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chiropractic treatments neck pain

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Q: Neck pain! Is chiropractic cervical traction treatment for me?
I have neck pain and stiffness. My chiropractor insists I need 3 months of neck adjust (which didn’t seem to help) before getting cervical traction treatment. I like to do cervical traction asap because I always feels so relief when I ask my wife to “pull my neck”. Can I forget about the chiropractor and just buy one home cervical traction device and do it myself?

A: I am a chiropractor, and there is more to neck pain and stiffness than just adjusting the neck, there could be some muscle issues, cranial issues, hip issues. If you are unhappy with the results of your current chiropractor, don’t give up on chiropractic, find one that will fix the problem. I am a member of an organisation that focuses on finding the problem. Go to www.sorsi.com to find a doctor near you or if you are in Minnesota, email me or go to my website at www.healinghandschiro.com.

Q: First time with chiropractic treatments, but I’m in more pain after 6 treatments. Should I keep going?
After my x-ray, the chiropractor said my neck curve was opposite what it should be, and my spine twists a little bit as it goes up my back (acute scoliosis), so he prescribed 3 treatments a week for 4 weeks. I came in with mild back pain and a neck pain only if I leaned my head back.

After the 3rd treatment, I got a horrible persistent neck pain that got so bad I could only turn my head 3 inches in any direction, and I couldn’t sleep. It got better and then flared up to being worse. Now it’s a bit better, but I’m almost a week out from that pain and have been through 6 treatments. He says everyone has ups and downs. Should I keep going? Or could there be something that needs an MRI?

A: You’ve got the usual sales pitch for regular treatments and unnecessary Xrays. Let me guess, he prescribed 3 treatments a week for 4 weeks because that is the maximum amount your plan will pay for?

Chiropractors should never be allowed near anybodys neck, they have caused strokes which have crippled and killed previously healthy people. http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=94

You need to see a real doctor, and you may now need a CT or an MRI. You probably just have a toricollis, which is a muscle spasm, but chiropractic will only make that worse in any case. Do not let this quack near your neck again ! Use some heat, maybe some Advil, see a registered massage therapist (gentler, safer, cheaper)

Q: Is it possible to have cervical radiculopathy from herniated discs and not have neck pain?
I have a torn rotor cuff and carpal tunnel, but the overall pain was never this bad. And now my hand and index finger is tingling, in fact the index finger has gone numb and burns badly. My PCP is offering Chiropractic or Acupuncture as treatment options. BTW, physical therapy was tried repeatedly and only aggravated the conditions.

A: It would be unusual for cervical radiculopathy to not have neck pain. Pressure on a “pinched nerve” will push the nerve against bone and the sensory fibers will protest. There will also, usually, be neck muscle spasms when the pain hits. You haven’t described having any of these symptoms and so I doubt that the pain is originating in the neck.

But there is not enough information to actually try to pinpoint the source of your pain. What I can say, however, is that the numbness in your finger is a worrisome sign – especially if it is persistent. It suggests that permanent nerve damage may be occurring. What I would suggest, since things are not getting better, is to get a referral to a Neurologist. A Neurologist can do nerve conduction studies to find out where the actual site of the nerve injury is.

It may be at the wrist, or Carpal Tunnel. But you say that you tore your rotator cuff and I’m actually more worried that you may also have torn the nerve during that injury. The torn nerve is known as a Brachial Plexus injury and the torn nerve can be anywhere from the shoulder to the neck and trapezius area.

Q: Sore neck after chiropractic treatment?
Yesterday was the third time I went to the chiropractor.
I went for my first three treatments last week.
He did an x ray on my neck and lower back prior to any adjustments.
He adjusted my neck, and now it hurts, but the first two times it did not.
Did he do something wrong?
It started hurting about 4 hours after he did the adjustment, it has now been 24 hours, and it still hurts.
When he was a adjusting my neck, it didn’t “click” at first, but he did it again right after, and it did, in two spots, and the first two times it only clicked in the spot once.
Needless to say I am freaking out right now big time.
Did he screw up m y neck?
Should I go to the ER?
Should I even go back to him?
He works at the hospital in my town, and has a good reputation.
The pain is like a 7 out of 10.
I am so lost on what to do.
Maybe it is normal to have a stiff neck after, but why did it not hurt after the first 2 adjustments?

Sorry folks, long question.

