Dr. Joe's House Call to London:

Joe and Carolyn,

How can I ever thank you both. I’m convinced you saved my life.

On July 1, 2011 while doing a very deep back bend I heard and felt bones ,in the back of my neck, click and grate. I remember thinking at the time, “that’s going to be a problem," but even I was unprepared for what followed and am still surprised at how something that seemed relatively small, turned out to be the worst injury I’ve ever sustained.

By July 3rd the headache started, a constant and dull ache. The neck pain began on the 4th two days later I could hardly lift my head off the pillow. Each attempt to pick up my head resulted in blinding pain as I felt the weight of my brain sink onto my brain stem and press onto my spinal column – where waves of pressure and heat radiated down my neck, upper back and through my shoulder blades. If I turned to lay on my right side I could feel the muscles of my left eye pull and if I turned over, the other eye tugged. Lying flat on my back it was impossible to move my eyes to the right or left without pain, all the while the headache growing worse. If I moved my head too quickly I could feel my brain lag behind a second, accompanied by that worrying sensation of your brain banging around inside your skull, which you usually only experience when you knock your head pretty hard. Why was my brain no longer snug inside my head? Was this a migraine? I had a million questions but by July 6th I knew I was in serious trouble and went to the doctor.

I consider myself lucky that my doctor, didn’t start pumping me with pain killers, initially assuming migraine. But rather was immediately suspicious and concerned by the abatement of the pain while lying horizontal as well as the fact that I was ill the week previous with a sore throat and ear ache (what I assumed was mild infection/cold since it cleared up after just two days). He insisted I see a neurologist that day. After a brief exam by the neurologist, a history of the above and him witnessing my obvious pain and debilitating condition, he admitted me into hospital that evening. He took CAT scans, MRI’s, and performed a lumbar puncture to test for meningitis, which was his great concern on hearing about the stiff neck and previous sore throat. When meningitis was ruled out his conclusion was that I had a tear in my Dura. The Dura is the membrane that surrounds the brain, brain stem and the central nervous system inside the spinal column. This slow leak (possibly microscopic) results in reduced pressure of the spinal-cerebral fluid and the brain-drag pain that results is know as Low Pressure Headache Syndrome. This was his best guess after various blood tests and scans; ruling out the more sinister possibilities like cancerous brain tumors, etc.

The ‘cure’ for Low Pressure Headache Syndrome is rest and fluids. This neurologist was very conservative and explained that the body will heal the tear on its own (if it’s not too large - as is usually the case with spontaneous tears or those not caused by outside Intrusion into the membrane). Strict bed rest for up to one month was prescribed, along with a suggestion to take lots of caffeine. I was kept in the hospital for a week getting IV fluids and was sent home with instructions to come back in 20 days. If my condition was not greatly improved, which he expected it to be given the minor nature of the cause of the supposed tear, he would perform a blood patch. This entails taking my own blood, injecting it into my spine in the hope that it would travel around and clot into the tear. Sometimes this procedure has to be performed more than once, and if no joy is had by then, more serious measure would commence....injecting dye into the system to find the site of the leak and potentially, surgery. I believed every word, as I could feel the symptoms for myself. It seemed reasonable and since the initial course of suggested treatment wasn’t radical, why would I doubt the opinion of the neurologist? My husband Stephen, who has a considerable skepticism of the medical profession, insisted on an opinion from Dr. Joe.

By the time Joe was able to get to London, I’d been home from the hospital a further 5 days, my condition worsening each day. I couldn’t get up and was in pain constantly. I could feel all my muscles wasting and couldn’t imagine spending another 15 days lying there with nothing but the specter of permanent disability looming. Joe arrived on July 18th. By then I’d been incapacitated for two weeks, was facing another two+ weeks in the same state – hoping to heal sometime over the next three weeks, but preparing myself for the possibility that this was just the beginning. The mental strain was horrible.

