Success Stories
“…his expertise extends far beyond basic chiropractic…”
I’ve been a patient for several years, for basic chiropractic and “back maintenance”. I’ve always been an athlete, so something’s always sore, injured or aching. I’ve learned during my time with Dr. McCollum, that his expertise extends far beyond basic chiropractic. Recently, his physical therapy techniques and knowledge have helped alleviate several physical issues I’ve struggled with for a long time! Thank you Dr. McCollum!
Jonathan A., Police Officer & Tri-athlete, Santa Cruz, CA
“…I am on the Wellness Care program now and love it…”
We first met about a year ago, spring of 2009 at an event at the Coconut Grove. I spun the Wheel of Health and won a free pressure point massage. My primary health concern has been with my weight and maintaining regular health maintenance including an exercise program. I had been seeing another chiropractor for about 15 years, but switched over because I so enjoyed the Staff and Dr. McCollum and was learning a lot. I found everyone I met to be supportive, kind and knowledgeable. There were more flexibility and better services. Initially I had continuous neck and low back pain plus general aches and pain all over my body. I did not understand how my spine looked until I saw my X-Rays. The exercises I was given by Dr. McCollum definitely helped me within a few weeks. I noticed I had less pain, increased flexibility, and overall better understanding of my body and how it worked. I am now exercising, and more importantly I feel like exercising, due to my increased energy and mood. I love the Isagenix products; I feel better, sleep better, have more muscle tone, less toxicity and have lost weight. I enjoy coming here. I learned to be consistent with my treatments and to participate more in my own health commitment. I look to Dr. McCollum for my overall health care needs and seek his advice often on a variety of subjects. He is a wonderful inspiration to me. Chiropractic is wonderful. It works slower then traditional allopathic methods but it is a deeper healing with better results and less toxicity from prescription drugs. I am on the Wellness Care program now and love it. It is affordable and makes such a huge difference in my life.
Elizabeth J., Mt. Hermon, CA
“…40 years of grueling construction work…”
I was first recommended by the best massage practitioner, Jane Madsen. After 40 years of grueling construction work, I was left with a body full of injuries, misalignments, and stiffness. With Dr. McCollum’s subtle adjustments and expert treatments with periodical tune-ups, my body experienced radical improvements in mobility, posture, and overall health. If you’re considering chiropractic, don’t hesitate… Dr. McCollum is the best.
Marc K., age 60, Santa Cruz, CA
“…now I sleep with no pills, no anxiety, and no headaches…”
I worked close by to Dr. McCollum’s office for about a year before finally going in March 2010. For about 5 years I have not been able to sleep without sleeping pills. I also suffered from frequent headaches, anxiety, and back pain. These were a result of a combination of accidents and stressful situations. Now with being on corrective care consisting of a combination of adjustments and natural supplements, my well-being is much more balanced. I now sleep with no pills, no anxiety, and no headaches! The main message I would like to say to people new to the office is to give Duncan a shot.
Frank V., Watsonville, CA
“…a whiplash that was never treated…”
I first came in to this office on April 2006 when I saw a banner on the front of the office offering a $10 massage. I had been dealing with chronic neck pain and headaches for years and years. It had started with a minor whiplash in 1976 that was never treated and kept getting worse. Dr. McCollum’s treatments of vertebral adjustments combined with pressure point therapy worked the best. Now I have greater mobility and very little pain in the neck area as well as my spine and other areas including hips. Also, I’ve noticed that my overall health has improved (organs, energy, and glands). After all these years of receiving care, I still continue to come in for tune-ups. All I can say is Dr. McCollum is the best chiropractor I have ever had. He always knows what to do to fix the problems. He’s intuitive and highly skilled at what he does.
Lisa G., age 56, Los Gatos, CA
“…20 years old with major scoliosis since puberty…”
I met Lana from Dr. McCollum’s office on the UCSC campus at the beginning of the school year. Here I was 20 years old with major scoliosis and neck pain pretty much since puberty. I don’t know what caused it I guess I was born this way. But what I did know was how much pain I was in. Four months into getting regular adjustments weekly and bi-weekly, I have so much less pain… This place is awesome! Hallelujah!
