Redefine Healthcare welcomes physician assistant Lyle Stark to the team!

Lyle Stark is a certified physician assistant specializing in pain medicine. He graduated from Cornell University Medical College in 1999. He is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, as well as board-certified in both medicine and surgery. Prior to choosing to specialize in pain medicine, Lyle worked as a senior physician assistant in cardiothoracic surgery and was Director of the Physician Assistant Residency Program at St. Michael’s Medical Center, creating and implementing the educational model for the training of new graduate PAs in the specialty of cardiothoracic surgery and critical care.

Lyle will be seeing patients at our Paterson location. Schedule an appointment by calling (732) 906-9600 or booking online.

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Physical therapy isn’t just for severe pain or after an accident or injury. Physical therapy can help patients of all ages with painful conditions, illness, or injuries that limit their regular ability to move and function.

October is National Physical Therapy Month, and Redefine Healthcare wants to urge patients to learn more about the discipline and how it can be applicable to your needs and goals. Here are five reasons you might consider seeing a physical therapist.

• Improve mobility, balance, and strength. If you have trouble standing, walking, or moving, physical therapy can help. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help restore your ability to move. Physical therapy helps take care of your body’s mechanics.
• Avoid surgery. When physical therapy eliminates pain or heals an injury, surgery may no longer be needed. When surgery is unavoidable, pre-surgical physical therapy can help with a better outcome. By heading into surgery strong and in shape, you can bounce back faster.
• Prevent injury. Physical therapy can be a preventative type of care. Participating in sports or exercising can increase your risk for specific types of injuries, and physical therapists can design appropriate injury prevention programs.
• Manage aging. We are at risk to lose muscle mass and strength as we get older, leading to conditions like joint pain and arthritis. Physical therapists can help patients recover from surgeries like a joint replacement, or manage symptoms of degenerative conditions conservatively.
• Help control a disease or condition. Physical therapy can effectively manage conditions outside of chronic pain and injury, like those of the heart, lungs, or weight. For example, exercise can help control blood sugar, which may be one component of an overall diabetes management plan.

Redefine Healthcare offers the newest pain management and physical rehabilitation treatments in multiple New Jersey locations. Top-rated physical therapists and massage therapists provide long-term pain relief and the most up-to-date techniques for avoiding future injury. Visit our center if you experience persistent neck pain, upper/lower back pain, or sciatica.

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Under the care of board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Ketan Hirapara, Redefine Healthcare is now offering SPRAVATO® as part of our practice’s mental health services.

SPRAVATO® is the first prescription nasal spray (taken in conjunction with an oral antidepressant) specifically for adults with treatment-resistant depression.

What is treatment-resistant depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is diagnosed in adults who were struggling with major depressive disorder and had not responded adequately to at least two different antidepressants of adequate dose and duration in the current depressive episode.

Treatment with SPRAVATO®

SPRAVATO® is taken along with an oral antidepressant. You will administer SPRAVATO® nasal spray yourself under the supervision of a provider at Redefine Healthcare. SPRAVATO® sessions are twice a week for the first four weeks, and then once a week after the first four weeks. After this, SPRAVATO® is usually taken either once a week or once every two weeks, but can vary depending on the response.

How is SPRAVATO® different from other antidepressants?

Today’s most commonly used oral antidepressants are thought to treat depression by increasing levels of neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) in areas of the brain that affect mood. SPRAVATO® works differently in that it targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and is believed to work differently than currently available oral antidepressants.

Is SPRAVATO® right for you?

If you’ve struggled with depression and tried two or more antidepressants in your current episode without adequate relief, talk to your provider at Redefine Healthcare to see if SPRAVATO® may be an option for you.

Redefine Healthcare will begin offering SPRAVATO® treatment in our Edison and Union offices at the end of this month. Call (732) 906-9600 or go to RedefineHealthcare.com to schedule a consultation.

SPRAVATO® is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic). It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe or effective as an anesthetic medicine.

It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective for use in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal thoughts or actions. SPRAVATO® is not for use in place of hospitalization if your healthcare provider determines that hospitalization is needed, even if improvement is experienced after the first dose of SPRAVATO®. It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective in children.

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Redefine Healthcare is now offering FluidFlow.

FluidFlowis an amniotic liquid allograft derived from the amniotic liquid within the placenta to advance soft tissue repair, replacement, and reconstruction. Using FluidFlow allows the patient’s body to naturally heal and regenerate tissue as needed. The amniotic fluid activates the body’s healing response while limiting any inflammatory responses. This regenerative process also replaces the buildup of scar tissue that would occur during scar-mediated healing, making this procedure an effective alternative for patients with orthopedic conditions.

