Conventional and Alternative Medicine. John C. Pittman, M.D. Telephone: (919) 571-4391 the legal practice of alternative health care by a medical doctor …
The Offices of John C Pittman, MD Two Practices that Integrate Conventional and Alternative Medicine
John C Pittman, MD 4505 Fair Meadow Lane-Suite 111 Raleigh, NC 27607 Telephone: 919 571-4391 Toll-Free Information: 800 473-9812 Fax: 919 571-8968 info@carolinacentercom 5/05
wwwcarolinacentercom
A Warm Welcome
from Dr John Pittman, The Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine, and Wake Medical Associates, located in the Blue Ridge Plaza in Raleigh, North Carolina Thank you for your interest in my practices In 1993, the state of North Carolina opened the door to the legal practice of alternative health care by a medical doctor when it added a statute to its laws giving physicians the right to explore ALL types of treatments in order to best serve the needs of their patients This change in the law made the Carolina Center possible and in 1994 I opened that practice to provide alternative therapies that previously had been unavailable or difficult to obtain in this state What
has become clear over the years since then is that while therapies that are considered alternative and non-reimbursable like intravenous nutrient replacement, colon hydrotherapy, and chelation therapy have provided tremendous benefit to my patients, for many of them, their greatest improvements have been through the use of conventional therapies for the treatment of conditions such as chronic digestive disorders, hormonal disturbances, and nutritional management of cardiovascular and cholesterol problems It is the Integration of these conventional and alternative approaches that for many provides the greatest benefits Insurance companies have failed to recognize the health and cost saving benefits of alternative medicine and have policy statements that they do not cover treatments that are considered experimental or non-proven Not long after the Carolina Center opened, many patients began having difficulty receiving insurance reimbursements for office visits even when conventional
laboratory testing and therapies were being used and documented It is the blending of conventional and nonconventional that is not accepted In recognizing this, in 2004 I formed a new practice, Wake Medical Associates, that provides exclusively what would be considered traditional medical care I see many patients for management of hormone issues, digestive problems, issues related to chronic infections, allergies, and other conditions, the treatments of which are considered conventional and will now have the ability to file insurance for many of these types of office visits Hopefully this will benefit the patient as we will provide third party billing, with the exception of Medicare We will continue to be opt out of the Medicare program and will not file any charges for any Medicare patients We will be considered outof-network for most insurance plans, so you may want to confirm with your insurance carrier your level of coverage It is the patients ultimate responsibility to be aware of
their insurance benefits The following are descriptions of what is provided by each practice We recognize that a number of factors may determine which practice it is best for you to see, at least initially Once we have received your Medical History and Registration form, we will contact you and assist in determining which practice you will see for the initial office visit
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The CAROLINA CENTER for Integrative Medicine
Here at the Center, our history has been to utilize a combination of progressive alternative and nutritional therapies, traditional medical approaches, and dietary and lifestyle modifications to treat a wide variety of chronic illnesses and immune system dysfunctions, as well as offer personalized health maintenance programs for people who are basically healthy Our goal is as Thomas Edison said in 1895, The doctor of the futurewill interest his patients in the care of the human frame in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease - Edison The Carolina Center
operates as an outpatient treatment facility that accommodates patients who are experiencing a wide variety of medical conditions We carefully evaluate each new potential patient on an individual basis so that we can identify the approach that is best for him or her We also work with patients to utilize treatment programs that complement the care they receive from their primary or specialty physician We utilize intravenous IV vitamin and mineral therapies, chelation therapy, natural hormone replacement therapy, nutritional supplementation, colon hydrotherapy and nutritional detoxification programs, and lifestyle and nutritional counseling to address the multiple factors that can contribute to many illnesses These complementary therapies create an environment where cellular vitality and your wellness can be efficiently restored We also offer a personalized health maintenance program that includes important information on detoxification, nutrition, supplements, and how to create a
wellness program that works for you in your daily life This general information guide contains important information about the health care programs and office procedures at our Center We invite you to read this information very carefully and be sure to contact us if you need clarification
Our Medical Director
John C Pittman, MD, received a BS in biology in 1980 and completed studies for a MS in biochemistry and microbiology at the University of Georgia in 1982 He received his MD degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 1986 and attended the Pediatric Residency Program at NC Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with an interest in Preventive Medicine Leaving his residency training, he was disillusioned about his future as a pediatrician due to the heavy focus on pharmaceuticals and difficulty in promoting prevention He began working as an Emergency Physician and was Emergency Department Director in Rocky Mount and Southport, North Carolina It was in the Emergency
Room setting that he realized that lifestyle issues especially diet and nutritional, were playing significant roles in the health of patients, and there was no easy pill to take to correct these problems
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It was then that Dr Pittman began exploring avenues of incorporating holistic medicine with nutrition into a clinical medical practice, and he began attending conferences and training courses in nutritional and metabolic medicine He also began working with well known holistic physicians around the country, learning many things about healthcare that were not taught in school or residency This intensive period of study culminated in the opening of the Carolina Center in 1994 as a facility in which multiple healing modalities could be brought together to help patients with chronic degenerative illnesses Since then, Dr Pittman has intensified his training to include mercury detoxification and natural hormone replacement therapy, and is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of
Clinical Metal Toxicology Treatment programs at the Carolina Center have been evolving continuously as more information is available to help us understand the links between diet, nutrition, toxicity, chronic infections, hormones, and resultant chronic disease
Our Mission
