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Dr. Frank Aversano has been teaching Anatomy & Physiology at the Bellevue Massage School since 2001. Students may use the slides below to review for weekly quizzes and to prepare for the midterm and final.

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This is a sample of a video blog produced by Frank Aversano, ND for BioImmersion, Inc.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

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Therapeutic Strategies for Massage Practice: Conventional vs. Alternative

Bellevue, WA | Bellevue Massage School | March 29, 2011 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm
2 hours CE for LMP’s

map and directions

When choosing a practice style, modality, or plan it’s important to establish “therapeutic intent.” That is, “What exactly do you want your therapy to accomplish?” In the first hour, we’ll take at look at the conventional and alternative medical models. We’ll look closely at the outcomes for each based on initial assumptions. In the second hour, we’ll apply these assumptions to 3 cases. After this class, you’ll be able to use these models when designing client plans and will enjoy a higher level of confidence in defining therapeutic intent.

Dr. Frank Aversano, ND has been teaching anatomy and physiology at the Bellevue Massage School for the past 10 years. He has a particular interest in understanding medical models and their application to clinical decision making.

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Brief bio on Dr. Frank Aversano | Schedule your treatment

Objective

To offer a unique and effective complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment for sinus problems at specialty clinics in the US, Canada, and Europe.

Profile

Dr. Frank Aversano is a family practice physician trained as a specialist in complementary and alternative medicine (ND). He enjoys a winning career as director of Nova Sinus Center with specialty clinics in the greater Seattle area. Clients are delighted by his charismatic style and value his talent to get to the heart of their sinus problems.

Core Skills

Program development, business planning, leading, teaching, training, presenting, technical writing / editing for health care, blogging for health care, graphic design for health care, web design for health care, film writing and editing for health care, podcast writing and editing for health care, curriculum development.

Professional Experience

Developer, Owner, and Clinical Director, Nova Sinus Center, LLC—Seattle, WA | 2008 – present
Developed a unique CAM treatment for acute and chronic rhinosinusitis; responsible for marketing and brand identity including graphics, newsletters, mail pieces, podcast, video, and web development; trained and led physicians in treatment delivery; responsible for quality control, client retention, and establishing referral networks.

Staff Physician, Pacific Balance and Rehabilitation Clinic—Seattle, WA | 2007 – 2008
Practiced primary care medicine at a leading physical therapy clinic specializing in balance disorders; became experienced in otolaryngology and vestibular problems; developed and beta-tested the Respiratory Suite Treatment (REST) for safety and efficacy; converted general practice into a well-developed specialty clinic for rhinosinusitis.

Developer, The Natural Cuisine Coach—Seattle, WA | 2001 – 2007
Developed a unique personal chef training program based on wholefoods eating styles; developed and maintained a commerce-based web site with recipes, wellness articles, and dietary supplements available for purchase.

Staff Physician, Kirkland Natural Health Associates—Kirkland, WA | 2001 – 2005
Co-founded and co-developed a primary care medical clinic in the Rose Hill neighborhood of Kirkland, Washington; specialties included: clinical nutrition, men’s health, women’s health, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, clinical ecology and detoxification, botanical and orthomolecular medicine, and general family practice.

Instructor, BodyMind Academy, Fitness and Nutrition Program—Bellevue, WA | 2002 – 2005
Led the nutrition and counseling coursework for 10-15 fitness consultants in training; at the conclusion of the program, students took the American Council on Exercise (ACE) certifying exam and applied as Registered Counselors (RC) in Washington state; topics included: macro and micronutrients, metabolism and energy production, cultural aspects of food and nutrition, and essential counseling techniques.

Core Faculty, Anatomy and Physiology, Bellevue Massage School—Bellevue, WA | 2001 – present
Instructing and leading the anatomy program for 20-30 massage practitioners in training; providing a strong foundation in the structure, function, and dysfunction of all body systems including: medical terminology, cells and tissues, osteology, myology, disease and microbiology, skin and integument, cardiology and circulation, blood vessels, hematology, immunology and lymphatics, pulmonary system, nutrition and digestive system, neuroanatomy and neurology, nephrology, urology and reproductive system, and endocrinology; displaying particular strength and sensitivity in accommodating varied learning styles among a variety of ages (18-65) and diverse ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds; displaying particular strength in conveying the relevance of technical material to practical clinical situations.

