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Ptak Wellness | Success Stories 5
Back Pain Gone...
Here's a little story about how Chiropractic care opened up a whole new way of life for me.
About a year and a half ago, I was living with excruciating back pain to the point that it took me an hour in the morning before I could stand up straight, and I had trouble physically picking myself up out of bed. I could not sit for more than 5 minutes throughout the day, making a night out to the movies or a visit to a restaurant almost unbearable. Even driving was very painful. I also suffered migraines.
Notice that I am using the past tense. These things are no longer issues for me thanks to the loving and intelligent care of Dr. Jeff Ptak and the staff at Ptak Chiropractic. Lucky for me, after a referral from a friend, and against the doubting opinions of family and friends, I sought to open up the life-force in my body and begin healing through Chiropractic care.
From the very beginning, Jeff warned me that the pain might still be around for a while, and that it could get worse as my body readjusted itself. It got worse. But I kept up my commitment of receiving adjustments as many times a week as possible, icing my back and neck, becoming aware of my posture, and reducing the stress in my life.
Without warning, the pain disappeared, the migraines stopped, and I feel great!!! I continue receiving adjustments to fully heal. Many times I come in to the office grumbling, but I always leave with a smile when the life force is allowed to flow through my spine and out to the rest of my body.
Thanks from my heart to the always cheerful staff and of course to Jeff for helping me help myself.
Living well-adjusted,
Corena Bahr
Headaches Gone...
When I was 15 1/2 I suffered a horseback riding accident which left me in a coma for two weeks as well as completely paralyzed on the right side of my body! It took months to recover and I still had a limp on my right side. I had headaches too, and accepted that as the way it was going to be for the rest of my life.
After much procrastination on my part, and much nudging from a friend of mine who sees Jeff, I began getting adjusted by Jeff late last August. Within a couple of months, I not only felt much better (less headaches), I realized MY LIMP WAS GONE! All these years it was just a matter of adjusting my hips!
"I GET IT" Having everything in alignment has given me more energy and affected my whole attitude. I feel quite fortunate. (Aside from the fact I love coming to the office).
Thanks,
Jeannie Jefferds
Active Lifestyle Renewed
A TRUE BELIEVER
I am 42, 5'9", 170lbs. and in pretty good shape. I am a red belt in karate which I study 4 nights a week for the past 2 1/2 years. When I'm not coaching my kids basketball or baseball teams then I'm right there playing with them. I really use and abuse my body. I have suffered from back and neck pain for most of my adult life.
I was told that my "condition" was inherited. My father explained to me that back pain was as much a part of our family as receding hair and blue eyes. He said that no matter how much we exercised we men would forever be doomed to a life of recurring back pain. As proof he pointed to his father, brothers and their male offspring all of whom seemed to suffer from some form of back pain. They also had the difficult family trait of having "one leg longer than the other." Who could argue with that!
Having been treated by a myriad of MD's and Chiropractors promising "sure fire" approaches which in the end never really seemed to help, I heard about Dr. Jeff. Having sustained injuries in a high-speed rear end car accident I literally hobbled into Jeff's office. His high energy, quick and to the point style was disconcerting. I soon learned that there were to be no drugs, that ice was to become my friend and that my recent injuries had only exacerbated pre-existing ones which Jeff said occurred over a long period of time. The poor posture, rotated hip, lower fused vertebra, sore spasmodic muscles, recurring headaches and the "longer leg" could all be corrected. Dr. Jeff and his staff really took the time to educate me as to why I was suffering so much and why I had suffered so much in the past. He really helped me see how and why people get sick.
Not being able to workout or engage in regular activities has seriously affected my life. I could no longer do the things that I cherished and felt less confident and certainly heavier. It was a negative spiral that seemed impossible to break.
I began a course of care which would last for insurance purposes only 4 months, but in reality will continue for some time until correction is achieved. I am now in my 5th month of care having religiously attended my appointments 3 times a week. This is the first time in my entire life that I am pain free. Let me repeat that: "I AM PAIN FREE!"
I have only now returned to karate twice a week but I do so completely pain free. I have lost 5 pounds. I actually sleep more restfully at night and engage in all sorts of activities which previously I would have given 2nd thought to. I feel 10 years younger and start my days with a confidence and enthusiasm not seen in years.
