Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Other Chronic Pain
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - Chronic Pain
Before I began treatment at Mission Hills Physical Therapy, eating anything and drinking liquids triggered a terrible cough that in turn made the rest of my pain more severe. Now I can eat and drink with comfort.
Sleeping was a huge problem, and for years I rarely slept through the night. My right hand was so weak I had to lift the covers with my left hand before I could reposition it. I had to sit up in bed before I could change my body position. Now I sleep better and longer during the night. I can also use my right hand to move the covers and help me reposition myself.
My right arm/side was in so much pain and so tight that it was difficult for me to raise my arm or use my hand. I could not ball my right hand into a fist. I could not shake anyone's hand without it causing intense pain, and combining my own hair was extremely painful. Now, I can lift my arm and ball my fist. I can even shake hands and comb my hair without being in too much pain.
The pain throughout my body was so bad that talking was exhausting and writing was nearly impossible. I now can talk without losing all of my energy and have less pain when writing.
I was in so much pain when I first came to Mission Hills Physical Therapy that I could not wear clothes without suffering intensely. My body had become so weak and racked with pain that anything touching my skin was painful. Clothes and undergarments were too painful to wear. I would stay in wearing little or nothing most days to avoid the pain and discomfort of getting dressed. Even air brushing against my skin was painful. This limited my desire and ability to do normal things or to socialize.
Now, I have less pain all over my body. I can wear a bra and clothes all day! I get out more and feel better about myself. Because some of the strength has returned to my right hand, I can use it to help support my left hand when driving. Air no longer hurts my arm, and I can wear short sleeves again.
In summary, before I began my treatments here, the pain was so intense and pervasive that I felt a little depressed. With the subsiding of some pain and the increased strength in my right hand, now I feel alive again - like a real person!
Sleeping was a huge problem, and for years I rarely slept through the night. My right hand was so weak I had to lift the covers with my left hand before I could reposition it. I had to sit up in bed before I could change my body position. Now I sleep better and longer during the night. I can also use my right hand to move the covers and help me reposition myself.
My right arm/side was in so much pain and so tight that it was difficult for me to raise my arm or use my hand. I could not ball my right hand into a fist. I could not shake anyone's hand without it causing intense pain, and combining my own hair was extremely painful. Now, I can lift my arm and ball my fist. I can even shake hands and comb my hair without being in too much pain.
The pain throughout my body was so bad that talking was exhausting and writing was nearly impossible. I now can talk without losing all of my energy and have less pain when writing.
I was in so much pain when I first came to Mission Hills Physical Therapy that I could not wear clothes without suffering intensely. My body had become so weak and racked with pain that anything touching my skin was painful. Clothes and undergarments were too painful to wear. I would stay in wearing little or nothing most days to avoid the pain and discomfort of getting dressed. Even air brushing against my skin was painful. This limited my desire and ability to do normal things or to socialize.
Now, I have less pain all over my body. I can wear a bra and clothes all day! I get out more and feel better about myself. Because some of the strength has returned to my right hand, I can use it to help support my left hand when driving. Air no longer hurts my arm, and I can wear short sleeves again.
In summary, before I began my treatments here, the pain was so intense and pervasive that I felt a little depressed. With the subsiding of some pain and the increased strength in my right hand, now I feel alive again - like a real person!
Clara Morris
Chronic Pain
Picture, if you will, a scene from the early 1950s - set in a semi-surburban, middle class neighborhood (let your imagination see this in your mind in black and white).
Mickey finishes his day at school having been presented with the most up-to-date verison of a flickering film reel of the mandatory new "Duck and cover" A-bomb nuclear fallout preparatory procedures (the unwelcome source of a few nightmares in the weeks to come). For the time though, he will forget all that serious adult propaganda and play with total abandon in the trees and creek just down the street from his Mommy's and Daddy's new three bedroom track home. He and his pals will shoot it out with their "Nichols" chrome plated cap guns in one of the many reenactments of "The Shootout at the O.K. Corral" and climb as high as they can in the trees overhanding the little creek that will soon be filled and covered over to make room for more of the ubiquitous cracker boxes many more little boys will call home in the nexy few years.
This is probably one of the days he will either fall while climbing down from the tree or possibly slip on one of the rocks in the creek or crash in his wagon as he scooters it home at the end of the day; or maybe this is the day his big sister shoves him down in the garage when he assumes the right to hangout with her and her friends - and breaks his right radius and ulna to a new, 90 degree angle.
