Pressing On

It is mid-June and I am still continuing treatment at the chiropractor.  I will say that I feel great.  I do not have chronic neck, shoulder or back pain and I have been sleeping better also. I have not had a migraine in several months and I can't remember the last time I took any medication, over the counter or otherwise. My neurologist was extremely supportive at my last visit and supported my decision to get off migraine medication. I was skeptical of going to the chiropractor, but my testimony now is this: Chiropractic care works. Get off the drugs. Go to a chiropractor!

Still going

Not really much to report these days. I am continuing my visits. I am going twice a week now and will begin once a week next week.  My upper mid back and neck are doing well, but I believe I am sort of "addicted" to the adjustments. I just don't feel right if I don't get them. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. I am on the posture pump for approximately 10 minutes each visit at the end. This is where I lie on the hydro-table and a posture pump is placed under the neck. I squeeze the pump five times for 20 reps then on the last one squeeze four times and it stays in place until the hydro-table shuts down. This is awkward but is meant to put natural curvature back in the neck. I am also supposed to be taking a rolled up towel and putting it under my neck for 15 minutes every day. Dr. Chiro gave me some exercises to do on the exercise ball which will strengthen upper mid back and lower back. Same stuff I do at the gym.  Overall, still a good experience. I do feel better when I go and can tell when I haven't been.  I can't really say it has been life-changing.  He did ask me about my pillow and recommended a water pillow. I will think about this since I sleep on a feather pillow. I know....not good.

Visits 15 and 16

I seriously feel great! I haven't had any problems sleeping or with my neck hurting when I wake up. My lower back is well and I can only attribute this success to the chiropractor.  I came in with a spring cold which I have treated with Benedryl at night and 3000mg of vitamin C. Dr. Chiro informed me today that I could take up to 5000mg, but to scale back if my urine turned orange.  He is definitely not into over the counter drugs if we can treat problems without medication.  Good to know.  On visit 16, he put me on the neck pump which is supposed to introduce some curvature to the neck. This was evident on my x-ray on my first visit...no curve.  I was a little sore after the procedure, but nothing significant. I lay down on the hydrotable and this little pump is placed under the neck. I actually control the pump while the hydrotable is going.  I did the neck pump after my regular adjustment. He stated that most people have been on the neck pump before now, but since I was having problems with T1-T3, he held off on that part of the treatment.  Overall, my experience is going well. I am at two visits per week instead of three.  Dr. Chiro is still very interested in my feedback and allows me to be a significant part of my own treatment.

Visit 14

Today was great! I can actually say that I did not have any pain. I put a pain level of 1 on my sheet for today only because I don't think anyone over 40 can truly be pain free at any given time. Anyway, Dr. Chiro adjusted my back and neck which went fine. I was sore in the afternoon from the neck adjustment, but it was insignificant compared to the other times.  He would like to get me on the machine which puts some curve in the spine of the neck. That does not sound pleasant.  In the meantime, he asked me to roll up a towel and lie down with it under my neck for about 15 minutes before I go to bed and start working on this.  I will let you know how that goes.

I must go off on a tangent for a moment. I suffer from migraines. I have significant migraines. I do not have visual auras or anything like that, but I do have debilitating pain that keeps me unable to function. I just want to curl into a ball and float away into oblivion. Anyway, about a year ago, I did some research and decided that I would get off the medication gradually and seek alternatives. I am happy to say that I have had very few migraines since and the ones I have had, have not been debilitating.  I researched certain foods, the benefit of exercise and meditation and simply breathing.  No, it isn't hokey. It works. It just isn't as easy as popping a pill.  I have seen recent posts from a social media website where people are complaining about migraines and when I tell them about alternatives, they just don't want to embrace the fact that there is something out there besides drugs. Well, there is.  I had one lady tell me that I have never had a real migraine. Really? Are we in kindergarten? "My migraine is worse than your migraine."  I would like to say that putting chemicals into your body simply masks the underlying condition of the migraine.  It is a fix. Plain and simple.  I understand there are times when drugs are warranted, but I am completely convinced that migraines can be controlled without medication. I have heard many success stories from acupuncture, chiropractors, and biofeedback.  This is in conjunction with limiting processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, dairy products and hormone fed meat.  Yes, it takes work, but isn't it worth a drug free life?  I say don't discount the alternative until you have actually tried the alternative and don't assume it won't work because you believe your migraines are too severe.  Consider an underlying problem (i.e., a trigger). Find a neurologist who specializes in headache treatment and who is open to alternative therapies.  Seeking an alternative to medication for one thing will spill over into other areas of your overall health.  Drugs don't cure the migraines. Drugs make doctors and pharmaceutical companies richer because they have you convinced that this is what you need. A quick fix.  Don't fall for it.

