3rd Time's the Charm

So I've seen a new Chiropractor for the last 6 days. And yes, I am well aware that no one on earth cares to read about my back problems! But I wanted to make sure I write down my experience so I can remember it and track my progress. Just the quick re-cap of the last 6 months.

So after seeing a bad chiro who was afraid to adjust me and a neurosurgeon who didn't sound confident in anything helping, I did a TON of research on my own. I came across a Chiropractor in Little Elm. He had very extensive information on his website and graduated as the salutatorian of his class. And after much prayer, I felt like he was the one I should try. He incorporates a variety of treatments into his practice including spinal decompression, chiropractic adjustments, electrotherapy, cold laser therapy & physical therapy exercises.

After my consultation, I finally felt like I had found someone who truly cared about helping me. And it made me feel better knowing he would incorporate many things instead of just relying on one single treatment. (And for the last 2 months, I have been doing exercises and swimming faithfully and nothing seemed to help the pain for longer than a few hours.) He made it clear that it would be a hard 8 weeks and that would only stabilize my condition. However, he said, "I like a challenge and you are not the worst case I've seen". So I felt like I was in good hands.

So after 6 appointments, here are the things I have noticed:

• I can stretch to my right side again without any pain!
  
• (I couldn't bend to the right at all; my body just wouldn't budge!)
• I don't wake up in the night!
  
• (I used to wake up to lift myself up when I needed to change positions because of the pain)
• I don't have any aching muscles in my neck or radiating down my butt or hamstrings!
• (This is one of the most significant changes I've noticed. )
  

I now only feel pain in the disc area upon bending or moving certain ways. He says that it will start to heal now as we add in exercises and spinal decompression. Thank you to all who have prayed for healing. God IS truly at work and I know He will use this experience for His glory and purposes. Please pray that God would continue to heal my discs and that I would be able to get back to living my life! There are so many things I know I need to do but I know He's teaching me through this and I'm thankful that He knows what I need better than I do. I'm reminded of several verses:

Proverbs 14:12 - "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death"

Isaiah 53:6 - "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way"

Proverbs 19:21 - "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

My ways and previous decisions have failed. I put my trust in these previous doctors/chiros. Then I put my trust in myself that I could heal it with exercise and diet. I have had to relinquish every ounce of control to my creator and trust that He has a plan for me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11