"Dear Dr. Winkelman,
I want to thank you for your chiropractic health care services! Since my back injury of two herniated disks became too painful to continue a normal life style, I knew medical attention was necessary. However, I was unsure of what could be done that would resolve the problem, not put me further out of commission through a painfully long healing process as well as breaking the bank? Well, I was very thankful to have been referred to you by my primary physician, as he definitely steered me in the right direction!
From day one, when I began the free initial consultation, I was impre
ssed with the time you spent with me in your care evaluation in order to pinpoint the problem. And then, after a thorough review of my MRI results you initiated a comprehensive plan of action to fit my particular health care needs. I didn’t feel like just another patient! I am impressed with the personal and professional attention I received throughout each and every session while in your care!"
I am also very satisfied with the results from your decompression device therapy, your procedures and how quickly they worked. I will admit that it was a little scary at first, but once you enlightened me with your professional knowledge of decompression therapy and the fact that you used it on yourself, I knew I was in good hands. Besides, it was 100% better than going under the knife!!! This type of treatment really worked for me and I pass your cards out to everyone I know with back pain. I’d say technology at its best fell into the right hands! I’d also say that you were born to do what you do! Thanks again for taking such good care of me and my back problems, saving me from a long and painful recovery from the knife, not breaking the bank and keeping me in the game!
Sincerely,
Dave Hunter
Ok... I’m sure if you are reading this; my story is similar to yours... at least up to my DRX and Dr. Winkelman moment. By the time someone suggested Dr Winkelman, I was already five years into chronic back pain that was shooting down my leg with relentless persistence. TO make things worse, at the time I was trying to work two jobs, so I could afford nursing school I was going to. In the course of five years of my back pain which was getting progressively worse, I noticed that I was giving up stuff that I loved to do, in order to be able to make it through the stuff I needed to do. That is a lousy exchange by the way, so as my pain was getting worse, so was my depression. I changed into this person I could barely recognize. I remember standing in line in grocery store and catching my self thinking nasty, mean thoughts about people in front of me. It seemed to me that everything took forever for them to do while I was there standing, and in my head screaming in pain. Standing was by far the worst. So, my primary physician suggested standard medical treatments... muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories physical therapy, acupuncture, cortisone injections, chiropractic care... and finally a dirty word... appointment with neurosurgeon. I blindly tried everything she suggested till neurosurgeon idea. Being a student nurse at the time, I heard my share of horror stories about failed back surgeries. So I did some research online after someone mentioned DRX 9000. I believe that was Friday afternoon. By Monday morning, Dr Winkelman’s weekend answering service received a few annoying phone calls. TO me 80% success rate seemed almost too good to be true, but then beggars can’t be choosers, so I gave it a try.
...and then there was my Dr. Winkelman. Ok, in my head she was way too young, and too beautiful to know; a) how bad my pain is and b) how to fix it. About 5 min into the conversation she melted all of my defenses with her knowledge, confidence and compassion. I believe my relationship with Dr. Winkelman was part of my healing also. (She had a pack of Kleenex for every meltdown I had). Price of the treatment was something that passed through my head only marginally. For me, being a prisoner of my own pain and misery wasn't worth the money saved.
Ok…fast forward a year, after many challenges and doubts on my end...
I just got my first nursing job.
I am back to gym full time. I love to exercise, and I indulge myself in that activity a lot.
I just went for my first mile run... I was on my run high for next few days
Oh yes... did I mention... I have no pain... none.... not a little bit... nothing....
I think I get ecstatic every time I end up doing something that would cause pain to shoot through the roof before, only to become aware that there isn't any... that is a million dollar feeling.
Thanks Dr. Winkelman for making it possible for me to go through my life 100 miles per hour again, that slow, painful lane was never for me.
Sincerely,
Danijela Price
The pain in my back was becoming more intense each day. I would have muscle spasms and pain going down into my leg. The most pain was in the morning. I was getting to point where I could hardly walk and putting on my shoes and socks was becoming impossible. As the day went on I could move a little easier but still the pain was there.
I tried physical therapy, which helped a little, but the pain returned. I then tried a series of cortisone/steroid shots, which helped for a short while then the intense pain returned little by little and I was right back where I started from.
