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Richard Hiler DC

1234 Airport Pulling Rd N

Naples, FL 34104

(239) 659-2669

(239) 659-2639 (fax)

www.feelamazing.com

Richard Merritt, DC, PA

1253 W. Memorial Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33802
(863) 687-8165
(863) 687-1801 (fax)
www.drmerritt.net

Case Studies

“The following is just one example of the state of health care as of the present date.

I had been receiving treatment from Dr. John Hayes for bulging cervical discs as well as
tendonitis of the left rotator cuff. I have been suffering with migraines, intense pain in the
neck and shoulder and limited range of motion for about ten years after going through
three rounds of physical therapy, two epidural spinal shots and an endless supply of
prescription naproxen.

Dr. Hayes discovered in my first examination that I have slight scoliosis that no other
clinician ever picked up on. He started me on traction, which no other clinician ever
offered me, and since that time I have had just a few migraines, considerably less pain
and discomfort and no more prescription medication.

If that doesn’t get your attention, keep reading.

I am a self-employed legal transcriptionist and also a violinist. I work no less than 80
hours per week and play in two volunteer orchestras. While receiving treatment from
Dr. Hayes for the aforementioned issues, I began feeling intense pain and numbness in
my wrists and hands. My primary care doctor suggested I see an orthopedic surgeon for
suspicion of carpal tunnel syndrome. While awaiting the appointment, my doctor started
me on physical therapy. I had an evaluation with a physical therapist who told me the
only thing he could offer me is traction because he was convinced this was not carpal
tunnel but a pinched nerve in the neck. I reported I’m already receiving traction with Dr.
Hayes. His response was that I was probably not receiving traction correctly. To that, I
put physical therapy on hold.

Next, I see the orthopedist and after the physician spent about five minutes in the room
with me, he diagnosed me with De Quervain’s tendonitis. I was told to stop working and
playing the violin and I would get better. He canceled my physical therapy and sent me to
occupational therapy. I was told no follow up appointment was needed.

Upon seeing the occupational therapist, I am informed that De Quervain’s tendonitis is
not a likely diagnosis as the pain I am feeling is not on the thumb side of my arms. I am
further told that stretching and strengthening exercises will only exacerbate the pain I am
feeling so I receive ultrasound on my wrists three to four times and am sent home. To
that, I put occupational therapy on hold.

Page 2

I go back to my doctor and report all of this and ask for a second opinion from a different
orthopedist. After much disagreement, I am sent to another physician. The second
orthopedist spent less time than the first and gave me a third diagnosis; cubital tunnel
syndrome. I am told to splint my elbows to remain straight for two weeks and I’ll be as
good as new. I’m further told no follow up appointment or treatment is needed.

In the interim, the pain is increasing exponentially so I report to the emergency room and
give them an account of the ongoing history of my pain. They take x-rays, which is the
first time anyone has run a single diagnostic test, that show no bone abnormalities and
am informed that it’s probably carpal tunnel syndrome and I should follow up with my
primary care doctor. I am given a prescription for an anti-inflammatory drug which my
insurance refuses to pay for. I go home and start back on Naproxen.

Back I go to my primary care doctor who then asks me why I keep coming back as she
is not a hand doctor. I demand to have an EMG test to find out what the problem is so it
can actually be treated. After an argument with my doctor and another with her referral
coordinator, I finally receive a referral for the test. The results of the test show borderline
carpal tunnel in one hand and nothing in the other. It also shows some impingement in
the neck. After another argument with my primary care doctor, I demand a cervical MRI
to see if it is, in fact, a pinched nerve. The results of that were largely unchanged from
my original bulging disc problem.

In a routine visit with Dr. Hayes for adjustment and traction, I begin to tell him of my
problems. After his initial shock, he took the time to listen to all of my symptoms, asked
questions and began a treatment plan. He put his hands on my arms and wrists and
examined them, which no other physician had bothered to do. He discovered a substantial
amount of small muscle knots up and down my forearms from overuse in my occupation.
He began treating me with nerve stimulation and a topical lipid ointment. This is in
addition to my routine treatment for my shoulder and neck issues.

This is my third week of treatment for my wrist pain and I am 40 percent better. I have
less pain and weakness and am again naproxen-free.

By the way, my health insurance plan has a deductible of $3,000. I am now on payment
plans with several hospitals and doctor’s offices for the aforementioned visits, testing,
therapy, splints, etc., in the amount of $3,845 for the deductible and co-pays and not a
single thing they did helped me at all. And being self-employed, I have had no income for
the past four months.

Perhaps alternative treatment should no longer be the alternative.

Sincerely,

Tracy McCarthy”
- Tracey McCarthy
“My experience was very positive and I look forward to my visits and always leave feeling great. I feel that Dr. Hayes’ philosophy is to make me free of pain and it is working! The staff is welcoming, positive, total top notch!”
- Paul Goguen, Rockland, MA

© Copyright 2012-Dr. John Hayes, Jr. Perfect Practice Web, LLC, NeuropathyDR®
Nothing on this site is intended to be construed as "labeling" relative to the FDA. The FDA has not reviewed, approved or evaluated the data on this site.

339-793-8591

Florida

Florida Doctors

Richard Hiler DC

Richard Merritt, DC, PA

339-793-8591

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