Spinal Adjustments .. Help..Opinions

[Unbreakable]

Hello...I'd like to know anyones!! opinion on chiropractic spinal adjusments. I've been getting them done after finding out that I have a misaligned spine. My reaction to it is not too great. I have quite apprehensive feelings about it which I think sends not the best messages to my mind/body . Although my practitioner seems good and competent, and I have had some improvement.. though fleeting. The chiro approach seems rather violent and abrupt. I've read that its not really the spine cracking or anything but more of a realise of pressure in the back and joint...but I'm still concerned nonetheless!.

Thanks
charish

 

[qwertyuiops]

Who told you it was misaligned? And what exactly do they mean by it? Are we talking medically diagnosed scoliosis or did the chiro diagnose it?

 

[Speedster]

Chiropractors are a little scary for me. I find osteopathy/cranial osteopathy a little/alot subtler and with remarkably helpful results, although the recovery not only comes from the treatment but also from your own awareness of whats not in sync within your physical, mental, emotional realms...

 

[szexbulrizzibheoy]

Thanks for replies!.....I saw my spine x-ray... ..looking the xray frontally... my spine veers off to one side.. roughly I'd say along the lumber and lower thorac areas because its been a while and I'm going from visual memory. Its not scoliosis but the result of a heavy lifting strains that reached its limited. I read that a lot of back strain problems come from the imbalance/tug-o-war of the back muscles effect on the spine. I was pathetically worse!....before I was able to walk much less go to a doctor. I'm looking into options besides chiro. This experience was a try but someting just keeps says no...so I thought I'd ask others who might have better experience than me.

Thanks
Charish

 

[Fred]

I've suffered with back pain for many years. For me exercise and stretching are the key.

Re: x-rays - if it was done at a hospital by a consultant then they should provide a physio to sort that out - and it will take a lot of work.

But if it was just a chiro clinic x-ray....I'd be cautious about it. Radiography is a highly skilled job and many practioners are not capable of taking them well. I've had people telling me I have one leg shorter than the other from an x-ray only to be told by another that the OTHER leg is shorter! If you have one taken standing up or by a unskilled radiographer then you can easily get a bend showing. Same happens if you are injured at the time the x-ray is taken - you are bent because of muscle spasm. This doesn't mean that the bent spine is the cause but could be a symptom.

Of course you probably have covered all this but I just include in case you haven't.

At the end of the day, treatment modes are limited. If you have been suffering for a while then you are likely to have one or more of: unbalanced muscles, muscles in spasm, irritated facet joints, adhesions, lack of flex, tight hamstrings etc. Whatever it is, targetted and progressive stretching and exercise will help big time. If you can develop strong abs (including small inner muscles), a strong lower back and legs and glutes, excellent flexibility in all directions and under torsion then whatever the problem's cause is, you will feel a lot better.

It isn't as easy as one might think since once certain muscles get used to their protection role they often take over some function from other muscles and it can be hard to regain proper control over them without a 3rd party telling you what is going on. I think the chiro specific moves can help here, it can stop spasm and straighten everything up. But you have use this temporary benefit in a longer term programme. Just doing the standard exercises on the sheet they hand out doesn't always work. You want someone who will work with you personally.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Think about doing something about your core stability - Pilates would help you balance your body and strengthen up from your fundamentals.
Sharon

 

[Surender Rao]

Thanks all for relpies. I have in fact resumed some yoga and stretching every day. While it feels hopeless sometimes compared to what I used to be able to do..I always feel a bit invigorated and glad that I made the effort.


"unbalanced muscles, muscles in spasm, irritated facet joints, lack of flex, tight hamstrings"..all that and one tight ham....can't really straighten it out...mostly when on the floor laying down..and really pinching if I lay down on soft/bed suface and then try to get up...or rather limp around for a bit....ouch!.

Adhesions.. that part sounds pretty gross and scary. I'd better do some kind of treatment soon..what I'm not exactly sure.

