HyperCharge Health Blog
Read our patient education articles below. Use the search bar and tag clouds to find a specific topic that interests you!
Becoming the CEO of Your Health: Why Investing in Yourself is the Best Decision You'll Ever Make
I am a spine surgeon with over 20 years of experience treating thousands of patients, and I've seen firsthand the profound impact of health—or the lack thereof—on people's lives. From operating rooms to founding Hypercharge Health and Wellness clinics, one truth stands out: without our health, we truly have nothing. I've watched patients from all walks of life—whether they're executives with substantial wealth, middle-class families budgeting carefully, or upper-middle-class professionals balancing careers and home—prioritize material possessions or entertainment, only to regret it when illness makes those things irrelevant. Before you dismiss this as just another health lecture, think about the moments that matter most: being fully present with your family, having the energy to excel at work, or simply enjoying daily life without nagging fatigue or pain. What if redirecting your focus now could set the stage for those experiences to thrive? In this blog, I'll share why it's time to become the CEO of your health, investing time and money wisely for returns that far exceed any stock portfolio or material possession. I'll also dive into why our healthcare system often leaves us underinsured for what truly matters, the pitfalls of overreliance on prescriptions, how non-traditional modalities are affordable for many, and how proactive investments can transform your life, no matter your income level.
The Escalating Crisis in U.S. Health Insurance: Why Families Are Paying More for Less—and the Path to True Wellness
Health insurance costs in the United States continue to spiral upward, placing immense strain on individuals, families, and employers alike. For a family of four, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored coverage hit $26,993 in 2025, a 6% increase from the prior year and part of a 26% rise over five years [1]. Employees contribute roughly $6,850 on average, but when deductibles—averaging $1,886 for individuals and often higher for families—and out-of-pocket maximums exceeding $3,000 for most are factored in, total expenses can soar toward $50,000 in unsubsidized scenarios, particularly in high-cost states like Alaska or Vermont [2][3]. In the ACA marketplace, unsubsidized premiums for a family of four averaged $17,244 annually in 2025, based on monthly rates of about $1,437, with projections for a 26% hike into 2026 [4][5]. These burdens compound with medical debt affecting 41% of adults and half unable to cover a $500 emergency without borrowing [6].
Hacking Your DNA Clock: Why I Combine Light Therapy and NAD+ for Epigenetic Reprogramming
It’s a story I hear constantly in my practice. A 45-year-old executive, a 52-year-old parent, or a 38-year-old athlete hits a "wall." They’re not sick, but they’re not well. Recovery from workouts takes days instead of hours. Brain fog clouds their afternoons. The energy and drive that defined their 30s have been replaced by a persistent, low-grade fatigue.
The Need for Speed: Why Muscle Power Might Be Your Ticket to a Longer, Stronger Life
As a spine surgeon, I've seen how the body breaks down when it loses its edge—literally. A simple slip on ice can cascade into fractures, surgeries, and lost independence. But a new perspective in Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2025) by Salvatore Carbone, PhD, and Windy W. Alonso, PhD, flips the script: It's not just about building muscle strength—it's about power (speed + force) that could add years to your life. Let's dive into why this matters and how to harness it.
Why Women Might Be Winning the Heart Health Game with Exercise
I’ve spent two decades fixing spines, but the real “fix” for most patients starts long before they land on my operating table: movement. Today, a groundbreaking study in Nature Cardiovascular Research (2025) by Dr. Emily S. Lau just gave us the strongest evidence yet that women may be biologically wired to reap more heart protection from exercise than men. Let’s unpack this game-changer.
Beyond the Fog: A Deep Dive into the Science of Long COVID and a New Path to Recovery
If you are one of the millions of Americans struggling with the persistent, debilitating symptoms of Post-COVID Syndrome (Long COVID), I want to start by saying two things: you are not alone, and your symptoms are real. The profound fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, the debilitating brain fog that clouds your thinking, the shortness of breath, the strange neurological sensations—these are not "in your head." They are the tangible results of a complex, systemic dysfunction triggered by the initial viral infection.
The Silent Thief of Strength: A Deep Dive into Sarcopenia (Serious Muscle Loss) and Why It's Not a Normal Part of Aging
As we age, it’s common to notice subtle shifts. Jars become a little harder to open, climbing a flight of stairs feels more taxing, and we might feel a general sense of being less robust than we used to be. For decades, both patients and doctors have often dismissed this with a simple, passive explanation: "Well, that's just a normal part of getting older."
The Waggle Dance and the Wisdom of Rebel Bees: A Call for Healthcare Professionals to Break Free from Silos
Minnesota's New Standard for Bone Health: A Guide to the Revolutionary REMS Bone Scan
A revolutionary, radiation-free technology is changing that paradigm, and HyperCharge Health is proud to be a designated Center of Excellence leading the way in Minnesota. This technology is REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry), and it represents the most significant advancement in osteoporosis screening in a generation. At our Edina clinic, we have built a comprehensive program around it called the REMS Plus Evaluation. This blog serves as a deep-dive, evidence-based guide for proactive patients and for the diverse community of clinicians seeking a superior diagnostic tool.
Illuminating the Path to Recovery: Transcranial Photobiomodulation (Light Therapy) for Concussion, Cognitive, and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a non-invasive therapy utilizing near-infrared (NIR) light to stimulate brain function, represents a paradigm shift in the management of complex neurological and psychiatric conditions. This article provides a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence supporting tPBM. We explore its core mechanisms of action, including the enhancement of mitochondrial respiration, increased cerebral blood flow, and reduction of neuroinflammation. We then analyze the growing body of clinical evidence—from case studies to randomized controlled trials—demonstrating its therapeutic potential and robust safety profile across conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), dementia, Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, a therapy we are proud to pioneer here in Minnesota.