After Joe’s examination, he looked me in the eye, and brimming with that infectious confidence says, “They’re Wrong! You don’t have a tear in your Dura, you have jammed your top vertebrae (C1) and the Atlas/Occipital bones are crushing the nerves that would control and regulate the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. That’s why the pressure is low!” “You won’t need surgery, or a blood patch test – and how ridiculous is the idea of making more holes in your Dura to find a suspected one!” “AND here’s the best part, you won’t need to be in agony for another three weeks, till they start poking around in earnest.” He adjusted me for the first time late Monday night July 18th, and I felt immediately different. I was still in a lot of pain and went to bed. The next morning I knew something was changed, I felt different, better, slightly less pain in the eyes, headache abating. What are the odds that the supposed tear, healed and closed over at the exact moment of Joe’s adjustment? Over the next two days Joe adjusted me pretty regularly and by Wednesday July 20th, I was up and went with him on a mile long walk. Admittedly my head did ache that night but by the weekend I was upright with little pain and confident that I would be 100%. If it hadn’t been for Joe where would I be? What state could any recovery possibly reach so long as those nerves were compressed? Could permanent nerve damage result if no one ever thought to check the alignment of my upper cervicals? What damage could result from radioactive dye or surgery just at my brain stem!

I feel so lucky to have access to the opinions and health care expertise of Joe and Carolyn Clauss. And while Joe was the one that came over for this emergency, it could just as easily have been Carolyn. Indeed I owe her a greater share of thanks- for holding down the fort at their incredibly busy practice, juggling the care of her amazing family and all the while advising me on nutrition, supplements and sending me her positive, healing love – which if you know Carolyn at all, is considerable. A similar miracle was performed 4 years ago with my husband Stephen, which is how we came to know the Clausses. Suffice it to say, I will always remain,

Your ever grateful friend,
Lorraine Bell

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I first came to Dr. Joe for low back pain which kept me from even being able to sleep on my left side.  I had gone to the emergency room for it and was given Motrin but I got no relief.  My father has been a patient of Dr. Joe's for years and when my husband started complaining of lower back pain, my father encouraged him to see Dr. Joe.  He noticed immediate results in his lower back pain so I joined him to look over his x-rays with Dr. Joe.  Everything Dr. Joe said made sense so I decided to try Chiropractic adjustments for my own low back pain and headaches.  Within a month I felt so much better!  Then other positive changes started happening in my body that I hadn't expected!  I was sleeping better and even my cycle was much less painful each month.  I now make sure I get my spine checked regularly to keep my body healthy!  Dr. Joe is an awesome guy and I would recommend anyone to come see him and find out what Chiropractic care can do for them!

                                                                                                                                                                - T. Spoor

EAR INFECTIONS
My name is Ashley and I am four years old. My mom decided to bring me into the (chiropractor’s) office because of a good patient of Dr. Clauss’. My health problems began when I was only six weeks old. I was bothered by chronic ear infections. My ear drums even ruptured twice. The medical doctor’s solution was antibiotics. I was first given amoxicillin, but it did not help. My pediatrician then prescribed another antibiotic called ceclor, but that did nothing to help my ear infections either. The last medication the doctor prescribed was augmentin, which only caused a yeast infection. Consequently, because the antibiotic treatment did not work, the medical doctor wanted me to have surgery to put tubes in my ears. My mother did not want to hear of an eighteen month old baby having surgery. This is when my chiropractic care began and since then I have not had any ear infections.

Mom’s statement: Before this happened with Ashley, I was unsure what chiropractic was all about. Now, my whole family is under chiropractic care with Dr. Clauss.


BACK PAIN
I was referred to Adirondack Family Chiropractic by my husband, who found relief in chiropractic care. I decided to give it a try. When I first came in to see Dr. Clauss, I had pain from my neck down to the bottom of my spine that radiated into my legs. This terrible pain tired me and made my life miserable. It was a chore just to be on my feet. Medical doctors said the
pain was due to arthritis. They gave me pain pills to help the problem. I disliked taking the pills just to cover the pain. I wanted something that would get to the cause of the pain. Since I have been seeing Dr. Clauss, my posture is much better with increased mobility and hardly any pain. Occasionally, my spine gets out of line and I have to go for extra adjustments. I have been receiving chiropractic care for several years. It has taken since then to get my spine into the proper position. I do the exercises daily and come to see Dr. Clauss once a month. Thank you Doctor for making my life a happier, healthier and more productive one.

