Why I became a Chiropractor

I was a junior at Declo High School when I started to look into careers I wanted to pursue.  I spent time in the school library reading up on careers that sounded interesting, made enough money to support a family, that did not involve too much travel time, had good hours so I could be home in the evening and off on the weekends.  I pretty much wanted the perfect career that involved a lot of money and little time at the office.  Who doesn't want that career.  After reading through all the careers that sounded like me I found two careers that I thought I could handle and still love my job.  Hotel Management and Teacher (most likely High School History and Government).  Chiropractic was not on my top two for a few reasons it seemed like a lot of school and I did not perceive myself as a good student, I did not think I was smart enough to make it through the schooling.  I do remember reading about it in the library and thinking I liked the philosophy of helping others get well and teaching people how to live a health lifestyle.  But again I turned away from it because there was just no way I was smart enough to make it through all the schooling.  

I must give you some insight on who I am before I tell you how I came to the chiropractic career choice.  I am a spiritual person, I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon).  I have always felt close to my spiritual side and have tried to let it direct my life in a path that is right.  I could get deep into that but that is a whole new blog so we won't go there.  With that said... here is my story.  I was in San Diego California serving a mission for the church when one day careers came to mind as we (I say "we" because as missionaries we travel in pairs)were walking thru Chula Vista California.  As I pondered careers I saw a doctors office, just a small humble medical doctors office and later I saw a dentist office.  These small doctors offices just kept popping out to me, this happened for two or three days.  But again I just did not feel smart enough to be a "Doctor" let alone put in the years at school.  One day I saw a Small Chiropractors office right then I got the warmest feeling of this is it, and again I questioned it because of the time and lack of smarts.  I saw a few more Chiropractic offices and each time I could feel the change happening in me.  As I was praying one night I asked if this was the career for me, would it support my future family, could I make it through school?  The answer came quick and strong as a YES.  I was excited, scared, happy, and nervous all at once.  While I was feeling this Strong YES this is the career for you, I was also warned that it was going to be a tough road, you will want to quit at some point, you will wonder why did I do this to myself but to never quit, just keep showing up to class and move forward each year.  

The next morning I was thinking of my new career path and I wondered how I would understand my patients back pain because I never had severe back pain how could I help them if I have never felt it.  The weirdest thing happened to me that day, I had the worst back pain I had ever had, pain killers did not work and laying down helped a little. This only lasted for a day.  I now understood what I was going to be treating and helping people with.  

To sum it all up I truly believe that Chiropractic Chose me!