Back and Hip Pain

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

My story begins with my diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis in August, 2006. After dealing with several months of pain radiating down my left thigh, my initial reaction was one of relief, i.e., with knowledge of why the pain, I could move to what to do about it. Initially, I was assigned a traditional physical therapist. Fortunately, for me, she had a vacation and couldn't take me for two weeks. Eager to begin, I searched the list of therapists given to me and discovered that Mission Hills Physical Therapy was near my home.

During my initial visits, because of my background in traditional care, I must admit I had my doubts, but decided, based on the staff working with and around me, plus the patients that I talked to in the waiting room that I would continue with Integrative Manual Therapy for two weeks.

I did switch, but not for long. On the plus side, I learned some useful items from the traditional P.T. that helped my back and posture, i.e, how to work a vacuum cleaner, the use of the lumbar seat in the car (this helped a lot), how to clean cupboards lower than my waist, how to correctly pick up grocery bags and place them in the trunk of the car, etc., plus I was given a set of exercises that would strengthen my back and shoulders making good posture easier to attain and keep. But I became quickly disillusioned with my 10 minutes with the P.T., then spending the rest of the hour with an inexperienced tech. When questioned, tech honestly admitted that she had no background as a personal trainer nor as a physical therapist aide. But my decision to leave was based on the status of my back. It did not seem to be responding to treatment.

So I returned to Mission Hills and Kanoe. We were a team. With her expertise and "magic" hands, plus my willingness to do her "homework", my back healed. I reluctantly left her care in April 2007.

It is now the end of June. My back is still pain free. When I do experience light pain, I manage the situation by doing some of her homework. AND IT WORKS!!!

Back Pain

I injured my back lifting something too heavy. X-rays showed spinal osterionation. Physical therapy has helped me to recover Range of motion and to treat the pain, which is much improved now, 3 months after the injury.

The exercises taught and recommended by the therapist have also been helpful. I definitely think the physical therapy has helped.

Back Pain and Gluten Elimination

As promised, I am finally writing down my testimony. I want to share with you the healthful results I got from trying a gluten-free diet, which you recommended to me.

I have been following a gluten-free and sugar-free diet now for more than 14-weeks, and I feel healthier and younger looking than I did last April when I came to you for help with a debilitating back injury.

As part of my physical therapy program, which included learning to breathe properly and daily pelvic strengthening exercises, you also suggested a dietary change for me.

Of all the different remedies, the diet helped the most. Perhaps that is partly the new information it gave me to focus on while my back was healing. I never would have thought about eliminating gluten from my diet as an integral part of a muscle remedy.

I am not sure what the medical secret is. However, I can say that after not eating gluten for several days, I noticed an immediate difference with joint flexibility and decreased muscle swelling; Soon, my skin became more radiant and looked younger, and most importantly, I lost weight, so my clothes now fit better!!

I am on your side when you say, "the miracle only happens with a zero-tolerance approach." That is so true. And, by following a zero-tolerance approach of no gluten-free and no sugar, I am convenience it is healthier for me.

My back is still healing, but I do believe the healing process was expedited by adhering to the diet. Now, I can usually get the swelling down with a bag of frozen peas in a matter of minutes.

I am back to moving slowly into my workout routine, which includes Pilates and slow running.

I am not saying that it's easy to eliminate gluten. Any dietary change is challenging and takes a lot of courage and discipline, but it's when the benefits start to outweigh the sacrifices that it becomes a friendly change the body welcomes. At least it did for me.

I have learned to eat gluten-free in restaurants with friends, while traveling, and I have even tried some gluten-free recipes, which is a huge change for a non-cook. I find it is easier than I expected because it's a choice I make that feels right. I really don't crave the food with gluten and sugar that I used to eat. I don't fight with myself over it.

I want to thank you for suggesting this change and for all your simple words of wisdom that have been immensely helpful in sticking with the dietary changes.

I hope other patients coming behind me might try your gluten-free-zero-tolerance approach too; hopefully, they too will feel the good results.

I came in with excruciating pain in my lower legs from running injuries. I couldn't sit for more than 5 minutes with legs bent. I couldn't walk down the stairs without letting out "ouches".

After weeks of therapy, I can honestly say that I'm cured! Thanks to Kanoe, Sally and Ralph.

Back Pain

Back and Hip Pain

Chronic Back and Hip Pain

Persistent Back Problems and Damaged Shoulder

I am writing to express my profound appreciation for the help received at Mission Hills Physical Therapy. Throughout the process, all staff were especially friendly and supportive.

I have had a persistent problem with my back and a damaged shoulder and after several treatments, have experienced enormous improvement.

I am most impressed by the broad training and capabilities of the physical therapists. Ralph Havens, the Director, has had extensive training and frequently attends seminars to extend his knowledge which is shared with his staff.

I feel most fortunate to have experienced the services at Mission Hills Physical Therapy--it is a remarkable center.

Back Pain

I wanted to take a moment to document my experience and the impact on my health that the physical therapy sessions I have been receiving from you and Danielle at Mission Hills Physical Therapy has had.

The Initial reason I started to seek your treatment was a pretty bad episode of acute back pain over a year ago. I have a long history of lower back pain/problems and this particular episode was about 30 days long at it's worst and impacted every aspect of my life both work and personal. My doctor Dr. John Fox, recommended physical therapy once I got out of the acute phase, and a friend who had been helped by you recommended I try Mission Hills Physical Therapy.

Initially the focus was to have an immediate impact on my back pain and increase mobility, and this was successful, I did get pretty dramatic pain relief and some small increase in mobility.

We then started working on an approach of not only addressing pain and flexibility but to increase the strength in my deep core muscles and also relax my thighs and pelvis in conjunction with physical therapy sessions. Through a combination of therapy, education and exercises (which we call homework) I've been given tools that allowed my to take more control of my back "health". Now when I start to have stiffness or pain that in the past would lead to a acute pain episode, I have specific things that I can do in conjunction with routine therapy that can prevent it.

The approach has been somewhat like "peeling an onion", we work through certain issues, physical conditions and other conditions surface and are addressed. I think the on-going therapy has been very beneficial, I feel stronger and more flexible, my back "situation" is much more under control. I still think there is room for improvement and can benefit from continued physical therapy. Last month I was able to travel to England and Ireland for a vacation and am making more frequent trips for work, things that seemed out of reach for me a year ago.

My thanks to you Ralph and Danielle and the team at Mission Hills Physical Therapy for having such a positive impact on my life.

Miracles of Miracles

With a reference from a friend to try this new kind of therapy, and a back pain from a recent accident, I decided to give Mission Hills Physical Therapy a try. It is amazing what all of you have done for me. Without stretching or pulling, a soft easy touch in the right places, decreased my back pain to almost nothing and eliminated two problems I have had for years.

1. Persistent water retention in my feet (20 minute therapy homework once a day keeps it away!)
2. A sore spot in my upper abdomen. When I press that spot now, the pain is gone!

Thank you Danielle, Kanoe and Sally. My sessions with you were both relaxing and rewarding, and comforting to know you are a block away.

[ Back to Testimonials ]