John Vatter had plenty of good reasons why he had a variety of physical complaints.

“It’s just the work I was in all my life,” says the active 71-year-old. “I was in construction, then the Marines, and I was also in the printing business for TheNew York Times, Post, and Daily News for seven years, bending down and lifting rollers.”

Consequently, John suffered from chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain from osteoarthritis, along with headaches and difficulty with walking. He lost most of the normal range of motion in his neck, and had symptoms of numbness and tingling in his hands from neuropathy, as well.

“It was very, very difficult for me,” he admits, noting that the pain and dysfunction had effects on his activities, ranging from hobbies like golf to activities of daily living such as driving or performing household tasks.

“I like to play golf a couple of times a week with some buddies of mine who were also in the Marines,” he explains, “but I was unable to do that. I couldn’t go down the hills on the golf course without a cane or crutches.

“At home, climbing up ladders, putting up things…I couldn’t do those kinds of things either.”

John found hope when he learned about a nonsurgical treatment for back pain called the ProAdjuster, offered by Kuryliw Chiropractic Rehab Center.

“I saw an article in Florida Health Care News and because I could not have my neck adjusted manually, I decided I wanted to try the ProAdjuster,” he says.

Once there, John was pleased with the friendly, helpful staff of Kuryliw Chiropractic.

“They made me feel comfortable,” he assures. “They’re very friendly and very knowledgeable, and they really want to help you.”

No “snap, crackle, or pop”

While traditional chiropractic treatment is still safe and effective, many people say that they do not care for the popping or crunching sound heard and felt during a manual chiropractic adjustment, which comes from a release of gaseous pressure. “For them, the answer is simple,” explains Dr. Dennis M. Kuryliw, founder of Kuryliw Chiro Rehab Center.

The ProAdjuster is a small instrument that enables the physician to scan down each vertebra of the spine, measuring the mobility or lack of mobility of the spinal segments . The patient is seated in a chair much like a massage chair, in a relaxed forward position, through the entire adjustment. Whereas muscles automatically contract and guard against traditional manual adjustment, that is not an issue with the ProAdjuster.

“First, the computer analyzes where there is a subluxation or misalignment in the spine,” notes Dr. Kuryliw. “It tells us exactly which vertebrae are blocked. Second, we take the same instrument that analyzed the problem and place it on the area where there’s a spinal misalignment. It gently taps on the area until muscle trigger points have relaxed and significant joint mobility has been restored or corrected. Finally, the instrument reanalyzes all of the vertebrae to make sure that they are moving better and that the tight muscles have relaxed.

“ As I said, the Proadjuster not only shows us exactly where, but also where not to adjust the patient,” says Dr. Kuryliw. “If we place the instrument on a normal vertebra or joint, the ProAdjuster automatically shuts off. It will only tap on an area of fixation. A nd it allows us to deliver the same amount of force each and every office visit. It’s computerized, so we get reproducible results. And because we can regulate how much force is used, we can have a tiny, light tap for an infant or ninety-year-old patient with osteoporosis, or a more forceful tap for a big football player. The treatment is so light and relaxing, yet when you get up, you not only feel better but you feel looser.

“We use the ProAdjuster instead of manual adjustments with nearly all our patients now. Occasionally, we meet a new patient who has been getting manually adjusted for many years and loves it. We tell them, We believe that we can help you with this system and that you’ll find it beneficial. If, after three treatments with the ProAdjuster, they want to return to manual adjustments, we can do that, too. However, ninety-nine percent of our patients report that they much prefer the ProAdjuster.

“Besides the spine, the ProAdjuster also enables us to gently treat joint problems like frozen shoulder, and wrist, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle problems. The treatment is so gentle yet so effective.”

Restoring mobility

Dr. Kuryliw notes that John’s situation presented some unique challenges, particularly because a large section of his cervical spine is fused.

“John’s neck is fused not from a surgical fusion, but just through time from osteoarthritis,” he clarifies. “It’s the way the body heals.  The body is always trying to protect us. When we get an irritation to the skin, thicker skin or a callus will form. If we get an irritation to the ligaments or the bone, calcium deposits will form, causing spurs. If our job or hobby continues to require a repetitive motion or posture, the body will continue to build up callus or scar tissue. And if it’s near the bone, calcium will continue to deposit, until one bone eventually extends to the next, and they become fused over time.”

Dr. Kuryliw continues, “There are actually several spots between every two vertebrae that can move or cause that popping sound. That’s why when we are younger we will hear several pops with an adjustment. As we get older, some of those areas become too callus and lose their ability to get that pop.

“In John’s case, his cervical spine from C3 to C7 is just about one bone. There are only a couple of moveable segments, so an attempt at manual adjustment was difficult to get the exact spots without difficulty and discomfort. His neck is so stiff that it would be like trying to adjust the middle of your arm bone. But with the ProAdjuster, we can find and treat the tiniest area where there may be some possible mobility left, and that’s what we have done with John.

“When he first came to us, John was only able to turn about an inch to his left and two inches to his right. Now, he’s already able to turn about four inches to the left and at least five inches to the right. That’s important, especially for driving, where you need to be able to see what’s going on around you.”

“I can even dance!”

In just a short time, John has been amazed by how much progress he has been able to make, thanks to the ProAdjuster and some physical therapy treatments in the office.

“I’ve been going for the last six weeks,” says John, “and I have made significant improvement with turning my neck. I was only able to turn about five degrees, and now it’s up to fifteen to twenty. I can move my head when I’m pulling out of a tight driveway; I don’t have to stick my whole body out the window to see whether another car is coming.

“My left shoulder was always kind of stiff and sore because the left side of my neck is fused,” he continues. “Now, I’m moving my shoulder better, my back pain has improved, and I have no headaches. Even the numbness and tingling in my hands has improved; I get very little of that now.”

As a result of the treatment, John’s activity level has skyrocketed.

“My sporting activities have increased. I’m back golfing again, and I can go up the hills on the golf course. I’m fishing, getting in and out of boats. It was very hard for me to get up and down into those boats before. I can even dance now! It’s been really great, and I will continue with it until Dr. Kuryliw makes me a bionic man,” he adds with a chuckle.

John expresses deep gratitude to Dr. Kuryliw and the staff of Kuryliw Chiro Rehab Center, both for introducing him to the ProAdjuster, and for helping him get back to his current activity level.

“They’re really looking to help you,” he emphasizes. “The ProAdjuster is a great machine, and it has helped me, so I’m very pleased with it. It has been great.”

FHCN – Michael J. Sahno