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Patient Testimonials

There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am to Dr Kelly Cao & her staff at Healing Hands - what can you say to someone who helps you get your life back? I am a 28yo female who was suffering for 2 yrs from constant severe back pain, it was always there and never went away. I was on very high levels of pain medications that left me in a fog and changed my personality. My dr's had told me that my problems were underlying problems I was born with and would not go away, they would just get progressively worse. I couldn't accept the fact that the rest of my life would be lived in a medication fog and in a lot of pain, so I decided to find someone on my own that could possibly help me as my Dr's had no suggestions.

I did some research on chiropractic care and figured that it couldn't hurt to try. I found nothing but glowing and positive reviews of Dr.Cao on the internet so I chose to see her. She was able to see me within days and I was so impressed - the office is the most serene and relaxing dr's office I've ever seen. The staff are all so polite and kind, its always such a positive experience going to see Dr Cao. My first visit was a very thorough review. Dr. Cao took her time to ask a lot of questions and to listen to my complaints and review copies of my MRI's. After my review, Dr. Cao had a hunch to what was wrong and explained everything to me - my SI joint was out of place and had been for a long time. My next visit was an adjustment, and once she did her "magic", I could tell as I walked out of the office that my back felt different. I continued to see Dr Cao 2x a week for a few weeks, and she has managed to get me to a place where my back is no longer a problem.

Along with the chiropractic adjustments, I have been getting the most amazing massages from her in-house Massage Therapists, and that also played a big role in my recovery. In just 4 months time, I have been able to discontinue taking all pain medications and now only need to take a Tylenol here and there if my back is sore. Even though my back is better, I am continuing to see Dr Cao & her massage therapists to maintain how great I feel now, as I never want to go back to how I felt before. She has great insight into various all natural supplements, so she has even helped me with other health issues unrelated to my back. If you are unsure if a Chiropractor can help you, please don't wait as long as I did. Seeing Dr. Cao was the best thing I did in my recovery and I owe it to her that imp back to my old self again, as Dr's didn't seem to be too optimistic that I would feel 100% again. Boy am I glad they were wrong!

Jessica D. 6/10

Having suffered from back pain, sciatica, neck tension/pain, & migraines for several years due to a combination of accidents, genetics & a herniated disc, I had tried just about everything possible to alleviate the pain from pain management clinics, acupuncture & physical therapy to a microdiscectomy in June 2008. Unfortunately, the results of each method were temporary at best.

In March 2010, finding myself in pain yet again, I decided to try chiropractic care. After reviewing the websites of several chiropractic practitioners in the area, I decided to call Healing Hands. The combination of the informative website & the patient success stories really made an impression. Upon arriving for my first appointment, I was immediately put at ease by Wendy's friendly greeting & the relaxing, peaceful atmosphere. After reviewing my symptoms & my body's alignment, Dr. Cao administered my first treatment. I was absolutely amazed by the results! The horrible sciatica & lower back pain, that had been forcing me to the sit on the sidelines of life, were both greatly relieved. There wasn't even a hint of the sciatica pain that I had had when I arrived. Through the application of additional treatments & the commencement of an at home stretching regimen, my other symptoms have also been relieved & the time between each recurrence continues to lengthen. I strongly believe that with continued treatment & maintenance, I will be able to once again enjoy an active lifestyle. My only regret is that I did not find Dr. Cao & the staff of Healing Hands sooner. I would like to thank them for providing me with the relief that I had searched for for so long.

Michelle S. 4/10

We really love having a chiropractor that sees our entire family. The kids feel comfortable and we can see their visits really making a difference in how they feel. In the past we thought some of their pains were regular growing pains but we saw that with adjustments the girls had a lot less pain.

Angela O. 4/10

At age 62, I thought I would have to live with chronic pain in my hip and back as several weeks of physical therapy had not helped. After a few weeks of therapy with Dr. Cao, my back pain was almost gone and my hip had been adjusted to it's proper position. I was also fitted with Orthotics which has helped to relieve pain from Plantar Fasciitis.

It has been 4 months since I first received chiropractic care at Healing Hands, and now I can walk and do activities with no hip or back pain. The office staff at Healing Hands are wonderful, and with occasional adjustments I expect to continue to work and be active without pain.

Sandy 2/2010

I have been in two auto accidents within the past three years. Each time, I have had Chiropractic treatment from Dr. Cao at Healing Hands Chiropractic and it helped a great deal. On both occasions, I suffered from back pain and each time, Chiropractic and massage therapy helped repair and ease the pain tremendously.

Regina 9/09

Dr Cao & Wendy, You don't know how much you helped me with the recent injury to my neck. You truly went 'above and beyond' in taking the time to arrange an MRI when my primary care DR never even offered. I was totally lost and didn't know where to begin and you selflessly made my problem your problem and helped me out. I'm very grateful. I now have a course of recovery that at the very least would have been delayed and caused me further pain and uncertainty. My only regret is that I've exhausted my co-pays for treatment and have to wait until 2010 to see you again. I can see why you come so highly recommended and consider it my great fortune that I've had the pleasure of your wonderful expertise and thoughtfulness.

