Pain in the Back (Part two)

"Back Issue of 2010"
In addition to seeing the MD at Kaiser I was also referred by a friend to a doctor that specializes in Network Spinal Analysis. Never heard of it? Neither had I. Through some research, and now 4 appointments with the doctor, I am still learning.                                                                                                                                                                                         Here's is the basic idea:
The doctor gives me gentle and precise touches to my spine that cues the brain to create self adjustment and ultimately - healing. These specific and low force touches (like the weight of a dime) to the spine, is supposed to assist the brain in developing new strategies to combat stress, dissipate tension, and create a more self correcting spine.
Is it working?:
I definitely don't think that it had hurt anything. The doctor's office is this beautiful historic home in old Wailuku town, it's about 100 years old with original hard wood floors and 12 foot ceilings. I walk into the treatment room and am welcomed by warm hawaiian breezes coming in through beautiful oversized windows that are dressed in white chiffon window sheers. There is soft instrumental music playing in the distance and I lay on a massage table for about an hour being gently touched. Who wouldn't be relaxed?

No, this isn't me. My doctor doesn't have a leopard masage table either!
Just a picture of someone performing Network Spinal Analysis

Then came the weekend:
This friday was one of the worst days. I am talking about not being able to get into or out of the car by myself, forget about getting into the bathtub without Clint's help. Walking and sitting was painful, and the only relief I got was when I was completely still laying on my back with an ice pack strapped to my back.

Saturday morning I sat in a warm bath with some epson salts in it and felt a wee bit better. Here is a video I took on the way to Tiffany's clinic.

*Not sure why the alignment got all screwy-sorry! I reluctantly visited Tiffany's physical therapy clinic Saturday afternoon. I warned Tiff that I could barely move, but we went never-the-less. As we walked into the clinic she could see that I was going to have to take it really slow. Actually when I say walk, I really mean hobble. She insisted on gifting me with a lumbar support pillow to use while I sat in the waiting room and told me to take it home and use it anytime I was sitting. When I went back to see her it was probably pretty comical to see how I managed to get into the table. Imagine a slow moving beached whale... and you have an idea. Of course Clint helped me every step of the way. Luckily Tiffany has a fancy table that has an electronic lift on it, so after seeing how minimal my range of motion was she lowered the table to ease my accent. Once I got on my belly I was fine, no pain at all. Ah sweet peace! During the following hour Tiffany checked my range of motion and with 5 to 10 extention excercises I was already improving. This is what she had me start with By the time I left her office my pain was probably at a 2 and I had walked in right about at a 6 out of 10! My range of motion was greatly improved and by the time I did my last set of back extensions I was able to go "all the way up" and lock my arms straight. This position is much closer to my "End Range" Which is a huge improvement!                                                  Tiffany is pretty convinced I am dealing with a disc issue not a pinched nerve, and had confidence that with rest and these excercises the protruding disc will go back where it belongs and I'll be fully ablebodied soon! I was worried about telling the Dr. Albuy and Tiffany about eachother, like I was cheating on the other one... but all my worries were squelched when I was honest with them both about the care I had gotten from the other and they were supportive of eachothers treatments. Dr. Albury might even be referring patients to Tiffany's clinic in the future after she saw the immense steps towards recovery I made after seeing Tiffany. So, there you go! Tiffany blessed me by giving me free PT treatments and a free lumbar roll and soon she might be getting some new business! Long Blog post made short... I am definitely on the upswing now. My mobility is greatly improved since Friday. My range of motion is coming back and I am so thankful to my wonderful husband for being so patient with me, for cooking, cleaning, and making it easy for me to be bedridden. I'm still not sure why this trial came to me, but I know the Lord is Good, and I can see the blessings coming out of it already.  Thanks to Tiffany Pragnell and South Shore Physical Therapy, Dr. Cindy Albury, Megan Franks, and all the blessed women in my bible study that prayed for my back tonight.