Jenna was frustrated. Her CT scan was normal. The surgeon suspected her endometriosis had returned. He recommended she stop her hormone replacement and undergo another surgery. She was tired of the constant pelvic pain. At least once a week, it became severe, dropping her to her knees. But she wasn’t about to quit her lifesaving hormones, NOR get opened up again. She had numerous pelvic surgeries before her hysterectomy nearly thirty years ago, and four more since then. Her endometriosis specialist in another state had long ago told her she had so much scar tissue that he would never open her up again.

So now what? She was in a bind. Pain medicine didn’t help. Even if it did, she didn’t want to become addicted to it. She also didn’t want to stop her hormones and take a drug that would bring back all her menopausal symptoms and risks. “I guess this is just how it’s going to be,” she thought.

Jenna was incredulous but hopeful when I suggested the possibility that a simple, quick, in-office procedure could take her pain away and give her a new life. No down time, and it wouldn’t cost her a fortune, either. She didn’t want to get her hopes too high, but figured “What have I got to lose?” The next time I saw Jenna, I wasn’t surprised to hear, “It’s gone!” The pain disappeared and never returned.

Mark was always “super sensitive” to touch or pressure. Other people thought he was just a wimp. He thought other people were mean-spirited and trying to inflict pain on him whenever they patted him on the back or shook his hand. After a quick procedure on his back, I pressed quite hard on an area that had only two minutes before triggered so much pain that he could be heard in the office across the hall. This time, he didn’t flinch, even though I was pushing harder than I did previously. His hypersensitivity to pain was gone.

René suffered from pain between her shoulder blades for years. Massage didn’t help. Stretching didn’t help. Pain medicine didn’t help. Even a really good chiropractor couldn’t help her. Doctors told her there was nothing wrong with her. She was skeptical when I told her that scars interfere with electrical impulses in nerves, causing pain. But she was desperate. I treated every scar on her body. As soon as I finished treating one of her breast implant scars, the pain in her back disappeared. Just like that. Imagine her amazement and delight.

How is it possible that so many people like Jenna, Mark, and René can suffer with chronic pain when they have nothing visibly wrong with them? Perhaps you suffered an injury years ago, but the injury healed long ago, or was repaired perfectly. Or you just started having pain for no apparent reason, and all your tests and images are normal. Is it all in your head?

Sadly for so many Americans, doctors have been taught a mechanistic approach to pain. It makes sense that a person would have pain when something is compressed, stretched, or broken. As long as we can cut, sew, and/or replace something that is defective, we can help. But when everything looks good through a scope or on an MRI or other type of image, all we have to offer in conventional medicine is anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medicines, antidepressants, physical therapy, and encouragement to “hang in there” as we move on to the next patient, who hopefully has something we can fix.

In 1925, a German doctor accidentally stumbled upon the answer to a lot of mystery pain. He injected his sister with an arthritis drug with the hope of stopping her persistent migraine. Not reading the label closely enough, he ended up injecting her with a combination drug containing the anti-arthritic with a local anesthetic. Not only did her migraine vanish, but her depression disappeared as well. He started using the local anesthetic by itself and discovered it effective for other pain syndromes. Then he combined it with caffeine and found it even more powerful. This soon caught the attention of the German drugmaker Bayer, which patented the combination. The combination drug was found to cure many cases of dizziness, partial deafness, insomnia, seizures, sciatica, low back pain, eczema, chest pain, asthma, ear infections, gastrointestinal problems, and more.

Following his original discovery, the German doctor quickly realized that it wasn’t the anesthetic effect of the drug that was providing the benefit. The symptom relief lasted far beyond when the numbing wore off. Moreover, in many cases, the site of the injection and the site of the pain were far apart. It became clear that there was an electrical connection that was disrupted by a scar or another “interference field.” It was as if the affected organs and tissues had been injured and could never enter repair mode. They were stuck. That connection was immediately restored by carefully placed injections of the local anesthetic.

But, as noted above, the treatment was found to be effective for much more than just mystery pain. How could an injection in the skin affect the function of an internal organ, such as the liver or lungs? How did the organ start to malfunction in the first place? Subsequent research answered both questions. When a stressor triggers the sympathetic nervous system—either in one location or throughout the body—tiny blood vessels constrict or expand in an unhealthy pattern, altering blood flow to tissues. Depending on the tissue involved, this can lead to pain syndromes (such as headaches, joint pain, and back pain), chronic inflammation and degeneration of internal organs, or arthritis. The local anesthetic disrupts the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, restoring normal circulation to the affected area. If the condition responds but doesn’t resolve completely following a single treatment, additional injections yield continued improvement. We can always test your autonomic nervous system to confirm you have sympathetic dominance, but you don’t have to do so to get better.

If you are among the millions of Americans suffering with chronic pain you can’t seem to fix; you don’t want to become addicted to pain medicine; or you are tired of hearing “there’s nothing wrong with you,” you might consider the possibility that interference fields or sympathetic dysfunction could be causing your problem. Chances are you don’t need another surgery, a genie in a bottle, or another drug for the rest of your life, but rather restored electrical connectivity or normalized sympathetic nervous system function. A simple treatment may just bring you the relief you long for. Call Prestige Wellness Institute at 435-259-4466 in Moab or 435-210-0184 in Springville to schedule a consultation to see if it could be right for you.

May is National Women’s Health Month, a time to recognize women’s unique health needs and promote healthy habits that support long-term well-being. From adolescence to menopause and beyond, women face specific health challenges, and taking proactive steps now can lead to healthier, longer lives.

Women’s Health in Utah: A Closer Look

In Utah, nearly 1 in 4 women report not having a regular healthcare provider, according to the Utah Department of Health. This lack of consistent care can delay the early detection of preventable or manageable conditions. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in Utah, and almost 30% of women over age 18 in the state are considered overweight or obese—conditions that significantly raise the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic illnesses.

Taking Action for Better Health
There are several important steps women can take to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness:

Annual checkups: Wellness visits and screenings such as Pap smears and mammograms are essential for early detection and prevention.

Nutritious eating habits: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins support overall health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Regular physical activity: Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days can lower the risk of heart disease, obesity, and certain cancers.

Mental health support: Managing stress and seeking help through therapy or support groups can significantly improve mental well-being.

Preventive care: Staying current on vaccinations and monitoring health indicators like blood pressure and cholesterol can help prevent serious health issues.

Women’s health expert and OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton emphasizes the importance of proactive care: “Prioritizing preventive care is one of the most powerful steps women can take for their health. Early detection and healthy habits save lives.”

Women’s Health Services at Moab Regional Hospital
Moab Regional Hospital is proud to support women’s health by offering various services tailored to women’s needs. The hospital’s Family Medicine team includes several providers with specialized training in women’s health, offering routine wellness exams, reproductive health counseling, and menopause management. This tailored approach ensures that each woman’s unique health needs are met with understanding and care.

In addition, Moab Regional Hospital partners with two visiting gynecologists, Dr. Sarnoski and Dr. White, who travel to Moab each month to provide expert care. These gynecologists work closely with the hospital’s Family Medicine providers, creating a collaborative, team-based approach that ensures comprehensive care for each patient.

Whether it’s preventive screenings, chronic condition management, or gynecological care, Moab Regional Hospital remains committed to helping women in the region live their healthiest lives.

National Women’s Health Month is the perfect time to take that first step towards better health. It’s a time to empower yourself and invest in a healthier future. Women are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a trusted provider and take control of their health.

For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.mrhmoab.org or call 435-719-5500.