Excellent understanding from a great client!

I received this lovely email from a client following the newsletter on Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome.  Paul has been coming for regular treatments for a while now and shows a real understanding of the importance of allowing things to heal and repair at their own rate.  As impatient as we might be, we cannot hurry the body’s own processes along and gradual release and realignment can often lead to much longer term results than a quick fix.  Well done Paul, a great client!

 

Hi Natalie,

Thanks for your email.

The Sciatica or Piriformis article is interesting, It seems to make me feel better just knowing where the muscles are and how they work in relation to nerves etc. sort of gives you the feeling of being in the “driving seat” rather than just a victim of random pains!

I think that just knowing these things makes a big difference to how we feel about what’s going on in our bodies, and as I said, gives us more of a feeling of being in charge of them, or at least some understanding of why things are happening.

I’ve been doing lots of the stretches that you mentioned along with other stretches most days now and I am pleased with the results.

I think that was a good thing you said about “gradual progress” when we last met. I was definitely being too impatient and the funny thing is that, along with the massage treatment, since I relaxed about the whole idea of increasing flexibility back to what it used to be the progress has been a lot more rapid.  It seems like I am a good 10% looser now.  Funny how it works isn’t it?

Thanks for a great treatment last time, I felt really good following that and think I have experienced some differences since; particularly last week when I noticed a lot of changes in posture/muscle tension and I am really pleased with how things are going!

Having a great week so far this week, hope you are too.  Looking forward to my treatment on Friday.

 

Isthmic Spondylothesis – a first hand experience

This guest blog has been kindly written by Caroline to share her experience of Isthmic Spondylothesis.  Her journey has been a long and painful one but she always has a smile on her face and is a constant reminder that even the toughest challenges can be overcome with determination and a positive outlook.  Huge thanks for this Caroline.

 

I’ve always been healthy and without any major injuries.  I do remember that I always had back ache, just a niggle, occasionally annoying.  It didn’t stop me doing anything, I regularly attended a gym, took part in spin classes, kick boxing, cycling, aerobics, rowing, trim trail circuits, climbing walls, you name it, I tried it.  I was never a GI Jane contender, but I was willing to give it a go and have a laugh and enjoyed being active.  There were degrees of discomfort, but a good stretch, a twist or even lying on the floor, throwing my legs over my head always released vertebrae’s with a satisfying cracking noise.  I’d move on and forget about it until the next time.

In January 1993, at the age of 25, I joined the Metropolitan Police.  Various injuries on and off duty, were dealt with and recovered from.  Although a major left ankle injury in 1999 took numerous surgeries and a fairly long time to recover, it’s never been quite right since.  While waiting for public transport in early December 2005, (I’d been out for an early Christmas drink!), I realised I couldn’t straighten my leg or place my left foot on the ground properly.  My whole leg and lower back hurt.  It felt like a sharp stabbing numbing painful sensation,  which I’d ignored for such a long time, as it wasn’t interfering in my everyday life too much, until now, it was no longer possible to ignore, I was in pain and I didn’t know why.  I went to see a work physio, he examined me and immediately declared me unfit for duty and shipped me off to get medical treatment.  I saw my GP, who referred me to a Consultant Othopedic Surgeon, which I saw within days, as fortunately I had private medical insurance.  A must for a serving Police Officer, injuries are an occupational hazard, a definite case of when not if!

My diagnosis following extensive prodding and poking, x-rays and and scans found that I was suffering from a condition called Isthmic Spondylothesis of L5/S1 with back pain and L5 nerve root pain.  My L5 vertebrae had slipped forward, over my S1 vertebrae by about 3mm.  My lower back was completely in spasm, even a gentle touch would make the muscles pulse and jump, hospital doctors would bring their students into see my quivering back muscles.  I deteriateted quickly, the pain was unbearable, the  pressure on my spinal cord, the nerve endings, the mis-alignment of my spine eventually made it impossible for me to stand up straight, I was bent forward, and  I had no feeling from the waist down, I couldn’t function.  I was soon on a cocktail of painkillers, muscle relaxants and other stuff.  I was confined to bed, my mobility became extremely limited.  I’ve never known anything like it.  My orthopaedic surgeon admitted this condition was outside his field of  expertise and thus I was referred onto an orthopaedic specialist in London.

Further extensive examinations followed.  It was decided that I move into London Bridge Hospital for observation and comprehensive physiotherapy treatments , it was thought that they would try a non-surgical route.  With the treatments and a serious of spinal nerve blocks, the condition may correct itself. I spent the next five months either in hospital or at the Police convalescent home.  Both were great, I underwent physiotherapy twice a day, mobility and exercise classes, massage, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and numerous epidurals.  It wasn’t successful.

In July 2006, I underwent a L5/S1 instrumented fusion with Click X and Gill procedure with decompression of the bilateral L5 nerve roots with bone grafting.  No, I didn’t know what it meant  either, but it sounded serious, it hurt like hell, and I was unable to sit down for 8 weeks after the surgery, and had to learn to walk all over again!

I was extremely lucky to be able to return to the Police Convalescent Home for post op care and three further in patient stays to get me back on the road to health.  I was off work for about 18 months.  My life had changed.

My mobility was drastically reduced, I gained weight, and I was really grumpy!  I was advised to start doing pilates to strengthen my core stability muscles, so as to protect my back.  I learnt to swim with the aid of floats, so as not to move my back too much.  I started walking/hiking, eventually I was achieving many miles, I even volunteered to take a neighbour’s dog along with me, it seemed such a waste to not share the exercise with a more than willing companion.

My physiotherapist helped me, but most importantly, introduced me to Natalie and BMoreNatural.  As my muscles were easily fatiguing, going into spasm and locking up, even after doing  a small amount of activity, I needed her help.  I was also fortunate to find an absolutely fabulous physiotherapist, Annabelle, who I trust completely.  So with the help of Annabelle and Natalie, participating in Yoga, walking, swimming, having regular maintenance treatments and a lot of hard work, I’ve improved.  It’s not been all plain sailing by any means.  I had a relapse in 2008, after having a violent sneeze, which required minor surgery, numerous more trips to the convalescent home.   I’m not pain free either, my L3/L4 vertrebraes are permanently swollen,  as they’re under extreme pressure and taking strain through the spine which their not meant to perform, but I manage, I’ve adapted to my condition.  I’ve been educated, and continue to learn about my body and its workings.  Humans are amazing machines.  I try to explore new avenues and keep and open mind, like trying The Dorn Method with Natalie.

Unfortunately, my police career ended in June this year, after I had been declared unfit due to ill health to perform the role of an officer.  I don’t know what the future holds for me, but nor does anyone else!