Patient Testimonials: Msgt. Michael MacDonald's Triumphant Return to the Military

Msgt. Michael MacDonald's 20+ year career in the military was in jeopardy after developing debilitating back pain. The Bonati Spine Procedures helped him get his life back. One year later, he's still strong.

Here is his story:

"It really is true. Life is better with Bonati."

After more than 2 decades in the US Army and Air Force, Master Sergeant Michael MacDonald, a chemical, biological and nuclear response team trainer, was facing a difficult decision due to severe back pain.

“This is something that has been bothering me since 1991 when I was in the Airborne School,” MacDonald said in an interview with the Tampa Tribune. “That’s the first time I noticed my back was giving me problems. Since then, I’ve done everything from chiropractic and acupuncture to yoga — lots of ice and Motrin.”

"...honestly I thought I was going to have to ho ahead and cut that short," he said of his military service. MacDonald is a member of Florida National Guard's 48th Civil Support Team, has been serving in the Air Force for over 10 years, and served as an Army Ranger for nine years.

MacDonald found the Bonati Spine Institute through our work with the Wounded Warriors program, and was diagnosed with a twisted nerve with built-up scar tissue upon visiting. After the patented laser spine procedures performed at The Bonati Spine Institute, MacDonald is back to work and feeling great, pain-free. He has returned to his military service and has also opened a training and fitness facility.

"After meeting Dr. Bonati and him performing the surgery... I've been able to continue to serve in the military, serve my country, I'm very proud of that," he said. "...it also has allowed me this opportunity to open this gym... and its only possible again because of what Dr. Bonati did for me. This would have never come about if it wasn't for him."

“I think I’m pretty much 95 percent now — that’s pretty good,” MacDonald told the Tampa Tribune. “Now I can see how chronic pain can affect people mentally. It was starting to affect me. Now, it’s gone and I feel so much better. I have a better outlook on everything.”

The Bonati Spine Procedures are minimally invasive spinal surgeries designed to alleviate your pain and have you back on your feet in no time. Learn how our patented surgical procedures and instruments make a difference for patients suffering from back and neck pain at www.bonati.com.

Discover why thousands choose Dr. Alfred Bonati and the Bonati Spine institute.

Do You Have a Healthy Lifestyle?

Only 2.7% of US adults achieve all 4 basic behavioral characteristics of healthy lifestyle! https://t.co/ChxfEYC1q0 pic.twitter.com/PaF2UMuJtO

— BonatiSpineInstitute (@DrBonati) March 23, 2016

Patient Testimonials: Chris A. Fixes Back Pain With The Bonati Spine Procedures

Chris A. was able to fix his back pain with the Bonati Spine Procedures. Learn more about his experience with the Bonati Spine Institute.

Here is his story:

“My name is Chris, and I’m an electrical engineer from New Mexico. Four years ago I had a dilemma with two lumbar herniated discs, and my options were only open-back surgery. After doing extensive research, I chose the Bonati Spine Institute, and it was one of the best decisions of my life.

Four months ago, I was involved in a rear-end auto incident… with pain between my shoulder blades radiating through my chest, and pain through my neck. After three months of rehab, with no relief, I called the Bonati Spine Institute again. This, again, was a great decision. I had two thoracic and one cervical procedures.

Once again, I am pain-free. Dr. Bonati was able to repair my life. I am able to live a life with no restrictions and no pain. I wanted to say a special thanks to Dr. Bonati and all of the staff at the Bonati Spine Institute."

The Bonati Spine Procedures can help you with conditions such as pinched nerves, radiculitis, spinal stenosis, bulging disc pain, and spondylosis. Read more about the Bonati Spine Procedures at http://www.bonati.com .

Treatment For Spinal Bone Spurs

Bone Spurs in the spine: symptoms and treatment https://t.co/G5fP4KRKfv pic.twitter.com/obLcaH34uZ

— BonatiSpineInstitute (@DrBonati) March 16, 2016

Patient Testimonials: Sherry D. Didn't Want Traditional Open Back Surgery

Sherry D. suffered from major pain in her lower back but was not interested in traditional open back surgery. She could no longer bend over without feeling major pain in her right side. Learn how the Bonati Spine Procedures were able to fix her condition. 

