DR. ARMEN ROSTAMI

Since I was five, I loved basketball. I played for different teams, including non-profit groups, traveling leagues, and my high school. However, during high school, I tore my ACL and MCL in my right knee, requiring extensive surgery and 18 months of rehab before I could return to the court. In my first tournament back from injury, I tore my ACL again. I was devastated.

All the hard work I had put in felt wasted, and the prospect of another long recovery seemed overwhelming. I knew basketball was now out of the picture, and I had to focus on ensuring a healthy life with a healthy knee.

This time, my rehab was done with a Chiropractor who treated elite athletes and Olympic winners. At first, I didn’t understand why the adjustments were important along with the physical rehabilitation. But the rapid recovery I experienced within the first two weeks of treatment convinced me not to second-guess the treatment. By week six, I was jogging lightly, something I hadn’t been able to do for months after my first injury. Six months later, my right knee felt stronger and healthier than ever.

This experience was life-changing. Not only did chiropractic care help me physically recover, but it also gave me hope and confidence. I felt empowered by my injury and the long road to recovery. I felt excited about the possibilities of achieving goals I had never considered. I had never been a runner, mainly due to the pain and fear associated with my knee. Now, I’ve marked a marathon on my calendar.

That’s what chiropractic care did for me. Beyond the physical benefits of recovering better than before, it gave me hope. It made me realize my knee wasn’t “damaged goods” for the rest of my life. I understood that a full knee replacement at 40 wasn’t an inevitability. I could change that. I could be better, avoid surgery, and have a long, healthy life. Chiropractic gave me confidence in that belief, in myself, and in my physical and mental capabilities.

Now, I have two kids: Amelia, who is two years old, and Roman, who is one. I’m running, lifting, jumping, playing—doing all the things a toddler wants to do with their dad. It brings me immense joy knowing I can do all these things, not just with a healthy knee but a healthy spine. That’s something every single person should be able to do. I’m not special in any way.

That’s why I became a chiropractor—to pay it forward and help as many people as I can, just like I was helped.