A Chinese Medicine Approach to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome is a disabling, poorly understood multi-system illness. In the United States it has been referred to as the “yuppie flu.” The symptoms are an array of neurological, nueromuscular, and immunological abnormalities combined with cognitive impairment, disabling fatigue, and recurrent bouts of flu-like illness. These can be either short and mild or prolonged and debilitating.

Sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome experience mild fever, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, and chills accompanied by extreme fatigue and minimal exertion. Muscle pain, roaming arthritis, sleep disorders, dizzy spells, heart palpatations, headaches, bowel disorders spatial disorientation, memory loss, anxiety, depression, confusion, and fluctuations in weight and abdominal pain are some of the many symptoms.

Disabling fatigue is the primary symptom experienced. Patients with this condition usually have a history of allergies. Most chronic fatigue sufferer are between the ages of 25-40 years of age. In Western diagnosis there are no absolute lab tests that confirm chronic fatigue and there is no specific western medical treatment for chronic fatigue.

How Traditional Chinese Medicine Views Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

In Chinese Medicine most chronic fatigue sufferers show that the liver and spleen are affected. The liver and spleen in Chinese medicine have different functions than western medicine attributes to the liver and spleen. The liver in Chinese medicine regulates the flow of the emotions, stores blood, regulates the flow of “qi” and moves all substances of the body. When the liver is in disharmony, “out of balance,” there is emotional depression, stagnation of energy flow “qi,” and stagnation of the system. So, there is an actual depression of the system. The spleen transforms and transports the nutrients and fluids of the body and dominates the muscles. If the spleen is affected there is muscle weakness. The movement of body fluids are also impaired. Arthritic symptoms or swelling of the joints would occur. Many other organs are also affected due to the imbalance of the liver and spleen.

In Chinese medicine all organs and functions of the body are interrelated in maintaining balance throughout the system. So, when an organ is out of balance it affects another.

Treatment with Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine focuses on strengthening the body. It is not palliative; it does not cover up or give masked relief to symptoms. It aims to correct imbalances of the body and get the organs functioning as they should so the symptoms can dissipate.
NUTRITION
Eat a well-balanced diet with an adequate amount of raw foods, fruits and vegetables.

Encourage  to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.

Eat more fish and fish oils, onions, garlic, olives, olive oil, herbs, spices, yogurt, fiber, tofu and other soy products.

Sea vegetables, such as kelp and dulse, replenish the body with minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, iodine and iron.

Decrease intake of red meat, alcohol, fats, caffeine, and highly processed foods. Avoid shellfish, fried foods, junk foods, and processed foods.

Ensure adequate intake of vitamin B complex to process and utilize energy.

Avoid the use of stimulants, such as coffee, caffeine, and high-sugar products.

Food allergy or chemical hypersensitivity can drain energy and cause fatigue. Additional tests should be done to confirm or rule out allergy and/or hypersensitivity.

The Tao of Nutrition by Ni and McNease

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Recommendations: winter melon, pumpkin, pumpkin seed, yam, sweet potato, lima bean, black bean, soy bean, strawberry, watermelon, pineapple, chestnut, papaya, figs, garlic, onions, and pearl barley.

Avoid dairy products, alcohol, coffee, sugar, fatty or fried foods, overly spicy foods, cold and raw foods, tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, and shellfish.

LIFESTYLE INSTRUCTIONS
Daily exercise is advised to increase basal metabolic rate.

plenty of rest and goes to bed at a sensible hour.

Get regular exercise and adequate rest.

Take a bath for about 20 minutes prior to bedtime. Sea salt or epsom salts can be added to the bath water.

Engage in activities such as Tai Chi Chuan, walking or meditation that allow calmness of mind without creating stagnation or excessive fatigue.

Avoid exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, aluminum, copper and arsenic, all of which can suppress the immune system and cause fatigue.

please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

Acupuncture is the process of stimulating specific points on the body by inserting very fine needles into the skin and underlying tissues. This procedure unblocks the flow of Qi along energy pathways and resores balance to the body. This has the effect of releasing various chemical messengers into the brain (neurotransmitters such as serotonin) that serve as natural painkillers.

