LEARN ABOUT SAFE, NATURAL, LOW-COST*,
FAST-ACTING AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS
FOR THE RELIEF OF:
disabling severe chronic pain,
anxiety, depression,
insomnia, spinal cord pain, muscle pain,
arthritis pain, bursitis, brachial neuritis
& neuropathic pain such as sciatica!
Like all who walk in these shoes,
I was alive without living
thanks to zero quality of life
from all of these chronic conditions** AND the
numerous side effects of prescription drugs commonly given for these diagnoses.
Thanks to God, His herbs, and
music meditation,
I got Back 2 Good naturally.
If you are alive without living thanks to
any or all of these conditions
& their mood and mind-altering Rx's,
I created Spinal Trap so that
YOU TOO CAN GET Back 2 Good!
Don't have a lot of money or
health insurance?
All the more reason to learn about the MANY COMMON LOW COST*
vitamins, herbs, and supplements!
*Please note, I don't sell any of the herbs, vitamins, or supplements that I recommend for these many life-ruining conditions; but I do provide links for the sites from which I buy. Many have referral rewards so if it's your first time ordering from a site, please be sure to use my links so that you may enjoy a discount off of your first order!
Be Grateful, Be Well
Grace Kelly, God Coach, CHLC, CPLC
**Scroll down this page to see a list of my numerous spinal/shoulder diagnoses from my MRI reports.
Spinal Trap: Back 2 Good
12160 W Parmer Lane
Suite 130-118
Cedar Park, TX 78613
United States
grace
Trained, Licensed UNProfessionals
Massage therapists and physical therapists
are an essential part of a chronic pain person's life;
if and when you are worked on properly
for your respective damage/pain issues,
by capable, knowledgeable, respectful professionals.
Frustratingly, just because someone is trained and licensed
does not mean that they are able to provide the proper care
for someone with extensive spinal damage,
as I have found out the very painful way.
Being a foodie, I use a lot of food analogies, so if that statement doesn't resonate with you, think of it like this:
If you love Italian food of fresh, delicious, scratch made sauces, you wouldn't go to your local Chinese take-out, right?
You'd go to an Italian restaurant because you know that restaurants who specialize in that cuisine are far more likely
to offer you the best in that cuisine's flavor.
Ditto your health and chronic pain needs.
You don't see a foot surgeon to have back surgery.
And you shouldn't see a massage therapist or a physical therapist,
inexperienced in the art of touching
a severely damaged spine, PROPERLY.
Remember people,
being trained in something
is NOT the same
as being EXPERIENCED in it.
(Read that again because it really is profound!)
Unfortunately, in my experience with massage therapy, they all carry the same label and certification, so trying to figure out who will meet your pain challenges, is much, much more difficult.
It doesn't matter how clear I am about how severe and extensive my spinal cord and multiple disc damage is,
and/or how easily flared my pain is,
I have gotten a few cowboys and tough girls
who were into body building
with a "no pain, no gain" mentality,
who think they know my body better than I do,
worked me too hard and put me into
preventable and unnecessary severe pain flare ups.
The "no pain no gain" mentality
is pure and utter BS in pain management
and anyone with that mentality
that works with severely injured people
has no business being in the medical field because we chronic pain people
aren't trying to win
a weight lifting contest,
but are struggling to raise our arms over our heads to wash our hair without pain, bend over and brush our teeth without pain, push a grocery cart, etc...
Thus, the next time one of you
"no pain no gain" UNprofessionals
want to push a chronic pain person too far, REMEMBER THIS ARTICLE because
our pain relief needs are about us
NOT YOU and your ego.
After all that I have endured in almost 11 years,
from a flattened spinal cord,
7 herniated discs and other damage,
I am willing to bet my life, that I have a higher pain tolerance then those with this inappropriate mentality.
So when I complain about an exercise or a massage technique,
it sure as hell isn't because I can't handle pain;
it is because I and the hundreds of millions in my shoes,
all around the world,
have had more than enough pain for one lifetime.
NO ONE should be forced to handle UNproductive pain.
Although you may know
the HUMAN body better than I do,
I know MY body
better than you.
I also know the difference between
good pain and bad pain.
Good pain is productive and conducive
to healing and wellness.
Bad pain is UNproductive and counterintuitive
to healing and wellness.
Last and far from least, is the principle
that I, nor anyone else, should have to
tolerate being flared into UNnecessary pain
by the very professionals from
whom we sought pain reduction/relief, simply because YOU are/were too egotistical
to respect our input and warnings
that a particular movement or touch,
isn't good, productive pain.
PRODUCTIVE PAIN.
THAT I understand.
THAT I can and will handle.
THAT is a part of every normal healing process.
That is NOT what I speak
against here.