M. Devlin 9/09

When I first contacted Healing Hands Chiropractic about 2 months ago I had pain and stiffness in my neck and back. Since visiting Healing Hands in the past 2 months, i have gotten back my full range of motion, the pain has subsided and I no longer wake up in the morning with stiffness in my back. Dr. Cao has been great at explaining the causes of my problems and extremely informative in explaining how to prevent my problems from reoccurring. Chiropractors I have seen in the past have needed up to a year to make my problems go away. Dr. Cao has resolved my problems in 2 months. I would highly recommend Healing Hands Chiropractic for anyone including friends and family.

Jeff F. 7/09

I have had neck and shoulder pain off and on for a few years and have seen other chiropractors for treatment. There is nobody that compares to Dr. Cao. The office has a “spa” like feel to it so immediately upon walking in, I felt very relaxed. After my first visit with Dr. Cao, she had found the source of my pain and formulated a treatment plan that has proven successful. Her plan consisted of deep tissue massage and adjustments and I felt immediate relief! I haven't felt this good in years. I have and will continue to highly recommend Dr. Cao to anyone who is interested in seeing a chiropractor.

Tammy 6/09

My name is Michael. I would like to share my experience in being treated by Dr. Kelly Cao of Healing Hands Chiropractic.

I suffered a back injury while lifting heavy objects in mid-December 2008. I had severe pain and stiffness and was unable to move or perform simple tasks like tying my shoes without great difficulty. Prior to the injury I had been very active physically – working out on an elliptical trainer five days per week.

Immediately following the injury, I called my primary care physician who told me to go to the nearest emergency room. The emergency room physician took x-rays, diagnosed my injury as ‘degenerative disc and degenerative joint changes’ and wrote a prescription for painkillers and sleeping pills. In addition, I was directed to stay out of work for two weeks and then see my primary care physician for follow-up treatment.

When I saw my primary care physician after the two week period, he ordered refills on the pills and wrote a prescription for a prosthetic back belt/brace that I was told to wear from the time I got up in the morning to the time I went to bed. I was told that eventually the injury would become ‘manageable’ and I could forgo taking the pills. The pain and stiffness diminished somewhat but my ability to carry out daily functions had been noticeably impaired.

I went back to work and it soon became apparent to my co-workers that I had been injured. One of my co-workers who had suffered a similar injury told me that he had been seeing Dr. Cao and had experienced positive results under her care. I was somewhat skeptical about seeing a chiropractor inasmuch as my primary care didn’t recommend chiropractic therapy and I had never been to one.

I called Dr. Cao and she was able to see me immediately. On my initial visit, Dr. Cao reviewed my medical history and x-rays, explained her intended course of therapy and did a lower back adjustment. Immediately following this visit, I was able to discontinue wearing the belt and stopped taking the prescribed drugs. I was amazed.

I have since had seven additional treatments under Dr. Cao’s care and feel as I did before the injury. I went from being unable to move to resuming my life as it was before the injury without using drugs. I still use the belt as a precaution when doing yard work, etc. but have been able to resume workouts on the elliptical trainer. I am confident that without Dr. Cao’s help, none of this would have been possible.

My only regret is that I didn’t see Dr. Cao immediately after the injury as this would have hastened the healing process.

Michael 6/09

I was in excruciating amounts of pain in my hands and feet when I walked into Dr. Cao's office. I had seen her many times over the span of 5+ years. Usually when I had a particularly bad day of carrying around loads of photography gear, my back would ache and I would crawl into her office for a much needed fix.

But this day was much different and it was the worst one I have had.

When the pain first started, a burning sensation and tingling in my feet and hands, I went to see my doctor. They ran several tests and then wanted to do x-rays. I got the results all back as normal, with no explanation about why I was having this pain.

So... I called Dr. Cao's office - I was feeling desperate for help and had no idea if she could help me. Within minutes of speaking with me, the completely empathic and helpful receptionist, Wendy, got me an appointment. I was over there within half an hour... and about an hour later, I was walking upright again. It took a few sessions, but we resolved that pain. Apparently my back was telling my feet and hands it needed help. And what I needed to do was take better care of myself, and go see Dr. Cao.

I am just grateful for the kind of compassionate, dedicated service, and care I have gotten over the years from the Healing Hands of Dr. Kelly Cao and her staff. She does more than just help me on the spot with immediate care. She talks with me about making long term healthy changes and shows me the kinds of things I can do at home to keep myself feeling well. Dr Cao is an extremely special Dr. in a world where that is very difficult to find.

D. Dufault 3/09

I was receiving care from another local chiropractor for over 20 years, and I still came home in pain. I went to Healing Hands, and the staff was wonderful. Dr. Cao was great, and within 5 minutes explained what was going on, and started therapy treatments right away. I have gone from chronic pain to occasional pain now and then. Thank you to the staff, for getting me on the road to recovery!

