Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Medical Jan/Feb 2018 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

BRINGING THE BEST CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL-CORPUS CHRISTI EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION TRANSFORMATION BY SILVERBACK WELLNESS, LLC COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE | JAN.FEB. 2018

NEW LEASE ON LIFE

BETTER APPROACH INSTITUTE OF PRECISION PAIN MEDICINE

COASTAL SPA MD I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Cornerstone Home Health Cornerstone Home Health can provide a service or a combination of services in your HOME. Along with your physician and our qualified staff, we plan, coordinate, and provide care tailored to your needs.

Services we offered include: Skilled nursing, Physical therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Worker, and CNA

If you have any questions or want to make a referral, contact our office at 361-727-2131 or Toll free 1-855-328-2131

2600 Lakeview Dr. Suite 2C | Rockport, Tx 78382

AAdi Home Health & Hospice Services AAdi Home Health is a full service home health and hospice agency. We provide quality nursing services and outstanding support services. The staff at AAdi Home Health has the experience, dedication and compassion needed to provide care in a home environment without sacrificing quality or safety.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

ST CE R RT OK IFI E E D

Look for the Gold! If you or a loved one needs rehabilitation following a stroke, look for the gold. Corpus Christi Rehabilitation has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its Advanced Stroke Rehabilitation program. This accreditation is voluntary and reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing safe and effective care to patients who have suffered strokes. We are committed to helping our patients return home with as much physical and cognitive independence as possible. We are passionate about patient care, and consider it a privilege to provide a higher standard of service in stroke rehabilitation to patients throughout Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend area. For more information on our stroke program, please call 361-906-3700.

CCRH.ERNESTHEALTH.COM

5726 Esplanade Drive • Corpus Christi, TX 78414 • ph: 361.906.3700

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

WE WILL PUT YOU BACK IN THE GAME OF LIFE

TREATMENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR: Musculoskeletal Injuries Pregnancy (Pre/Post Natal Care) Diabetes Fall Prevention Neuropathy Cardiovascular Therapy Osteoarthritis Vertigo (Dizziness) Osteoporosis Athletic Rehab (Sport Specific) Thoracic-Outlet Syndrome Orthotic Evaluation/Fabriation Pre-Op/Post-Operative Therapy

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

ALL 6 LOCATIONS OFFER CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAMS IN STATE OF THE ART GYMS AND LARGE INDOOR HEATED POOLS:

CORPUS CHRISTI

CALALLEN

ALICE

5026 Deepwood Cir. • 361.854.2278 4040 Five Points Rd. • 361.241.7399 1302 E. 5th St. • 361.664.9675

PORTLAND 114 Lang Rd. • 361.643.8243

ARANSAS PASS 2150 W. Wheeler Ave. • 361.758.5199

ROCKPORT 1811 Broadway (a.k.a. Fulton Beach Rd.) 361.729.8777

CONTENTS JANUARY.FEBRUARY 2018

PATIENT 14 Know Your Options 16 Bad and Worse HEALTH & WELLNESS 30 Something New EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION 32 Stop. Rewind. Reset! NONPROFIT 36 Get Involved!

18 COVER STORY

COASTAL SPA MD The physicians and nurses at this aesthetic spa stay ahead of the curve, helping patients both look and feel their best by always providing the highest-quality care possible.

24 PROFILE

CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL-CORPUS CHRISTI Named a Best Hospital in the Gulf Coast by U.S. News & World Report, the health system is proud to provide nationally recognized care close to home for South Texans.

26 PROFILE

INSTITUTE OF PRECISION PAIN MEDICINE Both double board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine, Drs. Eric Liu and Mitchell Engle take a better approach to pain management by getting to the root of patient pain.

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: DARKLAB

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Serving Corpus Christi, Texas Est. 2006

COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

JANUARY.FEBRUARY 2018 CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES Adrian Garza

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Find the path to wellness by working with a dependable physical therapist at Therapy First. We’re conveniently located inside the Corpus Christi Athletic Club. Call us today for more information or to set up your first appointment.

Holly Lewis Duvall

EDITOR Erin O’Brien

ART DIRECTOR Elisa Giordano

SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Physical Therapy

Team Silverback Training & Wellness by Hershel Shoats

• • • •

Physique training Fitness consulting Nutritional guidance Functional movements (athletes) • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu silverbackwellness@gmail.com

361-960-0534 6

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Aquatic Physical Therapy

Cody Bibb Jessica Dusek Dr. George L. Franklin Dr. Michael Fuentes Kathleen Naderer Erin Wilder

PHOTOGRAPHY DarkLab

Sports Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com

Value. Quality Care. Convenience.

CALL NOW!

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Hours: M-Th. 8-7, Fri. 8-3, Lunch Break Noon-2

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For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. For editorial comments and suggestions, please call 479.935.0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

PELICAN

MEDIA GROUP

Take a Minute to Save a Life! #CPRSAVESLIVES

It’s easy to learn this lifesaving skill.

