Trust myself… Post #3 shared the call where I realized It was up to me to gain control of my life and create a viable plan. Thirteen months had passed since the injury, I felt worse, symptoms were varied, I had worked so hard, yet progress was illusive. The timing for this post, August 2020 – I had no idea what the next 3 ½ years would bring. I hadn’t hit rock bottom yet…

Form Follows Function – A term I use often. Whatever we do – If our function (brain/body) isn’t in working or running order, our form won’t be running or working in ultimate shape either.

My choice – to seriously find some current books, webinars, youtube university – things shared from experienced people! Wow, in three days of research I planned my path. The main book that resonated was BrainSave – Dr Titus Chiu. It led to a full program that changed my world. Turns out he was offering an online course – he was well known for teaching doctors. BrainSave, BrainTrain – exercises and evaluation, Brain Reset – for those of us not healing… Champions club – Monthly cutting edge information on everything brain tools to track and evaluate it all. Finally – a personal consult. This was the time in history when the world was dealing with COVID, research became abundant, with breakthroughs almost everywhere. This time in history was also after a world leader said loosing a limb was worse than a brain injury. Many experts decided to correct that ‘theory’. The movie Concussion came out – which showcased the NFL, and several football players – their concussions, CTE, and several soldiers who had been exposed to bomb blasts.
Tony Robins shared his book Life Force – How Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine transform the quality of your life. A book of answers.

Now, testing equipment is available in some areas that tests brain function while moving and performing tasks. Checking Blood flow, Oxygen level, nerves, and so much healing information. These are exciting times.

A few years after the Concussion movie, stories are circulating that Children at the age of 6, 7 on up played football, now the ages of 18 – 25 average, some are committing suicide and asking that their brains be tested for CTE. There is proof and too many are positive. Due to the young ages of these boys- the excuses used with adults don’t apply to the boys. Turns out the banging of heads even wearing helmets causes extensive soft tissue damage.

Common with brain injuries, the brain works 25-50 percent harder after injury. Starting day 1 – add these supplements. Test showed I had a Blood Brain Barrier Breech, as many do after head injury, so one must be careful with medications and toxic food products. Since 1984 I’ve been eating vegetarian, but started taking Bone Broth as it has protein nutrients the brain can’t get elsewhere.

Best diet – colorful and diverse veggies and fruit.

Supplements: Magnesium Threonate, tumeric-curcumin, omega 3’s, DHA, D3, Ginko Biloba… Take for 1-2 months and check in.
I take NeuroMag – Chelated Magnesium L Threonate 145 mg a day
Metabolism support – Riboflavin, B6, Folate, B12, Trimethilgycine.
Adrenotone for adrenal support.
Calcium, Magnesium Butyrate – short chain fatty acid for gut and full body support.
Vit E & Selenium, Omega’s, herbs for nerve pain and Tumeric/Curcumin for inflammation…
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1.  Magnesium.   Muscles require calcium to fire and magnesium to stop firing. The less magnesium you have available, the tighter your muscles get (because they literally cannot relax). The tighter your muscles get, the less magnesium they have available because they eat it up at a higher rate trying to relax.
Tight muscles = not enough magnesium.
Your muscles are locked tight.  The more acute your pain is, the more tightness you have. 
Magnesium is your NUMBER ONE PRIORITY!  If you don’t take in enough magnesium, you can not and will not get better. 

2.  Vitamin B6.  Vit B6 is responsible for two main things:  Nerve function, and the body’s ability to utilize magnesium.  
Fun fact:  Inflammation eats up B6.   So you have a lot of inflammation, you’re short on B6, so you’re extra short on magnesium.
Magnesium is you number one priority, but you have to have enough B6 to utilize all the magnesium you intake, so it’s kind of also your number one priority.  More like an indispensable side kick.

