All my life I thought chiropractors were quacks. However, a few years ago I developed worsening upper back and shoulder pain on my left side after I changed jobs. For some reason, the position of the chair, work surface, keyboard and mouse seemed to combine to create a painful workstation and, soon, non-stop cramping from below my left shoulder all the way up to my ear.
On Good Friday 2012, I sat in church listening to the reading of the Passion, in so much pain that I absent mindedly picked up the Easter bulleting. An ad for Caron Chropractic caught my attention. I endured a painful Easter weekend and called the office on Monday. I could have had an appointment the same day, but my schedule was such that I had to wait until a few days later. I felt immediate relief after my first session and returned twice. Since then, I've returned for an "adjustment' three times, most recently for two sessions in October. Each appointment follows the same pattern.
Electrical Stimulation I think of the first treatment as the "electrocution phase" -- what the clinics calls electrical stimulation -- administered in a dimly lighted room with three or four treatment tables. Electrodes dipped in gel are placed on two affected points. In my case, one is under my left shoulder blade and the other is high on my neck. I lie on a padded table, with a pillowed support under my knees. The assistant fires up the current. and I let her know when it's strong enough. I like it good, strong and hot. I love hot electrical vibrations outlining my shoulder blade, like a strong, narrow shower spray. I'm always sorry when the current stops and I have to get up from the table.
Adjustment The adjustment is done in a private treatment room on a chiropractic table. I lie on my stomach and the chiropractor uses a combination of manual adjustments and gravity, as sections of the table drop away, by design. I find the adjustment somewhat painful, but it feels as though the right parts in my back are moving. I then lie on my back and my neck is twisted, somewhat noisily. The neck twists feel good but I'm soon sitting on the side of the table.
Activator This is the hammer phase, using the activator technique. The chiropractor uses the activator device to administer rapidly delivered blows to the affected area, causing cramps and muscle spasms to resolve. The literature on this one is mixed, but I like the pounding and feel very relaxed afterward.
I suspect that the success of chiropractic treatment is highest for ailments like mine, caused by repetitive stress and long hours of sitting or working in the same position. I would be less inclined to submit to an adjustment if I had denegerative disk disease or osteoporosis. For me, though, chiropractic care is a great addition to my health care arsenal.