Lizzy B., Santa Cruz, CA
“…sharp, shooting pain radiated down my leg…”
I first came into this office in January of 2009. My wife was a patient first and told me see him. The reason I came in was because I had over 2 years of really bad sciatica where sharp, shooting pain radiated down my leg. I was miserable and could barely walk. Plus I had mid and low back pain and asthma so bad I needed to take medications daily to maintain. These things have been working itself up over time for the past 8 to 10 years. I was always so fatigued with really low lung capacity. Dr. McCollum started treating me with chiropractic adjustments and the 9-day cleanse. I lost 10 lbs. During corrective care and cleansing, I found I had more energy and started exercising more. I had no more tightness in my back, better posture, and the best part was that I stopped taking the meds! I even got relief emotionally and found I was better able to counter-balance all the stresses in my life! What I want to say is this office has a really friendly atmosphere and a lot going on all the time. Everytime I come here I feel relaxed and am comforted by their heating pads.
Fredy C., age 57, Santa Cruz, CA
“…finally, against my will, they threw me into the back of a pick-up truck and drove me to the chiropractor…”
At age ten, while watching a Cal-Stanford football game on the Berkeley Campus, I fell thirty feet from a pine tree when the branch broke. I landed in a seated position crushing my back. Since my parents were very involved in the local hospital and had many medical doctors as friends, this was where they sought help. The general consensus at the time was that I had a “sprained back” and would feel better in a few weeks. No x-rays were taken and I was sent home with a prescription for painkillers and muscle relaxers. My parents, not knowing what to do, continued to give me the prescribed painkillers and muscle relaxers for the next ten years. It was awful that I couldn’t play sports with the other kids. I would try, but then would suffer a “flare-up” and be forced to rest until it calmed down. I was in constant pain for the majority of my child-hood.
In 1975, while living in Santa Cruz, I was helping a friend move a piano, when I hurt my back so bad, I couldn’t move at all. A friend of mine told me that a chiropractor could probably help. I refused to go and spent the next two weeks flat on my back. Finally, against my will, they threw me into the back of a pick-up truck and drove me to the chiropractor. He took x-rays and I couldn’t believe it when he told me that my back actually broke when I fell from that tree as a child. I was really nervous when he was about to adjust me for the first time; and he even warned me it was going to hurt! After I jumped up from the intense shooting pain, for the first time in over a decade, I felt relief. I could get up and move! The chiropractic doctor was able to give me back something that no medical doctor ever could, and had not done for the past 11 years. Chiropractic gave me back my life.
Now, out of pain, I was able to slowly get myself off all the brain-numbing painkillers. I could finally live a normal life as a twenty-one year old without constant fear and pain. As I continued to receive treatments from my chiropractor and got better and better, that’s when I decided to dedicate my life to the chiropractic profession and go to school to become a chiropractor. I vowed to help others have a happier, healthier life. Now at McCollum Family Chiropractic we treat wide variety of illnesses from scoliosis to colic pain, and our traditional, gentle chiropractic methods are very effective for weight loss and against mood swings.
Dr. Duncan McCollum, Capitola, CA
Jacquie’s Long-Term Dream in Life and On Stage Becomes Reality
I would not have been able to do this competition without McCollum Family Chiropractic… The level of intensive training five days a week would have been impossible without Dr. McCollum’s supervision and care… I recommend that anyone in chronic pain or discomfort consider a consultation at McCollum Family Chiropractic.
Jacquie, Aerobics Instructor & Weightlifter, Santa Cruz, CA
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Jacquie is a vivacious, action-oriented mother of 3 young boys who began her fitness journey over 30 years ago as an Aerobics instructor and weightlifter.
