Testimonial

Chronic Neck Pain, Fatigue and Diarrhoea

'My name is Sarah Parker and I have been dancing for 23 years. While touring Australia with a production of the musical "CATS" , from August 1999-December 2000, I developed problems with my neck, which deteriorated dramatically throughout the tour.

I had difficulties early on in the tour with pain and loss of movement, however with osteopathy/chiropractic treatment I was able to continue working. As time went on however I began to feel quite unwell. Symptoms included: nausea, diarrhoea, chronic flu, fatigue and cystic acne. It became impossible to continue with the show and I left the production two months before it closed at the end of February 2001.

While on tour I was treated by the company physiotherapist as well as numerous chiropractors, masseurs and osteopaths. Although they helped in the beginning, I found I was getting no relief from the problems I was experiencing as the tour progressed. I discussed with the company physiotherapist that I felt the symptoms of nausea and flu were related to the problems I was having with my neck. I explained how I felt quite sick while performing in the show, particularly when performing on the trapeze, and that these problems seemed to be related to my neck.

In December 2000, I visited a chiropractor in Perth where we were performing and after taking an X-ray of my neck he agreed that the symptoms were most probably related to my neck injury. The X-ray indicated some serious structural problems and he referred me to Dr Hooper at the Spinal Rehabilitation Group in Melbourne.

Dr Hooper sent me for MRIs of my neck and spine and also series of blood tests. The MRI indicated problems with three discs in my neck,C3/4, C4/5,and C5/6. They had degenerated and C3/4 was protruding into the spinal fluid.  The MRI also indicted other area of my spine that had been compromised, including the loss of the natural curve of my neck.

The blood tests identified a number of bacterial and viral based infections. My understanding is that these infections can cause many underlying problems including the symptoms that I was experiencing. I was treated specifically with antibiotics and anti viral for three infections: Chlamydia, Epstein Barr Virus and Mycoplasma. Treatment included Hyperbaric Oxygenation therapy coupled with physical therapy including high frequency electronically stimulated acupuncture to my neck and spine, stabilisation techniques together with appropriate medication and injections.

I began Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)  in December 2000. I began with three treatments each week and after three months reduced the number of treatments to to two a week. Within one month of starting treatment my chronic flu symptoms had subsided along with the diarrhoea. The nausea had reduced, my energy levels had improved and the acne had begun to subside. Subsequent blood tests were taken and showed that the infectious agents were gone, leaving residual antibodies.

I continued with the treatment and had a follow up MRI after three months. The results for this MRI showed about 50% improvement in my neck. I was feeling so much better I began to look for suitable work. I have since started a part-time position with the view of entering back into the performance arts however, more suitable activities that will not re-damage my neck.

I feel very strongly that without the MRIs, blood tests I would not have found out the reason for my health problems. I am certain that without the treatment received including Hyperbaric, I would still be unwell and probably getting worse given the disc in my neck. I have seen many healthcare professionals in the fields of chiropractic, osteopathy, physiotherapy and massage. None of these people were able to give me any relief fro the chronic flu and nausea symptoms I had been suffering from for over a year.

Seven months after commencing treatment, it is a relief to feel well again and I am grateful to have been referred to Dr Hooper. In fact it is only now that I am feeling well again that I realise how sick and run down I had become.

I also feel validated that the fatigue and constant nausea were not 'in my head' as suggested by a number of misinformed healthcare professionals!