First, for my LGBTQI family I want to say that I frequently avoid places with "family" in the name and very proper looking photographs. But this is a safe place, and there is a genuine sense of caring and compassion for /everyone./
Now, I have a very interesting back, with an unusual hyper-flexibility condition (tendons too long for the vertebrae), discs that bulge and rupture easily, and one vertebrae that moves independently of the rest in my lower back. I can be fine one moment, and then shift position and feel like an ice pick has gone through my spine. Six years ago, at 34, It became so crippling and so frequent that it resulted in eight months of physical therapy and medication, followed by spine surgery, followed by another year of intense physical therapy. Since then I haven't gone crippled from the pain again... Until last February.
Ever since the issue years ago I've avoided chiropractors, because any adjustment that is off by the tiniest bit can rupture a disc in my spine, and the only times I've ever had adjustments in my neck it has caused significant pain for days or weeks afterward. But after 2 1/2 months of being bedridden and then very, very slow progress in recovery, a friend of mine (who is just as careful with her back as i am with mine) convinced me to try Dr. Baker and his team.
They told me when i made the appointment to bring any x-rays I might have, so I did. They took more x-rays to complete what was missing, and then took an entire day to go over everything and make sure they knew what was going on with my spine. This right away impressed me a lot. I've had chiropractors who flat out wouldn't work on my back, and others who might have wanted x-rays but pooh-poohed my explanations of hyperflexibility, or told me it would go away with exercise. (Not at my level - and I have a VERY active job and stay fit, anyway.)
Not only did Dr. Baker and Dr. Tong listen carefully to all of my explanations, study the x-rays, and explain to me a plan of moving very, very slowly without any adjustments at first, but they both remembered about the hyper flexibility issue, and adjusted how they would do things accordingly without my having to remind them!
Because things are so delicate in my spine, they started with simply using their fingers to shift vertebrae by tiny millimeters, rather than trying to pop things back into place and damage weakened discs. The pain is in my lower back, but I expressed concern about doing anything with it while it was still inflamed. Dr. Baker agreed with me, and then told me that if they ever suggested something that I wasn't sure about, I was the only person who could feel my body and they wanted my feedback, and that my opinion overrode their plan. He actually thanked me for telling them my back was too inflamed to start in the lower portion! (I know, I nearly fainted, too.)
So we started with my neck, continuing to give my lower back time to heal and calm down from the most recent injury. Even these mini adjustments in my neck helped the rest of my spine. Because of the x-rays they were also able to point out to me exactly where my spine was moving in ways that it shouldn't and could therefore cause problems in the future. It's a massive relief to know that somebody is thinking ahead to solve problems before they arise.
I've been seeing them now for about two months. While I have a whole team of people working on my back in different ways, the chiropractic has been an invaluable part of that. For the first time in seven years I actually have hours at a stretch where I'm pain-free. My spine is working much better, both upper and lower now, and aches and pains I was not aware of before have made themselves felt by their absence!
I must admit I'm great at being late, and I am amazed by their patience, especially over the last few weeks when I have managed to mis-schedule 1/3 of my appointments. (Sorry, guys!)
Finally, I occasionally suffer from panic attacks. Once with Dr. Baker and once with Dr. Tong I have been in the position of having to fight one off. This is not a subtle thing and typically involves lots of deep breathing and tears - and that's if I succeed. Most people get extremely uncomfortable, tense, and often times a little freaked out when this happens. But both Dr. Baker and Dr. Tong took it in stride, speaking softly and asking what they could do to help, and offering reassuring words. That was a first for me! And from both of them!
I'm glad I listened to my friend and took the chance. They are responsible, thorough, extremely knowledgeable, and compassionate. If you have a delicate spine, they will listen, move as slowly as needed, and are knowledgeable enough to help. If you have a great spine, they will make sure it stays that way! And if you have panic attacks, they can deal with that too. ;-) read more