A Chiropractic Life Less Ordinary

To be honest, I was feeling pretty lousy when Small City phoned. They wanted to know if I wanted to pop along to Chiropractic Life, get a couple of treatments and then do a review.  This year I'd had a long string of seemingly never-ending dental problems that had left me feeling physically drained and seemed to have zapped all of my willpower.  As a result, I had all but abandoned my good habits of swimming and going to the gym, and had begun to comfort eat instead.  After all, I'd been having a really crummy time and I deserved a Big Mac meal, didn't I?  And if I deserved a Mac Meal then I sure as hell deserved a couple of nice craft beers, a big bag of Doritos and a night watching movies on the couch.   After all, I was practically a hero for dealing with dental pain that would have driven a lesser man to the brink of madness, and all without resorting to the use of hard drugs.

If a person can think well, move well and eat well with a clear and un-interfered nervous system there is no limit to the human potential.I was put in contact with Josh Goodey, who is an associate chiropractor and would be putting together a package that would give me a taste of what Chiropractic Life could do for me.  Josh studied Sports and Exercise Science at The University of Leeds and during this time was first exposed to the philosophy of Chiropractic.  After some further research and observing Chiropractors in practice, he soon decided that this was the career for him.  During final year at Uni Josh began to see patients who were achieving great results with their Chiropractic care.   However, he felt there was more that he and the patient could be doing to improve their overall health by combining lifestyle changes with their care plan. “If a person can think well, move well and eat well with a clear and un-interfered nervous system there is no limit to the human potential.” This is what initially led Josh to the 8 Weeks to Wellness programme, as it incorporates all of these elements, with Chiropractic at its core.

Unfortunately, as I have just started a full-time job whilst simultaneously in the process of buying a new house, I was unable to participate in the full 8 Weeks to Wellness course ahead of writing this article.  Instead, Josh suggested that I have an initial consultation with him and he would produce a Wellness Score for me.  This involved filling in a number of questionnaires and having a functional health assessment that measured aspects such as, posture, spinal range of motion, body fat and cellular hydration.  This then produces a score which allows a care plan to put together with the sole objective of improving your Wellness Score and achieving optimal health.  While I was waiting for my score to be calculated I also got the chance to tour the building and check out the facilities that I would be able to avail myself off if I sign up for 8 Weeks to Wellness.  I'm particularly impressed with the bright, spacious, state of the art gym.

After a quick adjustment by Josh, I did find significant improvement in my pain and stiffnessAfter producing my Score, Goodey suggested that I have a chiropractic adjustment as he felt it would increase my range of movement and help with some niggling lower back pain that I was experiencing.  In the past, I have been pretty sceptical about Chiropractors, as in my twenties I saw one for ages with what seemed like very little improvement.  After a quick adjustment by Josh, I did find significant improvement in my pain and stiffness and this combined with swimming has my back feeling much better.  This improvement came just in the nick of time as my new job involves 13-hour night shifts and I was dreading the idea of sitting at a desk all night with a throbbing back.  

So the adjustment had been a major success but there was still more to come.  Next up was an hour-long therapeutic massage session. Massage is said to perfectly complement chiropractic care. While chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the spine and its impact on the nervous system, massage focuses on the 650 muscles of the body. Both disciplines work together to help keep the body in proper alignment, balance and function.  

I've always loved a good massage and I was really looking forward to this one.  I have suffered from chronic pain from the age of 16 and the tension associated with it often leaves me with tightness and muscular pain in my legs, and today was no exception.  I was in good hands though, as therapist Louise Pullar would be taking care of me.  Unusually, Louise got into massage therapy after sustaining injuries while studying at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance.  She was pointed in the direction of Massage Therapy by her tutors.  Since then she has furthered her studies and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Abertay University.

Using a combination of deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy and myofascial release Louise was able to work on my legs and get me feeling a lot more human againUsing a combination of deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy and myofascial release Louise was able to work on my legs and get me feeling a lot more human again.  In addition, she was also able to show me a number of stretching exercises that I could use daily to help stop the tightness building up again.  I had a great experience at Chiropractic life, the level of care and facilities on offer are second to none and I hope to come back and take part in the 8 Weeks to Wellness Plan in the not too distant future.