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Laser Hair Removal 101
LASER HAIR REMOVAL 101 What you need to know to get your hair reduction journey started
SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND
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hat exactly is laser hair removal? Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, a licensed professional uses a laser to emit a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the hair follicles. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.
Although laser hair removal effectively delays hair growth for long periods, multiple treatments are needed for initial hair removal, and maintenance treatments might be needed, as well. Hair color and skin type influence the success of the laser hair removal. The basic principle is that the pigment of the hair, but not the pigment of the skin, should absorb the light. The laser should damage only the hair follicle while avoiding damage to the skin. Hairs do not fall out immediately, but will shed over a period of days to weeks post-procedure. This may look like continued hair growth. Repeated treatments are usually necessary because hair growth and loss naturally occur in a cycle, and laser treatment works best with hair follicles in the new-growth stage.
Results very significantly and are difficult to predict. Most people experience hair removal that lasts several months, and it might last for years, but laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee W
permanent hair removal. When hair re-grows, it’s usually finer and lighter. Any hormonal changes can cause new hair follicles to grow.
You may need to maintain laser hair treatments for long-term reduction, but that certainly beats having to constantly shave your hair at full, natural force. Now that you have a better understanding, it’s time to get your hair reduction journey started!
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
ALL 6 LOCATIONS OFFER CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAMS IN STATE OF THE ART GYMS AND LARGE INDOOR HEATED POOLS:
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6 CORPUS CHRISTI 5026 Deepwood Cir. • 361.854.2278 CALALLEN 4040 Five Points Rd. • 361.241.7399 ALICE 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
COVER STORY
BACK LIFE TO Drs. Eric Liu and Mitchell Engle elevate pain care in the Coastal Bend at the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine.
By: Steven Alford Photos by: TWINS Media
LIVING
with serious pain after a traumatic injury or disease can be a daily battle to function, as severe aches and discomfort stand in the way of a normal life. For Drs. Eric Liu and Mitchell Engle, working with these patients to help give them their life back is a privilege they undertake each day.
In 2017, the pair joined the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, a cutting-edge pain care facility that doesn’t just treat the pain, but diagnoses the person as a whole. Their healing philosophy is not only about feeling better – it’s about living better.
The talented doctors are different sides of the same coin, each bringing their own special skills to the growing practice. Liu is a fellowship-trained interventional pain medicine specialist and anesthesiologist. He is an outgoing physician who is passionate about patient care. Engle is a very sharp, research-driven pain specialist who brings years of evidence-based knowledge and experience from MD Anderson Cancer Centre to the table. Together, they are transforming lives in the Coastal Bend for those suffering from pain.
It has emerged as a major health concern for many Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as chronic pain brings with it negative consequences to many people, their families and society as a whole. In 2016, an estimated 20.4 percent of U.S. adults (50 million) were living with chronic pain, while an additional 8 percent of U.S. adults (19.6 million) experienced high-impact chronic pain, the CDC reports.
Many patients are living with chronic pain (back pain, neck pain or knee pain). Others are suffering from a degenerative disease, which wears at the joints and brings painful arthritis. At the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, the goal is to not just diagnosis a patient’s pain, but also educate them about the big picture – all of the many ways they can work to ease their pain. “I think a lot of other physicians – when the patient comes in, they just look at the MRI and say what they can do for you. We do that – that’s a big part of what we are trained to do – but we explore what else might help our patients, too,” Liu shares. “From medication management to injection therapies, regenerative medicine, neuro stimulation, pain pump therapy – we’re interested in the most advanced technologies and methods.”
The Institute of Precision Pain Medicine works with patients in a variety of ways through physical therapy, massage therapy and acupuncture, and encourages healthy exercise through low-impact activities such as yoga and swimming. The patient’s regimen might include not only medication, but nutrition, exercise and an emphasis on a healthier lifestyle. It’s a way of looking at their patients as a whole person, not just a prescription, and treating them in a holistic way, the doctors say. WE ALWAYS WANT TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE.”
