*PREVIOUS POST*
Author
Nancy
Feb 3, 2010 - 11:51AM
Quote Reply
An exciting option for chronic pain sufferers (update)
The LTBP folks here have always been gracious about allowing those of us who have found viable options for relieving back pain, to post it here. This has proven so helpful, as I can say from experience, as this forum is where I learned about Al Meilus.
I wanted to provide an update to those interested: It's been 2 1/2 years since being treated at the Meilus Muscular Therapy clinic where I basically experienced a miracle. I was freed of seriously debilitating leg and back pain, was given my life back, basically, where I could walk/run to my heart's delight for as long as I wanted, with NO pain.
Only recently have I begun to experience a "tightening" of sorts only on my left side (I have scoliosis as well). So I am headed back to the clinic for a "tune up". Hooray for this option!
So - in the hopes my story might help others, here it is, in abridged form as much as possible:
In February '06 my complaint to my experienced, well-known and well-respected upstate NY orthopedic surgeon, had been a worsening of lower back and leg pain to the point of not being able to walk more than a few yards without debilitating pain where I could not continue. This pain was causing me to become less and less functional in day-to-day activities. Scoliosis, a twisted vertebra, a bone spur and arthritis at the point of impingement of the sciatic nerve were all involved.
I followed every recommendation of my doctor's office without experiencing any significant or lasting relief. (Physical therapy, cortisone shots). By August '07, my doctor indicated the only next step available for me was to have a myelogram performed in order to determine the complexity of the back surgery required to address the source of my pain. He indicated the surgery would probably be quite complex and the results were not guaranteed.
I told my husband I would go "kicking and screaming" into surgery. In other words, I was determined to exhaust every viable option I could find before even seriously considering surgery. After careful research, I made a decision to undergo muscular physical therapy using a new, FDA-approved method not available in my area. According to the founder, Al Meilus, this method might allow me some relief of my pain at the very least, and at the very most, a more substantial “cure” where follow-up visits might be needed, but in-between these visits an almost 100% return to my normal activities would be possible. The clinic, and the founder of the new method, is located in Pinellas Park, Florida.
You should know I traveled to Florida with very low expectations. Al indicated that if muscles were involved in my source of pain, he could most definitely help me. My understanding from my doctor was that muscles were definitely not involved in my case, and "this person" in Florida was no doubt a "charlatan" and we were wasting our money. As a result, I was quite skeptical of my chances of finding lasting relief and a return to some kind of a normal life.
After one full day of treatment, and after the first hour of treatment on the second day, my husband and I walked out of the clinic to “test” my progress so far. I walked, and jogged (!) for about 50 minutes non-stop with no pain!! I had not been able to do that for one and one-half years! Needless to say, I was extremely happy, however now skeptical as to how long lasting this would be.
As I indicated above, it has now been 2 1/2 years since the treatment, and I am thrilled to report I am only just now feeling a tightness that doesn't go away as readily as before. So I am heading to Floida for a "tune-up". I have no reason to doubt Al can help me again.
Very basically, Al's method of treatment uses a robotic arm to lengthen muscles by working out adhesions in muscles, which make them so tight they foster pain. In order to obtain FDA-approval for this new method of muscular therapy, Al had to prove that the robotic arm is able to change muscle tissue beyond that possible by human hands.
Anyone interested in reading about Al, his own journey to better health, and the conditions he claims to be able to help, check out: meilus.com
Hope this can be helpful to someone!!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Steven Hefferon
Feb 3, 2010 - 12:24PM
Quote Reply
Re: An exciting option for chronic pain sufferers (update)
WoW, thanks for Sharing...
Please keep us posted
Steve
________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul
Feb 3, 2010 - 5:07PM
Quote Reply
Re: An exciting option for chronic pain sufferers (update)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy
The LTBP folks here have always been gracious about allowing those of us who have found viable options for relieving back pain, to post it here. This has proven so helpful, as I can say from experience, as this forum is where I learned about Al Meilus.
I wanted to provide an update to those interested: It's been 2 1/2 years since being treated at the Meilus Muscular Therapy clinic where I basically experienced a miracle. I was freed of seriously debilitating leg and back pain, was given my life back, basically, where I could walk/run to my heart's delight for as long as I wanted, with NO pain.
Only recently have I begun to experience a "tightening" of sorts only on my left side (I have scoliosis as well). So I am headed back to the clinic for a "tune up". Hooray for this option!
So - in the hopes my story might help others, here it is, in abridged form as much as possible:
In February '06 my complaint to my experienced, well-known and well-respected upstate NY orthopedic surgeon, had been a worsening of lower back and leg pain to the point of not being able to walk more than a few yards without debilitating pain where I could not continue. This pain was causing me to become less and less functional in day-to-day activities. Scoliosis, a twisted vertebra, a bone spur and arthritis at the point of impingement of the sciatic nerve were all involved.
I followed every recommendation of my doctor's office without experiencing any significant or lasting relief. (Physical therapy, cortisone shots). By August '07, my doctor indicated the only next step available for me was to have a myelogram performed in order to determine the complexity of the back surgery required to address the source of my pain. He indicated the surgery would probably be quite complex and the results were not guaranteed.
