Amazing Patient Testimonials

Jane - Testimonial from North Shore on Vimeo.

Pre - post Lateral Cervical. 
8 yr old male. 12 months corrective care.

Isabella Grace Powell

3 Years Old

Cystic Fibrosis

Four years ago we were like any other normal family of four with a new arrival on the way. My first two pregnancies had gone smoothly and we were looking forward to the impending arrival of number three. Little did we know then how much our lives were about to change. A routine scan at 27 weeks showed that the baby I was carrying had a bowel obstruction. This may seem simple enough but what followed was a whirlwind of tests and scans and the endless wait for results. Two weeks later we received the news that the child I was carrying had a 99.9% chance of having a condition called Cystic Fibrosis. Of course you always hang onto that 1% chance that they could be wrong however in this case they were on the money and our beautiful daughter Isabella Grace came into the world on the 25 July 2003.

What an event that was, 20 people at the delivery, a team of doctors and nurses to transport her to Starship from National Women's Hospital and an agonizing 8 hour operation to remove the damaged bowel.

7 months followed in Starship Hospital. In and out of intensive care as her body tried to recover from the operation and deal with her condition. Never once did we think she would not make it but I have to say there were some very long nights that we sat by her bed willing her to live and get well.

Although the time in the hospital was long and hard, it did give us an opportunity to find out more about the disease, which was now very much part of our family. It is a hereditary disease passed on by both parents. One in 25 New Zealanders is a carrier and statistically 1 in 600 marriages result in a child with CF. There was some comfort in knowing that there were many others in our same situation. The disease affects the lungs and digestive systems. In a nutshell their mucus is the same consistency as PVA glue whereas normal individual's have mucus that is similar to egg white. Each day Bella has two 20 minute physio sessions and a very high fat diet to enable her to gain weight and hopefully fight off infections! The children with CF are likely to get "bugs" in their lungs due to the thicker secretions and these in turn lead to chronic lung disease later in life. Strong drugs and antibiotics become your best friend but I have to say I was feeling more and more uncomfortable about the fact that these drugs were being put forward as the only option in our daughter reaching and maintaining ultimate health.

This is where the amazing Dr Gian came into our life and I have to say the change in my daughter as a result of the past 18 months even has the medical team at Starship talking! A very dear friend of ours had been visiting Gian for a while and would take Bella along with her for her adjustments. At the time Bella was fighting a loosing battle with her weight and the hospital was looking at medical intervention to help her with this. She also had a bug on her lungs which meant that on top of her physio sessions she was having to have two 20 minute sessions of nebulised antibiotics and once monthly IV antibiotics. The toll these drugs were taking on her meant that we were looking for anything that may give her a chance at reducing the menacing side effects of the drugs.

I have to say I was more than a little skeptical and I hear my grandmothers voice all the time now saying don't judge something or someone until you have got to know them. How lucky were we that North Shore Chiropractic has come into our lives. Our Bella has not looked back. She has gained weight, not been on any nebulised antibiotics and more importantly has been able to get rid of the bug in her lungs that would in time cause irreversible damage.

Infection is always a worry in our household and with two sisters one at school and one at kindy it is inevitable that things will be brought home and yes she has got the odd cold but her recovery has been exceptional and she has managed to have a full year out of hospital.

What North Shore Chiropractic offer is something truly unique. They have given my daughter the opportunity to live a full and happy life and for a full year away from the harsh drugs that had ruled her life for so long. I too am seeing Gian and have to say the improvement in posture, the end of constant neck pain and a noticeable decrease in my asthma have made it an incredibly positive experience.

To anyone in our situation I simply say give it a shot we have been amazed at how our Bella has responded and fully believe that her chiropractic care has been a major part of her fantastic health this year.

I look forward to many more years with the team and in particular Gian.

ITA BROUGH

Reason for seeking chiropractic care?

"Because I needed a rest and break from all the pain. So bad that not only lower back pain but asthma and headaches. I needed help so bad, especially I wanted to be pain free!"

Length and severity, and effect this had on you and your family?

"I've had lower back pain for 25 years. At times I could hardly walk straight or stand up after sitting down. At times I always tell my family I want to die; pain is too much for me after all these years to bear"

Ita also told me that sometimes her wrists were so sore that she could hardly move them. Her children would stroke her limbs to help her fall asleep. Because of her asthma Ita had to sleep with 6 pillows at night to help her breathe. On top of all this, Type 2 diabetes meant Ita needed to go to the toilet frequently at night, and because of the fatigue and pain she was in, she couldn't exercise to help manage her diabetic condition.

How has your condition changed through chiropractic care?

"A tremendous change. I can sit or walk for hours. I can now do things I was unable to do. Can sleep properly at night. Most of all my health changed dramatically!"

Other changes you have noticed whilst under chiropractic care?

"No more migraines (no more pills), asthma is completely gone (no inhaler). I feel a lot happier and healthier than before my treatments. Can lie down on one pillow not six"

Over the course of her care Ita has lost approx 28 Kg because of her healthier body and lifestyle.

Other Improvements reported