October 29, 2009

The other day, while reviewing the many emails that
my subscribers sent me, I came across one that posed
an interesting question. This person had a painful
knee that had undergine prior surgery, leaving the
woman with a screw and a stap-le in her knee.

The issue was that she now has knee pain. She
suspects that she may have a torn meniscus (one of
the semi-lunar cartilages, inside the knee joint),
based on the symptoms and signs that have been
elicited. Joint line pain, painful snapping,
giving way, when descending stairs, and other signs
of instability are all suggestive of this problem.
I discuss these in greater detail (as well as the
reasons why they manifest like this) in my
LITTLE GREEN BOOK FOR ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN

http://www.drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html

She wanted to know if any type of medical imaging
could tell her if this really was the source of her
pain, or if there was another problem. She had been
told, however, that the metal within her knee would
prevent her from getting an MRI or a CT scan.

I suggested that since this metal was now
non-functional, the trauma for which they had
been inserted, now long healed, why not remove the
metal under local anesthesia? Then, you could go
ahead with the scan of your choice.

However, it occurred to me that many of my readers
may not really understand the differences between
all the options for the images of healing available,
today. So here and now I’ll give you a brief
description of each.

CT or CAT Scan stands for Computerized Tomography,
or Computer Assisted Tomography. This uses a pencil
thin beam of radiation (x-rays), usually in a spiral
pattern to image part of the body. The multiple
image “slices” are read by the computer and may
even be assembled into 3-D images. It is best for
evaluating the bones, in great detail. And it is a
very fast test, usually less than five minutes.

Metal can cause the beam of x-rays to ricochet in
“scatter” patterns, which obscured the images with
earlier machines. Recent advances in software,
however, minimize this scatter, and metal is no
longer an absolute contra-indication.

An MRI Scan does NOT use radiation, but rather a
pulsing, extremely strong magnetic field. This field
pulls the electrons out of their orbits around hydrogen
atoms in our tissues. When these electrons fall back
to their former postions, they emit radio signals.
The computer assembles these signals into very fine
detailed images.

MRI’s are best for soft tissues. Because they use
magnetism, they take longer to do, usually 30-45
minutes. The rapidly alternating magnetic fields
make a loud sound, like a machine gun. They are
also VERY sensitive to metal implants, which warp
the magnetic field, even if the metal is non-ferrous
(ie. not iron based, or magnetic). This produces
a black blob on the image, in the region of the metal.

A  Nuclear Scan is done by injecting a radioactive
isotope, specific for the tissue you want to examine,
intravenously. For example, Technetium 99 has an
affinity for bone, so it’s used for bone scans. In
such scans, the body itself becomes mildly radioactive,
for a brief period of time. Cellular activity is
demonstrated by increased radioactivity, which is
“read” by a crystal and assembled into images. The
“blacker” the image, ie., the more radioactivity,
the more activity. This is used by physicians to
evaluate fractures, infections, metabolic disease,
tumors, etc.

An Arthrogram is a plain x-ray of a joint, into which
an iodine based “dye” (which stops x-rays) and air are
injected. The dye “paints” the internal structures,
visualizing the normally invisible,  together
with any abnormalities that may be present.

Using one or more of these images of healing, the
physician can correlate the resultant findings with
the physical exam, signs and symptoms to confirm or
refute his presumptive diagnosis.

Many people are afraid to even go to see a doctor,
for fear that he or she will “make” them have surgery.
No one can “make” you do anything. It’s always a good
idea to KNOW what you’re dealing with. With that
knowledge, you then have a range of options for
treatment.

There are times when surgery IS appropriate.
But many, or even most times, any of a variety of
conventional and alternative treatments may relieve
your pain, WITHOUT surgery. That’s the reason I wrote
my healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY

http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html

to give you all your options. So, next time you get
injured, or develop some pain in your joints, get a
thorough medical evaluation, so you can obtain ALL
the information you can get. Only then can you make
a wise decision about treatment options. It’s what
you DON’T know that can hurt you.

I hope this brief review of applied radiology will
be helpful to you. Til next time, my friend, be well.

Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,

Dr. Bill

October 28, 2009

Yesterday, I promised you access to my newest
> formula for your health, so here it is:
>
> Dr. Bill’s Brain Boosting Formula.
>
> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=ORAR_&m=1gyipezYG7kYrW&b=4rs8roMKYrVC5FpHAyEbIg
>
> As you may know, if you’ve been reading me for
> any length of time, I lost my own mother to the
> ravages of Alzheimer’s Disease. I lost my old
> orthopaedic Professor and mentor to it, as well.
> So, I’ve seen this insidious killer up close and
> personal.
>
> It’s a heart breaking and frightening malady,
> which eventually strips the victim of all
> humanity, after years of humilating and
> frightening progressive memory loss and dementia.
> This is a terrible disease, that is only firmly
> diagnosed on autopsy. And it’s the bane of the
> Baby Boomer.
>
> Alzheimer’s is characterized by plaques, of a
> particular protein called amyloid, in the brain
> and by neurofibrillary tangles, of another kind
> of protein (tau protein), as well as decreased
> levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter
> that carries messages across the synapses (gaps)
> between nerve cells in the brain.
>
> This combination results in the progressive,
> marked degeneration of brain function, that is
> characteristic of Alzheimer’s Disease.
>
> It’s cause is currently unknown, but what IS
> known is that inflammation seems to play a
> prominent role. And its incidence is rising
> rapidly. I don’t know about you, but it scares
> the Hell out of me.
>
> But now, there is something proactive that you
> can do.
>
> Here’s the link to my brand new Brain Boosting
> Formula:
>
> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=ORAR_&m=1gyipezYG7kYrW&b=4rs8roMKYrVC5FpHAyEbIg
>
> In this letter, I reveal statistics about
> Alzheimer’s that will flat-out SHOCK and DISGUST
> you…but you need to know the facts.
>
> In fact, I even reveal what your chances of
> getting Alzheimer’s are – or if you already have
> it, but don’t know it. And I also talk about how
> to improve your brain health and function:
>
> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=ORAR_&m=1gyipezYG7kYrW&b=4rs8roMKYrVC5FpHAyEbIg
>
> Early testing of this formula revealed that
> it will even make your mind feel more energized,
> in a great way. Make sure to read all about it
> at this webpage:
>
> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=ORAR_&m=1gyipezYG7kYrW&b=4rs8roMKYrVC5FpHAyEbIg
>
> Til next time, my friend be well.
>
> With my best wishes for your optimum health,
>
> Dr. Bill
>
>
> P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
>
> P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
>
> FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
>
> Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
> All rights reserved

