Osteopathic Medicine for Colorado Patients

Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel and tungsten are abundant in human environments. Today’s human bone contains one thousand times more lead than that of humans one hundred years ago. Dental fillings are so full of mercury that if one were left in a 10-acre lake, it would violate EPA standards for that lake. No human or mammal has escaped the burden of these heavy metals – a toxicity often associated with neurological disorders, infections, chronic fatigue or chronic pain.

Dr. Hughes employs provocative urine testing to analyze the toxic heavy metal burden of each patient. He then offers oral or IV chelation therapy as necessary to detoxify patients from these metals.

Learn more about heavy metal toxicity in the video below.

Read more about the research behind chelation therapy and EDTA for heavy metal detoxification.

Our Colorado osteopathic clinic also uses aspects of botanical medicine to treat heavy metal toxicity. Botanical medicine is simply the appropriate, intelligent use of herbal therapies to assist with human ailments. Some examples of these therapies include herbal supplements that assist with heavy metal removal, detoxification, energy and vitality.

IV nutritional therapies can be very effective in assisting patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, recovering from surgery, enduring a chronic disease, or needing immune support or athletic enhancement. IV therapies such as those including the Myers cocktail, vitamin C, EDTA, hydrogen peroxide and ozone are excellent for enhancing oxygenation, immunity, detoxification, and regeneration at the cellular and intracellular levels.

Trained as medical physician, Dr. Hughes reviews each patient’s medications and supplements and offers 1st and 2nd opinions about what prescriptions might be most helpful for each patient’s condition. Particular lifestyle changes along with proper nutritional medicine can help many patients reduce or at times eliminate some of their medications. Dr. Hughes can and will prescribe medications when necessary.

Hand in hand with the prevention of chronic disease, Dr. Hughes provides patients with immune system support. The “immune system” might be better described as the “psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune” system due to the fact that it is impossible to separate the functions of all of these systems.

Dr. Hughes uses that holistic understanding to address acute or longstanding infections, chronic diseases, skin disorders and other conditions. Many infections can be avoided by creating a strong immune system. And, when infections do occur, Dr. Hughes believes many can be treated in a sustainable way, without resorting to high-powered or addictive pharmaceuticals.

Bio-oxidative therapies include use of ozone at EPA-approved low levels to purify the air or water through enema treatments, skin treatments, injections or blood exposure. Ozone, while popularly known to form a protective layer in the upper atmosphere, also serves as a natural substance in the body made by antibodies. Bio-oxidative therapy can be administered rectally, by dissolving the ozone in olive oil, by ear insufflation or by injection.

When administered at low doses, ozone is known to have a powerful antimicrobial, healing and energizing effect on the body as it speeds metabolic processes and allows the blood to carry more oxygen. It is reported that Lance Armstrong used ozone to assist in his Tour de France victories.

Ozone can be effective at supporting the body in fighting infections, diverticulitis, eye disease, asthma, cancer or cardiovascular disease.* Dr. Hughes never recommends breathing ozone or using ozone in the blood at levels greater than EPA standards.

*Results may vary; no guarantee of specific results

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is another highly potent way to use oxygen to address non-healing wounds, radiation osteonecrosis, transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetic wounds, neurological challenges, and acute or chronic pain conditions. Dr. Hughes works closely with the HBOT team at the Colorado Center for Hyperbaric Medicine to provide world-class treatment for the above conditions.

Environmental medicine is simply the awareness that the health of the ecosystems that humans inhabit is inseparable from the health that humans enjoy. Wikipedia states the basic assumption of environmental medicine quite clearly, “health is more widely and dramatically affected by environmental toxins than recognized…” by the general media and public.

Most environmental therapies are aimed at eliminating or reducing human exposure to carcinogens and other toxins such as DDT, chlorine, pesticides, radiation, heavy metals and noxious chemicals often found in air, water, food and households. As an environmental physician in Colorado, Dr. Hughes leverages his knowledge of the toxins in human ecosystems to diagnose and treat patients suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities, heavy metal poisoning, pesticide use, etc.

Food allergies are often the source of skin disease, sinusitis, chronic fatigue, constipation or irritable bowels. Dr. Hughes administers ALCAT food allergy/sensitivity testing. ALCAT is a full-service lab devoted to helping patients identify and eliminate any food allergies. Most insurance plans will cover ALCAT testing and a follow-up nutritional consult where patients learn dietary measures for greater health and vitality.

Many patients diagnosed with a chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or neurological disorders benefit from regular supervision by Dr. Hughes in coordination with their primary physician or specialist. Aspen Integrative Medicine combines conventional medical reasoning with a holistic perspective to identify what might be the root source of a chronic illness. Dr. Hughes will subsequently provide oral or IV nutritional therapy or pharmaceutical support as necessary to aid patients in recovery from a particular type of disorder.