This article talks about my unintentional run in with an acupressure mat, and how it aided my recovery after a nearly fatal cycling accident. 

Looking back at my recovery, a few of my ice hockey friends who have been through similar journeys, have asked about my head injuries:

Diagnosis: a concussion (or ‘traumatic brain injury’ the Doctor said), memory loss, headaches, trouble controlling ‘anger,’ constant fatigue.

The 'Fog' 

If you’ve had a head injury before, you’ve been through what I call “the fog” — where people and the World continue at a pace that you just can’t maintain. Three months after the accident, I sat down with two of my closest friends for a meal, and squealed in absolute delight when I saw that Holly was wearing an engagement ring. “WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?” I asked. They exchanged silent, solemn glances at each other and asked, “Ravi, how is your memory?” I had been at their house the summer before where they had told me. That memory, like so many others, had gone.

This was one of the scariest moments; when you realise that what you remember has holes in it, like a sieve that’s draining water. For a Super-Nerd, who has an Advanced Diploma, a Bachelors Degree, a Masters and Lectured in Universities — this was my worst fear. I went home from that vowing to figure out a way to get my memories back — it’s like losing a part of yourself that may not be come back.

Rest, Rest, and Repeat

So I rested my brain — and tried only to develop when it was ready. Some days, it could handle a few hours, and so I called old friends to discuss past events. Neurologists and Doctors kept saying to give it time. Sometimes, I could remember everything, other times… less. Frighteningly less.

But after awhile, there was a peak, and then a stall. I figured this was “the new normal” the Doctors talk about — the place where you have to adjust, and just ‘go-on.’

Discovering the Yoke Wellness Acupressure Mat

I discovered the acupressure mat at the right time — lying on this spiky mat, for 10 minutes a day in the morning and when my brain was tired, helped reinvigorate it — like it would open up blocked channels in my head that had shut down. Along with the rest, the meds, and the time I was giving it, it felt like more of the traffic in my brain was given green lights, instead of red, and that this treatment was helping me feel better about my head.

I no longer feel that dark, sickly fear in my soul — like I’m shedding that fog and waking up back again. Hello World.