Our mission at the Carolina Center is to assist our patients in regaining their health and maintaining good health throughout their lives One of our primary methods of doing this is by studying and treating the body at the cellular and metabolic level In addition, our hope is that we can raise awareness of other important issues, including nutrition and other lifestyle factors, which can play very important roles in any disease We have witnessed our patients living healthier, happier, and more productive lives as a result of active participation in our programs Today, most health care authorities agree that if you do not actively participate in maintaining your health, it will deteriorate over time We see our purpose
as active intervention, as we incorporate a more natural approach than most conventional treatment choices in an attempt to reverse this health decline The sooner you begin participating in your own health management, the sooner you can begin to reverse your personal decline
Our Health Care Approach
Most diseases are worthy challengers They do not reflect simple, one-dimensional problems They require that you learn everything you can about them and make some lifestyle changes to give your body the tools necessary to heal Today, we face a myriad of health problems virtually unheard of a few years ago Even long-standing problems like cancer, heart disease, and arthritis are assailing us in ever-increasing numbers People are developing degenerative illnesses at an earlier age, and diseases rarely seen in children or young adults are becoming much more prevalent It is for this reason that emphasis should be placed on active intervention and prevention, as well as patient education Our
health care approach incorporates several steps in order to achieve optimum health and well-being Initial Assessment: This is the first step in a comprehensive approach Before beginning any treatment regimen, you will be scheduled for an initial evaluation with our medical director This evaluation will be very comprehensive and will consist of a thorough medical history, a comprehensive discussion regarding your current health situation, and a physical examination when warranted This initial evaluation will typically last approximately 91 minutes and will be your time to discuss in detail your current health problems, as well as your treatment and management options It may be suggested that you initiate a preliminary treatment program based on this discussion with the medical staff
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Diagnostic Evaluation: At the time of your initial evaluation, it will be recommended that you undergo specific laboratory or other testing to further determine your health situation All of the labs
that we utilize are very helpful in determining more about your overall health, including your immune system, your digestive system, any potential toxins that may be present, or the general nutritional status of your cells Further treatment recommendations will be made based on the results of these tests Treatment Programs: You may begin treatment after discussing your options with our health care team There are some treatment approaches that may be recommended for you to begin even before receiving your laboratory results We utilize a number of treatments designed to repair cellular damage, replace vitamin and mineral deficiencies, restore normal cellular functioning, treat bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, and improve nutritional status You will have ample time to discuss these treatment options with the medical staff prior to initiation of any therapies We have included some general information regarding some of our therapies for you to review Additional information may have
also been sent to you with this package Please feel free to contact our office with any questions you may have about any of this information
A Look at Our Therapies
We incorporate individualized health care programs designed for patients facing lifestyle interruptions ranging from simple weight gain to more serious and chronic disease processes This treatment approach may include intravenous vitamin and mineral replacement therapies, detoxification therapies, and nutritional supplementation We also emphasize preventive health care with recommendations for actions and therapies to promote optimum wellness and avoid future illnesses This is the future of health care in our country We believe that we offer therapies and programs available for assisting the body in effectively healing itself through cleansing and rebuilding of the bodys immune system These therapies offer powerful intervention, without assaulting the fundamental immune strength of the body itself We feel that all of our
therapies enjoy a proven history of success and safety Some have been used for centuries, including colon hydrotherapy, and have been recently improved upon using modern technology Many of these therapies are considered unproven by conventionally oriented physicians, even after decades of documented effectiveness We strongly urge you to do your own research so that you are confident in the choices you make
Intravenous Therapies: We utilize several intravenous therapies at the Carolina Center EDTA
Chelation is one of the therapies employed at the Carolina Center Chelation therapy is defined by the Journal of Advancement in Medicine as a form of medical therapy designed to restore cellular homeostasis by the use of metal binding and/or organic agents The proper application of this modality also requires knowledge of nutrition and exercise, as well as an expertise in helping to implement other lifestyle changes The word chelation comes from the word chel, which means claw and refers to
the chemical process of binding metals in the body and removing them through the urine EDTA is an intravenous drug therapy that has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of toxicity conditions from various heavy metals, as well as constrictions to blood flow due to cholesterol plaques In the case of heart disease and angina, EDTA has been shown to remove calcium from the interior of damaged cells lining the blood vessels These cells fill up with cholesterol when they are damaged by the influx of calcium EDTA may have the effect of removing and redirecting the calcium back to the bone, resulting in the improvement of the cells metabolism, thus
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allowing the cell to remove the calcium deposits This has the effect of dilating the blood vessel allowing more blood and oxygen to flow into areas previously starved of oxygen The ultimate result can be a reduction of chest pain, leg pain, or symptoms of oxygen deprivation EDTA was originally developed to pull calcium out of hard water
for use in the textile industry, but was later found to be effective in treating patients with elevated blood calcium levels After World War II, EDTA was shown to be effective in treating lead toxicity by pulling the lead out of the body and eliminating it through the kidneys Soon, researchers began to take note that EDTA had many other effects, including the removal of radioactive substances in acute radiation poisoning, lowering blood cholesterol levels, treatment of elevated blood calcium levels, beneficial effects in the treatment of arthritis and other autoimmune disorders, improvement in the elasticity of blood vessels, and the removal of excess iron One of the most impressive results, however, was the ability of EDTA chelation to lessen chest pain in patients with heart disease It is this effect that often leads heart patients to seek this therapy over conventional pharmaceutical and surgical treatment Patients in our facility have reported being able to stop using nitroglycerin
