You can expect definite improvement during the first two to three weeks, and from then on gradual improvement until completely well. The patient must be devoted to the system and its instructions, and even though it takes time, you can expect complete recovery.
I would like to present my most noteworthy case histories: Case #1 - D.O. (initials) He described himself as "skeptical". I first saw this patient on May 9, 1992. He said he had had tendinitis since September 1991. He described a #5 to #6 pain in his right elbow area (#1 being the least pain he has ever experienced in his lifetime and #10 being the worst). He said the pain in the left elbow area was only a #2 to #3.
Previous to seeing me he visited these doctors:
1. Family doctor - no results.
2. Another general practitioner in same clinic as family doctor - no results.
3. Chiropractor - no results.
4. Orthopedic specialist - no results.
5. Specialist referred patient to hospital for physical therapy - no results.
6. Back to same orthopedic. He suggested patient take off work for one month. Patient's employer said "no" to that.
So, the patient went to another medical group clinic for physical therapy (yet again) - no results. I should say at this point that this patient has a factory job where he really overuses his arms, greatly. I put this patient on the home-self treatment on May 9, 1992. He has gotten gradually better. I saw him on June 24 and he reported his right elbow was at a #2 pain level, down from #5 to #6. His left elbow was at a #2 level, down from #2 to #3. And he continues to overuse his arms with no time loss! Oct. 3, 1992 patient update: both elbow areas are down to a #1/2 pain. Almost cured! Patient update January 1993: The patient is pain free.
Case #2 - D.B., factory worker.
Tendinitis in both elbow areas severe since June 1988. A #7 pain in the right elbow and a #5 in the left. Picking up a cup of coffee, opening a door, trying to light a cigarette was very painful. She had been off work a total of three months from June 1988 to January 1991. She went on "light" work, then gradually worked her way back to her regular job. This exacerbated her condition. Between June 1988 and January 1993 this patient had consulted six medical doctors for her tendinitis. No beneficial results. I first saw her on January 20, 1993. Diagnosis: Tendinitis in both elbow areas. No complicating factors. I placed the patient on the professionally made video instructions and supplements. No chiropractic. The spine was fine, but the patient was "skeptical." She thought it was a waste of money (but didn't tell me). Later she said, "Was I wrong!!" In two weeks she was better, in five weeks she was 35% better. In three months there were many days that she felt no pain at all. On July 5, 1993 she reported only occasional, very mild pain, and she is continuing with the exercises.
Case #3 - L.J., Occupation: Physical Therapist.
She couldn't lift a fork to her mouth and couldn't raise her extended left arm to shoulder level. This went on for two years at a #9 left shoulder pain. In December 1988 she went to her first M.D. and received anti inflammatories, muscle relaxants and pain killers. This did not bring about relief. She also packed her left shoulder in ice every night just to get to sleep. She then went to a second M.D. where she received a more thorough exam. But two weeks later, the doctor relocated. Then she went to a chiropractor for five months with no beneficial results.
Next she went to the first neurologist. He couldn't find anything neurologically wrong. He used ultra sound, biofeedback, anti depressants and tens treatment. This went on for one year. She reported some temporary relief from the tens treatment. The neurologist recommended a psychiatrist. She then gave up on all treatments for four months. At this time she entered physical therapy school. (This had been her dream since age six.) But because she was new to the school, she went to another M.D. and asked for a prescription to take physical therapy privately.
She stayed with the physical therapy for one and one-half years both in and out of school. For a time she was taking some form of physical therapy three times a day. She attained some relief, but the shoulder continued painful because she was over using the left arm. She then went to an orthopedic surgeon. He sent her to another neurologist. He found nothing neurologically wrong. Back to the orthopedic surgeon who operated on the right shoulder to correct a rotator cuff tear. (After which she couldn't drive her car because of not only the right shoulder surgery but also because the left shoulder tendon was still very painful.)
Gradually with therapy her right shoulder improved. She came to my office on October 22, 1991 for treatment of a left sciatic condition. During the course of the sciatic treatment, she mentioned the fact that she had left shoulder tendinitis. (She was still favoring the right shoulder, thereby overloading the left shoulder which was at a #9 pain.)
She said she was ready to try anything. She began the treatment on November 8, 1991. In three weeks she was 80% better. In six weeks she was pain free. Later she became lax with the program, on occasion and the shoulder became worse, but after resuming the program the pain cleared in three to four days. Today she is feeling fine! August 23, 1993.
Case #4 - Edward G. Holtman, D.C. (myself)
Seven years ago I would have given anything for a successful treatment for tendinitis, because I had tendinitis myself for six and one-half years. I had tendinitis so bad in both elbows and both shoulders (because of my work) that it was a strain to lift our female cat. And, when my wife and I went to a restaurant or shopping mall, I had her open all the doors for me to avoid straining my arms further. Because I knew chiropractic spinal manipulation only occasionally helps tendinitis, I took almost all types of physical therapy.
