Publications

Dr. Raymond J.Petras, Ph.D

Newspaper Articles, Interviews As A Media Expert

Recent Articles

"Examination of Sports Telemedicine" - The Telemedicine Information Exchange (TIE), A National Library of Medicine-funded web page - An http://tie.telemed.org/news/#item1761 May 7.

"Reducing Pain and Anxiety During Reduction of a Fracture" - Practical Pain Management Journal http://www.ppmjournal.com/contents.asp?issueid=0903  March

Complete Articles Below:

1. A way to rein in pain. (Youngstown Vindicator, Yo, OH)
2. Doctor uses brain to kill pain. (Trumbull Chronicle, Warren, OH)
3. Verbal Techniques-Eliminate Pain, Permanently-Medical Model. (The Edge, Twin Cities, MN)
   
   

 

A way to rein in pain

 

The YSU grad has worked

 with Olympic athletes

and members of the NBA.

 

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS editor

 

PHOENIX Ever wish you could simply think a pain away?

          Well, thanks to some revolutionary research by a Campbell native, that idea isnt as far-fetched as it may seem.

          Raymond J. Petras, a graduate of Ursuline High and Youngstown State University (Class of 1972), has been at the forefront of a technique called psycho-neuro pain response, or Taking Away Pain.

Essentially, Petras teaches patients mental techniques that speed healing, eliminate pain and improve range of motion.

          "There are four steps," said Petras, who moved to this city two years ago after splitting his practice between here and Minneapolis. "The first is to define pain. What is pain? Its a signal to your brain that you have a problem.

          "The second step, then, is to show the individual how to control the pain. My contention is, that if its OK for the pain to go away, it will happen," Petras added. "The minds job with the body is to protect you, so once you know that, you dont need it any more."

          The third and fourth steps involve determination if the patient can, indeed, eliminate or reduce the pain, and to deal with any stress the patient may experience.

          Petras background is as interesting as his technique.

 

From engineering to psychology

          He graduated from YSU with a degree in chemical engineering. He was employed by DuPont and 3M as a research and development engineer, and while with the latter, he returned to college at the University of Minnesota to take psychology courses. He has a doctorate in psychology.

          "My job at 3M was to come up with new ideas," Petras said. "I got so good at it I was getting patents and developing products. A cancer specialist saw me and asked if I could use this mental stuff to relieve pain. His patients were so drugged up, they were basically not living, theyre just existing. The literature said this is possible, and we were very successful at it.

          "My love has always been sports," he added. "The football coach at St. Thomas University in Minnesota asked if I could help them with injuries.

"The first three players I saw, one had a partial shoulder separation, one had a partial shoulder separation and meniscus damage, and the third had a Grade 2 ankle sprain. I saw them for about 20 to 30 minutes each, and when I was done, they had full strength, no pain and full range of motion. They went out the next day and were able to suit up."

 

Official associations

          Petras also has worked with a number of U.S. Olympic teams (skiing, speed skating and track and field) and hockey and archery athletes, and hes also been involved with the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association.

          He was officially tabbed as the team doctor of the World Cup of Speed Skating in 1996, 1997 and 2000; was a member of the Arizona Obesity Programs Governors Workplace Committee in 2004; and presented a program in January 1998 at the NFLs first pre-Super Bowl Scientific Congress.

          Petras also has been contracted by the Workers Compensation Division of St. Paul, Minn., and the Pain Clinic of Ottawa, Canada, and has served as a private consultant with several performance-enhancement and injury-management centers in metropolitan Phoenix.

          "Its not something thats just related to sports, but were finding using mental techniques is very beneficial in helping relieve pain and speed the healing [process]," Petras said.

          He said he always "goes through channels," checking with coaches, team doctors and trainers before beginning his consultations.

          "The key is, in working with the doctors and trainers, weve never had one reported bad reaction," Petras added.

          Petras even works in the racing community, with jockeys, trainers and yes, the animals.

          "What am I going to tell people? That I talk to horses?" he laughed. "It sounds incredible."

