MLT Update

Posted by twinklev

It’s been 7 months since I first attended the Gohl Program and approximately 4 months since receiving Manual Ligament Therapy (MLT) the second time. The first time my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 2 was minimized drastically in pain and symptoms. Remission of sorts. I was able to move and stand better. I could bend my toes and come up on my toes. I came home after the 5 days of treatment and utilized the techniques in stretching I had learned from Mr. Arik Gohl. I was able to bend over and touch my toes. I could still come up on my toes with more ease, and I could dance for moments at a time. These weren’t things I could do on the fly at any time of the day, but rather things I could do as I progressed or had an ability to do at any given moment. Or things I was unable to do at any given moment also.

My spinal issues had still been giving me trouble. Pain wasn’t so much in my back other than strain, but in my right arm, hand, fingers. Numbness, tingling, paresthesia. Medical Definition of paresthesia. : a sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping on the skin having no objective cause and usually associated with injury or irritation of a sensory nerve or nerve root. I wasn’t only experiencing creepy crawlers but intense and moderate to severely painful buzzing that would begin with tightening and pique with an intensity often hard to bear before decreasing. A crippling sensation as my entire arm would lock up for the duration of the symptom. This occurred every few minutes all day and all night long for over a year. I had finally received a cervical injection for C6 and C7 Cervical Radiculopathy. I had the second injection the day before Arik Gohl and Monica Depriest of the Gohl Program picked me up for the healing retreat. I had never met them before. I had also just learned 2 months prior that my CT results listed lost of disc height, Levoscoliosis, Spondylosis, Osteophytes and other spinal deteriorations. I’ve had bone spurs in my right foot and ankle for many years (2003 MRI), my spine I had no idea. Osteophytes are a bony outgrowth associated with the degeneration of cartilage at joints. I knew I had degenerative disc disease upon an imagining diagnosis in my mid to late 30’s. By January of 2016 I had so much physical pain compiled on me, and without pain related treatment or medications that I failed myself in being able to apply my coping strategies I had learned, wrote about and had shared for others years before. My CT had revealed C4-5-6-7 issues. I’ve known I’ve had Osteo for many years but I didn’t have treatment for it.

There wasn’t anything I could do for myself anymore. In that I mean I couldn’t get pain down enough to even try. I continued to dangle on the edge. I had always been willing to try. I tried so many times over the years for bilateral CRPS.

And then I had MLT.

The therapy literally saved my life.

It brought my pain down so much that I was able to become active in my own healing again. I had no one to rely on in healthcare, nothing to relieve pain, nothing to stop my head from spinning over pain. I lost the ability to survive. I went through motions of living, but I had already died inside.

To this day I haven’t stopped my routines in keeping my flesh, my body from becoming so restricted again. Fascia, all that fibrous tissue, connective tissue, bone pain, crps pain, spinal pain. I’ve kept my own pain levels stable.

Check out all these success stories

Gohl Program TV

Gohl Program Webinar – Chronic Pain

Gohl Program Webinar with Monica Depriest

Twinkle V Case Study Documentation

Twinkle V. – RSD/CRPS, Spinal DJD, Generalized Chronic Pain (Full- before and after treatment sessions)

I can’t even watch those videos because I don’t want to be that person. That’s a lot of pain to see myself in because I know how I really felt arriving there. I don’t even look like that anymore and it only took 7 months. I can’t wait until the 1 year mark which will be on my 49th birthday. I celebrated my 48th while attending the Gohl Program healing retreat in October of 2016. I hope that turning 50 becomes everything (or something) that my 30’s and 40’s should have been.

I know that it’s difficult for some to believe how far I’ve come in such little time. I also had a new injury to my right foot which is a month old today. It did cause a setback in my overall progress yet I retained progress in other areas of my body, mind and spirit during it’s healing time. Even in this injury I didn’t take or have access to any pain medication other than having used the topical Voltaren Gel, Epsom’s soaks and ice. Yes ice! I had not used ice since PT in 2002 for the fairly severe injury in January of 2001 which led to CRPS Type 2/Causalgia. This time began almost immediately desensitizing as not to allow a reversal of progress back to full blown CRPS symptoms. I began wiggling my toes the best that I could again. I’m on my road to recovering that foot once more.

My YouTube videos I’ve chosen intentionally to do raw and real for whatever day it is, moment of the day, pain, progress, humor, sorrow. Same with Facebook videos. There isn’t any reason to disguise myself beyond what I am at that moment.

This year is healing for me. I already dropped out of most advocacy related volunteering and awareness activities toward the end of last year. I’ve remained a Medtronic Patient Ambassador which I’ve been since 2015. I’ve attended training webinars, and I represent and support the Gohl Program.

Aside from these I just want to live, love and remain free right now. Find myself, learn myself, laugh and smile as much as this life can offer. 16 years of nothing but pain, disability, uncertainty, loss, lack of access to care, suffering and suicidal actions changed me.

