There was a Keurig + green tea + Stevia in the Raw. This was my kind of place, already.
I was second to arrive, out of an eventual small group of 5 of us. Kim (13) and her mom were first to arrive, and I waited while they checked in.
I was second to arrive, out of an eventual small group of 5 of us. Kim (13) and her mom were first to arrive, and I waited while they checked in.
I picked up the word, "hotel" in Kim's mom's dialogue with the receptionist. I hadn't thought about it yet today, but at that moment I was reminded how fortunate I am to not be traveling far from home for this treatment! Kim was from IL, and so she and her mom will be staying in town all week - home for the weekend, and then back again for the week, next week.
I noticed this framed article on the wall. It's from 2009, when Dr. D's research and work was first gaining notice. Not sure if this image will be zoom-able in this blog, or not...
My first impression of Dr. D. is that he is someone who likes to get to work. He seemed confident, but not arrogant, and very genuine.
I met Andi and Amy, Dr. D's very kind assistants, and then it was time for consult. I blabbered about my hopes and dreams for treatment outcomes, and Dr. D. remained optimistic for change, as he had when we'd spoken on the phone, previously. He explained that the location of my main curve (just below my rib cage) made it particularly vulnerable to the force of running that it's been put under, in recent years.
After our discussion, mutual agreement for goals is as follows:
1. Stabilization of my curve(s) (measured today, with scolio xrays, at 42 degrees). Halting progression, thus saving me any type of surgery and/or complications that would not improve my quality of life, is definitely Numero Uno.
2. Functionality,improved mobility (which is currently quite limited, especially in my right hip), and feeling better! Decreased pain and curve reduction (which will likely go hand-in-hand), is a superveryclose goal, second only to stabilization.
3. The return to regular, and vigorous EXERCISE! I desperately need to find an activity that I can do on a regular basis. Not working out = not me.
This entire process is built on the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute's, "Mix, Fix, & Set" model of care. Read more, here! http://clear-institute.org/TheCLEARTreatmentProcess/tabid/396/Default.aspx
The CLEAR Scoliosis Institute's mission statement:
CLEARTM Institute is a non-profit organization formed to empower the chiropractic and medical community with the mission of implementing an effective chiropractic system of scoliosis treatment and care. It is the goal of CLEARTM Institute to effectively treat the condition of scoliosis without the use of bracing or by performing surgery. Through seminars and lectures presented at chiropractic colleges, conferences, and symposiums, CLEARTM Institute educates and equips chiropractors and other medical professionals to effectively treat the condition of scoliosis by implementing our proven methodology.
Our mission is to implement an effective chiropractic s stem of scoliosis care to help people worldwide through research and spinal rehabilitation.
This is the "MIX" stage. I'm faced down on a table that moves the lower half of my body up and down in a cyclical motion. My body is strapped on the table. I guess that's so I don't launch? :D I'm told that it's the cyclical, repetitive motion that warms up the spine, allowing more fluid to bathe the discs, etc., and improve range of motion, making the discs susceptible to movement and change.
When I first got started with this, it felt too aggressive. It was moving me at a speed and angle not typical for me. Duh. That's exactly what needs to happen, just a very odd feeling. I felt VERY stiff. I was on this table for 15 minutes, the first time. After just a few minutes, it wouldn't have taken much convincing at all, for me to stay put for much longer than that!
When the table stopped moving, Amy held up the device below(washed up drill?), and said that she was going to give my glutes and paraspinal muscles a "nice little massage". Ummmmm yesss please!! I can't wait for that again tomorrow morning!
I sent the pic of me on the table, in a group text to Tony and the kids. Note Gressa's response.
That's great, kid.
He IS awesome...
How do I respond to that?
Merry Christmas?
Only 30 minutes into the first day and I'm already giggling to myself in front of others.
Totally normal.
So then, they get out this gadget, and all I can think, is,
"SILENCE OF THE LAAAAAAMBBBBS!!!"
And so I say that.
Now, it's not just me giggling.
Yowzers, this thing was interesting. This is also part of the "MIX" stage, loosening up my neck and preparing it for change. There is a weight attached to the band, and hanging off of the end of the table. What you can't see is the accompanying, incredible vibrations that suddenly had me stop guessing why 'mouthguard' was listed under "items to bring to treatment" on my pre-visit paperwork... Fortunately, it really wasn't all that uncomfortable for me, although a few of the others did find this part of treatment unfriendly. What you also cannot see, is that I had sandbag weights on my legs to stretch my hip flexors, simultaneously, while my neck was being treated. 10" total.
