• Home
  • Make An Appointment
  • Locations
  • Calendar
  • Akasha Recommends
  • Contact Us
  • Health Blog
  • Facebook
  • 310-451-8880
The Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine
  • Why Akasha?
    • Mission Statement
    • Akasha In the Media
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Contact
    • Locations
  • Akasha Team
    • Integrative Medical Doctors
      • Edison de Mello, MD, PhD
      • Maggie Ney, ND
      • Bren Boston, MD
    • Psychology & Psychiatry
      • Swati Desai, PhD, LCSW
    • Acupuncture
      • Yi Qiao, LAc., OMD
    • Integrative Nutrition
      • Gina Galvez, M.S., PA-C
      • Sabrina Magno, CN LE FLT
    • Physical Therapy & Therapeutic Massage
      • Danél Lombard, MPT, PhD
      • Kevin Kunkel, MA, CMT, CYT, LMFT
    • Careers
  • Akasha Services
    • Age Management
    • Acupuncture
    • Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy
    • Integrative Medicine
    • Integrative Pain Management
    • Integrative Physical Therapy
    • IV Nutritional Therapy
    • Maternal Recovery Program
    • Meditation
    • Men’s Clinic (Men’s Health)
    • Naturopathic Medicine
    • Nutrition
    • Power Tools For Men
    • Prolotherapy
    • Psychology & Psychiatry
    • PRP Hair
    • PRP Beauty
    • Regenerative Pain Clinic
    • SIBO Program
    • Therapeutic Massage
    • Telehealth Services
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine
    • Women’s Clinic (Women’s Health)
    • VIP Wellness Program
  • Patient Services
    • New Patients
    • Make An Appointment
    • FAQs
    • Forms
    • Cancellation Policy
    • Fees
    • Medical Billing
    • Hours of Operation
    • Pay for Services Online
    • Payment, Billing, Insurance & Medical Records
    • Prescriptions & Refills
    • Calendar
    • Newsletter
    • Directions & Parking
    • Contact
    • Covid-19 In Office Procedure
  • 21 Day Reset
  • Patient Testimonials
    • What Patients Say About Akasha
    • What Patients Say (continued)
  • Age Management
  • Acupuncture
  • Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Integrative Pain Management
  • Integrative Physical Therapy
  • IV Nutritional Therapy
  • Maternal Recovery Program
  • Meditation
  • Men’s Clinic (Men’s Health)
  • Naturopathic Medicine
  • Nutrition
  • Power Tools For Men
  • Prolotherapy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • PRP Hair
  • PRP Beauty
  • Regenerative Pain Clinic
  • SIBO Program
  • Therapeutic Massage
  • Telehealth Services
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Women’s Clinic (Women’s Health)
  • VIP Wellness Program

Regenerative Pain Clinic

Get Rid of Pain & Regain Your Confidence

Pain: A term that describes uncomfortable sensations in the body. It is caused by activation of the nervous system and can range from annoying to debilitating. It may feel like a sharp stab or dull ache. It may also be described as throbbing, pinching, stinging, burning, or sore.

Regenerative Modalities: 

  1. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
  2. Prolotherapy
  3. Trigger Point Therapy (TPT), traumeel Injections, Steroid injections, etc.
  4.  Physical Therapy
  5. Acupuncture

Schedule My Free Consultation

Why Choose the Akasha Center for Integrative Pain Management?

Personalized; The cause of your pain is as unique as you are. An individualized treatment plan is created for you by a diverse team of health professionals, helping you get the most out of your health.  

Integrative:  The Akasha Center provides you access to a team of certified professionals in conventional and natural therapies, yielding better long-term- results and improvement in your quality of life.  

Root-cause: That’s our goal. Without knowing what lies beneath the surface, a long-term resolution of your pain is hard to find

Is pain stopping you from living a full life? Have conventional pain management modalities stopped working?  WE CAN HELP YOU!

Traditional medicine may provide a temporary resolution of your pain but treating the symptom, not the cause, is not long-lasting. The best treatment approaches involve integrating the ever-growing technological advances of traditional medicine with personalized integrative approaches, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, mediation, nutrients, etc., to help you regain control of your health. 

At Akasha Center, we start by conducting a comprehensive and integrative assessment of the root cause of your pain. The first consultation begins with an in-depth history, an investigation of what has and has not worked, plus a physical and psychological examination. A personalized treatment plan is designed by our team of experts with years of experience in pain management, including our expert Physiatrist (bone and joint specialist, pain-injections specialists, Physical therapist, acupuncture, bodyworker, psychologists specializing in pain, and more.