Here is her story:

“My name is Sherry [D.].. And I came here to the Bonati [Spine] Institute because of major pain in my lower back. Just bending over, the pain in the right side just grabbing me, pain radiating down my right leg… I just felt like this was where I needed to be. I was not interested in [traditional open] surgery in any way. And I tried everything else... so I’m very optimistic that this will take care of this problem. 

I have a husband and four little children, and I needed to get relief so I could take care of my family. I had an operation yesterday with Dr. Grossmith, and I could tell you [that] I’ve never experienced such friendly, helpful, caring people in any medical setting ever. It puts you really at ease… I just personally wasn’t anxious whatsoever, and you would think you would be for somebody operating on your back... so that was delightful to say the least. 

Surgery is never without pain, so it’s not like tiptoeing through the tombs to have surgery. So for that procedure… to have woken up from that and been able to function… was just such a surprise. No general anesthesia, no ill feelings… just to be able to get up and walk out of here and be able to take care of myself is great… and to walk back in the next day and not have obviously some inflammation and things like that… [which] comes from having a surgery. But I can tell that the particular problem that we were working on appears to have been rectified. So far, so good… [I’m] very pleased.“

The Bonati Spine Procedures can help with conditions such as radiculitis, spinal stenosis, bulging disc pain, spondylosis, and radiculopathy. Read more about the Bonati Spine Procedures at http://www.bonati.com/procedures/ .

Compressed Sciatic Nerve

"Heavy legs" is common in patients who have a compressed sciatic nerve. https://t.co/RFazXhBI9k pic.twitter.com/C9a3klCfUn

— BonatiSpineInstitute (@DrBonati) March 8, 2016

Patient Testimonials: Joy Fixes Her 8-Year Bulging Disc Pain With Lumbar Surgery

Joy L. suffered from bulging disc pain for eight years. She could no longer do basic chores or play sports like tennis. Treatments like decompression therapy and physical therapy did not help. Learn how the Bonati Spine Procedures were able to fix her condition. 

Here is her story:

“My name is Joy [L.], and I’m from Memphis, Tennessee. I [had] two bulging discs that were pressing on nerves and just causing all kinds of radiating pain down my back, leg, and feet. I have had these symptoms since 2006.

Not asking for help, I’m moving furniture, laying floors, acting like a pioneer woman in the yard with a hoe and shovel… and just overexerting over the years… I think it took its toll. [I took] lots of physical therapy, hot cold packs, numerous other things, decompression therapy, and nothing helped. Having this pain has kind of slowed down some of the abilities I had that I was once used to.

I no longer could play tennis… it was just a sport that I enjoyed doing; it wasn’t anything that I was really good at, but I just enjoyed playing [it]. Because of the twisting and turning, bending down to pick things up just became a chore… or just stooping down, either one, it didn’t matter if [the ball] fell on the ground, I could care less…. If it’s just hard to mentally deal with… and I am a power walker, I’m a fast walker. But I found myself just not having that desire, that energy.

I would go to bed every night just so exhausted, so tired from the whole pain. It takes on your body physically, mentally, emotionally.

I’m here for the relief, and so far I’ve gotten it. I went by the internet and then once I felt pretty good about taking the first step, [I presented] my MRI. The customer care people were just exceptional to worth with, and they even provided me with a list of names of people that I could call who have had lumbar surgery. And I did, I called.

Every story was a success, and they were all so happy that they came here. They would do it again if they had to. The day of surgery was very good, very professional, everyone knew their role. The personalities of each person I came in contact with were just exceptional… they were just warm, caring people.

It seems like after recuperation, after you snap out of it and you wake up, and then you go home, rest, you sleep it off… I could just tell that day that I was not having as severe of symptoms as when I came in.

I would recommend this institute to anyone who has any kind of neck or back pain. This place is not like any other. Dr. Bonati started minimally invasive [surgery]; he patented all these instruments. He is very concise; he is a very personable doctor, he wants to relieve your pain. He cares that much about you. He’s not just “get them in, get them out.” I recommend this place highly.”

The Bonati Spine Procedures can fix conditions such as sciatica, bulging disc pain, radiculitis, radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, whiplash, degenerative disc disease, facet syndrome, arachnoiditis, and anklosing spondylitis. Learn more about the Bonati Spine Procedures at http://www.bonati.com/procedures/ .

Radiculitis Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Radiculitis/Radiculopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment https://t.co/SEzV459rnm pic.twitter.com/YsQ7H1VMeG

— BonatiSpineInstitute (@DrBonati) February 29, 2016