3.  Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is really a hormone that’s at the base of your entire body operation….muscle function, nerve function, immune system function, hormone function, balance, everything.  
Vit D isn’t specific to your facet joint pain/problem, but we need your entire body working as well as possible, and Vit D is a cheap and easy way to make your ENTIRE BODY WORK BETTER so that your local facet joint pain problem can reverse as quickly as possible.  Everything in the body works together.

4.  Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin.  (MUST be Methylcobalamin, NOT Cyanocobalamin.  If the bottle doesn’t say, then it’s Cyanocobalamin)Vitamin B12 is important for two main things:  Nerve function, and the body’s normal daily detoxification process.
Maybe your on various chemicals or pain killers/drugs, etc, and maybe your system is some amount overwhelmed trying to clean all that out.  B12 Methylcobalamin is vital for that, go through at least a bottle of B12 methylcobalamin. 

5.  Tumeric / Curcumin for inflammation
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

• Found in: Fatty fish (like salmon, mackerel, and sardines), flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts.
• Benefits: Omega-3s support brain health, reduce inflammation, and aid in nerve cell repair.

Antioxidants:

• Found in: Berries (blueberries, strawberries), dark chocolate, nuts (like walnuts), beans, artichokes.
• Benefits: Antioxidants protect brain cells from damage caused by free radicals, promoting healing.

Vitamin E:

• Found in: Nuts (almonds, sunflower seeds), seeds, spinach, avocado, olive oil.
• Benefits: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that supports brain health and may aid in tissue repair.

Vitamin C:

• Found in: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli.
• Benefits: Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen, essential for the structural integrity of brain tissue.

B Vitamins:

• Found in: Whole grains, legumes, eggs, leafy greens, dairy products, lean meats.
• Benefits: B vitamins (especially B6, B9 – folate, and B12) play a role in nerve function and may support cognitive health.

Magnesium:

• Found in: Spinach, almonds, black beans, avocado, dark chocolate.
• Benefits: Magnesium aids in regulating neurotransmitters and supports brain health.

Zinc:

• Found in: Shellfish, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, dairy products.
• Benefits: Zinc supports immune function and plays a role in brain repair and development.

Protein:

• Found in: Lean meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, legumes, nuts, seeds.
• Benefits: Protein provides amino acids necessary for repairing damaged tissues, including brain cells.

I have quite a story regarding my brain experience after my head hit the steering wheel in a new turn lane at an intersection, rearended by a driver going 55 mph. Airbags didn’t deploy. Shock is the best automatic tool our body has, I believed I was fine – for 5 days. Then reality began to set in as shock wore off.  It’s four and a half years later, after that split second changed my life forever. Living in a body without control or connection to a brain is horrific. The death of neurons happens slowly, as does the loss of abilities… Time spent working on ‘getting better’ actually doesn’t help the free fall experience with loss. People are expecting improvement, yet what happens is continued deterioration and inability to think, feel, move properly are constant factors. Memory – short term – is non existant. One short sentence spoken and I couldn’t recall one word. Yeah, really…
Fortunately, I was very self sufficient, I live alone and rely on myself 100% for caring for the horses, land, house. Those tasks are deeply ingrained in body, soul, spirit, mind and emotions. Without this ‘automatic ability of muscle memory’ I would not have made it. Two and a half – three years is when I hit rock bottom as the pain level got worse and worse. Then I found tools to improve.

I am not ready to tell my personal story yet, but I will. I have recordings, writings and will share what I lived through, and what it took to recover. For the most part – a year in, I researched and followed a flow of help and answers, and eliminated those sources that were damaging and detrimental to me and my recovery. In the mean time, I’ll share these empty words, that are meaningless without really understanding what the experience is like. 

6 million car accidents a year, and only in the past 2 years are we getting serious about understanding brain, nerves, fascia, heart and pain… The future of health care is upon us, and it is exciting.

