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Chapter Fifteen: Chronic Pain

Pain after Childhood Injury - Ellen’s Story

Ellen had fallen off a horse at the age of 14 and landed on her left hip and buttocks. When we palpated the site of the trauma, we felt very thick adhesions running down both sides of her sacrum and down into her tail bone. Above the injury, adhesions were running up the left side of her low back, thick­ening the quadratus lumborum or “hip-hiker” muscle between her ribs and low back. When we questioned her further, we dis­covered that she had landed in a position in which her right leg was pulled back, over-stretching her psoas muscle and the hip flexors, at the front of her right thigh. The psoas muscle neigh­bors the fallopian tube, ovary and kidneys, so any inflammation at the psoas could affect those structures. In fact, upon palpa­tion, her digestive system apparently received and absorbed some of the force of the trauma, as did her right kidney.

The adhesive healing process spread into the nearby bowels, causing inflammation there. The force of the fall also pushed her tailbone forward, creating a physical barrier to her descending colon, causing constipation. Thus, the original injury caused inflammation to spread to various areas of the abdo­men, pelvis, hip, and low back. Intercourse pain with deep pen­etration was a direct result of her partner hitting her tailbone, which had been pushed forward by the fall. Thus the tailbone created a physical block whenever she attempted to have in­tercourse with her husband and contributed to constipation, as it created a physical barrier at her descending colon. She also complained of neck and TMJ (jaw) pain, which we felt was exacerbated by an unstable pelvis.

Having thus surmised the history and progression of the injuries and symptoms our patient experienced, we were able to see, treat, and deal with the wide range of symp­toms as a whole-body approach.

Our next challenge was to ask ourselves, “Where do we begin and where do we take this next?”
Like taking apart nylon rope one strand at a time, we began to palpate, detach, and free the major adhered tissues and structures from each other, one by one. To us it feels like we are pulling out the run in a three-dimensional sweater. As we free restricted areas, we move on throughout the body, following the “run” wherever it goes.

As the strong col­lagenous bonds began to slowly release, symptoms dissipated and normal range of motion returned. As entrapped nerves were freed, Ellen’s pain decreased. As the pelvis and low back were freed, we were able to return symmetry to the spine so her neck and TMJ symptoms could resolve at last. Direct treatment at her tailbone and nearby structures resolved her constipation and intercourse pain.

Severe Fall, Subsequent Pain and Headaches - Michael’s Story

As a 24-year-old construction worker, Michael suffered a severe fall on the worksite, landing on the right side of his buttocks and tailbone. Over the course of four years, Michael had been to over a dozen physicians and had attended virtually every physical therapy, and rehabilitation clinic in our medically-oriented town. By the time he arrived in our clinic, he was still in a debilitated state.

During our initial evaluation, Michael’s left shoulder was severely elevated in constant spasm, rising up toward his neck. He did not have the strength to grasp objects with either hand. In addition, he was dragging his right foot behind him so badly that the front inside of his shoe had worn out. He had signifi­cant neurological symptoms: his left hand shook constantly, and his legs shook frequently. He reported severe daily headaches that started a few days after his fall, and had gradually become worse over time.

We hardly knew where to start with this young man, but we knew that we were probably his last chance to regain some semblance of a life. Emotionally, he was remarkably stable for all he had been through; he was in constant pain in so many places, and he just wanted to get his life back.

We described ad­hesions, fascia, and the in­ner structure of his body to him so he could act as an informed member of the team that was trying to help him regain his life. Trying to envision the adhesive pattern that had formed in him since his fall, and noting that he had severe impingement on nerves in many areas, we asked him to tell us what techniques felt better and which ones did not help, or made him feel worse.

As we palpated different tissues, we described the inner structure of his body to him. We asked him to tell us where he was feeling sensations when we touched various areas. Often, Michael would identify relationships that physicians would tell us do not exist in modern medicine — such as a pull from his shoulder into his opposite leg. Yet when we treated that shoul­der, he would feel relief in his opposite leg. And after a session of treating that shoulder, we noted that his gait improved mark­edly. The complex adhesive pattern that was created within him after his fall was starting to unravel.