The result is a better understanding of the root cause of your pain, improved pain levels with fewer flare-ups, and better overall health.

Modalities:

1. Prolotherapy

runner knee

What is Prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a form of regenerative injection therapy stimulating the healing, growth, and stability of damaged tissues. It is a safe and effective non-surgical approach for treating joint and spine pain caused by weakened and damaged ligaments and tendons. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. They are found along all joints and along the spine of your back. Tendons are tough bands of tissue that attach muscles to bone. Weakened tendons and ligaments irritate surrounding nerve fibers signaling the brain. This often stimulates the surrounding muscles to overcompensate by tightening. The area may feel tight, achy, numb, fatigue, weak, sore, and painful.

Make an Appointment Today!

What is Prolotherapy Used for?

  • Acute, chronic or recurrent pain, without long lasting relief by rest, strengthening exercises, or physical therapy.
  • Weak or damaged ligaments and tendons causing instability
  • Pain associated with joints, spine, neck, back, shoulder, knee, elbow, wrist, ankle, foot, hip, sciatica, arthritis, sports injuries, bursitis, tendonitis, ACL injury, headaches, TMJ disorder, fibromyalgia, and overuse.
  • Alternative to corticosteroid injections, which long-term studies have demonstrated an increased risk of weakening tissue.

Click here to watch a video about Prolotherapy

History

Although forms of prolotherapy have been around for hundreds of years, in the 1950’s Drs. George Hackett and Gus Hemwall made it much more accessible and easier. They performed prolotherapy with mixture of dextrose, lidocaine and normal saline, which is today’s the most commonly used solution. Former US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop during the Reagan administration endorsed prolotherapy by stating “I was very impressed with what what prolotherapy could do for musculoskeletal disease and a treatment for ligament laxity.” He disclosed that he had been diagnosed by two separate neurological clinics as having intractable pain and obtained complete relief from prolotherapy. He further stated that prolotherapy posed no harm, that the benefits were extraordinary and that such in his case, changed many lives.

Why do ligaments and tendons need assistance in healing?

Prolotherapy Skeleton

Bones and muscles have a very effective blood supply that recruit necessary healing factors. This is why broken bones and torn muscles commonly heal well with time. Conversely ligaments and tendons have a poor blood supply, which limits the available amount of nutrients and necessary healing factors for repair. By injecting the proper concentration of proliferant solution (prolotherapy) at these weakened areas, the body is able to locally stimulate the proper response for repair and re-strengthening.

What is in the Prolotherapy solutions?

The most commonly used medicines include dextrose (sugar water), sodium morrhuate (a fish oil product), saline, and lidocaine (short acting numbing medicine).

Prolotherapy injection treatments

Prolotherapy Hip

Based on your physical exam, tender and dysfunctional areas are injected with the proliferant solution. A local anesthetic is added for minimal discomfort with the injections. The number of treatment appointments needed varies from patient to patient. A standard course of prolotherapy is 5-8 sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart. If no benefit or change is noticed after 4 visits, we will reevaluate our plan and treatment options. If you feel benefit after 1 visit, it is highly suggested to return for 1-2 more visits to optimize strengthening of tissues for long term benefit.

Your initial consultation

The initial consultation will include a review of your history, symptoms, activities and methods of injury. Your physician will perform a physical exam gathering information on where you hurt and why. Findings and suggested treatment plans will be reviewed.

To schedule an initial consultation call 310 451-8880.  

Make an Appointment Today!

 

2. Integrative Physical Therapy

Services-IntegrativePT

What Can Integrative Physical Therapy Do?

  • Optimize rehabilitation from surgery and injury
  • Restore the balance of your internal structure
  • Help you regain function from injury
  • Enhance circulation for optimal healing
  • Stop scar tissue in its tracks
  • Provide a whole body approach
  • Introduce a path out of injury and pain
  • Heal through a blend of Western science fused with innovative Eastern holistic treatments

The philosophy of Integrative Physical Therapy is firmly built on the belief that
Your Body Should Work In Perfect Unison…

with all its inner systems working as a whole. These systems are interwoven by fascial networks surrounding and connecting structures like muscles, joints, nerves, arteries, and viscera (organs).