Amniotic fluid is abundant in growth factors and cytokines. When injected into the body, these growth factors and cytokines have been shown to promote healing and pain management. Health practitioners around the world have used amniotic liquid allografts to treat a variety of disorders and conditions for decades.

You may be a candidate for FluidFlowif you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Sports injuries
• Joint pain
• Tendonitis
• Fasciitis
• Muscle & meniscus tears
• Wound care

To learn more about FluidFlowor find out if you’re a candidate, schedule an appointment with Redefine Healthcare at RedefineHealthcare.com or by calling (732) 906-9600.

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Redefine Healthcare has paired up with AccuHealth to provide Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) to our patients.

At Redefine Healthcare, we believe in offering the highest quality of care to our patients, which is why we paired up with AccuHealth to provide Remote Patient Monitoring. RPM helps to prevent some conditions and allows our physicians to manage their existing conditions to provide an overall better health outcome.

Our RPM program will provide patients with a blood pressure cuff to monitor their blood pressure at any time in the convenience of their own home.

What is Remote Patient Monitoring?

RPM is a program designed to allow patients to take daily readings of their blood pressure from the convenience of their home and have those readings monitored by a healthcare professional. Abnormal readings will trigger a healthcare professional reaching out to the patient to determine whether emergency care is required.

What are the benefits of Remote Patient Monitoring?

RPM allows providers to take a proactive approach to patient care by viewing our patient’s blood pressure remotely and making clinical decisions, such as ordering blood work, referring a patient to the proper specialist, and making adjustments to medications or treatment plans when necessary.

Who qualifies for Remote Patient Monitoring?

Do you suffer from…

• Pain?
• Diabetes?
• Cardiovascular disease?
• Obesity?
• Heart failure?
• Concerns of high blood pressure?

Ask your provider today about Remote Patient Monitoring and begin your journey towards better overall health.

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With several feet of snow hitting New Jersey already this year, there’s a good chance you’ve spent more than your fair share of time shoveling. We know it’s not everyone’s favorite activity, but Redefine Healthcare can help make it easier and finish out this winter injury-free.

Proper Snow Shoveling Technique

Using the proper technique for shoveling snow can prevent injury and increase efficiency. Moving heavy shovels full of snow repeatedly without proper form can put you at a huge risk of injury.

• Warm-up. Just as you would for other forms of exercise, loosen up with some stretches and bring your heart rate up gradually with some light calisthenics before shoveling.
• Grip near the shovel blade to keep it close to you when lifting the snow to reduce strain on your back.
• When lifting, squat with your legs apart, knees bent, and back straight.
• Work different muscles by switching between a right-handed and left-handed stance.
• Your shovel doesn’t need to be full of snow every time! Shoveling smaller amounts for a longer amount of time can be less strenuous than trying to toss heavy chunks.
• Take breaks. Snow shoveling can be equivalent to both aerobic exercise and strength training. We recommend staying outside for no longer than 40 minutes at a time. Break up that chunk of time into 10- or 20-minute intervals and drink plenty of water.
• Make shoveling a workout. If you’re shoveling snow properly, you’ll be working your glutes, hamstrings, quads, abs, lower back, upper back, and shoulders. Once you nail your form, make shoveling a double-duty chore and up the fitness factor!

Common Snow Shoveling Injuries

1. Back Injury
2. Shoulder Pain
3. Pulled or Strained Muscle
4. Injury From Falling or Slipping

While we hope you’ve made it through the past couple of snowstorms injury-free, if you’ve sustained any of the following injuries or are experiencing back pain, neck pain, or any other symptoms, see the pain experts at Redefine Healthcare. Schedule an appointment by calling (732) 906-9600 or at RedefineHealthcare.com.

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Redefine Healthcare is excited to welcome new addition to the team, Dr. Diamantis Kyriakakis!

As a chiropractor, Dr. Kyriakakis strives to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care. He is dedicated to understanding chronic pain and its non-pharmaceutical management. He hopes to be an active solution to the opioid epidemic plaguing this country.

Dr. Kyriakakis received a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Manhattan College. chiropractor there, he was awarded first place for Biology Research at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference. He then graduated from the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic with research distinction. He is a member of the Research Honors Society Sigma Xi. He continues to pursue research and continues to push forward the scientific foundation of medical and chiropractor.

Dr. Kyriakakis has had the privilege to serve our veterans in a rotation at the Veterans Association Healthcare System in West Haven CT. He is certified in Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab (FAKTR), Functional Soft Tissue (FST), and Functional Taping for Musculoskeletal Injuries (FTMI). He was certified in Cox Technique in 2018 for the lumbar spine. These techniques have been successfully used alongside chiropractic protocols. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) recognized Dr. Kyriakakis with a Diploma in Football Medicine.

