Hope For Those Who Suffer From Adhesion Related Disorder.

Massage Therapy For Adhesions?

Questions, questions, questions. I get questions! And, I am always happy to answer! 

Please keep in mind, however, as is stated at this blog, I am not providing medical advice. The postings and comments within this blog are written to promote awareness of ARD, an illness that stole 14 years from my daughter's life. (She is now well). 

All too often, I'm asked this question: what do you think of massage therapy for adhesions? 

Before I elaborate, I will share a link so you can read the statement about this subject as is stated at the following website:

Massage Therapy For Adhesions?

Now, for my take:

I've heard from many women suffering from horrid adhesion pain who have tried massage therapy. To date, none have had a positive report, with one woman writing to tell me her pain and problems have now increased. Though massage therapy may work in some instances--say sport injuries--adhesions which entrap internal organs such as the intestines, liver, diaphragm, stomach and female organs not only leave the sufferer debilitated, massage therapy to the upper and lower abdominal areas may only prove to cause further trauma to affected organs. Since trauma to the body causes adhesions, many adhesion sufferers are simply not willing to "try" massage therapy. 

While some websites insist the right therapist can free abdominal & pelvic adhesions, the majority of studies and surgeons report that adhesiolysis--surgical removal of adhesions--is the only method by which the pain and symptoms caused by problematic adhesions of the upper and lower abdominal can be alleviated. Even in adhesiolysis, many surgeons' will perform surgery knowing they have limited resources to produce a positive outcome (an adequate barrier, for instance). While many surgeons' promise a positive outcome, while knowing the opposite will be true, other surgeons are candid when explaining to the sufferer they may receive little to no relief from a surgical procedure. These surgeons are often willing to perform an adhesiolysis, but want the patient to know upfront the marginal results when undergoing such surgery.

Since I am often asked if we ever went the route of massage therapy for Melissa, I decided it was time to post the answer: No. I did research massage therapy after Melissa's first failed adhesioysis, however, because Melissa had such great abdominal pain and had guarded her stomach for years (so afraid someone or something might touch it) massage therapy never seemed a logical "treatment" to request of her. When she checked out the information on her own, she was adamant that no one was touching her painful abdominal area.

So, for all who ask, my opinion remains the same: abdominal adhesions require an expert surgeon who is not only knowledgeable to this specific malady, but who has the resources, as well as the skill, to bring the patient back to health. 

After watching my daughter suffer enormous pain/vomiting/agony during her teen years and most of her twenties, I am only too happy to tell other sufferers what finally worked for her. Dr. Daniel Kruschinski was our answer to many years of earnest prayer. Dr. Kruschinski is not only brilliant, talented, and well versed in the field of adhesions, he is perhaps the only surgeon in the entire world who can claim such an extended list of former adhesion sufferers. Because he is a surgeon/doctor who clearly understands the devastating toll this illness brings to the sufferer as well as their loved ones, he connects to patients and family members on a level that is simply unheard of in today's world of medicine. Most doctors/surgeons do not provide "references" for future patients, however, this is not the case with Dr. Kruschinski. He has a devoted following of patients who are happy to share their story with those who suffer from adhesions.

Simply put, Dr. Kruschinski has used his zeal and talent to heal many who suffer from this painful disorder. I am only one of many who can't thank him enough! My daughter now enjoys a beautiful life, free from pain and suffering. Given the nature of this illness, that is simply awesome!

Dr. Daniel Kruschinski

Patient Contacts

Posted at 01:14 PM | Permalink

Six Years....Thanks to Dr. Daniel Kruschinski, Germany

Easter is a celebration indeed for our entire family! On Easter day, in 2003, Melissa and I were far from home, for we had traveled to Germany with great hope that Melissa's life would somehow be changed for the better. She had suffered many long years in debilitating stomach pain. Two surgeries in the USA had, unbelievably, left her in worse condition than she was prior to the surgeries. Desperate for an answer, I came across Dr. Daniel Kruschinski in Germany. He had a unique method of adhesiolysis and it was working! After contacting Dr. Kruschinski, we were on our way.

And, as is often said, the rest is history. Though we were away from our family on that Easter holiday, we were celebrating, as were our loved ones at home. Not only had Melissa's surgery been a success, the many pains had stopped and she was finally able to eat without doubling over in agony.

Easter, 2009 marks six years since Melissa was freed from her once debilitating and painful condition of adhesion related disorder. Melissa and our entire family continue to rejoice at the miraculous turnaround that was made in her life due to this special surgeon. Dr. Kruschinski's many successes over this debilitating illness gives testament to his method of lift-laparoscopy. After all, how many doctors (surgeons) encourage those who are sick to contact his former patients? No doubt, Dr. Kruschinski has raised the bar of excellence when it comes to "treating" a patient. See: Patient List

Thanks Dr. Kruschinski. Our daughter has regained her life due to your brilliance, commitment and compassion for those who suffer from this dread disorder. My husband and I, and Melissa's siblings, can never thank you enough for the beautiful gift you have given us--our daughter and sister is well!

