Fast forward through a series of medical tests and sobering "learn to live with it" advice from doctors. The official diagnosis was compressed nerve problems stemming from a degenerating C5 disc. My doctors recommended pain killers and muscle relaxing drugs, which I was reluctant to take. Feeling near-to-disabled and completely at a loss, I said my prayers and went to a chiropractor.

God must indeed have been sitting on my shoulder: I was led into an office to tell my tale of woe and there met Dr. Phillip Runco, a chiropractor with a steady gaze, a listening ear and (oh, the great luck of it!) a sense of humor. He radiated the confidence born of long years of practise, which was encouraging. But there was something even more important issuing from this doctor's presence: frankly, the only word I know that describes it is soul.

We consulted. He checked out my disc scenario and then - without hesitation - began to tweak this and snap that in my misbehaving spine. And in a matter of minutes my three month nightmare began to dissolve. In fact, within a few weeks I actually started feeling normal again -- almost as though my cervical disc mutiny had never occurred. I still have work to do: praying, retraining my posture, doing exercises, sometimes a visit with an ice pack. But I'm mobile.

So here's a salute to this quiet hero, who year in and year out keeps on helping his fellow humans feel better again, while Heaven looks on and grins ear to ear over the indisputable wonder of a healer who cares.

NOTE: If you live in the Northern California Bay Area and have back pain, you can make an appointment with the amazing Dr. Runco at his Concord, CA office. You won't regret it. He can be reached by calling (925) 685-0335, or by FAX at (925) 685-8883.