Prof. M.D. Elif Akpek Reviews

A 57-year-old master perfumer developed excruciating olfactory-trigeminal pain (burning mouth syndrome triggered by scents) after a viral illness, destroying her livelihood. Dr. Akpek utilized capsaicin nasal rinses to desensitize trigeminal nerve endings and a stellate ganglion block to reset autonomic dysfunction. The patient gradually reintroduced scents via a structured hierarchy, eventually creating a new fragrance line inspired by her recovery journey.

A 72-year-old retired shipyard welder from a coastal village presented with debilitating phantom limb pain following a traumatic amputation 40 years prior. Traditional medications had failed. Dr. Akpek pioneered a novel combination of mirror therapy with targeted peripheral nerve stimulation, recalibrating his brain's pain map. The fisherman, who had not slept through the night in decades, reported an 80% reduction in pain intensity after six weeks, allowing him to finally teach his grandchildren to mend nets.

A 19-year-old elite e-sports athlete developed severe, focal hand dystonia and neuropathic pain from repetitive micro-trauma, threatening his professional career. Dr. Akpek designed a non-pharmacologic protocol involving sensory retraining games, thermal biofeedback, and strategic botulinum toxin injections to disrupt the maladaptive motor pattern. He returned to competition in three months with a customized ergonomic regimen, becoming an advocate for gamer health.

A 38-year-old refugee from a conflict zone presented with widespread, medically unexplained pain, a manifestation of complex PTSD. Dr. Akpek, collaborating with a trauma psychologist, employed a somatic experiencing framework alongside low-dose naltrexone to modulate glial cell inflammation. Treatment focused on restoring bodily safety rather than pain elimination. After eight months, the patient reported being able to hold her children without flinching, framing success as regained connection, not analgesia.