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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:19 pm
by NZer1
"The activator is an impact hammer that produces force. It can be adjusted to deliver different amounts of force. I believe it was originally designed for dentists to assist in putting on caps. The objective of using the hammer is to restore function to the segments of the spine. Subluxated segments of the spine are misaligned and stuck. Chiropractors use many different types of physical force from quick and snappy to slow and sustained."
Thanks Dr. The word 'stuck' is one I am familiar, almost a paradigm. I think that word alone has me understanding the situation, as such a I/we look for a cause and become stuck as well. Transform rather that change?
Homeostasis is achieved by many means.
So the 'shift' can be from conscious, unconscious, physical and a myriad of other methods.
The willingness to let go is part of the challenge? Become unstuck?
For my example the ('stuck') moving (movement) up and down the segments of spine fascinates me.
As though avoiding the truth, avoiding the core, overlooking the obvious, not focusing on the issue, working around the cause?
I'll think on that some more.
Hey thanks Dr. regards Nigel.
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:55 am
by uprightdoc
TMrox wrote:Hi Dr Flanagan,
I have Transverse Myelitis, as a monophasic monofocal inflamatory demyelination of the spinal cord.
I've read your thread as I find it very interesting. I was treated for CCSVI in March 2010 just 14 months after my TM diagnosis. I went from being housebound to now almost fully recovered.
I saw your description of Devic's or also known as Neuromyelitis Optica. Since I have TM my neuros have been very rigorous in their testing to rule out NMO.
IMHO, The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation has by far the most information and resources on NMO. It was founded by Victoria Jackson, a desperate mother trying to find a cure to her daughter's NMO.
Victoria has done an amazing job in putting together lots of researchers from all over the world to find a cure for NMO. She has donated millions from her own money to this task and is very open minded.
If you think that your work might help in any way NMO I would encourage you to contact Victoria directly.
The foundation website is:
http://www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org
here Victoria explains her journey with NMO:
http://www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org/m ... mission-2/
and in facebook:
Here some info on NMO taken from this foundation:
"In the past, NMO was considered to be a severe variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) because both can cause attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis. Recent discoveries, however, suggest it is a separate disease. NMO is different from MS in the severity of its attacks and its tendency to solely strike the optic nerves and spinal cord at the beginning of the disease. Symptoms outside of the optic nerves and spinal cord are rare, although certain symptoms, including uncontrollable vomiting and hiccups, are now recognized as relatively specific symptoms of NMO that are due to brainstem involvement.
The recent discovery of an antibody in the blood of individuals with NMO gives doctors a reliable biomarker to distinguish NMO from MS. The antibody, known as NMO-IgG, seems to be present in about 70 percent of those with NMO and is not found in people with MS or other similar conditions."
Thanks and keep up your good work,
Rox
Hello Rox,
Thanks for the terrific lead. I just contacted the foundation. There may be hope for Victoria's daughter.
Despite the recent discovery of antibody biomarkers I still maintain that NMO, Optic Spinal MS and Devic's Disease are variants of MS in that they share similar causes with different outcomes. The definiton of MS is the problem. It's old an outdated.
You have an interesting case as well.
You have a very interesting case yourself
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:03 am
by uprightdoc
coach wrote:Dear Dr. Flanagan,
Haven't been on internet in a while but to do data entry for my husband. I am going for my first visit with a chiro on Friday. I guess that visit will involve x-rays and we will go from there. I did get some relief in some symptoms when I had stent in my azygous and LIJV but have still had to contend with balance and walking issues. Have had several falls in the last 2 years with the most recent being a fall down 6 stairs ( kind of head over heels fall) So I am thinking that I should be checked out. Just not encouraged with my lack of progress and have seemed to back up in some areas. I was encouraged to read about Blossom's and Poet's progress. I think the chiro I am seeing may be a general chiro if there is such a thing rather than an upper cervical chiro. Not knowing if I have problems and if I do where they are I'm wondering if you have any recommendations for an upper cervical chiro in either the Atlanta, Ga area or Macon, GA area. Atlanta is 3 hrs. away and Macon an hour and half away. I know this a little far south but if anyone would know you would. Also what tests would you recommend I ask for. My apologies Poet for ending a sentence with a preposition.
