For the first time in fifty years of patient care, my work may possibly save or extend a life for an adult. I never saw this coming.
A forty-year-old man presented with a tight upper chest with throat strain and breathing issues. He had asthma as a child, and colic in infancy after a difficult 17-hour labor.
He has been to every medical professional under the sun. He felt better with fascial work for a short time before all his symptoms returned. I explained to him that I carefully listen to the fascial strains in his body to facilitate his healing. While others tried to “fix” his fascial web, I found that it has a mind of its own.
He had a terminal disease called idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Doctors at a renowned medical center told him that patients usually live 7-8 years upon diagnosis, and he is 4-5 years into that term. He cleaned up his lifestyle as a vegan for his best chance to live.
I honestly told him that I had never heard of the disease, but would look it up on the Internet. “Idiopathic” means that no one knows the cause of the disease. I found the disease is characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. Since no one considers fascial strain diagnostically, I thought there might be hope.
What if fascial strain around this artery is causing the problem? Is this a part of his presenting fascial strain in his upper chest area? What if he is just incredibly tight? Classically you see tight fascia affect thin-walled veins and lymph vessels, and not thicker arteries with muscular walls. But maybe fascial strain affected this vessel.
In the first upper body technique, he became lightheaded and almost passed out. Opening from a zero- to 60-second brain cycle at the end of the session, he presented with a red ring cord-wrapped around his throat. Bingo! This could have started his journey of illness. Prevention at birth is the ticket.
"Disease begins in the fascia."
Dr. Andrew Still, the Father of Osteopathy
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