tablets for chest pain if they have had heart disease, a reduction in the amount of insulin used if they are diabetics, stopping all leg pain on exertion if they have peripheral vascular disease, a reduction in arthritic pain and swelling, and an overall improved sense of well being There are reports of increased energy levels, improved sleep, reduction in food cravings, improved ability to cope with stress, and a feeling of youthfulness and vitality Another type of intravenous treatment routinely utilized at the Center is the Vitamin C and Mineral Infusion For many individuals, free radical damage at the cellular level may be affecting the way they feel As a result of this damage, many patients are deficient in many significant intracellular nutrients Some of these individuals may complain of profound fatigue, fibromyalgia or generalized body aches, headaches, digestive disorders, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, food allergies, or a host of other chronic symptoms For these
patients, it is important to treat any chronic infections that may be contributing to free radical damage It is also important to replace these missing nutrients Oral supplementation may be helpful for some patients, but not all For many patients, the digestive tract is not functioning properly, and there is a problem with absorption Intravenous replacement of nutrients has been shown to be the most effective method to improve cellular energy production and turn back on membrane pumps so that the cell can participate in bringing its own nutrients in and dumping out its waste products Intravenous Vitamin and Mineral therapies are one of the first stages in a comprehensive treatment program for many of our patients
Supplemental Nutritional Therapy: Nutritional supplements are a vital component in the
health recovery process for most of our patients Therefore, you can expect that we will prescribe an individualized program of nutritional supplements designed for you These supplements
will be determined by your discussion with our medical staff, as well as results of the laboratory tests that you may undergo As your health status changes, we may vary your supplement regimen accordingly It is important for you to follow our recommendations of these supplements in order to get the maximum results from your treatment at the Center Nutritional therapy is different from traditional drug therapy It is safer, less expensive, and more health-oriented Experience has shown that the use of supplements can significantly improve treatment results and lower the overall duration and costs of treatment Some of the nutritional supplements and other supplies needed for your treatment program are only available through a physician and for that reason, the Center has provided these products as a service to our patients In 2005, we created Total Health Nutrition Center, Inc THNC as separate business within our office which will provide our patients the unique nutritional products that
are
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prescribed as part of their medical treatment plan As it is now a separate business, THNC can also provide high quality nutritional supplements to the general public, providing greater flexibly for our patients who wish to obtain such products for their family members It is important to understand that all of our patients have the option of purchasing supplements from another supplier The North Carolina Medical Board has a policy regarding the sale of goods from physician offices and Dr Pittman desires to comply with this policy by informing you that you may purchase supplements at other places and by disclosing our financial interest in the sale of supplements Total Health Nutrition Center and Dr Pittman have a financial interest in the sale of supplements in that profit generated from these sales is used to cover the costs of providing this service, yet we have attempted to provide reasonable pricing and for the most part charge less than that which can be found at other
locations to the best of our knowledge I understand that I may return any unopened supplements still in their original packaging for refund within 30 days of purchase I will receive no refunds for any opened or partially opened used supplement or for any kind of herbal tincture
Heavy Metal Detoxification: Our center has worked with many patients experiencing diverse
chronic health problems In seeking to understand and correct the underlying cause of their health problem, we have seen a pattern of conditions that these patients have in common Very often, these patients may have a chronic infection, some kind of allergy, or another chronic toxicity issue, often a heavy metal and very often mercury and lead The ultimate result in these situations is a disruption in energy production at the cellular level, which leads to multiple system abnormalities, affecting in many cases all aspects of a persons health Mercury and lead are some of the most poisonous elements known to man, and we are
exposed to them in small quantities on a daily basis Lead was in paint and gasoline until 25 years ago, but its presence lingers to this day Mercury is a waste product from coal burning electric generating plants and is emitted into the atmosphere by the ton every day Rain brings it back to earth where it contaminates our water, agriculture, and fish Mercury has also been used in pesticides as well as medications including Mercuro-chrome because of its potent antimicrobial effects Mercury has been used for decades as a preservative in all vaccines, both childhood and adult, and has been implicated in various development disorders in children Fortunately, these and other mercury containing medications are being slowly eliminated and pose less threat now than previously However, the dental community has been slow to acknowledge the fact that mercury is a poisonous substance that can significantly affect the health of their patients Common amalgam dental fillings contain over 50 mercury
as well as silver and tin, and it is the mercury vapor that is emitted from chewing that is absorbed by the body and quickly binds to many tissues There are non-toxic materials available that offer a suitable alternative to these common toxic fillings Regardless of the source, the condition of mercury toxicity is a very real one and is responsible for many diverse symptoms Mercury exerts its greatest toxicity primarily on the nervous and immune system Mercury can directly damage the energy producing biochemical pathways within the cell, resulting in inefficiency of metabolic functioning and excessive free radical damage Mercury inactivates key minerals and co-enzymes, basically shutting down part of the cells machinery The result is that most systems in the body are running on only partial power and are metabolically very inefficient These can lead to the multi-system effects often seen in mercury toxicity The symptoms of mercury toxicity are vast and many aspects of an individuals
biochemistry can greatly affect how one will respond to the mercury exposure Some of the most notable symptoms include: 1 Chronic fatigue, not improved with rest 2 Depression, increased irritability, nervous excitability, moodiness
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3 Mild nasal congestion, stuffy nose 4 Inability to concentrate, loss of memory 5 Muscle pain and body aches 6 Insomnia or drowsiness 7 Vertigo, Tinnitus, Headache, Involuntary twitching, Tremor 8 Lack of coordination 9 Loss of appetite 10 Hair loss 11 Swollen lymph nodes in front of the ear, jaw, and back of neck 12 Swollen tongue, coating on the tongue, bad taste in the mouth 13 Tenderness, soreness of the inside of the mouth, ulcers 14 Dark pigmentation of the gums 15 Kidney disease including kidney failure 16 Frequent urination at night, night sweats 17 Birth defects in children with mercury toxicity, including Attention Deficit Disorder 18 Symptoms of degenerative neurologic conditions like Multiple Sclerosis The first step in treating mercury or
