Comments Off on Shore Physicians Group to Open Mays Landing Primary Care Office September 6
Shore Physicians Group (SPG) announced today that it will open a new primary care office in Mays Landing at the Festival at Hamilton, next to HomeGoods, located at 4450 E. Black Horse Pike. Primary care providers Alexandra Buford, DO, and Cindy Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC, will begin seeing patients full time at the new location on Tuesday, September 6, with office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Shore Physicians Group’s Endocrinology Division will also have office hours in Mays Landing on select days. The new location features the latest medical technology, spacious offices and convenient parking.
Dr. Alexandra Buford and Cindy Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC, both have ties to Mays Landing and are proud to return to care for the community. Dr. Buford grew up in Mays Landing and attended Stockton University for her undergraduate degree and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. She then served full-time in the United States Air Force and continues to serve in the Reserves one weekend a month as a physician at Langley Air Force Base. She has special training in allergy medicine and aerospace medicine and is especially passionate about women’s health.
Cindy Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC, started her Shore Physicians Group career in 2017 as a provider at SPG’s former Mays Landing office and temporarily transitioned to SPG’s Northfield office. Nunan received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Nursing and a post-master’s certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner from LaSalle University and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Chatham University. A native of Cape Cod, Mass., and Haddonfield, NJ, Nunan is proud to return to Mays Landing to care for the community.
Dr. Buford and Cindy Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC, are accepting new patients. To make an appointment with either provider, call 609-365-6217.
Comments Off on Shore Physicians Group Launches “Dietitian Approved” Partnership with Goji Juice Bar in Somers Point to Promote Health and Nutrition “On the Go”
Shore Physicians Group announces its new “Dietitian Approved” partnership with Goji Juice Bar in Somers Point designed to encourage healthy choices for those who are constantly “On the Go.” Each month, Goji will feature a special menu selection that has been endorsed by Tiffany Rios, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with Shore Physicians Group’s Endocrinology Division. The “Tiffany Approved” item will be promoted in the store and on social media with a listing of its nutritional components, how those nutrients benefit health, calories, and special pricing.
“Our lives are so busy these days and we are pulled in 100 directions. So when the kids are late for practice, the emails keep coming in, and the laundry’s piling up to the ceiling, we don’t always make the time to prepare a healthy meal at home,” said Rios. “The number one barrier to eating healthy that I hear from patients is that they don’t have time to cook and don’t have access to healthy items on the go. One of my patients said, verbatim, ‘I like healthy food, I just don’t have time to make it.’”
Along with lack of time, Tiffany Rios feels that another barrier to eating healthier is that people do not know how to create meals balanced with carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fibers. “Part of what I do in my practice is help patients build meals with the macronutrients needed to feel satisfied, while also balancing blood sugars and improving energy,” said Rios. “I’m always looking for meals packed with nutrient density found in plants, proteins, and healthy fats – especially with high fiber carbohydrates like beans, greens, and berries.”
“Goji offers options that are quick, nutritious and taste great, right here in Somers Point. Goji offers healthy smoothies, salads and more, conveniently ready for those on the go. I’m thrilled to be working with the Goji team to develop and promote these nutritious offerings to the community,” Tiffany added.
Julia Lindsay, co-found of Goji, said, “When my husband Scott and I founded Goji in May 2019, we wanted to create a place for those with active lifestyles who were looking for nutritious options instead of fast food. We have achieved our mission of making nourishing food affordable, accessible, and approachable and as parents, it will also always remain important to us. Tiffany has long been a customer, so it’s great to have her genuine seal of approval from a taste and service vantage point as well as her expertise in nutrition.”
While all the menu items at Goji are packed with nutrition, the first official “Dietitian Approved” item at Goji will be the Aerosmith smoothie. Cauliflower, cherries, cinnamon, almond butter and coconut are among the superstar ingredients. The cauliflower, cherries and berries are packed with fibrous carbohydrates and antioxidants which, in combination with pea protein and healthy fats, help slow sugar absorption into the bloodstream. Topping it off with cinnamon solidifies this delicious blood sugar balancing act. One can add kale, and a touch of maca for extra energy and antioxidants. The Aerosmith smoothie is $9 with an additional $1.50 if kale and maca are added.
