God works in mysterious ways. He may not always be speedy, he may not always answer, but he is ALWAYS listening. A lot of things have happened this past week and I’m going to keep it simple and not bog you down with too many details.
Bottom line, 3 years ago in May of 2009 I ruptured my pec major tendon. After surgery and repair I was rehabbing just fine and getting back into the swing of things. I started a round of P90X and I did 2 reps too many while doing pull ups. Instead of stopping at 6, unassisted pull-ups I ignored my body and did 7. I heard and felt a nasty creaking and cracking noise up my neck. So what did I do? I did rep number 8 and I heard the sound again but louder. That was about 1 years after surgery. Since that day, tightness and pain in my neck as plagued me. Doctor’s couldn’t tell me what’s wrong, I tired going to see a Rolfer (Rolfing), a deep tissue therapist who specializes in muscle rehab (who I so recommend), acupuncture (which is amazing too) and I even went back to Physical therapy. No one could really give me an answer as to what exactly I did to my neck and now one really had a solution.
As of late the pain has gotten worse and it started to spread. It was isolated on the lest side of my neck and trap then it started to travel north to my jaw and south to my mid back. I would start to feel fine and then start a workout program and the pain would be back and soon be worse. This has derailed so many different Beachbody workout programs for me over the past two years. Programs like RevAbs, P90x, INSANITY, The Asyulm. I love to weight train, and I love to workout hard but I hate cardio. The thought that I was destined to just to cardio really upset me plus that wouldn’t slove my pain.
facet joint syndrome image
Long story short, I am just so pumped and blessed finally have found an answer for my neck, shoulder, and back pain. I have Facet Join Syndrome and my first treatment is tomorrow. My doctor is awesome and he totally took all my fears and concerns away without me even having to address them.
I cannot wait to get fixed. Finally after a year and a half of being in pain and struggling with my health and fitness. I finally feel like I have a solution. I finally feel that after this I’ll be able to become the physical fit Joe I was prior to my injury!!!
Mathew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
I never stopped praying and seeking. Lots of times I wanted to give up hope and just though that this was something I had to deal with and “suck it up”. I knew a solution was out there. I just had to keep asking!
Dr. Heinz Schamberger D.C. was recommended to me by a customer and a friend. We met for Lunch to discuss Shakeology and the Ultimate Reset and we were sharing. I started to tell her about my story and how I was fearful of chiropractors but felt that maybe my last option to get fixed. I had an appointment set up with another chiropractor here in Rochester, but after hearing about her experience with Dr. Schamberger I knew he was the guy and after meeting with him, I know I made the right decision. Tomorrow is my first adjustment. He told me that this is a simple fix and at the most it would be 5 to 6 adjustments. I loved his passion, his experience and his knowledge and I also love how he said if he doesn’t think he could do anything or he wasn’t the right person for my situation he would tell me and recommend someone who he thought could help. Thank God he can help. When he put his hand on my neck and press where the facet joint was pain shot up and over my eyeball. I almost cried not cause of pain but because I had an answer as to why I was having pain.
The idea of adjustments and stories of people who constantly go visit chiropractors again and again scared me. I didn’t want this to be an on going life style of adjustments. I want to be fixed and down. Before I even brought up this concern, Dr. Schamberger addressed this too by saying if he can he will fix me like a mechanic fixes a car, and after i won’t need to see him again. LOVED THAT!!! Plus the icing on the cake is he is a big believer in Christ and the things we spoke about just made me confirm that I made the right decision.
Thank you God and let the healing begin.
(So much for keeping it short but I could have gone on.)
That’s awesome Joe! Coming off my own long-term injury (which also required a chiropractor to further my healing), I can relate to your situation. It is amazing how much the alignment of your spine affects all parts of your body because the spine hosts the nerves that run through your body. I know you’ll keep up with the physical therapy they’ll give you to do – that’ll be key to your healing.
Matthew 7:7 says it all. Great post!
Great story! Glad you are on the way to recovery. Nothing worse than a pain in the neck (pun intended)!
Great post Joe a lot of helpful information in here.
Wow! Never heard of facet joint syndrome! I’m so happy you were able to get a diagnosis and are on your way to recovery!
Wow! I’ve never heard of facet joint syndrome. I’m so happy that you were finally able to get a diagnosis and are on the road to recovery!
Very interesting read. I have been going to a chiropractor for years. I was also reluctant and didn’t want to be one of those guys….. After an adjustment, it feels like an adrenoline shot. Glad to hear you found the answer.
So glad you found your answer. Hope you are able to enjoy a full recovery!