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Adam Bowden
Nov 24, 2009 - 9:47PM
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can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
hello there,
First of all I am only 19 years old!!!
I have had chronic low back pain for over 5 years following a biking accident. Have had mri, ct, xray and bone density scans ALL of which have come up with nothing. I have tried literally every type of alternative therapy out there, and relentlessly attempted to work with multiple physiotherapists. Finally I was put on a waitlist for a highly qualified physiatrist and depressingly enough all He had to say was, "try going to another physical therapist." I could not believe my ears! Sadly after all this hard work and effort NOTHING has improved my pain. I know it sounds pessemistic but I would almost love to have someone just tell me "you gave it your best shot, but theres nothing anyone can do about your pain." Seriously theres nothing else a person can do for their back pain if what I've written so far has happened to them, they are cursed for life and have to live with it. Am I right??????????? What else can I do if I've seen a physiatrist who is trained in chronic pain management for ****s sake and reccommends me to another physiotherapist.(I don't believe there is a god after this experience. Life for me has gone away from being fun to becoming a constant chore of finding help for my back every god dam day!)
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Daniel Monahan
Nov 25, 2009 - 8:01AM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Hi Adam!
Sorry to hear about your pain mate, please keep your chin up, you will find the answer to your problems.
I was 18 when I first injured my hip and back after almost 10 years of Martial Arts. I am now 24, and have finally found my answers, which have been down to muscle balance therapy and trigger point work, and most of all a will and determination to never give up!!
You can never think negatively if you are ever to get pain free again, a 100% belief that you will get better is needed!!
Over the years I have been to many, many different therapists, Physios, Chiros, Osteos, So called specialists, accupuncture, Inversion therapy, Egoscue and other specialists, and they wanted me to have surgery last year, but I refused to have it, even though my pain was excruiating and I couldn't sleep properly I couldn't walk further than a few metres without pain, or stand for longer than a few minutes, but I always kept optomistic, and always thought "Well I could be worse"!!
Please believe me when I say the answer is out there for you, it may not be the same as mine, but you will find it, you just have to never give up, and keep going, you will have your down days, where you will feel that you will never find an answer to your problems, but please trust me you will.
Please take a look at my pictures I was in a terrible way, but the past 3 months I have managaged to almost elminate all my pain and issues, still have a way to go, but I know I have the answer now.
If you need to email me privately you can find my email address on the left hand side.
This was me in February, as you can see I had a huge side shift/scoliosis (Copy and paste the link below into a new browser window)
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/Sarge21_2006/STA62050.jpg
This is me now (Copy and paste the link below into a new browser window)
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/Sarge21_2006/P1919_28-10-09.jpg
Take care Adam and I hope I have been of some use!!
Dan
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Lak
Nov 25, 2009 - 9:36AM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Hi Adam,
As Dan says, dont give up mate. Believe me when I say there is lots of help for you. Try Dave Hutchieson (extemely helpful and a top man). He contributes so much to this forum. Also Al Meilus and his robotic therapy. I know a few people have seen Al in Florida and received great benefit.
It sounds that your MRI's & CT Scans, etc are ok which is a good start. So hopefully it's just a simple case of muscle imbalance, which with the right exercises will go away.
Keep going, you MUST NOT give up.
Lak
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paul
Nov 25, 2009 - 7:25PM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Dan-
I look at this and i still think AMAZING!!!
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Adam Bowden
Nov 27, 2009 - 12:20AM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Thanks for the reply's especially Dan's.
Currently I am saving up to see a man named Steven Helper. His website is http://www.vancouverspinedoctor.com/
and he seems like a very reputable spine specialist who is excellent at DIAGNOSING. Because an accurate diagnosis is what its all about. Unfortunatly it is going to cost me a minimum of $5,000 plus thousands of dollars of additional treatments if he can infact help me. God knows how long I'll be able to come up with that kind of money, as I'm going to school. I'm thinking about dropping out to work more to be able to afford this.
