Popular on s4story
- Jasmine Farrell Releases New LGBTQ+ Poetry Collection - Rising From the Roots - 112
- Elevated Healing Treatment Centers: Redefining Mental Health Care with Compassionate, Evidence-Based, and Accessible Services - 111
- Venardi Zurada LLP Offers Legal Support to Families After Deadly Lake Tahoe Boat Capsizing - 111
- Keepy Uppy™ by Ollyball Wins Prestigious 2025 Influencer Award from Clamour & The Toy Association; Announces Fall 2025 Launch at Target Stores - 109
- K2 Integrity's U.S. and EMEA Teams Recognized in Chambers and Partners 2025 Guides - 107
- Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood Burbank Area Announces Conversion to Hampton Inn North Hollywood - 105
- Lottery.com Inc. Secures $300 Million in Growth Capital, Confirms Nasdaq Compliance & Acquires UAE Sports Incubator Amid High-Profile Brand Exposure - 105
- Anna D. Banks' Street Smart, Money Smart Hits #1 on Amazon Teen & Young Adult New Releases Chart
- Nationally Recognized Hispanic Activist and Businessman, Luis Figueroa, to speak at CPAC Latino 2025, Showcasing Hispanic Leadership in Action
- Don't Miss Your Chance To Be Part of History - Submit Your Book for the 2025 Grateful American Book Prize
Similar on s4story
- Pixel Studio Productions Launches Same-Day Headshots in Houston
- SeedList Launching Institutional Crypto Crowdfunding Project to Empower Retail Investors and Disrupt the VC-Dominated Crypto Fundraising Landscape
- Seligson Law Launches New Website to Support Cannabis Businesses in California and New York
- databahn Announces Subscription Access to Fortune 500 GenAI Deep Dive Sales Intelligence Reports
- AI startup Congero offers instant websites with 24/7 updates - aiming to replace web agencies
- WonderDays Launches the UK's First AI Experience Gift Finder – Gifting Just Got So Much Easier!
- Nonprofit innovator named Mensa Executive Director
- Yasmine Roulleau named Managing Director in Vancouver, Canada
- Agreement to Deliver Thin-Film Solar Technology to Space Solar Array Provider, NASA Collaborative Agreement for Orbital Applications in Power Beaming
- Iterators LLC Honored with IST82 State Award for Accessibility in Massachusetts
Cincinnati Children's Helps Teen Ballerina Dance Again
S For Story/10478958
CINCINNATI, May 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- It's been one step at a time for Farah Willenbrock, 17, of Champaign, Illinois. Last summer, the once avid ballet dancer could barely walk. A debilitating illness caused constant stomach pain and nausea.
"It was a little bit scary," Farah said. "I didn't really know what was wrong with me."
Scott Willenbrock, Farah's dad, said that sometimes the pain went from bad to intolerable. "There were times where she was just lying in bed, weeping in pain for hours," he said. "That's very hard to watch."
Farah stopped eating and drinking because of the pain and required a feeding tube. She visited a number of doctors and specialists in Illinois and the surrounding area. Her dad spent countless hours researching her symptoms, looking for experts to help.
"I did start to question; 'Is this pain just in my head, and am I making this up?' " Farah said. "So that was a really scary period for me, being doubted so often."
A nurse from another hospital pointed Farah's dad to Cincinnati Children's, where the family met with Neha Santucci, MD, a neuro-gastroenterologist. She diagnosed Farah with two conditions: 1) functional dyspepsia, a chronic disorder where the upper digestive tract shows symptoms of pain and nausea for months and 2) irritable bowel syndrome, which impacts the intestine.
"We believe that it's chemical imbalances in the nerves lining the GI tract that give this kind of pain," Santucci said. "It's very much like a migraine, where you do CTs and MRIs and everything comes back normal. But we all know how severe migraine pain is, and the GI tract has the same neurotransmitters that are in the brain."
