How Gentle Chiropractic found me…
As a bodyworker at one time or another Chiropractic care will find you. Most the time it’s through a referral from a client of yours, a colleague, a friend, family or through the web. In 2009 I was developing some pretty severe tendonitis in my left shoulder from work. Massage was helping a bit, but wasn’t giving me the desired relief. It was then that I decided to give Chiropractic care a go. I didn’t know of any good Chiropractors myself at the time so I went with my dear friend’s referral who she raved about. I really didn’t know what to expect other than it would probably involve some snap, crackle, and pop actions. As I look back I can remember the day pretty clearly. The clinic looked much like a small town doctor’s office. There was a simple waiting room, a small receptionist booth, and basic decor scattered around. I was then greeted by his staff and was handed some paperwork. Upon finishing I was taken to a room to watch a video about Chiropractic. I thought this to be a little impersonal but I know Chiropractors are busy and maybe don’t have the time to discuss their process, so I guess it was a practical move. After waiting a bit the Doctor came in introduced himself and took me to get a quick x ray. I was pretty impressed that the process was fast and the image was ready to be shown right then and there. He explained my x-ray to me and noticed some imbalances and spinal deviations. I felt well that’s probably right since I’ve been in pain for some time….Now fix me! He then took me to his table and a part of me was nervous, but his professionalism was comforting enough to calm the nerves. Then the adjustment; snap, crackle, pop…you’re done! Almost exactly what I expected, well not totally I was sent to a massage table afterwards. That felt okay but I was a bit baffled about how quick the actual care was and how routine it felt. I checked out, scheduled my follow-ups and left a bit dissatisfied and also quite sore. I didn’t get my Chiropractic a-ha moment then or in the follow-ups. Now it is quite possible that my pain was more muscular than in the spine itself, but either way I was left kind of deflated from my initial enthusiasm of Chiropractic. I didn’t give up, however, I tried a couple more doctors thinking maybe it was his technique, but they too performed their adjustments in a similar manner and I was left in the same way. Is this what Chiropractic is? A routine sequence of crackles and popples? How is this individualized care if that’s the case? I rarely give the same bodywork twice, and if I do it’s usually for pure relaxation. Where’s the intuition? Where’s the art? Where’s the true healing?
And then it found me. It was a typical day of bodywork. I had a new client that wanted deep tissue which is usually involving the back and neck, but he did not want either! He was a cyclist and mainly wanted his legs to be worked out. I thought okay there’s got to be some tension in the back because there is in everyone else’s. I told him I would work on the back just for a bit for full body balance and he was okay with that. Upon putting my hands on his back I was shocked and amazed to find that it was as smooth as butter! There were hardly any adhesions, areas of contracted stress, nothing! It was a bodyworker’s dream, so I had to ask. What do you do? And then he told me about his Chiropractor, Dr. Dina Keon at Touch Chiropractic. I then asked if she does the traditional snap, crackle & pop method that I was familiar with and he said no and that she is very gentle, barely touching at times, and uses an activator. A ha! There is a different approach out there! I visually stamped this information in my mind for future use and referrals, yet it wasn’t until several years later that I actually went to see her. Life happens, your visual stamp fades, and for a time there my body was feeling pretty good. It wasn’t until after having my second child that my body was needing some good care again. I made the call and set my appointment with restored enthusiasm. Upon entering I already felt a good energy. The office was calm, clean and inviting. The staff was warm & friendly and had me fill out some paperwork. I was then taken to a room and guess what? No informal video introduction! Instead I was blessed with Dr. Dina herself. She was a lovely presence. She introduced herself and her approach to Chiropractic. She listened to my past experiences of the typical crack & pop methods and she informed me that her technique is very different and much more gentle. She explained that she uses a Tonal technique called Network which I found fascinating. I then shared with her that I was given her name years ago from a client of mine and that I should have come in sooner but maybe the universe wanted me here now. She resonated with that and we both smiled. Timing is everything! She checked my posture & spine sitting then I laid facedown on her table. She had me practice some deep spinal breaths and reminded me to loosen my jaw, which I was surprised to find was clenched, she then placed her hands around my spine looking for imbalances and used an activator to help correct them. At no time did I hear a crack or a pop. At no time did she use massive force. It seemed counterintuitive, but I knew going in what her work felt like with my own hands so I came in trusting the process. Afterwards, I was left with my first Chiropractic a-ha moment. I felt good, I felt more balanced, and my shoulder felt better! I continue to see her to this day and refer my clients to her as well. A lot of them stay with her and feel the relief she has to offer. If you are seeking a more gentle care in Chiropractic I recommend going to someone who utilizes a Tonal technique!
As a current Chiropractic student I am only aware of two forms of Tonal work. Network is one of them and there is also Bio-Geometric Integration. I am excited to learn about these modalities and hope to utilize them in my future practice! Stay tuned to so much more!