A: It is normal to have a sore neck for a couple weeks after your first treatments. Ice your neck for 20 minutes on, 20 off, and then 20 on again. If you aren’t already sleeping without a pillow, remove your pillow from your bed for 2 weeks and that should help too.

Q: sharp pain in left lower back when looking down?
This past week, I started my first chiropractic treatments for my posture and continued neck pain. After my 2nd visit to the chiro, that night I developed pretty extreme pain in the left lower side of my back. Told my chiro about it the next day and she said it could be just soreness from the chiro treatment or a kidney issue. I went to urgent care that night because I coulnd’t sit, lay down, fold clothes, ect. due to this pain. Urgent care doc said I had a UTI. The pain continued in my left side and was especially extreme when I would look down at my shirt or look down to button my jeans. Went to my gyno on Friday because I thought maybe I did have a kidney issue or something. He said my urine was fine and said something about potential muscle spasms after the chiro treatment and since my spine is used to being in a certain position all those years ( I am 29), I probably would be sore and he prescribed Flexeril. Continue to have sharp pain in left lower side when looking down

A: That is really odd and since you say it only happens when you look down it does sound muscular. I hate to say this, but you know chiropractors aren’t real doctors. I would stay away for a bit. My cousin is a chiropractor, so I don’t have a lot of bad things to say about them, except for they believe they can cure just about anything that ails you. As far as that Urgent Care clinic is concerned – when they said you had a UTI and you didn’t – I wouldn’t pay for that appointment. They should have checked your urine and known that you did or didn’t. It’s a simple procedure. You just stick a dipstick in the urine. I do it everyday. Anyhow, there’s so many muscles in the back area – continue taking the Flexeril for pain (be careful, it’ll make you tired!) and go to the ER for extreme pain for a CT scan and see what’s really up!

Q: I started Chiropractic treatment a month ago and am now experiencing jaw pain..?
Has anyone else had this experience? I started treatment a little over a month ago, just general chiropractic check-ups, based on a referral by my primary care physician for stress and anxiety.

It HAS done wonders for that, along with a new dietary plan and lifestyle changes, but I’ve been experiencing on and off jaw pain, moderate to severe at times, when trying to close my jaw (as when chewing) or sometimes when I open it too wide. It kind of varies. I went back yesterday and she used some sort of tool that taps on the sides of my neck and jaw several times, and said something about a rotating atlas (or something like that), but it doesn’t seem to have helped much.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

A: One of the ways people manifest emotional stress in their bodies, along with upper back/shoulder pain is by clenching their jaw muscles or grinding their teeth, usually at night.

Talk to your chiropractic doctor about this possibility. There are some easy-to-do stretches for the big jaw muscles and you may need a referral for stress counseling as well. A dentist can tell if you’ve been grinding at night, or your spouse/S.O. might be able to confirm that he/she hears you do it.

It would be rare that work done to your neck would cause some kind of reaction in your jaw, but possible, and may just be part of “shaking out” a long-standing problem. If it persists, your chiropractic doctor will figure out what you’re reacting to and change it-just like your primary care doctor will change your medication if you have a reaction.

In the meantime, stop chewing gum or chewy foods like bagels.

Q: chiropractic care effective?
my mom is 40+ but already has spinal degeneration, of which she experiences neck and back pain. she recently tried chiropractic treatment but has not experienced any difference yet. should she continue with the chiropractic treatment since its an expensive treatment? How long does the treatment usually take before she experiences a difference?

A: Sometimes it works. If she has been going for more then a month and has had no change, then stop. And do not let any chiropractor tell her she needs to be seen more than 2 times a week. She should also try massage it could be more beneficial for her.

Q: Hello,Can anyone tell me if magnetic therapy really works (for neck and lower back pain). Thanks?
Ive got a persistent pain in my neck and lower back and chest. I think it started when I got my first desk based job about a year ago, and adopted a very bad sitting posture for the first few months) I went to the doctor, and i bet he thought i was just trying to get a sick note, he handed me some paracetamol which obviously did nothing to help me. Ill try anything to get rid of this pain. I almost tried acupunture, but chickened out when the doctor was about to stick the needles in me (she also didnt seem to know what exactly the problem was). Im thinking of buying a magnetic necklace, but i dont want to throw money away on something that wouldnt work. Would chiropractic (forgive my spelling) treatment be better?

