Danica lived in Singapore for a few years where she practiced yoga about five to six days a week. One day, she came out of a hot yoga class and her leg and back started hurting a little. “I didn’t think much of it at first. However, my lower back on one side never got better. It just continued to cause me a lot of pain and discomfort and a lot of inflammation in the area.”
To help improve, she started seeing a physiotherapist for about a year in Singapore and then saw another physio when she came back to Canada. Danica would get little bouts of relief but wasn’t getting the help she needed to live free of pain. And so, she contacted a friend who was an orthopedic surgeon and asked for a recommendation. Her friend suggested a Doctor of Chiropractic, an expert in diagnosis and assessment of spine-related conditions.
“I was quite nervous at first because I hadn’t really had any experience with chiropractic care, and all I kind of knew about it were the stereotypical back cracking tales. I was apprehensive about it, but I trusted my friend’s recommendation.”
Danica was diagnosed with locked sacroiliac joint (SIJ for short) which caused inflammation and pain. Her chiropractor explained that the only way Danica’s pain will go away is if she unlocks the joint and realigns things properly so that the muscles around the joint can relax.
“I saw her twice in one week and I was pain-free for the first time in two years, and since those first two initial visits I have not had any other major issues with my back.” Danica continued her subsequent visits once in two to three months for the first year, and now she visits once every six months or just when she has the need.
Due to the professionalism and expertise of her chiropractor, Danica has completely overcome her fear of adjustment. “I could just tell the way my chiropractor assessed me that she knows the spine with her eyes closed. She knows what’s going on inside the body so well.”
Today, Danica feels that “chiropractic care is a really important form of self-care when you’re dealing with chronic injuries, pain or discomfort.” She also advises asking around for recommendations before you book your first appointment, to find your best fit.