Residual scar tissue build-up from old injuries, surgeries, trauma and repetitive motions (i.e., work, driving, sports) disrupt the balance of your body’s inner networks and can have a destructive effect on different parts of the body. As a result the scar tissue, whether large or small, affects your overall function and health, magnifying pain and injury.

Make an Appointment Today!

When a new injury occurs or an old injury resurfaces if not properly treated, it can cause an interruption of smooth function in that structure, which may create an unhealthy domino effect on the other structures of our body. Thus, for the most effective healing treatments it is important to assess any injury from a “Whole Body” point of view. This Whole Body workflow allows us to discover and treat the involved systems necessary to help the body heal and restore its inner equilibrium.

Treatment: What to Expect

  • A thorough intake and physical evaluation
  • Whole-body, hands-on treatments and techniques
  • An interactive experience: We help you to help yourself heal
  • A noticeable change: Improved strength and flexibility
  • A customized home program to help you optimize your recovery

Whether you prefer to receive treatment in the clinic or in your home, you will be guaranteed quality treatments that will result in decreased pain and return to optimal function.

There are options to cover Your Physical Therapy expenses: 

Option 1: Insurance Billing
Akasha bills your medical Insurance. Physical Therapy treatment ($50) and Copayment ($25) applies. Paid at time of service ($75).

*Note: If your insurance deductible has not been met, you have a co-insurance, and your allowable is below $100, you will be responsible for the additional ($100) of the bill. Total: ($75 + $100 = $175)

Option 2: Discounted Cash Price
$135/60 minute Physical Therapy Evaluation ($225 regular price)
$135/60 minute Physical Therapy Follow ups ($175 regular price)
$75/30 minute Physical Therapy Follow ups ($100 regular price)

 

3. Traditional Chinese Medicine

Akasha Center Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Department at Akasha is an invaluable component of the integrative medicine care offered at the Center. The exceptionally trained Chinese medical practitioners provide expert care either as an independent modality, or in conjunction with the many other modalities offered by other practitioners and doctors. This collaboration involving numerous healing practices is unique to Akasha and provides a tremendous advantage to patients; well-facilitated communication between Akasha’s practitioners allows for streamlined care and for patient support on all levels. This means that a team of practitioners “under one roof” provides state-of-the art patient care, instead of patients being pulled in different directions by practitioners at multiple facilities. At Akasha, one can benefit from expert Traditional Chinese Medicine care knowing that integrative and conventional Western medicine care is also always available.

Make an Appointment Today!

The Chinese Medical Practitioners at Akasha are licensed acupuncturists in the state of California and are regarded as primary care providers.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the oldest and longest practiced medicine in the world. This medical system’s written literature dates back almost 2,500 years, and currently one-fourth of the world’s population makes use of this medicine. Today, modern Western and Traditional Chinese Medicines are the two dominant medical systems in the world. TCM is comprised of different modalities, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, Tai Chi and Qigong breathing exercises, and massage. Akasha’s TCM Practitioners are trained in all of these modalities.

Is Traditional Chinese Medicine just a system of folk healing? No. This system of medicine was created by some of the brightest doctors and scholars in Chinese history. These doctors have recorded their theories and clinical experiences from generation to generation across thousands of books. It is estimated that there are between 30-40,000 existing books on Chinese Medicine written before 1900. Since then, thousands of additional books and articles in professional journals have been written and published in China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

What can Traditional Chinese Medicine treat? Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system used to treat the full range of trauma-related, infectious, or internally generated diseases, both acute and chronic. If a disease is extremely virulent or advanced, however, TCM alone may not be sufficient. Chinese Medicine is a particularly excellent and effective choice at the onset of any disease, or for diseases which modern biomedicine either does not understand or treat effectively. The World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health both recognize that acupuncture can effectively treat many different ailments. These include:

  • Pain (back, neck, joints, etc.)
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue including chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Hypertension
  • High cholesterol
  • Hepatitis A, B, and C
  • Stress, anxiety, and depression
  • Insomnia
  • Women’s health issues
  • Gastro-intestinal disorders such as IBS, GERD, and constipation
  • Allergies
  • Skin conditions
  • Colds and flu
  • And Much more

Is Traditional Chinese Medicine safe?
TCM is extremely safe when practiced correctly by qualified, licensed practitioners. In fact, when practiced correctly, acupuncture and herbal medicine result in zero side effects and almost never produce iatrogenic (doctor-caused) disease. Should a patient reports side effects from a Chinese medical treatment, the practitioner modifies the treatment until healing occurs and side effects are absent. The goal of Chinese Medicine is to restore balance to the entire person, not simply on eliminating a single symptom.

