Dr. Sarah Day Sargent, DO is a family medicine practitioner in HARDY, VA specializing in family medicine. She graduated from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM). Dr. Sarah Day Sargent, DO is affiliated with Carilion Giles Community Hospital and Carilion Clinic.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is the targeted use of extreme cold to destroy unhealthy or unwanted tissue. The doctor applies the cold on the skin or injects it through a needle to reach the inside of the body, where it freezes away the problem tissue. Cryotherapy is often used to remove minor skin problems such as warts or skin tags, and it is also used to treat some small tumors.
To achieve the cold temperatures needed for cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen or argon gas is passed through a tube, which becomes cold enough to freeze cells on contact. Alternatively, liquid nitrogen can be swabbed directly onto the skin or via a spray, which applies only a specific, small amount to the skin at a time.
Because the area treated is typically very small, cryotherapy is not usually painful. There may be a sensation of cold and possibly some slight discomfort. Cryotherapy is very fast and can easily be performed in a doctor's office. It also doesn't require stitches, because there is no cutting involved. These benefits make cryotherapy a good choice for many issues, including:
Depending on the procedure, it usually takes three to four weeks to heal after cryotherapy. If it was done internally, patients may feel sore or have a small amount of swelling the first day afterwards. If cryotherapy was performed on the skin, patients will have a scab where their tissue was removed. Keep it clean and dry so it can heal.
Musculoskeletal Problems
The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.
Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.
Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.
Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.
Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.
Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.
Osteopathic Manipulation
Osteopathy is one of two distinct schools of medicine in the USA. Founded by Andrew Taylor Still in the late 19th century, osteopathy focuses on the prevention of illness and the ability of the body to heal itself. Both medical doctors (M.D.s) and doctors of osteopathy (D.O.s) attend medical school and several years of residency. One technique commonly used in osteopathy is osteopathic manipulation.
Osteopathic manipulation is similar but distinct from chiropractic care. It involves physical contact and pressure to treat disease and improve health. Treatments may include stretching, spinal traction, 'cracking' joints, or applying pressure to painful or stiff areas. It works particularly well for problems affecting the muscles and joints, such as back or neck pain, some kinds of headaches, and sports injuries.
In the case of more serious illnesses, some patients combine conventional treatments with osteopathic manipulation. Manipulation can increase blood flow, relax muscles, and increase movement, as well as make patients feel better. In this way, osteopathic manipulation can be effective for a wide variety of ailments.
Dr. Sarah Day Sargent, DO graduated from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM). She completed residency at Carilion Clinic. She has a state license in Virginia.
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM)
Residency: Carilion Clinic
Licensed In: Virginia
Dr. Sarah Day Sargent, DO is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Sarah Day Sargent, DO has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 23 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Sarah Day Sargent, DO from all over the web to help you find the right in HARDY, VA.
Dr. Sarah Sargent's specialty is family medicine. She is a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM). Dr. Sargent trained at Carilion Clinic for residency. Her areas of expertise include the following: cryotherapy, women's health issues, and laceration repair. She has received a 5.0 out of 5 star rating by her patients. She is professionally affiliated with Carilion Giles Community Hospital. Doctor.com reports that Dr. Sargent is accepting new patients at her office in HARDY, VA.