This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

You don't need to see the coccyx and filum terminale to determine a "classic" tethered cord. TC is determined by the level of the bottom of the cord called the conus medullaris. The conus is usually at the level of the bottom of the thoracic and top of the lumbar spine area (T12/L1) but it varies. The TCI procedure checks for strains that cause the conus to get pulled down during certain positions. So far, however, most testing has been done in the supine position the same as in brain scans. Upright MRI will change things. It is also my opinion that aside from genetic design issues involved in a classic tethered cord that is relatively too short compared to the lenght of the spinal canal, there are other factors that can tether the cord such as spondylosis. Scar tissues such as arachnoiditis can also cause local tethering due to adhesions between the meninges of the cord.

There is a connection between child birth and optic neuritis but it would take too long to explain here. I will cover it in my migraine book. Did the orthopedic surgeon examine your lumbar spine and pelvis? If he did, what did he find?

He didn't examine my pelvis. Was thinking more along the lne of occult tethered cord not the classic. Am having bilateral pain in calf muscles, chronic constipation, nausea with occasional vomiting, stiff neck, swaying when upright, cold hands and feet when upright, cluminess in my hands (more like exagerated movements)more than tremors and the hoarseness I've mentioned. Know there is an associaion between chiari and child birth but that has been ruled out in my case.Taking a muscle relaxer at night (somma). Just think it a little odd that both my daughter had pp ON. I know the birth canal is in close proximity to the coccyx. Talked with a guy last that is 69 who was diagnosed at about 51. Has taken Avonex. Seems like he is doing ok.

coach wrote: .. Am having bilateral pain in calf muscles, chronic constipation, nausea with occasional vomiting, stiff neck, swaying when upright, cold hands and feet when upright, cluminess in my hands (more like exagerated movements)more than tremors and the hoarseness I've mentioned...

The bilateral pain in calf muscles could be due to muscle hypertonicity or spasms. Hypertonicity, spasms, clumsiness/exaggerated movements (chorea, ballism etc.), and tremors are all potential upper motor neuron, extra pyramidal signs of nigrostriatal (substantia nigra and basal ganglia) involvement such as seen in Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative conditions. The nigrostriatal system smooths out muscle tone and movement. Swaying can be caused by the problems in NS system, cerebellum, inner ear or cord tracts. Nausea vomitting, stiff neck and hoarseness are potential signs of increased intracranial pressure or a Chiari malformation which causes pressure problems. Chronic constipation is a fairly common complaint in Parkinson's. The cause is unknown. It can be due to decreased signals to the mucles of the colon or spasticity. In either case, it is an autonomic sign.

Dr. JoAnne Lazarus is a professor emeritus of kinesiology (study of movement) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison who is currently disabled due to Parkinson's. She has become and advocate for further research. Dr. Lazarus was a former college champion basketball player, as well as other sports. There is a higher incidence of neurodegenerative conditions in athletes.

Hi Dr Flanagan. It was wonderful to meet you in person yesterday. I wish we could of chatted a little. I am so grateful that you suggested and contacted Dr Rosa that I be part of the study. I am looking forward to Dr Rosa contacting me once he has thoroughly studied all the scans and X rays. If it is possible that you could look at them and give me your take on them That would be great.
The soft collar that was given to me yesterday is helping. When I am wearing it I am sitting straighter and I have feeling in my legs and feet.
Thank you ever so much.

Hi Dania,
It was nice meeting you as well. I am sorry I didn't get to speak with you more but you disappeared into the scanner and that was the last I saw of you. I look forward to seeing your scans. All of you are such interesting cases and you are helping to shed more light on the cause, cure and care of MS. The technology of the scanner and cine studies are incredible as are the images and what they show.

Dr Flanagan I am blown away with the improvements I am getting. The improvement keep coming. Sitting up straight, typing with both hands, heat not bothering me, was able to change my clothes, (someone always helped dress me), my 24/7 contracted muscles are now relaxed, I have been awake ALL day (usually I fall asleep at least 6 times a day), my hand was not shaking when I was eating, transferring myself with ease, stood up and washed the dishes instead of sitting in my wheelchair and this after only one day since the treatment. Dr Rosa said compromised spinal fluid flow affects blood flow. Maybe now in my grafted jugular veins from my vein bypass surgery the blood will start to flow? They did at first for about a month and then all improvements disappeared. A CT scan show no blood flow but were unable to tell why.

Hi All,
Dr F is the method 'AO' only true when they use the adjusting 'machine'?

I am searching for people who can adjust me after coming and being part of the Dr Rosa study. My phone calls so far have found people saying the are AO Chiropractors and when I ask more questions they are not using the same technique as Dr Rosa.

