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THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH
Brent Wells has been on one incredible journey.
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COVER FEATURE Administration / Advertising Publisher Benjamin D. Schooley ben@thecompanymag.com
Dear Reader,
Everybody knows exercise is good for your health, but sticking to a routine could be the hardest thing to do. Many of us each year make a New Year’s resolution to get back into shape. Then most of us give up year after year. We get too busy, make excuses or just aren’t motivated. With great benefits like deterring health conditions and diseases, controlling weight, helping you sleep better, giving you more energy, and improving your mood, it’s still hard to get in the groove. Breaking the cycle might be the hardest part, but that’s just what our cover story guy Brett Wells did. As a physical therapist, Brent works with people every day getting them healthy, but he decided he needed to do as he would say to his patients. He needed to get back on track to healthy. So one day he did something about it, and kept with it. What had started out as a way to get back into shape, though, turned into a passion. Not only did cycling get him healthy again, it also made him a competitor and helped him achieve a Category 2 standing. Then one fateful evening in late February that passion almost took his life. After a horrific crash with a vehicle exiting I-10 Brent spent the better part of 2013 in the hospital and recovering. We are happy to
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Dr. Brent Wells has been on one incredible journey. say that after the hard fought battle we hard excited to say that Brent persevered and is back! Still don’t have the motivation to keep with exercise? Grab a buddy, join a group or start a blog to help you. Getting workout clothes and get yourself excited to exercise. Set a plan and stick to it! Go explore the many trails in town. Get on a bike and see some of the country. Start small and build up to a goal you would like to achieve and take it day by day. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Welcome to COMPANY MD magazine. We hope you find inside it’s pages a multitude of information. We have worked hard to make this issue what it is and hope you learn something you didn’t know before! It may be the chilly season in the Hill Country but you can still get up, get out, and get active!
Ben Weber Creative Director 4 | COMPANY MD MAGAZINE
10 MENTAL HEALTH
ART Creative Director Benjamin N. Weber ben.weber@smvtexas.com
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12 MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 14 TECHNOLOGY 22 FITNESS GIFTS 24 NEW PRACTICE 26 CHIROPRACTIC 28 HEALTHY LIVING COMPANY magazine is published by Schooley Media Ventures in Boerne, TX. COMPANY Magazine and Schooley Media Ventures are not responsible for any inaccuracies, erroneous information, or typographical errors contained in this publication submitted by advertisers. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of COMPANY and/or Schooley Media Ventures. Copyright 2013 Schooley Media Ventures, 409 E. San Antonio, Boerne, TX 78006
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As a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Chet Hawkins posses the highest level of education recognized for a dentist. As a graduate of the Pankey Institute, he’s had the finest post-doctoral training in the world. “I want to establish a master plan and then develop a blueprint for my patients’ long-term care,” he explains. “We want to solve the causes of the problems before we do anything else to their teeth. Then we can rebuild or repair with confidence that the fix will last as long as possible. We also educate our patients about other health issues related to oral disease. There is a connection between periodontal disease and heart disease that people need to know about.” Dr. Hawkins and his wife, Deby, have been residents of Boerne for 7 years and are excited to be joining the practice in Boerne.
I just went to see Dr. Hawkins yesterday for an exam and cleaning. I was promptly seen, the procedures were done painlessly and in a timely manner with the latest equipment. My necessary dental work was explained fully to me. Everyone in the office greeted me warmly and made me feel special. - Elaine The moment you enter the office you are greeted by Kim’s warm smile and friendly personality. The hygienists are professional and make you feel very at ease. Dr. Hawkins is very calm and soft spoken with a gentle touch. The office runs very smoothly and on time for appointments. - Charlotte Pleasant, friendly staff. No wait. Dr. Hawkins listens to your issues and then provides clear solutions. Great dentist. Also, great hygienist. Overall, great experience. - Cindy
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OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE • Creating a healthy mind • Improving the functionality of the nervous system • Achieving optimal nutrition • Building personalized exercise regimens • Minimizing the intake of toxins • Message therapy: - Deep tissue - Sciatica relaxation - Pre natal - Therapeutic - Reflexology - Lomi lomi • Community Support
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830.816.4357 Fax: 830.331.8718
1510 S. Main St. • Boerne, Texas 78006 www.thecarpenterstouch.com
BrimLocke Custom Pools mission - to remain the unquestioned leader in quality, performance, style, and services. We recognize, in order to achieve our on-going mission, we must place our customers first, and continually earn their respect. Our purpose is to provide a worry and hassle free oasis where you and your family can safely enjoy your backyard retreat. At BrimLocke Custom Pools, we guarantee that our state of the art technology and quality of services will surpass any other. One on One from Concept to Completion. BrimLocke Custom Pools provides unequaled quality and workmanship – we are not a track pool company. With BrimLocke Custom Pools, you deal with the owners from start to finish. State of the Art Equipment and Products. ECO Friendly Self-Cleaning Pools. You have more important things to do than clean your pool. Your pool can be built to clean itself. Virtually chlorine free pools. Eliminate red eyes and dry skin - environment friendly - Saves on chemicals and energy costs. Multi-Speed Pumps. Energy savings up to 90% versus traditional pumps, near-silent operation, and long service life. State of the Art Electronic Controls, Phone, or Internet Access. Under Water Low Voltage LED Lighting. An Array of amazing underwater lighting effects, without the risks of 110 voltage generally used. Nights become spectacular and safe. Quality and Care. BrimLocke Custom Pools installs the latest technology and the safest equipment available - we continually strive to be the leader in Design, Safety, and Technology. We are proud to support the men and women of our Armed Services and thank them for the sacrifices they have made. To our Hero’s we offer a military discount.
