This is lengthy, but the context will help explain why I am so pleased with Colin's work at CH Physical Therapy. \r
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Last November I suffered 2 contusions to my spinal cord (neck area) and ended up in the hospital, paralyzed on my left side and significant weakness and neurological damage on my right. I also lost most muscle strength in my torso. I ended up having surgery to alleviate the pressure on my spinal cord (3 fused vertebrae) and was in the hospital for 2 weeks. The surgery was successful, but the damage to the spinal cord was done, and I was told it would take 12-18 months for the cord to heal and getting back any functionality would be a combination of my body's healing ability and physical therapy. \r
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With much determination (and the help of a steroid drip) I was able to regain enough functionality at the end of my two weeks in the hospital to ""walk"" (make that drag) out with the aid of a walker. I then started a steady dose of physical and occupational therapy at another facility. A few weeks into the program I developed a significant nerve /muscle problem (perhaps because of my weak leg/torso muscles?) which caused my legs to weaken further and threaten to collapse with every step I took. \r
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This further developed into a severe amount of constant low back pain, but worse, it hampered my progress since all exercising was affected. None of the physical therapists could resolve the problem, with one ""back expert"" prescribing exercises that I later found out exacerbated the problem! Basically I was in agony. I visited several doctors and no one was able to remedy the situation. \r
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In the following January, with my phys therapists' agreement, I had progressed enough that I decided I could do the exercises they gave me on my own and that getting a personal trainer and working out at a gym would perhaps work better for me. A doctor friend of mine suggested Colin as a trainer since he also had a physical therapy background. \r
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At my first visit I decided to utilize Colin for personal training as well as continued physical therapy as needed. The first thing I told him was my ongoing back/leg/nerve problem and how it was affecting my ability to progress since I still couldn't walk without pain and impending collapse of each leg. \r
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It took a couple weeks, but Colin was able to pinpoint a specific muscle group that was causing an impingement of my sciatic nerve and prescribed a series of 20 minute daily stretches. In 2-3 weeks the sciatic nerve problem was completely gone!! I was once again able to start exercising and walking without the constant fear of my legs giving out! \r
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The solution was so simple (in retrospect), but the point is no one I was working with (doctors and therapists) could figure it out! What Colin brought to the table was the ability to DIAGNOSE the problem, as well as proscribe the proper treatment. I know the body isn't a car, but this is akin to that great feeling you get when you finally find a mechanic who can diagnose your car problem and fix it the first time instead of just replacing parts. Finding Colin is like finding that mechanic.\r
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I still have significant nerve/muscle problems as a result of my injury, but I've made significant progress since working with Colin's group. His advice will often run counter to what I'd been told by other specialists, but he backs up his comments with obvious knowledge of the subject. I've been surprised by how many times we'll have a conversation about some topic with his opinion running counter to conventional wisdom, only to read later about some recent research supporting Colin's view!\r
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All I can say is I'm lucky I found him when I did!
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