Highlights of 2021: A Year In Review
Chronic Pain Case Study Review
My name is Brandon O’Connor and I am the owner of a unique and special business called Austin Muscle Restoration, where I see clients with a wide variety of conditions affecting the muscular system. I am a muscle restoration specialist and my life’s work is to help people live the life they love without the frustrations and disruptions that come with pain and movement limitations. Our mission is to provide services and solutions for people losing hope for recovery.
Below is a summary of 5 interesting client case studies from 2021. These clients presented with a wide range of issues and are all on the road to recovery.
Client One: A 56-year-old male
History of lower back injury in high school which manifests as chronic lower back pain in adulthood
Head and neck injury in adulthood due to a “sucker punch”
Hernia Repair on right side in adulthood.
Bi-lateral plantar fasciitis presenting at age 40
Multiple injections and one surgery
Tibial plateau fracture due to a ski accident in late 40’s
Developed neuromas on both feet due to 1st Ray instability
This client came to me due to chronic back pain and bi-lateral plantar fasciitis.
He tried multiple modalities before beginning work with me, including massage therapy, steroid injections in both feet, and surgery on both feet. Nothing was working to resolve his pain. After gathering a detailed history, I learned that he experienced a low back trauma in his teenage years, a head and neck injury from a punch, a hernia repair on his right side, and a tibial plateau fracture from a skiing accident. This history gave me some idea as to how his muscular system became compensated enough to create significant and chronic symptoms. After performing a thorough physical root cause assessment, I discovered that the vast majority of his tightness was in his spinal and hip muscles. This correlated with his earliest injuries, so I decided start my initial intervention in his spine and hip. As we began to activate and strengthen these areas we started seeing significant improvement in all of his symptoms, including his plantar fasciitis. We are continuing his restoration plan and progressing it in order to maintain and progress his long term muscular health.
Client Two: A 54-year-old female
History of multiple concussions starting in childhood
Bi-lateral frozen shoulder
Multiple rib injuries including a fracture on the right side
Multiple whiplash injuries
Achilles’ tendon ruptures in 40’s
Left ankle and knee trauma due to a car accident
Left and Right wrist breaks
Chronic rib and thoracic spine pain
This client was referred to me after having a serious “slip and fall" injury as well as a very serious car accident, both within a few months of each other.
The car accident left her unable to perform basic movements, such as sitting up and turning over, without significant pain in her spine and ribs. She also sustained a serious knee and ankle injury to her left side. The slip and fall injury resulted in a concussion and a hip and back injury. After gathering and reviewing this client’s history, I learned that her latest concussion was one of several she sustained in her lifetime. She also reported a previous rib break on her right side, multiple whiplash injuries, bi-lateral frozen shoulder, an Achilles rupture in her early 40s, and wrist breaks on both arms. These injuries left her fearful that her day-to-day life would never be the same as it was previously. She was also concerned that returning to physical activity, including sports that she loved, would not be possible. We began the muscle restoration process by slowly activating the muscles of her left knee and ankle, and eventually progressing to her spine and hips. Progress was slow but extremely steady, with each session building upon the previous one. After a few months, she was reporting significant improvement in the areas of her most chronic symptoms. After a few additional months of intervention, she reported being pain-free and was able to resume playing pickleball. She reported that she can’t believe she was able to accomplish both of her goals of feeling great day-to-day and resuming the activities she loves.
Client Three: A 25-year-old male
History of shoulder dislocation
History of traumatic head and neck injury manifesting with vertigo and dizziness
Left side calf tear
This client was coming to me for athletic strength and endurance training.
While working together, he suffered a traumatic head injury and concussion that required hospitalization. As he recovered, he experienced ongoing and significant vertigo and dizziness. To assess the root cause, I used an advanced Muscle System Specialist screen of the head and neck system called an “ocular motor screen”. This screen assesses and challenges the muscles of the head and neck, as well as the muscles of the eyes. Head and neck trauma can weaken all of these muscles, commonly causing or contributing to dizziness and vertigo. Our muscle restoration system corrected these issues. Progress was slow at first but built steadily over the course of a few months. Today his dizziness and vertigo are a thing of the past and he is back to crushing it in the gym.
Client Four: A 45-year-old female
History of multiple concussions and neck injuries starting in childhood
Presented with neck pain, upper back pain, thoracic spine pain, hip pain, and shoulder pain
History of carpal tunnel syndrome and multiple wrist and finger injuries
Elbow issues
Multiple falls and system injuries
Multiple foot and ankle injuries
Chronic tension headaches
This client came to me with a wide variety of issues including chronic shoulder tightness, neck pain, tension headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip pain, and elbow pain.
After taking her history, I learned that an active childhood and adulthood resulted in multiple concussions, multiple falls off mountain bikes, jammed wrists and fingers, multiple sprained ankles on both sides, as well as food sensitivities and chronic allergies. This history manifested as trouble performing daily tasks like housework, as well as difficulty participating in the physical activities she loves such as hiking, mountain biking and traveling. This client was diligent and committed, as her weekly commute to see me is significant. After beginning work together, we found system-wide body weaknesses in all of her chronic pain and tightness areas. We began activating muscles in each of those areas as well as progressing her strength. The results have been phenomenal: Her daily tasks have become much easier and she has been able to return hiking and mountain biking. She also reports that her allergies and food sensitivities have improved.
Client Five: A 72-year-old female
History of left broken foot and associated major surgery
Left knee replacement
Right and left hip replacements
Rotator cuff tears in both shoulders
Concussion
Left side plantar fascia pain
Loss of muscle strength
This client sought me out due to chronic plantar fasciitis of her left foot, back pain, bi-lateral shoulder pain, and a general feeling of being disconnected from her body.
She wanted the activities of her daily life to become easier and she desired to begin an exercise program. After gathering her history, I learned that she had replacements for both of her hips and right knee, she had a major injury and surgery on her left ankle, she had tears in both of her rotator cuffs, and she had one serious concussion. She was also falling frequently due to muscle weakness. We began by activating the muscles of her hips, knees, and feet and progressed into strengthening the muscle of her spine. In just a couple of sessions, the plantar fasciitis in her left foot was gone and she was having almost no pain anywhere. She reports that she is feeling much more connected to her body and we started her on a resistance training program, which she is loving.
These are just five examples, out of the hundreds of cases we see, of clients that have had success with our Muscle Restoration System©.
We believe there is always hope for recovery. We specialize in the complex, complicated, and catastrophic. We never give up on a client. If you desire to get back to your life and the activities you love, give us a call. If you don’t live in Austin, we can help you design an intervention schedule for out-of-town clients.
Brandon O’Connor, CMSS, RTSm, MATm
Owner, Austin Muscle Restoration