Visit 13

Well, I am a third of the way to the finish on this initial chiropractor treatment.  I say "initial" because everyone I know who goes to a chiropractor stays with him for a lifetime of adjustments.  This helps me to remain positive about the final outcome.  I must say that I do feel better.  I really don't know how to put a measurement on that, but I guess that is the point.  Today he adjusted my back and tried a slight neck adjustment. He told me to see how that feels by the time I come back.  I can tell you that the adjustment is not painful, but I am still feeling extremely sore afterwards in the evening and next day (I am writing this the day after treatment).  I am starting to be convinced that the neck adjustment is relevant to the whole spinal adjustment process but my neck is resisting.  I have also noticed that the only headaches I have had since treatment were due to stress and the meditation breathing and Tai Chi have been a big help in eliminating the headache (NO DRUGS. YAY!)  There is so much to total body health without putting chemicals into my body and this is definitely the way to go.  I still have tinnitus which I was hoping would be reduced, but I have lived with that most of my life so I am not worried about that for now.  And so I press on...

Visit 12

I apologize if this blog is becoming mundane.  Well, I actually don't even know if anyone is reading it so I guess I am pretty much talking to myself. Today was visit 12 which means an evaluation of progress.  Dr. Chiro took readings of my spine like he did on the first visit and I also had to fill out several questionnaires about my view of the progress and treatment.  The good news is that most of my numbers from the temperature readings on the spine were better. The ones that were better actually made sense because those are the places that I am sincerely feeling improvement. The readings that were slightly worse or stayed the same are the troubled areas which include T1-T3.  I will say that I do feel better. My back is better and I have noticed that I am not waking up at night due to neck and shoulder pain like I was prior to treatment. Dr. Chiro was very thorough and asked if I had any questions about treatment or anything that I would like to discuss regarding treatment. I did not have anything to add because as I have said, he is very thorough.

I was hooked up to the TENS again and had an adjustment before I left. He held off again on the neck adjustment for now and he is trying to focus on that T1-T3 pain.

Just to add a small note...while I was getting ready to leave the office, a lady about 60 years old came in clutching her neck for dear life. She was sobbing in pain and her son signed her in and filled out the sheet for her which describes the pain. She kept telling him to put 10 +++ on her pain level. I was actually impressed that a lady in that much pain decided to seek the help of her chiropractor and not rush to the ER searching for drugs. I thought that was a testament to Dr. Chiro.  There was also a sweet lady in a wheelchair in the waiting room as I was leaving.  Chiropractors treat every age and every stage so it appears.

Visit 11

Well, I don't know if the doctor has found my blog, but he did not adjust the neck today. I am not a doctor, but I am glad because I woke up today and the neck was sore down to my upper back T-1 area.  My pain has also shifted some to the left side of the upper/mid back, but also pain just to the right of the spine on the upper/mid back.  He did some sort of adjustment today that targeted that area and it was spot on! The TENS before the adjustment was nice across my upper back and shoulders and I went as high as I could tolerate. I wish I had control of the machine during the time I am on it like when you go to the physical therapist and I could turn it up as I am lying there. I can always tolerate more the longer I lie there.  My lower back seems to be improving so we will press on with this journey. I am just hoping that being sore all the time in the neck/back is normal.  I guess with all the adjustments or the spine, I can see where the soreness comes in...maybe it is like sore muscles after working out. If so, it must be working.

