For years I have been suffering from all kinds of headaches, chest pains and other debilitating symptoms. I have been self labeled insane, socially stigmatized as an attention seeker, and been stuck in a mind-numbing vortex. Each time I learned to ignore the call to the abyss the undercurrent gained strength, pulling me, again, into its depths.
In the past eight months I have been to the following medical specialists: a neurologist, an ENT, an Eye Doctor, a medical psychologist (whatever that means), several family medicine practitioners, two psychiatrists, two clinical social workers, a para-mental health counselor, an occupational therapist, an art therapist, a plastic surgeon, and a dermatologist. Some issues have been resolved, such as an ugly mole on my face and an eye infection, but the debilitating pain persists. Its hard to know what came first, the hallucinations or the pseudo-seizures. All I know is it got me fired from my first job in five years and is putting me at risk for the one I have had for four months now. These panic attacks and mysterious ailments have brought me to the Emergency Room about seven times in the past year during which time a CT, EEG, blood-work and urinalysis have not revealed any further insight or hope. I discovered Osteopathic Manipulation Therapy through a video by Dr. Mike (Mikhail Varshavsky D.O.) and after further research found a competent practitioner of this art.
I am sharing the information he taught me, both as a way to motivate me to consistently follow his regimen, and to help others who may find themselves in a similar situation. Conducting medical research is a dream of mine; perhaps documenting this journey can also serve as a case study and a springboard for empirical analysis of the efficacy of this approach. For this purpose I will include ideas and techniques from various sources, in addition to the exercises from my Osteopathic Therapist. Osteopathic Medicine focuses on a holistic approach of mind, body and spirit. Additionally, there is a philosophy of improving wellness instead of the more limiting perspective of curing the illness. Not all illnesses have a cure, some problems persist beyond the malady, and oftentimes recovery can be discovered through a journey of living alongside the illness.
1) Self- encouragement. Coworker recites psalms. Successful woman, accepted her own limitations even when choosing to rise above. Morracan: "Get yourself together." Harsh love. As an American, I chose a mantra of a winner and a pioneer. "ShunamGirl: Victory is at your fingertips. Go conquer the frontier. Reach out and touch the horizon." Article Pending in Oyster in The Bay Blog elaborating on this story and topic.
2) Cranial Nerve Stimulation. The back of the skull where the head turns into the top of your neck is your occipital bone. That is where the pons, the midsection of your brain-stem sits. Many of your cranial nerves pass through this part of your head, and actually originate there. Take a brush and rub it somewhat roughly across this area for a half a minute once a day and then tap it for ten seconds. Stimulate your nerves, increase blood-flow and movement, wake them up and remove stiffness.
3) Sinuses - Sinus massage. Pending
Aromatherapy - Pending
4) Reach out to a higher power to heal you - Article Pending in Theology Blog Aish U Nitzotz
5) Positive Perspective - I developed a new mantra: "I dont have any problems in life, only solutions. Some I have found, others are waiting to be discovered."
My primary care physician added, "and each problem is just a challenge to be dealt with."
If you think about it, life would be very boring without challenges. Each one is another mountain to climb.
