So where do i begin? I will first start off by saying that I am not a very good writer but I wanted to share my story. I got diagnosed with AML (a form of leukemia) on Jauary 18th 2016. It took a toll on my body not that my body was great before then but its defenitly got my bones feelin frail. I went through 5 rounds of chemo. After i finished my chemo i wanted to continue to walk to help me loose weight and to get my exercise. I was so determined that i started walking 5 miles a day. I started getting pain in my knee, so much so that the pain would shoot up my leg and have me so squirmy to get comfortable. I was having trouble walking up and down stairs, in and out of the car, driving,and in and out of bed sometimes. I stopped walking because i was in so much pain afterward. A month had gone by and my pain was not going away. I didn’t really know what to do for the pain so I just endured the pain. I finally decided to go to the doctor. She ordered X-rays on my knee and ordered physical therapy. I started going to the OSF Center for Health in Streator, Illinois. Joleen Hancock was my therapist she suggested that I try the Astym treatment. She was certain that my knee cap needed adjusted. She proceeded with the treatment. I was very impressed the first time it was performed. Although it hurt like crazy and I screamed a little. I was in heaven as i walked out of there that day. It started working immediately and as treatment went on I loved going because i knew it would make me feel great. I encountered a few other things as it went on. I could feel the difference in my legs because I was only being treated for the right knee my left knee would feel so tight. I did the stretches with both legs but because I was getting my muscles worked out on the one leg you could feel the tightness in the other. I also started having troubles with my hip. So the therapist had to adjust me so that i was lined up correctly and in place. I also had to go back for therapy on my upper and lower back. The Astym treatment was performed on me this way as well. Again I would scream and Jolene would tell me ok lets not scare the other patients away. It helped me immediately. They gave me stretches to do and as long as I did my stretches I felt fine. I was able to start walking again. I haven’t met my goal of my 5 miles a day yet but I’m working on it. I don’t have any more pain in my knee. I can walk up and down the stairs no problem. Getting in and out of my bed my leg doesn’t hurt any more when i drive. I feel so much better like i’m rejuvenated. I can now get on with my life continue to stretch out these muscles and fight to keep my body in remission. I am so glad that I got to experience the Astym treatment and would definitely recommend it to everyone.

Tamara Phillips
Treating Clinic: OSF Healthcare System-Streator
OSF Center for Health 111 Spring Street
Streator, IL 61364 Phone: 815-673-4549                                         Website: www.osfhealthcare.org