Is Dr. Jeff responsible for all this? He tells me no, but I say "you bet!" When you live in pain it affects every aspect of your life. Dr. Jeff relieved me of the physical encumbrances, and left the rest for me to do. I will continue to see Dr. Jeff as now that I am finally experiencing a greater life and health potential, I want to maintain that lifestyle always. My kids and wife love their new lives as well.
If you are reading this you have either made or will make the right choice. A life without pain, a life of peak performance, is a whole lot more satisfying. Good luck to you!
~ Sam R.
Recovery Time Improved...
THE TESTIMONIAL OF JOSEY R.
I have been involved in 2 accidents, which resulted in disc compression and a broken hip, causing an imbalance and discomfort, as well as a limp and restricted range of motion.
When Jeffrey first evaluated my situation, he requested a minimum of 3 adjustments a week for a 2 year period. I am presently about 4 months along and therefore hadn't originally thought to write a testimonial like this "early" but, to my astonishment, I am already experiencing considerable benefit.
To begin with, my eyesight has improved to the extent that I am using glasses about 1/3 of the time that I had been previously. My energy has greatly returned, as well as clarity of thought, and I feel greatly empowered with optimism, which had been dwindling.
To my astonishment, I continue to improve noticeably, even though I have not been adjusted this past week, as this is the time of the Panama Mission. This experience is a miracle in my life and I am so grateful for your great gift, Jeffrey, and the generosity with which you share it.
Oh, I forgot to mention that friends are continually commenting about how much better I am walking already. I can hardly wait to experience what the next 1 2/3 years will bring.
Thank you Jeffrey and Patricia and the wonderful staff for my continuing education and improvement.
Love,
Josey Roth
2nd Installment from Josey Roth (Month 9 of care)
I am continuing to heal from both a broken hip for which I declined the surgery recommended which would have given me a plate and 2 pins as well as compression of vertebrae in several locations along my spine.
What I am noticing with more frequency and great delight is that there are times when I walk with absolutely no pain and it feels as though I am not limping. These incidences occur with more frequency and are giving me a bodily felt reference point for feeling great in my body once more...for where I'm headed. I also notice my ability to focus mentally and hold that focus for greater amounts of time. My eyesight is strengthening and I am absolutely delighted and very grateful.
Oh, did I mention... I'm in a good mood, really a great mood much of the time.
Thank you. My love and appreciation to you all.
P.S. Even on those days when I experience pain as my body is being re-educated, I know that all is going in the right direction and that the balance I was lucky enough to be born with is coming back.
Chronic Ear Infections
In April 1998 I brought my seven year old son to the Chiropractor. He had suffered from chronic ear infections since birth, as well as peritonsilar cellulitis twice in 1997. Due to diminished hearing, Andy had also experienced retarded speech development.
After 3 surgeries to install eustacean tubes in his ears and endless rounds of antibiotics, a 4th surgery had been scheduled to change the tubes and remove his tonsils. Every time the tubes were implanted the ears would drain, stopping the infection. But as soon as the tubes were removed, the infections would return. His tonsils were swollen and inflamed.
After 3 months of regular Chiropractic adjustments and eliminating dairy from his diet at the suggestion of my Chiropractor, the tonsillectomy and surgery for the fourth set of tubes was canceled due to clear ears and no inflammation or swelling of his tonsils!
We will continue with weekly adjustments and continue to monitor Andy's diet and his progress! Chiropractic Works!
~ Robin G.
Child's Eyes Uncross
When Haley was born she was a normal, healthy baby. Or so I thought. One morning, before she was 2 years old, she awoke and came into my bedroom. When I looked into her face, to my shock I saw her eyes were crossed! She had developed a lazy eye on the left side. She is now 6 and though we have tried patches, exercises, and special glasses, nothing seems to make much difference.
A few months back Haley and I were involved in a car accident which we were rear ended by another car. We were hit so hard that my windshield was cracked and my engine was pushed into the radiator. Though Haley did not complain of any pain in particular, I noticed a marked change in her attitude. She was irritable, quick to anger. She just wasn't my little girl anymore.
