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MECHANICALLY INDUCED PELVIC PAIN AND ORGANIC
DYSFUNCTION: THE PPOD SYNDROME
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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How is it that Doctor Browning,
a chiropractor, can help me? I've been to so many different types of
physicians and specialists, and have undergone every conceivable test
and type of treatment, if they couldn't help me how can he? |
| A. |
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While the mechanically induced
PPOD Syndrome is caused by an "atypical" mechanical disorder
of the spine, it manifests itself by producing a wide range of symptoms
of bladder, bowel, gynecologic, and sexual dysfunction. Because the
symptoms associated with this disorder fall within the boundaries of
several different medical specialties, PPOD patients have typically
consulted several different types of doctors in an attempt to treat
those complaints that had developed within their respective area of
clinical expertise. Given that the underlying disorder is of spinal
origin however, most attempts at symptomatic treatment (medical or
surgical treatment directed at suppressing or resolving the symptom
rather than it's cause) usually have little lasting effect. This fact is
clearly illustrated in the histories of the accompanying case reports.
Yet, despite the lack of response to symptomatic medical treatment, once
the true cause of the disorder has been accurately identified and
appropriately treated, all PPOD related symptoms can begin to resolve. |
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| Q. |
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If the mechanically induced PPOD
Syndrome is caused by a spinal disorder, why hadn't any of the many
medical specialists I have already seen identified it? |
| A. |
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In short, because this disorder
falls outside of their area of expertise. While the PPOD Syndrome
typically causes symptoms of a urologic, gynecologic, enterologic and
sexual nature, these disorders very often mimic other conditions
associated with internal disorders of the pelvic organs. As a result,
doctors who specialize in these areas of internal medicine, and, who
typically have little training in dealing with mechanical disorders of
the spine, commonly diagnose these complaints as being due to some type
of internal pelvic organ dysfunction or pathology. In addition, the "atypical"
presentation of this condition tends to further complicate the picture
by making identification of its true nature difficult for even those who
are trained in the treatment of the "typical" mechanical
disorders of the spine. |
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| Q. |
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Can I still be helped if I have
undergone surgery for my problem(s)? |
| A. |
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Yes. As is apparent from the
accompanying case reports, many PPOD patients have undergone prior
(sometimes numerous and different types of) surgeries in an attempt to
resolve their complaints. While often times these surgeries have
provided no, partial, or only short term improvement in the disorder (or
symptom) for which they had been performed, these surgeries generally
have no effect at compromising the potential for recovery when treated
appropriately. |
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| Q. |
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I have undergone all kinds of
diagnostic testing (laparoscopies, sonograms, CT scans, MRI, cystoscopy,
colonoscopy, etc.), and everything is "normal". I've been told
that "there is nothing wrong". If this is the case, why do I
feel the way I do, and, if "nothing is wrong", how can you
help me? |
| A. |
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This scenario of having
undergone numerous diagnostic studies in a vain attempt at trying to
identify the cause of PPOD related complaints is a feature common to
many PPOD patients. This seems is due to the fact that the diagnostic
procedures used in the evaluation of PPOD patients are designed to
reveal pathological anatomy (abnormal changes in tissue structure) of
the various organs assessed. While these procedures can detect
structural abnormalities, they are incapable of identifying the presence
of abnormal function. Most PPOD symptoms however, are the result of
functional disturbances (abnormal functioning) of the pelvic organs,
induced by a mechanical disorder of the spine. As a result, despite the
fact that the pelvic structures may appear "normal" from a
structural (anatomical) standpoint, pelvic organ dysfunction typically
remains undetected. So, while there may be "nothing wrong"
from a diagnostic (structural) standpoint, significant organic
dysfunction can persist. Once the underlying disorder is properly
identified and appropriately treated, resolution of symptoms can occur. |
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| Q. |
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Can my chiropractor treat me? |
| A. |
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The mechanically induced PPOD
Syndrome is a newly recognized disorder. As a result, most chiropractors
are not yet familiar with the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
necessary to identify and treat this condition. In addition, treatment
success is highly dependent upon the skilled application of specific
procedures (not utilized or practiced by all chiropractors) in
accordance with therapeutic protocols that have been developed and
refined for maximum effectiveness when properly matched to the variant
forms of this disorder. Treated in the wrong way, symptoms may be
aggravated, and the PPOD Syndrome may worsen. If however, your
chiropractor has been trained in the recognition, diagnosis and
management of the mechanically induced PPOD Syndrome, he or she may
possess the background and experience necessary to effectively treat
this disorder. |
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| Q. |
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I'm already seeing a
chiropractor, and, either, a) haven't noticed any change in my
condition, or, b) my condition has gotten worse despite treatment? |
| A. |
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As mentioned above, the success
in treating the mechanically induced PPOD Syndrome is dependent upon two
factors; 1) the identification of those individuals who are in fact
suffering the effects of this disorder (determined by specific
examination procedures), and, 2) the proper administration of
appropriate therapeutic procedures following specific treatment
protocols. If your condition is due to the mechanically induced PPOD
Syndrome, but the treatment you have been receiving is inconsistent with
the protocols necessary to effectively deal with this disorder (wrong
type of treatment, and/or inappropriate therapeutic/management
protocol), a positive therapeutic response would not be expected to
occur. Success in treatment depends upon accurately identifying those
individuals who do in fact suffer the effects of the mechanically
induced PPOD Syndrome, and, the skilled delivery of treatment following
the appropriate therapeutic protocol for the variant forms of this
disorder. Fortunately however, most PPOD patients who have failed to
improve while under prior "conventional" chiropractic
treatment have demonstrated an excellent response once treatment and
therapeutic protocols have been modified appropriately in accordance
with the requirements necessary to effectively treat the PPOD Syndrome. |
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| Q. |
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Must I come to Suttons Bay for
treatment? Can't you tell my chiropractor how to treat me? |
| A. |
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No. There are several reasons
for this. First, the Mechanically Induced PPOD Syndrome is an extremely
complex disorder. This is exemplified by the accompanying case reports.
As a result, there is no way to make an accurate diagnosis of your
condition, assess your day to day clinical needs, and monitor
therapeutic response from a distance. Secondly, most chiropractors are
not familiar with the application of the therapeutic procedures
necessary to effectively treat this disorder. The proper administration
of these procedures can only be learned from qualified individuals in a
supervised setting, and cannot be taught over the phone. Third, although
potential complications are rare, things may not progress as initially
expected. As a result, it is extremely important to be under the direct
care and supervision of a clinician that possesses the knowledge and
experience necessary to make appropriate modifications in your treatment
and therapeutic protocol to bring your response back on track. While
traveling to Suttons Bay may be somewhat of an inconvenience, it can be
done. People have traveled from as far away as Hong Kong to undergo
treatment by Doctor Browning. |
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| Q. |
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Will my insurance company cover
treatment? |
| A. |
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This is difficult to say as
insurance coverage varies greatly from company to company, and policy to
policy. Based on past experience, however, reimbursement for treating
the mechanically induced PPOD Syndrome has ranged from none to
significant. In some cases, plans that typically provide for
chiropractic coverage however, may limit or deny reimbursement for
various reasons. Because of the difficulties and uncertainty in dealing
with the many different insurance companies and their policies, we do
not accept insurance assignment when treating the Mechanically Induced
PPOD patient. All charges for all services are to be paid in full by
cash, check, Visa or MasterCard. We will provide you with the
information necessary to file your own claim. It is your responsibility
however, to file the claim, and follow-up on obtaining reimbursement
from your insurance company. |
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