Hello Coach,
I will get back to you.
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:07 am
by uprightdoc
silverbirch wrote:Dear Dr Flanagan
An update for you Dr Heidi Central London is doing a fantastic job with my care
No pain on my right hand side
No pain ,disconfort in my neck
AND NO NECK CRACKING as you know my neck has cracked for 15 years (It use to sound like someone was popping bubble wrap)
My treatment was three xrays followed by adjustment (by hand)
and another appointment a gun like, hand held use gadget down my spine
My last visit no adjustment , I had held
My next appointment is Friday
A Twisted sister no more Thanks to Dr Heid
Great News Silverbirch,
I hope your still able to get out and shop despite the weather.
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:25 am
by uprightdoc
David1949 wrote:uprightdoc wrote: David,
Did anyone take plain view x-rays of your spine? Did you play sports in high school or college? What sort of engineering did you do? How tall are you and how much do you weigh?
Dr, Flannagan
No x-rays have been taken of my spine.
I did not play sports in high school or college.
I was an automotive design engineer.
I'm 5'-8" tall. During most of my adult life my weight was about 140#.
Since I'm now a retired geezer with MS I don't get much exercize, so I've grown a serious belly and my weight has grown to 165#.
PS UPS just delivered your book. I'll start reading it now.
You are puzzling me. There is something missing. I would definitely like to see plain view x-rays of your spine to check for spondylosis and scoliosis and then possibly a cervical MRI to rule out stenosis. Do you have high or low blood pressure?
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:28 am
by HappyPoet
Hi Dr. Flanagan,
A friend gave me this link which came from her chiro friend who recommends it for some patients. Could you please visit the link and give me your opinion on the Denneroll?
http://denneroll.com/ (please see edit at bottom of post).
Would this be worth a try in my case? I've taken much more radical, experimental, expensive, and toxic measures during my war on MS, and I've most definitely spent a heck of a lot more money than the cost of this pillow.
I just don't want to spend my money or waste my time on something of no value if so determined by a doctor I trust, and I most definitely trust you, Dr. Flanagan.
Thank you for your time!
~Pam
Edit: For some reason, I couldn't get the link to work until now -- sorry for any inconvenience.
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:46 am
by HappyPoet
uprightdoc wrote:TMrox wrote:Hi Dr Flanagan,
I have Transverse Myelitis, as a monophasic monofocal inflamatory demyelination of the spinal cord.
I've read your thread as I find it very interesting. I was treated for CCSVI in March 2010 just 14 months after my TM diagnosis. I went from being housebound to now almost fully recovered.
I saw your description of Devic's or also known as Neuromyelitis Optica. Since I have TM my neuros have been very rigorous in their testing to rule out NMO.
IMHO, The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation has by far the most information and resources on NMO. It was founded by Victoria Jackson, a desperate mother trying to find a cure to her daughter's NMO.
Victoria has done an amazing job in putting together lots of researchers from all over the world to find a cure for NMO. She has donated millions from her own money to this task and is very open minded.
If you think that your work might help in any way NMO I would encourage you to contact Victoria directly.
The foundation website is:
http://www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org
here Victoria explains her journey with NMO:
http://www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org/m ... mission-2/
and in facebook:
Here some info on NMO taken from this foundation:
"In the past, NMO was considered to be a severe variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) because both can cause attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis. Recent discoveries, however, suggest it is a separate disease. NMO is different from MS in the severity of its attacks and its tendency to solely strike the optic nerves and spinal cord at the beginning of the disease. Symptoms outside of the optic nerves and spinal cord are rare, although certain symptoms, including uncontrollable vomiting and hiccups, are now recognized as relatively specific symptoms of NMO that are due to brainstem involvement.