After a few weeks of medical care, many pain pills and muscle relaxants plus physical therapy, I just wasn't getting any better so I sought Chiropractic care. When I told him about Haley's change in attitude since the accident he told me to bring her in and he'd check her out. He used his diagnostic machine and found that she had subluxations and she needed to have them corrected.
A few weeks later I had my little girl back! What is even more incredible are Haley's eyes. While her left eye was crossed over 80% of the time before we started care, after only 8 weeks of Chiropractic care her eyes are straight at least 80% of the time now! All the time and money spent on the treatment of her eyes only to discover that she could heal herself when the subluxations were gone.
~ Carleen (Haley's mother)
Child's Health Restored
Reason for the visit is that our 11 1/2 month old daughter Zoe has a history of seizure disorder, chronic ear infections and overall delayed development. Her delivery was 2 weeks early and it was a forceps delivery. Zoe had surgery at the age of 10 days to open her nasal passages (Nasal Atrision). At first she seemed healthy. But almost overnight Zoe began to be sickly.
Her coordination and muscle tone was almost non-existent. Her arms and legs were flaccid. She could barely hold her head up, it was like our daughter was a rag doll, she just flopped over in my hands. She had no grip strength or the ability to close her hands. She could not sit, crawl, stand, or walk. She began to be sickly with constant ear, sinus infections. She took in a 6 month time frame 10 doses of antibiotics. Her medical doctors placed her on maintenance doses of Phenobarbitol, Dylantin and even morphine. Her appetite was poor; she barely ate. Zoe was feed Similac from day one.
Her sleep was always disturbed and she never made it through the night without getting up and crying. Within hours of her first Chiropractic adjustment her mother and I could tell she was different. After her second visit she actually slept peacefully through the night. After each visit more and more improvements are happening. After 2 months now Zoe can sit almost on her own, holding her head up stronger, using both hands and arms to grasp things, she can even put a pacifier up to her own mouth.
Mom says her appetite is ever increasing, she says she has never seen her eat like this. In between visits Zoe becomes lethargic, but bounces back with more energy after sleep. Grandma cannot believe the progress over the past month. Zoe averaged 2 pediatrician visits per week prior to Chiropractic care. Since beginning Chiropractic she has not been back. Her medical bills were in excess of $150,000.00.
Lastly, Zoe was a twin. Zoe was the weaker of the 2. The other twin died 2 weeks after her first DPT shot at 3 months of age. Zoe was scheduled for her second DPT shot next week. We have cancelled that appointment.
Thank you.
Named Withheld.
Surgery Avoided
My eight year old son, Alex had suffered numerous ear infections from the time he was born. In addition, there was something wrong with his breathing, causing him to snore very loud at night and when he would talk, he sounded as if he had a cold. In other words, he couldn't breathe through his nose. Some people that knew us suggested it may be his adenoids and that he might need to have surgery.
I was just getting ready to schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist and later, that same week, Dr. Ptak came to the office where I work to give a seminar about Chiropractic. He convinced me that Chiropractic could eliminate many other health problems and urged me to bring my son in before scheduling the appointment with the ear, nose and throat specialist. Of course, this sounded like a better option to me than having surgery performed on my son, or giving him any sprays or medications,so I thought I would give it a try.
Alex and I began our adjustments approximately two to three times a week. We have been seeing Dr. Ptak regularly for a little more than six months now and since then, we have stayed very healthy, I have been feeling much stronger and more positive, but best of all, I have truly noticed a major difference in Alex's breathing. Last night I watched him sleeping and his breathing was so silent, his mouth was closed, I couldn't believe it was the same kid! Alex feels comfortable and loves seeing Dr. Ptak. When we leave his office, we both feel much happier and more clear.
Thank you for making our lives better!!!!!!
We love you!
Allison and Alex
More than just back pain helped
Hello, my name is Gretchen. I write this testimonial after receiving Chiropractic adjustments 4 times a week for 6 months. I am a 37 year old female. My life experience includes being an award winning athlete, I am a registered nurse, and enjoying a career as a model and actress. My spiritual awareness has journeyed through continued exercise and sports, juicing, psychotherapy recreational chemotherapy, vegetarian turned vegan for 2 1/2 years, yoga, juggling, and the avid reader of self discovery and spiritual expansive literature.
