I wish the technicians could tell you something, instead of a solemn "Your doctor will talk with you about the results."

Yes this to eleventy! It's so stressful, and all you want to hear is that everything is OK. Fingers crossed plus oodles of ~ma that the scan was all clear.

First technician who contradicted a doctor...ooh, the problems.

It's mighty frustrating, but I don't mind if I'm told "*I* think it looks okay but your doctor has the final say." But I don't want them to tell me bad news, so then there's a big "Well, what are they not saying?" gap.

First technician who contradicted a doctor...ooh, the problems.

It's true, and I get that's why they just defer entirely.

I am generating ~ma and radiating it your way, Ginger.

Steph, I am suffering right there with you. Seems like every stretch I figure eventually stops helping. I think I may seek out a massage therapist for my issues - my joints refuse to stay chiropracted. As a carpenter, can I deduct massage therapy on my taxes?

Seems like every stretch I figure eventually stops helping. I think I may seek out a massage therapist for my issues - my joints refuse to stay chiropracted.

Back in the day, way before my back surgery, I saw a chiropractor for lower back pain that wouldn't go away with conservative self-care (heating pad, stretching, OTC drugs), and it really helped. I saw the same chiropractor right before my surgery, and it didn't really help, but then, having seen my MRI, I'm not surprised -- I don't consider it a failure of treatment, but simply trying to treat something that spinal manipulation can't help. (My chiropractor had NOT seen my MRI, so she didn't know it was 2 herniated discs; she was definitely NOT trying to tell me that she could fix those with spinal manipulation. In fact, once I knew that's what it was, she told me I should stop the chiropractic appointments and let the surgeon do his thing.)

This hip pain isn't like the pain before surgery AT ALL, but it will not go the fuck away despite everything I'm trying, including a new mattress (at first it seemed like the new mattress was helping a lot, and then we went on vacation and slept on the crappy saggy mattress, and when we came back to our nice new mattress, after 2 days my hips just went OH HELL NAW MAN). My mom recommended her chiropractor, and I figure it's worth a shot. Stoopid body.

As a carpenter, can I deduct massage therapy on my taxes?

I say YES! (But I am perhaps not a tax attorney, so maybe don't trust me.)

Chiropractors are good as far as they go, but I distrust them when they start saying that they can cure my diabetes and such.

Chiropractors are good as far as they go, but I distrust them when they start saying that they can cure my diabetes and such.

Yes, indeed. There's a decent amount of evidence that spinal manipulation is -- in general -- about as good as physical therapy or other noninvasive methods of treating back pain. Not a magic cure for everyone, and it might not alleviate all the pain, but a worthwhile treatment option -- for spine-related shit, and nothing else. I do not get chiropractors who are all "I can cure your allergies!" Are you God, dude? Because I think that's pretty much the only way it's happening. (Chiropractors of Lourdes, Inc.)

I think I may look for someone who does both chiropractic and massage. Found someone who treats ironman athletes as a specialty, may give him a try.

Found someone who treats ironman athletes as a specialty

I would expect someone who treats ironman athletes to be able to deal with chronic bastard-laden pain*.

*(That's a real medical term. You can trust me; I'm an editor and IN NO WAY A CRACKPOT, especially one who makes up words and phrases when she's avoiding editing an article on blood disorders.)

AND he's in network!! Woo fuckin HOO. I think I'll call right now, because I'm having trouble focusing on work and I think it's triggering a panic attack. This despite having stretched last night, done a few squats, and taken half a Flexeril before bed.