PDA

View Full Version : It's been a while


John Zarlenga
07-26-2001, 09:51 PM
Hey everybody! How have you guys been? I miss talking to everybody and taking an active role in this forum. Unfortunately, this job I got back in April has demanded much more of my time than previously thought. I am an account manager with our local CBS and FOX affiliate here in Youngstown. I handle many different advertising accounts...which leads me to my reason for posting.

One of my advertising clients is a chiropractor. When I first met him, I wondered..."could a chiropractor help Courtney?" I further explored this option with him, and set up an appointment for Courtney to go and see him. He is a great guy. Very upbeat and very determined to one day make her walk. I have never seen a doctor so dedicated and POSITIVE. I thought at worst case scenario, he will lift her spirits and be a positive influence. Anyways, she went to see him a few months ago, and ever since the first day, she now goes 3 times a week! He believes in healing from the inside out. He does spinal manipulation on her back and her neck, and puts her in traction (I thought that was gutsy!). She loves this- she says it feels so good, and takes a lot of pain and pressure off of her back and neck, which used to bother her a lot. He feels it helps to keep her spine staight, because after all the sitting, the spine must get out of whack. He also has a massotherapist who gives her deep tissue muscle massages (she loves those also- a lot)! Then, he puts her on these huge muscle stim machines that have about 30x the power hers at home has. But like I said, my feelings were, at worst case scenario, I have actually found a doctor who cares about her well being, wants to see her get better, and will do anything and go out of his way to see that it happens. It's amazing, after all we've all seen, that there actually is a doctor out there like this. He really lifts her spirits and makes her laugh and feel so much better. So far she has had sensation return in her back, she is having less pain, some increased leg sensation, and overall is happier. The best part is that he is looking into getting one of those bikes and all the other equipment she needs, and she is going to move her rehab and everything into his office! She, like many others, is VERY unhappy with her current therapist. They are lazy and don't work her at all. It's really sad. But this guy is willing to work with her 110% We go out all the time to lunch. He has made trips with us to visit other SCI's. He is looking into other therapies to help her. And, if he can get enough, he would like to turn his practice into an SCI rehab center in Youngstown, because he really enjoys working with Courtney and really feels that this is his way to make a difference. I applaud his efforts and look forward to future results.

I guess I am just wondering what others think of these methods? I personally highly reccomend it to everyone. He is constantly in contact with Heidi Von (I don't remember her last name). She was the actress who was injured in the making of Cannonball Run 20 years ago. She made phenominal progress with the help of the chiropractor. Also, Jim Thome's (of the Cleveland Indians) nephew was recently injured in an accident. This doctor called up to the Indians and actually got a return call from Jim Thome! I thought that was pretty cool.

His name is Dr. Rollin Michael. He works out of Youngstown. If anyone would like more info on him or methods, please let me know.

I miss talking to all of you. So many things have changed. The address of the forum, the style of the forum, the people (speaking of people, where is da? his name is usually plastered all over everything http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif Jim, how have you been man? Send me an e-mail. I don't know your new address. Dr. Young, how's things been? How have you all been? Let me know. I miss talking to you guys.

-JZ

Wise Young
07-27-2001, 02:51 AM
It is great to hear from you. I am glad to hear that Courtney is doing well.

Chiropractors often have much better bedside manners than doctors. They not only receive formal training in interacting with people but also are not reluctant to touch their patients. Some chiropractors are very experienced and they do know their area very well. As long as they know the limits and dangers of spinal manipulations, they are good. There are both good and bad chiropractors.

Wise.

Mike C
07-27-2001, 03:05 AM
I´ve heard that deep tissue massages (although they feel real good) are dangerous and can cause deep vein thrombosis; which can be potentially fatal. Seek out KLD over at the Care board and talk it over with her. Why take chances?

DA
07-27-2001, 06:59 AM
here i am john. im looking up wheelchair jousting. i want to give sue a vacation she will never forget.

nice hearing from you and courtney. if only we could get all doctors and researchers to be as her chiropractor. john, did you know several ppl from the board has join trials?

Birde
07-27-2001, 07:17 AM
http://followyourheart.org/ This would be the website for Heidi Von Beltz that you were talking about John (and others). Her book was great.My Soul Purpose is the title. Heidi Von Beltz was twenty-four when a crash on the set of The Cannonball Run left her barely alive and completely paralyzed. Doctors gave her a few months to live or, at best, a few miserable years confined to an institution. Heidi set out to prove them wrong-and today she can move all he major muscles and can stand on her own. I have not spoke to her or her sister, Christy, in a while. They are strong believers in what others might call "alternative medacine", as is Heidi's best friend Melanie Griffith (yes, the actress). http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif
Anyway, I really think that what you and Courtney are doing is GREAT John, keep us posted!!!


http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

antiquity
07-27-2001, 09:18 AM
As Dr. Young said, there are good and bad chiropractors. I have scoliosis and went to a chiropractor for spinal manipulation and FES and ended up with numbness and tingling in my arms, further weakening of my back muscles and horrible headaches after the FES. My rehab. therapist told me spinal manipulation is contraindicated in people with SCI because of osteoperosis and poor sensation, so be careful!

Birde
07-27-2001, 10:13 AM
http://members.tripod.com/~dudley_delany/index-2.html

Birde
07-28-2001, 09:04 AM
http://www.crahealth.org/foundation/foundation_main.htm This is what Heidi Von Beltz is doing for her therepy.
" As far as Heidi, we are doing stuff that we have been told is impossible. We are really excited. With CRA we are using new technologies and extreme nutrition. Heidi is sitting up on her own. Off the record much is going on and it can't be discussed at this time. " This is a part of a letter I just received from Heidi's sister. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif

John Zarlenga
07-28-2001, 03:14 PM
Well, I have to say that I share your concerns, and fortunately, many of them have been addressed. With Courtney having near full sensation, it is easy for her to tell when things hurt or feel good. I am not concerned at all. Her chiropractor is very good and really knows what he is doing. He is truly concerned for her (which is a first). His goal is to make her better. Whether it happens or not is one thing. It's just the fact that he's aiming high. He wants to try a few things they are doing in California and we are looking into many of the things that Heidi is looking into, including that nutrition therapy that Heidi is doing. He speaks with her and her sister on a regular basis and they share info. It was her chiropractor that began helping her and getting her first return after 5 years of being completely paralyzed. I figure, if she can do it, we can do it. She can balance herself and sit up on her own. And she has been paralysed for 20 years. So, some of this has to attributed to her therapies. Thank you Birdie for posting those sites.

Dr. Young, you hit the nail right on the head. Many are afraid to work with the SCI community. He and I are looking into the possibilty of turning his practice into a local specialized SCI rehab center. He is really serious about this. We will see. It is just nice to have someone to care. We will see. I just thought everyone might be interested in this. We are all always looking for ways that could help, well here is one that is helping Courtney in many ways. Like I said, the reduced pain, sensation return and more range of motion, as well as increased muscle with the stim machines. All those are good things. It can't hurt. I encourage those who can to try it. If you have any questions or concerns, myself or Dr. Michael would be more than happy to answer them. Thanks again guys. The feedback is great!

-JZ

John Zarlenga
07-28-2001, 03:16 PM
DA, I have heard of some, but haven't been checking like I should be. What are some of them? I have heard of the Diacrin one.

-JZ