I am writing this testimonial because I have found nothing in the past decade of self discovery and growth that has created so profound a change in so short a time as the Chiropractic experience. I began Chiropractic care in the winter of 97. I came because of an increasingly debilitating pain in my back.
The pain, located between my shoulder blades and right shoulder, began slowly 5 years before. The pain was intermittent and I could usually work it out during the course of the day. I thought I was in very good health, so I assumed the pain to be STRESS and TENSE muscles. Gradually the pain became constant and I was spending more and more time trying to relieve the PAIN.
My first Chiropractic adjustment was the day following my boyfriends first adjustment. Seeing my suffering he insisted I go get checked out Chiropractically immediately! A baseline X-ray revealed Vertebral Subluxation at the top of my spine. The atlas bone of my spine, on which rests my head, was out of alignment! The following is a list of changes that have occurred since I began Chiropractic healing!
1. The pain in my back, especially where it was radiating deep into my right shoulder and neck, decreased by 70%. the pain has never returned to the intensity that existed prior to my first adjustment.
2. I walked out of the office and noticed my feet were landing on the ground differently. I had no idea at that time, but this small sign was the beginning of a whole new orientation to the planet- and to life as I knew it!
3. The next amazing transformation occurred literally overnight. Up until my first Chiropractic adjustment I lived in near continuous pain for many months. One of the many unfortunate side effects of pain is unrestful, sleepless nights- of which I had many. This, of course, effects the body's ability to maintain its health. As a result I was digesting and assimilating nutrients poorly and was developing a low grade, chronic diarrhea. This, like the pain, I was accepting trying to live with. I did not see the intensity of this downward spiral into disease. This, thankfully, was about to change forever! As all my digestive organs got a surge of electricity the morning following my first Chiropractic adjustment, the diarrhea was gone and I have never experienced this digestive dis-ease since!
4. My breathing has become deeper, slower, calmer. For me this is essential for relaxation. My sense of smell, for that matter, all of my senses seem to have become more sensitive. I feel like a different person than I did 6 months ago!
5. My yoga practice has benefited enormously from my increased ability to stretch and relax. Yoga and the Chiropractic experience are similar in that with each, as one goes deeper into ones practice, ones true nature and 4 fold energies (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) are allowed to bubble up through ones being. Information is available, and there is opportunity for growth and healing KRIYA-SIS.
6. Over the past 5 years I slowly developed ROSACEA; a reddening and thickening of the skin on my cheeks and chin. Since beginning Chiropractic care the condition has gradually decreased and now my face looks clearer and brighter than it has for many years! 7. I've never felt better! I feel like I'm in the best physical shape in years- maybe ever- and my energy level has increased tremendously! The pain is all but GONE HALLELUJAH! There is now available a whole new space and time that use to be occupied by the pain. Joyfully and thankfully I am taking better care of myself and embracing a new self and new outlook on life.
I conclude by saying I AM a much happier person now that I enjoy Chiropractic care in my life. For me, the Chiropractic experience is the most dramatic conduit to change, Healing, and Growth I have ever discovered! More to come!
THANK YOU! Love , Gretchen Eichholz
Not Just a Quick Fix
My previous experience with Chiropractors was healing but the healing was only temporary. I felt good while I was being treated but not for long. I felt like a drug addict who needed a fix from my pusher for a temporary high. The next step in my life was physical therapy. That was a better experience because I was being taught how to make myself better. I was taught exercises to strengthen my muscles which in turn made me feel better and gave me more energy.
It was at this time that I thought all Chiropractors were quacks. They had done silly things like testing the strength of my muscles with and without vitamins under my tongue. I felt like I was going to a witch doctor with out the voodoo magic.
A few months ago I was introduced to Jeffrey Ptak. I was quite resistant to being adjusted by him because of the history I had with four other Chiropractors who treated me. After several meetings I agreed to have him adjust me and bring my x-rays current. My opinion has changed drastically; Jeffrey doesn't give me a fix, he adjusts my spine so that my life force flows more freely through my body. I am quite grateful for the healing with which he assists.
