| Date of Birth |
1965 |
| Occupation |
Personal Trainer/Businessman |
| Hobbies/Activities |
Weight training, rollerblading,
hiking, and most sports |
| What condition have you been
diagnosed with? |
Genetic degeneration of L5/S1 disc
(disc is considered to be almost nonexistent) this created
a considerable rotation in this area and chronic subluxation/impingement
in T5-8. The cervical vertebrae form a reverse curvature resulting
in disc degeneration |
| How long have you been diagnosed
with this condition? |
The conditions are genetic as both
my father and sister had surgery to fuse the sacrum to L5.
I chose not to have this done although it was recommended.
Both my father and sister have continued to experience considerable
pain on a daily basis. I started having intense pain when
I was around the age of 9. The pain started in my neck and
it was at this time my mother would drive me one hour twice
per week to see a chiropractor. |
| How would you explain your diagnosis? |
X-rays and many therapists have
clearly shown the degeneration and misalignment of the spine.
I believe the diagnosis to be correct but incomplete |
| What kinds of things about your
diagnosis affect you: |
|
| - Physically? |
I had been in various degrees of pain on a daily basis
as long as I can remember, at least until the age of nine.
As a youth I was involved in many sports and played them
with pain at all times. When I was 14 I began weight training
to build more strength for my sports and daily life.
-At the age of 15 I changed my diet to eliminate all sugars
and starches and began fasting to improve my health. I believe
these measures allowed me to continue in hockey and volleyball.
I still was in pain on a daily basis and my condition was
certainly aggravated by my time playing hockey.
-As I grew older and played more competitively the conditions
worsened and I was unable to continue playing competitive
sports. I also loved to work with my hands, which led me
into jobs like tree planting and house building both which
I could do only for a few months as the pain became so intense.
-By my mid twenties I was having bouts of weeks on end without
being able to walk because of my low back. There have been
at least 20 times in my life where I was not able to walk
or stand up for weeks on end. In my late 20s I had to quit
sports all together. I kept up the weight training at a
minimal level so as not to get too out of shape.
-By my early thirties the daily pain became too much and
I started on the journey to personally heal my conditions.
I bought a Gray's anatomy book and learned the art of self-massage/acupressure.
I fashioned a tool out of a dowel of wood and spent one
hour daily for the next 6 months studying, and massaging
my neck. This helped my neck considerably, but still left
me with daily pain in the mid and low back.
|
| - Psychologically? |
As a youth I was able
to deal with the daily pain but as I aged it seemed to grow
more intense especially as life became more stressful with
work, etc.
- Until about 6 months ago I would always question whether
or not I would participate in activities based on how my back
felt or might feel. I was not able to go on light hikes, biking
or stand for more than 1/2 hour at a time.
- My back was in pain constantly and it left me feeling helpless
and angry. But all this time I knew that Western medicine
was not the answer and therefore I still had some hope that
the cure would one day come to me.
- My friends could never understand why I did not want to
do a lot of activities - like going to concerts or for walks,
etc. I was always on guard that I might due something and
not be able to walk for a couple of weeks.
- When I was 14 my chiropractor had told me that if I continued
to play hockey that I would most likely get paralyzed if I
got hit too hard. This had a profound effect on me and I quit
playing just when I was getting to a place where I would have
been quite successful. I guess it was about this time that
I questioned my physical abilities and began to be cautious. |
| - General Quality of Life? |
Life had always been impaired because
of the spinal inabilities. I also was focused inward as many
times the pain was so intense. I spent a great deal of time
and money looking for ways to decrease or eliminate the pain |
| What Treatments are you receiving
& how were they working? |
Treatments I have tried - some
for many years - chiropractic, massage (many kinds), acupuncture,
Chinese herbal packs, weight training, drugs, medicinal bathing
and self-massage and acupressure. Only the self-massage and
bathing seemed to give any long-term relief.
|
| How did you hear about Bikram
Yoga? |
I had been interested in yoga for
a few years before trying it; mostly as a means to self-realization
and was not aware of its healing properties. I had gone to
my first yoga class with a friend and this was Bikrams yoga.
I have not tried any other forms of physical yoga. |
| Did you have any fear or tendencies
about the yoga? |
Before I began I thought yoga was
a few strange people sitting in a circle chanting and meditating.
After my first Bikrams class I realized that was far from
the truth |
| How long have you been practicing
the yoga? How often per week? |
I have been practicing for almost
6 years. The first year I did Bikrams every day with the exception
of a handful. I have maintained at least 3 times per week
with bouts of as many as 6 - 10 times per week. |
| What changes have you noticed
in yourself that you believe are a result of you practicing
the yoga? |
As a personal trainer and specialist
in performance nutrition I am very aware of my body and its
changes, pain, etc. I have integrated the yoga and its principles
into the rehabilitation programs of my own clients.
The biggest difference that I have noticed is the elimination
of daily pain. I no longer have unbearable pain in my body
on a daily basis. The yoga has torn down my ligaments, tendons
and muscles and restructured them into a working unit. My
back, hips, legs and core are the strongest and healthiest
they have ever been. I have complete trust in my back not
to give out any more as it once did causing me to be immobilized
for long periods of time. The yoga has been painful but
pain with a positive ending. I can do all the postures except
for standing head to knee with control and grace. I am able
to participate in sports and outdoor activities again. I
am also able to offer my experience to others.
Physiologically I feel that I have been freed. Found salvation
from daily pain. I know that as long as I continue with
Bikrams my back will be strong and useful.
Mentally I have become much sharper, more peaceful, less
worried about day-to-day life. It is such a blessing to
finally be free. Wow what a feeling.
|
| Has any of your conventional
treatment changed since practicing the yoga? (i.e. discontinuation
of medication) |
I do not participate in any other
treatment except for my ongoing Bikrams, some self massage
and a hot oil bath once in awhile |
| What would you like to tell
people who are feeling hesitant about trying the yoga? |
If someone has physical pain or
disease I would tell him or her that if they want to continue
with the pain DO NOT do Bikrams. Someone once said, "Insanity
is continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different
result".
I have introduced well over 50 people to Bikrams and many
have continued on a regular basis. Those that have continued
have seen similar results in their lives as well.
Do not hesitate - go today - it will change your whole
life in a positive way
|