The only time I could possibly begin to slightly understand,
(not respect mind you, but understand) when one of these no pain no gain UNprofessionals employs this wrongful mindset is when a patient's medical tests (MRI's, cat scans, etc...) show no actual damage, diagnoses and/or is not post (spinal) surgery.
Then, and only then, I could understand how/why a P.T. may push someone hard to complete an exercise because
they have no diagnosed medical reason to believe
that the person isn't just being a big baby.
I am not saying that mindset is right either;
I am simply saying,
I can at least understand it in that circumstance.
But even in these cases, the professional should err on the side of trusting the patient's need to stop a movement which they believe, isn't producing, productive pain.
If the patient is indeed, just being a whiner,
they will realize it themselves when they make absolutely
no progess because they didn't push themselves appropriately.
For those who have never had to do physical therapy,
even when done properly, IT IS PAINFUL.
But as I stated above,
there is a huge and unacceptable difference
between the productive pain of properly done
P.T. and counterproductive pain that
only sets a person back in their recovery.
What I will never understand though is why
the "no pain, no gain" physical therapist put me
into unnecessary pain flare ups post-operatively.
She not only had the operative report,
but as a very motivated and articulate patient,
I also verbalized it to her as such:
"I had ACDF of C5-C7." and I gave her this explanation of it:
I had discs C5-C7 excised (a.k.a. removed)
because they herniated so severely
that they flattened my spinal cord,
then my neurosurgeon inserted sterilized cadaver bones
where the discs had been, to offer each vertebra support,
he also drilled off all of my osteophytes
(a.k.a. bone spurs - which unfortunately, can grow back)
then he fused it all with titanium plates and screws.
Additionally she had copies of my numerous MRI reports/diagnoses, etc...
thus, it was exceedingly UNacceptable
for her to push me as hard as she did,
despite my speaking up about the bad kind of pain
I was having from her suggested movements;
and moreover,
HOW EASILY FLARED INTO SEVERE PAIN I AM,
due to the permanent spinal cord damage,
remaining herniated discs, etc...
At the time that I had my 3 discs cut out,
I actually had 5 herniated discs in my neck,
but was advised to just have the worst 3 removed
because the more surgery that was done,
the lower the success rate became.
That made sense to me so that is what I did.
The downside is obvious, the 2 injured discs remaining,
still cause me, great pain, range of motion limitations, etc...
Additionally, she should have factored in that having my neck fused, also meant a more limited range of motion.
When I as the patient, the layperson to this relationship,
know these immutable facts, it is patently clear that her
UNprofessional "no pain no gain" mentality
had ABSOLUTELY NO PLACE in my post-op care.
Prior to my spinal surgery post-op physical therapy,
I had undergone no less than 12 dozen P.T. appointments in 2 other cities throughout my years of injury and chronic pain.
Not one time had any of those physical therapists, (male and female), disrespected my input and need to stop an exercise.
Thus, the good news is that these UNprofessionals
are clearly not the rule.
The UNacceptable news is that they do exist,
hence my being compelled to speak up about them
to help as many other newly injured people realize their right
to SAY NO to any exercise that yields counterproductive pain.
If you're not sure, stop and describe it to your best ability;
mainly, listen to your body!
I promise you, it knows things faster than you do.
To further validate how irresponsible her no pain, no gain mindset truly was, I had the massage therapist at this same facility tell me that when she (the massage therapist) was out for a day, this same P.T. (who was indeed a former competitive body builder) took over her massage clients for her,
and as a result of massaging a client too hard,
the client had to be taken to the emergency room!
(Yes, you read that right!)
If to this point in reading, you have thought that
I have been excessively harsh on this topic,
after reading this last paragraph, do you still think so?
Who in the world deserves to end up in the E.R. from massage therapy??? Ahhhh, NO ONE!
Since life is about perception, permit me to acknowledge
that some people reading this will likely have thought to themselves, "Wow, she sure was mad when she wrote this."
And you would be correct.
Part of it is because of how bad of an unnecessary experience
I had and part of it is because when I did tell her I couldn't do a particular movement due to the bad kind of pain, I was nice about it, which got me nowhere as she flared me unnecessarily on more than one occasion, into severe pain flare ups.
Interestingly, she and I really got along well and these
no pain/no gain pushes by her and resulting flare ups aside,
I liked her on a personal level and it was mutual.
But, when a person has major spinal surgery and is on the mend,
they are more often than not, still on strong narcotics and as likely, on multiple other mood and mind altering substances such as muscle relaxers, anti-anxiety and anti-depressants, etc...
These Rx's do not permit a person to think clearly or well.
And in addition to pain, they cause great fatigue.
Thus, starting over with a new P.T. or other healthcare professional, is exhausting for a post-op
and/or chronic pain patient.
I always gave up to three efforts of communicating any issues to my healthcare team before I give up unless there is blatantly gross misconduct on the part of the medical person at the first visit. Then a first visit, will be a last visit.
