Chiropractors or Chiroquacktors?

I grew up thinking chiropractors were quacks. I used to work with a man who swore one good crack of the neck would cure a cold or clear his sinuses. Um, I'm not buying that! So I had no interest in finding out what chiropractors really do, and just ignored them until about five years ago. I awoke one morning in great pain - must have done something to my right shoulder - and my sister recommended going to see a friend of hers that is a chiro. I figured I didn't have anything to lose but a little money, so I went to see him. He did his thing - my neck and spine sounded like a popcorn popper or a bowl of Rice Krispies! I felt great! But a few days later all the kinks and pains came back. I tried going a few more times, but never got any "real" relief. So I stopped, figured it was a waste of money and time.

Then last summer I fell (who me? fall? no, I'm not that clumsy!) when I missed a step up into a store. No biggy - just skinned my knee, scraped my chin, and gave myself what felt like a minor case of whiplash. After about a month of chronic neck and upper back pain I decided to go see a good friend of ours who is a chiro. We've known him and his sweet wife for years, and I trust him to tell me the truth and not just take our money and run! And it helped that I had a coupon for like $200 off the initial exam and x-rays!

His office staff did a very thorough exam, and then the next day Ed and I met with him to go over the results. The x-rays were a real eye-opener - my spine was a mess! Crooked (a curve in my lower back and another in my upper back) and two compressed discs in my lower back. I knew I had major issues with lower back pain, but our family doctor never thought much of it.
He laid out a plan of action, and we laid out a hefty chunk of change, and six months later I am feeling great! My lower back pain has decreased to where it is now virtually non-existent and I've been healthier than I've been in years. I missed my six-month evaluation and x-rays because of the concussion.

During a weekly adjustment after my concussion he suggested taking some different x-rays of my neck. In doing so, he discovered that my second vertebrae is twisted and shifted to the left (thanks to hitting my head so flippin' hard!). I've been seeing him at least three times a week lately, and I've seen some major improvement in some areas, mainly my walking. Four weeks ago Ed and I were seriously looking into buying a walker for me. I couldn't walk more than three or four steps without needing someone or something to lean on. Now I can walk without any problems at all - at least until I get tired, then my right leg starts to drag.

Results I've seen from the doctors' care: an increase in medication that made my seizures worse, reassurance that my neurological functions are normal, and that I get to wait until May to get any real answers (that's when I get to see the neurologist -only three months after the initial injury!

Results I've seen from the chiropractor's care: improved balance, improved motor skills, and greater independence from these improvements

Do I think a chiropractor can cure the common cold? NOPE! But he (or she) can certainly make a positive difference in a person's health.