Testimonials

Natalie Zollinger

Please describe your condition/health prior to upper cervical care.

Before upper cervical care I struggled with unrelenting fatigue and tiredness. I had weekly headaches and neck pain. Along with this my brain felt very foggy and clouded as it was difficult to think clearly and my eyesight was also blurry. I also struggled with 2 years of digestive problems that would leave my stomach feeling tight and bloated after every meal. My entire body would frequently be swollen including my face, wrists, and ankles.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.

The fatigue was so bad that I would have to take a nap in the afternoon, would sleep long hours at night, had trouble being motivated at work and had no energy to workout or go out with friends. It was very uncomfortable feeling swollen and bloated everyday and I was getting frustrated feeling sick and tired all the time.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?

Before learning about The Specific and the importance of having a healthy functioning nervous system, my perception of chiropractic was a doctor that cracks your back for back problems. Now I know different!

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.

I began upper cervical specific chiropractic care in October 2006 and now I have my life back. Although I got checked frequently, I only needed 5 adjustments in my first 3 months of care because I began holding my adjustments very quickly. The longest I have gone thus far without an adjustment is just over a month.

How has your life changed?

My life has changed in that I have much more energy and I feel 100% better and happier! My stomach no longer irritates me and I don't have headaches. I have energy and motivation and feel great. I am so thankful to have found Specific Chiropractic.

Steven Vasquez

Please describe your condition / health prior to upper cervical care.

I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes with my blood sugar level over 300. I suffered from repeated problems with my lower legs, with swelling and them being hot to the touch. My leg problems occurred usually twice or more a year. I was given antibiotics, which were changed four times due to lack of change or system would not heal with its use. My knees were sore and would pop out of place unless I walked with a slow stride. I was unable to kneel without pain. I had shooting pain down the left side of my leg. My feet would swell to a point of not being able to use dress shoes. I had to wear a knee brace so walking while working was tolerable.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.

It was very hard to stand for a long period of time. Sleeping was not restful. I would have trouble climbing stairs or ladders and needed to sit or lie down and elevate my feet and legs. This was not always practical when working on the job. I repair a lot of copiers and spend a lot of my time on my feet or knees. I would get a lot of cramps in my thighs and lower legs.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?

I had been going to a general chiropractor, doing regular adjustments and physical therapy. It helped some as far as it was designed, but healing was slow and didn't always solve a lot of the problems that I have.

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.

I wish I had known about Upper Cervical back in the time of my history of accidents, falls, and other illnesses that have occurred in my life. It makes sense on the "repair" theory as it has been described to me. My healing has been a blessing and a new view on my life. I have lost about 10 pounds, my sugar level has dropped to 160 or lower. My knees are stronger, and my legs are not swollen. My feet do not swell, and I have a lot more energy.

How has your life changed?

I am able to conduct a better life in work and leisure. I tell people who have known me from my health point of view that this type of treatment is by all means "better than destroying my kidneys from the medicine the doctors administered to me". Still, a lot of people are skeptical but when they see me now, they notice that I have more color in my face and my spirit.

Susan Harlow-Schott

I have experienced a miracle in my life…
This is my story…

When I was 15, 1976, … I dove into the pool - full force, a deep dive (and hit the bottom)… The next morning, Saturday, when I woke up, I couldn't move. I had stabbing pains in my neck and back and it was very painful …(At Kaiser ER) they said I had soft-tissue injuries, but nothing broken … that just a little harder I could have easily been a quadriplegic… In 1978, I was in (my first) auto accident … This was when I began to experience a deep aching in my right leg… From 1992 to 2005 I was in a series of around 11 auto accidents which compounded my leg, back, sciatic and neck (problems). I believe around 1995 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. In 2000 (I had another injury where) I fell down a flight of stairs, head first, while carrying luggage. I hurt a rib and (again, my) neck and back and sciatic.

