Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 103 AM CHIROPRACTIC, PLLC DR. AMMIE M CHAPMAN, DC 618 W Main Street • Suite 203 PO Box 3543 • Lewistown, MT 59457 406.535.6768 www.amchiropracticpllc.com " O U R OB J E C T I V E I S TO C H A NG E T H E L I V E S OF P E OP L E C O M P R O M I S E D W I T H B A C K PA I N . " " " Montana's Only McGill Method Master Practitioner Dr. Ammie M. Chapman, DC The McGill Method is unique in its approach to back pain and spinal aggravation. The method is about converging on pain by way of progressive diagnosis and treatment. It is low-back specific, and Professor McGill is considered the world expert on back pain. His methodology is best for people who have failed multiple treatment options, whether it be physical therapy, pharmaceutical solutions, chiropractic procedures or may, perhaps, be facing surgery. It is a very individualized approach that requires the patient to be fully committed and take a very active role in their care. There are only a handful of individuals in the world that are certified in the McGill Method and Dr. Chapman is the only practitioner in the Pacific Northwest. I had been having frequent bouts of low back pain for years, and it got to the point early last spring that my regular chiropractor told me there was nothing more he could do for me. I went to my doctor and got x-rays. He said it was arthritis and degenerative disc disease—normal for my age. So I decided I needed to just keep taking over-the- counter pain meds and tough it out. I numbed the pain and went to work (I had a very physical job at the time) and the next morning the pain was unbearable, and my left leg was weak and numb. Now it was back to my doctor for an MRI and a referral to a back specialist. The MRI showed that I had a herniated disc and a couple of bulging discs. The back surgeon showed me the spot on the MRI that was causing the problem, and he said it will not go away without surgery. Not what I wanted to hear, but I couldn't function the way I was. Due to other conflicts, it was over three months before I could get in for the surgery. Meanwhile through all this, I had a number of people recommend that I see Dr. Chapman—that she had a way of treating back problems that worked when nothing else did. So I made an appointment with her, and she told me about the McGill Method and that she would treat me if I was willing to change the way I do things and do what she taught me. I agreed because I was hoping to avoid surgery. Within two weeks my left leg was back to normal, and the pain had improved considerably. I continued treatment with Dr. Chapman for the next three months and saw steady improvement. I kept my surgery appointment, since he told me that it wouldn't go away without it. When I met with the surgeon for my pre-op, I was able to tell him that I was virtually pain-free as long as I was doing what Dr. Chapman taught me. He just looked at me and said, "If it was me, I wouldn't have the surgery. I would just keep doing what you're doing." Exactly what I was hoping to hear! So now I am a firm believer in AM Chiropractic and the McGill Method. Gregg C ONC I E R G E S E RV IC E W I L L T R AV E L F OR T R E ATM E N T

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