K. Vogel 3/09

After months of being told by doctors to take Valium, and other zombie-like medications; my trainer recommended that I see a chiropractor for crippling neck and back pain. On my first visit, I was a little nervous, as I had been told by an ER doctor not to go to a chiropractor. But my friend the trainer was adamant that I at least go and see for myself. I was in a for a rude awakening, and it has improved the quality of my life on several levels. After one visit to Dr. Cao, my neck and back pain had subsided by 50%! I no longer had to live life on the sideline in a fog due to the over zealousness of doctors prescibing unnecessary medications. My son got his Mom back, and I got my life back.

Ever since that back and neck pain over 2 years ago, Dr. Cao has treated me for several other things such as ankle injury, stress reduction, healthy eating habits, and aiding in the treatment of my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). She has done all of these things without drugging me up, or trying to sell me things I do not need. On the contrary, she has taught me some techniques to use at home to help in my own recovery.

From the moment you walk into her office, she treats you like a patient, but has the bedside manner far beyond what you get in a hospital, nursing home, or your primary care physician's office. She spends time to discover what is going on, she talks to you and provides a fun atmosphere where you feel comfortable and peaceful in your surroundings. I call Kelly if I have a problem, before I call any other doctor, and I owe my friend big time for pushing me to see a chiropractor, it has been one of the best decisions of my life.

B. O'Leary 12/08

I had suffered from moderate to severe sciatica pain for almost 3 years. I had pain in my left leg constantly and had even gone on strong narcotic pain relievers (which barely helped). I had been to several chiropractors and back specialists from UMass and New England Baptist. I had received numerous injections into my spine to try to relieve the pain. Any relief was temporary and the specialists all recommended I have back surgery as soon as possible. My MRI showed bone spurs and a herniated disc, pressing on my L5/S1 nerve. I really did not want surgery and searched for further help. I went to several physical therapists, even driving 75 miles each way to see a PT in CT. I was just about to give into having surgery when a co-worker suggested I see Dr. Kelly Cao at Healing Hands. My co-worker had good results with her, as did another co-worker, I learned. After my first visit, I felt that I was onto something and vowed to give it one more try without surgery. It took about 8-9 months, but my leg pain was gone! Really gone! I stopped taking any pain meds at all except for an occasional Advil. Between Dr. Cao's adjustments and deep tissue massage, it did the trick. She also gave me 4 simple stretches to do twice a day. I faithfully do my stretches each day and now I only see Dr. Cao every other week, so she can "keep me in line". I would highly recommend Dr. Cao and Healing Hands to anyone who is not able to get relief from their pain. It truly was a miracle and I am forever grateful to Dr. Cao for helping heal me. My husband thanks her too!

M. Dorr 7/08

A once very active woman, I became ill approximately three years ago. First with chest pain, a very sore neck and upper back, eventually both shoulders were affected. I have been from doctor to doctor and from orthopedics to rheumatologists and physical therapy was recommended. Physical Therapy failed on many occasions to relieve the pain and in some cases, made it worse. They were perplexed as to how to treat me, since they only treat one problem at a time, not taking into consideration the muscle spasms in my neck that were contributing to my shoulder pain. Nearly bedridden, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia/myofascial pain. In short, I have chronic pain and was told to live with this. I have tried acupuncture, Qi Gong, osteopathic manipulation, chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy and meditation. Nothing worked! I was unable to drive because of the intense pain in my neck and shoulders. I finally found Dr. Cao. She has helped restore movement in my neck and relieve back, neck and shoulder pain. By locating specific trigger points in the muscles, she treats the entire body and understands how all the muscles work together. Anyone who suffers from FMS or myofascial pain knows how frustrating it is to find a therapy that can help relieve the muscle spasms. I would highly recommend Dr. Cao! She is caring, compassionate and extremely knowledgeable in her approach to treating patients with chronic pain. I can now drive, turn my neck, exercise moderately and go for walks!

J. Berger 7/08

Healing Hands is a unique experience from the moment you walk through the front door. No matter how much pain you're in, you start to feel relaxed. Whether I have pulled muscles at the fitness center or sat working at the computer too long, relief has begun to set in by the end of my appointment. Dr Cao takes the time to listen to where it hurts. Once she has completed the adjustment, she also explains what to do to avoid this injury. She demonstrates what to do to help strengthen the weak muscles.

L. Jankowski 7/08

My experience with Dr. Cao has been wonderful! I've been seeing her for five years now. Not only is she a good chiropractor but she is also a good listener. She's the best! I always leave feeling great after my visits.

M. Sanchez 7/08

I never used services from a chiropractor until recently when my husband suggested I give it a try in. As a sixty+ year old woman who remains physically active with interests in exercising and playing golf, I find that I have aches and pains in my lower back. I decided to give Dr Cao's Chiropractic office a try to see if my life could be improved upon. I see Dr. Cao once a month as part of my aging process. My quality of life has been enhanced. Thank You!

M. Freundlich 6/08

It was a pleasant surprise to discover Dr. Cao. After seeing numerous chiropractors over the years, it was a welcome relief to find one who treats the whole body, not just the spine. She provides information for the patient to take home and take an active role in maintaining their good health. I always feel as if she genuinely cares about the wellbeing of her patients and never feel rushed through my appointment. Fantastic muscle work and outstanding Service.

W. Prescott 5/08