 

Some naysayers

          Petras work hasnt been fully accepted, however. The National Football League and most major college programs reject his technique.

          "I was basically told by team doctors that if I can do something they cant, it makes them look bad," he said, "and if you hurt somebody, were out of a job, so were not interested."

          Petras recently joined the Fiesta Bowl Committee, which puts on the Insight Bowl, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, and this year, the Tostitos BCS national championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium.

          He was selected to serve as chairman of the media golf outing, which will be Sunday.

          "Its not always the pain," he said. "When we get really focused in our mind on what we want to accomplish in life, our system starts to change, and if we look at it as a problem, it shuts down. So we need to look at it in that respect, which is different than anything weve ever seen before.

          "The doctors that Ive worked with tell me they think it will be the new medicine," Petras added.

todor@vindy.com

 

 

Tribune          

Trumbull

Chronicle

Warren, OH

Saturday, January 6, 2007

 

Doctor uses brain to kill pain

By ED PUSKAS Tribune Chronicle

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The way Dr. Raymond J. Petras sees it, people shouldn’t have to live with pain from chronic conditions or injuries.

     Petras has developed a technique called TAP — Taking Away Pain — and treats patients ranging from average, everyday people to small-college football players and jockeys professional athletes.

     He even has treated horses.

     Petras, a Campbell native and Youngstown State University graduate, is a pain management and performance enhancement specialist in Scottsdale. Now he is part of the Fiesta Bowl and BCS Championship Committee where his home-state Ohio State Buckeyes are vying for the

national title this week.

     Petras, who also is the chairman of the Fiesta Bowl Media Golf Challenge at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, met with reporters Friday to talk about helping people use their minds to get over their pain.

     It all started when he was working in research and development with 3M in Minnesota after graduating from Youngstown State University in 1972.

     ‘‘My job was to come up with new ideas and you do that through creativity,’’ he said. ‘‘So I went back to the University of Minnesota and took some courses in psychology, figuring psychology of the mind leads to creativity.’’

     It was a watershed moment for Petras.

     ‘‘I got so good at it I was getting patents and developing products, and I was on television,’’ he said.

     A cancer specialist saw a segment on Petras’ work and approached him with a question.

     ‘‘He said, ‘Hey, can you use this mental stuff to relieve pain? Because my cancer patients are so drugged up, they’re basically not living, they’re just existing,’’’ Petras said. ‘‘I said, ‘Literature says that it’s possible,’ so that’s what we did, and we were very successful at it.’’

     After Petras helped those cancer patients, St. John’s (Minn.) football coach John Gagliardi asked him to treat some of his players. That has led to relationships with others in the sports world, including U.S. Olympic athletes and the Phoenix Suns of the NBA.

     But Petras stressed that although his work has evolved from pain management to include performance-enhancing work with athletes, TAP continues to aid patients dealing with pain caused by illness or injury.

     TAP involves four steps, according to Petras.

     ‘‘The first is to define pain,’’ he said. ‘‘The second is to show the individual how to control pain. The third is to determine if it is OK for the pain to be eliminated or reduced.’’

     That is important, Petras said, because pain is often an indicator that something is wrong. He stressed that pain only should be eliminated if doing so will not put the individual at risk for increased health problems.

     ‘‘The final step is to deal with any stress the individual may have because of the pain or injury,’’ Petras said.

     Sometimes, as he mentioned, the patient is unable to tell him about the pain ... because he or she is a horse.

     ‘‘In 2000, when I was in Ohio, I had someone ask me about using my techniques with horses,’’ Petras said. ‘‘Then in Minnesota, the same thing happened and someone asked me about treating horses. And when I returned to Arizona, two more people asked me about horses.’’

     That was enough to convince Petras there was a need for his services in the equine community.

     ‘‘I have a state license now to go in and talk to horses,’’ he said.

epuskas@tribune-chronicle.com

 

(2007)    Youngstown Vindicator - A way to rein in pain.  Rob Todor

 

(2007)    Tribune-Chronicle - Doctor uses brain to kill pain.  Ed Puskas, Warren, OH

 

(2006)    Arizona Republic - Mental Blackout.  Sports:The Heat Index.  Doug Haller.

