministry of Lutheran Homes of South Carolina, BeWell has offices in the Upstate, Midlands, and Lowcountry to serve readers and their families. While in many instances, the primary goal of BeWell is to allow the individual to live independently and safely as long as they can, BeWell also works in conjunction with Lutheran Homes and other agencies when a client is already under medical care. “For instance,” says Heather Sessions Brazell, Community Outreach Director at BeWell Home Services and Trinity on Laurens in Aiken, “Say your grandmother is in the hospital and your family needs a break, but you don’t want to leave her there unattended. We could come in and stay through the night until the next family member comes in.”

Home Services in Columbia, “and they have a urinary tract infection, and you are uncomfortable leaving them because they had a bad night the night before. We would come in and sit with them one-on-one, providing that special care that a large facility could not.”

ship between client and caregiver is important, and they work very hard to pair together personalities that they think will be a good fit. Clients are given the opportunity to interview potential caregivers in order to determine who will best suit their needs. With 135

The more I talked with management at BeWell, the more I realized that their services really are for everyone.

“Or your family member is in a rehab facility,” adds Cathi Cooper, Program Director for BeWell

BeWell also provides memory support training for their staff so that they can best provide services for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related concerns. They look at challenging behaviors and try to determine whether the incidences are circumstantial or if they may be tied to a deeper problem, and require the involvement of the family and physicians. BeWell understands that a caring relation-

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real

Women

caregivers between the various areas, BeWell has enough staff to ensure that everyone is taken care of well. The more I talked with management at BeWell, the more I realized that their services really are for everyone. As a working mom whose husband works in the evenings, I am often overwhelmed and even torn (i.e., baseball prac-

tice in one venue, football in another – how do you choose). I realize that I could use BeWell to help me with these errands. They can help cancer patients who need companionship on trips to chemotherapy or new moms freshly home from the hospital who do not have other family to help. In some cases, there may be assistance available. For instance, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a $500 voucher to people whose doctor has signed off on a dementia diagnosis and they can use that $500 voucher for respite care or they can use it for in-home assistance. More than a warm body, the staff at BeWell provide companionship to their clients and loved ones who may be facing challenging situations, and just need a little help. If you find yourself needing a little help at home (wherever home is), give BeWell a call at (803) 251HOME (4663) or Toll free 1-877BeWell-3or visit us online BeWellHomeServices.org.

Business & Web Directory Art & Entertainment Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry...................................................6 www.explorecml.org Colonial Life Arena..................................................................................27 www.coloniallifearena.com Auto Care Holt Transmission Service......................................................................11 www.holttransservice.com Bakery Hummingbird Bakery Café.....................................................................11 www.hummingbirdbakerycafe.com Chiropractic Care McPhail Chiropractic...............................................................................18 www.drmcphail.info Total Family Wellness................................................................................6 www.scfamilywellness.com Financial Edward Jones – Ken York........................................................................11 www.edwardjones.com Health Services Back2Health Physical Medicine Clinic...........................................................Inside Front Cover www.goosecreekchiropractics.com BeWell Home Services...............................................................................6 www.bewellhomeservices.org Bluewater Imaging & Vein Center.........................................................27 www.bluewaterimagingandvein.com Home Care Plus........................................................................................18 www.home-care-plus.com James T. Martin, Jr, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology........................................................................................23 www.jmartinmd.com Palmetto Primary Care............................................................................20 www.palmettoprimarycare.com Tricounty Radiology Associates.............................................................18 www.scdiag.com The Breast Place........................................................................................23 www.thebreastplacesc.com Trident Health...........................................................................Back Cover www.tridenthealthsystem.com Photography Tammy Bevins Photography.................................................................. Inside Back Cover www.tammybevinsphotography.com

Don’t miss our Summer issue — coming soon! www.charlestonwomanonline.com www.charlestonwomanonline.com

