My amazing fitness doctor, my chiropractor!

From Dr. Ken Donovan, my chiropractor, who I think of as my amazing fitness doctor, I learned about the way a chiropractor goes about his work and why it’s effective. His work with me involved using his hands and sometimes special instruments to manipulate joints in my body. He keeps my body tuned up and ready to go.

If you’ve ever had a kink in your neck, a back pain, or a shoulder pain, or some other persistent ache or pain then keep reading. I’ve had them too and just thought that if I did this or that or bought a new pillow or some other gadget, whatever is bothering me will eventually go away. No such luck.

There was a period of several years when I couldn’t turn my head all the way to the left. I would be watching a football game on TV and the doorbell would ring. The front door is directly to my left. I couldn’t turn my head all the way around to see what was going on. It was as if there was a door-stop in my neck at about 45 degrees! I did all sorts of things trying to figure out how to fix this. No problem turning my head to the right.

I asked different people, read books, all sorts of things. No solution.

Then I remembered the experience of a family member who had a lower back and leg problem that at times would actually prevent them from running. 

The problem persisted and several doctors were consulted. Then I heard the problem went away. For years, in fact over 10 years, the matter was under control and the running continued for longer and longer distances up to 20, 30, or more miles plus long bicycle rides. And, to this day it’s under control.

I made an appointment to see the same doctor. Dr. Ken Donovan. It took a few visits but eventually I could turn my head all the way around to the left and I could see the front door without having to move my whole body. Wow! I figured this was some sort of a miracle.

I must have gotten so excited over this huge repair job that I over-did something and hurt my right arm and shoulder. I went back to see this amazing man and in a few weeks that was fixed too! Later on, I developed a slight tingling in my lower right back that seemed to affect my left foot. And he fixed that. This and the other issues did not stop me from doing all my exercises including the aerobics. But they were definitely annoying and needed attention.

My visits to Dr. Donovan have become a regular and an important health maintenance checkup for me. I want to avoid major health issues rather than wait for a small ache or pain to develop into something serious. I look forward to my regular visits. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the first fitness routine that I do after I get home goes better and faster!

During my visits to Dr. Ken Donovan -- who I now think of as 'my amazing fitness doctor' -- I learned a little bit about the way a chiropractor goes about his work and why it’s effective. His work with me involved using his hands and sometimes special instruments to manipulate joints in my body.      

Dr. Ken Donovan with Maddy Muller-Hughes, his Clinical assistant, who helps Dr. Donovan with rehabilitation and modalities, including exercise protocol, electrical stimulation treatment, decompression and manual therapy.

This is called spinal manipulation (or ‘adjustment’). Think of a chiropractor as a doctor who cares for any kind of muscle, bone or joint pain or dysfunction usually caused by misalignment of the spine. Dr. Donovan provides me with relief when I get an ache or pain caused by this type of misalignment.

My visits to Dr. Donovan have become a regular and an important health maintenance checkup for me. I want to avoid major health issues rather than wait for a small ache or pain to develop into something serious. I look forward to my regular visits. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the first fitness routine that I do after I get home goes better and faster!

Dr. Donovan is a fitness enthusiast! He is an athletic team consultant, a top long distance bicycle racer, and works out regularly at a gym. I feel very comfortable when I’m in his care!  I know he understands what being fit is all about!