Jessie has been experiencing back pain ever since she was a teenager. Her back pain got especially noticeable while driving a whale-watching boat during summers. The combination of rough waters and repetitive motion of handling the boat’s throttle caused strain in Jessie’s upper back and right shoulder. And after a couple of years of driving, she developed a painful muscle knot that wouldn’t go away even with stretching and exercise.
Being a passionate surfer, Jessie loves getting out in the water and enjoying the waves. However, her back pain affected Jessie’s joy of surfing and competing. The idea of not being able to surf at a level she had before saddened her.
To deal with the pain, Jessie’s mom suggested she visits her chiropractor. Coincidently, the chiropractor has been treating surfers and athletes for many years. “I’ve been visiting my chiro for three years now and feel so much better as a result. In the beginning, I went more often, but now I only go when feeling tight or needing a tune-up.” Jessie’s chiropractor treats athletes at competitions. On-site care is beneficial in performance enhancement, quicker muscle recovery, and in determining if an athlete is fit to continue competing after a minor injury.
“I remember him treating athletes on the beach during the Queen of the Peak women’s surfing competition, and in between heats, I would get treatment. I have to tell you that my shoulder felt amazing after, and I was able to surf a lot better.”
It’s safe to say that Jessie’s lifestyle revolves around surfing and her love of the ocean. “All I do is always with surfing in the back of my mind. It’s an all-encompassing sport.” Jessie is most thankful for her ability to go out surfing without thinking about her back pain. It frees up her mind to work on her technique and perform new tricks. “I would encourage people to go visit a chiropractor for pain, or even if they just want to learn more about how to keep the back healthy.”
