01/30/2025
Being a chiropractor is not always about the spine and nervous system.
Last September this patient came to my office suffering from lower back pain and neck stiffness. The patient was in their early seventies and in fairly good physical condition. After a consultation and examination, I took a series of spinal x-rays. During the x-ray analysis I noticed that this patient had a large abdominal aortic aneurysm that they knew nothing about. I consulted with the patient about this and urged that they see a vascular specialist immediately. Coincidentally, the patient was already scheduled to see their doctor that very week. Just after the new year, this patient came into my office to pay off a small remaining balance. They could have just as easily mailed it. However, their visit was not only pay a bill. This patient also wanted to thank me for saving their life. Turns out that the aneurysm was serious but stable. However, during the exam and evaluation by the vascular surgeon they discovered other life threatening conditions that required immediate surgery to save their life. When this patient told me this, tears welled up in their eyes with emotion. The patient is now doing great and feeling much better…….and some people say……I really don’t need x-rays!