After Injury, the brain might need to adapt to the changes caused by trauma. Here are a few key aspects of how ‘rewiring the brain’ might occur:

Neuroplasticity:

• Formation of New Pathways: Neuroplasticity allows the brain to form new connections between neurons or reroute existing pathways to compensate for the damaged areas.
• Functional Reorganization: It involves the brain’s ability to reorganize its functions. For instance, if a specific area responsible for speech is damaged, other areas might take on this function.

Rehabilitation:

• Physical Therapy: Helps regain motor skills and coordination.
• Occupational Therapy: Focuses on improving daily living skills and independence.
• Speech Therapy: Aids in recovering speech and language abilities.
• Cognitive Exercises: Mental exercises to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.

Time and Patience:

• Slow and Gradual Process: Recovery varies widely; it can take weeks, months, or even years.
• Consistent Effort: Regular therapy, exercises, and a supportive environment are crucial for progress.

Individual Variability:

• Personalized Recovery: Each person’s brain injury is unique, so the rehabilitation process is tailored to their specific needs and abilities.
• Factors Affecting Recovery: Age, overall health, severity of the injury, and individual resilience play significant roles.

Technology and Innovation:

• Advancements in Treatment: New therapies, techniques, and technologies (like neurofeedback or virtual reality) can aid in rehabilitation. Tony Robbins: Life Force

Emotional Support:

• Psychological Impact: Emotional support and counseling are vital as a head injury can have emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects.

Adaptive Strategies:

• Learning New Ways: Sometimes, individuals might need to adapt to new ways of doing things if certain functions can’t be fully restored.

In essence, rewiring the brain involves a multifaceted approach that focuses on stimulating the brain, encouraging adaptation, and supporting the individual in their recovery journey.

WHEN YOU LIVE IN A SMALLER TOWN THAT DOESN’T OFFER NEEDED FUNCTIONAL TESTING OR CAUSE OF PAIN  – THERE ARE MANY THINGS WE CAN DO FOR OURSELVES.
This is what I did, after years of ‘Wait and see”, I found 3 amazing programs, and I worked through my issues by self identification of what I was thinking, feeling, experiencing and comparing it all to clearly defined programs.
The newest rule of thumb is if you haven’t fully recovered in 3 months, it’s time to dive in full force and focus on recovery. Get help from a brain expert, or become one yourself.

• Cognitive deficits
• Coma
• Confusion
• Shortened attention span
• Memory problems and amnesia
• Problem-solving deficits
• Problems with judgment
• Inability to understand abstract concepts
• Loss of sense of time and space
• Decreased awareness of self and others
• Inability to accept more than one- or two-step commands at the same time
• Motor deficits
• Paralysis or weakness
• Spasticity (tightening and shortening of the muscles)
• Poor balance
• Decreased endurance
• Inability to plan motor movements
• Delays in getting started
• Tremors
• Swallowing problems
• Poor coordination
• Perceptual or sensory deficits
• Changes in hearing, vision, taste, smell, and touch
• Loss of sensation or heightened sensation of body parts
• Left- or right-sided neglect
• Difficulty understanding where limbs are in relation to the body
• Vision problems, including double vision, lack of visual acuity, or limited range of vision
• Communication and language deficits
• Difficulty speaking and understanding speech (aphasia)
• Difficulty choosing the right words to say (aphasia)
• Difficulty reading (alexia) or writing (agraphia)
• Difficulty knowing how to perform certain very common actions, like brushing one’s teeth (apraxia)
• Slow, hesitant speech and decreased vocabulary
• Difficulty forming sentences that make sense
• Problems identifying objects and their function
• Problems with reading, writing, and ability to work with numbers
• Functional deficits
• Impaired ability with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, bathing, and eating
• Problems with organization, shopping, or paying bills
• Inability to drive a car or operate machinery
• Social difficulties
• Impaired social capacity resulting in difficult interpersonal relationships
• Difficulties in making and keeping friends
• Difficulties understanding and responding to the nuances of social interaction
• Regulatory disturbances
• Fatigue
• Changes in sleep patterns and eating habits
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Loss of bowel and bladder control
• Personality or psychiatric changes
• Apathy
• Decreased motivation
• Emotional lability
• Irritability
• Anxiety and depression
• Disinhibition, including temper flare-ups, aggression, cursing, lowered frustration tolerance.

