PREFACE

By Anthony J. DeCosta, D.C.

One of my early Chiropractic professors and mentors was Thomas L. Whitehorne, D.C. Dr. Whitehorne was a highly recognized Chiropractic educator and a sage of Chiropractic philosophy.

One of Dr. Whitehorne’s favorite sayings was, “In a Chiropractic office, the impossible occurs everyday… – miracles take a little longer!”

The stories written here are the actual accounts of how Chiropractic care helped and, in some cases, – completely changed these patient’s lives. These patients wrote their stories in the hope that by sharing their Chiropractic experiences they might help others experience a more healthy and fulfilled life.

It should be noted that while many of these cases presented with various types of symptoms and problems, at no time were these patients being treated specifically for any disease or condition. Instead, all these patients were being attended to have their vertebral subluxations corrected. (Vertebral subluxation(s) interferes with the body’s vital life energy (Innate Intelligence)and results in malfunction, disorder and dis-ease.) By correcting vertebral subluxations through Chiropractic adjustments, the Innate Power within the body is released so that, in turn, the Wisdom that created the body is free to express itself and carry on the process of repair and restoration, resulting in a state of true health and wellness.

If you would like to share how Chiropractic care has helped you, please feel free to submit your story to us as well. We will be happy to share it with others.

ARM, LEG AND CHEST PAINS GONE THROUGH CHIROPRACTIC CARE

It all started about a year and a half ago when I began having chest pains. I had been going to my family doctor who, at first, prescribed Valium because he thought it was my nerves due to the fact that I was getting married in a few weeks. I went back before my wedding with the same complaint, and I was given another form of Valium and two muscle relaxers. This only made me sleepy. After my honeymoon, the pains got worse. It wasn’t only in the chest any longer, it was running down my left arm and leg too. I began to think something was seriously wrong with me. I felt no relief and I was taking five different pills every four hours. My pharmacy bill from September 1979 to March 1980 was over $135.00. So, I went to another doctor – a cardiologist. He did a stress test and an echocardiogram. That trip cost me $144.00 for the office visit and another $350.00 for the tests. He told me it was a pinched nerve in my neck and that I would have to wear a neck brace.

Then, my brother told me about Chiropractic. At first, I didn’t believe this could help me. However, after all I had been through, I decided it was worth a try.

My x-rays showed a bad neck as a result of a car accident I had six years ago. I started going for adjustments three times a week for four weeks and soon the pain started to subside. Now, it has been three months that I have been seeing Dr. DeCosta, and I’m happy to say I have no chest pains and feel better all the way around. I am also off all the medication I was taking, as I have no need of it.

Chiropractic isn’t a fast process – it takes time. But, isn’t your body and health worth it ? The moral of the story is… you’ve tried the rest, now try the best, to feel healthier, happier and to save your money.

Barbara D.

CAME IN FOR NECK PAIN AND STAYED FOR THE HEALTH OF IT

A stiff neck that would not go away on its own brought us to Dr. Anthony DeCosta.

At the time, our son was having some neck problems related to working in small cramped areas at his job. He told us he was finding relief with chiropractic adjustments and recommended we pay a visit to his chiropractor, Dr. DeCosta.

And so, our initial visit turned into a regular weekly visit. We became educated through the Chiropractic educational program that was made available to us. The whole idea behind the program was that chiropractic adjustments were not only for when you had a problem, but were a way to maintain preventative health and wellness.

We continued with our initial intensive and rehabilitative stages of care and now twenty-six years have gone by and we still come each week to be checked. We have no major illnesses to speak of. We believe that keeping our bodies in good physical shape and our minds spiritually fed is our responsibility.

When my father came to live with us at the age of eighty years, we brought him along to see Dr. DeCosta also. He lived to be ninety-six years old and always walked out of Dr. DeCosta’s office standing straight and tall.

I guess you could say we believe in chiropractic adjustments and continue to tell this good news to others.

Carol and Lee C.

CHIROPRACTIC AND PREGNANCY

Chiropractic has a meaning of its own – but to me, it means my two little girls – Kristen and Kimberly. I would not have an eight year old and a five year old without Chiropractic and Dr. DeCosta.

I was one of Dr. DeCosta’s first patients. I started going to him for other ailments, never thinking a Chiropractor could help me carry a pregnancy. I had lost three pregnancies in two years, and my gynecologist could not come up with any physical reason why I wasn’t able to carry a baby. So, my husband and I were going through adoption proceedings. In fact, we were already approved and just waiting for that final call that said we could come and pick up our baby, when I became pregnant for the fourth time. As my pregnancy neared that critical time when I had lost the other babies (in the fourth month), I continued seeing Dr. DeCosta on a weekly basis. I could not have had a more normal pregnancy and in the spring of 1981, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. And, in March of 1984, I had another beautiful baby girl! No one can convince me that these little girls are truly not Chiropractic Babies!! They each were only four days old when Dr. DeCosta adjusted them, and they have been healthy and happy babies and now little girls.

