This story is part of our new Patient Stories series, where we share real experiences from people in our community who have worked with Dr. Bob Curtis at Advanced Sports Chiropractic.
For Jolene Gordon, golf has always been more than just a pastime - it’s a passion. But what started as a fun, familiar swing soon became a source of constant pain.
“It was a golf injury,” Jolene recalled. “Just from swinging, and it’s so bad where I just have a hard time breathing... So that’s what brought me in.”
At first, she didn’t realize how serious it was. Like many athletes and active people, she tried to push through the pain, hoping it would fade on its own. But the discomfort only grew worse.
“I guess it had been going on, and I was continuing to golf because I wasn’t sure if that’s what it was. So [after] about three months, it’s just getting worse and worse and worse. And finally, I couldn’t take it anymore,” she said. “I couldn’t even do nine holes.”
The turning point came one day on the course when she realized she could no longer continue.
“I had to stop, like, on the fifth hole,” Jolene said. “Because I was just in so much pain.”
That was the moment she decided it was time to find a solution - and that decision led her to Advanced Sports Chiropractic.
By the time Jolene arrived for her first appointment, she was nervous and in significant discomfort. But from her very first session, she felt reassured by the careful, patient approach from Dr. Bob Curtis.
“I was pretty tender. But he just worked with me, and he was still able to do some adjustments,” she explained. “He just got me relaxed and kind of talked me through it. It was very gentle.”
From there, she committed to a regular treatment schedule - twice a week - and soon began to notice meaningful improvement.
“Probably the third week,” she said. “I really started feeling improvement the third week.”
Before treatment, even something as simple as taking a deep breath was painful. As her sessions continued, Jolene noticed one of the most encouraging changes: she could breathe normally again.
“Yeah, I can breathe fine,” she said. “I haven’t started golf yet, but we just talked about it, and he said that pretty soon I can start playing golf again. Thank goodness.”
That moment - when she could breathe comfortably and move without strain - marked a huge step forward in her recovery. It also gave her confidence that she could eventually return to the sport she loves.
“It tied in with my rib cage,” Jolene explained. “So that’s what made it so hard. It wasn’t just a muscle thing - it affected my breathing, too.”
With her body healing and her strength returning, she’s now looking ahead to getting back on the golf course - this time with greater awareness and care.
For Jolene, the experience at Advanced Sports Chiropractic wasn’t just about finding relief - it was about feeling understood. The staff’s professionalism and empathy made all the difference.
“I would definitely recommend them to come here,” she said. “He’s got a great approach. And not only him, he’s great, but the other lady that works here, she is phenomenal. I’ve never been adjusted by a woman before, but she’s great. Yeah, she really helped me out.”
Her appreciation extends beyond the results. Jolene values the welcoming, supportive environment that made each visit something to look forward to rather than fear.
Now, after months of recovery, Jolene is eager to return to the sport she loves. While she hasn’t yet resumed golfing, she’s already breathing easier, moving freely, and regaining the strength she needs to swing again with confidence.
Her journey is one of patience and persistence - and a reminder that the right care can restore more than physical health. It can bring back joy, confidence, and quality of life.
“I sleep better afterwards,” Jolene said at the start of her interview - a small but powerful sign of what healing feels like.
From those early painful swings to breathing freely again, Jolene’s progress shows that recovery is possible with the right team by your side - and that sometimes, the path back to the things you love starts with a single, gentle adjustment.