Visit 10

The "new" adjustment was not good. I am in a lot of pain, but the pain has actually shifted from my right side to my left. When I explained this to him and pointed out the pain, he said my pain was actually considered upper back and shoulders. I am seriously hurting worse than when I started this whole thing. He said it was actually good that the pain was moving around and not staying in one spot. Of course, I am thinking I should not be in any pain at all. So here we go. He tried a different approach to the neck adjustment. I, personally, think we need to leave the neck alone before it comes right off the top of my head. I mean how many times can you adjust the thing without it just popping right off. Well, I am going to take it easy a few days and see what happens.  I am still going three days a week. I think I have one more week of three days a week and then we back off to two days a week.

visit 9

Today was visit 9.  I am actually feeling pretty well! I had the TENS focused on my right side- neck and lower back.  I talked to him about the neck pain I was feeling after the neck adjustments. He was very attentive and listened carefully. He asked if my neck hurt during the adjustment which it does not so that was significant. He decided to alter the way he was making the adjustment. I do still feel sore after a few hours. He told me to definitely tell him about everything I am feeling because that is very important in treatment and he will adjust accordingly.  I am feeling more confident about the adjustments and the fact that Dr. Chiro is extremely thorough and a good listener. He is also a problem solver. He explained the difference between different types of adjustments and always explains how muscles and bones connect to each other with reference to adjustments as well as pain.  I took my Tai Chi class after my adjustment and no problems there.

Visit 8

I took a trip over the weekend where I did tons of walking. Did fine, except my feet hurt at the end of each day. Did not note any head or neck problems.  I went for my visit when I got back on Monday morning. Same routine. TENS which I focused on my neck right side and mid back. I still seem to have a gnawing pain there.  He adjusted my neck and back after that and I felt fine.  Tuesday, I felt a residual tenderness from the neck adjustment, which I always seem to have the day after a neck adjustment.  This is why I thought a day in between adjustments might help. I will be mentioning this tomorrow at my visit. Overall, I do not know if I really "feel" better or not. I do have increased ROM in my neck which I have mentioned before, but I am still trying to think positive. Maybe it is a positive thing that after 3 days of walking, I only had pain in my feet!

Visit 7

Today was visit 7. Still going 3 days a week. I have been doing MTW and next week I am definitely going to put a day in between. I enjoy talking to the nice lady at the front desk. She really has such a pleasant personality and she is very calming. One day, when one lady came in the office in a ton of pain, the nice lady from the front was so sweet to her. She was empathetic and encouraging.  I will reiterate that Dr. Chiro is a very good listener. He also appears to review my file each week so he talks about previous pain and targets those areas of pain as well as whatever is going on the day of my appointment. So far, I have not seen significant changes, but I know it is a process.  I was on the TENS again shoulders and right lower back.  He also adjusted my spine and neck, targeting the right side mid back. I always have neck pain after the neck adjustment and it lasts all day.  I will be asking about that at the next appointment. I won't have another appointment for 4 days so we shall see how the rest of the week goes.

 Meanwhile, I have been researching pure essential oils and their health benefits at the advice of my sister- in- law. Very interesting! The Young Living brand of essential oils are pure and not diluted with chemicals or even tap water.  I purchased Thieves (a mixture that builds immunity and kills germs). I also put 2 drops of tea tree oil in a 16 oz. spray bottle of water and sprayed my counter tops. Not only does this smell wonderful, but is a natural disinfectant and cleans wonderfully. Best of all, these are all natural. No chemicals! God gave us everything we need in nature. We just need to seek and find.