I told my husband I would go "kicking and screaming" into surgery. In other words, I was determined to exhaust every viable option I could find before even seriously considering surgery. After careful research, I made a decision to undergo muscular physical therapy using a new, FDA-approved method not available in my area. According to the founder, Al Meilus, this method might allow me some relief of my pain at the very least, and at the very most, a more substantial “cure” where follow-up visits might be needed, but in-between these visits an almost 100% return to my normal activities would be possible. The clinic, and the founder of the new method, is located in Pinellas Park, Florida.
You should know I traveled to Florida with very low expectations. Al indicated that if muscles were involved in my source of pain, he could most definitely help me. My understanding from my doctor was that muscles were definitely not involved in my case, and "this person" in Florida was no doubt a "charlatan" and we were wasting our money. As a result, I was quite skeptical of my chances of finding lasting relief and a return to some kind of a normal life.
After one full day of treatment, and after the first hour of treatment on the second day, my husband and I walked out of the clinic to “test” my progress so far. I walked, and jogged (!) for about 50 minutes non-stop with no pain!! I had not been able to do that for one and one-half years! Needless to say, I was extremely happy, however now skeptical as to how long lasting this would be.
As I indicated above, it has now been 2 1/2 years since the treatment, and I am thrilled to report I am only just now feeling a tightness that doesn't go away as readily as before. So I am heading to Floida for a "tune-up". I have no reason to doubt Al can help me again.
Very basically, Al's method of treatment uses a robotic arm to lengthen muscles by working out adhesions in muscles, which make them so tight they foster pain. In order to obtain FDA-approval for this new method of muscular therapy, Al had to prove that the robotic arm is able to change muscle tissue beyond that possible by human hands.
Anyone interested in reading about Al, his own journey to better health, and the conditions he claims to be able to help, check out: meilus.com
Hope this can be helpful to someone!!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Great story!! I have seen some amazing things take place at Al's. A pro-bowler literally walked in bent over (which he had been or a year) and he was in danger of losing his pro career. He was on the table next to me and was treated all day long. Last year i was watching ESPN and he was bowling in the finals and i saw him give props to Al Meilus. I believe his name is Robert Smith and is the most powerful bowler on the tour in terms of ball speed.
Most back pain has a muscular component as its cause.....I saw a doctor in NYC who treats back surgery screw ups and has a device that detects deficient muscles. He used to be a believer in surgery and a former President of the American Pain Associtation....No longer. He could not help me because I had a torn rectus abdominis and adductors. My point being that the reason the structure has been comprimised is muscular....period. www.backpainusa.com
________________________________________________________________________________________
WTP
Feb 4, 2010 - 7:00PM
Quote Reply
Re: An exciting option for chronic pain sufferers (update)
Hi folks
Yes this is a great story and very inspiring, I can also report from sending my photos in and using the portabale device at home, I made have incredible progress to getting my health back, while still not 100%, all red flags are well gone, I can sit for pretty much as long as like, bend, twist, turn, jog, light cable weight training rehab, nobody would never know I had a problem any more, it's just a touch ache pain in my right quad after sitting for time and and very stubbed left psoas
Paul
________________________________________________________________________________________
Nancy
Feb 5, 2010 - 11:18AM
Quote Reply
Re: An exciting option for chronic pain sufferers (update)
Paul, GREAT to hear you have made such terrific progress. What a blessing Al Meilus and his robotic approach is, to this world of chronic pain sufferers. With his approach and some of the other therapies talked about on this forum (folks, search for articles by Dave Hutchieson on this forum!), there are lots of leads to follow and try before EVER going into surgery!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul
Feb 5, 2010 - 12:05PM
Quote Reply
Re: An exciting option for chronic pain sufferers (update)
Paul-
It sounds like you have it unde control. Have you considered working your iliacus and alternating with your psoas. Also if you are like me and many weightlifters you have short quads. It is important to get the trigger points out of. This has a direct relationship with the psoas of that side. I do not stretch mine until i get those knots out. The robot would not work on my quads. I used a foam roller and a pvc pipe. It is/was brutal but i am making headway.
I am currently down to 1 real tight psoas....1 tight QL....1 minimimally tight psoas and 2 semi-tight gluteus medius.....However, in the last month I have come a long way....
________________________________________________________________________________________
WTP
Feb 5, 2010 - 5:00PM
Quote Reply
Re: An exciting option for chronic pain sufferers (update)
Paul-
Yeah, I just do what Al said to do, iliacus, psoas, but focus on right iliacus and left psoas, ITB, TLF, Pec's, anterior tibialis and all over the glutes, the glutes was a massive help
I have also done hamstings in past after months of hammering the iliopsoas becuase I still couldn't get to 90 degee on straight leg test, I can now around 80 - 90 degree, that will do, ROM tests indicate pec length is great, I think it's the lats which are holding me back now, still can't do at over head squat, arms come too far foward when lowering pelvis
TBH i don't feel tight anywhere that much, just a minimimally tight left psoas and left QL, right psoas isn't tight from comparing the photos, can see more tilt on the left, so from this I don't think the right quad is tight, it gets cold because its not active, it all makes sense, Al said there wasn't anything coming from the legs just do ITB, TFL, but I will do left rectus femoris alone and see as marries with the left psoas, same with LTBP lads thinking
Paul
