It's 10pm, I am heading uphill at a stoplight one foot on the clutch and one on the brake and something catches my eye in the mirror. The next thing I know I am rear-ended by a drunk-driver. That was 1998.
For the last 15 years I have suffered intense and debilitating back pain. I had done all the prescribed physical therapy, chiropractics, and massage that the doctors ordered, but only two things helped (ever). Yoga and ibuprofen. The rule was... the more Yoga, the less ibuprofen I needed to make it through a day (or a night sleep). But too much Yoga and I would hurt myself further. Without even realizing it - I was addicted to those little "over-the-counter" anti-inflamatory pills. They worked, and I loved them. I had two in my little jeans pocket, two in my coat, some in my car, and had gotten to the point where they were part of my daily vitamin routine. Then they didn't work anymore and I needed to take more.
One day I woke up and couldn't get out of bed. This wasn't a rare thing for me, for the last 10+ years, this happened once or twice a year if I did something overly athletic like walked too far, sat a a desk too long, or turned around to check to see if any cars were coming. A good friend had been harassing me about seeing his chiropractor for a few years, I finally called him and he brought me in to see Dr. Topping.
I had already read up on the Blair Technique and Upper Cervical adjustments in general and although it made sense on paper - I had little hope. Dr. Topping was extremely hospitable, and took a real interest in understanding my accident, my experience, and my pain. He took his time examining my case. As is his procedure, he took a series of low-radiation x-rays of my neck (the entire time me trying explain the my injury was L5 (lower back)). He used a pencil, protractor, ruler, and MATH to analyze my X-rays. He measured my legs on this fancy machine and then explained exactly what he believed to be my alignment/subluxations and the prognosis. (I still had little faith but agreed to the procedure which immediately followed).
He spent a good amount of time lining me up on this special table, talking to me, explaining exactly what he was doing along the way. Then he applied some pressure to the back of my neck feeling around for the vertebrae. He instructed me to hold still, then the table made a click as he steadied me, and he said I was done. I felt a strange sensation as he helped me stand up, a sense of clarity and balance I had not felt in a while. He remeasured me and said "yup, we got it" and then had me rest for a while.
Since that day (I have gone back for some other adjustments as my neck straightens itself out and I continue to heal) I have not taken ibuprofen or complained of back pain. It isn't some magic, and my friends will tell you that I am not usually the "woo-woo" spirituality type, but having a repaired Upper Cervical Vertebrae has helped my lower back heal and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
It has been about a year since my first visit. At this point I have studied what I could of The Blair Technique and happy to be on a path of increased spinal cord health, free of subluxation and free of pain.
Thank you toppingchiropractic.com.
Sincerely,
Brent read more
