Vanessa tied her boots snugly and adjusted her pack as the Boy Scout troop prepared to set out on the trail. She looked around at the group of kids, including her youngest son, gearing up for another hike. It was a familiar scene from her 13 years as an active parent volunteer, yet one she had found increasingly hard to enjoy. Her chronic lower back pain had stolen much of her joy in these moments, forcing her to ask herself the same question every time: Can I even do this today?
For nearly 20 years, Vanessa lived with unrelenting lower back pain. It started as an occasional ache but soon turned into a daily struggle. Sitting, standing and even simple tasks—like playing on the ground with her dogs, Rocky and Sierra, a pair of Malinois/German shepherd littermates—became increasingly difficult. Driving her hour-long commute to and from work left her stiff and in agony, and she often needed several minutes to straighten up and get moving once she escaped from the car.
Vanessa sought relief wherever she could. Her primary care physician suggested stretches, but they only helped briefly. Another doctor ordered X-rays but found no structural issues, ultimately referring her to physical therapy. While PT sessions brought temporary improvement, the pain always returned. “I felt like I was stuck in a loop,” Vanessa said. “Nothing I tried could stop the pain from coming back.”
Earlier this year, her pain was at an all-time high. “I felt hopeless,” Vanessa admitted. “I thought, ‘I’ve done everything, and nothing works.’” Her husband, Phil, had been seeing Dr. Burchell, a local chiropractor at NorthStar Chiropractic, and urged her to give it a try. Phil, an avid cyclist, had been training for the Boulder Buffalo Classic, a challenging 100-mile ride. Regular tune-ups with Dr. Burchell had kept him in peak condition, and he was thrilled with the results. “He told me I had nothing to lose,” Vanessa said. “I figured that I could either keep being in pain or give it a shot.”
From her first visit, Vanessa felt hopeful. Dr. Burchell’s straightforward manner put her at ease. “He was kind and didn’t overpromise,” she said. “He told me his goal wasn’t to see me forever but to get me to where I wouldn’t need regular appointments.” His expertise and holistic approach—understanding how the entire body is interconnected—quickly earned her trust.
Initially, Vanessa saw Dr. Burchell twice a week. Gradually, her pain began to ease. He didn’t just focus on her back but also addressed related issues, like tension in her neck that caused chronic migraines and pain in her knees. Each session left her feeling better, and by the end of the first month, she noticed major improvements.
“It was like getting my life back,” Vanessa said. Her daily pain disappeared, flare-ups became rare and her mobility improved significantly. Now she sees Dr. Burchell just twice a month for maintenance.
One of the first signs of her progress came during her daily commute. The hour-long drive, once a source of dread, no longer left her stiff and struggling to stand up. “I can get out of the car now and just go,” Vanessa said.
Another breakthrough came when Vanessa was able to get down on the floor with Rocky and Sierra, tossing a ball and enjoying carefree moments.
Perhaps the most meaningful change has been her renewed involvement in her sons’ Boy Scout activities. Vanessa’s pain often kept her from wondering if she could participate. Now, Vanessa embraces every outing with enthusiasm. “I don’t have to ask myself anymore,” she said. “I just know I can do it.”
Beyond the Scouts, Vanessa has found new freedom in her everyday life. She takes evening walks with Phil and the dogs and midday strolls with coworkers—activities she couldn’t imagine doing before. “It’s not just about being active,” she explained. “Walking clears my head and helps me connect with people.”
Living pain-free has transformed Vanessa’s outlook. Better sleep, improved mental health, and a more positive attitude have ripple effects on her relationships. “When you’re not in constant pain, everything feels lighter,” she said. “I’m happier, and that makes everyone around me happier, too.”
Vanessa is deeply grateful for the life she’s regained. “Dr. Burchell has done more than just fix my back,” she said. “He’s taught me how to maintain my health and stay pain-free.”
Now, whether it’s hiking with the Scouts, playing with Rocky and Sierra or simply getting through her workday without pain, Vanessa is finally free to live the life she thought she’d lost!
Your Trusted Broomfield Chiropractor at NorthStar Chiropractic
At NorthStar Chiropractic, we are passionate about helping you achieve your best health and well-being. With a dedicated and experienced chiropractor, we have been serving Broomfield, CO, and the surrounding community since 2021 with a commitment to providing the highest quality care!
Dr. Burchell received his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2021. His aim will always be a patient-centered approach to help his community live functionally by helping facilitate each individual’s path to a healthy lifestyle and complete sense of wellness through chiropractic care.