Tag: neuroscience

Coherence

This model of coherence suggests that the neurocommunication between the heart and the brain is in fact, a two way street.

THE HEART - A TOPIC FOR DEBATE

In western science, the heart is considered to be a pump. The body needs oxygenated blood to survive, and the heart provides it, with some assistance from the lungs. Deoxygenated blood enters into the heart from the body via the top chamber known as the right atrium. From there it enters the right ventricle and gets sent to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is off-loaded, and oxygen is bound to the hemoglobin to be transported. From the lungs, the blood enters the left atrium where it is transferred to the left ventricle and then thrust into the arteries and circulated through the body. But did you also know that the heart is a generator?

Heart muscle is normally considered to have a property that we refer to as automaticity. According to Merriam-Webster, automaticity is defined as: the capacity of a cell to generate an action potential spontaneously without an external stimulus. This means that the heart has the capability to generate its own heartbeat! Very interesting when you consider the scope of our discussion today.

But we are examining contrasting viewpoints here and discussing ongoing research into the nature of the essence of humanity. So we have to consider all angles. Arnold Martin Katz was an American medical doctor, professor of cardiology, medical researcher, and author. He had the following to say on the matter.

All adult cardiac myocytes can respond to electrical stimuli and conduct action potentials, but the working cells of the atria and ventricles generally lack automaticity …
- Arnold M. Katz, Physiology of the Heart, 5th edition

In the realms of understanding the human body's energetic processes, two primary contrasting paradigms have emerged. First we have the Western view of action potentials, and then we have the Eastern perspective of Qi (chi).

While Western science has long held sway over our understanding of physiological phenomena, we would be remiss to discount the profound insights offered by Eastern philosophies, particularly in the concept of Qi.

Western science, with its meticulous dissection of the human body and painstaking analysis of observation, has led us to comprehend the body's mechanisms in intricate detail. We can now understand each bodily system and how it operates. Entire specialties have been built around each one, which physicians dedicate their entire lives to learning.

We have incredible illustrations, imaging, and insight into the vast reaches of the human body, mind, and psyche. Within the labyrinth of our minds, billions of neurons weave a tapestry of complexity, yet our understanding merely grazes the surface of their intricate dance. Western science can tell us how many neurons are firing in the brain, how electricity is passing through the heart, creating atlases of the human body in which the expedition through the body of the human being has been thoroughly documented. But it can’t really tell You where (You) reside. You inhabit your brain, but it is just an organ, it is not (You).

Hidden Worlds

Western science looks at action potential, the electrochemical process that facilitates nerve impulses, stands as a cornerstone of this understanding. It's a marvel of scientific achievement, providing a mechanistic explanation for the propagation of signals within the nervous system.

The western view does not have a specific stance on the concept of a soul; primarily focusing on the physical aspects of health, relying on empirical evidence, scientific research, and biological explanations for phenomena. As such, discussions about the soul typically fall outside the scope of the allopathic view.

Despite this fact, for centuries, the heart has been revered as the origin of emotion, courage, and wisdom. Isn’t it interesting that as we experience things like love, happiness, anger, remorse, and grief, we seem to do so primarily with a specific organ… The heart.

THE CLASH - SCIENCE VS PHILOSOPHY

In contrast, the eastern viewpoint, rooted in traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, often incorporates the concept of a soul or a similar notion within its framework. Overall, Eastern medicine tends to have a more holistic view of health that encompasses not only the physical body but also the mind and spirit.

So it should come as no surprise that research transcending the rigid bounds of allopathy indicates that there is more to the person than the sum of components that make up their anatomy, and since Dr. Katz wrote his statement about automaticity, numerous studies have shown that the heart has a type of coherence in its ability to influence the brain.

This is further corroborated by research indicating that when individuals experience stressful or draining emotions, like frustration and anger, it results in heightened chaos within the higher-level brain regions and the autonomic nervous system. These effects then manifest in heart rhythm irregularities and if left unchecked, cause a cascading negative impact on the operation of nearly all bodily systems.

This new perspective indicates that the heart is actually a highly complex information- processing center, with the ability to influence our self-regulatory capacity, cognitive function, including mental clarity, and even our emotional stability and resilience. So, as it turns out, the heart may in fact be more than just a pump.

