The paratrooper always carries a spare chute. Before a lengthy road trip, you make sure you have a healthy spare tire. The mountain climber makes sure that they are clipped in at more than one spot at a time. All this is done just in case…in case something goes wrong. Because when something goes wrong, someone’s health – and in some cases someone’s life – is at risk. If you didn’t take safety measures, then you are taking unnecessary risk in the adventure.
At least a year ago, a patient who was experiencing some low back discomfort and pain was getting ready for a nice relaxing trip to the beach. No one would have blamed them for entertaining the thought, I’m just going to be relaxing, getting some sunshine, sipping a nice cold beverage, giving my body a chance to rest and recover. Maybe they weren’t planning on doing much anyways on that trip. Just spending some leisurely time with a loved one. Where’s the risk?
They opted at the last minute to schedule an appointment with the office and get some chiropractic correction before heading out on the trip. They came, they got adjusted, they felt some relief. They went on their trip, scheduling a follow-up appointment for when they came back in a week.
When the patient came back, they shared a great deal of gratitude. Initially we thought that their gratitude centered around enjoying their vacation more with less pain and a healthier functioning spine and nervous system. No. The reason for their gratitude was entirely more dire than that.
One afternoon while they were walking along the beach, watching the waves crashing along the shore, and watching the families frolicking on the beach and in the water, something changed in the atmosphere. It started with some concerned mumbling. Heads turning with some consistency towards the ocean. Then the mumbles started to change into shouts, parents yelling for kids to get out of the water just moments before lifeguards yelled for people on the beach to get to higher ground. The urgency in their voices became intensity in their actions. Everyone saw what was happening…
An ominous wave was building. An uncanny anomaly for this area, but it was rushing towards land at a frightening speed. The couple glanced at their surroundings and made a mad dash to higher ground just in time to turn around and see the wave crash and the waters receding back into the ocean.
Nothing was left on the beach. It was swept clean of every beach towel, toy, chair, and umbrella.
The couple was thankful, because if it wasn’t for the chiropractic care that they received before leaving, they know they wouldn’t have been able to run up the hill to safety. At the last minute they chose not to take any unnecessary risk.
Stay healthy. Stay adjusted. This is your life and your health you’re playing with.
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