Goji is located at 520 New Road in Somers Point and is open seven days a week on the following schedule: Monday, 9a-6p, Tues-Sat 8a-6p; Sunday 8a-3:30p. Customers can order and pick up through the convenient drive through, and they can also call 609.800.4654 in advance for quick pick up.
Rios is currently treating patients at Shore Physicians Group’s Endocrinology Division, located at 18 West New York Ave, Somers Point, NJ. To schedule an appointment with Rios, call 609-365-5300.
Comments Off on Tirzepatide Could Offer ‘Hope on the Horizon’ for Obese Patients
Last month, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article on the clinical trial of Tirzepatide – a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes – as a possible medication to treat obesity.
More than 2,500 adults with a body-mass index of 30 or more, or 27 or more with at least one weight-related complication, took place in the 72-week study. The study concludes that 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg of Tirzepatide once weekly provided substantial and sustained reductions in body weight.
“Tirzepatide is now under FDA review for treating obesity, and hopefully, we will be able to start treating patients by the end of the year,” said Dr. Maria Cerna, internal medicine physician with Shore Physicians Group. “We’ve seen medications like Semaglutide, approved by the FDA in August 2021, help people lose up to 15 percent of their body weight. This clinical trial of Tirzepatide showed that patients could lose up to 21 percent.”
“We live in an obesogenic environment and, as a result, have become too sedentary. It is projected that by 2030, 50 percent of the United States population will be obese. We used to have to get up to change the channel, answer the phone, turn on the stereo and make a meal. Now, we have remote controls, smartphones, Alexa and Door Dash.
“Obesity is a disease, just like hypertension and diabetes are diseases,” added Dr. Cerna. We need to treat it like a disease. It’s my responsibility as a physician to do whatever I can to help people manage it so they can lead healthy lives. Medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are ‘Hope on the Horizon’ for a lot of people.”
Obesity affects nearly every part of the body, including:
the respiratory system and sleep (sleep apnea; asthma; breathlessness)
the digestive system (GERD; gallbladder disease & gallstones; eating disorders)
the reproductive system (menstrual problems; pregnancy complications; infertility; impotence; congenital disabilities; PCOS-polycystic ovary syndrome)
the endocrine system (pancreatitis; fatty pancreas)
the cardiovascular system (heart attack; elevated cholesterol/atherosclerosis; abnormal heart rhythms; hypertension; peripheral vascular disease; stroke)
the musculoskeletal system (osteoarthritis in the back, hips, knees; gout)
the immune system (inflammation; lowered immunity)
There are multiple medications used to treat obesity (Semaglutide is an example, and, upon approval, Tirzepatide) that providers administer to patients through a series of weekly injections. Injections begin at 5mg, slowly progressing to higher doses so the body can get used to it. The medication signals to the brain that the stomach is full, thereby curbing the patient’s appetite and food intake. Though the patient is not physically “full,” the patient could feel nausea if they eat more than the brain signals is needed.
Patients are closely monitored by their healthcare provider, with a keen eye on side effects, which include a variety of GI issues. Another concern of these medications is that they are expensive, so patients interested in pursuing this treatment must contact their insurance provider.
Dr. Maria Cerna is an internal medicine provider with Shore Physicians Group. She is treating patients in the SPG office at 2605 Shore Road in Northfield. To learn more, or for an appointment with Dr. Cerna, click here.
Comments Off on Don’t Get Ticked: Tips to Prevent Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Illnesses
With a 28-acre farm, Shore Urgent Care Physician, Dr. John Kulin knows a thing or two about tick bites. “I work on our farm every weekend. It’s normal for me to get at least a couple of tick bites over the course of a weekend,” says Dr. Kulin. But Dr. Kulin has only once developed the tell-tale bullseye Lyme disease rash. “Most tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease aren’t transmitted until a tick has been on your skin for 24 hours or more. If you are diligent about preventing tick bites, checking for and removing ticks promptly, and getting treatment if necessary, you can prevent tick-borne illnesses.”
“When left untreated, tick-borne illnesses can lead to various debilitating chronic conditions, including heart disease, nervous system disorders and painful arthritis. When caught early, a simple antibiotic like doxycycline can be used to treat most tick-borne illnesses,” says Dr. Kulin.