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MENTAL HEALTH |
YOUR MENTAL & SPIRITUAL HEALTH By Rebecca Fisher Depression. Anxiety. Bipolar Disorder. Schizophrenia. Mental Illness. Know someone who suffers from one or more of these? God. Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit. Church. Does that same someone profess to practice a spiritual life, in particular, Christianity? Can we assume that a Christian doesn’t wander in silent pain of darkness, feeling isolated, helpless and in complete despair? While I can’t possibly address all aspects of mental ailments in this article, nor am I qualified to address any organic mental diseases requiring medication, I hope to provide some insight from my own personal experience with depression as I walked through what seemed like the valley of the shadow of death on more than one occasion. There seems to be this notion that Christians shouldn’t struggle with such things as depression or dark thoughts like suicide. Unfortunately, as a result of feeling shame and fearing rejection, many in the faith walk through their struggle silently and without support and encouragement from the very body of believers that they worship next to each week. Various scriptures in the Bible inform us that we were created as spiritual beings and that our thoughts and actions are not merely the product of our biology. We have the freedom to act out of our nature and we accept that the Word of God provides wisdom for us to live out day to day. In fact, applying God’s wisdom is necessary in the ongoing care of a whole person, which includes addressing mental, emotional and behavioral aspects.
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We also acknowledge that the corruption resulting from the fall of man (sin) warps both our soul and our body. Mental, emotional or behavioral problems are not either spiritual or physical. They are both. Some issues may be more neurologically engrained and require close medical attention, monitoring and medication. Others may be less so. In both cases a spiritual heart is involved and is in desperate need of the grace freely given to us by Christ Jesus. What I know from my own experience is that while I didn’t have the capacity for immediate and complete control over my mental and emotional problems, that doesn’t mean I didn’t have any control at all. I acknowledge that there were days when I felt completely overwhelmed and did not have a desire to even look for the light at the end of the tunnel. However, as a Christian I understood that my spiritual condition was under attack and that the gospel of Jesus empowered me to have eventual control vs. immediate control. And it was imperfect rather than complete. You see, people as spiritual beings can respond in faith within their physiological incapacities. Medical intervention does not reverse the results of sin and corruption, only the power of the gospel of Jesus does this. This is not to say, though, that medical intervention can’t address the effects of sin’s corruption on the body, including the brain. As the body of Christ, we should affirm the value of medical treatment and encourage our suffering brothers and sisters to seek medical attention when necessary. Not all physiological trouble will be healed this side of heaven, no matter the amount of faith and maturity a believer has. But, if we establish patterns of response that submit to God’s ways within our incapacities, we can experience significant change. In fact, we can grow in subtle and surprising ways. These healthy responses may not eliminate the struggle but can often lighten the load. Our suffering in both spirit and body in this life is meant to make us groan for the life to come. When our own sin works against us along with our own brain, we long for redemption for both our souls and bodies. And both are exactly what Jesus promises for all those who trust in Him. (Romans 8:19-39) Rebecca & Ken Fisher The Karis Room rfish@gvtc.com
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Hospice is not a place, but rather a philosophy of care focused on providing comfort to individuals with life limiting illness. Alamo Hospice focuses on physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being for patients, their families, and their support network. We provide care to patients in their own homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based care settings.
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Hometown delivery of service • Mission-driven, Active community resource, Local decisions, Local leadership and staff. • Local Medical Director Ben Stahl MD National reach • Recognized “model program” for quality care, Boerne “Best of the Best” • National recognized accredited prepared program. Team approach to care • Access to 24 hr. care by the hospice team to include; Physician, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Spiritual care coordinators, Bereavement counselors, Dieticians, Pharmacists, Hospice aides, Various therapists (massage, pet, PT, OT, ST), and Volunteers.
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Dr. Katherine Van Dyke, D.C.