Adjunct Faculty, Bastyr University, Department of Nutrition—Kenmore, WA | September 2001 – December 2001
Developed and led a wholefoods lab practicum for naturopathic medical students as part of their nutrition curriculum; core topics: pantry development, knife skills, whole and natural food substitutions, recipe development, and hands-on food production; other topics: working with the “cuisine challenged” patient; analysis and appreciation of the patient’s entire “cuisine system” versus just the assessment of their dietary intake; the importance of sequential support, assessing stage of readiness, and goal setting when advising dietary changes.

Preceptor, Bastyr University—Kenmore, WA | 2001 – 2005
Served as a clinical instructor and mentor for naturopathic physicians in training.

Education

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), June 2000—Bastyr University | Kenmore, WA
Completed didactic and clinical training to qualify as a primary care physician specializing in complementary and alternative medicine.

Participant, OTO-HNS Grand Rounds, 2009 – present—University of Washington | Seattle, WA
Attending the University of Washington otolaryngology-head and neck surgery grand rounds to stay current on the latest drug and surgical approaches to nose and sinus disease.

Family Medicine, preceptorship completed March 2000—Peter Shalit, MD | Seattle, WA
General medicine, internal medicine strategies, physical exam skills, venipuncture, arterial blood draw (femoral), minor surgery (incision and drainage of sebaceous cyst), working with diverse populations.

Emergency Medicine, preceptorship completed November 1999—Kathleen Jobe, MD | UW | Seattle, WA
Triage strategies, shock and frostbite management, urinary catheterization of the difficult patient, management of grand mal seizure, radiographic interpretation of traumatic injury, management of the suicidal patient, management of orthopedic injuries (compound tibial fracture), suturing and stapling of traumatic injuries, management of the terminally ill patient (pancreatic failure status post Whipple procedure), venipuncture in challenging circumstances, management of drug and alcohol toxicity, introduction to critical care algorithms, observing critical codes and resuscitations, appreciation of the cultural and socioeconomic challenges of the emergency department.

Urology / Men’s Health, preceptorship completed September 1999—Michael Stern, MD | Edmonds, WA
Endoscopic visualization of the bladder, physical exam of the prostate and testes, management of male impotence, management of BPH and prostate cancer, perspectives on what the PSA actually means, medical management of BPH, introduction to endourologic procedures (TUNA).

Medical Oncology, preceptorship completed September 1999—Cancer Treatment Centers | Seattle, WA
Observation of chemotherapy mixing and infusion; chemotherapy selection and timing strategies; understanding the causes of cancer and metastasis; interviewing the newly diagnosed patient, interviewing patients undergoing chemotherapy, appreciation of the integration of naturopathic counseling, clinical nutrition, and natural pharmacy with conventional strategies.

Apprenticeship in Natural Cookery, completed August 1993—Natural Gourmet Cookery School | New York, NY
Completed an apprenticeship with world-renown natural foods chefs and educators; completed an externship at Angelica Kitchen in New York City; curriculum included: pantry development, knife skills, whole and natural foods substitutions, menu planning, natural and hypoallergenic baking, food pharmacy, hydrotherapy, and basic naturopathic principles.

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Summa Cum Laude, May 1992—Long Island University, CW Post College | Brookville, NY
Majored in psychology and philosophy with a concentration in music (percussion); activities and societies: Phi Eta Sigma, National Honor Society; Chapter President, Philosophy National Honor Society; Margaret Tatz Memorial Award for Excellence in Psychology; cash award for excellence in German language.

Business / Community Leadership

President, Business Networkers International (BNI), Dynamic Downtowners Chapter, 2008 – 2009
Brought chapter to Gold status (40 members), grew chapter account reserves, and was a Notable Networker for the year (over $10,000 in business referrals)

Professional Licenses

License to practice Naturopathic Medicine, active as of July 2000, State of Washington NT989
Authorized for DEA Registration (2007), Authorized for IV therapy (2008)

Media Samples

Website: sinusninja.com

Twitter: NovaSinusCenter

Newsletter: H1N1 Update

Article: Sinusitis: Antibiotics are not Justified

Editorial: Ice Breakers 101: Make Sense not Sales

Documentary Film: sinusninja.com | clients

Video Blog: BioImmersion, Inc

Podcast: Understanding Sinus Medications

Seminar: Therapeutic Strategies: Conventional vs. Alternative

References

See what others are saying about Dr. Frank Aversano | view LinkedIn profile | view Biznik profile

Schedule your treatment | contact Dr. Frank to discuss business opportunities

UW ENT Grand Rounds January 14th, 2009

6:30 am – Tanya Meyer, MD, Assistant Professor; Director, Voice and Swallowing Center, University of Maryland “Airway Stenosis – Breath of the Matter”

Dr. Tanya Meyer presented the pathophysiology of airway stenosis – a common problem when trauma to the airway happens. Trauma may be caused by chronic inflammatory disease, benign neoplasm (growths), malignant neoplasm (primary or metastatic cancers), and collagen vascular diseases. The most common cause of laryngotracheal stenosis continues to be trauma, which can be internal (prolonged endotracheal intubation, tracheotomy, surgery, irradiation, endotracheal burns) or external (blunt or penetrating neck trauma).

