ChiroVille Adventures Episode 3: “The Headache That Wouldn’t Go Away”

It’s quite a funny sight—
a muscular wolf in a black tank top and blue jeans push-mowing an elderly couple’s lawn.
But there was nothing funny about Charlie’s face that day.
Charlie is the local physical education teacher and a volunteer football coach at Wellsville High. He’s known for encouraging his students and players, always pushing them to be their best.
He lives by a simple philosophy:
“Leave it better than you received it.”
If the weight room is messy—even if he didn’t make the mess—he cleans it up.
If someone is having a bad day—even if he didn’t cause it—he lifts them up.
But today… Charlie wasn’t lifting anyone up.
In fact, he was so distracted that he accidentally mowed right over the elderly lady’s favorite lily flowers.
The moment he realized what he had done, he froze.
“Oh no…”
Before he could say anything, the elderly woman hurried over. Though she had many years behind her, she was still a beautiful cardinal. She gently placed her wing on Charlie’s shoulder and, in a soft voice, asked:
“What’s on your mind, dear?”
Charlie let out a deep sigh.
“Foxy… she’s got another headache.”
Charlie is a fixer. If there’s a problem, he finds a solution. With his strength and determination, there’s usually always a way.
Well… most of the time.
But when it came to his girlfriend Foxy’s headaches… he felt completely defeated.
They were getting worse. More frequent.
Simple things—like going on a date or enjoying time together—were becoming nearly impossible.
“I don’t know what to do,” Charlie admitted. “We’ve tried everything, and no one can give us any answers.”
Just then, the cardinal’s husband—a kind old blue jay who walked with a cane—joined them. He paused for a moment, thinking.
Then his eyes lit up.
“Do you remember what was said at church a couple Sundays ago?” he asked. “Something about there being a doctor inside all of us… how our bodies are wonderfully made and designed to heal?”
Charlie raised an eyebrow, unsure what to make of it.
The cardinal leaned in gently and whispered:
“I think it’s time to go see Dr. Bottom. It could be something in her neck causing those headaches.”
The very next day, Charlie and Foxy—a beautiful red fox—walked into Dr. Bottom’s office. Foxy held an ice pack against her head, searching for any bit of relief.
The waiting room was full.
Charlie glanced around nervously. “We might be here a while…”
But just then, Betsy the Beaver noticed them. Seeing Foxy in obvious pain, she stepped around the corner and said kindly:
“You’re in good hands. Dr. Bottom will be with you shortly. Let’s go ahead and get those X-rays started.”
Moments later…
Buzzzz…
Betsy studied the X-ray on her screen.
Her eyes widened.
She quickly composed herself and said, “I’m going to grab Dr. Bottom right away.”
A moment later, Dr. Bottom—a gentle but confident orangutan in a white coat—entered the room. Betsy pointed him toward the screen.
He studied it carefully.
“Hmmm… well, I can see why you’ve been having those headaches.”
Then, instead of rushing off to the next patient, Dr. Bottom did something unexpected.
He sat down.
Even with a full waiting room, he took his time.
Holding up his spine model—nicknamed “Frank”—he began to explain.
“You see, your neck is supposed to have a gentle ‘C’ curve,” he said. “And you do have a curve… but it’s going the wrong way.”
Charlie leaned in closer.
“This reversed curve,” Dr. Bottom continued, “can cause pressure and irritation in the nerves—affecting your neck, shoulders, and even your head… just like what you’ve been feeling, Foxy.”
Moments later, Foxy lay on the adjustment table while Charlie watched closely.
He had never seen an adjustment before… and after everything Foxy had been through, he was protective.
Then—
POP
With a precise and gentle movement, Dr. Bottom made the adjustment.
Foxy took a deep breath… then slowly sat up.
She looked around, almost confused.
“I… I can’t believe it,” she said softly.
“My headache… it’s gone.”
Charlie’s eyes widened.
“What?! That’s not possible! She’s had that headache for two days! How did you do that?”
Dr. Bottom smiled.
“Charlie, that’s a great question… but it’s the wrong question.”
Charlie blinked.
“The real question is—who did the healing?”
“Well… you adjusted her,” Charlie said. “You gave me back my girlfriend. Who else could it be?”
Dr. Bottom chuckled gently.
“I appreciate that… but there is only one Great Physician—His name is Jesus.”
He paused for a moment.
“Our bodies are wonderfully made and designed to heal from the inside out. They just need to be free from interference in the nervous system.”
Then, with a warm smile, he added:
“That’s why I tell people… there’s a doctor inside each and every one of us.”
And just like that, Dr. Bottom was already heading down the hallway to his next patient, humming his favorite tune:
🎵 “From colds to broken bones, there’s a doctor inside…
So when you look in the mirror, give that doctor a smile.” 🎵
Even the strongest encouragers need encouragement.
Take time today to lift someone up — you never know what they’re carrying.