Eating a Frog Never Tasted So Good
Today was one of my favorite rides yet because my daughters biked into town with me! We whooped and hollered down the hills, oohed and ahhed at nature, and encouraged each other when we got hot and tired. There is nothing I love more than sharing unbridled joy with those I love. It always amazes me how the most simple things that don’t cost any money end up being the best moments!
I’ve been thinking lately about how life seems to help me move along when I get stuck in places that are no longer serving me.
I have had a lot of pain and issues with my body over the last year and a half. Regular visits to my chiropractor helped keep me sane but we could never quite resolve the issue. Even so, I liked my chiropractor - we had worked hard to find me relief. Then I moved away.
The move itself with all the strain and stress really did a number on my body so not long after, I made a trip back to see my chiropractor in Joplin. However, I knew it was not a sustainable plan but the thought of establishing care in my new area felt beyond overwhelming. I avoided it as long as possible but eventually, my body was so much in pain I knew I had to do something.
It was time to eat the frog.
Sitting in my van, I took a deep breath, shoved aside my feelings of annoyance and voices that told me it was too scary, and dialed the number. I just wanted to find someone who knew how to do myofascial release. I had no clue that I would get so much more.
The phone call lasted 15 minutes and involved way too many questions. I didn’t understand why it had to be so complicated to just get into a chiropractor. The receptionist told me the first appointment would take about two hours and would include a lot of paperwork and discussing the financial options. They wanted my insurance information, which I gave them, but I didn’t think it covered chiropractors so I was irritated that I had to go through the process of giving all that info. Finally, the call was over and I hung up. “Uge. This is ridiculous. This isn’t going to work. This is going to be a waste of my time. I should just drive back to my old doctor.” The thoughts hijacked my brain but I had already set the appointment and felt like I should at least give it a try. “If you don’t like it, you can just leave,” I reassured myself.
The next day, I woke at the buttcrack of dawn, exercised, did chores, ate breakfast, got a splinter out of my daughter’s foot, and then rushed out the door to my appointment. The whole drive there doubt kept reminding me that this could quite possibly be a waste of time, energy, and money. It’s amazing how hard our brains will work to convince us to stay inside our comfort zone. Luckily I have had enough life experiences to know that the benefits of embracing change far outweigh the risks.
They were right about lots of paperwork but I was pleasantly surprised that most of it was geared towards them having an in-depth understanding of the problems I was having. After that, I was taken back and shown around. Turns out it is a wellness center with several different chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists. They took my vitals and then asked me a lot of questions. Still, I was a bit skeptical, but it felt good to feel like someone cared enough to know the whole story.
Next, the doctor came in, which was a female. This made my day. I had been agonizing for years, wishing I had a female chiropractor because my pain was in such a vulnerable area. The lady sat down and we began talking about the issues I was having. She checked my reflexes and range of motion. After taking time to look me over she referred me for x-rays. They took quite a few X-rays, from different angles that included my pelvis, entire spine, and neck. We ended the session with a complete scan of each foot. “At $40 an X-ray, this is going to cost a buttload,” I thought, but I was already committed so I just kept going along with whatever they wanted me to do.
Just when I thought it was over, I was sent back to the chiropractor. She had looked at my X-rays already and found out my pelvis was way out, I had some kind of old injury in my spine, my neck and middle to upper back had no curve, and my muscles were super tight from head to toe. “I have a feeling you are a getter’ done type of person,” she remarked as she worked up and down my spine. “Your whole body is way off so no wonder you have been hurting for a while, but we will get you back to where you need to be,” she said. A feeling I hadn’t felt for a long time crept into my body. It was hope.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, I was sent to a bed where a roller massaged up and down my spine and then to another bed for electric pulses and moist heat.
“That will be $40 for the X-rays,” the check-out receptionist said. I tried to not show my joy and disbelief that it wasn’t a million-dollar visit. I decided to not ask why. ;)
As I walked to my van after a two-and-a-half-hour appointment, I felt flooded with gratitude. I have never had such thorough treatment. Also, turns out my insurance covers quite a bit of chiropractic care.
I had started to believe that “pain” was my new normal. The past year I have had X-rays, ultrasounds, and a goddamn MRI in search of answers for my hurting hip. No one seemed to be able to help me. Everyone had always told me that once you turned 40 everything starts falling apart - but I resented these comments. I did not want to believe that getting older meant my life was going to suck.
After my visit, I not only felt hopeful, I felt proud - proud that I had finally chosen to find a new chiropractor. It’s not easy letting go of the familiar to try something new. And honestly, I would not have done it if it wasn’t for moving and needing to establish local care. This is where I see life stepping in and guiding me. I suppose I could have chosen to ignore the opportunity to change and just kept making the long drive back to my old chiropractor but my lack of ability to stay awake on long drives made that a terrible choice.
Taking two-and-a-half hours for an appointment felt a bit overboard but afterward, I realized that it was because my expectations were unrealistic. I just wanted to run in real quick, get a few adjustments, and then be healed and off on my way.
I’m sure many of us can relate to this. But when in life is that ever true?
I know we all want quick fixes, but healing is an extensive, intentional journey. Sure, we can slap bandaids on things to cover it up for a while, but that doesn’t fix the deeper issues. Giving my time, resources, and energy to get thorough care felt so damn good.
Growing up I was told that self-care was selfish. After 41 years, I have paid a high price for that belief. My beautiful body has been overworked and undervalued.
Not anymore.
Those hours spent getting much-needed care gave me a new resolve. I am worth it. I deserve to feel good. It’s not a waste of my time and energy - it’s an investment. It’s time to flip the script. Me first? Hell yes. Me first. And after I care for myself, I will be ready to care for others.
Religion fucked me over with its lies that if I cared for everyone else’s needs, God would care for mine. And though I wish I had known this sooner, I am grateful that I still have time to learn a better way - and that I can share this with you.
Prioritize yourself, honey. No one knows what you need better than yourself. Keep searching until you find the care you deserve. And if you find yourself with an opportunity to try something new, I say go for it.
My mentor always says, “The Universe has your back,” and I guess in my case that turned out to be literally true.
I’m rooting for you, my friend. I believe good things are coming your way! You just have to be brave enough to reach out and grab them!
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