Whiplash can cause Cervical Instability

Cervical instability refers to excessive movement or abnormal mobility in the cervical spine (neck region), often resulting from ligamentous laxity, injury, or structural issues. Several syndromes and symptoms can arise due to cervical instability:

• Cervicogenic Headaches: These headaches originate from structural problems in the neck and are often associated with cervical instability. They can cause pain that radiates from the neck to the head.
• Chronic Neck Pain: Instability in the cervical spine can lead to persistent neck pain, often accompanied by stiffness and reduced range of motion.
• Radiating Pain: Cervical instability might cause radiating pain that extends from the neck into the shoulders, arms, and even down to the hands, due to compression or irritation of nerves in the cervical region.
• Muscle Weakness or Spasms: Instability can lead to muscle imbalances and spasms as the body tries to compensate for the lack of stability in the neck.
• Numbness or Tingling: Compression or irritation of nerves due to cervical instability can result in sensations of numbness, tingling, or pins-and-needles in the arms or hands.
• Balance and Coordination Issues: Severe cervical instability may affect the nerves that contribute to balance and coordination, leading to difficulties in maintaining balance and motor coordination.
• Instability-Related Syndromes: Conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which can involve hypermobility and laxity of connective tissues including those in the neck, may predispose individuals to cervical instability.
• Vertigo and Dizziness: Cervical instability can affect the vestibular system, leading to sensations of vertigo (spinning sensation) or dizziness, especially during head movements.
• Fatigue and Cognitive Issues: Chronic pain and the body’s efforts to compensate for cervical instability can lead to fatigue. Additionally, some individuals may experience cognitive difficulties, such as trouble concentrating or memory issues, due to the strain caused by ongoing pain or discomfort.
• TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Dysfunction: Cervical instability might contribute to jaw pain or dysfunction, as there can be interconnections between the neck, jaw, and head muscles.
• Sleep Disturbances: Chronic pain or discomfort from cervical instability can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep.
• Functional Limitations: Severe cervical instability may significantly limit an individual’s ability to perform daily activities, impacting work, leisure activities, and quality of life.
• Increased Risk of Injury: Unstable cervical spine increases the risk of further injury or damage during routine activities or minor trauma due to reduced support and stability in the neck region.
• Psychological Impact: Persistent pain and limitations caused by cervical instability can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, or depression in some individuals.
• Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia): In severe cases of cervical instability, compression or irritation of nerves or structures in the neck can lead to difficulty in swallowing or a sensation of something stuck in the throat.
• Postural Instability: Instability in the cervical spine might affect overall posture, leading to difficulties in maintaining a stable and upright position.
• Sensory Abnormalities: Cervical instability can cause abnormal sensations such as hypersensitivity or altered perception of touch or pressure in the neck region.
• Voice Changes: Pressure on nerves in the neck due to instability can occasionally lead to changes in voice quality or difficulty projecting the voice.
• Autonomic Dysfunction: Rarely, cervical instability may affect the autonomic nervous system, leading to symptoms like changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or temperature regulation.
• Chronic Inflammation: Prolonged instability can trigger chronic inflammation in the affected area, leading to further pain and discomfort.
• Degenerative Changes: Over time, untreated cervical instability might lead to degenerative changes in the cervical spine, such as arthritis or structural damage.
