|
|
© August 1, 2009
Daniel L. Cox
Editor, Poker Insider Magazine
Last Updated: August 1, 2009
I Took the Q-Link Poker Challenge
During the 2009 Poker Palooza, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.'s International Poker and Gaming Expo, held at The Rio Suites and Casino, I met Leonard Finkel, noted Golf Journalist. He showed me the Q-Link and we discussed my doing an unbiased review of this product. In some ways it seemed unfair for me to review Q-Link, since there are several factors that would normally predispose me against this type of product. First, I am normally not interested
in the "New Age" technology of healing crystals, magnets and copper bracelets. Second, I am a 100% Disabled Vietnam-Era Veteran, having sustained numerous career ending injuries. Finally, after over a dozen medical procedures, I did not feel anything short of a miracle could help me.
To begin, I would like to tell you a little about myself. I served in the U.S. Army from 1974 until, as a Captain, I received a Medical Discharge in 1988. I sustained compression fractures of the L-2 and L-3 vertebrae in a parachute jump in 1980. A few months later, I dislocated my right shoulder and tore the rotator cuff, first in a football game and three weeks later in the self-defense pit at Ranger School. In 1982, I sustained a compression
fracture in the C-7 vertebrae playing basketball. First in 1983 and later in 1985, I shattered the radial head in my right elbow. Since that time, I have undergone five surgeries on my right arm, with the removal of the radial head the most dramatic, two on my lower back, including a butterfly fusion of the vertebrae and the removal of the Spinas Process on half of my back, a fusion on the C-7 (the hangman’s break) and numerous other procedures trying to reduce my pain levels. I also suffer from Morton’s Neuroma,
a malformation in the metatarsal arches (balls of the feet), as well as problems with my longitudal arches (flat feet). The injuries I incurred while a soldier caused additional osteoarthritis to form in my right wrist and left thumb. I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands, as well as bursitis in both shoulders. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration have awarded me Full Disability. As you can tell, I am an osteopath’s worst nightmare.
In 1978, I first took opiates for an injury sustained in ROTC Summer Camp. It was the first time I experienced the mind numbing effects of the strong medicine my body needed to alleviate pain. The pills affected so adversely that I picked up the nickname of “Sky Pilot,” since I was often flying high. For the next 30 years I have been on every pain killer known to man, from mega-doses of anti- inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprophen and
Sodium Naproxen to muscle relaxants like Flexoril. With extreme pain levels in so many different areas of my body, it ultimately came down to ever-increasing dosage levels of first hydrocodone (Loricet and Vicodan) to the more powerful oxycodone (TyLox and Percocet). When the dosage level was 10 mg of Percocet three times a day and more doses required, the doctors added 10 mg of Methadone in between each of the Percocet doses. Though we had finally found a level of medication that made my pain levels bearable,
it does not completely alleviate it. On a good day my pain level is a 5 out of a scale of 1 to 10, with most days it being at a level of 7.
At the beginning of July, my lower back pain levels were extreme whenever I did any extended physical activity. The latest Cortizone shots had worn off, so I could not put pressure on my left thumb and I was often unable to lift anything using my right arm. The fact that my pain is not localized, but is in many separate areas, causes many of the problems with my inability to achieve significant pain relief. Even a can of soda was hard to
lift without extreme levels of pain radiating from my elbow. I did not sleep well, since it was difficult to find a position where both of my shoulders were comfortable.
I do not have a full understanding of how the Q-Link is supposed to work or the science behind it. After reading the Q-Link Literature, I now know a little more of the mechanics of the Q-Link. In 1994, the term "biofield” was adopted by the National Institutes of Health to describe a growing body of research showing a subtle field that permeates
and extends beyond
the physical body. You may have noticed your biofield without understanding what it was. In short, it is a vital force that animates your body and powers your daily life. The developers of Q-Link state that when your biofield becomes out of balance, your body and mind become out of balance. Disease, fatigue and apathy all reflect a compromised biofield. Even everyday activities, such as flickering computer monitors, irate bosses and incessantly ringing cell phones can disrupt your biofield. Emotional stress,
tabloid news and traffic jams also negatively impact your well being.
