What Our Patients Are Saying. . . .
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The mere thought of anyone cracking joints or manipulating my spine made me nauseous. I have suffered lower and upper back pain, sciatica and numbness in my legs and feet for the past 20 years or more. I was told by a prominent orthopedic surgeon at that time that I had two choices, one being surgery for a herniated spinal disc and the other to “just live with it” and take over the counter pain remedies. Might I add for a point of interest that this surgeon apparently found his “Back” patients to be like myself and willing to “just live with it”. He has since become active only in specialized knee replacement surgery. “Knees”, apparently translate to more cash in pocket and he had no problem ethically in dumping his former “Back” patients.

On May 3rd, 2003 the simple task of making my bed caused me to feel back pain like I had never before experienced. About two weeks later, a caring relative saw my plight and knew that she could help me if only I were to revisit my Chiropractic fears. She took me by the hand and drove me to see Dr. Shelley Wilton, her personal family friend, at Dr. Wilton’s home. Dr. Shelley willingly shared her free time to question my spinal history and symptoms, calm my fears and present positive expectations. I wasn’t totally convinced, but I was tentatively, at best, moving in what I hoped would be the right direction to recovery. Dr. Shelley sent me home with that first appointment card and at that point I’m sure that BOTH of us were wondering if I would actually show up for that appointment which proved to be the turning point of my life.

It wasn’t easy. Nothing worth having usually is. Although my spine and pelvis responded positively to Dr. Shelley’s adjustments, I still encountered months of exercises and excruciating left leg pain due to years of living with nerve damage. I knew what to expect with sciatica but this was so different. My pelvic movements were so distorted that my body had to compensate unnaturally just to be able to walk. I didn’t realize this, but Dr. Shelley noticed my weird gate at our first meeting. “The Leg” as my left leg was often referred to, had a painful will of its own. IT didn’t like standing, abrupt changes in weather, water of any temperature and at its worse—even being touched, all below my knee. Dr. Shelley kept reassuring me that the nerve damage would heal but it would take time. My fulltime job required minor repetitive lifting which I believe set me back a couple of times. During my feeling good periods, I tried to challenge myself which usually was not a good thing. Live and Learn! When Dr. Shelley tells you not to do something, DON’T DO IT. The snow shovel is NOT your friend!

Today, I am pleased to report that I can finally know what it is to be “pain-free” probably for the first time in over 20 years. I also know that I don’t have to accept anything less at this point in my life. I owe this all to Dr. Shelley with her professional expertise, diligence, caring and kind words of encouragement. At no time has she ever inflicted undue pain on me although the internal sounds of some of her adjustments can be weird to the untrained ear. Dr. Shelley has fixed problems with my spine that I never knew were repairable. I no longer have acid reflux which was caused by inflammation in my back and the turning radius of my neck has been restored to the point where I can actually back up a vehicle without the aid of a mirror. My spine had been painfully sensitive to the touch of a hand for so long that I thought something serious might be damaged when I didn’t feel pain anymore. And most importantly, “The Leg” has returned to normal. Oh, I have my moments…and I look forward to my monthly Chiropractic tune-ups. I also know that if I do something stupid that Dr. Shelley can fix whatever ails me. Tell me that isn’t confidence from a former non-believer!

One of my biggest fears in life was retiring from my job only to be subjected to a wheelchair. I HAVE retired but with a zest for life and new career goals that I never thought were possible until I found Dr. Shelley! ~Donna Asselin
Wellness Within Chiropractic
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