My name is Karissa Prunty and this is my story. 

I had been living with low back pain 24 hours a day for 2+ years.  I was an avid exerciser and the pain was so debilitating even with physical therapy twice a week for 6 months and regular conventional chiropractic care at another office that I could no longer exercise regularly.  I was desperate.  I would always have to try different ways to hold my body to try to relieve the pain throughout the day.  I would sweat to hold myself in a specific position for a period of time to relieve some pain while it never would fully subside.  Riding in a car was the worst, especially on long trips.  Working a sedentary job I even asked my employer for a standing workstation so I could sit and stand at my leisure.  None of these things helped me.  I was hopeless.  I just thought I was growing older and this was my life now.  This directly impacted my life physically and mentally I was wreck too.

My sister in law, who is a nurse, suggested ART and so I mentioned it to my previous chiropractor and he agreed I could probably get some relief from that and referred me to Active Wellness for additional chiropractic care knowing that the doctors there focused not only on chiropractic adjustments, but they also specialized in ART, Graston and dry needling.  I was skeptical because nothing worked previously, but was willing to try it. 

I started as a patient with Dr. Rector in September of 2015.  I shared my emotional story with him.  He listened sympathetically while I cried.  He really wanted to help me and seemed confident he could bring relief to my life.  He didn’t make any promises with a “feel better” date which quite frankly I was relieved that he didn’t give me any false hope considering in my mind there was no hope.  I would have been put off immediately had he said “I can get you fixed within 2 weeks”.  I wouldn’t have been able to handle that had 2 weeks passed and I was not better.

Right away Dr. Rector began ART and Graston along with chiropractic adjustments.  When I first started at Active Wellness I saw Dr. Rector 3 times a week.  With each appointment he was kind, caring and so hopeful with my progress.  He seriously listened to me cry way more than required by any human being.  Dr. Rector was interested enough about the pain I was in that he even advocated for an MRI for me to find out exactly what was causing this so then I would have concrete answers.  We discussed my concerns about the dye MRI vs. the non-dye MRI.  I opted for the non-dye MRI and the results confirmed what Dr. Rector had believed was the issue, a bulging disc as well as moderate arthritis.  This solidified the trust I already had in Dr. Rector.  By mid-November I began to realize that I wasn’t in constant pain.  Mind you, the pain wasn’t gone completely, but I was by no means dealing with the debilitating pain 24 hours a day that I had endured for over 2 years.  I was elated because the pain had impacted my life so much in such a negative way both mentally and physically.  The pain over the years had been so gradual I didn’t realize the deep hole I was in until I finally started seeing the light.

I continued to see Dr. Rector regularly for the next couple of months gradually getting better with the combination of Graston, dry needling and adjustments.  In the beginning of December 2015 there had been so much progress made that I was able to start working out again.  I was super nervous to go at it alone because I couldn’t help but think the problems I had with my back were due to the way I was exercising not realizing my body wasn’t functioning in the proper positions while lifting weights and running.  Dr. Rector mentioned that Dr. Bowman could work with me in getting back into the gym and ensure my form was spot on so as to not continue to injure my back.    

When I started seeing Dr. Bowman he began by giving me the full metabolic testing.  It was interesting and enlightening to learn where I burned my body fat the best based on the VO2 testing results.  He worked directly with Dr. Rector to ensure that he understood my limitations.  Every Saturday for the next few months, Dr. Bowman worked with me on my weight lifting form, proper kettle bell movements and my running form. He showed me how to protect my back which allowed me to become confident in the gym on my own.

I was back to a normal active life for the next few years visiting Active Wellness for monthly chiropractic adjustments, Graston and dry needling (with that machine that sends shock waves through the muscles).  All this kept the arthritic symptoms at bay so I could basically do whatever I wanted. 

In May of 2018 while I was running I heard a snap in my knee and it gave way.  An MRI showed I had torn my meniscus and it also revealed extensive arthritis behind my knee cap.  This injury required surgery to clean up the tear as well as scope out some of the arthritis.  When I found out I would have to complete rehabilitation after the surgery, I knew immediately I would rehab at Active Wellness.  Dr. Rector again set me up with Dr. Bowman for this. 

Right away Dr. Bowman started Graston and dry needling.  He began by showing me exercises that would increase mobility and strengthen my quad which would direct my knee cap to move in the proper location so as to prohibit me from continuing to further damage the cartilage behind my knee cap. 

As time has gone on, Dr. Bowman has also completed blood flow restriction on that same leg.  He puts a cuff on my thigh and has me complete exercises that require me to fire my quad while the blood flow to that knee is restricted.  This has something to do with mimicking maxing out that muscle so that when the cuff is released the blood runs straight to that area that was restricted and maxed out.  From what I understand this inhibits repairing the surgical area as well as aids in building up the muscle.

When this injury happened I knew I wouldn’t be able to be in the gym like I have been used to and so I decided it would be good to dial in my nutrition and eating habits.  I’ve always struggled with an unhealthy body image which has been aided by food restriction and binge eating.  I decided to start the Premier Coaching Lifestyle Habit Program that Active Wellness participates in with Precision Nutrition.  Dr. Bowman and Kensie Haden would be my coaches for this.  This 6 month program focuses on changing one habit at a time and allows you the time needed to change each habit.  There are daily online lessons that take maybe 5-15 minutes per day.  This program also includes two in person meetings a month with either (or both) Dr. Bowman and Kensie.  They are there to educate me, support me and inevitably end up lifting me up.  I appreciate their knowledge sharing and gentleness with me.  I like that Kensie is there to share a woman’s perspective and to show me that I’m not alone.  This program helps me focus on one thing per day and is not overwhelming with too much information or too many instructions.  The pace is slow which truly does allow for changing habits. 

I absolutely want to mention Madisyn and Emily who greet me every day I’m there with warm smiles and genuine conversation.  They help me keep my appointments and insurance in order and are knowledgeable about everything Active Wellness.  These girls are friendly, caring and are beautiful inside and out.  I look forward to seeing them and hearing what is going on in their lives.

Active Wellness Chiropractic and Rehabilitation has changed my life.  Every single interaction with each person has been educational and positive.  These people have changed my body, my mind and my soul.  While I will always be a work in progress I am in a better place than I was three years ago because of them.  Every day I thank God for that.