any heavy metal is to identify the toxic elements and begin the removal process Comprehensive testing involves the use of chelating drugs along with a timed urine collection to determine levels of heavy metals From here, treatment is based on the individual and will usually involve the use of mercury chelating drugs or intravenous EDTA Chelation For most patients, intravenous Vitamin C and Mineral infusions are also recommended to support the body through the metal removal process Once laboratory tests indicate that the heavy metals are undetectable, treatment is considered complete Often many, if not all symptoms previously experienced will have resolved, though some may linger, indicating residual damage to organ systems Therapies can then be targeted to these systems and any specific problems remaining
Detoxification: As humans living in the 21st century, our bodies have been exposed to more toxic
chemicals and un-natural substances than any other generation of humans With the
development of industrialization in the early 1800s, and particularly the petrochemical industry, complicated long chain molecules have been spewing forth ever since in the form of pollution, pesticides, fuels, fabric treatment, and many other man-made substances The result is that this incoming barrage of toxins has overwhelmed our bodys natural detoxification mechanisms in the liver, which is unable to break them down safely This results in these toxins being put in storage, stuck inside all of the cells of the body where they will sit until such a time that the liver can turn its attention back on these substances and break them down properly In addition to the livers process of breaking down toxins, the organs of elimination must then remove these waste products from the body These organs include the skin, the lungs, the kidneys, and most importantly, the colon When all of these organs, including the liver, are working at peak efficiency, toxins will be removed from all cells and
they will also work at peak efficiency The process of detoxification is one in which every bodily function supporting the breakdown and release of toxins and the increase in cellular metabolism is encouraged to function at peak efficiency Intestinal detoxification is accomplished through a combination of techniques, including modified fasting, liver support, and intestinal cleansing Our detoxification program consists of a modified fast, during which time you will consume nutritional beverages, but eat no solid food This puts the GI tract to rest, allowing enhancement of detoxification systems while damaged cells heal Specific nutrients are provided which assist the liver in breaking down and eliminating toxins In addition, patients will take a fiber based intestinal cleansing formula, which assists in the removal of mucous and residue from the lining of the intestines Colon hydrotherapy is also performed to assist in the restoration of normal muscle tone in the walls of the colon and
further promote the release of toxins The detoxification program is one
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that can dramatically improve health and vitality More information is available on our detoxification programs Please do not hesitate to contact our office for further information
Colon Hydrotherapy:
Colon hydrotherapy is a procedure for washing the large intestine with purified water The patient lies on a massage table and with a colon hydrotherapy machine water is introduced very slowly into the colon When slight pressure builds up in the colon, the water is released As the water is flowing out through an illuminated glass viewing tube, the abdominal area is thoroughly massaged This process is repeated during the 45 minute long treatment which is administered by a Registered Nurse In one session approximately two to six liters of water flow into and out of the large intestines To insure maximum sanitation, a disposable water and waste line and speculum are used The goals of each session are to hydrate the
system, remove waste, stimulate peristalsis, rehabilitate the nerves, muscles, glands, circulatory and immune systems that form the components of the digestive system, and to reposition the intestines Benefits provided include:
Treatment for a variety of symptoms of intestinal distress: constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, colitis, parasites, and chronic intestinal yeast overgrowth Treatment of systemic symptoms of toxicity: various skin disorders including acne, eczema, psoriasis, headaches, muscle and joint pain Improvement of metabolic efficiency, release of wastes and toxins, improvement of digestion Colon hydrotherapy sessions are used for medical reasons: pre- and post-surgery or barium xray, stool samples, and geriatric Can be used to enhance the effects of a total body detoxification program including a fast, a cleansing program, a raw food diet, a liver and/or gallbladder flush, or recovering from an accident
Nutritional and
Dietary Counseling: As effective as all of these therapies can be, the
greatest benefit in any health program is recognizing that many different components must integrate for optimum results At the very top of the list are dietary and lifestyle factors Proper nutrition and a complete reevaluation of dietary patterns are necessary for patients who have always eaten a typical American diet Lifestyle awareness including proper exercise, avoidance of toxic substances, and control of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use are also top priority issues The ultimate goal is to insure that the highest quality food is taken into the body, thoroughly digested and completely absorbed, and then efficiently transported to the cells where nutrients can be taken in and utilized by the cell for energy Then, most importantly, the waste products from the burning of this fuel must be removed from the cell, transported to the organs of elimination, and efficiently removed from the body For most patients,
nutritional issues and concerns will be addressed in detail during the initial visit We place a great deal of importance on nutrition and dietary management, and we feel that it is important to help our patients learn how to make positive changes in their diet, which can then become a consistent part of their daily regimen Our staff is committed to assisting patients in establishing a nutritional program that works for them in their daily life, as well as in arming themselves with the knowledge necessary to promote healthy, active, and positive lifestyles We have a staff with years of experience using these therapies We have seen their effectiveness in results with our own patients We have placed these therapies together under one roof to demonstrate that body cleansing, detoxification, and supportive therapies do play a vital role in everyones health regimen We are pioneers in this regard, as you are when you choose to participate in our therapies and programs We are convinced that
our patients are living healthier,
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happier, and more productive lives as a result of actively participating in our programs However, we remind you that these therapies are not a cure for disease Every person is unique and responds to therapy differently; therefore we can make no claims as to how you will benefit from our programs We cannot guarantee you will be entirely free of all symptoms related to your health challenges after undergoing treatment with us What we do feel is that you will be doing everything possible to improve your chance of living as healthy and active a life as possible given your own circumstances As pioneers, you have chosen to actively participate in your health We will assist you in that choice by providing the best therapies administered by our highly trained and experienced staff The focus of our Center is not only aimed at eliminating the condition or illness itself, but also at restoring normal functioning to the body and reversing the decline of ones
