The Health Club: Care Specialties and Trends

Ophthalmology

What advancements in treatment and diagnosis are you excited to see in the year ahead? 

“One of the more recent advancements in cataract surgery is the advent of the light adjustable intraocular lens. This is exciting technology that allows clinicians to modify a patient’s refraction after the intraocular lens is surgically placed into the eye. In essence, this allows patients to ‘fine-tune’ their vision to their exact liking after cataract surgery is performed, oftentimes achieving perfect vision without the need for glasses.” —Dr. Chris Stefonowicz, St. Paul Eye Clinic

“With emerging therapies in myopia management, we have exciting new options to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. In addition to myopia control contact lenses and dilute atropine drops, myopia control eyeglass lenses were just FDA approved in September 2025 and will be available for patients in the U.S. soon.” —Dr. Maggie Strampe, St. Paul Eye Clinic

If I’m an average, healthy, well-seeing adult, do I need to get routine eye exams?

“Because many eye conditions are silent, they can only be diagnosed in the early stages with a thorough eye exam—by the time symptoms appear, the disease may already be more advanced. Additionally, the eye is the ‘window to the soul’; it’s the only place in the body where we can directly visualize blood vessels and nerves, allowing us to diagnose systemic diseases during a routine eye exam. Conditions such as diabetes and hypertension can often be detected this way.” —Dr. Y. Ralph Chu, Chu Vision Institute

Tell me more about how AI is being leveraged in early detection of eye conditions.

“AI is likely to transform retinal care by detecting diseases like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and even rare retinal dystrophies earlier than traditional methods. New deep-learning tools can analyze retinal scans and images with remarkable precision, spotting microscopic changes and predicting how quickly a condition may progress. 

“These technologies help doctors tailor treatments and streamline access to specialty care. As these systems continue to advance, they’re poised to become easier to utilize for providers and more accessible for patients.” —Dr. Alex Ringeisen, St. Paul Eye Clinic

Are eye drops effective in treating up-close vision loss?

“Presbyopia is the medical term for a patient’s loss of near vision as they age. When best corrected for distance vision, most people begin to notice loss of near vision in their mid to late 40s. This most often results in patients using either reading glasses or glasses with a bifocal. New pharmacotherapeutics, however, have given patients the option of using eye drops to help alleviate their loss of near vision. The primary way these drops work is by temporarily decreasing a patient’s pupil size, which in turn expands a patient’s depth of focus. In early presbyopia, this can be an effective means to reduce the need for reading glasses during the six to eight hours that the drop is active. Like all treatments, this, too, is not without side effects, and many patients do notice a mild decrease in their night vision while the drop is active, as their pupil is unable to expand.” —Dr. Chris Stefonowicz, St. Paul Eye Clinic

“Because many eye conditions are silent, they can only be diagnosed in the early stages with a thorough eye exam—by the time symptoms appear, the disease may already be more advanced.” Dr. Y. Ralph Chu / Chu Vision Institute

Dermatology

Should young people really be getting Botox and filler as often as social media seems to encourage?

“It’s so important to remember that social media is marketing—and a lot of those images are edited! There are definitely situations where younger people can benefit from Botox and filler. I’ve had patients with facial asymmetries from injuries or conditions like Bell’s palsy who get natural-looking improvements from carefully placed Botox or filler. But chasing a look you see on Instagram or TikTok can do more harm than good. You want to see an injector who really understands facial anatomy and will be honest with you about whether a treatment is right for you.” —Dr. Rehana Ahmed, Lakes Dermatology

In this era of “skinimalism,” tell me about the effectiveness of treatments that enhance skin’s natural youthful appearance. 

“Exosomes are becoming quite the buzzword in skin care. In simple terms, they’re a way to deliver tiny molecules to your skin cells that can trigger specific responses like calming inflammation, repairing damaged tissue, or regenerating skin by making more collagen and elastin. In other countries, exosomes are being used both topically and in injections, sometimes combined with laser treatments. But in the U.S., exosomes are not yet FDA approved. There are some topical products on the market that contain exosomes, but the big question is how well they can penetrate into your skin to deliver results. In a dermatologist’s office, exosomes can be applied right after a treatment like microneedling, which helps them get deeper into the skin, where they can really work. It’s definitely an interesting area to watch!” —Dr. Rehana Ahmed, Lakes Dermatology

What are some of the newer nonsurgical options in laser and light therapies?