We still come to Dr. DeCosta on a weekly basis, and with God’s Blessing, will continue for many, many years.

Mary P.

COMPLICATIONS FROM HEART SURGERY HELPED BY CHIROPRACTIC

It is with distinct pleasure that I write this testimonial.

To begin with, I had to go through open-heart surgery to correct a heart defect (valve). Immediately after the surgery I had a problem with eating. Nevertheless, I was sent home after ten days of hospitalization.

After being home for approximately two weeks, it was necessary to call 911 because my heart was acting up (245 heats per minute).

A number of complications, which took place while I was hospitalized, caused me to spend a total of 102 days on my back. I was released to spend more time with a feeding tube for sustenance.

After the removal of the feeding tube, I was able to carefully ambulate (walk around the house). This is when I discovered I could not effectively use my left arm. I was left with approximately 20-25% mobility with that arm.

After eight weeks and three visits to an orthopedic doctor, I was told that I had achieved approximately 40% of side movement and would remain at that point without surgery.

My wife, Clarabelle, has been going to Dr. DeCosta faithfully for a number of years. I have only gone on occasions when I thought I could use it – like 3 or 4 times a year.

This time I needed help from somebody real bad and put myself in the hands of Dr. DeCosta. Three treatments a week for approximately two months, now weekly I am happy to say, and I have 80-90% use of my left arm, and I anticipate that shortly I will regain full mobility.

Thanks go to you Dr. DeCosta. You didn’t give up on me as others did. Thank you also to your extra friendly staff. God bless you all.

Don B.

CRIPPLING LOW BACK PAIN

In February 2005, I had been hurt three times; once, I hurt my shoulder at work; a second injury occurred to my back while lifting chairs; and a third injury occurred to my back again while installing commercial carpet.

I recall it was a Saturday and by the time 4:00PM came around, I had to leave my job because of the tremendous pain in my lower back. After two weeks out of work, I returned to my job for just one day. The next morning I couldn’t get out of bed.

I went to see one chiropractor, but that didn’t work out. My cousin Maryann contacted my cousin Joe who immediately took me to see his chiropractor, Dr. DeCosta.

When I first went to see Dr. DeCosta, I couldn’t even stand up for any period of time. I literally had to get on the floor and onto my knees to be able to just tolerate the pain. I had been severely injured and I just wanted to feel good again and be able to return to work. I was becoming depressed.

Dr. DeCosta perfectly adjusted my back without the use of any electrical devices, unlike the first chiropractor I saw. The pain started to be reduced and I slowly gained flexibility. Upon Dr. DeCosta’s recommendation, I joined a local health club and started to walk in their pool. The combination of Dr. DeCosta’s adjustments and the aqua therapy worked.

Dr. DeCosta put me back together again to a state of 100% health and fitness! After missing work for 3 ½ months, I finally returned to my construction job and hardwood floor installation. I now lift weights, stay active and feel great thanks to the fine job Dr. DeCosta did for me.

Thank you Dr. DeCosta and his excellent secretary Dee who always had a smile and enjoyable conversation.

Vincent R. C.

DANCING AGAIN WITH NO MORE HIP PROBLEMS, THANKS TO DECOSTA CHIROPRACTIC!!

I’m Mildred G. I have been seeing Dr. DeCosta for one and one half years and I can’t begin to thank him for the relief he’s given me.

He has been adjusting me for a pain in my hip that I’ve had for years and was getting worse as I was getting older. I’ve been to more than one M.D. and I was put in traction and given therapy, with my condition being no better than when I started with these doctors, “not to mention the money I put out for medication and treatment.”

Then, talking to a neighbor, she suggested that I try a chiropractor and recommended Dr. DeCosta. Well, he was my last hope, and I was glad I went when I did. If it wasn’t for Chiropractic and him, I couldn’t be dancing my polkas, anymore.

Results like this is why I keep coming to Dr. DeCosta.

Thanks Doc.

Mildred G.

DANCING, WALKING AND PLAYING AGAIN!

I never thought I would ever write a letter like this. I never believed in a Chiropractor, even though my husband, son and daughter were patients at one time or another.

My daughter carried twins, and because of that, she got all out of alignment. After giving birth, she had back and leg pain to the extent that she could not walk!

She was breast-feeding and did not want any medication so she went to a Chiropractor, and was able to feed and take care of the twins. Even that did not sway me and I was there to help and take care of her and the girls.

While carrying books at work one day, I fell forward on my knees on nails that came up through the new floor. I went to five different orthopedic doctors, seven months of therapy five days a week, three days, two days… until my insurance ran out. They said there was nothing they could do for me! I had a pinched nerve in my left leg and had constant pain.

After spending a month on the couch with pain, not being able to do anything, I finally came to see Dr. DeCosta. The rest is history!!! I have been a patient for eight months and I am much better. I see Dr. DeCosta every two weeks. If I do too much work, I have to go more often, but I can live again, dance, walk and play with my three beautiful granddaughters. That is important to me!!!

Thanks to Dr. DeCosta, my life is much better.

Marian G.