But her fitness goals and dreams for herself were unexpectedly interrupted by 2 extreme life events; a violent injury to her neck and spine sustained in a car accident caused by a drunk driver and years later, the love and beauty experienced through a new marriage and children.
As the years went by Jacquie struggled with her physical fitness activities supported by visits to chiropractors to help her through her chronic cycle of pain and discomfort.
Then, four months ago, with her children older and the desire to pursue an unachieved goal growing stronger with an aging body, Jacquie took the leap into kick-starting her dream to participate in a bodybuilding competition.
Over the course of time, the intensity of the workout regime required to meet a competitive posing standard slowly took its toll on the hidden functional weakness caused by her teenage car accident. Then, Jacquie’s workouts came to a grinding halt with the inability to lift weights without excruciating pain.
Feeling desperate about her situation and unable to now go to the gym and work out, she turned to McCollum Family Chiropractic for help. By the time Jacquie came to see Dr. McCollum, she was unable to lift her arms above her head, was suffering from headaches, and was not able to sleep through the night.
Dr. McCollum began a rehabilitation program with Jacquie focusing on reducing vertebral subluxations* while restoring the structural integrity of her spine. Committed to his corrective care program with its regular adjustments, within weeks her pain and discomfort had lessened and she was able to begin lifting again, and see and feel her body regaining its strength.
Now four months later, having moved into the wellness care phase, Jacquie has integrated her chiropractic care as part of her lifestyle. The pain and discomfort is gone, her headaches have disappeared and her sleeping is sound.
Jackie’s dream of competing on stage in a physique posing competition now will be her reality!
“I would not have been able to do this competition without McCollum Family Chiropractic”, says Jacquie. “The level of intensive training five days a week would have been impossible without Dr. McCollum’s supervision and care.”
“I recommend that anyone in chronic pain or discomfort consider a consultation at McCollum Family Chiropractic. The level of care Dr. McCollum has for his patients has allowed my body to heal faster and function better.”
*Although all chiropractic does want a patient to “feel better”, the primary focus of McCollum Family Chiropractic is to remove the nerve interference (subluxation) and to restructure the spine to its most stable and functional biomechanical position, allowing our body to do what it does best, heal itself. This is done through a rehabilitation program of adjustments, spinal exercises, and nutritional support.
“…I couldn’t walk or stand for more than 10-15 mins without collapsing…”
When I first met Dr. Duncan McCollum I was in a severe pain (herniated discs and sciatica) and I couldn’t walk or stand for more than 10-15 mins without collapsing. I was skeptical that chiropractic adjustments would really help me (I tried it before), but my husband convinced me to try chiropractic care again. During my first visit I felt right away a deep trust that I’m in good hands. I was impressed by Dr.’s compassionate kindness and his holistic approach. I followed his advice of doing regular mild adjustments, tried to keep a positive attitude (although it was really hard at times) and diligently did the exercises he suggested. Now I can say that I feel much better and have no doubt that I will be completely pain-free one day. I can’t express the gratitude to Dr. Duncan for all his professional help, his patience and kindness! Thank you so much!
Lara D., age 38, San Juan Bautista, CA
“…don’t expect immediate results…”
I first discovered Dr. McCollum in October 2009 when my girlfriend recommended him. I had been experiencing severe low back and neck pain off-and-on for a few years and it was noticeably getting worse. It was very helpful for me to look at the x-rays and learn about how my chronic misalignment and physical job had affected my body. My treatments are a combination of regular chiropractic adjustments, yoga, and twisting and strengthening exercises. Four months into it, I can feel my body incrementally improving. There are less episodes of pain and no more neck pain. The message I would like to tell someone new to our office is to give chiropractic a try. I didn’t see much change the first month so don’t expect immediate results. Keep an open mind. The doctor is compassionate and always checks in with you to see how you are doing.
