success stories
Digestive Disorder
"I have faced digestive issues since I was a child. I have had three of what I like to call "flare ups" of these digestive issues. The first came when I was 6, the second when I was 19, and the third came when I was 31. Some things each of these flare ups had in common were intense pain and cramping, annoying to life-altering bathroom habits, an inability to eat many foods, and plenty of doctor and hospital visits for intense and invasive rounds of testing. Each time, the doctors could not find anything medically wrong with me. I would be sent home with medication, told to watch what I eat and try to figure out what my food triggers were, and basically told there was nothing that could be done for me.
"Each flare up, I noticed, increased in intensity. Perhaps this was caused by my age, or perhaps lifestyle... that didn't matter to me. What mattered is that I felt like a slave to my symptoms. My digestive system woke me up every morning with cramping. I couldn't lie down, as it only made it worse. I couldn't eat because I was extremely nauseated. I kept losing weight, and quickly I became underweight for my height. The medications didn't help at all. Changing my diet only helped so much. I faced every morning with dread, knowing I would feel completely sick and chained to the bathroom until past noon. I was losing weight, sleep, and had no energy. I felt helpless to change this condition, and just kept hoping I would have one of those lucky days with some relief.
"A friend of mine recommended that I try chiropractic care. Open to anything for relief, I decided I'd give it a fair try. After all, nothing else was working.
"Before my first consultation with Dr. Kolbus, I couldn't help but be skeptical. However, after meeting with him, I couldn't help but latch onto some of his enthusiasm for my case. He seemed confident he could help me, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a little hope.
"Dr. Kolbus wanted me to come in more than I was used to seeking care from a chiropractor. He explained to me that if I only went once every few months, I wasn't fully benefiting from chiropractic. From my own experience prior to Dr. Kolbus, I had to agree with him. Although it helped in the short term, I didn't notice any lasting changes on my body or health from seeing a chiropractor so infrequently.
"Dr. Kolbus adjusted me three times a week during the first 2 weeks. I immediately found relief from my most severe symptom, the extreme nausea. I found I didn't feel sick to my stomach all morning anymore, and that I could actually eat breakfast again! This was huge, as prior to this I dreaded even the thought of having to eat and how it would affect my body.
"After those first weeks, Dr. Kolbus had me come in for adjustments twice a week. I could literally feel my body changing. Sure, I had some new aches here and there as my body became accustomed to the adjustments, but it was the kind of ache that goes along with a good workout. It was a fascinating time, since I could actually track different changes with each adjustment! As each week went by, the distressing symptoms of my digestive system lessened.
"About a month after I began regular adjustments, I was able to tell Dr. Kolbus that I actually could sleep in! My digestive system no longer woke me up from cramping and pain! I no longer had to spend my morning near a bathroom! This may not sound like much, but it was LIFE CHANGING for me!
"I began to gain back the weight that my body needed, and actually enjoyed eating again. I was able to go to bed without worrying about the pain I'd face in the morning. I felt rested, and I finally had energy for my day! My attitude changed from desperation to one of hope and peace. I was no longer a slave to my body. I felt so free! I actually felt what I wasn't sure I would ever feel again–healthy.
"As my body continued to heal and stabilize, we found I didn't need to have adjustments as frequently. However, knowing what a difference regular chiropractic care has made on my life, I continue to get adjustments once every two weeks. I consider this a part of my new healthy lifestyle. I eat well, I sleep well, I stay physically active, and I am under chiropractic care. I know I'm doing the best I can for my body, and my health and overall life have completely benefited from it!
"Now I can't help but recommend Munising Family Chiropractic, not just as a last resort, but the best option. I know if it's changed my life, it can change others' lives too!"
-- Kristin Reickard