Headaches, Allergies and Eczema: One Woman’s Healing Story

Each time we hire a new employee, I find myself thinking, “Boy, you have no idea.  This job will change your life!”  I can think (and say) this based on the employees we’ve had over the last 14 years… going on to become a chiropractor, massage therapist, start a business, etc.  I’ve seen major life changes like significant weight loss, significant improvements in diet or exercising for the first time in their life. Chiropractic care alone is a reason to expect life changes.  Add to that our loving and positive office environment and our incredible patients… and well, it’s impossible to not grow as a person.  Here’s our newest employee’s first written testimonial:

Nine months ago, I knew nothing about Chiropractic. I took a shot in the dark when responding to the employment ad. As soon as I entered Spinal Corrective Center though, I knew I was in the right place and just felt like I belonged.

After being offered the job I was told I would go through a New Patient Exam. At that time I “knew” I didn’t need Chiropractic care but went through the exam process for educational reasons.

I told them about the “hereditary health problems” that I had, but knew I was destined to keep them for life. First, there were the headaches that I got four or more times a week, that would sometimes last for days. They started four years ago after a bad car accident; I figured they must be normal because my primary told me to just ignore them. Then there are the allergies. I would get three shots a week and had to carry an epi-pen due to the severe reactions I had experienced after getting the shots.  Don’t forget about the fifteen plus year battle I’ve had with eczema. It started out covering my legs, arms, back, stomach and even parts of my face. It then decided to relocate on my hands right before graduating college. It stopped me from ever retaining my massage license due to the severe pain it would cause me.

Upon seeing my x-rays, I found out I had a seven-degree neck curve and the rest of my spine was misaligned as well. Dr. David and Dr. Jenny were confident that they could help my body heal itself. So, I began getting adjusted three times a week.

Before I reached my three-month mark I noticed my almost daily “normal” headaches had turned into maybe one every two or three weeks. At three months another x-ray of my neck was taken and it revealed that my neck had corrected itself from the seven-degree curve now to a healthier 19-degree curve!

I continued on for the next five months with my two times per week adjustment schedule. When I was told it was time for my eight-month progress check, I had almost forgotten about the original concerns I had until Jessica reminded me about my headaches and allergies. It was at that time I realized I had not gotten an allergy shot in at least six months and had no reactions! I don’t think I even kept any more Benadryl in the house! My headaches have been long gone. I can’t remember the last time I bought a jumbo-sized aspirin jar!  As for my eczema, well, I have to thank the whole team for that. We found out that I have sensitivity to wheat/gluten that provoked my skin condition. With the removal of gluten and a complete clean-up of my diet, along with regular adjustments, you would never know I used to have eczema that caused so much physical and emotional pain. I’m now looking forward to finally ending this two-year hiatus as a massage therapist!

Nine months ago I knew nothing of Chiropractic. Now I don’t know how I could ever live without it.

Sarah Skarzenski

Dr. Jenny’s note: Sarah’s calm demeanor and friendly attitude make her such an asset to Spinal Corrective Center.  Whether she’s answering phones or helping with a new patient, we can always count on Sarah to make our office a positive experience for all.  We love you, Sarah!

A Patient’s Viewpoint on American Healthcare

Healthcare has become a political focus in recent years and everyone knows that once the government starts to define something, it turns into another thing altogether. Healthcare is no exception.

When we started coming to Spinal Corrective Center (SCC) seven years ago, we too were caught up in many healthcare traditions that are all too common in our society. It was not uncommon to have a 200 tablet bottle of Anacin in the cabinet, make trips to the doctor for fevers or coughs, take vaccines for granted and believe that germs and bacteria are becoming super strains that current medicine can no longer treat. Thanks to SCC, we have been educated and we are no longer controlled by the media’s and the AMA’s opinion of medicine.

Unfortunately, like many of you reading this testimony, our family needed to have something happen before we came to find SCC. I (Bill) had been suffering with chronic pain in my neck and numbness in both hands. Once I started being treated for a straight neck (21 degrees), I decided to have my family evaluated only to find that the kids were all worse than I was. It became clear to me after looking at my kids x-rays that just because you are young does not mean you are free from spinal subluxations.

