As I was preparing for the Gettysburg Marathon in April 2012, I began to get some tightness behind my left knee.  After participating in road races and triathlons for several years, having some tightness and discomfort in different parts of my body was nothing new.  As my training progressed, so did this nagging discomfort behind my knee, but now it seemed to set up a permanent residence in my left glut.  The pain got to the point that during my training runs, I would have to stop and stretch once I got to mile 18 or 20.  Stretching always seemed to provide enough minimal relief that I could continue to train and run.  I felt as though a week of rest would do me good, but there was no time with the marathon approaching.  I ran the marathon and was extremely happy with my time and the week of rest following the race.  During my week of rest, my leg and glut seemed to get minimally better, but that did not last.  I immediately began to train for a half-Ironman Triathlon scheduled for the end of the summer. 

  As the summer progressed, so did my training, and the discomfort.  It got to the point that sitting on any hard surface was uncomfortable, long trips in a vehicle were not pleasant, and even walking up slight grades provided discomfort.  By the middle of the summer I had given up on doing any speed work as part of my training and I just hoped to get through the upcoming triathlon.  I did things that I thought would help and promised myself some rest once the tri was over.  I did extra stretching, utilized our hot tub, iced after runs, and rested as much as possible.  Although these things provided temporary relief, nothing solved the problem.  Never once did I seek any medical opinion or go to the doctor.  Instead, I did a great deal of research on the Internet and came to the conclusion I was suffering from a sciatic nerve issue.   I followed some Internet advice the best I could but still had plans of competing in the triathlon.  The half Ironman left me trashed and in need of some serious guidance and help.

  I coach cross-country at East Pennsboro Area High School and following the tri, I had a very difficult time running with the kids during practice.  No matter what I seemed to do sitting, walking up hills, and even getting out of a car continued to get worse.  When I would travel, sitting in the car for two hours was about the most I could handle at one time. 

  It progressed to the point that any type of walking or running usually started off with a slight limp.  Yet, I never thought I needed to go to a medical doctor.  I always felt I would get meds by going to my family doctor and that did not interest me.  I had never received chiropractic care, but for some reason I felt as though a chiropractor would be able to help me.  Through some conversations with various friends, I ended up at Dr. Z’s office.

  The very first session with Dr. Z was an eye opening experience.  He sat with me, listened intently to my story, and repeated it back to me with detail and clarity.  He asked if he had missed anything and then looked me in the eyes and said, “I will be able to help you, Bill.”  I had known him for only 20 minutes and yet I believed him.  He continued with an exam putting me through a battery of strength, stretching, and neurological tests.  There were several times that he anticipated areas that would be of greatest discomfort and he was correct!  After the battery of tests and an x-ray of my spine, it was concluded that I had a subluxation of the L4 and L5, those associated with the left buttocks and left leg.  These were the exact areas of my discomfort.  Once Dr. Z went over the x-rays with me, he outlined a plan of chiropractic care.  He explained what he would be doing and the frequency of his plan.  He wanted to start with 3 days a week for a month.  He said that he would be 100% committed to me and he wanted to know if I would be committed to him and his plan.  I agreed and from his level of seriousness concerning how he would provide treatment, I felt confidant that his plan would have me feeling well again.

   My treatment began the first week of November and within three weeks I was seeing a positive response to his treatments.   After a month of this plan, Dr. Z evaluated me again.  He continued to be thorough, asking me many questions and repeating my answers and clarifying anything that may not match with what I said or felt.  As I continued to show improvements and my pain decreased more and more each week, Dr. Z decreased the frequency of my treatments.  Today I see Dr. Z once every other week and I am feeling great.  My running times keep decreasing while my mileage per week keeps increasing.  Sitting, walking up inclines, getting out of the car, or traveling are no longer an issue.  I can say that this is the best I have felt in over 1 year.   I am looking forward to doing another half Ironman Triathlon, but doing it healthy this time.  I owe it all to Dr. Z and his team, their expertise, and the plan they set before me!  Coming to Dr. Z and sticking to his plan has made all the difference in the world!

I

  My problems included very limited mobility from my neck to my waist.  After standing or sitting in the same position for no more than ten to fifteen minutes I would have pain, stiffness and severe “knots” in my lower back.  Bending was out of the question.  These problems had existed for more than ten years and probably longer.  These problems caused my daily life to be totally limited from playing with my great-granddaughters, to daily chores, to fire department activities.  Sure I survived and did the best I could, but it wasn’t always enjoyable because I knew what was coming.

