Specialist's own experience drives practice
Through the use of chiropractic methods, Dr. Sharon Pignolet, owner of Dove Chiropractic Health Center in Grapevine, said she regained her balance, short-term memory and vision after a near-death experience while participating in a horse jumping competition in 1985.
The accident left her unconscious for three days, and when she left the hospital two weeks later, she said her memory loss drastically changed her lifestyle.
She said she had to ask for assistance on simple daily tasks such as getting dressed and eventually had to leave her sales job because of memory problems.
After her release from the hospital, she said she was also having trouble balancing and experiencing double vision, for which doctors could not find a reason. Pignolet said she decided to visit her chiropractor for help.
Driving with her horse-riding helmet on to protect her head, she made her way to the chiropractor.
"After a few chiropractic adjustments, my balance began to improve, and my double vision was no longer constant," she said. "Chiropractics are what saved my life."
Pignolet said it was also chiropractics that lead to the diagnosis of her late husband's lung cancer.
"The chiropractor performed an exam and took X-rays of his spine, which included his shoulder area," she said. "She was shocked when she saw on the films a large tumor in his left lung."
These experiences inspired Pignolet to return to school to improve her brain function while working toward her new goal of becoming a chiropractor.
She completed two years of coursework in Dallas County community colleges and then four years of chiropractic education at Parker University, earning her license in January 1995.
Now a certified chiropractor, Pignolet serves the Dallas-Fort Worth area and other areas in Texas offering laser therapy, X-ray services, inversion therapy for spinal decompression, auricular reflex therapy, vibration therapy, trigger point therapy, massages, traction, electric muscle stimulation and nutritionalsupport.
"I love when I get to introduce people to the power of chiropractics," she said. "If you have a problem, my advice is to see a chiropractor because a lot of times we prevent people from having surgery—it's definitely an alternative to some surgeries. Also, every time you get adjusted it stimulates your immune system, and if [you are] adjusted regularly you don't get sick as often."
Pignolet said she will tell everyone that chiropractics saved her life.
"Chiropractics play a large role in maintaining good health, as does diet, exercise and adequate rest," she said.
Chiropractic uses
Pignolet said there are a number of conditions in which chiropractics can be used to assist the body in healing. These conditions include:
- Stress
- Back pain and stiffness
- Foot pain
- Disc herniation
- Traumatic injuries
- Sciatic pain
- Whiplash
- Elbow pain
- Headaches
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sleep disturbances
- Ankle pain
- Neck pain
- Knee pain
Dove Chiropractic, 206 N. Dove Road, 817-410-2225, www.dovechiropractic.com
Hours: Mon. 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Tue. 2:30–6:30 p.m., Wed. 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Thu. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sat. by appointment only.