Getting confusing and frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards,
Nigel

Forever searching found this again,
A quote that may interest;
"MS sufferers are often seen as people who are difficult to help. When I was a student it was customary to speak of the ‘typical mental attitude’ of those with established MS; this included an impression of blunted insight, a kind of insouciance, even euphoria. In these more politically correct days one does not speak like this any more, but there is an element of truth in it. Now that I think of MS as an infection, the answer becomes clear: this ‘typical mental attitude’ is a state of intoxication with bacterial metabolic products. Once seen it's not forgotten. A similar state is seen in other chronic infections. In the days before antibiotics persons with active tuberculosis were said to have a typical mental state. People who were nursing at the time still vividly remember this."
http://www.davidwheldon.co.uk/ms-cpn-qa.html

Thanks for the update and good news Dania.

The only history I have on your case is...

"I have been suffering with chronic edema, which disappeared 5 hours after I had the Liberation procedure. But unfortunately the improvements only lasted a week and all my symptoms returned. Over the last few years as my MS has progressed, I noticed I have to keep my head tilted upwards (looking at the ceiling) to be able to do anything. If I tilt my head down I cannot lift my foot off the ground. It is like a light switch being turned off, tilting my head down. "

I put you in the same category as Blossom. I suspect you have similar spondylosis. I will give Dr. Rosa a little time to rest before I harass him for a sneak peak at your x-rays and scans next week. They should be very interesting.

NZer1 wrote:...Dr F is the method 'AO' only true when they use the adjusting 'machine'?

I am searching for people who can adjust me after coming and being part of the Dr Rosa study. My phone calls so far have found people saying the are AO Chiropractors and when I ask more questions they are not using the same technique as Dr Rosa.

Getting confusing and frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!

All chiropractors work on the upper cervical spine but there are specific upper cervical techniques based on specific x-rays and analysis that use specific vectors for correction. Very few chiropractors use specific upper cervical. Atlas Orthogonal is a particular method or technique of specific upper cervical correction that uses a mounted device to make the correction. There are other somewhat similar methods that use the term as well. They use similar x-rays and analysis but use a hand held percussion hammer. If you are in doubt about a particular technique ask me.

NZer1 wrote:...A quote that may interest;
"MS sufferers are often seen as people who are difficult to help. When I was a student it was customary to speak of the ‘typical mental attitude’ of those with established MS; this included an impression of blunted insight, a kind of insouciance, even euphoria. In these more politically correct days one does not speak like this any more, but there is an element of truth in it. Now that I think of MS as an infection, the answer becomes clear: this ‘typical mental attitude’ is a state of intoxication with bacterial metabolic products. Once seen it's not forgotten. A similar state is seen in other chronic infections. In the days before antibiotics persons with active tuberculosis were said to have a typical mental state. People who were nursing at the time still vividly remember this."

I have seen many cases of MS associated with migraine variants and autoimmune-inflammatory conditions. I have even seen some suspected cases of MS that were due to anemia but I haven't seen any that were caused by a virus or bacteria. On the other hand, I have seen many cases associated with severe degeneration, deformation and misalignments of the spine causing blockage of blood and CSF flow. Blockage of CSF flow causes turbulance and inversion flows that batter the brain. I do suspect that MS in the Faroe Islands was most likely a form of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis caused by viruses shed by vaccinated British soilders.

Dr Flanagan, I have had 5 multiple angioplasties, stents in my jugular veins and worse then ever. Had little improvements that also disappeared. I am trying to think of my next step and I am wondering if I have a problem with my CSF flow. I had several neck trauma. Since I live in Lisbon Portugal can you, please, indicate me where I can be seen nearby?

Hello MTF,
It is difficult to find chiropractors in the USA that I feel are sufficiently qualified to treat complex cases such as yours. It is much more difficult to find them outside the USA. The link below is to a chiropractic office in Portugal I found through a Google search. I don't know these two doctors or the types of methods they use but they both went to Sherman College which specializes in upper cervical. Give them a call and find out how long they have been in practice and what technique they use. You should also ask if they take specific upper cervical x-rays.

http://www.saudecoluna.com/en/about/

You can also ask people you know and look in local directories for local chiropractors and then let me know what you find so I can help.

Can you please tell me more about your case? Do you have brain MRI scans or spine MRI scan? Do you have x-rays of your spine?

Thank you Dr.,
Iwill call them on Monday.
I do have images but not on the computar and I don't know how to do it...
I suppose you need the images in order to help me.
I had several traumas on my head and neck and I have MS since 1991. On weelchair for the last 3 years now. Problems with balance, numbless feet and hands, all the other MS simptons (except my eyes), including more recently problems on my hears.

One of the TiMS members used his television set as a view box. He turned on a blank screen and put his x-rays on the screen. He then took pictures of the x-rays and downloaded them.

What happened that caused the several head and neck traumas?