TESTIMONIALS
KYLEE - Senior Account Executive
8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, January 12, 2014:
Day two of the competition. My team of four anxiously gathered to hear the broad announcement of the day’s events.
“Event 1 of the day: Partner wod - divide reps however…
3 rounds for time:
15 deadlifts - 225 lbs / 315 lbs
20 chest-to-bar pull ups”
"It didn’t matter that our posterior chains were completely smoked from the day before and it took nearly an hour to feel a semblance of “warm” before the 9 a.m. start. - the workout on the board was the workout we had to complete.
I was at the top of my fifth deadlift in the second round when something in my back gave out. I collapsed as if I had just been shot.
I couldn’t walk - let alone move from the couch - for four days after that. It took me four weeks to feel good enough to get back in the gym. I’d decided that would be the last crossfit competition I’d partake in.
Then, upon speaking about my (seemingly) healed injury to a friend at my gym, she suggested I check out a chiropractor who came highly recommended - Dr. Heather Russell, owner of Unbroken Chiropractic. I had negative assumptions about chiropractors up until that point, but if intelligent, fellow athletes I respected and trusted the opinions of could rave about one, then I figured I should keep an open mind and check her out.
Heather is a miracle worker. I learned very quickly that she’s unlike many chiropractors in two ways: 1) She truly cares about the health of her patients. Their pain is her pain, and she’s not satisfied until she’s gotten to the root of an issue, treated it, and.. 2) She takes special care to provide preventative measures her patients need to be following in addressing their injuries and avoiding repeating injury in the future.
That was three years ago. The entire first year after I initially injured my pelvic region (turns out it probably wasn’t my back that I initially hurt, but my S.I. joint.) I didn’t experience any further injuries. However, the past two years I’ve “tweaked my back” within shorter and shorter periods of each preceding injury. Of course, I’ve seen Heather intermittently when these injuries have occurred, and I’m usually feeling great after one treatment. I mean, even after looking like this, standing straight up:
On February 20th of this year, I had a very different experience with one of these injuries. I walked out of the gym that day feeling terrible and immobile. I woke up the next morning and couldn’t sit down, put pants on, bend over, etc etc etc without excruciating pain. The inflammation in my back took a week to go down, after which I had strategically and knowingly booked an appointment with Heather.
Instead of feeling instantly better, like my past visits, I felt only slightly better. Not a good sign from my body. I continued to see Heather twice a week for the next two weeks. She worked diligently with me to determine the source of my agony, seeing as the inflammation in my back had gone away, but the pain hadn’t. I was in *constant* pain. Sitting too long, standing too long, getting in and out of the car… I dreaded simple, everyday movements. The only time I didn’t feel pain was when I was laying flat in bed.
On my second visit, Heather determined that my hip had severe restriction and tightness, which didn’t allow her to adjust my sacrum. I mobilized furiously and attentively until my third visit. During my third visit, I had a bit more mobility in my hip, but not much.
“Oh my god” Heather gasped, as I was laying on my back on her table.
“What? What is it!?” I anxiously breathed.
“It’s… um.. It’s your pubic bone. Your pubic bone is out of alignment.”
First of all, I didn’t know that was even possible. Second of all, HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?!
As soon as Heather adjusted my pubic bone, my hip “melted,” as she put it, and the restriction I had there that didn’t allow her to adjust my sacrum was gone. Heather had untangled me like a Rubik’s Cube.
I’ve had three more sessions with Heather since then, each continually working towards straightening me out and addressing my imbalances. Heather has identified my asymmetrical movement patterns and the muscle imbalances that have built up (likely over the course of years) as a result.
My focus, now, is relearning how to move (properly). I was out of the gym for six whole weeks. SIX WEEKS. I underestimated the severity of my injury and it certainly tested the resiliency of my attitude. I haven’t taken that much time off from the gym or sports… ever. I had to freeze my crossfit membership. Instead of moping and feeling sorry for myself… I chose to rise. I’ve taken up hot yoga on my active recovery days. I have joined a “regular” gym, in which I can tailor my workouts to my needs and ability level at the moment. Bonus: it has mirrors. So I check myself to be sure I’m moving properly.
I’d be lying if I said the past two months have been a “hard journey.” I’ve certainly faced things in life that have been far more adverse and trying. Actually, I didn’t even think of this situation as more than an inconvenience until a close friend complimented my attitude and outlook on it all. I was too busy focused on the things I’ve needed to do to succeed in getting healthy and moving on with my life.