Ticks: The Climate and COVID Conundrum
Ticks are becoming more of a problem. Winters in our region are warmer now, giving ticks more time to reproduce and spread disease. In fact, according to the CDC, the number of reported illnesses from ticks and other disease-carrying insects more than doubled between 2004 and 2018. Dr. Kulin says COVID also complicates things.
“Most tick-borne illnesses present flu-like symptoms a few weeks after the bite – fever, chills, and muscle and joint aches. Before COVID, if someone came to Shore Urgent Care with those symptoms in the summer, we’d strongly consider a tick-borne illness. But since COVID occurs year-round, we must consider COVID along with potential tick-borne illnesses,” said Dr. Kulin. “It’s important to know what’s causing your symptoms.”
Avoiding Ticks
Ticks are no fun, but they shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the great outdoors. Follow these tips from Dr. Kulin so you can enjoy your summer while minimizing your risk of contracting a tick-borne illness:
Use Insecticides and Repellents
Permethrin: Permethrin is a synthetic insecticide that mimics chrysanthemum extract and kills ticks soon after they come in contact with your clothing. You can pre-treat your clothing with permethrin, which will last through several wash cycles, or you can even buy pre-treated clothing. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.
DEET: Dr. Kulin says DEET is still a hallmark of insect repellents. “There are loads of natural options, but none have proven as effective as DEET regarding ticks. Be sure the DEET concentration is 30% or less, especially if using on kids.”
Avoid Tick Hangouts
Ticks aren’t fond of well-manicured yards, but if you live in a more rural area or tend to let nature take its course in your yard, try to be more diligent in keeping ticks away:
Clear tall grasses and shrubs around the home and perimeter.
Keep the yard mowed and leaves raked.
Place a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or rocks around your yard, patio and play areas to keep ticks out if woods or fields surround you.
Stay centered. Use well-traveled trails whenever possible and stay in the center where there is less likely to be underbrush or long grasses and, thus, ticks.
Dress the Part
If you’re going out in a tick-friendly area, try to wear the following:
Light-colored clothing. It will make it easier to spot a tick later.
Long pants and long sleeves. Wear light-weight long-sleeved shirts tucked into pants, and pants tucked into socks.
Closed-toed shoes. Sandals are an open invitation to ticks! Wear sneakers or hiking boots instead.
Checking for Ticks
After a day in the outdoors, it’s important to prevent ticks from hanging around long enough to bite you:
First, check your clothing for ticks.
Throw your clothes in the dryer for at least 10 minutes on high heat before washing to kill any ticks. Then you can wash them as usual. If you wash first, wash in hot water.
Check your whole body. Ticks tend to go toward areas of restriction – behind the knees, armpits, groin, belt line, ankles, and any skin fold. Stand in front of a full-length mirror, and ask a close friend or relative to check the hard-to-see spots like your back, head and ears.
Take a shower. Shower within two hours of coming indoors. Showering can wash unattached ticks down the drain.
Removing Ticks
Use fine-tipped tweezers and get as close to the skin as possible. Pull steadily upward without twisting, and avoid squeezing the tick, as it can push more of the bacteria into your body.
Make sure you remove the head and mouth parts. If not, try to get them out with tweezers. If it’s still too difficult, visit urgent care. They can safely remove it for you, so it doesn’t continue to infect you.
Wash the area with soap and warm water.
Dispose of ticks by flushing, burning, placing them in alcohol, or folding them in tape and tossing them. Never throw them in the garbage alive – they can crawl out and find you again.
Don’t save the tick for testing, but do try to identify it. Just because a tick tests positive for Lyme doesn’t mean you will. Your doctor can order a tick-borne illness blood test to help diagnose you. Knowing the species of tick can help determine what disease you may have possibly contracted.
When to Seek Treatment
If you think the tick has been in 24 hrs or longer. “If you come in with an engorged tick that’s probably been on you for 24+ hours, we’ll most likely recommend an antibiotic because we’re in an endemic tick region,” Dr. Kulin says. “Your medical provider will determine the best course of action based on your risk factors.”