According to their literature, your body is literally bombarded with frequencies that can wear you down, so it is essential to care for and maintain your internal energy system. When something improves our biofield it can increase your mental and physical performance, reinforce your natural immunity to stress and enhance your sense of well-being. These are the things the developers of the Q-Link purport it to do.
TOP
On July 3rd, I put on the Q-Link for the first time, choosing the Acrylic Blue Pendant design (they have any exceptional passive SRT jewelry designs, as well as active SRT devices). This was during a most physically challenging time. I was covering the Main Event of 2009 World Series of Poker and was on my feet or at my terminal in the Media Room for 10 – 12 hours a day. I was constantly patrolling the tournament floor, watching the actionduring
Day 1 and Day 2 of the WSOP (six total days of action). I had done the same type of strenuous physical activity while covering the opening days of the Series and sweating Humberto Brenes in the $40,000 Anniversary No-limit Texas Hold’em event. After standing on my feet constantly for four days, I had to rest up for nearly a week when my wife and I returned from Las Vegas. My back and feet were extremely painful and no amount of medication relieved the pain completely during that time.
Looking back, I may have subconsciously been trying to find a way for the Q-Link to fail by trying it out during the most strenuous activity I have done in years. I was told when I received the Q-Link and read in the literature that it could take several weeks or months for the beneficial effects to become noticeable, though some people obtain relief immediately. I have been wearing the pendant for nearly a month now. I am not going to say
that miraculously I am now pain free and off of all medications, but I cannot do that. What I can say is that I have noticed a significant improvement in many ways. The first few days after I began wearing the Q-Link, while covering the Main Event, my pain levels remained, but I noticed I was able to get up the next day easier than before. When we got back home after the coverage I was able to get up and around after only a day, instead of the week it took me to recover a month earlier. Over the last three weeks,
not only have I noticed a decrease in my pain levels, but also a decrease in my need for pain medications. I am able to perform more physical activity and recover faster from those activities.
One of the biggest problems I have when playing poker at a card room or casino is the uncomfortable seats forcing me to increase my dosage, which decreases my mental acuity. I finally played poker for the first time since being felted in 37th place by Dennis Phillips (3rd Place in the 2008 WSOP Main Event) during the WSOP Media Tournament two weeks ago. I wore the Q-Link during the Media/Celebrity Tournament at The Bicycle
Club in Los Angeles.
In the first true test of playing poker for an extended time while wearing the Q-Link, my mental focus seemed greater, allowing me to maintain my concentration during key periods of the game.
 |
Overall, my evaluation after wearing the Q-Link for a month is that I do not understand how the coil affects the body at the cellular level or why it appears to be working for me. In my case, it does seem to have improved my quality of life. At this stage of my life, I am thankful for anything that helps me make it through the day. I highly recommend the Q-Link for everyone, not only as an adjunct (never as a replacement for current treatment)
for those that have physical problems or for others that simply want to increase their clarity of thought, concentration and mental and physical well being. Though I wear the simple acrylic pendant design, they have other passive SRT designs, as well as active SRT devices. You can go to their website to view the Q-Link Products, as well as the exceptional passive SRT jewelry designs of the Equilibrio Product Line.
Do You Want to Take the Q-Link Poker Challenge?
If you are interested in trying a Q-Link, want more information or review the medical and scientific studies or take the Q-Link Poker Challenge, go to Q-Link Poker or call 800-246-2765. Q-Link pendants and bracelets now come in several models starting with the standard acrylic pendant in white, black or blue ($99.95). Other items include a range of products in titanium, stainless steel,
silver and gold ($129.95
-$999.95). The company offers a 90-day, money back guarantee with a lifetime warranty. To further test the effectiveness of the Q-Link, you can take part in a series of video based before and after tests to determine your improvement when using the Q-Link.
TOP
|