Chempaka Pain Relief Clinic
Isle of Man
Dr. Stephen Percival
and
Tracy Lee
01624 817844
chempakaprc@gmail.com
Isle of Man, Pain Relief, Acupuncture, Nerve damage, Low Light Laser,
Chempaka Pain Relief Clinic
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT US?
Our Integrated System is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of pain syndromes (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation) and neuropathy due to fascial/muscular or skeletal misalignments.
The system is grounded in Western Medical Science, and has a solid foundation in its radiculopathic model of pain, which is now supported by many experts in the field. We also use our own acupuncture balance system to compliment where necessary.
We match the most suitable techniques to different body types and conditions, drawing on our evidence-based research; our very unique system explores the physiological, neurological and psychophysiological responses of the human body and starts the healing process.
Our ‘mainstream treatment’ includes Neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis of joints and nerves and evaluating the general health and strength of muscle tissue, skeletal alignment, the mechanics of the individual’s body as to any imbalances that may exist, the lifestyle of the patient we are treating and of course the “motivation of the patient” as to their own willingness to put in the required effort to help themselves and support the treatment we are providing. That is crucial to long-term pain relief.
Supersensitivity and muscle shortening cannot be operated on and ‘cut away,’ while ‘painkillers’ and other analgesic pills only mask the pain (often poorly) and promote toxicity, compounding the problem. Neuropathy only responds to a physical input of energy!
How is this accomplished?
Our Integrated System is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of pain syndromes (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation) and neuropathy due to fascial/muscular or skeletal misalignments.
We match the most suitable techniques to different body types and conditions, drawing on our evidence-based research; our very unique system explores the physiological, neurological and psychophysiological responses of the human body and starts the healing process.
Dr. Stephen used TCM and simple Osteopathic type techniques in the early days of treatment while living and working in Singapore, where he investigated the large number of mysteriously stubborn cases, after frustration with the ineffective modalities at his disposal at that time.
Our new treatment, which utilizes a mixture of acupuncture needles because they are the thinnest implements available that are designed to penetrate deep within ailing muscle tissue, specifically targets injured muscles that have contracted and become shortened from distress and then use our own modernized Osteopathic type, specialized manipulation and neurological treatment techniques to complement the treatment.
This system relies heavily on a thorough physical examination of the patient by a doctor or other competent practitioner, specially trained to recognize the physical signs of neuropathic pain.
This physical examination is indispensable, since chronic pain is often neurological as opposed to structural, and therefore, invisible to expensive X-rays, MRI Tests, Bone and CT Scans. Failure to recognize these signs will result in an inaccurate diagnosis, and thus, a poor starting point for physical therapy.
The initial treatment also creates an electrical potential in the muscle to make the nerve function normally again, essentially becoming specific and unique tools for the further diagnosis and treatment of both myofascialmuscloskeletal misalignments and other problems and of course all other Neuropathic Pain.
The goal of treatment is to release any malfunctions of the body, which causes pain, which also presses on, and irritates, the nerve. Supersensitive areas can be desensitized, and the persistent pull of shortened muscles can be released.
Our integrated Balance method is very effective for releasing shortened muscles under contracture, which causes mechanical pain from muscle pull and then finally we carry out Skeletal alignments and other specialized Osteopathic type corrections and myofascial treatments. The total systems, in effect, treat both the causes and the underlying neuropathic condition that causes the pain and then realigns the body back to its proper position (for that particular body!)
When competently performed, our system has a remarkable success rate, as proven by the amelioration of symptoms and signs, even for chronic back pain with root signs and the successes we have achieved over years of treatments.
The physiologic phenomenon of “pain following neuropathy”, identified by Dr. Stephen, and often referred to as “neuropathic pain” occurs when nerves become overly sensitive due to an improper reaction to irritation, and produce sensations of pain, even though there is often no sign of any physical cause. Medically referred to as “supersensitivity,” this condition responds well to our treatments by desensitizing the affected nerves and muscles.
Surgery and other traditional methods cannot treat muscle shortening and supersensitivity, while painkillers serve only to temporarily mask the pain. Our combined systems can provide relief for chronic pain when all other methods of treatment fail.
There are no side effects, and the total sum of all the techniques are unequalled for treating issues that had previously gone undiscovered.
