What's in it for me?
Would you buy a cheap pen if you knew it would never write? Would you hire a mechanic that took three weeks to change your oil? Would you give your ADHD child a medication that would cause an increased risk in suicide? Of course you want to know how much service and goods cost, but you, also, want to determine all of the other benefits of the service or product. Like most people, you want to know, “What’s in it for me?”
Last month, Ann M. was referred to me for severe lower back pain, with a classic sciatic pain shooting down her leg. The pain got to the point where she was unable to work, because she was incapable of standing for any length of time, much less fulfilling her duties as a security guard. For several weeks she came in three times per week for adjustments, stretched tight muscles and avoided irritants; trying her best to heal. And, even though she truly wanted to work, she was unable. Eventually, after weeks of frustration, she did return to work, but not before her job started making life more difficult for her.
The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest single nerve in the body and is formed from the combination of the 4th and 5th lumbar spinal nerves with the 1st thru 3rd sacral nerves. Your sciatic nerve provides sensory and motor information for your lower extremities. The L4-S3 nerves, also, provide nerve signals to the intestines, bladder, kidney, and sexual organs.
I don't want to diminish that fact that Ann M. suffered with extreme pain and dysfunction, for weeks, but I want to recommend you look at Ann’s story in a much more profound manner than as a lesson in how to relieve sciatic pain. Of course there's nothing wrong with seeking chiropractic for pain relief, but think about the fact that Ann lost money from not being able to work, as well. She was unable to enjoy her hobbies or go to the gym, and couldn’t tend to her son. By now, the scientific community agrees that research supports chiropractic care for lower back pain, but the research also shows benefits for colic, bladder/kidney dysfunction, and uterine problems. All of these organs are influenced by the L4-S3 spinal nerves. I would imagine with so much nerve irritation and dysfunction, Ann's organs were dysfunctional, as well, albeit symptom free. When you ask, "What's in it for me?" I'd venture to say, "Everything!" Every last aspect of your potential is affected by nerve interference. Regular chiropractic care is a necessity that you just shouldn't live without, it's just that important.
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Maintaining Wellness Through Spinal Health,
Andrew Matassa, D.C.