Without the pop-and-crack genius of chiropractor Stephen Khouri, I doubt I’d be getting ready to walk 444 miles on the Natchez Trace. As the official chiropractor for the College of Charleston athletic teams, he knows so many athletes. He works with marathoners. Triathletes.
You know, serious fit people.
I am not one of those people.
But he thinks I am.
What’s great about Stephen is how much he believes in my ability to do this walk. Every week, he called me an athlete. He gave me coach-like pep talks while he rammed my right hip back into place and jiggered my ankle bones and crunched my back and……..well, you get the idea.
I don’t know how I’m going to feel without my weekly adjustments, but I know one thing: I’m ready. My joints are primed. My muscles scream at me when I rest. My endurance has quadrupled.
It was great to have Stephen in my corner. To handle obsessive questions like “Will this nasty callous ever go away?” His response: “That. Is. IMPRESSIVE.”
Every time I stumble, I’m going to hear him saying that in my ear.
54 Comments
Good luck to you , your Dad and Alice on this first week. We will be cheering for you.
I’m so grateful that Alice is going along. I hope it ends up being a break for her. We can always drug Dad to give her that. Ha.
MTM noted that Dad is wearing his hearing aids more regularly these days. Doesn’t improve his listening, though.
There is nothing better than a good chiropractor (and a massage therapist). I hope you get to visit both on your return home. Have an awesome walk on the Natchez Trace.
I see a sports massage therapist once a month, and I need to see her immediately when I return. That’s very true.
You are what you think you are. Sometimes one needs to be convinced of that fact. I’m with the pop & crack guy 🙂
I’ve just never been very athletic, so it’s weird to be called an athlete. I mean, I guess I am, given what I’m getting ready to do. It just feels weird.
You are impressive, Andra! It was great seeing you last night, best of luck, and look forward to your posts!
Thanks so much to you and Mike for coming out. I was very surprised. 🙂
Has he networked with colleagues along the Trace to help you have local support and care as you walk? That might be helpful. Can you carry a digital version of your files from him just in case you need to see someone locally?
Vaya con dios.
He’s sending me a digital version of my records, yes.
This is great. Nothing quite like a fan who doesn’t have to be a fan but is one just because he believes in you. Happy trails and tender mercies, Andra.
Thanks, Ally.
I have never been to a chiropractor though I hear you and many others swear by them. I may have to give in some time soon.
Stephen is really great.
I hope he’s loaded you with self care tips for likely things you’d encounter on the road. You are truly blessed in your support system!
Between him and my doctor, I think I’m set.
It is a pleasure to meet another member of your prep team, Andra, and I’m sure all the good docs “manipulations” will keep you in good stead as you walk the walk (or is it trace the trace?).
Trace the Trace. That’s awesome, Penny. I may use that. 🙂
Katy and I went to see dr Norman Bishop off of 78 near CSU for over 10 years. He worked manic when it came to chronic shoulder pain I used to have. Good for yo Andra in having this done. You probably feel great. Good luck to you on your journey. You can do it!
Thanks, James. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
So glad you have a team supporting you. Go, Andra, go!!!!
I have your mobile in my phone, Linda. 🙂 You may get a Trace phone call when you least expect it.
Onward.
And upward……..since I’ll be walking almost entirely uphill.
Oh but think about how beautifully you’ll be sculpting your gluteus! Bad-ass!!!
And this is what I think of when I hear those words.
http://youtu.be/KVjOH7WeEKk
I thought that exact same thing, Jon………….
Saturday is coming faaast!
My feet are already hurting.
You. Go. Girl!! (As an extra, motherly, word of caution, it’s going to be pretty chilly in places — hope you’ve packed some woolies, and aren’t relying solely on exertion from the uphill trek for your warmth.) Very excited for you!
Lots of layers, Karen. It’s gorgeous in Alabama today. We stopped for the night in Anniston to visit my aunt in a nursing home.
I wouldn’t (want to) make it though my weeks without a visit to my Chiropractor too. They work wonders!
They do, Lisa.
I love my chiropractor and my acupuncturist. They are wonder workers. So glad I got to participate in the lead up to the big event! I think this is going to be GREAT! You’re GREAT! The book is GREAT and I can’t wait to read all about this new adventure.
Thanks, Laura. I’ve spent much of the last month cowering in my room, sick at the thought of people reading the book. I’m glad to hear that people are liking it.
I’ve never done acupuncture, but some of my friends swear by it.
Best of health and luck on your journey, Andra. 🙂
So far, so good.
First of all let me say that I totally concur with Dr. Stephen…YOU ARE AMAZING – you and your callous. 🙂
I’ve never been to the chiropractor. Nope. Never. Same reason I’ve never been to a masseuse. I have difficulty with someone being behind me (nasty jokes…commence). Due to being attacked when I was 16 I have PTSD, and I’m sorry of that offends anyone, but PTSD comes in all shapes and sizes…and I must say never sneak up behind me or you will definitely wish you hadn’t. Not even my children get behind me. 🙂 Yeah, it’s a little difficult in a crowd, which is why I rarely go where there are crowds. 🙂
We all have our things we can’t do, Lori. I can’t have my eyes covered, or I start freaking out. Nothing wrong with having something like that.
I could use a good back-cracking myself. The last time I got one it was great, but then again, the time before that, it was this guy doing the work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67IIRN9FfH4
Ouch. But i was laughing so it didn’t hurt TOO much…
HAhahahaha!
Chiropractors get a pretty bad rap; many of them deservingly so. But when you find a great one… ahhh…nothing better! Reminds me that I need to see mine when I get home to fix my neck issue/brain aneurism thing. 🙂
I hope that’s better today, Nancy. It’s not great to travel when in pain.
Booze. Lots.
Good luck!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
I’ve already got five blog posts worth of material, and we’re not even to Mississippi yet. 🙂
Andra, I think you’ll do fine on this walk! You’re more prepared than I’d be. I wouldn’t even have considered a chiropractor!
I’m as prepared as I’m going to get, Tom. I have to do it, regardless. 🙂
I’d snap up a chance at a chiropractor. My lower back is pretty sore, for some reason.
I’m lucky insurance kicks in for it. They are a great resource.
remember those last 3 words and hold them close. best of luck on your amazing journey )
Thanks, Beth.
Go get ’em tiger!
I’m getting ’em. Thanks.
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