I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve heard between someone living with a chronic illness and a skeptic who is simply baffled by what they are hearing. To many on the outside of the community, they are shocked to hear that when a patients’ systems first started they went to a chiropractor.The reaction usually looks something like this, “A CHIROPRACTOR? Why? What exactly did you hope to accomplish?”

And now, with a resounding voice chiropractors around the world shake their heads and add, “We have value,” they collectively yell.

Turns out that chiropractors are often the first to identify ankylosing spondylitis in patients.

Anky-what-what spondy-huh?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)  is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine. It creates inflammation in the vertebrae, the formation of new bone structures, and fuses portions of the spine together. Patients with AS develop a slouched or forward-leaning posture that sort of resembles one of the early stages in “The Evolution of Man.” AND THERE AIN’T NO CURE.

According to the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, however, chiropractic intervention helped one patient improve 85% in function while gaining spinal column flexibility and chest expansion. Yeah, it’s just one person, and yeah, it’s the Canadian Chiropractic Association, but still. I can no longer assume that chiropractors are the dentists of the MD world. What’s that you say? Chiropractors are DCs, not MDs? Well shit.

Point is, folks, chiropractors serve a purpose! I’m sure I’ll be even more grateful for them as I get older.

Share this information to help keep people aware of this continually misdiagnosed and once completely unknown spinal condition.