Watch the 60-second demonstration video on Hands-Only CPR at heart.org/handsonlycpr and share it with the important people in your life. For resources in Spanish, go to heart.org/rcp.

If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend.

CPR CAN: WHY?:

:60

When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival d e p e n d s on getting

immediate CPR from someone nearby.

DOUBLE or even TRIPLE a victim’s chance of survival. Chest compressions push oxygen-rich blood through the body to keep vital organs alive. Hands-Only CPR buys time until EMS arrives.

The American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR campaign is supported by an educational grant from the Anthem Foundation.

The AHA still recommends CPR with compressions and breaths for infants and children and victims of drowning, drug overdose, or people who collapse due to breathing problems. Hands-Only CPR training does not result in an AHA Course Completion Card. ©2017, American Heart Association. DS-12068 4/17

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Who Else Wants to Who Else Wants to Who Else Wants to TM TM TM

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Health, Beauty & Confidence

NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME!

James Duncan, DDS, PA

Joy Cunningham, RDH â&#x20AC;¢ Christi Cantrell, RDH

Laser Dentistry Pinhole Surgical Technique Implant Restoration Family Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry www.duncandentalstudio.com

Duncan Dental S

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(Across from Northshore Cinema 8 on Buddy Ganem)

361-643-3030

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She Excels in School From shattered to scholar, because you made the call.

The first step in protecting a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future is reporting any signs of sexual or physical abuse...anonymously. Children in the Coastal Bend suffer child abuse at alarming rates. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ignore the signals.

Anonymously report child abuse at

1.800.252.5400 12

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

It’s not just what you do, it’s who you do it for.

I’m here to help you plan for the future so you can continue all the good you do in your life.

Annie J. Castro, LUTCF, CLU® Agent, New York Life Insurance Company 4466 S. Staples Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 (361) 986-1321 ajcastro@ft.newyorklife.com www.anniejcastro.com Registered Representative offering investments through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/ SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency.

PATIENT

few dollars, you also should not have to choose between your physical and financial well-being when you need to see the doctor. Urgent care centers provide a cost-effective alternative to a lengthy ER visit, and supplement your primary care physician’s services with longer hours and the ability to see walkins immediately. This keeps costs down for the patient, improves the delivery of high-quality care and reduces wait times for those patients who truly need the services an ER provides. Here at Promptu Immediate Care, we offer high-quality urgent medical care at a significant cost reduction over an ER, and generally much quicker, too. Good, fast and cheap – great combination.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

Urgent care versus emergency care: Where should you go? By: DR. GEORGE L. FRANKLIN

PROMPTU LOCATIONS

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

URGENT CARE CENTERS PROVIDE A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO A LENGTHY ER VISIT.

5638 SARATOGA BLVD., STE. 114 CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS 78414 P: 361-444-5280 MON-FRI: 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M. SAT & SUN: 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. ACROSS FROM THE MALL NEAR CHIPOTLE 4938 S. STAPLES ST., STE. E-8 CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS 78411 P: 361-452-9620 MON-FRI: 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M. SAT & SUN: 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

This article was contributed by George L. Franklin, D.O., medical director at Promptu Immediate Care. For more information, please call, come in or visit our website at www.promptucare.com.

WORLD IMAGE/BIGSTOCK.COM, IDEYWEB/BIGSTOCK.COM

he concept of urgent care clinics is a fairly new one that has gained popularity within the past 25 years or so. Consequently, there is often confusion regarding where one should go: the urgent care center or the emergency room (ER). Unfortunately, there are no hard-and-fast rules to follow, but I hope this article provides some guidelines. Typically, urgent care centers are staffed with generalists, doctors or mid-level providers with a breadth of training that prepares them to treat a wide range of health problems in the pediatric, adult and geriatric populations. Most urgent care centers are open late, on weekends and on most holidays, and offer onsite laboratory and X-ray services. Some, like Promptu, also offer supplemental services such as occupational health and workers’ compensation, sports physicals and immunizations. For small lacerations, simple sprains or fractures with no protruding bones, fevers, flu and many instances of nausea or diarrhea, the urgent care center will ably diagnose and treat you, often with less wait and lower cost than a trip to the ER. Conversely, ERs are staffed with physicians who are trained to evaluate and treat serious life- or limb-threatening illness or injury, and equipped with an expansive assortment of apparatus to diagnose those types of ailments. ERs are also generally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While the physicians and staff at the ER are certainly capable of treating a wide range of complaints from minor to life-threatening, you pay a premium for that kind of access and availability that is, on average, three times higher than what you can expect to pay at an urgent care center. While you should not go to an urgent care facility solely to save a

IN KOHL’S SHOPPING CENTER NEAR SMALLCAKES

HONORING

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KATHY BLACK

SANE WEISS, RN

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PATIENT

many of the same techniques work in avoiding the cold or flu. Some suggestions include:  Stay away from anyone who is sick, and stay away from others when you are sick.