Acupuncture can be used in the treatment of auto accident injuries, including whiplash and herniated discs. It is an effective tool in relieving the pain and anxiety associated with car crashes and is safe, painless, and drug free.

Acupuncture and Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when a sudden movement forces the head to jerk forward abruptly, pulling at the neck muscles and affecting bone structure and soft tissues. When left untreated, whiplash can lead to chronic pain that is often difficult to treat, so it is important to address the condition as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Whiplash
People who experience whiplash may report experiencing one or more symptoms. Symptoms can occur immediately after the accident, or may appear several days or even weeks later:

·    Neck / Shoulder pain and stiffness

·    Headaches

·    Difficulty in moving the neck

·    Low back pain

·    Sensations such as burning or “pins and needles”

·    Irritability

·    Poor sleep

·    Fatigue

·    Difficulty with concentration or memory

·    Depression

·    Dizziness / Light-headedness

·    Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand

·    Ringing in the ears

·    Blurred vision

·    Muscle spasm

In Chinese medicine, whiplash is thought of as a balance disorder because the structure of the bones has been affected by a sudden movement. Treatment focuses on helping patients regain proper balance. Acupuncture also works to alleviate the pain associated with whiplash.

Acupuncture for Herniated Discs

Herniated discs occur during auto accidents because the force of impact is often strong enough to damage the human body in very serious ways. The discs of the spine act as a cushion between the vertebrae. When a disc herniation occurs, the soft, inner part of the disc bulges or slips out of place, affecting the nerves and causing pain.

In this case, as with whiplash, the sooner acupuncture is begun after the initial onset of symptoms, the more effective it can be in terms of pain relief. While acupuncture cannot resolve the actual structural spinal condition, it is a powerful weapon in fighting pain. By stimulating the nervous system, acupuncture helps the body to release chemicals that ease pain. For herniated discs, results may be best achieved when acupuncture is combined with extra modalities at MMG such as Tui Na, Cupping, Moxibustion, Intersegmental Traction, Ultrasound Therapy and Hydrotherapy Massage .

Anxiety and Stress

The traumatic experience of an automobile accident can sometimes lead to powerful and negative emotions. Because accidents happen at a very fast pace, the brain is sometimes unable to process the experience until after the incident has passed and the participant is no longer in danger. This is known as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and it can occur in car crash victims.

The energy blockages associated with anxiety can be addressed through acupuncture. Acupuncture points serve as openings to the body’s meridians; when these are liberated from unhealthy blockages, energy can begin to flow smoothly once again. This can help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety as well as relieve the anxiety disorder itself. The experience of acupuncture is often very calming, and can decrease heart rate, relax muscles, and lower blood pressure.

Mattos Medical Group

Under Florida No Fault law, acupuncture is covered by the personal injury protection provided by your insurance policy. This coverage is available only when the treatment is administered by a License practitioner.

Will acupuncture be covered by my automobile insurance policy?

please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is somewhat different than simple ovarian cyst. It is usually the result of hormonal imbalance (excess of androgen, and with luteinizing hormone elevated). It can be associated with obvious symptoms of menstrual disorder, especially amenorrhea, which is usually caused by the underlying hormone imbalance rather than by the cysts themselves. Furthermore, women suffering from this disorder may display signs of hirsutism and will often be obese.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are designed to stimulate the body’s own natural production of hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle by gently correcting underlying deficiencies and/or eliminating disruptions. For example, when applied they can

a) restore reproductive energy in the kidney system which represents the reproductive endocrine system to normalize the production of hormones that regulate ovulation.
b) balance the liver system which controls smooth flow and distribution of blood to remove obstruction or constriction of blood circulation in the pelvic organs, which might be caused from living with high stress, consistent anger, frustration and/or anxiety.
c) build an adequate supply of blood to sustain a normal menstrual cycle, nourish the eggs to be revitalized, and support a healthy pregnancy.
d) help dissolve the thick, waxy coating found on the surface of the ovaries to improve ovarian function, enhance egg quality with the use of Chinese herbal medicine.
e) soothe the sympathetic nervous system to relax the body, reduce stress and influence healthy ovulation

please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

Earlier today i was asked what other treatments do i offer for back pain, besides other than Acupuncture, and Tui Na, and Cupping. My response was ” We have many other types of modalities to help you relieve your back pain, not just Acupuncture” and Im very glad i was ask this question. I like to explain some patients about one of many modalities that we love to use with our patients, Intersegmental Traction

What is Intersegmental Traction?
It is a way of inducing passive motion into the spine for the purpose of stretching spinal joints, increasing mobility.