Rick G., Santa Cruz, CA
“…pain-free now than I ever have been in the last 20 years…”
I first met Dr McCollum in late October of 2010 thanks to a referral from a family member. I had cumulative pain for the past 20 years along with a degenerated disc at L-5. The treatments and solutions performed for my problem were X-rays, careful/kind adjustments, with good discussions on my condition and progress. He instructed me to obtain a few different length bamboo poles to be used for stretching and P.T. The results after only two short months are my back and neck have loosened up and I am pain-free now for the most part than I ever have been in the last 20 years! I can ride my bike and play longer hours with the band and not feel uncomfortable. Dr. McCollum knows his stuff – stick to his program and you won’t be disappointed.
Billy R., age 56, Aptos, CA
When Bill first came to us he was in pain. We wanted to help him in any way that we could. We appreciate Bill committing to his care and sticking with it. It’s always a joy to have Bill in our office and to hear about his progress. ~ Dr. McCollum, DC & Staff
“…corrective care was never offered to me before meeting Dr. McCollum…”
In March 2009, I learned of the McCollum Family Chiropractic at the Santa Cruz Chamber Fair where I spun the Wheel of Health and won a body composition analysis. I was curious about the body composition analysis and went to see Dr. McCollum for a free consultation. I had a history of damaged C5, C6, and C7 discs from an old injury. I’ve avoided surgery and had been seeking relief chiropractic care from other practitioners when the symptoms flared up. I really found Dr. McCollum’s comprehensive exam and full spinal X-ray really interesting. I really liked the notion of corrective care which was never offered to me before. I have now since then been on a regular schedule of a series of treatments since April of last year. I’ve noticed that my mobility in the neck is a lot better. I also really like the workshops they teach and learning tips on how to take care of myself at home. The staff is really efficient and friendly. I like Dr. McCollum’s style where he listens carefully and addresses particular issues I communicate with him. For example, my left knee goes out of alignment periodically when I run. He adjusts it back in place and makes exercise recommendations. My running has improved where I can comfortably run 10 miles now.
Chie K., Santa Cruz, CA
“…taking pain killers and hoping things will get better is not the way to treat your body…”
In April 2009 I decided to meet Dr. McCollum who at the time was treating my wife, Denise. I had a slight sciatica nerve pain that increased to severe lower back pain. I could walk but very slowly and with severe pain. It turned out to be a herniated disc. It seems to have been caused by constant standing and bad posture while hunching over a computer monitor. We used a combination of the Flexion table, chiropractic adjustments, and the Isagenix weight-loss program. I have been free from pain after 5 months of treatment and have lost 25 lbs.! The one message I want to say to others is that taking pain killers and hoping things will get better is not the way to treat your body.
Efren A., Santa Cruz, CA
“…I don’t wake up first thing in the morning to throbbing pains in my head and neck…”
I’d like to express my sincere appreciation for all that you’ve done for me, namely, reminding me what it’s like to not have to deal with headaches every day of my life. As long as I remember, I’ve been suffering from headaches. On most days there’d be a constant gnawing pain in my head and neck. On bad days, it’d escalate to excruciatingly painful migraines where I’d become nauseous and could do nothing but lie in bed and wait for it to go away. I’ve been to many doctors, subjected to the whole slew of tests (MRI, CT scan, etc.), and given numerous medications, all to no avail. I’ve even been under chiropractic care in the past, but never experienced any lasting improvements.
Under your care I’ve seen remarkable improvements in my well being. The frequency and intensity of headaches has been dramatically reduced. Best of all, I don’t wake up first thing in the morning to throbbing pains in my head and neck. Becoming accustomed to a life of unnecessary pain is a horrible way to live and in part, I didn’t even realize what a negative impact this was having upon my state of mind until I was exposed to life without headaches.
I must admit, at first I was reluctant to devote the time and money necessary to undertake the number of visits that you recommended. I was certainly skeptical that this time, chiropractic care was going to do the trick, but it really did! I couldn’t imagine a better investment, and would greatly recommend your services to anyone even slightly considering chiropractic care. I could never thank you enough for what you’ve given me.
Amy F., Santa Cruz, CA