The recent discovery of an antibody in the blood of individuals with NMO gives doctors a reliable biomarker to distinguish NMO from MS. The antibody, known as NMO-IgG, seems to be present in about 70 percent of those with NMO and is not found in people with MS or other similar conditions."
Thanks and keep up your good work,
Rox
Hello Rox,
Thanks for the terrific lead. I just contacted the foundation. There may be hope for Victoria's daughter.
Despite the recent discovery of antibody biomarkers I still maintain that NMO, Optic Spinal MS and Devic's Disease are variants of MS in that they share similar causes with different outcomes. The definiton of MS is the problem. It's old an outdated.
You have an interesting case as well.
You have a very interesting case yourself
Hope is a very wonderful thing.
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:35 pm
by David1949
uprightdoc wrote:David1949 wrote:uprightdoc wrote: David,
Did anyone take plain view x-rays of your spine? Did you play sports in high school or college? What sort of engineering did you do? How tall are you and how much do you weigh?
Dr, Flannagan
No x-rays have been taken of my spine.
I did not play sports in high school or college.
I was an automotive design engineer.
I'm 5'-8" tall. During most of my adult life my weight was about 140#.
Since I'm now a retired geezer with MS I don't get much exercize, so I've grown a serious belly and my weight has grown to 165#.
PS UPS just delivered your book. I'll start reading it now.
You are puzzling me. There is something missing. I would definitely like to see plain view x-rays of your spine to check for spondylosis and scoliosis and then possibly a cervical MRI to rule out stenosis. Do you have high or low blood pressure?
Dr. Flannagan
As it turns out I'm seeing a chiropractor next Tuesday. The plan is for;
Consultation
Ortho-neuro exam
Spinal exam
Spinal x rays.
Report.
Is there anything in specific I should ask him about?
My blood pressure is normal, 118/70 as I recall.
In reading your book I see auto accidents are a possible cause of injury. I've been in two auto accidents. One occurred 2 or 3 years before MS started. It was a frontal impact. I was on the passenger side and was restrained by a seat belt and shoulder harness, but no airbag. It was not a very severe hit although it did set off the driver air bag. No one had any immediate or delayed effects as far as I know. I did not have any pains afterward. The second accident occurred after MS started but while my symptoms were still very mild. Of course that one could not have caused ms but might have exacerbated it. That was also a frontal impact but more severe than the first. In that case I was the driver. I was wearing my seatbelt but I also hit the airbag. I was very sore the day after that. I've been told that the muscles tighten up just before impact and then get stretched by the force of the impact. That results in stiff and sore muscles the next day. But to my knowledge I had no lasting damage.
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:20 am
by uprightdoc
coach wrote:Dear Dr. Flanagan,
Haven't been on internet in a while but to do data entry for my husband. I am going for my first visit with a chiro on Friday. I guess that visit will involve x-rays and we will go from there. I did get some relief in some symptoms when I had stent in my azygous and LIJV but have still had to contend with balance and walking issues. Have had several falls in the last 2 years with the most recent being a fall down 6 stairs ( kind of head over heels fall) So I am thinking that I should be checked out. Just not encouraged with my lack of progress and have seemed to back up in some areas. I was encouraged to read about Blossom's and Poet's progress. I think the chiro I am seeing may be a general chiro if there is such a thing rather than an upper cervical chiro. Not knowing if I have problems and if I do where they are I'm wondering if you have any recommendations for an upper cervical chiro in either the Atlanta, Ga area or Macon, GA area. Atlanta is 3 hrs. away and Macon an hour and half away. I know this a little far south but if anyone would know you would. Also what tests would you recommend I ask for. My apologies Poet for ending a sentence with a preposition.
Hello Coach,
Dr. Darryl Lee is in Macon. He uses the Atlas Orthogonal instrument method. He has excellent credentials as far as post graduate hours are concerned. You also have some terrific doctors in Atlanta as well but I would start with the Macon doctor for convenience.
The doctor's phone number is 478-741-8877.
Keep me posted.