Apparently according to Dr. Meyer, “Rabbits have beautiful airways.” She previewed a film demonstrating tracheal electrocautery of the rabbit. The resulting stenosis was treated with balloon dilation. In my journal studies of the upper airways, I tend not to look at animal models since #1, such lab practices are inhumane, and #2, lab animals don’t exhibit the human variable of “volition toward wellness.” That is, humans are uniquely known to “will and command” wellness by adjusting intention, attitude, and behaviors.

Perhaps most importantly, airway stenosis is most often iatrogenically caused – that is, by physician intervention. As a preventive medicine enthusiast, it’s my mission and hope that patients “will and command” their wellness so as to reduce their chances of succumbing to prolonged intubation, from cardiovascular surgery for example.

Next, we heard from Dr. Dalley who described normal and variant radiographic anatomy of the nose and sinus passageways. Most intriguing was the observation that septal deviations are more of a variant than a pathology per se. After seeing the radiographic evidence of paradoxical curvatures, deviations, and polyps I mused to myself that the REST treatment can be put to great clinical use to reduce mucoid retention symptoms related to these common anatomic variants.

Frank Aversano, ND is an attendee of the University of Washington’s OTO-HNS Grand Rounds. He stays up to date on the latest drug and surgical procedures for the nose and sinuses.

I’d like to Schedule a Sinus Ninja treatment with Dr. Frank

University of Washington, Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, February 18th, 2009

6:30 am – Scott Manning, MD “Allergic Fungal Sinusitis & Update on Pediatric Sinusitis”

Dr. Manning began with the notion that chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is not a disease but “an endpoint of many interacting conditions.” Allergic rhinitis, GERD (acid reflux), eczema, migraine, and otitis (ear infection) are several conditions he mentions that add up to what the everyday patient calls “sinus trouble.” At Nova Sinus Center, we take this idea to its logical conclusion to teach patients that the rhinosinuses are often an “LED indicator” of overall inflammatory burden.

Just think of the game Operation. The playmate patient’s bright red nose lights up as the “surgeon” tries to solve other seemingly unrelated health problems. What does “water on the knee” for example have to do with CRS? Both are evidence of inflammatory processes. No one would argue that edema and effusion point to inflammation – whether in the nose or the knee. In fact, Dr. Manning observes that world is becoming “more allergic and more inflamed.” Urbanization, air pollution, high fat diet, and early introduction of food antigens are just some of the contributing variables he references.

In other words, what Dr. Manning may be saying is “where there’s smoke there’s fire.” That is, if one inflammatory process is being observed and treated, we can assume there are others. I treat the rhinosinuses as if they are the “red light” indicator of overall health. It would seem reasonable then, that treating immediately and routinely with steroids is like pulling the plug on your car’s warning indicators. Just because the light’s not on doesn’t mean your engine won’t be crashing from lack of oil.

One cause of chronic rhinosinusitis that comes up time and again during ENT rounds is primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) – a genetic defect causing a reduction of mucus clearance from the respiratory tract. This condition appears so often in clinical conversation that it would seem my ENT colleagues believe it’s prevalent even in the absence of biopsy-demonstrated PCD.

The REST treatment at Nova Sinus Center is designed to amplify and assist ciliatory motility resulting in improved discharge of noxious elements. Dr. Manning confirms a prevailing notion that ciliatory motility is a key factor in rhinosinus health. Clearly, anything that can be done to facilitate ciliatory motility will help reduce rhinosinus distress and inflammation. The REST treatment appears to be a missing link – a first line defense – preferable to covering up sinus trouble with steroids or moving straight away to invasive surgery.

Frank Aversano, ND is an attendee of the University of Washington’s OTO-HNS Grand Rounds. He stays up to date on the latest drug and surgical procedures for the nose and sinuses.