“We try to use all the tools we can to manage pain,” Engle said. “We call it a multi-modality approach. A lot of pain docs forget patient participation, but if they don’t participate, they are aren’t going to do well.”
In school, Engle earned his Ph.D. in pain research. He gravitated toward applying research and science to the patients he saw. He brings a wealth of scientific knowledge to the practice, which Liu says elevates the level of care they are able to provide their patients.
“He brings such a profound academic knowledge from the research side,” Liu says. “We always want to provide evidence-based medicine. We don’t just want to do what other people do – we want it based on real medical evidence.” There is a team approach at the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, where Liu has carefully pulled together some of the brightest minds in medicine for the Coastal Bend. The team says they are committed to providing innovative pain management services to their patients, which is spelled out clearly on a sign that lists the practice’s mission. The plaque reads: “We strive to deliver the most advanced, minimally invasive, diagnostic and therapeutic services to enable our patients to restore function, relieve pain and renew hope.”
That renewed sense of hope comes with a better quality of life for pain patients under the care of Liu and Engle, including physician assistants, Armando Garcia and Lissa Ruiz, and nurse practitioner, Jennifer Lindsay.
“Can we cure the pain? Unfortunately, no. But by giving them back that function and quality of life – it’s really satisfying and rewarding for us,” Liu says. “Our patients have told us, ‘Without you, our quality of life was down. You gave us that quality of life back.’”
The doctors share that many patients come to the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine following a spinal or joint surgery. Often, patients have been told surgery was their only option to relieve pain, but find afterward their pain has continued.
The doctors say it’s rewarding to work with these patients and show them alternative ways to manage their discomfort. “Seeing those patients improve the quality of their lives and improve their motor functions – that’s what we really enjoy,” Engle says.
Liu and Engle are the compassionate face of the growing young practice. They are a dynamic duo, quick to compliment each other and finish each other’s sentences. And the office is truly a family affair. The doctors’ wives, Carissa Engle and Jigna Liu, are very actively involved in the business, working in the background and helping manage operations. It’s that closeness and warmth that benefits patients at Institute of Precision Pain Medicine and sets the practice apart.
“He is exceptionally passionate about patient care and highly driven to find out the story of the patient’s life and how he can best treat them,” Engle says of Liu. “He’s the kind of doctor that I would want to care for me.”
Seeing patients improve the quality of their lives is what we really enjoy.”
Of Engle, Liu tells his patients that he is lucky to have him as a business partner. He jokes that Engle is his work husband. “He brings a whole set of skills I don’t have,” Liu says. “He is the most intelligent person I’ve ever known. He is my Google search. He is my encyclopedia.”
Looking ahead to the future, the doctors say their biggest goal is that their patients receive the best possible care they can. But in terms of growth for the practice, the pair are looking to expand the office in Calallen, and are looking at opening more offices throughout South Texas.
They also hope to explore new technology and bring modern innovations to the practice from regenerative medicines to spinal stimulations and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The aim is always to get their patients off of chronic opioid therapy and independent from pain medications.
The future looks bright for the pair and the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine as they forge ahead to grow their business and find
new ways to help people who are living with pain in the Coastal Bend. It’s a calling they are excited to pursue.
“We don’t want to ask, ‘Is your pain better or not?’ “It’s about, ‘Is your quality of life better?’” Liu says. “If they are able to get out and walk and participate in family events on the weekend – that’s what it’s all about for us.”
Many of the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine’s patients are referrals from hospitals or primary care physicians; however, the institute does take self-referrals from patients living with pain. The office recommends calling to verify if insurance will qualify for treatment.
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE The 2020 Healthgrades Awards honor CHRISTUS Spohn Health System for its commitment to high-quality care.
By: Steven Alford
Nationally recognized health care and technology can be found right here in the Coastal Bend at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, which has been honored for its commitment to high-quality care.
CHRISTUS Spohn Health System is proud to receive numerous 2020 Healthgrades Awards for clinical excellence recognizing top national performance for patient safety, spinal surgery, hip surgery, labor and delivery and more.