    I began treatment three sessions per week.  I was amazed how Dr. Z could “read” my pain areas with his hands on my spine. He was always cognizant of my feelings toward continuing treatment and respected how I felt about changing those treatments, such as changing the number of weekly sessions or increasing them, if  necessary.  I felt relief, to a small degree, almost immediately. As time progressed, my symptoms and pain continued to ease.  Even when I “over did” some activities, my recovery time was becoming less and less.  This has gotten better to the point that I am now on a one session every three weeks maintenance program.  There had been a few times I may have needed an extra session, but it has been the exception, not the rule.

  I can honestly say that I can’t remember the last time I had a “knot” in my lower back, even after standing for hours doing fire department work or hours of yard work for my mother in Florida.  My mobility has increased. I do not have to turn my entire body, just my neck, when driving and looking to change lanes.  Even when I over do, I am back to myself before I ever thought it would be, usually by relaxing for an hour or less.  It is so nice to be able to bend at the waist again. 

  I thank Dr. Z, Darby and Megan for their efforts in making me feel like I can enjoy the things I have fun doing with my life again and without the pain that used to be associated with it.  I know that if there would become a time when I need more than the maintenance program, they will be there.  I would recommend the “Zabinski Way” to anyone seeking spinal pain relief.  They care and it worked for me!

Jim Sprecker

I have had problems with neck pain and headaches for 2 years. I have a very active life style and a physical job.  Having headaches 3 or more days a week made my lifestyle a challenge every day. I live for the outdoors and do any activity that involves hunting or fishing.

  I was on a fly fishing trip in Northern PA in the spring of 2010; while kneeling along the edge of the stream on a beautiful, calm, sunny day a 30 foot tall birch tree decided to fall and hit me on the back of my shoulder and head. This jarred the rest of me pretty good. I hate going to the doctors so I shook it off and kept fishing. After the incident my health slowly got worse. Once in awhile my neck would get tight and turn into a headache. As time went on these “tension” headaches became worse and more frequent.  I started having these headaches 2 to 3 times per week. I finally decided to go to the doctor. He told me to take pain killers 3 times a day and rub my neck. I tried this with little success. The pain killers would mask the pain but would not help long term.

  I settled on the fact that I would just have to live with the headaches and take pain killers for the really bad headaches. The headaches started to get worse and more frequent. When I was about to break down and go back to the doctors, I met Dr. Z at a monthly safety meeting at work. He discussed everything from back health and safe lifting to subluxations and ways to correct them. His session was very informative and turned on a light bulb in my head. I made an appointment with Dr. Z and filled him in on my problems. He was much focused and intent on everything I said. His thoroughness blew me away. He made me feel as though I was his only patient in the world. Dr. Z sent me for X-rays and upon reviewing them he determined he could help me. He gave me my treatment plan which I agreed to and was looking forward to following. My health in many ways has been moving up hill. After just two weeks of treatment I was already seeing major results. I went from 4 to 5 headaches a week to almost none in two weeks. Since the beginning of my treatment by Dr. Z (which started in October) I can only remember 3 headaches. It’s amazing not having to worry about how my day will get ruined or when by a headache. My everyday activities are easier and less painful.

  I can’t thank the team at Zabinski Chiropractic enough. Darby, Megan and Dr. Z are all wonderful people and I love the care and dedication they put into each and every case. They really made a difference in my life and I thank them for that. I would strongly recommend Zabinski Chiropractic to anyone who is looking for just a general sense of well being.

Thanks Dr. Z, Darby and Megan!!

Cody Bates

I have spent most of my life in retail which required heavy lifting, twisting, pulling, pushing, kneeling, climbing ladders and driving hundreds of miles a day.  Over the years I have been treated by doctors, chiropractors, physical and massage therapists just to make it through the day with a little less pain. Although I was prescribed pain medication, I seldom used it because I cannot function or focus.

In 2005 my life changed as I was taking a morning walk. I became numb around my hips and back. Somehow I made it home and my life would change forever.  After a few visits to the back surgeon and two weeks of not being able to stand up for more than a few minutes, I was scheduled for back surgery to repair a vertebra that slipped out of place.  I was told I would never run again and life would be very different for me.  Well, never is not in my vocabulary ….. I was soon off to physical and massage therapy for many months to strengthen my back and tummy muscles and a six months later (still in pain) I was kayaking in the Pacific Ocean. 