And now, Melissa's husband can thank you too! In addition, the two children who have been born as a result of this union are a constant reminder of how ONE person in this huge world can make a difference in the life of someone who, at one time and for years on end, had no hope at all. It is an Easter miracle story indeed, in more ways than one, for our family.

May your life be richly blessed and may you continue on with your unique manner by which you accomplish the tedious task of adhesion removal. Your superb knowledge, surgical skill, and gifted talent set you apart from the many surgeons who continue to scratch their heads in regards to this baffling and painful disorder.

Kindle Edition Available!

Doctors: Bound By Secrecy? Victims: Bound By Pain! is available on Kindle. Click Here...Kindle Edition

But, Where Am I?

A parent can have a lot of explaining to do if they have four children but old family photographs reflect only three. The ousted child, now an aging adult, will be found asking: "How come I'm not in this photo?" The mother gently chides, "Oh, honey! You hadn't yet been born!" The child looks at the back of the photo,"Well, it says here that this was taken in 1946! I know you're my mother, but maybe I need to remind you. I WAS BORN IN 1942!"

The mother grabs the photo to have a look while the questioning child stands by, anxiously awaiting a better explanation.

"Hmmmm," the mother says as her brows furrow in thought, "You must've been at grandma's when this was taken."

The child, visibly upset, grabs a handful of photos and retorts with a smouldering tongue, "I guess I was at grandma's in all of these too!"

Of course, the other siblings (who are happily smiling in each and every photo) may seize this unjust moment as an opportune time to further rib their sibling, joyfully and perhaps unknowingly, pouring salt into the wound:
1. "You're such a whiner!"
2. "When are you going to believe me?! I've told you a thousand times that they found you under a rock."
3. "Pictures don't prove one's existence. You're here, aren't you? What more do you want?"

And so it is for the person who suffers from adhesions. They search for validation, understanding, acknowledgment, and most importantly: existence of their illness! In the big picture of illness: cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, parkinsons, lou gehrig, lupus, endometriosis, multiple sclerosis,
(just to name a few), the adhesion sufferer searches for the "picture" of adhesions.

Not Here

Nope, Not Here

Or Here

September is ARD awareness month. To all who suffer from adhesions (ARD), many hugs are in order.

Your fight, your grit and your stamina to continue to stand, are admirable indeed! May God Bless Each And Every One of you!

September 10-16 is also designated as chronic invisible awareness month. See: Rest Ministries To all who suffer from invisible illnesses, may you be blessed with strength, love, and determination. Hugs to you as well.
In recognition of ARD awareness month, we are sending out free pins to anyone who would like one. Please send a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) with 1 US postage stamp attached to:

E.L.M. Publishing, Inc.
ARD Awareness Free Pin Event
PO BOX 787
Weatherford Texas 76086

*Note: One single-stamped SASE is required for each pin that is requested.

For those outside the US, please contact Karen @ kann@charter.net

Introducing Otis! The ARD Awareness Mascot!

Melissa, Wes, & Thomas's newest family member, Otis! He is a mini schnauzer and already house trained (what a great guy!). A while back, I recall Melissa saying, "My dog buying days are over!" However, her beloved schnauzer, Odie, passed away a few weeks ago. Melissa is still grieving and wasn't ready for a new dog, but poor little Thomas was wondering where Odie went! She  decided they had to find the "perfect dog." And, Otis is turning out to be that perfect dog! (He and Thomas rip it through the house!) Otis is supposed to stay tiny (only about 8 pounds).

I had to laugh when I saw the puppy she chose, as he looks like the ARD pin!!  

So, I am making Otis the official ARD Awareness Mascot! (At least for our family! I think a dog this cute could easily promote ARD awareness!)

Promoting ARD Awareness!

Promoting ARD Awareness

In medicine there is a saying: When you hear hoof beats,

look for horses, not zebras. Simply put: Most ailments are common and rare ailments are rare.

Physicians are taught to look for the common rather than the uncommon. Though this advice may seem innocent and practical for the physician, it falls woefully short for the lone zebras of the world!

ARD sufferers (zebras) are often ignored by physicians, misdiagnosed, or simply chalked up as “depressed” individuals.

The ARD awareness pin, designed by Karen Steward, is a tangible tribute to the person who suffers from adhesion related disorder. The solid black portion of the pin is not only representative of this medically hidden (and often ignored) disorder, but is also representative of the darkness that often surrounds the life of an adhesion sufferer. The striped portion of the pin boldly proclaims to the world that there are indeed zebras in existence!

ARD awareness and change will only come about when the zebras of the world come out from among the horses and make their suffering and hardship known! If you or someone you know suffers from adhesion related disorder, I encourage you to place an order for your pin(s) and begin your own grass-root effort to promote ARD awareness. We currently support the Endometriosis Association, Milwaukee Wi. May your ARD awareness pin help bring this long ignored illness out from the shadows of darkness and forever into the light!

ARD Awareness Pin: Make a statement about ARD! The ARD awareness pin is plated in silver with black and white enamel. Clutch-type back. The ARD awareness pin is included as a free gift with individual book orders. Additional pin purchases are $2.25 each. *For bulk orders (over 50), please contact Karen for special pricing.

*We donate 80% of proceeds from pin purchases to the help fund ARD awareness.