In one particular study "Dynamic Correlations Between Heart and Brain Rhythm During Autogenic Meditation" by Kim et al. (2013), the researchers shed light on the intricate relationship between heart and brain activity during the practice of autogenic meditation. Through their investigation, they uncover dynamic correlations that highlight the profound interplay between physiological and mental states during meditation.

By examining the simultaneous changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns, the study reveals how autogenic meditation induces a state of coherence between the heart and brain rhythms. This coherence suggests a harmonious alignment of physiological and cognitive processes, indicative of deep relaxation and heightened self-awareness.

The findings of this study shed light on the dynamic interrelations between heart and brain activity, the researchers were able to offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying meditative practices and their impact on holistic health.

In this manner, more and more research is now contributing to our theoretical understanding of the intricate mind-body connection. Specifically highlighting the bi-directional relationship between psychological processes and physiological responses, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to health that integrates both dimensions, uniting eastern philosophy with western tenacity.

ON COHERENCE

Ideas encapsulated within the notion of coherence have been recognized as pivotal across disciplines including quantum physics, physiology, and social science. While various forms of coherence exist, the term consistently signifies a state of harmonious interconnection, correlations, and interactions among the components within a system.

This model of coherence suggests that the neurocommunication between the heart and the brain is in fact, a two way street. Furthermore, the Coherence Model suggests that patterns in the activity of cardiovascular afferent (sensory) neuronal traffic can significantly influence cognitive performance, emotional experience and self-regulatory capacity.

If we take this new research into light, we can deduce that self-induced positive emotions can shift entire systems into a state of improved performance and overall well-being.

According to Ernst G. (2017), the systems that have control over heart rate variability (HRV) include:

1. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

2. Central Nervous System (CNS)

3. Respiratory System

4. Endocrine System

5. Cardiovascular System

Further research into the heart-brain-connection will undoubtedly reveal that the profound implications of heart-brain coherence cannot be overstated.

Its significance transcends conventional boundaries, intertwining physiological health with mental and emotional well-being. Yet, despite its immense impact, the importance of heart-brain coherence has been vastly underestimated.

As we strive for a more comprehensive understanding of holistic human health and resilience, let us recognize and embrace the pivotal role that heart-brain coherence could play in our holistic well-being. Only by acknowledging and nurturing this fundamental connection can we begin to bridge the gap between physicality and consciousness.

To underscore this conclusion, I would like to share a statement from the Heart Math Institute, a research and education organization dedicated to studying the physiological and psychological effects of the heart's activity on overall well-being.

At the HMI Research Center, we have found that the heart plays a central role in the generation of emotional experience and therefore, in the establishment of psychophysiological coherence. From a systems perspective, the human organism is truly a vast, multidimensional information network of communicating subsystems in which mental processes, emotions and physiological systems are inextricably intertwined. Whereas our perceptions and emotions were once believed to be dictated entirely by the brain’s responses to stimuli arising from our external environment, the emerging perspectives in neuroscience more accurately describe perceptual and emotional experience as the composite of stimuli the brain receives from the external environment and the internal sensations or feedback transmitted to the brain from the bodily organs and systems. Thus, the heart, brain, nervous, hormonal and immune systems must all be considered fundamental components of the dynamic, interactive information network that determines our ongoing emotional experience.
McCraty, R., Science of the Heart Vol 2 - Exploring the role of the heart in human performance. (2015) p. 29
Evidence Based

sources:

1. Laszlo, E., Quantum Shift in the Global Brain: how the new scientific reality can change us and our world (2008), Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions.

2. Damasio, A.R., Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason and the Hu- man Brain (1994), New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

3. Ernst G. (2017). Heart-Rate Variability-More than Heart Beats?. Frontiers in public health, 5, 240.

4. Kim, D. K., Lee, K. M., Kim, J., Whang, M. C., & Kang, S. W. (2013). Dynamic correlations between heart and brain rhythm during Autogenic meditation. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 7, 414.

5. Rosch P. J. (2009). Bioelectromagnetic and subtle energy medicine: the interface between mind and matter. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1172, 297–311.

6. Lehrer, P. M., Vaschillo, E., & Vaschillo, B. (2000). Resonant frequency biofeedback training to increase cardiac variability: rationale and manual for training. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback, 25(3), 177–191.

7. McCraty, R., & Zayas, M. A. (2014). Cardiac coherence, self-regulation, autonomic stability, and psychosocial well-being. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 1090.

