Cases
of the Month
November 2009
Our daughter, Meghana, a twin born naturally in
the breech position, was pulled by her little legs from my
body on December 4, 2008. From the very start of her life she
had trouble eating, having to learn first how to suck and then
having trouble eating the right amounts to sustain her. Early
on she was diagnosed with Acid Reflux and the doctors
immediately rushed to give her drugs to treat it. After trying
this “traditional” approach for the “trial” two weeks, as
requested by her doctors, we quickly gave up on this method.
Not only did we feel guilty for drugging her but it wasn’t
working. Daily she was projectile vomiting and then choking on
it, with episodes so scary that I would end up crying with her
afterwards. Add to this that she was so frustrated and
irritated by her feedings that she would barely drink 3 ounces
before finally screaming at us to stop feeding her. Being 2
months old this was not an adequate amount to drink! At this
point my mom suggested we try chiropractic. I knew that
chiropractic had helped me at different points in my own life,
but I had never heard of using chiropractic on an infant so I,
at first, balked. Then my mom forwarded me the website for my
chiropractor and after reading over his entire website I
decided taking Meghana was worth a try, especially since his
specialty seemed to be little ones.
At Meghana’s first adjustment I was pleasantly
surprised that my chiropractor was so gentle that I felt I had
watched my daughter receive a gentle hug from this doctor! The
results of this first appointment were astounding to say the
least. At Meghana’s very next feeding she downed 5 ounces of
her bottle in no time flat, no crying, no fussing, and no
complaints. Every bottle after that was a breeze in
comparison. We were shocked and pleased. After one month of
care Meghana never again would projectile vomit. It was as if
her acid reflux had just disappeared.
There have been other improvements in our lives
with Meghana’s care from our chiropractor. She sleeps better!
Her head shape has improved and the freedom of movement in her
neck is clear to see. Now when we take her to see our
chiropractor she is excited and smiles at him so sweetly. When
getting Meghana dressed to go to her appointments with our
chiropractor we ask her, “Meghana, are you ready to go see
your Uncle?” No, our chiropractor is not Meghana’s ‘real’
Uncle, but in our book he deserves the title. We will be
forever grateful for his help in healing our daughter.
Thank you! -Prakash, Linda, Akshay and
Meghana
October 2009
I would
have to say that I am one of my chiropractor’s biggest fans.
Literally. At 6’8’’ and 330 pounds, I found it humorous when
he told me he was a chiropractor and I believe my words were,
“You couldn’t adjust somebody my size.” Well, since my first
adjustment I have been eating my words. My chiro and his team
are great. I first went to my chiropractor in September of
2008, with severe pain in my left shoulder that would radiate
down my arm. I was in pain and honestly “size” and have to eat
my words didn’t matter. I needed relief. My treatment began
with “New Patient Orientation.” Through a series of tests we
were able to see reports that showed where my spinal issues
were, and my chiropractor explained her plan of action to me.
I had never been to a chiropractor who was able to show me the
problems or one who was really willing to explain in detail
the action plan and be totally honest with me. I felt much a
part of the process and for me that is important. As my care
began I immediately began to feel improvement. By 4 weeks the
pain in my shoulder was almost non-existent. My neck and
mid-back were functioning much better and I was happier. I
know it sounds weird, but I actually had a co-worker begin to
see my chiropractor about 2 months after I had started and on
his first visit he told my chiropractor, “Jeff just seems
happier since he began care.” That is just the start. Before
starting care I had extremely high blood pressure. I was
tested just today and my BP was 114/61. It has never been that
low. I truly believe my chiropractor when she says it’s not
just about how your body feels but how you function. My body
feels and functions at a higher level because of my
chiropractor.
From the
very first time that I went to see my chiropractor I have
always felt at home. This isn’t like any other doctor’s office
I have ever been to. The staff was very friendly and I think
that has created an atmosphere of friendliness and nurturing.
I was surprised when other patients started chatting with me.
It was fun. WOW! Wait a minute….Doctor’s Office=FUN? That
doesn't make sense. But that is the way it is and I must say
that it is one of my favorite places to go in my town. I
totally enjoy going to see my chiropractor. All I can say to
my chiropractor is, “I thank you for all you have done for my
wife and me. We are truly blessed to have you as our wellness
team and more importantly our friends. We pray that God will
bless you and your ministry of wellness.”
-Jeff
September 2009
I can
truly say that my chiropractor has not only saved my life, but
has put LIFE back into LIVING for me in a huge way! I came to
see my chiropractor 2 years ago with a multitude of arthritic
diagnoses based on medical X-rays, CT’s, and MRI’s that led me
to the “best” neurologists and rheumatologists to give me a
“dead end street” prognosis for my future. Their short-term
suggestions of pain killers, anti-inflammatories, cortisone
injections and surgical incisions to cover my joint pain were
all “band-aids” that would have worse long-term outcomes for
my liver and kidneys. After waiting to see the “best”
rheumatologist in the state, I sat in his waiting room
watching a steady stream of crippled, overweight,
tobacco-smelly patients lining up for their prescriptions. At
that point I realized I needed to take control of MY life, and
not fall prey to a medical system that is all too quick to
hand out powerful symptom-suppressing medications rather than
get to the root cause.
So with a
severe degenerative condition, where to go next? My situation
had progressed to the point where I was out of work, my wife
and I had to sell our home. I was basically a broken man at
that point, addicted to Oxycontin and barely able to function
physically. A friend’s parents suggested I see a chiropractor.
Remember that I said I was ready to take control? Well, this
was my chance, so I made an appointment and I thank my Maker
that I took that step instead of sitting on my hands waiting
for the inevitable. He explained his philosophy of life and
wellness, his approach to the delivery of health care and did
a very thorough assessment. He then gave me a thorough
explanation to help me understand the potential I had inside
me, and set out a treatment plan. My chiropractor told me that
although I had the “spine of a 90 year old” hiding inside of
me, that I shouldn’t give up hope, because it was never too
late to get better. He told me that he felt he could and WOULD
help me, for so long as I didn’t give up on myself, he
wouldn’t either. He has continually reinforced that “the body
has the capacity to heal itself”.
So where
am I now? Well, within 3 months of starting care, I thought to
myself “I CAN ride my mountain bike again”, and I did. So I
thought “I CAN kayak again”, and I did. This was huge, as I
really believed that I would never participate in my favorite
sport again. I can tell you that, after two years, I am in
better shape than I have been in ages. I am experiencing a
huge level of living life. That life has transformed, and who
knows how far it will go. No words or gifts can begin to
express my gratitude and thanks to my chiropractor.
