Today's blog is from my friend and colleague, Christa Rosenkranz, LMT. Similar to me, Christa had chronic pain for years before discovering solutions that worked! Here is her story:
Back when I had chronic pain, I felt like I was the only person on the planet grappling with such inexplicable issues. I’ve since learned that many people share this struggle, and I hope my story resonates with you. What helped me was neurologically based bodywork techniques and focusing on what my brain and nervous system were doing, rather than just trying to relax my musculoskeletal system. Let me share how I got there.
I started experiencing pain in my teenage years—a stabbing sensation in the back of my shoulder that we attributed to dance class. When my mom took me to the doctor, he dismissed it as a pulled muscle, and told me I actually had a better back than most people because I could touch my toes. In college, I twisted my knee badly and wore a brace intermittently for a few years, eventually giving up dancing. At 27, I woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating neck pain. A chiropractor helped me, but soon after, I was overwhelmed by a cascade of pain that affected my entire body, and no one could explain why- all saying my images and orthopedic tests were fine.
I tried everything: workouts, yoga, multiple doctors, regular chiropractic care, massages, and foam rolling. I even quit activities I loved, fearing they were exacerbating my issues. Despite my efforts and educating myself about anatomy, no one could pinpoint what was wrong. Just when I thought I was improving, a car accident set me back, introducing a slew of new problems on top of my existing pain.
Desperate, I sought anything that could help, leading me to the discovery of brain-based techniques that truly changed my life. I enrolled in a neurokinetic therapy course focused on the brain's motor control center. During a class demo for neck injuries, I experienced my first significant relief since the accident. Intrigued, I signed up for every class I could find and started traveling to find help.
I traveled four hours to see a chiropractor specializing in proprioceptive deep tendon reflex techniques. He identified that a head injury had likely disrupted my equilibrium. After some eye movement corrections, I stood up and realized my posture had improved drastically. For the first time in years, I was standing straight, and my pain levels dropped dramatically.
It felt like someone had handed my life back to me.
I’ve since pursued this work as a career, undergoing extensive brain rehabilitation with the help of various practitioners. I was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease and multiple coinfections, which clarified why my body struggled to heal at such a young age. Medical professionals often express amazement at how active I am, considering my health challenges. The truth is, it’s all thanks to these nervous system-based techniques.
I know many people are struggling with chronic pain, tick-borne illnesses, fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, long COVID, and other issues that affect the nervous system. In my experience, while treating infections with medication and supplements is essential, it only goes so far. It stops the condition from getting worse but it doesn't always undo the damage that has been done. Brain-based therapy has been instrumental in helping me maintain a normal life despite my challenges.
If you’re dealing with chronic pain or physical imbalances and you're near Denver, CO, I encourage you to check out Dutch Thomson’s sessions. It’s challenging to explain our work, as the brain is complex, but I can assure you that these modalities are among the most effective treatment methods available. If you're near Savannah, GA, I am a resource. If you're seeking help closer to you, I'd encourage you to look into Neurokinetic Therapy, Proprio-ceptive Deep Tendon Reflex, Z-Healthedutcation.com, and Touch For Health's websites to find practitioners in your area. Just because no one has been able to solve your chronic pain yet does not mean there are not answers out there for you. Keep searching!
Best,Christa Rosenkranz, LMT
Christa Rosenkranz, LMT
912-704-6345
Inside Coastal Empire Orthopedics
6715 Forest Park Dr
Savannah GA 31406
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