8. McCraty, R., Science of the Heart Vol 2 - Exploring the role of the heart in human performance. (2015), Boulder Creek, CA: HeartMath Institute.

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Hi, I'm Ian

I am the Founder and Director of Neuroscience at Pure Neurology, LLC. I retired from a career in EMS as a Paramedic, after a line-of-duty injury left me with a chronic nerve condition known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Since my diagnosis in 2015, I have dedicated my life to researching this condition and how to improve it. I was faced with the prospect of amputation, which led me to research alternative treatments. I began working with functional direct-current neuromuscular stimulation in 2016, and I have been ever since. I currently advise NeuX Technologies out of Tampa, FL and work exclusively with NeuX Interactive Neuromuscular Stimulation. I hope that this blog is a valuable resource for you if you have an interest in learning more about INS.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for educational and informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care or fitness regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website or any of our affiliated media outlets or accounts.

A New Prescription for Health

As I write this blog post, the words are repeating in my mind…
“Si vis pacem, para bellum.”
“If you want peace, prepare for war.” The mind is a battlefield. I spent my whole life in church, hearing about demonic warfare as some kind of malevolent outside force. What I failed to realize was that the strongest attacks come from inside.

I’ve spent quite some time over the years attempting to raise awareness for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Ever since a bad day at work changed the course of my existence. The Buddha taught that existence is suffering, and that the root cause of suffering is our inability to accept life exactly as it comes to us. Some of us inevitably suffer more than others, but suffering is a part of life none the less.

Also known as “The Suicide Disease”, CRPS is a chronic and progressive neurological condition that results in debilitating pain and wide-spread dysfunction. It starts in one area of the body after an injury, but in more than 70% of cases, it spreads to other areas according to research.

CRPS can spread in up to 70% of the cases. In a small number of cases (8-10%) it can become Systemic or full body.

Maleki J, LeBel AA, Bennett GJ, Schwartzman RJ. Patterns of spread in complex regional pain syndrome, type I (reflex sympathetic dystrophy). Pain. 2000;88(3):259-266. doi:10.1016/S0304-3959(00)00332-8

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CRPS is ranked as the most painful form of chronic pain that exists today by the McGill Pain Index. Since the day I was diagnosed, it has felt like a reality that I was unable to accept. There was a lot that happened during that time and prior to my injury, which contributed to the battle that I would inevitably face. It is very bizarre now to look on as an outside observer and see what has become of my life. Most days I feel like I am not doing enough, or that I am failing, but that could just be the CRPS and C-PTSD talking.

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Because the truth is… I honestly believe I’m doing my best.

Living with the long-term effects of CRPS can seem impossible at times, because every stressor has the ability to wreak havoc on your entire life… This is partially due to a phenomenon that was termed “The Amygdala Hijack” by Daniel Goleman in his 1996 book “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ”.

An amygdala hijack is an emotional overreaction to stress that activates the fight-or-flight response and disables rational, reasoned responses. It occurs when any strong emotion, such as anger, fear, anxiety, or extreme excitement, impairs the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain in the frontal lobe that regulates rational thought. The amygdala perceives a threat and triggers a fight-or-flight response before the cortical centers can fully assess the situation, essentially "hijacking" the rational response process. An amygdala hijack can happen to anyone and is usually triggered by a stressful situation, causing the amygdala to disable the frontal lobes and take control of emotional responses.

Slide23

The result of an amygdala hijack with CRPS is a hypervigilant, hyperarousal, Fight-or-Flight Stress Response that can produce symptoms as real and prevalent as that of a heart attack while being burned alive. The trigger can be anything, and with CRPS… Sometimes the demon takes full control.

It is not widely known which factors cause CRPS and which result from the ongoing painful disease, but there is a strong correlation between CRPS and PTSD. There is a concept that the effects of long-term negative emotions can manifest as sensory dominant stress in the body. Basically, that stress, whether brought on by mental, emotional, or physical trauma (like a broken arm), will always produce a physiological response in the body. Over time, if left unchecked, this can manifest in some pretty scary ways.

I grew up in a fairly dysfunctional home environment. The kind of environment where there is a story that is told about you to others that doesn’t reflect what actually happened. The type of broken home where happy memories are shrouded by screaming voices, harsh words, violence, and faces contorted by rage. I have never publicly talked about it because of the potential ramifications…

Most of my adult life I struggled with the effects of childhood trauma, after being told for decades that I didn’t remember the events correctly. A situation that is detrimental to a young developing mind. It causes you to question everything...

