Features Practice Technique
Massage therapist invited to speak at GBS/CIDP Conference

The conference takes place every two years.  In attendance were patients,
caregivers, doctors, nurses and others from the medical community and
pharmaceutical companies.  Other presenters at the conference included
 Dr. Hans Katzberg, Dr. Rebecca Mills,  Dr. Kenneth Shonk
and author of the book, Guillain-Barre Syndrome:from diagnosis to
Recovery,
Dr. Joel Steinberg were all on scheduled to speak.

Executive Director, GBS/CIDP Foundation of Canada commented
that Paul Lewis was: “the first massage therapist we have had and one that
is so totally credible.

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). 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. 

CIDP
(chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) is a rare disorder of the
peripheral nerves characterized by gradually increasing weakness of the legs
and, to a lesser extent, the arms. It is the gradual onset as well as the
chronic nature of CIDP that differentiates it from GBS. Fortunately, CIDP is
even more rare than GBS. The incidence of new cases is estimated to be between
1.5 and 3.6 in a million people (compare to GBS: one to two in 100,000).

Like
GBS, CIDP is caused by damage to the covering of the nerves, called myelin. It
can start at any age and in both genders. Weakness occurs over two or more
months.

Paul
Lewis is a registered massage therapist and he is also a Reflexologist,
Combined and Decongestive Therapist and a Certified Fitness and Yoga
Instructor. He achieved his Black Belt in Aikido Japanese Martial Art while
living in Japan for eight years. 

Paul
thinks of himself first and foremost as an educator and promoter of holistic
healthcare and wellness. His background demonstrates a long history in fitness
and healing arts. He is an award winning published author in print and digital
media as well as an international presenter, educator and instructor combining
his knowledge and experience into interactive and informative workshops and
seminars, presenting, teaching and treating patients in North America, Europe,
and Asia.

For
more information about Paul Lewis, visit 
www.paullewis.ca   For more information about GBS,
visit www.gbs-cidp.org/.