How does Intersegmental Traction work?
The patient lies face up on a bench table which has roller-type cams beneath its surface. These rollers can slowly travel the length of the spine, stretching spinal joints.

What does Intersegmental Traction feel like?
Most patients find this form of treatment to be relaxing and very helpful. The gentle rolling action is restful, exercising the spine without effort.

Why is Intersegmental Traction used?
Since discs have a poor blood supply, they get nutrients from the circulation of fluids surrounding spinal joints. Fixations prevent this natural circulation and can cause disc thinning and degeneration. Intersegmental traction helps increase and restore necessary elasticity and motion to the spine. Intersegmental Traction is a particularly useful and effective therapy to treat and help prevent painful muscle spasms and muscle guarding specifically in spinal muscles. This also helps to prevent abnormal wear and tear on the vertebral discs and vertebrae which in turn prevent further injury and reduce the arthritis process.

Patient Benefits

• Comfortable and relaxing
• Increased mobility
• Improves circulation of spinal fluids
• Most patients enjoy the relaxing motion and the increased mobility gained from Intersegmental Traction.

please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

We Can Help You Get Your Life Back!

What is Chronic Pain?

Pain that lasts for 3 months or longer is considered chronic pain. Chronic pain is caused by inflammation stemming from a variety of sources and can occur anywhere in your body.

Common symptoms of chronic pain include but are not limited to, pain that does not go away as expected, pain that is shooting, burning, aching, and pain that causes soreness, tightness, or stiffness.

Chronic pain can be escalated or increased by things such as; diet, food allergies, viral infections, and toxicity escalate pain. If your body reacts negatively to certain foods, it could cause or worsen joint and muscle pain, digestive problems,fatigue, headache and mood swings.

Toxicity can also build on the above symptoms, in addition to the symptoms above; toxicity can cause mental confusion, short-term memory loss, vision problems, and chronic fatigue.

There are many things that can contribute to pain levels and each case is as unique as the patient, read on to see how MMG approaches chronic pain.

The MMG Approach to Chronic Pain
At Mattos Medical Group, we focus on identifying the root cause of chronic pain by starting the process with extensive testing in order to help determine the cause of inflammation.  We treat each chronic pain patient with a unique combination of acupuncture, Cupping, IVs, AITs, prolotherapy, and massage therapy in order to alleviate pain and address the cause.
The following treatments can help chronic pain patients in the following ways:

• Acupuncture helps manage pain by stimulating nerves in your spinal cord to release pain-suppressing neurotransmitters called endorphins. Acupuncture also increases blood flow and nourishes the tissue and removes toxic substances in the areas surrounding the needles.
• Nutritional IVs hydrate the body and detoxify liver and lymphatic system, thereby causing you to feel better faster while helping the body to work more efficiently.
• Prolotherapy is a specially formulated solution that is injected into a joint, or along injured ligament and tendons. The solution stimulates the body to heal the damage.
• Cupping is a method of treating disease that is caused by local congestion. A partial vacuum is created in a cupping jar, usually by means of heat, which is then applied directly to the skin. The underlying tissue is drawn up into the jar forming an area of blood stasis.
• Massage Therapy helps by relieving muscular tension, and decreasing stress and soreness. It also encourages the brain to release hormones called endorphins.

please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

Prolotherapy is a method of strengthening weakened, stretched and partially torn ligaments and tendons by enhancing the support systems of bones and muscles.

