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"I will NEVER go to a chiropractor! Quacks... Voodoo artists...not real doctors.....they just want your money.....won't fix any problems....... Never....... that's it....end of discussion....."


Does this sound familiar? If so, then you can relate. If not, bless you.. you are probably not in pain or already have had a good experience with a chiropractor.


My situation started about, oh, let's say...... 25 years ago. I was 15. Yes, 15. I was with my family at Mackinac Island, on vacation. We rented those fabulous bicycle built for twos. First mistake. I'm sure they can be fun if you have 2 people who want to pedal, but I was riding with my brother Robbie, who wouldn't pedal his own bike, let alone a bike built for two.

We all biked to the Arch Rock side. My mom, 2 brothers and sister all wanted to climb up a path that seemed as steep as Mount Everest to see this picturesque "Arch Rock". I decided to go with them. Mistake #2. Dad was smart. He hung out on a bench by the water and waited.



Long story short, I was walking a dirt path, with my brother Jimmy. We were about 1/2 way up to the infamous "Arch Rock". As we walked the outer ridge of the trail, my foot got stuck in a tree root that was perfectly arched like a loop to catch someones toe. That someone was me. I got my toe stuck, stumbled, and fell- sideways. All the way, down the hill.



As I fell, all I knew was that I was in big trouble and tried to break my fall. I tried to to grab onto anything in my path to help slow me down. I remember finally grasping onto a tree branch, but then it snapped like a twig. I fell backwards, sideways, and then finally managed to roll and grab onto a post of the "stairs" that led to the Arch Rock.


As I fell, I heard voices screaming "Oh my gosh--- are you o.k.???? Oh No- look out!" Of course I was speechless, because I couldn't believe what was happening and was to afraid to scream. I just wanted to stop tumbling down that hill.


When I was able to fully grasp the stairwell post, I stopped the momentum of my fall. I hung on, and pulled myself under the banister, onto the staircase. I was 1/4 of the way down. I felt o.k.- a little dizzy and bruised, but after all, I was 15. At 15, kids are invincible. I did hurt, but I was able to limp down the rest of the stairs.

When I made it to the bottom, my dad was still sitting there, waiting for us. I limped over to him, bloody, bruised, leaves, twigs, and mulch sticking out of my head. He looked at me and said 'Where is your mother and brother?"-- Dads.....

I said "Um, Dad.....I kinda fell down that hill." He said "Your mother and brother have been looking for you. Now I can't find them. I will just wait here." Let's just say that my dad is older and a bit oblivious to emergency situations. So, I limped down to Lake Superior, washed off the blood, mulch, twigs, leaves and dirt, and limped back to the bench.


As I sat, two guys come running down the stairs, yelling "Oh My God, a kid just fell down the hill!!!!".................that's when my dad looked at me and figured it out. But, still, not a whole lot of response. My dad is pretty calm.


The guys saw me sitting there and said "It's You!" are you o.k.?????- Finally, someone acknowledged my pain. I was vindicated. I said, "yeah, I'm o.k." and that was that. Until my mom and brother came down the stairs. Then it was interesting.


Mom and brother said "Wow, we heard about a kid who fell down the hill". My dad looked at me, I looked at him, and then looked at them, and said "yeah, that was me." apparently I did a bang up job cleaning myself up because no one seemed to be that concerned about my injuries.


Eventually, all family members got back together and biked it back to the main dock. At least this time my brother Robbie did a little more pedaling. I remember being very sore and very bruised. I did get a little attention from my mom, but it really didn't seem like that big of a deal. In fact, it turned into a 'funny' story. One of those- hey remember when Carol fell down the side of the Arch Rock mountain.. ha, ha, ha......


Now, 25 years later, I feel the injury and am not laughing anymore. Add a car accident, 15 years of working in restaurants, and having a baby-- instant recipe for constant back, neck, shoulder pain.


After my daughter was born, I developed this knot in my rhomboid/trapezoid area on my right shoulder. Actually, it started during pregnancy. I could not rotate my head more than 5 degrees. I know this now, because I finally understand measurement of rotation.


I lived with pain constantly. I ended up in physical therapy 2 years ago. I did regular massage and heat and ice. I would go to my massage therapist and say "my rhomoboids are trashed." she did the best she could. I love massage and would get one every week if I could afford it, but I knew I needed more help. Finally, 2 months ago, I did something I said I would "NEVER" do. I went to a chiropractor.



Dr. Daniel McAleer and his staff at Kingswood Chiropractic Center in Bloomfield were recommended to me by a friend that I know, and obviously trust. This friend saw me one Monday night, when I was unable to turn my head. She said "Um, have you tried a chiropractor". I went into my spiel........blah, blah, blah, no way, never...... Then she said the magic words. "How long do you want to be in pain?" ah, pain... the great motivator.



So, 2 months ago, I went to Dr. Dan. I walked in, told him and his whole office that I do not believe in chiropractors, but that I was in so much pain I would try anything. Dr. Dan and his staff were very pleasant, and they understood my predicament. They must have heard this 10 million times.



After my initial consultation, I went 3 times the first week, 3 times the second, and 2 the third. At my first appointment, he measured the rotation of my head. I could only turn to the right about 35 degrees (hey- I could at least turn my whole body to see behind me when pulling out of my driveway)



The left side I could turn a whole 40 degrees! Whew..... I think Dr. Dan thought I was Superwoman. or crazy.....probably crazy to be in this much pain and still think I could control it.



So, now I'm feeling much, much, much better than I ever have in the past. No drugs (amazing), no PT every other day. I signed up for a year program that saves money in the long run. It is not extravagant- it is necessary. I have more energy and amazingly, my headaches seemed to have disappeared.



Dr. Dan did tell me that in addition to pain relief, I would probably feel better all over. Of course I didn't believe him then. I just nodded and smiled and did the perfunctory pageantry. But, for me, not just seeing, but feeling is believing. I'm sure there are others out there who are or were in a similar situation as myself. I also know that not every chiropractic office is the same.



However, Dr. Dan and his staff at the Kingswood Chiropractic Center have made a believer out of me. Easy appointments, very, very child friendly. (My daughter has to give Dr. Dan a hug every time we leave). If I would have know then, what I know now.... I learned again to NEVER say NEVER. If you think you need to see a chiropractor, then you probably do.

Labels: alternative medicine, back pain, chiropractor, natural healing, neck pain