The initial appointment consists of a complete assessment of the patient, and thoroughly addresses a wide range of questions and physical tests to determine the source of the pain and the best approach for treatment. Treatments are usually continued at the same time, depending on the nature of the complaint.
The effects of our Integrative system are cumulative, with each treatment providing a measure of healing until eventually the condition is alleviated and the pain ceases.
Some patients have remained pain free for over many years, others return at occasional times for treatments on a “maintenance” basis. They want to stay Pain Free!
The number of treatments required depends on several factors including the age of the injury and the condition of the nerves. Each person’s body is unique and responds in a different way to our overall system – some people heal faster than others.
What are Nerve Problems?
Fair use of that brilliant Doctor John Bergman's slide show description
Any alteration of joint function is carefully monitored by the brain and spinal cord and may influence muscular function. The separate activity of individual muscles is not as important as their coordinated activity within different movement patterns and all that goes with it, such as bones, nerves, muscles, fascial bags, and overall fascia.
Although muscles are partly to blame, advanced diagnostic equipment confirms radical theories as new research implicates other pain generating soft tissues, such as:
· Ligaments
· Discs
· Nerve dura
· Fascia
· Joint capsules
· Neuropathy
Previously thought of as only mechanical structures, clinical researchers today substantiate the presence of neural innervation in all these soft tissues as a major pain generator.
Simple massage just will not get it as a pain reliever; neither will just cracking bone structures back into place. This also goes for zoning in on only the fascia and its release. It takes much more to get effective overall treatment!
Neuropathy plays an important concept in the overall body and what happens to it over time, after injury, or simple gravity taking its toll, altering posture and thus starting an avalanche of dysfunction and eventual pain.
The nervous system can be seen as a continuous structure. It moves and slides in the body as we move and the movement is related to critical physiological processes, such as blood flow to neurons.
The mechanosensitivity of neural tissues is affected by altered joint position and reflexive muscle spasm while the rest of the body joining in to also affect even more functions of the body.
When muscles, tendons and joints entrap and injure a nerve, the brain may try and protect the areas through chronic inflammation and adhesive scar tissue formation.
Therefore, it is paramount that a thorough physical examination of the patient by a competent practitioner, trained to recognize the physical signs of neuropathic pain and formally trained in advanced neuropathy, clinical neurosciences and the science of pain is carried out.
It is then that a picture of the complexity of the overall problem(s) will become clear and that diagnosis leading to the correct treatment to put “everything back together properly” again and rid the patient of pain.
There are indeed many ancient forms of acupuncture that don’t have a lot to do with the modern day Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), that the majority of acupuncture schools and their associations and associate bodies teach.
For instance, we utilize systems of Acupuncture that are not the usual Traditional Chinese Medicine teachings (TCM mainly from the 20th century Chinese Cultural Revolution).
Mao Zedong, the leader of this revolution wanted grass root doctors, otherwise called bare feet doctors, to be able to easily learn a system that could be easily learned and documented down for a basic workable system, but still based on ancient concepts, albeit keeping out a lot of the deeper esoteric books – and certainly without all the old differing family traditions confusing it. This became Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM.
This system has been disseminated and taught around the world as “Acupuncture” and most, if not all, acupuncturists learn that particular system.
Dr. Stephen spent 5 years studying TCM in Singapore receiving a Diploma Certification and used it to treat there, but was always rather disappointed with its results as far as pain reduction went.
So he continued his studies into other forms of acupuncture in Taiwan from 1988 until 1991. In 1992 he joined a Buddhist Mission to Vietnam for 3 months carrying out acupuncture treatments for the poor and needy and then studied traditional healing in Thailand for 6 months.
He has continued his studies in many other places; all together now for nearly 40 years, and he still avidly continues his studies, whether at college, schools, other practitioners or on-line.
Much of this in the earlier days was the old and mostly lost esoteric teaching that didn’t find a following in the West until recently and cutting edge modern concepts that we have dovetailed to the old.
We, at the Chempaka Pain Relief Clinic have studied a mixture of methods such as, Master Tung’s, Dr. Tan’s balance, INMAS (Integrative Neuromuscular Acupoint System), and the I-Ching Balance methods, which in our minds are far more effective for most of the symptoms we actually see in our clinic, which is to treat and stop, or at least reduce, pain pretty much instantly.
These systems have ultimately stemmed from various ancient family traditions and systems handed down through a family linage for millennia, while another is a refined system based on the others and mixed with modern day Neurology.
