For as long as I can remember I have had neck pain. Not the debilitating kind, but the kind that has always been there that I’ve learned to live with. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that most people can roll their neck without pain. I must have had some trauma to my neck when I was younger and as a result, I have carried chronic pain with me my entire life. Similarly, I have lower back pain. My dad used always tell me that walking in heels could result in lower back pain. Of course being young and dumb comes with some consequences. I now suffer of stiffness in my lower back that possibly could be a result of all those years in heels.

I had heard of chiropractic work, but didn’t know anybody personally who had ever been.  When I found out about Accident Treatment Centers, I learned they had a South Loop location that would be convenient for me to finally take the plunge!  In my first meeting with Dr. Luke we discussed pain points and what brought me in the door in the first place.  Our meeting was followed by some X-rays to see where the damage had occurred.  After discussing where the improvements needed to be made we ironed out a schedule that would start my journey into chiropractic work.

The Schedule

I was scheduled to complete 12 sessions at three times a week for a month.  On the first rotation, I was walked through what to do and why I was doing it. From then on every time I came in, I was equipped to do the exercises on my own. Each appointment lasted between 30-40 min depending on how busy it was.  Upon waking into the office I was to grab my sheet which detailed how many sessions I had scheduled and what steps I was to take; along with a timer.

Step 1: The first rotation had me taking a roller to my neck on either side for one minute each. Then I was to foam roll from my shoulder blades to lower back for one minute.

Step 2: I needed to take a small ball and roll it on either side of my spine on my upper back for one minute each.

Step 3: Toward the end of the rotation I had to take a foam block and place it between my shoulder blades and move my neck forward and back 24 times like a “clucking chicken.”

Step 4: I would head to the power plates and hold my neck for 30 seconds on either side followed by a 30 second stretch on my shoulders.

Once that rotation was complete I would wait for my “adjustment” which entailed of a back and neck crack.  This was my favorite!  At the end I would head over to “traction” where my head was hung back for 10 minute to readjust the spinal curve.

The Takeaway

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After completing 12 sessions in the same rotation, I now feel a little bit of relief. I imagine that if I had continued to do sessions for longer I would have felt even better.  I can safely say that instead of chronic bad days I now only have some bad days. Am I a believer in chiropractic work? Absolutely. I think for people who suffer of debilitating pain, who don’t want to use surgery as their first choice this is a wonderful route to consider when finding relief for chronic pain.

Your Chick,

Sonia