Most people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta take part in some type of regular physical therapy and/or exercise program. You may think that because we break bones easily we would not be able to do that, but in reality, PT helps our bodies keep moving. Certainly we have to be careful, but anything we can do to allow our bodies to move in a more normal way, like swimming or walking in the water, is ultimately beneficial for our breakage rates, breathing, and overall pain levels.
Aside from swimming, the absolute best therapy we have ever found for me is CranioSacral therapy. For several years we worked with a regular physical therapist, but we found that regular exercises that a person with a normal body would do just caused me to break more and be in more pain overall. In the most basic terms, craniosacral therapists try to stabilize the rhythm between your head and your tailbone through the soft tissue and central nervous system, allowing the rest of your body to fall into place in between. It requires a lot of energy work, and feels a little bit like gentle massage and chiropractic treatments. It’s more complicated than that in reality, but for the purposes of this blog, that explanation will do!
The problem is that craniosacral therapists are highly trained in their field, and finding one with an adequate education and experience is challenging. Some massage therapists practice CST at a more basic level, but they often don’t have the in depth education in anatomy that a physical therapist has. In order to be a GREAT CST specialist, the background and education in how the body really works is key.
Cue Myra Buller, PT, CST. Myra has been treating me once nearly every week since I was eight years old. She has over thirty years experience as a physical therapist, the last twenty of which have been specialized in craniosacral therapy. Myra is among the best of the best in her field in the United States. Her education includes specialties in trauma, pediatrics, and geriatrics. Today she works in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, treating patients of all ages (infants to seniors). She’s had success in alleviating all types of pain and neurological symptoms, including those from car accidents, head injuries, birth defects, and congenital diseases. She is in ridiculously high demand, so thank goodness I’m one of her favorite people!
Once a week, Myra mainly works to control the progression of my severe scoliosis, the curvature of my spine that causes me the most daily pain. She helps me put my neck back in alignment (it pops out all the time due to weak ligaments), and also works on any areas of pain I have on any given day. She runs energy to help broken bones heal, and it really does help bring my pain level down.
If you have any type of neck, head, or back injury or neurological problem, and nothing else has worked, I’d HIGHLY suggest trying craniosacral therapy with Myra, or anyone in your area. If you do happen to want an appointment with Myra, it just so happens that I am her scheduler (yes, I have several side jobs). I’d be happy to try and get you in with her, though she usually has a couple week waitlist. Like I said, she’s in high demand!
On another note, I designed Myra’s logo, business cards, and website also. Go check it out and learn more about CST!