health We provide services that support the body in healing itself When the bodys cycle is working properly through the use of our integrative therapies, every cell will be working at peak efficiency, and this will create a situation in which disease simply cannot exist This is optimum health, and we believe that when this health is maintained, life can be lived to its fullest and can be sustained with great vitality
Lipotherapy:
Lipotherapy and a similar procedure called mesotherapy are elective body sculpting procedures developed in France in the 1960s Lipotherapy is specifically the use of the natural fat dissolving substance Phosphatidyl Choline which is injected into the subcutaneous fat of abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and other locations where fat is difficult to lose This procedure has been gaining popularity in the United States with both patients and physicians over the last few years as it is a simple, inexpensive option to liposuction that can provide satisfactory
improvements in body shape
Business Office Policies and Procedures
Office Hours Appointments: Our business office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon on Wednesday Our business office is closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, however we are open for IV treatments two Saturdays per month, depending on holidays On the Saturdays that we are open, we are also open that Friday for office visits only Patients should call our office during our regular hours to request additional information about our services and to schedule appointments Consent Forms: The law in this state allows you the freedom to choose those medical therapies that you feel will be of the most benefit After acceptance as a patient by the Center, and prior to beginning any treatments, you will be required to sign consent forms stating that you have been informed of the potential benefits and risks of the particular treatments that you are choosing to undergo By
signing these forms, you will allow us to carry out your right to these treatments Canceling and Rescheduling Appointments: Scheduled time with our professional staff is considered to be extremely valuable They have set aside their time each day to be available for you If you find it necessary to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact our front office as soon as possible For scheduled office visit appointments, we require at least a 48-hour notice to avoid a 9000 cancellation fee For other scheduled appointments, including IV appointments, we require a 24-hour notice to avoid a 4000 cancellation fee If you fail to give this advance notice, we will bill you accordingly In all fairness to our staff and other patients who may be on a waiting list for an open appointment, we ask that you respect this policy
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Billing Policy: The Carolina Center operates on a cash basis with payment for treatment being due on or before the time the service is provided We accept Cash,
Personal Check, American Express, Visa, or Master Card Insurance Reimbursement: The Carolina Center does not participate with insurance in any manner We do not file charges directly with any insurance carrier Patients will be provided with the itemized billing statement with the procedure code for all office visit charges for possible reimbursement from their insurance carrier, and it is the patients responsibility to file charges with their insurance carrier directly Medicare Reimbursement: The Carolina Center does not participate with Medicare Our office has chosen to opt out of the Medicare program Therefore, we will not file any charges with Medicare, and you cannot receive any reimbursement from Medicare for any charges incurred at the Carolina Center Prior to undergoing any services at the Carolina Center, all Medicare patients must sign a contract acknowledging that no charges will be filed for them with Medicare, and that secondary insurance companies will most likely deny
payment for all of our services as well Several of the lab companies that we utilize do file with Medicare; therefore Medicare may cover a portion of your lab charges if they are considered to be medically necessary Please do not hesitate to contact our business office for questions regarding this important issue
Costs of Our Services
As previously mentioned, the initial evaluation for most people will be very comprehensive and will last approximately 91 minutes The cost of this initial evaluation will be 447 You will also be coming in periodically for follow-up office visits to discuss your program Your first follow-up visit will be anywhere from two to five weeks after your initial evaluation Follow-up visits vary in length, typically 40 to 71 minutes long with a cost range of 182 to 368 A thorough laboratory work-up will also be initiated for the majority of our patients Prior to having any labs performed, you will have an opportunity to discuss what labs have been recommended for
you, as well as the costs for these tests There are several options as to how to handle payment for laboratory testing: some of the lab companies that we utilize will file your insurance directly, some require pre-payment of the charges at the time the specimen is obtained, or payment can be made directly to the Carolina Center for labs performed The Center has contracts with several labs for negotiated discounts and can often pass this savings along to our patients, though payment at the time of service is required It is important for you to be aware of the potential costs of some of these labs, as there can be no guarantee that your insurance company will pay for all of the costs involved in the tests The cost of each individuals treatment regimen will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular needs The majority of our intravenous treatments, including EDTA Chelation and Vitamin C and Mineral treatments will cost between 118 and 138 per treatment Colon hydrotherapy
sessions cost 70 Prior to initiation of any extensive treatment program, we will be able to provide you with a more thorough cost estimate and breakdown at your request
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Becoming a Patient
You may have been sent registration materials with this information package If you were not, and you are interested in making an appointment with our medical staff, please call our office and have these forms sent to you You may also download these forms from our website at wwwcarolinacentercom We will not be able to schedule your initial evaluation until we have received these forms in our office If you have no specific questions at this time, completely fill out and return the Registration materials to our office Be sure that you have completed and signed all of the forms that were sent to you, as well as including the 200 registration deposit to reserve your appointment You will be responsible for payment of the balance due at the time of your office visit This balance will be 247 If you
