Step, step, step

I have found a new job.

It is not ideal, it is not in my field, and it is not what I would go to bed dreaming about. But it is a job and it will pay the rent.

Pizza Ranch is the name of the restaurant. Now, first impressions are just that; first impressions, but I like the vibe I have gotten from this place. Never mind the fact that I was practically hired right off the street. I have extensive experience in food service so this is hardly surprising. I'm not being egotistical. I have the experience so its no surprise that I was what they were looking for.

If this place does not require me to lift to much and provides regular breaks, then I will be perfectly fine. Stress is a huge cause of my back problems and I've certainly had it in abundance before. Balance is the key to my life and, while its a tricky, slippery balance to pin down, I think I am finally getting it.

Look forward to two posts coming up soon. One more in depth about a certain Saturday night out, and another about a certain love of my life. Cya!

One End is Another Beginning

In keeping with my trend of not updating much, it has been a few more months since my last post. Here is what is new.

I quit my job at Soho 3 weeks ago. The endless hours and stress took a toll on my back that I couldn't stand any longer. Ibuprofen, even in quantities far beyond what is usually recommended by a doctor, gave absolutely no relief.

I have always worked in spite of back pain. This is the first time I have quit a job because of it. Its not a step I ever wanted to take, but it seems that it was inevitable that I did. The condition only seems to worsen the older I get.

I have felt a lot better in the last 3 weeks, though I realize that I need to maintain a certain level of activity in addition to rest. I hope I have recovered a bit and dropped some of my immunity to ibuprofen, so at least it will provide a bit of relief when I need it.

Ideally, I'd like to only focus on my freelance design company, but the reality is, I cannot make enough money to support myself only doing that job. I will need to find another job, probably part-time again, to at least be able to afford the place I live and to feed myself. I do, however, also need to make sure that this job is one that puts less strain on my back. This may not be very easy, but we will see.

A Look Back, A Look Forward

Hey again to all who still read this dusty old thing. I imagine that, since I have not updated in the last year and a half, no one even checks this anymore. But for archive sake, and to update those who still do, I think I will begin to post again.

I can't make this long, because I need to go to work in about 10 minutes. . I still work at SoHo, though I do not work at the nightclub anymore, and haven't for 6 months or so. The decision to quit was, fortunately, not pain-related. As for SoHo, I began to work breakfast shifts there about 2-3 months ago, and that is when my back problems really began anew. I will get into that when I have a bit more time.

D'nA (my company) is just now beginning to get off the ground a little. I really hope that I begin to make enough money from it that I can quit working part-time jobs with full-time hours and too much stress and pain.

See you in about 8 hours.

6 Months Later

If you thought not updating for 2 months was bad, I think I just topped it.

I have been doing quite well. Of course, I will never be 100% pain-free. But the day-to-day pain is not nearly as debilitating as it used to be. Which is a very good thing, in many ways.

I still work at the two jobs that I mentioned in the previous note; SoHo and Jokers. I have adjusted to the routine quite nicely. I have also started my own graphic design business, D'nA, with one of my friends. We have already begun working with some local bands to help promote them. Hopefully, this will be a good source of income for me.

I still do not have health insurance. This mainly affects my access to the hydrocodone I was taking to manage the pain. Therefore, I have not used hydrocodone for several months. I have wanted it a few times, but for my daily routine, I have sufficed with ibuprofen.

The last few days, I have been in a little more pain than usual. Only time will tell if this will be a regular thing. I hope not, but if it is, I will manage it like I always have.

New Year, New Life

It's been nearly 2 months since I've updated. I know. I'm bad. Time for an update, huh?

In December, I graduated from college, which means that my jobs through the university ended. I did not immediately start looking for new jobs, since I needed a break after my incredibly stressful semester. The break was very good for me, I believe. It also confirmed how I have this need to stay busy pretty much all the time.

In mid-January, I was hired at both SoHo; a sushi bar and deli, and Jokers; a comedy nightclub. I do deli at SoHo during the day, and I am a cocktail waitress at Jokers in the evenings. Between the two, I've been averaging about 25 hours a week, but I am hoping that this will increase the more experience I get.

SoHo is relatively low impact on my back, though I have had my pains adjusting to standing on my feet again. The pain in the beginning wasn't really severe, anyway. I have since adjusted fairly well, so it has not given me too many problems.

Jokers has been a little more painful, though not unbearably so. The first full shift I worked (7 pm-4 am) really, really hurt. However, since I was adjusting to being on my feet that long, lifting trays that I am not used to lifting, and wearing a corset (which helps in some ways and hurts in others), I see this as an isolated incident. In fact, I have not had too many problems with pain since then, though adjusting has taken a little longer.

I have not had the coughing/allergy symptoms that I had during school. I think that this is due to the massive decrease in stress. I have, however, managed to get swimmer's ear currently, which has previously been a problem. The pain associated with that, unfortunetly, has been rather severe, but it should clear up in a few days. I hope.

I will try to keep you updated on my progress. Though I am not 100% pain free, I am managing my pain much better than I did previously. 

To the wonderful woman who has helped me in recent months (she knows who she is), thank you immensely. I just hope you read this sometime, and hopefully we'll be able to meet again under much better circumstances.

