My Everest…

So as you can tell by reading this journal, blog, book, thoughts of a weird and crazy person call it whatever you wish you can see that I touch upon going to Chiro, Massage, physio, basically anywhere I can find pain relief so that I can have a life.  I know I have become more daring in the modalities I choose for pain control vs. what I would have ever dared even considered previously.  I think I touched upon somewhere that I hated needles and now I get an insane amount of nerve blocks injected into my face, neck and shoulders just to get relief.  Now pretty much everything is fair game.  I don’t like changing up the amount of meds I take as it takes about 2-3wks for the side effect to wear off and then I can finally function better.  So in lieu of that I choose alternative methods of self care.  Yes some of these I do get covered by a health care plan but others I pay out of pocket for, because I find them helpful.  In my house and my circle of friends there is always the huge debate as to whether these people (physio, chiro, rmt) are just there to take our hard earned money or do they actually help.  I know you know what side I am on!   Self Care is very important to me!  I regularly go to my massage therapist and he works on trying to get the stiffness out of my neck and shoulders.  For me it’s not a relaxing massage like most people go for,  it’s a healing massage. I also mentioned going to Chiro, and that during the covid shutdown he was the only one that kept me moving.  I would be in really bad shape had it not been for him!  As well as physio which I have been going to on and off for many years.  I find it hard to do a lot of the things normal people can do so little things like improving my range of motion are a big deal.  Simple stuff, you take for granted like putting away dishes from the dishwasher into the cupboard on the second shelf without pain.  It took me a lot of time and effort. I didn’t think I would ever get there.  But I got it done and now I can do it, and it feels like a huge accomplishment. There are times I think well… I can’t do something and I look back on my dishes, and other examples.  We need to change our thinking…we need to stop saying can’t and change it to can.  Little things add up to a lot and yes it takes forever, but would you rather be doing stuff then not?  Even if it’s just the little things? You need just 2 things perseverance and patience not the 2 simplest things in life!   

My team of 3 of RMT, Chiro, and Physio work together and together they try and map out the best plan of attack to maximize my pain relief, so that I can live a better life and be able to go out and have fun.   Do we have challenges?  Many!  Have I come in all flared up from something that they didn’t do heck yes!  At least my hope is whatever the cause was had a FUN factor behind it. The bottom line is I found something that worked for me.  Everyone needs to find something that works for them.  Even if it’s just one thing, as long as it makes you feel better and you can see the benefits of the care then keep on doing what you are doing.   If you can’t afford to do it….Talk to them and figure something out that works for you to keep you feeling better, because being in pain is not great.  But getting to do something you couldn’t do before feels AWESOME!  They want you to feel good too.  Don’t listen to the negative nellies. 

Now to address the naysayers as I know some too that think all of these modalities are just out to get your money and that physio is a load of crap.   I’ve had my fair share so I will speak to that as well. 

• –  I have walked in to see a physio and right off the bat been told you need 10 sessions.  Really?   But what if I feel better at 6 sessions?   I would look for another place.  Unless work has sent you there then you are stuck with them.  
•  – The place that charges the most for a visit doesn’t mean that they have the best people working there.    
• – If you go in for an initial assessment with a physio then that is the physio you should be seeing unless they are on vacation.  If that’s the case go find someplace else.   We are not lacking in physio places.  
• – Don’t go into physio thinking that miracles will happen after 2 visits.  You may feel better but it does take time and ….fyi you do need to do the exercises.  They don’t magically morph into happening.   Progress is gradual, but you should be able to see it when you go.  If you don’t ask questions !!  My guy’s a certified nerd. He likes questions and will answer in nerd speak and sometimes you need to request a translation.  Pssst…that’s OK! Sometimes I’ll even get pictures!
• – If you don’t get the warm fuzzy feeling when you go feel free to look for another.
• – If you don’t think the method that they are using is working, tell them.   You are paying for a service and they need to make sure you are happy with it.  If it is still not working then speak to the office manager. Maybe they need coaching or another physio can take a look and you can get a second opinion.

I guess what I am trying to say is you need to advocate for yourself.  It’s Your Money, Your Time and Your Investment in Your Health.  EMPOWER yourselves to have a better life.

You can sit there and say Physio, Chiro, and massage therapies are bullshit but until you try it you have no right to say anything about any of those modalites. If you have tried a while ago and it didn’t work but are sitting on the fence, I would encourage you to try it again. The world is evolving and so are all the modalites.  If you have tried and are still saying it is bullshit then I say you have the right to your opinion and I respect that.   But please don’t disrespect me because of something that is working for me.  Albeit my journey is slow, I am progressing and moving forward is the direction I want to go in.  So thank you to my rmt, chiro, and physio for constantly giving me a push in the right direction and with positive encouragement for a person like me with all my quirks and foibles!