Alan Ceballos Chiropractic Assistant
thecompanymag.com | 11
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT |
Instrument Specialists Inc. By Lisa Hernandez
the operation, and their mother Sandra is still the company President. Joseph passed away in 1999. As the company grew, so did its needs for space, which ultimately led them to Boerne. “We moved into Boerne in 1991. The building we were leasing was over by UTSA, and we found this property for sale, and we bought it. It’s 6000 square feet, and we figured we’d never fill it up, but sure enough, we’re quickly running out of room.” At one time operating with 23 employees, the company is now at 13 employees, but as Lisa explains, “Some of our work has been streamlined, and our distribution models
The business community in Kendall county is home to a variety of businesses. From retail to restaurants to manufacturing, Kendall county and Boerne in particular has spawned businesses in every industry imaginable. While most local professionals would claim that they are at least aware of most businesses in town, even if they don’t have a deep understanding of what they do, there are still those businesses in our community that most of us have no idea what they do. Instrument Specialists Inc (ISI) is one of those businesses. Founded in 1978, ISI was born out of a need that owners Sandra and Joseph R. Kabanek, Ph.D. saw in the medical arena. Lisa Hernandez, daughter of Sandra and Joseph, explains, “ My parents started the company in 78, literally in the garage of their home. Dad had a background in metallurgy and engineering, and he had a friend that was a RN at a local hospital. She had a drawer full of broken tools and surgical equipment, and Dad took them home with him to repair. When he gave them back to her she was 12 | COMPANY MD MAGAZINE
quite impressed with the refurbished equipment, and she off-handedly said to him ‘You know, there’s a business here.’ That was 35 years ago.” And so for the next 35 years, ISI has been focused on a slow and steady growth, while providing what many large service companies cannot: personalized service and attention. This focus on the end user has helped them expand, and was also part of what brought them to Boerne. Lisa continues, “We were in El Paso at the time the company was founded. There are a few hospitals in El Paso, but nothing like San Antonio. So the more that Dad began to expand his territory and began traveling here, he saw what a better opportunity that the San Antonio area offered, so we ended up moving here in 1979.” As the company grew, so did the children of the family, and they joined the company as soon as they could. Lisa joined in 1986, and her brother Scott and sister Lori Brown joined even earlier. Lisa’s daughter Samantha is now part of
have changed, so we’ve been able to downsize. These employees have been here for more than 7 years, and several of them have been with us for 20+ years.” As the company has changed, so has the industry as a whole. “Dad started with hand held surgical equipment repair, and we still do that. As surgeries have changed, we’ve changed the repairs as well. Surgeries have become less invasive, and many procedures are now using endoscopes. So several years ago, we added scope repair. Cameras, hand pieces, and electronic equipment are also serviced. We do more of those than the older hand held instruments now. The other division of our company came about in much the same way the business started; a hand surgeon was complaining about his table wiggling and moving during procedures, so Dad designed and patented our first hand surgery table, which then snowballed into a 2nd division for us. The patent for that was awarded in 1987.” With the hand surgery patent in place, ISI was able to then take specific customization requests from surgeons, manufacture the tables to exact requests, and are currently distributing those throughout the world. While ISI certainly focuses on very high tech products for the medical field, they do offer services that local residents might be interested in. With a slew of precision sharpening equipment, ISI offers sharpening services too. Residents can
drop off their hunting knives, scissors, or kitchen knives and they will sharpen them to a precision finish. Additionally, they have recently added a CNC machine. Lisa explains, “We can do small CNC jobs now. We found that when we needed a part made as we prototyped a new product, the machine shop wanted us to order 1000 minimum, and that wouldn’t work for us. So if somebody needs small machine work done, we can help them out.” And that commitment to help advance innovations in the market is key to ISI’s legacy, as well as its future. “One
of the things that is our strength is our resiliency; so much has changed in healthcare since we started in ‘78, and we continue to adapt. We must adapt, as the company is much more to us than just a company. It’s a family legacy. The reputation of the company is our reputation as a family, so we protect it. Companies speak to customer satisfaction or service all the time, but we strive for that more than most, because it’s not just ISI that we represent; it’s our family’s name, heritage, and legacy.” thecompanymag.com | 13
TECHNOLOGY | Dr. Charles McCurley, M.D.
Advanced Arthritis Treatment Keeping Yourself Out of the Operating Room. By Dr. Charles McCurley, M.D. The dreaded knee replacement; is it really unavoidable? I recently read a study that predicted rates of total knee arthroplasty or “total knee replacement” would rise by several hundred percent in the next two decades. The general public is left to wonder, “Do I have any other options to effectively treat my knee osteoarthritis?” The answer is YES. Let’s talk briefly about osteoarthritis (the regular “wear and tear” arthritis). By definition, arthritis is thinning of the cartilage that covers the joint surface of the bone. This occurs with time and mileage. Often, in addition to general thinning of the cartilage, “potholes” develop on the joint surface. This usually occurs in the regions of the knee that bear the most weight. These potholes can contribute to sharp pains and stiffness in the knee and a “buckling” or “giving out” sensation in the knee. When a person’s knee osteoarthritis gets too far advanced, a knee replacement is usually the treatment of choice. BUT… There are two very effective treatments that can delay or eliminate a patient’s need for knee replacement surgery. First on the list is viscosupplementation. This method is sometimes referred to as the “rooster shots” because the active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is derived from the rooster comb (the little red thing on the rooster’s head). To explain why these injections work, first I need to give a quick anatomy and physiology lesson. As we age, the quality and quantity of the joint fluid inside the knee deteriorates. This leads to increased friction inside the joint, which leads to further damage of the cartilage in the knee. Viscosupplement injections have been known to give people with arthritis months to years of relief from arthritis pain and stiffness. Once the product is inside the knee joint, it does two very important things. First, the anti-inflammatory properties of the injections work to prolong the life of the cartilage cells in the knee. Secondly, these injections lubricate the knee joint and decrease friction between the joint surfaces. This translates into big time pain relief and functional improvement. The good news about these injections is that they are typically covered by insurance, including Medicare. To ensure maximum relief and effect of the medication, ultrasound
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guidance is often used to confirm needle placement inside the joint. And yes, these injections are performed in the office and the injection takes about 5 seconds. Next on the list is platelet rich plasma or “PRP”. This method is truly cutting edge. PRP injections harness the body’s ability to heal itself, literally. The patient’s own plasma is injected into the knee joint which starts in motion the body’s natural healing cascade. If you think about it, it makes complete sense. When you cut your finger, the blood flows to the surface of the skin, delivering platelets and growth factors (in the blood plasma) to the injured tissue and the healing process begins. The internal environment of the knee is at a disadvantage, however, because it does not have a rich blood supply. When the cartilage on the surface of the knee joint is damaged, a pothole is formed and over time this pothole becomes a site of exposed bone, unprotected by cartilage. It is these areas that cause the most pain, stiffness and functional impairment in a patient with arthritis. This is where PRP injections come in handy. It works like this. The doctor draws blood from the patient’s arm, spins it down in a high powered centrifuge (which separates the red blood cells from the plasma layer), draws up the PLASMA LAYER ONLY in a syringe and injects it into the patient’s knee. Once inside the knee, the growth factors and platelets start to heal the damaged cartilage and decrease inflammation inside the joint. Ultimately, the patient experiences less pain and functional improvement. In summary, if you have knee pain due to arthritis, you should talk to your doctor about viscosupplementation and PRP injections. You can’t cure arthritis, but you just might avoid that knee replacement after all.