-Mike
August 2009
I was
diagnosed and treated for lung cancer almost 5 years ago.
Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, I was a registered nurse
for many years practicing in oncology, long term care and at
an addiction treatment center. After the surgery, when most of
my left lung was removed, I became extremely protective of my
left side and pretty much stopped using my left arm. Over
time, from stress, the postural changes from not using my left
arm and the surgery, I began having back pain and spasms in my
right shoulder and upper back and it continued to get
progressively worse. I realized that I needed to do something
but didn’t know what to do. I was afraid that I couldn’t stand
for anybody to touch me. My husband was seeing a chiropractor
and asked if there was anything he might be able to do. The
chiropractor recommended that I come in to the office and told
my
husband that there were many different adjusting techniques.
He recommended that we could probably start with a very gentle
technique using an instrument.
Since
beginning chiropractic care almost a year ago, I am now using
my left side again. I have been much stronger and I have a lot
more energy. I am able to be more active, do more at home and
enjoy my grandchildren more. My family is extremely important
to me, and I love spending time with my grandchildren. Also, I
have not been getting sick with colds anymore. I have been
around my grandson several times when he had pneumonia and I
was fine. I used to always get sick all the time. I am also
much more in touch with my body and more relaxed. My attitude,
mental outlook and quality of life has also greatly improved.
I have
learned a lot since coming to my chiropractor’s office. I have
learned the value of natural remedies and I am much less
likely not to reach into the medicine cabinet at the first
sign of symptoms. I have learned the importance of decreasing
my physical, chemical and emotional stresses because the less
stress you have the more healthy your body can become.
Everyone in my chiropractor’s practice is so positive and
healthy and it shows. I always feel better leaving the office
than when I came in.
My message
to everyone and anyone that has cancer is to see a
chiropractor, because it will allow your body to be healthy.
Your body will not be as vulnerable from the damage that was
done earlier in life. The adjustment will help make your body
strong. It will turn on your body’s natural defenses and
immune system so that it can fight cancer cells. Your body can
go on the attack and not get side tracked doing other jobs
that are not as important. Chiropractic care also helps a lot
with emotional stress which is a big factor for people with
cancer. I believe that it is important for everyone to get
checked by a chiropractor to be healthier. Chiropractic is a
way of LIFE!
-Sherri
July 2009
A 5 year old boy with autism came to my office. The child’s
parents are both M.D.’s and were looking for any opportunity
to help their son live a normal life. The boy is moderately
autistic with an 8-12 word vocabulary and was receiving PT and
OT 5 days a week. He was diagnosed with autism at age 2. The
initial nervous system scan revealed severe disturbance. I
explained to the mom that all I would be doing was rebalancing
the nerve energy and then letting nature take its course. I
told her that I would rescan him in one month, in order to
document any improvement objectively. I asked her to tell me
of any changes that she saw. He was placed on an adjustment
schedule 2 times a week.
Within three visits, Mom and I both noticed that the child was
eager to get on the adjusting table. He just came in and said
“wee!” as the table was lowered into position. He would lie
somewhat still and let me analyze his spine each visit. As I
made the adjustment, I would say “powers on!” I finished each
adjustment with a hug.
His mom said that NOWHERE else does he comply to this degree
or even attempt to cooperate with any healthcare professionals
that he sees. The mom also reported that, after her son gets
adjusted, he sleeps through the night and the next day is like
a different child. Normally each night he would awake every
1-2 hours, but after getting adjusted he sleeps straight
through—7 to 8 hours! He was recently scanned and still shows
nerve disturbance but the pattern is different. He still is
seen twice per week with an increased interaction ratio after
each visit.
The P.T. and O.T. wanted to know what else the parents had
tried since it was a big improvement in only 6 weeks time. It
is amazing how chiropractic has the power to change lives.
June 2009
In 2006 I was diagnosed with a Chiari Type One
Brain Malformation. In simpler terms, the opening at the base
of my skull was too small for my spinal cord. This created
pressure on my spinal cord and triggered another condition
called Trigeminal Neuralgia. The pressure on my spinal cord
was putting pressure on the 5th cranial
nerve which runs along the jaw line, creating extreme pain.
Other symptoms of these conditions included ear popping, teeth
grinding, neck cracking and a rice like feeling on the back on
my neck.
The doctor’s put me on Tegretol, an
anti-seizure medication, even though I wasn’t having seizures.
They also wanted to perform surgery on my skill to enlarge the
opening. I am only 31 years old and the idea of brain surgery
and strong medication sounded very scary and extreme.
Once I saw the x-rays that my chiropractor took and after he
explained to me what a reverse curve is in the neck, I thought
“no wonder there is pressure on my spinal cord-it’s bent the
wrong way!” I have only been seeing my chiropractor for a few
months and already my symptoms have virtually disappeared! My
chiropractor and his team are absolutely wonderful! They have
offered me an extremely less intrusive method of correcting my
condition and have done so in a safe and healthy manner. I now
believe in them so much that I have begun bringing in my three
year old daughter in for what she calls a “crinkle moosage!”
Prior to seeing my chiropractor, my symptoms
were getting so much worse that I worried that drugs and
surgery were my only option. I am so thankful that I found my
chiropractor and that he was able to help me-I will forever be
grateful!
-Barb
May 2009
My panic
and anxiety attacks began late June 2007. The panic attacks
were incredibly severe and frightening; anxiety attacks came
in between and were also severe. The condition affected my
ability to go to work for many weeks and then, upon returning
to work, I went only part-time for an extended period of time.
I lived in constant fear of losing my mental capacity, of
being alone, of fear itself.
Treatments
began with MD visits that were helpful at the time. The
condition was treated with Atenol at first and then was
replaced with Celexa and Ativan. I felt better and, in the
short term, that was all that mattered. I did not however,
want to take something everyday for an extended period of
time, especially when it was only treating symptoms. The side
effects that I noticed were serious weight gain and
occasional, mild mood swings.
By divine intervention I ended up in a chiropractor’s office.
