By Olivia Sellers | nwa media

After being rear-ended in an automobile accident last month, Lisa Scheile of Springdale was in constant pain from whiplash. Not only was there chronic neck pain, but she also had headaches and limited range of motion.

Before her current job as a registered client associate at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Fayetteville, Scheile had worked at a chiropractor’s office for more than 10 years. That experience played a major role in Scheile’s choice of treatment for her pain.

She chose to see Cory Oldham, D.C. of Elite Chiropractic because of the clinic’s location just a few blocks from her office.

The Monday she was to begin treatment, she stepped off a curb and sprained her ankle, causing her even more pain. The injury was especially upsetting because she planned to compete in a half-marathon in Conway that weekend.

After explaining her dilemma to Oldham, a former University of Arkansas high jumper and runner, Scheile was surprised when he said she might be able to run that weekend.

“I really couldn’t believe it when he told me I might still be able to participate — there was only five days before the race,” she said.

Scheile began rehabilitation twice daily for five days for both her ankle and whiplash. Treatments included adjustments, muscle stimulation therapy, ice packs and strength-building exercises.

On Friday, the last day of her intense treatments, Oldham had Scheile jog to make sure she was able to run the half-marathon. Together, they jogged to a nearby drug store, where Oldham showed her an ankle brace she would need.

“He told me to go to the race and bring him my medal.”

That Saturday, Scheile completed the 13.1-mile Soaring Wings half-marathon. She even managed to reach her goal of beating her time from the previous year.

After the race, she was afraid to take her brace off and look at her ankle.

“I really didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “I figured it would be grossly swollen, but it wasn’t.”

On Monday, Scheile returned to the clinic and presented Oldham with her medal.

Oldham said Scheile showed great determination, heart and poise during rehabilitation.

“She did all the work — we just facilitated the process,” he said. “It was hard, but in the end she reached her goal.  We are all very proud of her.”

Scheile lives in Springdale with her husband and son, who plays football for Har-Ber High School. When she’s not busy running with friends, she likes to read and watch her son play football. She’s also an avid Razorbacks fan.