Relieve pain using your own blood

Dr. Peter Lewis explains to the PCEC what Platelet-Rich-Plasma therapy is and its benefits in relieving pain without surgery for various conditions such as osteoarthritis, bursitis and muscle tears.

Relieve pain using your own blood. When you have pain from damaged cartilages in your knees, or arthritic knees, or tears in other ligaments and tendons, there is a treatment that may bring you relief that does not involve surgery or medicines. It is called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and it was the topic of a presentation by Dr. Peter Lewis, MD and colleagues at the Sunday, November 30 meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC).
Dr Peter Lewis is an Australian sports medicine doctor. He was one of the first clinicians in Australia to offer PRP treatment, and is now one of the most experienced in this field. For more information on the PRP treatments provided by Surecell, see www.surecell.com.

Dr. Peter Lewis after his presentation to the PCEC is interviewed by Paul Strachan with Pattaya Mail TV on the porch of the Amari’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant.

PRP is a process whereby the patients’ own healing cells (platelets) are used to heal injuries in joints, cartilages, ligaments and tendons. A small amount of blood is taken from the patient and then put through a centrifuge device to extract only the blood’s platelets and plasma. These are photo activated with light and then injected into the area of injury. The platelets and plasma directly assist in the healing process and also release some of the body’s natural growth factors which would otherwise not be released (to further help with the healing). Treatment usually involves a series of four injections. Peter said that numerous studies have confirmed the benefits of PRP therapy in reducing pain.

Radchada (Toy) Chomjinda from the Pattaya Orphanage invites PCEC members and guests to attend the orphanage’s annual Christmas Dinner and Party.

In addition, PRP is used to treat osteoarthritis, bursitis and muscle tears. It also has cosmetic uses, such as regenerating skin. Dr. Peter described PRP as an easy, quick, low-risk and non-surgical and natural procedure to shorten healing processes. He provides PRP and stem cell therapy through a network of nine clinics in Australia and Thailand operated by Surecell Medical Co. Ltd. There is one clinic in Thailand, located in Pattaya.
Dr. Peter explained that PRP therapy is one of the fastest growing areas of medicine with an annual growth rate of 200%. The number of patients per month in his clinics has gone from 50 two years ago to over 600 in each of the last three months.
Therapeutic PRP is one area in the field of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine involves the use of innovative medical therapies to enable the body to repair, replace, restore and regenerate damaged or diseased cells, tissues and organs. Other areas of regenerative medicine include stem cell treatment; the use of supplements, hormones and peptides; lifestyle changes, exercise and diet.

PCEC member (and chairman) Roy Albiston invites members and guests to join the Open Forum portion of the PCEC meeting by asking any questions they may have about expat living in Pattaya or providing recommendations for restaurants, good movies now playing, etc.

PRP has been around since the early 1990s. Before that, injections of whole blood were tried Dr. Peter explained, but did not work well. As the process evolved, PRP began to be used in sports medicine. Today, it is an accepted procedure in most fields of medicine.
Dr. Peter cautioned that PRP does not work for everyone. For some people, the damage to the cartilage or tendon, etc., is simply too severe. But, in his clinics he said the treatment has helped about 78% of patients. Between 60-70% of his patients had been told they would need surgery; Peter said that following PRP treatment 67% of them no longer needed surgery. PRP can be used in place of cortisone or Synvisc injections, which can have unwelcome side effects.
Peter introduced Fred Jackson, one of his patients. Fred, who is 66 years old, described himself as a “basket case” with very limited mobility caused by shoulder and back injuries. He said that he could not lift his left hand above his shoulder. His back injury had resulted in three discs being removed. Fred said that he had been a professional golfer but found that he could no longer golf. There were days, he said, when he couldn’t get out of bed, which caused him to miss at least one or two days of work each month. Following PRP treatment, Fred said, he has complete mobility in his arm and he hasn’t missed a day of work in six months.
Dr. Peter said that by far the most common injuries treated by PRP involve the knee. He cited one study which showed that before treatment, the largest number of patients reported a pain level of 8 on a scale of 1-10. After treatment, almost half of the patients reported pain levels of 0, 1 or 2. Females reported slightly better results than males. People in all age groups reported similar benefits.
Further, that sometimes stem cell treatment is combined with PRP treatment, especially for patients for which PRP is not effective. One advantage of stem cell therapy is that it helps rebuild the degenerated tissues. PRP therapy alone just stops the degeneration.
During the Question &Answer session, Dr. Peter explained that PRP is not usually used on children because they have enough natural growth cells to deal with injuries to cartilages, tendons, etc.
One of Peter’s colleagues said that the cost of PRP treatment will vary depending on the patient, but that on average the cost for four injections is about 100,000 baht. When stem cell therapy is combined with PRP, the average cost rises to about 275,000 baht.
After the presentation, Dr. Peter was interviewed by Paul Strachan for Pattaya Mail television. To view the You Tube Video, visit https://www.youtube.com/embed/tiHyVZHjZF4.
To conclude the program, MC Richard Silverberg updated everyone on Club activities and upcoming events and then called on Roy Albiston to conduct the Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya.
For more information on the PCEC’s many activities, visit their website at www.pcecclub.org.