Little did I know that a short time later I would no longer be
taking my meds and I would no longer have panic attacks; the
anxiety has diminished significantly. I feel healthier
mentally and physically and believe that with continued care,
exercise and a healthy diet, the anxiety will subside
completely over time. It is nice to have a positive outlook
again...to be me again. I would encourage anyone experiencing
panic, anxiety and/or stress to stop by for an evaluation.
I have learned by experience that chiropractic care targets
the cause of the issue rather than the symptoms.
I am so happy that I now tell everyone about the severity of
my initial condition and how much I have been helped. I am
spreading the word!
-Andy
April 2009
I started seeing my chiropractor because for
the last 4 years I was experiencing pain in my feet and middle
back, and my back was arching out. There was also tension in
my neck and head. When I was tense I was uncomfortable and
shrank from life. Although I was not in extreme pain, I wanted
to feel my best and move past these issues. I had heard the
benefits of chiropractic care so I decided to try it out.
My chiropractor used his high tech nervous
system scan so I know where I stand instead of presenting a
hit or miss approach. The results are fantastic. Chiropractic
care has given me a sense of well-being and a clear mind. One
thing leads to another-like learning to eat better and
including better nutrition is now a part of my growth. The
philosophy of chiropractic care now influences my way of
thinking and also contributes to my
well-being. And the “side
effects” (ha ha) from chiropractic care are the best! This is
the biggest area of growth for me. The philosophy of
chiropractic care just makes sense to me. I now realize the
importance of mind, body and soul. I can feel the flow of
energy when I am aligned and the flow of relaxation that
follows. The nerves are free to send their impulses and heal
the body. I find my head clear and a sense of well being that
I haven’t had for years.
The personalized attention and uplifting spirit
of this office is what keeps me recommending people to my
chiropractor. I want others to know the benefits of
chiropractic. The rewards are far worth the cost.
March 2009
I chose
chiropractic care for the primary reason of neck and lower
back pain. What I didn’t expect was to not only have my neck
and back pain mitigated but relief for many other ongoing
issues. I have a gastrointestinal disorder and also regular
migraine headaches. I did not share these concerns with my
chiropractor, as I did not see the relevance to the care that
I was there for. After the first couple of visits with my
chiropractor, based on what he was seeing, he was able to tell
me what issues I was having. He even went as far as saying
that he could help me. I was very skeptical. I had had these
problems since childhood and had seen many doctors over the
years, with no positive result. I had been given different
medications over the years to try, which would some-what
alleviate symptoms, but the issues were still present. I was
living with the reality that sometimes after meals I would be
sick, or knowing that I would wake in the middle of the night
or leave events due to pain and discomfort.
After a
few weeks of chiropractic care, I was off my daily medication!
I cannot tell you how surprised I was. All these years of
different treatments with no result, and then within a few
short weeks, I started to get some relief. My son Jacob had
had all the same issues that I had had since childhood. After
I started seeing some relief from my issues, I had my son
start coming for adjustments. I had initially resigned myself
to believing that my son was going to have to suffer for years
with the same issues I had. I was wrong. Within a few short
weeks of care, Jacob was also doing much better. No longer do
I have to see Jacob struggle to get through a migraine
headache, or see him wake up in the middle of the night with
the discomfort of his gastrointestinal disorders.
My
chiropractor helped me change my son’s life for the better.
I went in
to chiropractic care for the primary reason of neck and lower
back pain, and left with a better understanding of overall
wellness. The impact chiropractic care has make on both our
lives has been dramatic. This care saved my son from having to
endure life-long pain and discomfort, and has also been a
positive impact on my overall attitude and level of stress.
There are not enough words to express my thanks and gratitude
for the healing hands of my chiropractor.
With great
appreciation…...Marion
and Jacob
February 2009
I’m a
mother of a 2-year-old named Nicholas. At 4 months old,
Nicholas was diagnosed with epilepsy and cerebral palsy. As
his mother, I wasn’t going to let these conditions ruin
Nicholas’ life. So, I started to look for something that would
help him. I was willing to try anything. My brother was seeing
a chiropractor and he told his chiropractor about Nicholas.
The chiropractor said that he could help Nicholas, so I went
to see him.
Before I
went to see the chiropractor, Nicholas was always sick. He had
a runny nose all the time, fever and he was always
constipated, not once having had a natural bowel movement. He
wasn’t a happy boy. Just after a few visits, Nicholas was
doing well, no runny nose, no fever and his constipation was
gone. He was a happy playful little boy. The way kids should
be. He hasn’t been sick since.
My next
target was to get Nicholas off his medication for his
epilepsy, which I achieved in October. He now shows no signs
of epilepsy at all, and his doctor is amazed and said he can’t
believe Nicholas doesn’t need his medications anymore.
Physically, Nicholas couldn’t move his left side. He had
always held his hand in a fist and hardly moved it. But, since
going to the chiropractor, Nicholas is using his hand and is
more relaxed. I was told that he wouldn’t walk, but now he is
taking his first steps with support and we have just tried him
on a walking frame and he is doing great with it.
Nicholas
loves going to the chiropractor. I think he understands that
chiropractic is helping him.
He’s bright, happy and doing things that we thought weren’t
possible. I credit this to the wonderful work done by his
chiropractor, and we thank him very much for his great work!
January 2009
Janine came
to me as a 16 year old female with a lifelong history of
psychological and neurological issues. Janine’s parents had
taken her to every single provider out there, tried every form
of counseling and therapy and had her on and off a multitude
of drugs her entire life. They were always seeking for
non-drug help but, at this point, were close to giving up and
were terrified that Janine would never be able to live a
normal life without them after high school. She had been given
various labels and diagnoses throughout this time including
spectrum disorder, anxiety, and sensory processing disorder.
Janine had
an extremely fast birth where her mother was basically sitting
on her head on the way to the hospital and, as a result,
Janine immediately had issues. She screamed in the car, was
very irritable as a baby, and had many other sensory issues.
She had had social anxiety and sensory issues her entire life
which severely hindered her academic and social life. Janine
also had major difficulties with sleep. She was on multiple
medications for all these issues. Janine’s exam revealed
severe neurological stress and vertebral subluxations as
demonstrated by the scans. In addition, Janine was very tall
and, because of her anxiety, had terrible posture and moderate
scoliosis.
Janine
started chiropractic care and immediately began to see
results. Here is what her mother had to say:
“Back in April, Janine and I went to her dance show about 3
hours away. Janine was awesome the entire way. She sang in the
car, took pictures of the surrounding storms, changed the
channels when we lost them, and even played her “trumpet.” The
trip back home was also great. In her other life, this trip
would have been miserable because of being in the car so long.