Charles McCurley, M.D. Sports and Family Medicine of Boerne Board Certified Sports Medicine Board Certified Family Medicine
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THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH By Ben Schooley :: Photography By Ben Weber Editor’s Note: This past March, we had prepared the following story on Brent Wells to run in our April/May issue of COMPANY MD magazine. 72 hours before we went to print, we received word that Brent had been in a life-threatening bicycle accident, and that he was in a perilous situation. After much discussion, we felt that it was best to not run this article until Brent’s health prognosis was more certain. We are pleased to be able to finally print this piece, as Brent has recently returned to his clinic. We have edited the article below to include the information concerning the accident. Many of us have experienced an “ah ha” moment in our lives, or maybe I should call it an “uh oh” moment. For some it’s a glance in the mirror and for others maybe it’s seeing a picture of themselves. When we see a picture of ourselves in a picture we try to remember that the camera adds ten pounds, but we can’t help thinking, “Ugh, exactly how many cameras are on me?” For Brent Wells of Wells Physical Therapy of Boerne, that moment came about six years ago when he received his new driver’s license in the mail. “I didn’t recognize myself in the picture,” he said. As a doctor who talks to his patients daily about exercise and nutrition for their well-being, he real16 | COMPANY MD MAGAZINE
ized he needed to practice what he preached. Inspired by his love of the outdoors, he headed into San Antonio to one of the local bike shops and bought himself a shiny new road bike along with a helmet and all the gear. After all, what could be easier than riding a bike? On his first ride, he took off from his office that is located close to the intersection of IH 10 and Highway 46 and rode all the way north of Boerne close to Popo’s Family Restaurant in Waring, a distance of roughly 11 miles, but that includes quite a few hills. “I was so exhausted I had to call my wife to come pick me up,” Brent remembered wryly. But Brent didn’t let that first humbling experience stop him from getting back out there and trying again. “My bike was like a new toy for me,” he said. He started over with shorter rides, slowly building up to longer excursions. Today making that same ride as his first one would be child’s play. In the last six years Brent has lost a remarkable 70 pounds. “I feel like a completely different person,” Brent said. “I have so much energy now.” Weather permitting he rides daily and logs around 300 miles a week. He is almost obsessed with riding, if he goes more than a day without a ride, he doesn’t feel right. Brent shared with me that his journey gave him a new found appreciation for how amazing the human body is. He said one of the most surprising things for him was that although he can burn as many as six to seven thousand calories on one of his rides he is still not able to eat anything he wants. Good nutrition is essential to give his body the fuel it needs to feel better and ride better. What started off as bid to add regular exercise to his routine has now become Brent’s passion. A few years ago he met some competitive riders on an outing and realized even though he was an avid rider he was still not as good as he would have liked. The other riders took Brent under their wing and challenged him to become more competitive with his riding. Along with charity rides, he competes in several local races a year that are sanctioned by the United States Cycling Federation. Last year he accumulated enough points to earn himself a Category 2 standing. He said that thecompanymag.com | 17
working towards this goal was harder than graduating PT school and was almost as satisfying. Brent also tried some mountain biking at one time but he told me that it’s a much rougher sport than road biking and that he started to worry that he could injure himself in a crash. “My practice is my livelihood and I couldn’t afford to hurt myself,” he said. So he now keeps to road biking, riding between 15 to 18 hours a week. This can be dangerous as well though. Many drivers do not like sharing the road with cyclists. However, generally most people give Brent and his friends the space they need while they are out riding. However, one particular ride in March of this year would change everything. On one of his typical rides toward Po-Pos, Brent was hit by a car when a driver made a U-turn and hit Brent with tremendous force. He recalls, “I don’t remember any of it. They told me later that they called my wife from the Air-Life helicopter and when she asked if I was going to be ok, they simply said, ‘He’s breathing ma’am.’” With fractured forearms, a shattered jaw, a broken scapula, and numerous other injuries, Brent was put into a medically induced coma for weeks. Family and friends kept a non-stop vigil, and his long term outlook was murky at best. He continues, “I remember being moved from University Hospital to the rehab facility, and I understand that that was two months after the injury. That was my first memory. They told me I had a brain injury, and they didn’t know if that would mean that I’d have memory loss or a more severe brain damage. I eventually came home after 3 months of hospitalization, and continued my rehab at home.” 18 | COMPANY MD MAGAZINE
Initially, the doctors told Brent that it would be a year or more before he would be able to return to his clinic, if at all. The Wells hired another therapist to handle his patients, and they simply prayed for healing. And sure enough, 5 months later, Brent walked back into his clinic to resume seeing patients. A miraculous recovery, Brent credits his strong faith with pulling him through. “I believe that God does things for a reason, and I’ve learned to be so much closer to my family and to re-prioritize every part of my life.” Additionally, with no disability insurance, and with Brent being the breadwinner, they faced an immediate financial crunch, but the community of Boerne came through big time for the Wells. Brent adds, “The community has been huge for us. The Geneva School family was simply unbelievable. They brought us food, took care of the kids; basically anything we needed was provided. We were so humbled and
blessed by the outpouring from every faction of the community and we could never say thanks enough.” So with a renewed drive and passion, not only for live, but for his practice, Brent has been diligently re-focusing his efforts on his career, and his family. Physical therapy is the exercise and muscle strengthening of patients who have suffered an injury that could be either sports-related or from an accident. It can also be a part of the post-operation procedure to aid patients with their recovery. After the initial evaluation, Dr. Wells and his team will structure a customized program based on what each individual patient’s needs are. He says that a patient’s willingness and commitment to do their home exercises is essential to the recovery process. “Our primary goal is to aid our patients in returning to the life and activities they love.” At the clinic they combine state-of-the art equipment and
