hi steven,

sent this post to the medicine lodge e-mail address as well, am never clear about what is appropriate here…

i will be seeing someone this week for the first time who had polio when they were in college :  78 year old woman,  has managed her left-side “muscle tightness and spasming” with special exercises, twice-a-month massage & remaining active with square dancing.  she was referred to me by nana because she is now having trouble with her right hip.

i imagine have you treated folks who have had polio and who have these same issues, so :  is there anything you might have to share about what to be aware of working with this person?  (aside from following the algorithm (; >) of course!)

also, am seeing a 2-1/2 year old boy who looks like he has a significant weight-bearing asymmetry.  have seen him 2x, the first time worked most w/ breath-midline-c/v-jx + + the cervical trianges, tent, snake;  second time checked in with midline etc + c/v-jx = looked way better + + looked at TAHD = wee seated release-pelvic floor + TAHD,  coelem , linea alba + into the legs - f.o. cables.  there is definitely a twist there… felt drawn to to do the navel piece but he was NOT about to let me touch his belly button!  also a wee fulford’s.  his feet WAY turn out.

any suggestions?  will see him again in about a month.

do you suggest a particular type or brand of shoes for a child this age?  his mom just got him a pair of keen’s ~  that actually have some heel height!  (you know how i feel about most keen’s ...)  on my suggestion + that of your colleague dr.joe field.

will appreciate your help. thank you!

~ cheryl

hello dear one-
this is a great place to send your questions and comments.  good to share our interchanges with the Circle.
hmmm…. polio/post-polio-  first perhaps most important thing is to not get duped into thinking that this symptom or that pain are simply polio related!  do not attempt to treat the disease-  just follow the algorithm!  i have seen this so much where, yes, ok, the person may have MS, however they also have a weight bearing asymmetry, and THAT is what’s giving them their pain!  or whatever else that might be keeping them from healing.  having said that, they have suffered a huge neurological insult… so after SC1 and SC2 are supported and are being managed, and WBI is intact, and you are working in SC# look carefully at shapes, coils, diaphragmatic synchrony, nerve motility and Breath both on a peripheral and central basis.  that means rams horns, brain stem, spinal chord, filum terminale, and peripheral nerves. 
and anywhere else… 
blessings of the season-
check out the rabbithole- i wil post later tonight or tomorrow about some final thoughts from the 9/11 clinic.

thank you for your kind response, steven.  yes, my thought was to not assume anything one way or another about her and what is the real issue, and will do my best to assess her when we meet.  i SO appreciate your observation / information about the “assault to the nervous system”  that polio contributes =  very very helpful. 

as for my Q-?s about the child ~ do you ever suggest neutral orthotics for children?  do you have any favorite shoes you recommend?  or + + thoughts regarding tx?

this little guy is quite strong but had a difficult birth, and didn’t stand or walk till about 16-17 months ~ although he “swam” ~  literally breast-stroking (without the water!)  ~  on the floor, everywhere, for months before he did stand!  great kid.

thanks again, and blessings of the season to you, too!