If you develop symptoms. Dr. Kulin says you should see a medical provider right away, either your primary care or an urgent care, if you can’t see your regular provider. “If you come in with symptoms and two or three weeks ago you had a tick bite, we’re also going to run a blood test for Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses. If the test is negative, we may still treat you with a round of doxycycline because if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s probably a duck, and we don’t want to miss an opportunity.”
Dr. Kulin also strongly recommends that people follow up six weeks later for a titer check. “If your initial test is negative, you may not have had enough of a response to detect it. The 6-week follow-up test can catch it. Even if you are positive initially, the follow up titer check can confirm whether it’s treated and gone and reassure us that the antibiotic did its job.”
Dr. John Kulin is a physician at Shore Urgent Care, located at 2605 Shore Road in Northfield, where they offer quick, high quality urgent care seven days a week. Shore Urgent Care is open Monday-Friday, 8am – 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 5pm. For more information, call 609-365-5333 or click here.
Comments Off on Make Annual Well Visits a Priority to Stay Heart Healthy
June is National Men’s Health Month
As an internal medicine physician with Shore Physicians Group’s Northfield office, Dr. Maria Cerna is just as passionate about helping her patients prevent illness as she is about treating them when they are sick. However, in order to help her patients remain healthy, they first need to come see her for their annual well visits – something most men are reluctant to do. In fact, in the 2019 Cleveland Clinic MENtion It® study, they found that 72% of men would rather do household chores than see the doctor – including mowing the lawn and cleaning the bathroom.
Prevention First
June is Men’s Health Month, which Dr. Cerna sees as a great time to encourage men to make annual well visits an important part of their lives. Dr. Cerna cites some concerning statistics about men’s health from the CDC and the Cleveland Clinic study:
Men die on average 5 years earlier than women
60% of men don’t go to the doctor unless seriously ill
65% of men try to self-diagnose before going to the doctor
82% of men say they try to stay healthy to live longer for friends and family who rely on them, yet only 50% engage in preventative care
20% of men admit they have not been honest with their doctor, citing concerns with feeling a sense of shame or judgment
While these statistics may be startling, Dr. Cerna sees it as an opportunity to help encourage men to see their doctor each year and get regular health screenings.
“Quality health care for everyone includes appropriate preventive care to attempt to lessen future health decline, which should be an important aspect of any medical practice. I encourage all my patients to get regular health screenings for early detection and treatment of multiple diseases including heart disease, cancer and depression,” said Dr. Cerna.
Heart Disease is the #1 Killer
One of the most serious health issues in men is heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, heart attacks cause 1 in 4 deaths in men, followed by cancer which kills 1 in 5 men.
“High blood pressure is the number one factor that leads to heart disease and more than 50% of men unknowingly have high blood pressure. Most of the time these conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early. More than 40% of men above age 20 are obese which contributes to heart disease,” says Dr. Cerna.
Know Your Numbers
Dr. Cerna says that knowing simple things like your numbers for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and BMI can help identify problems early before they become potentially full blown serious health issues. “Knowing your cardiovascular disease risk score (ASCVD score) helps us make appropriate decisions regarding treatment and prevention. One of the easiest ways to get your ASCVD risk score is at your annual physical exam,” says Dr. Cerna.
The great news about improving cardiovascular health, Dr. Cerna says, is that there are many small steps she can help her male patients with to lower their risk of heart disease. Checking in with your doctor once a year can help keep you track with those lifestyle changes, which include:
Exercising: Dr. Cerna recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity 4-5 times a week. She says, “Inactive people are twice as likely to develop heart disease. Once you start exercising regularly, it won’t feel like such a chore because you will start feeling much better!”
Quitting smoking: Seek help from free quit resources, such NJ Quit Line. Just call 1-866-NJSTOPS to get started!
Adding more fruits and veggies to your diet: According to the CDC, only 1 in 10 adults eats enough fruits and vegetables. Adult men need at least 2 cups of fruit and 3½ cups of vegetables each day. A dietitian can help you develop a healthier eating plan and stick to it.
Limiting alcohol intake: The American Heart Association recommends men have no more than two drinks per day.
Making prevention a priority: See your doctor every year and make sure you’re getting recommended health screenings.
Dr. Cerna said that it is never too early to start taking care of yourself and making regular doctors’ visits a priority. She shares this quote by Robert Baden-Powell, a British soldier, national hero, educator and writer who founded the Scouting movement: “Happiness doesn’t come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man.”
