Seeing a Chiropractor Tuesday...I hope it helps

[ChronicPain1]

I finally made the call because my pain has gotten to the point where I can't continue to be dragged along by appointments with traditional doctors, especially since they turned me down for help with my nerve pain almost 2 years ago.

Basically I'm going to ask them for help once and for all identifying the exact problems. My knees I'm pretty sure of, my lower back not really and my neck only sort of. I'm really still upset that the last Neuro doctors I saw told me they saw a possible problem (disc bulge, DDD) but said there was nothing they could do. Had they done something maybe I could've avoided this life destroying horror.

I hope the Chiro can get me some new MRI's and XRays before my EMG later in the month and help me pinpoint the problems so I KNOW finally what's wrong. I'm not sure if their techniques should be used but I'll ask their opinions. I'm afraid it could be made worse, but is it worth the risk if it could make it better? I really don't know, but Physical Therapy is useless for me and has been for a while.

I'll let you know how it goes for people considering going to a Chiropractor.

[dana007]

Just whatever happens-- make sure you keep active and do the things you enjoy. No matter what happens in life, you need to keep doing these things to feel good physically and mentally... its hard to see this sometimes through pain, but the more you practice is the better you will feel!

[ChronicPain1]

Very true, many people with herniations or bulges never have pain.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is what my doctor, Chiro and PT are all guessing completely independent of each other now. I may be close to an answer/fix.

[dana007]

always remember, jsut because something is seen on a scan, its not always the reason that you're having pain, just as people with 'ok' scans have pain with no seen problems. So it may show herniation but not necessarily related.

[ChronicPain1]

Good to hear Prospero, traction has had no effect for me from the start. This makes me believe my issue isn't a disc herniation issue. A Myleogram, EMG and MRI's seemed to make my Neurologists believe that shouldn't have been the issue.

It's almost like my muscles are in constant tension mode until they spasm and knot up. I'm going to focus on the muscles and not a potential disc issue as I've had no luck with the latter.

[Prospero73]

I had absolutely dramatic results from a chiropracter, quite a long time ago, with what I thought of as a slipped disk.  I couldn't stand up without pain, and the only comfortable position was on my knees next to a bed, which supported my upper body.  The chiro used heat, then massage, and then raised my right leg up toward my shoulder and put his weight on it, which produced a satisfying crack!  I had crawled into his office, and danced out, and went on a 20 mile backpacking trip the next day with no pain.  Cost? Seven bucks! (this was in 1968)

OTOH, more recently, I saw a chiro for a pinched nerve in my neck and went through several hundred dollars with no results, and found that a DIY traction kit was more helpful.

[Prospero73]

On the osteopathy question: the training is identical for MDs and DOs, except that the osteo docs have additional training in bone manipulation.  For the most part, there is little or no difference between them, and our phone book lists them all under the physician heading (chiros and podiatrists have separate headings).  My PC for the last thirty years has been a DO.  They tend more toward family practice than the MDs, who are better represented in the special fields.  Probably a political thing.

[ChronicPain1]

I haven't tried massage therapy, but it's my next thing I will try for sure. My current PT regimen is based on the idea that I have a disc herniation, and more and more I'm believing that's not the case.

I have intensely tight muscles across my shoulders that cause tingling into my fingers, headaches and toe pain even in my lower back. The doctors assumed disc problems but more and more I think it's not that. However I don't know what it could be.

Haven't tried acupuncture and excercise has gotten tougher to do. I used to a lot and I think that led to some of my pain.

[dana007]

I'm glad you had some success with the Chiropractor. I've had a lot of help decreasing my pain from my back and hips through them as well, and range of motion in my back and neck with my current pain.

I always think with myself EVEN THOUGH ITS HARD TO SWALLOW, but its not always about what is wrong, its about how you can find a way to live with what we have. Surgery should always be the last option as its the most invasive.

Have you tried massage therapy? Acupuncture? Do you exercise daily?

I hope your pain stays at a tolerable level,
Dana

[ChronicPain1]

So I saw the Chiropractor today against the advice of many CP's who say it made their pain worse. My pain was already at a 7 baseline and reaching a 9 (I never use 10, I save that because I know things could always hurt worse than they do) so I didn't really have much to lose.

He was attentive, listened to my problems and I gave him some past tests and such, and he won't rule out a disc herniation or problem but isn't sure that could be it. Much like the Neurologists I saw, they didn't think that was the cause despite nerve like pain, and my Myleogram, EMG and MRI's didn't really show it to be causing my pain, despite a minor disc bulge (which many many people have with no pain).

He mentioned a lot of Myofascial pain which I've been told before, identified my extremely tender spots and didn't adjust my neck in case it is a disc, but did a minor adjustment on my thorasic area.

I'll tell you, I feel better than I have in months, seriously. The tremendous pressure and tightness from my shoulder to my shoulder blade on the left side has diminished a lot. I'm not going to say it's a miracle and Chiropractors are gifts from god yet, but I'm hopeful. PT has done little for me over the years and I lost hope in them, so this makes me feel better about my chances.

Since all the doctors seemed to not think a disc problem was the issue (and wouldn't do surgery based on what they saw) i'm hoping it's not that at all. If it's just muscle problems or something else, I'd be less nervous about doing something for it. Surgery on my spine scares me, so I'm hopeful.

Just wanted to update you guys, I'll let you know how future visits go as I'm still doing this and PT in conjunction.

[sandee1818]

Not that I am aware of. If you notice alot of regular MD's are also DO's though.

[ChronicPain1]

I've never heard of a Doctor of Osteopathy, do they go by another name?

[sandee1818]

Hi Chronic Pain,
Tuck is correct that a chiroprator can't really order the test you need. here in Florida they can and do order x-rays but thats the extent of it.
You need to do as Tuck suggested and see a DO as they are much more qualified to find out what the problem is. I know it is extremely frustrating to keep going to different doctors but it is necessary to get a correct diagnosis.
A DO can also preform manipulations can offer more options as far as treatment goes.
Let us know how it goes:)

[Tuckamore]

I don't think a Chiro can order an MRI but they can do x-rays. You know my suggestion, see a D.O. because they are a physician and are so very good at structural issues.

I hope you will be able to find some answers with the chiropractor. I'm hopeful you will let us know the results. Best of luck.

Tuck