WELCOME TO THE SRN REHAB PROJECT!

A place where bodily injury is being rehabilitated without the use of Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, or other New Age, occult philosophy based alternatives.

I have chosen to integrate this back rehabilitation project into our SRN ministry for the simple reason as follows:

"Incorporating physical fitness, a healthy eating and hydration program, and basic athletic stretching exercises, I am striving to fix my problematic back injury and once again obtain maximum health and strong physical endurance.  The goal of my test pilot program, me being the "lab rat", is to be a living proof example that one need not use Eastern occult philosophy based New Age related methodology in order to achieve a healthy, flexible, and physically fit lifestyle."  

Along with this, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul, who was familiar with physical infirmity, the weakness of human flesh, and the immense power of sinful human nature.  One of my goals with this project is to keep my body under, in order to alow the will of God to be the overriding influence in my life, not the whims and desires of my flesh.

"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."   (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)

DOING WHAT AS A PASTOR AND RETURNED MISSIONARY?

As a pastor and missionary, I returned to the USA from Britain in 2007.  After having a difficult time finding employment, and without the necessary continued funding for missions activities, severe financial hardship  was upon us.   With the severe downturn in our U.S. economy, I decided to a start my own local business, offering a  much needed service here on the Central Coast of California.  I began a Landscape Fire Safety and Weed Abatement business.  I worked very hard for a year and a half, built excellent client relationships, and was placed on the local city and fire department referral list for weed abatement safety services.  Working many days of hard, dangerous, dirty and sweaty (and sometimes bloody) labor, I gained a good reputation amongst local realtors, business owners, and community services.  The work was hard, but it paid our bills and made for an honest living.  One of the bonuses of my work was an outdoor office  in the forest and along the coastline, not to mention being in the best physical shape I had been in since I was 23 years old. 

FIRE SAFETY, WEED ABATEMENT, BRUSH CLEARING AND MORE

My line of work was Fire Safety Weed Abatement, Brush Clearing, Chainsawing and more.  I would regularly work along a beautiful stretch of Central California coastline, in the forest and on properties where heavy landscape maintenance was required.  At 41 years of age, I would work between two to ten hours at a time, oftentimes wearing full safety gear and using very dangerous, hand held and self propelled equipment.  My clients would often find me clearing organic matter and debris by hacking, cutting, chainsawing, lifting, digging, crawling, climbing, hauling, scaling, pushing, squating, dragging, mowing, clearing, and more.  During my work I gained a high level of respect for Firefighters, Military personnel, and Emergency Service workers who endure very hot days, extreme conditions, and very dangerous work environments.   I also learned a lot about working in obscurity, trusting God, and waiting on the Lord for day-to-day provision (jobs and new clients).  With next to no advertising, my business took off in the first year simply by word of mouth and a healthy work ethic.  The Lord blessed the work!

THE INJURY

On 10/16/09, I suffered a work related injury from cumulative overuse of my lower back muscles.  My lower lumbar paraspinal muscles spasmed severely, extreme pain shot through my back, and I was out of commission.  As of 7/30/10, approximately eitgh months since the injury, my paraspinal muscles continue to spasm periodically, at random, when doing light household chores. 

My physical therapist has not ruled out the idea that I may have what is known as Facet Joint Syndrome:

Facet Joint Syndrome — destruction of the bony surfaces of a facet joint due to disease (such as osteoarthritis), wear-and-tear, too much weight on the joint, or injury.

Here are the muscles that have been deeply affected by hyper-repetition of my lower back muscles when using chainsaws, hauling debris, and excessive weedwhacking and brush clearing.

Paraspinal Muscles

"The muscles next to the spine are called the paraspinal muscles. They support the spine and are the motor for movement of the spine. Joints allow flexibility, and muscles allow mobility. There are many small muscles in the back. Each controls some part of the total movement between the vertebrae and the rest of the skeleton. These muscles can be directly injured, such as when you have a pulled muscle or muscle strain. They can also cause problems indirectly, such as when they are in spasm after injury to other parts of the spine.

A muscle spasm is experienced when your muscle tightens up and will not relax. Spasms usually occur as a reflex (meaning that you cannot control the contraction). When any part of the spine is injured-including a disc, ligament, bone, or muscle-the muscles automatically go into spasm to reduce the motion around the area. This mechanism is designed to protect the injured area.