Once the family started to come to SCC something started to take place that was not expected; we were becoming educated about our bodies. I would say that if there is one reason why SCC is successful in chiropractic, it is because their education process breaks down the walls that are built daily by the medical media frenzy and the AMA’s attempt to make you think you need them to be healthy. When you stop and think about it, isn’t this the root cause to our healthcare problems. Thankfully, SCC has shown us that we are in control of our health through proper spinal alignment capable of transmitting signals from the brain to our organs, proper sleep patterns to help heal our bodies, proper diet to help our immune system fight off the “super germs” and proper exercise to promote good blood flow.

When I first started coming to SCC, it was not uncommon to come down with the common cold 4-6 times a year. These colds would last 7 days or longer – (have you ever been told; 3 days coming, 3 days leaving). I rarely missed work, but I always felt lousy for these 7 plus days. Not anymore! I rarely come down with a cold and when I do, it is more like a 2 day event where my body becomes tired and I require more rest for these 2 days. I have become so confident about my body’s ability to fight cold germs that it is not uncommon for me to shake people’s hands when they are sick even when they tell me that it is not a good idea to come in contact with them.

The other area SCC has helped our family is in the area of providing medical advice and direction in areas other than spinal subluxations. Dr. Jen and Dr. David have provided help at times when our regular physicians were running the tests required by the insurance companies to eliminate certain theories before running the tests that were effective in coming up with the correct prognosis. They also pointed us in the direction of holistic doctors and supplements to handle abnormal medical concerns that would have otherwise needed steroids, prescriptions, surgery or a combination of them all. They also have been helpful with our kid’s sports injuries working on knee, shoulder and elbow alignments during baseball and football seasons.

Our family highly recommends SCC for all that they do. They are far more than “back crackers” and more like what a family physician should resemble. If more chiropractic practices resembled SCC and more people followed their lead in healthcare, our politicians would have more time to spend on real issues and healthcare would be far more affordable.

Respectfully submitted, The Kings – Bill, Linda, Pamela, Joseph, James and Zachary

2011 Workshop Syllabus

Space is limited.  Waitlists will be available once workshop is full.

Please sign up in advance and commit to attending.

Guests and the public are welcome but must register in advance.

All workshops are with Dr. Jennifer Cretsinger

 

Attend 6 workshops this year and get an additional month of care at our expense!

Name:_____________________________________________________________

Dr. You: Taking Charge of Your Health Tuesdays 5:15-5:45pm

___1/25   ___ 2/22   ___ 3/22   ___4/12   ___5/24   ___6/28   ___7/26   ___8/23   ___9/27   ___10/25   ___11/22   __12/13

Discover the ideal thought process necessary to maximize your inner healing.  Guests welcome.

4 Core Classes Tuesdays 5:15-6:00pm

_____ Jan. 11 Core Eating Discover the fundamentals of eating for an optimally healthy body.

_____ Mar. 8 Core Moving Discover your body’s movement requirements and how to implement them.

_____ Sept.13 Core Thinking Discover psychoimmunoneurology– how what you think affects your body.

_____ Nov. 8 Core Sleeping Discover the science behind getting a good night’s sleep.

 

Third Thursday Health Workshops 3rd Thursday/month 6:15-7:00pm (except Feb. and Aug.)

_____ Jan. 20  Setting Attainable Goals Discover the secrets to setting and achieving realistic goals.

_____ Mar. 31 Children’s Health Discover how to help your child eat, move, think and sleep better (and what to do when they get sick.)

_____ Apr. 21 Creating Space- Declutter Your Mind and Life Discover how to let go of what doesn’t serve you and make room for abundance!

_____ May  5 Food for Life Discover how to read food ingredient labels and make the best choices for your family (updated workshop from the past… and possibly the most popular workshop we’ve given!)

_____ June  2 Sunscreen Questions and Solutions Discover the truth about sunscreens.

_____ July 14 Vaccination Decisions Discover how to navigate the confusing world of immunizations.

_____ Sep. 22 Kid’s Workshop Discover that your child, age 5-12, might just listen to us teach them healthy habits and choices!  Super fun time and lots of laughs. (parents and guests welcome.)