These distinctions place CHRISTUS Spohn among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery, and among the top 10 percent of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data as evaluated by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for physicians and hospital information.
“We continue to adhere to the path that we have set forth of being the destination health care facility for the region,” said Dr. Osbert Blow, president and chief medical officer for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. “We are honored to see such recognition of our commitment to providing the very best health care for everyone in our community.”
Each year, Healthgrades analyzes patient data and safety information from thousands of hospitals throughout the country, recognizing facilities that adhere to the highest standards of safety and quality for their patients. For its analysis, Healthgrades evaluated approximately 45 million Medicare inpatient records over a three-year period from 2016-18 for nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide to assess hospital performance and recognize the highest-performing facilities.
CHRISTUS Spohn Health System has a long history of being recognized for excellence in spinal care. This is the seventh year in a row CHRISTUS Spohn has been named among America’s Best 100 Hospitals for spine surgery, and the ninth year in a row the facility has been recognized with the Spine Surgery Excellence Award, nam
20 I N S P I R E COASTALB E N DMAG.COM PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN
ing CHRISTUS Spohn among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the country for spinal surgery the past two years.
“Our goal is to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art spine care in a fully integrated environment where patient well-being, recovery and healing is our focus,” said Dr. Melissa Macias, medical director of Neuro Trauma and CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline Neuroscience Institute. “We aim for every patient to have an individualized experience during their hospitalization, delivered at every level and by every provider with erudition and compassion.” The goal of the spinal experts at CHRISTUS Spohn is to provide exceptional, compassionate care for those suffering from acute, chronic back or neck pain, helping patients regain maximum function and return to a pain-free life.
“Pursuing spine surgery is a scary prospect for many patients. They want assurance that the hospital that they choose adheres to the highest standards and has excellent outcomes,” says Dr. John Borkowski, medical director for CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South Orthopedic Institute. “Being designated a center of excellence brings our facility national recognition as a spine care leader.”
For labor and delivery services, this is the second year in a row CHRISTUS Spohn has received a 5-star ranking for vaginal delivery (natural birth) and C-section delivery. CHRISTUS Spohn’s expert birthing services team can handle all types of
maternal and newborn care ranging from routine to high-risk pregnancies.
“I am so thankful for all of the hard work and effort our entire team gives day in and day out. The collaborative nature of the Birth Services program, including the administration, physicians and staff of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South, makes for a successful dynamic team mission. I feel very proud of the recognition from Healthgrades, as it highlights our commitment to excellent patient care,” said Dr. Kathleen Rasmussen, regional medical director of women’s health services for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. CHRISTUS Spohn’s birthing services program includes the region’s only program with board-certified OB physicians available in-house 24/7 to provide consistently to patients in the hospital, as well as patients arriving with an obstetrical emergency. Labor and delivery services also include private birthing suites along with hospital tours, childbirth classes and other educational resources to help families prepare for a comfortable and safe birth experience. Healthgrades officials say CHRISTUS Spohn’s recent awards recognize the top level of commitment to excellence and high-quality care among the most elite health care facilities in the nation. “We applaud these hospitals and their commitment to providing the best possible care for every patient,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer of Healthgrades.
Healthgrades honored CHRISTUS Spohn Health System with several awards:
Orthopedics • Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery™ for 7 Years in a Row (2014-20) • Healthgrades Spine Surgery Excellence Award™ for 9 Years in a Row (2012-20) • Named Among the Top 5 percent in the Nation for Spine Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2019-20) • Named Among the Top 10 percent in the Nation for Spine Surgery for 9 Years in a Row (2012-20) • 5-Star for Hip Fracture Treatment for 2 Years in a Row (2019-20) • 5-Star for Back Surgery in 2020 • 5-Star for Spinal Fusion Surgery for 10 Years in a Row (2011-20)
Labor and Delivery • 5-Star for Vaginal Delivery (Natural Childbirth) for 2 Years in a Row (2018-19) • 5-Star for C-Section Delivery for 2 Years in a Row (2018-19)
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