October 27, 2009

As I mentioned yesterday, I spent my last weekend
> at a very nice resort in Phoenix, for a conference.
> After I managed to get down from my climb on Mummy
> Mountain, as I recounted yesterday (and, amazingly,
> didn’t get into any trouble on my way down), I
> decided to go into the hotel gift shop, to look
> for a gift for my wife.
>
> Whenever I would go out of town, to any seminar or
> conference, I would always get her a little something,
> just to demonstrate that I had been thinking of her.
> In years past, I got some if my best gifts for her
> in this way. Some were so good, that I saved them
> for Christmas. So this was an old tradition for me.
>
> On my way to the gift shop, I happened to see a
> woman limping along with a cast boot, on her right
> foot and ankle. Her limping was worse than it needed
> to be, because she was trying to walk “normally,”
> with her foot pointing forward. This is always a
> mistake, because in a cast boot or similar brace,
> the ankle is rigid and doesn’t bend. This causes
> a pronounced glitch in your gait, hence the limp.
>
> When I see something like that, I just can’t keep
> it to myself. I HAVE to try to help. It’s what I
> do. So, I asked the woman what happened to her.
>
> Sure enough, she had what we call an inversion
> injury. That’s ortho-speak for a twisted ankle
> and foot, where the foot is bent under, toward
> the inside. She probably had an avulsion fracture
> of her 5th metatarsal, where the tendon of the
> peroneus brevis muscle literally pulls the end
> of the foot bone apart.
>
> She was happy to hear that these injuries heal
> rapidly–usually within three weeks (clinically).
> And she was already two weeks into this period,
> so she only had a week or so to go, assuming no
> problems. Then I showed her that by pivoting her
> foot outward, about 40 degrees, she could walk
> with a much smoother gait in her cast brace. In
> this position, you just roll over the heel, with
> very little limp. Big imporvement.
>
> She thanked me and went off in the other direction,
> while I continued to the gift shop. I felt pretty
> good after my “mountain climb,” thanks to the knee
> pain exercises I do from my PAIN-FREE PROGRAM
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html/.
>
> Finally found it and started looking around to see
> if they had any T-shirts or golf shirts, with the
> resort logo. Whiler I was doing this, a woman and her
> husband came in. The lady was bitterly complaining
> about her shoulder pain. Here we go again…
>
> I identified myself as an orthopod ansd showed her
> how she could loosen up her shoulder by doing daily
> pendulum exercises. Amazingly, neither her doctor,
> nor her physical therapist had ever shown her these
> simple, but very effective exercises.
>
> When some people hit their 50′s, they develop this
> syndrome, called adhesive capsulitis. The symptoms
> are chiefly pain, with attempted motion, and
> progressively more limited shoulder motion. This is
> often called a “frozen shoulder” and it can occur
> without any significant injury. But it IS caused by
> chronic inflammation. And it can be very, very
> disabling. I know. I had this myself.
>
> Fortunately, it’s most often a self-limited condition.
> But it can take months to resolve and in some cases,
> adhesions, thick tough bands of scar tissue, form
> within the shoulder joint. If these become
> sufficiently strong enough, they can prevent ANY
> shoulder motion, hence the term, “frozen.”
>
> All of this is a product of inflammation. So it
> stands to reason that anti-inflammatory compounds
> would be very helpful, together with the exercises
> to promote motion. I recommended that she try
> taking my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA
>
> http://www.favoriteformulas.com
>
> an ultra pure, enteric coated, pharmaceutical grade
> fish oil, with potent anti-inflammatory effects.
> Better than NSAID’s, because though just as strong
> in its effects, it lacks the adverse side effects
> of the non-steroidals, like stomach bleeding, and
> ulcers. She was thrilled to get the advice and the
> web site for the fish oil. She thanked me and
> finally left, while I got back to making my
> selections.
>
> Well, the women behind the counter were so impressed
> with this whole episode, that they asked for the
> web site, too. Naturally, I gave it to them. Hey,
> that’s what I do–spreading light, wherever I go!
>
> I do have to break down and get some cards made,
> though, so I don’t have to keep writing out the
> web site address, when I meet someone. I’ll put
> it on my “to do” list.
>
> Now, tomorrow, I’ll have a brand new product
> to tell you about. I think you’ll like it. So, til
> next time, my friend, be well.
>
> Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
>
> Dr. Bill
>
> P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
>
> P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
>
> FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
>
> Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
> All rights reserved