extensive training to get their patients back on the road to a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle. They work in conjunction with the patients and the doctors that refer them to diagnose, treat and prevent any reoccurrence of a patient’s condition. Using integrity and honesty, Wells Physical Therapy has developed a unique standing in the Boerne community and surrounding area for excellence. Brent’s primary focus has been treating the orthopedic patient while conducting research in the areas of manual therapy, low back pain, athletic knee injuries and ergonomics. Brent has worked hard to develop relationships with doctors in the surrounding areas who refer their patient’s to the clinic for treatment. Additionally, since his accident, Brent adds, “I have so much more empathy for my patients having gone through what I did.” Brent grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. While he doesn’t thecompanymag.com | 19
mind going back there to visit every now and then but he much prefers living in the Hill Country now. In high school for a project, he shadowed a local physical therapist and that was when he realized what he wanted to do with his life. He spent the following summer working as an intern. Brent went to college at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio where he majored in Biology. He said he kept medical school as his backup plan just in case. “The physical therapy program was very hard to get into. They only accepted 16 students per year and the competition was pretty stiff,” Brent said. He was very excited when he was accepted into the program. In 2006-2007 Brent went back and obtained his Doctorate degree in physical therapy from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute of Health Professions in Boston. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist that he earned from the American Physical Therapy Association. Brent also spent three years serving as a liaison between the Orthopedic/Sports Medicine clinic at University Hospital and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is often asked to be a professional speaker about various topics related to his work. In 2004 when he first opened his practice, Brent was grateful for his friendships with classmates that were now the orthopedic surgeons on staff at the UT Health Science Center. Over the years he has fostered his reputation and that of his staff for excellence and dedication to providing the most advanced rehabilitation techniques to improve the condition of his patients as quickly as possible. He says the key to the success of his practice is the synergy of the therapist and patient working to together to ease painful and often chronic conditions. Brent met his lovely wife Amanda while in college in San Antonio. She worked with him at the clinic as an occupational therapist until the recent birth of their fourth child. She is now a full time mom keeping up with their active children, they have two sons and two daughters. The Wells truly love living in and being part of the Boerne community. Brent said he lived near Leon Springs when he was in college and knew the Boerne area was where he wanted to end up. He said that the laid back, relaxed atmosphere was perfect for him and his family; the family that has been through quite the year. A sport of cycling that enabled him
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to reclaim his health, and then almost took it from him. The recipient of a miraculous recovery, Brent isn’t one for continued changes. He says, “I don’t think I’ll ever ride on the road again. I’ve been doing a little mountain biking, and it’s been great to get out there again.” While some might wonder if he would be risking another injury by continued
cycling, Brent scoffs. “My wife would sometimes wonder about people and whether they were truly saved Christians. I just know that when I was injured, God spoke to me and He told me He was going to get me through this. So I have my assurances, and am just trying to live my life in the best way I know how.”
Gentle, Caring, Family Practice, Courteous Professional Staff • State of the Art Procedures & Techniques
WE’ VE RECENTLY E XPANDED George E. Metz III, DDS • Michael Hoeppner, DDS
830-229-5581
Gentle, Caring, Family Practice, Courteous Professional Staff State of the Art Procedures & Techniques
NowRECENTLY accepting appointments for Kevin Beitchman, DDS, MS - Orthodontist WE’ VE E XPANDED George E. Metz III, DDS • Michael Hoeppner, DDS
Kendall Woods Dental 830-229-5581
25 FM 3351 South Boerne, Texas 78006
Now accepting appointments for Kevin Beitchman, DDS, MS - Orthodontist
FITNESS |
GIFTS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES HEALTHY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband Never stop moving with Fitbit Flex. Wear this slim, stylish device all the time and get the motivation you need to get out and be more active. It tracks steps, distance, and calories burned and shows you how you’re stacking up against your daily goals. At night, it tracks your sleep cycle, helps you learn how to sleep better, and wakes you silently in the morning. Access your stats anytime on your computer, tablet, or from smartphones – both iPhone and Android. Flex is your perfect companion, and stays with you everywhere - even in the shower. $96.93 amazon.com
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells If you want to get a good strength workout at home, but don’t have much space, the Bowflex 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are an ideal solution. Newly designed, the innovative pair of 552 SelectTech Dumbbells combines 15 sets of weights into one using a unique dial system. It’s one of the most space-efficient and flexible strength-training options available with its unique and effective design. With just the turn of a dial, you can automatically change your resistance on each dumbbell from 5 pounds all the way up to 52.5 pounds of weight. It adjusts in 2.5-pound increments (up to 25 pounds), enabling you to gradually increase your strength without bulking up. $279.00 amazon.com 22 | COMPANY MD MAGAZINE
Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale Tracks your weight, percent body fat and BMI online. Fitbit® Aria Scale is the only smart scale that wirelessly talks to your computer. The scale measures weight, percent body fat and wirelessly transmits the information to your online profile at Fitbit.com (No subscription fee required!) where your body mass index is automatically calculated. You can keep these results private on your profile. You decide what data you share and what data you don’t. Aria’s easy-to-read display shows your weight and percent body fat. Aria wirelessly uploads the data to fitbit.com where you can track your weight, body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat over time with the online graphs and mobile tools to help you reach your goals. Use the scale with or without the Fitbit Wireless Fitness Trackers. Together, the Fitbit tracker and Fitbit Aria Scale create the Fitbit EcoSystem that tracks your daily workout (steps taken, stairs climbed, calories burned), lets you log your food and workouts on your online profile, and takes your body composition measurements (weight, body fat and body mass index – requires skin contact) to chart your progress and celebrate your success. The Aria Scale and the wireless tracker help you see the most key information on your weight management journey.
