Low Back Pain
"...I danced for hours at my daughter’s wedding without experiencing sharp back pains."
I first came to Dr. David in late November of 2006 with severe lower back pain and numbness below my right knee. I could no longer stand or walk for longer than 5-10 minutes before experiencing sharp pains in my lower back and my thighs would start to ache and go numb. Even sitting for long periods would aggravate the back pain. The only thing that completely relieved this pain was lying prone on my side, but I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in bed so I just withstood the pain.
I wasn't always in such poor physical health. I was physically fit; snow skied, and loved to dance. In 1996, I experienced the first of two major sciatic attacks that led to the severe, recurring lower back pains that brought me to Dr. David. The pain I was experiencing after the second sciatic attack was so severe, I began to consult with an orthopedic surgeon and a neurosurgeon. After x-rays, MRI's, and an epidural, both physicians were recommending back surgery. I didn’t want to subject myself to disc fusion and a long recovery period so I opted to put off surgery and just withstand the pain.
I was referred to Dr. David by another dancer after a discussion we had about our mutual back problems. She told me about Dr. David’s technique and how, using this technique, she had begun to experience some relief with her neck and back pain. Since I was still experiencing recurring pain, even after regular chiropractic visits, it made a lot of sense to make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. David.
I started my journey to wellness the first week of December 2006. After three weeks of chiropractic care under Dr. David, I went shopping with my children. I walked into several stores in our local mall before I realized that I had been on my feet for an hour or so without having to sit down. And, the pain I felt then didn’t compare to prior pain I had lived with prior to Dr. David. In January of 2007, I started to teach a 1-hour dance class once a week. I would feel some back pain after teaching, but not as severe as in the past.
In March 2007, I purchased a rehab kit to do exercises at home. I believe this was instrumental in improving my back and neck health. In June of 2007, I danced for hours at my daughter's wedding without experiencing sharp back pains. In fact, I didn’t start to ache until the next day but it was still not as painful as my pains prior to Dr. David. In August of this year, I was able to walk for approximately 1 mile to watch my son complete his first half marathon as he crossed the finish line. I must admit that I did have to finally find a seat after 15 minutes of standing around after his race, but I only had soreness in my lower back - not the severe excruciating pain I would have felt had I attempted this feat a year ago.
I am now 10 months into my program, and I have made such an awesome improvement with my back pain. I no longer feel the numbness in my thighs, even when I walk or stand for long periods of time. I do still experience soreness in my lower back but I can now walk longer, stand longer, and dance longer than I could ten months ago. I believe I will continue to improve with my back health as long as I do my home rehab exercises and see the good doctor monthly.
I thank God for leading me to Dr. David. He is always impressing me with his knowledge of the human anatomy, and his thirst for knowledge about health. I love reading the "thought for the day" written on his whiteboard, and the latest research he provides us weekly. I also want to compliment Dr. Lorraine, and the Gold Coast office staff for their compassion and warmth – they always welcome me with a big smile at each visit. I will recommend Dr. David and Gold Coast Chiropractic to anyone and everyone who complains of back and neck pain because I believe that Dr. David, and the Pettibon system, can provide the long-term pain relief they seek
Respectfully,
Chery Coates
All of my life I have loved playing physically intense sports kike Ice hockey. Participating in these sports for so long began to take a toll on my body. I began experiencing severe back pain, neck soreness and numbness in my feet and had been dealing with these problems for eight to ten years. Prescription and over the counter drugs could no longer ease the pain at all.
I tried physical therapy, orthopedics as well as acupuncture, but the pain continued to get worse. My friend and co-worker, Joe Zerucha, kept telling me to see Dr. David because he had done wonders for him. I had never tried chiropractic before, but was willing to give it a shot. Finally in February 2002 I came into Dr. David’s office, where he diagnosed me with subluxations of my spine. He taught me what they were and how they and how they affect my life, even that they could be the root problem of my allergies. Then we began my care and healing.
Today, much of my pain has subsided tremendously and the numbness in my feet is all gone. Because of my adjustments and care with Dr. David I have also had increased energy, better sleep at night and am no longer taking any allergy medications. Best of all, my hockey and golf games have greatly improved!! With great thanks
Tim Broadhead
“The pain was so excruciating it knocked me off my chai
r…”
Oh No Mr. Bill!