• Quality of Life Impact: Constant pain and limitations imposed by cervical instability can significantly impact an individual’s overall quality of life, affecting social interactions, work, hobbies, and mental well-being.
• Craniocervical Instability (CCI): This condition involves excessive movement between the skull and the upper cervical spine. Symptoms can include severe headaches, difficulties with balance and coordination, and neurological issues due to compression on the brainstem or spinal cord.
• Nerve Compression and Radiculopathy: Cervical instability may lead to compression of nerves as they exit the cervical spine, causing symptoms such as shooting pain, weakness, or numbness that radiates down the arms (radiculopathy).
• Brachial Plexus Issues: Severe instability can affect the brachial plexus, a network of nerves in the shoulder and arm, leading to symptoms like pain, weakness, or tingling sensations along the affected nerve pathways.
• Hypermobility-Related Disorders: Some individuals with cervical instability might have underlying conditions associated with hypermobility, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or other connective tissue disorders, contributing to increased joint laxity and instability.
• Difficulty with Fine Motor Skills: Instability in the cervical spine can impact fine motor skills due to compromised nerve function or muscle weakness in the upper extremities.
• Psychosocial Impact: Living with chronic pain and the challenges posed by cervical instability can lead to emotional stress, social withdrawal, and mental health issues, impacting overall well-being and relationships.
• Secondary Musculoskeletal Issues: Compensating for instability can lead to secondary musculoskeletal problems in other parts of the body, such as the shoulders, upper back, or even lower back, due to altered posture or movement patterns.
• Impaired Functional Mobility: Reduced stability and pain associated with cervical instability can limit an individual’s ability to perform daily activities, affecting mobility and independence.
• Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living: Instability in the neck region can significantly impact routine activities such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and other self-care tasks due to pain, reduced range of motion, and impaired strength.
• Inflammatory Responses: Chronic instability can trigger ongoing inflammation in the cervical spine, potentially leading to further tissue damage and exacerbating symptoms.
• Sleep Disturbances and Fatigue: Chronic pain and discomfort from cervical instability can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining restorative sleep, resulting in chronic fatigue.
• Limited Treatment Options: In some cases, especially when instability is severe or complex, limited treatment options may exist, and managing symptoms might become a long-term challenge.
• Dependency on Assistive Devices: Severe instability may require the use of assistive devices like neck braces or cervical collars to provide external support and stability to the neck.
• Chronic Disability: In extreme cases where cervical instability remains uncontrolled or if there’s delayed or inadequate treatment, it can lead to chronic disability impacting an individual’s overall functionality and quality of life.
• Elevated Risk of Further Injury: The unstable nature of the cervical spine increases the risk of additional injury or damage during even minor accidents or activities due to reduced support and stability in the neck region.
• Impact on Mental Health: Prolonged pain and limitations can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, depression, or even isolation, impacting mental health and emotional well-being.
• Financial and Social Burden: Managing chronic cervical instability can result in financial strain due to ongoing medical expenses and potential loss of income from reduced work capacity. Additionally, it may impose social limitations due to the inability to participate in social activities or perform certain tasks.
• Individual Variability: Symptoms and complications can vary widely among individuals with cervical instability, depending on the severity of instability, underlying conditions, and overall health status.

