Drs. David and Jennifer Cretsinger Amherst, New Hampshire

My name is Lynda and I have been involved in the medical field for over 25 years. I started working at age 16 as a nursing assistant as well as an optometric assistant. During my training for these positions, and later in nursing school, I was warned of "the evils" of chiropractic care by my instructors, and later by the medical professionals that I worked with in nursing homes, hospitals, and doctor's offices. Like many others, I heeded their warnings and stayed far away.

I have been battling food and environmental allergies since birth. I was constantly on antibiotics for ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis and pneumonia throughout childhood and into my adult life. I ended up having sinus surgery because there were no more antibiotics available to clear up the infection. I had even been placed on IV antibiotics while hospitalized for 3 days for severe sinusitis, and it still didn't clear it up. I have been suffering with knee, wrist and neck pain for twenty years. All required surgeries, pain meds, anti-inflammatory meds, physical therapy and countless visits to the doctors, specialists and hospital for x-rays, cat scans and MRI's.

I refused the neck surgery, where the 5 th and 6 th vertebrae would literally be fused together, immobilizing my neck and putting me at an incredible risk for developing hideous side effects and complications from the surgery. I instead suffered with the severe pain, inability to turn my head more than 45 degrees, ongoing physical therapy and ibuprofen that caused an ulcer.

Fortunately, I had the privilege of working with some "alternative" medical professionals. I began osteopathic manipulations that made a dramatic difference with my knees and neck. The only problem was that the adjustments were 6 weeks apart and by the 5 th week, my pain returned. Then "OMT's" were phased out of the offices because "it did not generate enough money and took too much time out of the schedule". Most office visits are scheduled every 10-15 minutes, some of those are "double-booked", which means that a 15 minute slot is shared with another, giving each approximately 7.5 minutes with the doctor. OMT's are scheduled for 30-45 minutes sessions.

One of my co-workers offered her magnet therapy that helped my carpal tunnel and my knee stiffness. Another co-worker offered her expertise in herbal and homeopathic treatments, and suggested I look into my diet. I had thought I ate well-balanced, nutritious meals, but I found that there was definitely room for improvement. With all this support that was leading me away from "traditional medicine" I began to look into chiropractic care. My mother in law had only wonderful things to say about her chiropractor, and the weekly flyers that popped out at me from the local paper only reinforced my interest.

I attended all the required sessions and was impressed with the message "the body heals itself, it's up to you and your chiropractor to help it out". I had heard a quote once that basically stated "Medicine and doctors are only there to amuse and distract you while your body heals itself". Include take your money, and you have traditional medicine.

Since starting my care here about 1 ½ years ago, my allergies have disappeared, along with my asthma and sinusitis, my knee and neck pain is non-existent, I can turn my head in any direction, although I still use the magnet bracelet for my wrist. I have altered my diet, eliminated all medications, and faithfully go for my weekly adjustments. When I'm not in visiting the staff here I am working full time, going back to school part time for my RN, coaching cheerleading and spending time with a total of 5 children and step-children, my husband, 2 cats, a dog, numerous fish, my garden, and my koi pond.

My daughter, Meagan, has also benefited from chiropractic care. Cheerleading, dance and gymnastics, along with her book bags, had really done a number on her spine and she began complaining of back pain by the time she was 12. She has also noticed a dramatic difference in her allergies, and is back-pain free. I have come to the conclusion that the reason I was warned of the "evils" of chiropractic care was because if everyone went to the chiropractor, they would all be healthy and there would be no one for the doctors to see.

Lynda A.