---
title: "John: Identifying Issues and Learning - Advanced Sports Chiropractic"
description: John came to see us after being treated by another chiropractor, 2 times a week for 9 months.  He went to see the chiropractor for low back pain, and pain in the left hip.  He was referred to massage and none of the treatments offered any long-term relief. On our first visit, I identified a […]
---

[Skip to content](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/identifying-issues-chiropractic-care#main-content)

This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

[![advanced-blue-logo](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/advanced-blue-logo.png?width=810&height=450&name=advanced-blue-logo.png "advanced-blue-logo")](https://advancedsportschiropractic-5769280.hs-sites.com/home)

- [Chiropractic](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/chiropractic-care) 
    - [Walk-In Appointments](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/walk-in-chiropractor)
    - [Adjustments](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/chiropractic-adjustments)
    - [Sports Injuries](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/sports-athletic-care/)
    - [Work Injuries](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/work-related-claims)
    - [Auto Accidents](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/vehicle-accident)
- [Massage](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/massage-therapy)
- [Rehabilitation](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/rehabilitation-prevention) 
    - [Decompression Therapy](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/rehabilitation-prevention)
    - [Graston Technique](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/the-graston-technique)
    - [Active Release Technique (ART)](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/active-release-technique)
- Patient Services 
    - [Forms](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/about/new-patient-forms)
    - [Payment Options](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/insurance-coverage/)
- [About](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/about) 
    - [Dr. Bob Curtis](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/about/dr-bob-curtis)
    - [Dr. Rachel Hetherington](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/about/dr-rachel-hetherington-dc)
    - [News](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog)

- [Book Now](https://advancedsportschiropractic.janeapp.com/)
- Search Search
  
  Search

- [Testimonials](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/tag/testimonials)

# John: Identifying Issues and Learning

- November 11, 2018

![Dr. Robert Curtis, DC, CCSP](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/hubfs/Bob%20Curtis%20Profile%20Pic.png)

[Dr. Robert Curtis, DC, CCSP](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/author/robert-curtis)

# John: Identifying Issues and Learning

November 11, 2018 by [Robert Curtis](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/author/bob/)

John came to see us after being treated by another chiropractor, 2 times a week for 9 months.  He went to see the chiropractor for low back pain, and pain in the left hip.  He was referred to massage and none of the treatments offered any long-term relief.

On our first visit, I identified a left leg weakness in the smaller muscles around the foot, weakness through his gluteal region and hamstring muscles.  He had indicated that there were times he would get pain down the back of his leg to his foot, but it wasn’t constant.  Most of his pain was in his left buttock, caused him pain with sitting, sleeping, walking and most daily activities.  The low back was also painful, more on the left than right.

What was shocking to me was that John’s left leg weakness was identified quite easily, and if he had been re-evaluated during his treatments, this should have been caught.  I sent him for an MRI, which came back with a lumbar disc herniation to the left (which is what I suspected), putting pressure on the left L4-5 nerve roots, most likely the source of his pain.  Now that we had a specific diagnosis, we had a clear path as to how to treat this.

We started with basic prone extension to mechanically push the disc back into place, known as the McKenzie Method.  Then, we added core awareness exercises, starting carefully to not aggravate this injury.  Over a period of several weeks, his low back pain started reducing, and his left hip pain was becoming less constant.  His pain now is in his low back, not constant, and not nearly as bad.  His left hip pain is also much better, and comes and goes with much less disturbance to his daily activities.  He is trending upward, recovering, learning about what to do right to protect and preserve his low back.

I forgot to mention that he also had chronic neck and mid-back stiffness that was a daily, constant issue with working on computers every day, and this issue we took care of long ago!!

Why do I tell a glory story??  Not to make me look good, but to illustrate the difference in the type of care most patients see.  Most get a lot of chiropractic care without a lot of teaching, exercises, or direction if the problem continues.  My obligation to my patients is to teach you, help you and get you back to life functioning with the best chance of limiting future injuries and pain.

Tell a few friends what we do.  We appreciate referrals!

If you read this story to the end, call and say you read the “Patient Story of the month”, and receive $10 off towards your next wellness massage, if scheduled in the next month!

### Share this:

- [Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/identifying-issues-chiropractic-care/?share=twitter&nb=1)
- [Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/identifying-issues-chiropractic-care/?share=facebook&nb=1)

Filed Under: [Testimonials](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/category/testimonials/)

 Blog Post

## Related Articles

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique.

[Testimonials](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/tag/testimonials)

### [Crossfit Injury Chiropractic Care](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/crossfit-injury-chiropractic-care)

 November 13, 2018

 Crossfit Injury Chiropractic Care November 13, 2018 by Robert Curtis Hear stories from three crossfit enthusiasts who...

[Read more](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/crossfit-injury-chiropractic-care)

[Testimonials](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/tag/testimonials)

### [Neck and Shoulder Injury](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/neck-and-shoulder-injury)

 November 13, 2018

 Neck and Shoulder Injury November 13, 2018 by Robert Curtis Hear from patients including Jill, who injured her neck and...

[Read more](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/neck-and-shoulder-injury)

[![](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/hubfs/Chiropractic%20Adjustment.png)](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/how-much-does-a-chiropractor-cost-in-whatcom-county)

[Chiropractic Care](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/tag/chiropractic-care)

### [How Much Does a Chiropractor Cost in Whatcom County?](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/how-much-does-a-chiropractor-cost-in-whatcom-county)

 September 19, 2024

 When considering treatment for back pain, neck pain, or other musculoskeletal issues, cost is a significant factor....

[Read more](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/how-much-does-a-chiropractor-cost-in-whatcom-county)

 Check all articles

 Blog Post CTA

### H2 Heading Module

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique.

 GET STARTED

 Subscribe for

### Our Blog

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique.

[![ASC Logo Transparent-1](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASC%20Logo%20Transparent-1.png?width=150&height=83&name=ASC%20Logo%20Transparent-1.png "ASC Logo Transparent-1")](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com)

Advanced Sports Chiropractic and Massage is a leading chiropractor located in Bellingham, WA. We offer a range of services, including chiropractic adjustments, sports massage, wellness massages, and rehabilitation exercises, to help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance performance.

#### Quick Links

- [About](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/about)
- [Chiropractic](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/chiropractic-care)
- [Massage](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/services/massage-therapy)
- [Blog](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog)

#### Hours

**CHIROPRACTIC**

Mon-Thurs: 8 am – 6 pm  
Friday: 8 am – 4 pm  
Early or late hours possible  
by appointment only.

**MASSAGE**

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (by appointment)

Contact

**Address:** 2216 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225  
**Phone:** (360) 671-5706  
**Fax:** (360) 647-1542

[CONTACT](https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/contact)

---

[Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSportsChiropractic) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.instagram.com/SportsChiropracticBellingham/)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Dr. Robert Curtis, DC, CCSP",
    "url" : "https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/author/robert-curtis"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-02-03T17:26:49.690Z",
  "datePublished" : "2018-11-11T08:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "John: Identifying Issues and Learning - Advanced Sports Chiropractic",
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/blog/identifying-issues-chiropractic-care",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://advancedsportschiropractic.com/hubfs/ASC%20Logo%20Yellow.png"
    },
    "name" : "Advanced Sports Chiropractic"
  }
}
```