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine work?
Chinese Medicine works by re-establishing balance and harmony within the body. This includes balancing the Yin and Yang forces with the five major organ energy systems, the qi (energy), plus blood and other body fluids. This balance can be effectively re-established and strengthened by acupuncture and herbal medicine. These ideas are further discussed and explained during your visit to the clinic.

How does a Chinese Medical Practitioner determine what is out of balance?
Practitioners of Chinese Medicine diagnose what is out of balance in a person’s body by employing four basic examinations. The first involves exploration of one’s signs and symptoms, medical history, and course of disease; the second is the visual inspection of one’s face and body, focusing on the tongue; the third is to listen to one’s voice and breath, and make note of any bodily odors; and the fourth involves the palpation of various areas of the body, particularly the pulse of both wrists. Using a combination of one’s signs and symptoms, tongue examination, and pulse diagnosis, the practitioner can determine the pattern of disharmony that requires rebalancing.

How is rebalancing accomplished?
If something in the body is too hot, the practitioner seeks to cool it down; too cold, the aim is to warm it up. If something is too damp, it must be dried; too dry, it must be moistened. If something exists in excess, it must be reduced; exists in deficiency, it needs to be supplemented. If qi or blood is not flowing well, the practitioner will help improve their circulation. If qi is traveling in the wrong direction, the direction of flow is corrected.

The main methods of re-establishing balance in TCM are acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, which form a powerful synergistic healing combination. Acupuncture seeks to regulate the flow of qi and blood in the body through the insertion of fine, sterile needles at certain acupoints. Chinese Herbal Medicine in the form of herbal teas are generally customized for each patient according to his or her condition. In addition, Chinese Medical Practitioners may also use Chinese Massage or prescribe remedial and preventative exercises, such as Qigong breathing exercises or Tai Chi. Patients will also be counseled on diet and lifestyle, maintaining accordance to the theories of Chinese Medicine in order to promote optimal health.

FREE 10-Minute Integrative Pain Management Consultation

Enter your contact info below and one of our experienced staff members will call you for your free phone consultation.







  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.






Testimonials

I have known Dr. Edison De Mello for many years now. He has proven himself to be an outstanding doctor. His knowledge of integrative medicine is second to none. …
Dylan McDermott Actor
I visit the Akasha Center and see Dr. de Mello  for regular check-ups and preventative health. In addition to body wellness, The Akasha Center also cares for the he…
Jason Mraz Singer/ Songwriter
Akasha Naturals is my go-to for supplements. The Akasha Naturals Immune Support formula turns away any sickness I feel coming on. (InStyle, Sept. 2012)
Julia Roberts Actress
Nichole Agarwal photo
As a skeptic and a veterinarian trained in western medicine, I was very hesitant to try a holistic doctor. My 6 year old daughter had been to 2 Kaiser pediatricians …
Nichole Agarwal
Small photo of Maggie Nemser
I love the Akasha Center because everyone on staff is so warm and the practitioners are experts in the entire body. You will not get referred out to 10 specialists…
Maggie Nemser
“I’ve had the great privilege of working closely with Dr. de Mello and his team at Akasha, while designing the best preventative integral health care protocol for me…
Arturo Muyshond Actor/Producer
The Akasha Center and Dr. de Mello are a dream come true. Their combination of traditional medicine with a natural holistic approach for the whole body is what I hav…
Michael Feinstein Singer
I have been using AKASHA Natural products for over three years. They are amazing and they work! Everyone comments about my level of energy and aliveness. What’s mo…
Mary Morrissey Speaker, Author
The Akasha center is great both medically and spiritually. Every person here is incredibly friendly. Dr. de Mello is not only brilliant and an expert, he is also k…
Guy Burnet Actor
Jarra Agarwal photo
Dr. de Mello helped my belly feel better when I was having stomach problems and he put me on a diet and now I feel much better than I was before! Then I started feel…
Jarra Agarwal

Recent Posts

  • Join Detox & Cleanse Q&A Live Seminar
  • Regenerative Medicine / Pain Clinic Testimonial by Sylvie Rokab
  • Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Joint Pain and Arthritis

Contact Information

Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine, LLC

1234 6th Street Suite #100
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Phone: (310) 451.8880
Fax: (310) 451.8803

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • RSS

© 2021 Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine.
All rights reserved.

Our Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy Policy  |  Cookie Policy

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT