Video Fitness Forum  

Go Back   Video Fitness Forum > Video Fitness Reader Forum > General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 09-26-11, 07:31 AM  
trixie108
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Edina, MN
Chiropractor help

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice on what to do about a chiropractor I've been seeing. I originally went 2 weeks ago for some neck pain I'd been having. It wasn't bad, just annoying, especially after sitting for a while. He took several xrays, and showed several points that were out of whack. My hips were also way off, with one hip about an inch higher than the other. We agreed to start treatment, and I'm currently going three times a week.

After my first adjustment, my neck felt fantastic, so I was really pleased, but my low back was sore. He reassured me that this was normal, as the muscles that were previously slacking, were now perked up and trying to do their job. So I gave it a few adjustments, and it kept hurting. I told him each time that my low back was in a lot of pain, and I kept getting the same response. Last appointment (Friday), I complained LOUDLY that my back hurt a lot. It certainly wasn't muscle pain-I know what that feels like. He adjusted me and said my hip was "way off" and that I should feel better going forward.

Yesterday I was in tears. It hurts to walk, sit, bend over. Laying down is the only relief I have. I tried stretching, but that didn't help at all. I actually can't even get into cobra pose anymore without extreme pain. Ice didn't help, a warm tub didn't help, pain patches didn't help and Excedrine Back and Body didn't help. I feel a bit better this morning, but it still hurts a lot.

Right now I'm at a loss for what to do. I really feel like it's just one adjustment away from being right, like just one good pop will make it better. But at the same time I'm scared to go back in case it keeps getting worse. Has anyone had this type of experience with a chiro? Should I suck it up and keep going? Or call a regular doctor and get a second opinion? Or maybe contact a lawyer??
__________________
Nicole
trixie108 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 07:42 AM  
katmom
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tennessee
I went to a chiropractor for years for low back pain and did well with the adjustments for a while. I went for an appointment one day and mentioned a new low back pain. Doctor made adjustments and it was worse. I called mentioning the pain and he made the same response as your chiropractor. He recommended another adjustment about 2 days after the initial adjustment and again, worse pain. After the third visit and continued pain, I made an appointment with an orthopedic doctor and learned I had bone spurs that were irritating the nerves every time the chiropractic adjustment was made. Oral anti-inflammatory meds and physical therapy got me through that bout. I never returned to the chiropractor!

I now go to a myofascial massage therapist and an acupuncturist and have had good luck with these treatments with my neck and low back problems. This treatment has also improved my carpal tunnel issues.

Bottom line, call a doctor!
__________________
"Saving just one pet won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one pet" Author Unknown
katmom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 09:05 AM  
SpiritYogi
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Spiritual Bliss
I've seeked treatment from chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncture therapists in the past and although all have said that some mild to moderate pain is normal and even expected, I don't believe the kind of pain you're experiencing is normal. I suggest you contact your regular physician just to be on the safe side.

Hope you feel better soon!!
SpiritYogi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 09:09 AM  
cathgpo
VF Supporter
 
cathgpo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Texas gal
I'm so sorry your back is hurting! I wouldn't necessarily write off chiropractors in general, but definitely this guy! He isn't responding to what you're saying, just pushing ahead with his prior treatment plan.

I've found good chiropractors and good physical therapists to be awesome, and bad ones to be useless. If you go to your primary care doc, they probably can't do a lot, but may be able to help you with a referral to a good specialist.

Since your in a lot of pain, your movement patterns (posture, gait, etc) are probably really bad right now, which makes it harder to get better. So treatment for pain may help you get your normal range of motion back so you can begin strengthening and healing. Good luck!
__________________
Catherine


cathgpo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 09:50 AM  
DachsieDogMom
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Florida
I dont think your new pain is normal. I've been to a chiro in the past and never developed new pains.
DachsieDogMom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 10:16 AM  
susan p
VF Supporter
 
susan p's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Kansas City
My chiropracter has never caused new pain, nor told me to expect it. Some moderate soreness, yes (but nothing like what my massage therapist can do to me! ha!).

So I'm prone to think there is something wrong here and you need to see someone else. Doctors seem to always have one answer for back pain, which is muscle relaxants and painkillers, which don't really fix the problem but can get you relaxed enough that you feel better and I'd find, then, another chiropracter and get the problem fixed!
susan p is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 10:57 AM  
Fidget Queen
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Well, first of all, you're right in that you know the difference between a horrible pain and new muscles being called into action.

Secondly, a good chiropractor never gives you "pain." My chiro was a god send and after my physical therapist made my pain more and more unbearable every time I went to see her, my chiropractor made it better on the first visit.

When my SO other sprained his ankle and she worked on it, she did warn him to expect soreness in the areas she worked. He only developed soreness in the exact areas she told him to expect it and it was never "pain" - ever.

My advice, go see if there IS something else going on, and if not, find another chiropractor. Good ones are irreplaceable.

And I wanted to add that (just like any doctor) he should responding to your problems with different methods. My physical therapist did exactly what you're describing and that's why I ran from her as quickly as I could. My chiro was so sensitive to everything I said and changed her methods depending on what I was feeling each time I went into her.
Fidget Queen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 11:05 AM  
Mushiebear
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by katmom View Post
Bottom line, call a doctor!
I agree. Acute pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. And, what's wrong may be your body needing further adjustment (I am a firm believer in chiropractic care!)... and, what's wrong may be bone spurs, as Katmom discovered... and, what's wrong may be herniated discs (as my husband discovered)...

The alternative possiblities definitely need to be explored.

Just as, when one is receiving treatment from MDs, alternative possiblities should be explored. I recently had chest pains and numbness in my left arm... symptoms which SCREAM "Danger! Heart Attack Symptoms!" (though, oddly, I never thought that was the issue; I only went to the ER out of a sense of responsibility... you know, "Gee, I'm a mom of 5; grandmom of 4... I owe it to my Beloved Husband, my kids, and my grandkids to MAKE SURE.") Multiple of thousands of dollars later for EKGs, overnight stay at the hospital; monitoring, blood analysis, treadmill stress test, etc... and, the diagnosis of a "stinkingly healthy heart"... and several days of discomfort in my chest, despite the good news regarding my heart... turns out it was some misaligned ribs. Pain dispersed almost immediately with an adjustment.

So, my thought... pain is a message; you've tried the adjustments; your body is still sending you the message which indicates the adjustments aren't addressing the need your body is having... definitely, explore alternative possibilities. Each healing professional can only address the issue from their training (and, yes, they should respond to your concerns and feedback as to how your are feeling... and, they should adjust their approaches accordingly... but, they can only do so, both legally and in terms of skill set, within the boundaries of their training and licensure) and while each of them has their place, collaborative or synergistic care is the optimal approach, in my opinion.

Best of luck with the healing!

Last edited by Mushiebear; 09-26-11 at 11:11 AM. Reason: typo!
Mushiebear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 11:28 AM  
trixie108
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Edina, MN
Thanks for the responses guys. I was leaning toward going to a physician, I guess I just wanted some reassurance. My husband is going to the same chiro, and hasn't felt better in years, which is why I wanted to trust this guy so badly. I'll make an appointment with a doctor today!
__________________
Nicole
trixie108 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-11, 03:34 PM  
donnamp
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Maryland, USA
I agree - I have been going to a chiro for 3 years or so, and it has never been WORSE afterwards. Yes, there could be muscle soreness, but what you describe sounds different.
Best of luck to you! Hope you feel better ASAP!

Donna
donnamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
back adjustments, back pain, chiropractor, chiropractors, pain

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
© 2009 Video Fitness