October 26, 2009

Now, I know that the “Mummy” thing suggests the
> upcoming Halloween holiday, but really, this
> has nothing to do with that. No, it’s actually
> the name of … well, let me start at the
> beginning.
>
> I’m a little late with this email today, because I
> just flew in late last night and drove here to
> Southampton, from JFK. This past weekend, I was at
> one of those great meetings that I periodically
> attend, with other like-minded internet marketers
> and entrepreneurs. This is always a treat for me,
> because many of these people have become my allies
> and friends over the years and I always get great
> feedback and ideas for my own businesses.
>
> It’s also a way to get a “full charge” of positive
> energy from high achieving, optimistic people–a
> very important thing in these ecomomically and
> spiritually bleak times, when actual achievement
> and hard work are so often diminished, impugned and
> discouraged by popular culture and politicians
> alike. I know that sounds like very “New Age” stuff,
> but there’s really something to it.
>
> You realize, on a deep, personal level, that you’re
> NOT all alone out there, that there are others who
> support you, value you, your goals and dreams,
> and share the ideals you value. Anyway, it does it
> for me. One of these meetings and I’m good for another
> two or three months, full of energy and boundless
> optimism: What recession?!
>
> Well, this time, we decided to meet in another
> location, for a variety of reasons, including
> boredom with our former venue in Tampa. The man
> who runs these sessions chose a terrific new spot
> for us in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s a unique resort
> situated between Camelback Mountain and Mummy
> Mountain. Ah, there it is. You were probably
> wondering what mummies have to do with anything.
> Now you know. No, I have no idea why it’s called
> that. But that’s what it’s called.
>
> With the time difference of three hours, it was
> early in the morning when I arrived last Thursday
> and looked around. I had to get up at 4AM to
> get to JFK on time for the flight (UGH!). The
> countryside was a lot different than what I’m used to,
> kind of like what Mars might look like, if someone
> stuck some scrub trees in an otherwise desolate
> landscape. But it has a certain austere beauty that
> grows on you, and the cool evenings were delightful.
>
> I immediately saw that mountain in the background and,
> as it was actually on the proerty, I started up the
> hiking trail, in lieu of the hill sprints, that I use
> for supercharging my metabolism for fat loss, together
> with my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA
>
> http://www.favoriteformulas.com
>
> an ultra pure, enteric coated, pharmaceutical grade
> fish oil, with unbeleivable heart, brain and joint
> healthy benefits.
>
> Somehow, I got onto the RED trail, the more difficult
> one, from the BLUE trail, which was more scenic and
> somewhat less demanding. Up and up I went, climbing
> Mummy Mountain. I did it as though I were doing hill
> sprints, surging upward, nonstop, for a minute at a
> time, then resting between. In this way, I used the
> climb as a kind of interval training session.
>
> The views were spectacular, every step of the way.
> Not a cloud in the azure sky, brilliant sunshine,
> recharging my cells with vitamin D and a slight breeze,
> to cool me off. It was truly beautiful, if austere.
> I looked across the valley, with the wind in my hair,
> to the rugged double hump of Camelback Mountain,
> the resort nestled between and spread out below.
>
> Then, it occurred to me, “Hey, I’m alone up here. No
> one even knows I’m here, yet. If I get bit by a
> rattlesnake, or a scorpion, up here, I’m screwed.”
> Crap. I decided to get down, fast. But by that time,
> I’d had a great workout.
>
> It worked, too. I got on the scale this morning, and
> found that I actually lost four more pounds over the
> long weekend! But there’s no way I could have taken
> advantage of the mountain trail, had I not been doing
> my knee pain exercises, in my PAIN-FREE PROGRAM
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> all along. Even if you currently have severe knee
> pain, or are so fat you wouldn’t even dream of climbing
> a hill, much less a mountain, daily exercises like the
> Wall Chair, the Horse Stance and my specially modified
> Hindu Squats will toughen up those knees so your pain
> disappears, along with your fat.
>
> Yep. Focused, strategic knee pain exercises and
> pharmaceutical grade fish oil, are a great combination
> to get you on your own personal trail to knee pain
> relief and overall better health.
> Go here for the best choices available:
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
> http://www.favoriteformulas.com
>
> Everyone seemed to like the new venue, so it’s
> liklely we’ll be back. But hopefully not in the summer–
> the locals tell me that it gets up to 120 degrees by
> June. That’s a little hot, by anyone’s measure!
>
> Well, my friend, that’s it for today. Hope all is well
> with you. I’ll talk with you again soon. Til next time,
> be well.
>
> Yours for your optimal health and a pain-free tomorrow,
>
> Dr. Bill
>
> P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
>
> P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
>
> FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
>
> Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
> All rights reserved

