United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son, Glenn, has an OBPI. He is 29 years old, and well, 29 years ago we were given poor medical advice (we were advised to immobilize his arm and hope the brachial plexus would heal). That did not happen. So, he has just lived with the injury for 3 decades, but in the past few years the 'burners & stingers' have reached an unbearable condition. I became a massage therapist 6 years ago (wish I knew 29 years ago what I know now). He has agreed to move back home temporarily for me to do therapy on him. We have been doing various treatments (stretching, deep tissue, isometric contraction, etc) and had a little success. His passive range of motion has increased, and some of his pain has decreased, very little strength has been regained. We are 2 months into therapy.
I am interested in what kind of success you have found through Mayo Clinic. Are they using electric stims? TENS? TES? I am not trying to be nosy, I just am not sure how to continue.

I will check back in next week. The doctor at Mayo tried to contact me last week before he went out of town. We are playing phone tag, but he wants to talk to me about possible next step. So I am hopeful right now. I already owned a TENS unit and use it with little relief. I also have seeked help with a local pain clinic. They put me on two different meds for nerve pain Cymbalta and Lyrica. They are both ued for FIbramyalgia (sp?). I also was having a lot of muscle contraction and was taking Flexeril. I was so drowsy, that they switched my to Amrix., which is an extended release muscle relaxer so I don't get as drowsey. It has helped my sleep better as I take it 5 hours before bed. Today was a really bad day for me. I was unable to lift my arm to fix my hair, and the pain is radiating down my good side. Sure hope Mayo has some good answers. I will keep you posted.i

I used to live in Olathe, (until a yr ago when we moved to MI)

I just want to throw in that I had an awesome OT at the Olathe hospital named Amy. She did deep tissue massage, stretching, along with deep ultra sound treatment and I had improved range of motion and lessened pain. Unfortunately, every time I stopped going, my pain would come back. She prescribed me a TENS which I did get some relief with, however, once we moved, I've been unable to find anyone like her (I had seen some AWFUL PT before her, and again since moving)
BUT.. I have found relief with Botox injection in my bicep and Trap. I do have a loss of strength obviously, but it helps my pain unlike anything I have tried before.

Looking forward to hearing about the Mayo, and mimi hopefully you can find something that works for your son.