Over the course of his therapy sessions, both of his shoulders became level. Eventually, he was able to walk normally, swing his arms, and lift objects again. He returned to work on light, then moderate duty.

Toward the end of treatment, he still experienced daily headaches that were often severe and debilitating. Since the rest of his body was doing so well, this remained a great mys­tery for us.

Then one day, we had an experience with Michael that knocked our blinders off. In fact, it would have significant rami­fications for our headache, pelvic pain, and infertility patients for years to come.

While Larry was treating Michael’s neck, he noted severe tightness at the base of his skull. Clini­cally, we had noticed that this is often an area associ­ated with headaches, and the area felt totally jammed. In fact, as I tractioned his head, it felt as if the tissues of his neck and the base of his skull were anchored much further down his spine.

Larry mentioned this ”anchoring sensation” to Belinda that evening. She asked, “Do you suppose that when Michael fell at the worksite, he may have pushed his coccyx (tailbone) forward and it got stuck in that position as it healed?”

As we talked, we decided that this was not only pos­sible but likely. We also knew that one of the primary fascial attachments at the sacrum and coccyx is the dura — which is the thick, fascial covering of the brain and spinal cord, at the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae. The dura starts at the tail­bone, attaches to the sacrum, climbs the spinal cord, and has strong attachments at the base of the skull. Then it continues up into the cranium to surround and infuse with the tissues of the brain.

“Do you think that when that happened, it pulled down on his dura, and that the anchor I was feeling was the pull com­ing from the coccyx?” Larry asked.“Sounds reasonable to me,” Belinda said. “Anatomically, it makes sense, but in that case, what are we going to do about it?”

“What about this,” Larry suggested. “What if one of us decompresses (pulls back) the joint at his coccyx (internally) while the other tractions his head? Do you think that might work?”

“Mechanically, that sounds reasonable. I really can’t think of a better way to do that,” she said.

We told Michael what we were thinking. “There are no guarantees, of course, and we would never push anyone into something they do not want to do,” we said. “Frankly, it may be pretty uncomfortable for a few minutes. But we have tried so many things; mechanically, this makes sense to both of us. We think it could be the key that unlocks the door to your chronic headaches.”

“Well,” he said, “you have done more in the course of therapy than anyone else has been able to do in four years. If you think it’ll help, let’s just go on and do it.”

We treated Michael the way we described and hoped he would find relief. Michael had an appointment set with his physician three days later.

“They did what?” the doctor exclaimed when Michael told him about our treatment.

“Yeah doc, they sure did. They said they released the pull of my dura. I don’t understand it much, but the headaches I have had daily for over three years are completely gone now! I haven’t had one since they did that!”

It was a matter of simple biomechanics, and our treat­ment with Michael was a clear and dramatic demonstration of how listening deeply to patients and thinking of the body’s mechanics from a “whole body” perspective could lead to profound results.

The physician called us amazed and promptly began sending his most complicated tailbone and headache patients.

Unexplained Abdominal Pain - Rae’s Story

My two weeks in Gainesville, Florida were a turning point for me. I don’t think I will ever be able to put into words what they did for me, my health, my approach to good health, and my outlook on life.

I have been no stranger to the acronym “ICI” (Invisible Chronic Illnesses), and had a plethora of TLAs (three letter acronyms) as diagno­ses for my various lev­els of ill health, pain, and inability to “have a life.” What brought me to Clear Passage Ther­apies (CPT) was the four years of fighting stomach pain, a pain that made all other pain issues pale in comparison.

