Galina Kordin-Dindas

Galina has dedicated the past 40 years of her life to promoting awareness of Spina Bifida Occulta.

Spina bifida occulta is common. Two studies undertaken in Great Britain in the mid 1980s suggest that 22% or 23% of people have spina bifida occulta. The figure from America suggest that 40% of the population may have spina bifida occulta.

Galina Kordin-Dindas was born and educated in "Russia " . Prevented from studying medicine under Stalin's regime. She went o­n receiving a Diploma in Engineering and in 1951 emigrated with her husband to Australia . Back problems after an accident in 1962 led Galina to decades of chronic pain from her spinal injuries and related problems including rheumatism and arthritis, as well as allergies, asthma and emphysema.

(Extract from medical report o­n 16/6/67) "I did have some x-rays taken of her lumbar spine, without realising at the time that this was playing right into her hands.

So it is: "All the x-rays revealed to me", stated specialists, "was the presence of a congenital abnormality of development, namely, a spina bifida of L5 and S1, which in itself is not likely to cause trouble in her case in my opinion, but which I look upon as a predisposing factor, or a factor of increased vulnerability towards the development of symptoms, if for example an injury is added to this congenital mal development."

After 42 years of suffering, diagnostic has recently shown damage to some of
my left ribs which in turn, placed pressure o­n my lung, stomach and pancreas.
The ribs should have been removed but now, it is to late due to osteoporosis
in verterbrae's T-5 and T-8.

"Our spine is our lifeline, and whether we have a back problem or not, it is imperative to preserve our posture," she writes in her books
I believe, if you don't know the cause of your suffering - you can't find a remedy! Nobody can! Isn't that true?
So, I asked my surgeon: "What is spina bifida?" "We can't cure it, "said the doctor, "but we can help you learn how to look after yourself."

Most people will not even be aware that they have spina bifida occulta unless it shows up o­n an X-ray which they have for some unrelated reason.

Recent medical research has discovered (Australian 4/5 January, 1997) that lower back pain & injuries are linked to the brain's failure to send warning signals to the back muscles. My biography East West and Nowhere"- How I became very ill and often suicidal because I was not using my muscles properly. My joints became irritated at first and later became inflammed- this is called arthritis. Galina discovered she had spina bifida occulta- a hidden split in the middle of the bone in the spinal column after a car accident, not being lazy, she decided to help herself, devising strict routine and discipline of exercises with concentration o­n breathing and counting.

Now, I believe that this is actually the same thing as sending the messages to the back muscles. "At long last& I am now free of pain and medications" if you follow my practical method diligently- and illustrated exercises described in my book- I believe your quality of life will be improved. This is actually the message of the late Simon Myer Davis my leading physiotherapist. Therefore my book "BACK PAIN". My Fantastic Discovery. Exercises That Saved My Life" is dedicated to him.

The Hon. Rob Knowles (Minister for Health)-who launched "Back Pain - exercises
that saved my life" is pictured above with Galina Kordin-Dindas at the book
launch held in Melbourne in March 1999.

"Back Pain - exercises that saved my life" reveals her 14 week quality and combination
exercise and health program with instructions and photographs.

If you follow my practical method diligently, I believe your quality of life
will be improved however before embarking o­n this or any other exercise program
you should consult with your physiotherapist or specialist, that said if you are happy with your bodies
ability to perform the 1st weeks exercises then you can begin with week 2 otherwise
continue with week 1 untill you are ready to go o­n.. Royalties from the sale
of my books will be donated to spinal research.

"I have recently become aware through the internet that a great many people suffer from Spina Bifida Occulta, and they would therefore particularly like to donate to Spina Bifida Occulta research."

Here is a link for those people who would like to donate to the Spinabifida
association