January 3, 2008

I am a retired man in my mid-60s who has endured chronic back pain for decades.

About five years ago, the condition led me to seek treatment from an orthopedic surgeon. After tests, he told me I had severe degenerative disease in my lower back and there was nothing he could do. I took that to mean there wasnothing anyone could do.

I began taking powerful pain medications, which provided some relief, but caused stomach distress and threatened important organs. I gave up on the medications and concluded my only choice was to learn to live with the pain.

The pain worsened and late last summer I had to abandon golf. During an autumn visit to Las Vegas, I was forced to sit and rest my back four times during a three-block walk. Thus, I finally heeded my wife’s long-standing advice and, while skeptical, I consulted Eastland Chiropractic – Specifically Dr. Allison Wolak.

After x-Rays and tests, she confirmed my diagnosis and agreed there was nothing a surgeon could do. But she said she was 80 percent certain she could bring me pain relief. She the explained how chiropractic works and we begun the treatments.

My regimen began with six short visits per week and it helped me almost immediately. After a few weeks I was able to walk longer distances comfortable and even do Christmas shopping and snow removal.

Now I’m down to four treatments per week and believe I’m nearing the maintenance phase, requiring fewer treatments. I estimate my pain has been reduced by 80 percent and some days it is almost non-existent. I’m confident I’ll be back on the golf course this spring.

As a Type One, insulin-dependent diabetic, my blood sugar is in the best control I’ve had in 15 years. That’s because the stress of chronic pain can elevate blood glucose levels. And now the pain is mostly gone.

I feel like Dr. Wolak has given me my life back.

For anyone who thinks living with chronic pain is the only option, I recommend a visit to Dr. Wolak and her colleagues at Eastland Chiropractic. The worst thing that could happen is they’ll tell you they can’t help. And the best thing… I believe… is a miracle like mine.

Dennis Sorensen
Bloomington, Illinois