A: Tried magnetic therapy, it was not successful in my case. And paracetamol is nothing but aspirin. Be careful starting on a aspirin regime. You could try Advil, instead. And Acupuncture might help you but seems to make you uncomfortable. Your symptons indicate that there is a problem. Find a doctor who will try to “pinpoint” these persistent pains you are experiencing. I am not a doctor so keep this in mind. But saying that, a Chiropractor can help with neck and lumbar back problems with exercice but chest pain concerns me and should be addressed, asap. Insist that the physician look at your Cardiovascular system. I hope, I’m not frightening you but you need to look into the chest pain you are experiencing. I had the same symptons and needed a by-pass. Before braclets and over the counter products get a “good” examination(s). Put yourself at ease. GOOD LUCK

Q: Car insurance claim – and brain tumor?
I was rearended, the insurance company of the driver that crashed into me has accepted responsibility. I had whiplash injury, had chiropractic treatment, the pain went after three months. But I have a brain tumor. I haven’t had it checked since the crash yet. It may have grown. Should I settle with the insurers without mentioning it, or should I tell them? What are they likely to do? I am worried they will say my head and neck pain after the crash are not due to whiplash – although I’m very sure they were. Any advice from anyone who knows about this? Also, do whiplash injuries affect brain tumors? I’m not due to have it checked (MRI) for another year apart from all this.

A: Let me get this question straight, you have a brain tumor and haven’t had anyone check for three months? And when I say checked, I mean a doctor.

For the moment, I say forget the insurnace claim and concentrate on your head. You need to see a doctor and ask these questions.

Q: Treatment for disc problems and reversal of cervical lordosis.?
Since I was a teen (I’m now 27), I’ve had unexplained back and neck pain, headaches, muscle tension, and spasms. About a year and a half ago, the doctors figured it out after an MRI. They said I had varying degrees of damage (none really serious, but all problematic) in four cervical discs with moderate reversal of cervical lordosis.

It seems that the problem is congenital because my mother and both sisters have it to varying degrees. Physical therapy did not help significantly and was way too expensive for me to be able to do it long term.

What are my options for the reversal of lordosis? I know that the discs can improve with physio, postural training, exercise, chiropractic, and other treatments, but I suspect that orthotics or surgery may be the only hope for the curvature problem.

I ask that only medical professionals and those with direct experience with this problem respond.

A: Although curve reversal is associated with acute muscle spasm such as after a car accident, research studies have shown that it has no bearing on chronic neck pain. In otherwords, loss of cervical lordosis occurs just as freqently in the pain free population as it does the painfull population.

Due to the chronic nature of your pain, a home traction unit or a cervical posture pump http://www.barringtonequipment.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=2997&DEPARTMENT_ID=203 (although to be quite honest, I’ve never used on of these with my patients)
might be in order.

Posture remains your number one defense against neck pain. However, pain in general is a multifactoral problem and requires a healthy, well balanced life to help manage.

Q: What is the best treatment for my Neck?
For about a month now I’ve been experiencing a cracking noise EVERY time I turn my head right and left. It doesn’t cause me too much pain, but I have been having headaches and I’m not sure if they are related. I already went to my regular doc and she said there wasn’t much I could do. I have been in a few moderate car accidents. One in which I was rear-ended at 45mph, and the other, we T-boned someone running a redlight. We were going around 50mph. I’m not sure if this is related as these happened a long time ago. I would like to know if Chiropractic is the best treatment and if so, how long and how much might it cost…my insurance doesn’t cover it and I want to know if it is worth it…thanks in advance for your help!

A: I did that once and went to a chiropractor who worked miracles.

Q: Shoulder muscle pain goes up into neck help tried everything?
The muscle that connects to the back of your shoulder joint, goes across your shoulder & up into the neck is always sore & swollen. Causes stiff neck and for my neck to crack, it is very painful & visibly swollen. I have tried the regular dr, chiropractic, accupuncture, accupressure, cranial sacral therapy, massage, structural integration & nothing is helping. With each treatment it felt better for a week or two so I would start to have hopes that it was working, then it would just go back to being painful. Anyone have ANY ideas??

A: MRI could be helpful in ruling in/out disc lesion. search for “cervical herniated disc” and see if your symptoms mirror the major symptoms listed. One other thing is to note your posture throughout the day. Do you often sit for long periods of time (example: student at desk or worker at computer)? It could also be a weakness of extensor muscles supporting your upper neck, back, and shoulders. If they are not functioning properly, that will put stress on the joints in the body. You could also try chiropractic again but try an AK (applied kinesiology) doctor (www.icakusa.com). And don’t forget, if the symptoms get change or get worse consult your primary care provider.