It wasn’t until I pulled the court records for myself that I could begin to trust my own reasoning. I did remember those things! They really happened... As I started to process and work through the situations in my mind, attempting to forgive, and ultimately to heal; I have been constantly reminded that others had it worse than me… And while that may be very true… At the end of the day, it was me who had to figure out how to live in my own head.

Life can be so very difficult... We may be trying our level best, and it feels like it is just never good enough... If that is where you're at, just know that you are not alone.

Despite a rough development with a heavy dose of hypervigilance, I made a career in the medical field and avoided becoming a complete statistic. I began volunteering as a Firefighter / EMT in 2005 and took a job with a local hospital system working in the ER. It was a good opportunity for me, and it offered me a chance at a career that I could advance in. The hospital was like its own microcosm. I got lost in the world of allopathic medicine, taking every opportunity that presented itself, and there was never any shortage of opportunities at hand.

Fire 1

By the time that I attended my Paramedic program, I had spent 5 years working overtime in the ER, and I had been cross trained for work in the Intensive Care Unit, Post-Coronary Care Unit, and the Laboratory. I so relished the opportunity to grow within my field, that I did not realize how the inability to process past traumas would compound with the difficult situations that I would have to face as an EMT and eventually as a Paramedic. That's the thing about chronic depression and trauma... You usually can't tell until it's too late, because the mask we learn to wear is very convincing. Even to those who know us best.

Squad

In 2015, things came to a head. I had taken a position with a Fire Department that seemed very promising. With a Paramedic license and many years of experience in the service, I was able to easily gain employment with the department. It was basically a walk-on opportunity.

Sure, I still had to test… But I had the job in a snap.

Well… You know what they say, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” And it was...

I have never publicly talked about the level of hazing that I experienced at the department, because I have never wanted to deal with the backlash of opening my mouth. But I know now that others are struggling with similar situations, and I cannot stay silent any longer. Within a couple of weeks of being hired, myself and another experienced new-hire medic were having conversations about leaving the department while checking off trucks. It was truly an unfortunate situation; one which put me in a position of wondering if these guys would really have my back if something happened. The situation seemed untenable at best.

I was looking for options, but trying to do my best to fulfill what was required of me. Being extremely worn out from all the physical training we were having to do; I began to realize that certain people really got a kick out of hazing rookies. The word seems so dirty, like you are violating some unspoken code by even mentioning it, but that is exactly what it was. We were still running calls during this time; and as a new hire Paramedic, if a medical call came in on your shift, it was your call. Period. Long story short, many of my 24hr periods off between my shifts were spent writing reports from the day and night before, only to catch a little sleep and come back the next day to do it again. I found myself wondering what the hell possessed me to come and work at such a place. I was in a terrible situation, and it wasn’t about to get any better.

When my right shoulder finally let loose, I was pulling myself through a gable and my air pack was hung up on a truss. As I tried to work my way through the space I felt three distinct pops in my shoulder, followed by instant searing pain. It was fire and it was electricity, from the shoulder to my hand. When I got out, I couldn’t lift my arm. I remember an Officer getting in my face and yelling, “Are you hurt or are you injured?” I remember asking him what the difference was, and I was told to go and push a broom until I was finally taken by a Battalion Chief and several Members of the department and “coached” on how I was to fill out the paperwork for Worker’s Compensation.

This was in 2015, and I have never actually told this story because, frankly I have been terrified to publicly talk about it. But at some point, just like fighting your first structure fire, sometimes you must face your fears and put your own emotions aside so that you can help others. I really hope that telling this story will help someone. Otherwise, I feel like I am just drawing a giant bullseye on my back for nothing.

My situation got extremely complicated from here. I was not on the best terms with the other members of the department already, and being on light duty with a diagnosis of CRPS did not help matters any. I was accused of all manner of deviant behavior. The consensus at one point was that I had tied a tourniquet around my arm to produce swelling and discoloration.