Kaiser doesn't cover Chiropractic. I can't remember when I started seeing Chiropractors, but between 1992 and 2004 I had seen 5 different ones … The effects would be undone by the drive home … (After many years of chiropractic I finally decided) … that chiropractic doesn't really last long and it is only temporary … In October 2004 my sciatic nerve pain was so bad, (as were) the nerves which controlled my ability to lift my legs … so I was using a wheel-chair to allow me to move around and participate with the rest of the moving/living world ...By this time I had been reduced to no stairs, no swimming, no walking farther than 20 feet. If I had to do anything it was most always with the help of a wheel-chair. If stairs were involved, I just didn't do it … By this time I was dealing with chronic pain, depression and a whole slew of pills. When I tried to decrease my pill popping, the pain would increase. I was basically screwed … I was becoming increasingly depressed and feeling like this was it for me.

I said I was done with more chiropractors but (was persuaded to give it one more try this time with) an upper cervical specialist. Several new x-rays were taken ... When I returned for the explanation of what the x-rays showed, I was astonished. The two top bones were very visually misaligned and rotated from each other. That was April 2006.

On May 17th, Dr. Shawn Dill gave me my first adjustment … After the post scanning he said it looked good … I returned for an additional visit on Monday, May 22nd and did not need an adjustment. Dr. Dill commented that was unusual. My next appointment was scheduled for Wednesday, May 24th at 5pm. At 10:30 in the morning of the 24th I was sitting at my desk at work. I began to feel light and cool and comfortable? It was confusing for someone who lives with pain 24 hours a day. It was astonishing. I remember telling my husband - something's different. I got up and started walking around. I was full of energy as if someone has just shot me full of amphetamines. What just happened was my pain just all about went away. It was crazy. It was wonderful. I was so hyper by the time I got to my appointment that day. I ran up the stairs, just to try it out. I felt freedom for the first time in years.

Now my Fibromyalgia and Sciatica seem to be gone. I'm walking normally and able to walk distances, climb and descend stairs, swim. So many things I really haven't been able to do for years. Even the progress in working on my music (and singing in my band) has substantially improved. No more wheel-chair, cane or being in bed for days …It has so dramatically changed my life. No more medicines either, which is the best part. I finally found the 'body' shop I had been desperately looking for and have been repaired… I've had a few additional adjustments since the first one. I'm feeling great!

Frank Castanheira

Please describe your condition/health prior to upper cervical care.

Before upper cervical care I had awful lower / mid / upper back pain. The pain was severe and was also in my neck. Also, I felt very tense, nervous and agitated. I suffered many sleepless nights and felt as if I did not have much energy.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.

As a result of my condition, I could not play golf. I could barely do the bare minimum for working out at the gym. I was in a lot of pain. I felt very old with no energy. I felt down and depressed.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?

Very negative. However, I knew about upper cervical which makes total sense, but did not understand "regular chiropractic".

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.

I now feel a lot less nervous, calmer, sleep better, more energetic and a lot less pain in my back and neck. No more being down and depressed!

How has your life changed?

I am now much more focused, calm, happier and able to follow thru and finish things (projects).

Gary Slack

Please describe your condition/health prior to upper cervical care.

I had two rib heads that would pop out on a regular basis and I suffered from acid reflux and was taking Nexium every day to control this. I also had a number of aches and pains that I thought were due to my age, especially in my ankles and back.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.

I was not able to work out on a regular basis because of the pain in my ankles and back so I was really getting out of shape. The acid reflux was so bad that when I slept at night the acid would get on my voice box and I was losing my voice.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?

My wife works for a full-spine chiropractor and I went on a regular basis when needed it.

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.

Since being under Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic care, I rarely take Nexium and can go for months at a time without a problem. I have not had a single incident of my rib heads coming out since the first adjustment. I have more energy and the pains are gone. I now work out twice a week and am taking martial arts again. I can do physical things again that I thought were a "never again" thing because of my age.

How has your life changed?