Last
Saturday, one of the other dance moms approached me to tell me
that the other girls had been talking about Janine. They
mentioned Janine had been talking to them recently. Janine was
even initiating conversation with the other girls. The
dressing area of the studio is very small and Janine liked to
have her space. The mom said Janine had asked the girls to
give her a little space, in a joking way. I immediately
starting crying, because this is huge step for Janine. She has
been dancing with these girls for years and is now finally
talking to them!After about 3 weeks of care, she was Trazadone
free and after about 2 months, she did not need any medication
to sleep. She has also been taking her probiotic, vitamin and
fish oil on a daily basis. After the first week of school,
Janine came home and reported she had gotten into trouble for
talking in study hall. I was happy to hear this and also that
it was a boy she had been talking to!”
December 2008
I sat in
the corner of the darkened room, my arms hugging my knees
tightly and my head buried between them. Sobs wracked my body
and shook me to the bone, and sheer terror overtook me. It was
here again, the “bad thing”, the thing I couldn’t seem to
outrun, no matter how hard I tried. It’s name was depression
and my doctors had said it was all a part of the chronic
illnesses that had robbed me of my life-Fibromyalgia and
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes and Osteoarthritis.
Ten years
ago I had been healthy enough to skydive, kayak, swim, snorkel
– and if it was fun and adventurous, I was probably leading
the pack. Now, excruciating pain was my daily lot. I could
barely get out of bed and feed myself. Even a shower hurt -
the water seemed like it was pounding on me. But all that was
small in comparison to my doctors’ disbelief in my pain. Tests
were always the same. Negative. “Nothing is wrong with you.”
If I had a dime for every time I heard that, Martha Stewart
would be my personal maid. So, to “shut me up” more than
anything, I was prescribed a Percocet combo that would stop a
charging rhino in it’s tracks, which included a strong
anti-depressant. The once strong dynamo was now little more
than a wretched, lifeless shell and the flame was reduced to a
tiny spark. I wasn’t living. I was existing. My one “friend”
was my computer and my books. I DID love to read and talk to
other people who shared the Fibro nightmare with me. Many of
my friends on the immune support network shared stories of
what worked for them. Some of the things I tried, like herbal
supplements and a “recipe” for a soothing herbal bath. Some of
the things I was skeptical about - and one of those was
chiropractic.
But the
reality was that I had stopped believing my own doctors long
ago. I believed that SOMEONE had an answer and I refused to
“just live with it”, as they had advised me. It’s funny how
sometimes spirit comes along and gives you an answer, and at
first you think it’s too simple. And then it’s like a smack
to the head saying “Pay Attention!” The chiropractor’s flyer
said that my spine held the key to every organ in my body.
Adjust the spine and you turn the key in the lock. Open the
door and your body heals itself. Could it really be so simple?
Free exam...hmm...what did I have to lose? My own doctors had
long since given up on me. Don’t fix the cause of the pain,
just mask it. My cousin said back surgery was the answer, but
he had had 7 surgeries. I wanted to look like a strong woman,
not the Bride of Chucky.
I made the appointment with the chiropractor. I was nervous,
but more than that I was resigned to what I would hear. I was
beyond help and I’d have to live with it, right? WRONG! Yes,
there were subluxations but they could be corrected. Better
yet, he had a plan of action. It would take time, but there
WAS a light at the end of the tunnel. But the best part was
that
he
BELIEVED me when I said that I was in pain. He knew it and
knew what it would take to fix it. Not cover it up. Fix it.
After 10 years there was hope. He never promised a “magic
bullet” or a “cure all”. But I would feel better. To me,
“better” was like music to my ears.
I have to
admit, after my first few adjustments I felt awful. But you
have to remember that I had spent years unable to do anything
physical at all. My muscles and nerves were screaming in
protest at being retrained. They were only responding in kind
until they started to do what they were meant to do.
One day I
got up and surprised myself. I had SLEPT through the night! I
hadn’t done that in….well, I couldn’t remember the last time.
I felt pretty good. I actually did the dishes and cooked a
meal that night. I thought I would pay dearly for it with
aching
fatigue the next day. But it didn’t come. Again, I slept and
felt energized the next day. That weekend, my husband
suggested a little trip to a waterfall. I loved the cascades,
but could only view them from above. This time I gingerly made
my way along the path. My husband kept cautioning me to take
it easy. But, I hopped down the rocks like a mountain goat and
sat right next to the falling water. I lay down on the rock
and looked up at the sky. Was this me? It had to be a fluke.
It wouldn’t last. It was bound to end in a raging flare up.
It did
not. With each passing day, I was stronger, able to do a
little more and was amazed when I did things that I hadn’t
been able to do such a short while before. I was overjoyed
when I was able to keep a promise to my daughter and we spent
four wonderful hours ON OUR FEET at a concert. And contrary to
popular belief, I didn’t drop down dead the next day. I played
in a sandbox with my 3 year old granddaughter and spent
quality time with my family. But the best part is, I now greet
each day with HAPPINESS. I am cheerful, optimistic, and view
the world, not with hopelessness but with love, caring and new
dreams. The depression is in the past and the future holds
only good things. No, I’m not
Pollyanna and the world is not one big candy apple. But I know
this much. Chiropractic gave me the apple tree. What to do
with the apples is up to me. To me, my chiropractor is nothing
short of a master at his craft.
Thank you,
my trusted chiropractor, for giving me my life back. You did
in 6 weeks what my doctors couldn’t do in 10 years. And to all
my fibro friends - try chiropractic. It works!
November 2008
I would like to take a moment to say thank you
for your sincere interest in
the health and well being of our community. When I first
started coming for the
care of my lower back, I was initially thankful for the great
relief in the pain I
experienced. But, it wasn’t long before I began to really
appreciate what your
practice provides.
I was initially coming three times a week to
the office to aid in the healing of my lower back. Within the
first week the chiropractor also had x-rays done of
my neck and found that my atlas needed to be adjusted. After
having gone to physicians for over a year for my lower back (I
had fallen and had been in severe pain), I had come to
seriously dislike every visit to a Dr’s office, from the cold
reception at the door, to the drawn out wait in the rooms and
the perplexed and impatient looks from the Dr’s not knowing
what was wrong with my back, to the ever increasing dent in my
pocketbook for all the x-rays and scans and visits.
