Marilyn the Walker

Derbyshire pensioner Marilyn may not be able to manage the Coast-to-Coast challenge these days. But she can keep walking – and dancing – with the help of a high-tech treatment at Buxton Osteopathy Clinic.

Seven years ago, Marilyn completed the 192-mile trek, carrying all her gear, in 12 days. But worsening pain in her lower back forced her to curtail her walking. And she couldn’t indulge her love of dancing without the aid of painkillers.

After being referred to Chesterfield Royal Hospital, she persuaded doctors to give her an MRI scan – which revealed the extent of the problem. She explains: “My spine is twisted between two vertebrae, and they found spondylosis and stenosis; both degenerative conditions.”

When physiotherapy failed to provide any relief, more drastic measures were proposed: “It was suggested that I could have some injections, which I didn’t really want, or surgery, which I didn’t want either.”

Marilyn then tried a sports therapist who found that one of her legs was shorter than the other: “He recommended me to a podiatrist, who made some carbon-fibre insoles to level up my back, which does help a bit.”

Then, after reading about IDD Therapy, Marilyn visited Buxton Osteopathy Clinic. After examining her MRI scan, clinic owner Phil Heler advised that treatment was appropriate to her condition. “I had around 21 sessions in a very short period of time and by the end it had made about 70% improvement,” she says. “Now I have one treatment every eight weeks as a top-up.”

Marilyn adds: “It hasn’t cured the problem but I wasn’t expecting it to; my spine is twisted. I’m not totally free of pain, but it has been effective – and it’s warded off the need for surgery.”

In addition, the IDD Therapy has been very effective in tackling her sciatica, another condition associated with her spinal problems.

Now Marilyn can cope with a six- or seven-mile walk and is able to continue her weekly jive and Appalachian dance sessions.

IDD Therapy works by applying computer-controlled forces at precise angles to gently draw targeted spinal segments apart, relieving pressure on discs and trapped nerves and easing muscles and ligaments.