Recharging the Injured Brain: Why Photobiomodulation (Light Therapy) is Critical for Concussion Recovery and Why Current Treatment Options Are Just Not Enough
After more than two decades in medicine, one of my greatest professional frustrations is seeing patients trapped in an outdated and incomplete model of concussion care. The current "gold standard" may involve valuable therapies like vestibular, vision, and physical therapy, but I have seen firsthand how these interventions often fall short. They are pieces of a puzzle, but they are missing the most critical piece of all.
The Engine and the Fire: How We Target the Twin Roots of Chronic Disease—Inflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
The vast majority of chronic, age-related diseases are not independent events. Instead, they are the downstream consequences of two interconnected, fundamental breakdowns at the cellular level: chronic inflammation (the fire) and mitochondrial dysfunction (the engine failure). Understanding this two-headed dragon is the first step to true healing. Treating it is the key to reclaiming your health.
A Prescription for a Broken System: The Vision Behind HyperCharge Health
So many of our treatment options are powerfully synergistic with the care patients are already receiving. For our patients undergoing conventional cancer care, our cellular therapies can help support their resilience. For those recovering from a necessary surgery, we can accelerate healing. Most patients under my care at HyperCharge Health continue to work closely with their trusted primary care doctors and specialists. We are not a replacement for your dedicated healthcare team; we are a powerful, collaborative addition to it.
BHRT for Men: The Ultimate Guide to Testosterone Replacement for Vitality
This guide explains how Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for men can be a life-changing solution. Moving beyond just symptom management, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is about restoring your body's optimal function so you can reclaim your edge.
Revitalizing Intimacy: The Power of PT-141 ("The Pink Shot") for Women's Sexual Health and Beyond
If you’re a woman experiencing a decline in sexual desire—whether it’s difficulty achieving arousal, reduced libido, painful intercourse, or simply not feeling the spark you once did—what if I told you that one of the most powerful strategies for reclaiming intimate vitality, especially during perimenopause or menopause, isn’t just relying on lifestyle adjustments, counseling, or invasive procedures?
Revolutionizing Longevity: The Exercise-Mimicking Power of SLU-PP-332 for Metabolic Health and Anti-Aging
It may seem far-fetched, but drawing from longevity research, biohacking communities, and promising patient observations at HyperCharge Health, this is becoming a reality. In functional medicine, an innovative compound has surfaced that, though not a complete substitute for movement, offers the closest thing to “exercise in a pill” we’ve seen yet.
Unlocking Youthful Vitality: The Power of NAD+ Therapy Combined with 5-Amino-1MQ for Anti-Aging
If you’re starting to notice the effects of aging—whether it’s brain fog, persistent fatigue, unwanted weight gain, or simply not recovering as quickly as before—what if I told you that the most potent strategy for looking and feeling younger, especially after 40, isn’t solely reliant on lifestyle changes, cosmetic procedures, or surgery?
Empowering Women: A Comprehensive Guide to Investing in Integrative Health Strategies
In today's fast-paced world, women's health concerns are often overlooked, dismissed, or inadequately addressed by traditional medicine, leading to prolonged suffering and diminished quality of life. At HyperCharge Health and HyperCharge Wellness, we champion integrative health strategies that blend cutting-edge science, holistic therapies, and personalized care to tackle root causes rather than just symptoms. These approaches empower women to reclaim their vitality, prevent chronic conditions, and thrive at every life stage. With chronic diseases surging—over 60% of Americans affected—and women facing unique challenges like hormonal imbalances and systemic biases, investing in integrative health is essential. This guide explores the major health issues women encounter, how traditional medicine frequently fails them, the critical role of comprehensive diagnostics, and the transformative solutions offered at HyperCharge. By prioritizing your health through these strategies, you can achieve lasting improvements in energy, mood, bone strength, weight management, and overall well-being.
Advancing Regenerative Medicine: The Superior Potential of Subchondral Intraosseous Injections for Osteoarthritis and Spinal Conditions
In the evolving field of regenerative medicine, innovative approaches are transforming how we address chronic conditions like osteoarthritis (OA) in the knees, shoulders, and even spinal issues. Traditional treatments often focus on symptom management, but regenerative therapies aim to promote healing at the cellular level. Among these, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate (BMC) injections have gained prominence for their ability to harness the body's natural repair mechanisms. However, not all injection methods are created equal. While intra-articular injections—delivered directly into the joint space—are common and effective for many, emerging evidence highlights the advantages of subchondral intraosseous injections, which target the bone beneath the cartilage. This blog explores the science behind these techniques, dives into key studies comparing them, and discusses why advanced targeting can lead to better outcomes, particularly at specialized clinics like HyperCharge Health and the Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Corticosteroid Injections vs. Regenerative Medicine: Unmasking the Short-Term Fix and Embracing Long-Term Healing for Musculoskeletal Conditions
This blog, informed by insights from leading experts in orthopedics and regenerative medicine, aims to educate both the public and healthcare providers on this critical contrast. Drawing from high-quality literature, including systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, we'll explore the widespread use of corticosteroids, their hidden risks, and why regenerative options represent the future of musculoskeletal care.