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:48 am
by coach
Thanks Dr. Flanagan. I had my followup appointment after Dr. Dake returned from the Roundtable in Albany. Glad you had a chance to meet him and some of the other doctors involved in this avenue of research. With all these great minds working together, I think we will get some answers something that pwMS have not gotten for the past 40 years or so. Seems as if neurologists for the most part are quick to jump to the drug solution. But guess that is how they have been trained. Time to think outside the box
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:27 pm
by NZer1
Morning all, Dr. does the spine float in and out of alignment as part of life?
I had another adjustment last night, C3 and T2 were out still. The rest had maintained. Still on a roller coaster for my MS symptoms they are higher/worse than they had been, especially the bending over and standing again and feeling faint for a few seconds. Slows the gardening!
Plus my balance is generally worse and walking is entertaining.
Is the alignment debate between specialties about what re-creates alignment?
I am thinking that knowing there may have been a recent physical trauma that has caused and continued the mis-alignment as one of the simpler repairs.
If in my example the misalignment that is persistent or permanent to be the more difficult to re-align.
With weak lumbar muscles, pelvic floor, poor posture due to weakness of the upper body as well and MS hug it may require a different approach?
Having MS would not help with maintaining alignment?
All of that said the issue remains that alignment has impact on blood flow and MS can be an outcome that is hard to correct?
Regards Nigel
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 12:54 am
by uprightdoc
NZer1 wrote:Still on a roller coaster for my MS symptoms they are higher/worse than they had been, especially the bending over and standing again and feeling faint for a few seconds. Slows the gardening!
Plus my balance is generally worse and walking is entertaining.
Is the alignment debate between specialties about what re-creates alignment? ... With weak lumbar muscles, pelvic floor, poor posture due to weakness of the upper body as well and MS hug it may require a different approach? Having MS would not help with maintaining alignment?
Hello Nigel,
Having weak muscles as a result of MS definitely makes it harder for people to hold their adjustments. Advanced degenerative conditions of the spine also affect the outcome and the ability to hold adjustments. Nonetheless, you should not be getting worse from care at all. While it is understandable that there may be some ups and downs in the early stages of treatment, and some patients are so far gone that results may be limited or poor, no one should get worse with care. If you are consistently getting worse the doctor needs to change what he is doing or you need to change doctors.
ccsvi
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 2:17 pm
by blossom
hi dr. flanagan, i have a question and would like your input. for myself and i'm sure others especially those of us that are long term ms. i have muscle weakness - arms, legs, back bladder etc. so holding any adj. is gonna be a real challenge.
i had read about the electrical muscle stimulation that dr. wahl's "up from the wheelchair"uses on herself that has helped in her case. from other reads my understanding is that it helps build muscle strength not just motivate your muscles to respond or jump around.
do you feel that this would be a help? if so, would it be ok to "if possible" to do this while you are getting chiro. treatments. if this does no harm, then it could be a way for ones like me that traditional therapy is next to impossible to do,could gain some muscle strength. of course i know we can't just go and buy these things and start zapping ourself. we would want to try to hunt out a therapist that does this. another challenge!
Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:47 am
by whyRwehere
I am also interested in Blossom's question. We are very frustrated with the physiotherapy my husband receives, which seems to do nothing for him, and the physio's idea that electronic muscles stimulation "over tires the muscle." Can they not understand that some exercise of the muscle is required before the darn thing vanishes?!
We haven't gone to a upper cervical specialist yet, because we have no money to do so....eventually we will get there.
Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 12:40 pm
by MS_HOPE
Dr. Flanagan, will you please give your opinion of the ProAdjuster tool used by some chiropractors? Would this be appropriate or effective for upper cervical care as you see it?
When I mentioned the possibility of chiropractic care to my naturopathic doctor, she highly recommended just one chiropractor in our area, who came from Switzerland and was actually an MD there (as is the custom for Swiss chiros?). He uses the ProAdjuster.
Also, I'd be much obliged if you know of a good upper cervical chiro in the Durham/Chapel Hill/Raleigh area of NC. Thank you!