While living keeps throwing it’s obstacles at me, I’m able to get through them better. Yes there are days movement is harder, of course there are moments when a pain rises for a few. While my Spinal Cord Stimulator leveled my legs out, my upper body had no relief. I lived at a 7 with 8-9’s too often. I fell over the edge at 10.

I haven’t been above a 7 at all. When I have been it was a combination of causing my own acute pain from rebuilding bodily deterioration, or from unrelated belly issues. I’ve held well between 2-5. 5 meaning issues not CRPS and my new injury was decently painful at onset.

Can you imagine living in nothing but physical pain and being able to survive it without medication management for pain? I have. Easy? Not at all. It’s been 15-16 months since I’ve had any. It’s turned out to be so very worth it.

I couldn’t have done this without MLT, Arik Gohl, Dr. Vero Lizarraga, Mr. Warren Gohl, Monica Depriest, Dr. Ed Glaser and the after care tools that I’ve continued to provide myself on a daily basis.

blessing-clipart-god-s-blessings-clipart-1

Review – Gohl Program | Part 4

Posted by twinklev

Review – Gohl Program | Part 4

believe

It’s not yet been 6 months since first attending the Gohl Program healing retreat. Let me begin by saying that your journey is yours in pain; my journey is now mine from pain. Nearly all of us share, raise awareness, learn, teach and offer support to others. Many belong to or own groups, websites, blogs, are a not for profit or are a part of nonprofit organizations or businesses doing the same. My main goal is sharing my progress and healing after receiving Manual Ligament Therapy to proffer hope where hope had no longer existed for me. To share this option for chronic pain relief, testimonials, webinars, case studies, until people believe impossibles are possible. While everything I’m doing now may not be directly related to the Gohl Program it is because of it. An example would be the use of fresh herbs for their medicinal properties instead of the use of Over the Counter medications. The Gohl Program didn’t tell me to go home and do these things. I chose to continue the holistic course I had already begun as part of my overall healing experience.

On February 26, I shared to Facebook:

February 26 •
#MLT #Fact = In what became 4 months (2 days ago) since my first treatment session at the Gohl Program Arik Gohl, I’ve been able to:
1. Move my toes
2. Bend over to touch my toes
3. Raise my legs
4. Walk without assistance, or needing to stop a few steps later.
5. Walk to the store (A couple of blocks, each way)
6. Dance
7. Sleep better
8. Re quit Gabapentin and Cymbalta
9. Squat
10. Adjust my spine to better alignment when sitting, laying down and standing.
11. My Spinal Cord Stimulator has been off since hours before my first session on October 24, 2016.
12. Did I mention dance?
13. Regain strength in my upper right extremities. Raise my arm, move my shoulder.
14. Since my last treatment in January of 2017, I’ve been able to regain better use of my right hand and fingers.
15. Belly flares (Diverticulitis, Gastritis, Kidney, Liver, etc, general inflammation and associated pain) has been reduced in the duration of time and discomfort associated with those diagnosis’ and symptoms prior to treatments.
16. I skated with my Grandson for the first time in his 11 years of life on February 18, 2017.
17. I’m not prescribed opioid pain relievers (nor have I had any since February of 2016)
18. Mr. Arik Gohl, Mr. Warren Gohl, Dr. Edward Glaser, Dr. Veronica Lizarraga, Ms. Monica Depriest, the Gohl Program and MLT literally saved my life.
19. I’m living 16 years later without pain being a constant physical and emotional reminder of what I couldn’t do, shouldn’t do or would never do.
20. I’ll never quit again.
~Twinkle V.

On March 4th:

March 4 at 12:57am •
After a fairly intense moment with the dad Mr. Warren Gohl, Arik Gohl’s father, who I’ve been blessed by, I left my emotional garbage in a rock filled parking lot in Tennessee. I left the beginning, I left iPain, I left my Facebook deactivation and the reasons why, I left advocacy and awareness for which it was, I left the medical mistakes, I left the pain I caused my children, I left thinking I wasn’t a good wife anymore, I left the hurt of believing I would never be anything more than I was and that I wouldn’t go any farther than I had. I left the gossip and the whispers. I left caring too much. I left being a pain person. I left the end of it all and a new beginning was born. Because of that my path was paved in a new direction, and if I worked for it, I could be free of all that it had been and find peace in a forever where pain wasn’t my captor anymore, but instead a reminder that if I hadn’t endured all that I had physically and mentally, I’d never be right here, right now.
There’s no other place I’d rather be.
Can’t never could do anything anyway.

