Patient Testimonials from RiverTowne Family Chiropractic
Read what some patients have had to say about their experience at RiverTowne Family Chiropractic in St Charles. Contact us today to make an appointment!
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Skeptical Parents Convinced by Remarkable Results
During today’s visit Tyler’s dad states that Tyler’s mom has taken him off his Pulmicort Respules nebulizer as well as his albuterol nebulizer. Evidently, she is taking Tyler to a chiropractor that she works for. Chiropractic treatments are being performed for the treatment of asthma. Dad states that in the beginning he was very skeptical about this treatment but since Tyler’s asthma has been very well controlled over the last couple of months that this has been occurring, he is much more comfortable with it now. Again, he’s not had any nocturnal cough at all. He’s also able to play outdoors in the cold without any cough. He has no allergy symptoms. He’s not had any asthma exacerbations over this winter so far even though he has had a few URI episodes.
I did discuss with Tyler’s dad that this is not a standard acceptable treatment for asthma. It’s difficult for me to argue that it’s not working because he has been so well controlled, but this could simply be a coincidence that he is going through a good spell with his asthma. I recommended that they keep a very close tabs on his physical symptoms and should he start having any symptoms including exertional or nocturnal symptoms to please get back on the Pulmicort Respules initially on a daily basis and can go up to bid. Also restart the Albuterol nebulizer at this point. His dad simply states that were simply going to continue with the chiropractic care.
Please also see the standard health maintenance form that was filled out today.
- Tyler S.
A Third Chance at a Pain-Free Life
I’ve been trying for over a year to find the words I want to say to thank you for all you have done for me. So here goes nothing, I hope it expresses my appreciation for you as I so desperately want to do.
My journey started at the age of 13 when I was diagnosed and surgically treated for Scoliosis. My situation at the time was severe and progressing quickly and I was afraid of this huge surgery I was about to have. However, I knew that at the time this surgery was my only chance at living a normal life and ultimately, living. The surgery involved installing Harrington Rods fused to my spine which then would hold my spine in place and not allow my curvature to progress. It was intense, painful and a very long recovery, but successful none the less. I had adjusted to my new way of life, no more gymnastics, trampoline, contacting sports and shopping for clothes has never been the same. But I was grateful that I was given the opportunity to have this life changing surgery. All was good and life continued on as planned, dating college, marriage and children.
Flash forward 27 years and my story changed drastically. One April morning, I woke up having pain that I had felt before. Unexplainable pain, that seemed to come on for some reason. I just assumed it was a pulled muscle or something as a result of something I did the day prior. However the pain got worse as time went on. So off to my Primary physician I went, where x-rays and exams were done. My results were as follows: Hardware is seen in the thoracolumbar spine. There is a mild dextroscoliosis in the thoracic spine. Mild degeneration disc disease at L2/L3 and L3/L4. No fracture or spondylolysis is seen in the lumbar spine. This was very confusing to me since I have never felt ANY sort of pain in my back since recovering from my surgery. Why were words like, degenerative, disease and fracture used in my diagnosis? Was “fracture” a possibility and why didn’t anyone ever tell me this was possible? I attempted to get my old records, with no luck. I reached out to the doctor who performed my surgery in 1985. He was no help, other than to say, “Yes he has heard of these issues and he has since moved, did I need a recommendation for a new surgeon?” UH NO, I thought, I wanted to know why this was happening!
So I hoped online and the results I discovered were terrifying. There is a condition called Flat back syndrome which directly correlates to the Harrington Rod surgery that I had so many years ago. I joined some support groups and reached out to the members of the group for more information. Most of their stories were similar to mine; all had success with their surgeries until later down the road. Arthritis and Degenerative disc disease at the fusion site developed and now problems ensued. Over time flat back syndrome can result. Flat-back syndrome is primarily caused by loss of normal lumbar lordosis. This results in leaning forward and the inability to stand up straight without flexing the knees. So in a nutshell, I was terrified at all of this new information. I always assumed that I was “good to go “when it came to my spine. How wrong I was! There are people that are having their hardware removed and new hardware installed. Frightening!
My situation looked awful. Then one day, when I was dropping my son off at your house to hang out with your boys, you noticed I was in pain. I never knew you were a chiropractor and honestly even if I did, I wouldn’t have reached out to you. I was too scared and depressed and preferred not to talk about my new situation. However, since I’ve started this April I was becoming worse and worse, I couldn’t carry anything heavier than my purse. Everyday life as I knew it was changing. I was spending days and days in bed unable to move. I couldn’t take care of myself. I couldn’t drive; I couldn’t stand for long periods of time. It was a Friday night and you told me to call your office on Monday and make an appointment and you would see if there was anything you could do. I was skeptical because I thought”getting an adjustment” could possibly break my fragile rod that was suddenly the most important thing in my life. I didn’t want to take any chances, but after discussing it with my husband, I decided I should try it. I couldn’t keep living the way I was. There was no “living” actually going on.