More on S For Story
Santucci recommended the IB-Stim device for treatment. IB-Stim delivers neuromodulation therapy, which studies show works by decreasing the pain signals that are carried from the gastrointestinal tract nerves to the brain. The IB-Stim device is taped behind the ear. It has four wires, each attached to electrodes that have a thin needle. Santucci inserted the electrodes near nerve bundles on the external ear surface at four marked sites, and the device delivered electrical pulses.
Farah wore the disposable device for five consecutive days each week for four weeks, and her dad noticed a difference.
"The IB-Stim was subtle," Scott Willenbrock said. "You know it's on her ear, you don't see what it's doing, you don't know what it's doing, but what happened is that she started eating better."
For the next step in her treatment, Santucci introduced Farah to Sara Williams, PhD, a pediatric psychologist with the FIRST program, which stands for functional independence restoration. It's one of the country's only comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation programs for children whose severe, chronic pain is preventing them from enjoying a good quality of life.
The program is part of the Pain Management Center at Cincinnati Children's, which is nationally recognized for its expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of complex pediatric pain conditions.
More on S For Story
"Our model in the FIRST program is putting function first, which means every single day, no matter how you're feeling, if you're having a high pain day, if you're having a medium pain day, you're going to do the things on your schedule," said Sara Williams, PhD, psychologist at Cincinnati Children's. "Because doing that – and giving your body the practice of doing all those things – is going to help undo that pain signaling that's been so strong in keeping you out of your life."
Every day, Farah took part in eight hours of scheduled, structured treatment – including physical and occupational therapy and meeting with a pediatric pain psychologist. On her last day of treatment, Farah was able to dance for the first time in months.
"I've learned a lot of deep-breathing relaxation techniques," Farah said. "I've learned about reframing, a lot, which has been really helpful for me. I'm thinking of all the progress that I've made and what I'm looking forward to getting back to."
Farah is now back home in Illinois, dancing with a ballet company.
If you would like more information about the FIRST program, go to https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/f/functional-independence.
SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Related Links
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org
"It was a little bit scary," Farah said. "I didn't really know what was wrong with me."
Scott Willenbrock, Farah's dad, said that sometimes the pain went from bad to intolerable. "There were times where she was just lying in bed, weeping in pain for hours," he said. "That's very hard to watch."
Farah stopped eating and drinking because of the pain and required a feeding tube. She visited a number of doctors and specialists in Illinois and the surrounding area. Her dad spent countless hours researching her symptoms, looking for experts to help.
"I did start to question; 'Is this pain just in my head, and am I making this up?' " Farah said. "So that was a really scary period for me, being doubted so often."
A nurse from another hospital pointed Farah's dad to Cincinnati Children's, where the family met with Neha Santucci, MD, a neuro-gastroenterologist. She diagnosed Farah with two conditions: 1) functional dyspepsia, a chronic disorder where the upper digestive tract shows symptoms of pain and nausea for months and 2) irritable bowel syndrome, which impacts the intestine.
"We believe that it's chemical imbalances in the nerves lining the GI tract that give this kind of pain," Santucci said. "It's very much like a migraine, where you do CTs and MRIs and everything comes back normal. But we all know how severe migraine pain is, and the GI tract has the same neurotransmitters that are in the brain."
More on S For Story
- Injured Goose Finds Flight in Heartwarming New Children's Book
- California Family Launches Billboard to Reach "Pardon Czar" Alice Marie Johnson
- Global Anthology Project Seeks Writers to Share Stories of Healing After Loss
- TheMindologist Returns with Bold New Release
- Rent Like A Champion Acquires CollegeWeekends
Santucci recommended the IB-Stim device for treatment. IB-Stim delivers neuromodulation therapy, which studies show works by decreasing the pain signals that are carried from the gastrointestinal tract nerves to the brain. The IB-Stim device is taped behind the ear. It has four wires, each attached to electrodes that have a thin needle. Santucci inserted the electrodes near nerve bundles on the external ear surface at four marked sites, and the device delivered electrical pulses.
Farah wore the disposable device for five consecutive days each week for four weeks, and her dad noticed a difference.