Fast forward to the here and now: Mickey is now Michael or Mike and has been married for thirty years and has three terrific (and sometimes terrifying) little grandsons.
His active life will continue like this for the next forty years or so to include many injuries from the ruff - and tumble type of work he does in the shipyards. He will get plenty of good quality medical care throughout these years and will heal and be able to continue earning a living as well as have fun with personal activities; however, after a while he will notice a change in his quality of life and have to modify the type and level of these activities.
The lastest in this string of injuries due to his work and accumulated damages from past injuries causes him to experience chronic pain and lack of adequate sleep as well as times of depression as he views a future without relief from this tiring pain. Then he gets a break; a referral from his family doctor, Julie Son, M.D., to Mission Hills Physical Therapy. When he first starts with his treatment there, he feels that he may or may not get significantly better, but suspects that he might just have to live with most of the pain and discomfort he has come to know so intimately.
Fast forward again about another nine months and you will find a man who is very grateful and surprised that such subtle and gentle therapy he has received at Mission Hills Physical Therapy has given him so much relief. He felt, when he started, that he would be glad to achieve even 75% improvement from the pain and restricted range of motion he was living with. Now, he happily has gained about 90% improvement. He now feels that he can continue doing most of the activities he likes as long as he does his "homework" and takes care of himself followed the informed advise of his Therapist, Danielle Emhof.
Michael can, again, remember what it felt like when he was a little boy called Mickey.
Mickey finishes his day at school having been presented with the most up-to-date verison of a flickering film reel of the mandatory new "Duck and cover" A-bomb nuclear fallout preparatory procedures (the unwelcome source of a few nightmares in the weeks to come). For the time though, he will forget all that serious adult propaganda and play with total abandon in the trees and creek just down the street from his Mommy's and Daddy's new three bedroom track home. He and his pals will shoot it out with their "Nichols" chrome plated cap guns in one of the many reenactments of "The Shootout at the O.K. Corral" and climb as high as they can in the trees overhanding the little creek that will soon be filled and covered over to make room for more of the ubiquitous cracker boxes many more little boys will call home in the nexy few years.
This is probably one of the days he will either fall while climbing down from the tree or possibly slip on one of the rocks in the creek or crash in his wagon as he scooters it home at the end of the day; or maybe this is the day his big sister shoves him down in the garage when he assumes the right to hangout with her and her friends - and breaks his right radius and ulna to a new, 90 degree angle.
Fast forward to the here and now: Mickey is now Michael or Mike and has been married for thirty years and has three terrific (and sometimes terrifying) little grandsons.
His active life will continue like this for the next forty years or so to include many injuries from the ruff - and tumble type of work he does in the shipyards. He will get plenty of good quality medical care throughout these years and will heal and be able to continue earning a living as well as have fun with personal activities; however, after a while he will notice a change in his quality of life and have to modify the type and level of these activities.
The lastest in this string of injuries due to his work and accumulated damages from past injuries causes him to experience chronic pain and lack of adequate sleep as well as times of depression as he views a future without relief from this tiring pain. Then he gets a break; a referral from his family doctor, Julie Son, M.D., to Mission Hills Physical Therapy. When he first starts with his treatment there, he feels that he may or may not get significantly better, but suspects that he might just have to live with most of the pain and discomfort he has come to know so intimately.
Fast forward again about another nine months and you will find a man who is very grateful and surprised that such subtle and gentle therapy he has received at Mission Hills Physical Therapy has given him so much relief. He felt, when he started, that he would be glad to achieve even 75% improvement from the pain and restricted range of motion he was living with. Now, he happily has gained about 90% improvement. He now feels that he can continue doing most of the activities he likes as long as he does his "homework" and takes care of himself followed the informed advise of his Therapist, Danielle Emhof.
Michael can, again, remember what it felt like when he was a little boy called Mickey.
M.S.
My name is Thomas Donnelly and when I first came to Mission Hills Physical Therapy I was in constant pain and discomfort. But through some of the great exercises and techniques used by Mission Hills Physical Therapy I am thankful that I am pain free and full mobility has been restored to me.
Thank you Mission Hills Physical Therapy.
Thomas Donnelly