SCIATICA
I am fortunate to be both a patient and employee of Dr. Clauss. Before moving to New York and working at Adirondack Family Chiropractic, I had little knowledge of the benefits of chiropractic care. For several years, I had sciatica pain in my right hip and leg that steadily increased. I experienced great discomfort when sitting and especially when driving my car. It was painful keeping my foot tensed on the gas pedal. Advil and Tylenol offered temporary relief. The doctors explained how chiropractic adjustments could help me and I began care. I had my adjustments as recommended by the doctors and am now free from sciatic pain. Most importantly, I have learned that chiropractic is total health care and that by having adjustments to keep my spine free from subluxations I am at my best everyday! Thank you Doctor for introducing me to chiropractic care.

                                                                                                                                                                               -A. Hoffman

HEADACHES

I am a waitress. I was referred to this office by another patient of Dr. Clauss’. Prior to my chiropractic care, I experienced severe headaches and almost complete loss of use of my right arm. My health problems got to a point where I had a hard time holding my head up. My children even had to put the curlers in my hair because I could not raise my arm above my head.
I tried pill after pill to relieve the pain, but found this avenue of treatment very temporary. After the medication wore off, I would be right back in pain again. There has been a very noticeable improvement in my health since I have been under Dr. Clauss’ care. I have no headaches, I have complete use of my right arm, and I take no medication. It has made all the difference in the
world to be able to do things for myself again. I highly recommend the Clauss’ to everyone.


ALLERGIES
I was referred to Adirondack Family Chiropractic by my dad, JT, who is a patient of Dr. Clauss’. My problem started when I was very young. I was allergic to dust mites and ragweed. I was constantly blowing my nose and I was unable to smell or taste anything very well. To help with this condition, I was taking allergy shots every Wednesday at the pediatricians since I was three years old. I finally saw an allergist in town and he did all kinds of allergy testing on me. I also was taking Dimetapp by the bottle. It is an over-the-counter antihistamine. I started with chiropractic adjustments and after only a month I no longer had a runny nose or congestion. It was unbelievable. Dr. Clauss is so nice. He keeps me healthy.

SPINAL ALIGNMENT AND MOBILITY
I am speaking on behalf of my granddaughter. She was born with a pinched nerve in her neck and a curve in her lower spine. She also experienced low muscle tone. At 4 months old, she wasn’t able to turn her head or move her body. We consulted a medical doctor. He recommended braces, physical and occupational therapy. We decided to try chiropractic care. Since she has been receiving chiropractic care, the curve in her spine has straightened and her muscle tone is building. She is able to climb, play, and walk much better. I believe in chiropractic care. I honestly think that she would not be moving around as well as she is today, if it had not been for chiropractic care. If it were up to the medical doctors, she would still have been classified as physically disabled.

COLIC AND CONSTIPATION

When my son was born, he was very colicky and frequently constipated. He didn’t sleep through  the night. I consulted a medical doctor, he told me that my son had colic and I would just have to live with it. For constipation, they wanted me to give him suppositories. Because I was a patient of chiropractic, I decided to take him in for a check-up. I have been bringing him there since he was 8 days old. Since he has been receiving chiropractic care, he has no colic, no constipation and his general attitude is much better. He is also sleeping better throughout the day. I trust in chiropractic care. I would recommend it to anyone that has an infant. It has done a world of good for him.

ASTHMA
I was referred to this office by my Mom. My mother became a chiropractic patient just a few days before I did. She was referred by good patients of Dr. Clauss’. At the age of four, I was diagnosed with asthma. I would have attacks daily. This condition put many limitations on my daily routine. Physical activity was completely restricted, since I could hardly walk without having attacks. Before coming to the office, I was on a breathing machine daily. I also had to take medication like Ouibron and inhalers. Six to eight weeks after treatment, I was completely off the breathing machine and I was able to exercise again. I was even able to stop taking most of the drugs. Chiropractic works great! I love not having to take medicine!