However, it is safe to say that we definitively use different systems to the TCM that most acupuncturists are trained in and to my knowledge we are the only therapists on the Isle of Man using such systems subtly mixed into our “very own” neural techniques.
As stated we practice a mixture of ‘various Balance Methods’, when we actually do use any form of acupuncture, which are diametrically, opposed and divergent systems to TCM and using our integrated and non acupuncture system regularly see immediate effects.
We do sometimes utilize certain TCM methods for internal diseases, or organ pains however, but not very often. We choose and use what “works” and our toolbox hold a nice mixture from which to choose from.
Dr. Stephen's years of research of the various Balance Systems and the Integrative Neuromuscular Acupoint System were finally put together, so to speak, with the study of Master Tung’s radical system of acupuncture, which he learned while he lived and studied this in Taiwan for 4 long years and Dr. Tan's Balance System.
Dr. Stephen was always fascinated with groundbreaking research into what is termed Neuro-Acupuncture, the interpretation of Acupuncture from a Neurological perspective, which came to fruition during his Ph.D. thesis, basically the essentials to modern Neuroscience and its relationship to the field of Acupuncture. This led Dr. Stephen to postulate that this type of Acupuncture is no longer a theory!
These studies mixed with our own Neurological needle therapy has resulted in our “Incorporated Balance Method”, a new way of analyzing the networks of the human body’s energy channels and treating them instantly and successfully.
Our very own Balance Method works with the sophisticated relationships of the acupuncture meridians and modern day physiology. The results speak for themselves: instant clinical efficacy has become the hallmark of this mixture of Balance Methods.
Many of our patients can testify to this instant efficiency in reducing pain instantly when treated with only acupuncture to help achieve a healthy balance in life. In fact they are very surprised at the instant results that many patients have remarked that if Dr. Stephen had been doing this a few years ago, he would be put to the fire!
That aside, Dr. Stephen’s own teaching came mostly from living in Asia for over 24 years and studying there. He has also been blessed with learning other remarkable teachings from skilled and knowledgeable teachers from many forms of healing.
Our “Incorporated Balance Method”works with the sophisticated relationships of the acupuncture meridians and an extensive knowledge of every muscle in the body. Dr. Stephen can literally feel the muscles and fascia and treats accordingly.
Once again, our patients can, and do, attest to this remarkable skill.
The results speak for themselves: instant clinical efficacy has become the hallmark of this mixture of our “Incorporated Balance Methods”.
All of our patients can testify to this instant efficiency in reducing pain instantly when treated with only our “Incorporated Balance Method” to help achieve a healthy balance in life.
We mix our “Incorporated Balance Method”with various Osteopathic type techniques and Neuromyosketetal procedures for total efficacy.
Dr. Stephen continues his studies into other forms of healing and acupuncture all together now for nearly 45 years and he still continues his studies.
Dr. Stephen knew full well that the neurological systems of the body were key factors in treating pain syndromes, similar to the core belief of Chiropractic teaching and their core thinking that centres on the spine and its neural pathways and by treating problems with the spine can help alleviate problems elsewhere in the body.
That led Dr. Stephen to study other specialist needling besides INMAS that also encompassed this concept, as well as treating the normal trigger points and effected muscles. Intra Muscular Stimulation was one of the best and final results of that training and very similar.
From that Dr. Stephen has refined all the techniques and modalities and added cutting edge Neurological treatments, which became our unique “Incorporated Balance Method” that we use to great effect.
Although all of these systems put together work wonderfully to a limit, other very important factors involving skeletal alignment and of course misalignment were also key factors in the matter of the dynamics of the human body.
It was early in 1980 Dr. Stephen studied Osteopathic Medicine in the U.S.A. When successful students complete the intensive course results in being awarded a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and is equivalent to a Medical Doctor, (M.D.), but with a wider view of alternative medicine and a more in-depth degree than a British Osteopath, who is not trained as a physician or Medical Doctor. Dr. Stephen is a Certified Neuromyoskeletal, Postural and Pain Specialist.
This then brought in a final facet to the body’s dynamics and its treatment, which was that of the fascial system. Once disregarded completely by medical science, but now known to be the method in which the human body is able to stand upright and do what it does, otherwise we would all be puddles at our own feet. (see Muscles and Fascia).