“There are some really great nonsurgical laser options for skin tightening these days. We have the Sciton SkinTyte laser in our office, which has literally zero downtime—patients actually see some results within hours!—and it keeps getting better with a series of treatments. What’s really fascinating is that a study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed that SkinTyte and Sciton’s BroadBand Light treatments can actually change how your aging-related genes express themselves to look more like younger skin. Pretty cool, right? The way it works is by sending rapid pulses of infrared light deep into your skin, which heats up the tissue and kicks your body’s natural healing into gear. This triggers collagen remodeling and new collagen production, giving you firmer, tighter skin. And the whole time, there’s sapphire cooling, protecting the surface so it’s comfortable and safe. Basically, it tightens the collagen you already have while helping you make new collagen—all without surgery.” —Dr. Rehana Ahmed, Lakes Dermatology

“A recent development in laser technology over the last few years is the release of UltraClear, a next-generation ‘cold’ ablative laser that prompts skin remodeling, tightening, and resurfacing without heating surrounding tissues. This results in less inflammation, a lower risk of post-procedural pigment change, and faster recovery than traditional CO₂ and Erbium ablative lasers. It is considered a safe choice for all skin types.” —Dr. Eloise Galligan, Market Street Dermatology

DYK?

We’ve all heard the rumor that filler never leaves your body—but is it true? Well, filler is typically made of hyaluronic acid, which is naturally generated and broken down by the body. “When it’s injected, some of it dissolves over time, but some does spread under the surface and can stick around for a while,” says Dr. Rehana Ahmed of Lakes Dermatology. “It’s not harmful, but major changes to your face from lots of filler might not age as well as you’d hope. We’ve all seen celebrities who got tons of filler and then later had to have it dissolved.”

Pain Management

What’s one lesser-known pain management treatment that people with chronic pain should consider trying? 

“Green light therapy. It’s one of the most fascinating things in pain. Green light is absorbed through the eye and gets into the retina. When the retina absorbs the green light, the rod and cone cells then stimulate a part of the brain that releases your own body’s endorphins. Technically, they’re called enkephalins, and then they become endorphins. But it’s your own body’s natural morphine. It’s very powerful. We’ve been able to decrease the amount of narcotics people use.” —Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, HyperCharge Wellness

Can incorrect posture be the root cause of chronic pain? 

“Absolutely. Having a forward head posture can really be a root cause of a lot of neck pain. When I see patients having those types of postures, I tell them, ‘For every inch your head is forward of neutral from your cervical spine, there are really about another 10 pounds of stress that are put onto all of your muscles on the back of your neck.’ People who are walking around with only a couple inches of forward head posture probably don’t think much of it when they look in the mirror. But if you think about holding up a bowling ball with your neck all day, every day, you can imagine how much strain that puts on your neck, and over time, how that puts degenerative changes on the joints, muscles, and spine itself.” —Dr. Vincent Yaccarino, Twin Cities Pain Clinic

For people with intermittent pain, is it worth it to be seen by a doctor even if they’re not experiencing pain during the appointment? 

“Yes, it’s always better to come in if you’re having pain that’s limiting your function. The longer you wait, the more damage you could be doing without knowing it. For example, a pinched nerve could be a sign of osteoarthritis and disc degeneration, and treating it sooner could help limit the formation of bone spurs, spinal instability, and further pain. 

“Even if the pain isn’t active during your appointment, we can look at imaging, talk about what it feels like and what the triggers are, and develop a plan. And we can have a [pain relief] injection order set and authorized so that whenever you get into one of those spike or flare episodes of pain, you can come in quickly and receive treatment instead of waiting to be seen and potentially waiting longer to have an injection or other treatment authorized by insurance.” —Dr. Erin Bettendorf, Nura Pain Clinics

What’s your best pain prevention hack? 

“Stay moving. Motion is lotion. A thousand years ago or more, we were hunter-gatherers and we were walking miles a day every single day. The sedentary lifestyle is really not how our bodies were designed. You would be surprised how much back, neck, and joint pain is stemming from weakness of the muscles themselves because they’re just not being used enough. So, continuing to stay active, continuing to walk and move, and just keeping all of those muscles engaged is really good. The less you are sedentary on a particular day, the better your body is going to feel over time.” —Dr. Vincent Yaccarino, Twin Cities Pain Clinic

If natural pain relief treatments like oxygen and light therapy can be so effective, why aren’t they more widely recommended? 