Q: I want to settle my workmans comp claim, but haven’t reached MMI. Also, what happens if I switch lawyers?
brief overview: was injured in car accident while on the job last year. workcomp dr said reached MMI, IME dr said i am only at 13%. comp dr had to reevaluate me. even tho documented that PT treatments make my neck pain and migraines worse, still scheduled me for 2x/week for next 3 weeks. Also documented that certain meds make me ill but he represcribed those. he ignored notes from IME dr about scripts to try and that I need injections and possibly surgery. instead the wkcomp dr said i need another MRI (still hasnt schedld it). I cant go thru this again. I want to try “alternative” treatment like chiropractic and acupuncture but wrkcomp wont approve. will it affect my settlement if I want to settle before reaching MMI? The wrkcomp dr/treatment is a joke! Im still always in pain. My lawyer doesnt seem very aggressive at all, can I switch to a more aggresssive atty, and if I do, how does paying the 1st one work (retained on contingency basis)? plz answer soon, have appt with atty in 2 hr
ps: I am more concerned w/ my recovery than the money from settlement, but I dont want to screw myself nd have to pay for alternative treatments out of my own pocket down the road, either.
oh, the guy who hit me (or rather his insurance company) is being sued at the same time, so i dont know if the not reaching MMI pertains to them as well or strictly workmans comp.

A: Do not settle your WC case until you reach MMI – if you do this, you are shortchanging yourself recovery-wise and your comp carrier is off the hook for any future treatment necessary to restore you to your former physical condition. As for your current attorney, you may “fire” him or her anytime you desire. Your new attorney will be dutibound to pay your attorneys’ fees (still 1/3rd of your recovery) and costs advanced on your behalf during the time he handled your case. The attorney compensation for both attorneys cannot be more than 1/3 all-told of your recovery. If you want a different lawyer, get one. Good luck -

Q: why do i have constant back pain?? PLEASE HELP?
In September 2006, i had a minor car accident where a car collided into the back of my car as i was stationary. I was 7 months pregnant and not long after this incident, i started to suffer back pain. I was unsure whether this resulted from the accident of from the pregnancy itself.
I went into labour on Christmas day of 2006, and my son was born early hours of the 27th. The midwife did not allow me to move from the labour bed at all for 18 hours, even though i complained of severe back pain. I was given an epidural which the doctor stated was placed in the wrong place in my back, but instead of repositioning it, it was topped up with more epidural. Do i have any rights to ask for my medical notes from the labour, and who do i ask?

There has not been a day since september 2006 when my back pain has gone, even though i have had 18 months of chiropractic treatments and a course of private physiotherapy. I have requested an MRI scan from my doctor which he refused. I have tried many hot and cold creams, soothers, pain relief tablets and have had no joy. The pain is constantly in both sides of my neck, the back of my head, between my shoulder blades and in my lower back.

Does anyone have a good idea on what caused this pain, and more importantly, how do i get it to stop? It seems like ive tried everything, and nothing even helps a little. Im 22 and usually fit and well but this is stopping me working and enjoying an active life with my toddler.

A: I completely relate. You story sounds almost identical to mine.

I was in a car accident (nothing too serious) just before I found out I was pregnant. I went to phys therapy etc and felt fine. Towards the middle of my pregnancy i had terrible back pain and I also thought it waqs because of the pregnancy. Almost a year after the birth of my daughter I got into another more serious accident.

I didn’t go to phys therapy because I thought I was fine and I was for a few months…..

A year later I cannot stand or sit for more than 3 hrs per day. I can’t stay comfortable laying down without a TON of pillows under my legs and surrounding my body. As my daughter is also a toddler, it’s been really rough. I recently had an MRI and it showed I have deep “muscle and tissue trauma”.

I take dicyclomine (muscle relaxant) at night and hydrocodone (up to 3 pills depending on the severity) daily. I try to avoid taking the hydrocodone because it is severely addictive but I found it’s the only medication that doesn’t impair my ability to care for my daughter.

All the other drugs Ive tried made me either too sleepy or feel completely drugged up.

In short, my dr is medicating me while we try different stretches treatments and excercises to ease my back pain. Some of my stretches are helping but each person needs to have a personalised treatment plan for their pain. What works for me may not work for you since you might actually have bone trauma as well.

Your dr should be helping you determine the source of your ails and he clearly isnt.