“This is the best time to empower men to make time to develop a health plan, just like you make a financial plan. Remember, you will not be able to enjoy that money if you do not plan for a good health.”
Dr. Maria Cerna is a primary care physician with Shore Physicians Group’s Northfield office located at 2605 Shore Road. Dr. Cerna is fluent in English and Spanish. To learn more and schedule an appointment, please call the Northfield office at 609-365-5300.
Comments Off on How the MIND Diet can Improve Brain Health
By Tiffany Rios, RD, CDE Registered Dietician, Shore Physicians Group
As we age, it is natural for our minds to show signs of slowing down. Due to normal brain changes, we may find it more challenging to multitask or remember what we had for lunch yesterday. But there are things we can all do to prevent or slow cognitive decline with age and reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. One of those ways is through diet, particularly the MIND diet.
MIND stands for the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It is a fairly new diet first published in 2015 by Nutritional Epidemiologist Martha Clare Morris and a team of researchers with Rush University Medical Center. It combines two heart-healthy diets—DASH and Mediterranean—and is predominantly plant-based with a moderate amount of animal products.
Plant-based diets are high in polyphenols and green leafy vegetables, which have been shown to slow cognitive decline. Plant-based diets are also high in Vitamin E because they generally contain nuts, seeds, and plant oils like olive oil and avocado oil. Fruits such as berries are also prominent in plant-based diets, and have been shown to decrease neuron loss and improve memory performance in relatively large scientific studies.
What’s more, potassium, sodium, and magnesium are essential blood pressure and cell signaling regulators. The MIND diet balances them by reducing processed foods and providing a base of foods like kale, spinach, fruits, and seafood.
Additionally, elevated blood sugar can create inflammation which impacts every organ in the body, including the brain. Since the MIND diet is high in plant-based fiber, it can help slow digestion to release glucose at a slower pace, which can lower a person’s A1C and support regulating blood sugar.
You won’t find processed and packaged foods like fried potato chips, cookies, and all-purpose flour-based products with the MIND diet. Instead, it emphasizes whole grains like quinoa or brown rice. It also supports a reduction in fried foods, fatty conventionally grown beef, and limits poultry to twice a week. Plenty of vegetables and plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and chickpeas are allowed in the MIND diet.
I would recommend the MIND diet as a preventative diet against Alzheimer’s and as a diet that supports overall health.
Tiffany Rios treats patients at the Shore Physicians Group Endocrinology office, located at 18 West New York Avenue in Somers Point, NJ. To learn more or make an appointment with Tiffany, call 609.365.5300.
Comments Off on Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques Offer Many Benefits
With modern minimally invasive surgery techniques, you usually don’t have to sit on the sidelines for months recovering. Minimally invasive, or laparoscopic surgery, allows patients to return to their everyday lives much quicker than traditional open surgery.
Laparoscopic versus open surgery
Dr. James Tayoun of Shore Physicians Group is a Board Certified General and Vascular Surgeon specializing in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery. He says, “Should you need surgery, you want it done with the least amount of trauma, less impact on surrounding tissue, and a smaller incision with less scarring. Laparoscopic surgery allows patients to get back to work and back to what they enjoy much quicker than traditional open surgery. With a large incision, the body needs to spend so much of its energy healing that wound. There can be issues with the pain of a large incision, making daily tasks such as walking more difficult. Pain can also interfere with breathing and slow down recovery.”
Laparoscopic surgery helps patients avoid large open wounds or incisions, thus decreasing blood loss, pain, and discomfort. Patients have fewer unwanted effects from analgesia because less is required. According to the National Institute of Health, fine instruments are less apt to cause tissue trauma and blood loss.
A mind is a powerful tool
“Minimally invasive surgery has a psychological advantage as well,” said Dr. Tayoun. “If you can get back to your normal, if you can ambulate, if the pain is not causing issues with breathing, and you can participate in activities that you did before the surgery, you will feel more like yourself, and it will honestly help shorten your recuperation.”
Thanks to improvements in technology
Dr. Tayoun said the first laparoscopic techniques were used in 1901. “They were much larger and rudimentary back then when they initially used them for obstetrics. But the changes in instruments and techniques are constantly improving. The instrumentation, the scopes, and the cameras have made so many surgeries much more direct, surgeries that used to sideline patients for a long recovery time like gallbladder removal, hernias, and appendectomy.”