“It’s because doctors sometimes feel uncomfortable referring patients to clinics where they have to pay anything [out of pocket]. It is something that we’re stuck in, both on the provider side and on the patient side. I’ve gone twice to D.C. to lobby for coverage of these things. I think everybody should have access to this stuff.” —Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, HyperCharge Wellness

Orthopedics

What are some of the most common injuries that you treat in men and women? How can people avoid them? 

“In men, we see a lot of Achilles tendon injuries, so maintain your flexibility and range of motion. As you lose them, your risk of injury goes up. If you do a lot of repetitive, outstretched, overhead work, then you are at high risk as you approach your 40s of tearing your rotator cuff. If you are stocking shelves of heavier items, for example, bring things a little closer to your power zone and try to keep it more at your chest level than above your head, if possible.

“Women have a much higher incidence of ACL and meniscus tears. The number of moms I’ve seen tear their ACL on an annual ski trip, for example, is alarming. Another predominant injury type, especially for those of Norwegian descent, who have statistically lower bone density, is a stress fracture, like a wrist or ankle fracture from falling on the ice. For women, addressing bone density is important. Keep taking calcium supplements. And those weighted vests that are everywhere now—there is data to support the benefits of those, because bone density is related to how much weight you’re putting on the bones. Bone will grow if you increase the weight.” —Dr. Chris Meyer, Twin Cities Orthopedics

What treatment advice are patients most surprised by? 

“When we tell people that 70 to 80 percent of the time, their wrist or ankle problem is going to get better with physical therapy, they think we’re crazy. But it’s true: If you work with a physical therapist who can strengthen the right muscles and correct imbalances, it’s very frequent that we can fix a problem without doing any surgical intervention.” —Dr. Chris Meyer, Twin Cities Orthopedics

What’s your top injury prevention hack? 

“Back strain is the most common thing we see among patients, and the best thing you can do for your back is to stay fit and lean. While we all have different body types, maintaining overall fitness and a healthy weight gives your back the best chance to stay healthy.” —Dr. Nick Wills, Summit Orthopedics

What new treatments or technologies are you most excited about? 

“Cervical disc replacement is the most significant advancement in spine surgery over the last 15 years. This has remarkably changed options for patients. Previously, a large percentage of patients who had neck surgery needed a spinal fusion. Fortunately, now, well over 50 percent of our patients are candidates for cervical disc replacement rather than fusion.” —Dr. Nick Wills, Summit Orthopedics

Where do you see AI potentially helping orthopedic medicine? 

“I’m hopeful that AI will allow us to have more concise testing. Specifically, using AI to enhance MRI imaging to make scans more predictable and ensure we don’t miss any pathology. This kind of advancement would allow us to diagnose more accurately and confidently.” —Dr. Nick Wills, Summit Orthopedics

“Previously, a large percentage of patients who had neck surgery needed a spinal fusion. Fortunately, now, well over 50 percent of our patients are candidates for cervical disc replacement rather than fusion.” Dr. Nick Wills / Summit Orthopedics

Sleep

Is sleep apnea always related to weight gain? 

“Sleep apnea comes in a variety of forms, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Central and mixed apnea occurs when your brain does not send a signal for your chest to rise and fall. Inspire therapy does not help patients with significant central or mixed apnea.

“Weight gain is a significant contributor to sleep apnea, as we can see from the obesity epidemic. Weight loss either through diet and exercise, medical weight loss (GLP-1 medications), and surgical weight loss can all dramatically affect OSA.

“However, many thin patients have sleep apnea, and weight loss may not completely resolve the sleep issue. Causes of sleep apnea for thin patients can include large tonsils, overbite, and other factors that crowd the airway, including nasal obstruction.” —Dr. Paul Hoff, Inspire Medical Systems

What would you say to a person who is not sure if they have sleep apnea? 

“If you snore loudly, wake up gasping, feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep, or notice morning headaches, those are red flags. If a partner notices pauses in your breathing, that’s especially important. Don’t ignore these signs. It’s important to get checked.” —Dr. Charlene McEvoy, Regions Hospital Sleep Health Center

Besides being an implant, how are the mechanics of the Inspire device different from a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine? 

