I often credit chiropractic with changing how I live and feel on a day to day basis. Over the course of my life I have had injuries through sports, chronic pain, and issues accepting my body in general. My story is not unique by any means, but the lessons I learned along the way have helped me find a “sweet spot” to keep me performing my best and doing the things I love to do.

Our bodies are always adapting to stressors and pain. If we want to do something and our body is unable, it will find a way to tweak our movement pattern to make it happen (ie. limping, posture changes, muscle activation patterns). I see this as an amazing demonstration of the body's ability to adapt without having to tell it what to do. 

When someone comes in to see me for the first time, it can feel like a lot is wrong with their body. The information we gain during an initial visit can help sift through what is currently hurting vs the root cause of the problem.  I want to start with picking on myself a bit because over time I have come to learn a lot about myself and my body. Below is a list of what is "wrong" with my body.

• Sever’s Disease - caused heel pain and limping while participating in sports from 4th to 10th grade
• Transitional vertebra L5 - reduced ability to extend low back
• Low back flexion injury - caused sciatica and numbness in toes
• Valgus strain (i.e. knocked knees) - weakness in glutes and abnormally shaped patella, caused partial patella dislocation and tear of the meniscus

While playing rugby in college, I also fractured my patella and everything listed above became symptomatic. Two knee surgeries later, I learned the likelihood of me needing joint replacement down the road had significantly increased because of the surgeries. After my second knee surgery, I was 24-years-old, and felt like my body's best days were behind me. I gained 65 lbs., and fell into depression. Fearing the damage I had done was permanent, I became angry with myself for destroying the one and only body I was given. Growing up I witnessed how people seemed to have more pain and complain of worsening issues as they aged, and I was resigned to accept that over time I would get worse, not better. 

Seeing my struggles, my mom suggested chiropractic care. During my first visit as a patient at Palmer College of Chiropractic, the doctor asked, "if you do nothing, do you think your pain will get better or worse?” I remember answering, “worse." His response was simple. "So let’s try something." 

For the first time in my life, I was taken through a full physical examination. I was assessed for pain, movement, tissue and muscular imbalances. The doctor also evaluated me for spinal subluxation, which is restrictions in the motion of the vertebra of the spine, leading to a host of neuromuscular changes. I was given a series of adjustments and was also referred to the rehab department where I was given pain reducing strategies, movements, and posture changes. Over time, my body and mind began to feel better.

The changes chiropractic care made in my life inspired me to pursue the profession I am in today. I'm proud to say I'm at the healthiest weight I have been in over 10 years. Most importantly, I know what it feels like to have a body that feels good and functions well, despite the variables I had and have going against me. I've developed a passion for biomechanics and a true passion for helping my patients with some of the same challenges I've faced in my own life.

Dr. Conrad Bush is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. He has special interests in weight loss, biomechanics, extremities, and sports rehab. He is currently working toward certification in Active Release Technique, which focuses on treating the soft tissue system of the body.