Muscles that are in spasm produce too much lactic acid, a waste product from the chemical reaction inside muscle cells. When muscles contract, the small blood vessels traveling through the muscles are pinched off (like a tube pinched between your thumb and finger), which causes a build up of lactic acid. If the muscle cells cannot relax and too much lactic acid builds up, it causes a painful burning sensation. The muscle relaxes as the blood vessels open up, and the lactic acid is eventually washed away by fresh blood flowing into the muscle."

THE ENDURANCE NEEDED - FOR WORK AND RECOVERY

Mental endurance, physical strength, and the will to physically conquer the landscape clearing projects was needed in order to not only do this type of work, but to do it fast, thoroughly, and without bodily injury.  As a new business owner I worked by myself.  I was unable to hire other employees because the cost of Workers Compensation in this line of work is very expensive.  While working, I would stop at nothing to rip out whatever my clients wanted cleared and removed  - within the bounds of my certification and licensing of course.  All was going well until my back gave out after many months of overuse. 

After my injury, hobbling, crawling, and moving very slowly became a regular part of every day life. Dealing with physical pain, the loss of work and income, and  being 'disabled'  took its toll on emotionally in no time at all.  In the first few weeks of the injury, two doctors and our physical therapist recommended that I immediately change my line of work - and not go back to intensive labor work during or after my recovery.  I immediately stopped my business and began to sell my equipment.  I ceased completely from working and I also gave away my client accounts to other people in my line of work.  Next in line for me was the beginning of a physical therapy program.  This I did and I am still in the midst of my program.  I have experienced many days where my back, hips, neck, and legs have been extremely stiff and where I simply have chronic pain - especially after countless nights of bad sleep.  I have lost flexibility in my neck, about 10 degrees whilst turning to the left, and I have also lost flexibility in other ways as far as bending to the side, bending forward, and rotating my back to one side.

WHY THE REHAB LAB?

The SRN REHAB PROJECT is simply a way of helping others see that physical fitness, healthy living and Biblically balanced spirituallity need not glean from the ways of the Eastern mysticism and the occult.  This is my own personal project and I have consulted with my doctors as to the types of stretching and exercises I can do, and the incrementation that would be of benefit in the recovery process.

My goal with the SRN REHAB PROJECT is to eventually apply the same level of endurance to my personal rehabilitation as I did with my landscaping business.  I want to once again be in top physical shape and to do it without compromising my Christian faith like so many do - when indulging in Yoga, meditation, etc.  

I am recording my rehabilitation process here in order to show that Christians (and non-Christians) do not need Yoga, Reiki, alternative New Age "energy" therapies and techniques, etc. in order to effectively rehabilitate bodily injuries, gain flexibility, and have a clear mind and healthy body.  Lord willing, my injuries can be effectively rehabilitated.  As for the length of rehabilittion, I do not know how long it will take, nor do my doctors.

To not, pragmatism in medicine, and spirituallity is never a safe game.  Just because something might 'work' does not necesarilly mean it is good for the body, mind, soul and spirit.  Many New Age, occult and alternative therapies seemingly 'work', but the trade off is a subtle (and sometimes blatant) induction into far deeper spiritual deception.  Oftentimes severe human wreckage is the result.  The statistics do not lie.

P R O G R E S S   R E P O R T

PHASE I  -  ACUTE PHASE OF TREATMENT, DOCTORS ASSESSMENTS, BEGINNING REHAB

October 16 - December 31, 2009

Oct .16 - Nov. 10:   Unable to work; complete rest; heavily ice back; three doctors assessments; Ultrasound on back; hand massage; body adjustments; upon to listening to three doctors' recommendations I decide to completely shut down my landscape business; file a disability claim; contact family and clients.)

Nov. 11 - Dec. 15:   Physical therapy assessments; begin a very light cardio warmup and very light core strengthening rehab exercises; at times warm up on NordicTrack Commercial 1300 Eliptical Exerciser; Physical Therapy one to three times a week at clinic; begin selling landscape equipment.

Dec. 16:  Try more intensive Core strengthening.  This proved to be too much as I paid for it later in the afternoon and following day - on the floor and period iicing and pain killers; back to light core strengthening through the end of the year.

Personal Note: We discussed what appears to be Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome.  I have problems with my lower spine as muscles tense and spasm easily, putting pressure on vertebrae and resulting in nerve issues/pain.   Very similar to a sports injury when muscles are extremely overused.  This is yet to be determined, however, symptoms are almost identical.  Even the intense craving for salty foods.