I could spend an entire page typing about the
wonderful “physical” changes I have experienced thanks to the
care of my chiropractor and his staff: pain free, weight loss,
no more tingling fingers and hands, having grip in my hands
again, and the ability to lift and carry and play with my
children again. Those changes are what I had been expecting to
achieve at every physician’s visit I was paying for and never
seeming to attain.
Instead, I would like to say thank you for
treating me like a genuine person, with a genuine problem, and
delivering what your practice promises to deliver. I want to
say thank you to your staff, for knowing my name when I walk
in and greeting me with a smile (not because I’m a cash
patient, but because I’m a human being). Thank you for not
frowning on me when I told you I didn’t have insurance, but
instead helping me find the best way to afford my treatment.
And thank you to my chiropractor, for sincere interest in my
health and physical well being. I have recommended you to all
of my friends and family, and will continue to do so. The
service you provide is priceless. Thank you and God Bless
you!
-Linda
October 2008
Judy’s story shows that losing weight is not the only thing
that happens when improving your lifestyle. In fact, Judy was
at her ideal weight and didn’t want to lose any more! When
Judy had her first assessment, she had a wellness quotient of
78 – which is the transitional stage. Lisa Kline, Judy’s
Wellness Coach recalls, “Looking at Judy you would not think
that her Wellness Quotient could be in the transitional stage.
She didn’t have a weight problem, her eating habits were
pretty much perfect, she was taking supplements, and she was
walking every day. But, I wanted to show her that she could do
better than that.”
According to her wellness coach, the psychological dimension
was key to Judy’s improvement. Judy and her coach went through
action steps of proper time management, relaxation techniques,
eliminating anxiety, etc., as well as utilizing the Sound
Advice audio magazine. “This produced major results,” says
Lisa Kline. “When you see a decrease of anxiety in your life
your stress response will improve, and her’s did!” After just
eight weeks Judy had a re-assessment. Her Wellness Quotient
improved 45 points! She was now at 123 – almost into the
excellent category! There were significant improvements in her
physical and psychological dimension. Adding strength
exercises increased her strength, and more intense cardio
helped lower her blood pressure. There were also a few little
changes that had to be made in the bio-chemical dimension. “I
wanted to see the Good turn to Excellent,” says Lisa, “Judy
saw an incredible transformation on the inside– when on the
outside she seemed to be as healthy as possible.”
Judy wrote about her Creating Wellness experience, “I have
enjoyed participating in the Creating Wellness Program. I feel
like I have gained strength and a better awareness of what a
true healthy lifestyle is!” Congratulations, Judy, on
reclaiming your life and living the Creating Wellness
lifestyle!
- This
great success story came from Dr. Dan Atwell’s Creating
Wellness Center in Harrisonburg, VA
September 2008
I was desperate, in pain, and sleep deprived
when I found our chiropractor on the Internet. I was
immediately impressed with the professional, friendly staff
and educational materials that were available. I believe
properly applied knowledge is power to be free to be all I was
meant to be.
Within a few adjustments I was beginning to
realize that a life with little or no pain might be possible,
WITHOUT drugs. Many of my back, leg and shoulder problems are
the direct result of being a mother. I have three children. I
had a lot of “sciatic nerve” problems and neck and shoulder
problems from carrying children. The pain kept me awake many
nights but if it was not the pain, it was the youngest child.
Garrett had not slept well since he was born. He had terrible
“colic.” At ten months old, if he slept more than six hours at
a time, we celebrated! Our daughter who is five years old has
had bedwetting problems and many day “accidents.” On a typical
night I was up every two to three hours either with Garrett
awake (crying or playing) or taking our five year old to the
potty or changing sheets. Then when all was quiet, I would lay
in bed in pain trying to sleep.
Life is so different now! All three children
began chiropractic care about two months ago. Within two
adjustments, Garrett was sleeping eight to twelve hours every
night and taking a one to two hour nap every day, AND our five
year old has not had ANY accidents, day or night!
Chiropractic care will be a way of life for
us. I thank God for answered prayers in the care and education
that our chiropractor has
provided.
In gratitude, Rachel
August
2008
It was
miserable to see my baby, Lance, in so much discomfort and
pain. Only three weeks old, he was going through a terrible
cycle of being fussy and uncomfortable for days straight then
he would fall asleep from total exhaustion. This cycle would
then start all over again. The pediatrician said he had Colic
and would eventually grow out of it.
Thanks to my Mom and the prayer group at church, chiropractic
was suggested. I had never heard about adjusting babies, but
I was willing to try anything. To my amazement, there was
immediate relief after his first adjustment. He always smiles
after his adjustments and is a happy baby now. Chiropractic
Turned My Baby From Fussy to Happy—My chiropractor
July 2008
Hi, my name is Lorraine. I am happy,
out-going, energetic and getting more and more healthy every
day. Nearly 2 months ago, I would have never anticipated the
way that I feel about life now. I had taken almost every diet
pill on the market, tried money exhausting exercise programs
that were not really motivating. I was always tired and I had
begun to feel extreme pain in my back and body. I had
constant headaches for the past 10 years and had been taking
up to 18 Advils per day. Carrying Advils and Motrins was a
must for me. My life was severely stressful both at home and
at work and on most days I just didn’t want to wake up.
One Monday morning in late November 2007 I was
walking to work, as I normally did everyday, and I felt a
sharp pain in my lower back and all of a sudden my left leg
gave out. I nearly fell to the ground and I struggled to walk
the remaining 1½ blocks to get to work. The next 2 days the
pain got progressively worse and it began to start earlier in
my walk. I went to my doctor and they ran tests but found
nothing. I was thought to have a thyroid problem. I was given
sleeping medication because I hadn’t been sleeping well,
muscle relaxers and pain medication. I took the muscle
relaxers, but they did not help. I did not take anything else
except for my current daily doses of 6 Advils at least twice a
day, sometimes 3 times per day.
I went back to my doctor again, still looking and feeling
terrible. I had no kind of energy and every day was a drag.
It was a big blur from day to day… I felt like a hamster in a
never ending wheel of torture. My doctor could find nothing
else to help me and he referred me to a chiropractor. He told
me that the chiropractor was practicing with a new technology
and would perhaps be able to help me.
