Chiropractic Changed My Life!

When I was eleven years old I fell 10 feet from my neighbor’s garage rafters, and crashed face up with my left leg dangling off a ping-pong table! The shock of falling, adrenaline and embarrassment motivated me to get home. The next day, unable to get out of bed, my father took me to Dr. James Holland, a chiropractor. I was evaluated and adjusted with amazing relief! After being treated three times I was released from care. For four years I was pain free until the beginning of my freshman year in high school. That was when I began having constant thigh and groin pain. I never told my parents about the intensity of the pain because several members of my family had back pain and I thought it was normal. I learned to live with the discomfort. – I THOUGHT THE PAIN WOULD GO AWAY!

Playing competitive baseball and wrestling during high school kept me in shape, but I continued to experience regular flair-ups that would last days up to 3 weeks. I did everything I could to get relief: Aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, ice, heat, stretching, exercise, and even twisting forcefully or arching over the back of desk chairs (most of you have done this!). Stomach aches, mild constipation, testicular pain, irritability, frustration, and hopelessness were just some of the symptoms associated with my problem.

After high school I went to Sacramento City College for school and most importantly (at the time) BASEBALL! I was in daily discomfort and pain became a way of life. Then, one day while throwing a ball to second base my back seized up and I fell to the ground! I could not breathe or move and I was terrified that my back was broken! My friend carried me to my car and on the drive home I stopped three times because the pain was unbearable. When I got home my dad helped me into the house where I immediately began taking medications and applying ice to cover the pain. I called my coaches the next morning and they referred me to our team doctor, who happened to be a chiropractor. When I arrived at his office I could barely move and I was leaning against walls to stand. Any sudden movements or position changes were unbearable. I was also unable to stay in one position for prolonged periods of time and putting on socks, shoes, or underwear was out of the question without help!

After having a complete evaluation, I could not believe what I saw on the x-rays. My spine looked great in my neck and mid back, but my low back looked horrible. Degeneration, disc height loss, an excessive low back curve (lordosis), and increased bone density showed in sharp contrast to the rest of my spine (which was healthy). The first treatment was uneventful, but I had hope. The next day’s adjustment immediately released the pressure in my low back! The sharp pain was replaced with relief! I could finally breathe without discomfort but I was sore and stiff. I continued to get adjusted regularly and for the first time I had a pain-free baseball season. Over a period of months my back stabilized and I earned a scholarship to the University of Tennessee where I played baseball and made it to the College World Series!

Regular adjustments continue to make a huge difference in my life by keeping me well and performing at my best! Repeat x-rays of my spine ten years after the original films showed a slight improvement visually, but the way I feel now as a regularly adjusted patient (without chronic pressure and irritation to the spine) has improved immensely.

At 19 years of age my life was changed due to chiropractic care and as a result I changed my career goals from architecture to Chiropractic. Due to my own personal experiences, I sincerely hope that during my career I can help as many families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers as possible. I am committed to provide relief, increase vitality, and allow the body to heal from the inside out. My entire family is also adjusted regularly to keep well!

Good Health One Spine at a Time!

Raymond W. Espinosa D.C.

 

 

Raymond Espinosa, D.C.

 

 

 

Dr. Espinosa coaching his son's baseball team

 

 

 

Dr. Espinosa with his two daughters