About 17 days ago, I became slightly injured. I'm not exactly sure how it happened. Jack was doing Devo Dirt Militia cyclocross training and I was off in a corner trying to work on dismounts/remounts.
After I was done, there was a slight pain in my shoulder. No biggie, I thought. Just a little soreness.
I rode a couple of times that week (it rained a lot) and the injury never quite went away.
Labor day weekend was a fantastic 3 days of riding. Great weather after all the rain we'd been having. I went on 3 long group rides. With each one, my shoulder got worse. The pain became a constant problem.
By Monday, I was favoring my left arm on the way to the ride. I should just go home, I thought. Then I thought, Ah, it'll probably loosen up. My first instinct was the correct one.
The pain got worse as the 75 mile ride continued.
I really did some damage to it. Whew. I'm pretty stupid.
I haven't been on a bike since. Well, just once to ride a couple miles to a bar that first Friday. Even that was painful. Other than that, it's been 10 days off the bike.
Constant pain and tingling in my fingers kept me from exercising. I figured I'd wait it out until it got better, but it wasn't getting any better.
I had a similar issue (same thing actually, just not as bad) about 18 months ago. I went to the doctor and was told I could wait it out. I was able to ride through that one though.
I figured if I went to the doctor, I'd hear the same thing or surgery.
A friend of mine swears by the chiropractor. I've never been a fan. Maybe it works for some, but generally not for me.
In this case though, I was desperate. I have to get back on the bike. So I went to my friend's chiropractor to see what he'd say.
My problem with chiropractors is it seems to me that people who go to them just end up going in for adjustments forever. It seems like treatment for some lifelong condition, not healing an injury.
My friend explained this to the chiropractor before I showed up. He said, "Don't try to get him for some long term deal. He just wants his shoulder fixed."
The chiropractor said, "No problemo. I'll give him a pop and get him on his way. And hey. Tell him the first one's on me."
Well, how could I turn that down? If they can get me back on the bike, cool. If not, nothing lost.
So I went. I filled out a bunch of forms and they did an "evaluation."
I had to stick my fingers on some sensors for about 5 minutes to get my e-meter auditing or my midichlorian count or some shit.
After the measurement and some x-rays, I was sent on my way. No bone cracking. Just e-meters and x-rays. For free.
I was told that the data would be evaluated by a team of trained auditors or whatever and that I should set an appointment for the next day when the healing would begin. Also, that was the part that cost money. Doh.
The next morning, I went back to the chiropractor where I learned that I might be the most disfigured human on the planet. There is all kinds of stuff wrong with me. I wanted to object. I have been examined by a real doctor recently and on several occasions. He didn't mention any of these grievous deformities. He did lovingly call me Quasimodo once or twice though.
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| You say this all happened at cyclocross practice? |
There were about 5 or 6 different aspects of my nervous system being evaluated that day. The most disturbing of them was the revelation that because of my extremely malformed skeleton, my body cannot use energy nearly as efficiently as it should.
According to the quackometer test, I use 64% more energy than a healthy person to perform any task.
Obviously, my first thought was that if they fixed me, I might have to eat less to maintain my weight. Unacceptable.
I heard nothing after that. I knew it was complete bullshit. What if it wasn't though? I'm currently at 36% normal human energy efficiency. When I get to maximal, I'm going to be yelling at cars to get on the sidewalk!
Anyway, the guy cracked my back and told me what he needed to do to get me healthy.
Remember, 2 weeks ago - I was completely healthy. I hurt my shoulder, I needed it fixed.
The plan back to health for me as suggested by the chiropractor: 14 months at $200 a month. Friend prices, Of course.
What a bargain.
Later that day, when my friend (the one who likes the chiropractor) was doing the old "I told you not to try to sell him a plan" dance at the chiropractor's office - the chiropractor said, "Oh just the shoulder? Yeah, I can fix the shoulder. Send him back in."
As the wise George W. Bush once said, "Fool me, can't get fooled again!"
So that was a huge waste of time. My shoulder still hurt, my fingers were still tingling and I was still not riding my bike.
I was out of options so I asked myself "What would Brady do?" I knew the answer from all of these.
So yeah. Yesterday, I went to Mike Bartels, who performed some voodoo physical therapy on me and gave me some exercises to do. Yesterday and today were the first time I've done them.
I did not expect a whole lot when I made the appointment.
Judging from the way I felt all day today, this was the way to go. I wish I'd done it a week ago.
Today was the first day in 17 days I had no pain in my shoulder. There is still tingling in my fingers, but it is down about 70% from what it's been for the last 2 weeks.
The exercises I'm doing are grueling, but I can feel them doing their job. I'm very happy.
So add me to the list of people saying, Go see
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