A few weeks ago, I felt a twinge in my lower back - uncomfortable, but not terrible. Then I decided to work out.
The next morning I could barely get out of my bed, and once I did, found walking to be such a challenge that I called into my office to say I had to work from home. I realized I had to do something about this pain as soon as possible and narrowed my options down to two choices: 1) Urgent Care, 2) Chiropractor. I was always suspect of Chiropractics, though I'm not entirely sure why, but I was also not too crazy about going to an Urgent Care facility and probably leaving with nothing more than a fistful of wonderful little pills that would make me feel better, but probably wouldn't actually fix anything.
How does one solve such a quandary? Why, one checks their insurance benefits, of course! A visit to Urgent Care would result in a $100 copay, the Chiropractor would be a $30 copay. Looks like I'll be exploring the exciting world of chiropractics!
I then went immediately to Yelp to find a chiropractor and the reviews made it clear the only real choice was Aligned Modern Health. I pulled up their site and sent an email requesting the soonest possible appointment. I was pleasantly surprised when I received an email back well before their office opened for the day offering up a couple of different appointment options (the email was great not only because it offered me hope for some relief, but also because they responded to my email via email - it's amazing how many places, in 2012, respond to email requests via phone -- if I wanted to talk, I'd have called you... curmudgeonly rant over).
So when the time came, I hobbled on out to my car and headed down to Lincoln Square, filled with blinding pain and crippling optimism... or maybe it was the other way around? Anyway, I showed up and was greeted by the incredibly friendly and helpful Andrew, who, after I finished my requisite paperwork, gave me a tour of their attractive and welcoming facility (this seems like a good time to note that they have the best music of any doctor's office I have ever visited -- Andrew gave the credit to Pandora... so humble, they are).
While the doctor finished with her current patient, I was able to take in this amazing bed-type thing that makes any massage chair you ever sat in at a Brookstone weep with envy, then had my lower back hooked up to some electric current and ice, which sounds mid evil (except the electric part), but was actually quite enjoyable. After this, I was introduced to Dr. Ford. I described the pain, explained that I had no idea what caused it, had my posture checked (actually quite good - thanks, grandma!), and snapped a few x-rays right there in the office. The doctor snap-crackle-and-popped me across the back and neck and then Andrew set me up for my next few appointments.
What really struck me here is that Andrew took the time to explain that if what they're doing doesn't work after a few appointments, they'll send me somewhere else. He also addressed the idea that many people have of chiropractors just trying to bleed your insurance - he insists they don't practice such shenanigans and so far I have no reason to doubt that.
I have since returned probably a half-dozen times, each time experiencing the same welcoming atmosphere and feel just about perfect now. Andrew and Dr. Ford are always friendly and eager to help. I've also been lucky enough to have prescribed deep-tissue massage every-other appointment or so with Teresa, who seems to know exactly how to keep the massage just shy of blindingly painful - I have never left that massage room without feeling better.
Aligned is a great one-stop shop for your chiro needs - everything you need is on-site. I have a friend from High School who is now a Chiropractor in the St. Louis area and he certainly doesn't have access to all of this in his office - he has to send people all sorts of places for their therapeutic massages, or x-rays, or just about anything that isn't an exam or adjustment.
I am so happy to recommend Aligned, in fact, that I dusted off my Yelp account after THREE YEARS of review dormancy. If you're looking for a chiropractor, go to Aligned; you won't be disappointed. read more