From injuries, or normal wear and tear, connective tissues are damaged, resulting in altered structure and function. Pain often intervenes, and efforts to compensate for imbalances leads to further injury and impairment. Unaddressed injuries to ligaments can lead to arthritis and chronic irreversible problems.

Surgery on bones and joints may be recommended and pursued, often without resolving the problem because the real problem has not been addressed.

Prolotherapy is an effective, non-surgical, approach that can strengthen your back, neck, arms and legs, eliminating pain and restoring function.

How Does Prolotherapy Work? Concentrated dextrose, or sugar water, is combined with a pain-killer such as procaine, vitamin B12, and saline, and injected into the involved ligament or tendon where the tissue meets the bone.

There is an initial natural inflammatory response, initiated by the irritative effect of the dextrose. White cells enter the injected area, proliferate and then differentiate into connective tissue-forming cells.

The whole process takes about three weeks. Ligaments and tendons thicken and tighten, re-establishing a proper alignment of the bones and alleviating pain.

The same areas can be re-injected every 3-4 weeks if necessary. If the problem is chronic, three or more injections are usually necessary to achieve a full effect.
See also: prolotherapy in wikipedia

please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

We perform subcutaneous injections of FDA approved homeopathic remedies for stubborn conditions, especially pain, not responding well to acupuncture, herbal medicine, and exercise. Clinically we have found excellent results with homeopathic injections of Traumeel and Zeel for joint pain, neck pain, arthritis, and lower back pain.

Injectible solutions come in single-use sterile vials, and are completely safe with subcutaneous injection. Adverse effects are limited to local bruising and discomfort following the injections.

Recent research indicates Traumeel injections are as effective for pain as conventional treatments including narcotic painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. Animal studies indicate traumeel injections seem to act by significantly speeding up the healing process instead of blocking the development of edema (swelling) from the beginning (for an injury). Moreover, its effect cannot be considered as the ‘sum’ of its active components and probably a synergistic interaction occurs to determine the final effect.

For stubborn arthritis, injection of Zeel can provide great, lasting relief of pain and inflammation. For problems related to lymph drainage, lymphomyosot can be an effective treatment strategy as well.

please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

Cupping is a method of treating disease that is caused by local congestion. A partial vacuum is created in a cupping jar, usually by means of heat, which is then applied directly to the skin. The underlying tissue is drawn up into the jar forming an area of blood stasis. This appears to bruise the area, or at least turn it a bright red. The amount of dark red or even purple blood drawn to the surface indicates the degree of stagnation. Dark blood is a sign of stagnation, which in many cases in modern terms is the amount of toxins in the blood.

In ancient times, animal horns and bamboo jars were used, principally to drain pustulating sores.

Later this method was used to treat consumptive and rheumatic diseases. Today jars are made mostly out of glass to standard sizes and specifications, although bamboo jars are still occasionally used.

Cupping is generally indicated in the treatment of Arthritic pain, abdominal pain, stomach ache, indigestion, headache, hypertension, common cold, cough, low back pain, painful menstruation, insect and poisonous snake bite.

What are the therapeutic benefits of cupping?

• increases blood circulation to the area
• decreases swelling
• clears heat from the body

What conditions can be treated with cupping?

• bi syndromes which corresponds to joint pain, especially that which is worse in cold, damp weather
• muscle tension or pain
• cough, common cold, stomachache
• numbness, weakened function

What are the side-effects?
Depending on the intensity of the suction and amount of tension in an area there may be a bruise-like mark left varying from light red to dark purple. There is no pain or discomfort associated with this and often the darker the mark the more relief is felt.

please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

Look Better, Feel Better, Get Healthy…
and Stay that Way!

Mattos Medical Group is actively helping patients maintain a healthy weight with our different weight loss options,
including the HCG Diet.

Typically, people associate weight gain with overeating and lack of exercise; however, there are so many other factors that contribute to unwanted weight gain. For example, food allergies can increase inflammation in the body making it impossible to the lose weight, while hormone levels can contribute to weight gain. Experts have discovered that hormone imbalance is often cause by toxicity which causes weight gain and/or weight loss resistance.