Also thanks Nozza for your informative reply...what you said about the x-rays is something for me to consider and to take note of next time.


Thanks
Charish

 

[peeploync]

It I were you, I'd go to my doc and insist on him referring you to a physio, and maybe a consultant if he will. It might take a while to get one but you can speed this up by saying that it has suddenly got a lot worse. They often have two different systems for acute and chronic cases. Obviously acute cases get seen quicker so it helps to produce acute symptoms! Worked for me. At least then you are getting free medical treatment. Physio treatment is bound to help on some level.

I would also strongly suggest you get one of these books: Sarah Key's Back Sufferers Bible, The Backsmart Plan (written by a Chiro incidentally) or Backache:

You sound like me when my back goes. I am firmly of the opinion that exercise is the key to long term health. But doing it in your state requires careful thought and a good practitioner or a book will be able to help guide you though the painful early stages. I'd ice your back a few times a day too. Can't hurt and usually helps a lot, especially if you do it in bed last thing - not sure why this works but it can be remarkable.

If you go to a chiro or an osteo I would call first and quiz them on their exercise plans. I think you want someone who doesn't place too much faith inpure manipulation as a cure but sees it as a small part of a range of treatments

 

[Aweigh]

Try this for your tight hamstring. - DIY massage.
Massage either with your fingers, or by sitting and rotating on a softish ball, your sitbone on that side(the base of your pelvis - it's what you sit on if you sit upright rather than slouch).
Then massage the belly of the muscles - you should be able to swim your fingers in between the two main parts of the hamstrings - if you can feel no division here work on them, gently but firmly. Carryon down between your calf muscles to the achilles tendon where the muscles insert either side of the knees. You can do this sitting in a chair.or on the floor. Also massage all around the buttock area - again a soft ball is helpful.(I use prickle stimulating balls from http://www.physicalcompany.co.uk/ ) If you do a lot of sitting, sit upright with your feet on a box/couple of phone directories, with your legs lengthened out in front till you get a bit of a stretch on the hamstrings.

 

[sc4bbedwing]

Thanks alot for the advise!....I am looking into all the offered options.
In fact going work on that diy massage later today.

Thanks
Charish

 

[qseiluqfixbinveww]

Hi,
I have had back problems for last 12 years and I have tried both chiropractors and osteopaths. I get relief but in a week or two I am in agony again. Part of the reason is that I work 12 hour shifts in front of computer and my posture isn't that great, I also have osteoarthritis in my knees and suspect that my back is the same.

What I found though, is that after a treatment in chiro I would use aromatherapy oils (massaged into the back) regularly and this would keep the pain a discomfort away for much longer! I get my partner to massage the oils to my back in the evening and in the morning I tend to wake up pain free, Great!

Might be worth trying!

 

[dyeteunxinjiftevf]

Hi Amaris....thanks for the tip....what oils would suggest exactly for back pain and expecially relaxing the muscles/muscles imbalance.... which for me I think is a big part of why my spine off center so to speak.

Thanks
Charish

 

[wywy]

Hello,
There is actually variety of oils that helps for back pains, just to list some:
Chamomile, Birch, Black Pepper, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Lavender and Sage, Cajeput, Camphor.

I have one blend that has proven really good for my knee and back pains and that is just Chamomile and Black Pepper blended in almond oil.

Some aromatherapy suppliers sell ready made blends, but you can also order the essential oils and a carrier oil and mix it yourself.

There are various recepies and blends that can be used, however a good rule of thumb is that you should not really mix more than 3 oils in one blend.

I hope this helps!!

 

[Bullet Proof USMC]

Thanks for the tip....I am really into oils but never got around to using them for my back pain. mydiscmfort is usually during bedtime when I have to put pressure on my spine and waking up when pressure has already been...and of course pain after sitting a while at the computer. So for me I think its a matter of really stressed out muscles on top of having my spine not aligned because of that;muscle imbalance. It would be great if it helps...I will try first the blend you mentioned..and then go on from there.

Thanks
Charish