_____ Oct. 13 Exercise with Eric Discover a home exercise routine catered for your spine and exercise ability! (limited space, wear exercise clothing.)

_____ Nov. 17 Increasing Immunity Discover how to prepare your immune system for a healthy winter!

_____ Dec. 15 Open House/ Inspirational Message Dr. Jenny will give an inspirational message to prepare your mind and heart for the holidays. Food will be served. Bring a friend!

 

Specially Scheduled Workshops

_____ Feb. 3 – Feb. 24 Tuesdays 5:15-6:00pm Colon/Liver/Kidney Cleanse Fee Involved. Discover how to cleanse while you raise your energy (& lose weight if you want!)  Look for more info. about time & price options.

_____ May 14 Sat. 9am-Noon  Women’s Workshop Discover how to let your magnificent, sparkly inner you shine through!  This extremely popular workshop is THE event of the year! Sorry guys, women only (ages 14 & up.)

_____ July 28 – Aug. 18 Thursdays 6:15-7:00pm Weight Loss Cleanse Fee Involved. Ready to lose weight while creating a healthier body?  This cleanse is for you!!!  Several time and price options available.

All workshops held in the Living Room at SCC.

1 Overlook Dr.  Amherst, New Hampshire  673-5600

www.spinalcorrectivecenter.com

 

How to Influence Millions of People

I’ve been thinking big lately.  It all started with a cool weekend seminar through the Demartini Institute.  Then it grew bigger while on my estheticians table… Elizabeth told me about Martha Beck and how to make an effective vision board.  Then there was the conversation with my audio producer about building content to solidify a brand. And finally, an invitation to be part of a radio program that may become nationally syndicated skyrocketed my thought process into another dimension.  A bigger dimension.

How many people do I want to reach with my message?  I know that the people I can reach in our office is physically limited to a few thousand.  I can possibly reach hundreds more through community speaking.  I currently have over 6000 hits (maybe 2000 different people) on my podcast (online radio show) site: http://forthehealthofit.podbean.com  Our email newsletter reaches several hundred.  And well, Facebook adds about 400 more.  If you cross reference, that is probably about 2500 people total.  Worldwide. My vision is 5 million.

First, you may ask, what do you have to say that is so important, that deserves the attention of that many people?  Are you capable of saying it in a way that is dynamic, interesting and relatable?  Do people really care?

I ask myself these questions almost daily.  And I refine my answers as I grow as a person.  Here is my latest draft:  I have a calling to inspire people that they are capable of living a remarkable life.  I re-enthuse the innate knowing that we are built to be capable, thriving beings with the potential to heal, create and communicate beyond what we have been taught.  The message is unique in that the foundation is built from the concept of innate intelligence, or the foundational fact that we have an intelligence in our minds and bodies that works from a place of wholeness and wellness.  I have exhaustively researched the tools and knowledge of maximizing our innate intelligence. People are starving for these skills… and the renewing of this belief they inherently have, buried deep below what they’ve been taught.

My ability to translate my message in moving ways is a gift I am working to cultivate.  I tweet, blog, tape podcasts, write articles, make video productions, speak at workshops and give patient reports with the goal of continually improving my ability to communicate my vision.  This is a lifelong journey of “kaizen”: constant and never-ending improvement.

Finally, do people really care?  Not everyone. Maybe not even you.  But your neighbor does.  Or maybe a parent.  And certainly your mailman, or child’s school teacher, or the mayor.  I’ve always believed that my message is not for everyone, it is for the people who are waiting for it.  They will find it.  They will share it.  I learned a long time ago that if your goal is to reach everyone, you’ll likely compromise your message or skill.  If you refine with confidence the truth in your message, you will attract those who are looking for it.

I was taught by one of my mentors, that it certainly is not about making money.  It is about serving.  That’s where happiness, satisfaction and love lives.  I’d love for you to join my journey.  What message do you have?  People just might care if you find a way to share it.

Note: Dr. Jennifer is hosting a dinner event at the Rustic Leaf Bistro in Milford, NH on Thursday November 11th at 6:15pm.  It is designed for the public and current patients (with their guests) to learn more about chiropractic’s role in this health vision.  Contact Jessica at 603-673-5600 to reserve a seat.

