I finally got my ass to a chiropractor today. I realized that this problem wasn't fixing itself with rest. Well - that statement is untrue - when I could rest it, there was a definite improvement in symptoms but who the hell can rest with a job, a dog, three kids and a house to run? (I left Hubby out of that list because he's brilliant at helping out and can completely sort himself out, which he's been doing). The biggest problem has been work because of all the diddy furniture and the bending down involved. Any good gained from taking it easy at home was completely undone in three hours of working with 4-5 year-olds. And anyway, even when the pain eased up through rest, I still wasn't sorting out the actual problem.
Basically my neck is banjaxed and a different problem with my pelvis has caused my lower back to seize up. Two vertebrae in the base of my neck are out of place. This is causing serious restrictions in movement and trapping nerves which in turn are causing problems with using my arm. It's also the reason for an increased number of headaches I've been getting. My chiropractor was brilliant; she was very calm, very good at explaining everything and I was putty in her hands. Honestly she was so relaxing that I didn't even flinch when she said to me:
"So for this next bit I'm just going to use a little gun to ease the pressure along your spine."
She then added it was nothing to be worried about and that it sounded a lot scarier than it actually was. It was only at that point did I realise what she'd actually said. I think if she'd told be to run barefoot over hot coals I'd have gone along with it.
So after ONE three-quarter hour session I walked out feeling light as air. I am now able to put on my own shoes and I even ran up the stairs. God bless chiropractors! And why in the name of all that's holy can't they be on the NHS? This was one session and I feel so much relief I can't tell you. By the time I've finished the treatment I'll be poorer, sure, but I won't have missed any work, I won't have needed the kind of strong painkillers my GP would have put me on and I'll have cured the cause of the problem. Had I let this go on I have no doubt that I would've ended up with a slipped disc or something, thereby costing the National Health System (NHS) and my employers a lot more. But the medical profession continues to view alternative therapies, such as this, as quackery which is why thousands of people who could be helped, but who haven't go the means to seek private therapy, languish at home in chronic pain. I'm sure that this costs the National Health System more in the end.
I will now bound off my soapbox - because I can.
15 comments:
Dealing with little kids can be tricky for adults because we're so much bigger than them and the temptation, when we're trying to gat down to their level, is to forget the knees and hips are much better at helping us to shrink a bit than the back & neck.
Personally, I advocate the use of a portable pit, which you can clamber into when you need to make eye contact with toddlers.
That is genius Whirl you should patent that idea immediately.
I was just thinking about you, wondering how you're getting on. The awful month of January is nearly gone and my daffodil shoots are coming up. I'm looking forward to Spring. People smile more. ;0)
I'm glad you've got some relief from it, Janey. I've had neck and shoulder problems in the past and it can be terrible.
I don't have much faith in the NHS these days, I must say. It's a nuisance to have to pay but at least you're getting the treatment you need.
Yay, Janey! So glad you're feeling better!
Oh. I love that little gun. I call it being stapled though.
I get a weekly massage and it keeps me from seizing up and having issues. And the cost is straight out of my pocket.
Some chiropractors and some Chinese herbalists and some acupuncturists are worth their weight in gold. Too bad it tends to be our gold. At least chiropractors here in the States are covered under a lot of policies.
Fairy coming from a country that has only private medical care I have a huge appreciation of the NHS. I think it's brilliant. However I do think it needs an overhaul. It seems to me that huge resources are wasted on paying for the care of chronic conditions (like back pain) that can be treated if the medical profession wasn't so wedded to the idea that only western medicine has any value. For me they are all too quick to throw pharmaceuticals at symptoms rather than treat the source of the problem. I guess it comes down to that malevolent duo of money and ego. Anyhoo I'm delighted that I got me some relief. Pain really isn't any fun.
Thanks Robin - getting there at last!
Sarah yes! She did call it a staple gun after I started laughing and asked her if she was putting me out of my misery. It's a wonderful object and a lot less hassle than being 'cracked'. Over here if you have private medical insurance it can cover alternative treatments such as this. You need a letter of referral from your GP and the insurer will pay for the treatment. However the same GP will not refer you on the National Health System because it does not recognise chiropractors as medical practitioners. But strangely they do recognise osteopaths! Crazy. We pay higher taxes in this country to fund the NHS, I for one would like to see a wider acceptance of these therapies.
If I had the cash I would love a weekly massage. It makes good sense and it's a wonderful treat!
hurrah! i felt great too. but now, i have relapsed after three sessions. a bit worried about it. (only for my problem area, lower right back). will be in on monday to see what's up!
it's not considered conventional medicine alas...
Yay, you're getting better! When you're all fixed up, check into the challenge and see the amazing graphics JJdeBenedictis has made for it.
Oh dear...I'm terrified of chiropractors. Utterly terrified.
But so very very glad you're feeling better!
So glad you are feeling all sprightly again!
So sorry ive been so rubbish at communicating......I promise to do better...
love to all,
Liz
xxx
I think that you should send this post to the NHS! Maybe it will convince the authorities; it certainly convinced me!
Hope you will be fully re-aligned very, very soon. xx
Its good to have you running again Janey! :-D
Hope you don't have much trouble with the IT department of NHS...they are one of our major clients! :) :)
Owweeeeee - that all sounds really sore, from the sore back to the gun! But I am so glad you found relief.
Are chiropracters really not covered by the NHS?! I'm gobsmacked! That is just so bloody shortsighted.
And thanks for your comments about January on ye olde blogge - yes, I think you must be right - so be gone, January, be gone!
I'm so glad you're feeling better! Yay for "quack" doctors:)
But see, that's the problem. The "regular" doctors and pharmaceutical companies would lose money. So its in their best interest to proclaim Chiropractic and other "alternative" medicines quackery.
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