Boston Marathon Runner’s Experience with Chiropractic

I would like to take the time to share my story and experience regarding my spine. When I was a child and a teenager, my days were plagued with back pain. My lower back used to hurt after doing simple exercises, sitting for long periods of time, or running. As I got older, the pains became more regular and intense. I was finally encouraged to go see a chiropractor by a close friend. I had no clue what chiropractic was.

My experience as a patient has been exceptional. My spine quickly recovered from the pain and I began to notice incredibly changes in my posture. I once thought that “my back is bad because of my genetics”. What I learned was that lifestyle choices such as poor posture, weak core muscles, constant dehydration, and major subluxations were all causing back health problems that were correctable.

After 6 months of chiropractic treatment, I was able to operate the therapy without pain. My lower back was completely new, and I could do things I hadn’t considered possible before. Because of my new biomechanics, I was able to run a marathon without formal training in 4 months. Wow, what a great achievement. The next few years were filled with more touring and more chiropractic care. In 2008, I was lucky enough to run a 3-hour marathon and qualify for the Boston Marathon!

My life was forever changed by my experience in a chiropractic office. Chiropractic has had such an impact on me that I am now proud to report that I am a chiropractor myself. Being a chiropractor in Kirkland is great. I have the ability to lead people towards amazing changes through chiropractic and health education. I recommend taking care of your spine through regular check-ups with a chiropractor to everyone I know.

Why is alignment so important to a marathoner? When your joints have a proper range of motion, they are able to function at their highest level. This leads to running economy which is essential for someone who is going many miles on foot. When a person has an uneven pelvis, they are at risk of developing injuries such as facet syndrome, lower back pain, premature joint degeneration, muscle strain, and ligament sprains. There was a large study by Blue Cross of Illinois that showed that people who use chiropractic spend less money on health care annually. This can be attributed to fewer back surgeries and days lost from work.

As a runner and chiropractor, I like to educate people on how to properly maintain proper posture. This is accomplished by assessing patients’ joints for proper movement and alignment.