Hi Joy,

I’ve been going to the Chiropractor about twice per week. It feels good straight after the treatment but seems so go back to the same after 24 hours. I think I’m going to continue going until the rest of this month as I have booked onto a course. It isn’t soothing the pain but it helps with the ROM. The Chiro has suggested to have acupuncture to help with pain – do you think it’s ok to do both at the same time?xx

Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly Joy, it’s so good to have someone who is listening. I feel like the past six months Ive just been passed from person to person and no-one has really bother to ask half of those questions!

In terms of blacking out – I’m unsure if I was knocked out or if I fainted. I was still breathing and there was no need to be resuscitated. I must have blacked out for a few minutes (not sure how long) until someone found me and I just remember him carrying me/ supporting me as I came around. He took off my harness and kite and helped me walk to the car that took me to hospital. I had a bump on the right side of my forehead and scratches (nothing deep) and bruises on my shoulders, hip and along the side of my body.

I went to the hospital and had x-rays which showed no break or any structural injury. However, I wasn’t given an MRI.

For the next two weeks I could barely move. I had to sleep sitting up right in bed. I could walk but it was a struggle to look from left to right or turn. It felt as it all the muscles in my spine had gone into spasm and were hugging hold of my spine.

ROM gradually improved over the month after the accident. Cat/ cow sitting down with my hands on the wall, and sitting twists helped ease into the muscles once again.

The accident happened at the end of August and I started having massage and acupunture in october. Before then it felt too tender to touch. I had a massage and acupuncture once a week for 7 weeks. It felt good during the massage but didn’t help with pain beyond the 2 hour session.

In Novemeber I went to the Chiropractor. They x-rayed my neck and spine (I can send the scans over to if that helps?) and identified that my neck is curving in the wrong direction (much like a ‘c’) and also that I have slight scoliosis in my thoracic spine. I’m going to the Chiro this afternoon so I’ll ask for copies of the scans and send them to you. They said that these look like they were injuries/ problems from before the kiting accident but they think that they could be effecting the healing process.

Hot baths help soothe the pain and help me to relax which in turn is helpful for the muscles. However, they don’t stop the pain in any way and I’d say that the pain level stays the same and I just feel more relaxed about it. Does that make sense?!

I can now sleep flat in a bed and my sleep seems to be fine. It takes me time to fall asleep though and sometimes (once every two weeks approx) I’ll wake up in the night and struggle to fall asleep again. My energy levels have been quite low, especially in the mornings when I wake, even after a good nights sleep (I feel quite foggy behind the eyes until I have a cup of tea!) I”m not sure if that’s different from before the accident though to be honest.

I have been feeling anxious though and even quite depressed at times because of the pain. Also, I’ve set up a business this year and started teaching yoga full-time so it’s been tricky financially so this has been causing me some stress. I’ve also been coming to terms with a break-up too. It’s hard to know exactly what causes these feelings but I imagine its a mixture everything.

No particular changes to memory or appetite or digestion. My stools can be loose sometimes but that was the same as before the accident.

It’s interesting that you ask about the spiritual aspect as it’s something that I have been considering. It’s hard to know what lesson I need to take from this exactly. I’ve always pushed myself quite hard to do things like skiing/ kite surfing/ windsurfing to a tough level. I’ve enjoyed it and like being able to do these sports but if I’m honest, there has definitely been an element of my trying too hard and trying to prove myself. This accident has taught me that I need to listen carefully to what is pushing me to do something – for enjoyment or to prove myself. If it’s the latter, then I don’t need to do whatever it is I’m pushing for.

I hope that this all makes sense and is helpful Joy. Again, thank you so much for listening x

Thank you Joy, I really appreciate your detailed reply to my questions. I clarifies so many questions that I had in my mind. I am going to ask my patient the following questions in response to what you wrote:

What time of day are you most tired?
Do you struggle to fall asleep? Stay asleep?
Are you energized after excersise?

Once I have these answers, I will post what she says.

I just have one more questions based on what you said about hypothyroidism. If it is a result of Kidney and Spleen Yang, would it be a good idea to choose Yoga poses that stimulate these meridians lines?

Again, thank you so much for your help x

Hi Emilie,

Thanks for your help, I will try breath of fire and other pranayama techniques with my student. Do you have any particular Yoga poses that you find helpful?

Tiffany – Is there anything in Chinese Medicine that is used to help with Thyroid issues? Is it associated with a particular element?

xx

Hi,

I’ve started doing the simple pranayama techniques that you suggested Tiffany. As you mentioned, I’ve asked him to keep this up at the same time each day for just a couple of minutes. It has a very positive effect while he is doing it so it will be interesting to see how it impacts him over the long-term.

He is really keen to start doing much more energetic Yoga classes as well but I am concerned that this will completely deplete him, what do you think? Could his anxiety be coming from an excess that he needs to burn off?