10/19/2026
From Living With Back Pain to Getting Back to Life: Heather’s Story
Every once in a while, we meet someone whose story reminds us exactly why we do what we do. Heather Berger’s journey is one of those stories.
Heather came to Gonstead Spine & Wellness in Meridian after years of dealing with low back pain from a horse injury. For someone who had spent years working with orthopedic spine surgeons, she understood how complicated back pain could be and how frustrating it was to keep searching for lasting relief.
As Heather shared in her five-star Google review, she had heard orthopedic spine surgeons discuss concerns about chiropractic care and over-manipulation. They explained that without building muscle and correcting the way the body moves, someone could end up right back where they started—even after surgery.
That perspective stayed with her. She knew she needed more than a temporary fix. She wanted to understand how to move better, strengthen her body, and get back to living her life without the constant ache.
Then she found us.
A Different Approach to Care
When Heather began care with Dr. Pickman and our team, she discovered something that made a real difference in her experience. It wasn’t just about treatment; it was about learning.
As she put it, “Finding the Gonstead method here was a game changer.”
Our goal was to help Heather improve the way she moved, understand her body’s mechanics, and incorporate exercises that could support her progress beyond the treatment room. Heather specifically highlighted that our team didn’t simply perform adjustments. We also taught her how to move better and gave her exercises that she could continue doing on her own.
Those details matter. We want our patients to feel empowered with practical tools they can use in everyday life—not just while they’re in our office.
The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Heather also gave a special shoutout to Leslie, who helped keep everything organized and remembered the details of her treatments with Dr. Pickman.
That recognition means so much to our team. Good care is about more than what happens during an appointment. It’s also about listening, paying attention, remembering the details, and making sure every patient feels supported throughout their journey.
Heather made it clear that the entire team played a role in her experience. As she wrote, without Leslie and the rest of the crew, she would probably still be “wobbling around in pain.”
It’s a wonderful reminder that every member of our team contributes to the patient experience, whether they’re providing care, helping with exercises, or making sure appointments and treatment details stay on track.
Getting Back to the Things She Loves
Perhaps the most rewarding part of Heather’s story is hearing how she feels now.
She shared that she’s walking, bending, and living without the constant ache that had affected her life. These may sound like simple everyday activities, but when pain has been part of your routine for years, being able to move more comfortably can mean so much.
Heather’s words capture the gratitude we feel when a patient tells us they’ve made meaningful progress.
Her review wasn’t just about a treatment or an appointment. It was about her experience with the people who cared for her, the education she received, and the difference she felt in her everyday life.
And she wanted everyone to know that her review was entirely her own decision. In her words, it was “100 percent unsolicited, nobody bribed me!”
Heather, thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for trusting Gonstead Spine & Wellness with your care. We’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of your journey, and we’re especially thankful that you recognized the hard work of Dr. Pickman, Leslie, and the entire team.
Stories like yours remind us why we believe in helping people move better, build strength, and get back to the activities that make life meaningful.
Thank you, Heather, for letting us be part of your story!
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Heather Berger’s Original Five-Star Google Review
The following is Heather’s full review, reproduced as written.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I came to Gonstead Spine and Wellness in Meridian with low back pain from a horse injury. After years of working with orthopedic spine surgeons in the past, I heard them talk about chiropractors and over manipulation, and they said that without building muscle or correcting your mechanics, you’re just going to be in the same position you were in before even after surgery. Finding the Gonstead method here was a game changer because Dr Pickman and the team didn’t just do manipulation, they taught me how to move better and gave me exercises that actually stuck. I’m walking, bending, and living without that constant ache, and I’m really grateful for that. Huge shoutout to Leslie for keeping everything on track and remembering every detail of my treatments with Dr Pickman. Without her and the whole crew, I’d probably still be wobbling around in pain. And just so we’re clear, this review was 100 percent unsolicited, nobody bribed me!”
