|
TESTIMONIALS |
All patient names are (of course) withheld.
1. Mature man with Lyme Disease...
After 3 treatments over a month's time, I was relieved of all joint and bone pains and aches. My energy level also increased to normal. Her manipulation of the distressed areas in my body were effective immediately and completely to a point of no pain or discomfort. Subsequent treatments are now maintaining a healthy balance.
2. Young woman with lifelong disabling menstrual pains...
"My Foray into Alternative Medicine" (this is the complete letter from a patient)
I am a 28-year-old female who has always up until recently had many problems with menstruation. Ever since I started my period, I have had difficulty with it. It has caused me a variety of problems including severe cramping (I’ve visited the Emergency Room a few times because it was believed to be appendicitis), morning sickness, dizziness, exhaustion to the point I couldn’t move, migraines, back pain, hot flashes, bloating, and mood swings.
The first treatment I received to cope somewhat was through an Orthopedist specializing in sports medicine. He recommended the use of Ibuprofen, at that time a prescription-only medication (800 mg per pill). This helped me cope with the back pain, headaches, and some of the cramps and nausea. As a teenager, I was physically active so lack of exercise was not the cause of the problems.
As I got older the Ibuprofen became less and less effective. By 27, I was taking the entire bottle (non prescription 200 mg each pill) and then some during my period without much relief. I then decided to be brave and go to the gynecologist.
At 27, I visited the gynecologist who prescribed super Ibuprofen and Orthotrycyline, a popular birth control pill regime. I lasted one week on these due to debilitating side effects. I was dizzy, there was a "buzz" in my head, and I was extremely nauseated if I smelled food cooking or ate/drank, to the point where I would vomit immediately. During this one week, I lost 15 lbs. I am 5'-2" tall and prior to this I was 100 lbs. There were two things that stopped this. One was to stop taking the pills and the other was a suppository that chemotherapy patients use to stop nausea. This prevented me from going to the emergency room for dehydration.
Once I stopped taking these pills, I received a surprise. I got my period again. It took me another week to regain any strength. I missed two weeks of work. One week for doing nothing but vomiting and the second week for recovering. The gynecologist was confused and angry. Neither he nor his partner knew what to do since most women do not react to the miracle birth control pills this way. That was the last time I went to this particular gynecologist.
The next month I was in severe agony again so I went to my primary care physician. He recommended "woman hater number 2." This wonderful doctor prescribed more birth control pills after I explained the first disaster. He assured me that progesterone would not make me sick like the Orthotrycycline. Foolishly, I believed him and took the next set of birth control pills for a week as well. I vomited any food that was solid once it hit my stomach. I was again dizzy, lethargic, and lost 10 more lbs. I had not gained much back from the last disaster. I was now 5'-2" tall and 78 lbs. I looked like a holocaust survivor. I should have called the Ford modeling agency.
The stopping of the pills didn’t cause me to menstruate. When I did get my period I was again in agony. I went back to the "woman hater" and all he would give me for the pain was naproxin sodium; super Aleve. It did not relieve the pain. I took five because I just wanted it to stop. I called the office and asked for a stronger prescription because I was doubled over in pain. The "woman hater" said no and that I should go to the emergency room. He was also angry because I refused any other birth control. I went to the Emergency Room and was examined and given Ketoprofen, which is usually used after surgery. It stopped the pain but made me very spacey. I missed more work because I was incoherent. While I was in the ER, my father looked through the telephone book to see if there was any other treatment available to help me with this condition.
My father thought, perhaps, Osteopathy could help since it helped him with asthma. He called Dr. Reiss’ office and explained that his daughter was having menstrual problems and that "woman haters" were of no help.
Before my first visit to Dr. Reiss, I was extremely skeptical. After visiting three gynecologists who did nothing but make me sick, I wasn’t very optimistic. I am not into alternative medicine or herbs or any of that. I am pretty traditional but the traditional treatments for painful periods were harming rather than helping me.
Her main treatment for this was physical manipulation of the uterus, both external and internal as well as the rest of the body. It is important to note that she treats the whole person, not just the "disease." I figured the worst that could happen was nothing. It was drug free and she doesn’t like birth control pills any more than I do. Within our discussion of the above situation, she never made me feel stupid or crazy. She actually listened.
The manipulations have helped tremendously with the pain. The procedure is quite uncomfortable but it doesn’t have any of the side effects of those pills. For the first time, I no longer have appendicitis-like pain every month. I now only take on average of four 200 mg of Ibuprofen during menstruation. I am still afraid to go completely medication-free, but at least what little I take now actually works. I have also found that the other symptoms have somewhat subsided. I can actually function now. My family and friends cannot believe the improvement in my health, both physical and mental.
I don’t know nor care how this worked – just that it does. I do not do everything she recommends. I do not take the herbals or vitamin pills. I do not eat organic food nor will I ever give up meat. Hey, it’s what’s for dinner.
The only variable in my life that has changed is the addition of Dr. Reiss’ physical manipulations of the uterus and the body. I still smoke as well. I just don’t smoke as much during menstruation because I am not in agony anymore.
I am not an alternative medicine New Age hippie. I am pretty traditional but I have found that the physical manipulation of Osteopathy has helped me remain human for the whole month.