It can happen to anyone. Even the chiropractor’s wife.
And apparently, all it takes is a pickup truck, a parade, approximately 300 packets of candy, and a little too much enthusiasm.
If you’ve been following Shannon and Hayley’s adventures at Dows Corn Days, you may have seen that we had a float in the parade. We were riding in the back of an antique 1941 F1 pickup truck, throwing candy to the crowd to help promote our upcoming vendor market in Dows on October 10th. Read more about that HERE.
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We had a LOT of little candy and sticker packets to throw.
And I may have gotten a little carried away. I remember using the phrase….. “maximum effort”.
Because somewhere between the first and the last packet, I managed to throw my low back out.
Yep.
From throwing parade candy.
Apparently my back did not appreciate my commitment to the parade. So let’s go ahead and address the obvious:
"But you're married to a chiropractor!"
I know.
This is probably the part where you're thinking, "Wait… don't you live AND work with a chiropractor?
Why, yes. Yes, I do.
And I have been taking full advantage of that fact.
Since the parade, I've been getting adjusted almost daily. I'm wearing a sacroiliac belt for additional support, and I've used over-the-counter pain patches and anti-inflammatory medication to help manage the discomfort.
And my husband, who has been practicing chiropractic for 20 years, keeps reminding me of something that is admittedly not what I want to hear:
"These kinds of injuries often take time to heal."
In his experience, it is common for someone dealing with an injury like this to need around two weeks to really pull out of it.
Two weeks?! But I have things to do!
Unfortunately, my back apparently did not check my calendar before deciding to become a problem.
The lesson? It really can happen to anyone.
One of the things I think is important to remember when you're dealing with an injury is that you aren't necessarily doing anything wrong just because you aren't feeling better immediately.
Sometimes your body simply needs time.
Even when you're doing all the right things.
Even when you're getting adjusted.
Even when you're supporting the area with a belt.
Even when you're using other appropriate measures to help manage your symptoms.
Healing isn't always an overnight process.
And sometimes the thing that sets you back isn't a dramatic accident or some crazy feat of athleticism.
Sometimes it's…
throwing candy.
So, what am I doing now?
I'm listening to my body, following my chiropractor's recommendations (yes, I know how lucky I am!), and trying not to do anything that makes the situation worse.
I'm also trying very hard not to dramatically groan every time I have to stand up. It’s not the best advertising in the office, lol!
And I'm reminding myself that rest and patience are part of the process, too.
If you've ever had a back injury, you know how frustrating it can be when you just want to get back to your normal routine.
If you're currently dealing with something similar, give yourself a little grace. Your body may need more time than your brain would prefer.
And if you're having significant or persistent pain, it's always a good idea to have it evaluated so you can figure out what's going on and determine the best course of action.
As for me?
Apparently, even chiropractors' wives need chiropractic care.
And apparently, I need to learn how to pace myself when there's candy involved.
This post is based on my personal experience and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific condition. Every injury is different, and recovery time can vary from person to person. If you're experiencing back pain or an injury, talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation.