Hands, Elbows, Knees and Toes, Toes, Toes! (And MORE!)

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I am not a person that has ever been big into chiropractic care. The only experience I had ever had with one was when I was fourteen years old. My mother and I got into a car accident, and when I started walking with one shoulder lurching forward, I was dragged - kicking and screaming, mind you - to a chiropractor.

While my problem was temporarily corrected with regular, generic adjustments (shoulder pain and inevitable posture problems set in years later), I never got any realy personal benefit from my visits. I stopped walking funny at the time, which never bothered me to begin with because I didn't have to watch myself walk. But it didn't improve my overall well-being in any shape, form or fashion. The adjustment I received was so incredibly routine that I could get myself into position for every crunch and flex the chiropractor performed. Nothing was ever explained to me. My progress was never truly monitored other than, "Hey, can you look straight ahead after an adjustment?" So, I walked away from it thinking what an incredible waste of time. Sure, some of that had to do with my age. There are many things a fourteen-year-old would rather be doing than visiting a chiropractor's office. But a good portion of the problem was that there was no significant increase in my level of overall physical comfort. I felt the same walking in as I did walking out.

My mother found another chiropractor in Houston that she liked recently and began encouraging me to find one here. I have a rather wacky shoulder that gives me problems (the same shoulder that bothered me back then, as a matter of fact) and is only exasperated by what I call Big 'Ol Purse syndrome. I repeatedly ignored her suggestion, but when the pain began to make work-outs difficult, eventually forcing me to walk away from them altogether, I thought, "Hm. This isn't good." It wasn't long before lying down to sleep became uncomfortable in a way that ibuprofen only barely eased. Being a professional insomniac, I didn't need any more problems that would prevent me from getting some shut-eye.

When someone here in the office recommended Family Chiropractic to me, I went in to meet with Dr. Lytle. My assumption was that I would get an adjustment that might provide me with some relief for the moment, and then be sent merrily on my way.

I was a bit taken aback when I was asked what my ideas of chiropractic care were. "What do you think of when you think of problems that we might be able to help you with?" Dr. Lytle asked.

I blinked and shrugged. "My shoulder hurts. I was hoping you could help that."

"Is that it?"

"Yeah. I mean...you can help with back and neck pain, too. I know that."

I then confessed that I didn't put much faith in chiropractic care after the less-than-personal attention I received many, many moons ago. (I can REALLY hold a grudge.) But, as we talked, I noticed that Dr. Lytle really appeared to be making an effort to get to know me and my problems, rather than sending me straight to the table to get the same adjustment that he gave everyone else.

And, as we talked, I realized that I knew NOTHING about chiropractic care. I made a vague attempt to disguise my surprise when I was told that arthritis pain can be diminished (my left elbow is arthritic, and while it doesn't give me problems very often, it can be quite painful at times). I became less interested in playing it cool when I was told that they could likely treat my migraines - which, while infrequent, SUCK when they happen.

So then, I just started throwing things at him, waiting to be told that they couldn't help me so I could give my ever triumphant "AHA!" I never got a no on ANY of it, though.

Old knee injury? Check.

Weak, formerly broken wrists? Check.

INSOMNIA?

Check (much to my undisguised surprise).

Of course, the proof is in the chiropractic pudding, right? And I, ever doubtful, signed up for a consultation and one adjustment, figuring that I would get my "AHA!" moment then.

I went in Friday for my consultation, and was impressed, in spite of myself, at the time and care they took in explaining to me exactly how chiropractic care worked, and - most importantly - how it was going to work for ME. I've always associated what a chirpractor does with bones, but in reality, they're working with the nervous system, which is why the treatment options reach so far beyond what I ever knew they could.

And then, miracle of all miracles, we talked insurance. Having been the victim of many unexpected charges when it comes to dealing with doctors and insurance, it was really nice to be told up front, "This is what your insurance covers. This is what it doesn't. THIS is what you're going to pay. THESE are your payment options." They were extremely thorough, not to mention flexible.

Monday was my first adjustment, and all inclination to "AHA!" I had prior to that visit was long gone within moments. I walked in with a stiff, aching shoulder, and left with absolutely no discomfort anywhere in that region. As if that weren't fairly miraculous in and of itself after one little adjustment, the pain DIDN'T return.

I was ridiculously excited to see Dr. Lytle and tell him just how effective the adjustment had been. My shoulder pain was a distant memory by Wednesday, and I was even sleeping more soundly. He was just as excited as I was to realize that drastic improvements had been made so quickly. I jokingly asked him if he could now concentrate on my Guitar Hero arm. After multiple-hour stints of playing, my wrist was all but locked and my thumb stubbornly refused to straighten. Dr. Lytle said that yes, he could indeed take care of it. I told him that I had been joking.

"I'm not joking! I can fix it!"

Sure enough, I was back to rocking the world tour less than half an hour later.

I proudly wear my chiropractic convert badge, and I'm encouraging you to at least speak to them at Family Chiropractic to see how they can help you lead a better, more healthful, pain-free life in 2008. Tell them that I sent you, and they'll set you up with a complimentary consultation, including a soft tissue and spinal exam.

It's a new year, and you deserve to fill it with the things that please you without limitation or constraint. If they truly can't help you, they'll be straight with you.

And if they can, you can thank me once I'm done rockin' Japan.