First Step Chiropractic

I have been asthmatic for most of my life. My latest allergist had me on 6 meds for my allergies - trees, pollen, grasses, mold, pets, etc, you name it. This summer was my best year ever! In June I started seeing Dr. Schalow and have cut out over half of my allergy meds. I'm down to only 1 tablet and 2 inhalers. I feel great and breathe much freer now. I also have so much more energy and strength. My allergist is jealous but glad to see that I haven't changed in my test scores in over a year -despite taking less meds. If this is me after 6 months, let's see how a full year goes! more

I was in a lot of pain. Everyday movements hurt and were hard. Then I got under NUCCA care. Now I have no pain. more

I had been going to a traditional chiropractor for 4 years when I moved to Rockford, IL. It had been alomst a year since my last adjustment and I was having a spasm in my neck and shoulder. I made an appointment with Dr. Schalow and hoped for the best. Since traditional chiropractic help hadn't seemed to lessen my issue, I figured I'd give the new way a shot. It's only been a few weeks but I can tell things are truely lining up and I have had less issues with muscle soreness and spasms. I look forward to seeing what the future holds. more

When I started care at 1st Step Chiropractic a few months ago, my right leg was much shorter than my left. I had a lift in the right shoe. Also, was having alot of lower back pain and sholder pain. Today, my lower back pain is improved - I no longer have the lift in my shoe - my gait is improved. more

I had chronic neck and shoulder pain, sinus congestion, lower back pain, and knee pain. I figured it was something I would have to live with. Then I found 1st Step Chiropractic and Dr. Schalow. Now I am well on my way to recovery, with significant reduction in severity and frequency of pain with the neck and lower back. No shoulder and knee pain any more, all related to former sports injuries. more

I was weak after a heart attack and insertion of 2 stents. Unteady placement of feet when walking, especially outside on the ground. Now, after NUCCA care, I am much better. I feel stronger and am steady on my feet. I feel optimistic about future progress. more

Dr. Schalow, I can't thank you enough! I have always had a deep fear of diabetes. At the end of last year, I was exhibiting symptoms. Fortunately, I was scheduled for a routine physical. The examining MD said my blood sugar was off the charts (500+) and I needed to see my regular MD immediately, as I was diabetic. Unwilling to embrace diabetes and also unwilling to see my regular MD so quickly, we decided to pay a visit for your opinion. You have successfully treated all of my family for a range of afflictions, including my high BP. A skilled specialist, you did this without throwing more drugs at it as was the inclination of our prior family doc. I am grateful you are not your dad's run of the mill, bone-crunching chiropractor. I am also grateful you are as committed to affordably helping people address their health issues as you are and not doing what you do just to generate a fee. If I did not repeatedly experience the effectiveness of your non-invasive treatments I would more

When I first came to 1st Step Chiropractic, I could not move my neck. I had aches and pains, had had various surgeries and was diagnosed with chronic sinus problems. On steroids, too much ibuprofen and looking for answers, a friend referred me to Dr. Schalow. Today, I am at least 80% better and am healing more every day. I have been able to stop taking all medications and my future looks like it will become pain-free and brilliant. more

I was at my wits end with the constant nagging pain in my neck, shoulders and lower back. Depressed and feeling like is this it? Is this what it feels like to get older? Everything hurt, I was cranky all the time and just wanted to sleep the pain away. But then I found Dr. Schalow and the NUCCA procedure. Now I have more energy. At the end of a work day, I am not exhausted and just wanting to go home and go to bed. I have energy now to clean my house and fix dinner and do homework. I feel like I am contributing rather than being a slug at home. My shoulders and neck are more relaxed. I am hoping that the progress continues in this positive direction. more

I had pretty constant numbness and pain in both arms, but now after eight weeks, the numbness and pain has decreased and now comes only at night. more

I had been seeing a standard chiro for some time to correct my neck and back and pain on the entire right side of my body. That therapy would pop me into place but come out again by the next week. Since I began upper cervical treatment, I have been holding my adjustment. Today I still feel remnants of the old pains but am holding the adjustment and nerves seem to be slowly mending. The aches and pains on the right side seem less and I am noticing more balanced strength on right and left sides of my body. more