I’d like to Schedule a Sinus Ninja treatment with Dr. Frank

University of Washington, Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, March 4th, 2009

6:30 am – Ernest Weymuller, Jr, MD “Revision Sinus Surgery”

Dr. Weymuller emphasized two themes of interest this morning: Use surgery only when necessary, and use rational medicine strategies first. In his introduction, he invited his audience to “learn from failures and misadventures.” While his talk was on revision sinus surgery, Dr. Weymuller spoke from over 40 years experience to say that “medicine does work.” A 21-day oral prednisone taper plus broad spectrum antibiotics was his medical strategy of choice. Dr. Weymuller offers the patient the option of surgical revision when symptoms recur within a 3 month period – that is, a “try and fail” after prednisone taper and broad spectrum course.

A few things come to mind. I’m fascinated by the notion that oral or even nasal steroids are curative – that is, eliminate the cause of the illness. Besides the concern of immunosuppression with oral delivery, there is the well-known phenomenon of receptor “up-regulation” with nasal sprays. This is also referred to generally as drug “tolerance.” The flip side of tolerance is what happens when the drug is removed. As alpha-1 / alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, decongestant sprays like Afrin® and Neo-Synephrine® cause their counterpart receptors to become “hungry” for the drug when it is removed. This results in a more troublesome congestion than before use as the receptors “seek” the drug that is no longer there.

It is well known that nasal decongestant sprays cause “rebound congestion” when the spray is discontinued. Because of this, the manufacturer’s advised use is less than 3 days and physicians will often prescribe the “less addictive” nasal steroids (Flonase®, Veramyst®, Rhinocort®). This presents a curiosity. Does this mean when nasal steroid sprays are discontinued there won’t be rebound congestion? Not exactly. Nasal steroids act by a different mechanism which reduces inflammatory cells and mediators like eosinophils and leukotrienes. While the precise mechanism is unknown, it is known that removal of nasal steroids causes some rebound congestion. That is, the congestion is worse as compared to before starting the nasal steroid therapy. In fact, I have witnessed this troubling phenomenon in my own patients over the past several years with any medical intervention designed to suppress immune response or reduce inflammatory mediators. Until I encounter a better explanation, I can only conclude that something like receptor modulation is the cause.

Just recently I asked a client in the 5th treatment of her REST-6 program if her symptoms were better or worse after Flonase® taper (I had her gradually reduce the drug during her REST series). She mentioned at first, the congestion was much worse. I suspect that in the absence of REST intervention her congestion would have continued to worsen until the receptors down-regulated. Today, without Flonase® she is confident that the REST is a better choice for her. She is now better-than-baseline without receptor or immune modulation (i.e. without Flonase®). I conclude that the REST program is giving this typical client a symptom-reduced quality of life while offering a natural, “receptor-independent” (a.k.a. non-addictive) solution to her sinus trouble.

As a final note, I would agree that medicine for rhinosinusitis is effective. It is my opinion that the REST program is a rational medical strategy that avoids immune suppression and receptor-driven dependency. I propose clients use the REST program as a “try and fail” before using receptor-modulating or immunosuppressive remedies. Clearly, these drugs represent “plan B,” and surgery is agreeably “plan C.”

Editor’s note: Curiously, Flonase® also has a progesterone-like activity, the clinical effects of which to my knowledge have not been investigated.

Frank Aversano, ND is an attendee of the University of Washington’s OTO-HNS Grand Rounds. He stays up to date on the latest drug and surgical procedures for the nose and sinuses.

I’d like to Schedule a Sinus Ninja Treatment with Dr. Frank

University of Washington, Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, March 25th, 2009

6:30 am – Patricia Oakes, MD, Acting Instructor, Neurology “Chronic Headaches and Facial Pain”

In one of the UW meeting rooms where OTO-NHS Grand Rounds are held there is a fire door with a sign that reads, “Do not block.” It seems each Wednesday morning, a folded side-lying table creeps further and further in front of this emergency exit. This morning, it was completely blocking the way out. Fantasies of 20 residents and faculty tripping over each other to get out as fire licked at the main entrance flickered in my mind as I sat and gazed into the texture of the table. I began thinking this is an interesting metaphor for what happens in the nose and sinus passageways.

The emergency exit can be compared to the rhinosinus outflow system known as the ostiomeatal complex. This is the point where the frontal and maxillary sinuses normally drain into the nasal cavity. Obstruction here produces inflammation of the affected sinuses and is routinely treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and endoscopic sinus surgery. One of the great benefits of the REST treatment offered at Nova Sinus Center is that it promotes clearing of the ostiomeatal complex by supporting muco-ciliary drainage. When this emergency exit is clear, flow from the sinus ostia (openings from the sinuses into the nose passages) is enhanced. REST combines this benefit with microbicidal and biofilm reduction leading to prevention or resolution of ostiomeatal blockages. Next week, I think I’ll take some initiative and move that table out of the way.