The Ultimate Fitness Crate As kids, we always heard that it’s what’s inside that counts. But after winning one too many most improved player awards, we realized that a “great personality” can only take you so far. It’s the reason why we started summiting mountains, backstroking across oceans, making unassisted triple plays, and routinely taking the gold in the 4x400 relay—even though we’re the only guy on the team. When you look awesome, you feel awesome. Enter the Performance Sports Man Crate—the express train that’ll take him from super frail to alpha male overnight.* We’ve included a speed rope and push up bars to get his heart rate up, and then filled his crate to the brim with high octane energy foods and drinks to help keep him going. As always, we airdrop this awesomeness to his doorstep or desk in a rough wooden crate with a crowbar, because let’s face it: getting to your food should be a workout in and of itself. $74.99 mancrates.com
*Results may vary. Wildly.
Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by Tom Tom Combining Nike’s understanding of the athlete with the GPS expertise of TomTom, Nike+ SportWatch GPS is a game changer for runners. Nike+ SportWatch GPS powered by TomTom uses both GPS technology and the Nike+ shoe sensor to capture every step of your run. Runners can then upload their data to the nikeplus.com website, where new mapping features allow them to see their runs and find popular routes, track their goals, receive coaching tips, challenge friends, and share their progress through Facebook and Twitter. $165.69 amazon.com
Wahoo Fitness RFLKT Smart Bike Computer for iPhone The Wahoo RFLKT is the world’s first iPhonepowered smart bike computer. All the power of your iPhone in the size of a sleek cycling computer. Keep your iPhone safely tucked in your jersey pocket, hydration pack, or saddle bag and access all of your cycling App data from your handlebars. The RFLKT pairs seamlessly with three of the most popular and advanced cycling Apps on the market today: MapMyRide and Cyclemeter. Just open up any of these Apps and pair the RFLKT within the Settings menu. The RFLKT also works with the Wahoo Fitness App, available in the App Store. The Wahoo Fitness App tracks your ride progress using the phone’s GPS and displays all of your critical cycling data such as speed, distance, pedaling cadence (Wahoo Blue SC required and sold separately), heart rate (Wahoo Blue HR heart rate monitor required and sold separately), and more. $129.99 amazon.com thecompanymag.com | 23
PRACTICE PROFILE |
DR. CHET HAWKINS Dentistry is an esteemed profession not only for the years of study and hard work that is required to earn this titles, but also because of the dexterity, precision, and working knowledge of oral health that it requires. Dr. Chet Hawkins, DDS, is proud to be using his skills and knowledge to serve the Boerne community. After regularly visiting friends in Beorne, Dr. Hawkins and his wife, Debra, fell in love with the town and decided to move their Clear Lake, Texas practice here; The Dental Wellness Center is located at 806 N. Main Street. Dr. Hawkins goal is to focus on his patients’ total wellness, as well as aiding them in any repairs or reconstruction needed. A commitment to ethical patient-educated dentistry is of the utmost importance to Dr. Hawkins. He said, “I focus my practice on cosmetic, reconstructive, TMJ, total body health. My practice utilizes complete exams to enable the patient to co-diagnose his/her problems with [me] and then help chart their course to lifelong health and lifetime dental wellness.” To allow his patients to understand optimum oral hygiene and prevention, Dr. Hawkins puts an emphasis on spending time with his patients. He goes on to say, “Only by spending an appropriate amount of time help the patient understand why their mouth keeps failing can there be a change in their future. Simply sitting the patient down and fixing what is broken this time, will simply repeat the failures of the past until all the teeth are lost.” Dr. Hawkins enjoyed watching his father, Dr. Darrell Hawkins, begin one of Clear Lake’s first dental practices, and decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. Dr. Chet is a graduate of Baylor Univer-
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sity and attended the University of Texas Dental School at Houston. In 1983, after graduating from dental school, he joined his father’s dental practice. It is obvious how proud Dr. Hawkins is of his family. He married his high school and college sweetheart, Debra, 34 years ago. Debra is now the office manager at The Dental Wellness Center. Together they have enjoyed raising their now grown children, Kenall, Kayce, and Hunter. When Dr. Hawkins isn’t reading x-rays or doing a root canal he loves to be outdoors, usually on the golf course or the open road. He has a love for riding motorcycles, including a Harley-Davidson. He commented, “Many might have seen me, Debra, and our Labradoodle, Riley, riding down Main Street on our URL motorcycle.” Getting to know Boerne and its residents is principle in Dr. Hawkins move, and he recently joined the Boerne Chamber of Commerce. He and Debra look forward to the community events and are hoping to join in Burgess Fest and Rotary. Dr. Hawkins’ dedication to the dental field is evident through his numerous professional honors and involvements, including being a Fellow in the American College of Dentistry, a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, and a Pankey Institute Graduate. These prestigious affiliations are a testament to his ongoing education and his appreciation for his profession and how dentistry as a whole can better serve their patients. In closing, Dr. Hawkins put an emphasis on individuals taking control of their oral health. He challenges us all, saying, “Unfortunately in today’s world of corporate dentistry and insurance the doctor/patient relations has been reduced to running the patient in and out of the offices like cattle, only doing what the insurance says to permissible. This reduces the treatment to DISEASE care not HEALTH care. Only things that are broken or infected receive attention. The “wait until it breaks” attitude will not keep the patient healthy nor reduce future disease. To stay healthy and have dentistry that can last a lifetime, one must get past insurance as the ONLY way to pay for your dental care. It is simply a tool to help with the total picture. What is your mouth and smile worth to you?” Dr. Hawkins will be an asset to the health community, the city of Boerne, and it’s residents.
