Reply to Cynthia and New Hope

Thanks for the comments folks, and sorry about the slow reply. I've been on the road a lot the last couple of days.

Cynthia,

Are you in Pittsburgh?
What kind of practice do you have?

I'm planning on keeping a running commentary of the happenings here, with images...assuming I can develop a reasonable degree of skill web publishing skills. This is the first blog that I've ever set up.

New Hope,

You mention a whiplash injury, could you provide a little more detail?
When did the injury happen? And what was injured?
What was the angle of impact and which way were you facing?
You have mentioned back surgery...what type of surgery has been proposed?
What are your current symptoms and pain patterns?

Let's start with that, let me build a better picture of what is going on with you.

email me if you don't want to discuss this in a public forum.

Triggerpoints@verizon.net

Since I don't know much about you yet, or your condition I'll just make a few general comments about whiplash injuries.

One aspect that tends to be overlooked, after the shift from the "acute injury" stage to the "chronic condition" stage, are the changes that occur in the nervous system as a result of the injury.

The high amplitude, noxious, neural impulses from the injury can have profound central effects.

The pain can cause an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, keeping your body in a "fight or flight mode".

In "fight or flight" mode (a shift toward Sympathetic nervous system dominance), blood pressure is up, breathing patterns change, peripheral blood vessels constrict, stress hormones such as cortisol are released, digestion slows, sleep becomes lest restful. Your body is stuck in an "emergency response". This can be benefit during an actual crisis...but your body can't function effectively long term in this condition.

During an emergency, your body is tryng to maximize the mobilization of resources...cutting loose energy to burn. It isn't important to be building muscle, healing, or absorbing nutrients while, for example, a tiger is chasing you. What is important is freeing up nutrients to burn as energy.

The other side of this phenomena is the effect of Parasympathetic nervous system dominance.
This is the "rest, digest, and recover" branch of the Autonomic nervous system.

Normally, your body shifts back and forth between a parasympathetic state and a sympathetic state in a slow tide-like flow. Exertion...relaxation......tension...release...contraction....extension.

There is a balanced rhythm, just like in any other healthy physiological process. Just like the the balanced inhale-exhale of breathing, and the sleep wake cycle.

If your body becomes stuck in a state of sympathetic activation, you can't heal properly, you can't rest properly, you can't digest and absorb nutrients properly. This can lead to a wide variety of issues...including depression and exhaustion, as well as exacerbating existing pain issues. It is common for the perception of pain to change from localized pain to widespread, diffuse body pains. Immune reponses can be lowered.

Some people even experience disruption of endocrine functions. As your body attempts to compensate for this altered autonomic state, thyroid function may be inhibited. it isn't uncommon for people to gain a significant amount of weight after a whiplash type injury, even though diet and activity levels may not have changed significantly.

Fortunately, there are manual techniques and exercises that can help restore function in the damaged myofascia and calm the innapropriate nervous impulses.

Here is a good article on the theory behind the techiques:

http://www.neuro-muscular.com/Part2.pdf


In my opinion, however, the most exciting results in the treatment of the chronic effects of whiplash are coming from the field of neurofeedback, and it seems that myofascial bodywork amplifies the effect of the neurofeedback

This article focuses on post traumatic fibromyalgia, but there is a lot in it that applies to whiplash in general:

http://www.fmpartnership.org/Files/Website2005/Learn%20About%20Fibromyalgia/Articles/Neurotherapy%20Treatment%20of%20Fibromyalgia.htm

I hope something here is useful to you.


If you provide me with a few more details, I may be able to provide you with some information that is more specific to your condition.

And if you are in the area, feel free to stop by and visit. There is no charge for a consultation.


Wiley