Dr Dennis has helped me heal from an injury that happened over 40 years ago when I was a high…read moreschool bull rider in Texas. As a girl, we rode steers in competition, while the boys rode the bulls. So I decided to improve my skills, I would go to a bull riding school because if I could ride bulls, then I could surely ride a steer.
I went to Donny Gay's Bull Riding School in Mesquite, Texas. He used brahma bulls.which averaged 2200 pounds each.
We started on Friday night and I was the only girl there. I watched some of the boys and men get in the chutes on fierce, giant bulls. They'd rub resin into their ropes, climb down onto the bull's back which he didn't like -- he'd knock the rider against the sides of the chute, try to rear up and generally thrust his body any way he could to keep you from getting settled onto his back.
Then the guy would pull the rope tight, take ahold of it with one hand, and nod that he was ready for them to pull the chute open. Bang went the chute door agaisnt the fence! The 8-second ride from hell started. While 8 seconds may not sound long, I tell you from experience that with earthquakes and bull rides, it's forever.
For girls, we rode two-handed because it was supposed to be easier. So I resined my rope real good, and with deep fear and respect, climbed down into the chute onto that brahma bull's back. I got a good grip with both hands on my rope, nodded to open the chute and he bucked up and outta there.
I held on idk how long and quickly I realized e was too much for me. So I pulled my hand off the rope to get off him, I saw the rodeo clown coming to shew the bull away. But one hand was stuck too tight with too much resin to let go. I remember the rope sliding down the side of the bull then I woke up in the ER.
I'd been dragged under that 2200 pound beast with him stomping my neck and back, over and over, until I was rescued by the rodeo clown and others who separated my body from the bull. Every rodeo had an ambulance standing by, engine running, and this school was no exception. They took me to the ER, called my mother.
That bull bruised me deeply and broke my right shoulder blade. The ER doctor told my mother that I missed being paralyzed by half an inch. Mom put an end to my rodeo days.
So for the last 40 years, I hurt. My neck, especially the left side, ached and I had a lot of headaches. The muscle under my right shoulder blade stayed bunched up to remind me it was ready just in case I might get hurt again. I had headaches every afternoon
I "cracked" my own neck for brief relief. I went to doctors and other chiropractors, massage and physical therapists. I took muscle relaxers and pain pills. I was tired much of the time.
Everything helped for a bit, then the hurt came back. I couldn't turn my neck far enough to see other cars when I got on the freeway. I got rear ended several times which made me hurt more and in new ways.
I had to turn my whole body to look left or right. I'd always ask friends to sit to my right, because it was less painful for me to look that way. I couldn't look up to hear someone talking because my neck would crunch into my shoulders and hurt.
A nurse told me to stand straight for an xray because one shoulder was up higher than the other. I was confused because I felt normal, to me I was straight. The picture showed, however, that my body was crooked. It had been that way for so long that for me it felt right.
I heard about Dr. Dennis three times before I took the effort to go see him. He specializes in the upper cervical spine. I was desperate to feel better. That was 6 months ago.
Today with adjustments, rest and exercise I feel good most of the time. I have a lot more energy. I WANT to get up and start my day. I have 1 or 2 headaches a month.
I am so thankful to have found Dr. Dennis and his healing methods. I definitely recommend him!