Sugar Can Cause Asthma, But That’s Not The Point

“Doc, I have had this asthma issue for twenty years.  Do you think you can fix it?”  People just want to be fixed.  Of course they do!  Don’t you?  Something hurts or decreases your ability to live the way you want… and you just want it to go away. NOW.

There are many ways to get a quick fix.  Take my patient Cathy, for example.  I just had a consultation with her after her first six months of chiropractic corrective and wellness care.  She tells me about how great she feels.  She says that we’ve helped her get her life back.  And then she tells me a story that, even though I’ve heard similar many times before, stops me in my tracks.

A few months ago Cathy had decided to do a nutritional cleanse with us.  I guided her through the process and she played full out.  An outcome, other than weight loss and increased energy, was that she learned that she felt much better not eating sugar.  She decided that she would remain off sugar once the cleanse was over.  And for the most part, she succeeded and continued to feel better overall.  She actually suspected that the reason her energy was up, sleep was more sound, eczema was improved and asthma was GONE, was because she was avoiding sugar.

Then birthday season began.  Many people at her office had birthdays last month, and thus birthday cakes were plentiful.  She also had a major change in her life, which caused her to feel stressed.  Little by little, she started eating sugar again.  Almost immediately, the eczema came back, her energy went down and sleeping became an issue.  She saw herself going down this path, yet felt unable to stop.  Then the infamous “Sugar Cookie Day” happened.

She had not eaten breakfast.  Stress was at an all time high. Lunch time came and went.  She was with a friend and suddenly found herself famished.  Her friend offered her a shortbread cookie with frosting on it.  MMM, that sugar tasted good.  Within a few minutes, Cathy had a big, scary asthma attack.

Cathy has decided that no matter how good sugar tastes, it’s not worth it.  She’s back to her healthy eating habits and feeling better than ever.

Here’s why I felt knocked over the head.  I know that area of Cathy’s spine where her nervous system supplies life to her lungs had been comprised, possibly for years.  Our goals with her chiropractic care are to heal and stabilize where her spine is not healthy, allowing her nerve system to work better.  This alone is likely a factor in her body’s struggle with asthma symptoms.  Discovering that eating sugar has also affected her body’s function has helped Cathy know what her body needs and doesn’t need.

Cathy is a puzzle.  Just like all people are puzzles.  Being optimally healthy is multi-factoral.  That’s why we don’t just educate about chiropractic, but the chiropractic lifestyle.  Encouraging our patients to eat whole foods, move their body through exercise and stretching, get maximum REM sleep, and think in a way that serves them is how we help our community create health.  Spinal health is the fifth component, and is foundational for function and healing. Chiropractic adjustments help keep an optimal functioning spine and nerve system.

Here’s the reality: a patient comes in with a headache, for example, and wants it GONE.  The model of symptom management is to get rid of the pain or symptom as fast as possible.  Obviously, this is done all the time through drugs (over the counter, prescribed, alcohol, and illegal.)  The numbing effect physically and spiritually of this model perpetuates an inability to know your body.

The hard work Cathy has done to understand her body’s needs is leading her to not only get rid of her symptoms, but to create a healthier functioning body.  This paradigm is the only true way to health.  All else just masks potential.

Often, a new patient’s symptoms are actually CAUSED by medication. For example, Frank just realized that since he’s been off his cholesterol medication that his headaches, body aches, and constipation have gone away.  These are all well known side effects of statin drugs.  Now if he was looking for me to “cure” him of these symptoms with spinal adjustments, but keep taking medication that was causing it, he would likely be disappointed in chiropractic care.

Feeling empowered that your body has the ability to function at 100% given a healthy environment, is the first step in working towards health.  Secondly, making consistent healthy choices is important.  Third, when your body produces a symptom, ask WHY.  Work toward removing the interference or cause before resorting to an outside-in form of treatment.  Mostly, symptoms (like fever) are actually signs that your body is healing.

As for Cathy and Frank, healing has been a journey that brings with it immeasurable rewards.

Be Well Everybody!

You Say Tomato, I Say OUCH!

