Back pain, skeletal or muscle?

[krispie9]

My boyfriend had his first ever adjustment by a chiropractor a week ago.  The chiropractor is also a neurologist and the adjustment was done outside during a camping trip.  After the adjustment my boyfriend felt fine for two hours and during that time he was rock climbing and hiking.  By the time he got home he could barely move.  The next day he had to go to the doctor and they prescribed an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxers.  Neither of these medications have relieved the symptoms and he back still hurts.  About mid-week he started experiencing twitching in his lat, pec, tricep, bicep and elbow.  A muscle will twitch for a few seconds and then start in another muscle.  We have talked to one massage therapist and she said that he should have gotten muscle work done after the adjustment then followed with another adjustment.  Another massage therapist said that now that his spine is adjusted the muscles are pulling because they want the spine to be where it used to be.  She also suggested massage.  My boyfriend is scared of any type of touch, re-adjustments because he is so tender.  He has had a recurring back problem more muscle related within the past couple of months but now he isn't sure what is causing his pain, spine or the muscles.  Does anyone have any suggestions for treatment or what type of doctor he should go and see?

[krispie9]

Thanks for the advice.  He is a really healthy and athletic guy.  It will probably take some convincing to get him to a specialist.  He keeps thinking maybe it will heal on its own.  How long would think a problem like this should go before seeing someone?

[dr_simran]

Hello krispie9,
You should get him to a neurologist and go in for  a MRI to rule out any pathological conditions causing the pain.Other investigations such as nerve conduction studies and electromyograph should also be done.Unless any investigations are done the diagnosis cannot be confirmed.Get an evaluation done so that appropriate treatment can be started.
Best