have any questions about this information, please do not hesitate to contact us Call our office within a week of sending the Registration materials back to us Your initial evaluation will be scheduled once we receive your Registration information Important notice for out-of-town patients: If you live greater than an hour from Raleigh, we offer the option to schedule you for an early morning appointment so that you will arrive at 8AM to have blood drawn for all the potential tests that will be ordered This will expedite your program by preventing you from having to return on another day for lab testing This can also be an advantage from an insurance standpoint as often labs are covered better when there is an office visit done the same day If you choose to do this, we will mail you a urine cup so that you may collect your first morning urine the day of the lab draw You should also bring a snack with you so that you can eat something before going in for your office visit Let our New
Patient coordinator know if you are interested in this option and we will make the appropriate arrangements
We hope that you have found this information helpful Please do not hesitate to contact our office for clarification on any of these issues We look forward to working with you soon as you begin your journey to optimum health
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Wake Medical Associates, PA
The practice of medicine has been undergoing an evolution, some would say a revolution, over the last ten years as patient-driven demand has led to the formation of academic Integrative Medicine departments at many major universities throughout the country In our state, UNC, Duke, and Bowman Gray Schools of Medicine all have academic programs exploring a wide range of therapies that will complement or integrate with conventional treatments This has been my direction also over this time period, developing a practice that combines the best of both worlds My ultimate goal is to provide the most comprehensive care for
individuals with chronic illnesses who have been unsuccessful in finding help from conventional medicine alone Nevertheless, conventional treatments for complex health problems are often a critical part of this comprehensive approach and in recognizing that I have been providing that kind of care since the inception of the Carolina Center, Wake Medical Associates has been formed to address this portion of my practice for patients who would benefit from this approach Wake Medical Associates will provide conventional and traditional medical treatments and in some cases this will be the sole approach we will use with a particular issue, such as hormone replacement Other patients will seek a combination of care from both practices, utilizing both the conventional and alternative therapies we provide The patients choice as to which practice to see should be based on the type of conditions and therapies utilized but also on the level of assistance with filing insurance that a patient desires
Those conditions that can be treated using conventional therapies through Wake Medical Associates include: Arthritis rheumatoid and osteo Candida and yeast infections Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fibromyalgia Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome Environmental sensitivities Multiple Sclerosis ALS Depression and anxiety High cholesterol High risk for heart disease Coronary artery disease Peripheral vascular disease Cerebrovascular disease Heavy metal toxicity Premenstrual syndrome Diabetes and hypoglycemia Weight loss or weight gain Headaches Skin disorders Chronic viral and bacterial infections Menopause Hypothyroidism
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Our Mission
Our mission at Wake Medical Associates is to provide comprehensive conventional medical care for patients as a separate service from the non-conventional treatments provided by the Carolina Center so that these services office visits and laboratory testing can be filed for insurance reimbursement
Our Health Care Approach
Initial
Assessment: This is the first step in a comprehensive approach Before beginning any treatment regimen, you will be scheduled for an initial evaluation with our medical director This evaluation will be very comprehensive and will consist of a thorough medical history, a comprehensive discussion regarding your current health situation, and a physical examination when warranted This initial evaluation will typically last approximately 91 minutes and will be your time to discuss in detail your current health problems, as well as your treatment and management options Diagnostic Evaluation: At the time of your initial evaluation, it will be recommended that you undergo specific laboratory testing to further determine your health situation All of the labs that we utilize are very helpful in determining more about your overall health, including your immune system, your digestive system, any potential toxins that may be present, or the general nutritional status of your cells Further treatment
recommendations will be made based on the results of these tests Treatment Programs: At your follow-up office visit, treatment options will then be discussed that may include pharmaceutical and well as nutritional therapies, all would be considered conventional approaches to your condition
A Look at Our Therapies
Many individuals suffer from recurrent or chronic indigestion, reflux, heartburn, abdominal bloating, gassiness, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic constipation For some, treatment consists of controlling symptoms through the use of daily medications, though possible chronic infections may be to blame for many of these symptoms and more thorough investigation for these infections can lead to an effective treatment Gastroenterologists are now thoroughly familiar with the concepts of small bowel bacterial overgrowth and intestinal yeast overgrowth in cases of immune suppression and repeated antibiotic use Treatments with appropriate pharmaceuticals along with a
conventionally accepted regimen of gut repair nutrients can have dramatic effects for those with long standing problems
Chronic Digestive Disturbances:
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Living in the 21st century, we are fortunate
to experience the greatest longevity ever in the history of humanity Each year, statistics are published showing ever increasing life expectancy for men and women, especially in more developed countries It is no longer uncommon at all for people to live into their 90s The issue that is in the forefront of most everyones mind, though, is quality of life What benefit is it to live to an old age if degenerative illnesses ravage our bodies and cause misery and suffering While weve been extraordinarily successful in creating this longevity, we are experiencing an epidemic of these
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degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, other causes of dementia as well as other degenerative conditions such as heart disease, stroke,
and diabetes In recent years, research has been pointing to an increased association between the rate of decline in hormones that one experiences with aging and the onset of these degenerative illnesses Evidence is increasing which supports the view that hormone deficiencies of various kinds contribute to these degenerative conditions and that replacing all hormones as they decline with age will slow the development of these conditions At a time when questions are surfacing about the potential for harm from these therapies, news of their benefits continues to come forth, discounting any notion that hormone replacement therapy has no value in medicine Hormone replacement therapy has evolved tremendously over the last 15 years with a much greater understanding about the processes of aging and its effects on various organ systems As messengers that motivate cells to work more efficiently, hormones are not actually doing the work, they are just the cheerleaders encouraging the work to be