 

(2006)    Arizona Republic - Power of selfishness.  Sonja Haller.

 

(2006)    Arizona Republic - Just 'mind' your own business.  Claire Bush.

 

(2006)    Arizona Republic - Experts' tips to help you maximize fitness time.  Sonja

Haller.

(2005)    Arizona Republic - When the doc is ... on the phone.  Sonja Haller. 

 

(2005)    Arizona Republic - Pain-free Advice: Osteoarthritis.   Mary Beth Faller.

 

(2004)    Arizona Republic - Get Back on Track.  Scott Craven & Quynh Tran.

 

(2004)    Eight Steps to Finding A Suitable Activity, Arizona Republic, Quynh Tran, Phoenix, AZ  www.azcentral.com/health/fitness/articles/0127fitpersonality27box.html

(2003)    Petras Speaks, Injuries Listen. The Vindicator, Yo., OH. Sports of the Day. Friday, Dec. 18.

(2003) Mind Over Matter. Hockey Business News - Toronto, Canada. Vol. 9, No. 5, June.

(2002) Therapist's Job is Talking People Out of Their Pain. The Glendale Star. Glendale, AZ. January 24.

(2001) Physical Pain, Mental Therapy: Alternative Care.
Four-part series: The Vindicator. Youngstown, OH. 1. Dr. Ray Petras uses mental approach to Treat Patients; 2. Coach: Petras ahead of his time; 3. Trainer: Petras' work can be useful; 4. Taking full advantage of the mind. April 30-May 3.

(2001) Coffee Talk with V. Dr. Petras and Talking Away Pain . The Journal. Youngstown, OH. Vol. 74, No. 15. April 12.

(2000) Living Pain Free. Paradise Valley Independent, Scottsdale, AZ. June 7.

(2000) Work's with Phoenix Suns. Youngstown Vindicator, OH. Sports Medicine. May 14.

(1999) Patients Learn to Control Their Pain Through TAP Technique. Tyra Novic Wahman. Focus News, Fridley, MN. June 3.

(1996) A Pep Talk for The Pain. St. Paul Pioneer Press, MN. Leslie Brooks Suzukamo. Thursday, August 1.

(1996) Pain Relief: A 'Miracle' to Some. Excelsior-Shorewood Sun-Sailor, MN. June 12.

(1995) Dr. Petras' healing methods are painless. Youngstown Vindicator, OH. Sports Medicine. Dec. 26.

(1995) No pain, no ... pain? Lake People, Southwest Journal, MN. February.

(1993) Petras is doing pain research at U. of Ottawa. Youngstown Vindicator, OH. Sports Psychology. January 3.

(1993) Putting Pain in Perspective. Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal. March.

(1991) Views on the News in Sports, A Letter From The Editor by Joseph Oberle, Minnesota Sports, June Hypnosis May Be Strange, But Some Athletes Try It, by Jarred Opatz, Sports Editor, The Aquin, Publ. by the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, May 3, 1991, Issue No. 13.

(1991) Athlete Heal Thyself: Sports Consultant Shows The Way, by Sara Bledsoe, appeared in the Highland Villager Newspaper, St. Paul, MN, April 13, 1991.

(1990) Athlete Heal Thy Self, by John Bassetti, Article appeared in the Youngstown Vindicator, Youngstown, OH, Front Page Sport Section, March 3, 1990.

(1985) He believes in people helping themselves. District 1 News, MN. January.

 

Publications Written by Dr. Petras (*complete articles following)

Petras, R.J. (2009)    Examination of Sports Telemedicine.  The Telemedicine Information Exchange (TIE), A National Library of Medicine-funded web page - An http://tie.telemed.org/news/#item1761 May 7.

Petras, R.J. (2009)    Reducing Pain and Anxiety During Reduction of a Fracture. Practical Pain Management Journal http://www.ppmjournal.com/contents.asp?issueid=0903  March.