BAD AND WORSE

 Wash your hands thoroughly and often throughout the day with hot water and soap. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer if hand-washing isn’t possible.

A cold versus the flu: Can you tell the difference?

 Don’t share utensils, cups, toothbrushes, towels or any other personal items.

By: DR. MICHAEL FUENTES

 Keep your hands away from your nose, eyes and mouth.  Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inside of your elbow.  Limit what you touch when in public, such as stairway rails. Wash your hands soon after touching.

    

Adults older than 65 Young children Pregnant women People with chronic medical conditions Individuals with compromised immune systems

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu typically is seasonal, unlike a cold that can be caught year-round. The United States experiences seasonal flu epidemics every year, with flu viruses being most common during the fall and winter months. Flu activity peaks between December and March. Prevention is essential to avoiding either the flu or a cold. With the flu, I always recommend a flu vaccination as your best form of defense – especially for those who are at higher risk for complications. Beyond that,

 Get plenty of sleep, eat right and exercise regularly. If you still manage to catch a cold or the flu despite your best efforts, my recommendation would be to stay home, drink plenty of fluids and rest up. For a cold, use over-the-counter medications like antihistamines or decongestants to help relieve some of the symptoms. For the flu, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug to help shorten the duration of the illness and prevent complications. And, with both, always contact your physician if your symptoms persist or worsen. You know your body best. If it doesn’t feel right, get it checked out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Michael Fuentes is the medical director of Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital provides specialized rehabilitative care to patients recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses or chronic medical conditions. For more information, visit www.ccrh.ernesthealth.com, call 361-906-3700 or visit the hospital at 5726 Esplanade Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

WWW.BILLIONPHOTOS.COM/BIGSTOCK.COM

OH NO

– here it comes again. The cough, the sore throat, the stuffy nose. It’s that time of year when the cold and flu become prevalent. But how can you tell the difference? A common cold and the flu are similar because they’re both respiratory illnesses. Even though they’re caused by different viruses, they share many of the same symptoms. This makes it hard to know for sure which you may have unless you visit your doctor. Symptoms for both illnesses can include a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fever, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. However, flu symptoms tend to be worse than cold symptoms, and people with colds are more likely to have runny or stuffy noses. A cold usually doesn’t result in serious health problems, but the flu can. While most folks can recover from the flu in less than a couple weeks, it can lead to respiratory complications like bronchitis, pneumonia and bacterial infections. In the worst cases, these com-

plications can lead to hospitalization. While anyone can get severely sick from the flu, groups at higher risk for complications include:

NEW YEAR NEW VIERA

LIFE

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The Viera on-site sales office is now open 7 days a week.

TheVieraLife.com | 361.392.4OOO

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CrossFit Classes 7 Days a Week

SS FIT O R C

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I LLA D E

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Memberships Start at $95/month for Adults $75/month for Students Private Coaching Available by Appointment Drop-Ins Welcome  Showers Lifting Cardio Area I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

COVER STORY

Curve AHEAD OF THE

AT COASTAL SPA MD, THE PHYSICIANS AND NURSES GIVE PATIENTS A NEW LEASE ON LIFE BY HELPING THEM BOTH LOOK AND FEEL THEIR BEST. By: KATHLEEN NADERER Photos by: DARKLAB

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

UCKED INSIDE CROSSROADS SHOPPING VILLAGE, COASTAL SPA MD PROVIDES CUTTING-EDGE AESTHETIC CARE FOR THE COASTAL BEND. STARTED A YEAR AGO AS A SIDE PROJECT BY FOUR COWORKERS, COASTAL SPA MD IS THE ONLY AESTHETIC SPA IN TOWN WITH THREE PHYSICIANS AND AN ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE ON STAFF.

The team consists of Drs. Mark Wilson, Anna Hagler and Mary Lou Roper, and Ashley Wilson, all of whom specialize in anesthesiology. Despite running a successful new business, these four highly trained professionals continue to practice fulltime at the same local hospital where they first met. Their years of experience giving patients injections, nerve blocks and intravenous central and peripheral lines at the hospital have given them a solid foundation in aesthetic procedures. What began as performing aesthetic injections for family and friends soon led them to realize their expertise could benefit the greater Coastal Bend community. “In the anesthesia field, we see firsthand what people go through during surgery and invasive procedures,” Ashley Wilson said. “What some people don’t realize is that there are many safe, non-invasive or minimally invasive alternatives that may be able to accomplish what they are looking for without surgery and anesthesia.” The final deciding factor to form their own private practice came with their discovery of CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting is an effective FDA-cleared, non-surgical, non-invasive process of contouring a person’s body by freezing away unwanted fat. “Coolsculpting was an idea for a little side business,” Roper said. “I originally called about the technology on a whim ... then [ZELTIQ]

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

WE TRY TO DEVELOP LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR PATIENTS.,,