6) Lower back exercises - when the lower back is weak, the upper back and neck muscles become strained trying to compensate. Additionally, the ankles, calves, hamstrings and knees are overburdened with the extra weight that the lower back is sending down to them instead. One exercise is to lie on your stomach with your hands on your forehead. Lift your head and hold yourself up for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Then, hold your head up and move your right hand to your right knee/ upper leg, allowing your eyes to follow the path of your hand. Put your head back down and repeat on the left side. Additional lower back exercises pending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6CMso14NWk&feature=youtu.be
7) Upper back strengthening exercises- Pending
8) Upper back flexibility exercises - Pending *Retzuot *Galagal Aroch Vemarpeikim al haritzpa
9) Neck strengthening - Pending
10) Increase Range of Motion in the Neck - Pending
11) Neck Relaxation Exercises - Pending
12) Yoga - this requires verification
In the past eight months I have been to the following medical specialists: a neurologist, an ENT, an Eye Doctor, a medical psychologist (whatever that means), several family medicine practitioners, two psychiatrists, two clinical social workers, a para-mental health counselor, an occupational therapist, an art therapist, a plastic surgeon, and a dermatologist. Some issues have been resolved, such as an ugly mole on my face and an eye infection, but the debilitating pain persists. Its hard to know what came first, the hallucinations or the pseudo-seizures. All I know is it got me fired from my first job in five years and is putting me at risk for the one I have had for four months now. These panic attacks and mysterious ailments have brought me to the Emergency Room about seven times in the past year during which time a CT, EEG, blood-work and urinalysis have not revealed any further insight or hope. I discovered Osteopathic Manipulation Therapy through a video by Dr. Mike (Mikhail Varshavsky D.O.) and after further research found a competent practitioner of this art.
Check here for some videos on the philosophy of Osteopathic Medicine. The two fundamentals of this field are the triad of mind, body, and spirit, and the outlook that the body is able to head itself, the doctor is there to aid the person in the process.
I am sharing the information he taught me, both as a way to motivate me to consistently follow his regimen, and to help others who may find themselves in a similar situation. Conducting medical research is a dream of mine; perhaps documenting this journey can also serve as a case study and a springboard for empirical analysis of the efficacy of this approach. For this purpose I will include ideas and techniques from various sources, in addition to the exercises from my Osteopathic Therapist. Osteopathic Medicine focuses on a holistic approach of mind, body and spirit. Additionally, there is a philosophy of improving wellness instead of the more limiting perspective of curing the illness. Not all illnesses have a cure, some problems persist beyond the malady, and oftentimes recovery can be discovered through a journey of living alongside the illness.
1) Self- encouragement. Coworker recites psalms. Successful woman, accepted her own limitations even when choosing to rise above. Morracan: "Get yourself together." Harsh love. As an American, I chose a mantra of a winner and a pioneer. "ShunamGirl: Victory is at your fingertips. Go conquer the frontier. Reach out and touch the horizon." Article Pending in Oyster in The Bay Blog elaborating on this story and topic.
2) Cranial Nerve Stimulation. The back of the skull where the head turns into the top of your neck is your occipital bone. That is where the pons, the midsection of your brain-stem sits. Many of your cranial nerves pass through this part of your head, and actually originate there. Take a brush and rub it somewhat roughly across this area for a half a minute once a day and then tap it for ten seconds. Stimulate your nerves, increase blood-flow and movement, wake them up and remove stiffness.
3) Sinuses - Sinus massage. Pending
Aromatherapy - Pending
4) Reach out to a higher power to heal you - Article Pending in Theology Blog Aish U Nitzotz
5) Positive Perspective - I developed a new mantra: "I dont have any problems in life, only solutions. Some I have found, others are waiting to be discovered."
My primary care physician added, "and each problem is just a challenge to be dealt with."
If you think about it, life would be very boring without challenges. Each one is another mountain to climb.
6) Lower back exercises - when the lower back is weak, the upper back and neck muscles become strained trying to compensate. Additionally, the ankles, calves, hamstrings and knees are overburdened with the extra weight that the lower back is sending down to them instead. One exercise is to lie on your stomach with your hands on your forehead. Lift your head and hold yourself up for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Then, hold your head up and move your right hand to your right knee/ upper leg, allowing your eyes to follow the path of your hand. Put your head back down and repeat on the left side. Additional lower back exercises pending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6CMso14NWk&feature=youtu.be
7) Upper back strengthening exercises- Pending
8) Upper back flexibility exercises - Pending *Retzuot *Galagal Aroch Vemarpeikim al haritzpa
9) Neck strengthening - Pending
10) Increase Range of Motion in the Neck - Pending
11) Neck Relaxation Exercises - Pending
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