» Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is an innovative medical technique discovered in 1952 by Dr Michael Pistor, a French physician. Mesotherapys not a new type of medicine, but a new method for administering drugs and nutrients. The concept involves injecting very small amounts of nutrients and/or pharmaceuticals into the dermis (skin) or hypodermis (tissue just below the surface of the skin) of the affected area of the body to be treated rather than supplying large amounts of the therapeutic substance(s) by mouth, in the muscle or vein. The method of Mesotherapy was first developed by Dr Pistor to be used for disease conditions, such as vascular disease, sports injuries, infectious diseases and painful tissue conditions, such as fibromyalgia. For instance, if the mesoderm circulation is poor, a vasodilator is used; if excessive inflammation is present, an anti-inflammatory medication is used; or if inflammation/stimulation is needed; a fibroblast proliferating solution is injected. However, soon after its discovery physicians began to notice improved cosmetic appearance of the areas injected and then began to employ Mesotherapy for aesthetic and cosmetic reasons alone.
The three embryonic or germ layers scientifically recognized in the human body include the Ectoderm (skin, brain sweat glands, etc.), Endoderm (gut, liver, lung, pancreas, etc.) and (Mesoderm (the "connective tissue of the entire body and the target tissue of Mesotherapy). The connective tissue of the body, primarily the collagen, which makes up the bone, ligaments, tendons, and muscle, is all derived in the human embryo from the mesoderm. The mesoderm derived tissues of the body includes all fat or adipose tissue, all fibrous connective tissues around and supporting the internal organs, all cartilage, bone and muscle. Mesotherapy is a treatment that stimulates the mesoderm, or middle layer of the skin, which will, in turn relieves a wide variety of symptoms and ailments. Included among the conditions Mesotherapy can be useful in treating are Skin Wrinkles, Cellulite, Baldness, Excessive Sweating and various symptomatic medical conditions such as injuries, fibromyalgia and many others.
As previously stated, the technique of Mesotherapy involves the injection of substances to stimulate the mesoderm for various biological purposes. For example, Cellulite is a condition involving the abnormal circulation as well as lymph flow of the adipose or fat tissue. Conditions such as Cellulite are due to lymph venous and lymphatic insufficiency, therefore a vasodilator (increases blood flow), a stimulator of venous and lymph flow and a lipolytic agent (breaks down fat tissue) is generally used during Mesotherapy injections for Cellulite. Another example of using multiple agents is for hair growth. Male and female balding is related to many factors, including excessive androgens (sex hormones), poor scalp blood flow, and nutrient deficiencies. The Mesotherapy protocol for hair growth, therefore, involves use of a combination of nutrients (such as biotin, hyaluronic acid, and silica, for example), vasodilators, hair growth stimulators (such as Minoxidil) and androgen blockers. A final example is Hyperhydrosis or excesive sweating of the hands, feet and/or axilla ("arm pits"). Mesotherapy injections for this troublesome conditions usually involves very small amounts of botulinum toxin (botoxTM) periodocally to block the overactive sweat glands.
The actual technique of Mesotherapy injections involve extremely small needles that penetrate the body only a very small depth, which is typically four to six millimeters. Many of the needle sticks are not even felt because often times the skin is iced or cooled prior to and during the injections. Extreme care is taken to minimize any discomfort, bruising and bleeding and to make the Mesotherapy experience as painless and as comfortable as is humanly possible. Mesotherapy treatments are typically given once per week, depending on the condition being treated. As improvement is seen, the treatments may be given less frequently, such as once every two weeks or once per month. If quicker improvement is necessary, such as an athlete desiring to resume athletic activities, treatments may be given twice per week. Mesotherapy can involve anywhere between 30and 300 shots or more per session, depending on the condition and amount of area covered. Mesotherapy techniques involve very superficial, quick injections, taking less than a couple of minutes to do all of the injections, thereby maximizing the amount of area stimulated. This is often necessary for conditions such as cellulite, wrinkles, and hair loss, where a maximum area must be stimulated to produce a good results. The number of Mesotherapy treatments needed depends upon many variables, including the condition, the abnormal physiology causing the condition, as well as the chronicity of the problem. A minimum of three to five sessions of Mesotherapy are generally done to access response. For long term chronic conditions such as cellulite and wrinkles, at least 15 sessions of Mesotherapy will be needed. For more acute conditions, such as sports injuries, only one to three sessions may be needed.
For most Mesotherapy treatments at Bio Health Center we prefer to use natural plant extracts, vitamins, minerals and/or non-toxic Homeopathic remedies whenever possible*; however, traditional pharmacologic agents are sometimes required in severe or difficult cases and with patient informed approval. Today, thousands of physicians around the world are using Mesotherapy on a daily basis for a variety of aesthetic-cosmetic purposes, including overall weight loss, spot fat reduction (Lipo-sculpting©), cellulite reduction, hair growth stimulation, scar revision, skin tonification and rejuvenation (Mesoglow) and wrinkle reduction (Mesolift). In addition, Mesotherapy injections can be used to help a variety of clinical conditions, such as fibromyalgia,
There is generally no post procedure "recovery" downtime. There are few reported side effects, except for initial mild swelling, redness, itching, mild post-injection discomfort and localized bruising that can last for 1 to 7 days. There are currently no known major or significant side-effects of injecting homeopathic remedies and or Nutritional- Orthomolecular natural substances. However, since one of the Nutritional-Orthomolecular ingredients in the solution is derived from soy and egg protein , those with known soy or egg allergy should avoid this procedure. There may be side effects if pharmaceutical substances are use, but these will be specific to the exact pharmaceutical preparation(s) used for the individual and are generally discussed at the time with the specific patient.
The actual cost of Mesotherapy is determined by the number and size of the area(s) being injected and the volume of injection solution used. Unfortunately, due to the unenlightened attitude of the U.S. "health" insurance cartel, Mesotherapy is usually considered to be an "unapproved" procedure and is therefore usually not covered by any private insurance or pre-paid ("HMO-IPA-PPO") health plans and is NOT COVERED by any federal or state entitlement programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Champus, etc. Information about costs can be obtained by contacting the office manager of Bio Health Center. At Bio Health Center we believe it really is ALL about personal health care choice.
*Due to the use of homeopathic and nutritionally essential components of metabolism, the clinical use of Mesotherapy is classified as "Orthomolecular Therapy" as defined in Nevada law (NRS 630A.040(2) and Nevada Administrative Code (NAC 630A.014(1)(d).
"The healthy patient is a harmonious integration of Mind, Body and Spirit. Dis-Ease may occur on any or all of these levels. After practicing clinical medicine for over 25 years, I have reached the profound recognition that much Disease that afflicts Humanity is due to Man's imperfect understanding of himself and Nature. Although 'science' rejects any endeavor it views as 'metaphysical,' it is my professional opinion that any discipline that rejects the Spirit of Man cannot achieve final Wisdom."
- David A. Edwards, MD, HMD
