My Dear Patients,

It has been six months since my bike accident and three months since my last, and third, surgery. I write to you to give you an update and to share the insights and methods I have used to speed my healing process. My bones have healed completely, my ankle has full flexibility and most of its strength back, and I am walking my six mile workout with no problems. I continue to manage some swelling and pain with the methods described below.

I have returned to my private practice and my regular schedule of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday appointments. I look forward to seeing each of you.

My fracture is called a PILON fracture. It was severe, with breaks in three places, and required the help of a very talented trauma surgeon from Washington University. Thank you, Dr. William Ricci. I now have a plate and eight screws in my leg that will remain in place.

The protocol that I have followed to speed my healing process includes:

1. Ice and Elevation of the injured ankle. This is still helpful when my ankle swells. ICE is a wonderful, inexpensive and safe pain management tool.
2. Guided Meditation and Visualization. Every day I listen to a guided meditation in which I visualize my ankle and leg healing completely. This combined with the ice and elevation have been my pain management protocol. I have used almost no pain medicine since shortly after the accident.
3. A Yoga and Posture Exercise Routine to strengthen my core and regain the flexibility in my leg and ankle. I began this protocol shortly after my accident and worked around my ankle.
4. Swimming: I returned to the pool in December. I have a workout routine that alternates strokes and includes kicking. I am in the pool for one hour and it is an intensive aerobic workout. The swimming has allowed me to regain my flexibility and decrease the swelling in my leg. It continues to be the most important activity in my day, and makes the greatest impact on my leg and ankle.
5. Deep Full Body Massage on a weekly basis. My very talented staff have been invaluable in helping me recover. I cried the first time I received massage after my accident because it was such a relief to release the pain and stiffness that had built up in my leg and ankle. In addition the full body massage helps release emotional and physical stress and stiffness in other parts of my body that have built up throughout these months.
6. A Therapeutic Protocol targeted at my ankle that includes ultrasound, deep tissue massage, and scar tissue manipulation. My staff and I developed this procedure and it has been enormously helpful in decreasing pain and improving function in my leg. I have received this combination once or twice a week since December. It has taught me that healing takes time and the repetition of therapy is necessary in difficult injuries.
7. Nutrition and Supplementation: I have focused on a healthy anti-inflammatory diet including lots of fruits and vegetables, fish and healthy beans and grains. I have taken supplements that include glucosamine and chondroitin, fish oil, and anti-inflammatory herbs including turmeric, chile, cinnamon, and rosemary.
8. Kale and Power Greens Berry Smoothies with protein powder and extra calcium. The recipe is included in this letter.

We can affect our healing process!! There is so much we can do that does not include addictive medications to manage our pain: Hands on Work. Exercise. Visualization and Meditation. Good Nutrition. They all matter and we can help you! 

Kale and Power Greens Berry Smoothie Recipe

1 cup almond milk
2 tbsp almond butter
2 tbsp protein powder (I used Trader Joe’s)
1 scoop amazon greens (whole foods)
3 Cal Matrix calcium pills (Metagenics)
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup young kale or power greens
1 tsp chia seeds (Trader Joe’s)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp tumeric
1 cup frozen organic berries (blue, black, straw, rasp)

Place ingredients in order in your blender and blend until smooth. It is quite tasty!!

News and Updates from Hands on Health

Dr. Smith attends the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Annual Conference: “Food is the most pervasive influence on human health” 

In May I will attend the IFM annual conference. This event will continue my education into the most current and useful information on managing chronic illness and maintaining optimum health with nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Massage Therapy at Hands on Health 

We offer massage therapy throughout the week, evenings and Saturdays with three very gifted therapists.Why come to us for your massage? Each of my therapists has trained and worked with me on a range of injuries and chronic pain syndromes including back and neck pain, sports injuries, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, headaches and joint pain. They are educated to understand your health conditions and pain syndromes. It is not possible to find this depth of knowledge and experience in a spa setting or discount massage business.

Call us at 314-721-5390 to schedule your massage therapy appointment.