Now if anyone in this community could be so kind as to offer their opinions on this "Steven Helper" guy from the website above, it would be deeply appreciated as I really want to see him. All my other doctors have told me that its a waste of my time, but I don't know who else to turn to. (tears running down my face as I write this).
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Lak
Nov 27, 2009 - 6:06AM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Adam,
If seeing this doctor is going to cost $5000, then i suggest you use that money to see Al Meilus. With that kind of money you could be treated by Al and still have money left over to buy the portable robot (if that is needed). You may get healed with just his treatment.
Look into it mate. Where are you based?
Thanks,
Lak
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WTP
Nov 27, 2009 - 3:25PM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Adam
Lak's right, if you know of the right people, you will save a lot and get to a pain free life much quicker
It depends on how long and how severe your problems are, to have basic back stability with zero pain you need to maintain a neutral pelvis and keep the correct movement patterns
Retrain the deep abdominal stabilisers, muscle imbalance training, master basic movement patterns for where your weak, easier said that done though
My progress has been slow and steady, it's a changing situation, books and other knowledgeable sufferers are your friends
This time 2 - 3 years ago I would have been like a worm in my seat, typing this, pain in my leg, huge tension is my glutes and back, now it's no problem, my main problem is bending forward at the end range
Shoot, if takes me another 3 years of doing the above, so be it, I'll never stop
Call Al
Paul
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Adam Bowden
Nov 28, 2009 - 7:46PM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Interesting suggestions, but I live in Vancouver and this Steven Helper is also in vancouver. In regards to Al, The cost of accomodation and transport is kind of a factor seeing as when it comes down to it its a gamble (though I'm not doubting Al's abilities). I seriously think that Dr. Steven Helper would be a huge step in a positive direction though. Do you have any opinions on HIM? If it wasn't about the money what are your opinons on him. When it comes down to it I'm willing to pay what ever obviously, because its my health were talking about. Travelling to "experiment" with a new doctor is unfortunatly out of the question. If someone said "you need to fly out to new york for surgery" however, now thats another story.
Has anyone checked out the site:
http://www.vancouverspinedoctor.com/
I honestly cannot think of another person who could be better at diagnosing a back condition then him. In BC! Can you???
Thank you ever so much for your time
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WTP
Nov 29, 2009 - 6:53PM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Adam
I honestly don't know mate, I'm in England, as long as he does something for your body mechanics, posture, makes your movment better not just a quick fix, then your on the right track, ask him if does that, if transport cost is an issue, maybe send in photos and look into the portable robot with Al, I'm well on my way from doing this, also look into this bloke
http://www.williamshealthgroup.com/partners.html
Cheers and keep us updated bud
Paul
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HeyBales
Dec 1, 2009 - 2:53AM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Spine Dr.
What if the problem isn't in your spine? Nerves go through muscles and tendons too, and can be pinched there also. (for instance, his site shows procedure for sciatica, which can also be pinched by the piriformis muscle and NOT be a slipped disc) Your tests seem to indicate that the bones looked OK. Will he look at more, his site doesn't indicate it? Don't have any opinion about him.
You might find a chiro or massage therapist that specializes in Active Release Techniques. Your injury could have scar tissue holding your muscle fibers in a shortened state, which can then cause muscle in-balances, which you may never feel like you can stretch out, if you are even doing the Loose the Backpain program.
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Adam Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 - 7:31PM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
heybales,
you raise some good points. However I've tried release techniques such as trigger point therapy, and Intramuscular Stimulation, with no positive results. Is what your talking about quite different? Where can I find more info on it?
Thanks
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Rory in Korea
Dec 3, 2009 - 9:11PM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Hey Guys! Just checking in I haven't been on this site in a couple of months, and it is so great to see so many people still helping others! Dan Monahan I remember reading your blog and seeing your back pics and I honestly thought there was no hope, but now your posture is almost perfect(HOW?)! Right on! I am glad to have checked this website again as it has helped so much, emotionally and physically. Thx again everybody.
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Dan Monahan
Dec 4, 2009 - 5:48AM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Hi Rory
Thanks mate, it's been a long old road, and a hard battle, but I knew I would one day get better, some people thought I was stupid to think so, but I just knew I was not going to settle for pain and this problem, and I told myself I would not give up until I found the answer.