I developed stomach “clutches” that literally doubled me over and brought me to my knees. Having pain issues from FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome) and MPS (Myofascial Pain Syn­drome) did not prepare me for this sharp and focused wave of pain. It hurt so badly, the pain would make me throw up what­ever was in my stomach, and then for the next “n” number of hours (sometimes days) heave pure bile. That was my cue to go to the emergency room (ER).

After my third visit there, one physician decided that gallstones were the issue. He admitted me, and I waited three days until the surgeon was available. I was afraid of surgery, my health not the best to begin with, but the knowledge that this would end the cycle of excruciating pain was what kept me strong.

Recuperating from the surgery was no picnic, but I was free of the stomach issue, or so I was told. All it took was one roughage full meal to have me dialing 911, and awaiting the am­bulance. It was so frightening and dis­heartening, but I hadn’t put two and two to­gether yet; even worse, neither had the doc­tors. They all believed this was all part of the “recovery process” from the surgery, and my system trying to handle the digestion process without the gallbladder to do its job breaking food down with enzymes and directing it into my intestines.

Much later, it became apparent to all of us that my stom­ach issue was not resolved by surgery. In fact, the surgery had exacerbated my problem (origin still unknown).

I then went to multiple GI specialists, “la crème de la crème,” who all were adamant that I had an issue, but no one could diagnose it. I soon found myself chasing pain clinics, and having tests of pure discomfort. I had MRIs and CT scans with and without dye; I swallowed markers to track my digestive system by x-ray, and swallowed other nasty stuff to clean my system the night before. I underwent all of these test and procedures to show the medical folk how my digestive tract worked, how fast it moved, what path it took, and other arcane data. I had endoscopies and colonoscopies. And still, I had to go to the ER again and again with the pain. The ER doctors took so many x-rays of my entire torso that I am surprised I don’t glow in the dark!

So be­tween tests, spe­cialists, and pain clinics, I kept hav­ing to find relief in the ER. They would insert an N/G (nasal gas­tric) tube into my stomach, give me enemas, experiment with intravenous medicines, inject Atropine...  After a while, they’d create any concoction or cocktail they could think of. They too were frustrated, and also “suspicious,” since the relief inevita­bly came when they finally gave me the injection of a narcotic, along with anti-nausea medicine.

Sometimes they used an IV, and they’d maybe add something to hydrate me, but inevitably, excruciating pain in my stomach recurred. Depending on what they saw, they would either calm my pain with drugs, or admit me due to a bowel obstruction, or “ileus.”

My ER visits eventually became even more frequent. My primary care physician kept suggesting explorato­ry surgery as the only way to figure out what was wrong. He put me on nar­cotics to try to keep me home and help me to min­imize going to the ER over and over again for pain relief. There were weeks when broth and Jell-o were my only fare — I remember being so excited when I could add some food to my Jell-o. There are not nearly enough Jell-o flavors available!

As my pain, bloating, and digestion problems continued, along with trips to the ER, including admission to the hospital, my doctor became more insistent on the need for exploratory surgery. He assured me that if there were the expected adhe­sions from my prior (unnecessary) surgery, the way to elimi­nate them was more surgery.

I started to attack the Internet for information. I found CPT.

After reading horror stories about adhesions being compounded by multiple surgeries that attempted to release previous adhesions (which sounded both scary and logical to me) I approached my MD about going to CPT. His feeling was that it would not harm me, and at most it would only cost me some time and money. He felt it was worth a shot — he was supportive of my efforts.

I can’t tell you how warm and welcoming everyone at CPT was. I filled my form out very, very completely, and I have a long and complicated health history, as I alluded to earlier. I held nothing back. I spoke to a therapist on the phone, and she soon became my new best friend and confidante. Despite my weight, CPT was willing to work with me, as long as my expec­tations were realigned to recognize that it might impact the level of my success.

My therapist did not hold back, or “weasel-word” what I was in for and what to expect. She was a professional always, but with such heart. I went to Florida, where their team of therapists worked together to create a plan for me. Every step of the way I found caring, smiling, people who listened to me and encouraged me while the therapists worked; rather WE worked together — I had to be actively involved, mind and body. The rest of the staff always smiled, answered ques­tions, suggested places to visit, and accommodated my schedule needs.

