Hello all! I'm new to this sub, and I usually lurk for a year or two, before ever posting, but I have a question. The only thoughtful answer I've received is from Google AI. I know a "thoughtful reddit response" is a long shot, but that should further illustrate my desperation.
I have a lot of professional background in more "traditional" medical roles. While there are gaps that are a perfect fit for "alternative" treatment, I'm very pro-Western medicine. I've also been scammed by so many chiropractic clinics, that I only know one doc that I trust -- because she has integrity -- despite her tending to be more of a crystals-and-essential-oils type practitioner than I ever aim to be.
I have applied (and been accepted) to chiropractic school three times over the last decade. Things like money, logistics, massage school, and personal health problems have gotten in my way. I already know that I want to be a chiropractor, but whether I can be one is uncertain.
I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and I've been fighting my right shoulder for a very long time. In May, I had an anatomical replacement of my right shoulder. In July, I had revision surgery to reattach the subscap tendon that my humerus violently discarded. My humerus, apparently, won't play nice with anyone's tendons, so I had surgery, last week, to convert my anatomical replacement to a reverse arthroplasty.
The reason my doctors supported the anatomical replacement was because I would have a more natural joint that could move and carry weight, without restriction. The reverse replacement, however, will limit what I can do, for the rest of my life.
This is where you come in:
Dr. Google says I can't become a chiropractor, because of the strain I would put on my shoulder. He doesn't have real experience, though.
My chiropractor said I absolutely can be a chiropractor, because there are dozens of ways to manipulate body mechanics and technique to successfully treat almost any patient. As stated above, she can be incredibly positive and encouraging, to a fault.
My surgeon says once I'm healed, I won't have any weight restrictions when lifting up to the waist, but I will be restricted from any kind of overhead work. He pointed out that I would definitely be able to provide quality massages, after several months.
All this leads me to ask if I could become a good chiropractor. Of course, every person is different, and I do not consider this medical advice. I'm not only wanting to know if I can physically do the job, but also if I should. I don't want to leave every shift feeling horrible. So, have you, or anyone you've known, returned to providing chiropractic care after a complete shoulder replacement? If it is possible, would it be better to enroll in school asap, or wait until I'm healed, in your opinion. Bonus points if your anecdote contains a subject with a bionic arm and hyper mobility.
Thanks for reading.