It was not until the third time that I spoke up, with anger, that she didn't dismiss/disrespect my input; my anger got her attention and she said, "Okay then, let's try this instead."
The thing is, no patient, should have to resort to anger
to get the attention and respect
of their healthcare professional.
If you are a fair and reasonable person,
with even a modicum of empathy and common sense,
you do not need to walk in my shoes or that of the millions
whose lives are altered by disabling injuries and severe chronic pain, to realize that this situation is UNacceptable.
I don't have to have my leg or other body parts blown off by an IED as many soldiers endure, to know that what they went through was its own special kind of hell and that unless I go through it too, I can't know, nor judge, their feelings.
And permit me to thank our United States military personnel for all that they do sacrifice and endure,
in order to keep us safe.
Thus, I share this page in hopes that it gets everyone's attention to allow this situation to become eradicated to spare others enduring this.
Also to alert those who love a person undergoing P.T. for severe injuries and/or chronic pain and/or post-op care, to check in with them and see if they need someone to advocate for their proper care and/or to help them realize they need to seek another professional for their best care; because, sadly, many, won't speak up and they literally are going to be the ones who suffer for it.
One of my numerous goals for Spinal Trap
is to IMPROVE the quality of life for chronic pain people,
as well as, educate those who provide us care
to understand where they are helping us
and as much, failing us.
You know the expression, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."
Well, there is a lot broken in our healthcare.
This mentality is a big item in need of fixing.
The good news is that it is a SIMPLE and IMMEDIATE fix!
To say this is unacceptable is like saying the sun, is a little hot!
We who live with chronic pain have no choice but to trust that those whose care we seek, will not harm us.
It doesn't matter how clearly I state my numerous diagnoses and pain challenges, and/or how many questions I ask
in advance, finding a massage and/or physical therapist to handle my needs without issue has been a pain unto itself.
Bottom line - LEARN TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AND SPEAK UP FOR YOURSELF!
Sad truth:
Number of years of experience is
NOT an indicator of a competent,
capable, respectful professional.
(This sad truth does not just apply to healthcare!)
One of the lousiest massage sessions I ever had was by a guy who said he'd been doing it for over 15 years.
(He left me with Massage UNenvy...)
He had two arms but only used one hand as the rule!
Then he did that horrible LAZY move of pushing his forearms over me because his hands were tired!
NOT MY PROBLEM! But he made it mine!
Throw in the fact that they ADVERTISE 1 hour massages
but ONLY give you 50 minutes
and they should be sued for false advertising
by every consumer and better yet, SHUT DOWN.
In my awful experience with them,
they are the McDonald's of the massage industry.
They advertise quality, they serve crap.
(Their ice cream cones excepted.)
I spoke to the manager and should not even have been charged.
He took $10 off which was STILL A RIP OFF but I guess
Massage Envy must have enough unsatisfied clients
who go once and never again that they feel justified
screwing people out of good money for such LOUSY service.
I should've filed a credit card dispute
but I didn't because pain zaps your energy as does aggravation.
Some of the best therapeutic massages I've had,
have been by pro's with less than 5 years experience
who had a natural knack
for knowing the body AND respecting my input.
You see, respect is the critical selling point
that you need to figure out if a person possesses for others,
when interviewing a potential new massage or physical therapist.
Are they respectful of your input or too self-important to care?
Listen to how they speak; are their words about them or their clients?
They should be able, without hesitation to cite specific client examples of their work; not client/patient names of course,
as that would be a complete invasion of privacy.
(Unless the patient/client gave them a written testimonial of course, than that is different.)
I'm simply saying that if you are a chronic pain person,
and they say "50% of my client/patient base are
chronic pain patients." well now, that's a lot and that should hopefully, indicate a stronger understanding
and ability to meet YOUR needs.
But to be technical for a moment,
and focus on the art of communication
and listening skills,
please realize that a quantity of chronic pain patients
isn't necessarily indicative of high skills
with effectively helping chronic pain patients.
Now, if after they say 50% of their client base is chronic pain patients they add on a truth such as:
"I'm the only physical therapist (or massage therapist) that doctors A, B, and C will refer patients to"
THAT is likely indicative that they do indeed,
know what they are doing.
The best advice I can give is before you tell them
what your status is and needs are, ask them:
"Do you specialize in any specific types of care?"
If they say "like what?", simply say with a smile:
"You tell me, either you specialize or you don't."
What you are looking for, without any prompting from you,
is to hear them say things such as:
"I have great success with relieving chronic joint pain."
or
"I specialize in relieving muscle spasms."
or
"I'm referred to by orthopaedic surgeons due to my success with post-op knee replacemenet patients"
or
whatever it is that is true for them,
that you believe to be a good fit for your needs.
Also, many people go to professionals simply based upon
referrals from other laypeople.
