All Articles by Sajid Surve, DO
Dr. Surve is a physiatrist, acupuncturist, and osteopath who specializes in musculoskeletal medicine and integrative medicine.
The Hidden Dangers of Soy
As the American diet turns towards the perception of more natural and "healthy" foods, a surge in soy products has taken hold in the market. Soy is touted as a superfood full of protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and able to do everything from lower cholesterol to fight cancer. However, not all the physiological properties of soybeans are positive. Compared to the number of outlets proclaiming the benefits of soy, relatively few sources discuss the side effects of a soy-rich diet.
Topical Morphine – An Experimental Approach to Chronic Pain
Practitioners who treat patients with chronic pain understand just how difficult management of that population can be. As of today, the evaluation of pain remains completely subjective; no lab tests or imaging studies can provide any meaningful insight into how much pain a patient feels. When the pain is severe and intractable, the only option becomes opioid analgesics, which have high potential for abuse and are laden with side effects ranging from constipation and sedation to respiratory depression, testosterone deficiency, and immuno-modulation. The trouble with opioids is that they must be ingested in an oral form with systemic absorption regardless of where the actual pain lies. Over the past few years, a quiet murmur has been rippling through the pain practitioner community about the possibility of dispensing morphine as a topical agent. Small scale clinical trials and animal models have shown some promise, and also raised some questions about this experimental approach.
A Primer on Acupuncture
Traditional acupuncture is an ancient chinese art which was passed down from master to apprentice for over 4,000 years, based on anecdotal evidence, trial and error, and an Eastern philosophy of the universe. Its practice was outlawed in China after the Revolution of 1911 in favor of allopathic medicine, during a time when China wanted to appeal to Western civilization. However, in the 1950s Chairman Mao ordered a reorganization and integration of the two philosophies, and the resultant consensus became what is referred to today as "Traditional Chinese Medicine" or TCM. TCM is an entire system of medical practice, with the primary focus being on herbology. Other elements include acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, scraping, coining, and some bone-setting, all of which are meant to support the action of the herbs.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Pleasure
Scientists out of Oxford University have developed a deep brain stimulation protocol for the orbitofrontal cortex of the brain, a small center behind the eyes which is believed to have a role in our perception of pleasure associated with food and sex. Dr. Tipu Aziz, a professor of neurosurgery at Oxford remarks, "A few years ago, a scientist implanted such a device into the brain of a woman with a low sex drive and turned her into a very sexually active woman. She didn't like the sudden change, so the wiring in her head was removed." The doctor further comments that a "sex chip" utilizing this technology could be available within 10 years.
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