Teen ballet dancer overcomes scoliosis and injury with the help of chiropractic – and her mom

Ballet dancer Tess Feekes can thank her mom for her discovery and recovery from her scoliosis.

The 13-year-old dances at The Grant Conservatory of Music & Dance and has successfully undertaken lead roles in Springfield Youth Performance Group shows, including Alice in Wonderland, in which she danced the role of Alice. Homeschooled by her mom, Heather Feekes, Tess competed earlier this year in the Youth America Grand Prix in ballet and modern in Chicago.

“Since she was tiny, she just always loved movement and doing something physical with her body,” said Heather also mom to Jane, 15. “I had such a great experience with Dr. Bryne at AlignLife that once Tess and Jane started dancing on pointe, there was a lot of opportunity for injuries, so I wanted to get them checked out.”

It was after the x-rays taken by Dr. Bryne Willey at AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic & Natural Health Center that he diagnosed Tess’ scoliosis.

Dr. Bryne said Tess was a great example of how awesome the human body is and what it can accomplish.

“I am so thankful that her mom focused on her overall health and well-being as well as her performance. Scoliosis, as Tess had, is something most doctors would look at, watch, and wait, evaluating over time in the hope it does not worsen. What I love about chiropractic and what I do is not watch and maintain but correct the misalignment,” said Dr. Bryne.

Tess no longer has scoliosis and did not after a few months of care. “In my experience, most people do not believe they can reduce or correct scoliosis. They think all you can do is maintain where it is at or try to prevent it from worsening,” said Dr. Bryne,

He said one of his favorite parts about chiropractic is being able to help correct the problem, reduce it, measure it, and see it firsthand. “Not just so that we can prevent symptoms from showing up but for Tess to continue to do what she loves and not have her body hold her back.”

In addition to dancing, Tess likes to tumble and hurt her knee during an aerial. “I could not dance for a little bit. It was not that long, but it hurt," she said.

Luckily, Tess, a 7th grader, was already under Dr. Bryne’s care and so received chiropractic treatment for her injury, which meant she could rehearse for and compete in the Youth America Grand Prix. Tess spent almost four months training for the competition, which attracts dancers from all over the country. To progress to the next level, the nationals in New York City, dancers must obtain a 96 or higher for each performance. Tess, a first-timer, achieved a 91 and 90. “It was such a great experience,” said the teenager. “Dance is fun. I like performing, doing community performances, and being with my friends.”

Tess, who hopes to pursue a career in nursing, said chiropractic played a part in her ability to dance her best, perform, and move pain-free. “After an adjustment, I feel the difference, especially when I dance.” 

Heather began seeing Dr. Bryne about five years ago. “I am a runner; I love to run. I want to keep running as long as I can," she said. "But I was having problems. I kept pushing through the pain until I saw a Facebook ad for AlignLife of Springfield. Dr. Bryne worked with sports injuries, so I booked a consultation.”

After chiropractic, Heather’s problems with hip alignment improved, and she could run again with little to no pain, even after a knee injury. 

"Mobility is so important it is what keeps us youthful. I do not see us stopping chiropractic care. It is a lifetime commitment for our whole family. If you have goals about mobility, and if you are willing to invest early, the payoff and cost-benefit are outweighed."

For more information about AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic, please call 217 787 7500 or visit alignlife.com/locations/springfield-chiropractor/.