Swisher Healthcare's online newsletter for July 2017
JULY 2017
3941 FM 2181, Corinth, Texas 76210 940-202-1218 www.nerveandlaser.com
Coast to Coast WHERE IN THE WORLD IS DR. THAI?
Over the last few months, I have traveled long hours to make TV appearances all over the nation. In just a few weeks, I visited cities like Albuquerque, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, and Tucson, all to appear on their local stations and talk about my work with nerve damage. Neuropathy is a prevalent problem across the country. In our office, we’re able to do amazing things and change our patients’ lives, but we have such a small reach. The Mayo Clinic estimates there are more than 3 million cases per year in the United States. Most people who suffer have never heard of our office and are unaware of available treatment options. During my various TV appearances, I address the mistakes people must avoid if they have nerve damage. One of the most common mistakes is doing nothing to treat the nerve damage beyond taking medication prescribed by a doctor. Relying on neuro inhibitors like Lyrica or Cymbalta, which only suppress the symptoms of pain, doesn’t really help the patient improve. In fact, a person could inadvertently be making their nerve damage worse because they aren’t listening to their body when it’s trying to tell them they have a problem. Factor in the side effects from the medication, and they are now suffering from a double whammy of trouble. All around the country, I hear stories from people whose lives are not going anywhere because of their nerve pain. They can’t sleep well or play with their grandchildren or enjoy an after-dinner walk with their spouse or participate in many activities they used to love. I want people to know they have options. They don’t have to accept being told “There’s nothing we can do” from their doctor. There is something we can do! I travel across the country and make these appearances so I can reach the people who have given up hope. A lot of work goes into each of these appearances, and most of the time it’s lonely. You’re on a plane by yourself, you’re at the hotel by yourself, and you eat dinner by yourself. What’s more, traveling back and forth can really drain your energy. I load myself up with vitamins and make sure I’m in bed by 9 p.m. so I can be energized for my next appearance. The cycle is tough, but it’s worthwhile
“”All around the country, I hear
when you hear people talking about their problems and you know you can help them feel better.
stories from people whose lives are not
Already, I’ve spoken with countless people who’ve
spent years believing they had to just accept suffering as part of their lives. I can hear the hope enter their voices as I explain our process and share stories about the miracles I’ve seen in the office. We may not
going anywhere because of their nerve pain.”
yet have the power to fix every problem in the world, but for the patients we can help, I know we’ve made a difference. This is the message I want to get out there, and hopefully I can inspire people to take back their lives again.
– Dr. Bao Tha i
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DESTINATION: HAPPY PEOPLE Visit the Happiest Places in theWorld — It’s Contagious
Testimonial Next in line is a state that has little in common with the Aloha State. Alaska came in second place for the third consecutive year. This represents a regional pattern. States with more access to nature are happier than industrial or urbanized states. With eight national parks, including Denali, Glacier Bay, and Gates of the Arctic, Alaska’s 663,000 square miles are filled to the brim with the wonders of nature. Visit a hustling, bustling tourist trap and what do you get? Crowds of competitive travelers and a local population that is sick to death of them. Visit a place with happy people, and you get good service, friendly faces, and you’ll learn firsthand what Harvard researchers affirmed in a 2012 study: Happiness is contagious. Luckily for the average traveler, the places that topped a nationwide Gallup poll and the United Nations’ annual World Happiness Report have plenty to offer in addition to cheerful locals. The Happiest States in the U.S. If we were to tell you that Hawaii is the happiest state in the country, you probably wouldn’t be surprised. And sure enough, Hawaii ranked first in overall happiness for the sixth consecutive year. The sunny beaches, rich culture, and great weather give tourists a taste of paradise that the natives enjoy all year long.
The Happiest Country in the World Denmark has long been the standard bearer in this category. This year, it relinquished the title to its Scandinavian sister, Norway. In fact, icy nations in Northern Europe made up each of the top five in the UN report. Cold conditions have little bearing on the outlook of happy people. Norway is home to some of the most breathtaking vistas on earth, most notably its western fjords like the world-famous Geirangerfjord and Nærøfjord. For the city wanderer, you’ll find choice seaside restaurants and walkable streets in towns like Bergen, the country’s second-largest city, which sports rainbow architecture and a 15th- century waterfront. If you visit any of these places, you’ll be reminded what any world traveler knows from experience: Knowing the heart of a destination begins and ends with its people. Tack on beautiful scenery and daydream-worthy activities, and you just found yourself the perfect vacation.