It happens every August.  A patient (often the same patients as last time) will come in for their regular wellness adjustment and have a concern.  The conversation usually goes like this, “Doc, I don’t know what’s going on.  I haven’t hurt myself or pushed myself but I woke up this morning feeling achy all over.  My knees, back and shoulders hurt like crazy!  I feel like an old person.”  After some discussion, we’ll uncover that indeed there was no strain, injury or unusual repetitious event.  Finally, I’ll ask if they have eaten tomatoes or potatoes lately.  The look I’m given is skeptical and confused. The response goes like this, “Well, yes!  My tomatoes are overflowing my garden. I’ve been eating them like apples!”

Hmmmm.  So here I am a chiropractor.  First of all, our patients know we don’t treat their symptoms. We help their spine align so the body can heal itself.  Patients value regular adjustments to help their body be balanced and healing optimally.  Care is about overall wellness.  Yet, they have an odd moment of discomfort.  They are asking me to fix them.  And then here I go asking about tomatoes?

I first read about nightshades (the class of “vegetables” containing tomatoes, white potatoes, red and green peppers and eggplant) over 12 years ago in the the book Food and Healing by Annemarie Colbin.  I found it interesting that this group of “vegetables” (they are actually fruits and potato is a tuber) could cause inflammation and achiness in the body.  The nightshades contain solanine which is a glycoalkaloid poison that can cause a toxic effect in susceptible people. Symptoms can include arthritis, calcium depletion, stiff joints and painful knees, ankles and wrists.  It can even cause GERD symptoms (heartburn.)

Like most nutritional information I come across, I decided to test it for myself before educating patients. I did an old fashioned “elimination diet” to test how my body reacted to nightshades.  This meant that I ate absolutely no nightshades for two weeks (even ketchup!)  After two weeks, I took one day where I ate a large amount (think eggplant parmesan for lunch and tomato pizza for dinner.) And then I went to bed. Now remember, I was only 25 years old. I rarely had any pain in my body, and certainly no arthritis so I expected no obvious signs of nightshade sensitivity.

I woke up the next morning feeling like a 95 year old woman!  Every joint in my body seemed to ache. Lying in bed, I was amazed at the ache in my fingers.  My neck, shoulders, back and knees all felt like I had done a triathlon the previous day.  I slowly got up and showered.  By later that morning, I felt near normal again.  I was so surprised, that I retested again the next month.  The same thing happened!

It’s not that I no longer eat nightshades.  I just make sure that I don’t have too much in one day.  If I happen to wake up achy and stiff I review what I ate the day before.  I can always pin it on tomatoes or potatoes.  Over the years, I tend to go with the non-nightshade choice.  It’s not worth it.

Leading nutritional cleanses in the office, I have patients test nightshades the same way.  Not everyone has a reaction like I did, but several people in each group find that nightshades make them achy and stiff.  For some people, It’s quite depressing to know their favorite food hurts their body.  For others, it’s a huge blessing to finally find a reason for their unexplained pain.

In a study published in the Journal of the International Academy of Preventive Medicine, out of 5000 arthritis sufferers who eliminated nightshades, seventy percent reported relief from aches, pains and disfigurement.

And yet, how many people with arthritis are taking medication to ease the pain!  They have likely never been educated about nightshades.  I very rarely have a patient who has heard of the symptomatic effect of foods they eat.  Nutrition is way more important than most people realize!

Don’t get me wrong, there are definite nutritional benefits to potatoes and tomatoes (and the rest of the nightshades.)  They are very high in potassium and go well with animal foods because they aid in the digestion of fatty proteins.

My best recommendation is to test this for yourself.  Eliminate nightshades for a minimum of two weeks (by the way, tobacco and Motrin are also nightshades.) Then take a day to eat a considerable amount (good part of each meal.)  Wait and monitor how you feel.  It may take until the next day (likely the morning) to feel the effects. For many of you, you’ll feel the same and have no worries.  For others, it may explain a lot.  Then it’s up to you to decide how much to have nightshades in your diet.

For me?  Ketchup… sure! A few breakfast potatoes next to my omelette…probably!  Gnocci (potato pasta) in a tomato sauce? No way!

An Alternative To Popping Antibiotics like Tic Tacs?

This is a recent testimonial from one of my favorite wellness patients…

When I was about 5 or so, you could track me around the house by following the trail of crumpled tissues.  Like Hansel and Gretel, with allergies.  We brushed it off as me being a typical snot-nosed kid.