At MMG we examine all of the different factors that could be causing your unwanted weight gain such as:hormone imbalance, food allergies, thyroid dysfunction, toxicity, nutrition and physical activity.

By identifying the root cause of your weight gain we are able to treat your unique case effectively and efficiently in order to keep the weight off.

Allow our doctors to understand your struggle with weight loss and build an individualized weight loss plan for you today,
813.871.2950(W.Tampa), 813.961.6226(Lutz)

Mattos Medical Group Offers The HCG Diet For Weight Loss Management

What is HCG?
HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, which is a hormone found in both men and women. Pregnant women typically produced in greater amounts of HCG. During pregnancy, the hormone controls the women’s metabolic functions. When HCG is administered to non-pregnant patients, research suggests HCG can increases the metabolism which results in significant weight loss.

What is different about the MMG HCG Diet?
At MMG we use the HCG Diet to help stimulate weight loss. Our program is a 10-week, physician-supervised program designed to drive results. We tend to differ from other clinics because of how we follow Dr. Simeon’s original HCG weight loss plan and combine additional therapies and supplements to offer a very comprehensive program. We start by testing hormone levels and explore the patient’s weight issues in order to educate the patient, treat the issues and keep the weight off.

Your HCG Program will include:

• Initial consultation and medical exam with a physician
• 10% discount on additional treatments, therapies & supplements

Phase 1 – Detox

• Heel Detox Kit
• Nutritional supplementation
• Two nutritional IVs
• Complete food & lifestyle guidelines

Phase 2 – HCG

• 40 day supply of hCG
• Weekly visits with the physician
• Six nutritional IVs
• Nutritional supplementation
• Proper dietary advice and reference materials
• Unlimited calls to our Weight-Loss Consultant for additional guidance and support.

Are you an HCG Diet Candidate?
Come in for an HCG consultation and a MMG physician will determine if you are a candidate. Typically, people who are struggling with their weight and are looking to lose 20 or more pounds are ideal candidates.  However, cancer patients, pregnant women, and individuals who just need or want to lose a few pounds should not use the HCG diet as weight loss program.

If you would like more information regarding the details of our weight management programs or the HCG diet, please email us at info@mattosmedicalgroup.com or call us at 813.871.2950 to schedule your consultation.

lately, alot of patients been asking what is Calcium Pyruvate, and what does it actually do?
Calcium pyruvate is a nutritional supplement that combines naturally occurring pyruvic acid with calcium. While pyruvate is produced in the body and aids in the conversion of sugar and starches into energy, calcium pyruvate can help enhance the metabolism and speed up the creation of energy. Along with helping people feel more energized, using the supplement can also aid in weight loss when used in conjunction with a sensible diet and regular exercise.

“Pyruvate is the foundation of the Krebs Cycle, which is how the body burns sugar and starch. Pyruvate makes the Krebs Cycle run faster. And, the faster the Krebs Cycle turns, the more energy a person has, and the more calories they burn. Thus, Pyruvate plays a crucial role in this conversion of food to energy. Calcium Pyruvate is pyruvic acid stabilized with calcium to create the Pyruvate salt. Calcium Pyruvate is preferable to sodium pyruvate and potassium pyruvate”

Because calcium pyruvate helps in burning fat to create more fuel for the body to use, the supplement helps to reduce fat that is retained in the body. Thus, the supplement can minimize the amount of excess fat that is stored around the abdomen and other parts of the body. The additional energy that is generated helps the body to function more efficiently and comes in handy when exercising as part of an overall health improvement regimen. In an indirect manner, this also means that calcium pyruvate aids in mental as well as physical health, since emotional issues often have a physical origin.

Combining pyruvate with calcium creates supplements that will not interfere with any body function, nor will using calcium pyruvate cause the body to produce less pyruvate in the system. Instead, the supplements will enhance the effectiveness of the pyruvate already present in the body and increase the ability to maintain energy for the day and prevent the accumulation of extra pounds. However, calcium pyruvate should not be viewed as a way to eat and drink anything and still lose weight. The product works best when used along with eating lean meats, plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, choosing complex carbohydrates over simple carbs, and getting at least thirty minutes of exercise each day.