by Dr. Amy Johnson, OBGYN, CO

Without Lani I could never have made the progress that I have over the last year.  I have regained the health and well being that I had before a very serious and debilitating injury. In addition, I have seen radical shifts in my physique that I had never been able to achieve before.  But I am getting ahead of myself!

First a little background – my adventure begins in July of 2003. I was on a whitewater kayaking trip in Utah when I severely injured my back. At the level of L4-L5, I compressed 90% of my spinal cord. The actual syndrome is called cauda equina. 

Soon thereafter I underwent a microdiscectomy and had difficulty moving my legs when I awoke from surgery. I began an aggressive rehab program to learn to walk again.

Unfortunately, I then got West Nile meningitis! I was readmitted to the hospital for about 2 weeks. Once again I started rehab to learn to walk and to regain my strength.  At that time I was able to take a couple of steps with a walker.

Now, let’s move ahead a couple of years. 

During the time since the injury I was very consistent with conventional rehab.  I did the exercises they had recommended to improve my core strength. I was walking and hiking.  I could snowboard and kayak but I was still suffering from fatigue and had definitely not regained the strength I had before the accident. Then, something wonderful happened and in 2006 I was introduced to T-Tapp.

I was intrigued and began to T-Tapp.  I noticed that I did not have the core strength I once had.  I was still unable to run very well and could not balance on either leg! Unbelievable,  I had to sit down or lean against something to get dressed. 

Almost immediately I began to see the benefits from T-Tapp. I was beginning to be able to balance and I could feel my core strength returning.  In August of 2006, I climbed Longs Peak, a classic Colorado "fourteener".  Before T-Tapping I would have not had the confidence in my strength to climb this mountain.

Another benefit from T-Tapp was improved relief from pain. I still suffered pain after my injury. I began to discover that the pain I was having was resolving and with time is completely gone. I have to continue to T-Tapp and see a chiropractor regularly but cannot begin to explain how wonderful it is to be pain free and to be able to do all of the activities I love to do!

In May of 2007 I felt that my T-Tapping had hit a plateau. I had gotten tremendous benefits but knew there was still so much more to learn and to gain.

It was then that I contacted Lani and began working out with her via webcam. The webcam is great because I am able to exercise at home when my schedule allows. 

What a difference working out with Lani has made in my T-Tapp journey! I have finally deeply connected with T-Tapp and drastically improved my form. Oh, and lets not forget how much fun I have working out with Lani.

My body is reflecting the increased intensity and hard work.  I continue to get stronger and am finally running without having to think about each step and without having to tell my legs what to do. Recently, my back surgeon told one of my colleagues how amazing my recovery has been.  Originally, he had shared with me that there is never much improvement in situations such as mine after 2 years (ie 2005). 

Without Lani I could never have made the progress that I have over the last year and be able to reach my goal of complete recovery. I continue to gain strength..  I have regained the health and well being that I had before the serious injury.

Thanks, Lani!