The only answer for me now was surgery. Then a friend of mine at the health club I belonged to for (12 years now) mentioned Dr. Winkelman and the decompression treatments. I figured it was worth looking into. And I’m sure glad that I did. Dr. Winkelman explained everything so I could understand exactly what was going to happen and what to expect. I felt relief of some of my pain after the first 3 visits, and then it was all up hill from there. Everyone should try this before opting for surgery. I wish I had known about decompression treatments 12 months ago.
I don’t have any trouble getting dressed or doing my chores around the house. I still have a little discomfort but after all I’m 87 yrs. young and have some arthritis.
Royal Demers
In
the Spring of 2007, I consulted with Dr. Winkleman about a long
standing chronic back issue I had since getting struck by a
4-wheel drive truck as a pedestrian twenty-five years ago.
The
old injuries were back with a vengeance, and I was unwilling
to resort to pain medication without doing everything else within
my power. She became my next stop after getting all I could
from acupuncture, yoga and pilates. Her thorough evaluation
of all of my previous records was most reassuring, but her sincere
desire to help people was what truly puts her at the top of
her profession.
We
embarked on the six week program, and I am so glad I did. One
of my biggest complaints had been severe leg cramps especially
at night. While the first week was a little scary, my leg cramps
were completely gone by the 5th session. They continue to be
gone even now after six months. Throughout the rest of the six
weeks, my other "hot spots" as I came to call them
over the years also improved.
My
injuries will always be something I have to be aware of, but
it sure is nice to know that I have a safe, non-invasive procedure
that can help me through the tough times.
I
have recommended this program to many people and will continue
to do so with the additional recommendation of Dr. Winkleman
at the controls!!
I
can not thank you enough.
Sincerely,
Sydney Ann Clark Waller
In
October of 2007, my back pain got so severe, it completely altered
my lifestyle. I would wake up in the middle of the night and
get sick because of the pain. I couldn't dress, shower, drive
my truck or do anything that I did without difficulty before
my back condition (degenerative disc disease) worsened. Getting
out of bed took more energy than ever before. I couldn't exercise
because that made the pain even worse! I was involved in an
accident in January of 07 which started the downfall to worse
back pain.
I
was scheduled for back surgery (spinal fusion) for Dec 26, 07.
After getting more educated about the surgery and the complications
I could sustain afterwards, I thought that may not be the best
way to go. But what other type of treatment could help me that
I haven't already tried? I tried chiropractic manipulations,
spinal shots, massage therapy, you name it, I tried it.
Spinal Decompression? Whats that? I never heard about that procedure
before. Whats the risks? Complications? Long term, will it keep
me pain free? Will this even work?
On Dec 14, 2007, I went to visit Dr Winkelman in Warwick to
get information about this procedure. First impression was the
sincerity and down to earth personality that Dr Winkelman expressed.
Interesting I thought. She explained the procedure and the protocol
that must be followed to get the maximum results from this treatment.
Treatment would consist of 20 treatments over a 6 week period
and you must wear the supplied back brace for support. I still
wear it today! Non invasive treatment, no side effects, no knives,
no pt, just show up and let the machine do the work. Oh yea,
the only thing you must do is rest, rest, rest!!
I could do that !!
7 weeks later, I am so glad I did it! Dr Winkelman made the
treatment fun yet educational. I got to watch movies during
the 25 minutes I was on the machine. I derailed once and the
Dr sternly reminded me that if I want this treatment to work,
I must follow the protocol. I really respected her after that
chat. It showed how much she cares and wants you to get better.
She takes it personally. She does everything possible to help
you. She sits down with you every treatment, asks questions
and evaluates you. I've found most Drs don't give you the time
or day like they should but Dr Winkelman does.
As patients exited the treatment area, I asked them what their
thoughts were and they all had great praise for the treatment
and Dr Winkelman. They all felt the treatment was a success
and now, so do I!
I'm completely pain free. I have exercises that was showed to
me that I must do to strengthen my back. I can now do the things
that I couldn't do before. I'm back to my somewhat normal lifestyle
that I had before my back worsened. My knee prohibits me from
doing many things but thats another issue.
This treatment isn't for everyone though. There are certain
situations when you can't be put on a spinal decompression machine.
If you call Dr Winkelman, she could explain more.
If you are experiencing back pain, call and make an appointment!