I am so much more active now and have been back-pain free for many months and am getting back in shape again. I also seem to sleep better now.

Hayden Jordheim

Please describe your condition/health prior to upper cervical care.

When I was born my APGAR scores were perfect, however, I had torticolis. The torticolis caused my head to be turned and twisted to the right side. I didn't complain and was a very happy baby. However, my neck was tight and I only liked to look at people on my right side and could only sleep with my head to the right too.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.

When my parents tried to get me to look to my left I didn't like it and I let them know it by whining. The back of my head also got flat on the right side because I was always lying like that.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?

I had received activator care from another chiropractor but it wasn't working. My nervous system was compromised.

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.

My torticolis is gone now after Specific Chiropractic care and I only needed 3 adjustments. My head is now round and I no longer care what side you are on; I will turn and smile at you!

How has your life changed?

Improving my nervous system through Specific Chiropractic not only helped my neck but it helped my entire body including my digestion and my immune system. My nervous system is functioning at its optimum and my childhood will be full of health and vitality.

Juana Castanheira

Please describe your condition / health prior to upper cervical care.

Prior to starting upper cervical care, I thought I was in good health. The reason I came in was because I had been in a car accident and was starting to feel some tingling down my right leg and pressure in my neck and shoulders. My jaw was also giving me problems and making it difficult for me to chew my food properly. I figured that a couple of visits would resolve my issue. After the first visit, I understood that all the accidents I had had in my life had left their mark in the position of the two vertebrae: the axis and the atlas. Since I had been a rather active youngster, I had had many accidents.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.

Soon I realized that being out of alignment meant that my emotional state was also being affected. Once I started getting adjusted, I noticed that I was a lot calmer in dealing with the daily ups and downs that we endure.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?

Prior to care, I was not sure what upper cervical care was all about. But once I met with Dr. Dill I realized that I had already been under the care of an upper cervical chiropractor in the late 80's. This doctor did not utilize the same equipment that Dr. Dill uses.

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.

Since starting care with Dr. Dill, not only have my pains and aches disappeared but I also feel more balanced and emotionally stable. I also believe that I am correcting many areas of malfunction that would in the long-run start to give me problems.

How has your life changed?

Because of upper cervical, I feel that I am doing something that will enhance my quality of life long into the future.

Blanche Mc Dade

Please describe your condition / health prior to upper cervical care.

I have suffered over 20 years with chronic acute Asthma.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.

My days and nights are spent taking self administered breathing treatments, downing as many doctor prescribed steroids as my body can tolerate. Covering my mouth so I don't breathe when I walk in a perfume section of a store and avoiding stairs and long walks. I have had many trips to the hospital emergency room with near death episodes and simply being immobile as I possible can. I have spent so many nights in the hospital that I call it my short vacation trips. I can't exercise, I can't sleep for more than 2 to 3 hours at a time and even taking short distance walks can be difficult. My weight is very high due to the long usage of steroids and I've developed diabetes and high blood pressure also due to the long usage of steroids.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?

3. Prior to upper cervical care, I honestly thought chiropractic care was the practice of aligning your bones so your body could feel better. This is one reason why I never thought in a million years a chiropractic physician could help me. I had never heard of upper cervical care.

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.

4. I started the care in August of 2006 and today I have reduced my steroid in take to about 85% and my breathing treatment have been reduced to about 50% less than I am use to. I can take much longer walks, I can sleep longer periods of time without waking for breathing treatments. My body is progressively healing and I can't wait until I can do aerobics again.

How has your life changed?

5. My mental capacity has changed so much that it's really hard to describe or even come up with a word that describes how I currently feel. The most amazing change of all is, in the past when I would get a cold, I would eventually end up in the hospital for at least a week. This pass winter I had several colds and not once did I have to go to the emergency room let alone a vacation in the hospital. These days I find myself sometimes having to remember that I have asthma. I know absolutely 100% my body is healing and I can't wait to write my story next year.

This Blanche McDade and today is 3/26/2007.