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1
6

Temperature changes are exceedingly difficult with CRPS. For that matter, so is vibration, noise, and just about everything else. I was told at one point that I had to wash all the trucks at Station 1 by hand in a snowstorm. At another point, I was told that I was to take the side-by-side and map out a large area for the Planning and Zoning Department. I was constantly reminded that I was on thin ice and that insubordination would not be tolerated. What do you do in a situation like that? I had bought a house… I had a mortgage… I was in tremendous pain, but I couldn’t lose this job… My life quickly became a living hell. The stress and pain became a vicious cycle, and the people who were supposed to be advocating for me began to reveal that they were actually working in opposition.

5

Some days the hand would get bight red and feel like I had just set it on top of a hot stove... Other days it would turn a dusky purple and grey, and it would feel like I had ice and broken glass under the skin...

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I understand that I could easily be misconstrued as a disgruntled former employee who is bitter about losing a court case. However, that is not the case. I simply want people who have never had to live through something like this, to recognize that it can happen to anyone; and it does happen to people, almost every day…

3

I had multiple doctors who agreed on a diagnosis, and a nurse case manager who was exceedingly unpleasant. She refused me timely refills on pain medication and Lyrica. I would get the call to pick up my prescriptions from the pharmacy, only to be told when I arrived that the refills were not approved. This was difficult to begin with, because I had to drive myself since my wife was working to support us while I couldn’t. I was forced to withdraw from the medications every time the refills weren’t approved, and I couldn’t afford them out of pocket. This back-and-forth situation went on for what seemed like an eternity as I was sent from one doctor to another with no clear path forward.

TALK ABOUT TERRIFYING!!!

4

Eventually, a doctor would put an end to the cycle. He stated that the diagnosis of CRPS due to a shoulder injury was actually a misdiagnosis. Evidently 4 different doctors had misdiagnosed me, but this guy had the “most knowledge”… He diagnosed me with Atypical Reynaud’s Syndrome because I was honest about the fact that I used to smoke cigarettes. When I asked if he had ever seen Reynaud’s present in one arm, he replied, “Well, it’s an atypical presentation.” When I asked if Reynaud’s would explain the amount of pain that I was experiencing he replied, “I’m not convinced that you have pain.” He told me that Lyrica wasn't a good fit for me since it wasn't CRPS and he gave me Tramadol. FML I had to go through it again!

When I got a copy of the notes for the visit, I found a history and full set of “Normal” vital signs which were never taken. His records indicated that the swelling, mottling, and dystonia that I was experiencing were not present at the time of his examination. My wife sobbed as we left the doctor’s office and began our 3hr drive home. It was my word against his. This was the doctor who would eventually testify against me and get my case thrown out. I was sure that my life was over...

Slide11

It is a strange thing to have to be the one to prove that you are sick...

Slide13

We ended up seeing a primary care doctor and 2 more specialists who would agree on a diagnosis of CRPS after the fact, but the case was already lost. At this point, it was only about getting effective treatment… No matter what.

I began having a recurring dream that I put my 45 caliber in my mouth and blew my brains out in the back yard. It was incredibly vivid. Each time when the gun would send the back half of my skull and its contents across the yard, I would see myself from a top-down view, like I had left my body. Then I would see my wife running out to grab me. She would hold my lifeless body, screaming, sobbing, and shaking me. Those ragged sobbing cries in the deepest depths of my nightmare are the reason that I am here today. Most people would probably think that I am unstable, and not to be trusted with so much as a kitchen knife, but if you have ever lived with CRPS, you can relate exactly to what I am talking about right now.

Ask anyone with CRPS, and they will tell you a similar story. You become a pariah, an outcast…

Slide14

It is so interesting…. They say you can’t have good and bad days with CRPS. They tell you that if you don’t find a way to keep using the affected limb, you’ll get worse. Then they punish you for trying to do what they told you to do.

When I look at my court records next to my medical records, the documents tell a strikingly different story. The hard truth is that I was the one who had to figure out how to go on living without the help of the system. It would be dishonest of me to hide the fact that I considered taking my own life, and the important thing to recognize is that doesn’t make me mentally unstable. I honestly believe that anyone in my situation would struggle with the same thoughts, and if you are struggling with thoughts of suicide today as you are reading this; I just want you to know that you are important, and your life matters. So don't give up! There's no telling what you could be used for a year from now... Or 10 years from now....

