Dr F Kahn

Every week at Meditech is exciting. Over the past week, we had therapists in attendance from Brazil, California, and Bermuda. Next weekend, we will be conducting a two-day certification seminar in Edmonton, Alberta for approximately 30 therapists who have signed up for the course.

In recent weeks, we have been providing laser therapy for a number of members of the National Ballet Company , including prima ballerina Evelyn Hart , formerly with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Several of the dancers were so impressed with the results of the therapy that they persuaded the company to purchase two Bioflex Systems for treatment on site.  It is always gratifying to the Meditech team when these events occur.

Fred Kahn, M.D., FRCS(C)

Dr. Gifford-Jones in his syndicated column recently published a very complimentary article regarding the use of laser in wound healing and the treatment of many dermatological conditions.

The research carried out for this article was certainly comprehensive and incisive. In cunjunction with Dr. Gifford-Jones's publication, we recommend that all practitioners who deal with these types of problems evaluate the utilization of low intensity laser therapy for a more effective therapeutic solution in treating these frequently challenging conditions.

Meditech is pleased to appoint Bob Izsak as Senior Vice President of the company. Bob assumed his duties on April 16 and is already making his presence felt. His initial task is to evaluate the various departments in the company, i.e. clinical research and education, the therapeutic division, sales and marketing and engineering. He has already indicated that all require a constant sense of rededication, focus and the maintenance of a consistent level of function.

The company itself now has over fifty employees and this does not account for the manufacturing division under the auspices of RMF, which accounts for another twenty-five. Our particular concerns at this time are the maintenance of technical and clinical support for all BioFlex System users. The establishment of a new department to deal with these issues is contemplated at this time. Improvements in engineering, system function and education of the professionals and the public continue to be our main focus.

Events planned for the next four weeks consist of:

Evening Seminars

• Vancouver, BC - June 7
• Peterborough, ON - June 19
• St Thomas, ON - June 21
• Phoenix, AZ - June 21
• Barrie, ON - June 25

Certification Training

• Toronto, ON - Patient Training for Home Units - June 14
• Toronto, ON - June 15-17
• Toronto, ON - June 22-24

Trade Shows

• World Physical Therapy Congress, Vancouver, BC - June 3-6
• Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society , Phoenix, AZ - June 23-24
  

June has been another exciting month at Meditech.

Twelve seminars were scheduled worldwide, most of which were educational. Five of these were certification courses held at corporate headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Edmonton, Alberta, Santa Cruz, California and Scottsdale, Arizona. The number of therapists that received diplomas was over 120, a new record! 

The clinics exceeded over 800 treatments administered each week, having broken through the 800 barrier, 3 weeks earlier. It is estimated that prior to the end of the year, we will be administering 1,000 treatments on a weekly basis.

Sales of equipment continues to increase by approximately 15% each month and again, a new sales record was achieved. 

As more systems are distributed throughout the world, we see increasingly complex clinical problems, most of which are referred by healthcare professionals. Many of these patients have received years of conventional therapy without any benefit for spinal stenosis, dermatological lesions, wounds and other conditions.

Last November, we added an additional 5,000 square feet of space to our corporate headquarters and currently we are seeking to lease additional space, having outgrown our facilities once again. 

Clearly, all systems are go!

Many people are interested in a synopsis delineating research functions, clinical activities, literature, etc. with regard to the operations of Meditech International Inc. that is brief, but comprehensive. Included in the areas of review are:     

1)                  Website: www.meditech-bioflex.com

2)                  Educational Seminars including Certification Course  

3)                  Choosing a Laser Device

4)                  Sample of Testimonials from Patients and Practitioners

5)                  Textbook, “Low Intensity Laser Therapy in Clinical Practice ”

6)                  Laser Report (published three times annually)

It should be noted that the BioFlex System has a significant number of features differentiating it from other products.  The most important are:

1. Scientifically developed and clinically researched protocols for application to specific disease entities
2. A wide variety of adjustable treatment parameters permitting an infinite number of permutations and combinations of therapeutic protocols
3. The highly effective three stage therapeutic approach 
4. The ability to customize treatment, an invaluable component unique in the industry
5. Flexible large surface treatment arrays
6. Normal and pathology oriented anatomical tutor
7. Hands-free treatment application
8. Total accuracy, flexibility and reproducibility
9. Effective in over 95% of patients treated
10. Operation in both portable and stationary mode with all systems
11. Instant electronic retrieval of patient files
12. Permanent database including all aspects of patient information (i.e. diagnosis, therapy, billing records, etc.)
13. Ongoing protocol updates that are easily incorporated into existing software
14. Safety features ensuring completely safe operation of all systems  
15. Sensors are incorporated in each BioFlex probe and array to indicate activity
16. Systems can only be activated if array/probe in contact with tissues (prevents potential ocular damage)
17. The BioFlex System is designed not only to provide therapy but also to facilitate "clinical research" by therapists (i.e. develop new protocols)

It should be noted that in over two million individual applications to date, a 95% significant improvement/cure rate has been achieved. Moreover throughout this process, no significant adverse effects have been observed. In applying the current standard of evidence-based medicine, it is clear that this System is the most advanced and sophisticated therapeutic device currently available on a global basis.   