A Personal Note

t doesn’t seem like a full month since I sat down to pen a note to you. I have to say there are so many things that have happened this month that I could tell you about, but I find myself wanting to talk about my children. Can you imagine that? I always laugh when people say “Four? You have four children?” They look at me like I am an alien. I dare not share with them that I wanted more. My body just didn’t do pregnancy well, which is kind of funny considering it certainly had no trouble getting pregnant. It was the morning-afternoon- and evening sickness, and all the third trimester complications that were the problem. I guess that is why I am so fully aware of what a gift each one is to our family. I always thought pregnant women go home from the hospital 24 to 48 hours after giving birth with a healthy bundle of sweetness wrapped in a pink or blue blanket. That just isn’t always true. When Trey was born, he was five weeks early. It was 36 hours of hard labor and sheer exhaustion. He had a severe cephalhematoma and I was told there was a possibility he had brain damage. They believed his skull was cracked. Our hospital stay was 7 full days. He, of course, is completely healthy and currently Valedictorian of the Junior Class at WKHS. Needless to say, there was no brain damage. He broke his left clavicle coming through the birth canal and I had to leave him at the hospital the second night. It was snowing as we drove home. My eyes are watering as I write this because I tried to explain to my husband why I was crying so hard. “Honey, he is safe. He is in a hospital with the best trained staff to take care of him.” I know now he was just being strong for me. I wanted him to understand that for almost eight months Trey was a part of me and now I had to entrust him with strangers because I was well enough to go home, but he was not. The next day my pediatrician moved him to the children’s ward and gave me a bed in the room with him so I could nurse and bond with my new baby. The next time I left that hospital, it was with my son in my arms. Abby was different. She was right on time. She gave us quite a scare when the midwife discovered the cord was wrapped around her neck. She stopped breathing every time I pushed. However, the last big push, Julia reached down pulled the cord free, and I heard the sweet high pitched wail of my only little girl. ( I would grow accustomed to that sound as she was a colicky baby.) She also broke her collar bones coming out, but the only evidence of her trauma was a little jaundice and a blue face from her top lip up. I had to leave her, too, but Dr. Bailey sent her home the next night with Billie lights and me and my glow worm were together again. Colton was the easiest delivery: four hours and he scored an 8.5 on the Apgar. I was so happy. I was taking home my first baby within forty –eight hours of delivery. He looked really tan and I questioned the pediatrician at the time, because I had already had two jaundiced babies, but he assured me he was fine. A week later Colton was in the children’s hospital for jaundice. He was very sick. They talked about a lot of scary procedures and he had a little needle in his head. I prayed and begged God to help him. He did. We came home seven days later. Ryan was a surprise. Five weeks early, his lungs were underdeveloped and they said he had pneumonia. It was awful. I had to leave yet another baby at the hospital. I visited every day during the hours they allowed me to come. I talked to him and read him books as I had the others. Seven days old, he came home for the first time. I have often wondered how mothers of healthy babies can take them for granted. I do not know. You would think out of four, I would have had some better results. I believe with my whole heart, even as scary as it was, some mothers have it worse. Some mothers have it a lot worse.

photos by Clark Berry Photography

This article isn’t what I intended to write today when I sat down to pen this personal note. I was going to tell you about a birthday party that my family and some sweet friends gave me. I was going to tell you how Trey, Abby, and Colton sang at this party; about how even Ryan made a speech about his mom, and how proud I was watching my precious children stand up in a crowd of my friends and say the sweetest things about me. (I am sure I didn’t deserve most of it.) Instead, I want to tell you to be grateful. Be grateful for every moment that we have with our little ones, and our big ones. There are only so many moments in a lifetime. Make memories. Laugh. Love them. Enjoy them. Pray for them. Take care of them. Treasure them. They have so much to teach us.

Abby and Trey

Colton and Ryan

God Bless, I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. —Abraham Lincoln

Lori Samples Duncan

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real

Women

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all about heart. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard the statistics on heart disease, the #1 killer in the United States. That means 1 out of 3 people have heart disease, often without even knowing it. What about you?

Trident Health invites you to get to know Palmetto Cardiovascular. Dr. James Benner and Dr. Charles Roberts lead a cardiovascular surgery team that puts your heart at the center of what they do every day. Their practice will develop a treatment plan designed specifically for you. It will include evaluating the extent of cardiac damage, pinpointing problem areas and executing strategies to mitigate and/or reverse cardiac damage. Take control of your health, call today.

9313 Medical Plaza Drive, Suite 304 Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: (843) 553-5616 | Fax: (843) 764-2917 tridenthealthsystem.com/heart