So, off I went, to your office…scared and crying (which I do a lot of☺), you talked to me, and consoled me. Reassuring me that there may be something you can do, all while teaching me about my precious spine that for years I had taken for granted. I had never heard the word subluxation before, but you taught me what that meant and how it affected me and my overall health. In the beginning of my treatment I continued to have good and bad days. However as time went on, my bad days became fewer and far between. I learned, because you forced me to, that my old way of life was done. I couldn’t do all the things that I used to do, like cut the grass, shovel snow and lift heavy objects. This was my new way of life and my stubbornness would only land me in bed for days in pain. So I conformed and I came to see you often.
To date, I rarely have those moments that land me out of commission for long periods of time. There is no doubt in my mind this is because of YOU, Dr. Bickmeyer. Yes, you will say it is because of me, because I came to your office and kept my appointments and heeded your advice, but that is just you being humble and not taking the credit. What I want you to know is that I’m not very open to new things, especially when it comes to my health. I was terrified in the beginning, and if you hadn’t made a convincing and compelling argument for why I should give you an opportunity to treat me, I never would have, so it’s because of you, that I’m here and pain free today.
I appreciate you so much, for what you have given me. I don’t now what the future holds for me and my spine. There may come a time where surgery is necessary but I’m grateful that I’ve learned what I have from you. I feel more educated about my situation and better prepared should next steps need to be taken. Thank you doesn’t begin to cover my gratitude to you and your office for the care you have provided to me. I’m grateful each and everyday for the pain free days and the “third chance” I’ve been given. You are a blessing!
- Sarah I.
Staying Healthy and Younger Through Adjustments
I heard about Dr. Bickmeyer, who is a fine Christian man, about 16 years ago from a friend I worked with at Francis Howell School District.
I started seeing Dr. B for adjustments and felt a tremendous improvement in my life. Then, like others, I thought “gee, I am fixed now” and I stopped my visits to Dr. B for quite a few years.
As we know, without frequent adjustments our bodies will go back to the way they were before the adjustments. My body started hurting in many places – back, shoulder, neck, knees, feet, and headaches. I took Tylenol and used ice but nothing else. I never wanted anyone other than Dr. B doing my adjustments. I just wanted to ignore the pains and blame them on getting older and working too much.
Last November I had reached my breaking point and could not even get out of bed without it being so painful and such a chore. I could not stand the constant pain and felt many years older than my true age. That same November I finally called Dr. B and set up an appointment. After almost a year of adjustments Dr. B giving me exercises, talking to me on positive and healthy eating, giving me vitamins, my life has improved 100%. I feel many years younger and more flexible than ever.
Thank you, Dr. B, for making me healthy and a happier person.
- Sandy P.
Managing Health and Energy Levels
My name is Nicole B. and I have been seeing Dr. Bickmeyer since January 2011. I started seeing him because I was starting to have numbness in my shoulders and fingers; I soon realized I needed him for much more. At my first appointment, I was sitting up front waiting and Dr. B came up to me and said ” Nicole, you do not look very good.” I replied “Dr. B I don’t feel very good.” During my appointment I explained to him that I have found out I have some sort of auto immune disorder and that is causing me to also have kidney failure. Prior to starting chiropractic care, every three months when I would go see the kidney doctor, I would get news that slowly my kidneys are getting worse. I have now been seeing Dr. B for ten months and I am happy to report that things are drastically different.
I still have kidney failure, but the rate at which my blood counts are getting worse is much slower. I also have much more energy than I used to. Before my chiropractic care, I would go home everyday after work, which is a desk job, and have to take a nap and then still sleep eight to nine hours a night. I am very happy to report that I now have energy to get through my job with enthusiasm and have energy, most days, to come home and do some sort of exercise. Obviously, chiropractic care will not cure my kidney disease, but it has slowed it down,. The biggest improvement though as been with how I feel. I no longer feel tired and sick all the time. I can actually say for the first time in a long time that I feel good. If you are reading this, and still pondering whether chiropractic care is for you or not, just think ” Do I want to feel better than I do now?” If the answer is yes, then find a way to make it happen; you will not regret it. I am now in the “Maintenance” phase of care, and will be for the rest of my life.
- Nicole B.