Visit Six

Crowded in the office today.  One lady in serious pain. I was on my way to Body Flow (Tai Chi, Pilates, Yoga) after my adjustment so I guess I must be doing much better than some people. Still have pain in right side neck, mid back and lower back. The TENS felt great.  (I keep capitalizing TENS because I am thinking it is an acronym, but haven't googled it yet to see if I am right).  Every time I go in, I have to fill out a sheet marking current pain, pain level, etc.  He adjusted the right side and also my ear due to the earache. He said to watch it because it may be due to allergies, sinus, etc.  The ear actually felt better after he adjusted it.  Several hours later, I sit here typing and I do have neck pain and pain right below my neck which I really do believe is due to the adjustments.  I read some more research on the adjustments with the neck and in a few cases people have suffered a stroke within 24 hours of being adjusted. There is controversy on this.  Some say it is directly related to the adjustment and some say that the person was already having stroke symptoms or prone to a stroke anyway.  There is so much information out there on pros and cons, successes and failures.  I can't really tell if Dr. Chiro is helping or not. I am still skeptical after six visits so we press on.  Did not get in bed till midnight last night partly due to the coffee I drank at 5:00. Slept okay with 5mg of Melatonin.

Visit 5

Today was visit five.  I have had a couple of days in between visits and I have felt pretty well except for one night when I did not take Melatonin and woke up at 315 a.m. unable to go back to sleep. The visit was uneventful. I got on the TENS mid and lower back right side and then was adjusted (which I found out from a physical therapist friend that I could purchase for 50 bucks, take it home, and I suppose stay hooked up to it all day if I wanted.)  He popped my back and neck. I must say, my neck was pretty sore and I felt a little dizzy afterwards, which was weird. My back and neck have been sore the rest of the day and my right ear aches. I don't know if that is related to any of this or not.  I have talked to a couple of friends who really like their chiropractors. One of my friends said that she has a chiropractor that does not engage in all of this popping of the spine and neck business so I did think that was interesting. I have read different reviews online of whether professionals believe this is a good thing or not. There seems to be some controversy among chiropractors and neurologists on the spine and neck adjusting. I did notice that about 8-10 other people had signed in today.  The lady does not mark through the names with a black marker like most doctor's offices who must abide by all of the HIPAA regulations to the letter. I don't guess I really care if someone happens to notice that I have been there that day. I mean, I am blogging about the whole thing so it isn't a secret. Right now, this evening, I have pain in my right side from the base of my neck all the way down to my lower back. Another visit tomorrow!

Visit 4

More people in the office today.  I met a very nice man while I was on the TENS.  He was from the northeast and I just love to hear them talk...anyway, he said he felt like the treatment was helping him, which was good to hear.  He travels in his job, but moved here because he loves it so much.  So many people say that about this place.  I totally agree, which is why we moved here.  His timer went off before mine and didn't get to pry further. He was a talker and answered my questions.  I should have been a reporter....

I told Dr. Chiro about that pain I was having and he targeted the exact spot and did an adjustment.  That was just impressive how he could do that and I felt so great afterwards.  He was easy on the neck today.  Not as much popping as usual.  I have noticed that I have more range of motion in my neck.  I have noticed that when I look in my blind spot while driving, that I have no pain or pulling like I used to when I would turn my head.  So that is my first positive result from Dr. Chiro.

Still pain later in the day after the adjustment, but not as significant.  Did not take any meds, although I looked at that last Lortab in the bottle, longingly.  Took 10mg of Melatonin to sleep. It works.

Visit 3

After the adjustment yesterday, I felt great until about 3 or 4 o'clock when I felt like I had run into a door or been hit by a car.  He said about 20 percent of patients have this reaction and wouldn't you know I would be in the 20 percent.  This morning, I had some neck and back pain also.  Visit three only lasted 40 minutes.  There were other people in the office so I was beginning to be more comfortable about a thriving business.  I had talked to my hubby about the cost and I did not even get the words out when he said, "I don't care how much it is. We have spent more than that on doctors who can't find a thing wrong with you." Is he not the most awesome...or maybe he is sick of me complaining. No, he truly is awesome.  He has also been watching tons of documentaries and has informed me that I need to buy grass fed beef, organic chicken and fruit and no more high fructose corn syrup.  He is impressed that chiropractors are against chemicals, medication and unnecessary western medicine.  While he is at work, I indulge in things like the occasional dozen doughnuts, gas station cappuccino, or processed chicken sandwich, but not while he is home, so I cannot be blamed for him or our offspring developing side effects of such horrible habits... oh wait, the offspring eat the doughnuts...