The ability to prescribe over an almost infinite range of parameters makes the System unique. For example, if there are several areas of dermatological pathology in the same patient, one can initiate treatments based on standard protocols, utilizing a different approach for each area. This quickly allows the therapist to determine the most effective clinical response, with variations based on genetic and environmental influences.  The System allows a balanced approach permitting the development of protocols on an individualized basis. This process is referred to as "customization."  This method accommodates a variety of factors, some of which may be unknown and will allow the therapist to develop the correct protocols for each situation, particularly when the standard therapy is less than effective or plateaus.

In contrast, today's pharmacological practice prescribes the same dose of medication to the 250 lb. male and the 90 lb. female.  It should be evident to anyone that this is inappropriate, yet most prescriptions are dispensed in this fashion.  By comparing the rationale and elegance of the laser approach, one can easily comprehend the logic for individualization of therapeutic protocols.  Unquestionably, this is one of the most important aspects of effective therapy. 

In summary, the above points are just a few of the characteristics differentiating the BioFlex System from other devices.

Dear Colleague;

It is my pleasure to invite you to the second of our series of Advanced Training Courses in Low Intensity Laser Therapy .

The October event will focus on the treatment of sports injuries, including professional, amateur and recreational performers from the fields of football, hockey and baseball in addition to the performance arts (i.e. ballet, gymnastics, etc.).

The course will cover the appropriate treatment approach for an extensive range of pathological conditions and how to achieve optimal outcomes.

We hope that you will be able to attend and share the knowledge that our select panel of speakers will provide.

Sincerely,

Fred Kahn, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C)

A recent report indicates that one in three Canadians is now living with chronic pain.

A comprehensive population survey revealed that one third of all Canadians (33%) now live with moderate to severe pain as an ongoing part of their lives. One in six (16%) live with constant pain and one in five (20%) experience pain daily. “This research allows us to grasp the immense scope of the problem that pain is causing within Canadian society,” states Dr. Berry Cesil, President of the Canadian Pain Society.  “It is reaching a never before seen prevalence in the general population and is clearly affecting almost every part of the lives of Canadians from work and productivity to emotional health, self-esteem and family relationships.” “Pain is clearly having an enormous impact upon the lives of Canadians,” said Nakita Nanous, President of SES Research, who conducted the study on behalf of the Canadian Pain Society.  A full third of individuals with moderate to severe pain said that they had lost their jobs as a result of the problem and 50% said that they had experienced a reduction in income. Nanous further commented that 30% of patients afflicted with pain developed depression and anxiety, translating into problems with emotional relationships.  Dr. Cesil also stated the concern that Canada’s healthcare system is not equipped to deal with the immense scope of this problem. Additional documentation indicated that access to effective pain management is poor and when you consider that many healthcare professionals chose their careers in order to alleviate suffering, it is ironic that based on these findings, pets are often getting more effective treatment than humans.  The summary of this report can be found at www.painexplained.ca, a collaborative campaign supported by the Canadian Pain Society, Canadian Pain Coalition and the Canadian Pain Foundation.

Incidentally, I always review with great interest the annual publication by The Arthritis Society in the Globe & Mail.  This consists of six pages documented to highlight the Society’s contributions to the advancement and treatment of arthritis, in an effort to solicit more funds for these “good works.”  Although the Society has collected many millions of dollars over the past ten years, there does not appear to have been any significant relevant data revealed, to determine what it is exactly that they are improving.  My view is that the annual publications and efforts of this Society, are particularly skewed to stimulate donations to their cause; indeed, I question what it is they really do?

Each year, billions are allocated by pharmaceutical companies in their laboratories around the world to find the “elixir” of pain alleviation.  None appear to have succeeded with any significant degree of success, although their advertisements would lead one to believe otherwise.  Like insurance companies, pharmaceutical corporations often reveal in small print that 3-4% of patients are helped by their dynamic new medications!  Is this relevant?

More significantly, particularly in “the age of information technology (IT),” a paucity of information exists in the communications industry regarding Low Intensity Laser Therapy.  It is almost as if this technology does not exist.

At the same time, at Meditech International Inc. we report that pain can be completely eliminated by curing the pathology. In other words, as logic dictates, pain, the symptom, disappears as the pathology is reduced in scope or healed. The focus of Meditech International Inc. has been to cure the problem and this has been successful in over 95% of cases treated.

The majority of therapeutic methodologies, including pharmaceuticals, simply modulate pain − the symptom, rather than adopting the more rational, elegant and effective method of approaching this relatively universal problem by treating the cause. The following comments should provide further insight to those who wish to be enlightened.

The Optimal Solution for the Elimination of Pain

The BioFlex Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) technology provides healthcare practitioners with a highly effective option in the treatment of patients suffering from chronic and acute pain.

The technology utilizes superluminous and laser diodes to irradiate abnormal tissue with photons; these particles of energy are absorbed by a variety of micro-molecules, resulting in the conversion of light into biochemical energy. Multiple positive physiological responses are thereby initiated and normal cell morphology and function are restored. The process is curative with regard to clinical pathologies rather than modulating symptoms, the conventional approach to the management of pain. LILT accelerates the healing process, eliminates dependence on pharmaceutical and more invasive solutions.

The BioFlex System is currently utilized in 35 countries worldwide, in both hospital and private clinical settings. The technology is being extensively adopted by medical practitioners, chiropractors, physiotherapists, naturopaths and many other healthcare professionals.

To date, over one million treatments have been administered without any adverse effects. This is in contradistinction to the use of pharmaceuticals and other procedures that are ineffective and frequently cause complications. LILT is safe, the treatment of choice in many medical pathologies and no adverse effects have been noted.