Drs. David and Jennifer Cretsinger
Amherst, New Hampshire
My name is Lynda and I have been involved
in the medical field for over 25 years. I started working at age 16
as a nursing assistant as well as an optometric assistant. During my
training for these positions, and later in nursing school, I was warned
of "the evils" of
chiropractic care by my instructors, and later by the medical
professionals that I worked with in nursing homes, hospitals,
and doctor's offices. Like many others, I heeded their warnings and
stayed far away.
I have been battling food and environmental allergies
since birth. I was constantly on antibiotics for ear infections, sinus
infections, bronchitis and pneumonia throughout childhood and into my
adult life. I ended up having sinus surgery because there were no more
antibiotics available to clear up the infection. I had even been placed
on IV antibiotics while hospitalized for 3 days for severe sinusitis,
and it still didn't clear it up. I have been suffering with knee, wrist
and neck pain for twenty years. All required surgeries, pain meds, anti-inflammatory
meds, physical therapy and countless visits to the doctors, specialists
and hospital for x-rays, cat scans and MRI's.
I refused the neck surgery,
where the 5 th and 6 th vertebrae would literally be fused
together, immobilizing my neck and putting me at an incredible risk
for developing hideous side effects and complications from the surgery.
I instead suffered with the severe pain, inability to turn my head more
than 45 degrees, ongoing physical therapy and ibuprofen that caused
an ulcer.
Fortunately, I had the privilege of working with some "alternative" medical
professionals. I began osteopathic manipulations that made a dramatic
difference with my knees and neck. The only problem was that the adjustments
were 6 weeks apart and by the 5 th week, my pain returned. Then "OMT's" were
phased out of the offices because "it did not generate enough money and
took too much time out of the schedule". Most office visits are scheduled
every 10-15 minutes, some of those are "double-booked", which means that
a 15 minute slot is shared with another, giving each approximately 7.5
minutes with the doctor. OMT's are scheduled for 30-45 minutes sessions.
One of my co-workers offered her magnet therapy that helped my carpal
tunnel and my knee stiffness. Another co-worker offered her expertise
in herbal and homeopathic treatments, and suggested I look into my diet.
I had thought I ate well-balanced, nutritious meals, but I found that
there was definitely room for improvement. With all this support that
was leading me away from "traditional medicine" I began to look into
chiropractic care. My mother in law had only wonderful things
to say about her chiropractor, and the weekly flyers that
popped out at me from the local paper only reinforced my interest.
I attended
all the required sessions and was impressed with the message "the
body heals itself, it's up to you and your chiropractor to help it out".
I had heard a quote once that basically stated "Medicine and doctors
are only there to amuse and distract you while your body heals itself".
Include take your money, and you have traditional medicine.
Since
starting my care here about 1 ½ years ago, my allergies have
disappeared, along with my asthma and sinusitis, my knee and neck pain
is non-existent, I can turn my head in any direction, although I still
use the magnet bracelet for my wrist. I have altered my diet, eliminated
all medications, and faithfully go for my weekly adjustments. When I'm
not in visiting the staff here I am working full time, going back to school
part time for my RN, coaching cheerleading and spending time with a total
of 5 children and step-children, my husband, 2 cats, a dog, numerous fish,
my garden, and my koi pond.
My daughter, Meagan, has also benefited from
chiropractic care. Cheerleading, dance and gymnastics, along with her book
bags, had really done a number on her spine and she began complaining of
back pain by the time she was 12. She has also noticed a dramatic difference
in her allergies, and is back-pain free. I have come to the conclusion
that the reason I was warned of the "evils" of chiropractic care was because
if everyone went to the chiropractor, they would all be healthy
and there would be no one for the doctors to see.
Lynda A.