Dear Dr. Burton,
For 29 years I was a nurse in this community. I guess I fell for what many of the “old medical establishment” believes: That is that orthopedic doctors and physical therapists are the only ones to treat low back and neck pain.
I have Multiple Sclerosis and often get “coccyxdynia.” When I couldn’t stand the pain anymore, I would ask for an injection of steroids into the tailbone. This would give relief but these steroids don’t come without side effects, now and later; and these drugs can only be given at certain intervals. At times I would have to take a narcotic pain reliever when the pain in my neck or my back was too severe to bare.
One day, it was late in the week and my back was really hurting. I knew I wouldn’t be ablt to get an appointment with my rheumatologist (this can take weeks). I had heard you speak on several occasions and decided to give your office a call. From the moment the phone was answered I knew “we weren’t in Kansas anymore, Toto.”
The compassion in the voice of the receptionist put me at ease immediately. She said you could actually see me that afternoon. What a shock. It was preciously my experience that it could be anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months before a new patient could be seen in other scopes of practice.
Upon arrival I was greeted by the staff in such a warm manner; for me the front office staff sets the “mood,” if you will, for the entire office. I was shown a short video about chiropractic care and I took advantage of the many pamphlets there to take home. Now when someone complains of something specific, I give them a pamphlet.
Meeting you, when I was called back, you carefully reviewed the information I provided. Although due to my poor cognition I’m not the most reliable historian, you were able to elicit answers by asking pertinent questions. Some x-rays were taken. I had heard that chiropractors usually do x-rays and send you home and then you come back another day for your results and to receive your plan of care; and then on the third visit you actually begin treatment. Not at our office! You brought the x-ray into the room, show me the problem areas and discussed methods of treatment (both the short term fix and long-term treatment.)
It was uptime, of course, I wanted relief but I also wanted to know how to help my back so it would be the best it could be “for the long haul.”
My expectation:
YOU have exceeded every challenge and expectation I had both as a practitioner and as a human being. YOU ARE THE MAN!
As you know, due to my cognitive disabilities and some physical limitation I am unable to work in my chosen field any longer. I must collect disability which is hard for me. When my co-payments become extremely burdensome, I felt so degraded. Yet you are such a kind and compassionate caregiver who truly cares for the entire wellbeing for your patients, that you became the first physician I have ever felt comfortable enough with to discuss financial matters. You are truly a Godsend.
The Nitty-Gritty:
I have not been able to wear a necklace for at least 5 years due to the discomfort in my neck; thanks to you, I now can. It has been so many years since I could look up to a top shelf or down to a bottom shelf to check a price; I can’t remember how long. Now I can. THERE ARE EVEN SOME DAYS NOW WHEN I FEEL STEADY AND STRONG ENOUGH TO LEAVE MY CANE BEHIND. My strength to resistance has improved since coming to you. I’m not sure why, but, KUDOS TO YOU!
Now for the most incredible act of all; when I think about it and tell others about it, I still can’t believe it myself:
It was a Thursday morning, I awoke with horrific pain over my entire body, debilitating fatigue and the most intense brain fog I can remember having. My lower back was in excruciating pain. I knew the symptoms were wither the beginning of a fibromyalgia flare-up or a Multiple Scleroses relapse. I knew I would have to call for a Medrol Dose Pak for this one (steroids) because it was BAD! I knew you could relieve my low back immediately so I kept my appointment. I don’t even remember how I got there. When you saw me you immediately asked “what’s going on with you?”
After my back treatment, you asked for specifics of what I was feeling. You asked if I would like to try acupuncture. I had never had it but I felt so bad, I thought…; we’ll skip that negative thought. During the treatment I actually felt energy traveling up y legs in what I assumed to be nerve pathways. My brain fog started to lift; it began at my chin (which I thought was peculiar) and went to above or at my eyebrow level and stopped. My head was clearer, not back to normal but clearer. I was almost agraid to relate what I felt because it seemed crazy to me. You said you didn’t know how long it would last and to come back the next day. I still felt the same the next day I had the same treatment and the fog totally lifted. And an “episode” which usually takes anywhere from 1 ½ weeks to one month with medications to clear was alleviated in two days by you.
YOU ARE THE BEST. I praise God every day for giving me the wisdom to try chiropractic and for having exposed your wonderful knowledge to me through the lectures where I had heard and see you. You have made me feel so good. I’m able to do things I’ve wanted to but have been preciously unable. I have started volunteering at Church for Sheppard’s Way – they help homeless families with skills needed to assimilate. I felt so good the two evenings, however, my body quickly told me I could only done evening a week. But before you I could never have attempted to do even one.
Your staff are obvious extensions of your kindness and compassion. Tey treat each patient with warmth, sincerity and a sense of humor when appropriate. When in the office there is never that uncomfortable undercurrent that is felt in many offices. Your staff treats everyone as they would want themselves or members of their families to be treated. And they are always professional. They are to be commended. You can be proud.
I could go on about how much your care has changed my life. I tell everyone and anyone who will listen. If you ever want someone to give a live testimonial, I’m your woman.
Please accept my deepest gratitude for all you have done for me. You ARE MY HERO!
Sincerely,
Teresa Reid, RN