By the time I was in middle school, I learned to make sure that all my pants had pockets.  Otherwise I’d have to store my clean-tissue supply up my sleeves like a nursing home escapee.  And I don’t know if you remember much about middle school, but grandma chic has never been, and never will be, cool.

In college, all my care packages arrived with NyQuil and Puffs Plus.  Other students had a mismatched grab bag of shot glasses; I had a perfect set of 30ml plastic dosing cups.

But I thought that was okay, that it was typical.  I just happened to be one of the unfortunate people susceptible to colds and allergy season.  And when things escalated and I was dealing with strep throat, bronchitis and ear infections, I assumed that was how the rest of my life would be.  One pack of antibiotics was never going to be enough, my nose would always be red, and my voice would always be nasal.

Then I hurt my arm.  I’m not sure how, I just woke up and it was numb.  The triage nurse thought I had a stroke (I was only 23), my doctor thought I had a pinched nerve, and the plethora of specialists I saw in the next few years each came up with something new and horrible for me every appointment.  I was scared.  The numbness came and went, but my shoulder always hurt, and now I always smelled like some kind of balm or liniment.  Grandma chic again.

My boss—between ear infections, so I could hear her—told me I needed a chiropractor.  Specifically, her chiropractor.  So I met Drs. David and Jennifer, got adjusted regularly, used my foam wedge…and got better.  A lot better.  The numbness has never returned.  My shoulder rarely gets achy, and it’s only when I’ve been overusing it.  Best of all—and most unexpected of all—my ear, nose and throat problems went away.  I’ve had to go on antibiotics once in the three years I’ve been getting adjusted, while before I had to pop them like Tic Tacs.  Tissues are no longer a hot commodity in my house, my voice isn’t nasal, and it turns out my nose has freckles on it.  I had never noticed before due to its state of perpetual redness.

Getting adjusted is an amazingly liberating feeling, like I’m actively doing something to keep myself healthy, rather than just waiting for the next germ to hit and dominate my life.  I look forward to my appointment as if it were a spa day.  Some of my friends wonder why—if my shoulder is no longer hurting—I still go to a chiropractor.  I point out that’s why I still go.  I’m not in pain, I’m not sick, and I’m going to keep it that way.

-Kathleen

Dr. Jennifer’s note: Kathleen has been able to heal because the intelligence in her body is more fully expressed.  When we examined her, we found subluxations in her spine, causing nerve flow to her arm and organs to be reduced.  Once she started getting adjusted, the nerve pressure was released and her body started functioning properly.  Spinal health is critical to overall wellness. Hundreds of patients like Kathleen, get their power turned on every week so they can stay as healthy as possible.  Have you had your spine checked?

Check out our website:

www.spinalcorrectivecenter.com

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http://forthehealthofit.podbean.com

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What Do You See?

Dr. Jennifer adjusting Santa Claus.

When you walk into our office on a busy afternoon and the place is hopping, what do you see? There are three people signing in. The adjustment seats are full. A family of six just went to table one. There is a buzz in the air and an unmistakable energy. What do you think?

“Oh man, the docs are busy. It’s going to be a few minutes.”

Or do you look around … and smile. Do you think to yourself…

“That’s my accountant going in to get adjusted. There’s my daughter’s school bus driver getting “her power turned back on”, or that’s a policeman, making sure that he’s at the top of his game.”

Do you wonder if it’s going to be 5 or 6 minutes to wait, or do you find comfort in knowing that your kids’ principal is in our office, the local emergency room doctor, the school nurse, and your paper boy.

Are you annoyed by the squirming child next to you? Or are you happy that he is no longer on antibiotics? Do you see an older man taking too much time to get off a table, or do you see someone who is getting help without having to take another drug?

This is not a clinic. This is the headquarters of a movement.

Each person in this office is part of your community. A community that desperately needs changing. Each person is the embodiment of a generation of people looking for a better way. Enjoy a smile to yourself when you look at other patients. They are smiling for you.

Words Have Power

Photo: Dr. Jennifer with her husband, Dr. David Cretsinger (the day of the District Speech Competition.)