Petras, R.J. (2008)    Performance, Pain & Fear: Is Dealing with Fear, After an Injury, Important? - (Web Only Article).  The American Football Monthly.  October Issue.

Petras, R.J. (2008)    Injury: A Mind/Body & Spirit Relationship? - (Web Only Article).  The American Football Monthly.  September Issue.

Petras, R.J. (2008)    Mental Training For Performance Enhancement and Injury Management - (Web Only Article).  The American Football Monthly.  August Issue.

Petras, R.J. (2003) Techniques You Can Use to Eliminate Pain. The Edge, Woodbury, MN, Upper Midwest Edition, October.

Petras, R.J. (2003) Research: Mental Techniques Reduce Pain and Costs. The Edge, Woodbury, MN, Upper Midwest Edition, September.

Petras, R.J. (2003) The Power of the Word in Health Care. International Rescuer Newsletter. The Official Voice of the International Rescue & Emergency Care Association. Special Conference Edition, August.

*Petras, R.J. (2003) Verbal Techniques Eliminate Pain Permanently - A Medical Model. The Edge, Woodbury, MN, Upper Midwest Edition, August.

Petras, R.J. (2003) CAM's - Complimentary & Althernative Methods. Fant City Life - featuring Health & Fitness. Summer.

Petras, R.J. (2003) Psychology and Sports. The KidsFirstInSports website. March.

Petras, R.J. (2002) Health Points: A Quarterly Rescue for Fibromyalgia, CFIDS, Arthritis & Chronic Pain. Book Review-The Healing Response. Vol. 7, Issue 2, April.

Petras, R.J. (2001) California Worker's Compensation Endeavor Magazine. When Drugs, Surgery and Rehab Fail: Relieving Pain, Reducing Costs and Returning Employees to Work. Vol. 18 No. 1, January.

Petras, R.J. (2000) Examiner-The Official Publication of the Arizona Worker's Compensation Claims Association. Non-Invasisve Injury Management Technique Reduces Costs, Relieves Pain, Returns Employees To Work Faster. Vol. 11 No. 1, Fall.

Petras, R.J. (1998) Images-MSCH Newsletter. Stage Hypnosis, Why Not? Workshop by Ralph McKinney, Ph.D., L.P. Reviewed by Raymond J. Petras. Vol. X, No. 3, Spring.

Petras, R.J. (1998) Images-MSCH Newsletter. Body Scan Technique While the Client is in Trance. Workshop by Lynn Powers, Ph.D., L.P. Reviewed by Raymond J. Petras. Vol. X, No. 3, Spring 1998.

Petras, R.J. (1997) Health & Image, The Mind-Body Connection: Visualization For Improved Performance, October.

Petras, R.J. (1997) Minnesota Running & Track, Plantar Fasciitis, USA Track & Field/MN, Vol. 9, No. 2, June-July.

Petras, R.J. (1996) Images-MSCH Newsletter. Mental Training and Pain Management in Sweden. Vol. VIII, No. 2, Winter 1996.

Petras, R.J. (1994) PsychoNeuro Pain Response (PNPR ): A Technique for Reducing Pain and Improving Range of Motion in Athletes and Non-Athletes after Injury. Doctoral Dissertation. Copyright 1994.

Petras, R.J. (1991) Soviet Philosophy of Competition Linked to Mental Training, Athletic Directory, Vol. 11 No. 2, Fall 1991.

Petras, R.J. (1991) A Nonpharmacological Approach to Pain Relief in Football Players, Unpublished Position Paper, Saint Mary's College, Graduate Campus, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Petras, R.J. (1991) A Psychological Approach for Accelerated Pain Reduction in Athletes, Sports Performance Institute, 3rd Annual Sports Performance Conference, Spring.

Petras, R.J. (1991)Performance, Pain, and Fear, Athletic Directory, Vol. 11 No. 2, Spring.

