October 2007 - Warwick B.

I am a very fit person. I surf most days and cycle, run, and swim at least twice each per week. In September 2006 I was surfing in the Mentawai Islands in remote Indonesia when I took a heavy fall. The next day I had some pain in my lower back. Over the next 3 months the pain persisted and started to become worse. I assumed muscle strains and went through a two month course of Physiotherapy without any significant improvement. By this time I had stopped surfing and all other fitness, and was focussing on the benefits of rest coupled with physio. Still, there was little gain. I was referred for a Lumbar Spine X-Ray and MRI. The diagnosis was a small angular tear in my L5/S1 disc. The symptoms were a dull continuous pain in my lumber spine, nerve-burn pain across my left upper buttock and outer quad, and tension across all muscle groups of the lower core.
A CT-guided cortisone injection into the lumbar spine was suggested by a prominent sports specialist to dull the pain and in turn allowing a movement and exercise programme to be undertaken focussed on strengthening the area in the medium term. In my opinion this was a pretty radical and invasive measure. My flatmate suggested I go and see a chiropractor.
On doing so I was given a very thorough set of X-Rays, electronic and procedural tests – much more thorough than had been done before the CS injection was suggested! Andrew went through the results of these tests and explored the level of treatment required by the various segments of my spine. It was pretty clear where the attention was required, so I was happy to accept his diagnosis and treatment regime suggestion.
The approach was very successful for me. After only 2 weeks my back was feeling the best it had done in many months. I started surfing again. A month after that I was back to light training.
After a biomechanical exam I mentioned that my knees were bad and we tested to see how flat my feet were. This highlighted a need for custom orthotic shoe inserts. Since using these the change in muscle endurance of my quads is remarkable. Knee pain is not totally fixed yet, but the very positive changes in knee and ankle loads, running style and leg power have all been a response to these little things in my shoes.
At present I have returned to full training with only mild lower back pain that is temporary and activity based. I am surfing at full strength again and focussed on the half-ironman triathlon in Port Macquarie, November 2007. In this light the results of chiropractic care have been better than I could have expected. Further, a key positive side-effect is less training time lost due to illness, as I am definitely less susceptible to colds and flu than ever before.
I’m pleased with the results of the care I have been given and the ongoing commitment Andrew has had to my training and choice of an overly active lifestyle. His help has been crucial in getting me on track for the big triathlon in November.