On Methods

Hang tight while I tell you this story so I can show you how it relates.

I went to see my Chiropractor today who also is a functional fitness coach. I have been working with him regularly for a little time now and really appreciate his lens and approach to working with me. I have a standing appointment time weekly. In that time, I can either get adjusted or do a workout, sometimes if I am lucky I get both.  I love this as I can meet my needs for my body in a way that feels appropriate.

He always starts his session with me wanting to know how I felt after the prior session and then what the rest of the week felt like in my body and how I am feeling today.

Now, in my lifetime I have seen numerous chiropractors with some better than others. My current one is top notch, for me at this moment in time and approaches his assessments for me differently than other chiropractors I have worked with. They have all had their place and I stayed with many of them for years and they were the right fit for me then. They also have their own lens and way of treating. I have always found benefit from these people and also saw trends in the way they adjust. Some of it is technique they learned or personal preference or a combination of both.

Today we were discussing my work, his work, and chiropractic care. I asked him about my neck. C2 on the left is chronically a spot that needs assistance on me. And yet, he less frequently adjusts it. Why? And I especially ask that because that spot has been less irritated for me with his adjustments. I am curious... He described for me about how different techniques work depending on position of the person. That none are wrong, some work better than others in certain circumstances, and mostly, it’s about how the tissue feels in that moment and what it needs to release/realign. He could position me differently and still get a good adjustment but what he feels, despite his preferred technique to use, tells him that I need a different approach. And I can tell you after having been adjusted by him enough times now, his approach has been right for my body, she approves.

I also came in today with no complaints but felt like I needed an adjustment. Due to the time block I have reserved, he takes his time with me. He is the first person to consistently check and adjust my knees and feet. They don’t bother me, by the way. And spots that I am not bothered by are extremely painful to touch. I found that curious too. So here he is making sure I have a good foundation in my feet, supporting them, and finding ways to release my tissue so I can find greater ease.

My chief complaints are not where he is finding that my tissue needs support. I am endlessly fascinated by this but not at all surprised. We know that discomfort or misuse or misalignment can happen well away from the area that is signaling pain/discomfort/tension.

I find connection amongst many things in my life, the exchange this morning is no exception. It really highlighted for me the value of farriers/trimmers that really feel the body as they pick up a leg and how they go about making trim decisions that support the whole body for where it is that day. Knowing that the foundation they provide that horse will have far reaching effects for the rest of the body.

Hooves are dynamic and ever changing. Working to find the most neutral alignment and with respect to where the hooves and body are that day without forcing a technique or method can’t be overstated. Can we help them with a single technique? Sure. But wouldn’t it be better if we really felt the horse, did our assessments on hoof balance, and pulled from a tool box with the most appropriate approach for that day? I would say so.

And we can’t say this is all about the hooves any more than a chiropractor can say it is only about the spine. They are attached to the horse and beyond our trim, our approach and how we feel and connect with that horse goes a long way to how the body receives the input from our trim changes. It isn’t just what the tissue needs from the trim but also in how we handle the horse and their limbs.

My chiro treats me with the understanding and respect that I know my body better than anyone else and that he is a conduit, with his specific lens, to supporting change and the most integrated, efficient body I can have. He pushes me when I am in a place to be pushed, he softens when I need a quieter approach so that my body can integrate just as well as those days I can push.

I feel hoof care can be much the same. There are times we can push a trim or making a shoeing change and really help a horse get over a hurdle in postural development or performance. There are times we needs to hold steady and let that horse process life without major changes to their feet. Sometimes, “ideal” isn’t achievable and we support their hooves in the way that works for them so they can find the most comfort and benefit that day.

Being the best farrier I can be means that I find flexibility in my approach and have a tool box of techniques to pull from at any given moment to help each horse reach their full potential.