Cauda Equina

Cauda Equina is known as a group of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord.

What is Cauda Equina Syndrome?

The rare condition that affects the nerve endings at the bottom of the spinal column which can have severe consequences to a person’s mobility if it is not dealt with immediately is known as Cauda Equina Syndrome.

This condition weakens the nerves, which then receive electrical impulses sent from the brain that permit the lower limbs and pelvic organs to carry out they purpose properly. If this condition is not dealt with it can cause permanent paralysis, problems with the bowel and bladder and impotency.

This condition can occur if a person has suffered a viral infection, narrowing of the spinal canal or a slipped disc which has not been treated. Also many spinal injuries are bought on by a violent jolt or blow such as one might obtain if involved in a car accident. Spina Bifida is a congenital deformity (an abnormality in the closure of the spinal canal) which can also play a part.

Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome
This condition has an extensive and altering mix of symptoms related to it but remember if any of the symptoms below are experienced then you should seek advice from your GP straight away.

• Stiffness when standing• Tingling prickling feeling in the legs, buttocks, thighs or feet • Numbness or pain in the legs• Bowel Dysfunction• Bladder weakness• Impotency
If any symptoms mentioned above appear over a continued period of time you should visit your doctor and give as much details as possible about the nature of the pain and the symptoms you have been experiencing.

In some cases the condition is only a temporary one that can be cured but for that to happen you have to give your doctor as much information as you can, that is very important. In these less serious cases the myelin covering that surrounds the nerves can become damaged so this can result in a temporary dysfunction, which can last quite a few weeks to a number of months.
In the more severe cases, the nerves (axons) be damaged but the good thing is that the nerves that run to the muscles (motor nerves) can grow back but this can be quite limited and can usually only be achieved after having surgery.

Diagnosis
Your doctor will examine you and assess your stability, reflexes, ability to stand and walk and also muscle strength. Your doctor may also ask for blood tests to be done and in severe cases a lumbar puncture too, which is when a needle is inserted into the lower spinal column to draw fluid for testing.

On top of this your doctor may also need x-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computerised Tomography) scans to try and put together a more thorough picture.
Again it is extremely important that if you believe you have any of the symptoms mentioned that you contact your doctor at once so that he or she can take the proper steps to try and limit the damage. It is vital to remember that not only can this problem cause severe problems with the spine and the lower limbs but it can have unpleasant effects on the bowel, bladder, and sexual organs, which, if not treated, can lead to almost certain paralysis.

It is also very important to make sure that you continue sitting with the correct posture in the workplace and if it is necessary for you to lift any heavy objects then you do so in the proper way.

Back Trouble UK

Rolfing

Rolfing was invented by Ida P. Rolf (1896-1979), who received her PhD in biochemistry and physiology from Columbia University in 1920. She went on to work at the Rockefeller Institute in the departments of chemotherapy and organic chemistry.

Finding the available therapy methods of her time inadequate, Dr. Rolf investigated the effects of structure on function in her search to find solutions to health-related problems. The catalyst to this search was a deal she made with a piano teacher that suffered from muscular dysfunction in the hands. Dr. Rolf wanted very much for her children to learn piano from this particular teacher. If she was able to improve and correct the teacher’s disability Dr. Rolf did improve the piano teacher’s disability and thus began to teach classes on Rolfing worldwide. In 1971 she established The Rolf Institute in Boulder Colorado. In addition, there are currently Rolfing centers in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.

What Does ROLFING DO?
To see how Rolfing works is to look at the body in the gravitational field as a a fish in a body of water. As a fish is supported and lifted by water, we as humans can be supported and lifted by gravity. It is easy to see the lack of structural balance in an older person, bent over a cane. These imbalances don’t happen over night, they continually deteriorate the body’s capabilities. All of an individual’s history is recorded in their tissues, including falls, illnesses and psychological stress. Even the way a child copies a parent leaves a memory.

The human body’s adaptive nature will always work to integrate an injury. Rolfing helps release the body’s structure from the effects of time and trauma so that the body can do its job more effectively and efficiently. Preferably, Rolfing is used as preventive care, but when an injury is present it can enhance and expedite the healing process.

