Progress Report: Frieda Väth

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What was your condition like before you started MST?

I had suffered severe back and leg pain for many years. I was hardly able to bend over or walk and I needed to take strong pain killers just to make this possible. I had undergone innumerable treatments and therapy but to no avail. Finally, on 03.03.2004 I was given the following diagnosis:

"Spondylolisthesis L4/5, 1st degree I (Meyerding), degeneration of several lumbar spinal segments, osteochondrosis L5-S1, disc protrusion L4/L5 mediolateral to right, spondylarthrosis of lumbar spine, coxarthrosis 3-48 on both sides, osteophyte growth, retrolisthesis L2/L3“. The recommendation was surgery in a specialist clinic but the waiting time for surgery was 2 years. 

Following a total collapse, I was recommended to see Dr. Alfen – a specialist in orthopaedics and chirotherapy. He advised me against a very difficult operation and recommended Medical Strengthening Therapy.

What effect did MST have on your condition?

I noticed a significant improvement after a short time (about 6 weeks). The pain abated and my musculoskeletal system was improving all the time. I live on my own and within 2 years I was able to do my all my chores without assistance even though the pain had not gone away completely. By June 2006, my back had stabilised enough to allow hip surgery.

"Spondylolisthesis L4/5, 1st degree I (Meyerding), degeneration of several lumbar spinal segments, osteochondrosis L5-S1, disc protrusion L4/L5 mediolateral to right, spondylarthrosis of lumbar spine, coxarthrosis 3-48 on both sides, osteophyte growth, retrolisthesis L2/L3. Condition post total hip prosthesis (left), non-cemented as at 6/2006, condition post two thromboses in left leg, condition post thrombosis left iliopsoas muscle 08.02.2007, right concave torsion scoliosis, coxarthrosis on right side.“ I was back down to square one.

How are you now?

In November 2007 - after a long absence - I returned to Dr. Alfen and am receiving MST. I already feel much better. Since January of this year I have also been doing Kieser Training twice a week with great success.

I will probably always have some pain but I can now cope well with the pain. My main aim is to avoid spinal surgery.

Other

I wish health insurers would give more attention to this form of treatment. Many patients could be spared an extremely expensive operation with grave consequences. Health insurers are preventing patients from receiving a treatment that is both economic and effective.