My entire running career started in 6th grade with road racing. I consider my peak to be qualifying for the 2014 Boston marathon by running a 3:18 in the Portland Marathon in 2012 at the age of 44. During the entire span of time, I DESPISED stretching despite always being tight, especially in the hamstrings, and upper back and shoulders. All this caught up to me in the 2010's when my late wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. I used running as a relief value, and punished myself when I hit the wall knowing my suffering pales in comparison; stretching be damned!
I started feel sciatic nerve pain down my left leg while sleeping in a recliner recovering from the flue while my late wife was on chemotherapy treatments. I experience the pain before in the office as years of sitting at the computer caused similar pain resulting in getting more ergonomic chairs and sit/stand solutions. The pain didn't go away though, therefore my PCP ordered X-Ray's then MRI's, and then referral to physical therapy, then pain management. This was pushed to the back burner as I was a caregiver until 2016 when she died.
The darkness didn't end for my until 2021 when my beautiful fiancé ( whom referred me to Dr. Barnick, btw), and I reacquainted and fell in love! This is when I started advocating for my own health, mentally and physically. I moved to Vancouver last year from Albany, Oregon. It's been tough the last few years to find medical professionals, however I did find a great PCP and the Vancouver Clinic. We have made some progress is pain relief with prescribed massage therapy, hydrotherapy, OMT, and various things I have tried on my own to relief pain ( Inversion table, too many back device with / without heat/ vibration , spinal roller types, TENs devices, Massage guns, acupuncture, etc.). My pain level prior was around a 7 or 8 all day and night. At this point pain wise I was at a 2-3 at the start of the day, and then back to a 7 - 9 by 6pm.
One day driving around Vancouver, I saw a sign for a Chiropractor that triggered a memory as I had since Chiropractors in the past, most recently while training for the 2012 Portland marathon for the sciatic nerve pain. My fiancé referred me to Barnick Chiropractic, --"Music cue: superhero intro!"
Shaneice was my first contact over the phone scheduling an appointment that was father out then I expected, however she offered to put me on a waiting list for any opening. Shaneice is amazing! She is always pleasant, efficient, and knowledgeable.. even at 7:30am!. I know that other care coordinators have worked on my back when I can't see them, or helped me with scheduling but they are also very wonderful.
I saw Dr Solé first. I explained in long detail my pain story. He listened, asked follow questions, did his evaluation, and then started working on me. I can't remember all the magic spells he did on me as I was in painful bliss feeling movement in my back, hips, upper back & neck, and feeling pain melt away! Leaving the office I was expecting the pain to come back within a few minutes in the truck, but I didn't! Later in the day, my back tightened up again, and at last the pain came back.. .but there is now hope!
I saw Dr Barnick the next Tuesday, and went through the evaluation, massage, and treatment.. again mind blowing to feel the release of tension everywhere in my body, but especially where the pain is targeted, low back. We came up with a treatment plan, and every visit I spine feels looser, less pain, and more mobility. The last visit was the kicker!
My right shoulder has been bothering me, and Dr. Barnick recommended setting up time with Scott, one of the massage therapists on staff. OMG! I didn't know how painful it is to getting your hip flexors "massaged", but the bliss when the tightness released. Same for the hamstrings, and any other tight muscle he could find! I walked out on a cloud free of pain, tears in my eyes, and a new family in my rearview. Thank you Barnick Chiropractic! read more