Last month I attended a very informative conference of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. In my book, Why: The Question That Could Save Your Life I spent some time exposing “evidence based treatment,” a criteria used by the medical and dental professions to validate methods of treatment. Not only can it not work, it can prevent progress.
One lecture that I attended was titled “Orofacial Neuropathic Pain: Clinical Presentation, Mechanisms, and Evidence- Based Management.” Coincidentally that day I had read an article in the New England Journal of Medicine condemning the validity of present day research. The problem with “evidence based” is you can choose some evidence and overlook other evidence that disagrees with your conclusion.
Overlooked in this case was the work of Drs. Travell and Simons. They had reported over 30 years ago on Myofacial Pain and Trigger Points. In the lecture, the new term for the same trigger point pain allowed new evidence and a new treatment protocol. Two drugs were suggested: Gabapentin and Tricyclic Antidepressants, both of which have serious side effects and only cover the symptoms, rather than fixing the cause. The old treatment was aimed at the source of the pain, muscle spasms, and could be treated without side effects using physical therapy and white laser. Occasionally, Botox may be used with very few side effects.
As more and more professionals are becoming holistic in their diagnosis and treatment planning we are returning to the realization that if the body is brought to optimal health it will heal itself. The overdependence on drugs has resulted in America achieving the honor of being ranked number one as the sickest of all developed countries; also ranked number one in money spent on healthcare. It will only get worse now that politicians are dictating medicine.
That is why I wrote my book—to assist the average person in the avoidance of the healthcare system and know what to do if you do need help. Getting the patient to change to a healthy lifestyle and develop proper eating habits will do more than drugs can ever do. The trouble is that the monster bucks are flooding your TV telling you to run to your doctor and ask about their product for your condition with a disclaimer that goes on forever and it can include death as a side effect.
Two examples of the above are an arthritis drug pushed by a famous golfer and a psoriasis drug, both with numerous side effects. Very often these diseases can be treated with dietary changes, the only side effects being that your health improves and other problems go away. Occasionally we must turn to pharmaceuticals to get us through a crisis, such as a bacterial infection or a serious accident, but the goal should be a return to optimal health, not drug dependency.
To learn more about my practice and what I do, go to aodtc.com or call 925-837-8048. Advanced Oral Diagnosis & Treatment Center is located in Danville, California.
Leave a Reply