This is the transcript from Dr. Jennifer’s award-winning speech:

It’s 1985 at a midwest regional gymnastics meet.  I’m up next on the uneven bars, probably my weakest event, with hands that are pasty with chalk and sweat.  Suddenly, I remember what my Dad told me:

You’ve worked hard.

You are capable.

You can do this.

Smiling, I salute the judges.

Words have the power to change lives.  Who in your past told you something encouraging that changed your life?  Was it a teacher? a pastor? a parent? a friend?

For me it was my Dad.

Dad was a farm boy raised in the heartland of Iowa, corn country.

He was never expected to excel in school, only pass.  He was going to be a farmer, of course.

But one person his Uncle Mike, saw something special in him.

Like my grandfather, Uncle Mike was a farmer.  In the summer, my Dad helped them in the fields.  At 13, he was the one sent up to well to fetch water.  Now this was the 1950s so he poured water into jugs, wrapped them in burlap and lugged them down to the fields.

One day Dad took a swig. “You know, if someone would bottle this stuff, i think it’d sell!”

Uncle Mike agreed, “You’re the smartest kid I know!  Maybe instead of being a farmer you should go to college and be a businessman!  Sell some bottled water!”

Uncle Mike’s words continually encouraged and helped my dad to become the first in his family to go to college.

He graduated and had a happy and successful business career (unfortunately not in bottled water! )

He taught me that circumstances don’t need to limit dreams.

When I was 13 I wanted to be Mary Lou Retton… or a rock star like Pat Benatar!

My mom always told me I was pretty.  My dad always told me I was smart.  He said I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Unfortunately, not everyone had encouraging words.  I love to sing, but my 7th grade choir teacher told me I probably shouldn’t!

My high school guidance counselor told me I’d make a great receptionist someday.  My Dad agreed.  “Yes, you would. And you would make a great teacher, or doctor or entrepeneur! You can be whatever you choose.”

With his encouragement, I began to envision myself with a big future.

I worked all through college and got my bachelor’s degree in three years.  By the time I was in graduate school, I was done with waitressing. I was talking to my Dad about what I could do next.

Sitting in his recliner, Dad opened the paper…. “Jenny, here’s the perfect job for you.”  The gymnastics school where I took used to take classes was looking for a head coach to run the program. Dad said, “you could apply for this!”

“Dad, that would be amazing but come on! I’m in school full time! They wouldn’t hire me!  I can’t do that!”

Dad slowly closed his paper and leaned forward…. “Yes you can!”

I chose to believe him.  I suddenly found myself in grueling interviews and ultimately, they hired a very qualified 40 year old man.

A few months later, I got a phone call.  He didn’t work out… the job was mine.  Within 6 months I had doubled the enrollment and had 10 employees. LIfe was good!

“You’re sure making that company a lot of money!”  Dad said.  He encouraged me to buy them out!

“Dad! I’m in school full time!  I can’t run a business!  How would I do that?”

He reminded me that I was already doing the work, this way I would have more control and make more money.  Dad helped me draw up a plan to buy the business name and rent the space and equipment.  My proposal was accepted.  A 21, I owned my first company.

Dad was right… I DID make a lot more money.  But he didn’t warn me about the struggles of being a boss, especially with a lazy employee.  One day I was complaining to Dad that a staff member, yet again, didn’t show up to work.

Dad told me how I should learn to handle this situation because my next business would have the same struggles.  As he pushed himself up out of his recliner he said, “Come on. I’ll show you how to fire someone!”

His words always made me feel like a could FIND a way.

Words have power, they express belief.

Words can emotionally defeat or inspire.  Even a comment made in passing can change the course of someone’s life.

My dad believed in me, but what he was really doing was getting me to believe in myself.

Maybe you’re sitting there thinking, “Wow, I never had that.  I wish I had grown up with that kind of support.” Regardless, the truth is… you have greatness inside of you!

What is your dream? What are you burning to do?

I’m telling you:

You have everything you need to take the next step.

Make it happen!

Find the right people to support you!

And remember, others depend on you for inspiration!

Who do you believe in?  Do you tell them?  You have the ability to change someone’s life.