Your dr sounds like he sucks to be quite honest and if he refuses to even order an MRI to address the complaint I’d suggest finding a new DR asap.

Q: No type of pain killer or procedure works on me. Why??
Over the last 5-6 years I’ve developed pain in several areas of my body; upper & lower back, neck, sit-bones, wrists, etc. To be more specific…
a. chronic pain between shoulder blades
b. frequent low back throbbing
c. constant pain at sit-bone area that spreads down back of thighs (this is the worst one, daily pain 2+ years)
d. cramping in both wrists, up to elbows sometimes
e. tendonitis on top of left foot

I’ve sought medical help for all, and only saw minimal relief upfront, but pain always returned and meds or treatments no longer worked. Here were the treatments for each…
a. initial treatment was 4 months of chiropractic (some relief, hard on pocket-book) – then 3 years worth of physical therapy (on and off roughly 2-3 months at a crack)
b. same as “a”
c. naproxen, something stronger than naproxen, 4 steroid injections by Ortho, 2 months physical therapy, iontophoresis (electro-therapy), x-ray guided steroid injections into ischial bursa, coidal epidural steroid injections, Facet joint block injection testing; which worked to prove I needed a Lumbar Radiofreqency Neurotomy (that didn’t work)
d. anti-inflamitory and wrist support
e. naproxen, worked for the first flare up, but never again.

In addition to the above treatments I’ve also been given the following pain meds: Tylenol-3 (gives me a 12 minute rush, but never touches the pain), Valium (no “woozy”, no relaxation, no pain killer), 3 other “azepam” muscle relaxers (all worked once or twice, but not again), Skelaxin (no relief). The only thing I’ve gotten from any treatment has been sore muscles from PT, sore injection sites, and one time frostbite from sitting on an ice pack too long out of desperation.

Notable facts: I am a “super” narcoleptic, according to my sleep doctor. Have the ability to fall asleep in less than 2 minutes and do directly into REM sleep – even after 8+ hours of quality sleep (per sleep study results). Take double dose of Provigil daily to stay awake, Ritalin is a backup just in case. Also, I suffer from TMJ disorder, which causes neck and jaw pain.

When I have a headache I take advil or tylenol and the pain goes away in like 20 minutes. When I have a cold I take alkaseltzer or other OTC’s and feel relief to make it through the day. It’s like only certain types of pain/discomfort are receptive to treatments.

The worst one is the pain in the butt – I know sounds funny right. It started a little more than 2 years ago. For the first couple months I experienced discomfort when sitting for more than 10 minutes; which i wrote off to gaining 10lbs and my body was mad at me for having to support it. The discomfort though caused more back pain as I seemed to compensate for it and soon became restless enough to stop whatever activity I was doing and go home. The docs original thought was hip bursitis, or ischial bursitis; which is common on both sides of the buttocks in people who sit on hard surface ( ie, bleachers at a football game, also called weavers’ bottom). Now I’ve been through 3 specialists + yoga + PT + massage + heat/ice, blah blah blah. I’m sick of it.

I swear my brain is telling my body to keep the pain despite what I put into it. Fyi, drinking and weed also don’t relieve it – trust me i’ve tried.

Anyone else experiencing this dilemma? Not necessarily the same issue, but same reaction to pain relieving measures being an absolute waist. I’m going broke here constantly in and out of ambulatory operating rooms.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Always hurting

A: Wow, I’m sorry you are in so much pain. I don’t think I have a good answer for you, but I want to relate to you my friend’s experience. She was having a variety of symptoms (I don’t remember the details), but pain was definitely a problem. She was even having trouble walking b/c the pain was so bad. She tried to lift weights during this period and experienced shooting pains. She was constantly sleeping and exhausted. She saw something like 20 doctors and none of them could provide any answers, though some told her she was a hypochondriac. Finally she saw an endocrinologist, who on a whim, gave her a test for a vitamin D deficiency. It turned out that she had a very severe deficiency, which was not b/c of inadequate intake of the vitamin. Her body was only able to absorb a tiny amount (inadequate). When the doc put her on super levels of the vitamin, all of her symptoms disappeared. Some other vitamins such as calcium cannot be absorbed without the presence of vit D, so I’m sure there was secondary deficiencies. Maybe you can get a detailed blood test that looks at your vitamins/minerals. Also, hormone deficiencies can absolutely wreak havoc (including mysterious pain). An endocrinologist would be able to ID hormone imbalances. I hope you find this info useful and I hope you feel better soon!

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