Independence Back Institute
2800 Ashton Drive
Suite 100
Wilmington, NC 28412
Office: 910-794-8892
Fax: 910-794-8895

Independence Back Institute News

Statement Regarding Meningitis Cases from Spinal Injections

October 16, 2012

Coastal Rehabilitation Medicine Associates only purchases name-brand steroids purchased directly from the manufacturer to perform spinal injections in our office.

The medicines used in a recent national news story were compounded, generic medicines made in a solo pharmacy in Maine. Coastal Rehabilitation Medicine Associates, PA does not use compounded medicines for these injections and has never purchased any products from the loan pharmacy responsible for these cases of meningitis.

Please ask the injection staff team or your physician if you have any questions. The National Center for Disease Control has a list of where all the medicines in question were shipped and rest assured our practice did not receive any medicines from this pharmacy not the type of medicine in question. The CDC website is

http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html

Thank you for the opportunity to assist in your healthcare.

Stephen Walters

Administrator

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Patient Testimonials

May 29, 2012

“You are there to help people when they are seriously needing you…for that I am thankful!!!”

“I continue to be comforted by the attention you pay to my issues and pain.  Thank you and your whole staff for your caring attitude and efforts in helping me function every day to a degree of normalcy.”

“Kenny Barrow, PA, is a great guy and he gives great concern and care!”

“I love Independence Back Institute! I feel very ‘taken care of!’ Thank you”

“Everyone is very caring & I feel I have made so much progress here.  Thank you for your kindness and respect.”

“I have recommended this practice, especially Dr. Wall to several friends & family.”

“I’m very happy with Dr. Gemelli, he has helped me through my hard times.”

“Dr. Wall is a wonderful doctor!”

 ”I’ve recommended Independence Back Institute to many friends!”

“Great staff and they will work with you.  Very understanding.”

“Dr. Gemelli listens and gives answers when there is an option.  Wouldn’t trade him for anyone.  He truly gave me the hope about minimizing my pain and allowing em to like my life for the first time in years.  I love him.”

“Ken Barrow is the best PA I have seen!”

“We have been treated like family for the 8 years we have been coming to Independence Back Institute.”


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Why Visit A Rehabilitation Physician?

February 13, 2012

Source: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation physicians are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that
affect how you move. By taking the whole body into account, they are able to accurately pinpoint
problems and enhance performance – without surgery. Consider seeing a rehabilitation physician
if:

  • You had an accident or you have an injury or chronic condition that has left you with pain
  • or limited function
  • You’re contemplating or recovering from surgery
  • You have an illness or treatment for an illness that has diminished your energy or ability
  • to move easil
  • You’re recovering from the effects of a stroke or other problems related to nerve damage
  • You have chronic pain from arthritis, a repetitive stress injury, or back problems
  • Excess weight makes it difficult to exercise or has caused health problems
  • You think you’re too old to exercise
  • Life changes such as childbirth or menopause have created new challenges to your physical function

Getting started: A rehabilitation physician will thoroughly assess your condition, needs, and
expectations and rule out any serious medical illnesses to develop a treatment plan. A clear
understanding of your condition and limitations will help you and your rehabilitation physician to
develop a treatment plan suited to your unique needs.

Tailoring your plan: You need the right type of exercise to effectively overcome fitness obstacles.
A runner may have gained weight after being sidelined by a knee injury. A rehabilitation physician
can prescribe tailored, low-impact activities that burn calories without aggravating the injury,
simultaneously prescribing physical therapy and use of a brace to strengthen and support the
knee. Another patient may be suffering from chronic neck pain. The rehabilitation physician might
prescribe medication, stretching, and massage for short-term pain relief, as well as strengthening
exercises to prevent future pain. If surgery is a necessity, rehabilitation physicians work with
patients and their surgeons before and after surgery. By directing your treatment team and
collaborating with other health care professionals, a rehabilitation physician is able to specially
design a treatment program tailored to you.

Understanding and identifying your goals: Do you want to strengthen an injured muscle, find
relief from chronic pain, or walk up the stairs without being winded? A rehabilitation physician
can work with you to determine realistic short- and long-term goals. Along the way, he or she will
help you to find relief from pain, achieve successes in rehabilitation

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Exactly What Is A Physiatrist? What Do They Treat?

March 21, 2011

Our physicians at Independence Back Institute are Physiatrists. (fi-zē-ˈa-trist) They have completed training in the medical specialty Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), along with Pain Management. They are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move.

Physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians, are medical doctors who are:

  • Experts at diagnosing and treating pain
  • Restore maximum function lost through injury, illness or disabling conditions
  • Treat the whole person, not just the problem area
  • Provide non-surgical treatments
  • Explain your medical problems and treatment plan
  • Work not only on treatment but also prevention

At Independence Back Institute, we treat a wide range of problems from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. The goal is to decrease pain and enhance performance without surgery. Our providers accurately pinpoint the source of an ailment and then design a treatment plan that can be carried out by the patients themselves or with the help of other health professionals. (Neurologists, Orthopedic Surgeons, and Physical Therapists) Their broad medical expertise allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime.