Who Can Benefit FROM ROLFING?
Rolfing can help anyone and everyone move closer to balance and vitality. The question is are you ready? In Rolfing, the client must actively participate in bringing their body back to balance in and out of the session. The session is only the beginning with increasing change continuing in the body as the client moves through their daily routine.

What Can I Expect in a ROLFING SESSION?
First of all, Rolfers are specialists in facilitating rapid and intense results. The goal is not pain instead its mechanisim is to melt the restrictions that are located at the origin and insertion points on the bone. With pressure and direction from the Rolfers hands and joint movement from the clients, synchronicity happens. Different tissues respond differently to pressure, the Rolfers job is to unlock the code for the different levels of tissure and fluide that surround the particular parts of the body. In some ways, like a hot iron press ironing out melting adheasions from dehydration, adheasions, lactic acid, injury, etc. Rolfers encourage rehydration and fluid consistancy at all spectrums of bodyily operations to support and maximize connection to the bodily fluids that promote regulartory functions for tissue health.

Clients can expect to move limbs and joints while the Rolfer with presssure, moves and holds certian tissues to create an energetic and yet physical release to allow tissues to resume a more healthy and balanced state. Every body is different so every body has it's own centerpoint, in respects to what bone alignment pattern is for them, balanced. The Rolfers job, is to help find what that is for the individual, their a guide of sorts, that facilitates growth at the mechanical level and for some also at the behavioral level. After all, there is the body, mind, spirit connection that is spoken in all tongue's, religons, cultures, myths, and legends.

To create a successful session, the client must be willing to explore new ways of operating in the body. This will help the client find a new and improved manner of movement and function that supports daily physical duties and personal expectations. This attitude will fuel the ability to interact effectively and efficiently in one’s own environment.

The Rolfing format is primarily an educational process and therefore implies an ongoing communication between the Rolfer and client. The client is often asked to make certain moves while the Rolfer is working. This helps the client to find and feel the new patterns of movement. The relationship between the Rolfer and client is a unique one. As trust, honesty and openness develop, the Rolfing process becomes an arena for personal transformation on the part of both individuals.

(NMT) Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a very specialised form of manual therapy. A therapist trained in NMT is educated in the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on the muscular and skeletal systems. The Neuromuscular Therapist is also educated in kinesiology and biomechanics and how to work in a clinical or medical environment.

By definition, Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilisation of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system.

Neuromuscular Therapy will be used to address five elements that cause pain:
1.Ischemia: Lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes hypersensitivity to touch
2.Trigger Points: Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body
3.Nerve Compression or Entrapment: Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone
4.Postural Distortion: Imbalance of the muscular system resulting from the movement of the body off the longitudinal and horizontal planes
5.Biomechanical Dysfunction: Imbalance of the musculoskeletal system resulting in faulty movement patterns (i.e., poor lifting habits, bad mechanics in a golf swing or tennis stroke or perhaps computer keyboarding) .

For a variety of reasons, when we strain muscles and fascia, either through impact or through a build up of chronic stress, the muscles go into spasm. This spasm can restrict blood flow and cause pain, as well as restricting mobility.
Sometimes muscles can be in tension for so long that they lack the energy to release, and form tight "knots" or "trigger points", a "contracture" or little hard bump in the muscle which can be responsible for debilitating back pain or neck & shoulder pain referring to other parts of the body. Fibromyalgia is a different condition, but it seems many patients with fibromyalgia have significant trigger point discomfort also.
Inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, bringing nourishment into the area, and reducing flow away, which reduces the spread of infection. If allowed to continue and become chronic, however, it can lead to restrictive adhesions and thickening of connective tissue.
Neuromuscular Therapy involves releasing Trigger Points in muscles & fascia, and encouraging flexibility in muscle and connective tissue.
Pressure is applied to these Trigger Points, until the congestion diminishes. A release of tension relieves pain and increases mobility. Greater blood flow will allow the healing process to take over.
Stretching the muscle and fascia afterwards helps to consolidate the relaxation, and you will be shown some stretches to practice after the session.Your therapist should conduct a postural assessment to evaluate which areas to address.
Neuromuscular Therapy can be researched easily on the web, and it is gaining ground as a key modality for the repair of soft tissues.

Terry O'Brien