done better The actual team players are the cells of the target organs themselves and without proper nutrition, these cells will not respond as well to hormones Therefore, before any hormone replacement regimen is begun, it is preferable to be sure that ones cellular nutritional status is restored to an ideal level Once this is done, the hormones will have a greater effect Both men and women experience a deficiency of all hormones with age, and this process starts much earlier than previously thought Evidence continues to build that replacement of hormones in older individuals can both reverse many of the effects of aging, as well as prevent many serious degenerative conditions Only by performing accurate hormone testing is it possible to know a persons individual status and determine the exact hormones needed Many individuals are presenting with an interest in natural hormones, concerned about negative effects that synthetic pharmaceuticals may precipitate We offer patients a
combination of pharmaceutical grade bioidentical hormones dispensed through a compounding pharmacy along with appropriate herbal and nutritional preparations that assist the hormonal effects As with any health condition, a thorough evaluation of all body systems and correction of any abnormalities should accompany a hormone replacement program Each system in the body is connected with every other system, and imbalances in one can very much affect the other
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:
Hyperbaric Therapy is the use of oxygen or air at greater than atmospheric pressure that results in an increase in oxygen concentration in all tissues of the body Under these circumstances, no energy is needed to deliver the oxygen into tissues as opposed to normal circumstances with numerous energy-requiring steps being necessary for the movement of oxygen through the lungs, into hemoglobin, and into cells For most of the 20th century, Hyperbaric Therapy has been used to treat decompression sickness the
bends as related to diving injuries, air or gas embolism, and for acute carbon monoxide poisoning Other uses for this treatment have been studied, though the number of approved indications is still quite small Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is currently indicated as an important adjunctive therapy for: Radiation Tissue Damage Soft Tissue and Osteoradionecrosis Clostridial Myonecrosis Gas Gangrene Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome, Acute Traumatic Ischemias Necrotizing Soft Tissue Subcutaneous, Muscle, Fascia Infections
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Osteomyelitis Refractory to antibiotics Problem Non-healing Wounds
Many other conditions can be treated successfully with hyperbaric therapy but have yet to be documented well enough to satisfy the Committee on Hyperbaric Oxygenation of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society or third-party payers These include: CARDIOVASCULAR: o Heart Attacks NEUROLOGIC: o Stroke acute or chronic as in post-stroke syndrome o
Intra-cerebral hemorrhage o Persistent Vegetative State o Cerebral edema o Brain injury acute or chronic near drowning, lightning victims, etc o Cerebral Palsy o Multi-infarct dementia o Multiple Sclerosis o Myasthenia Gravis GASTROINTESTINAL: o Ulcerative Colitis o Crohns Disease o Chronic non-healing stomach or duodenal ulcers MUSCULOSKELETAL: o Rheumatoid Arthritis o Osteoarthritis o Sports injuries o Trauma OPHTHALMOLOGIC: o Macular Edema o Glaucoma INFECTIOUS: o Lyme Disease o Hansens Disease Leprosy METABOLIC: o Radiation Injury o Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Some of the documented effects of hyperbaric therapy include: Increases white blood cell killing activity Kills certain anaerobic bacteria those that dont like oxygen Inhibits toxin formation by bacteria Increases red blood cell flexibility Reduces tissue edema Preserves intracellular ATP Maintains tissue oxygenation in the absence of hemoglobin Stimulates fibroblast growth tissue repair cells Increases collage
formation Promotes angiogenesis new capillary growth Stops lipid peroxidation inhibits free radical damage of cell membranes Decreases auto-immune antibody production
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Treatments are generally given on a daily basis with the length of time varying between 60 and 120 minutes The number of treatments depends on the condition being treated, but generally a minimum of 20 treatments is necessary for any benefit to be observed and the average number of treatments given is about 40 treatments Those patients with more severe brain injury may need hundreds of treatments
Nutritional and Dietary Counseling: For most of human history, obtaining adequate nutrition
was the number one challenge Now that we live in a time of abundance some would say excess, obtaining adequate nutrition still remains our greatest challenge Rather than continually searching for food, we have too much of a good thing and must use our knowledge to create healthy diets that enhance our health and promote healing
This is a complex and challenging task for even the most well educated individual Proper nutrition and a complete reevaluation of dietary patterns is important for patients who have always eaten a typical American diet Lifestyle awareness including proper exercise, avoidance of toxic substances, and control of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use are also top priority issues The ultimate goal is to insure that the highest quality food is taken into the body, thoroughly digested and completely absorbed, and then efficiently transported to the cells where nutrients can be utilized by the cell for energy Then, most importantly, the waste products from the burning of this fuel must be removed from the cell, transported to the organs of elimination, and efficiently removed from the body For most patients, nutritional issues and concerns will be addressed in detail during the initial visit We place a great deal of importance on nutrition and dietary management, and we feel that it is important to
help our patients learn how to make positive changes in their diet, which can then become a consistent part of their daily regimen Our staff is committed to assisting patients in establishing a nutritional program that works for them in their daily life, as well as in arming themselves with the knowledge necessary to promote healthy, active, and positive lifestyles We have a staff with years of experience using these therapies We have seen their effectiveness in results with our own patients We have placed these therapies together under one roof to demonstrate that body cleansing, detoxification, and supportive therapies do play a vital role in everyones health regimen We are pioneers in this regard, as you are when you choose to participate in our therapies and programs We are convinced that our patients are living healthier, happier, and more productive lives as a result of actively participating in our programs However, we remind you that these therapies are not a cure for disease
Every person is unique and responds to therapy differently; therefore we can make no claims as to how you will benefit from our programs We cannot guarantee you will be entirely free of all symptoms related to your health challenges after undergoing treatment with us What we do feel is that you will be doing everything possible to improve your chance of living as healthy and active a life as possible given your own circumstances When the bodys cycle is working properly through the use of our integrative therapies, every cell will be working at peak efficiency, and this will create a situation in which disease simply cannot exist This is optimum health, and we believe that when this health is maintained, life can be lived to its fullest and can be sustained with great vitality