On April 3rd:
April 3 at 7:50pm •
There has only been 4 years scattered among the last 17 that I haven’t had major surgery, procedures, or blocks. There’s been several times over the last few years that I was cut cold turkey off of medications and went through hard withdrawal. No opioid withdrawal, just an increase in pain as a result. I’ve had other major surgeries prior to #CRPS, one of which kept me out of work for 3 months. I never filed for State Disability. I went back to work as soon as I was cleared to. After #CRPS I still fought by butt off to beat it enough to manage and the secondaries began and my entire being was overcome with all of it. Finally dropping out of the healthcare system was the best thing I ever did. No one asked me to, no one told me to. The stress itself of waiting on authorizations, scheduling, how to get to an appointment, who to rely on, all interfered with more than they helped my ability to cope. And I know many of you go through the same thing. We dwell on the unknown and that in turn raises physical pain. Physical pain then instigates stress and emotions and you can’t ever get out of it. Until you understand that you can.
No one wants to believe in anything other than surgeries that rarely heal us. Especially if we can’t do the followup care for ourselves for them to be successful. Few want to believe in anything other than pain medications and I know if it’s all you have, it’s all you have to survive and I understand that more than you may realize. People lose themselves to pain. You all have one way or the other. Few are taught basic techniques for self care, and healing,
I talk about stretching and people freak out. I talk about the decrease in my own pain and people think I couldn’t have ever been as they are. I talk about progress, everyone wants to know how, but then can’t believe in it. Not even as an option to share.
If you can suspend your disbelief long enough you might get at least part of it in the overall meaning of what we’re all capable of doing for ourselves or with the assistance of a caregiver until we can. When you have an open mind, you learn. Closed minds leave us right where we are in any circumstance.
I was heading for reconstructive spinal surgery. I was already scheduled for banding ligation, and I cancelled my last cervical spine injection.
I chose to go off the last 2 medications I had only restarted the month prior to receiving #MLT. The program didn’t ask me to, or imply that I had to. I quit Gabapentin so that I could feel any changes without something overshadowing it.
I quit Cymbalta so that I could just be me.
How could I do all this?
GohlProgram.com
Since the first post containing the 20 points, I’ve also began using a stationary bike, I worked myself up from light stretching to being able to do another exercise/stretch to strengthen my neck, shoulders, back, stomach, legs, arms and hands. These stretches and techniques were directly taught to me by Mr. Arik Gohl and are not what is taught or expected in traditional physical therapy. Traditional PT is often unrealistic with exercise or stretching prescribed that is beyond an expectation to succeed. Rather, most patients are set up to fail and because of this many never recover.

On the query “Do tendons feel pain”
Answer: Most people feel a general achiness, stiffness, and pain. Symptoms can occur throughout the body. Any soft tissue (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) may be affected.

There are over 900 ligaments in the human body and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments in the foot alone.

If you can imagine then that when our feet are properly aligned and supported solesupports.com and when our feet and body is relieved with Manual Ligament Therapy that chronic pain conditions can be eased, cured, or that remission really is possible even in the most complicated cases.

I said cure didn’t I? Cure the word that’s become taboo when it comes to the supposedly incurable. Trust me, if someone threw around the word cure to me, I probably wouldn’t have believed, but I would have looked into it. If I knew someone that went from 0 to living I’d be watching and listening intently on their progress, setbacks, or healing.

I did that with Ketamine. I seen results and so I wanted to for myself. I just never had that opportunity. Now I’m glad that I didn’t. 1. I would have had another chemical in my body. 2. I may have come to rely on it. 3. Its hard having relief of any kind and having it either taken away or become unavailable again. With the Gohl Program there isn’t any taking away because it’s up to you whether you do or don’t after the treatments.

I imagine that I’m in a time where healthcare as we know it now doesn’t exist. I imagine what I would do for myself to live through colds; flu’s, promote healing in injuries, acute or chronic pain and I remember that it wasn’t even so long ago that my own pediatrician who was also my children’s pediatrician always suggested Ginger ale when we were sick. Something I rarely or if at all hear of anymore. Ginger, or ginger ale, relieves colds, flu’s and pain. I use ginger often for its anti inflammatory effects.

I imagine that if I wanted to live through the worse I’d have to find a way by being responsible for myself and my own well being whether it be living off the land, using home remedies, and moving myself even when it hurt that I could survive.

I’ve found that way through the Gohl Program. I hope I can show you the way, too.
Part 1 – https://rsdadvisory.com/2016/10/31/review-gohl-program-part-1/
Part 2 – https://rsdadvisory.com/2016/11/06/review-gohl-program-part-2/
Part 3 – https://rsdadvisory.com/2016/11/08/review-gohl-program-part-3/

Advocacy and Awareness: CRPS

Posted by twinklev

sad_facw_behind_a_smiling_face_by_mudabbirali-resized

Image Source: Sad Face Behind Mask by Mudabbirali

I had always maintained a level of balance when raising awareness for Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type 1: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Type 2: Causalgia. My role was to provide accuracy over inaccuracies. Identifying, evaluating and sharing diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of CRPS. In addition was the difference between CRPS and CPS (Chronic Pain Syndrome) Chronic Pain Syndrome is a compilation of chronic pain complaints which can include RSD or Causalgia, yet is NOT a CRPS itself.

Complex regional pain syndrome occurs in two types, with similar signs and symptoms, but different causes: Type 1. Also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, this type occurs after an illness or injury that didn’t directly damage the nerves in your affected limb.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 2 (CRPS Type 2) is a severely painful response to a peripheral nerve injury. CRPS Type 2 is characterized by severe, burning pain affecting a specific area as a result of the nerve injury.

Approximately 90 percent of people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome have Type 1.

The McGill Pain Questionnaire

McGill Short Form Pain Questionnaire

McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ)

The McGill Pain Index

The McGill Pain Questionnaire, also known as McGill pain index, is a scale of rating pain developed at McGill University by Melzack and Torgerson in 1971. It is a self-report questionnaire that allows individuals to give their doctor a good description of the quality and intensity of pain that they are experiencing.

This index is subjective. Subjective means that your pain and symptoms are based solely on what you define them to be. It contains no objective findings to establish any certainty whatsoever.

This index leads you all to believe you have the worse pain disease known to man. Above Cancer. The index describes “Causalgia” which the majority of the people with this syndrome do not have.

Upon reading this many of you will suddenly decide that you have type 2. If you didn’t have type 2 there would be less reason to be incurable and in so much pain.

Do you know how many people over the years who have been diagnosed with RSD suddenly changed their own diagnosis to Causalgia upon learning the difference? Too many.

This is why the research and documented statistics are flawed. This is why the healthcare system fails to help us and instead classifies many of you with Chronic Pain Syndrome or Somatic Symptom Disorder.

According to the respected Dr. Philip Getson “Current estimates suggest that there are between two and ten million patients with this disorder worldwide. It is my personal belief that if you subscribe to the theory that fibromyalgia is in fact not a distinct and separate entity but rather a sub-sect of RSD (as I do), that number can be as much as five times higher.” http://www.drgetson.com/reflex-sympathetic-dystrophy.html

This is because RSD and Fibromyalgia share similar subjective results (trigger points/pressure points) and complaints in addition to some objective shared findings. Overactive nerves instigated by stress. The Fight or flight response.

I can assure you that Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type 1: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Type 2: Causalgia can be drastically relieved and has the potential to be curable without drugs, sympathetic blocks, modalities or implantable devices.

I can no longer ascribe to the belief that CRPS is without possibility in healing. I’ll not tell people they’ll never get better, and I won’t be sharing the misinformation that advocacy groups expect of me. What I’ll share are the facts that surround this misunderstood syndrome and how we never have to end up disabled, sick, emotional and grieving over something that has a chance early on for an immediate remission, without years of failed treatments and medications and doesn’t ever have to lead to an end of no return.

I think I’ve proven that.

~Twinkle VanFleet, GohlProgram.com

MLT and Stretching

Posted by twinklev

MLT and Stretching

Animals, house pets, dogs and cats stretch continuously. We watch them as they roll around, stretching to wake, stretching during the day and before they sleep, manipulating their limbs, working out their aches and pains, stressors, assisting their muscles, joints, bones, internal organs.. their tendons to be usable and movable.

In considering our own bodies it would make sense that if we do the same we could minimize pain and weakness in ourselves.

Animals with ailments or who are aging still stretch.

As people, the majority of us don’t. Those with pain related diseases, illnesses or syndromes believe that because of pain they either can’t or shouldn’t.

Imagine what we do to ourselves by not doing so. Imagine that while we think we’re doing ourselves good or better in pain, we aren’t.

As pain worsens and tendons tighten, muscles waste and bones and tissue deteriorate, we deteriorate.

Add emotional trauma, past or present, life, work, day to day activities, triggers, etc and the natural ability to heal ourselves decline.

Nearly all of us are taught to keep our garbage to ourselves, especially, psychological trash. Don’t tell it, don’t talk about it, and don’t bring your negativity on the family. After all, you might become an adverse reflection, yes?

People learn to protect and defend others before themselves.

What happens as a result? Pain.

It’s not just our minds that carry memories, our physical bodies do also. Flesh, organs, tendons, muscles, tissue contain memories and recall of both physical and psychological trauma.

Manual Ligament Therapy (MLT) releases those memories in the body via direct hands-on methods.

Stretching daily activates well being, promoting proper blood flow through the extremities, minimizes or eliminates inflammation, restores healthy cell production. Cells are constantly multiplying. Damaged cells would copy themselves as damaged cells, and healthy cells duplicate to be healthy again.

Only in the most severe cases would the likelihood of cell replenishment be less possible. Generally the abnormal structure of chromosomes themselves dictate a negative outcome.

Even in autoimmunity where the body attacks itself the possibility still exists to change the path inside us. Our bodies “learn” just as our minds do. If it only knows pain, all it might ever know is the same. Reverse it and it might re learn that pain isn’t a lifetime sentence.

Abnormal processing Vs pain perception.

It might not be easy, yet it’s possible.

Imagine what people carry inside them. Once physical pain begins it will resume until the cycle is broken or reversed.

Release physical and emotional trauma and most of us could heal ourselves.

We don’t live in that world yet, but if we could?

