Pain Relief!!!

There’s a pill for everything—and another pill for all the side effects the first pill causes. More than 50 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain. In fact, chronic pain is the number one cause of disability across the globe. Approximately 58% of these people find relief with prescription medication, including opioids.

I am one of those 50 million who has suffered chronic pain for decades. Since my body does not tolerate NSAIDS (like ibuprofen and aspirin) and other typical pain relievers, I sought relief from alternative measures such as essential oils and massage. I also strive to maintain a Mediterranean diet, drink alcohol minimally, and walk, practice yoga, and swim to keep moving. I find these natural remedies and lifestyle practices fairly effective for short periods of time, but it was a constant struggle to keep pain controlled, and I never could stop it altogether.

My daughter, Erin, repeatedly suggested that I try a NUCCA chiropractor. She heard good results from friends who, like me, had tried everything and multiple doctors without relief.

The acronym NUCCA, which stands for National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association, is used for both the organization and chiropractic technique that focuses on the upper neck. The practice treats the cause of the problem—the restriction of messages moving between brain and body due to misalignment—rather than the symptoms, as traditional medicine seeks to do. NUCCA is said to be effective in the treatment of migraines and chronic headaches, TMJ, fibromyalgia, vertigo, sciatica, nerve tingling, and countless other problems.

I resisted Erin’s suggestion for years. I was tired of the time and money spent on doctor visits. Besides, I’d been advised by several doctors including my neurologist who has serious concerns for me because of a particular health issue, and even chiropractors who believed that the bone cracking of typical chiropractic treatment (which NUCCA does not do) could be severely damaging to my already deteriorating spine.

But I finally came to breaking point. I couldn’t take the pain any longer. My head and neck pounded constantly in addition to overall aches from fibromyalgia. Daily living and working were exhausting, and concentration exhausted me more. I decided to try this different type of chiropractic treatment. I felt I had little to lose.

I began seeing Dr Conner Krause, D.C. in September of last year. After x-raying my neck, Dr Krause said that instead of a normal gentle “C,” my neck was in the shape of an “S.” Multiple calculations showed significant deviations including pinched nerves, discs out of alignment, bone spurs, and arthritis. There is so little space between some of my discs that they are nearly fused. Dr. Krause said that he couldn’t completely rectify the extensive damage of 40-50 years, but he could provide relief. I agreed for him to do what he could.

After multiple x-rays of my neck, and precise measurements and analysis, Dr Krause made an adjustment by gently tapping on my neck in a particular location. I was skeptical that his little nudging would make a difference, but an x-ray immediately afterwards already showed significant improvement.

Two days after the first adjustment, I had an outrageous headache and was concerned that the treatment aggravated the situation. But as the days passed, I gradually noticed relief. Visits initially were scheduled twice a week and continually were spaced further apart if the spine was holding position. At nine months, I’m returning to the office every two months.

Visits consist of checking my leg length and hips to see if they are even. Dr. Krause also checks the temperature of my neck. If all is good, as it has been for six months, Dr Krause uses a little tool called an activator to stimulate muscles in any areas I’m experiencing pain or tension due to muscle tightness.

Overall, I’m feeling incredibly well. I continue to have arthritic pain in my hands and a few other places, some nerve tingling, occasionally get some fibromyalgia aches, and will develop a headache if I’m on the computer too long without looking away, but I’m remarkably and delightedly better, and therefore, happier. The constant, gripping pain I’d experienced for decades truly is relieved.

Some insurance companies pay for chiropractic care. Mine does not, which makes no sense to me. Insurance will cover much more expensive prescription medications, surgery, and other traditional procedures that treat symptoms but not the root of the problem. Regardless, my life is greatly improved because of the NUCCA treatments. The expense is an investment in my well-being.

Learn more about NUCCA, or find a NUCCA practitioner near you by visiting nucca.org.

***Check out my newest book, Tranquility. Transformation. Transcendence. The Enchanting Promises of Public Gardens.

#health #ChiropracticCare #Pain #Headaches #NUCCA #PainRelief