What I have found that has worked for me is the following:
Postural Correction work with a guy named Jan Keller
Trigger Point Work through Julie Donnelly
Foam Roller Work
AIS Stretching
A clean healthy high protein diet, staying away from processed foods, and cutting out all white bread and white pasta, and eating plenty of Vegetables like my mum always told me too!! ha ha
I still have a long way too go, but as you can see my posture has corrected massively, I go gym 4-5 times per week before work in the mornings to carryout my postural correction work, and spend 30minutes stretching.
Thanks
Dan :)
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HeyBales
Dec 5, 2009 - 2:13AM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
http://www.activerelease.com/what_patients.asp
I've had those things you mentioned done too - very different from this ART.
But similar to something I had years ago after a shoulder surgery for rotator cuff.
During the physical therapy, they did deep massage, to keep the facia from scarring to the muscle, and to keep the muscle fibers from scarring to each other, impeding movement.
So the theory is basically you can have other traumas less than surgery that can cause that scarring within the muscles. And they will either slide with difficulty, or not at all, so it's a combo of pressure point at the scarring with a stretch to break it up. Friend that does it mentions it can be very painful. Makes sense, even weight lifting is described as increasing muscle because you cause micro-tears and then heal stronger. My problem was I wasn't healing, and it caught up with me. But after 3 sessions, I could move the back like before. Mine wasn't painful, just sensitive.
Still have imbalance problems with tight muscles because of a hip problem, but that's deeper issue I'll just have to live with. Too much wear & tear on a genetically wimpy joint for me.
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Paul
Dec 5, 2009 - 3:13PM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
ART is used by many chiro's and was developed by a man named Michael Leahy and it is manipulation while the muscle is in movement. It is deep and is designed to break up adhesions and scar tissue and to sometimes release trapped nerves. I do not think it really adresses fascia like Rolfing which is specifically designed to stretch the fascia which is the casing that is the suit around our muscles. If we are overweight by 20-50 pounds it even shortens the fascia up even more. The way to make th fascia more supple is by hydration and an anti-inflammatory diet which makes it more supple. However it must be made pliable or the shortness can cause big problems.
I think as Dan shows it is mostly a combination of things.
I have received relief by many means. Mine was not a back problem per se. I thought it was but was found to have a complete rectus abdominis tear and 2 adductor tears (longus and pectineus) with calcification. So anyways after the surgery i had opposite side compensatory back pain and hypertophy of many muscles. No easy task.
What has worked for me is
#1 Muscle Balancing
#2 Posture Training
#3 Foam Rolling
#4 Robot did speed up some things
#5 Muscle Activation Technique (THIS BY FAR WAS THE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR ME....NOT EVEN CLOSE)...isolates which muscles are weak and activates them,,,Based on the principle when we are injured some muscles that are weak/injured shut off or are bypassed. this finds which ones are and conditions them to fire in the proper pattern again
#6 Neuro Muscular Therpay
#7 Functional Movement Screen
I have done ART and it was ok. I have done rolfing and it was great but it was pre-surgery and would not hold. but it kept me supple
Also a great book out there is the Ming Method which is called the Permanent Pain Cure and anything by JUlie Bookspan.
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Rory
Dec 31, 2009 - 8:19PM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Hey Dan, you mentioned three aspects of treatment in your reply to mine of LTBP forum, but I was wondering if I could dig for some more details? I knew you were seeing an Egoscue therapist how did that work out for you? Was Jan Keller the egoscue therapist? Because I am currently trying to get the online egoscue program and i and am not sure about the results people are getting from that program. Also is your trigger point therapy done by a professional massage therapist? and how can you tell that you are getting results from her? and who designed your workout regime to tailor your specific needs? in a nutshell could you explain in detail how you have achieved the results that you have in the amount of time that you have done it in? Thx a lot Rory
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Dan Monahan
Jan 1, 2010 - 8:25AM
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Re: can someone please confirm that what I believe is true
Hey Rory
I have emailed you buddy :)
