GBS is a neurological disorder in which macrophages of the body’s own defense system strips myelin from axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). It may result from the immune system’s response to food-borne bacteria (Campylobacter jejuni; 40 per cent of cases), viral infections (ie Epstein-Barr), surgery, or the swine flu vaccination (very rare less than 1 out of 1 million vaccinated).

Also called acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, GBS is characterized by a quick and severe onset usually developing into a medical emergency as numbness and tingling in the extremities progresses from the feet up to flaccid paralysis bilaterally.  It may advance to the loss of function in the respiratory muscles with approximately 30 per cent of its victims requiring assistance by ventilator. Loss of sensation moving in an ascending, or proximal, direction accompanies  excruciating pain usually settling into the hips, back and pelvis. Symptoms progress in quantity and intensity for two to three weeks before they level off, usually because of medical intervention such as high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy or plasmapheresis. Most patients make a full or partial recovery in about 18 months, although 15 per cent remain paralyzed and 5 per cent die.

Registered massage therapy can help patients suffering from GBS. GBS is challenging to treat as it attacks several body systems at the same time in varying degrees.  A common denominator for patients is the intense pain suffered and loss of control of their limbs. Patients deteriorate drastically from the very first day admitted in hospital as the disease controls their bodies. There are severe cases with symptoms of decreased sensation,  paresis and numbness in their feet and lower limbs,  pain in their gluteals and back proliferating systematically within hours ,and days, into situations such as Bell’s Palsy, total body weakness, altered sensation, extreme pain, dizziness, rigid muscles, and atrophy to the point of needing wheelchairs. 

Registered massage therapist Paul Lewis has found success with his customized GBS Treatment Plan, by treating patients upon hospital admission.   

Initially Lewis provided treatments of three hours, three days per week based on the patient’s pain and presenting symptoms. It was found that after these specific GBS massage treatments, the clients were in better spirits and reported that they were in less pain. The neurologists on site, and the patients’ family doctors, were impressed with the results of the therapy and have acknowledged that the specific massage treatment be an integral part of these patients’ more comfortable recoveries. 

Lewis, an accredited and approved provider – NCBTMB (USA), CMTO (Canada), FHT (Great Britain) –is a fitness instructor and creator of ‘Lewis Circles’ self-care exercise featured on YouTube, a Certified Reflexology Healthcare Provider and world known educator. He believes that his patient-focused treatment plan for Guillain-Barre Syndrome should give other sufferers hope for a more comfortable and speedy recovery.  The complete detailed Treatment Plan for GBS will be available to therapists shortly.

For more information on Paul Lewis and the upcoming Treatment Plan for GBS, please visit www.paullewis.ca.