October 23, 2009

Back in the late 60′s, 1967 was when I actually
> started, I was introduced to Goju karate, at the
> New York Gojukai. This school was run by a 4th
> dan black belt, Joe Lopez, originally a product
> of the old Peter Urban dojo in New York City.
> This was a big deal, because sensei Lopez, who
> had joined the Japanese Gojukai, under the leadership
> of Gogen “The Cat” Yamaguchi, was awarded the
> 4th dan black belt at a time when such a high
> rank just wasn’t given to non-Japanese.
>
> In these insanely politically correct times, it
> seems unimaginable that such a situation could
> exist, but at that time, it was just a fact of
> life. The Korean schools, Tai Kwon Do, Muk Soo Do,
> Hapkido, etc., were a lot more generous in their
> rankings–7th, 8th and 9th dans running around
> all over the place.
>
> But not so in Goju Ryu. In Goju, at that time,
> in New York City, a 4th dan white guy (“Hispanic”
> hadn’t been invented yet) was a very impressive
> rank, indeed. And Joe was a very, VERY impressive
> guy.
>
> He was one of those men who gave you the feeling
> that he was well over six feet tall and wide as
> the proverbial barn door. In fact, he was perhaps
> 5 foot eight or nine. He really WAS pretty wide,
> though–broad shoulders. And he had these two
> enormous, callused rock hard knuckles on each
> fist, from hours of practice on the makiwara
> (a striking board, used as a target for punching
> practice).
>
> The overall impression was one of enormous power,
> under control, beneath the surface. But the power
> fairly radiated from the man, in unseen waves.
> I guess you could say that I was pretty impressed.
>
> But not only was he a very impressive physical
> specimen, but he was a big believer in the spiritual
> aspects of the martial arts, as well. He actually
> ran several sessions on meditation, during karate
> classes, before it became popular in the mainstream.
> He believed that the spiritual development of a
> martial artist was as important, perhaps moreso,
> than his physical development. It took me many years
> to realize the wisdom of that perception.
>
> A typical class would involve a warm-up of all
> the joints, followed by repetitions of all the hand
> strikes, punches and kicks that made up the style
> of Goju. Sometimes, he would supplement these with
> other exercises.
>
> One such was the Duck Walk. Man, I HATED that
> exercise. This consisted of squatting all the way
> down, til your butt was literally on your heels,
> then walking around, while in that deeply squatting
> position, around and around in circles. My God! The
> burn in your thighs and knees! It was like torture.
>
> Many, many years later, having become a physician
> and orthopaedic surgeon, I learned enough anatomy
> and pathology to realize that this position is NOT
> a good one for your knees.
>
> In a very deep squat, the condylar shape of the end
> of the femur (like a golf club) grinds down into
> the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, the
> fibrocartilage cushion between the bones of the
> knees. In older people, with some degeneration
> of those cartilages, even a little twist in that
> deep squat position can result in a torn cartilage.
> I go into this, in some detail, in my LITTLE GREEN
> BOOK FOR ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN:
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> Fortunately, most of us were teenagers, or in
> our twenties anyway. So we could tolerate it. And
> it was more of a character building, than a body
> building exercise, designed to teach us to tolerate
> pain and fatigue and keep going.
>
> Other times were spent deep in the Horse Stance.
> This isometric exercise is a classic taken originally
> from Chinese Kung Fu. Over time, this results in
> thigh and leg muscles of steel, improves tendon
> and ligament strength and imparts great endurance.
>
> But ironically, it is also the ideal exercise
> for the older, disabled person, who needs to develop
> strength, but is limited by severe knee pain,
> arthritis, or massive obesity. I show exactly how
> to get into the ideal position for this stance
> and how to use it for maximum effect in the
> newest version of my PAIN-FREE PROGRAM:
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> After all these exercises, we then moved on to
> kata (dance-like, formalized movements which
> incorporate the elements of a specific karate style)
> and kumite (practice free fighting, with each other).
>
> By the time each class was over, I was completely
> washed out and felt used up. It was a helluva workout.
> But over the years, I developed a strength that
> stood me in good stead in the years to come–not
> only physically, but mentally and spiritually,
> as well. I often think about those days and the
> members of the dojo, who played such an important
> part in making me who and what I became.
>
> As many masters of the more rigorous fighting arts
> often do, I understand that my old sensei, Joe,
> took up the softer, internal arts. According to a
> mutual friend, he is now teaching Tai Chi, in Malibu.
>
> I really should look him up, one day. His influence
> and the lessons he taught me, about combat and about
> life, were invaluable. And one day, I’d like to
> tell him just how much I valued and appreciated
> what he offered and how much it really mattered.
> One day…
>
> Til next time, my friend, be well. And have a great,
> great weekend.
>
> Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
>
> Dr. Bill
>
> P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
>
> P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
>
> FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
>
> Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
> All rights reserved

