"I have always been a very energetic and active person. It was really hard for me to sit too long, because I had to be up doing something all the time. One year I started to have pain and burning in the groin area, it would last about 2 weeks. With a visit to the doctors the office, they would check for a yeast or bacterial infection. Nothing was ever found, but they would still give me a prescription. This was happening every three to four months, each attack lasting a little longer. Each visit to the doctors office would be the same, no problems found, but I still left with a prescription. I went to several different doctors and the result was the same with each one. The beginning of the third year, I took a bad fall. The pain and burning in the groin area was constant and unbearable.

I found the doctor treating me for the same undetected problem. I was visiting the doctor once a week for 6 weeks and was given a stronger prescription each time only to be getting worse. I got to the point each day was a chore to get out of bed. I could barely make it through a day of work. When I got home, I could not clean the house, make supper or do any of my chores. I found myself laying on the couch not being able to move. I had no energy and slept almost all the time.

I had finally had enough and went to see an OB/GYN (each doctor I saw I told them I had fallen and they told me that would have nothing to do with the type of pain I was having). This doctor told me I had "vulvadynia" meaning pain in the vulva. He said that it had no known reason to start and no cure. I was given a prescription for topical steroids. He said this would control the pain. After starting the steroids, I started to break out in a painful rash (pain on top of the existing pain, was making me not want to even wake up) and my skin was turning black. I called the doctor a few times and he said he could not explain what was making this happen but to be assured it was not from the steroids. I was told to continue the steroids and come back in 6 months for a check up.

I just could not take any more of this and started my own research. It was a frustrating topic to get any good information on. I finally came upon a book that suggested that research showed "vulvadynia" could be the result of a back injury or a pinched nerve. It suggested chiropractic services. I called a chiropractor and we started with adjustments, throwing away the steroids and a detox diet the rid my system of all the chemicals I had been exposing myself to. With in weeks I had felt 75% better. The rash went away. The skin was returning to its normal color and the pain had lessened I had been suffering for 6 months needlessly. The chiropractor I saw did not do x-rays or fully explain to me why I should follow through with the care so when I started to feel better I quit going.

Within 2 months the pain started to return. I fought with it for 3 months and my sister had told me she was going to Casses and they were really wonderful. I called a couple weeks later to schedule an appointment.

X-rays showed structural problems in the back, pelvic area and hips. (I could actually see the problem.) They thoroughly explained the problem, what kind of treatment I needed and why it was important to continue even though I felt better. I understood what was going and what kind of treatment I needed. I also learned somethings I can do at home to help relieve the stress or pain.

I have only been receiving treatment for a short while, but each attack is further apart and less severe each time. Some of the attacks are just a reminder that the problem has not healed yet and may only last part of a day with just a slight burn. I know I am finally on the right path, and look forward to getting my life back."

- D. S. -