My Story 3

Eventually one of my housemates convinced me to see a chiropractor, and during the case history and initial exam, the chiropractor openly admitted he was very bemused at the degree and severity of pain I was suffering given my age. This response made me realise that what I previously took to be normal may not actually be what others experience at all.

Although no attempt was made to explain why I may be suffering in the way I was, and even though the real underlying pain never improved, the relief that treatment provided was significant, and enabled me to gradually regain more emotional control over what had become an almost impossible situation.

In order to control and manage the level and severity of pain I suffered, I needed chiropractic treatment every 10 days or so, and did everything possible on a student budget to maintain this for nearly two years. I managed to scrape a 2:1 in my finals, and went on to study for a 1 year MSc course.

Following completion of my MSc, I moved to south-west England, began my career in Environmental Consultancy, set up home with my partner and signed up with another chiropractor.

This time, I was given a diagnosis; mild scoliosis and a functional leg-length discrepancy (right leg about 1.5cm shorter than left). I was given a heel lift to wear in the right shoe, which I wore every day, and received treatment every 1 to 2 weeks. Although my situation never improved, the treatment allowed me to maintain some control over my life. Quite often, I would become emotional and cry during or after treatment, due to the sheer relief I felt.

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