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

called me back because they really wanted someone in the area. I knew I was too busy to do it by myself, but it’d be possible with some folks working together, and the spa just grew from there.” Although managing their own business has presented challenges, the team agrees that it has been an overall positive learning experience. “Every time you overcome a hurdle, you have a sense of accomplishment,” Hagler said. “You’re dealing with clients in a market that changes all the time. We have to stay on top of the newest releases in product and the newest advancements in equipment in order to keep providing our patients the very best.” The team at Coastal Spa MD prides themselves on their ability to stay ahead of the curve by researching the latest products, technology and techniques in their field. In addition to offering the highest-quality injectables, including BOTOX Cosmetic and Juvéderm, they carry two lines of physician-grade skin-care products: ZO Medical and Neocutis. The team was the first to bring platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to Coastal Bend aesthetics patients. PRP uses a patient’s own growth hormones to rejuvenate areas of the body. Other services they offer include microneedling, Ultherapy (a non-invasive facelift) and various laser procedures for skin resurfacing, hair removal and acne treatments. They are also one of the only places in the area to offer IV Nutrition Ther-

WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE SPECIAL TO ME IS THE CONTINUAL PATIENT INTERACTION.,,

apy, a method of delivering vital nutrients, amino acids and minerals directly to a person’s body via the bloodstream. This technique has been shown to provide strength and support for allergies, fatigue, dehydration, depression, lowered immune system, athletic performance and more. Most of all, Coastal Spa MD prides themselves on their handson involvement and their patient retention. Developing a personal relationship with patients is an aspect of spa business that they truly enjoy. “We’ve got a small place here,” Mark Wilson explained. “It’s not a factory. We don’t try to shuffle tons of people in and out of here. Instead, we try to develop a long-term relationship with those people.”

Meet the Team

MARK WILSON, MD

ANNA HAGLER, MD

MARY LOU ROPER, MD

Mark Wilson grew up in in England before moving to California at age 12. He attended medical college in Wisconsin and completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of New Mexico before moving to Corpus Christi in 2002. He has practiced cardiac anesthesia fulltime in the Coastal Bend since 2003. Corpus Christi is now truly home to him, his wife, Ashley, and their two children. He serves as the medical director for the spa.

Originally from Poland, Anna Hagler immigrated to the United States after graduating from medical school in 2005. She completed an anesthesia residency at Dartmouth, as well as a fellowship at Harvard, and worked as an assistant professor at the University of California Davis. She and her husband, a native Californian, chose to move to Corpus Christi because of its friendly community and proximity to the water.

A native of Houston, Mary Lou Roper had a background in physiology and kinesiology – which she used at NASA to help prevent astronauts from deconditioning due to space flight – before she pursued anesthesiology. After completing her anesthesia residency at Johns Hopkins, she and her husband moved to Maryland. Roper grew tired of the biting cold, however, and was eager to return to Texas when the opportunity arose in 2000.

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ASHLEY WILSON, MSN, CRNA Born and raised in a small town in Louisiana, Ashley Wilson is a nurse anesthetist, an advanced practice nurse. After graduating with her master’s of nursing science from LSU Health Science Center in 2010, she moved to Corpus Christi for her first anesthesia job. It was here she met her husband, Mark, and she now happily calls the city home.

“In anesthesia, we see the patient awake for a very short amount of time, and then we put the patient to sleep,” Ashley Wilson added. “What makes this place special to me is the continual patient interaction. Once patients come for the first time, they tend to come back again and again!” Although some people may have a preconceived notion that aesthetics has direct ties to vanity, the Coastal Spa MD team knows that aesthetic procedures affect more than just the outside appearance of a person’s body. These types of procedures can greatly improve a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem, giving them a new lease on life. Clients range from an older person wanting to age gracefully by reducing the appearance of fine lines, to a groom using BOTOX injections so he doesn’t have to worry about sweating through his suit during his wedding, to a woman gaining enough self-confidence from CoolSculpting to wear a swimsuit for the first time in her life, and beyond. “When you can show patients a non-invasive or minimally invasive procedure that can completely change what has bothered them for years, their whole face just lights up,” Ashley Wilson said. “It’s beautiful to see that you can improve someone’s self-confidence by making a small aesthetic change.” Although immediate gratification is typical for aesthetics, a handful of procedures and products can take a little longer to show dramatic results. But providing safe, medically grounded options for clients is the priority at Coastal Spa MD. By focusing on the total wellness of a person rather than a single aspect, the team is able to help clients both look and feel their very best. As the demand for this type of aesthetic care grows, Coastal Spa MD will continue to grow with it. They have recently added a registered nurse aesthetician – Skylar Smith, BSN, R.N. – to their staff, and they plan to continue adding new services, with even more wellness options, in 2018.

,, WHEN YOU CAN SHOW PATIENTS

A NON-INVASIVE OR MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURE THAT CAN COMPLETELY CHANGE WHAT HAS BOTHERED THEM FOR YEARS, THEIR WHOLE FACE JUST LIGHTS UP.