Of course, that focus would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of the people who’ve helped and continue to help on this adventure - namely, Dr. Heather Russell. Cheers to you, Heather! I know my story is only one of so many that sing your praises. You deserve every single kind word and expression of gratitude that comes your way."
BRIANNA - Level-1 CrossFit Certified Trainer
"I put off going to see Dr. Heather, because I had been seeing a "good" chiropractor. But I never felt it was worth all of the hype. I finally did it, because she is the friendliest person you will ever meet, and I like to support my ...MoreI put off going to see Dr. Heather, because I had been seeing a "good" chiropractor. But I never felt it was worth all of the hype. I finally did it, because she is the friendliest person you will ever meet, and I like to support my friends. But let me tell you, after that first visit, and third and fourth, and so on; I left feeling physically great, but also educated. Why does this position feel uncomfortable, and how can I help myself feel better here, how can I improve my Squat? I never feel shamed or bad about my lack of mobility, but instead I feel empowered and strengthened by her excitement to help, and educate. She takes the time to make sure you feel improvement, and gives you things to work on so you can continue feeling that in between visits. She really is the best. I highly recommend Unbroken Chiropractic!"
CAITLIN - Dentist
"Being someone who has used chiropractic care as a means of staying healthy, I have never been to someone so thorough and genuine! Dr. Heather treats all your ailments but also listens to your personal goals and individual needs. I am currently in Dental school and she has helped keep my posture great and my hands, elbows and shoulders all in check from straining from pulling pesky teeth. If you are looking for someone who will change your life for the better she is the right person!"
ALYSSA - Delivery Manager
"I feel like a new me after each appointment. Heather explains everything before she does it and makes sure I am doing fine with each procedure. I don't even live in the area but when I come to visit several times a year, I make sure one of my stops is to Unbroken Chiropractic. Great service."
MEGAN -Supplier Relationship Manager
"Five stars are not enough to describe how amazing Dr. Heather is. She is holistically minded and focuses on getting you feeling better instead of putting you on a "program" that you don't really need. She is amazing at what she does and truly cares for her patients wellbeing. I can't recommend her highly enough."
KRISTEN - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
"Dr. Heather has been so helpful in my fitness journey. She not only works out the tightness and pains in my body but she truly helps me work through how to make changes to my workouts to prevent recurrence"
JOSH - Level 2 CrossFit Certified - Head Coach
"Literally the best in the business! Dr. Heather Bourdon is an amazing chiropractor and lovely human being. If you want to feel better, perform better, or have yet to find the answer to your pain. She is your savior!"
ROB - Shipping Manager
"I've been to my share of chiropractors over the years, but Heather is the only Doctor that I feel can actually feel what is going on with my body. She can tell when something is out of place or is too tight, and then can fix it!! It's ...More I've been to my share of chiropractors over the years, but Heather is the only Doctor that I feel can actually feel what is going on with my body. She can tell when something is out of place or is too tight, and then can fix it!! It's amazing the things she can feel that I didn't even know existed. And she makes sure, every time, that I feel good before I leave. Totally the best!!"
KALI - Interior Designer
"Dr. Heather is amazing! Not only do you feel great after the appointment, but she also takes the time to educate you on why you're hurting and teaches you exercises and stretches that will help improve/ solve the problem.
She is a great chiropractor and also the sweetest person you'll ever meet!"
JEN - Graphic Designer
Dr. Heather not only treats, she educates. She helps me to understand my body and how to correct and prevent future pain and injury. She's a miracle worker.
JEN - CrossFit Athlete, Level-1 CrossFit Certified, and Lead Clinical Research Assistant at A Small Biotech
"Over the years, I've seen approximately 10 different chiropractors. Although some of them were fantastic, I consider Heather to be the best. She not only truly listens to you, but she's determined to have you leave her clinic pain-free after every visit, which is truly remarkable (and was often a challenge given the issues that I presented to her). For my particular injuries, Heather also empowered me with the knowledge of how to take care of myself in-between visits and how to treat and prevent any future pain. She also has an amazing understanding of human movement as it pertains to sports and weightlifting, which I found helpful for me as well as other athletes I've referred to Heather. Given all of this, Heather is a chiropractor in a league of her own, and I truly believe you will not find a better one in Kansas City."