“In December, I broke down in tears and regretfully said that I didn’t know if I could stand the pain anymore. I couldn’t imagine living and enduring the extreme pain in my feet from neuropathy. My balance was so bad that I had fallen 19 times in two years. Now, after 3 1/2 months of weekly treatments, I am almost pain-free. I get better and better each time I come. My balance has highly improved with a much steadier walk.”
–Becky Smith
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MEET SARAH
OF F I CE SPOT L I GHT
Hey, everyone! As you probably know, I’m the office manager and patient advocate at the office. While I’ve worked here for a couple years, my experience helping people dates back to my teenage years. During my summers, I volunteered overseas in India, Costa Rica, and Russia before eventually running a nonprofit organization that took me around the world! After visiting 72 countries and 10 years of full-time work abroad, I returned to the U.S. and got involved in the medical field. My experiences overseas have helped me relate to people from all walks of life and backgrounds. I also relate to those in desperate need, whether that need be financial, emotional, spiritual, or physical. Working here fulfills my dream of helping people and making a difference in the world! My passion is to make others laugh, bring them hope, and help them improve present circumstances, and that’s what makes working here the perfect match for me. In September, 2015, I was involved in a severe zip line accident while on vacation. I returned back to work in a wheelchair, unable to move anything other than my arms. My experience with doctors and tests revealed that “nothing was wrong” with me; and yet, I couldn’t move, walk, turn my head, sit up on my own, or feel anything from my waist down except pain. Long story short, Dr. Thai was able to help me reverse my nerve damage and neuropathy! He had me walking
again in just three months! Until that point, I could only sympathize with our patients. But now, I can empathize. My own story positions me perfectly to be the patient advocate helping you get the care you need in our office. It’s my job to make sure you get the best care possible and things go smoothly. It’s my deepest pleasure to be a part of getting you well!
When I’m not working, I spend time enjoying
being a newlywed with my husband, Casey, and our daughter, Cate. Travel is still a vital aspect of my life, and I look forward to sharing the world with my husband and little girl!
Frozen Yogurt P I E
SUDOKU
Looking for a summer dessert you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging in? Try this easy, low-fat frozen treat!
INGREDIENTS
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3 (6-ounce) containers regular yogurt (berry flavors work best)
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1 premade graham cracker pie crust 1 (8-ounce) container Cool Whip 1 cup frozen or fresh mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries)
• •
DIRECTIONS
1.
3. Cover pie with foil or plastic lid. 4. Store in freezer for at least 3 hours, or until frozen through. 5. Serve frozen or slightly thawed.
Combine Cool Whip, mixed berries, and yogurt in a bowl. Mix with a spatula until well-blended.
2. Pour yogurt mixture into pie crust.
Call Now! 940-202-1218 • 3
3941 FM 2181 Corinth, Texas 76210 940-202-1218 www.nerveandlaser.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Coast to Coast
The World’s Happiest Vacations Testimonial
2
3
Office Spotlight: Meet Sarah Summertime Frozen Yogurt Pie
4
The Neuroscience Behind Meditation
Sit Down and Shut Up The Neuroscience Behind Meditation
Though it’s often lumped in with other New-Agey “self-help” ideas, neurological evidence indicates that meditation deserves a closer look. Take one trial reported on by Newsweek and conducted by a computer scientist and neuroscientist at the University of Arizona, for instance. In the trial, 45 participants were split into three groups. One group took eight weeks of body relaxation training, one group had no training whatsoever, and one group took “mindfulness- based meditation training.” Then they were tested with stressful multitasking before and after the eight-week period. The individuals in the meditation group were able to sustain their focus longer and reported feeling less stressed than both of the other groups. So what’s actually happening here? Well, to put it simply, those meditators were actively changing the way their minds form connections. Our brains are constantly being molded and reshaped by our surroundings, often by things we are completely unaware of. Each time we impulsively follow a habit pattern, that reaction is etched into our brains more deeply. But when a person sits down to meditate, they begin to consciously reject these knee-jerk impulses. As Newsweek writer Zoe Schlanger puts it, “Learning how to interrupt
one’s reaction pattern — and then doing that over and over — can reshape behavior.”
Research indicates that this “stillness of mind” can result in better attention, reduced susceptibility to addiction, and even “reduce the cognitive decline associated with normal aging,” according to one study published in the Neurobiology of Aging journal. “What you attend to drives your behavior and it determines your happiness,” writes London School of Economics scholar Paul Dolan. It just makes sense that actively directing your attention should improve your quality of life — and the science backs it up. If you’re intrigued, check out apps on sites like calm.com or buddhify, which offer both guided and unguided meditation tracks for beginners.
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