Mark Broermann doesn’t have time for pain to slow him down. 

The father, coach, and Jackson Middle School principal had been dealing with neck and shoulder pain for months. It wasn’t until it progressed to pain and numbness that impacted his ability to use his arm that he finally decided to see what was going on. 

He had an MRI and x-ray and was referred to orthopedic spine surgeon, James Fleming, Jr., MD, medical director of the Adena Orthopedic and Spine Institute. 

Just a few days later, Mark met with Dr. Fleming. Mark learned that he had a deteriorating disc in his spine that was impacting his nerves and muscles. 

Mark admits that he doesn’t seek medical care often, but that Dr. Fleming answered all of his questions and explained everything, including that it was important to address nerve damage quickly to keep it from becoming permanent. 

With that confidence instilled in him, he underwent a successful surgery shortly thereafter.

“When I awoke after surgery in the recovery room, I had no pain at all, which was such a relief,” Mark says. 

Three months later, Mark was able to fully return to all of the things that matter most to him: family time and educating the next generation. Most importantly, he could do so pain free.