A patient shares his journey from chronic back pain to real relief
By Michael C. Shaffer, D.C., P.A.
For “Mike,” a 36-year-old Marine Corps veteran and undercover law enforcement officer, physical strain has always been part of the job.
But years of pushing his body beyond its limits eventually came at a cost. (Patient’s name has been changed for confidentiality).
“I served five years in the Marine Corps with combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan,” he shares. “In Afghanistan, I was exposed to multiple blasts that caused loss of consciousness. Just navigating the terrain with heavy gear took a serious toll on my body.”
After transitioning out of the military, Mike continued down a physically demanding career path, eventually landing in law enforcement. Between the two high-intensity professions, his body began to break down.
“I started developing chronic back pain and serious mobility issues. Over time, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy in both legs, herniated discs, disc tears, and other nerve complications.”
The unrelenting pain and discomfort became a part of daily life—constant, unpredictable, and limiting. “I got used to managing the pain.”, he stated, “eventually, I just gave up and accepted it.”
A Turning Point
When one particularly bad flare-up occurred, Mike’s wife encouraged him to seek professional care. That’s when he scheduled a consultation with Dr. Michael Shaffer, in Naples, Florida.
“Dr. Shaffer took the time to really understand my history and symptoms,” he says. “He recommended a combination of non-surgical spinal decompression and therapy with the M7 laser.”
Mike was skeptical—he had lived with back pain for years and had tried different treatments in the past with limited results. But after beginning non-surgical spinal decompression with the Hill DT table, and just one M7 laser session, something changed.
“I remember driving back to work after that first treatment. There’s a certain bump in the road that always caused me sharp pain, so I instinctively braced myself,” he explains. “But the pain didn’t come. It was gone.”
He was so surprised by the lack of pain that he started testing his range of motion right at his desk.
“I started twisting my torso, waiting for the shooting nerve pain—but it never came. I honestly couldn’t believe it. At my next visit I joked with Dr. Shaffer that the laser might put him out of business if it worked that well for everyone.”
The Power of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and the M7 Laser
Spinal decompression is a non-invasive therapy designed to relieve pressure on the spine by gently stretching it and creating negative pressure within the discs. This process helps retract herniated or bulging discs, promoting movement of oxygen, water, and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs to support healing.
Paired with the advanced M7 Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy, the results can be life-changing. The M7 laser delivers synchronized dual wavelengths of light that penetrate deeply into soft tissue, reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and accelerating the body’s natural repair processes—
all without medication or surgery.
A 2022 review published in Lasers in Medical Science found that MLS laser therapy significantly reduces chronic musculoskeletal pain and improves function with consistent use.¹ The treatment is FDA-cleared and used worldwide for back, neck, and musculoskeletal pain, wound healing and post surgical care.
“I did have one more incident when I threw out my back pulling a vine along my fence,” Mike recalls. “But as soon as the swelling went down and the disc corrected itself, the pain didn’t return. That’s never happened before.”
Back to Living
Today, Mike is back to living and working without the burden of constant pain. While he understands that no therapy can erase years of trauma, he believes the care with Dr. Michael Shaffer helped restore his quality of life.
“For someone like me—big guy, years of military and police work, chronic injuries—I never thought I’d feel this mobile again,” he says. “Dr. Shaffer’s approach using decompression and the laser gave me a second chance to feel normal.”
Mike encourages others with chronic pain, especially veterans and first responders, to consider this innovative, cutting edge treatment before assuming that surgery or long-term medications are the only options.
“I wish I had gone sooner,” he says. “If you’re living with pain every day, don’t wait. The right treatment can change everything.”
If you’re struggling with pain, mobility issues, or nerve-related complications, Dr. Michael Shaffer offers safe, individually tailored, evidence-based care, specialized care including non-surgical spinal decompression and the M7 MLS Laser. Call today to schedule a consul-tation and take the first step toward relief.
Personalized Care at Michael C. Shaffer, D.C., P.A.
Dr. Michael Shaffer has been serving Collier County since 1981, specializing in spinal care, musculoskeletal conditions, and rehabilitation. Each patient receives a tailored treatment plan based on a comprehensive assessment, ensuring optimal outcomes.
¹ Yousefi-Nooraie R, Schonstein E, Heidari K, et al. Laser therapy for nonspecific low-back pain. Lasers Med Sci. 2022.
Michael C. Shaffer, D.C., P.A.
(239) 793-3200
www.drmichaelshaffer.com
671 Goodlette Rd., Unit 160
Naples, FL 34102