As briefly as I can, here’s my long story: I’ve been a chronic pain patient for 20 years after a car accident. A scan showed I was born with a malformation of one or more vertebrae & was told I should never to see a chiropractor. So, I tried massage, physiotherapy, acupressure, injections, was sent to pain clinics, programs & workshops. I went to rehabilitation at the gym & pool, everything that was available to me I did. Some gave momentary, but not enough relief & my prescription for opioids gradually increased for years. After leaving my job, I fell into a deep depression & stopped participating in life. Last year, my little cocoon was flipped upside down. It shook me like only the death of a younger sibling could. Things needed to change and on the morning after the one year anniversary, as if by design, they started to.
I'm not sure I can adequately describe how much my life has changed the past few months & finding Vern at Sweet Pea Wellness is a huge part of that. I happened upon an article about a new addition to Nelson that offered Thai massage. Curious what that was, I checked out the website. I was immediately attracted to the alignment & stretching aspects, especially the fascia work. I didn’t know how to verbalize what I felt my body needed all of these years, until then. Even though she’s two towns & over an hour away, I knew I had to make an appointment.
A few years ago I switched to a different opioid & was able to taper down the dose, but after more than 18 straight years on pain meds, I had resigned myself to the fact I’d be on them forever. I had one session with Vern and was proven wrong. I went two full days without opioids & was in complete shock. Then incorporating Vern’s work to my body with yoga & cannabis (CBD in particular) after just my second appointment with her, I came off opioids completely.
Vern knew what my body needed without me saying a word. She is so knowledgeable, kind, supportive & talented. She will be your biggest cheerleader & I may just be her's! I’m in such a positive, hopeful place that for many years I thought was out of reach. It’s impossible for me to explain what it feels like to come off of opioids after nearly two decades. Kind of like learning to be in a new body. I’ve had three sessions at Sweet Pea & simply cannot rave enough about what she has been able to do for me. Thank you Vern!