Varenicline

Most recently, the Federal Drug Administration approved varenicline as a medication for smoking cessation. Varenicline acts on a subset of nicotinic receptors (alpha-4 beta-2) thought to be involved in the rewarding effects of nicotine. Varenicline acts as a partial agonist and antagonist at these receptors as it mildly stimulates the nicotine receptor, but not sufficiently to allow the release of dopamine, which is the rewarding effect of nicotine. As an antagonist, varenicline also blocks the ability of nicotine to activate dopamine, interfering with the reinforcing effects of smoking, thereby reducing cravings and supporting abstinence from smoking.

Laser Acne Treatment

Laser surgery has been in use for some time and reduces the scars left behind by acne, but doctors have done little research on lasers treatments for the prevention of acne. Doctors use the laser to address the following: to burn away the follicle sac from which hair grows; to burn away the sebaceous gland that produces oil; to induce oxygen in the bacteria, thereby killing them. Since lasers and intense pulsed light sources cause thermal damage to the skin, there are concerns that laser or intense pulsed light treatments for acne will induce hyperpigmented macules (spots) or cause long-term dryness of the skin. In the United States, the FDA has approved several companies, such as Candela Corp., to use a cosmetic lasers for the treatment of acne. However, efficacy studies have used very small sample sizes (fewer than 100 subjects) for periods of six months or less, and have shown contradictory results. Because laser treatment are relatively new, protocols remain subject to experimentation and revision, and treatment can be quite expensive. In addition, the company that produces some Smoothbeam laser devices recalled their products due to coolant failure, which had resulted in painful burn injuries to patients.

VIP Medicine

VIP Medicine is a type of medical practice now found in many metropolitan areas across the country. VIP Medicine has come to represent a higher level of healthcare for those who want a more personalized relationship with their physician. At the upper echelon are the practice associations, like IPA Health, which integrate the traditional concierge model and match it with an advanced level of diagnostic care and true concierge services. IPA Health members enjoy the benefit of having access to on-site laboratories and the best diagnostic equipment available in medicine today. The ability to make most diagnoses in a single visit saves concierge patients the time of having to return to the office for a follow-up visit. This, in complement with a dedicated Patient Care Concierge and the ability to network and consult online through a patient portal sets the IPA Health model above most other concierge practices found nationwide. VIP Medical services include the following: IPA Health redefines the concept of Concierge Medicine. As a Concierge member, you will be assigned a Patient Care Concierge who will manage all aspects of the IPA Health experience, from transportation and accommodation (if you are coming from out of town), to medical evacuation if you experience a health emergency while traveling. VIP medicine at IPA Health is a healthcare service that is available to all people and is extremely affordable. Finally, a meaningful option for individuals and families seeking personalized attention from their doctor. A doctor can spend as much time with a patient as the patient needs. Wellness and prevention can be as much the center of attention as the immediate problem. The fundamental concept of Medicine Concierge is to bring back the old fashioned medical care. The number of patients are decreased by 90 percent of a conventional medical practice, our physicians are able to spend prolonged visits with our patients, and provide 24/7 physician availability via cell phone and see patients same-day.

Manipulative and Body Practices

Manipulative and body practices focus primarily on the structures and systems of the body, including the bones and joints, soft tissues and circulatory and lymphatic systems. Spinal manipulation by chiropractors and by other health care professionals such as physical therapists, osteopaths and some conventional medical doctors is medicine. Practitioners use their hands or a device to apply a controlled force to a joint of the spine, moving it beyond its passive range of motion; the amount of force the doctor applies depends on the form of manipulation. Spinal manipulation is among the treatment options that people with low-back pain have.
The term massage therapy encompasses many different techniques. In general, therapists press, rub and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. People use massage for a variety of health purposes, including relieving pain, rehabilitating sports injuries, reducing stress, increase relaxation, address anxiety and depression and aid general wellbeing.
Physicians have used spinal manipulation since the time of the ancient Greeks. Doctors incorporated spinal manipulation into chiropractic and osteopathic medicine in the late 19th century. Massage therapy dates back thousands of years. References to massage appear in writings from ancient China, Japan, India, Arabic nations, Egypt, in Greece Hippocrates defined medicine as the art of rubbing and Rome.
According to the 2007 NHIS, chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation and massage ranked in the top 10 complementary medicine therapies among both adults and children. The survey found that 8.6 percent of adults and 2.8 percent of children had used chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation and 8.3 percent of adults and 1 percent of children had used massage.