Patient Testimonial – Ms. Yen (62 years old, Hoang Mai, Hanoi)
At 62 years old, I don’t wish for anything extraordinary. All I want is to walk normally again—without pain, without my body leaning to one side, and without constantly suffering from the aches caused by my spine. But achieving something as simple as that has taken me through more than ten years of living with a herniated disc and countless health challenges.
Ten Years Ago: One Spinal Surgery… Yet My Journey with a Herniated Disc Was Far From Over
At this stage of my life, I don’t ask for much. If I can wake up each day, walk comfortably without pain, and move without my body tilting, I feel grateful. But reaching that point has been a long and difficult journey.
My story began in 2006 when I was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy. After the treatments, my body became noticeably weaker. Then, in 2007, I started experiencing lower back pain. At first, it was only a dull ache, but within a short time, it became severe. I couldn’t sit for long, couldn’t stand for long, and there were times when I could barely walk.
After medical examinations, I was diagnosed with a herniated disc at the L4-L5 level and had to undergo emergency spinal surgery. It was a complicated operation with significant blood loss. After the surgery, it took me nearly three months before I could even sit up again. I then spent an entire year undergoing physical rehabilitation before I was finally able to walk. Even then, I could only walk with difficulty and never regained a steady gait.
At that time, I truly believed that once the surgery was over, everything would finally be behind me.
But reality turned out to be very different.
Ten Years Later: The Pain Returned—Even Worse Than Before
Over those ten years, I continued living with persistent back pain and increasing difficulty walking. Then, about a decade after my surgery, the pain returned with even greater intensity.
At first, I thought it was simply part of getting older or caused by changes in the weather. But my condition continued to deteriorate. After undergoing another MRI and medical evaluation, I was diagnosed with a recurrent herniated disc, lumbar spinal degeneration, along with degenerative changes and inflammation in my shoulder joint.
At that moment, I felt completely overwhelmed.
When I returned to the hospital, the doctor once again recommended spinal surgery. But having already gone through one major spinal operation, I was terrified. I simply couldn’t bring myself to undergo another surgery.
I also tried various forms of physical therapy, but each one only provided temporary relief. Before long, the pain always came back.
Gradually, my posture became more and more uneven. My body leaned noticeably to one side whenever I walked. My steps became unstable, and I lived with constant pain every single day.
There were moments when I truly believed this was how I would have to spend the rest of my life.
The Turning Point: Finding Hope in the Right Place
While searching for another solution, I learned about ICCARE, an international musculoskeletal clinic specializing in conservative spine care. Their treatment approach focuses on chiropractic spinal adjustments and advanced rehabilitation—without medication, injections, or surgery.
The approach immediately caught my attention, and I genuinely wanted to give it a try.
But to be honest, I was also afraid.
I was afraid it wouldn’t work.
I was afraid of allowing myself to hope again, only to be disappointed once more.
Because of those fears, I postponed my decision many times before finally gathering the courage to visit ICCARE.
For my first visit, I only signed up for a single treatment session because I wanted to see for myself whether it would really make a difference.
Little did I know, that very first session would become the turning point in my journey.
I was treated personally by an international chiropractor, who performed a spinal adjustment. The sensation was unlike anything I had experienced before. It felt as though my spine, which had been misaligned and restricted for so long, was finally being guided back into its proper position.
It was as if my back had been twisted and locked, and was now being gently realigned. What surprised me most was how gentle the treatment was. There was no pain at all.
As soon as the session was over and I stepped off the treatment table, I could immediately feel the difference. My body felt lighter, walking became noticeably easier, and the pain that had followed me for so many years was no longer as intense as before.
After the spinal adjustment, my treatment was complemented with advanced rehabilitation therapy using specialized equipment.
During the session itself, I didn’t notice anything particularly unusual. But once it was finished, my whole body felt incredibly relaxed. The tightness in my muscles had eased, and I felt much more comfortable overall.
The noticeable improvement after just the very first session gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time—hope.
It genuinely felt as though my spine had been realigned. My body no longer felt crooked or compressed, and the pressure that had been causing so much discomfort seemed to ease. Even the pain radiating down my leg gradually began to subside.
Before my treatment, the constant pain left me feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. I was uncomfortable all the time, and the pain was written all over my face. Even the simplest daily activities—walking, sitting, or taking care of myself—felt difficult and overwhelming.
Today, everything is different.
I can walk much more comfortably, sit for longer periods without pain, and enjoy going out to meet friends again. Everyday life has become easier, lighter, and filled with much more joy than I ever thought possible.
What makes me happiest is that I can finally return to practicing meditation—something I hadn’t been able to do for the past ten years because of the pain.
Today, I can sit and meditate for about 30 minutes without discomfort. To many people, that may seem like a small achievement, but for me, it represents an incredible milestone.
Looking back on everything I’ve been through, I’ve come to realize just how important it is to receive the right treatment. Even after living with this condition for many years, the body still has the ability to heal and improve when the right treatment approach is found.
I am truly grateful to the doctors and the entire team at ICCARE for helping me understand my condition and for supporting me throughout my treatment journey. Because of their care and dedication, I am where I am today—with a healthier, stronger, and more flexible body, no longer controlled by constant pain.
After living with spinal degeneration for ten years, I believe I am living proof that meaningful improvement is possible.
For me, this isn’t just about pain relief. It’s about getting my life back—the normal life I once believed I would never have again.
So, to anyone who is struggling with the same kind of neck or lower back pain caused by a herniated disc, as I once did, I sincerely encourage you to come to ICCARE and experience a consultation and treatment session for yourself. You can make your decision afterward, but taking that first step may change your life, just as it changed mine.
