I've dealt with severe back, shoulder, head and jaw pain for the majority of my life thanks to car vs. bicycle when I was young. I have tried everything I could to resolve it over the years, including staying fit through my tears. I have visited chiropractors (I was seeing a chiropractor in SanFran a full two years prior to The Joint) before but none seemed to be able to do much more than bring me out of a pain crisis. In addition, my old injuries caused blood clots in my right arm, I suffered a PE and neurological damage to my hands in 2010 and spent a year on blood thinners. The surgery that would be required only has a 20% success rate so not really an option. I also have the usual wear and tear on my knees, hips and lower back that every post-50 person acquires.
When I could no longer swim or run or do much more than walk and sit, I began to lose hope that I would ever be able to regain strength or agility and suspected I would age into a broken, decrepit body. I couldn't exercise my way out of this situation, nor fly to SF every time I needed help, which was often. I was afraid the next blood clot would make me drop dead. I was desperate; I looked online, saw the special introductory offer and booked an appointment.
That was Halloween day, 2016. The doctor that received me into care was wearing a costume so I don't even know which one he was. He listened, adjusted carefully and I at least could sleep that night. I took his advice seriously and kept coming in for adjustments. I got better.
I like the business model. Of course, cost is a major concern when seeking repetitive medical care. I thought 2 - 3 visits a week, which I knew I needed, would be too much of a bite out of my budget. The receptionist took time to explain the Wellness Plan and I jumped at the chance. Having been a former buyer, I can tell you The Joint services are way underpriced for the quality of care. It is the best $60/month I have ever spent on myself. Right now, I go roughly twice a week so my final costs are about $100/month. In addition, you can see the same doctor time after time, try different doctors or even visit a different location.
That last part was critical in my case. The pain relief I experienced hit a plateau. I was much, much better but I felt that exercise could be included in my care plan; I am not much for sitting around doing ice bags and heat. Then one day in February 2017, I had the good fortune of meeting Dr. Chris LaRue. He adjusted me and everything changed. My grandfather said to me once that a "good diagnostician is worth his weight in gold". Dr. Chris said the right things about restoring the symmetry of my body - a concept I had long privately embraced and attempted (yes, I am self-back-cracker that did more harm to herself than good) but had no idea how to explain my inner physical dysmorphia to a doctor and there he was, explaining it to me. I don't know what to call his method - maybe "intuitive", but that day I walked out of The Joint with a second chance at life. Dr. Chris adjusted me and relieved pain in places I hadn't even yet been able to alleviate with any doctor. He takes the time to consult when I need it, he gives me magical exercises to address weaknesses in my face, neck, shoulders and hips - which I perform like a religion - a new one each time I visit. I feel like we are a team to heal me.
This is what else happened: My sinuses permanently cleared, the numbness in my hands left, my right eye and side of jaw didn't hurt all day, my vision improved - I no longer needed glasses, my right ear deafness has lessened, my posture improved, my legs feel GREAT; I can do lunges and squats again, my knees don't grind when I climb the stairs, I can feel my face(!), I have increased the rotation of all of my joints, my reflexes are catlike, my ankles don't crack when I run, I don't need anti-inflammatory medicine....shall I go on? Oh yeah, the never-ending, life-long constant misery of pain is almost a faint memory. I have a life again, that is no small thing to me.
So go to The Joint, talk to the great receptionists, try the different professional and focused doctors, ask questions, seek care regularly and follow your care plan. read more