I am almost 79 years old. When I was 10 days old, my parents were told I would not walk after age 30. I had my 1st hip replacement at age 39. I have been walking with some combination of 1 or 2 canes or crutches for 40 years, so you can see I am a rather unique case. I have had a total of 12 leg surgeries, including 3 left hip replacements (the 1st lasted 25 years) 2 right knee replacements, and 1 left knee replacement. My most recent surgery was to repair a break in the left thigh where the bone was paper thin. The surgeons at the world famous center of Central du Page-Rush Presbyterian, said there were only 4 sites in the world that could do this surgery and I was the worst they had ever seen. They did not expect their surgery to heal. It has healed was beyond their expectations. There have been many times throughout my life when I thought walking was all over for me, but God keeps leading me to new solutions. Dr Schalow was one of those solutions. I have been seeing him for a little over 4 years. When I was first referred to him, I was very skeptical. I did not believe him when he said he could help me, but I let him try anyway. At first, I reacted dramatically to the corrections and would sleep for two days. I was frustrated and would ask, what is going on? and his answer was always the same; Your body is going through a healing crisis. Gradually the need for sleep lessened after corrections, and the residual pains subsided. I now walk with 2 crutches, but can walk with one. I use 2 for maintaining a better balance and put less stress on my back and hips. I have no idea where I would be today if I had not pursued NUCCA treatments. Thank you, Dr. Schalow, for giving me more years of mobility. more

I had fractured my knee in October of 2011. It healed properly with one slight problem - Muscles in the interior were tight and unable to bend completely. Because of crutches, I believe it affected my spine. One day I bent over partially and I felt a warm sensation - then pain. I was unable to walk, severe pain in the lower spine. Then I got under care at 1st Step Chiropractic in March, 2012. Now my knee can fully bend:). I have been able to return to all my activities, exercising on the tread mill, the eliptical, walking the dog, etc... I initially was skeptical, but with all the improvements and returned health, I am totally convinced. When I first hurt my back I went to another chiropractor with some improvement, but they were unable to give relief from the pain. Dr. Schalow accomplished this! more

When I started care with Dr Schalow, I had constant neck pain and stiffness which caused moderate to severe headaches. They got better for quite a few weeks, but then after losing my correction, they came back recently. It took some work, but now I feel fine again. more

I had a great deal of neck stiffness and pain, which was also leading to almost daily frontal headaches. After trying physical therapy, chiropractic and massage, with moderate relief from only massage, I decided to seek out a NUCCA practitioner to see how it differed from typical chiropractic. After just the first one or two adjustments, my headaches ceased to be an issue. I have been amazed how rapidly and consistently I have experienced relief. While I still have neck stiffness and pain, the magnitude of both is steadily improving, with increases in my cervical range of motion. more

I was really broken. Even laying down flat on the exam table was really painful. My back/shoulder/hip pain came and went. The attacks lasted weeks and even when I wasn't having attacks it was painful to work in my farm job. I was surprised that even after my first NUCCA correction, my body felt better, like it untwisted right there in the office. I still have a lot of pain sometimes, but the attacks last only days, not weeks. And if my back starts hurting after a long morning of harvesting spinach, then it gets better after a few hours instead of days. I think because I was so broken, it was easier to see the big help that the NUCCA correction can bring. Thanks, Dr Schalow! more

At the age of 16 years old I was involved in a head on collision car accident. For the next 60 years I suffered with a continual back ache. A close friend, who was a chiropractor (bone crusher) tried until his passing to relieve my pain. And he was successful for 24 hours at a time. Three years ago I was introduced to Dr. Schalow with much skepticism. But he patiently worked with me and now I can say I am pain free. At times I will cause my axis to be thrown off kilter, but I know that Dr. Schalow knows my body well enough that he can get me back in shape within a day or two. And now instead of back free pain for a day or two I enjoy back free pain for weeks and even several months at a time. It is nice being pain free. Thank you. more

I have had neck and back pain for years due to several automobile accidents. My treatment was epidurals, pain pills, physical therapy with some improvement. Since coming to 1st Step Chiropractic, my headaches have ceased. My neck and upper shoulder discomfort is mostly gone. I feel more rested and improved in energy. I no longer put off household tasks. The spasms down my R leg had diminished by 95% (this is the problem for which the pain mgt Dr suggested more

When I came I couldn more

When my body is in alignment, the music flows. My shoulders are free so my bowing is easier and I sit more comfortably because I am balanced. more