I have suffered with a lower back and hip problem since my childhood.
Dear Dr. Gould,
Engaging in your services for chiropractic care is the best thing I have ever done for myself! Admittedly, when I came to you almost a year ago, I was full of skepticism. I was not truly willing to believe in chiropractic, but I had tried all of the traditional routes to correct my problems. Today, I’m a believer.
From the time I was a small child, I had a problem with my left hip and lower back. As a child other children teased me because I limped. My parents took me to the “best” physicians and surgeons in the area. I still limped. As an adult, I learned to live with the problem, even as it became worse and people constantly asked questions like, “How’d you hurt your leg?” It embarrassed me, but I thought there was nothing I could do about it. Soon the problem escalated to the point where my hip began to ache all the time. Eventually, even simple exercise like taking walks caused excruciating pain. Soon, the problem was more than an annoyance; it was an obsession. I began consulting physicians and specialists. They offered various theories and resolutions:
“The problem is in your head. There is no physical reason for this.”
“Your left calf muscle is dead. This causes strain on your left hip. There is nothing you can do about it.”
“You’re 20lbs. overweight. Lose the extra weight and you won’t have the problem.”
“You don’t get enough exercise. Exercise more and it’ll stop hurting.”
“Driving long distances is causing this. Sit on a pillow and it’ll be okay.”
“The calf muscle appears to be a little short. We can surgically lengthen it, but there is no guarantee it will help.”
Finally, with no alternative, I came to you, hoping something was out of place and you could just “pop it back.” When you examined me, read my x-ray, and informed me that I needed to start coming in three times per week and eventually taper to one time per month, I was even more skeptical than before. I couldn’t understand why you wouldn’t fix the problem in one visit. The worst part is my insurance does not cover chiropractic. If I had not been in so much pain, I would have walked out (or should I say limped) and never returned. However, I had no choice but to stay. I’m glad I did.
I felt better within a week. Today, after regular chiropractic adjustments I feel an occasional “twinge” in my hip, but it is barely noticeable. I can walk for hours without experiencing any pain whatsoever. Although I still have a slight limp at times, it has been a year since anyone has commented on it; I used to receive comments almost daily. Besides correcting the known problem, the adjustments have allowed me to sleep better, have diminished the number of “stress” headaches and have significantly improved my posture.
In addition to the chiropractic adjustments, you have also prescribed orthotics, special inserts to wear in my shoes. I have worn the orthotics regularly for six months now, and have noticed remarkable differences. My calves no longer ache after standing on my feet all day. My feet don’t hurt after walking long distances. (In fact, to the contrary they feel like they’ve just had a massage.) Calluses have completely disappeared from the bottoms of my feet.
I used to think sore, callused feet, aching calves and stress headaches were a normal part of a working woman’s life. Now I know better, thanks to your chiropractic expertise. If I had to do it all over again and the cost of a visit where double what it is today, I would not hesitate to seek chiropractic care, insurance or no insurance.
I would also choose you as the care-giver because of all the personalized attention I have received in your office. You always take the time to understand, communicate and educate. In this day and age, it is so refreshing to come across someone who truly cares about his patients and who isn’t just in business to make a dollar. Thank you for that and for the difference you have made in my life.
Sincerely,
Karen Domaschko
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