I started seeing a Chiropractor in college after a childhood of gymnastics and high school track and field events caused sporadic pain in my lower back. Over the years, I only went to the Chiropractor when the pain flared up and didn*t really understand any of the benefits besides the pain relief.
        When I was 28 and had my first child, my lower back pain flared up so much one day that I couldn*t stand up. My stomach muscles were flimsy and I was carrying all sorts of kid paraphernalia around that was heavy and awkward. My lower back couldn*t take it anymore. My band-aid approach had failed. Then I found Dr. Carrell. What a blessing her practice has been in my life and subsequently my family*s. After some intense treatment for my lower back and then a lengthy maintenance program, I can*t remember the last time my lower back was hurting. It*s been years.
        I*m 35 now, have 5 children and we would not be the family we are today, without the Chiropractic care we have received in Dr. Carrell*s office for the last 7 years. My oldest was just a few months old when I started going to Dr. Carrell*s office. It didn*t occur to me to have her adjusted immediately. Once I did, allergies that caused her nose to be runny anytime the mold or pollen count went up were gone. Her congestion at night disappeared.
        My 2nd through 5th child were then born into the life of being adjusted. We adopted the office as part of our extended family. I had no idea how much spinal health impacted our whole wellness. Who knew that ear infections would go away altogether after regular adjustments on my one year old? Who knew that after a fall from the playground or bucked from the horse at the ranch, an adjustment would be what my children requested to help them feel better? Who knew that when my 3 * month old colicky baby who cried relentlessly at night, an adjustment would bring her relief and she would sleep perfectly at night for a few days until our next appointment. (This is certainly one of the worst best kept secrets of Chiropractics from parents. I can*t tell you how many parents and babies suffer through those 3 months of colic when proper alignment could be the cure.) Our adjustments have become a family mainstay. Any health issues for my children, I am at the Chiropractors first* a runny nose, a cough, teething, post-falls and tumbles, and the list goes on. However, our children rarely are sick now. For all 5 children, I have only given antibiotics 3 times since becoming Dr. Carrell*s patients seven years ago. That is incredible. For many years, when we go for their well-check up to the Pediatrician*s office, we discover we haven*t been more than once and sometimes not at all since the last well-check up a year ago. An adjustment a month keeps the doctor away may work better than an apple a day.
        I benefit from all of Dr. Carrell*s services and am so grateful that everyone in the office is so well educated on health issues, current ideas, and upcoming research. Most of my physical stress comes from caring for my 5 children and managing our busy home. We homeschool the oldest 2 children. Daily life can be exhausting and destructive to my body. If my stress levels get too high, I don*t get enough sleep, or many other scenarios, my body shuts down and I usually have an intense headache. They*re debilitating and I can not function. With the help of massages, adjustments, and *some deep breathing* I am able to manage my stress levels and keep the headaches to a minimum. Life is good and so much fun for everyone! There was a summer 3 years ago, where I was in the office every week trying to get rid of my headaches. Once I really committed to a regular maintenance program at Dr. Carrell*s this made all the difference in the world. I know prevention is a much better course than reaction. I still have headaches, but no longer the frequency or duration. My next goal is to commit to regularly exercising. I know this is a missing part of my well-being. It*s a significant change in lifestyle but one my body needs me to commit to. Fortunately, Dr. Carrell*s office is there to applaud me on my baby steps towards total health. I love that the office is so much more than just adjustments by offering vitamin education, physical therapy, nutrition, personal training, positive life philosophies, and lots of love. So when my body is under stress from injuries, illness, pregnancies, children climbing on me like a jungle gym, I make sure I know when my next appointment is.