In February of 2006, I’d resigned myself that I was going to have to use a cane to attend the county fair with my grandchildren. And it really made me mad. I didn’t want to be tied to a cane any time in my life but especially not at age 55.

This realization sent me searching for treatment, not pain meds. My personal physician said that it was possible to get relief from chiropractic treatment if one had a good chiropractor.

After my consultation, the doctor suggested a series of 12 treatments, spaced close together and then follow-up treatment for continued relief. He also strongly recommended therapeutic massage, something I’d never thought of.

Terror reigned in my heart as I went to the first adjustment. The fear of snapped vertebrae and aching ligaments per the old wives’ tales of chiropractic torture was foremost as I steeled myself not to run. (Couldn’t have run anyway!) The first treatment was unique in my experience, and left me feeling hopeful of some relief.

As the adjustments progressed, I gained confidence in my chiro’s expertise and was able to take his advice, by scheduling the massages. It was amazing how well and quickly the two treatments work together to bring muscle pain relief. I found myself scheduling longer massages and reaping more and more benefits from them.

This entire experience comes down to the fact that within a few short weeks, I was straighter, more flexible, and virtually pain-free. I know that I have arthritis, and some days, I have to be more careful than others. But, the dreaded cane is many years in my future.

Chiropractic treatment has not been a cure for my arthritis, but it has made my life livable again.

I expect to continue chiropractic treatment and therapeutic massage indefinitely.