The tensile strength of the fascial system is so strong it literally holds us together, each muscle, each bone and collection thereof, is held together in what is called tensenegrity. This is similar to how various structures in today’s engineering world are held together, so as to move easily, but not snap when huge loads are placed upon any points, but work together and give and take in a mutual support. (see Muscles and Fascia).
Tensinegrity models of the spine - The fascial membranes are similar
Deep inside the study of modern psychology in 1993, Dr. Stephen struggled with Ericsonian methods of hypnosis but at that time failed to fully understand its very essence because of trying to mimic something that is un-mimicable (if you will).
It was when he finally did it in the mid nineteen nineties, without frantically trying, and using an induction that was suited to the individual he was working with, resulted in a sudden deep trance state along with simple arm raising and Dr. Stephen cured a long term chronic case of severe handshake in that patient – without mentioning the impediment even once during the process. Even he was surprised.
This led to his complete reversion to study more of the Human Givens psychological method, as being far superior to any other psychological systems out there today for psychotherapy and many other forms of healing connections, such as NLP and Pain Relief.
Such subtle input can benefit overall treatments, as long as the subject sincerely wants to be healed and become pain free.
That might seem a strange thing to say, but some do not, deep down inside them. They can’t let go and accept treatments, of any kind, and become what’s termed as ‘Doctor Hunters’ going from one modality to another and one doctor to another.
As individuals they are all remarkably similar to each other actually, usually spoilt, overweight and chronically misaligned with very poor permanent postures. All are skeptics as to any treatment, which is the oxymoron that puts a cap on any treatment or modality that might otherwise work.
Dr. Stephen has always been interested in healing, but a clinic could never sustain him in earnings in the early years of 1972 and so he sidelined for a few years and worked in the Oil and Gas industry in the diving industry for these initial years to make ends meet very nicely actually, while paying for his various long university trainings and overseas studies.
It was in the Armed Forces in the 1960’s that Dr. Stephen became interested in Hyperbaric Medicine and afterwards it was a natural progression to understanding deep sea diving and pressure physiology while in those days paying for his university that lead ultimately to Dr. Stephen being one of the early pioneers in Hyperbaric Medicine and was a forerunner in using effective treatments in sickness. He is of course an old and dear friend with our very own Mr. David Downie, CBE., of late running the Douglas Hyperbaric Chamber, who is a renown and respected world leader in this field. Since his unexpected removal by the new charity it appears that this facility has problems and does not now have the experience and certainly knowledge that David has. I only now deal with David who now has his own hyperbaric chamber at his residence in Douglas.
While studying I-Ching Balance and Tung Acupuncture in Taiwan in 1989, Dr. Stephen was taken on as an Associate Professor at the National Taiwan Ocean University teaching Hyperbaric Theory and specialised Physiology to a brand new class of students. His ability to speak Chinese of course was paramount in this position.
Many years have passed since the gifts of great and gifted visionaries were bestowed on Tracy and Dr. Stephen.
Tracy is still eternally grateful to her Grandmother who taught her the secrets of a family tradition handed down for generations and who herself was taught by her Great Grandfather, a renown and powerful healer from the area of Borneo in which he lived.
Since that time she was certified in Singapore and has only been on one certification course in the UK, where she was completely shocked with the contents of the course, as it was horribly bad! She knew more than the teacher!
There’s a definite truth in the fact that “You can’t be taught, TOUCH”, and many massage techniques taught in schools are watered down mixtures of mechanically taught strokes loosely bandied about today.
Tracy is extremely happy in her craft and completely encompasses her traditional massage, together with the family’s Specialized Cupping Therapy, myofascial and deep tissue massage.
She enjoys what she does and gets lost in the moment during her massages; it is so deep and intense.
Tracy also is also continuously learning and using our “Incorporated Balance Method” system, so she can treat Dr. Stephen regularly, so that he can also remain pain free and pretty fit, not to mention posturaly correct for his young 72 years of age, and allows him to continue to help people in pain become pain free every day.
Both Tracy and Dr. Stephen believe in what they do and are thankful for their past mentors having learnt the best from the best! This little introduction helps explains about us a little more.
Every day we become more convinced that for many Doctors and Therapists today managing the pain is simply an elusive journey that sidetracks them into addressing obvious problems, while missing the real cause of our clients’ dysfunction.