CHIROPRACTIC |
The Big Idea of Chiropractic By Dr. Carlo Galli
In my over 20 years in chiropractic my greatest passion as a Doctor of Chiropractic still comes from educating patients about what may be the “root cause” of there problem. After all “Doctor” in Latin means teacher. It is not uncommon for patients to come for a primary complaint of neck or lower back pain and discover it’s a pinched nerves from their neck or lower back, but be utterly amazed that those same pinched nerves are the cause of their chronic migraine or tension headaches. These same set of pinched nerves may also be causing numbness and tingling in their arms and hands called ridiculopathy. Another common complaint among men is lower back pain and they may not be too surprised that the cause is pinched nerves at L4 or their 4th lumbar vertebrae. They are extremely surprised to find out that the L4 nerve also innervates the Sciatic nerve and the Prostate gland and may be the root cause of their chronic Sciatic nerve pain or the root cause of their frequent urination. The secret that we all intuitively know but do not think about on a daily basis is that the nerves are what connects out brain, the master computer, to all of the organs and or tissues in our body. These nerves supply vital messages and power to all of the muscles, tissues, and organs via nerve impulses. When you pinch a nerve or put physical pressure on it you are cutting off vital nerve flow and power resulting in that organ not functioning at 100% of its potential or a state of dis-ease. The true art and science of Chiropractic
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lies in the detection and removal of “spinal subluxations.” Subluxation is the medical term for a partial dislocation. Simply put the bone did not completely pop out of place or dislocate like a shoulder or hip but has misaligned enough to put pressure and impinge the delicate nerves. This impingement will result in pain and discomfort which is the bodies way of letting you know there is a problem so we can get it taken care of. This pain also serves as a protective mechanism so that we do not do further damage to the nerve and cause permanent nerve damage. Taking pain killers, muscle relaxers, or anti-inflammatories only treat the symptoms but does not address the root cause allowing the patient to get only temporary relief. The only way to treat the root cause is to remove the actual physical pressure off of the nerves. This is done by what we call a chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation the main cause of subluxation are macro- trauma which is an accident or injury, or micro-trauma, which is repetitive stress to the spine over a period of time. As a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic we are licensed to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions. Many patients are surprised to find out that chiropractic treats even non-spine related conditions such as, torn rotator cuff, bursitis, TMJ, vertigo, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, knee, ITB and ankle problems. Some of our most rewarding success stories have come from treating acute or chronic disc injuries which have debilitating effects on a persons life. Many things that we take for granted know become impos-
sible tasks such as putting on your shoes, getting dressed, getting out of a car, getting out of a chair after sitting for awhile, walking, sleeping, vacuuming, doing dishes, combing hair. With severe disc pain we are unable to do even the basic necessities of life. Utilizing Chiropractic care and an advanced procedure called spinal decompression we have been able to restore them to a pain free normal life without drugs or surgery. One of our most recent success stories was a 78 year old woman who had suffered from chronic low back pain from a disc for the past 20 years. She was now unable to do the things she loved in life like gardening. After trying pain management and several other things to no avail she heard about spinal decompression. After 8 sessions she was completely pain free and is now able to do the things she loves free of pain. The body can only heal on e way from above, down, inside and out. The human body is the most powerful healer ever created. By simply removing nerve interference we allow the body to fuction at it’s full potential diminishing the chances of getting sick or ill to begin with. The power that makes the body heal the body.
