nerve pain from chemo/diabetes; pain from the spread of cancer, particularly bone pain) Relieving pain related to cancer, and/or common side effects of chemotherapy, especially nerve pain or neuropathy, is a major focus of our program. We use the latest natural, safe and evidence-based therapies in various combinations which have proven to be enormously successful in relieving pain and improving quality of life in our cancer and chronic pain patients.

Natural and nutritionally-based IV Therapies: The heart of our pain and quality of life program is found in our infusion suite where we offer some of the most innovative and cutting edge infusions in the country. The program consists of a variety of safe, powerful, and evidence-based intravenous therapies administered 2-3 times weekly to assist in the relief of pain and inflammation. Some of our formulations contain DMSO, one of the most potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving therapies in the world. DMSO is unique in its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, possessing none of the dangerous side effects of steroids, narcotic drugs or traditional anti-inflammatories. Our premier IV therapy specifically designed for assisting in the relief of cancer pain is a proprietary combination of Curcumin and DMSO in an emulsified form that can be given intravenously. Some patients have reported virtually complete relief of metastatic bone pain from the spread of cancer within 1-2 weeks of starting our intensive pain therapy program.

Customized Oral supplementation Program: includes supplements such as enzymes, homeopathic remedies used throughout the world for their effectiveness and safety, and herbs such as curcumin with powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

Acupuncture and TCM: Dr. Matt Johnson is highly regarded in his field as being one of the top practitioners for treating cancer pain using acupuncture and a variety of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques.

Trigger Point Injections: Using powerful homeopathics, areas of pain can be directly injected with safe and natural remedies such as Traumeel and Zeel without concern for allergic, toxic or other traditional medication side effects.

Diet, nutrition and lifestyle optimization: We strongly emphasize and educate patients about how to transition to a plant-based diet which lowers blood sugar and has been proven highly effective in helping to relieve pain and inflammation of any etiology, and to support the body and immune system to more effectively fight cancer.

Preventive Strategies: With the support and approval of your oncologist, specific supplements, antioxidants and intravenous therapies such as glutathione may be given prior to, during, or after chemotherapy. Research shows that glutathione may help mitigate or prevent the intensity and severity of the neuropathic pain induced as a side effect of several of the most potent chemotherapies such as cisplatin.

Chiropractic and massage Therapies: We are fortunate to have on premises an excellent massage therapist and one of the best Chiropractors in the Orlando area, Dr. Jay Seltzer. The therapies they offer focus on restoring proper alignment of the spine and other joints, and stretching, strengthening and balancing muscles tendons and ligaments. They can go a long way in assisting in relieving pain and optimizing neuromuscular function.

Insomnia: One of the most common problems facing patients with cancer includes the inability to obtain a quality night’s sleep on a consistent basis. These patients tend to have either poor overall sleep architecture (frequent awakenings and difficulty falling back to sleep and/or fall far short of the amount of sleep necessary for proper physiologic restoration, healing and optimal immune function. Obviously pain is often a major contributor (see part I. above) but there are several additional areas that our programs address in order to restore a proper sleep balance. Our clinic focuses on natural sleep herbs and supplements, intravenous and oral micro and macronutrient repletion therapies (especially magnesium and B-6), acupuncture, and other therapies and modalities, including dietary, lifestyle and standard sleep hygiene protocols. Assisting with the restoration of quality sleep in patients facing serious illness often has many major benefits, starting with a greatly improved quality of life, more energy to face the day, ability to better tolerate and complete chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens, along with the real possibility of improved outcomes.

Fatigue: Our clinic utilizes a variety of proprietary, intravenous and oral nutrient restoration formulas which have been shown to improve appetite, boost energy and stimulate metabolism. Our focus on plant-strong and plant-based diets also can dramatically assist in this regard. Many of our protocols include potent, natural remedies with anti-inflammatory properties. Since fatigue is often exacerbated by the massive inflammation associated with cancer and its treatment, we have found that many of our patients experience significant relief of fatigue via relief of pain and improved metabolism.

Weight loss and malnutrition generally go hand in hand. For the cancer patient facing serious illness and rigorous conventional treatments such as chemo and radiation, treating malnutrition and the ability to avoid or reverse cancer cachexia are paramount to more successful outcomes. Our clinic employs many natural evidence-based strategies, starting with nutrient-dense, plant based diets and powdered medical foods, specific bowel friendly probiotics, enzymes to assist with digestion and other nutrients shown to help stimulate healing of the gut lining. The addition of specific omega 3 fatty acids has been shown to not only help reverse weight loss, but provide an anti-inflammatory effect and calorie dense, healthy fats which assist with weight gain in those who are underweight.

A basic foundation of our quality of life cancer support program is to help preserve and protect the native immune system. It is now well accepted that chemo-resistant cancer stem cells can lie dormant for months or years. Re-building and strengthening the immune system during and after conventional cancer therapies may be a key factor in improving long-term survival in many cancer patients. There are published studies in the peer-reviewed literature that support a decreased risk of cancer relapse with the use of these types of supportive, nutritionally-based therapies and lifestyle modifications (such as moderate intensity exercise) which we have incorporated into our support protocols. Derived from evidence-based studies, proprietary oral and IV nutritional formulations along with acupuncture are utilized in our practice to support the patient and their immune systems throughout this challenging time. Based on our clinical experience over the past 14 years, we have seen significantly improved post-operative healing times in those requiring surgery, decreased risk of peri and post-operative infections, reduced risk of infections in patients with low white blood counts, and an improvement in general well-being and QOL