Thus, if and when you have someone refer you to
their massage or physical therapist,
ask them FOR WHAT they see this professional?
If they have no severe damage and/or chronic pain issues,
then they are not likely a great source for someone who does.
(Think "apples to apples comparison" here.)
Now, if you get a referral FROM a person who walks in your damage/pain shoes, then by all means, call that professional.
Also, in today's online world, everyone's a critic.
Again, take online reviews with a grain of salt.
Everyone has different needs, different perceptions
and different motivations.
Plus, anyone can set up fake accounts and brag on themselves;
or as bad, set up accounts and falsely malign others.
When someone brags on or complains about any professional, really read both what they say, and between the lines, to try
and figure out how fair and accurate the assessment truly is.
In this case, despite the focus being on her wrongful
no pain/no gain mentality,
I still was fair in giving her credit where it was due.
An UNprofessional who cares more about booking you
and taking your money, like a con man,
is going to tell you what you want to hear;
hence my advice to not tell them first what you seek,
but to ask if they specialize and in what.
(Kind of like when you are buying a car, YOU NEVER tell the salesperson how much you want to spend!)
If you are guilty of not listening to and respecting
your clients/patients, and you still don't have the
grey matter to stop, let me put it this way:
Say YOU had a migraine and sought a medical professional
for relief of that horrible pain.
Would you expect the doctor
to punch you in the head?
I think not.
Welcome to what it's like to be
YOUR UNfortunate client/patient.
The American Buffet Mentality & (Your) Healthcare
If you read the main article above on this page, you will recognize this paragraph:
[...please realize that a quantity of chronic pain patients isn't necessarily indicative of high skills with effectively helping chronic pain patients.]
Being a foodie, I often use food and beverage (F&B) analogies to get my point across because it is the most relatable topic I can think of to drive home points, since everyone eats!
Fast food chains sells billions of burgers annually around the globe; but when I want a truly fresh, delicious, real meat burger, I NEVER get one from them.
I don't even get one from them when I'd settle for less...because I think they are that subpar.
UNfortunately, in our "American buffet mentality", millions of people in this country will tell you that a restaurant's food "is so good!" as long as they got a ton of it, for as little money as possible.
I.e. The American buffet mentality.
Hence the success of Subway and their disgusting food and $5 foot longs. (My first time eating there in the late 80's was my last.)
If you want to fill up on fresh delicious bread, hit up your local bakery or grocery store when its hot and fresh out of the oven and buy the measly 2 slices of cheese they give at your local deli.
It'll be a lot less than $5 and a million times better!
My motto is if I am going to eat fattening food, its freshness and flavor, need to be worth it!
Quantity
does not
=
Quality
People, please,
do not let
this buffet
mentality carry
over to your
healthcare!
Ditto when it comes to cheap pain pills!
I have tried just about every pain pill you have ever heard of. They ALL did a lousy job of managing my pain AND added to my health troubles exponentially with severe constipation, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, etc...
The ONLY worthy pain pill for not just my pain needs, but overall health in not having those unhealthy side effects, is Nucynta 50mg.
Unlike Oxy, codeine and other such junk, it costs more than your average fine dining check for two.
And you know what?
My health is worth it!
AND SO IS YOURS!
If you live with chronic pain and endure these additional awful and unhealthy side effects from your pain pills, please read my Nucynta page and then ask your provider if it is indicated for your pain and overall health needs.
http://www.spinaltrapb2g.com/rxs/nucynta_50mg
Be Grateful, Be Well
Grace Kelly, CHLC, CPLC
I became a Certified Holistic Life Coach to help others improve their overall quality of life thanks to all that I've learned, often the hard way!
Let me help you not have to learn the hard way!
If you have a question about your healthcare team, care or results (or lack thereof), email me via link on bottom left corner of every ST page.
Please note:
Emails from me have
sender name of
"Spirit Wellness"
If you need holistic life coaching, please click here:
http://www.spinaltrapb2g.com/holistic_life_coaching
Due to my extensive managerial background I am also a Certified Professional Life Coach.
If you would like it for you and/or you staff, click here:
http://www.spinaltrapb2g.com/professional_life_coaching-1
If you are an aspiring manager, a newly promoted one or simply one who never got any formal training, click here for great information about my affordable self-paced e-course "Introduction to The Art of Management - 40 Expert Tips for New Managers"
http://www.spinaltrapb2g.com/managers_e-course
If you would like motivational classes for your staff, click here:
http://www.spinaltrapb2g.com/attn_employers_-_motivational_classes
Ready to improve your life on every human level?
Click here NOW!
http://www.spinaltrapb2g.com/spirit_wellness_-_buy_god__the_many_book
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Spinal Trap: Back 2 Good
12160 W Parmer Lane
Suite 130-118
Cedar Park, TX 78613
United States
grace