Most people do not believe that regular chiropractic adjustments can save their life. But, Robbie Meeks certainly does. Robbie believes that the extraordinary care she received from Dr. Cavallo actually prevented her heart attack from being a “catastrophic event” in her life two-and-a-half years ago.
Robbie came to AC Spine & Wellness Center like many other patients do – because a family member (her husband) was being treated for back pain. She figured if he was coming to the office, she might as well, too, as she had suffered from migraines for many years after a car accident. While in Dr. Cavallo’s care, Robbie’s migraines became much more manageable and less frequent. However, she began experiencing mild chest pain and high blood pressure. She told Dr. C about her symptoms and he recommended that she schedule an appointment with a cardiologist for further evaluation.
Before she even made it to her cardiology appointment, Robbie suffered a heart attack at work. She didn’t have stabbing pains or anything that felt like she was going into cardiac arrest. Instead, she had pain in her jaw, one side of her neck hurt, and she began to feel breathless. Ultimately, angioplasty took care of a small blockage that did not appear serious enough to cause a heart attack. She was home from the hospital in a week and told me, “I believe it was my chiropractic care that prevented it from being a catastrophic event!”
While in the hospital, Robbie was given prescriptions for several different medications. Today, she only takes blood pressure medication and her blood pressure is normal. Through her continued efforts with food sensitivity testing, she is working toward eliminating the need for medication completely.
With the scare of a heart attack happily behind her, and hopes of treating her symptoms naturally, Robbie is now focusing on improving her diet.
“Gluten is in bad foods,” Robbie told me. “And because I stopped eating gluten, I stopped eating bad things. So far, I’ve lost 17 pounds, slowly, and I’m happy about that. This [kind of eating] makes sense to me and it’s not hard.”
“I think it’s important to know,” Robbie continued, “that a lifetime of bad habits doesn’t lock you into a future of unsatisfactory results. Even if you’re not 35 years old, you can still make small changes. A couple small changes go a long way!”
Robbie explained that when she first came to AC Spine & Wellness for help with migraines, she wasn’t thinking about weight loss, or allergies, or inflammation, but as a bonus side effect of eating healthier whole foods, following Dr. C’s advice, and regular spinal adjustments, she has noticed an improvement in her overall health and diminishing ailments – like allergies and inflammation.
“What I love about AC is that they treat the whole system, you know?” she said to me. “AC Spine & Wellness is such a resource. And coming here feels like visiting an extended member of my family. Everyone is so generous and supportive.”
“My a-ha moment was just six visits in!” Robbie told me, enthusiastically. “I decided to polish my toenails, and instead of feeling like a contortionist, I could do it! Suddenly, I could reach my feet again!”
She explained that her spine had been so out of alignment when she first became a patient at AC Spine & Wellness, that she “just didn’t bend in that direction” anymore. Now, at the age of 62, she is easily reaching her toes. (How many of us over the age of 40 can actually still do that? I am wondering.)
“I have grand plans for yoga,” she told me. And it’s all because she has regained her flexibility. She also told me that she’d like to be able to walk around parks with her husband, a history buff, and to enjoy her first grandchild.
“First of all,” says Robbie, “a positive attitude – positive thoughts, positive energy – really makes a difference. Pick one thing,” she says. “You don’t have to do it all at once; little bites make a big difference.”
She also believes that everyone should “absolutely see a chiropractor” on a routine basis. Additionally, she suggests that having yourself tested for food sensitivities should be on your “must do” list.
“Once you see the results, the momentum picks up and the happiness takes you to the next step. Take that first step! There is an enormous ripple effect.”
Thankfully, Robbie is living proof of that.
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