Dr. Thomas Murray

Scott's primary physician is Dr. Thomas Murray of Jacksonville.  Dr. Murray specializes in adult and pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation.  His office is The Hyperbaric Oxygen Rehabilitation Institute.  Dr. Murray has over 25 years of experience and works primarily with the following issues:  brain injury/trauma/stroke/cerebral palsy/and attention deficit disorder.  The Institute has both multi-place and mono-place oxygen chambers.

                 Scott and Dr. Murray          Dr. Murray asks for a thumbs up.

Pamela and Fergie help Scott into the van for transporting to Dr. Murray's office.

General Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Information

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment administered by delivering 100 percent oxygen at pressures greater than atmospheric (sea level) pressure to a patient in an enclosed chamber.  Hyperbaric oxygen acts as a drug, eliciting varying levels of response at different treatment depths, durations, and dosages and has been proven effective as adjunctive therapy for specifically indicated conditions.

The hyperbaric chamber is a steel, aluminum, or clear plastic room in which air can be compressed to a pressure that is greater than sea level.  Most patients are treated at a pressure equivalent to two or two and a half times normal atmospheric pressure.  Chambers can have port holes (small windows) or be made out of a special thick strong plastic shell.  They can be equipped with comfortable reclining chairs or stretch out to a completely flat position.  To enhance patient comfort, music or movies can played during treatments, which are usually provided through a headset or an interior speaker.  Whenever the chamber is in use, medical personnel trained in hyperbarics are in constant contact via visual or audio communications.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy saturates the patient's plasma with oxygen resulting in increased oxygen delivery to tissues.  Specifically, hyperbaric oxygen therapy:  (1) Dissolves oxygen into the plasma. (2) Increases oxygen tension in hypoxic areas. (3) Enhances white blood cell activity at the wound site. (4) Reduces edema by vasoconstriction. (5) Blocks cytotoxic effects of carbon monoxide and hypoxia associated with cyanide poisoning.  (6) Starts the formation of new peripheral vascular vessels and nerve endings (Angiogenesis) in damaged area of the body.

Reprinted from Hyperbaric Medicine Today

Dr. William Hammesfahr

Scott spent a week in early June at the Hammesfahr Neurological Institute.  There he began treatment using nitrogen cream and magnesium injections.  His treatments continue at home, with a focus of increasing blood flow to his brain in order to help him to recover more quickly.

Here is an excerpt from Dr. Hammesfahr's web site: 

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Dr. XiaoJun Jiang

Dr. XiaoJun Jiang graduated from Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medical University in China with a MD Chinese Medicine degree 12 years ago.  He has been practicing Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Prescriptions, and Chinese Massage (Tui - Na) since then.  He is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist.  His practice is called TCM Acupuncture and is located in Orange Park, Florida.  He has been practicing such technical skills as Acupoint Herbal Injection and Scalp Acupuncture since he was on the support staff at the China Main Hospital in Shanghai, dealing with a variety of cases including auto accident, brain injury, MS, stroke, Parkinson's disease, pain control, etc.  He has successfully treated a wide variety of diseases and conditions.  He also often gives patients dietary and lifestyle counseling. 

Dr. Jiang is specifically working with Scott to help "re-awaken" the nerves in his arms and legs.  Scott has indicated to his mom that he is regaining sensation as a result of the treatments.

General Acupuncture Information

What is Acupuncture?  Acupuncture is a complete medical system that originated in China more than 3000 years ago.  It applies traditional Chinese medicine theory to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease, and improve well-being by inserting acupuncture needles at critical points throughout the human body.  Due to its proven effectiveness, it has become more and more popular throughout the world.

How does Acupuncture Work?  In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a meridian system that exists throughout the human body.  More than 360 acupoints are located on these meridians.  Qi, or a stream of energy, flows through those meridians and acupoints to support tissue, muscle, and organs.  When the Qi is obstructed in certain critical points, the function of tissue, muscles, and organs will be impaired.  Acupuncture needles inserted into acupoints help release the Qi flow and corrects Qi imbalances at the organ level to improve your energy and internal processing.

What are the Benefits of Acupuncture?  Since acupuncture promotes the body's natural healing ability, many conditions can be corrected or improved.  Acupuncture is a comprehensive system of preventative health care and health maintenance.  The effectiveness of acupuncture extends far beyond the conception that it is only useful for chronic pain management or as an analgesic.  Many athletes have discovered that acupuncture treatment helps them to reach optimum performance levels.  Recently, acupuncture detoxification treatments have been recognized as a valid form of therapy for chemical dependency problems such as drinking, drugs, and smoking.  Throughout its long history, acupuncture has established a solid reputation as an excellent alternative for health care.

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