All sounds great, but I was still in pain every day. Due to being so active, I continued to injure different areas of body due to over compensating for the injured areas.   I regularly performed the exercises my physical therapist taught me and went to a massage therapist twice a month.

My company has monthly Lunch & Learns and Dr. Zabinski was on the schedule.  On this particular day I was in tremendous pain and barely made it up and down the steps at home or work and working out at the gym was becoming increasingly difficult.  I sat and listened to Dr. Z’s presentation and decided I had nothing to lose by scheduling a complementary exam with Dr. Zabinski. I have not seen a Chiropractor since my back surgery and to be honest, I was a bit skeptical about keeping the appointment but my pain was the driving factor, so off to Dr. Zabinski’s office for a consultation.  Dr. Z asked more questions than I thought possible, explained his and my role in my treatment program and sent me off for x-rays.  I thought, really…… I just want the pain to go away but Dr. Zabinski asked that I trust him and to faithfully follow the treatment program he designed for me.

Thankfully there were no major issues with my hip; such as arthritis but I had somehow injured it, not sure how or when but the pain was unbearable.  I was scheduled for 20 visits and faithfully kept my appointments with Dr.  Zabinski.  In less than two weeks I was almost pain free in my hip and somehow my back was beginning to improve as well.  Now simple things like sleeping through the night, sitting in the car on a long trip or on a chair for a long meeting has become less painful. Periodically Dr. Zabinski gives me a re-exam to measure my progress and again asks many questions.

My quality of life has improved immensely and I was almost as good as new.  So good in fact, I was in the pool this summer playing with the kids, diving off the diving board and trying out the new wiggly sliding board and you guessed it I injured myself again.  Instead of calling up Dr. Z, I scheduled an appointment with my family doctor with a severe headache.  The doctor diagnosed migraines, prescribed migraine medicine and sent me off to have my head examined to rule out any life serious damage.  After a few groggy days and no relief, I called Dr. Z who scheduled me right away and again he asked me many questions and placed me back on a treatment program.  After one session the pain began to subside.  Then a few months later I was lifting many boxes in my basement and injured the middle of my spine but again thanks to Dr. Z I am not experiencing any pain in that area.

Dr. Zabinski and his staff Darby and Megan are friendly and professional and have made a positive difference in living a more active life. 

 My job as an accountant at Foot Locker means I am sitting almost all day. All that sitting also meant that even if I didn’t wake up with pain, I knew I would need pain medication by lunch just to get through the day. After months of dealing with the pain and numerous trips to the doctor, an X-Ray and MRI were performed which showed a bulging disc in my lower back as the source of my discomfort.  My doctor suggested physical therapy, along with my medication may be able to help.  I completed two cycles of physical therapy and did show signs of improvement at first. But as was always the case, the relief was short lived and the pain returned.

Depressed and tired of constantly being in pain, I seriously considered having a surgical consultation to see what could be done through surgery. Later that day, I happen to be talking to a co-worker who suggested I see Dr. Z.  Several other co-workers have raved about what a difference Dr. Z and the team have been able to make for them. I was skeptical at first, but willing to try anything just to make life bearable again.  I picked up the phone and setup a consultation. Within two weeks of that call, I was pain free for the first time in almost a year.  No pain medication, no muscle relaxers, nothing masking the pain that I always knew was there… actual absence of pain.  I was astonished. I had actually forgotten what it was like to not have some kind of pain or discomfort in my back. 

Since that day, I have completed my initial treatment plan and now do adjustments every two weeks for maintenance. I still have occasional back pain but with my regular adjustments, I am back to normal within a day or two.  My biggest regret through this whole ordeal was not making that call sooner. I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend Dr. Z and his team to anyone suffering like I was.

 Thank you Dr. Z, Megan, and Darby!

  It

  In February of 2012, Dr Zabinski and Darby presented a Spinal care Lunch and Learn at the office where I work.  I listened to Dr Z talk about Chiropractic care and explain how the nervous system works from the vertebrae.  For the first time I had a glimmer of hope for help to overcome the numbness, muscle spasms and to be able to gain peripheral vision to my right side.  I look at attending that Lunch and Learn as a God send.

  Dr Z reviewed my X-rays and offered a program for wellness.  I followed that program and did not miss a session.  I even showed up one day and didn’t have an appointment.  We got a good laugh at that.  Was I ready or what?  At the end of the first review, I no longer had the numbness in the thumb and middle finger of my left hand and the dumbness in my pointer finger was minimal.  Even better the muscle spasms were practically gone only coming when trying a push up.  By the second review, my peripheral vision to the right was back.  Since that time, each review has shown improvement.  I can now do things that I shied away from and am now on regular maintenance visits. 