October 22, 2009

I was reading a number of news briefs on the web
> yesterday, looking for health related topics, when
> I cam across a summary of a recent article.
> Researchers from the Netherlands reported in the
> British Medical Journal that patients treated
> with supervised exercise for patellofemoral pain
> did better than those treated with other conservative
> measures.
>
> Well, DUH!
>
> If you’ve been reading me for any length of time,
> you know that this is SOP.
>
> The usual cause of anterior knee pain is pain in
> the kneecap (ie., patellofemoral pain). And the
> most common pathology that causes that pain is a
> degenerative softening of the cartilage on the
> underside of the patella.
>
> This common condition is called chondromalacia
> patellae, which means “soft cartilage” in Greek.
> CMP (my abbreviation for this disorder) may be
> caused by direct injury, like a fall onto the
> bent knee, or it may develop gradually, from
> abnormal stresses on the knee.
>
> The latter occurs when the muscles surrounding
> the joint become weak with disuse or age. When
> this happens, the muscles that keep the kneecap
> on a straight path down the front of the knee
> joint become imbalanced. And that, in turn,
> leads to what we call “maltracking.”
>
> Maltracking simply means that the kneecap is
> pulled too much to the outside of the joint, when
> the knee is bent. This puts abnormal stresses
> on the retropatellar cartilage, which leads to
> the degenerative softening.
>
> In a way, you can think of CMP as a “first cousin”
> of arthritis. And, in some cases, as a precursor.
> I explain this contnuum of pathology in my
> LITTLE GREEN BOOK FOR ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> The good news is that the pain of CMP can be
> stopped with a number of conventional and alternative
> treatments. I know these methods work, not only
> because I’ve used these same methods on my private
> patients, but because I have chondromalacia patellae
> myself and I’ve used these methods successfully,
> on myself.
>
> First, stop any activities that cause an increase
> in pain. This would include things like climbing
> stairs, sqautting, kneeling, or cycling, when these
> activities cause pain.
>
> Local measures, like ice applications, rest and
> analgesics can be helpful. These conservative
> treatments were used in the control group in
> the Netherlands study of 163 patients, aged 14-40.
>
> Then, reduce inflammation, by starting on
> an ultra pure, enteric coated, pharmaceutical
> grade fish oil, like my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA
>
> http://www.favoriteformulas.com
>
> packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been
> demonstrated to reduce inflammation throughout the
> body, in addition to proven heart and brain healthy
> properties that reduce the risk of heart attacks and
> strokes. Just these two tips will result in a dramatic
> relief of anterior knee pain.
>
> But for long term knee pain relief, nothing beats
> knee pain exercises, like those I teach in my
> PAIN-FREE PROGRAM, which you can get here:
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> The other group in this study was treated with
> quadriceps exercises, adductor and gluteal exercises,
> over a six week period. And they did better, according
> to objective testing. Well, I’m not surprised.
>
> While it’s nice to have independent validation of
> these principles in a recent published study, in fact,
> this is something I’ve known and taught for years.
> It’s not exactly news.
>
> The fact is, strengthening the tendons and muscles
> around the knee, especially the vastus medialis
> muscle (VMO), is the ONLY long term treatment known
> to work for chronic knee pain relief. And, unlike
> NSAID’s, which have a long list of dangerous adverse
> side effects, when done correctly, exercises are safe,
> effective and have overall benefits for the rest
> of the body, as well.
>
> So, if you have knee pain, or want to take steps
> to prevent it, get my PAIN-FREE PROGRAM today:
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> Your knees will thank you and you’ll be glad you did.
> Til next time, my friend, be well.
>
> Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
>
> Dr. Bill
>
>
> P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
>
> P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
>
> FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
>
> Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
> All rights reserved