Dr. Kyriakakis is now seeing patients at our Edison and Paterson offices. For more information on Redefine Healthcare’s chiropractic services, please contact us at (732) 906-9600 or at RedefineHealthcare.com.

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The holidays are right around the corner. Whether it’s planning a safe family gathering or last-minute holiday shopping, the holidays add extra responsibilities and stress to your already busy schedule. Add in increased time with family members or worries about COVID-19, and you’re most likely feeling more stressed than usual.

Stress and pain, unfortunately, go hand-in-hand for chronic pain sufferers. As stress can exacerbate chronic pain, you may be feeling it more than usual this time of year, with no time to slow down. There may not be a way to totally eliminate stress or pain from your life, but you can take steps to manage it. Here are Redefine Healthcare’s best tips to limit stress-related pain.

Eat Well & Stay Hydrated

While we would never ask you to pass on your sister’s delicious homemade apple pie, you should be conscious of the extra sugar, carbs, and gluten you may be consuming at holiday meals. Enjoy good food and good company, but don’t go overboard; poor nutrition isn’t doing anything for your body, and not to mention, extra weight can put extra strain on your joints.

*Dehydration can also affect bones and joints, resulting in stiffness and soreness. Be sure to drink plenty of water!

Exercise

Exercising may be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re stressed or in pain, but getting some movement in, even something as simple as a walk, can make you feel better. Exercise can both boost your mood and ease some of your pain. “Motion is lotion,” and making a conscious effort to add movement into your day can provide some relief to stiff joints.

Take Time To Rest

When you’re allocating your time and planning out activities, make sure to set aside some for yourself. First and foremost, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Not only can lack sleep make your stress worse, but it can also make the pain worse too. Your body needs rest to repair itself, and if you aren’t getting enough, you’re doing a disservice to yourself.

Get Help!

If you’re in pain, you should see a specialist. There are a ton of simple, non-surgical options available for pain management. At Redefine Healthcare, we offer chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, and interventional treatments like corticosteroid injections, nerve blocks, and more. Schedule a consultation with one of our pain management doctors by calling (732) 906-9600 or at https://redefinehealthcare.com/

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Those who experience joint, neck, or back pain throughout the year understand the weather’s impact on pain levels. As the air gets colder, the fluid in your joints moves less freely, making joints stiff and painful. The cold also causes your body to contract, making your muscles more reluctant to stretch.

If you’re feeling the effects of the colder weather this year, see the experts at Redefine Healthcare. Here are 3 pain management techniques we offer that can help relieve some of your pain this winter:

Chiropractic Manipulation

In colder temperatures, your muscles are reluctant to stretch out, preferring instead to draw in in an attempt to stay warm. Rigid and inflexible muscles can lead to a higher likelihood of injury, in addition to existing pain. Our chiropractors can help keep stiffness at bay with regular chiropractic adjustments to keep your muscles and joints loose and flexible.

Physical Therapy

An exercise plan put together by our physical therapists can help you manage pain year-round. Physical therapy is a recommended method for battling stiffness or soreness in the winter for the simple fact that movement creates heat in your body. Jumping rope, stretching, and other simple exercises help to warm up your muscles and keep them from getting too stiff.

Joint Injections

For deeper pain that may not just be a cause of stiff muscles, Redefine Healthcare offers non-surgical treatments for pain management, including steroid injections. Steroid injections are administered by a pain management physician. Depending on the location of your pain, medication, often an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory solution, is injected into a joint or space in order to decrease inflammation and irritation in the targeted area.

At Redefine Healthcare, we aim to provide all the tools you need to manage your pain year-round. If you find yourself suffering more than usual over the colder months, schedule an appointment with one of our pain specialists to learn how we can help by calling (732) 906-9600 or at https://redefinehealthcare.com/

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As the pandemic progresses and COVID-19 continues to have an increased impact on our communities, Redefine Healthcare would like to remind our patients of the steps we’ve taken and continue to take to keep you, our staff, and our community healthy.

The health and safety of our patients and staff has always been our top priority. Our offices are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized as part of our normal protocol. In addition, we disinfect all public areas including waiting rooms, bathrooms, and check in/out areas throughout the day. Upon arrival to the office, all patients will be screened with a temperature and pulse check, and will be required to complete a questionnaire regarding travel, symptoms, etc. All patients and staff are required to wear a mask.

We are following social distancing protocols in waiting rooms, and patients are more than welcome to stay in their cars while they wait and receive a call when the doctor is ready. We are also continuing to offer telemedicine appointments for those in which in-person care is not necessary.

Our staff is provided with comprehensive information about staying healthy, and required to stay home if not feeling well. All of these practices fall under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the New Jersey Department of Health.

As always, we strive to make your visit a comfortable and pleasant experience. Your loyalty is greatly appreciated.

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