  Dr Z said he could help and was committed to helping if I was committed to the program.  I am so grateful that he has been true to his word.  The Team of Dr Z, Darby and Megan were helpful from the first day that I walked in to their office.  The discussions, help with insurance and appointments, heated massage and the adjustments, have all been a blessing on this journey back to health.   

  Linda Barrett 

  Several years ago I suffered an injury to my back while at work. I work for PA American Water on one of the service crews. I was almost done with a shift where I had to work all night and all the following day fixing emergency water main breaks. As we were finishing up one of the jobs, I bent over to pick something up and twisted my body to set it back down. It was at that point that I realized that I could not get back up and that if I did it was going to hurt really badly. At that point I was rushed to our workers comp doctor, who shall remain nameless. I was told to bend over and touch my toes. I was then told that I definitely had a lower back sprain and should immediately start physical therapy. Despite all of the doctor’s efforts my back eventually healed, or so I thought. Shortly after I was done going to therapy, my back started to act up again. It was then that I thought I would be living the rest of my life with constant back pain.

  My employment at PA American Water causes a lot of my pain. My job consists of a lot of manual labor, which includes shoveling and jack hammering for long hours. Most of our time is spent bent over and working in awkward positions.  We work very long hours and are called out at all hours of the night and in all kinds of weather conditions. We average about 300 hours overtime a year and most of those hours are spent fixing water main breaks.

  I am also the Assistant Fire Chief for the West Shore Bureau of Fire. We are a merged company that protects the boroughs of Lemoyne and Wormleysburg, as well as running mutual aid to most of the West Shore area.  As a volunteer firefighter we also have a vigorous schedule as emergencies happen 24 hours a day. The years of wearing air packs, crawling through houses, and the other types of manual labor that we endure as fire fighters, have done a number on my back and shoulders, as well as my job. We average about 600 calls annually and train every Wednesday night. The worst part about firefighting is when something happens in the middle of the night. There is no time to stretch and warm up; you have to go from zero to one hundred in an instant.

  I first was approached by a neighboring Fire Chief about Dr. Z’s seminar, and that I should have my company do it. He gave my number to Dr. Z, and after playing some phone tag we were set on a date. I listened to Dr. Z’s seminar with an open mind even though I had already tried chiropractic care with not so good results. I thought that he made very good sense with everything he talked about. I still wasn’t sure though, because in the back of my mind I wasn’t sure if he could help or was he just a good salesman. At the end of the night I decided that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. This would be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

  I feel my treatment is probably a little more intense than most. I have never been able to get my appointments below 2 a month. This is due to having one or more bad discs in my back. I went from having daily back pain to about 2 problems a year. The treatment that I have received has made the flare ups less frequent and I feel better a lot quicker than I would without their help.

  This seminar of Dr. Z’s might have been the single most beneficial program that we have done as a fire company. I can’t say enough about Dr. Z and his staff. I have never had a bad experience in this office. I allow Dr. Z to use my name to go out to other fire companies and try to get them to sign up. If you are, or have a loved one who lives their life in pain, please see Dr. Z. I am walking proof that you can live your life pain free no matter what your profession and hobbies are. I owe all that thanks in the world to Dr. Z, Megan, and Darby. So thank all of you so very much, not only for being a wonderful doctor’s office, but for now being good friends.

Thanks,

Tim Mulhollan

How did I get into this shape?  Falling down a flight of stairs while in college and being a victim of three separate car accidents certainly didn’t help.  A sledding accident landed me flat on my back and in the hospital.  Also, I spent 10 years in child care – lifting babies, playing with toddlers and sitting ‘crisscross applesauce’ with preschoolers.  When I left the child care field, I took office jobs, spending 8 hours sitting in front of a computer.

I thought I was destined to live on Aleve, but my present employer held a Health Benefits Fair and that’s where I met Dr. Z and Darby.  What a blessing!  I went for my initial consultation and was asked to have x-rays taken.  When I returned a few days later, Dr Z reviewed the x-rays with me and showed me my problem areas.  He also gave me a chart which showed what each spinal cord disc is responsible for.  I found this fascinating and it explained so many things.  The best part is that Dr. Z said he could help me.  But it would have to be a two way street.  He would guide and direct me, and I would need to follow.  I was ready; I wanted to get better!

