I wish I could be macho and say I hurt my back playing football, lifting weights, or rescuing a…read moremorbidly obese invalid from a burning building, but my story is about as wimpy as they come. I injured my back playing a video game. Now, you're probably thinking, "Oh, he must be referring to 'Wii Sports' or some other game with motion controls," but no. I hurt my back playing "Klax" on the Atari Lynx. I aggravated it further a few days later while talking to a dead guy at a cemetery. I was sitting at a weird angle during both activities and pinched a nerve in my scoliosis-afflicted spine. I'm fairly certain that I'm the first chiropractic patient in history to blame a back injury on an Atari game and a ghost, so at least I've got *that* going for me.
The pain in my lower back was beginning to affect my quality of life, so I bit the bullet and made an appointment to see Dr. Brandon Rihn at Helotes Chiropractic Clinic. Several colleagues at my place of employment are regular clients and recommended Brandon without hesitation. After just two visits, I can see why he came so highly recommended.
Everyone working here is super friendly. Medical offices tend to be clinical (pardon the pun), but the staff here treat patients like family. I suffer from a mild case of latrophobia (fear of going to the doctor), but the affable front desk staff and X-ray tech quelled my anxiety within seconds. They are ingratiating, not just superficially polite.
Brandon began my first session by discussing my X-rays and proposing a course of treatment. Although I presented with mild-to-moderate lower back pain, my X-rays also revealed several previously undiagnosed issues with my neck: whiplash, a mild case of spina bifida, and early-onset arthritis. When he noticed the pronounced lateral "S" curve of my spine, he said he wished he could have treated me many years earlier. Apparently, when caught early, most cases of scoliosis can be corrected via chiropractic manipulation. If only I had known when I was diagnosed at age 12! He assured me, however, that he could at least partially straighten my spine.
The adjustment was intense. Brandon cracked my back and neck in ways I didn't think were even possible. I felt more flexible almost instantaneously, and the discomfort in my back went from about a "7 out of 10" to a "3 out of 10" on the pain scale chart. I had expected moderate relief, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much better I felt after just one adjustment.
My second and most recent adjustment yielded even better results. Later that day, I noticed that I was standing and sitting straighter. I also noticed that I no longer felt the urge to fidget in my chair or sway from side to side while standing. I can't remember the last time I was able to sit or stand still without fidgeting, so I can only conclude that the second adjustment corrected yet another nerve issue in my spine.
The second visit was special for another reason, too. Shortly before the adjustment, Brandon smiled and said, "Look, this might sound crazy, but have you ever communicated with a loved one or someone else who's passed?" I explained that I often conduct instrumental trans-communication (ITC) sessions and communicate with the dead, including my maternal grandmother. He seemed relieved that I was receptive to the topic and confessed that he felt an almost overwhelming spiritual presence surrounding me during my first adjustment. I showed Brandon several recent videos from my ITC sessions, which he found fascinating. He then shared with me a very personal story regarding his experiences with the paranormal. Clairsentience is common among holistic healers, so I shouldn't be surprised that Brandon possesses the gift.
If you live anywhere near San Antonio and need a chiropractor, then please consider making an appointment at Helotes Chiropractic Clinic. They accept most insurances (including Blue Cross/Blue Shield) and keep flexible hours. Oh, and if you *must* play "Klax" or communicate with a dead person at a cemetery, then please be mindful of your posture...and whatever you do, NEVER play "Klax" *and* talk to a dead guy simultaneously. Doing so may result in quadriplegia.
