So, I went to the Chiropractor today...

zorba · 10-18-2007, 12:04 AM

I've been under constant, once monthly Chiropractic care since a back injury more than 6 years ago. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to leave the Chiropractor I had had since day 1, and go to a new guy.

My first visit last month was pretty much the same as my visits to my old Chiro had been. "Ok", methinks, "this guy will work out".

Today I went for my second visit. He did the "usual stuff" for my back. Then he started in on something all new. He told me he could "open up" my hips, and we did a bunch of adjustments, stretches, etc.

I noticed an immediate increase in my side-to-side range of motion, and was moderately impressed. A Belly Dancer can always use more side-to-side R.O.M., especially us males...

But when I got to class tonite, my instructor couldn't pick her jaw up off the floor - and neither could my wife. Watching myself in the mirrors, I can do HUGE Maias (like I've always wanted to be able to do)!!

I dunno if it will still be that way tomorrow, but I'm really stoked about this!

*Shira* · 10-18-2007, 12:08 AM

Wow, sounds like you've found someone with the potential to do you a lot of good! It's amazing how much of a difference the right kind of body work can make for a person!

angelique2 · 10-18-2007, 12:25 AM

wow, That is great! I really do think they help.,Unlike some of my family members. They tell me I am wasting time and money on them.

mamarama · 10-18-2007, 02:10 AM

That's fab! I am also having monthly chiro sessions. I recently became pregnant, and the chiro said that I may have a difficult time with a normal delivery because of how my hips fit into the sockets. We are working on this, I am hoping this time around, I can have a natural birth.

It is amazing though to go into there crippled as I have before, and come out walking. Mine does an amazing job. Good to see yours too now Zorba.

sabrinabellydancer · 10-18-2007, 03:52 AM

wow, thats great. sounds like he is a real pro.

Bellydancingcaroline · 10-18-2007, 04:05 AM

A chiropractor that knows their stuff is a rare thing. Well done for finding one. I always am hearing the worst stories from people here and it always starts with your opening line, so I am glad to hear that you are OK.

ssipes · 10-18-2007, 07:35 AM

That's great news, Zorba! Can you find out from your chiro what muscle(s) exactly was/were tight that he stretched out?

Keep us informed on how it goes.

Sedonia

theesfield · 10-18-2007, 08:24 AM

The thought of going to a chiro scares me. I'd be interested in the update. How long did your new results stay? Did your body re-align itself back to it's accoustom position? How often do you need this kind of adjustment to get the ROM that you are looking for.

Nilaja

zorba · 10-18-2007, 10:12 AM

In the "for what its worth dept", I still seem to have the ROM this AM. We'll see! No soreness either.

He said he was "repositioning/reseating" my hip joints. I dunno - but it sure made a difference! I would expect my body to tend to want to go back to "normal", based on 6+ years of experience with my back.

In the case of the original injury, conventional medicine let me down unfortunately; made me a *LOT* worse. 3 sessions with the (old) Chiropractor and it didn't hurt anymore - I was sold...

*Shira* · 10-18-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theesfield

The thought of going to a chiro scares me. I'd be interested in the update. How long did your new results stay? Did your body re-align itself back to it's accoustom position? How often do you need this kind of adjustment to get the ROM that you are looking for.

Nilaja

Nilaja, I don't know what style of therapy Zorba's chiropractor used, but I can tell you that when I have gone for rolfing, the intention of the work is to help my fascia re-align themselves into a healthy position rather than their previous bad one. In my case, the results have definitely stayed. After an individual treatment, I'd have a number of stiff areas throughout my body for 2-3 days that were NOT the areas the rolfer had worked on, which I interpreted to mean that my body was indeed aiming for a new alignment and the muscles were reacting to the unfamiliar.

I did try a chiropractor 10 years ago, and didn't like the experience. It didn't harm me, but it didn't help either and my intuitions said that the adjustments seemed violent, so after 4-5 sessions I didn't go back. It sounds like Zorba's guy is using an approach different from the customary chiropractic "push the vertebrae into different positions" approach.

ssipes · 10-18-2007, 10:57 AM

I have been to several chiropractors in my life, and I don't feel I was ever really helped by any of them. I do much better with massage therapy, myofascial release, and osteopathic adjustments. These all treat soft tissue.

I always felt like the chiro was fighting an uphill battle against my muscles but not addressing my muscular problems.

But that's just me. I'm sure chiropractic helps other people.

Sedonia

rakgirl · 10-18-2007, 11:39 AM

That's great Zorba, you've inspired me to go back to my guy.
I go to a Naprapath who does the same adjustments and also does massage. O agree with Sedonia it makes a big difference. My problem is that after an ajustment my body really wants to go back. I have scoliosis and the top half of my spine was fused 12 years ago. He told me to do soaks several times a week in apple cider vinegar and epson salt. That will help the muscles to relax. I stopped tho. But now that I think about it, it did help with my dancing.

10-19-2007, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssipes

I have been to several chiropractors in my life, and I don't feel I was ever really helped by any of them. I do much better with massage therapy, myofascial release, and osteopathic adjustments. These all treat soft tissue.

I always felt like the chiro was fighting an uphill battle against my muscles but not addressing my muscular problems.

But that's just me. I'm sure chiropractic helps other people.

Sedonia

My osteopath is a true healer.

angelique2 · 10-23-2007, 10:48 PM

I have to say my chiropractor has helped me a lot. There had been times in the past, where I could not walk in the office unless I had help. After the adjustment I could walk out with no help at all.

Hi Zorba,
How is your ROM now?

laura 2 · 10-23-2007, 10:54 PM

I'm curious too!

zorba · 10-24-2007, 12:15 AM

Right now, at 22:14 at night after a 2 hour BD class: Not as good as it was when I started this thread - but still pretty darn good! I'm starting to stiffen up after class though....

ssipes · 10-24-2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zorba

Right now, at 22:14 at night after a 2 hour BD class: Not as good as it was when I started this thread - but still pretty darn good! I'm starting to stiffen up after class though....

Glad to hear it. Zorba, I wish your chiro could/would articulate what he did better than just "open up your hips" so that other dancers could see out similar treatment from their chiros or (in my case) my D.O. or massage therapist. Did he give you any suggestions of what stretches to do yourself to keep or enhance this ROM improvement?

Sedonia

10-24-2007, 08:21 AM

Zorba, that's awesome news.

rakgirl · 10-24-2007, 12:38 PM

do that apple cider vinegar and epsom salt soak i mentioned earlier. i promise it really helps to relax your muscles when you want to stiffen up. the muscles have to be trained to relax since we've trained them to be stiff for so long.

angelique2 · 10-24-2007, 02:40 PM

Hi Rakgirl,

How much of the apple cider vinegar and Epsom salt do u use for the soak?

rakgirl · 10-24-2007, 04:00 PM

3 cups apple cider vinegar and 2 cups epsom salt in a bath as hot as you can stand it. remember to rinse off afterwards so you dont smell like a salad.
i need to do one tonight.