Dr. Patricia Oakes was on hand today to present some pearls on headache of neurologic origin. She reviewed the ICHD-2 (International Headache Classification, 2ed) and placed special focus on migraine identification and differentiation of migraine from headaches of sinus origin. Dr. Oakes presented a study that concluded 86% of patients who thought they had sinus headaches actually had migraines. Despite Dr. Oakes’ admitted potential for diagnosis bias, this study was a real eye-opener for me. She went on to present differential diagnosis including the more dangerous causes of headache like stroke and artery dissection. In the end, I discovered a more refined appreciation of the causes of headache and when neurologic consult is indicated.

Frank Aversano, ND is an attendee of the University of Washington’s OTO-HNS Grand Rounds. He stays up to date on the latest drug and surgical procedures for the nose and sinuses.

I’d like to Schedule a Sinus Ninja treatment with Dr. Frank

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“When you consider the wide range of symptoms that food allergies can cause, it’s not hard to believe that every person you know could have a food allergy.”

- Robert Giller, MD author of Natural Prescriptions

Figure 1: Large, maldigested, allergic food particles bypass the immune barrier through wide gap junctions between cells of the small intestine. These particles enter general circulation.

Figure 2: Allergic food particles (A) cause B-cells to manufacture antibodies (B). The resulting complexes (C) are known to cause a wide range of symptoms, including nasal allergies and chronic sinusitis.

Blood draw & process $29 (15 min)
Lab Fee (payable to US Biotek) $139

After your blood sample is taken, processed, and received at the lab, results are back to our office in 7-10 business days. We’ll give you a call to schedule a Review of Findings.

Review of Findings (40 min)$110

Review test results and discuss the 90-day elimination phase.

Note: Though not all sinusitis is caused by hidden (IgG)  food allergies, a 90-day elimination of reactive foods will help to rule them out as a cause. Other general health issues like migraine headaches, digestive and skin problems, and fatigue can be caused by hidden food allergies.

© 2011 Frank Aversano, ND / Nova Sinus Center, LLC  Trademarks

Q: I’ve heard that using a neti pot or rinsing my nose with saline is a good thing for my nose and sinuses. What do the physicians of Nova Sinus Center think about this practice?

A: SNI, or Saline Nasal Irrigation, is a widely used adjunctive and primary care method of treating chronic rhinosinusitis. Whether by low negative pressure (snorting), low positive pressure (squirt or spray bottle), or gravity-assisted pressure (neti pot), the efficacy of rinsing the rhinosinus passages with salt water is controversial. The precise mechanism of SNI action is unknown.

Proposed effects of SNI include removal of allergens and particulates, removal of inflammatory mediators, and improvement of mucociliary function, as demonstrated by increased ciliary beat frequency. If done daily as a part of routine hygiene, favorable reduction of chronic nose and sinus symptoms have been reported.

In early November of 2009, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) reported that 68 people who used nasal saline irrigation for 12 months and then discontinued use for another 12 months had a 62.5% reduction in the rate of sinusitis in the discontinuation phase. Likewise, a group of 24 adults who used daily nasal saline irrigation for 12 months were found to have significantly higher (50%) rates of sinusitis compared to those of non-users. Researchers concluded that while use of a net pot may temporarily reduce symptoms, “daily long-term use [of SNI] may result in an increased frequency of acute [sinusitis] by potentially depleting the nose of its immune blanket of mucus.” They went on to propose that long term nasal irrigation disrupts the natural immune (protective) function of the mucus layer.

We at Nova Sinus Center conclude that while subjective efficacy of the various methods of SNI varies, the long term practice of instilling saline into the rhinosinus passageways is not recommended. In response, we propose a “next generation” alternative to the practice of salt water irrigation. In contrast to removing the rhinosinus mucus blanket, our onsite REST treatment actually restores it with a “fresh” pathogen-and-particulate-reduced layer. To use a metaphor, it’s like getting fresh, clean sheets on your bed. In conclusion, our advisement is this: Monthly REST offers all of the benefits of saline irrigation without destroying the protective mucus layer of the nose and sinuses. When saline nasal irrigation fails, REST offers the “next generation” of natural care for the nose and sinuses.

Tell me more about an alternative · I’d like to schedule a Sinus Ninja treatment.

© 2010 Frank Aversano, ND / Nova Sinus Center, LLC  Trademarks