Department of Corrections

June 10, 2005

Well, apparently my back truly is fouled up. My cervical vertebrae (the ones in the neck) don't form a nice curved line in the side view like they're supposed to; they're straight, putting my head too far out over my body. Whether that's the cause or effect of my slouch is immaterial at this point. Also, both the cervical and lumbar (lower back) vertebrae are not straight when viewed from the front (in the front view, the spine should run down the centerline).

When I mockingly said my X-rays must be enough to make a scoliosis patient do a spit-take, I didn't plan on actually being one.

Which means I owe my backcracker an apology. I really do need to have some work done, probably at least a year's worth. I start on Monday, going in three times a week (good thing I got good insurance this time around). If it seems like a lot of doctor visits, keep in mind that the point is to move bones around. That doesn't happen quickly (my teeth, which are much smaller, were in braces for three years and a retainer for six).

Therefore the only real options are:

  1. Multiple visits per week.
  2. Medieval torture device.

I'm down with option one.

I'll try to get them to show me my X-rays again on Monday so I can get some pictures of them to post here.

June 9, 2005June 13, 2005