By the end of two weeks, I had made new friends, really more like sisters: a family of my choice. I was so sad to leave them, but it was time to “graduate” and say goodbye. They gave me resources, paperwork, cheat-sheets of exercises, and more to continue the process at home.

After I returned home, it was 11 long, lovely MONTHS before I ever hit the ER with a stomach issue again. Now almost 7 months later, I’ve not gone to the ER since. Compared to my schedule of multiple ER trips every year, this feels like magic (albeit based on their science, intuition, training, and heart). I never imagined this could be my reality!

I am now on the brink of getting off of the narcotics which, at one time, were the only things that kept me from being in the hospital 24/7. I admit I’m anxious about this step, but excited too. This could never have been possible without my time at CPT.

Another benefit from my CPT experience is that my pursuit of health has broadened the scope of professionals I seek. In retrospect, I see that in my case(es), “western” physi­cians often spent their energy and my dime, treating my pain symptoms and seeking a label for my illness(es) and pain — rather than really treating me. They tossed western pharma­ceuticals at me, but those always seemed to have side effects. In fact, some side effects required a different medicine to balance them out, ad nauseum (pun intended here). Ultimately, they gave me a “waste-basket diagnosis” (a label) when they couldn’t find the cause. Some even dismissed me as some “hysterical woman” whose pain and symptoms were “all in my head,” a more modern version of “the vapors.”

I’ve since turned to more “alternative health” options that see “me” in my entirety, and try to treat the whole person, not find a label to pigeonhole me. My path towards the quest for health has changed, and I try to keep open-minded regard­ing my well-being, combining both alternative eastern and west­ern modalities.

CPT opened a new world to explore, one with options and hope. I’m not there yet, but what an opportunity they of­fered me! As CPT knows, I am willing to speak about my experi­ence, and answer any questions about my personal experience.

Certainly everyone gets their own unique help and les­sons from CPT. As they say, YMMV (your mileage may vary). But know this, I cannot thank Clear Passage enough for their work with me, and their taking a chance, inviting such a “complicated” case into their care, and helping turn my life around.

Severe Pelvic Pain after C-section - Marcella’s Story

 

Before I attended Clear Passage Therapies (CPT), I had been to 11 different doctors and health practitioners, trying to figure out why I was having so much pain in my pelvic area.  Sex was also close to impos­sible. I had a C-section in 2007 and when I tried to have sex afterward, I knew something was wrong. 

However, I con­tinued to be passed-off from one specialist to another, none of them giving me a clear diagnosis, much less a treatment option. 

When my doctor told me I would have to have a hyster­ectomy, because he didn’t know what else to do, I knew I had to keep searching on my own. I knew that I wasn’t crazy, and that I needed someone to step back and look at the whole picture. 

The day I stumbled upon the CPT website, I was com­pletely filled with hope and with relief. For the first time, I saw something that made perfectly logical sense, described every­thing that I felt was wrong with me, and gave me the hope that one day I really could be out of pain. I scheduled myself as soon as possible.

During the time I spent there, it felt like all of the puzzle pieces finally fit together. Everything finally made sense! Not only the actual treatment, but through their care, accep­tance and warmth, I made more progress in healing my body in five days than I had done in the past 12 years! It was as if I had finally found the answer to what my body had been begging for. 

I am now 100% out of pain. When I was ready to have sex again, I was so nervous! But, everything worked beautifully and I had zero pain or discomfort. I can honestly say that the results I have experienced from my treatment had only been a dream before.

Fourteen months have passed since treatment, and I am still completely pain free and have been able to use what I learned about my body and how I got into the chronic pain situation to make adjustments in my life to take care of myself and my body. Not only am I pain free, I have lost weight and feel great about myself again.

 

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