October 21, 2009

As a practicing orthopaedic surgeon, I treated
> many thousands of patients over the decades.
> Most of them had conditions that I was able
> to treat with a number of non-operative
> conservative treatments.
>
> As a result, I came into contact with a number
> of other paramedical professionals, like physical
> therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, family
> practitioners, general surgeons, cardiologists
> (heart docs), nephrologists (kidney docs)…
> and orthotists.
>
> Orthotists are brace makers, though they also
> manufacture prosthetic (artificial) limbs, as well.
> A good one is worth his weight in gold. A good
> brace can make a painful, arthritic knee tolerable,
> or provide a safe alternative to surgery, even
> in end stage disease, when a patient has serious
> medical conditions (what we call co-morbidities,
> in the trade) that would make surgery very risky.
>
> But the worst part of dealing with many of these
> other professionals was that each saw the patient’s
> condition through the lens of his own perspective.
>
> Here’s what I mean. I was constantly on guard
> against physical therapists who liked to look
> smart to the patient, thereby putting ME in a
> defensive position.
>
> Like saying to a total hip patient, “Hey, Mrs.
> Jones, this leg is too long now. Better ask your
> doctor about that.” This, in a patient who had
> an abduction contracture (a scarred tightening
> of the outer muscles around the hip, which tilts
> the pelvis down on that side), which gave
> the impression that the limb was longer than
> it should be, though actual measurememts
> were absolutely equal.
>
> This condition would always respond to stretching
> exercises, over time. But until the ITB (iliotibial
> band) and abductor muscles were stretched out,
> the patient would be suspicious that I had screwed
> up. Imagine that.
>
> Wonderful.
>
> With orthotists, it was the same thing. I would
> order a short hinge brace for a patient’s knee,
> only to have the orthotist make this long leg
> brace, twice as long (twice as heavy and twice
> as expensive). Why? Because theoretically, you
> need a longer lever arm for better leverage on
> the knee, so it would provide the best stability
> for the injured or arthritic joint.
>
> But the problem was that it was so heavy, and
> uncomfortable, it would sit in the corner,
> gathering dust and acting as a clothes rack.
> The patient, bowing to the wisdom of the expert
> orthotist, would get it, but then, not use it.
>
> So here was this terrific brace that the patient
> refused to use. Great.
>
> I invariably had to call up the brace-maker and
> point out that that was why I had ordered the
> shorter brace, in the first place. I knew that
> the patient would accept THAT. See, sometimes,
> best is the enemy of better.
>
> It was better for the patients to have a less
> than optimal brace that they WOULD use, and get
> some good from, than an optimal example of the
> orthotist’s art, that sat in the corner, helping
> no one.
>
> Once that reality dawned on the orthotist, we
> got along just fine. And after one such experience,
> they made exactly what I ordered, thereafter, and
> became a valuable ally.
>
> The key was explaining my reasoning calmly, that
> first time. In my experience, if you go postal
> on a subordinate (which many of my surgical
> colleagues were wont to do), the object of your
> ire loses the lesson, in anger at you. If you’re
> calm and respectful, the lesson takes. Just
> common sense and treating people like you’d like
> to be treated, if your situations were reversed–
> it works, every time.
>
> Braces were just one of the non-operative measures
> that I used to be sure that if someone came to
> surgery, it was absolutely necessary. And that’s just
> one of the many tricks and treatments that I reveal
> in my newest healing program: HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY
>
> http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
>
> Another is to start using long term pharmaceutical
> grade fish oil, which has potent, proven, anti-
> inflammatory properties. The omega-3 fatty acids
> in my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA
>
> http://favoriteformulas.com
>
> help to relieve pain and inflammation, and they
> have heart and brain healthy effects, as well.
>
> Fish oil, bracing and a host of other alternative
> treatments and strategic exercises, all help to
> avoid the unnecessary knee surgery. If your doctor
> isn’t using some or all of these methods, be sure to
> ask, why not. Til next time, my friend, be well.
>
> Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
>
> Dr. Bill
>
> P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
>
> P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
>
> FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
>
> Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
> All rights reserved

October 20, 2009

If you haven’t registered for tonight’s
> teleconference, at 8 PM, time is running out.
>
> But I don’t want you to miss my interview of
> Robert Groth–accountant and coach, who has
> a terrific story to tell. He has triumphed over
> disease and despair and in the process, he’s
> discovered the secret to breaking through
> the barriers to success.
>
> More important, he’s developed a secret formula
> to allow YOU to achieve success in every area of
> your life. You can’t afford NOT to hear this.
>
> Best of all, this special event is at NO COST!
>
> Time is running out fast. It’s almost too late…
>
> But I don’t want you to miss this. So if you’d
> like to join us, I want you to CALL THIS NUMBER
> at 8 PM tonight:
>
>
> **** 1-218-862-1000 PIN 377719# ****
>
>
> Now, you’ve got no more excuses. I’ve given you the
> number to call, even if you can’t register.
>
> If you want to learn the life lessons Robert has to
> teach us and discover the secret formula for success
> that he’s developed, then CALL at 8 PM:
>
>
> **** 1-218-862-1000 PIN 377719# ****
>
>
> If you have registered already, thank you. I know
> you won’t be sorry and I’ll talk with you later.
>
> Yours for your optimal health and happiness,
>
> Dr. Bill

