WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING:
"I don’t write many testimonials, and as such (and because I am a writer), this one will be a little long. Bear with me.
Ok, before I tell you about Dr. Christa, let me tell you first about a negative Chiropractic experience I had with another doctor. I hurt my back in March of 2008 – too much sitting at a desk is my amateur, internet-aided diagnosis. So I went to a local Chiropractor from my insurance company’s “approved” list. I walked in at the appointed time, and was told to sit and “wait for the others”. Puzzled, I sat…
Over the next 20 minutes, five other people walked in. I guess they were “the others”, because they all got a folder from the lady behind the desk. Then she said to the group “ok, you all know what to do – go to your examination rooms”. They all promptly went to their examination rooms (all except me – I didn’t have a folder). I felt a bit odd at what I just witnessed, and said to the lady “boy, you really have them well trained, huh?” She was not amused (they never are).
So I get a folder too, and I go into a room (#4) as well. Then the doc arrives. He spends the next fifteen minutes bouncing from room to room, seemingly cracking backs at random (that’s how it appeared to me anyway.) Then he came to me – in what seemed like a blur, he examined me and cracked my back. Elapsed time: 6 minutes. Then he told me to come back tomorrow (and every day for the rest of the week). I tried to ask a few questions, but his demeanor made it clear room #5 was waiting.
Come back tomorrow? Err… no. I don’t think so.
I paid my co-pay of $40 and left. Later in the week, I got a call from him selling me HARD on coming back, and it was implied that I really needed to do it or be in pain FOREVER (gee, he learned a lot in that six minutes, huh?) Again, I said no, and actually had to get a little rude, because he would not give in.
Suffice to say, I was REALLY turned off to the whole profession. My back slowly got a little better on its own, but never really felt good… then in September 08, it REALLY went out. I was in pretty bad pain for a month. And it showed no sign of getting better. Trust me, this is no way to live life.
I had met Dr. Christa through Toastmasters, which we both attend. Listening to her speak about her profession, I could see she was different. I could tell she didn’t have six examination rooms. I could tell she actually cared. This was further exemplified by her not taking insurance. Really, are you kidding me? That takes guts and a real belief in what you do. My pain said “Dan, give it a shot”. Ok, I’m exaggerating. It really didn’t say that – it said something more like “OWWWWW”. But I interpreted it as “give it a shot.”
So I did. I made an appointment and went to see her.
Here’s all you really need to know to see where this is going: her first appointment with me was over 90 minutes. I was expecting (and planned for) maybe ten minutes, yet she spent more than an hour and a half with me, diagnosing, testing, and treating me (I missed dinner, which made my wife question where I was. I jest – my wife was actually thrilled, because I came home with something she hadn’t seen since March – hope.)
Now I won’t lie – my pain did not totally go away that first visit, but I could tell that it was definitely addressed. I could just feel it. I went back the next week, and then the next. Each time, I felt a little better, which is totally the opposite of the previous month. By the fourth week, I was told that I needed to come but every other week. And that’s where we are as I write. Soon I’ll be once a month, then probably once every six weeks.
Let me tell you – I feel great. All over. I walk better, I stand upright better, etc. However, this isn’t magic - there is still “something” in my back that has the chance to “go” – I realize I may never be rid of that totally. That’s the price that middle age, and my profession, sometimes bring. But Christa has essentially put my back/body on the road to being as healthy as it can be, given my lifestyle and circumstances. I have not felt this good in years. I was in pain before Dr. Whiteman, and I am not in pain anymore. That’s all I care about.
I cannot say enough about her demeanor, her professionalism, and her results. I told her she needs to raise her fees. She won’t listen. Oh well, better for you and me, then."
Dan Furman, Kingston NY
Business Author, Marketing Consultant
8 Sun Creek Ln., Suite 6 Stone Ridge, NY 12484 845.687.6387
Hudson Valley Chiropractic & Wellness