~Twinkle VanFleet, GohlProgram.com

Posted as a Note on Facebook January 29, 2017

Christmas 2016

Posted by twinklev

Christmas 2016- Image Credit- PSDGraphics

The best Christmas I could ever receive is the ability now to use my legs longer, stronger. Longer than just going to the bathroom, more often than just those few minutes at a time. Progress continues. Recovery from pain with the hope to re integrate back into society on a full part time basis. Perhaps one day, full time.Thinking back to the end of August when there really wasn’t any hope left inside me and fear still impacted me greatly. Not because of my legs so much, didn’t think that could be changed as much as it has been, but my spine, neck, arms, my hand(s). How would I do anything losing them? That’s what I had left. In 2013, 4 days after surgery, the second one in a year, I was still trying understand other issues internally. My OBGYN suggested burning the lining off my uterus due to increased thickness. I passed on that and instead chose Nexplanon to control those symptoms. I had it implanted in my left arm so that I could reduce any chance of CRPS spread to my worse side. It worked fairly well until new Ovarian cysts began growing at a rapid rate. I dealt with that with repeated ultra sounds for over half the year in 2015. In 2014 I did though have surgery to replace my internal SCS battery for the next 9 years. Choices. Which was more important. This was. Also in 2015, after a colonoscopy where a polyp was removed from inside there and the diagnosis of Diverticulitis and a few other things, I was suppose to have band ligation surgery to repair those problems. I didn’t have it. I had to have Nexplanon removed due to the cysts. I’ve had ovarian cysts since first discovered during an exploratory laparotomy when I was 22. Not that big of a deal. I did allow that to be recorded and used in teaching hospitals.

I was draining so fast. Physically was one thing already, emotionally became it’s own troublesome dilemma. None of this included family. Husband or children. My husbands recovery from quadruple open heart surgery in December of 2012, or our daughters diagnosis of EHE in 2013 or our sons birth defect diagnosis from Shriners hospital in 2014 or our daughters ongoing appointments at Stanford’s liver transplant clinic, or the other things only a handful of people know at all.

I’ve had 2 documented TBI’s. 1 when I was 17 and the other at the time of the same injury that led to my CRPS diagnosis. In 2013 I was diagnosed by overnight sleep studies with central and obstructive sleep apnea (mixed/complex apnea), cheyne stokes respiration and narcolepsy. I’ve actually had 2 overnight sleep studies and a 2 week at home study using a breathing machine. I was prescribed an ASV unit. Auto Servo Ventilator.

My lower back has been incised twice and my right butt cheek 3 times. Each time over previous incisions. Those things I rarely talk about. Those scars look good though. I sometimes wonder if my belly scar that’s over 25 years old, 10 inches wide or about, torn, and my back scars aren’t contributing to discomfort from scar tissue. Or my belly button due to several laparoscopies over the years and the 4 other tinier scars on my stomach that could be contributing. Maybe not the smaller ones, I have little doubts about my belly and my back because they are front and back to each other. How can anything work right around organs in the space between the scar tissue? I really don’t know. I’ve already had part of my liver removed (2013) and I haven’t had the other lesions on the rest of it checked since. One good thing about the liver is it grows back quickly.

Due to strengthening myself, my internal battery is shifting. It was already fairly low and that’s why I often shift to my left butt cheek when sitting. Otherwise I’m constantly sitting on it. Sore. It’s numb over the scar itself, don’t much feel that, but there’s some intensity outside that area like getting stabbed or socked in the butt all day. I can’t have it checked because I don’t have a provider/physician for my SCS anymore. I have to be careful of abrupt shifting and be mindful not to do anything that will tug the 2 leads on my spine. One of which is center and the other to the right. I also cannot not let it get in the way of healing progress, movement, and all these physical accomplishments.

Earlier this week I took 2 walks 2 days in a row. First time with my daughter Kharisma and grandson De’Mantai. The second time, I was heading off by myself, but took ‘Tai with me. I made it a couple of blocks each way. Without having had MLT (Manual Ligament Therapy) via the Gohl Program, or the custom fit orthotics I might have made that first walk, but wouldn’t have even tried the second. Since summer time, when ‘Tai comes over we do go for a walk. I had already started trying just didn’t get that far. I had to do it around pain being leveled off, not just get up and go. When I had to sit, I’d just plop down on the sidewalk. Ha! Oh and I’m sure my new shoes helped. My feet dislike feeling confined. My toes dislike feeling squished even when they really aren’t.

Yeah it’s good Christmas.

Hoping 2017 becomes a brand new start using all I’ve learned and endured on my path for all the years to come.

Facebook Deactivation | RSD(S)-CRPS Advisory Info & Support Group

Posted by twinklev

By December 2nd my Facebook was deactivated. Even though I had considered it over the years, I was worried about losing my group and pages as a result, especially my RSD(S)-CRPS Advisory Info & Support Group created 13 years ago at another location. It was a spontaneous decision and one I have not regretted once.

This Group now belongs to Trudy Thomas featured Blog Talk Radio Host of The Body, Mind and Spirit Network and honorary leader of my group since it was moved to Facebook. If I choose to return it will be both Trudy’s and mine. Craig Fletcher remains an Admin/Leader and Erik and Kurtis VanFleet remain admins for the purpose of recovery. So that there are no misunderstandings Trudy is now me for the Group. Her decisions are as the current owner of the group. I have no doubts in her ability, choices, or decisions. I trust her to fulfill my vision, passion and purpose for which it was founded for.

