Reviews/Testimonials

>>> Testimonials for Chiropractic on Animals

I first came to Worthington Chiropractic the beginning of December 2014 with two problem areas in my upper back and hip. I was nervous about having back treatment but was very reassured by Helen’s initial thorough examination, her diagnosis and honest opinion of prognosis.

I can honestly say that after several treatments I have been amazed by my progress. There was an immediate improvement in my upper back after the first treatment and my hip has been steadily improving. Being pain free and more flexible has made a great deal of difference to my everyday life.

I was also very pleased when Helen gave me exercises to do daily. I like the idea of engaging with her in the treatment process by doing exercises which are safe, appropriate to my condition and which Helen has shown me how to do correctly.
I am extremely grateful to Helen for her expertise and professionalism and for the friendly welcome which I have received at this clinic.

Helen Mackie

49 year old Male – 1 year post Disc Surgery – low back, leg pain and foot numbness

Dear Helen

Before attending your clinic I had been attending Physiotherapy to deal with the damage to my back following a back operation last year.  Progress had been slow over the last 12 months but after attending your assessment examination I learned out more about the caused of my back problems.  You clearly explained the issues and how to go forward to treat the symptoms.

Over the last few months your magical hands have worked wonders on my back helping to treat not only the damage but also the cause.  This has helped stimulate the damaged nerves in my leg & foot leading to renewed senses, which has given me better mobility.

I look forward to the ongoing treatments along with your rehabilitation/exercise schedule.  I will have no hesitation in highly recommending you to my friends, colleagues or clients who have need of your excellent Professional Chiropractic Services.  Many thanks for all your help.

Yours sincerely

D.F

46 Year old female – Herniated Disc with Sciatica

I write this testimonial to formally record to the very positive experience I have received under the care and guidance of Dr Helen Worthington.

Brief History of my symptoms and treatments:

September 2009 began to suffer with chronic lower back pain LHS, resulting in spasms from my calf muscles to my neck.

Attended twice weekly for private physiotherapy treatment including deep tissue massage, traction, acupuncture, other treatments and advice offered.

Treatments did not help my pain; I ceased to attend on 31 December 2010.

I went on sick leave in October 2009.

I was referred for radiographs in November 2009.

I attended an orthopedic surgeon in January 2010.

I had an MRI in January 2010.

I had a steroid injection in January 2010 (this made the pain and my general mobility worse).

Scheduled for surgery on herniated disc 26 March 2010.

I was reluctant to have surgery but did not know what direction to take next as I was getting worse and could see no improvement in my condition.

A friend recommended to try CST at North Down Chiropractic Clinic in February 2010.  I found this treatment of great benefit for the pain levels and also my emotional state as due to the pain I was having difficulty sleeping and was experiencing nightmares.  After 3 sessions the CST Practitioner Sinead suggested that I would benefit from a consultation with Helen.

I attended Helen for my first consultation on 2 March 2010.  When Helen examined me she easily identified each painful area on my spine which by this time had radiated into my rib cage and all areas on the left hand side of my body.  When she put me on the treatment bed, with the bed moving to the RHS, thus taking the pressure off my discs I was confident that I had found the right practitioner.

After the treatment Helen gave me clear and concise advice on the proposed treatment plan:

Ice packs for 20 minutes, every 2 hours (I had been using heat for 4 months).

Correct shoes to wear for support.

A supported sitting position to take the pressure off the disc and sciatic nerve.

I followed Helen’s advice to the letter and found some immediate relief.

Helen explained that she would be able to help me and suggested under the supervision of my orthopeadic surgeon and GP that I postpone the surgery to allow her to work with me for an initial program of treatment.

I discussed Helen’s advice with my GP, who was supportive.  I then phoned the consultant and postponed the surgery.

I continued with the CST and both practitioners managed my treatment plan together.

Under Helen’s guidance I continued to make progress.  I was soon able to introduce daily 20 minute walks.

Helen recommended that to assist with my recovery and stability I should also have exercise rehabilitation sessions.  Again both practitioners jointly managed my care.  This had been of great benefit to me and I have progressed to the advanced stages of the rehab programme.

I returned to work in January 2011 on a phased return.  Helen again gave me advice re: my work station, sitting position and advised on a chair with lumbar support.

I have continued with the rehab sessions and CST.  My current Chiropractic plan is to see Helen every 8 weeks but can phone at anytime for advice if I am concerned.

I am very thankful that I have been able to take up the hobbies which I enjoyed prior to the chronic back pain which are athletic coaching, pilates and hill walking.  I enjoyed a week walking in the Highlands of Scotland at Easter.

The last time I saw my GP he commented that I have made a remarkable recovery.  I conclude by stating that this would not have been possible without the help, advice and support from Helen and the team at North Down Chiropractic Clinic.

Gillian

7 year old Freya – suffering with Headaches

Dear Helen

I am writing to thank you on behalf of myself and my wife for the treatment you undertook with my daughter Freya.

Having had a history of headaches and with no positive diagnosis forthcoming from our GP, or the hospital referrals, the situation was quite worrying.

My wife was extremely impressed by the professional approach you took to the diagnosis and the extensive questioning of both her and Freya, and indeed the skill in drawing out answers from and engaging with a 7 year old.

The treatment that followed and the reassuring way it was carried out using humour to engage Freya and minimize the potential trauma to a young patient, whilst at the same time encouraging the doing of the prescribed exercise and allowing plenty of time for all to ask questions, was much appreciated.

