I am a combat wounded vet who received care from pain free Patriots. They far exceeded any expectations that I had coming into it, and I am in a better place because of their help.
Pain Free Patriots has been such a blessing to me!! As a veteran, I cherish their commitment to those that have served!! With their help my quality of life has improved tremendously and so thankful for their continued dedication!!
My name is Samuel Boney IV, combat veteran of the Iraq war and author of ‘Combat Medic: A soldier’s story of the Iraq war and PTSD.’ I served as a combat medic with the 1st Calvary. Fighting on the front lines took a huge toll on me mentally and physically. Running around with 120lbs of equipment on for months in the excruciating heat wore down my back and knees. I eventually was diagnosed with a herniated disc in my lower back and mid- back before I was medically discharged from the Army for PTSD in 2006. For the next 10 years I struggled with chronic pain and PTSD. It felt like every year the pain got worse. The pain was so severe and constant that I started abusing drugs, popping prescription pain pills like they were sweet tarts and drinking heavy amounts of alcohol just to numb the pain so I could sleep. It hurts to say but suicide was on my mind every day, seemed like the only way to get rid of the pain.
After years of learning how to live with my pain I published my book and started working on reaching out to veterans to share my story and encourage change to have better lives. It was in this process that I ran into Chris Barber. After telling him my story and what I hope to do for the veteran community he asked me about my pain and then proceeded to explain to me that he helps run an organization in the community called beyond the yellow ribbon as well as a non-profit organization called Pain Free Patriots that gives veterans free grants to get pain free.
I didn’t believe him at first, I blatantly laughed in his face and told him I’m a lost cause and that I’d tried everything already. After telling me about the number of people that have gone through the program with success and that it was free, I was willing to give it a chance. Within a few days I had my first treatment. After my third treatment the constant muscle burning in back went away completely. I was totally amazed, 10 years of pain nearly gone in 2 weeks.
4 months into it now and I feel like a new person. I’m not constantly moving around because of a pinched nerve in my back or drugged up on so many muscle relaxers that I don’t want to move off the couch. I can actually do work around the house without having to lie down from exhaustion. The best thing is that I have a clear head and I’m not limited by what I can do because of pain. I recommend Pain Free Patriots to every veteran I meet with chronic pain because I know that their treatment works and that can help save lives.
After 20 years of chronic pain, I’m finally pain free. The stress caused with my PTSD created muscle tightness that started in my right jaw then made its way down to my right foot. My hips were out of whack, my shoulder was tight, even my right leg became shorter than my left. I couldn’t enjoy running, lifting weights, cycling and swimming any more. Eventually the stress of my muscle tension contorted my spine to the point where I ruptured a disc between my L4 and L5 vertebra.
Through out this time I was visiting chiropractors, acupuncturists, medical doctors and missuits to no avail. I felt that I would never live a pain free day for the rest of my life. Then a friend referred me to Pain Free Patriots. I gave them a call and Chris made an appointment immediately. I was quickly accepted into the program and I haven’t looked back since. During my treatment I sprained my ankle badly and I was able to recover 3 times faster than usual thanks to the microcurrent, decompression, and chiropractic work. They’ve also brought me into a family by inviting me to sports outings. I’m finally living the life I’ve always wanted but never thought I could achieve.
Pain Free Patriots brought me back to life. I know other veterans who have regained their physicality thanks to this wonderful program. They are changing veteran’s lives one at a time.
Sincerely,
Behzad Afshar-Naseri
United States Navy 1996 – 2000
I found out about Pain Free Patriots through our church. I served in the Army as an Infantry squad leader, and have had neck and lower back pain for years. I admit I was skeptical at first, but after speaking to some of the other veterans from church who had received a grant from PFP, and hearing their testemonies on their healing, I decided to apply for a grant. The enrollment process is very simple, and I found out the next day after applying that I was approved for a grant. I have been in the program for about seven months now, and feel great! The severe headaches from my neck pain and the range of motion limitations no longer affect me. I am so thankful for PFP and would like to thank Doug,Chris, Dr. Troy, Theo, and the rest of the staff for providing this free care for veterans of all ages and branches of service.
Two months ago I came to Pain Free Patiots, I had pain in every joint. I had injured my rotator cuff 2 years previously, it remained untreated, even though I told my doctors I was in pain. With in the first month at Pain Free Patiots the pain was reduced significantly it went on a scale from 1-10 from 9 to a 4.
I also am experiencing pain in my lower back, hips and knees. Once again the pain leavel has dramaticly decreased. There is still a lot to be done. I have confidante that when my journey with Pain Free Patiot is done, I will have recovered flexibility and have minimum pain.
The Doctors and staff are eager to see healing take place, they do all they can to help.
Thank you Pain Free Patiots
My name is Daryl Hathaway and I am so grateful to the Huseby Family and The Pain Free Patriots. I am a retired Naval Reservist with over 21 years of service. I have chronic pain in my lower back and my left knee. As soon as I started working with the Doctor's and Physical Therapist's at Pain Free Patriots, my pain has become manageable and tolerable. Without their professionalism and generosity, I don't know who I could turn to. I am so incredibly grateful and I would recommend any Veteran or Active Service Member living in chronic pain to visit one of the many Pain Free Patriot Clinics in the twin cities surrounding area.