 So I go in and get on the TENS again. I love that thing and learned that I will do this every visit, which is worth the money in itself.  After that, I explain my pain and he adjusts me again. More popping, but no pain with the adjustments.  He is a very good listener by the way.  He put me on this hydro massage table thing and that, my friends, is heavenly.  I was only on there for 10 minutes, but I could have taken a nap on that thing.  My back felt divine after that was over.

I had run some numbers, but of course, my math was wrong because I don't understand how insurance works, and ended up paying the thousand dollars for 36 visits.  I somehow, still don't think my math was that way off, and I was bothered by this all day, but the bottom line was that I was getting a discount for paying up front.  I still think the numbers were slightly different than what he told me yesterday. I know it wasn't by much, but I have been known to go into Walgreens and get my money when they overcharged me by 60 cents.  No lie, ask my children. My teenage daughter was completely embarrassed.  Anyway, it is done.

By the end of the day, I was in more pain in my mid back, below my neck and to the right of my spine.  I also had a headache, but I have thus far resisted putting any chemicals in my body.  I have been taking Melatonin, a natural sleep aid, at night, and I really do like the effects of that.

I did pray tonight, that if Dr. Chiro was in any way unscrupulous, that he would have such a guilty conscience, that he would lose sleep and come clean. I do believe in karma.

The Massage

Still Day 2

I just don't know what to say about the massage. I really had to pee, but I was in a hurry because it was already 1:00 and I heard the massage therapist say she had a 2:00 so I didn't want to be a bother. The therapist was very friendly. She made me feel very comfortable and private.  She was talkative, which I liked and we even had a mutual friend.  Therapeutic massage is not pleasant.  I have said that before and I do not do well with it.  She did her job and worked out muscle tightness, but not without pain. The whole thing wasn't painful, but like I said, I just don't enjoy them.  Anyway, she was sweet, but I know I will have bruises in the morning, especially in my shoulders.  I stood in the room not knowing if I should tip her. I know you tip at the spa, but do you tip at a doctor's office. I decided that no one would turn down money, but I didn't want to give her money and make her feel like a prostitute or something. I only had a 20 and I honestly didn't want to leave that much so I didn't leave one. I can only hope that maybe it was okay that I didn't and she wouldn't go tell our mutual friend that I was cheap.  She met me on the way out and shook my hand and told me that she hoped I had a wonderful day....then I felt like I should have left a tip...well, I thought about this all day and that maybe I should bring some money in an envelope the next day and give it to her. Then I thought, good grief, what is my life coming to that I am thinking about this all day.

Visit 2

Not kidding! I was at the chiropractor's office from 1130-215.  I was really thinking maybe they would have brought out the vegetarian chicken salad and organic fruit platter, but no...

I watched another video. This one went into more detail about vertebral subluxation complex (I think I got that right), which must be what I have since I am watching a video about it and for them to have a video means that everyone must have it who comes in here.  Anyway, I read some more laminated brochures and studied them this time so I would do well on the quiz that I knew would be coming.

