United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Frankie just had his OT with his new Pathways biofeedback machine and he did great and likes the fact that he has control of his therapy. She showed him how to work the machine on his own so all he needs is for me to put the pads on. The first thing the OT noticed is his arm looked straighter and frankie said yes since 1st trying the machine he has learned a different way of holding his arm he says it showed him in just 10 min how to concentrate on relaxing muscles which in the past were always contracted. If anyone is looking into getting a machine do your self a favor and get the dual channel machine it shows you when you are cocontracting and when your doing the exercises correctly or overcompensating. Mare

Mare did Frankie get the two channel unit?
I am so happy for him! Go Frankie!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Hey Amy
Yes he got the Pathways TR20 2 channel it is $695 the myotrac 2 channel was like a thousand its is $85 a month to rent for some messed up reason insurance doesn't cover it. Mare

Mare,

Would Frankie mind if you posted your comments on the sEMG board as well? It is so important for those of you lucky enough to have really helpful therapists to post! Some of us just don't have that kind of luck...

Maybe Frankie would even enjoy "teaching" other people

Kate

YOU GO, FRANKIE!! Let's see how many Therapists,and other Professionsals you can teach! Not even to mention parents you will give HOPE!

HUGS to you both! I am excited to follow your "project" on this machine.

Carolyn J

Kate
I pretty much thought that posting here everyone that needed it could read it I'm getting ready to have surgery on my arm and have a lot of pain so this is as much posting as I can do.Right now I'm typing with two fingers. As far as frankie teaching anyone that should really be done by an OT/PT they have to locate the muscles you want to work and design an exercise program to use with the machine and as you know no two bpi injuries are alike. Frankie will see his OT next week to make sure he is using it right and doing the exercises right then he will see her 1 to 2 times a month to change exersies and up his goals. So as you can see a professional should really be monitoring the the progress and use. Sorry I can't be of more help Mare

I guess those of us without helpful or trained therapists are just screwed then. Gee... thanks.

Kate

Mare,
You could just cut and copy in into a post on Kate's board, no need to re-type it all... just a thought. It would be helpful to others as not everyone on Kate's board comes here..
marieke (32, LOBPI)

Mare,

The whole purpose of the other board is to archive all the info in one place so people coming in the future can easily find information specifically on sEMG for BPI, and especially find personal stories that they can take to their own therapist to encourage them to try it. Sure people reading on UBPN actively *right now* are following your story. What about future parents and future therapists? Didn't you say that you were going to ask Frankie's therapist to check out the board to learn more? How well do you think it would have gone over if you had asked her to come to UBPN, do a search on "biofeedback" then "myotrac" then "sEMG" and "please read all the posts and see what you think"? Or, better yet, what if you had just heard about the myotrac from Camp by word of mouth and had to ask your therapist to email a whole bunch of different people for more information?

If it's just a matter of not wanting to type anything, I'd be happy to cut-and-paste what you've written here for you.

Kate

Kate
I'm sorry you feel that way but I am not a trained therapist I am still learning myself and do not feel qualified to give advice on how to use this machine I have used it once today without help and won't know till our next therapy session if I'm doing it right plus all I have heard about is the myotrac which is not what I am using so how can I possibly give instruction on something I have never seen. If you give me the website I will try to copy and paste my last post but don't the same people read these posts??? I am truly sorry if I have upset you I will answer any questions I can and will ask Frankies therapist any questions you may have. Mare