During laparoscopy, the surgeon will make a small incision, about 1 to 1.5cm (0.4 to 0.6 inches), usually near the patient’s belly button. A tube is inserted through the incision and gas, typically carbon dioxide, is pumped through the tube to inflate the abdomen. According to Dr. Tayoun, inflating the abdomen allows the surgeon to see the organs more clearly and affords more room to work. A laparoscope, a narrow tool with a light and video camera at the end, is then inserted through this tube. The laparoscope relays images to a screen in the operating room, where the team can get a clear view of the whole area.
Laparoscopy is for diagnosis and treatment
If the laparoscopy is used to carry out the surgical treatment, such as removing your appendix, further incisions will be made in your abdomen. Tiny surgical instruments can be inserted through these incisions, and the surgeon can guide them to the right place using the view from the laparoscope. Once in place, the instruments can be used to carry out the required treatment.
After the procedure, the carbon dioxide is released from the abdomen, incisions are closed, and a dressing is applied. As Dr. Tayoun explained, laparoscopic surgery is done under a general anesthetic, so the patient will not feel any pain during the procedure. When laparoscopy is used to diagnose a condition, the procedure may take 30-60 minutes. If the surgeon is treating a condition, it will take longer. Dr. Tayoun cautioned that patients often think laparoscopic surgery will be shorter than open surgery because of the smaller incision. However, that is not the case. Laparoscopic surgery takes roughly the same amount of time as open surgery.
Huge strides for gallbladder surgery
Fatty foods can be tough on our digestive system. The gallbladder’s job is to help break down those fatty foods and push them through to the intestines. The gallbladder is a small organ, roughly the size of a robin’s egg, and is in the upper right lobe of the liver. It is part of the digestive system and stores bile, made chiefly of cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile salts, which aids in the digestion of fatty foods. It can grow to the size of a pear, and after we consume a meal, it emulsifies the food and sends it on to the small intestine.
Dr. Tayoun said the gallbladder function is like a triangle with all three sides the same. “Think of one side of the triangle as fluid – in this case, bile. Another side of the triangle is solvent or cholesterol. The third side of the triangle is the motion that keeps it flowing. If one of those three sides of the triangle is off, it will not function properly, and the gallbladder will begin to give you problems,” said Dr. Tayoun. “The good thing, while the gallbladder is important, it is not an essential organ, and if it is diseased, if it should need removal, we can do that easily through a laparoscopic procedure. The patient can often go home the same day, and while they may have some minor discomfort, recovery is normally pretty straightforward, and they are back to work and back to their normal life rather quickly.”
But that bounce back from gallbladder surgery using traditional open surgical procedures can be long and uncomfortable. As Dr. Tayoun explained, in open surgery, the gallbladder location necessitates a larger incision and moving around muscles to gain access to the gallbladder. Likewise, laparoscopic surgery reduces trauma to the body in other surgeries such as appendectomies and repairing a hernia.
The cure
“Minimally invasive techniques allow me to do the most important part of my job as a surgeon: cure the patient. I am able to use technology and go in and take care of what it is that was causing you pain and negatively impacting your life. I can fix that, and you will feel better. Your life will be more enjoyable because the pain you had, or whatever made you sick, is taken care of,” concluded Dr. Tayoun.
Comments Off on PRP Injections: Shore Physicians Group brings MVP-worthy treatment to Somers Point
On May 17, the Associated Press reported that Philadelphia Phillies superstar and reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper missed a game against the San Diego Padres as he recovers from a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow.
Harper had the injection because of a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow that limited the slugging right fielder to play only as Philadelphia’s designated hitter because his throwing motion was impacted by the tear.
As baseball fans in the area await Bryce’s return to outfield, many may be wondering what exactly is a platelet-rich plasma injection and why would a patient choose to receive one.
Shore Physicians Group orthopaedic hand surgeon Dr. Jasmine Bauknight and non-operative sports medicine physician Dr. Steven Cetel, who are treating patients with platelet-rich plasma injections at the Shore Physicians Group Orthopaedic Division in Somers Point offer valuable insight on this subject.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. A small amount of blood is drawn from a patient, and then the drawn blood is placed into a device called a centrifuge. The centrifuge rapidly spins the sample, separating out the other components of the blood from the platelets and concentrating them within the plasma.
