Cervical Spine

I really want to be good at these techniques. General cervical spine is passable, although left handed techniques are weak; C/T is coming along, but the supine HVT is proving elusive and as for O/A, I found a way that worked for me, thanks to a patient tutor, but then we were told we weren't allowed to use it. DISASTER! I have had no success since. This is torture.

O/A - Annotated diagrams / notes

C/T - Annotated diagrams / Notes / Technique summary

Annotated diagrams; Technique and Clinical anatomy revision cards - Cervical spine

Annotated differentials textbook - Cervical spine

EMC Tutorial

Again, I find myself preparing for a tutorial, along with my colleagues in EMC this time. Public speaking even in a small group terrified the life out of me in first year. If there is one change in myself that I have really noticed, it is that this is getting easier. I still hated it at the end of third year though and just watch me at the end of this year! No doubt I will be eating my words. Something has changed though, I just can't put my finger on it. My contribution is below:


Pre-eclampsia – the most common of the dangerous pregnancy complications

AN EMERGENCY

Can affect mother & child

Typically occurs after the 20^th week, is considered early before the 32^nd week & can occur up to 6 weeks post partum

3 main characteristics:

1. Sudden hypertension

2. Proteinuria - Large amounts of protein in the urine due to glomerular endothelial cell swelling

3. Generalised oedema

Other signs & symptoms can include:

Blurred vision

Headaches

Pre-eclampsia may be related to an autoimmune or allergic reaction. Substances from the placenta can cause endothelial dysfunction in the maternal blood vessels of susceptible women. While blood pressure elevation is the most visible sign of the disease, it involves generalized damage to the maternal endothelium, kidneys and liver with the release of vasoconstrictive factors being secondary to the original damage.

Many studies have suggested the importance of a woman's immunological tolerance to her baby's father, whose genes are present in the young fetus and its placenta and which may pose a challenge to her immune system

Continued exposure to a partner's semen has a strong protective effect against pre-eclampsia, largely due to the absorption of several immune modulating factors present in seminal fluid.

Long periods of sexual cohabitation with the same partner fathering a woman's child significantly decreased her chances of suffering pre-eclampsia. As one early study described, "although preeclampsia is a disease of first pregnancies, the protective effect of multiparity is lost with change of partner.

The term Eclampsia is used when the condition is also associated with convulsions & coma

Acupuncture / Inspiration

Occasionally I see my acupuncturist - what used to be a monthly blow out, is now a very rare treat - or emergency! This is a lesson in how I would like to be as a practitioner and this time I am viewing it as a practice visit. I can't describe what this experience does for me. When I ask how I can learn, he just says it is all about intention! Oh, and lots of meditation and chi kung. I suspect there is more to it!

Interestingly, in seven years, I have never asked what he is doing or why and he never volunteers the information either! It is a very peaceful 45 minutes. Serenity. This is the effect I want to have on my patients.