Pain is inevitable, what can be done?

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Did you know 1 in 5 Canadians, or nearly 8 million people, live with chronic pain, with the front runner being arthritis? Not sure if you’re aware but BIPOC communities are more vulnerable to chronic pain conditions, with Black communities experiencing a greater prevalence of chronic pain conditions like: migraines, joint pain and arthritis. With such alarming statistics, it’s important to understand that we, or someone we know will be affected by arthritis, and thus dealing with a tremendous amount of pain.

With this in mind, I’d like to introduce readers to Dr. Grigory Karmy, who is a leading authority in the field of pain management and operates the first Health Canada approved clinic to offer trials on stem cell injections for osteoarthritis in Ontario, after Health Canada made stem cell injections illegal in 2019.

As the Medical Director of Karmy Clinic, I had a chance to speak with Dr. Karmy and he shed light on what to do if you have arthritis and how to engage in pain management. We had a chance to discuss:

• Non-invasive treatment options (e.g., diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, use of ozempic, etc.)
• Invasive treatment options (e.g., surgery, knee replacement, etc.)
• The future of osteoarthritis management and pain management (e.g., stem cell injections and what they mean for Black Canadians)

I believe that it was a great opportunity to share Dr. Karmy’s insights and expertise, which can contribute to informed discussions surrounding the challenges, potential solutions and future directions in these critical areas of healthcare.

“Society hasn’t decided if this is a medical condition, or lifestyle issue,” Dr. Karmy shared with me. What he is talking about here is pain, and I found his take on this interesting. “Pain is a chemical change; there isn’t a silver bullet when it comes to pain management. Pain is not clear cut. We are lenient when pain is expressed by the elderly population, but not so much if younger generations express feelings of pain.

At our clinic, we get referrals, and patients try a couple other solutions before they come to me. I deal with a very select group of clients, usually clients who suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain is pain lasting more than three months. By the time my clients get to me, they are very desperate.”

He has a clinic located at 5927 Bathurst St, where he sees more elderly clients, and another clinic located at 164 Queen St, Brampton where he has a mixed client list of young pain sufferers and elderly pain sufferers. “The older you get, the more likely you will have pain,” Dr. Karmy shares. “Seniors see pain as normal and may not seek treatment even though they really need it.

Osteoarthritis is an extremely common disorder, and it is defined by symptoms. If you do an x-ray of anyone over 40, you begin to see changes. Cartilage starts to wear out, the space between joints becomes narrow.  Osteoarthritis is like wrinkles, everyone gets it, it is just a matter of time. Even though you may see it in x-ray’s you may not feel pain.”

So, the question is, if these changes are inevitable, as pain is inevitable, what can be done?

“Well, there are a few things,” Dr. Karmy tells me. “I usually start with treatment that has the least amount of side effects. Then there is the preventative approach, things like weight control. Being overweight at any age can bring wear and tear on the joints.

 I will then move to ways that will reduce the pain: medication, cortizone shots (can cause damage to the cartilage), physiotherapy, and durolane injections. These treatments slow down the wear and tear on the joints.”

He finally shared a novel treatment that has recently become available. Stem cell injections have gained attention for their potential to alleviate pain and treat various medical conditions, including those that disproportionately affect the African-Caribbean community. Stem cell injections can be used to: regenerate damaged cartilage in joints, potentially reducing pain and improving joint function. This has the potential to benefit individuals in the African-Caribbean community who may be at a higher risk for arthritis due to various factors, including genetics and socioeconomic factors.

Stem cell injections have also been explored as a treatment option for sports injuries and trauma-related pain. Athletes and individuals in the Black community who participate in sports or have experienced injuries may seek stem cell therapy to accelerate the healing process and reduce pain associated with musculoskeletal injuries. It is further being investigated as a potential approach to modulate the inflammatory response and promote tissue repair, which could help manage chronic pain.

African-Caribbean patients may have limited access to advanced medical treatments, including stem cell therapy, due to disparities in healthcare access and research participation. Thankfully efforts are being made in Canada to ensure that equitable access to these therapies are offered to our community.

Stem Cell Injections (research and explain)

Karmy Clinic Website: https://karmyclinic.com/home/