'My back problems began when I was 18-years although at the time I didn't know it was my back causing the aliment. I have always been very active in water sports ranging from wind surfing, water skiing, surfing, wave jumping, skin diving and snow boarding.

During a wave boarding session I crashed into the water from about 15 feet high off the back-end of a wave. I landed nose first whilst still 'harnessed' and foot strapped. The pressure of hitting the water fully rigged was unbelievable. I felt this massive jolt. Luckily I made it back to the beach but I could not walk without severe pain in my back and leg. Friends had to carry me back to my van, fortunately they packed up my gear and drove me home. Next day I went to the physiotherapist who advised me that I had damaged my 'hamstring and calf muscles'. 8-weeks intensive physio, my condition settled and I was back in the water with a vengeance.

During the next 6-years I continued with impact related water sports without any major incident other then the usual 'hamstring and sore calf muscles'. The next major downturn happened whilst surfing when I was dumped by a big wave and literally pile-driven head first into the sand. I immediately felt an electric shock rip up and down my spine and for several seconds I felt that I was paralysed. I lay in the water, tried to wriggle my toes and fingers and thank God, I had feeling and movement so I paddled back to the beach and my girlfriend drove me back home and then onto the doctors. Extensive X rays were performed and my doctor told me that I had fractured 3-vertebra in my back (T9, 10, 11) and he ordered 6-months rest and physio.

During the next 3-years I slowly returned to surfing and windsurfing but in a limited capacity. I had become more aware of my back and the day to day limitations that it placed on me. I have always attempted to follow professional advice and over the years consulted numerous different treating practitioners but without any spectacular recovery. One day whilst changing a light bulb in the bath room standing on the edge of the bath, I stepped down what I thought was the floor but misjudged the height of the floor and suffered a heavy jolt into my lower back. The pain was immediate and incredible. I was unable to stand, sit or move and after a week in bed I was admitted into hospital and a L5/S1 laminectomy was performed. I was told that I had ruptured the disc. After the operation I received another intensive block of physio and eventually I gradually returned to swimming and bike ridding.

I continued to suffer pain and I continued my search for some worthwhile approach to control the pain. I have tried acupuncture, cupping, massage, reiki, Chinese medicine, naturopaths, you name it, I've tried it and with limited success! Over the years I have found that by keeping active, this seems to assist my overall mobility. I decided to change my career and increased my swimming to between 3-4 times per week and bike riding at least 2-3 times weekly. For almost 4-years my back was under control and in fact I had even returned back to a 'casual' surf. 

I drove approximately 900kms to a family Christmas function stopping only to refuel my car. Eventually when I arrived I attempted to get out of the car but could not feel my feet. I attempted to walk around but with enormous difficulty; I had this very peculiar sensation in my legs. In fact I was very worried so I got straight back in my car and drove back to Melbourne. When I eventually arrived home I went straight to bed and when I awoke I was in absolute agony. My right leg felt like a knife was going through it. I took the usual round of anti inflammatory drugs, attempted to work but after a month I had to give up my work and go off sick. I returned to my physios without success, consulted my neurosurgeon who had performed the operation some 5-years earlier and then under his instruction, received several epidural injections. Whilst receiving one of the epidural injections the doctor hit the nerve and immediately I felt an electric shock run down the inside of my leg. Since this epidural I now have constant twitching of my calf muscle.

My life has become a survival from one day to the next. I suffer constant back and leg pain. I am unable to sit for any length of time, walking is painful and swimming makes my back worse and I come out of the pool with a distinct limp. I am exhausted by the ongoing pain, completely frustrated by the fact that my life is totally dictated by my back and I seem to be unable to get any worthwhile relief regardless of the surgery, injections, treatments and or advice.

My cousin told me about Hyperbaric Therapy and the Spinal Rehabilitation Group. I was sceptical but thought what else have I got to lose. Dr Hooper advised a current series of MRIs and a series of blood tests to identify not only the current structural basis of my back but to either 'rule in or rule out' the presence of underlying infection in my back. MRIs revealed a very large L5/S1 disc prolapse and the right S1 nerve root was twice as swollen as an MRI performed only 9-months earlier. In addition the MRI identified a mass of scar tissue in the region where the previous surgery had been performed. Blood tests identified a number of 'opportunistic infections' and I immediately went on an aggressive course of anti-bacterial and anti-viral medication. Dr Hooper explained that underlying infection (bad bugs) thrive in tissue structures that are deprived of oxygen and these bugs continue to replicate and accelerate the degenerative process resulting in chronic pain. This made sense given the fact that I suffer chronic pain notwithstanding the massive scar tissue that has formed since my back operation and epidural injections. My spine was literally collapsing!

Dr Hooper recommended an initial intensive course of Hyperbaric Therapy (between 40-60 hours to demonstrate some form of stabilisation) coupled with direct acupuncture needling and electrical stimulation of the needles. Vitamin and amino acid injections were performed on each attendance and I was required to take large doses of Rehab Plus (Methylsulphonmethane, Glucosamine Sulphate and amino acids) morning and night.

After 6-weeks intensive treatment I had received about 40-hours of chamber treatments and I have experienced a significant improvement in my overall condition. For the first time this year I can now walk without a limp and my back pain has diminished dramatically. Incidentally, I have returned back to work 4-days per week and cope all day standing without pain.

After about 8-weeks into treatment I suffered a slight set back noticing twitching and muscle spasms in both legs and my lower spine but Dr Hooper assured me that this reaction is typical and commonly referred to as a ‘Herxheimer’ reaction which is the term used that describes a ‘killing effect of the underlying pathogens’, resulting in elevation of toxic levels in the blood. This reaction quickly settled and my progress was back on track.

12-weeks into treatment I had to drive the 900km trip to a family function; but this time without pain or incident. I am not limping, my back is stable and for the first time in years I feel that I am finally getting on with my life! - Marc Gribble