David’s Chiropractic Journey - pain to peaks!
“Eighteen months ago my GP diagnosed me with ‘spinal stenosis’ in my lower back. This condition caused me so much pain that I could hardly walk. I was prescribed very strong medication which only took the edge of the pain and I was advised that this was all I could do whilst I waited on a scan to confirm my condition.
My mobility was considerably restricted and my pain levels were so significant that a friend suggested I should attend Francesca and her team at CoreHealth Chiropractic to see what could be done to help.
After a full assessment and discussion of modified techniques which could safely help ease my symptoms I was ready to get started. From my very first treatment I immediately felt the benefit in my ability to move and after each session I could feel a steady improvement in the levels of pain and symptoms I was experiencing. I was so relieved!
After months of waiting, my MRI scan confirmed this original diagnosis and on discussion with my consultant, physiotherapist and Francesca it was decided that I would be put on the waiting list for surgery.
In the meantime Francesca requested a copy of my scan and was able to describe and show me what the findings were and where the pressure was on my nerves. She adjusted my treatment plan slightly and I followed her advice to the letter doing stretches and attempting to walk further, and for longer periods of time gradually.
By July the day of my surgery arrived. A piece of my disc between my lumbar vertebrae was removed to relieve the pressure on the nerve running through my spinal column, and I’m pleased to report it was a success!
I am convinced that Francesca’s magic (i.e her modified chiropractic adjustments and home advice) were what got me mobile enough to go into surgery in the best possible state of health and therefore recover as quickly and as fully as I have.
I am now just over a year since my operation and I am eternally grateful to Francesca and her amazing skills for seeing me through a most difficult time. I have managed to get back to my passion for climbing mountains and participating in everything outdoors!”
David Carrigan“David first contacted CoreHealth Chiropractic in November 2020 with severe lower back pain, leg weakness, numbness and pins and needles. We worked over a number of sessions to adjust and balance his sacroiliac joint function and to gently stretch his lower spine to relieve pressure on the nerves going down into his legs.
This allowed him to walk easier, further and with less pain. This meant he no longer required as many strong painkillers. David’s sleep significantly improved as well which told me his nervous system was starting to function more optimally.
After a lengthy wait David had his MRI scan and I was able to talk him through what the findings were. Due to the severity of the compression on his nerves from his disc I agreed that the best long-term solution would be to undergo a lumbar decompression surgery. However, experience has taught me that patients who undergo regular chiropractic sessions prior to an operation such as this tend to have a quicker recovery time and more sustained, long-lasting results.
David came to visit me two months after his operation and reported fantastic results post-surgery with regards to the weakness and symptoms in his legs. We made a few minor adjustments to correct some compensation patterns that had developed (totally normal with the resting involved post-op) and nowadays I see David every six weeks to ensure his lower spine functions well and pressure remains off of the disc area he had removed. He has a home exercise programme from me to follow which maintains his strength and he is now taking up yoga! He truly has been a star patient!
I am over the moon with the progress that David has made and the combination of traditional medical and modified chiropractic approaches has been an incredible help in this case. To see photos of David back up mountains hiking and doing the things he loves warms my heart and reminds me that even in the most complex of cases there is always something that can be done to help. The human body is an incredible, self-healing organism that sometimes just needs a bit of support as it works through that process. Well done David – you are an inspiration!”
Francesca x