Picture a guy who over the last several years has had lower back pain and an occasional flare up lasting three to four weeks, but had not had a flare up in over 18 months. This was me last October. I felt I was in good and physically in the kind of shape you would expect from, someone who worked out regularly. But I was really kidding myself. About six months prior, I moved to a location not conveniently close to my gym, I had replaced my vigorous workouts with irregular ones at home consisting of measly stretches and a few crunches. Coincidentally, at that time I had decided that I needed to do several projects around the house all of which required excessive bending over and kneeling down. The projects around the house all of which had been postponed, but I was forcing myself into a short timeline in order to get them done before I went away for a weekend church retreat. About half way through the two-week project cycle my back was starting to give me signals that I needed to lay off for a few days, but I wouldn’t hear of it. The projects had to be done before I could feel right about leaving for a relaxing weekend to hear the word of God. Finally, the day came when the projects were complete and I was away for the weekend, but my lower back was not happy.
During the first session of the retreat Friday night my back was sore, but I was confident that sitting down and relaxing would be good for it and in no time it would be feeling better again. However, by the end of the first session that night it was just as sore if not more so than when it began. Consequently, I went to bed to give it a good rest. The next morning I was felling pretty good and I thought I was over the hump, but then it happened. I sat down in a chair during the first session of the morning and it felt like someone had come up behind me and hit me with a baseball bat in my lower back. The pain was so excruciating it knocked me off the chair and it took all I had to stand up using the back of the chair in front of me for support. Luckily, some of the men around me carried me back to my room where I collapsed in bed for the remainder of the weekend. I was so miserable I could not even turn myself over without intense shooting pain. After the weekend was over a nice guy drove me home and he and another guy carried me into the house where…
“…I laid in bed for nearly a month!”
When I felt strong enough to stand on my own for brief periods I sought the advice of an orthopedic surgeon. After looking at my MRI and examining me he concluded that I had a condition known as Internal Disc Derangement (IDD), an internal tear of one of my discs. His recommendation was to have surgery right away, which would entail disc removal because in his words “…there was no other option”. Luckily there was a backlog for surgery I could not get in for about a month. In the mean time I was encouraged to seek a second opinion and praised the Lord I followed that advice. Of course it took another month before I could see the second opinion doctor.
In the mean time the Lord led me to Gold Coast Chiropractic (GCC) by a recommendation from my wife who had seen Dr. Melendez the year before for care. During that month while waiting for my second opinion, Dr. Melendez and his staff of highly trained experts worked me over three times a week with spinal decompression and rejuvenation therapy (SRT), cervical traction, wobble chair, stretching, body weighting rehab, adjustments, and not to mention introducing me to the “good posture for a healthy lifestyle” mindset. Believe it or not in only a month’s time I was standing, for the most part, pain free, in front of the second orthopedic surgeon reviewing my new set of x-ray and MRI’s. Even though I could not bend over and tie my shoes yet, in his conclusion he said “…I don’t see anything I would recommend surgery for!” Those words were like music to my ears. Praise the Lord; I had sought the help of Dr. Melendez. I don’t believe the second orthopedic surgeon would have come to the same conclusion had I not been standing in front of him looking and feeling pretty good and I know I wouldn’t have been had I not received the help of Dr. Melendez.
“All I can say is WOW!”
It is now three months after that second opinion and I’m feeling no pain and as of two
weeks ago I was able to bend over and tie my shoes! Tonight Dr. Melendez reviewed with me the before and after x-rays. All I can say is WOW! He has not only helped me feel better and improved my mobility he has partially reversed the aging process of my spine. My spine is now much straighter, left and right, than it used to be and more curved where it needs to be. I am living proof that if you put the spine back in order your physical health will improve. Over all, I highly recommend GCC and Melendez team to anyone suffering with back pain and decreased physical quality of life. Thanks Dr. Melendez for helping me see and experience a healthier and more productive life. May God bless you and your staff.
Sincerely,
William L. George, Colonel USAF (Ret.)
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"...a severe bulging disc..."
I was referred to Dr. Melendez by my dad’s church in August of 2008. I had a severe bulging disc in my lower back, confirmed by MRI. I aggravated an old injury when I jumped off a rock into Lake Shasta while on vacation. I was unable to stand up straight or walk. I was in sooo much pain!
I had tried to treat my old injury previously with another chiropractor but was unsuccessful. The problem continued with regular flare-ups of my old condition.
Since starting Dr. Melendez’ spinal rejuvenation system of chiropractic, decompression and rehabilitation, I am now able to do everything again which includes lifting, surfing, and working as a special education teacher. I have complete confidence in my recovery, which has allowed me to keep my positive attitude!
This trial and experience is just a great reminder of the healing power of Jesus and how the Lord is using Dr. David and his wonderful staff as instruments of healing.
"Glory be to Him whose power working in us can do infinitely more then we can ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20.
Thank you,
Jonathan Cooper
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"…Three Failed Back Surgeries."
I first came to GCC in late February 2007 in chronic pain and in search of a job from a Craig's List posting. I didn’t make the first interview but I persisted with persuasion that both of us could benefit and God's plan eventually prevailed, as I became the new Chiropractic Assistant at GCC, all the while suffering in silent pain and hoping for a miracle.
