I thought I’d have to quit the job I loved. I teach, and working with kids involves a lot of walking and on-my-feet time, but the pain in my right foot made every step agonizing. The podiatrist I consulted advised me that it was osteoarthritis and wanted to prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug. Since I am highly allergic to aspirin, I’m not able to take any of the standard drugs for arthritis as they are all equally hazardous to a person with an aspirin allergy.
Enter Prolotherapy. I read about it in three different sources within a week of the podiatrist’s diagnosis. My husband consulted the Internet and came up with Dr. Kramer’s name. I went to him and was impressed with several things. First, he went over my x-rays and questioned me carefully, listening to my responses and probing further where I had not been clear. Then he told me that he thought Prolotherapy could help. He explained the process very thoroughly and estimated how many treatments might be needed and how far apart they would be spaced. When I said I was ready to try it, he asked if I would like him to pray with me before initiating the procedure, and I agreed. Having God help my doctor was help I was willing to have. Needles in your foot are not fun, but the procedure was quick and not nearly as painful as I had feared. I had braced myself for big-time pain but the procedure is very endurable. Dr. Kramer explained that I would have some discomfort for a day or two after the treatment, and while it was true it was not bad. Not nearly as bad as the pain in my foot had been.
Thereafter I experienced immediate relief—enough relief that I was able to start walking in the park using a pedometer to count my steps. By the time I returned for my second appointment I was up to 7,000 steps a day, a figure I never expected to see. That measure climbed to 10,000 steps after the second treatment, and my pain for the most part was a thing of the past.
I mention Dr. Kramer and Prolotherapy to anyone who complains of pain in my presence. To those who fear needle, I saw the needles are a lot less painful than living with whatever pain you’re currently experiencing. Unlike you bodily aches, the needles are over within a minute or two. What’s best of all is that I can keep on doing the job I love!