PINE NUTS: The Miracle Worker

With a nod to Anne Sullivan, who Mark Twain dubbed “The Miracle Worker” for her wonderous work with Helen Keller away back in the 19th century, I nominate my chiropractor, Dr. Jon, as The Miracle Worker of the 21st century.

Granted, he did not have sight and hearing issues to deal with like Anne did with Helen, but I brought Dr. Jon a pain in my back that would make a cow bellow.

I have felt bone pain before, and I have felt muscle pain before, but my introduction to nerve pain commanded my total attention, and dropped me to the floor like a stone. Yes, the Sciatic Nerve carries with it all the high-voltage and fire power of the third rail in a New York City subway, and when it comes to surprises there is nothing quite like the Sciatica.

Where muscle pain will elicit a cry of, “Ouch!” Bone pain will call for a stronger word like, “Damn!” But Sciatic pain is guaranteed to sally forth a laundry list of tightly knitted expletives, as in, “@#$%&*!” (I cleaned that up for the benefit of this fine family journal, but you get the idea.)

So, enter Dr. Jon, who regards the Sciatic Nerve as a member of his family, a member that needs to be cared for and invited to Christmas dinner. He showed me with a model how nerves weave in and out of the spine, and get easily pinched, which hurts like H.E. Double Hockey Sticks, if you know what I mean…

Then he pulled and pried me until I was as flexible as a circus performer, and I’ve never been quite so tall in my long life. But the real miracle came with the exercises Dr. Jon gifted me to take home. I did not take much stock in them at first, but they have earned my endearing respect.

My favorite, and last to come to the table, is the Sciatic Nerve Floss, where you stretch your extended leg out and about like doing the Hokey Pokey, but different. This procedure flosses the Sciatic Nerve and allows one to slow dance with a minimum of sporadic cries of pain, which comes as a pleasant relief to your dance partner.

There is more good news to share, but the bottom line is I believe I could run the high hurdles tomorrow morning, or perhaps the low hurdles, and finish in the top three.

One of my chief pleasures in life is to witness people at work who are really good at what they do, and Dr. Jon is one of those who commands respect and admiration in his chiropractic practice. I might add, it brings even more pleasure yet to witness a dedicated professional while the pain in your back that is running down your leg, is slowly ebbing away.

In case Mr. Sciatica should ever come calling on you, Dr. Jon’s practice is called
Backcountry. And to bring a smile, you might mention that you were referred by one of Dr. Jon’s contented backalaureates…

Audio: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fhv4PrH1UuwlhbnTT23zO