Trudy is not available for drama, or he say’s she say’s. She would be available as able, as I was, in the event of an emergency situation such as specific breaking of the rules that were established long ago, or those being malicious or instigating toward one another. I may be involved from the background with updates from Trudy though I will not require them.

I’ll always want to know if all is okay. That’s because I care a bit too much and to my own detriment. Being an empath/sensitive only causes me to feel your pain, feelings, thoughts, dislikes, and emotions I rather not feel of you because then I’m over flowing with mine and yours, too.

Trudy is learning to live again and without her husband Mel of over 40 years. It’s only been a month since she lost him to inoperable cancer which had only been discovered 4 months before.

About 2 months ago I had posted on Facebook about Trudy, her situation, about someone we all knew (most of us) and it was a long post but I hadn’t shared who she was. This post was taken so far out of context from a few people believing I was talking about myself that I was dumbfounded. This wasn’t the only post misunderstood. I’ve posted random comments about family, life. I’ve shared meme’s, music, lyrics, poetry that of other’s and some of my own. I’ve shared lines or stanza’s in pieces and parts. Even those are taken adverse. I’m well aware that once it’s on the internet it’s always on the internet. I’m aware that if we make a post that we can’t expect others to comment if we put ourselves out there. Of course. I would never hop onto someone else’s page to scold them or entice an argument. I have however replied on my own page when someone bounces onto mine.

My point is that not everything is internet or online related, and sometimes things are. In this post it was online related, yet taken as something else, when an offline related post is assumed to be about online people. The perception is so often opposite of the intent. Left to interpretation by tone of type. The assumed tone of voice or mannerisms in the typed form of communication.

Please be mindful of Trudy’s loss. My heart continues to break for her.

Facebook is nothing but a trigger for me in my own healing and progress.

The Edge. There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
~Hunter S. Thompson

I’m still doing well since completing the Gohl Program on the 28th of October and will continue to provide progress updates on Manual Ligament Therapy (MLT) as able.

I’m still on Twitter @rsdcrpsfire and my other social media accounts are in tact at this time. I’m still an avid researcher and as hungry to learn as I’ve ever been. I’m also looking for work to attempt to provide for my husband and I.

Since resigning from iPain I have not joined any other organization, nor will I. I’ll share and support as I always had.

I made it to the California State Capital to support Mr. Nate Torgerson, Chief Engineer, Medtronic Stimulation Pain Therapies on December 4th at the California International Marathon where I was right there near the finish line to support him as he crossed it.

medtronic-nate-torgerson-crosses-the-finish-line-california-international-marathon-december-4-2016-photo-by-twinkle-vanfleet-jpg-large

Medtronic Chief Engineer, Pain Stimulation Therapies Nate Torgerson crosses the finish line at the California International Marathon in Sacramento. Photo credit: Twinkle VanFleet

I had the honor and privilege of meeting him later that evening for dinner.

Great conversation, sharing, learning, and food at Zocalo’s in downtown Sacramento. He asked me about my experience winning the Live On Give On Bakken award, and I told him what a surprise it had been to learn that I had and the honor it was to receive it from the hands of Dr. Earl Bakken himself. Dr. Bakken is the co founder of Medtronic. Forever grateful to be chosen as 1 of 12 recognized internationally and being 1 of 2 from the United States. Twinkle VanFleet, Sacramento California.

Twinkle VanFleet, Sacramento, CA, LiveOnGiveOn.org recipient. Original Press Release Photo.

Another honor was being contacted by Mr. Pat Anson of the Pain News Network to consider offering comment on an upcoming article. I accepted.

Opioid Pain Meds Rarely Involved in Suicide Attempts
December 05, 2016 By Pat Anson, Editor

I’ll keep sharing my story, what happened, how it happened, when it happened and anything else I can to support those lost by pain related suicide. As well as those survivors who can never go back to the moment before they attempted to take their own lives. I don’t get to go back and pray for an option, help, that wasn’t there but I can go forward understanding why they did it, what the breaking point was, how severe physical pain was to go against all they believed in just to be free from pain and suffering.

My casting calls are still booming with possibilities since I updated a couple of weeks ago. For now, I’m deciding, and brushing up on the various characters I can play.

Offline, I have an amazing reputation, respected in advocacy, legislation, held in wonderful regard by those that matter, including those in authority, business, politics, and healthcare even when in disagreement over a bill, debate or topic. Online, unless we already know each other, or have met in person it will rarely be the same because what you see isn’t always what you get and what you get isn’t what you’ve already given.

It’s all a stage.

Be good to one another.

~Twinkle VanFleet

#StrongerThanPain

Review – Gohl Program | Part 3

Posted by twinklev

Review – Gohl Program | Part 3

By Twinkle VanFleet

It’s time to heal by Kori Leigh

It’s important to understand that MLT isn’t a magic pill we get to swallow and become miraculously cured by. It’s the beginning of curing ourselves. Cure in medicine is defined as:

cure (kyur)
n.