“Inspire therapy works by activating the tongue muscle, bringing it forward during sleep, resulting in an opening of the airway. It restores tongue muscle tone during sleep. This mechanism differs from CPAP, which uses air pressure to mechanically open the airway.

“Both are effective; however, up to 50 percent of patients find CPAP to be intolerable. In addition to the common complaint of claustrophobia and air leaks, many patients give up on CPAP because of bloating, dry eye due to mask leaks, skin irritation, frequent travel, and not receiving symptomatic benefit despite using it. CPAP also requires cleaning and use of distilled water for humidification. The Inspire device is turned on with a remote control and becomes active after the patient has fallen asleep. Then, it will automatically turn off in the morning and can also be turned off or paused manually with the remote control.” —Dr. Paul Hoff, Inspire Medical Systems

What new sleep apnea treatments are you excited about? 

“A promising option in clinical trials is AD109, a daily pill that targets the neuromuscular causes of airway collapse. If approved, it would be the first oral medication for sleep apnea.” —Dr. Charlene McEvoy, Regions Hospital Sleep Health Center

New Tools For Your Teeth

Brushing to whitening, genetics to treatments—dentists can do more than ever to aid our chompers in strength and longevity thanks to advancing resources, tools, and tech.

In the midst of the low-tox movement, dental care is seeing a move toward more earth-conscious products and materials. “Many dental offices are now moving toward nontoxic, biocompatible materials like BPA-free fillings, metal-free crowns, and mercury-free options that are easier on the body and safer for long-term use,” says Dr. Anupam Gatecha of Reflections Dental Studio. Now, dental products are designed to create less waste, use safer ingredients, and last longer so they don’t need to be replaced as often. “Digital tools and 3D printing help reduce excess materials and make treatments more precise,” Gatecha says. “As awareness continues to grow among patients and providers, eco-friendly dentistry is becoming less of a trend and more of a standard, supporting healthier patients, cleaner practices, and a more responsible approach to care overall.”

The digital era of dental care has dawned, thanks to AI-assisted diagnostics and other technologies. “Advanced AI systems can analyze X-rays, intraoral scans, and CBCT images with remarkable accuracy, detecting early indicators of decay, gum disease, bone loss, and even oral cancer that may be difficult to spot visually,” Gatecha says. “This leads to quicker, more precise diagnoses and allows dentists to take action sooner, often before problems progress.” Digital scans are now used to fabricate crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, surgical guides, and orthodontic appliances that are precisely tailored to each patient. “This level of customization improves fit, comfort, and overall clinical outcomes,” he says.

Genetic analysis is an emerging area of interest, especially in creating individualized dental prevention plans. “When genetics are combined with lifestyle habits and information about the bacteria in the mouth, dentists can focus more on preventing problems, rather than just fixing them—instead of waiting for issues to appear, care can be tailored to each person’s unique risk, helping keep teeth and gums healthy longer and reducing the need for more involved treatments in the future,” Gatecha says. For example, if someone has a higher genetic risk for certain dental issues, they may need more frequent cleanings, specific treatments, or personalized at-home routines and products, “sometimes even before any problems are visible,” Gatecha says. “Genetics can also help explain why a treatment works well for one person but not as well for another.”

Brush Before Brekkie

Holding off on your bristles? We should be brushing before we take those first all-important bites of the day. “Overnight, bacteria in the mouth produce acids that coat your teeth,” says Dr. Anupam Gatecha of Reflections Dental Studio. “Brushing first thing removes these acids before they interact with the sugars and acids in breakfast foods, reducing enamel erosion. [It] helps remove plaque and bacteria before they spread or interact with food.” Plus, taking your morning bristles-first freshens breath and strengthens enamel at the start of the day. If you choose to brush before and after, wait at least 30 to 60 minutes after breakfast to brush.  

Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

This section originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and was supported by:

M Health Fairview, Minneapolis, mhealthfairview.org

Midwest Spine & Brain Institute, Stillwater, midwestspine.net

Nura Pain Clinics, Edina, nuraclinics.com

Twin Cities Pain Clinic, Edina, twincitiespainclinic.com