Y’all know I don’t like to beat around the bush, so here it is: my shoulder still isn’t healing the way I hoped.
I’ve done a lot—rehab, needling, laser, shockwave, and of course, getting adjusted—to try to get it back where it needs to be. I even saw an orthopedic NP last month to see if this might be a surgical issue (they said they'd do surgery if I wanted that, but I don't). The testing at the ortho visit caused a regression and now it feels like it’s taking me forever just to get back to where I was before that appointment.
Along with my connective tissue disorder (which y’all know about) and the new Lyme disease diagnosis I got last month (which most of y’all don’t know about), it’s no surprise that my healing is taking longer than I’d prefer. I’m still rehabbing and doing all the things I’m supposed to do, but it’s just not getting better in the way I wanted it to. And I don’t want to end up with a chronic issue that could limit my mobility, function, or quality of life as I get older.
Since I haven’t been adjusting since April—and I know many of y’all have been waiting for me to return—I felt it was time to make a decision instead of leaving you wondering. Soooo, as much as I don't want to say it, I’m retiring from adjusting. Maybe temporarily, maybe forever.
I love adjusting, and I hope that I’ll get back to it someday, but right now I couldn’t see 10 patients in a day, let alone my usual schedule (25-30+). I can’t come back at this time, and I don’t want anyone waiting for me because I truly don’t know when or if my shoulder will fully heal. The last thing I want is to create a chronic condition by forcing myself back into practice when I have very competent doctors who have already told me, “We’ve got this.”
That doesn’t mean I’m slowing down (IDK how I'd even do that). I’m still running Taproot, leading this amazing team, and staying hands-on with operations and mentoring. Although we're not opening up my schedule at this time for patient care, depending on where my team needs me, you might see me helping with bioenergetics testing, scheduling appointments at the front desk, or running wellness classes or events. I also launched Heart & Hustle Business Coaching earlier this year to help other chiropractors and wellness providers build sustainable, values-driven practices. I’m teaching, coaching, and planning some exciting projects for the future—including continuing education for other doctors.
I know you have all been seeing other Taproot docs, but if you want to talk about which doctor is the best fit for you, just let my team know. We’ll set up a time to chat—phone, in person, Zoom, whatever works. I want y’all to feel supported as I make this transition.
So What Now?
We’re planning a retirement party (woot! woot!) in August (date coming soon!) so I can see everyone and say thank you for letting me be part of your care all these years. I’ll still be around at Taproot—just not in the adjusting rooms—and I’m excited to keep growing this clinic and supporting our community in new ways.
I’m going to miss patient care deeply—it’s been the heart of what I do and who I have been for so many years—but this is the phase of life I’m in right now, and I know it’s the right decision.
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