I began to self-medicate with Cannabis when I couldn’t get my medications refilled. Quite frankly, it helped more than the pills. Lyrica put me in a state where I couldn’t even communicate. I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn’t make the words come out of my mouth in a coherent sentence. With aphasia (sometimes called dysphasia), a person may be unable to comprehend or unable to formulate language because of damage to specific brain regions. I would only discover later that Lyrica and Gabapentin are a death sentence for developing new synapses in the brain. According to a Stanford Medical paper, there are long-term effects of brain damage, withdrawal, and permanent side effects associated with the medication that they had me on extremely high doses of. As of writing this, I discovered that there is a class action lawsuit against the drug company that makes Lyrica because of the severity of the long-term side effects.

I could go on… and on… and on… But this is not intended to be a rant. I am not out for blood. I don’t have an effigy erected in my closet with pentagrams, candles, and voodoo dolls. But that is not to say that I wasn’t seriously damaged by the whole ordeal. To be honest, I feel lucky to be alive and fully functional most days. The experience that nearly cost me my life has completely re-defined my purpose for living.

I have lost so many friends with CRPS to suicide over the years that I feel an unrelenting urge to let the world to know what it is that we actually go through! But more than that, I want the stigma surrounding the condition to change! I want doctors to treat patients with CRPS like more than sub-human individuals! I desperately want people with CRPS to know that there are options! Options that are not barbaric, and don’t require the removal of body parts!

After things went south with the work comp case, I had an opportunity to begin working with a Functional Neuromuscular Stimulator in a neurologically based chiropractor’s office. It was an interesting progression to say the least. The technology was amazing! While incredibly painful, I was able to shock myself with the device while performing exercise. This would keep the pain at bay for a time, and then I would get to go through the process all over again.

Stronger

Things with the job seemed positive at first. I was getting the opportunity to help a lot of people, and I didn’t feel alone anymore, because I was making a lot of friends who could relate exactly to what I was going through. The situation quickly deteriorated though. Although I was brought in as an Independent Contractor acting as a Consultant, I was treated as an employee everywhere but on paper. When I tried to voice my concerns about multiple issues, it became clear that the best thing for me to do was to leave the position.

I ended up walking away and waiting out a non-compete with the technology company so that I could maintain my integrity and distance myself from the doctor who was now trying to issue me a gag order. I walked away from severance pay and wages that were rightfully owed to me so that I could maintain my ability to tell my story. Even though I never signed that paper, it is a monkey that has never completely come off my back.

I ended up working with all the major technologies in the space, until I finally found a home with the company I am now partnered with as a Clinical Advisor to the Research and Development Board. The team is as wonderful as the technology. The device is not painful like others were, and I see that the individuals at the company have a genuine desire to wake up every day and make a difference in the world. It has been like a breath of fresh air!

I have been working with this type of functional stimulation consistently now since 2016. In that time I have used the technology both on myself and on others, and the effects have been nothing short of astounding. I have been in remission from CRPS since 02/02/2020; and while I still enjoy some “features” with the condition, I count my blessings every day that I am able to maintain a fairly normal quality of life.

My wife and I have opened a training center in Springfield, Missouri where we are working diligently to educate providers on the technology and share our story about how Interactive Neuromuscular Stimulation has changed my life, as well as the lives of so many others with CRPS and other conditions. We have been blessed to create a space where providers and patients can gather together and build rapport as knowledge and understanding of this terrible condition are increased on both sides of the aisle.

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This all has seemed very overwhelming, and incredibly daunting at times, but Nikki Rowe has a quote that has always stuck with me. “Keep your expectations high, not because you are better than anyone else, but because you have experienced enough pain that you realize you won’t settle anymore.”

And that’s what I’m trying to do…

IMG_6128

Hi, I'm Ian

I am the Founder and Director of Neuroscience at Pure Neurology, LLC. I retired from a career in EMS as a Paramedic, after a line-of-duty injury left me with a chronic nerve condition known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Since my diagnosis in 2015, I have dedicated my life to researching this condition and how to improve it. I was faced with the prospect of amputation, which led me to research alternative treatments. I began working with functional direct-current neuromuscular stimulation in 2016, and I have been ever since. I currently advise NeuX Technologies out of Tampa, FL and work exclusively with NeuX Interactive Neuromuscular Stimulation. I hope that this blog is a valuable resource for you if you have an interest in learning more about INS.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for educational and informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care or fitness regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website or any of our affiliated media outlets or accounts.