Next, more weights. They were added to one ankle at a time, while I pulled the opposite ankle to my chest. More hip flexor stretching.
While all of this mixing was taking place, I learned that this was the time that Dr. D was reviewing my xrays taken when I'd arrived, in order to design an even more specific treatment plan, as far as traction, chiropractic adjustments, and the... dun dun dun...: cantilever. Cantilever is the buzz word. More on that in a bit.
Up next was some chiro adjustments by Dr. D. One word: wonderful. This is the "FIX" part of treatment. I don't really know how else to explain much of this, except that I truly feel as though I'm being unraveled and untwisted, and that this is truly what I need!
Then, it was on to the scoliosis traction chair. I don't have a pic of this one, yet. I'll try for one, tomorrow. However, it's pretty much designed the way it sounds; my neck is in traction and the entire chair vibrates while I sit in it. A lot. A whole lot. Enough to make me think I needed to run to Walgreens during lunch break, for some Zyrtec. This is because in the traction chair room, I started having an impossibly itchy nose. I'm talking, raw from itching. Seriously. For a brief second, I thought of asking if the vibrating could cause this. I then quickly decided against bringing it up. I'd already laughed out loud to myself, I didn't need to be asking crazy questions, too. At least not on the first day. Ha. I spent 20" in this chair, the first time.
I was glad to break free from the pulsating and itching.
The final station of treatment is the scoliosis cantilever. Dr. D. is actually the one who developed this! It is part of the "SET" portion of treatment (as is the traction chair). The cantilever is a neuro-muscular retraining device, customed for each patient. This study, re: the effectiveness of the cantilever, published in Pubmed, is worth the quick read!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14595163
" Satisfactory correction was achieved in all patients and without anterior release in all but one patient. Regardless of the etiology of their deformities, all patients were very satisfied with their outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
The cantilever bending technique is an effective procedure for the management of large and rigid scoliosis regardless of etiology. The clinical value of the procedure was demonstrated by reduced need for anterior release, fewer complications, and high rates of patient satisfaction."
I was to stand on the blue disc. It then began to vibrate (like everything else at this joint, apparently!)The foam roll under my left arm is purposely positioned right above my level of curve. I am also holding a 10lb weight in my left hand. The foam roll on my right is positioned right at hip level. There is a 12lb weight hanging off of that end of the cantilever.
During this part of treatment, I was thinking about how I would describe the cantilever circus act (for that's what I surely resembled).
I've settled on the idea that, the cantilever shenanigan can be likened to the attempt to stand on one foot (for 20")... in 100mph winds...after a few glasses of wine. Remember, I'm on a wobbly, inflatable disc, and holding a weight. Yeah. That was work. Believe it!
The cantilever completes the treatment cycle. I had a quick 10" break, and then repeated all steps (minus the chiro adjustments this round): the table, the Silence of the Lambs, the hip flexor exercises, the traction chair, and the cantilever.
Lunch time! I cleaned out my van and then stopped at Chipotle for a chicken burrito bowl. Yum. As I mentioned earlier, I also bought and took some Zyrtec.
I was feeling pretty tired after lunch. But I also felt increased range of motion and decreased pain, and I was looking forward to the treatment after lunch, as most of it felt really great - like a fantastic stretch, a relief.
At 2pm, we resumed; it was one more round of all stations (adjustments included, this round).
The Zyrtec did not help! Gah! And then...! Another patient started the nose-itching! That was it. I had to say something. Sure enough, Andi didn't act surprised.
"Oh... yep. That's the vibration. The frequency is so high that it does that."
???
"It causes the little nose hairs to get irritated, or something."
Seriously??
So tonight, Tony and I have been trying to come up with an attack plan for this curveball... I'm thinking of just lining my nares with an ointment to make any and all nose hairs (which have never spoken up before this?) behave and lay flat?! Tony thinks I should use a clothespin...
Ok, off to bed! I am achy, but no more than I would be, otherwise, and I feel that it's an important ache. Also, my lower back and hip areas continue to have improved range of motion and less pain.
During the last round of the cantilever, I could really feel the muscles and ligaments inside my curve working - for the first time. They better be ready for tomorrow, because I'm expecting a solid effort from those atrophied things.
Thanking Jesus all day today, friends.
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