Management is complicated as there is a fine line between strengthening neck muscles, while being careful with movement that could compress the carotid artery or vagus nerve. Heart issues could appear if excessive movement compresses the carotid artery and restricts blood flow to the brain. Management involves ongoing care and may include a combination of physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, ergonomic adjustments, and in some cases, surgical interventions aimed at stabilizing the cervical spine. Treatment plans are customized based on the severity of symptoms, functional limitations, and individual needs. 

Brain injury – shear between white matter grey matter

When a brain injury occurs, especially in traumatic events like concussions or severe impacts, there can be a specific type of damage that affects the interface between white matter and grey matter. This damage is often referred to as shear injury or shearing.

Shear injuries involve the stretching, tearing, or disruption of nerve fibers (axons) at the boundary where white matter and grey matter meet. This boundary is called the gray-white matter junction. This area is particularly vulnerable to injury because of the differences in tissue density and structure between grey and white matter.

The forces exerted during a traumatic event can cause rapid acceleration or deceleration of the brain, leading to different parts of the brain moving at varying speeds. This discrepancy in movement can cause shearing forces that damage the delicate nerve fibers at this junction. As a result, axons may be stretched, twisted, or even torn, disrupting the communication pathways between different brain regions.

Shear injuries can lead to diffuse axonal injury (DAI), where widespread damage occurs to the axons throughout the brain. DAI can result in cognitive impairments, changes in consciousness, and various neurological deficits. This type of injury is commonly seen in severe traumatic brain injuries.

Understanding and addressing shear injuries in the brain are crucial for developing treatment strategies and rehabilitation plans for individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries. Techniques like neuroimaging (such as DTI – Diffusion Tensor Imaging) help in visualizing and assessing the extent of damage caused by shearing forces, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning. Advancements have shown promise in detecting and mapping the integrity of white matter tracts, which can be affected by shear injuries. DTI measures the movement of water molecules in the brain and can indirectly assess the integrity of axonal fibers. But even with DTI, if it is available to you, it might not always be straightforward to attribute specific injuries to a precise event.

In the brain, white matter and grey matter are two types of tissue that play distinct roles in its structure and function.

• Grey Matter: Grey matter is primarily composed of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and synapses. It’s found in the outer layer of the brain (cerebral cortex) and in deeper brain structures. The grey color comes from the cell bodies and capillaries in this region. Grey matter is involved in processing and computation. Areas of the brain with high concentrations of grey matter are associated with various functions such as muscle control, sensory perception, memory, emotions, and decision-making.
• White Matter: White matter is composed mainly of axons, which are nerve fibers responsible for transmitting signals between different parts of the brain and spinal cord. These nerve fibers are surrounded by a fatty substance called myelin, which gives white matter its pale appearance. White matter forms the connecting pathways that facilitate communication between different regions of the brain. It enables the transmission of electrical signals between grey matter areas, allowing different parts of the brain to communicate and work together.

Dysfunction or damage to either white or grey matter can lead to various neurological conditions and cognitive impairments.

After a car accident, individuals may experience various types of dysfunctions, and visual, vestibular, and neck dysfunctions are common categories. These dysfunctions can often co-occur due to the complex nature of trauma. Here’s a breakdown of each:

• Visual Dysfunction:
  • Symptoms may include blurred vision, double vision, saccades,light sensitivity (photophobia), difficulty focusing, and visual disturbances during movement.
  • Visual problems can arise from direct head trauma, whiplash, or other injuries affecting the eyes or the brain’s visual processing centers.
    • Accommodative disorders refer to difficulties in the eye’s ability to properly focus on objects at varying distances. This condition occurs when the eyes have trouble adjusting their focus from far to near or vice versa. It might result in blurred vision, eye strain, headaches, or difficulty concentrating on close-up tasks.
    • Convergence insufficiency is a specific type of binocular vision disorder where the eyes have trouble working together when focusing on nearby objects. Individuals with this condition may experience double vision, eye strain, difficulty reading, and discomfort when doing tasks that require focusing on close objects for an extended period.
    • Saccadic dysfunction refers to problems with the rapid, precise movements of the eyes when shifting gaze from one point to another- like looking at pictures in a film strip, verses watching a fluid video. Saccades are quick, jerky movements the eyes make to focus on different objects in the visual field. Dysfunction in these movements can lead to difficulties in tracking objects, reading, and following visual cues swiftly and accurately.
• Vestibular Dysfunction:
  • Symptoms may include dizziness, vertigo (a spinning sensation), imbalance or unsteadiness, nausea, and sensitivity to motion or head movements. Noise sensitivity and Tinnitus
  • Vestibular dysfunction often results from damage to the inner ear structures responsible for balance or disruption of signals between the inner ear and the brain.
• Neck Dysfunction:
  • Commonly associated with whiplash, a neck dysfunction can result from the sudden back-and-forth motion of the head during a car accident.
  • Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches, and sometimes radiating pain to the shoulders or arms, 

It’s important to note that these dysfunctions can interact and exacerbate each other. For example, neck pain and stiffness, Cervical instability, can contribute to visual symptoms – pain behind eyes, flashing lights in the brain, noise sensitivity, Tinnitus, nerve pain, chemical radiculopathy, heart issues, blood flow to the brain, balance issues and vice versa. 