I went to the chiropractor the very same day
and he explained how there may be something wrong with my
nervous system (which is connected to your spine). Your
nervous system has an effect on every part of your body and if
you have subluxations in your spine it can affect everything.
The chiropractor adjusted my back and then arranged for me to
have my spine scanned. I had a series of scans done and found
out that I had a herniated disk in my lower spine. I also had
nerve testing done and found out that my left side is weaker
than the right side of my body. The chiropractor told me about
a program that he was participating in called
Creating Wellness. He told me that an assessment is done at
the beginning of the program and a wellness quotient is used
to determine how well you actually are.
Well, imagine my surprise to find out that my
wellness quotient was 59. This qualified me as being very
challenged. After finding out the benefits of being on the
Creating Wellness program, I decided to try it. I had my
family against me because they thought it was too expensive
and would be useless. I went on with it anyway because I knew
that I couldn’t go on feeling as sick as I always had been.
I have been on the program for 6 weeks now. I
follow the exercises and the meal plans as they are. I listen
to the CD’s and read my weekly logs. Sometimes I eat something
out of the plan but I am careful not to eat too much or too
often. The exercises are fun and make me feel really good
early in the morning. I take all of my supplements. I have not
remembered feeling as good as I do now in a very long time. I
feel like every day is a breath of fresh air. I have not had
a headache in nearly 2 months. No more Advil or Motrin! I
sleep better and the pain in my lower back has decreased. My
life has changed- for the better! I don’t get sick as often
as I used to and if I do feel symptoms coming, they usually
last a very short time. I have higher self-esteem, I’m not as
stressed out as I used to be, I have an incredible amount of
energy, I eat healthier, and I’m excited about what my future
holds. I look forward to the rest of the program and to the
continuation of my lifestyle change. I really feel like -
the sky’s the limit-
now! At my 5 week assessment I found out that I lost 5 lbs.,
decreased my body fat, and increased my muscle mass. My
wellness quotient is now 85 and I can’t wait to see what it
will be at week 15!
Update from Her Chiropractor:
WOW. She now is down 15 pounds, has an smile that can't be
removed, is energetic, cutting relationships with negative
friends, starting to take control of her finances, and is
loving life.....When she first saw me, you could see fright in
her eyes. During our history evaluation, I found out that her
mother, her grandmother and her aunt all died of a heart
attack at the age of 40...She was 31 and scared. (She was
overweight, female, and 40 -
she had 2 out of 3 covered, and was getting closer to the
third!) But not anymore. She decided she was headed in the
wrong direction, and changed her future and the future of her
kids forever...She thanks me, and I thank you all at Creating
Wellness.
June 2008
My name is Raquel and I discovered chiropractic
through a c0-worker of mine. She had been seeing Dr. Erick
for some time and had suggested that I come in with her on her
next visit. So I did.
During that visit Dr. Erick mentioned how chiropractic works
by removing nerve interference allowing the body to better
heal itself. He also mentioned that he has helped many who
suffer from headaches and sleepless nights. At the time he
told me this, I had been waking up several times throughout
the night for two years, between 5-7 times. In addition to
that, my headaches were so severe that it caused me to take
Tylenol, Motrin and a muscle relaxer to try to ease my
symptoms, which is exactly what they were—they were symptoms,
indicating that something else was going on. The medication
obviously wasn’t working.
I had no doubt that chiropractic would help me. With only one
adjustment I was able to sleep and woke up only twice in the
night. It was a big improvement. Not only did it help with
my sleepless nights, but it cleared up my sinuses and I could
actually breathe through my nose again. I could feel cold air
inside my nose! I had no idea how congested I was until I got
adjusted! I now get adjusted twice a month to maintain my
good health. I have also told others about how chiropractic
has improved my life. I believe there is no need to be taking
so much medication when there is a natural way of adjusting
your body and feeling better in such a short amount of time.
May 2008
My ten year old
son had been on ADHD meds since he was four years old. These
meds had many unwanted side effects. He had no appetite and no
desire to eat. It was war at night to get him to bed. These
meds wore off around 4:00pm each day and he’d be twice as
hyper as normal because the “balance” was tipped ever further
in his little brain. He had severe mood swings; he’d be happy,
then angry, then sad all in a matter of minutes. These swings
caused him to talk about suicide which led me to McKennan
Behavioral-he was there for 6 days; at least now he’s
“med-free.”
I met my new chiropractor through my daughter’s
school. His knowledge, faith, and eagerness to help people was
just the answer I needed. He readily bonded with my son. His
patience with him was very genuine and natural. We’ve had a
family chiropractor for years, yet THIS chiropractor’s full
spectrum of care, nutrition and exercise was something I
hadn’t heard much about. My son is a “work in progress.” I see
small changes every day. His quite literal addiction to sugar
has definitely decreased. He used to get into my brown sugar
container and eat all the “lumps.” His behavior, I feel, will
continue to improve as his care continues.
My opinion of our new chiropractor and his
staff is ‘Awesome.’ The staff is so warm and welcoming when
we come in. Our new chiropractor has the amazing power to
balance professionalism, genuine concern and flexibility.
These qualities are not found easily in doctors.
If a person is thinking about care with a
chiropractor, I say…”Quit thinking about it and DO IT.”
There’s nothing to be lost and everything to be gained. The
drug companies that hold America hostage with never ending
drug therapies know that Chiropractic is the best kept secret.
With our new chiropractor’s help, there are no drug induced
side effects and no large purchases at the pharmacy. There is
one-on-one care as if you are a person and not a chart number.
Sincerely,
Peggy
April 2008
My
husband, Chase and I discovered we were expecting a baby on
Christmas Eve four years ago. It was considered a high risk
pregnancy due to my “advanced maternal age” of thirty-five.
During the ultrasound the technician noted she could not
determine the sex of the baby due to some “anomalies.” At 22
weeks it was determined that it was a boy and he had a very
rare birth defect which caused his organs from the waist down
to be exposed, his hips were not fused and he had Spina
Bifida. We were also told he would be wheelchair bound if we
decided to keep him. We were encouraged to abort the baby
because the defects “were not compatible with human life.”
This was not an option for us.
Christian
was born at 33 weeks via emergency c-section. Since then he
has undergone numerous reparative surgeries and therapy. We
were told that, as he grew, the nerves in his spine would
stretch and it would cause him to be wheelchair bound. Amidst
all of the stress, my husband started to have back problems.