Thank you, Jeffrey,
Natalie Temkin
Feeling Better Than Ever...
One Women's Story
I having been seeing Dr. Ptak about 5 months now. I originally came because my neck hurt so bad I could hardly turn it, had constant really bad headaches, got sick every time a cold or flu went around (and even when they didn't), was tired all the time, and kept getting these really annoying "female" problems.
After 1 month, the pain in my neck had decreased considerably. After 2 months, my headaches were noticeably less frequent and severe. After 3 months, I had practically no headaches and my neck didn't hurt at all! And I noticed that, while people around me were coming down with colds and flu and such, I wasn't getting them for once.
Also, after about 3 months, I noticed I wasn't so tired all the time. I woke up feeling good, so this allowed me to take my morning walks and jogs again. Plus, I enrolled in an aerobics class, and that feels really good!
I still get some of those "female" problems, but less often, and I trust they will completely go away in time as the cells in my body get clearer messages from my brain and become able to heal themselves properly.
It feels wonderful to start feeling good again. It makes all the difference in the world in your day-to-day activities. We weren't designed to feel crummy, and my body is responding to this like it always knew this is the way it was supposed to be.
Thank you, Dr. Ptak! The only thing I have to do is be better at showing up when he tells me to!
Name Withheld
Attention Deficit Disorder No More...
Originally I brought my 7 year old son Anthony to see Dr. Ptak after some instance by several friends. My son is in private school and was doing poorly both academically and behaviorally. He has had workups by 2 psychiatrists at the insistence of the principal of his school. He was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and prescribed the drug Ritalin.
I decided that I did not want to place my son on drugs knowing somewhere in my heart that there most be a better way. The school gave me an ultimatum either place him on drugs as recommended or Anthony would be expelled. I did not know what to do. I decided to at least go meet Dr. Ptak since I do trust the families that referred me to him.
Let me add that I am a divorced mother of 2 my youngest is 4. Chasing around 2 kids is hard enough but add a very hyperactive 7 year old and you can imagine the stress on all of us.
After our initial consult I decided to place Anthony in his care. Dr. Jeff told me that the best way to help Anthony was not to define him as "the patient" and insisted that both myself and my daughter start care as well. Money fear came over me but I decided to follow Dr. Ptak's advise.
It has now been 2 months since we started under Chiropractic care. What a difference. From failing in math, science and spelling to now getting outstanding on his last 4 tests. I have noticed a difference in his attitude and so has his teacher (who by the way just started care after seeing the amazing difference in Anthony).
As for myself well I could not be happier. I feel so much calmer and I am feeling so much better about life. It is no longer fearful to get up in the morning wondering what new difficulties were awaiting me. I feel physically healthier then I have in the longest time. I notice that my daughter is not as fearful with strangers like she was before getting her adjustments. She has only had one cold since she began care and it went away in one day instead of lingering like it always did.
At Dr. Jeff's insistence we are all eating much healthier as well. Its hard but less sugar, fat and starch. Even at school the kids are rewarded with candy when they perform well every Friday. We are working on that one.
Well I am convinced. So much so that I am taking Dr. Jeff to my son's parent-teacher conference next week so he can speak to the school's principal about Chiropractic. There are so many kids that are on Ritalin at this school. Thanks Dr. Jeff for all your time and efforts.
~ H.A.
Chronic Bronchitis
For years my condition was diagnosed as a lung infection. As time went on I noticed I had a constant chest cold. Doctors prescribed all kinds of drugs for what they diagnosed as chronic bronchitis. No matter what medication I took I would feel better only for a short time and then my symptoms would return. This pattern continued for three years, during which time I was prescribed one antibiotic after another. Finally I told my medical doctors I couldn't take the constant congestion anymore.
After being treated for three years, I thought I should feel better. I was then referred to a specialist who, after extensive tests diagnosed me as having asthma. I was prescribed several inhalers I used twice a day. Again, I would feel better only for very short periods of time. My congestion made it difficult to sleep at night.
My lung problem really affected my daily life. I was out of breath, it was difficult to climb stairs, and any kind of exertion was out of the question. People who have never experienced this truly don't know how lucky they are just to be able to breathe normally. It is something easily taken for granted.