Dr. Bauknight explains, “The platelets release small healing factors to damaged tissue. It can be an effective for tennis elbow, golf elbow, tendonitis, other tendon issues and joint arthritis. My patients who were suffering from tennis elbow have had success with it. PRP therapy can be useful when other options have not worked, and if successful it can be a way for a patient to prevent or delay surgery.”
Dr. Cetel added, “Platelet-rich plasma has been shown to be highly effective in acute tendon injuries more so then chronic injuries. High level athletes have been using Platelet-rich plasma at much higher rates over the past few years due to the ability to avoid surgery and get back to play sooner.”
Baseball fans who are following the news on Harper’s recovery may be asking themselves why is it taking so long for him to get back in right field. The reality is that while PRP can be effective, it is not a quick fix or instant cure.
“I want people to understand that PRP therapy is not a short term pain reliever like a cortisone shot,” said Dr. Bauknight. “PRP a long-term healing process. It takes time, as the tissue is repairing itself. For example, patient who receive an injection in their Achillies tendon can expect to be sore for up to a week, and maximum improvement can take several weeks to months, although benefits can last for several months to years.”
Dr. Cetel echoed this sentiment by stating, “It is not an immediate fix and the injury has to heal – but PRP and physical therapy can get you back sooner. It is still an experimental treatment but results have been very good so far.”
For an appointment with Dr. Bauknight or Dr. Cetel to see if PRP might be an option for you, call 609.365.6280.
Comments Off on Shore Physicians Group Welcomes Primary Care Physician Dr. Maria Cerna to its Northfield Practice
Shore Physicians Group announced today that internal medicine physician Maria Jose Jimenez Cerna, MD, will be joining its Northfield Primary Care practice located at 2605 Shore Road. Dr. Cerna is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and fluent in Spanish and Eng-lish, and treats patients age 19 and up. She will begin seeing patients on Tuesday, May 31.
Dr. Cerna hails most recently from Cooperstown, NY, where she served as an attending physi-cian in primary care and hospital medicine at Mary Imogene Bassett Medical Center since 2017. She received her Medical Degree from Universidad Autonoma de Honduras. She completed her internal medicine residency with Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in Bronx, NY, affiliated with Weil Cornell Medical Center College.
In addition to caring for patients during her tenure at Mary Imogene Bassett Medical Center, Dr. Cerna also supervised and taught internal medicine residents and medical students. Before com-ing to the United States, Dr. Cerna served as a primary care physician in Honduras. She has partici-pated in numerous community service programs both in Honduras and the United States, including a project in the Bronx to help reduce the obesity rate in children.
At the SPG Northfield office, Dr. Cerna will join Shore Physicians Group primary care providers Seblewongel Bulcha, MD; Cindy L. Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC; Ulices Perez, MD; and Marlene V. Rodriguez, MD. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cerna, call 609-365-5300.
Comments Off on Spring can be a Real Pain in the Neck, Back, and Knees
For so many of us, we spent the winter months sitting more and exercising less than is recommended. The American Heart Association says only one in five is getting the heart-pumping exercise our bodies need for optimal health each week. But seasons change, and those early beautiful spring days beckon us to be outdoors. Whether we are weekend warriors on the tennis court, the soccer field, or in the garden, early spring sore muscles and achy backs can be the result. Jumping into activities without ramping up, stretching, and conditioning can be a real pain.
Stretch it out Primary Care and Sports Medicine physician Dr. Steven Cetel of Shore Physician Group in Somers Point said everyone needs to make sure they are prepared when they head out in the spring for sports or heavy chores. “In the spring, we see an uptick in sprains, strains, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, and concussions with people involved in sports. We will see more knee and back pain with people working in their garden,” said Dr. Cetel. “Stretching is so important, both before and after an activity, to cut down on injuries. I remind patients to start with bending whatever the joint is they might be pushing. They also need a strong core. A weak core leaves you susceptible to back pain and knee pain.”
