Group Meets in Jackson to Discuss TBI and PTSD Treatments for Veterans
Jackson, Tenn. (PRWEB) June 17, 2014 -- Joining thousands across the nation who are seeking answers for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), a group of military representatives from the region met at the Pain Specialist Center/Tennessee Hyperbaric Center to discuss veteran needs and available treatments. Phillip Bell organized the meeting, which Tennessee State Rep. Jimmy Eldridge joined, also. Following a brain hemorrhage and stroke, Bell completed 144 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). He became passionate about letting others know about HBOT after he experienced many physical and cognitive benefits from the treatment.
While traditional treatment usually includes the prescription of black label drugs, many vets are unable to resume their regular family and work lives with the same quality they had before injury. In the past few years, several media outlets have reported on the failure of this treatment to meet needs for veterans and the increasing suicide rates that have resulted from lack of treatment for some.
Dr. Roy Schmidt, medical director of the Pain Specialist Center and Tennessee Hyperbaric Center, discussed treatments for TBI and PTSD that are being implemented and studied around the county. One of those is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which Dr. Paul Harch of Louisiana has discussed with Congress and military leaders. An overview of a study (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/neu.2011.1895) indicates that those with mild to moderate TBI have a very good chance of responding favorably.
Dr. Sean W. Mulvaney, an Army lieutenant colonel who has led research at Walter Reed, has implemented another treatment. It involves utilizing injections that affect the sympathetic tone of the brain. These are not cures for PTSD but allow patients to compartmentalize the trauma and function better in daily life (http://www.theveteransvoice.com/Walter-Reed-Report-Confirms-Validity-of-Fast-Acting--Non-Drug-PTSD-Treatment.html).
Schmidt also discussed work around the country that involves extracting a patient’s own stem cells from fat cells or bone marrow and injecting them in targeted areas. This stem cell treatment is recommended in conjunction with HBOT to achieve best results.
Schmidt shared his opinions on these treatments, as he said, “My duty as a doctor is to keep looking for what’s out there and available. If conventional medicine does not get the desired result, I feel that I owe my patients information regarding options that might make a difference for them. I think this is the least that we can do for those who have served our country.” More information about Schmidt’s work in West Tennessee is available at http://beyondpills.com/.
Any veteran who is interested in learning about veteran benefits should contact Alex Jones at alexander(dot)jones(at)tn(dot)gov. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) encourages communication among veterans through Vet Togethers. To learn more about IAVA, visit http://iava.org/ or contact Owen Brennan at 856-924-1992.
Dawn Bramblett, Bramblett Group, http://bramblettgrp.com, +1 731-608-7650, [email protected]
Share this article