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Introducing Mountain View Chiropractor Dr. Christopher Watson
The night before back surgery, I was at the mercy of 4 clueless interns. I snuck out of the hospital not knowing what I was going to do. I only knew I didn't want the knife.
It was 1969. I just returned from Vietnam with a severe lower back injury. Not knowing what to do, I followed the standard medical protocol. I was scheduled for surgery at the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital. During a pre-surgery consultation with the chief resident surgeon and four interns from Stanford, it became clear to me that I had no control over which one of these inexperienced interns would be cutting into my back the next day. I called the nurse right away and requested my clothes, against medical recommendations she refused my request. I escaped the hospital in my blue gown, my backside exposed to the fresh peninsula air, but the pain was still there. I met a chiropractor and started treatments immediately. My eyes were opened to a whole new world of alternative treatments to drugs and surgery. In six months I was at a pre-injury status.
Although my undergraduate degree was complete before I served in the US Army Rangers, my experience with Chiropractic changed my life is such a dramatic way, that I was ready and willing to make a career change to study this alternative medicine. I was 27 years old and newly married when I made this decision. We loaded up our U-hall and drove to Iowa in December 1974, where I started my new career at the fountainhead of the Chiropractic profession, Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport Iowa.
My daughter was diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis when she was 12 years old. I had been in practice for 18 years and little was known about alternative treatment for Scoliosis at that time. Not knowing too much about Idiopathic Scoliosis, I felt somehow personally responsible for her disease. I researched day and night for the latest techniques and technologies for relieving pain and caring for Idiopathic Scoliosis. Our Chiropractic office became a certified Scoliosis Treatment Center. We successfully treated my daughter without surgery, and word started to spread throughout the community with publications, newsletters and articles about our findings and results. After learning about this disease, it became clear to me that it had nothing to do with me personally. Now I know that Idiopathic Scoliosis is a process that happens in about 4 percent of females during puberty. I turned my new knowledge into treating the young and old living with scoliosis and pain.
I met my wife prior to going to chiropractic school and within 3 weeks we were dating. I married her 6 months after I met her and we are now celebrating 34 wonderful years of marriage! We have 3 daughters to whom we are devoted: the youngest is 22 and the twins are 26, all active athletes. Now...I can't wait for some grandchildren! Our youngest has competed in Division 1 Volleyball in New York in which we have followed closely with numerous visits to the great City. My latest hobby is cooking. I've always been very artistic and cooking is a wonderful way to use the artistic part of my brain. I am known around the house for creating excellent meals out of "nothing to eat." Golfing has been a part of my life ever since my lower back healed. I consider golfing a great way to combine my competitive spirit and my love for the great outdoors.
I was an athlete in high school and beyond so I have always been health-conscious. My philosophy on health is: "What you do before you are fifty, you pay for after you are 50" and "How you are in your 50's and 60's determines how you will be in your 70's, 80's, and 90's!" I try to eat a balanced diet--I swim four to six days a week, I do resistance training, and I can also be seen after hours on the wellness machines that we have here at my practice. I personally try to avoid medications; like antibiotics and pain relievers since I want them to be most efficient in my body when they are really needed.
Enough about me! Now that you know my story, tell us yours! What are your feelings regarding alternative medicine? Have you tried it yet? What are your fears and concerns? Are you thinking about surgery?
Give us a call and tell us your story. Allow us to help you take your first step toward better health!
