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Nora Wagner

School: Mercyhurst University
Major: Environmental Science- Biology Field Studies

I am currently a sophomore at Mercyhurst University studying Environmental Science- Biology Field Studies and minoring in Public Health. At the age of 14, I developed a rare and painful neurovascular disease called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). It took two years to finally get a diagnosis and over the years it has progressively gotten worse. In addition to having CRPS, I have also been diagnosed with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I have spent countless hours in doctors appointments, tests, physical therapy, emergency rooms, and hospital admissions. Although I battle chronic pain every day of my life, I have been able to attend college, work, volunteer, and write my own blog. I continue to push through the pain and maintain a somewhat normal life.

Essay: Physical Therapy

Physical therapy has made the biggest difference in my life when it comes to dealing with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Most physical therapists have no idea how to treat CRPS let alone know what it is. For someone with this disease, the nerves are constantly sending pain signals to the brain that there is an injury when in reality there is not one or it has already healed. It requires an experienced physical therapist to treat someone with CRPS because they have to know the fine lines in treating the patient. They need to be pushed hard but not so hard that they are unable to get out of bed the next day. For the entire semester of my senior year of high school, I was in physical therapy for four hours a day, four days a week to try and put a stop to the pain cycle which I then continued into the summer. Since then I have done a few days a week to continue to stay active but have some guidance. When it comes to CRPS, one of the keys to treating it is to stay active which is why my doctor wanted me to do physical therapy. Although it has not lowered my pain caused by my CRPS, it has significantly improved my functioning. It also is a key component in treating my joint hypermobility by strengthening the muscles to help hold everything in place. Physical therapy has taught me how to push through the pain and learn that I am in control of my body. It has also taught me that I am capable of more than I realize. It has also helped with the various orthopedic injuries and surgeries I have had that I am more prone to. I have been treated for ankle sprains, ankle surgery, shoulder and back problems and even severe headaches. Without physical therapy, I would not be the functioning college student I am today. I am very thankful for the countless hours I have spent doing all of my exercises with my physical therapist and at home. It will continue to make a huge difference in my life as I continue on into my future. Because of the many appointments, tests, and hospital admissions, the medical bills have added up but I continue to do what I need to stay as healthy and functioning as I can be.