My physical condition was one of constant and chronic low back pain uncontrolled by pharmaceutical pain meds, epidural injections, and three failed back surgeries. A total lack of quality of life, unable to enjoy family, sports, or life fulfilling fun, so I thought, was my lot in life from here on out.
A serious car accident originally caused my first herniated disc that quickly degenerated. I went through five years and many methods of chiropractic care, multiple physical therapists, massage, ice, heat treatment, 'pain specialist' with epidural injections and medical care with lots and lots of prescription drugs which completely incapacitated me. The results very short lived, less than one to two weeks at most, which lead to a miserable existence.
God answered my prayer and a miracle on this earth occurred I never thought possible-I began to heal! Since starting care with Dr. Melendez and the Pettibon style of chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation, I am no longer taking pharmaceutical meds and rarely an Advil (only 3 times in the last 2 years), and have begun to enjoy leisure activities such as hiking, cooking and playing at the beach- boogie boarding and surfing, things I thought would never be possible again. I have begun a life filled with joy, action, and I am no longer fearful that I will become incapacitated by pain or lose my ability to do my favorite activities.
I have a renewed belief that with the Lord and Dr. Melendez “specialized” chiropractic Pettibon Technique, that I can reach true health and healing. I feel more well than ever before. Dr.’s David and Lorraine have shown me that life shouldn’t fall apart just because there is a challenge, there is always hope and work to be done. Remember Dr. David’s Four P’s-Prayer, Patience, Perseverance, Pays off!
Thank you Dr.’s David and Lorraine, you are both truly a blessing,
Deborah Pryne, Super C.A., Riding the Wave of Health and Hope
“Chiropractic Works!”
My condition was one of low back pain due to stress and hypertension. The hypertension was due to surfing. This hampered me physically as far as exercise was concerned. I have previously been to a chiropractor before, but didn’t continue the treatments, so no results occurred. Dr. David goes to my church and home fellowship and we discussed the problem and I decided to take action.
The original x-rays showed level II subluxations and my neck was 6 degrees off and my lower back was 8 degrees off. Nine months to one year of treatment was suggested to take care of the problem.
My hobbies include surfing, basketball, running and walking. This condition seriously affected my surfing, walking, and running. Now when I walk or surf the pain is very minimal with freedom of motion.
Chiropractic works! It is not a rip-off like some people say- that is a myth and a lie. Put your trust in Dr. David Melendez. He cares about you and how your body functioned because he loves God!
-Bill Peterson
“I have never had fingerprints.”
I first came to see Dr. Melendez in October 2000, following a spinal screening at the Robb Machado Surf Festival. In 1995, I first injured my lower back playing football. A bulging disc resulted preventing me from ever playing football again and restricting me from doing other activities that I love as well. I originally sought help from numerous physicians, physical therapists, and finally a neurosurgeon. All were helpful, but the results were never complete. So I was never corrected.
I have since been under Dr. David’s chiropractic care for subluxations correction and my back is doing great. In addition to my lower back improving, other parts of my body have unexpectedly improved. Ever since I can remember, I have never had fingerprints. I have been afflicted with eczema on my fingertips that have caused them to constantly crack and bleed. I tried every medicated cream available only to have the condition reappear. I often joked that I would make a good thief because they would never find any fingerprints left behind. The amazing thing is that since I have been receiving chiropractic adjustments, my fingers are healing and I have fingerprints for the first time in my life.
Thank you!
-Dustin Cook
“…severe back pain, neck soreness and numbness in my feet…”
All of my life I have loved playing physically intense sports like Ice hockey. Participating in these sports for so long began to take a toll on my body. I began experiencing severe back pain, neck soreness and numbness in my feet and had been dealing with these problems for eight to ten years. Prescription and over the counter drugs could no longer ease the pain at all.
I tried physical therapy, orthopedics as well as acupuncture, but the pain continued to get worse. My friend and co-worker, Joe Zerucha, kept telling me to see Dr. David because he had done wonders for him. I had never tried chiropractic before, but was willing to give it a shot. Finally in February 2002 I came into Dr. David’s office, where he diagnosed me with subluxations of my spine. He taught me what they were and how they and how they affect my life, even that they could be the root problem of my allergies. Then we began my care and healing.
Today, much of my pain has subsided tremendously and the numbness in my feet is all gone. Because of my adjustments and care with Dr. David I have also had increased energy, better sleep at night and am no longer taking any allergy medications! Best of all, my hockey and golf games have greatly improved!! With great thanks
Tim Broadhead
3D Spine Simulator
Launch 3D Spine Simulator