So, he started seeing a chiropractor who then asked us if he
could take a look at Christian. Honestly I didn’t want anyone
touching my baby outside of his current physicians and
caretakers. Through time and osmosis I began to learn and
understand the many benefits of chiropractic care for
children.
Christian
began seeing our chiropractor and received a nervous system
scan. It turned out that the worst interference was at his
neck and shoulders - not in his hips or lower portion of his
body. So over time we started getting Christian adjusted. By
his third adjustment Christian started complaining of pain in
his toes. The doctors had told us that Christian would never
have any sensation in his feet or legs. After two weeks of
care we noticed he was able to stand and balance without
holding onto anything for more than just a second. After
another week of adjusting Christian started taking a step and
then another without his walker! The more he worked with his
chiropractor the more he improved. The medical doctors did not
think chiropractic care would “help” but that it “probably
wouldn’t hurt anything either.”
Christian
is now 3 1/2 years old and he is walking–WALKING without a
walker or without crutches! He climbs onto “his” table at
“his” chiropractor’s office and nothing stops him. We believe
our chiropractor is an essential part of our “team” and we
look forward with great anticipation and wonder at what
Christian and our chiropractor will thrill us with next.
March 2008
Headaches! Really, really BAD headaches! That is the first
thing that brought me to my chiropractor’s office. Not mild
headaches...I’m talking nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to
sounds. I used to wake up in the morning, about once a month
or every 3-5 weeks and sometimes more often, and these
headaches were so bad that they ruined my whole day!!! I used
to take a variety of medications to combat them or their
symptoms, such as: Gravol, Advil liquid-gels, Zomig Rapimelt (Zolmitripton)
and Maxalt RPD (rizatriptan). In most cases the meds didn’t
even give me any relief!
And then someone recommended that I go to their chiropractor.
I was skeptical. Boy am I glad I did go. My headaches have
decreased and they are much less severe. No more nausea,
which is a relief.
As an added benefit, my blood pressure has dropped! This is
something I hadn’t counted on, but… Hallelujah! I have had
high blood pressure for a long time and had been taking
medication for it. My family doctor was very skeptical to
begin with. On one of my last visits my blood pressure was
116/80 - the best it’s been in years. I could have danced out
of there, I was so happy - another gift from my chiropractor.
My medical doctor is extremely pleased and is now asking
questions about chiropractic.
I have peace of mind because of the care my chiropractor has
given me. There are few things that I have had to give up for
my health, but it’s a small price to pay.
I have to say that I came here full of doubts, but in
desperation. I was impressed with the explanation of
“wellness”. The fact is, chiropractic can only do so much; we
are the ones living in our bodies. I decided to really work
on this. I did my exercises, made a food journal and started
writing down info every time I had a headache. I did all this
for me. My chiropractor and his staff have been very
encouraging and I highly recommend them to all.
-L.M.
February 2008
This is a
note of profound gratitude to my chiropractor for helping me
back to the active lifestyle I had enjoyed my entire life
until about nine years ago when, after the birth of my
daughter, I developed severe Rheumatoid Arthritis.
The
medical profession offers no cure for arthritis. The
underlying cause is unknown. Therefore, most medical doctors
treat the symptoms of arthritis—a lifetime of taking
prescribed drugs, surgery, and similar invasive treatments are
suggested. I avoided using medications as long as I could but,
within a few months after my daughter’s birth, the pain was so
debilitating that I was unable to properly care for my young
daughter. I believed my only choice was to turn to
prescription drugs and a Rheumatologist started me on the
traditional course of treatment. I tried numerous medications
in an attempt to manage the pain, stiffness, inflammation,
depression and fatigue, and even took additional medications
to combat the side effects of the arthritis drugs. While the
drugs masked the symptoms of the disease, and my body seemed
better, I was under constant supervision in order to monitor
liver function, blood cell count, retina toxicity and drug
induced ulcers. Through
research, I also became aware of the serious dangers from long
term use of these medications, and since I didn’t want to
further put myself at risk for major complications, I decided
it was time to find a safer alternative. Then a friend told
me about a chiropractor and his wellness clinic. It was my
hope that the treatments would help with some of the
stiffness, but what has happened since seeing my chiropractor
has far exceeded my expectations.
While I
can’t pin point exactly when I noticed a difference in my
health, what stands out in my mind is that one day I realized
that several days had passed and I hadn’t taken my
medications. This was a profound realization! You see,
typically the pain and stiffness was a constant reminder to
take the meds. But since there was no pain, I wasn’t even
thinking about medicating myself. It wasn’t long before I
simply stopped taking all the meds. Now I can honestly say
that I have been able to eliminate my pain and just as
importantly my dependency on pharmaceutical drugs and their
ongoing astronomical costs.
Since receiving chiropractic care, I’ve learned that vertebral
subluxations weaken your nervous system, stress the immune
system, put the body in a weakened state and can set the stage
for sickness and diseases of all types-arthritis included.
Don’t wait until you have a degenerative problem. I urge
anyone reading this to take control of their own health and
avoid prescription drugs and the risk of their dangerous
side-effects. Prevention is the key to good health and I
sincerely believe that chiropractic care has played an
important part in increasing my healing capacity. I’m now
thriving rather than merely surviving. Thank you to my
chiropractor and his wonderful staff!
-Adrienna
January 2008
The first
thing I noticed while I was undergoing chiropractic care was
an enormous surge of energy which I have never felt before. In
the past, I felt very tired, lethargic, and uninspired to do
much; you could really say I had an enormous lack of
motivation!
I also suffered severe neck pain where my neck would make
terrible cracking noises, and I would often put up with dizzy
spells after walking up stairs. It got so bad once that I
nearly lost my balance and crashed into the wall! It gave me
such a fright!
To my delight, I am pleased to say that I do not experience
this any longer. My neck is free from pain and those dreadful
noises it used to make. I really do feel like I own a new
neck as a result of the chiropractic adjustments. The benefits
don’t actually end there. I feel more at ease than I have
ever felt. My whole body feels connected. My mind is more
sharper. I value myself more, and it feels like I have new
energy flowing through me.
I now opt for more nutritious food instead of junk food, as my
body now rejects old food habits. I am able to deal with
stress a lot easier than I used to. I now own a new frame of
mind and a new body. It feels like the whole process of
getting adjusted regularly and eating right has been one truly
educating and fascinating journey of discovery and I would
urge anyone to sample it for themselves.
