I have been working with a patient for a few weeks now who had a left CVA that left him flaccid in both RUE and RLE. On top of this he basically had no sensation right of midline. After working with this gentleman a couple of days and learning what his body wanted to do I began treating using the TMR principles. I was treating the left side and retesting the right but not having much success. He has some receptive aphasia and profound expressive aphasia, so I wasn't sure he was understanding what I was trying to do. He kept pointing to his right side and indicating that I was supposed to be working that side. Then one day, I had him on the mat and accidentally hit a ticklish area on his left rib cage which caused him laugh and at the same time his right thumb twitched. I decided to explore this more and began searching for all tickle spots. The more I tickled the left side, the more activity I saw on the right side. More tickle therapy over the next two days resulted in tickle responses appearing on the right side of his body and extremities. A few days later we had this gentleman standing and taking his first steps since his stroke. Now I am using resistive exercises on his left side to increase strength and tone on his right.

I am so greatful for this technique and what it has meant to me and all of my patients. I use TMR or its principles on all of my patients! Thanks Tom!!!

Mickey

Now that is truly someone who OBSERVES first, accepts what he is finding, trys more of what is being seen, and gives it a go. You Rock!

Tom