This is a story of courage, commitment, love and rebirth of an individual and the journey she and her family took to regain her life. I am honored and humbled to be a part of her incredible journey! Her story reaffirms, why I do what I do, why I love what I do and why it is the life for me.
“Back in April of 2012, Jessica’s parents sensed something was wrong. They took her to a treatment team of doctors, therapists, and dieticians, where she was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa, depression, and anxiety. Little did they all know, the next 6+ years would be a constant, uphill battle. Jessica was in-and-out of hospitals and treatment centers throughout the midwest 7 times trying to get herself better. Her last stay lasted over 7 months, after which time she returned home in worse shape than when she left. She was in such awful condition that her treatment team even tried Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). It didn’t help; it left Jessica with horrible memory problems and migraine headaches. She was at rock-bottom and lost all hope of getting better. It wasn’t until her parents said something had to change that things began to turn around. Jessica’s parents brought her to see Dr. Ron Vaught, DC, (their family chiropractor) who “promised to get her better”. Jessica was reluctant, as she had lost all faith in the medical community. But what choice did she have? So, she went. And a miracle happened…....she got better…
The above paragraph was a brief recollection of the family’s timeline as told to me.
I remember the day Jess’s mom came into my office and asked me if I could help her daughter. She briefly explained the long journey they had been on trying to find help for her and how nothing was helping their daughter. She said that Jess was currently in an institution for her Anorexia Nervosa and that they almost lost her twice! If, and when, they released her could she bring her here to see if I could help her? Absolutely I said! Two months later Jess and her mom were in my office. After a detailed history, examination and extensive blood work we started to address the root causes of her problem – what was causing this girl so much depression and anxiety that her anorexia was out of control? First, Jessica started seeing my partner John Tablerion AOBTA and myself for daily Torque Release Technique (TRT), BEST and auriculotherapy to address structural issues while we awaited the results from all her blood work. Second, We discussed the results of Jess’s blood work with her and her mom, piecing together missing parts of the puzzle. We knew Jess was suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, Depression and severe anxiety but we didn’t know why until now. Jess’s blood work revealed an autoimmune condition of her thyroid, she was hypoglycemic, anemic, had numerous nutrient deficiencies, and was gluten and dairy sensitive (the very foods that were the staples from her medical meal plan for years). We supplemented where we needed, filling her nutritional deficiencies, eventually getting Jess off of her myriad of medicine (literally bags full that were prescribed over the 6+ years). Third, we addressed her diet, which was filled with processed sugars, grains, glutens, dairy and more triggers – all of which Jess didn’t know was fueling her problems. Because of her autoimmunity findings, we started Jess on the Paleo AIP meal plan. With these few simple lifestyle changes Jessica’s world changed. Day-by-day, meal-by-meal, she was feeling better and better.
When Jessica was in treatment, she was being pumped full of unhealthy foods and prescription medications (over 6+ years, she totaled so many different medications she lost track! She wasn’t allowed to exercise and move around, go outside in the sun…she was miserable…so miserable that she actually wanted to take her own life and even had a plan to do so. I’ll never forget when Jessica first arrived at my office and may Partner John Tablerion saying to me “she has no Jing, no life, and no spark in her eyes”.
What’s Jessica up to today? She is enjoying life! You can see it in her eyes…they sparkle! As John Tablerion would say “she is full of Jing, life essence for sure”! She greets and embraces the morning sun! She still sees us for her Torque release treatments, Her meals are filled with nutritious, delicious foods, and she loves eating! She is an active Yogi, she’s back working, and most recently she was accepted to become an Eating Disorder Recovery Mentor – to help others suffering as she did. “It’s become my goal in life to help others any way I can. I could never repay all that’s been done to help me, all I can do is pay it forward anyway possible”. ~ Jessica Spreadbury
When asked who she contributes her recovery to, she says 2 people:
“My family, especially my parents, for staying with me through thick and thin. And Dr. Vaught for giving me my life back! I cannot believe I actually wanted to end my life at 1 point,” Jessica says. “Life is messy and unpredictable, but it’s beautiful. And I am beyond blessed to experience this beautiful life each and every day!”
Myself, John Tablerion and Adele Propst, our office manager, are just astounded and have thoroughly enjoyed the miracle we have witnessed taking place in Jessica. She is the highlight of our day when she pays us a visit, she has quite the sense of humor and more love of life in her, than all of Texas! Jessica is going to do some incredible things in her life, that’s for sure! With the support of her loving family and a little humble guidance from us, Jessica has become our biggest Rock Star! We love you and your family Jess, you’re are such a Pearl….and the world is your oyster now!!! Go Rock it!!