I was chatting with someone in Public Health about my injury and recovery and they said I should try 'Network Chiropractics'. I said I didn't want anyone cracking my fragile bones or they might just crumble into sand, but she said it had nothing to do with bones and was 'light touch' adjustments to the nerves. Hence, network meaning 'network of the nervous system'. I took the practitioners name and made a consultative appointment...and I had my first adjustment after work tonight. I layed face-down on a bench much like a massage table and she did about 15 minutes of 'light touch' adjustments with her fingers at the base of my brain, in the back of my neck and worked her way right down to my feet with most of the focus at the base of my brain and at my feet. We did strength tests (muscular) pre- and post-treatment with mild improvements post-treatment. She is a certified Chiropractor but studied this particular discipline in Colorado for which she is one of only three practitioners in Canada. I'm usually quite skeptical of 'flakey healing' but I'm going to stick it out for a couple of months (it's 3, 15 minute appointments weekly), until I use up all my insurance coverage for Chiropractics and then decide if I want to continue based on any positive changes, or lack thereof, that I see. I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else has ever tried this type of therapy.

...ever pursuing recovery. CG

Hey CG, how ya been gf?

My wife went to work for a Chiropractor who specializes in working with the disabled. Up until then my only experience with Chiropractic was to be bent around like a pretzel, then body-slammed into alignment. However, Dr. La Scala is very gentle and has even cautioned me to never let anyone touch the area near my fusion.

I used to get awakened with leg craps about two-three times a week. It took a few weeks but I've only had it happen twice in the last month or so. He's hoping to be able to get some of my bladder control back (we'll see) and to get some strength in my legs. I have noticed that when I leave the office my walking requires less effort - I don't feel like I have 10 lbs. ankle weights. I've just started Reflexology treatments and I've notice an increase in spasms (which he told me to expect). According to the Dr., it's all part of the process as some of the previously restricted nerve flow is opened up.

I'm a bit skeptical still, but because my wife works there it doesn't cost me anything, so why not give it a try? The thing with Chiropractic is that you have to be patient. It's not a quick fix. But I've got the rest of my life and I'd like to make the most of it.

Interesting side note about Dr. La Scala: He was studying to be an Orthopedic Surgeon when he was hit by a train and lost both legs, which led him into Chiropractic. Very knowledgeable and understanding. We often trade stories about going down scary stair cases.

City Girl,

It is always interesting to hear from you. I've heard good things about network Chiro for a long time. Few claims of miraculous healings, which is always a good sign. My background is 15 years in bodywork as massage therapist.

Chiros well versed in the use of "activators" are also a blessing as the technique is low force and it would take a moron to hurt someone with it. That said, never let anyone touch your fused/screwed-together vertebrae.

I've traveled a lot and used many different practitioners. The skill and intelligence of the practitioner matters a great deal more than the modality they use. I've even been to twist and pop guys who treated me as gently as a network practitioner. Some healers listen and click into your reality, most do not.

Getting cold up there in Toronto? Does it aggrevate spasms for you?

Pwuff

Hey Kwag,

All is well. Still progressing ever-so-slowly. My balance still sucks as my right quad is stronger than the left but I'm working on it. Really pushing my calfs right now...so I can get into heels. hehe...and maybe run someday. Can you run? I can only walk briskly if the harness is on or if I'm at a railing or the parallel bars.

I checked out your Chiro. Does he adjust 'bones' or 'nerves'? My Chiro only works on the nerves. I'm with you - skeptical. I have insurance coverage so I'll use it up and if it's not doing anything for me, I'll stop when my insurance runs out. Check out my Chiro's website. http://www.eolwellness.com/ She does NSA - network spinal adjustments. Hoping for better innervation into my left quad, calfs, toes...my butt is actually got some meat on it now so that's ok.

I am 1.5 hr massages monthly and use .5 hr for reflexology. I totally love it. My feet still feel tingly and it makes them feel better and also helps with circulation.

If I experience any miraculous recovery from this NSA, I'll let everyone in on the secret. For now, it's just a small part of my ongoing, overall recovery.

Hey Pwuff,

I'm always skeptical of miraculous healings. If it's too good to be true, it is just that, OR we'd all be walking around normally!

I'm Acting Director (I will return to Asst. Director next year when my Director is finished her mat. leave) of Department of Education for International Complementary Therapy Schools. We have six colleges across North America. I credit much of my recovery to massage therapy and the benefit of lymphatic drainage, promotion of my circulation, touch sensory, etc.

Yes, it's cold and rainy. No snow yet.

I do not get spasms. Spasms are more often associated with higher injury levels. I do have some irritation from damaged nerves and nerve regeneration in my feet, but it's tolerable. Movement which promotes circulation helps, i.e., walking.

Sorry for the slow reply, I've been up north in the woods.

RUN? I can't even fall down fast. My wife says if I moved any slower she'd get me reupholstered. No, I walk like that character Tim Conway used to do on Carol Burnett.



No butt meat either.

My Dr. does several techniques but so far he's only worked on the Lumbar & Sacral region of my spine. In fact, he stopped the Flexion Distraction until my spasms stopped. So, I'm progressing very slowly. Still, it has helped and the Dr. is still expecting more improvement.

Hmmm. Have you ever timed yourself to see how fast, or slow, you walk? How long does it take you to walk 1 mile? I can walk at a rate of 3-4 miles/hr on the treadmill with a harness on. I'm up to about 1 mile/hr on the treadmill without a harness. Walking on the track, I'm probably half that because I'm not holding on and I'm very cautious with my balance.

That's odd that you don't have any butt meat. You definitely need your gluteus minimus and medius to walk...which means the innervation is potentially there to build the maximus. My butt is no where near what it used to be but all the cottage cheese from atrophy is gone now. I do lots of squats and I work on the arc trainer which is good for building the glutes.

My chiro does NOT even touch the skeletal structure. She only gently puts pressure on the nerves.

Have you always had spasms? I didn't think that people with lower level SCI's got spasms. I've never had that problem.

Let me know about your speed if you know. I'd love to be able to gage against someone with a similar injury and recovery.

CG

It's been over a year since I was on a treadmill. I thought I had posted it once, but I couldn't find it. Even looked through my emails. Anyway, I don't think I ever got up to four miles per hour. It seems to me I was about 2.5. But remember, I have the hip dysplasia thing.

I was lifting weights for about six months. The best I did with my quads was to lift about 60% of the weight I did before my injury. My hamstrings were only about 40%. Sitting toe raises...forget it. I couldn't even lift 10 lbs.

As for the lack of cush in my tush, I can't sit on a hard chair for more than a few minutes. I can feel my bones rubbing on the inside of my skin, which is weird 'cause I have to feeling on the outside.

Mine uses about 15 different methods, but feels that if the spine isn't in line then any progress will be short lived. Hopefully, you'll have better results.

Yeah, they started about three months post. I take a low dosage of Baclofen, 10 mg three times a day.