I was first made aware of Ben Parkinson when I heard in passing that a severely injured soldier from Doncaster had received less compensation than a Military Typist for RSI!
One day I was at The Dome (my local gym) when I saw this chap in a wheelchair writhing from side to side like a snake on a handbike and I just knew that was him.
Now I normally don’t approach people in the gym in case they tell me to bugger off!
So I approached the person next to him, his stepfather Andy, and asked if I could help.
From there Ben was booked in to see me and the most fantastic Initial consultation I have EVER HAD started.
I was fascinated from a personal and professional point of view as to what I, as a Chiropractor, could do for this remarkable individual, as I knew I had something NO ONE else had. That was on 7th July 2009.
Ben's previous medical notes stretched to 2 cardboard boxes FULL!!
From there a progressive treatment program was started and I was able to work out that Ben had good conscious control of his muscular system, however the lack of early spinal intervention had led to a deterioration of his biomechanical sytem so that although EVERYTHING remaining worked, his actual control was poor and badly coordinated.
My treatment was initially in the background as the NHS and MOD were deemed not to be open to the chiropractic treatment of Ben.
Ben's treatment was focused in restoration of correct physical placement of the Jjints in his body and the use of exercises and postural advice to maintain it.
After a few months I was able to be involved in the decision-making process of buying Ben a new chair which I was able to do with the backing of Hedley Court and the Excellent Colonel Tuck.
Progress was steady, then I had an idea of using SKINS (http://www.skins.net) compression clothing to help improve Ben's muscular system and the result (at least subjectively) was a 30% improvement in Ben's strength and range of movement.
After that Christmas I decided that Ben's physicality would be helped by doing more cardiovascular work and by changing his diet.
I was able to source and recommend a Grappler device (http://www.the-grappler.co.uk/index.html) and Ben and his family changed his diet to include more protein and less carbohydrates. This combination of factors enabled him to lose approx 2 stone in 6 months and means he is now a slim 14.5 stone!
About 4 months ago I had a brainwave and remembered that a good friend of mine was involved with AC Milan and the use of some kind of mouth device to help improve athletic strength and performance whilst reducing the risk of injury.
WOW WOW WOW.What a difference his B.R.A. makes!
B.R.A. = Bite Raising Appliance, In simple terms it is worn over the lower teeth and helps to hold the lower jaw in the correct alignment so that the Tempero Mandibular Joint (TMJ) is held in the correct place leading to a reduction in pain signals in the brain and a MASSIVE improvement in Ben's speech, strength and overall energy levels.
I have also been spending at least 1 hour a day every day either at The Dome or at his house doing rehab work on ALL aspects of his physical health.
The results are impressive, he can now bench press 210Kg or 462 Lb! He can also stay awake all day and is walking further and further on his prosthetic legs!
In addition I am having a great time working with both, his speech therapist and his physiotherapist, Shep, with whom I communicate weekly and sometimes daily!
Watch this space to see this beautiful Bromance develop....
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