Petras, R.J. (1989) Case Study: Pain Reduction for College Football Kicker. Artifex: Journal of Cyberbiology, V8, No. 2/3, Summer/Fall, p. 58.

 

Publications (as a contributing author)

 

• AZ Worker's Compensation Journal
• CWCE- California Work Place Magazine, http://www.cwce.com (archives), - Worker's Compensation
• Health & Image: A Magazine Guide to Physical and Mental Wellness
• Minnesota Track & Running
• Athletic Directory: The Coaches Choice, Apple Valley, CA
• Images-MSCH
• Health Points, Fountain Hills, AZ
• The Edge, Woodbury, MN
• Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ www.azcentral.com/health/fitness/articles/0127fitpersonality27box.html

Complete Articles

7/4/03
The EDGE
August 2003, www.edgenews.com
Twin Cities, Wisconsin, Iowa, North/South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska

 

Verbal Techniques-Eliminate Pain, Permanently Medical Model
by Raymond J. Petras, B.E., M.A., Ph.D., C.P.M. (AAPM)

 

This series of articles will show you that it is possible to totally eliminate your physical pain without drugs, surgery or hands-on manipulation. At any moment, it is possible for you to totally and permanently eliminate your pain, discomfort, distress or suffering whether it be physical, mental or emotional even though nothing has helped in the past.

Are you a skeptical patient because you have tried "everything?" Or a "skeptical" health practitioner because that is not what you have been taught or what you have observed in your practice?

 

At one time, I was skeptical, too! But, no more.

 

This Article

This article lists cases on the use of verbal techniques that are effective:

• For emergency situations--For acute injuries, aid in helping the physician obtain a good exam and diagnosis.
• In eliminating pain over the phone--Pre- and post-op to reduce medication.
• For "incurable" diseases, chronic painful conditions.
• For a reduction in time spent in a medical facility.

 

Case 1 - Fractured Radial Bone

--Schwan's USA (Soccer) Cup, Blaine, Minn., 2002

A male athlete, Tom (not his real name), fractured the radial bone in his left arm. He was very anxious and in considerable pain. The orthopedic surgeon in attendance, indicated that typically, this type of fracture is treated in the emergency room with reduction of the fracture under IV sedation, as well as a local lidocaine hematoma block. In this instance, conscious sedation with intravenous medications were not available.

With the help of a therapist, skilled in the use of verbal techniques for pain management, the reduction was undertaken in the training room. In preparation for resetting his bone (reduction), Tom's fears were acknowledged and his breathing was observed to relax. At Tom's request, the therapist remained with him during the reduction, continuing to speak to him reassuringly. Throughout the reduction, Tom remained steady and calm. Afterward, Tom shared that he experienced very little pain and was feeling "pretty good."

Tom benefited when the intervention was introduced prior to and during the reduction. Tom experienced reduced anxiety and stress relief. His parents and insurance company were saved the costs of ambulance transportation to an ER, the ER costs, the cost of anesthetic and other related procedures. He also was spared the time and stress in transportation and waiting in the ER

.

Case 2 - Severely Bruised Hip

In case 2, verbal techniques were utilized to reduce or totally eliminate pain when other options were unavailable. The patient benefited from quick relief. No medication or further medical office visits were necessary.

Attending doctor, Brenda Wilcox Abraham, M.D., reported: "... a female soccer player sustained a hip injury and was unable to walk. When she was brought into the medical area, she was difficult to evaluate and obtain a good physical exam because of pain, guarding, and anxiety. After the therapist worked with her, using only verbal techniques, she was able to get off the table and walk without pain."  Dr. Abraham went on to comment, "I feel that this type of intervention can prevent injuries from turning into more chronic problems... this approach can also accomplish things that we cannot accomplish with medications, therapy, etc."

