DIY osteopathic adjustments and suturing

[Guest guest]

Hi All, & Dr. G,

 

Dr G wrote:

> I would think that an educational approach, such as webpages that

> promote safe self acupressure with clear indications and

> counterindications would help resolve these issues.

 

Great idea. Who will do it?

 

> As to self needling, what's next ? I've yet to see seminars on

> how to give one self osteopathic adjustments ...

 

I know of some people who have done DIY back-manipulation very

successfully on themselves, guided by their osteopath/bonesetter

over the phone!

 

Mr. Heffernan (Co. Tipperary) a famous Irish bonesetter, learned his

manipulative skills from his aunt, who also was a great bonesetter.

Otherwise, I understand that he had no formal training. That said,

he was a gifted " natural healer " with a huge and very successful

practice).

 

I went to Mr. Heffernan in 1973, after 5 weeks in bed due to awful

pain from 2 " slipped discs " . After a single manipulation, my pain

was gone and I went back to work next day.

 

In the 1970s and 1980s, I referred at least 20 people to Mr

Heffernan if my AP attempts failed to ease their thoracic or lumbar

disk pain. His results (usually with ONE session only) were

unbelievably good.

 

Some years after my session with Mr Heffernan, he also treated a

friend of mine who had severe backpain. One session did the trick.

About 20 years later (during which my friend had little trouble with

his back), the pain returned. By then, Mr Heffernan was an old man

and not practising anymore. So my friend asked his wife (who had

no training in back manipulation) to help him do the same

manoevres as Mr Heffernan had done some 20 years before.

 

He lay on his side with one leg flexed to his cheat, told his wife to

press as hard as she could in the painful intervetebral space, while

he suddenly straightened his leg. He then lay on his other side,

and repeated the procedure. It worked immediately!

 

> ... or how to suture Rover at home... Cheers, Dr. G.

 

This is not uncommon on some of our farms! Our farmers do not

part with money too readily and often do work normally done by

vets. Suturing Rover (or Daisy the cow) for flesh wounds would be

no problem for them, or their wives!

 

If any of you have deboned a salmon (removed the entire spinal

column and ribs), and stuffed it before baking it for a party, you will

know how easy it is to suture the stuffed salmon carcass.

 

Rover's or Daisy's post-healing scar might not win first prize for

cosmetic surgery, but it does the trick OK. The money saved

would pay for a good night out to the farmer and his wife!

 

Best regards,

Phil

 

PS: I do not favour farmers doing surgery, but it is allowed in

certain situations here - tail-docking and castration of very young

animals, for example.

 

PPS: Some time back, our National TV had an interview with a

man who saved his own life by cutting off his arm. Far from help,

his arm had become wedged in a V between rocks. Because there

was no other way to get his arm out, he cut it off himself. He

survived to tell the tale! THAT is DIY surgery!

 

 

 

 

 

Best regards,

 

Email: <

 

WORK : Teagasc, c/o 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Mobile: 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

 

HOME : 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel : 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

 

Chinese Proverb: " Man who says it can't be done, should not interrupt man doing

it "

[Guest guest]

Hi Phil,

 

You wrote;

 

" > Great idea. Who will do it? " concerning self accupressure;

 

Here is a start;

 

If one goes on Google (a search engine) and types in acupressure

followed by say headache or childbirth there are various sites that

come up, some better than others. But it's a beginning.

 

The better ones are usually written by tcm professionals.

 

You wrote;

 

" > I know of some people who have done DIY back-manipulation very

> successfully on themselves, guided by their osteopath/bonesetter

> over the phone! "

 

Some people have " sex " on the phone too. I suppose it sort of gets

part of the job done. Probably depends on the guidance.....

 

On a more serious note, are you familiar with " Manipulation of the

Spine, Thorax and Pelvis " by Peter Gibbons, Philip Tehan

(http://www.redwingbooks.com/products/books/ManSpiThoPel.cfm). It

even has a cd-rom that shows you all the " moves " . Great diagrams that

show how and why the bones move. A must for the home adjuster.....

 

And with all due respect, " slipped disc " is sort of a very general

diagnosis, especially if it is done in a folk medicine context. It is

the western cousin of " some sort of Qi stagnation " .

 

I am happy if you and your friend got some relief by the means you

describe. I'm even happier that there was no bone density problem,

tumour or serious neuropathy involved (at the time). The move you

described can be found in any standard tuina textbook.

 

The general idea is to move the bone(s). However, the bone needs

space to move in and to within a safe range. Lack of this, even if

there is a crack sound and some immediate relief, can lead to

secondary iatrogenic pathologies.

 

Indeed, there are very skillful bonesetters and natural healers.

These are usually present and operating within a specific socio-

cultural context.

 

Yes, the DYI approach does save money to be used for " nights out " .

However, for some health care practionners who treat difficult cases,

some of which are from the DYI approach, there may be money for a

night out, but not the time. It usually ends up settling in beside

the fireplace with a stack of journals and a pot of tea....

 

Great website you have, BTW. A good place to put acupressure notes...

 

Cheers,

 

Dr. G.