Our Passion…

Earlier this week, I was talking with Christine and Linda about our vision and our passion. After an insightful discussion we summed it up: Our passion is to help our clients get well and stay well - using natural therapeutic techniques that are safe and effective. We love the idea of promoting superior health in our community through natural therapies. We discussed just how different our approach to wellness is than the typical “Western” medical approach. To clarify our thoughts, I’d like to share the following story of a patient who visited us this month. Her story isn’t that unusual…

(I have changed the patient name to protect her privacy)

Debbie was referred in to our office by a caring family member. After she was warmly greeted by Christine and Linda, she was introduced to me. She was pleasant enough and seemed to carry herself well, but I could tell something was bothering her. After Debbie completed some health history forms I brought her into my exam room and began the interview. I looked over her forms with her and when I got to the pain/body diagram, my heart broke for her.

She literally had nearly every symptom checked and every body part circled - indicating she had pains everywhere. She indicated that her pain was a 9 out of 10 and was fairly constant. I discovered that she had been suffering from debilitating pains for over 14 years and had not been getting any better despite the numerous medications and injections she was given. She was at her wit’s end.

I began asking some hard questions. Did any of her doctors recommend chiropractic, massage or any other natural healing art?… “No.” Did any of her prior doctors advise her to a try healthier way of eating?… “No.” How was her diet? “Poor.”

Then I started the exam. Debbie was able to move fairly well during the exam and nothing really struck me as that extraordinary until I had her lie down on my exam table. I performed a detailed exam of her spine and the muscles of her back, thighs, legs, shoulders and arms. I discovered multiple areas of spinal subluxation (”stuck” spinal joints that cause nerve interference). I also found that she had multiple areas of extreme muscular tension and active trigger points (muscular “knots”) throughout her body. Some of her trigger points that were so “fired up” that when pressed they shot pain to across to other areas of her body.

I then asked her if any of her prior doctors examined her like this?… “No.” She told me she her doctors interviewed her and then she had x-rays, MRIs, and lab work. All tests revealed nothing wrong. It didn’t surprise me.  I see this type of case frequently.  I knew that all those expensive diagnostic tests don’t reveal the types of problems I found in her joints and muscles. And I found her problems (and the cause of her pains) by just using my hands. (Side note: chiropractic means “With Hands” or “Hand Practice”)

So what does traditional medicine do when they can’t find any causes?  She was prescribed medication to ease her pain. Over the years that changed to injections, and then more and more drugs. And she just didn’t think anything else could be done.

After finishing the exam, I clearly explained to Debbie what was wrong, and that I could definitely help. I provided hope. Her face lit up.

I let her know that I would accept her as a patient, and there was good hope that she would recover, but she would have to make a commitment to better health. She would have to start a program consisting of regular visits for chiropractic and massage therapy. It was also vital that she change her way of eating. She joyfully agreed. Her journey to superior health was just beginning.

This true story helped me clarify my passion as a chiropractic doctor and a natural healer. And in regards to wellness, it also revealed a very distinct difference between our approach and the typical “Western” medical approach…

We know that true health comes from within… not in a bottle.

And we don’t just cover up the symptoms with drugs… we uncover the true cause of the problem and provide natural and corrective care. How refreshing!

And in Debbie’s case… life-changing.