What do you have to lose? I haven't found one reason why I shouldn't
have done it. Its the last phone call you may need to make to
have a pain free back and get some normalcy back into your life.
Say NO to surgery and YES to Spinal Decompression I"m
glad I did!
Matt
Gregoire, retired fire fighter
It's
been 3 months since my last visit to receive lumbar decompression
treatment, and I can say with total confidence, that my pain
is 100% gone.
I
was suffering with lower back pain every morning since the beginning
of 2006. Since the pain was mild, I didn't do much about it
until one day in May of 2006, I woke up and could not get up
from bed. MRI results revealed that I had a severe L5 bulging
disk. In addition to my lower back, the pain radiated to the
hip and the entire leg.
Throughout
the year I have tried pain medications, ice packs, warm packs,
yoga, chiropractic visits, massages & acupuncture. Nothing
seemed to help. I either had bad days or not so bad days, but
my pain was always there. At some point it was so bad that rinsing
my mouth after brushing my teeth, or putting my socks on seemed
like a "mission impossible". That's why when my coworker
showed me an advertisement in Providence Journal, I immediately
called the office. My first appointment was set for the next
day. Dr. Winkelman gave the explanation of my MRI and the proposed
treatment plan with DRX9000 convinced me that I was in the hands
of a real expert.
I
began my treatments the following week. Small, but noticeable
improvements started within the first week of treatment. Every
day I was looking forward to a new session, not only because
it made me feel better, but also because of the warm greeting
I always had, attention and friendship Dr. Winkelman had offered.
Thanks to my doctor, I also learned through additional sessions
how to support my back through strengthening exercises.
Today
I'm pain free. The treatment drastically improved my health
and quality of life. Thanks to DRX9000 and Dr. Andrea Winkelman.
Sincerely,
Maria
Rozenfeld
I
have suffered since 1988 with chronic neck pain aggravated by
a skiing accident that had me in a neck brace for 16 weeks treating
a severe cervical strain. After that any stress, cold weather
or poor posture would agitate the error and cause pain. Add
to that my pregnancy in 1993 and a big baby girl who sat on
my sciatic nerve at L4-L5 and a resulting herniated disc and
my life has been one of chronic pain in which I sought relief
to manage the pain so it would stop managing me.
For
the past ten years I have visited and treated with orthopedic
surgeons who recommended surgery, physical therapists who treated
the symptoms, acupuncturists to target pain relief, received
epidural injections, live on Novocain patches and exhaust my
health visits to the chiropractor, only to always come out with
the same conclusion…degenerative disc disease and herniated
and bulging discs in my back and neck.
I
have researched my options for surgery and opted not to take
a 30% chance of feeling better over my current pain level. When
I saw the advertisement for Spinal Aid in the Providence Sunday
Journal that August afternoon, I thought it was worth a try.
To my pleasant surprise, Dr. Andrea Winkelman answered the phone
and demonstrated tremendous empathy, care, and concern for my
situation. I tell her now; she was the voice of hope for me
that day.
Upon
undergoing another MRI she determined that I was a candidate
for treatment with the DRX9000. My first visit I was very impressed
and equally optimistic at the technology’s ability to pinpoint
my pain area. Watching the videos on what was happening within
my body provided additional education as to what was happening
within my body to heal itself.
I
have completed my 20th visit on my lumbar area and feel much
better. I have experienced days of no pain and that seems surreal.
Living with the pain for so long I am afraid it is a dream and
will not last. I have learned through Dr. Winkelman’s care
how to make sure I am properly lifting and supporting my back
through strengthening exercises. I know I am getting better
because I competed in a 5K walk and earned my best time ever
of 42 minutes beating my prior 45 minutes from the past few
years.
I
have a few more visits left on my cervical area which is the
most constant of chronic pain. I too have experienced days of
no pain recently and remain optimistic that spinal decompression
is the answer. I am advocate for Dr. Winkelman as well as the
Spinal Aid centers; no one should have to live in pain when
treatment like the DRX9000 is available.
Dr.
Winkelman has not only become a trusted physician to me but
also a friend. I have bonded with her over the past six weeks
and have a heavy heart knowing our constant visits will soon
be coming to an end. It gives me comfort to know that as my
visits end I am providing more time to her new patients to also
experience a pain free life.
Sincerely,
Anne
E Lipsitz
