From Stroke to Hope

by Caroline von Fluegge-Chen

From Stroke to Hope

Theresa has been a wellness patient since 1998. In her early 60’s, she has always been the epitome of health: exercise, good nutrition, loving family, positive attitude. Last year, she had a stroke. Apparently, a microscopic blood vessel in her brain had been defective since birth. Otherwise, there was no explanation for the stroke.

Three days after the stroke, Theresa wanted to get adjusted stating her brain would heal with my care. With fifteen years of chiropractic education, Theresa knows what I do and the power of an adjustment. No one would suspect Theresa had a stroke. She looks the same on the outside, beautiful as ever. On the inside, it’s a different story. Thoughts are jumbled. Words and pictures don’t make sense. Moods are volatile. Lights, sounds, smells, colors are perceived differently. Mike and Theresa did not expect their retirement years to be consumed by the devastating effects of a stroke.

I adjust Theresa weekly using a technique ideal for traumatic brain injury. One day, she could not speak. The condition is called aphasia. The mind knows what to say, yet the brain has shut down the ability to form and utter words. I saw tears on Theresa’s face paper. I adjusted her anyway. Gently. The next day, Mike was in the yard. He came inside to find Theresa talking normally on the phone. Miracle? No. Chiropractic. “You took the pressure off my brain, Dr.C.”