Post #3…
4 years ago it was still thought that a person had a year to recover from a concussion / head injury before getting concerned. Now we know, if full recovery hasn’t taken place at 3 months, it is time to get to work..

I trusted the medical system had my back, I had to trust because I had never been injured, no experience as a ‘patient’, no experience with the medical system, doctors, using health insurance or car insurance. I was used to being a practitioner – one who evaluates and corrects, now I needed to be both and communicate for both sides. Boy, was this a wake up call, what I now call a valuable experience.

As the injuries worsened – IOW – the brain cells died off, new ones were made fresh daily, tho uneducated, neuroplasticity and neurogenesis still happened, it took everything I had to make it through every day. I had been living an extremely full life, horses, acres, land, clients, teaching etc… But then the shock wore off, and yeah… life changed.

This video was a moment, not one of the significant ones, but one worth sharing, watching the whole thing this weekend was a wake up call. From the education I consumed since this date, I can see where I was at – what I needed to do to make significant changes, but I didn’t know then what I know now. What would I do? Get started taking bone broth and other supplements to feed my brain. Get tests – a specific list that is now in my possession. Focus on diet changes, cut out all gluten, sugar, caffeine, processed foods. Track diet, exercise, pain, feelings and emotions. Get maintenance help for work to keep me from stress, activity that included bending over putting pressure on back, neck, head. Exercise- following a plan that is molded to current status. etc and so on.

I have rewired my brain, I’m really proud of that. I have lost so much and will probably have to move, but I have my story, my experience that needs telling because of the state of the world and humanity. This story isn’t linear logical at the moment. This would require a full documentary, and the pain is simply too much to feel and face. To heal, I need to let it out now.

I look at this video and see that I was constantly looking up – I felt buried alive. It took several times of saying something to feel like I communicated it right. The prefrontal cortex damage – No dimmer switch – go from calm to rage and cussing in a heartbeat… and completely blunt – no holding back on what needed to be said. This was a long appointment, but I hit record when I realized how my words slurred, my statements were unclear, I was counting on getting help because neck movements caused a lot of pain. I’m grateful I thought to do that, otherwise I would have no record… Self care is about looking out for yourself. I am grateful to have lived alone through this horrific experience. Being so self reliant and strong to then being in this state, caused me to to panic constantly. Cortisol overload… can cause permanent damage. Strength was needed – so no excuses. A couple months after this video appointment I found the path I needed to ultimately save my life.

Immediately after a brain injury many considerations need attention. Nutrition, inflammation, movement, education – functional neurologist, Sleep, rest, relax muscles, self assessment, realignment – Chiropractic, Cranial Sacral, Physical Therapist familiar in injuries… Start feeding your body and brain good nutrition – it will be working 25% harder at least to stabilize. Bone broth multiple times a day- even if you are vegetarian. Colorful and diverse veggies and fruit. Protein… Magnesium Threonate, tumeric-curcumin, omega 3’s, DHA, D3, Ginko Biloba… Take for 6 months and check in weekly. and so much more – but at least the above. CBD with very low THC – This product will help the brain and nervous system! It will reset the Endocabinol System that is in all vertebrates. Taken within 6 hours of brain injury it will protect the brain from permanent damage. Protect Blood Brain Barrier Breach and heart issues that happen to with Brain injuries. https://projectcbd.org/health/cbd-thc-for-traumatic-brain-injury/

On average, there are over 6 million passenger car accidents in the U.S. every year. Road crashes are the leading cause of death in the country, resulting in more than 38,000 people losing their lives each year.