"The IB-Stim was subtle," Scott Willenbrock said. "You know it's on her ear, you don't see what it's doing, you don't know what it's doing, but what happened is that she started eating better."
For the next step in her treatment, Santucci introduced Farah to Sara Williams, PhD, a pediatric psychologist with the FIRST program, which stands for functional independence restoration. It's one of the country's only comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation programs for children whose severe, chronic pain is preventing them from enjoying a good quality of life.
The program is part of the Pain Management Center at Cincinnati Children's, which is nationally recognized for its expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of complex pediatric pain conditions.
More on S For Story
- Sumter Landing Dental Care Launches Summer Special on Full Mouth Reconstruction
- Seligson Law Launches New Website to Support Cannabis Businesses in California and New York
- databahn Announces Subscription Access to Fortune 500 GenAI Deep Dive Sales Intelligence Reports
- AI startup Congero offers instant websites with 24/7 updates - aiming to replace web agencies
- WonderDays Launches the UK's First AI Experience Gift Finder – Gifting Just Got So Much Easier!
"Our model in the FIRST program is putting function first, which means every single day, no matter how you're feeling, if you're having a high pain day, if you're having a medium pain day, you're going to do the things on your schedule," said Sara Williams, PhD, psychologist at Cincinnati Children's. "Because doing that – and giving your body the practice of doing all those things – is going to help undo that pain signaling that's been so strong in keeping you out of your life."
Every day, Farah took part in eight hours of scheduled, structured treatment – including physical and occupational therapy and meeting with a pediatric pain psychologist. On her last day of treatment, Farah was able to dance for the first time in months.
"I've learned a lot of deep-breathing relaxation techniques," Farah said. "I've learned about reframing, a lot, which has been really helpful for me. I'm thinking of all the progress that I've made and what I'm looking forward to getting back to."
Farah is now back home in Illinois, dancing with a ballet company.
If you would like more information about the FIRST program, go to https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/f/functional-independence.
SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Related Links
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org
Filed Under: Business
0 Comments
Latest on S For Story
- Kilpack's Crown Prince Breaks Out at Outstanding Creator Awards
- "The Pornified Generation": Dr. Chris Samuels Exposes the Toxic Alliance Between Bro Culture and Pornography That's Rewiring a Generation
- Why Elephants Cry and Pigs Sing: New Children's Book Reveals the Deep Emotional World of Animals in Stunning Verse
- 6-Year-Old Chef with Down Syndrome Shares Favorite Recipes in Uplifting New Cookbook
- Cook Throughout German History!
- The Modern Insurance Store Expands Medicare Help Services for Seniors in Cincinnati
- Ironside HR Named Fastest-Growing Staffing Firm for Second Year
- Inframark Continues to Build Its Community Management Capabilities and Multi-Disciplinary Presence in Arizona
- ICAST 2025: The Crystal-Clear Revolution Begins at Booth #3233
- Brindle Pet Supplies Now Carries Badlands Ranch Dog Food in Canada
- $10 Million Allocated to Establish Crypto Treasury Focused on High Value Ethereum (ETH) & Bitcoin (BTC) as Long-Term Holdings for Cybersecurity Leader
- Sing For Your Supper: A Night of Musical Comedy and Drag for a Great Cause
- Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Celebrates New DBH Graduates
- $100 to $200 Million Equity Agreement with Top Digital Advisor Bitwise to Power Major Digital Asset Initiative for Bitcoin and Solana: OFA Group
- New Collaboration Launches Corporate ESG Solution for Responsible Decommissioning and Transparent Reporting
- SlickCashLoan Launches Free Loan Calculator to Help You Plan Monthly Payments
- Hot New Fantasy Series Alert: The Key to Wonderland Captivates Readers with Dark Magic and Twisted Romance
- TikTok Star ArcadeFriends Attempts 24-Hour Claw Machine Marathon at Lucky Puppy Arcade in Las Vegas
- Pyro Marketing Launches New Website to Accelerate Growth for Fitness Brands
- KCON LA 2025, 106.3 RAIN FM 'Take Over' Special Event