An interview with Maria Angelova
So many people suffer from chronic pain. Often people believe that they have tried everything, and that there is no real hope for them to live pain-free. What are some things these individuals can do, to help reduce or even eliminate their pain? In this interview series, called “Becoming Pain-Free: How to Alleviate Chronic Pain” we are talking to medical professionals, pain management specialists and authors who can share their insights and strategies about how to alleviate chronic pain. As a part of this series we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Alexander Golberg.
Dr. Alexander Golberg is a distinguished expert in Family Medicine, Osteopathy, Anti-Aging, and Regenerative Medicine. He has positively impacted the lives of thousands of patients grappling with chronic pain. Dr. Golberg leads discussions on the impact of heavy metals on aging, advocating for detoxification and prevention to promote health and longevity. Graduating with dual medical degrees, Dr. Golberg has continually excelled in his field.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
After being introduced to the philosophy of osteopathic medicine, which emphasizes the body’s natural ability to heal itself, during the obtaining of my second medical degree, I became deeply passionate about stimulating this self-healing mechanism. For example, when we cut ourselves, our body naturally stops the bleeding — a testament to its inherent healing system.
I dedicated myself to learning how to enhance these natural processes. When I opened my first practice, I focused on helping people by stimulating the body’s own healing capabilities, which allowed me to significantly reduce medication use.
Over the years, I’ve continued to learn and develop techniques that enhance natural healing. One method I’ve perfected involves combining manual manipulation with innovative treatments like PRP, PRF, exosomes, and auricular acupuncture. These approaches help alter our brain’s pain threshold, promoting self-healing and balance.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
Being in practice for over 25 years, I’ve encountered many interesting cases, but one stands out. A young patient in his mid-30s came to me with severe back pain radiating to his legs for several months. He had tried steroid injections and physical therapy without improvement and was scheduled for spinal surgery to remove an intervertebral disc. His wife learned about me from friends and insisted he see me.
Over six weeks, his pain almost completely disappeared. Interestingly, the herniated disc seen on his MRI, which was thought to be the cause, was not actually causing his pain — it was there before and remains there today without symptoms. The patient has continued to see me ever since.
The main lessons from this experience are: for patients, listen to your spouse, and for doctors, address the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I was a medical student on my first clinic rotation, I was eager to impress. One day, a patient came in with a rash, and I confidently diagnosed it as “epidermal hyperkeratosis.” I prescribed a complex treatment regimen, feeling quite proud of myself.
Later, my supervisor reviewed the case and chuckled, “Are you sure about that diagnosis? It’s just a mild sunburn.”
I was embarrassed but learned a valuable lesson: always consider the simplest explanations first!
When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
As one of the first functional medicine doctors, I help patients with problems no one else could solve. The world consists of many small pieces, and by working on my level, I hope I am making a small but important impact on the lives of the individuals I help.
Let’s jump to the main focus of this series. For the benefit of our readers, can you please tell us why you are an authority on the subject of chronic pain?
I am an authority on chronic pain because I understand the body as a whole unit and the mind-body connection. By focusing on correcting the source of the pain and the brain, which serves as a hard drive analyzing the severity of the problem and deciding how much pain we feel, I achieve the best results for my patients.
Can you please share with us a few of the most common causes of chronic pain?
The most common causes of chronic pain include arthritis, back problems, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, past injuries or surgeries, and most importantly, the amount of stress we experience throughout life.
There are many different types of pain that people struggle with. Which specific form of pain would you like to focus on in this interview? Why that one?
In this interview, I’d like to mention the worst type of pain: emotional pain, which is caused by a combination of chronic pain and daily mental stress. Treating this pain effectively requires addressing all aspects, including physical health. We need to be fit through exercise, eat healthily, and know how to relax through methods like meditation and yoga. These factors help our body produce endorphins, which are the best pain-relieving substances.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey toward becoming pain-free?
1 . Regular Exercise: Staying active helps maintain physical fitness and reduces pain. For example, one of my patients started walking daily and noticed significant relief in their back pain over time.
2 . Healthy Eating: A balanced diet can reduce inflammation and support overall health. I had a patient who improved their diet by eating more fruits and vegetables, which helped reduce their joint pain.
3 . Stress Management: Techniques like meditation and yoga can lower stress levels and alleviate pain. A patient of mine found that practicing yoga regularly helped manage their chronic headaches.
4 . Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for healing and pain management. One patient improved their sleep habits by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, leading to a decrease in their fibromyalgia symptoms.
5 . Hydration: Staying well-hydrated helps maintain joint lubrication and overall health. I had a patient who started drinking more water daily and experienced less muscle pain and cramps.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would start a movement promoting holistic wellness through regular exercise, healthy eating, stress management, adequate sleep, and hydration. This comprehensive approach can significantly enhance overall health and reduce chronic pain for many people.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
By following my Instagram for educational content @drgolberg_nyc and keep up with updates on my website www.drgolberg.nyc
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health. https://medium.com/authority-magazine/becoming-pain-free-dr-alexander-golberg-on-how-to-alleviate-chronic-pain-b312063b17b0
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