Doug Huseby, Chris Barber and the Pain Free For Patriots staff are truly amazing people. They took me from a using a wheelchair or on good day a cane too playing golf 3-4 days a week! Playing with my grandson! Gave me my life back! God Bless You All! Than You!
My name is Debbie I’m a retired Soldier from the National Guard. I had a hip injury from my service from anaccident I was in in a military vehicle. I tried going to regular doctors and chiropractors for years and they would always want to adjust my back instead of my hip. Pain free patriots in Brooklyn park and Minnetonka have unique, cutting edge equipment that is addressing the hip injury with breaking up the scar tissue with a special machine, e-stem therapy, and getting movement and circulation into the hip and now it’s slowly popping back into place. Amazing! This place is awesome and has helped me a lot! I am so thankful for this place! Thank you Pain free patriots!
Pain Free Patriots are miracle workers. They have given me a new, positive reality to face in life. Before receiving their service, my life revolved around my pain and unpredictable limitations. I suffered with chronic pain and symptoms of PTSD for almost 20 years after serving my country for as long as I could, trying every conceivable treatment and clinical trial available to me, with no success or relief. It was heartbreaking to let my family down so often because I simply could not participate in activities and events that many can enjoy and even take for granted. Eventually, people stopped inviting us to anything because they always knew the answer, "I'll have to see how I'm feeling and if I'm able to get out and about that day." My family missed out on a lot because they chose to comfort me and stay at home while I suffered in silence instead of going out and living life without me. The cost of trying to manage my pain and PTSD crippled us as well because the VA could only do so much within the confines of their budget and bureaucracy.
After exhausting all of her options, my primary care physician at the VA finally referred me to Pain Free Patriots. I met with Chris Barber and explained my situation, just as I had many times before to so many others promising results, with little enthusiasm and a lot of skepticism. I was certain I was going to be offered some mediocre treatment plan that I'd probably tried a thousand times already or just more kitty cat poster psychiatry that was expected to make me happy and oblivious to my internal turmoil and external pain. Boy, was I mistaken. Chris was not only empathetic, but he was very confident in the organization's ability to make a difference. A real difference. I started therapy in the summer of 2017. About three months later, I woke up for the first time without pain. I was actually pain free. It caught me off guard. Normally, I have to prepare myself to get out of bed and grimace through the tightness and discomfort. Not anymore. I didn't have to think about how to get out of bed at all! I just got up and started my day! My life no longer revolved around my pain or PTSD. My life once again had purpose and direction. It was no longer being controlled by my pain, but rather I was taking charge and living life once again.
Now, I can make plans and not worry about how my body will feel when it's time to enjoy the event or travel to an exciting destination. I can now drive, fly, run, bike, hike, whatever and not be in agonizing pain at the end of my journey. I can play with my kids, go on adventures, and take on new challenges without the fear of physical or mental anguish. I'm alive again! I mean, I'm really alive! Thank you Pain Free Patriots for giving me my life back!
It is my honor to be able to serve on the Board of Directors for an organization that helps the heroes that have served our country. Pain Free Patriots (PFP) helps Veterans who suffer from chronic pain. And for those who choose to donate to PFP, it is comforting to know that this organization operates with minimal overhead. There are NO salaries paid by the organization. Doug Huseby, The founder of PFP, assigns employees from companies he owns, to manage and administer the non-profit at no expense to PFP. You will find very few organizations that are able to run as efficient, ensuring that donated funds go directly to those in need.
I was first introduced to Pain Free Patriots (PFP) by Chris Barber their Operations Manager. I had been experiencing low back pain for about 6 years following a deployment to Iraq. At it's worst, I was sleeping on the floor in my bedroom next to the bed because I could not get in and out of my bed. I had tried many different remedies to include paying out of my pocket for other chiropractic's with no success. I entered the PFP program and stuck with it for 6-8 months during which I could feel immediate results. The treatments included adjustments, micro-current and the decompression table. At the end of the program I was feeling great, and still to this day I have not had any relapses with back pain. The treatment was so successful that I was able to do things that I would not have been able to do previously. A year following the completion of the program I trained for and completed a 140.6 mile Ironman Triathlon. The year following that I competed for and won the Minnesota National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year competition, a very physically demanding competition. All of the treatments I had were completely funded by grants so I did not have to pay out of pocket for the program. I am very thankful that I was introduced to the Pain Free Patriots program. I'd hate to think of where I would be from a pain perspective if I would not have went through the program.
Pain Free Patriots truly cares about helping Veterans. I am a veteran of 4 overseas deployments, and I suffered from crippling back pain for several years. When I contacted Pain Free Patriots on Christmas Eve, they called me back that same day and scheduled my first appointment. A few short months later I was pain-free and living life like I hadn't in years. They changed my life, and they're already ready and willing to change the lives of other Veterans.
-Brad Williams