The treatment has proved very successful and we all thank you for that.  Having experienced your treatment myself in the past and with my wife planning a visit in the future I can safely say that our whole family will be referring friends and colleagues to your practice. 

Thank you once again.

Yours sincerely

Kenneth  (and on behalf of my family)

38 year old Male – with Low Back & Neck Pain

Dear Helen

Thanks for all your effort and hard work on my aching back

I know I’m probably a nightmare to work on as my diet of burgers and beer, mixed with no rest and a heavy nature of my work doesn’t help.  Despite all this you’ve done great.

My back is in better shape than it’s been in years.  I can honestly say that I can and will recommend you and your services to anyone I think requires chiropractic work.  Once again me and my back would like to thank you for helping us out.

Yours gratefully.         Neill (and his back!)

72 year old male race walker – post traumatic low back and leg pain

Dr Helen Worthington: Testimonial

Always an active man, I became a victim of poor body use in sport.  Movement was painful and restricted, with slow recovery and less of enjoyment from exercise.

I decided to seek help from chiropractic, and got immediate diagnosis and relief from a visit to Helen.  My direct aim was to restore mobility, and then to maintain it and avoid risk of further injury.

My progress was marked, with a growing sense of well being and an upbeat prospect of athletic performance.  Combined with a course of massage therapy with Jason Keers, I now enjoy pain-free, easy movement with the return of enjoyment and ambition in my event.

Helen’s treatment was effective and her caring and supportive approach was a boost to my morale, matched by that from Jason’s confident and thorough handling and good advice.

I am now ready for return to competition, feeling as well as ever I have done, if not better!

Paul

(Race walking)

66 year old female – Prolapsed Disc with low back and leg pain

I have been receiving treatment at North Down Chiropractic Clinic for the past two years. For the previous some two and a half years I had been suffering with sciatica, the primary cause of which was eventually diagnosed as a herniated disc. I had been prescribed various painkilling drugs and referred by my GP for physio, acupuncture, hydrotherapy; none of these treatments succeeded. in alleviating the problem. North Down chiropractic Clinic was recommended by a friend and when I first attended I could not even walk for any distance without crippling pain.  From the first treatment I began to improve and learned from Dr. Worthington how to manage the condition. I am now on a supportive care programme with the clinic which means that any sign of deterioration can be detected before it becomes acute.  I can honestly say that the treatment and advice I have received at North Down Chiropractic have changed my life and while my condition is not curable it is now manageable. I would strongly recommend North Down Chiropractic Clinic to anyone suffering with a similar condition.

Sandra C

Chiropractic on Animals

7 year old Mare – used for Eventing

I could not recommend Helen enough. She has treated myself for the last 8 years and keeps me sound! Helen has now also been working on my daughter’s 2* eventer, a horse that we initially didn’t think we could keep sound. The improvement has been outstanding with Mary now using herself so much better and her jumping has so much power and purpose. Mary’s attitude to her work has also improved, no doubt as a result of her feeling more comfortable, which is down to the work that Helen has carried out. We were delighted with a beautiful double clear around 1m10 at the first Eventing Ireland event of the season.

Helen is exceptionally professional and has no end of knowledge. She has a super confident manner when handling the horse which puts them at ease. Mary is not an easy horse to handle yet she stands perfectly for Helen when being treated.

Thank you Helen

Jane Morrow

Bob – 4 year old Pony – used for eventing/working hunter

Hope came back into my heart after Helen's first visit.  For about 9 months our pony had been severely compromised with his movement although not always showing signs of lameness.  Helen spent considerable time assessing him and then over a series of about five visits worked making adjustments to his body and leaving us with stretching exercises to do in between visits.  Her approach was always very professional and competent and we now have a pony that has his movement fully restored and he is back Competing again, something that I had doubted would ever happen.

I have since recommended Helen to other equine friends and they too have been extremely satisfied with her approach and the outcome of the treatment.

Money well spent

L.K
Coleraine

11 year old Arthritic Labrador

Having treated my husband, eldest daughter and myself, we were delighted for our 11 year old Labrador to be a case study while Helen was studying to become fully qualified in animal chiropractic.  Barra was becoming increasingly arthritic and so we could not be more pleased at the prospect of her pain being reduced.

Helen immediately won the trust of our dog and identified straight away the fact that her neck was stiff and sore due to the extra strain put on her shoulders to compensate for her arthritic and weakened back legs.  Helen knew exactly when to get Barra to be still for manipulation and when to allow her to walk around and wait for her to come back for the next part of the treatment.  She was able to release areas in her spine and allow Barra much more freedom of movement as well as ease muscles that had contracted and tightened due to arthritis.   Helen was also able to advise us of helpful massage and the appropriate exercise for our dog, ie no running down stairs excessively to prevent excess pressure on the front legs and shoulders, twice daily short walks to help mobility without too much strain rather than one big walk, discourage running and jumping for balls, lots of swimming in the sea to help inflammation of muscles and joints. 

There were a couple of occasions when Barra’s back locked and caused her paralysis for some hours, but Helen’s treatment provided instant relief for her.  Along with daily painkillers from the vet Barra was able to enjoy walks and swimming right up to a week before she died at the age of 13. 

Helen’s compassion and empathy with animals is remarkable and she even went to see Barra at the vets the day before we had to say our last farewells to her.  We will always be indebted to Helen and will not hesitate to take our young dog to her in years to come when old age takes its toll on her, too.

L.S “Barra”