"In early February of 2005 I was woken up in the middle of the night by a debilitating pain accompanied by severe muscle spasms that encompassed my neck, left shoulder, left arm and down the left side of my back and side. The pain was so severe that I was unable to lay down in a horizontal position for the next four days. I literally had to get what sleep I could by tipping my head forward into a pillow propped up on a desk top.
From then until the end of May that year I went through a progression of x-rays and ultra-sound diagnostics on my shoulder and an unsuccessful round of physiotherapy involving heat, electical stimulation and ultrasound treatments and a variety of prescription medications to no avail.
Next my neck was x-rayed again with nothing abnormal showing up. As the pain was still not under control my medication also kept increasing until the side effects became too problematic. The result was a level of medication that kept me functioning only.
Finally in October of 2005 an MRI result indicated a condition called Fibromyopic Dysplasia and Degenerative Disk Disease (a bulging disk pressing on a nerve). A referral to the National Spine Centre then resulting in a neuro-surgeon's diagnosis confirmation and my subsequent addition to a 12 month long surgical waiting list.
With 12 months to wait, I asked if there was something we could try in the mean time and was referred to Audrey Long at the Bonavista Physical Therapy Clinic toward the end of May 2006 - 16 months after the original onset of my condition and several thousand dollars later.
Audrey and her assistant began working with me using the McKenzie Method a specialized system of therapy for the neck and back. It is the 4th of July 2006, less than 2 months later and I have every reason to believe that I will be taken off the surgical waiting list. Not only have I regained almost all of the mobility I lost, I have been able to come off almost all of my prescriptions. By seeing Audrey twice a week at first and doing the simple exercises she has taught me, I can now, with very little outside help, control any residual pain and help promote my own healing. So much time has passed since the original injury, it will take some time for my neck to heal - however, at least at this stage of the game; it is clear that it will - without surgery!!!!
I feel I have a new lease on life!!!
I am very fortunate to have had my experience turn out this well, however I can't help but wonder how much quicker my injury would have responded to treatment had I been referred to Audrey or someone like her in the first place and how much unnecessary physical, mental and financial suffering could have been prevented.
Having lived through it - I am now a strong advocate for physical therapy as a pre not post surgical tool. I think our health care system would benefit tremendously if an initial 10 treatments would be covered. I am confident that many, far more expensive, surgical procedures could be avoided. As a result, much suffering and time would be saved not to mention the ability to re-allocate medical system resources not used here. A win-win situation!
Kim B.
From then until the end of May that year I went through a progression of x-rays and ultra-sound diagnostics on my shoulder and an unsuccessful round of physiotherapy involving heat, electical stimulation and ultrasound treatments and a variety of prescription medications to no avail.
Next my neck was x-rayed again with nothing abnormal showing up. As the pain was still not under control my medication also kept increasing until the side effects became too problematic. The result was a level of medication that kept me functioning only.
Finally in October of 2005 an MRI result indicated a condition called Fibromyopic Dysplasia and Degenerative Disk Disease (a bulging disk pressing on a nerve). A referral to the National Spine Centre then resulting in a neuro-surgeon's diagnosis confirmation and my subsequent addition to a 12 month long surgical waiting list.
With 12 months to wait, I asked if there was something we could try in the mean time and was referred to Audrey Long at the Bonavista Physical Therapy Clinic toward the end of May 2006 - 16 months after the original onset of my condition and several thousand dollars later.
Audrey and her assistant began working with me using the McKenzie Method a specialized system of therapy for the neck and back. It is the 4th of July 2006, less than 2 months later and I have every reason to believe that I will be taken off the surgical waiting list. Not only have I regained almost all of the mobility I lost, I have been able to come off almost all of my prescriptions. By seeing Audrey twice a week at first and doing the simple exercises she has taught me, I can now, with very little outside help, control any residual pain and help promote my own healing. So much time has passed since the original injury, it will take some time for my neck to heal - however, at least at this stage of the game; it is clear that it will - without surgery!!!!
I feel I have a new lease on life!!!
I am very fortunate to have had my experience turn out this well, however I can't help but wonder how much quicker my injury would have responded to treatment had I been referred to Audrey or someone like her in the first place and how much unnecessary physical, mental and financial suffering could have been prevented.
Having lived through it - I am now a strong advocate for physical therapy as a pre not post surgical tool. I think our health care system would benefit tremendously if an initial 10 treatments would be covered. I am confident that many, far more expensive, surgical procedures could be avoided. As a result, much suffering and time would be saved not to mention the ability to re-allocate medical system resources not used here. A win-win situation!
Kim B.
Our family have been patients of Bonavista Physical Therapy for a number of years. Through the years we have had treatment for a number of sport related sprains, strains and a couple of knee operations and we he have always been very happy with the professional treatment and service received. In fact talking to a sports physician and an Orthopedic Surgeon Bonavista Physical Therapy is known to them and is recommended when a recommendation is requested. Staff have always been very helpful and friendly and it is that relationship along with the professional treatment, that has us continuing to visit Bonavista Physical Therapy whenever the need arises."
Richard S.
Richard S.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my extreme satisfaction for the level of service I have received from the staff at Bonavista Physical Therapy. Their knowledge and professionalism was above and beyond. I have had the good fortune to have benefited from such an environment for a total of five months of therapy at three times a week. Their diagnosis of my injury led me to obtain treatment that I would not otherwise have received. I am especially grateful to my physical therapist, Christia for her professionalism, compassion, knowledge, and dedication. With her help I have achieved a great deal of success in my recovery. I would like to recommend their services to anybody requiring treatment as they are all a very skilled and wonderful group of people."
"With much gratitude, a huge thank-you"
Sabine V.
"With much gratitude, a huge thank-you"
Sabine V.