October 20, 2009

Yesterday, I told you about the teleconference
> that’s scheduled for tonight at 8PM ET. I’ll
> be interviewing my friend Robert Groth, an ace
> accountant and business coach who is an expert
> at breaking through barriers in ALL areas of life.
>
> He has an inspiring story to tell.
>
> This is a man who has battled his own personal
> demons–of health (he was diagnosed with MS in
> 1989, when he went blind in one eye), depression,
> and loss of confidence. But he made a decision
> to FIGHT for his life.
>
> And as a result, he found the keys to his own
> health, happiness and ultimate success.
>
> In the process of breaking through his own barriers,
> he discovered a secret formula for success that
> anyone, including YOU can follow. And tonight, you
> can learn what that formula is….
>
> http://www.conquerms.com/teleconference
>
> His is a story that has lessons for all of us.
> And tonight, Robert will reveal these lessons
> and tell his story. You will learn how YOU can
> benefit from Robert’s advice.
>
> And here’s the best part: There is absolutely
> NO COST for this teleconference. It is
> completely F-R-E-E.
>
> Now, I gave a link yesterday that unfortunately
> was incorrect (close in spirit, but wrong,
> nevertheless). THIS is the correct link to
> register for this special event:
>
> http://www.conquerms.com/teleconference
>
> Go register NOW, while you’re thinking about it.
> Remember, it’s at 8PM ET. I’ll be there. I hope
> you will, too. Speak to you then, my friend.
>
> Yours for optimal health and happiness,
>
> Dr. Bill

October 19, 2009

Over the weekend, I had had occasion to speak to
> one of my friends, who’s a special sort of guy.
> His name is Robert Groth and, not to put too fine
> a point on it, this guy has risen Phoenix-like
> from the ashes of a dismal medical fate to
> astounding success in every area of his life.
>
> How he did it and what that means for you and me
> is a truly amazing tale.
>
> This is a man who was suddenly struck blind in
> one eye, as an initial sign of what turned out to
> be multiple sclerosis, in 1989. When I met Robert,
> several years ago, he was bent over, walked haltingly
> with a cane, was depressed and withdrawn, a shadow of
> the man his wife had married.
>
> Then, one day, he decided to make a stand and FIGHT
> for his life and his health. He did his own research,
> he assembled his own health team, of doctors, therapists
> coaches and healers. And he found the secret to health,
> happiness and success.
>
> Today, he stands tall and walks normally. You’d never
> know he has MS, unless he told you. He has a thriving,
> growing tax business, despite the economy, and he’s a
> success coach for many, for whom he has opened whole
> new exciting vistas of possibility and achievement.
>
> Now, I know taxes aren’t usually what you think of
> when someone says “exciting.” And I know that this
> isn’t the usual reason you read this email.
>
> But “change” is in the air. Whatever your opinion of
> government run health care, the fact is, SOMETHING
> is going to come out of the debates in Washington.
> And when it does, whatever the final result, one
> thing is for sure–the first thing it’s going to
> do is COST YOU PLENTY–in insurance premiums and,
> yes, in higher taxes!
>
> So, with all the changes coming your way in the
> current health care debate, you’d better know what’s
> in store for you and what you can do to protect
> yourself and your family and minimize the bite.
> Fortunately, my friend Robert is an expert at doing
> just that.
>
> And then there are the insights that his struggle to
> regain his health provide, what I like to call
> “The fight of the Phoenix” and the lessons we can
> all learn from his story.
>
> Well, this Tuesday night, I’m going to interview him,
> exclusively for you, on a one-time teleseminar. This
> is life-changing information! AT NO COST. How can
> you lose?
>
> So, if you would like to get in on a F-R-E-E Teleseminar
> on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 8PM EST, you can find
> out all about it. Go here, now, to register for this
> special event:
>
> http://www.conquerms.com/teleseminar
>
> I’ll be there. I want you to be there, too. Come
> hear my friend Robert’s story and see what special
> bonus I’ve talked him into giving you, just for
> taking part. Remember, it’s 8PM Eastern Time, this
> Tuesday. Register NOW:
>
> http://www.conquerms.com/teleseminar
>
> Hope to speak to you there, my friend. Be well.
>
> Yours for optimal health,
>
> Dr. Bill
>
>
> P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
>
> P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
>
> P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
>
> P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
> http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
>
> FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
>
> Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
> All rights reserved