 

The following cases were performed over the telephone:

 

Case 3 - Breast Cancer: Pre- and post-op

The patient was diagnosed with breast cancer on a Wednesday. Thursday she had a biopsy and was in pain. She had two sessions, one on Friday for the biopsy pain, which was eliminated, and Saturday to prepare her for surgery on Monday. The following email, received Tuesday, reported on the results of the operation:

"I don't quite know where to start... I guess I will start with an update on Patty. She sailed through yesterday (cancer operation) - no pain, no problems, and a fantastic outcome... the initial report is no cancer spread and all clear margins from the lumpectomy site... Findings that were expected given our conversations with you. Patty and I both spoke with the different healthcare providers about your help and work yesterday and they seemed understandably impressed--especially seeing how well Patty did. This morning, the surgical nurse specialist called Patty for a routine follow-up and asked how Patty was doing and how the pain was--was the pain medication working adequately? To which Patty replied that she had no pain and although she took one pain pill last night, she really did not need it. This truly impressed this nurse and she commented that "we need to get him (you) here. We do attribute her remarkable experience to your help."

Dr. Ward Brown, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Cardiologist - Gundersen Lutheran Heart Institute
La Crosse, WI

 

Case 4 - Ankle injury: Tight-end: Football

We had an All-America tight end [Justin Taylor] who was on crutches and unable to put weight on his ankle. We had him X-rayed by an orthopedic doctor who said he wouldn't be able to play. It was Thursday when I called doctor friend and asked him if he ever worked with someone over the phone? He said he worked with Canadian ice hockey players before... We put Justin in an office and he worked with him for 40 minutes over the phone. Taylor came out of the room carrying his crutches and the pain was gone. He played on Saturday. We went on to win the conference and on to the national playoffs. His pain never returned... In 1989, the same doctor worked on my son who was a high school senior. It was the day of an important game, and Mark was not supposed to be able to play because of a hip flexor injury. He removed the pain, Mark started on both offense and defense, had a pass interception and punted for a 40-yard average."

Vic Wallace - Head Football Coach
University of St. Thomas, MN
Lambuth University, Jackson, TN

 

Incurable Painful Conditions (Diseases)   Is there such a thing?

 

Case 5 - Lyme Disease

"... I was tested for Lyme disease in 1988... and finally diagnosed in 1991... I was told about using verbal techniques... and was skeptical... His method of treatment did not require my body to accept any type of medication or vitamins. I felt it was my answer... The first session... I was pain free for the first time in many years... for the first time in a long time I felt I was in control rather than the disease... Each session brought me closer to my normal self. My energy level was coming back... I am healthier now than I have been in a long time..."

Jan Bunde - City of St. Paul, MN Risk Management
Retired

 

Take A Bold Step

People can get better quickly, even in some of the most difficult situations. It is possible for you. It is possible for you. I invite you to take a bold, revolutionary step to seek out and embrace innovative methods to help help yourself. But do not forsake good common sense and the advice of qualified health professionals. Nobody can fix you. Despite what literature, insurance companies and some in the medical community would have you believe, there are methods that can improve your quality of life, without side effects, while reducing costs.

 

RAYMOND J. PETRAS, B.E., M.A., Ph.D. is a consultant in performance enhancement and pain management, an educator and international speaker. He has a B.E. - Chemical Engineering, M.A. - Human Development, and a Ph.D. - Psychology. He is former Diplomate in Pain Management; AMA Certified - End-of-Life Care; Former USATF-Sports Medicine Chair, Minnesota; Consultant for USA Speed Skating; Phoenix Suns; USA Archery, USA Alpine Skiing; Canadian Major Junior Hockey; Former Chair - Infinite Health (C.A.M.); Team Doctor - World Cup Speed Skating and Schwan's USA Soccer Cup. His verbal-mental techniques have enabled many individuals to permanently eliminate pain when all else had failed. He presently splits his practice between Minnesota and Arizona. His website is: http://www.reliefforyou.com and he may be reached at drpetras@reliefforyou.com or 1.888.447.1429.

2003 Raymond J. Petras

 

 

Dr. Raymond J. Petras, B.E., M.S., Ph.D.

P.O. Box 5295

Scottsdale, AZ   85261-5295

1.888.447.1429

drpetras@reliefforyou.com