Dr. Galli is passionate when it comes to restoring the health and vitality of his patients. His mission is to educate others of the body’s innate intelligence to maintain a state of health and well being with proper diet, exercise, and the removal of nerve interference utilizing chiropractic care. God gave us a body that is dynamic and self-healing and we should treat it as such. By combining a range of chiropractic technique, state of the art physiotherapy procedures, spinal decompression, and offering the highest quality whole food supplements on the market today, Dr. Galli is able to help patients achieve better health. thecompanymag.com | 27
HEALTHY LIVING |
Magnesium: The Full Body Relaxer by Leigh Ann Grasso, Pharm.D., RPh, Annie’s Apothecary – Specialty Pharmacy
Are you always tense? Are you constantly battling sore and weak muscles? If your current treatment isn’t doing the job and your health continues to suffer, then magnesium could be the answer to your woes. Magnesium is a critical mineral that is essential to over 300 functions in our. It has beneficial effects for muscles and can be used to relieve overall tension and soreness. Magnesium is needed for energy production, the development of bone, muscle and nerve function, and for DNA and RNA production, among other things. Magnesium is found in a wide variety of plant and animal foods. Some of the best sources of dietary magnesium include: nuts, seeds, beans, green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach, whole grains, and red and white meats. While magnesium may be abundant in these foods, the body absorbs only around 30-40% of it. Many of the foods we eat now, even those that should have magnesium, lack magnesium. Processed foods often have no or low amounts of magnesium and many of the crops being produced have lower amounts of magnesium than expected. Commercial farming can lead to soil with low magnesium if the crops are not rotated and essential nutrients are not added in. Plants depend on the nutrients in the soil to grow and if they are not present ,the crops will have lower amounts of those nutrients. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium for adult males is 400mg and 310mg for non-pregnant adult females. Scientific studies suggest adequate doses ranging from 500mg-1500mg; therefore, current recommendations may not be enough. Numerous dietary surveys have found that magnesium intake for the average adult, based on the RDA, is not adequate without supplementation, leaving many people with magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency is typically determined by blood; however, this is not a good indicator of the body’s total magnesium amount. The adult human body contains around 25 grams of magnesium with the large majority 28 | COMPANY MD MAGAZINE
being found in the bones and soft tissues, while less than 1% is found in the blood. So while the blood levels may appear to be fine, the entire body could still be deficient. Long-term low intake or excessive losses of magnesium due to health conditions, or medications that affect magnesium levels, can lead to a deficiency. Some signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency include: loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, muscle cramping, seizures, and abnormal heart rhythm. Because magnesium and calcium have a close relationship in the body, a severe magnesium deficiency can also cause low levels of calcium. There are some medications, health conditions, and lifestyle choices that can put you at risk for having inadequate magnesium. Diuretics, often known as water pills, are medications that can increase the excretion of magnesium from our bodies potentially causing low magnesium. Other medications that deplete magnesium levels are bisphosphonates such as Boniva® and Fosamax®, antibiotics such as tetracyclines and quinolones, proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium® and Prilosec®, oral contraceptives, and estrogen replacement. Individuals who have gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease and intestinal resection, as well as other health conditions, such as Type II diabetes, can have magnesium deficiency because of lower absorption and increased excretion. Chronic alcoholism can lead to a number of vitamin and mineral deficiencies including magnesium since it lowers absorption and increases excretion. As we age, the our magnesium needs also increase.
It is possible to have too much magnesium. Important signs and symptoms of magnesium toxicity can include: diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. When beginning to take a magnesium supplement it is suggested to slowly increase the dose every couple of days in order to optimize it. When the body can no longer absorb the magnesium, diarrhea will start to occur and this marker can be used to identify the maximum tolerable dose for each person. Magnesium toxicity is more likely to occur with large doses of magnesium laxatives and in individuals with kidney failure. Magnesium, both as a supplement and a treatment, can be extremely beneficial to our health. Some of the benefits include its use as a muscle relaxant, overall calming effect, bone health, and its use in preventing migraine headaches. There are many commonly used forms of magnesium. The various forms have different indications based on the differences in their overall absorption and, in some cases, where they can go in the body. Magnesium glycinate, which is highly absorbed and widely distributed throughout the body, is often used for overall magnesium replacement. Magnesium sulfate is often compounded into creams and used as a muscle relaxant, for wound care, and as a skinsoothing agent; it is also the active ingredient in Epsom salt. Magnesium threonate is a newer form that is effective at getting into the brain where it can have beneficial calming effects, beneficial headache effects, and aid in healthy nervous system function. Magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide are typically used as treatments for constipation;
magnesium citrate acts as a laxative while magnesium oxide has stool-softening properties because they are both poorly absorbed. Magnesium carbonate works well as an antacid for heartburn and indigestion. Magnesium chloride is used in many different preparations; with its oral form being used for overall magnesium supplementation as well as improved digestion and its topical form for muscle relaxing and overall skin and wound health. Magnesium is vital to energy production and many of our bodily functions, however people of all ages are not getting enough from diet alone. Magnesium supplementation is recommended because it can lead to better heart health, physical health, and mental health. Next time you start to feel your muscles tense up and become sore and weak you should ask yourself if you are getting enough magnesium; instead of those pain pills, magnesium may be just what you need for relief. Challenge yourself to take a magnesium supplement and you will discover its full body benefits. For those interested in doing some self-investigation of magnesium we recommend a book titled “The Magnesium Factor” by Mildred Seelig, MD, NPH. If you have questions about magnesium or other supplements, or want to start supplementing magnesium and don’t know which type is right for you, feel free to call or stop by Annie’s Apothecary where our friendly staff will assist you however we can.
Dr Leigh Ann Grasso, University of Texas alumnus, is the compounding pharmacist and owner of Annie’s Apothecary in Boerne. Her passion is educating people to improve their health by replacing hormonal and nutrient deficiencies. She lives in Fair Oaks Ranch with her husband and three children. thecompanymag.com | 29
The Focus is the brainchild of Dr. Melissa Miskell, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist who specializes in total body wellness, anti-aging and weight loss. Dr. Miskell is an expert in the use of BioIdentical hormones to combat the symptoms of aging and menopause and created her practice, The Focus, to specifically target these issues. The Focus embodies Dr. Miskell’s vision to provide health and anti-aging services to men and women looking to take control of their lives. The Focus also specializes in revolutionary new methodologies of body contouring, weight loss and skin rejuvenation. Dr. Miskell and her exceptional staff will help you to improve the undesired symptoms of aging. No longer will you have to suffer unwanted body fat, wrinkles, brain fog, bone loss or other undesired symptoms of aging or illness. A younger-feeling and looking version of you is closer than ever. ** In network for most insurance companies **
• Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement for Men & Women • Nutritional Assessment • Cardiovascular Risk Assessment • Neurotransmitter Testing • Food Allergy Testing • Gynecology SKIN RENEWAL SERVICES: • TriPollar-Body Contouring • Laser Hair Removal • Botox & Juvederm