Along with my asthma, I had severe neck problems as a result of a helicopter accident. My problems began as a stiff neck, then gradually worsened. Driving was most difficult. I also had high blood pressure most of my adult life. My wife was seeing a Chiropractor for years and always attributed that her female problems improved through Chiropractic. As a last ditch effort I finally decided to listen to her and went.
The first thing I noticed was that my neck pain and chronic stiffness improved. I used to have to turn my entire body to look left and right. With each adjustment I get better and better. After three months my neck pain was totally gone and I have full mobility. I am very pleased with this progress because for years I had just learned to live with pain and limited motion.
My high blood pressure is now under control without medication and my asthma is 95% better. I no longer need inhalers and I haven't had an asthma attack in over a year. It was the gradual differences that made me realize I was getting better.
Today I can do things I could not do before. I can work in the garden and the pollen doesn't bother me. I no longer have difficulty sleeping. Before I received Chiropractic care, I always woke up around 3AM to clear out my lungs, then try to get back to sleep. I can honestly say that Chiropractic has changed my whole life. I am enjoying my life more now with better health at 62 years than when I was younger. I don't even like to think about my life before I began Chiropractic care. I recommend Chiropractic to everyone I know and to people I don't know. I wish I had tried it years ago, rather than just suffer and learn to live with health problems. I am know a part of the "Chiropractic family" and I look forward to having my spine check for subluxations and corrected if I'm subluxated.
Thank you all so much.
M. Deneen
Letter of Recommendation
Laria,
In speaking with your mom at Greg's party, I mentioned my Chiropractor as a truly exceptional healer who I recommend you check out regarding your headache symptoms. I started going to him in March after a nerve problem I was experiencing down my left side, which many other potential solutions were having little result in shifting. I consider him to be really special, and this is coming from one (me) who has extensive experience as my back was broken when I was 19 and I have experienced just about everything over these 27 years, including Chiropractic which turned me off, other that was pretty darn good, and this - Jeff Ptak - which is exceptional.
I spoke with Jeff this morning about what I knew to be going on with you, and that you are a dancer, and he said, "Send her to me," that he would be more than happy to talk with you/see you... Good news, is he's right here in the neighborhood which makes it very easy to get there. 310-451-5336. 1127 Wilshire (between 11th and 12th). He has office hours on Monday, Wednesday, Friday (9-12, 3-7) and Saturday (9 to 12).
I hesitate to do this suggesting thing, as everybody and their brother/sister has notions in this arena in our extended community. Yet I had a really strong impulse to do so, and to go to this extent, so I'm trusting there might be something of real import here. Jeff is also one of the singularly most uplifting people I know. Everyone who works there is similarly upbeat. (could be the Chiropractic) The office is a wonderful model of a familial atmosphere. Many of my friends it turns out go there, to no surprise. He treats babies, dogs and cats, goes to Panama to treat people down there in mass, has pictures of everyone on the wall, give out free vitamin C tablets, has a wall to draw on and toys to play with while waiting, though I've never had to wait for more than five to ten minutes, and that only once or twice.
Blessings,
Frankie Lee
Prostate Cancer Gone
This testimonial is from a 70 year old gentleman who has been battling prostate cancer for the past 6 years. He has gone through the usual and customary medical procedures without much success. Drugs and radiation therapy made him quite ill. Back in early October of 1999 he asked his doctors what his chances were. His oncologist recommended surgery and also stated, and I quote Richard "you have a one in a million chance."
Mr. Richard said in response and to this day is unsure from where his words came "Thanks doc I'll take the One." Richard appeared in my office the following day at the insistence of one of my long time practice members (patients). On January 24, 2000 Richard returned for a routine 4 month checkup and was told by his doctors that he was PROSTATE CANCER FREE!
4 months of Chiropractic care and surgery is no longer his recommendation. When asked what he had been doing the past 4 months Richard replied I have been getting Chiropractic adjustments 4 days per week since you gave me the one in a million chance. "I decided to take the one." His doctors only answer was to keep doing what he is doing and return in 4 - 6 months for a re-evaluation.