Source: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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Dr. Wall Featured In WECT News Story: Neurostimulators

March 21, 2011

Neurostimulators, also called spinal cord stimulators are an advanced FDA approved reversible method of pain control. They are used to treat a number of conditions including Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Post Laminectomy Syndrome, Diabetic Neuropathy and other forms of chronic neuropathic pain.

The stimulator is a wire that goes into the epidural space of the spine. When the lead is on or active, low intensity electrical impulses trigger nerve fibers selectively along the spinal cord. When theses fibers are stimulated, they diminish or block the pain message traveling to the brain. When this happens, the painful sensation is replaced with a soothing tingling sensation.

WECT News featured a story, “It’s the kind of pain that makes you want to scream” by Casey Roman. The story featured a current patient of Dr. Wall’s who has had great success in using a spinal cord stimulator to relieve her chronic back pain.

“The minute he put it in, it was like a miracle!” said Joyce.

“I’ve had patients that we’ve put this in and literally start to cry when they get up because their pain is so much better,” said Dr. Wall.

To read the WECT article visit: http://www.wect.com/story/13705642/the-kind-of-pain-that-makes-you-want-to-scream

To learn more about stimulators: http://www.independenceback.com/FAQs/What-is-Spinal-Cord-Stimulation.aspx or contact our offices at 910-794-8892.

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Spring 2011 Events

March 20, 2011

22nd Annual Trauma Symposium: John Liguori, MD speaks on “The Recovery Journey”

New Hanover Regional Medical Center “Live & Learn” Back Pain Seminar: John Liguori, MD is keynote speaker again.

American Academy of Pain Medicine’s Annual Meeting: Focuses on the emerging issues in pain medicine and the opportunity to network with fellow pain medicine practitioners and world-class pain medicine experts. — Attended by Ben Wall, MD.

Fibromyalgia Support Group: Ken Barrow, PAC speaks on living with and managing Fibromyalgia.

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TIPS To Reduce Neck Pain

March 20, 2011

Take frequent breaks. Don’t sit in one place for a long time, such as your car or at your desk. Arrange some of the items in your office so that they are inconvenient. This will force you to get up, stretch or walk around.

Maintain good neck posture. Adjust the seat of your computer or desk chair so your hips are slightly higher than your knees — your head and neck will naturally follow in the correct position. Traveling in a car, airplane? Place a small pillow or rolled towel between your neck and a headrest to keep the normal curve in your neck

How are you sleeping? Avoid sleeping with too many pillows or falling asleep in front of the television with your head on the arm of a couch.

On the phone a lot? Use a speakerphone or headsets — do not cradle the phone in your neck.

Exercise. Treat your body to a consistent regimen of stretching and strengthening to balance your muscle groups. This protects your neck as well as helping your whole body. Walking at any pace is excellent exercise for your neck. The rotation of the spine provides a great natural workout for the neck muscles.

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Dr. Gemelli has success with Qutenza® patches

January 5, 2011

The drug, Qutenza® is used to provide relief from postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) or pain after shingles.

Dr. Peter Gemelli has had recent success using Qutenza® patches for neuropathic pain. In one case, he treated a workers compensation patient facing surgery. He used one patch on her arm. The patient has had a 60% decrease in pain, has returned to many pre-injury activities, and has had the pending surgery postponed. Dr. Gemelli is the first physician in this area using the patches and has marked success with each case. Qutenza® is an FDA approved capsaicin based medication that is covered by most insurances.

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Fibromyalgia

December 10, 2010

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common types of chronic pain. It affects over 5 million patients in the United States alone. The etiology of fibromyalgia remains a mystery. However, there have been substantial gains in standardizing diagnosis and provisions for treatment recommendations both non-pharmacologic and the FDA approval of three therapeutic options. There are approved diagnostic criteria that have recently been revised to include common comorbidities such as depression, fatigue, headaches and insomnia. The hallmark of pain lasting greater than or equal to three months is seemingly widespread and not specific to one region. The myofascial tender point exam has also undergone additional attention to standardize assessment with equal applied pressure of 21 sites, three of which are control sites and should not be painful. It is important to treat the coinciding processes and simultaneously address the fibromyalgia syndrome. Making the appropriate diagnosis of FM early helps improve patient satisfaction and reduces healthcare utilization. There appears to be a spectrum of severity with leads to selective treatment recommendations as not everyone needs pharmacologic agents. The literature does not support treating fibromyalgia with daily narcotic therapies, and in fact, it can further precipitate rebound or worsening pain symptoms in many cases. Kenny Barrow, PAC, has taken an interest in the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients with fibromyalgia.

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Dr. John Liguori featured speaker at NHRMC’s “Live & Learn” back pain seminars

December 2, 2010

New Hanover Regional Medical Center has Dr. Liguori as their keynote speaker for all three of their “Live & Learn” back pain seminars.

John Liguori, MD, MS, FAAPM&R is one of our providers, but he also the Medical Director of New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Liguori is board certified in Pain Management & Rehabilitation and a board examiner for the specialty. He is a member of
the North American Spine Society and is board certified by the American Academy of Pain Management. From seeing patients with chronic pain in our offices, to working with patients that just experienced a traumatic spinal injury at the hospital, Dr. Liguori has the experience and knowledge.

To learn more about upcoming seminars at NHRMC: www.nhrmc.org or 910.343.7000.

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