Counting Down

I haven't updated in awhile, mostly because I've been rather busy. I've also been relatively pain-free for most of the time.

The worst came last Wednesday, when we learned a move in t'ai chi called "Finding a snake in the grass." It is a variation of the crouch step, only...lower. Pretty much as low as you can get. You stick one leg straight out, bend the other one down, and then slowly shift your weight to your other leg, then stand up. Whether or not you get the idea from this description, the point is, my thigh muscles were screaming at me. It was a good workout, but...wow. They hurt for two days.

My main problem has been whatever decided to settle in my lungs. I've been coughing, with vigor, for a good two weeks now. I have an appointment today to address that, along with another issue, which may or may not be mentioned here.

I'm down to one or two sra sessions left. I'm also down to the last two weeks of college. Lots of change ahead for me.

Today was a very exhausting day, as well. When I walked in, the first thing I saw were sparring gloves and mitts. We spent the first 15 minutes punching each other's hands. It was pretty fun, I'll admit. Still exhausting. After that, we proceeded to work on certain steps in the form. One of them being the aformentioned thigh-killer. We did this...too many times. I didn't kill my legs as bad this time, though, since I didn't go all the way down. Don't get me wrong, though, my legs still hurt.

At least the worst thing that I have to do today is walk around. I've worked out enough today already.

More In-depth Description-Dr. Frank Jarrell

This is a comment that I received a few days ago from the Director of SRA-Dr. Frank Jarrell. While it is a bit technical, it is an extremely good description of SRA, and I feel that it needs to be posted on the main site.


Hello Amy,

My name is Dr. Frank Jarrell. A colleague of mine in Atlanta, GA forwarded your blog reference to SRA and indicated that you were new to SRA and that I may want to assist in explaining the process to you.
First, I want to compliment you on a tremendous looking website/blog. It is very professional in design.

SRA Attachment Point Therapy (APT) is one of several procedures available to various professions to reduce the Axial Spinal Reflex (a cord mediated withdraw reflex) and its' adverse effects on nerve, muscle and joint.

When your therapist is applying mild pressure to the tendon attachment points in a given reflex pattern, he or she is stimulating receptors in the muscle, tendons and deeper tissues in a controlled fashion to produce a specific physiological response in the muscles, joints, and nerves.

One receptor stimulated in this procedure, that for low grade pain, conveys information through the spinal cord and on to the pain analgesic centers of the brain.

More specifically, the paraaquaduct grey portion of the Thalamus, a part of the brain stem. This area will release neurotransmitters and analgesics that are transported back to the spinal cord and cause the "fading pain" effect of this technique. As the point is held longer the chemical build-up will cause a drop in tone or tightness in multiple muscles associated with the reflex ("lengthening response").

Although it is a procedure that triggers nerve stimulation and nerve induced nerotransmitter release, the actual pressure is not on the nerves per say, it is on the muscle and tendon end points.

The level of pain should be well below the "splinting" or tension reaction stage and should be relatively comfortable. Pain that causes splinting (as in deep tissue work or injury) releases a different set of neurochemicals that trigger adrenaline and other fight or flight responses.

All points worked are specific to the assessment she performed in the beginning of the session. Not following the charts would be completely ineffective.

The web site is devoted mostly to professional continuing education and therefore does not have a great amount of information available to the general public. We will provide more access in the near future as people indicate the need.

Mild soreness after the first or second session is not uncommon and is noted more in those with lower than average core body temperatures. Please inform your therapist if this persists. She will need to apply a lighter pressure during your sessions.

I hope this information helps in your understanding of this exciting and new approach to pain and dysfunction.

Please feel free to discuss this more with your therapist or contact us at info@spinalreflex.com.
My staff and myself will assist you as best we can.

Sincerely,

Dr. Frank Jarrell
Director of Spinal Reflex Institute, Intl.

The Return

I've been doing so well lately with pain. Tonight changed that.

I have a massive cramp in my lower right side of my back, which kind is creeping up the rest of my back. It's almost to spasm level. I have no idea what is causing it. Hopefully, it is just an isolated incident. The next few days will answer that question.

I have antibiotics for my budding sinus infection, and I bought a multivitamin. This is now what I'm taking daily:

Multivitamin
Iron Supplement
Zithromax (allergy meds)
Tri-Sprintec

Plus Z-pack (antibiotics)

As needed:
Hydrocodone
Cyclobenazpiene
Albuterol (inhaler for asthma)

Goodness.

Anyway, I took my hydrocodone, which is sort of working. I hope it does. This is the last thing that I need right now.

Yesterday, I had some pain, but not enough to really bother me. It was mostly evident when I moved in the wrong way; I felt little twinges of pain.

I'm getting sick again. I've been coughing (with substance) since last night, and I'm getting congested as well. It's probably going to lead to another sinus infection. Joy. I'm sure that all of this isn't helping my back, either.

I feel okay pain-wise so far today, but whatever bug I caught this time is running me down. I didn't go to t'ai chi, mostly because I don't think I could make it through an hour of working out feeling the way that I do.

Something I wanted to mention: there was a comment left on my blog explaining SRA in a lot more detail. I will post this in the main posts soon, but I want to do a little research, first. I hope to have that up in the next couple days or so.