If you would like Coastal Spa MD to help you make a change in the New Year, visit www.coastalspamd.com or call 361-336-6464 to learn more about their services or to schedule an appointment with a practitioner. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PROFILE

WORLD-CLASS

CARE U.S. News & World Report names CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-Corpus Christi a Best Hospital for the Gulf Coast region. Special to Inspire Coastal Bend

For more information, visit https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN

s the Coastal Bend continues to see growth and investment, nationally recognized health care is another great attribute South Texans can be proud to have close to home. U.S. News & World Report recently recognized CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-Corpus Christi as a Best Hospital for 2017-18 in the Gulf Coast region. The 28th annual Best Hospitals rankings are part of U.S. News’ patient portal, designed to help patients make informed decisions about where to receive the best care. “We are honored to be recognized on a national level for the high-quality care we deliver right here in South Texas,” said Justin Doss, president of CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-Corpus Christi also was ranked as a National High Performer in providing Heart care, Colon Cancer Surgery and COPD care. “We continue to invest in our community,” Doss added, “by providing state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technologies and recruiting skilled physicians, nurses and clinicians who make us a world-class organization each and every day.” For the 2017-18 rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. In the 16 specialty areas, 152 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. “For nearly three decades, we’ve strived to make hospital quality more transparent to health care consumers nationwide,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. The U.S. News methodologies include risk-adjusted survival and readmission rates, volume, patient experience, patient safety, quality of nursing care and other care-related indicators. “By providing the most comprehensive data available,” Harder added, “we hope to give patients the information they need to find the best care across a range of specialties.”

“

WE ARE HONORED TO BE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR THE HIGH-QUALITY CARE WE DELIVER RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH TEXAS.”

PROFILE

Working Through the

PAIN Dr. Eric Liu welcomes new partner, Dr. Mitchell Engle, to the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine. Together, the doctors plan to improve pain management in South Texas. By: KATHLEEN NADERER Photos by: DARKLAB

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

outh Texas has a reputation as an underserved pain community, meaning that many people struggling with acute or chronic pain don’t receive treatments necessary to improve their quality of life.

With few board-certified pain specialists in the area, most people must rely on their primary care physician to manage pain issues. While general practice doctors are highly qualified and equipped to treat straightforward cases, specialists are necessary for complex or long-term cases in order to streamline and optimize patient care. This is why Dr. Eric Liu and Dr. Mitchell Engle, both double board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine, offer a better approach to pain management in Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas. Their practice, the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, addresses pain from a multidisciplinary stance, using every tool and technique at their disposal to identify the cause and optimize the reduction of pain. By recognizing pain as a complex process with both physical and emotional causes, Liu and Engle go beyond mere symptom management. “Every other specialty in medicine does it,” Liu said. “If you have a heart problem, you see a cardiologist. A surgeon won’t remove the appendix from somebody who has a gallbladder problem. Similarly, pain specialists find the root of the pain in order to correctly treat it.” People of all ages with a wide variety of pain problems are patients at the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine. From young people with sports injuries to elderly patients suffering from deteriorated joints and stenosis, Liu and Engle have seen it all during their years of practice. Engle, a former assistant professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center and a member of the Texas Pain Foundation, also brings his vast experience and knowledge of pain management for cancer patients. Previously, these patients would have to travel to cities like Houston for this type of specialized care. Liu and Engle take into account each patient’s individual needs before creating a custom plan that is ethical and evidence-based, using a variety of methods including prescription medications, surgical procedures, physical therapy, pain psychology, rehabilitation and more. Their facili-

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ty even has access to clinical trials, as well as regenerative medicine techniques such as platelet rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy, which increases treatment options for patients. “No two patients have the same pain history or pain experience,” Engle explained. “Low-quality pain care will just use one method to treat a person. A comprehensive pain medicine center has to incorporate all of these methods and tailor them to the individual patient.” “In this hectic business, you often hear patients complain that doctors just come in for five minutes and then leave,” Liu added. “So we spend extra time listening and explaining the diagnosis in layman’s terms they can understand.” By taking the time to listen, educate and motivate patients, as well as individualize plans and use the full range of multidisciplinary treatments available, Liu and Engle are able to ensure that those who come to them in pain will find relief and, they hope, improvement. Of course, this compassion and integrity places a strain on another precious resource: time. When Liu first opened the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine in July 2016, he knew South Texas would have a high demand for his specialty. “When I started, I knew I could be successful, but I didn’t realize how quickly!” he exclaimed. His practice experienced rapid success. By its first anniversary, patients had to book appointments two to three months in advance. At the time, Liu was working on his own. Fortunately, his wife, Jigna Liu, helped him establish the business side of the practice. She set up credentials with hospitals, insurances and surgery centers; handled phone calls; hired essential staff members; created a billing department; and managed other crucial business infrastructure. Liu’s work schedule extended from 8 a.m. to as late as 9 p.m. most days, despite her help. This exhausting schedule indicated a need for an additional specialist, so he immediately reached out to his good friend, Engle.

