Dear Mary Schrag & Staff,
After living with chronic pain for over 30 years, my journey reached a turning point in 2012 when I began experiencing severe cervical spine pain. I was referred to physical therapy at another facility, & after completing 20 sessions, I was told there was nothing more they could do for me. I left feeling defeated, frustrated, & on the verge of giving up.
Dr. Mill’s wasn’t ready to give up on me. He referred me to Physical Therapy Specialists Clinic, (PTSC) even though I had already used all my PT visits for the year. Continuing therapy meant paying out of pocket, & while the financial burden was heavy, the pain was worse—I knew I had to keep fighting for my health.
From the moment I walked into PTSC, I felt hope again. Their state-of-the-art equipment, especially the MedX system, was unlike anything I’d seen before. Within just three weeks of starting therapy, I began to feel real, noticeable relief. After completing my treatment plan, I felt like a different person. For the first time in years, my pain was manageable, & I had my life back. That first success gave me the strength to keep going.
I had ablation done two times, which is radio frequency to burn nerves in my lower back. I actually was teaching from a wheelchair at this time. I came to PTSC again for help before surgery. I later did undergo surgery to have an L5 disc implanted in my spine. When my lower back pain returned yet again, I again turned to PTSC. This time, my T8 disc was bulging, and I was barely able to walk. After therapy, not only was I standing and walking again, but follow-up scans showed my disc was no longer bulging. It was amazing.
Before another major surgery, I came in for “prehab” at PTSC. After just six sessions, I was able to walk from my car to the office without a cane or walker, something I hadn’t done in a long time. Doctors told me I’d be out of work for six months. Thanks to PTSC, I was back on the job in less than six weeks with very few restrictions.
Throughout my journey, I’ve dealt with fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, sciatic nerve issues, & even a serious fall that left me with a cracked shoulder bone, torn tendons,& rotator cuff damage. PTSC has helped me through it all. From my feet & hands to my back & shoulder—they’ve been by my side every step of the way.
Their team works closely with my entire medical support system—my orthopedic doctor, rheumatologist (Dr. Anne Winkler), family doctor (Dr. Aaron Mills) —& most importantly, they treat me like a person, not just a patient. A special shout out to Cyndi for always being caring & knowledgeable. They adapted my therapy to meet my needs, & they truly care about my recovery.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Take a chance—and don’t give up. Pain can steal so much from your life, but with the right care & support, you can take it back.
~Diane