27 million car accidents have occurred, 171,000 people have died since my accident 7-27-2019. I am grateful to live, but living in a body with a pain level 6-8 out of 10, 24/7 has tested my choice to continue. It has been horrendous to keep going, to keep my place, care for my horses. dogs, myself, and observe losses I never envisioned. What kind of person can afford to get well when health care only covers medication and not the actual recovery process? Not to mention the stress over loss of clients and so much more since brain and body pain/function was severely altered. I’ll cover this topic in the future – as justice too long delayed is justice denied.

To counter this, I dove into research to find questions and answers. To say I am astounded at my findings is an understatement! Up until 7-26-2019, I was completing the education for what I considered my final practitioner certification program… Two courses left. I couldn’t have anticipated the education level the car accident injuries gifted me. I studied and earned at least 3 alternative Phd’s… (Kidding, but seriously…)

Soft tissue injuries are as complicated as it gets… medication, surgery, are deemed not current solutions to these injuries. Those people who laugh at or dismiss soft tissue damage and pain as ‘not real’ or ‘psychological’, are dwindling. New testing is uncovering a whole new level of understanding and resolution to what was terminal illness. Current research is astounding, findings are complex, simple, self treatable and treatable via specialists. Knowledge is the success for our present day and our future. Seek out help from those who stay current.

“There are a lot of politics that keep the drug companies well staffed and well-funded that keep the system as it is. Those with a medical license have to abide by things that are ‘evidence based’ which is studies of 5000 or more with consistent results. Some people show success with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, chiropractic, craniosacral and some don’t. Some people show success with medication and some don’t.” So, the money fuels the requirements of the system that our insurance supports therefore the evidence based studies are medication-based. Current research time and again says medication is a temporary pacifier until self healing typically occurs. Studies on long term use of medication used in brain injuries show detrimental effects, and leave a patient in more pain than they would be in had they not taken medication.

Current study test results show what is most beneficial for healing to take place is proper nutrition, supplements that benefit the brain and body which are recommended after testing, addressing inflammation, proper amount of sleep, exercise specific to injury recovery, stress reduction at all costs, along with support from family, friends, work environment, caregivers that are educated on recovery needs and support.  All this not supported by insurance or med pay coverage.

The test offered to me was an MRI for my brain not an fMRI. Studies show 80% of traumatic brain injury MRI test results are absolutely clear of brain bleeds and blood flow complete blockage. Ruling this out is not helpful when it comes to brain function. What happens with brain injuries has to do more with the nervous system, neurotransmitters, than actual brain bleeds. Even blood brain barrier breach is not shown on an MRI, yet the majority of people with traumatic brain injuries have blood brain barrier breach as well as heart issues that develop.

You… I… are the ones who know what we are feeling, experiencing, and with descriptions, terminology along with self tests – what is going on can be determined without a doctors degree. Why do I say this? Just one example: A neuroscience and spine institute – Physical Medicine and Research doctor asked me to describe my pain… I tried desperately to be specific. The doctor listened, finally stated “I am waiting to hear in my terminology what you are experiencing”.

I am a highly educated equine practitioner – my patients – horses and dogs – don’t ‘tell’ me in English what is wrong – I see & feel it based on tiny responses they show me, I then realign and correct their response – the issue is gone…
Regardless, I answered the doctor in her terms, and was given a nerve test. #8 on the diagnosis nailed it – but the diagnoses doctor stated the test was within normal limits. Stabbing pain is not normal, IMO. A year later I experienced extreme sciatic nerve pain – L4-5… When I finally googled #8 on the nerve test – the answer was “this points to compressed or pinched nerve at L4-5”. Great… Specific exercises could have avoided the progression . I accepted an epidural which lasted 15 days, only 4 per year @ $2,000 each can be administered. Not a viable solution, waste of valuable time. So I found a simple permanent solution myself.

I patiently waited for the one year mark – not better, in fact worse. I was lucky enough to find a functional neurologist offering education, self testing and answers. The first of 3 intensive programs… Stay tuned for more.

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