Restoration of health; recovery from disease.
A method or course of treatment used to restore health.
An agent that restores health; a remedy.
cured , cur·ing , cures
To restore a person to health.
To effect a recovery from a disease or disorder.

Remission in Medicine is defined as:

remission re·mis·sion (rĭ-mĭsh’ən)
n.

Abatement or subsiding of the symptoms of a disease.
The period during which the symptoms of a disease abate or subside.

It’s not really difficult to understand that a cure is just as possible as remission can be. How? The answer is simply by restoring a person to health.

“Manual Ligament Therapy (MLT) is a new and original technique created by Arik Gohl. … We have learned that ligaments are a significant source of pain, especially in cases of chronic pain. Until injured ligaments can heal from their underlying dysfunction, muscles will remain in a tense and guarded state.”

I know what you’re thinking. If you have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome that you’ll forever live a life of pain with potential spreading from the original site of injury to the rest of your body.

It can be true, but it doesn’t have to be. All of those symptoms, burning, allodynia (pain resulting from a stimulus (as a light touch of the skin) which would not normally provoke pain; also : a condition marked by allodynia) hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain or enhanced intensity of pain sensation), hyperesthesia (unusual or pathological sensitivity of the skin or of a particular sense)

I really don’t have either of the above anymore. My body is still learning not to feel sensations of pain while also recognizing those areas that aren’t hurting. If anything its just hyperesthesia I’m working through. Example, sock me and I’ll feel that sensation long after the actual event. Like a repetitive action.

Keep in mind after years of pain, signals misfiring, injuries taking on abnormal healing paths, other areas of my body becoming effected beyond the site of the original injury that I have a main role to play in reversing these abnormalities. I have to reset my perception to pain by reversing all that my body knows, felt, and has learned as a result.

5 days of Manual Ligament Therapy has gotten me to this point. The custom orthotics is correcting every abnormal step I’ve taken since January of 2001.

You might be thinking manual? Yes, you’ll have to be touched, and you’ll have to move areas you’ve stopped using due to RSD/CRPS, chronic pain. This isn’t traditional physical therapy, you’ll actually feel restricted tissue, muscles, and a myofascial release of those symptoms and connective fibrous tissue eased.

What about burning which is the hallmark symptom of RSD? It’s eased the same way.

Currently MLT isn’t a covered therapy under insurance. Like many other integrative, complimentary, or holistic practices, including acupuncture, acupressure and similar therapies which may be beneficial we’re still legislatively working on these options for you.

MLT is non-invasive.

Another healing retreat will be held at the Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport beginning Monday, November 28, 2016. http://www.sheratonlax.com/

The cost for the treatment is $2,500 and doesn’t include travel or hotel. I know it sounds like a lot, but it’s not compared to a single injection or invasive procedure billed to insurance or accumulative and yearly co-pays. For more information please contact Monica Depriest: Monica@gohlprogram.com

I’ll be present also to follow-up on my own therapy.

So with that I look forward to meeting you and hope that you’ll give yourself the opportunity to feel better. Sometimes it takes pain to get rid of it. It’s a process of not only healing but believing in yourselves enough to understand that’s it’s possible rather than impossible and pain being the rest of your lives.

To be continued…

Review – Gohl Program

By Twinkle VanFleet

Part 1 – https://rsdadvisory.com/2016/10/31/review-gohl-program-part-1/

Part 2 – https://rsdadvisory.com/2016/11/06/review-gohl-program-part-2/

Review – Gohl Program | Part 2

Posted by twinklev

Review – Gohl Program | Part 2

By Twinkle VanFleet

Monica Depriest and Arik Gohl picked me up from my son’s home on October 23^rd, 2016. My husband and I had spent the weekend there to take care of our grandson De’Mantai so his mom could enjoy some time away. I had just had a cervical steroid injection. This was my second in 8 weeks. I had only ever had Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve blocks prior and over a dozen of them. I had began with a series of 3 scheduled one week apart in 2006. It had taken 6 years for any treatment other than medication management due to Worker’s Compensation. So that I’m precise rather than confusing, these weren’t denied. Had they been denied I could appeal, instead just stalled and delayed. Since the first 2 series of 3, I’ve had one injection a year since, generally during winter and often times delayed beyond my physician’s control.

We arrived in Loomis California an area outside of Sacramento that evening.

Photos above taken 3 hours apart and the same day as the video below. November 4, 2016.

Admittedly, my body was weak and pain was high, but I hadn’t shared that yet. I tend to go off on my own, and attempt to distract myself when among others. As we arrived, Susie and her son Tommy who has RSD/CRPS, along with her son David had also arrived. Jamie and Spencer arrived later. Jamie Pearson is active in the RSD/CRPS communities, too. Arik’s wife Veronica was amazing and helped us all feel at home. Vero’s hospitality and playful spirit afforded us the ease of being less anxious and at ease among those we didn’t know. Sam Ballentyne licensed therapist and energy healer was also present during the week. Dr. Edward Glaser arrived the next morning. Dr. Glaser is the owner of Sole Supports and an engineer and DPM specializing in Podiatry and Orthotics. Another Podiatrist joined us to observe and all our therapies would begin the morning of October 24th.

