- A
Help me get back on my feet again. Literally. Platelet Rich Plasma therapy could bring relief to my chronic pain and debilitation. I have hope for the first time in years. If you are called to, please donate an amount that feels good to you.
Hello everyone, Marissa here. Some of you know me from my younger years when I was all surfing and soccer, piss and vinegar. Some of you have met me more recently as a career math teacher who recently moved from Portland to Santa Cruz. Lately I’ve become inspired by mutual aid organizations and dedicating time to support houseless folks and drug users marginalized by society. And I LIVE for the outdoors.
The struggles with my back are well known to many: the area where my spine meets my pelvis is a mess. I have a partial fusion and hypermobility from birth that do not play nice together. Additionally, I have ligament degeneration in my SI joint, a bulging disk above, and muscles that are constantly in spasm. For the last 7 years, I’ve endured extreme pain all throughout my lumbar region, abdomen, hips and glutes. Normally I can do some things. Walking, household tasks, swimming. When there’s a flare up I’m unable to do the most basic things: shower, cook, even sit at my desk to work. And the last year has been one big flare up.
I’ve tried nearly everything that the medical community has to offer: physical therapy half a dozen times, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, steroid injections, nerve ablation, medications, meditation, you name it. Sometimes something will help for awhile. But then the next flare up comes. My condition right now is beyond the help that a massage therapist or chiropractor can offer. As well, I’ve been told that I’m not a good candidate for surgery.
I’d heard about Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy before. From my doctors, family members, even my massage practitioner. The process involves injections of platelet rich plasma (derived from one’s own blood) into the region of injury. It brings proteins, blood and growth factors to the injured area that can stimulate healing and even regeneration of tissues once thought to be a lost cause due to damage: tendons, ligaments, nerves, disks. There is a lack of blood flow to these areas, which makes it difficult for them to heal on their own.
The success rates in some studies have been phenomenal, with the majority of subjects experiencing a 70% or more reduction in pain and some healing completely. Furthermore, the possible side effects are minimal, as opposed to surgery, which can in some cases make conditions worse.
I’ve known about PRP therapy for years, heard of its fabulous results, but never pursued it as it isn’t covered by insurance. I took a leap of faith (and a recommendation from my masseuse) and drove all the way to LA to see a Doctor of Osteopathy (and ligament expert) who has been doing PRP injections for 20 years. Four hours of discussion including an MRI, Ultrasound and test injections go by and the doctor finally decides that I am a good candidate for PRP. We will be targeting the ligaments in the sacroiliac and iliolumbar areas to heal and regenerate them, reduce hypermobility and increase stability in the area. Most people need 4-6 rounds of injections (over the course of 6-9 months). I will also be undergoing osteopathic work between injections to bring realignment in the spine, especially in my pelvis, which is currently shifted far out of place.
Y’all, I can’t tell you how good it felt to finally find a doctor willing to take the time to try and figure out my complex condition. It brings me to tears to finally be seen, and to be offered a potential solution tailored to my individual condition. But I’ve also suffered from chronic economic instability (in part due to struggling to find work that doesn’t contribute to the pain) and, needless to say, I do not have the money. I’m reaching out now to family and friends, and anyone who feels called, to help me be able to receive this treatment. With $9000, I can pay for four PRP treatments ($7000) and 2-3 months of osteopathy work.
There is no guarantee that this will work. But any improvement or reduction in pain that helps me live a more independent life would be welcomed as right now I’m dependent on others to even do my grocery shopping and cooking. And I would love to hike to a waterfall again.
I am incredibly grateful for any support you are willing to extend. If you are called to, please donate an amount that feels good to you. And whether I’m able to heal or not, I will be doing my best to make a difference in this world!
Help me get mobile again! I love you all!
#MobileMarissa
Hello everyone, Marissa here. Some of you know me from my younger years when I was all surfing and soccer, piss and vinegar. Some of you have met me more recently as a career math teacher who recently moved from Portland to Santa Cruz. Lately I’ve become inspired by mutual aid organizations and dedicating time to support houseless folks and drug users marginalized by society. And I LIVE for the outdoors.
The struggles with my back are well known to many: the area where my spine meets my pelvis is a mess. I have a partial fusion and hypermobility from birth that do not play nice together. Additionally, I have ligament degeneration in my SI joint, a bulging disk above, and muscles that are constantly in spasm. For the last 7 years, I’ve endured extreme pain all throughout my lumbar region, abdomen, hips and glutes. Normally I can do some things. Walking, household tasks, swimming. When there’s a flare up I’m unable to do the most basic things: shower, cook, even sit at my desk to work. And the last year has been one big flare up.
I’ve tried nearly everything that the medical community has to offer: physical therapy half a dozen times, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, steroid injections, nerve ablation, medications, meditation, you name it. Sometimes something will help for awhile. But then the next flare up comes. My condition right now is beyond the help that a massage therapist or chiropractor can offer. As well, I’ve been told that I’m not a good candidate for surgery.
I’d heard about Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy before. From my doctors, family members, even my massage practitioner. The process involves injections of platelet rich plasma (derived from one’s own blood) into the region of injury. It brings proteins, blood and growth factors to the injured area that can stimulate healing and even regeneration of tissues once thought to be a lost cause due to damage: tendons, ligaments, nerves, disks. There is a lack of blood flow to these areas, which makes it difficult for them to heal on their own.
The success rates in some studies have been phenomenal, with the majority of subjects experiencing a 70% or more reduction in pain and some healing completely. Furthermore, the possible side effects are minimal, as opposed to surgery, which can in some cases make conditions worse.
I’ve known about PRP therapy for years, heard of its fabulous results, but never pursued it as it isn’t covered by insurance. I took a leap of faith (and a recommendation from my masseuse) and drove all the way to LA to see a Doctor of Osteopathy (and ligament expert) who has been doing PRP injections for 20 years. Four hours of discussion including an MRI, Ultrasound and test injections go by and the doctor finally decides that I am a good candidate for PRP. We will be targeting the ligaments in the sacroiliac and iliolumbar areas to heal and regenerate them, reduce hypermobility and increase stability in the area. Most people need 4-6 rounds of injections (over the course of 6-9 months). I will also be undergoing osteopathic work between injections to bring realignment in the spine, especially in my pelvis, which is currently shifted far out of place.
Y’all, I can’t tell you how good it felt to finally find a doctor willing to take the time to try and figure out my complex condition. It brings me to tears to finally be seen, and to be offered a potential solution tailored to my individual condition. But I’ve also suffered from chronic economic instability (in part due to struggling to find work that doesn’t contribute to the pain) and, needless to say, I do not have the money. I’m reaching out now to family and friends, and anyone who feels called, to help me be able to receive this treatment. With $9000, I can pay for four PRP treatments ($7000) and 2-3 months of osteopathy work.
There is no guarantee that this will work. But any improvement or reduction in pain that helps me live a more independent life would be welcomed as right now I’m dependent on others to even do my grocery shopping and cooking. And I would love to hike to a waterfall again.
I am incredibly grateful for any support you are willing to extend. If you are called to, please donate an amount that feels good to you. And whether I’m able to heal or not, I will be doing my best to make a difference in this world!
Help me get mobile again! I love you all!
#MobileMarissa