-Susan
December 2007
Last week, Ashton came into my office. Ashton is a seven week
old baby who was diagnosed with colic and put on Nexium for
gastric reflux/heartburn. The word colic, to some, brings to
mind visions of a baby who just cries a lot. This baby had
been in pain for seven weeks and would scream while the
parents stood by helplessly and the pediatrician said, “The
baby will grow out of it, but expect it to get worse before it
gets better.”
The parents were apprehensive about bringing their baby to a
chiropractor as they felt this delicate little baby was too
fragile to have its spine “cracked.” But, they thought, “What
other options do we have?”
They came in to have some questions answered. After a few
minutes of explanation they asked me to scan and adjust their
baby. This is the same baby that had an umbilical cord
wrapped around its neck and whom the doctors extracted while
the mother was only 8cm dilated.This baby’s heart had
stopped for a short time after birth. This same baby was
such a shade of purple at birth that the parents became
alarmed. This baby shrieked in pain as if someone had just
pinched him. This baby arched its head back in an unnatural
way, according to the parents (the baby was likely trying to
find relief). This baby would be awake for hours at a time.
This baby had vertebral subluxations.
An easy adjustment occurred that day, and a few days later,
the dad brought his little guy back in. The same baby who had
cried for seven weeks had transformed into a regular baby who
cried when he was hungry and then went to sleep after he was
nourished. Mom and Dad had gotten to go back to sleep too.
The dad thanked me and shook my hand. The parents are telling
everyone they know about this little miracle. The little
miracle is not really a miracle at all. Rather, it’s the
normal expression when vertebral subluxations are removed.
November 2007
Almost ten
years ago I was in a tragic accident, that resulted in a TBI,
a traumatic brain injury which put me in a coma for 10 days.
After that I had to re-learn how to read, write, walk, talk
and be potty trained along with other activities of daily
living. I had an amazing recovery. My recovery happened so
quickly and so well that nothing else besides my hospital stay
was considered. No side effects were considered. Many tests
were done on me before I left the hospital. My results fell
within the standard deviation for people of my age. I was
dismissed from the hospital then told to come back up for a
check up in one year and then again in five years for my final
check up.
About three years ago headaches became an everyday event. When
I mentioned it to my friends they suggested I should take
Ibuprofen. My parents told me I should see the doctor. When I
went to see the doctor I was told that headaches are common
with a brain injury and that I should just take Ibuprofen. And
that’s what I did till 4 months ago. I used to get massages to
help me relax and help my headaches go away. One of my regular
massage therapists who knew about my brain injury and
headaches suggested I see a chiropractor,
Dr. Swenson. I was skeptical so I asked her a bunch of
questions and it sounded risk-free, plus I would get a free
x-ray and consultation. So I thought I would give it a try.
I’m so glad I did! Dr. Erick was so helpful. After meeting
with him he explained how chiropractic worked and why I was
having headaches. He listened to my story, then asked me
questions to fully understand my chiropractic needs. He took
an x-ray and the results were shocking. My neck was like a
train wreck. Dr. Swenson assured me that it was something he
could help. Well he did. My headaches have been less frequent
and I can get on with living. Life is now like Nirvana without
headaches.
-Carolyn
October 2007
Thank you so much for all your help during my pregnancy. You
really opened my eyes to the power of chiropractic care! And,
as this was my first time using it, I was completely in awe of
how it helped me.
When I first came to you, I was in my third trimester and
suffering with horrible lower back pain and my baby was
breech. My midwife suggested I consult a chiropractor and
fortunately I found you!
Your gentle, yet effective, adjustments relieved me of the
back pain, which I thought was simply unpleasant but “normal”
part of pregnancy. I now know that this pain is not necessary
or normal for pregnancy.
More importantly, your adjustments were able to turn the baby
out of the breech position! Not only, did this allow for an
easier delivery, but it allowed me to have a home delivery.
What a beautiful experience and one that I would not have been
able to have if it weren’t for your expertise.
So, thank you to my wonderful chiropractor, from the bottom of
my heart.You truly have left a wonderful mark on me and my
family. We look forward to continuing to see you as we now
have a better understanding of the benefits of chiropractic.
- Warmest
Regards, Cara
September 2007
My
family and I were introduced to chiropractic care while we
were searching for relief for our daughter’s migraines. Our
journey began in August 2005 when Tori was 10 From August
2005 to February 2006, Tori had five to six episodes of strep
throat, two sinus infections and a bout with Mono. During
this six month period, Tori was rarely able to go a week
without missing school. In February of 2006, she had her
tonsils and adenoids removed. Soon after her surgery, she
started having migraines. Tori was missing school days, at
times, because of the severity of her migraines. She
underwent a CT Scan and met with a neurologist who prescribed
500mg of Depakote per day. The medicine decreased the
severity and frequency of the migraines but she was still
missing at least one day a week of school. After a period on
the Depakote, she started to have stomach pains, a side effect
of the medicine. We knew the medicine was causing her stomach
pains and we knew it was only covering up the pain from the
migraines. It was not fixing the cause of the problem.
While we were going through this very difficult time with my
daughter, a client of mine recommended her chiropractor. I
was skeptical of chiropractic so I did not pursue that
recommendation immediately. Then one day when we were at the
mall, I was walking behind Tori and I noticed that her
shoulders were not at the same height. One was tipped lower
than the other. At that point, I understood that something
was not right with her structure. We decided to give
chiropractic a try to see if we could find help for Tori. We
went in for Tori’s initial assessment. Everything the
chiropractor said made sense to us and the evaluation
discovered a probable cause to Tori’s headaches and decreased
immune system.
Tori received her first adjustment on
January 31, 2007. She has been under consistent care now for
six months and we have seen tremendous results. Her headaches
have decreased from at least one time per week to only two in
four months. She went from missing one day of school a week
to missing one day in four months. We have been able to
decrease her medication by half and with the help of our
medical doctor, hope to wean her off the medication completely
throughout the summer. Once Tori started seeing such great
results, we all decided to have our entire family evaluated.
Now we all get adjusted regularly to help keep everyone
healthy. I guess you could call us a well adjusted family. If
you are considering chiropractic for you or your kids or have
a desire to stay healthy, I would strongly recommend you go
and see the chiropractor. It really was one of the best
decisions we have ever made.
-Terry
August 2007