16 years. 10 with a permanent Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) that hasn’t been turned back on since the morning of the 24th. My only blessing that has been on day in and day out since 2006. The only time it’s ever been off is to either charge a drained battery or to push past 2-3 days to allow my brain to scramble and disguise the pain signals it provided. Our brains realize it’s being tricked. Turning it off let it work better again when turning it back on.

It’s been over a week since returning. I wasn’t suppose to ever be able to do this, at least without added pain or causing a flare-up. Lets see if I can get to the point of running one day. 2 days ago, I was still told I never will.

So what is Manual Ligament Therapy?

Are you still curious? ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW Ligaments: A source of musculoskeletal disorders

Review – Gohl Program | Part 1

By Twinkle VanFleet

https://rsdadvisory.com/2016/10/31/review-gohl-program-part-1/

https://gohlprogram.com/

https://gohlprogram.wordpress.com/

I know you can’t wait to learn more and I can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned for Review – Gohl Program | Part 3

In the meantime, here’s Jamie’s story on

Dragonflyy’s Journey

To be Continued…

Review | Gohl Program | Part 1

Posted by twinklev

Review – Gohl Program

By Twinkle VanFleet

Approximately 3 weeks ago I was contacted by Barby Ingle, President of the International Pain Foundation with a program to consider. Barby sent me Dr. Edward Glaser’s phone number and a link to what the program entailed.

Those of you who know me would also know that I had to do more research on the Manual Ligament Therapy (MLT) being offered. I had to learn more! I had to try to understand the concept, and how it might work if it could. It wasn’t just the Gohl Program itself that I researched. I also pulled up each name involved. 3 of which were Dr. Glaser, Arik Gohl, and Dr. Forbes. Then I read up on Monica DePriest and her daughter Haley DePriest who had CRPS and who is well today because of the program and the techniques that Mr. Gohl’s therapy provider her. Testimonials.

http://rsds.org/tag/the-gohl-program/

See how my curiosity piqued even more? We’ve all been told that CRPS/RSD is incurable. We’ve learned that it’s also in our blood not just our bodies. I wasn’t as skeptical as some may have been because I had already, several times, researched techniques involving manual trigger point therapies, acupressure, Chinese medicine techniques and similar holistic treatments dating back to the 1800’s. I had already been treated earlier this year with the Bowen Technique.

I had become so let down by western medicine not being able to relieve my own CRPS, or specifically CRPS Type 2/Causalgia in any way other than by Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Blocks, medications, and traditional physical therapies that only provided minimal relief, if any, that depressions worsened and hope was nowhere to be found. Since December of 2006 the only steady I had was my Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator which reduced or disguised enough symptoms that walking wasn’t as painful as it was prior, and pain medications could be reduced by my choice in the permanent placement.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Systemic Complications
CRPS is becoming the great imitator in pain medicine. This article discusses the symptomatology of the disease, including atypical presentations.
By Robert J. Schwartzman, MD

http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/pain/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-systemic-complications

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Guidelines 4th Edition

CRPS-guidlines-4th-ed-2013-PM

All those things I had accomplished over the years, I found little happiness in. I put on the fake it to make it mask and I wore it quite well. Who would have ever thought that I struggled so badly with suicidal ideations that even my spiritual beliefs couldn’t stop me from wanting to bail on this world.

A mid-metatarsal separation of my right foot (also known as a Lis Franc fracture) January of 2001 in an industrial injury began the last 16 years of uncertainty, loss, rejection, abandonment, failure, and secondary diagnosis’. I still had my upper body though. My hands, fingers, and arms would make up the difference. I could still write type and use social media. In 2009, 9 years after, I got a left foot accelerator pedal installed on our van to be able to drive again. Oh I tried! By that time my left leg was too weak also to drive safely.

I had already had degenerative changes in my spine, but pretended that I didn’t. My legs hurt so bad that it diverted any back pain. 3 years ago my arms started doing things I didn’t understand. Beginning with my left and worsening on the right. By the time I had an EMG my left was reduced and my right just continued to worsen. I’ve never had an EMG or nerve conduction studies on the right side. As 2016 approached the pain in my neck, shoulder, chest, upper and mid back, head, face, the sensations of pulling, tugging, ripping, intense pins and needles, paraesthesia, became so unrelenting that I really couldn’t take it anymore. Bending at the waist started a flare each and every time. I still have to work on that. I had lost feeling in my thumb, forefinger and wrist. My right hand had lost strength.

But wait! I still had my left hand and arm. If I ever needed the gift in being ambidextrous, I would really need it now more than ever to be a part of anything, offline or online.

I had unknowingly believed in hope while other’s told me I was in denial and that I had to accept all those things I wouldn’t be and couldn’t do and would never do. At a higher level of consciousness I saw the light ahead, but was conflicted by the darkness of despair.

I’m already so much better than I’ve ever been in 16 years because of MLT.

I celebrated my 48th birthday while at the program. My son drove my husband to Loomis CA to spend an hour or so with me. First time I’ve been away, on my own, anywhere in 15 years.