Supplemental Nutritional Therapy: Nutritional supplements are a vital component in the
health recovery process for most of our patients Therefore, you can expect that we will prescribe an individualized program
of nutritional supplements designed for you These supplements will be determined by your discussion with our medical staff, as well as results of the laboratory tests that you may undergo As your health status changes, we may vary your supplement regimen
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accordingly It is important for you to follow our recommendations of these supplements in order to get the maximum results from your treatment at the Center Nutritional therapy is different from traditional drug therapy It is safer, less expensive, and more health-oriented Experience has shown that the use of supplements can significantly improve treatment results and lower the overall duration and costs of treatment Many conventional physicians now routinely use nutritional supplements as part of their practice
Business Office Policies and Procedures
Office Hours Appointments: Our business office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon on Wednesday Our business office is
closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, however we are open for office visits two Saturdays per month, depending on holidays On the Saturdays that we are open, we are also open that Friday for office visits Patients should call our office during our regular hours to request additional information about our services and to schedule appointments Canceling and Rescheduling Appointments: Scheduled time with our professional staff is considered to be extremely valuable They have set aside their time each day to be available for you If you find it necessary to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact our front office as soon as possible For scheduled office visit appointments, we require at least a 48-hour notice to avoid a 9000 cancellation fee If you fail to give this advance notice, we will bill you accordingly In all fairness to our staff and other patients who may be on a waiting list for an open appointment, we ask that you respect this policy Insurance Reimbursement: Wake
Medical Associates, PA does not participate as an in-network provider with any private insurance plans except for the State Employee Blue Cross Blue Shield Costwise Program Payment for office visits will be due in full at the time the service is provided and we will file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement For laboratory testing, you will be asked to pay a percentage of the total charges filed with your insurance but then may be billed later for any difference owed if insufficient payment is received from your insurance company Ultimately our goal is collect enough from the patient to cover our costs, then collect enough from insurance to provide some amount of reimbursement to the patient Our staff will attempt to obtain information about each new patients insurance status, though it is ultimately the responsibility of the patient to be aware of their benefits with their insurance plan, so you may want to confirm with your company your level of coverage Medicare and
Medicaid: Wake Medical Associates will not file any charges with Medicare or Medicaid I will continue to opt out of the Medicare program and will not file any charges for any Medicare patients Prior to undergoing any services at Wake Medical Associates, all Medicare patients must sign a contract acknowledging that no charges will be filed for them with Medicare, and that secondary insurance companies will most likely deny payment for all of our services as well Several of the lab companies that we utilize do file with Medicare; therefore Medicare may cover a portion of your lab charges if they are considered to be medically necessary For these charges to be filed, laboratory testing would need to be performed at the lab itself and not at our office
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Costs of Our Services
As previously mentioned, the initial evaluation for most people will be very comprehensive and will last approximately 91 minutes The cost of this initial evaluation will be 447 You will also be coming in
periodically for follow-up office visits to discuss your program Your first follow-up visit will be approximately three to five weeks after your initial evaluation Follow-up visits will be either 40 minutes or 71 minutes in length with a cost ranging from 182 to 368 A thorough laboratory work-up will also be initiated for the majority of our patients Prior to having any labs performed, you will have an opportunity to discuss what labs have been recommended for you, as well as the costs for these tests It is important for you to be aware of the potential costs of some of these labs, as there can be no guarantee that your insurance company will pay for all of the charges submitted These laboratory tests will be performed at our office and your insurance billed for the charge with your being responsible for a percentage of the total costs at the time the service is provided
Becoming a Patient
You may have been sent registration materials with this information package If you were not,
and you are interested in making an appointment with our medical staff, please call our office and have these forms sent to you We will not be able to schedule your initial evaluation until we have received these forms in our office If you have specific questions about your situation that you would like to discuss with the doctor prior to actually coming in for the evaluation, we will be glad to schedule you for a brief telephone consultation with our medical director when appropriate If you have no specific questions at this time, completely fill out and return the Registration materials to our office Be sure that you have completed and signed all of the forms that were sent to you, as well as including the 200 registration deposit to reserve your appointment After your office visit, you will be asked to pay 247 bringing the total paid at that time to 447 This amount will then be billed to your insurance and any payments received will be reimbursed If you have any questions about this
information, please do not hesitate to contact us Call our office within a week of sending the Registration materials back to us Your initial evaluation will be scheduled once we receive your Registration information Important notice for out-of-town patients: If you live greater than an hour from Raleigh, we offer the option to schedule you for an early morning appointment so that you will arrive at 8AM to have blood drawn for all the potential tests that will be ordered This will expedite your program by preventing you from having to return on another day for lab testing This can also be an advantage from an insurance standpoint as often labs are covered better when there is an office visit done the same day If you choose to do this, we will mail you a urine cup so that you may collect your first morning urine the day of the lab draw You should also bring a snack with you so that you can eat something before going in for your office visit Let our New Patient coordinator know if you
are interested in this option and we will make the appropriate arrangements
We hope that you have found this information helpful Please do not hesitate to contact our office for clarification on any of these issues We look forward to working with you soon as you begin your journey to optimum health Younger Mattox New Patient Coordinator
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Source:carolinacenter.com