I now have a young daughter who is a gymnast. Who knows, maybe someday she will be at a gymnastics meet, up next on the uneven bars with hands that are pasty with chalk and sweat.   I hope she’ll draw inspiration from my words, that I drew from my dad…

that… she can do this.

She may be standing there hoping, or she may be horrified by the fact that her mom is about to yell out loudly from the crowd…

“You got it girl!”

My Journey’s Beginning

This is the first place testimonial from our testimonial contest.

I can’t say that I have a complete story at Spinal Corrective Center, but I can say I have a beginning. You see, I have only been here for three months. Hopefully I will be able to share my whole story eventually, but for now I can share my first chapter. Let me start at the beginning…

Two and a half years ago my husband and I were wrestling with our kids when he reached over my head to grab my foot, but unknowingly was pushing my face towards my chest. When he finally let go, my head was instantly stuck to the left (as if holding a phone between your ear and shoulder.)

The doctors thought he may have broken my neck, but thankfully after many x-rays and an MRI it was a disc herniation. I needed twenty two injections to stop the spasm and then I was straight. I did not have any neck problems for two years, but I did start having other medical issues and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and a bad gallbladder (which was eventually removed.)

My neck problems began again in May of 2009 when I decided to put my six year old son on my shoulders at a baseball game. My head instantly went stuck to the left again. Over the course of the summer I saw six specialists. Some of them agreed they knew what was wrong, while others had their own theories. I had countless x-rays, three MRIs and a cat scan trying to determine the cause of my torticollis (that’s the medical term for it.) I also was prescribed flexeril, soma, medrol dose packs, vicodin and was told to take over the counter motrin as needed for pain. This would be a great plan I wanted to be in a “coma” for the summer, but having four small children who needed my attention, medications of that magnitude were not a great option. I did, however, have seven epidural steroid injections which provided temporary relief.

While at my son’s football games with an obvious neck problem, many parents told me about Spinal Corrective Center. I was too “blind” at the time to see God was trying to speak to me through them.

In November, I went to my seventh specialist who was at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. I was so confident that they would have an answer. Once again, the appointment I had such high hopes for, was a complete disappointment. so I decided to finally try what so many encouraged me to do months prior, I called Spinal Corrective Center. Who knew that so many of God’s angels could work under one roof!

When I walked into their office for the first time, I was greeted by name and a whole bunch of smiles. The front desk staff: Jessica, Kathleen and Molly will never know the impact they made on me that day. They are the first people that you see when you walk through the door, and no matter what you’re feeling when you get there, the smiles and pure happiness they exhibit make you feel better… before the adjustment. Even before I met the doctors, I already liked the office.

Then I met Dr. Jennifer. I thought she was totally cool, down to earth, sweet, caring and determined. At this point they hadn’t experienced the “crooked” neck as I call it, but they were confident that they could help. A few days later I met Dr. David, who was also: cool, down to earth, sweet, caring and determined. At this point my neck had become crooked and with a few adjustments, it was straight! I couldn’t believe it… to me it was a miracle. What was frustrating to me was hours of driving to specialists, and all I needed was twenty minutes away!

For the first month things were awesome. Then I re-injured my neck by simply taking a shirt off, and it has been an up hill battle since. What has amazed me during the last couple months is Dr. Jennifer and Dr. David’s inability to give up. They provide not only hope for me, but for my family. They have sacrificed much of their time to try and help me, and for that I am forever grateful!

I know that eventually my story at Spinal Corrective Center will include defeat over the battle of my neck and my family joining me in spinal health. I look forward to the new chapters. I couldn’t be creating this story with a better group of people.

The closing of this chapter is my own personal saying for Spinal Corrective Center:
“Sometimes crooked, sometimes straight, Spinal Corrective Center is always great!”
-Danielle Hiott

Dr. Jennifer’s note: Danielle continues to get relief with almost daily adjustments. She has found no other help. For permanent relief, the doctors are still researching her case, and seeking help from other practitioners. Her recent visit to the Chief of Surgery of a large Massachusetts hospital was a disappointment. Her initial diagnosis of torticollis has been unproven.  What we know, is that an adjustment of the top bone in her neck will make her temporarily straight, and will noticeably improve organ function.  Please give loving thoughts and prayers to Danielle for continued healing.