We went back in his office where we engaged in an extensive review of my x-rays and temperature readings.  He allowed me to compare my x-rays with the pictures of different stages of the subluxation thing.  I was pretty much right on, and was starting to wonder if I should have gone into radiology and made lots of money...but I digress.  I must keep adding that this guy was extremely thorough. I have never been to a doctor that was so thorough. He explained everything in great detail and I actually understood everything. He also did not make me feel like an idiot, which for the most part has been my experience. The orthopaedic doctor basically patted me on the head and told me to skeedaddle on. There was nothing he could do for me...now that will be $5000.  Anyway, after showing me concrete examples of how your head sits on your spine, using an eight pound weight, I became very interested in all this, and convinced that my problems could very well lie in a spine which was out of whack.  After he hooked me on the spine thing, we talked about price. I was told I had good insurance, but they only pay up to $1000 and after we crunched the numbers with payment options, I would basically be out of pocket $1000.  Ouch! I used the "I must talk this over with my husband line..." and he offered to give me an adjustment that day if I chose.  Well of course!

The nice lady hooked me up to the TENS, which I LOVE! I had this done on a knee injury once and it was heavenly. I lay face down on the table and the pulses were in my lower back and neck for 12 minutes. He then took me in a room (door open) and after a brief assessment, I shifted in different positions and he adjusted my back and neck.  I did not know bones could pop like that! No pain and I felt pretty okay afterwards.

Visit 1

I walked into the office. A very nice lady greeted me at the front desk, but otherwise, the office was dead quiet.  Is a doctor's office that is not busy a good sign? The office was simply decorated with a pot of water for green tea and a display of chiropractic pillows (maybe I need one of those). There was a picture of his family on the wall with a little background information. He has practiced there for 12 years.  That has to be a good thing. I sat in a chair complete with some sort of back support thing which I decided that I needed after I sat there a while.  The nice lady brought me some laminated brochures to read and set up a video to watch.  The video's basic purpose was to convince me that chiropractors were not quacks. They had plenty of edumacation and then a synopsis of what they treated and how much my chiropractor could help me.  I guess I can't blame him. These guys have had a bad go of it over the years. I wasn't convinced, but hey, he is my last resort.

The chiropractor came out to greet me and take me back to a room with x-ray equipment, table, computer, and general doctor type stuff.  He reviewed the brochures and I was even quizzed on them in a friendly way. Glad the nice lady tipped me off about the quiz.  I think  I got a few of the answers wrong but it was not my fault. He did not word the questions right. :-) This visit lasted about an hour. He took x-rays, ran some kind of handheld device up and down my spine which took temperature readings. He also had me bend different ways and then tell him what I thought my percentage of range of motion was, which he confirmed.  We looked at models of good spines and bad spines, calcium deposits, bone spurs, spacing between vertebrae. I will say he was extremely thorough. The room was well lit and he kept the door open during the whole thing. I think it was just me in the office so that was fine. The atmosphere was totally different than a doctor office visit. He actually asked my opinion, made sure I understood his role and what he was going to do and I felt like I was a part of the whole procedure. I still don't trust him, but we will shall see.

I also scheduled my massage, which I am leery of because I have never done well with massages. They hurt, to be honest. There is nothing pleasant about them for me.  But maybe it will loosen up my muscles.

Background

Ok. So without going into too much detail, I have suffered with some chronic pain and after many specialists, thousands of dollars in tests, I am either making all this up or I am beginning to have a lack of faith in medical doctors.  Could it be true that they only want more money so they just keep ordering expensive tests? Surely not. So after blabbing my issues to way too many people, who probably didn't want to hear it in the first place, I was referred to a chiropractor by several people.  A chiropractor? Aren't they all quacks? (Gasp...by several friends who live and breathe by their trusted chiropractors).  Ok. I will think about it.  Then my brother and good friend send me a Living Social coupon on the same day for a chiropractor visit, x-rays, exam, and an hour long massage.  I bought it for $49.  That is less than an hour long massage so why not?

I put off making an appointment.  It's just so weird. A chiropractor. I don't know. Meanwhile, I can't sleep, my neck hurts, my mysterious lower back pain remains, migraines.  So I take the occasional Advil PM, Flexaril or Lortab, which I know just masks the symptoms and I am running out of prescription meds which I hate taking anyway. Can putting chemical drugs in your body really be good for you?  Probably as good as fruit covered in pesticides and we do that...

I made the appointment.