Three Ways to Help Reduce Pain:

The two men met as interns in 2007 at University of Alabama at Birmingham, where they conducted their residencies for anesthesiology. They formed a close friendship during this time that lasted even as Liu stayed at UAB for a pain fellowship, while Engle left to finish his pain fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. “We always knew our career paths would cross again,” Liu said. With both of these doctors at the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, their combined skillset promises not only a reduced waiting time for patients, but also an overall improvement in the quality of pain management in the Coastal Bend.

1 2 3

Stay active: “It’s important that you still remain active, or you’ll lose function over time,” Engle explained. Daily activities, even for short periods of time, can improve overall health and wellness. Lose the excuse: Liu recommends anyone struggling with time constraints, bad weather, a lack of exercise equipment or any other limitation look up free Chair Yoga exercises online. “You can always do more than you think you can.” Stop smoking: Smoking not only negatively affects your lungs and heart, it can accelerate spinal deterioration, agitate arthritis and make you more sensitive to pain.

“We find the root of the pain in order to correctly treat it.”

If you need help dealing with acute or chronic pain, visit www.ippmcc.com to learn more about treatment options or to schedule an appointment with Liu and Engle. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

HEALTH & WELLNESS

SOMETHING NEW

When setting your fitness goals to become a new and improved you this year, try CrossFit – a different style of working out. By: CODY BIBB

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YOU CAN DO CROSSFIT AT ANY AGE.

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oals are beautiful things to set and achieve. Many of us do the cliché thing every new year of setting the basic goals of eating healthier, going to the gym, acting a like a better person and so on and so on. Those of us who don’t drop these goals as soon as Jan. 2 comes around stick to those goals and see results. Some of us get memberships at gyms or get personal trainers to push us harder, while others go to a different style of working out. We call it CrossFit. Training at a CrossFit Box (another word for “gym”) is a whole different feeling than going to the gym to weight lift for an hour or two. Here, we train together. What I mean by “together” is a group of three to 20 people doing intense workouts, suffering together, cheering each other on and pushing one another to new limits every day. We do not do the traditional lifting to get big or run for miles to increase our cardio – we do both to make the best allaround athlete. I’m not dissing on anyone who only lifts weights or only runs miles at a time. Everyone has their own style of lifting just like everything else that we do. Trainers are important to any kind of exercise for anyone’s goals for getting fit. In CrossFit, you have a CrossFit coach there at your box (or gym), watching, coaching and critiquing your movements during your workout. Sometimes you’ll wish you didn’t go to the gym that day, but your trainer will greet you with a smile, ask how your day was and encourage you to do better than you did the day before. We CrossFit coaches are always looking at ways to improve our athletes’ form, strength and flexibility. The safety of our athletes is always our No. 1 priority. We adjust the tiniest things from a little jerking motion that might end up hurting your arm, or lifting with too much with

your back, which will cause your back to give out. Everything a coach will tell you is to help you improve whatever it is you need to improve. You can do CrossFit at any age. At our gym, we’ve had our youngest athlete at only 8 years old! Even at the later stages of life, we have had athletes at 80 years old! Now, obviously, an 8-year-old kid and an 80-year-old person cannot do the same thing an athlete who is 23 years old can do. With those limitations, there is always a modified version of any kind of movement, weight or workout.

For example, if an athlete is 60 years old, has not worked out in 20 years and is overweight, he or she may not be able to run a mile in this certain workout. So the trainer may suggest to row a mile or a certain

number of meters on one of our rowing machines. It is an easier alternative to running a mile. Same thing goes with lifting weights. Instead of lifting a barbell, we use dumbbells. These are just a few of the many alternatives to many movements that we have in the CrossFit world. Going back to setting goals and achieving them, success stories are some of my favorite things to hear. I love it when members tell us that they’ve had to go down many jean sizes; that they’ve never been stronger; that they’re in the best shape of their life; or even that they feel more confident than they ever have before. Seeing members first come in saying the magic words, “I’m ready for a change,” is what drives us to help make that change, along with the other CrossFit coaches at the Box. We then see those same members, or even members who have been with us for months, set new personal records or change their body shapes. Just like any other sport, you have everyone who starts from the beginning, and then you have the most elite athlete in that sport. In football, you have the Super Bowl. In the NBA, you have the Finals. In CrossFit, we have the CrossFit Games. Here, we have the most elite athletes in CrossFit going headto-head, competing for the title of “fittest on earth.” Men, women, teens and teams compete for this title. Athletes from all over the world come to participate. The process to get there is harder than you may imagine. You have to push your body to see what your best time is in the CrossFit Open, become one of the best athletes in your region, win the CrossFit Regionals within a certain ranking and finally see how fit you really are in the CrossFit Games. Whatever your fitness goals may be – whether it’s to lose weight, get bigger, get stronger, get faster or simply get into shape – come try something new. CrossFit is something that will push your body more and more each time you come. Here you make new friends, learn healthier habits and learn new ways to improve yourself. There are many locations here in the Corpus Christi area, each with different people and feels to them. Come check out each one, see which one you like the best and stick with it. Become a new and improved you.