We are not cars where you pin point a problem area and fix “it”. Everybody and every body is different and we are part of a whole and whole must be treated as such. There’s NO “it” to fix. That’s where our treatment is different.
We are not out to be millionaires and systematically cram in as many patients as possible in a day and give a cursory 5 minute, if you are lucky, treatment. We also don’t give a well-choreographed script to keep you coming back for life.
Our treatments genuinely speak for themselves, and our patients and clients attest to this all the time.
But, ongoing work does continue and probably should continue for all our patients and clients in continuing to find the root causes of dysfunctional muscles, fascia and especially skeletal misalignment by further individualized treatment and a course of specialized exercises.
As we all get older, this fact becomes more and more pertinent. Maintaining the correct skeletal alignment and staying Pain Free takes follow up treatments.
Every day we become more convinced that for many Doctors and Therapists today managing the pain is simply an elusive journey that sidetracks them into addressing obvious problems, while missing the real cause of our clients’ dysfunction.
We are not cars where you pin point a problem area and fix “it”. Everybody and every body is different and we are part of a whole and whole must be treated as such. There’s NO “it” to fix. That’s where our treatment is different.
We are not out to be millionaires and systematically cram in as many patients as possible in a day and give a cursory 5 minute, if you are lucky, treatment. We also don’t give a well-choreographed script to keep you coming back for life.
Our treatments genuinely speak for themselves, and our patients and clients attest to this all the time.
But, ongoing work does continue and probably should continue for all our patients and clients in continuing to find the root causes of dysfunctional muscles, fascia and especially skeletal misalignment by further individualized treatment and a course of specialized exercises.
As we all get older, this fact becomes more and more pertinent. Maintaining the correct skeletal alignment and staying Pain Free takes follow up treatments.
Our advanced programs of therapy and exercise were developed as tools to help relieve our nation’s neck/ back pain epidemic.
By incorporating muscle-balancing techniques with joint-mobilization maneuvers, Dr. Stephen has learned over many years to quickly identify and correct dysfunctional neurologically driven strain patterns before they become pain patterns.
Therefore, coming back every few months actually does help though, and keeps one pain free and feeling energized, while postures get back to normal and stay that way.
If you continue with the lifestyle that put you in that position of abject pain in the first place and not have it corrected, you will be back for more treatment anyway. That’s without a doubt!
Coming in for maintenance work is shorter and costs less and of course you do feel so much better.
But, it’s up to the individuals to make up their own minds! Most patients and clients want to come back anyway, because after literally years of pain and treatments that don’t work, they are suddenly free of pain and they don’t want it to come back – ever - or at least keep it to a bare minimum.
By focusing infinitely on the body’s complex systems of interconnecting networks, one can become lost in the minutiae without appreciating our built-in, self-sustaining system that thrives when the effects of gravitational strain are reduced by proper alignment.
The old adage, “You can’t see the forest for the trees,” drives home the idea of embracing the natural order of balance and simplicity within the cinemascopic context of its overall complexity.
By integrating the technological advancements of today with the wisdom passed on from our great teachers, we can achieve the success we desire for our patients: pain-free, mobile and fully functioning.
Our goal is to facilitate this in our therapy. We have learned to quickly identify and correct dysfunctional neurologically driven strain patterns before they become pain patterns.
No therapeutic approach to pain management is satisfactory however, until body posture is generally improved.
Whatever the cause of the client’s problem, special focus should always be given to posture. Overall body alignment may seem time consuming and is therefore frequently neglected because both therapist and client are often content with immediate symptom alleviation.
In recent years, however, the manual therapy community has been blessed with brilliant and new scientific advances and both Tracy and Dr. Stephen have taken advantage of this by continued study in many additional and advanced forms of therapy and added to the already long list of certifications and university degrees.
Hundreds of patients and clients have personally felt the power of our system and we even have many patients, some of them Doctors, from the UK and as far as France and the Channel Islands who come to us regularly to receive our treatments and find new hope in achieving a healthy balance in life and live a pain free life.
Dr. Stephen was even flown to Mexico to successfully treat an affluent businessman in abject pain. That something that doesn’t happen every day! It certainly speaks for the efficacy of our treatment!
For any more information on our services and pricing
Please call us on 01624 817844
If we don’t answer immediately, please leave a message and we will definitely get back to you as soon as we can
Or message us on Facebook