What an improvement!  I don’t have the back and neck pain and rarely have a headache.  We are working on my hip because I want to be able to walk farther and better.  I want to play with my grandson and going on evening strolls with my husband.  I will get there.  I have every confidence that will happen.

I look forward to my treatments.  Getting to know Dr. Z, Darby and Megan has been such a blessing to me.  They treat each patient with such respect and concern.  I have told my friends, co-workers and family about them because they are such wonderful people.  

Over the course of my life I spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter, 10 years with a vending company filling and installing vending machines, and my current job I spent the 1^st 5 years working in a warehouse before getting an office position but still get a little overtime in the warehouse.  As a firefighter you spend a fair amount of time with breathing apparatus on your back while you are dragging heavy hose lines around, or walking or crawling on your stomach or hands and knees, twisting and turning quickly which can cause issues over time.  Also during call with low man power you may need to carry small portable generators, fans, or lights to set up to help make the job easier.  The main hazards with the vending company was the setting up or removing the machines from the customers and the constant bending and lifting of cases of canned and bottled beverages.  Working in a warehouse, even with forklifts and other helpful equipment, there is sometimes a need to bend and lift boxes of supplies that have some weight to them.

As with most people I was given training on how to do the job properly but I did not follow this all the time causing issues, such as loss of mobility in the neck with pain, shoulder stiffness and pain, and stiffness in lower back.  While receiving chiropractic care in the past and starting to heal my former employer would change health care providers every year which caused me to stop seeing my chiropractor because of changes in the plan and that doctor was not in their plan. 

Over the last 2 years I started having problems again with the lower back so bad I could not walk long distances or even cut my grass without taking long breaks and doing small sections at a time. 

I found out about Zabinski Chiropractic from my wife after the doctor visited her place of employment.  Since we were both having back problems we decided to consult with Dr. Zabinski.  After the first examination and review of the x-rays a 4-6 month program was recommended to help my neck and lower back.  Within the first 4 weeks of ultrasound treatments and adjustments, I was able to take long walks again and cut the grass without taking any breaks at all.  I almost have full range of motion in my neck again and I also have been able to have more peaceful night of sleep.

I would like to thank Dr. Zabinski for helping me get my life of physical activity back and for his friendly and courteous personality.  I would like to thank Darby since she is the first and last person I see in the office for her friendly greeting and warm smile when I enter and the hank you and smile as I leave.  Last but not least I would like to thank Megan for all the friendly and humorous conversations we have during

I would recommend Zabinski Chiropractic to all of my family, friends, and co-workers because of the friendly atmosphere, professional and courteous attitude, and the genuine care that they show to all of their customers.  I have seen 3 different chiropractors over the years and while all helped me a lot and showed concern for my wellbeing Zabinski Chiropractic has been one step ahead of the rest.  I believe in chiropractic care and the staff at Zabinski Chiropractic.  Thank you all again.   

I have worked at Foot Locker in the accounting center for 40 years sitting at a desk every day for 8 hours.  It has taken a toll on my shoulder and back.  No matter what I tried the pain continued to stay with me.  I tried Tylenol, heating pads and ice packs.  The doctors sent me for x-rays and told me I had a disintegrating disc so I just lived with the pain.

 My husband found Dr. Zabinski at a seminar at the firehouse and when it was over he started to talk with Dr. Zabinski.  He was so impressed with him he called the office the next day and made an appointment.  Dr. Zabinski helped him tremendously.

Bob, my husband, kept telling me to go see Dr. Zabinski for my back pain.  Well I had this theory that all chiropractors did was crack your bones and I didn’t want any of that.  He told Dr. Zabinski why I wouldn’t go to see him.  Dr. Zabinski called and talked to me.  He convinced me he would not hurt me.  I thought about it for awhile and finally decided to call and make an appointment.  During the evaluation I had to tell Dr. Zabinski all about my pain and what I did for it.  When I was done he repeated back everything I had told him.  He sent me for x-rays and after reviewing them and talking to me again he felt that he could help me but, only if I went thru the whole program for several weeks.  I decided I would trust Dr. Zabinski and go for the treatments.  I am very glad I trusted Dr. Zabinski.  He has helped me tremendously and I would recommend him to anyone, which I have.

I belong to a group at church called the stitching sisters and we knit or crochet prayer shawls for those in need of comfort for one reason or another.  Since going to Dr. Zabinski I enjoy sitting and doing my craft without the pain.

I would like to thank Dr. Z, Darby, and Megan for all that they did for me and making me feel like a part of their family.