Health
UKIAH, Calif. – For the past 10 years Timothy Johnson has been in physical pain – pain that has been debilitating and left him bedridden at times.
“It was frustrating and depressing,” he said as he shared his experience both prior to and post treatment at the Center for Pain Relief at Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center (UVRHC).
“Traveling more than 60 miles from my home in Covelo was a challenge, but I was willing to make the journey,” he said.
Johnson was seen and treated by Interventional Pain Specialist, Michael Young, D.O., at the UVRHC.
“Timothy has been on a remarkable journey,” said Dr. Young. “When he first presented at the Center for Pain Relief, he was on high doses of medication to help manage his pain, he wasn’t able to walk, and spent most of his days in bed. Upon his initial assessment I created a treatment plan that would help improve Timothy’s quality of life and hopefully reduce his pain. I worked with Timothy to help manage his medications and prescribed treatments that would reduce his lower back and hip pain.”
Since his arrival at the Center for Pain Relief Timothy has undergone three different treatments: a facet injection, radio frequency ablation and a bilateral SI joint injection.
These treatments, along with medication management, have helped reduce his pain and improve his quality of life.
“Timothy has responded exceptionally well to the treatment methods and is a testimony that the right treatments can make all the difference in helping reduce someone’s pain,” Dr. Young said.
The Center for Pain Relief takes a holistic approach to pain management by educating patients to help them understand their pain from a psychological and a physical perspective. They also include elements of physical activity and nutrition to treat patients.
According to Johnson, he feels Dr. Young gave him a second chance in life.
“I’m 100 percent better today than where I had been,” he said. “Now I understand more about my pain and how to manage it. Dr. Young also took the time to listen to me and hear what my experience was like. Not all doctors take the time to do that. Truthfully, with my treatments I felt better overnight!”
The Center for Pain Relief is comprised of Dr. Young; Rachel Chavez, physician assistant; and Rigpa Shunya, psychiatric nurse practitioner.
The Center is located at Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center at 260 Hospital Drive, Suite 107 in Ukiah.
For more information on types of pain treated and treatment methods, please call 707-463-8003 or visit online at www.uvmc.org/painfree .
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SACRAMENTO – A bill to extend the sunset of a California law that requires private insurance health plans to cover behavioral health treatment was approved by the California Senate on Friday on a unanimous and bipartisan vote of 38-0.
Senate Bill 126, authored by Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), now heads to the governor for his consideration.
“This unanimous endorsement of California’s landmark legislation for autism provides much needed continuity for the progress that began with the original bill in 2011,” said Steinberg. “Many families still struggle to locate and afford these needed services for their loved ones and I will continue my work to improve the lives of those impacted by autism in the Golden State.”
Senate Bill 126 builds on the success of Sen. Steinberg’s Senate Bill 946, a 2011 law that requires health care service plans and health insurers to provide behavioral health treatment coverage for pervasive developmental disorder and autism. SB126 extends that bill’s sunset date to January 1, 2017.
Since the introduction of California’s autism insurance mandate on July 1, 2012, the Department of Insurance estimates that over 12,500 Californians are receiving early autism treatment under this provision; with an estimated taxpayer savings of up to $200 million dollars annually.
Autism is the most rapidly growing serious developmental disability and is estimated to occur in approximately one in every 50 children in the United States.
Autism occurs more often than childhood cancer, pediatric HIV infections, and juvenile diabetes combined.
Scientists and researchers have established that early behavioral intervention therapy ASD/PPD not only improves brain function but also increases speech and language; promotes a higher IQ and cognitive function, and reduces self-injurious behaviors for a significant number of individuals with these disorders.
SB 126 is supported by Autism Speaks, the Association of Regional Center Agencies, and the Alliance of California Autism Organizations.
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