Back To Balance

I’m a BW member, so I took the chance to see a chiropractor in a different setting than what I had been to in the past. The experience was very nice, more relaxed, calm, warm, clean and I feel that with more time and treatment I am hopeful I can actually relieve some of this pain in my lower back. It sucks =(

«All right! Get ready for some spinal manipulation,» Dr. Valencia said gleefully. My hands got clammy real fast and I tried to grasp on to something.
«Deep breath in… and deep breath out.» As I exhaled, a freakishly satisfying CRAAAACK pierced the otherwise quiet room. Dr. Valencia had just cracked my hip. Spinal manipulation, as I would learn, was a term of art to describe the good doctor applying a lot of force and pressure to readjust particular vertabrae.
I’m a die hard skeptic and yes, a staunch believer in Western practice of health and medicine. Before this visit, chiropractice was hokey in my book– a little dangerous and a lot of crazy. It had a spot right up alongside Chinese herbs (seahorse for your ailments! deer antler for virility!). Thanks to an awesome Gilt City offer, I allayed my skepticism somewhat and am now the happy owner of a strain-​free neck.
I work at a computer for about 24 hours a week, hunch over an itty bitty netbook and textbooks for another 30 hours a week. Like most other 20-​somethings, I have constant strain in my neck and upper back. After an initial consultation (reflex check, etc.), Dr. Valencia started to feel for out of whack and out of sync vertebrae and tested for unusual hip and neck rotation. The consultation was super informative, kind of like a crash course in the anatomy of your spine, joints, and muscles.
Experiencing chiropractor work is like getting your teeth pulled– your senses are all very much aware of the ongoing treatment (hearing the crack, feeling the pressure), without the pain. I’m still intimidated, but after this introductory primer, I’m actually inclined to return. The process of each manipulation was quick– cracking my neck took about 5 minutes, but the hips a bit longer. It is a little weird and you wonder if you’re dancing with death (or maybe severe paralysis). Dr. Valencia applies a LOT of force and pressure, which may be uncomfortable for some.
A visit to Back to Balance costs $ 65 and includes the use of Burke Williams facilities (steam room, hot tub, sauna, showers). Dr. Valencia is highly energetic, efficient, and straightforward. Only the undaunted need apply.