So I recently received the 6 of 12 weekly sessions I am having with the Achtermann’s. Previous to beginning this regimen I typically received chiropractic adjustments at anywhere from 3 – 6 week intervals, mostly depending on my activity and stress level. So that this blog may be more meaningful, I will provide some background information.
It is summertime and there is no average day for me. During the school year I work part time at a local school and I do massage. During the break, I do a variety of odd jobs, domestic projects, intellectual pursuits and a variety of fun activities. Lately I have been getting up 7 and 8 a.m. I would like to get up closer to 6 a.m. to take advantage of the cooler weather for walking or biking, but I also enjoy reading before I go to bed – and lately I have let my books keep me up til about 11. I truly need 8-9 hours of sleep a night and if I have a restless night, I slog through the next day. Fortunately, the last couple of weeks my sleep has been good and consistent. Gotta love a good night’s sleep! I have also noticed that I have not been going through the midafternoon heavy eyelid phase that I was experiencing about 4 weeks ago. My energy has been pretty consistent although it drops if I do a lot of activity.
I don’t get sick a lot – perhaps a cold per year. Exhaustion usually gets me before my immune system lets down. Lately, however, I have had steady chest congestion that has led to an obnoxious cough – somewhat disrupting to my daily activities. Three weeks into this thing, I feel I have better control of it although I experience discomfort on my throat when I sneeze – which thankfully isn’t often.
I participate in a variety of exercise and right now I don’t have a set schedule of when I’m doing what. I try to do 30-60 minutes of aerobic activity 3-6 times per week and either weights or some kind of resistance exercise at least 2 times a week. I stretch every day and often go to a yoga class 1-2 times per week. Some of my preferred activities are walking 2-3 miles, hiking, riding my bike, water aerobics, weights and yoga. I take the stairs whenever I can and generally park on the periphery of the grocery store parking lot. I have been working on losing weight gradually (as I gained it) and have lost 10 pounds since January. I aim to lose another 10 pounds in the next three months.
For the treatments I am receiving from Dr. Marty and Dr. Karen, we are focusing on my leg length discrepancy as well as my mid/upper back, neck and shoulders. About 10 days ago I started wearing a no.7 heel lift in my right shoe. I remember the first few days my legs feeling particularly tired. There was also some achiness along the lateral side of my knee. That didn’t last long and now I don’t even notice that the lift is there. I am surprised that I am able to go without the lift (if I’m wearing shoes that are incompatible) without discomfort. In other words, I don’t feel discomfort with or without it (I was afraid that it would be uncomfortable if I went without it even briefly) and the docs assure me that in the long run it will prevent my hip from wearing out prematurely.
The focus on my upper back and neck area has really been centered on C7-T1 and the tops of the shoulders. My treatments are usually in the morning and by evening, I do have a headache. The discomfort starts just medial to my scapula and migrates up to my occiput. It definitely feels muscular. I’ve used moist heat and relaxation, but it’s really ibuprofen that takes care of it and it’s usually only the evening of the treatment. I haven’t noticed much change in my neck yet although there does seem to be more balance between right and left sides.
Overall, my energy levels seem more even, I am sleeping better at night, and I am able to maintain my exercise schedule without wearing out. I find it much easier to stand upright rather than collapsed in my midsection. My moods have also be steady and I am motivated to get things done. Thank you Docs!
Achtermann Chiropractic and Massage 