Long-time Expats Club member Rubenstein celebrates 75 years

David Rubenstein and his lovely wife Alex host members of the Pattaya City Expats Club for David’s 75th birthday party.

Urasin Khantaraphan
Long-time Pattaya City Expats Club member David Rubenstein celebrated his birthday with more than 30 club members and a sky full of fireworks.
Former club president Richard Smith and his wife Janet organized the Nov. 29 soiree at the 24th floor condominium at the Mark Land Beach View in North Pattaya he has shared with his wife Alex for the past quarter-century.
The spacious end unit afforded all the gusts a three-sided panorama view of the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival staged that night.
There was a buffet of food and beverages set up in the living room for guests to enjoy while viewing the fireworks. And of course guests brought a birthday cake.
Rubenstein said he loves Thailand and all its rich culture and traditions.
“I think it is a rare culture, but as the country develops, society and culture are gradually changing,” he noted. “In Pattaya, where many westerners live, Thai people gradually merge into western culture, while also maintaining their Thai culture. However, I still love Thailand and like to stay in Pattaya.”
Rubenstein said he bought his condo 25 years ago and appreciates HM the King and the government for allowing him to live here so long. He had many friends in the Expats Club and loves to be near the sea.
“This place is very suitable for us,” he said. “I am very proud to be here.”

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya hosts Christmas charity bazaar

Juthathip Bowler, Head of the International Marketing Department at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Dr. Iain Corness emcee the fun during the bazaar.

Urasin Khantaraphan
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya welcomed Santa Claus to its annual Christmas charity bazaar benefitting children from area orphanages and shelters.
Proceeds from the Nov. 29 sale and party in the lobby of the hospital’s E building went toward child-welfare foundations.
The event featured games, lucky draws, dance shows, a magic show from Father Ray Foundation, a choral performance from the International School of Chonburi, and shows by numerous organizations. Those taking to the stage included Dance Studio Pattaya, Seven Flowers Kindergarten, the International Russian School of Ballet Rosinka Pattaya, Mercy Center, St. Nicholas Church, Pattaya Christian Church and more.

Rotary Pattaya sells Christmas gift bags, with proceeds being distributed to various children’s orphanages.

There were also product booths from many organizations and foundations including the Mercy Center, Ban Jing Jai orphanage, Father Ray Foundation, Fountain of Life Center, Jesters Care for Kids, the German-Speaking Ladies Club, Sparrow Home of Children, Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation, Rotary and Lions clubs, the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa, Camillian Social Center, North Star Library, and Banglamung Home for the Elderly.
Raffle tickets were available to win prize from various sponsors, including hotel stays, appliances, restaurant vouchers and more.

Santa Claus gives presents to all the good little boys and girls.

Young angels sing Christmas carols.

Young stars of the stage perform a perfectly choreographed traditional Thai dance.

Young carolers sing brilliantly, much to the delight of their parents.

Students from the Redemptorist Blind School bring the house down with their beautiful singing voices.

Residents at Plutaluang Dog Shelter receive much needed help

(L to R) Soranut “Beer” Masayavanich, Neo and Wisut Thamviritkul deliver the food.

Neo LongThum
It all started one year ago, in November 2013, when Neo the founder of the Pattaya Animal Coalition (PAC) went to see the dog shelter in Plutaluang. PAC found 1,000 malnourished dogs in very bad condition and have worked closely with Pattaya City Hall since then to improve the conditions.
With the help of the Soi Dog Foundation they secured food donations of 300,000 baht. Neo then undertook a fundraising run of 999 km from North Thailand back to Pattaya to secure more food. Along with other local animal charities and I love Thai Dogs in Bangsaen, PAC and the 999 km run, they managed to get another 500,000 baht worth of dog food.
When the food was secured, PAC successfully petitioned Pattaya City Hall to increase the food rations and improve the conditions for the dogs. However, dogs were still dying from viruses and sickness and with 1,000 unvaccinated dogs there is always a risk that one dog could infect 1,000 with distemper or Parvo virus.

Chollada Mekratri poses with the veterinarian students from Chula University from Bangkok.

With the help of the musical brothers ‘Beer’ (Soranut Masayavanich) and ‘Fluke’ (Krikphol Masayavanich) they got in contact with Chollada Mekratri and the Voice Foundation in Bangkok. On the 22nd of November, The Voice Foundation organized a big sterilizations campaign. Together with PAC, Chulalongkorn Veterinary Students and volunteers, they vaccinated 1,000 dogs in one of the biggest animal rescue operations in Thailand.
The Dog Nation, SOS, and the Thailand Adopter Club also helped organize the event and made sure kittens and puppies found a new home. Many animals were also adopted and received medical treatment for various illnesses.
There were about 100 people present with many media and press on location to document this big event.
There will be an Animal Charity meeting in Bangkok with many foundations and after that, in about three weeks, there will be another event to give the second round of vaccinations.
If you want to adopt any dogs or cats, please contact PAC, as we can help you arrange the adoption. The animals at the shelter do not need more food at the moment, but they do need vaccine, medical care and to get adopted.
Please help us to finance this second event - it is very important that the animals get another booster injection and medical care. If you want to help out on the day or help with food, water or your company wants to sponsor the event please contact PAC at <http://www.gofundme.com/Thailandogrescue>