Gratituesday: The Chiropractor

For those who are skeptical about the benefits of regular chiropractic care, I urge you to give it a try. I have been going to a chiropractor for the past 11 years, and it is wonderful. I've been in several auto accidents which have aggravated the back problems I already have due to having scoliosis. When I first started going, I had trouble sleeping at night because my back hurt so badly. My hip was constantly becoming disjointed, and I had carpal tunnel in both wrists that would cause my hands to alternately ache and turn numb. I wouldn't be able to type this much without having to wrap up my wrists and ice them. My piano practice was suffering, needless to say, as I couldn't practice the "at least" 2 hours a day I was supposed to practice.
The really bad thing about all of this was that I was having these problems at only 16 (now you know how old I am!). My dad had started going because of knee problems he had developed while playing football in the army. Even though a chiropractor works on the spine, the spine's connection to the rest of the body can influence how the rest of the body works. By having regular chiropractic care, his knee stopped hurting as badly. He recommended that I should go. I was skeptical, but my back did hurt, so I went. My health problems improved, and many of my symptoms gradually went away over the course of several months. Until I was pregnant with BB, I hadn't had any back problems in 8 years.
There are several schools of thought regarding chiropractic care. My doctor practices the Gonstead method, which to me makes the most sense, as it actually manipulates the spine. Other methods involve the application of mild electric shocks, muscle massage, and other things. Ask around for recommendations, or do some Google research on the methods. Many of the online explanations of the different methods will provide a listing of doctors in your area who practice that method.
I'm grateful for chiropractors today. For more Gratituesday entries, check out Heavenly Homemakers each week.