Therapies

For completeness we discuss many therapies on this Web site, not all of which are currently available in Knoxville at CEIM.  We indicate with (*Not Currently Available at CEIM) those therapies which are not currently available at CEIM.  As with any therapy, there is no substitute for a thorough discussion of potential risks, benefits, and alternative means of treatment with your physician.  

Bio-Oxidative Therapy

The subtle shift in the levels of oxygen in the atmosphere and the dramatic rise of toxic chemicals which the human body cannot tolerate can lead to a weakening of the immune system, which in turn affects the entire body. Bio-Oxidative Medicine treats this by implementing techniques designed to remove harmful toxins and create oxidative balance, proper cellular metabolism can be restored and health and vitality returned to the individual.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) - A powerful oxidizer, hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. hydrogen peroxide is involved in all of life's vital processes, and must be present for the immune system to function properly. The cells in the body that fight infection (known as granulocytes) produce Hydrogen Peroxide as a first line of defense against invading organisms like parasites, viruses, bacteria and yeast. The therapy used is an intravenous drip of a diluted, very pure hydrogen peroxide solution

Hyperbaric Oxygen(*Not Currently Available at CEIM) – (We hope to shortly have a hyperbaric chamber available in Knoxville.)  There have been a large number of studies done on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and its effectiveness has been well established. HBOT treatments involve placing you in a chamber, and then increasing the atmospheric pressure. During the treatment you breathe pure oxygen. This saturates the tissues with oxygen, and reverses any areas of hypoxia (low oxygen levels).

Ozone(*Not Currently Available at CEIM) – Ozone (O3) is an energized form of oxygen with extra electrons. It has been found to be both safe and effective when diluted to therapeutic levels for medical use in widely accepted procedures.

Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy involves the intravenous infusion of EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) over a course of treatments in a doctor's office. EDTA is a synthetic amino acid, which has the ability to attach itself to metals and minerals, forming a particular kind of bond called a chelate.  Once the chelate is formed it is naturally excreted from the body.  Essentially, chelation therapy “washes out” heavy metals and minerals from the body.

Chelation therapy is an accepted treatment for some heavy metal poisonings (such as lead).  It is a controversial treatment for coronary heart disease (CHD), but the controversy may soon be settled because NIH has just begun a $30 million, 5 year study (TACT) to determine the efficacy of chelation in CHD. 

Detoxification

To compound the problem of our toxic environment, we have refined away much of the nutritional value of our food supply and replaced it with artificial colorings, preservatives, flavorings, conditioners, etc. This poor quality diet, combined with the extensive use of antibodies in medicine and agriculture may have re-disposed many of us to experience a kind of “internal” pollution. Internal pollution occurs when unhealthful bacteria overcome the healthful bacteria in the intestinal tract. These unhealthful bacterial release toxic by-products into our circulation, which can negatively affect many aspects of our overall health. In addition, many of the substances we are exposed to in the environment stay in our bodies for our entire lives, unless they are removed.

IV Therapies

Often, the most effective way to treat a given disease state or condition is by the intravenous administration of various pharmacologic agents and nutrients. In this way, we can achieve much higher concentrations, more rapidly and avoid the effects of the digestive tract on the substances administered. Some therapies include:

Alpha-lipoic acid - Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a vitamin-like antioxidant, sometimes referred to as the “universal antioxidant,” because it is soluble in both fat and water. ALA is capable of regenerating several other antioxidants back to their active states, including vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione and Coenzyme Q10. It has been shown to be of great potential benefit in certain cases of liver damage.

DMSO - Medical research with DMSO has shown that it could not only dissolve substances, but also it could also penetrate human skin and carry the dissolved substances along with it. It was also shown to relieve pain and swelling, relax muscles, relieve arthritis, improve blood supply and slow the growth of bacteria. It has been used to treat the symptoms of cancer, atherosclerosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and arthritis.

Glutathione - Largely through the work of Dr. David Perlmutter, we have clinical and laboratory data that demonstrate marked improvement in symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease with the use of this therapy. Glutathione is a potent anti-oxidant that is capable of penetrating the central nervous system (brain). Since there appears to be a reduction in anti-oxidant activity in portions of the brain responsible for these diseases, it appears glutathione is a useful supportive therapy.

Vitamin C - High dose therapy in conjunction with a careful balance of other vitamins, minerals and supplements have shown to be beneficial in improving countless conditions by enhancing the anabolic processes of the body.  Tissue integrity increases, organ function improves and the immune system is enhanced.

Natural Hormone Replacement

A natural hormone has a chemical structure naturally produced by the body. For a hormone to be considered natural, its structure must replicate exactly the structure of hormones your body produces. A synthetic hormone, on the other hand, may have a structure similar to, but not exactly the same as a hormone produced by your body. These chemical differences can mean that the synthetic hormone acts differently in your body and produce substantially different effects.

Our office only uses natural hormone replacement, after an extensive history, examination, and laboratory testing the individual. In this way the therapy is customized to the person’s specific needs.

Orthomolecular Medicine/ Nutritional Therapies

Orthomolecular medicine describes the practice of preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances, which are natural to the body. Many people use the term “nutritional therapy” synonymously with orthomolecular medicine, although the latter covers a much broader range of healthcare issues.

In the orthomolecular view, it is possible that the provision of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements or fatty acids in amounts sufficient to correct biochemical abnormalities will be therapeutic in preventing or treating such diseases. Orthomolecular medicine takes the idea that larger than usual doses of certain nutrients can actually prevent or cure disease. Although there's still considerable debate over specific dosages and their therapeutic effects, the basic principle is now firmly established and widely accepted.