Special Programs
Pain Management
A Cortisone Injection Can Help Manage Your Pain
Prescription pills for pain management may give you temporary relief but do not treat the underlying causes of the pain. In many cases, these pills can cause side effects such as gastritis or gastric ulcers (irritation and erosion of the stomach walls), while other pills can cause physical and mental dependence (addiction).
If you have arthritis, you may want to consider a cortisone shot as part of your treatment plan. While these shots are not pain relievers, it is a drug that lowers inflammation, which is something that will lead to less pain.
Arthritis, Tendinitis, and Bursitis of Various Joint Areas (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankles)
Injection of a small amount of cortisone (an anti-inflammatory medication) into a specific joint or surrounding structures can relieve pain, preserve cartilage of the joint, and recover mobility.
Some common joint disorders that can be treated with cortisone injection:
- Rotator cuff tendinitis of the shoulder
- Degenerative arthritis of the knee
- Bursitis/tendinitis of the elbow (tennis or golfer’s elbow)
Low Back Pain or Sciatica (pain radiating from back to the leg due to herniated disc or bony spurs of the lower spine)
Injection of a small amount of cortisone (an anti-inflammatory medication) into the buttock (piriformis muscle that is adjacent to the sciatic nerve as it enters the pelvic bone) to relieve pain and restore mobility.
Weight Loss (Ketogenic)
Weight Loss Programs
If you’ve been struggling with weight loss and are looking for a long-term and healthy solution, Dr. Yang can help. Obesity is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, just like diabetes and high blood pressure, which can lead to sleep apnea (abnormal breathing during sleep), stroke, or heart attack. It is also a significant cause of depression, low self-esteem, and poor function at work and social life.
Evaluation:
First, Dr. Yang will review your medical history, social and meal habits to identify the cause of your weight gain. He will do certain blood and urine tests to determine if you have any medical conditions that can lead to or are associated with weight gain.
Ketogenic Treatment:
Ketogenic Diet
Dr. Yang will educate you and start you on the “Ketogenic Diet,” which is basically reprogramming your liver, fat cells, and other cells of your body to burn fat which reduces your weight as well as provides longer and more energy for your cells. As a result, your cells or you have enough energy and feel less hungry, which allows your liver and other cells to burn more fat and reduce even more weight.
Ketogenic Supplements
Some people can lose weight and feel more energetic with Ketogenic Diet alone, but most people need supplements to help start and maintain this special metabolism in their body called “Ketogenesis.” Dr. Yang will review certain Ketogenic Supplements that are both effective and safe in helping you achieve and continue Ketogenesis and, of course weight loss.
Prescription Medications
In addition, Dr. Yang can prescribe one or more of the traditional medications, such as metformin or phentermine, that primarily reduce your appetite and intake of calories, which prolongs your fasting state and indirectly leads to Ketogenesis. Again, your liver and other cells turn on Ketogenesis which burns fat and reduces your weight.
Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery
No one wants to go through a major surgery for weight loss unless it is absolutely necessary. However, certain patients may need surgery because of their excessive weight combined with coexisting medical conditions that put their health at serious risk. Or other patients have already tried but failed several weight loss programs that are similar to Ketogenic Diet and Supplements. Dr. Yang can talk to you about the benefits and risks of traditional and new surgical procedures for weight loss. If you decide to proceed, Dr. Yang will refer you to a surgeon and later prepare you for the actual surgery (preoperative assessment and treatment) to make sure your body is ready for the physical challenge during and after surgery.
Anti-Aging
Aging has always been viewed as inevitable in life. However, many advances in modern medicine can slow the process of aging as well as maintain the quality of life during aging.
Recently, scientists have discovered that a decline in a special vitamin called NAD is likely the main cause of aging. NAD is needed by all cells to store and use energy that is derived from nutrients and oxygen transported to our cells. Also, the accumulation of oxidants is considered another main cause of aging. Oxidants are unstable molecules that come from waste products of cells or the exposure to environment hazards such as cigarette smoke and UV light. Oxidants can damage various cell structures, including DNA and also deplete NAD sources.
Along with preventive health programs such as “Three Steps For Your Health Program" and “Weight Loss” Dr. Yang offers a unique combination of replenishing NAD and reducing oxidants in the cells so that cells remain intact and functional as long as possible.
Auto Accident and
Workplace Injury Treatment
Don’t put off auto accident and workplace injuries!
Traffic and work accidents happen. While these types of personal injuries can lead to serious back and neck damage, oftentimes, these types of injuries may not result in immediate pain. It is important to be seen by a doctor after any auto accident or workplace injury to be evaluated and treated as soon as possible. Our practice can help you with auto accident and workplace injury treatment.
Often times injury occurs to bones, joints, muscles, and vital organs, and you may not even know it. Seeing a doctor can put you on a path for proper treatment for any reversible damage caused to your body. We can consult, diagnose and refer you to a physical therapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, or acupuncturist if needed.
Often times, we find our patients didn’t realize that work-related injuries can range anywhere from minor contusions following a slip and fall to injuries sustained over long periods of time, like carpal tunnel syndrome.
By the laws of the State of Hawaii that oversee your auto or workplace compensation insurance policy, you are entitled to receive full medical evaluation and treatment.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment for Men
Erectile dysfunction is a physical inability for a man to initiate or maintain an erection during a sexual intercourse.
Certain prescription pills can give you only a temporary relief of erectile dysfunction by increasing the blood supply to the genital area.
Testosterone replacement can give you a long lasting and even permanent solution to erectile dysfunction. It also treats all the other important symptoms of testosterone deficiency, not just erectile dysfunction.
Testosterone Replacement for Men
There are many misconceptions surrounding testosterone replacement for men. Generally, a man’s level of testosterone begins to decline around the age of 40. Some men experience it earlier, especially if you’ve overused certain pain medications or experimented with anabolic steroids (for muscle growth). Symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Low energy
- Low sex drive
- Low sexual performance
- Loss of muscle mass
- Depression
- Low cognitive function at work and home
If you have these symptoms, you may have testosterone deficiency and thus may benefit from testosterone replacement. Testosterone can be given as a topical agent like cream or patch as well as an injection into the shoulder (deltoid muscle) or buttock (gluteus muscle) by Dr. Yang.
Due to side effects of this medication, such as prostate disease, Dr. Yang will monitor you with blood tests and an ultrasound of your prostate.