BOYD - CrossFit Athlete - Director of Sales and Marketing Development
"My experience with Dr. Bourdon has been a stark contrast to any chiropractic care that I have ever received! First and foremost my use of a chiropractor had always been as a retroactive response to some type of self inflicted pain, pinch, or tweak that was likely a result of some form of sport. The standard methodology of every practitioner I had visited had been a simple spinal alignment with no real focus on a specific area (i.e. fix what hurts). My first meeting with Dr. Bourdon she simply asked “what’s bothering you” and low and behold that’s what she addressed. DING DING DING! We may be onto something here…
The immediate improvement from that first session was two fold. First, the pain was addressed appropriately and alleviated much quicker than what I’ve been used to. The second benefit was her focus on restoring proper range of motion to areas that had been limited. More specifically she helped those ROM’s that were impeding my performance as pertaining to Crossfit. The two main positions addressed were the “front rack” and “bottom of squat”. After my first adjustment I was able to achieve a proper front rack (which had been my unicorn of sorts) along with a deeper more natural squat position. She then prescribed maintenance exercises and movements that would help keep me out of her office, which was a first in my experience.
It’s fairly uncommon to wax poetic about chiropractic care, but I have and will continue to recommend Dr. Bourdon to anyone needing to address pain or looking to improve athletic performance.”
DAVID - CrossFit Athlete- Music Teacher
"I have been receiving chiropractic care for 3 years and I am a firm believer in its claim of total body wellness. During that time Isaw 4 or 5 different chiropractors and received very good care. However, it wasn’t until I saw Dr. Heather that I truly knew what good care really looked like.
I initially made an appointment to see Dr. Heather for her to check out my knee I had injured playing Australian Rules Football the previous September. I had heard of a practice called grastoning and wanted to see if it would help heal my knee. She was honest with me and said that grastoning might not be the best option for the knee. Instead, she spent 90 minutes with me, adjusting my knees, ankles, hips and feet and tried to find the root of the problem.
And find it she did. After that initial visit, I knew Dr. Heather would be taking care of my chiropractic needs for a long time. Since starting my workouts at Sky’s Limit Crossfit, I have had soreness and sometimes pain in numerous places. Because Dr. Heather is a regular participant of Crossfit, she understands the complex movements associated with our sport. At the beginning of every visit, she takes the time to find out what specific movements are troublesome to you and then works on you until the pain is gone. I leave after each visit feeling better than when I walked in. I also feel better longer because of the quality of adjustment she is able to make.
Dr. Heather is very knowledgeable and passionate about her craft. She listens to me and desires to make me healthier so that I can perform at my highest level. I am thrilled to be seeing her for chiropractic care and to learn how to make my body healthier and perform greater. Through her, just like the Sky’s Limit motto, I am Better Than Yesterday."
NICK - CrossFit Athlete - Firefighter, Paramedic
"My journey that ended up with me seeing Dr. Bourdon was a fairly long one that started with 13 years of college and mens rugby. At the end of my rugby career I was practically crippled with pain from tendonitis and calcification in both of my Achilles. I was taking enough pharmaceuticals to enable myself to play on Saturday and was barely able to walk for the next week while my body attempted to repair the damage.
Finally, I had had enough of living with pain and went to see my general practitioner who referred me to a podiatrist. Xrays were taken, her diagnosis was as above and her treatment was to go in and surgically remove the damaged parts of tendon. Needless to say I beat feet out of that office and sought a second opinion. A friend of mine had recently had knee reconstruction with an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine (he works for the chiefs) and highly recommended him. His opinion was to get some physical therapy and see how the pain/movement progressed. The physical therapy did help and my pain and range of motion did get considerably better but it never completely went away. One of the therapists mentioned a treatment (Graston) that she had seen once that had helped with symptoms similar to mine, unfortunately the didn't have anyone in that office qualified in the specialty. By chance I happened to see a guy at the gym with a god awful bruise on his shoulder and when I asked him about it he mentioned the technique and recommended Dr. Bourdon. I booked an appointment and several weeks later saw her for the first time. The technique definitely isn't for the faint of heart and the most delicate way to explain it is that it turns a chronic injury back into an acute one to activate the healing process. It wasn't an easy road and I have had my setbacks but if when I first began seeking treatment for this affliction you had told me that I would be jumping, jogging and walking without hindrance I would have laughed in your face.
I have since had several issues crop up in my normal course of daily living and working out and Dr. Bourdon has been able to easily diagnose and treat them with a varying array of disciplines. She is a caring, helpful patient advocate who is knowledgeable and humble enough to know when she doesn't have the answer. I am proud to say that I am a patient and friend of hers and refer anyone I can find needing attention. It also helps that she’s a stone cold fox! (sorry big scene - Dr. Heather's husband)"