I have been working in a chiropractic office going on 4 years now. However, just like all of our patients, I started out as a patient of chiropractic before beginning my career here.

I was 15 years old when I went to my medical doctor with a piece of paper with a list of 9 concerns I had on it. If you know me, you know I like to be organized. My doctor laughed as I went down the list telling her all my different aches and pains. “Your 15, it’s all growing pains, I wouldn’t worry” she said. I got to number 9 and the complaint was that I was suffering from a lot of lower back pain. I’m sure at this point she thought she was just entertaining me, and decided to check my spine just so I didn’t come in with another list.

As you could imagine, mom was scared, I was confused. How did I go 15 years without noticing my spine was so curved? I was in so much pain, but I just chalked it up to being a teenager.

Fast forward 6 years, and I had been going to Children’s Hospital once a year for check-ups. As I was growing, my curve was getting worse. At 21 years old, I had 2 curves in my spine; one was 47 degrees and one was 49 degrees. However, I was done growing, thank goodness! At 50 degrees they recommend surgery, which entails fusing your spine together and inserting 2 metal rods, one on each side.

I didn’t get the surgery, don’t worry!

What Did I Do?

I lived my life from 15-22 years old in immense pain. Lower back pain, neck pain, headaches. My shoulder was slowing moving out of place, causing things like sitting in a chair to become an issue. The pain was slowly moving up my spine into my neck and my head when I discovered chiropractic care.

I came in for an examination and x-rays (you can see my x-rays below) and Dr. Ali went over the results with me. He recommended coming in 3 times a week to start. My husband instantly said yes, you are doing it, without hesitation. And am I ever glad that he did. After about a month and a half of regular chiropractic adjustments I was living pain free. PAIN FREE! Can you believe that?!

That is huge for someone who was in tears most days of the week from back pain. I would sit in my car after work, and tell my legs they need to just get me home, just gas and brake pedal, that’s it! If you have ever experienced back pain, sciatic pain, neck pain or any kind of pain, I’m sure you understand.

How Did This Work So Well?

For proper nerve function throughout your body, your spine must be aligned. Now, considering my spine is in the shape of a S, it is far from aligned. When you have proper alignment, your nerves are able to send a complete signal to your brain, for proper function of the muscle/organ on the other end. When there is a misalignment that nerve gets blocked and is not able to send a full signal, resulting in pain/illnesses. I was suffering from severe neck pain, back pain, headaches, and shoulder pain. However, once I get a chiropractic treatment, and the pressure is taken off my nerves running through my spinal cord, all that pain is able to leave.

Chiropractic care has changed my life. I have been able to exercise, travel and live in ways I thought I would not be able to. If you or anyone you know would like to be checked for scoliosis, I highly recommend seeing your local chiropractor. Let them complete a full chiropractic examination and x-rays with you so they are able to see your spine. If you are lucky and don’t have scoliosis, I still recommend regular chiropractic treatments. Everyone experiences aches, pains and stress in their body, chiropractic adjustments are a great way to help relieve those stressors.

Believe me when I tell you, even if I didn’t have scoliosis, I would be going to see a chiropractor for maintenance care. That is why my husband and mom go as well! Give your spine a chance to relax! I’m sure it could use it!
PS – I had such an amazing experience with chiropractic care, I now work in the clinic I started as a patient in. Don’t hesitate to ask me any questions on your next visit, I would love to help!