Getting to the core For athletes, whether on the varsity squad or with the over 40 men’s baseball league, injuries are a part of the game. “To avoid injuries, it is important to have strong mechanics and a strong core. There is a reason for spring training, to get athletes ready for their sport and to ramp up to whatever activity they plan,” said Dr. Cetel. “For those who may be older, start low and slow. You cannot go from sitting on the couch to playing tennis or pulling weeds in the garden for four hours. That is how people wind up with problems.”
Core exercises train the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen to work in harmony. This leads to better balance and stability, whether on the playing field or in daily activities. In fact, most sports and other physical activities depend on stable core muscles.
“For my older patients planning to do work in their garden, I remind them to work up to it by bending over for a few minutes and remaining active,” said Dr. Cetel. “To avoid injury, sometimes people need a reminder to bend from the hips and not from their back. Once again, a strong core helps keep pain at bay.”
Kneeling is another cause of discomfort and injury. Dr. Cetel explained that knee pain is often due to arthritis. He reminds patients that kneeling for an extended period will result in pain. Kneel for shorter periods and use some type of knee pad or protection to cut down on knee pain or injury.
RICE is always nice for sprains The classic advice Dr. Cetel offers patients is the acronym RICE, which stands for “rest, ice, compress, elevate”. RICE still holds true for strains and sprains, but according to Dr. Cetel, the amount of time someone should follow RICE has changed over time. “That guideline is for right after the injury. It used to be that if you sprained your ankle, you stayed off of it and followed RICE protocol for a longer period. Now we want to make sure you are getting your range of motion back earlier. When the swelling goes down, start moving around as much as you are able. But on the flip side, if it is too tender for you to walk on that ankle, you need to come in for an evaluation.”
A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or awkwardly turn your ankle. These injuries can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue or ligaments that help hold your ankle bones in place. The ligaments stabilize joints and prevent excessive movement. A sprain happens when the ligament is forced beyond its normal range of motion.
A high-ankle sprain is different and, according to Dr. Cetel, will take longer to resolve or heal. A high ankle sprain is when you tear or damage the high ankle ligaments that connect the tibia to the fibula. The ankles connect the leg bones to the foot bones. Dr. Cetel said, a patient with a high ankle sprain might need crutches or wear a boot to keep weight off the area until it heals. Sometimes, the high ankle sprain may require surgery, depending upon the severity of the strain. Football players may get a high ankle sprain and be out for weeks until it heals. Baseball players sliding into a base can experience a similar injury.
Shouldering the season “The best way to avoid shoulder injuries is to maintain proper mechanics,” said Dr. Cetel. “You need a strong shoulder, upper body, and scapular muscles to avoid pain. We often sit stooped in our chair, or worse, stooped with a phone in our hand, texting. That is just setting you up for pain,” said Dr. Cetel.
Shoulder injuries are common in the garden as well. Dr. Cetel explained that people may use improper form to lift heavy landscaping rocks or do repetitive work too often. “They should be lifting with their legs and glutes, not with their back,” said Dr. Cetel. “People in pain should move as quickly as possible to avoid getting stiff.”
Help for those knees For an acute knee injury that results from a direct blow, unusual twisting, bending, or falling on the knee, Dr. Cetel suggests stopping the activity and RICE. For pain caused by arthritis, Dr. Cetel said strengthening activities, possibly physical therapy, can help the affected area get stronger. He also suggested glucosamine chondroitin may help. “In some cases, a brace on the knee might be helpful. The patient and their doctor could also look at the possibility of steroids or gel injections to help alleviate pain and promote healing.”
For shoulders, knees, and even hamstring pulls, Dr. Cetel said it is important to strengthen the area surrounding the injured joint to make it stronger. “It is our goal to make sure they heal safely. Included in that equation is also good nutrition, proper sleep, and staying hydrated. All of those factors will help everyone get back to the baseball field, the tennis courts or out in the backyard, pulling weeds and planting flowers.
Dr. Cetel recently served as the team physician for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. He also served as the NBA League Delaware Blue Coats Asst. team physician as well as team physician for the University of Delaware men’s and women’s basketball and lacrosse teams. To make an appointment with Dr. Steven Cetel call 609-365-5600 for the Primary Care in Northfield office or 609-365-6280 for the Orthopedic office in Somers Point.
