Case Study: Decades of Neuropathy to Finally Feeling Again!

Introduction

When you have a family to support a busy schedule running multiple businesses and lots of manual labor you may have ignored many body pains over your working career. Going through minimal treatments and avoiding any surgeries in the hopes of building your family's future. It’s a sacrifice many face in these economic times. 

History

70s male client dealing with sciatica stemming from disc degeneration, manual labor work and maybe a neuroma surgery a few decades back. Has done manual therapy and acupuncture the past year while not having success with physical therapy at their covered hospital program. 

Challenges

• Random onset uncontrolled spasms from foot to thigh.

• Back pain. 

• Right hip pain from side sleep.

• Difficult standing for long periods of time

The Pilates approach

The goal with the first few weeks with this client is returning to a more baseline level of pain management so that sleep and daily tasks improve. The following month 2 and 3 focus on stability, balance challenge and increasing strength in the lower extremities and hip complex.

Exercises covered:

• Reformer footwork, glute bridges, hamstring curls

• Reformer supine abdominals and short box series

• Reformer supine arms and standing arms series

• Chair footwork, calf presses, single leg press

• Reformer, Chair or mat Swan
  

Results

First month improved hip strength, reducing pain during sleeping. Noticing reduced sciatic symptoms in the hip and in the morning. Month 2 no longer experiencing pain during coughing and sneezing in the left upper ribs. Able to stand, squat on a gardening stool and do more activities without noticeable increase in discomfort or pain in the back and hips. Month 3 client has increased strength overall and is now experiencing some weeks at a time without any back aching or issues. 

Noticeable itchiness and swelling (from itching) in the left foot, swelling had gone in a week's time and the leg strength is increasingly improving despite the new nerve symptoms, which are indicators of healing. Client is to connect with specialists to discuss changes as needed.

Future goals is a long vacation with a lot of walking.