Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney) (11/16/90)
Index Number: 11734
[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]
I would like anyone who has information concerning the Walker
Institute located in Pacific Palisades, California to please post
a message to me. I met a woman who is an incomplete C-6,7
quadriplegic. She has been told by them that she might be a good
candidate for neural stimulation with biofeedback to help develop
alternate paths for her nervous system.
Has anyone heard of this method of using biofeedback to help
develop an alternate path and is this a reputable establishment.
She lives in Virginia and just the cost of flying to the opposite
coast wouldn't be inexpensive. She has been injured for
approximately six years but she is able to walk when in a pool
and can move her legs a little bit. If they determine that she
would be a good candidate she would then stay out there for a
period of about 9 months.
Any information either pro or con would be helpful as I've never
heard anything about this place or this type of treatment. I'd
hate to see this person taken to the cleaners if the treatment
wouldn't work but on the other hand I'd hate to tell her she
shouldn't try something that might help her condition.
I believe if I can find any information on the subject it will
probably come from this echo. Thanks in advance.
Frank.
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Internet: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.orgAlan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess) (11/19/90)
Index Number: 11834
[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]
In a message of <Nov 11 20:45> Frank Whitney (1:261/1000@fidonet) writes:
FW:>I would like anyone who has information concerning the Walker
FW:>Institute located in Pacific Palisades, California to please post
FW:>a message to me. I met a woman who is an incomplete C-6,7
FW:>quadriplegic. She has been told by them that she might be a good
FW:>candidate for neural stimulation with biofeedback to help develop
FW:>alternate paths for her nervous system.
I spent a year at the Walker Institute, when it was in Westwood (it
since moved to Pacific Palisades). I was there September 1984 to
September 1985. I loved Los Angeles - a great place for quads
(expensive, though). I enjoyed my time at Walker - the people
there at that time were great. How they are now, I don't know.
As to their methods, I got seven hours of PT five days a week ($500
a day, it cost). This included electrical stimulation,
weightlifting, balance training, and more. Despite my pain
problem, I thrived under the regimen. I got stronge, and looked
healthier (unfortunately, the pain just kept getting worse, as did
my curve, so I'm back to my sick looking self now.) I thought the
trip was worthwhile. An important consideration - I didn't go
looking for recovery of function. I went for therapy, nothing
else. If your friend decides to go, tell her not to go expecting
to get return. The possibility exists that she might, but it is
slim, and not worth betting time and money that she doesn't have.
When I was there, biofeedback wasn't part of the program, but I'm
skeptical. On the plus side, she won't get any worse if she goes,
I'd guess. I'd be interested in hearing more about the place now -
all my former therapists are no longer associated with Walker.
*adh*
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Internet: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.orgPandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh) (11/19/90)
Index Number: 11847
Hi Frank, I haven't heard of the Walker group but I have heard of
one that is simular is concept of using biofeed back and they also use
electric stimulation to move muscles. It is the Petrofsy clinic. The
spelling of the name may be off I will have to pull the info from my
files. They have a few people that are now walking with the use of the
biofeedback and electric stimulation that are classed as low level quads
and paras. They have few clinincs now and one is either in PA or
Michigan which would be a lot closer for her. I will dig out the info
and give you what I've got and a number to contact them.
Pandora
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