When I was 16 I was in a major car accident- and immediately following my almost near death experience I went straight to a dance rehearsal and never sought any medical attention for what I thought was routine soreness...
While in dance rehearsals for my current play I noticed that I wasn't able to do as many things with my body that I was used to but chalked it up to the fact that I've added quite a few pounds since I last danced (over 5 years ago) but then I started having this feeling where it felt like someone was stabbing me under my shoulder blade and my pinkie and 3rd finger would periodically go numb. Then i started to feel a pinching in the very middle of my back and decided I needed to actually go see a specialist.
I had never been to a chiropractor before and I was pretty nervous- I was scared it would hurt and as usual, I had convinced myself that it was all in my head. The chiropractor I saw knew what was wrong with me before I could even finish explaining it to him. He also explained that the nerves that he suspected were pinched were also the cause of my stomach being upset the last few weeks. Apparently that is a common side effect to a pinched nerve because all your major organs are connected to a nerve in your spine.
After having some X-Rays done and an initial exam he told me to come back in a few days and he would give me my first adjustment. I was excited and terrified at the same time. I also felt a sense of relief that I had confirmation that there really were underlying issues that I hadn't fabricated in my own head. I thought it was interesting how he could tell that i was in an accident many years ago, and he suspected that most of my issues stemmed from that and progressed as the years passed.
When I went back today I was surprised at my X-Rays... there is supposed to be an S like curve in your neck if your looking at it from the side, but mine is a straight line. When you look at my spine from the front it kind of zig zags like a Z from side to side and that is supposed to be straight. Basically, my spine is doing the exact opposite of what it's supposed to... for about 5 minutes I was terrified, then he told me it was all fixable and I started to relax. Unfortunately he asked me if anyone in my family had had any spinal cord issues in the past and suddenly I was not in control of my emotions.
Out of nowhere I just started crying. Not a full on- bawling situation but there were most definitely tears and I couldn't stop them. He was very alarmed that he had said something wrong, so I explained what had happened to Mason. His reaction surprised me, he said "you did the right thing" and in that moment i believed him. I know we did the right thing, but there were parts of me that still had doubts that we could have done something else- and for some reason hearing that from the 'spine guy' made me feel better. He kept apologizing for making me cry, and I kept assuring him that my reaction was as much as a surprise to me as it was to him.
We decided starting my therapy would be the best move for both of us- so off we went. I had to lay in all these weird positions while he cracked my back and my sides but the weirdest one was the neck. I don't know how often you allow a complete stranger to twist your neck into positrons that could potentially kill you- I usually don't so this was a new experience for me, and the sounds that your body makes during an adjustment are really creepy but I could feel relief instantly- especially to the parts of my back that have been bothering me.
Next he had me sit in a chair and he attached these silicone pads to my back that sent mini shock waves to my muscles... it felt good and weird at the same time. Very tingly- but not the kind when a limb falls asleep... less annoying I suppose. Anyway this machine sends little shocks to your muscles and its supposed to help loosen and stretch them out so next time I go in (in another few days) it will be easier for him to adjust the actual portions of my spine that need to be popped back into place. Then i got to sit in this over sized and really powerful massage chair- for 20 minutes I was in complete heaven.
The whole time I just kept thinking what an idiot I've been to be so afraid to go in. Honestly, even if we have to pay out of pocket for this service I don't think it would stop me from going. There is so much relief from pain that I already feel only hours later and we haven't even done the in-depth stuff yet... I can't wait to go back!!!
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