Mara's Story with RSD / CRPS

"I have had RSD since January, 1994. During 1994, I had 7 Left Lumbar Sacral Blocks, a Left Lumbar Sympathectomy, and lots of Physical Thrapy. By the end of 1994, I still had a large amount of chronic pain, muscle contractions, inability to initiate movement (I fell down a lot), edema, goose bumps, and sleeping problems. I tried a lot of different medications and in 1996 I ended up on Neurontin, Relafen, Skelaxin, Naproxen, and Clonazepem to manage my many symptoms from RSD / CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy).

Even after all the blocks, the surgery and on the medications, I was still in pain. As time went on, I actually think I got used to feeling a certain level of pain. Somehow, through pure perseverance, I would manage to muddle through the day, always remembering in the back of my mind to keep going - laying down isn't going to stop the pain and make you feel better.

I scheduled lots of appointments with massage therapists and chiropractors to keep my spine aligned and my muscles as loose as possible. I even went to an herbalist to see if certain vitamins and minerals would help, which is when I started taking Nature's Sunshine Products. My doctor felt that due to the chronic pain, I should use supplements to support my immune system and overall health. My life's priority became managing my symptoms and pain, trying to keep them at a tolerable level. It seemed at least twice a year I would have the big bang that took me out a couple weeks at a time.

One morning in 2005, I got out of the shower, the paraformis muscle (the one that presses on your sciatic nerve) in my left buttocks went into a severe muscle spasm and I fell to the floor. I couldn't believe it - I mean how much worse could it get! I went to the chiropractor, the internist, and called the neurologist. I couldn't sit, walk, lay down comfortably for any length of time in any one position. Often, my husband had to help me dress. All my doctors said after 3 years of this - we think it is time you go back to the pain clinic and see if there is some type of injection or procedure they can do to release that muscle. I agreed and scheduled an appointment.

While waiting for my appointment at the pain clinic, I met a man selling these products / medical devices - The Chi Machine and Hot House (Far Infrared Dome). He told me about the two week free trial. I thought it was kind of a stretch, but I read the information that he gave me and looked at my treatment options comparing the Chi Machine and Far Infrared Dome to the current RSD treatments being offered (a possible spinal cord stimulator for pain regulation, more injections, ketamine) and decided to try the Chi Machine and Far Infrared Dome, especially since if it didn't do anything in 14 days, I could return the products!

The first week of using the Chi Machine and Far Infrared Dome, I really didn't notice much. I did notice that the Chi Machine was relaxing and the warmth of the Far Infrared Dome felt great on my leg muscles. The second week, my brother in law noticed that I was walking different. He thought my walking didn't seem as labored or that I was dragging my left leg as much. My husband felt that I was looking better overall and told me to keep using the machines, we were not going to return them, so I did.

By the end of the first six weeks I was feeling so much less pain and noticed that even my paraformis muscle loosened up. It was looser than it had been in 3 years! I also noticed that I had been forgetting to take my medication. I would open up my pill pack to take my nightly dose of pills and the day was still full of all my pills. I went back to the Neurologist and Chiropractor and the paraformis muscle was so loose in my left buttocks that the Chiropractor actually thought that I had had a procedure done at the pain clinic! I told him that I didn't have anything done, I bought a Chi Machine and Far Infrared Dome and left him some brochures! The Chiropractor said he had heard of the Chi Machine and would be taking another look at it for his patients with conditions similar to mine. The neurologist thought I looked great and wondered how it went at the pain clinic - I advised her I didn't go and gave her some brochures too!

Currently, I am doing better than I ever thought I would, and am a long way from how I felt when I arrived at the pain clinic in June of 1994. I use these products twice a day and am doing well with my pain management. I have completely stopped my medication of the Neurontin, Relafen, Naproxen, and Skelaxin. I still take one Clonazapem at night for sleep. I will always need that compression stocking (mostly I think because of the Sympathectomy), but my other leg doesn't swell any more and my life has improved for the better. I never thought I would be able to plan to go somewhere on a Saturday and actually be feeling good enough by Saturday to go!

It has been one year this month since I began using the Chi Machine and Hot House and I thank God everyday for crossing paths with the distributor selling them. I ordered them and feel blessed and obligated to share my story with everyone in hopes that these products would help someone else. I feel these products are worth trying for everyone with RSD or other similar neurological problems like Fibromyalgia to see if they help you as much as they helped me. The Chi Machine is an FDA approved Class One Medical Device as a therapeutic massager! I always benefited from massage in loosening my muscles and helping with contractions but in no way does it compare to the results I have experienced using the Chi Machine.

I, for the first time, have positive hopes for my future and managing my RSD! Thanks for taking the time to read my story. Stay strong, keep positive (I know how hard that can be), and remember you are not alone! I always pushed myself and the progress I have made has paid off. I always felt that any treatment or modality is worth trying for our health, and that our health and wellness should be our own decision. I am glad I went outside the box and tried something different. Mara 02/17/06

Update 04/07/09: After 4 years I still use the Chi Machine, the HotHouse, and the Electro Reflex Energizer to manage my pain and many other symptoms associated with my RSD. I am back to full activity, exercising twice a day and enjoy riding my bike 2-4 miles a day in the spring, summer, and fall.

It is no surprise to me, that the Chi Machine's three main benefits of increasing your oxygen, energy and circulation have truly benefited me by helping me to keep my muscles loose and my edema and muscle spasms to a minimum. The research on relieving pain with low frequency stimulation is why I purchased and continue to use the Electro Reflex Energizer. I feel the Electro Pads have helped me target the pain I get in the large muscle groups, like my hips, lower back, and thighs. I have also used the Electro Reflex Energizer on my hands because they get tired from typing so much. I do use the Electro Reflex Energizer on my feet and although it seems to slightly excite the nerves, I do think it did help in relieving my pain. The HotHouse (Far Infrared Dome) is wonderful for helping me relax and relieves the deep bone pain I rarely get anymore.

I am still taking the Clonazapem at bedtime and feel blessed to have helped many of you. I don't think I would be able to have such an active life if I didn't have these products to use on a daily basis! Keep your faith and hope alive! I am here if you need me. Thank you for allowing me to continue to share my story.