Learn From My Personal Story
Many years ago, I caused serious damage to my right knee playing rugby in England. Being young and at the height of my rugby career, I took painkillers for a number of years to prolong my sporting life. Gradually the pain become worse and worse as my knee deteriorated and finally I was forced to retire from the game. I was absolutely devastated as rugby had been a massive part of my life.
Unfortunately, even after retiring from rugby, the pain remained. I eventually saw an MRI of the damaged cartilage and I was horrified. I was in my 30’s and I thought it could never regrow, as there was simply too much damage. Without correction, I would be limping forever and all sport would be out of the question.
I had thought it was the tough game of rugby that had caused the problem but it turned out that my knee had been out of alignment for some time due to the fallen arch in my foot.
Now, finding myself with more time, and more sense perhaps, I spoke with some leading orthopedists to find a solution. But first I had to understand WHY. Once the cause of the problem had been explained to me, my engineering mind gave me the direction I needed to give myself a fighting chance.
I simply had to get my knee back into alignment and then I had to repair that cartilage somehow. Arch supports immediately helped the alignment and surgery replaced the damage cartilage. I make it sound easy but after the surgical repairs I thought I’d never walk again, never mind run or ski – such was the pain and swelling.
Fast forward 16 years and I now rarely think about my knee. I exercise most days and even ski without pain. I remember back to my days in California, post surgery – those weeks and months cycling up and down the hills of San Francisco certainly served me well!
My knee has replaced itself many times over with healthy tissue. And, as a Chiropractor, I now have a deep understanding of how this works and I must pass it on to those who want to know.
Work with the body, realign the moving parts, restore balance and nourish it with the building blocks of repair; then watch it heal.
Sage advice indeed. That has been my focus and now healing is complete, perhaps even better than before. Remember, it is not the same knee I damaged all those years ago. It has been 100% replaced by healthy tissue. A miracle of healing? No, just my body at work and the constant process of renewal.
Your Take Away Message
This is the true story of my knee. It could have been any weight bearing joint in my body. Joints that are in alignment can remain healthy for a hundred years without problem, as long as they are not traumatized. If they are out of alignment, however, they will start breaking down after six months. What a difference.
So, if you are suffering from pain, look first to the alignment of the structure. A simple rule that can serve you well. It may just save you from decades of unnecessary suffering.
If we are talking about back pain, then it is perhaps even more important. Back pain destroys lives. And this is why Chiropractic is so important in helping you regain your realignment and has become the fastest growing health profession in the world.
If you are suffering from pain then please ask yourself what is your body trying to tell you. If it wasn’t caused by an accident, then almost certainly it is an alignment issue. My advice …. act sooner rather than later. Get your alignment checked and corrected if necessary.
Offer from Total Health Chiropractic - 1st visit consultation including posture analysis and adjustment only $99.00 (incl. x-rays if required). Please call 6224 6326 to make your appointment and mention Expat Choice Asia.
Dr Tim Errington is owner and founder of Total Health Chiropractic in Singapore. He is the author of ‘Posture Matters’ and a renowned public speaker. With four clinics, ten doctors and thousands of satisfied clients living closer to their potential, this is one doctor you should definitely listen to.
