Testimonial

Chronic post-operative Back Pain – Impotency

"I’ve had back problems since I was about 21-years old. Eventually I was operated on at the age of 39 with a laminectomy and fusion of my lower back. I was in a steel brace for 4-months but with a lot of swimming and lying on my back I seemed to make fairly good progress. Over the years my back has been relatively trouble free with only minor periods where the pain was worse but with a bit of rest and conservative treatments the pain would settle and life would go on as normal

 During 1999 I started to have more trouble with my back getting increased period of back pain with pins and needles occasionally in my legs. Incidentally, I also noticed that I was experiencing impotence problems. At this stage I had absolutely no idea and neither had there ever been any suggestion that my impotency problems and my lower back condition were possibly related. I had consulted a number of doctors and specialists regarding my impotency condition and recommend the usual course and measures including viagra, lozenges, injections, etc. The results were mixed but certainly no definite answer to my condition. I started to believe that my impotency problems were in my mind. No doctor ever alerted me to the fact that my lower back may be the cause or at least contributing to my condition. In fact I found out that the back might affect sexual function from a television program.

 It wasn’t until late 2001 that I came across an advertisement for the Spinal Rehabilitation Group and their pioneering approach using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to increase blood flow into the spinal region. I decided to ring. I was referred for an MRI of my spine to determine the exact state of my lower back. In fact the MRI showed not only chronic problems including scar formation associated with my lower back but also significant problems in my neck and middle spine.

 I commenced hyperbaric treatment in November 2001. I live interstate and have to make the 300km journey down to Melbourne to get the treatment. The distance and the time away from business and family has meant that I attend for 2-3 days at a time and receive between 3-4 hours of chamber and physical therapy on each day. There were no sudden improvements but my back gradually began to feel better over the next several months.

 During April 2002 we traveled overseas and I did not get any treatment for about a 5-week period. The back was fantastic for the first 14-days and my impotency was non-existent. With all the lifting and carrying of bags and suitcases my back slowly became sore and again I began to notice the usual signs of impotency! During this period I have also noticed another interesting correlation; if I lay flat on my back my impotency is minimal but if I arch my back it is apparent that circulation is immediately affected.

 My back continues to make progress and at least I now know that my impotency condition is not in my mind but is directly related to my back condition. No doubt the scar tissue that has formed over the years as a consequence of my back operation appears to affect the circulatory function of these structure.

 It is a long haul but a non-invasive treatment but I am convinced will continue to help my back condition and assist my other concerns. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Dr Hooper and his team for their great support and advice" – Tom James.