For more information, visit Corpus Christi’s CrossFit Gorilla Den online at www.crossfitgorilladen.com. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

STOP. REWIND. RESET!

At Silverback Wellness, LLC., the journey to wellness encompasses mind, body and soul. By: JESSICA DUSEK

“IT’S NOT JUST A PHYSICAL THING. It’s mind, body and soul,” explains Holly Duvall of her journey toward her body transformation. The co-publisher and director of operations for Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine sought out a three-month program under the keen guidance of trainer Hershel Shoats of Silverback Wellness, LLC. As is the case for many of Shoats’ clients, life shifts guided Duvall to make a sincere decision to recommit to her fitness routine and make herself a priority amidst her busy schedule. “They are in there – my legs are twitching,” she laughs of her new muscles. “It’s about getting these muscles moving.” Shoats’ training approach allows him get into the toughest areas of his clients’ minds. Bodybuilding and Jiu Jitsu have been instrumental in his “short-term pain, long-term gain” mentality. “You have to lose something,” explains Shoats, on the road to wellness and self-empowerment. Overcoming childhood abuse, trauma and PTSD during his military service, Shoats found himself facing continual obstacles. Turning from opiates to exercise became clarifying. Manually shifting the pattern from self-neglect to self-love has also become key. “You have to get in here and love yourself to death,” he explains. “It’s only your walk. You’re the one that’s got to stand on the podium. Love yourself to put yourself on your own walk.” For each of us, the day-to-day work routine alongside personal obligations is taxing. Time for workouts can appear slim to null. “I’m a mother. I own a successful business – trying to balance all of it,” Duvall shares. Yet, Duvall’s inspiration to make a pilot program of her new routine helped her achieve changes. She began training three days per week, and later graduated to a high-momentum, fiveday-per-week training routine. However, her goals come with their less-than-enjoyable challenges: “Anything that requires me (to) sit-up, push up or pull up,” Duvall laughs. And it’s not all spandex and tank

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“

YOU HAVE TO GET IN HERE AND LOVE YOURSELF TO DEATH.”

tops. “He doesn’t want me to lose my motivation and become complacent,” she says. “So I haven’t worked out in a tank top ever since!” Reaching a milestone in her eighth week of Shoats’ training program, Duvall went down a couple clothing sizes, and lost 6 inches off of her waist. “It makes me feel like I’m more centered and connected,” she explains of the transformation. “It makes me feel like I’m not hiding.”

the image of Christ and we need to value it,” Duvall describes. Enacting that belief has left her feeling more centered and empowered within her own skin.

So, what has made Duvall and Shoats’ other clients successful?

5. Gratitude: Enjoying of the gifts of internal and external progress, Duvall notes, “My physical being is aligning with my mental and spiritual being. (I’m) really experiencing true purpose and feelings of value.”

1. Pattern changes: Duvall wakes up at 4:30 a.m. to begin her workout at 5:30 a.m. (Yes!) She also plans and eats clean, but rewards herself occasionally with her favorite: pizza. Once a week, and only a couple slices! 2. Showing up: Accountability to self and trainer. “It’s keeping the perspective of this commitment,” Duvall says. “I need to make this a priority. I can’t look at this as it’s a party and I don’t want to go.” 3. Spirituality: “I believe our bodies are sacred, and we were created in

4. Dedication: “As I’m seeing results, I’m fulfilling my commitment,” Duvall says. “Hershel has been so motivating, and he holds me accountable. His sacrifice and commitment to me has been just as rewarding.”

Duvall concludes, “What Hershel does ... is a lot different than any other trainer I’ve worked with. He starts at the bottom of your toes to the top of your fingertips. He balances the circuits and a lot of running. He does go to the core – strength in your core is going to affect your entire body.” Shoats has been training Duvall at both the Portland Community Center and Lynn’s US Gym in Corpus Christi.

After After

Before

After

Spray tan provided for Holly by Third Coast Spray Tans & More

START DATE: 9.18.17 CONCLUSION DATE: 12.15.17 TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS:

21 LBS.

TOTAL CUMULATIVE INCHES LOSS: Before

18 IN.

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MORE ON HERSHEL SHOATS How weight-training and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu led him on a road to healing

“My nickname was Bitty,” explains Hershel Shoats of being small in his early years. Life was anything but easy. Early on, he felt a sense of helplessness, witnessing abuse of loved ones and being the victim of abuse himself. “Abuse, trauma and beatings was an ordinary thing in my day,” he describes of the pain endured. Difficulty of learning also affected his self-esteem throughout his youth. His stint in the military furthered his PTSD. After seeking psychological care, he had a breakthrough, and later came across healing modalities by training and practicing the ancient art of Jiu Jitsu. “I’m one of those trainers that, if I’m in your life, I’m here to make you better.” His dedication to mold clients comes from a place of intensity and survival. Dealing with extremes has fueled Shoats’ ability to overcome unthinkable obstacles on his path. He pushes his clients. “If you haven’t lost anything, you’re not going to finish,” he explains.

