Gage Atkinson, 14, is a student at Glen- wood Intermediate School and a crosscountry and track runner. But six months ago, Gage was in agonizing pain and never imagined he would not only get a chance to compete in the 2024 Indoor Nike Nationals but also take fourth place in the 4a class at the state level at the end of last year.
“Gage was suffering increasing pain and discomfort in his feet and hip after he would- run,” said Gage’s mom, Lindsay. “As the sea- son progressed, so did his pain.”
Lindsay said that by the end of each day, Gage could not bear the weight on his feet to walk up the stairs and would have to crawl. “Gage was feeling the physical pain, but the mental strain was just as palpable. We invested in shoes, inserts, exercise devices, a new mattress, and applied nearly every home remedy we could without any resolve.”
After visiting Gage’s pediatrician, being told he had an abnormal curvature of the spine, and getting a referral to see a physical therapist, Lindsay decided to seek the help of her chiropractor, Dr. Bryne Willey of AlignLife of Springfield.
“Gage was in bad shape, to say the least,” said Lindsay. “Dr. Bryne explained that he could help, but Gage would have to do the work necessary to move the needle. Gage trusted Dr. Bryne entirely and listened to his instruction without hesitation.”
After six months of chiropractic care with Dr. Bryne, Gage is no longer in pain when he puts pressure on historically problematic areas. “The greatest physical improvement is that Gage can continue doing what he loves without physical limitations,” said Lindsay. “Most certainly, he has been able to break through that place and reach new levels of physical performance that I do not believe we knew was possible before treatment by Dr. Bryne.”
As a result, Gage has shaved minutes off his race times. Nearly every long-distance meet he participated in post-chiropractic care resulted in him coming home with impressive finish times and improved overall placement. He earned multiple consecutive personal records.
“Since I’ve started seeing Dr. Bryne, there has been a lot less pain in my hips and ankles, which makes me more confident for indoor track nationals in March,” said Gage.
Gage will travel to New York in March to compete in the 2024 Nike Indoor Nationals. Lindsay said that without Dr. Bryne, this would not be possible.
“I do not believe there are words in written or spoken language to express my gratitude for Dr. Bryne. If I spent every day for the rest of my life saying thank you, I am certain that it would not be enough,” said Lindsay.
Gage’s story reflects everything the team at AlignLife sets out to achieve each day, said Dr. Bryne. “His pain was not the problem; it was the symptom. Here was a kid who was trying to do all the right things in all the right ways and was even trying to go harder than his body would allow to keep doing the thing he loved,” he said.
Dr. Bryne said he works with many young or mature, male, or female, healthy or unhealthy people who try to do all the things to get better. “There’s always either a toxicity or deficiency getting in the way. Either some- thing is there that shouldn’t be, or something is missing that should be. Identifying that thing for people is so rewarding, and not so they can only feel better, but be the person they’re put on this earth to be.”
Dr. Bryne said it was a reward to watch the healing process unfold.
“For Gage specifically, his body put a ceiling on what he thought he could do and accomplish. And that young man has only scratched the surface of what is possible for him. He is an inspiration to us all.”
For more information about AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic and clinic hours, please visit https://alignlife.com/locations/springfield-il-chiropractor/
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Original Article appeared in The Buzz Monthly
Thebuzzmonthly.com – February 2024 Issue