Dec. 17-31:  Light cardio warmup on stair stepper; very light core strengthening rehab exercises; shoot some baskets on the court and slowly retrive ball for my kids to shoot baskets.

PHASE II  -  SLOWLY RECOVERING AND WORKING THROUGH REHAB

January 2010

Jan. 1-6:  Light cardio warmup on stair stepper; very light core strengthening rehab exercises.

Personal Note:  Still have approximately 10 percent loss of neck rotation when turning to the left; Still have lesssened flexibility when doing supine knee rotations to the left; still have loss of reach going down quadrisep to side of knee.  Some days my back feels good and I wake up with no pain, others days, I wake up feeling horrible, extreme lack of flexibility, dull aching pain radiating across lower back; recently have felt Sciatica radiating down buttocks and both legs.  Only a pain killer dealt with this.

Jan. 7-13:  Continue light Core strengthening program and also try again the more intensive Core strengthening program that we tried on December 16 and increase cardio workout on NordicTrack Commercial 1300 Eliptical Exerciser.

Jan. 14-31:  Officially disabled regarding my previous Landscape / Fire Safety occupation.  Currently working through paperwork, monthly medical assessments, etc.

PHASE III  -  FIVE MONTH STRETCH

February to June 2010

February: Qualified for Disability.  Intermittent back pain persists.

March: Currently on Disability.  Displaced home and office due to storm damage. 

April: Finally resettled in new living location.  Slow back recovery.

May: Chronic - Intermittent back pain persists.

June: Chronic - Intermittent back pain persists.

PHASE IV  -  ASSESSMENTS AND CONTINUED REHABILITATION

July to December 2010

July: Six-month back assessment on Monday, July 26. 

Chronic day-to-day pain in lower lumbosacral area. 

Now awaiting MRI sceduling and assessment in August.

August: Continuing rehabilitation program.

Rehabilitation exercises, cardio-workout and use of light weights.

Light ocean paddling to strengthen upper back muscles and shoulders.

September: September 14 - MRI on back - Lower Lumbarsacral area.

MRI revealed two fissures in lower spine area.  Apparently no nerve damage and no sign of buldging or herniated discs.  Still experiencing random muscle spasms, hyper-sensitivy/pain in lower spinal area.  Cannot sit for too long and cannot stand for too long. Still having problems sleeping, however, a new bed has helped tremendously.  I can now at least sleep through half the night.

October: Further assessments by two more specialists scheduled for mid October. 

November: MRI and Ergonomic Mobility assessments completed.  Doctor, Physical Therapist and Insurance Company all confirm medical disability problem that I have.   Confirmation again that I cannot return to the type of labor intensive occupational work that I was involved in before my injury.

December: Pain management/rehabilitation conrtinues as does a new consideration of vocational training for either a new line of occupational work - or continued work in the field of Christian missions, ministry, and/or pastoring/church planting.  The latter here is my personal preference as this is what I have been doing now for close to 20 years.

Personal Note:  It's been over a year now since my injury and altogether my lifestyle has changed dramatically.  I am physically much weaker than I was a year ago and have had to make some major emotional adjustments in accepting my injury. 

Also, due to having to accept my physical limitations I have hit some major potholes at times with depression and the frustration of not being able to fully support my family on my own.  We have suffered financial setback and the loss of my personal business this past year as a result of my injury.  I have always been physically active and now at 42 years of age, this life trial has hit me full force.

Nonetheless, I press on, we press on..."And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

PHASE V  -  CONTINUED REHAB

January to September 2011

Partially Disabled:  According to my doctors and my insurance company I am officially "partially disabled."  Practical maintenance is needed in order to alleviate further muscular problems and avoid injuries.  My back muscles spasm when they are tired because they are damaged.  When this occurs it puts intense pain on my spinal column in the center of my back.   I end up on the floor with ice packs, etc.

Although my very active lifestyle has changed, I am still able to accomplish what is necessary as a father and husband.  I am grateful that the Lord has strengthed me and that I have been able to at least recover thus far.

October to December 2011

Recently met with insurance agent (October) again and have also been to a doctor again numerous times. Beginning new round of stretching and back and stomach strengthening.

Physical therapy on muscle knots in back throughout the Fall season.  Back muscles continues to spasm from over-use and damage from injury.

January 2012

Use of free weights for basic training, Nordic Track eliptical stair-stepper, eating healthy and losing some weight.

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