He explains that, “Strays are anything that causes stress from getting you to the Promised Land. My bible is your diet. I am the pastor. You stay on the straight and narrow like Jesus told you.” Shoats’ own transformation is a testament and a platform to keep paying his gifts forward, “Keep moving, and spread as much goodwill,” he says. Shoats’ goodwill has become a purpose going beyond Silverback Wellness, LLC, including incorporating Stranger Danger classes and preventing veteran suicide through

“

THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY OUT OF THE DARKNESS. I WANT TO BE A LIGHT THAT CAN HELP LEAD YOU OUT OF IT.”

his role as regional leader for Mission 22, where he continues to build up others. Through Jiu Jitsu, he teaches Stranger Danger classes to cheerleaders and youth. “It was made for the small man to defeat the large man,” he says. “It takes your mind and says ‘breathe’ – this is a controllable state.” Shoats’ Mission 22 work supports veterans who suffer from PTSD and are on suicide watch. “I’m bringing more awareness, because a lot of people didn’t know what PTSD does.” Shoats oversees the Southern chapter, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. “If anything happens with a vet, we try to get them help,” he says. “I’ve been hosting and having events to raise awareness, educate and connect resources to the people who need them most. There is always a way out of the darkness. I want to be a light that can help lead you out, and give you faith that you will be OK.”

To learn more about Hershel Shoats and Silverback Wellness, LLC., please visit www.silverbackwellness.weebly.com.

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NONPROFIT

GET INVOLVED! Put some heart into the New Year by helping the American Heart Association in its mission to build healthier lives in the Coastal Bend.

he closing of one year and the beginning of another is always a great opportunity for reflection. How can we make the coming year healthier and happier for ourselves and our community? While it’s true that many people give up on their resolutions within the first few weeks of the year, a significant number are successful. When you resolve to get involved with a mission or a cause, you are more likely to make your commitment stick. There are many ways to get involved with the American Heart Association. Participate in one of our annual awareness and fundraising events: the Heart Ball, the Heart Walk and/or the Go Red For Women luncheon. Getting your school, company or church to participate in our programs is a great way to contribute to a heart-healthier community. In Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend, our efforts to build a healthier community have included partnering with top companies, school districts, local hospital systems and EMS providers, community organizations and hundreds of incredible dedicated and passionate volunteers and supporters. February is also American Heart Month, recognized as such annually by every president since LBJ first started the tradition in 1964. Cardiovascular diseases and stroke are still the No. 1 and No. 5 killers of Americans, respectively, but the American Heart Association is celebrating 50 years of successes with extraordinary advances in cardiovascular health and consecutive annual declines in heart-related deaths. These successes, and the continuous need for further education and outreach, continue in Corpus Christi this February. Our local chapter of the American Heart Association will be busy around town all month; here’s a few things we’ve got going on: 2018 CORPUS CHRISTI HEART BALL Last year’s event raised more than $440,000, and this year, we hope to raise even more toward the fight against heart disease and stroke. The

annual Corpus Christi Heart Ball attracts over 500 of the city’s community leaders in medicine and business, and is the American Heart Association’s premier fundraising event in the region. This year’s “Heart of New Orleans” ball includes sounds of New Orleans jazz, delectable food and silent and live auctions. Local volunteers, supporters and donors will be recognized, along with the night’s honorees: Peggy and Avinash Ahuja; Mary and Charles Campbell, M.D.; and Hugo Berlanga, our featured survivor. Heart Ball raises funds to reduce death and disability from heart disease and stroke, our No. 1 killer and the leading cause of long-term disability. NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY The first Friday of February is National Wear Red Day, a day to raise awareness of heart disease in women. Many think of heart disease an older men’s condition, but heart disease kills more women every year than all forms of cancer combined, and is women’s No. 1 health threat. Awareness is key to transforming women’s lives and helping them mitigate their risk factors. All women – and the men who love them – are invited to participate in National Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb. 2, by wearing red and sharing on social media with the hashtag #CorpusGoRed to amplify this lifesaving message. LITTLE HATS BIG HEARTS Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States, but thanks to advances in science and technology, more and more of these littlest hearts are surviving – and thriving. Volunteers for the American Heart Association spent the past holiday season knitting and crocheting little red hats, one for every baby born in Corpus Christi in the month of February to raise awareness of congenital heart defects and share infant heart health info with newborns’ families. This is the third year this national project has taken place in the Coastal Bend.

You can learn more about the American Heart Association and American Heart Month by visiting www.heart.org. Or you can get involved locally in the mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, by following the American Heart Association at www.facebook.com/ahacorpus.

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By: ERIN WILDER

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