“I am a veteran of the Afghanistan and Irac wars. I received a military medical release due to injuries sustained in Irac, including motor percussion in which I injured my back and my head. I was told by military doctors that by the time I was 30 I would be in a wheelchair. I sought out my own medical care and came to IPPMC. When I came I was using a cane and was very depressed, inactive and homebound.I started treatments here including injections. I would say the whole team in all the departments have been wonderful. I have never been treated this good in the treatment of my pain issues. I would recommend this place to anyone. When you find a place that will help the veterans, it’s a good thing.”
“I have had lower back pain for eight years. I had spine surgery in 2003, and a year-and-a-half later they removed the hardware. The pain never went away. I have had pain for eight years. My primary care provider referred me to IPPMC. I received a cryotherapy injection to the injured site, and the pain is gone! I used to not want to go anywhere because of the pain. Now I am going out. My husband and I can take road trips now. It has changed my attitude about being active and being more social.”
“The first time I came to IPPMC was one year ago. I had pain in my ribs. I was treated in this region, and I no longer have pain there. Dr. K found some abnormal moles on my back, which my other physician downplayed. Dr. K removed the mole, and it was a malignant melanoma. I felt great that Dr. K found this because this could have spread and killed me. I also had neck problems which were terrible. Now I do not have any neck pain anymore. I thank you very much!”
“I was treated for cancer of the rectum on the outside wall. They were able to remove the cancer, but they told me that I would have increased pain from the surgery. I was told if I had the scar tissue removed, the symptoms would worsen. I just about died with the first surgery, so I declined further surgery. I have been living with the rectal pain since 1986. I have been taking medication for the pain. After a few treatments, my pain is 75% improved! I enjoy that! It is time to get a new life. It is nice to come to the table in the morning, have coffee, and not cry because of the pain.”
“I came into IPPMC for chronic shoulder pain, back pain and lower extremity pain. On my first evaluation, Dr. Kowalkowski performed a comprehensive physical examination and requested I undergo further workup for my lower extremity symptoms. I discovered I had 100% occlusion of my bilateral femoral arteries and needed surgery. I did receive treatment for my bilateral shoulder pain that day. I returned almost one year later to have my shoulders retreated since the previous treatment had provided significant relief. I wanted to say thank you for your thoroughness in finding the occlusions in my lower extremities. I came for pain management and received much more.”
“My treatments have been very good since starting treatment here. Before my treatments I had difficulty standing in the kitchen and doing my housework. Now it is very much better which allows for an improved quality of life. I want to thank the staff and physician for their good work.”
“I presented to IPPMC three years ago for lower back pain. I received treatment including a spinal injection. Three years later I still do not have lower back pain. Thank you for your help.”
“I had severe burning pain on the right side of my face and head for a year and a half. I was unable to sleep well. I did not feel like going anywhere because I was in pain all of the time. I came to IPPMC. I do not know what they called it, but I received some injections and medication. My pain is now reduced by greater than 70%. I am able to sleep now, and I have my life back. That sums up my care at IPPMC.”
“My 90-year-old mother is doing so much better now. She is out of pain. Her appetite is way better. She was over sedated on over 50 mcg of fentanyl and morphine, which was causing terrible itching, previous to coming to the pain clinic. Now she is only taking Tylenol. By treating the right sources of pain she is now more active.” Thank you IPPMC.”
“I had a total of three surgeries in six months for my neck and my left upper extremity. I didn’t receive significant benefit from these surgeries. I developed chronic pain in my neck from posterior fusions. I was at the point that I didn’t even want to live when I presented to IPPMC. I was on a lot of medications without results. I was elevating medication dosing and it wasn’t helping. After getting a combination of treatments I have 90% improvement in my pain. I went through a lot of personal stress during this period. I have 90% improvement in my pain level since coming here. I have 50% improvement in my cervical range of motion. I’m to a point where if this is the best it gets I’m okay.”