Free From Pain

Barbara Jackson thinks about the pain and numbness she endured for over 10 years.

Ebony Jones, office coordinator and spinal technician, and ­Barbara Jackson share something to smile about. Barbara has been pain free for over a year, with no surgery – thanks to Spinal Decompression of Oklahoma.

Barbara Jackson thinks about the pain and numbness she endured for over 10 years. Every day there was either severe pain in her right leg, or it would just become numb, sometimes while she was walking.

That’s what degenerative disc disease feels like. A disc between her vertebrae had deteriorated so that bone was rubbing against bone, like screeching brakes on a car.  

The situation got worse and worse for the retired Claremore schoolteacher. Barbara recalls the discomfort of standing at the blackboard in her algebra class at Will Rogers Jr. High. Even sitting down was painful. At times she would roll throughout the classroom in a special adjustable chair. Pain medication did little or nothing to help. Physical therapy provided some relief, but lasted only a few months.

As the birth of her first grandchild coincided with her 30-year tenure, Barbara decided to retire from teaching to become a caregiver to the family’s newest addition. Soon she discovered that she could not lift the infant. As a matter of fact, she could not even get out of bed some mornings. She had to roll herself out, stooped over for three or four minutes before she could straighten.

Something had to be done. Surgery wasn’t high on the list, but it was a possibility. Was there anything else that could help? Barbara sought the advice of Dr. Gary Fortner at Spinal Decompression of Oklahoma. Dr. Fortner reviewed her history and recommended she consider spinal decompression therapy.  

An easy-to-understand booklet provided answers to nearly all of Barbara’s questions. Her career in education made her no stranger to the additional research she did in order to make an intelligent decision. The method made sense to her – it was covered by insurance and seemed worth a try.

“From the very first treatment, it was like being in a luxury spa,” Barbara recalls. “Very relaxing.” She went into a private room, with no regard to makeup or appearance, and just listened to the music of her choice. A few minor sensations from gentle stretching the first week gave way to her looking forward to the warm vibrations and cool compresses on her leg. “I was thinking that I really didn’t care if this worked for me. It just felt so good!”  

A year later, the 53-year-old grandmother can pick up her granddaughter with no problem. And the fashionista can comfortably wear the high heels that she loves so much. Barbara says she had forgotten what it was like to do certain things that she hadn’t done in years without paying the price of pain. Crossing her legs no longer hurts, nor does driving or sitting for long periods of time.

A postcard in the lobby marks the cruise she and her husband enjoyed right after her last treatment. “The people here seem like they truly care about me,” says Barbara.

Office coordinator and spinal technician Ebony Jones confirms that thought. “We want all our patients to get relief and to tell their friends and neighbors in pain that there really can be an alternative to surgery.” Most people with neck, back or leg pain, from injuries or the aging process, can get relief if they have no surgically implanted hardware in place. Ebony says they see patients from ages 17 to 90, with all kinds of histories.

And they don’t have to wait a long time to get in. “We know they hurt, so we do everything to help them right away,” adds Ebony. Spinal Decompression of Oklahoma is located at 1408 N. Florence Ave. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number to call for a free qualifying evaluation is (918) 341-1250.

For more information, contact

Spinal Decompression of Oklahoma

www.sdoback.com

About Author Deanna Rebro

Deanna Rebro has worked in the publishing industry 30+ years, including eight years writing for Value News. She has also worked in real estate for the past six years. Deanna graduated from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio with a B.A. in Journalism. Outside of work, she serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Pet Adoption League. “Every story I write is a learning experience,” she said.