Chiropractic?

Sorry for all the questions. I searched for a post on this and didn't see one. Does anyone else go to the chiro regularly? I've had chronic issues with my back and neck going out of alignment and major tenderness in my lower back (sacrum area, radiating out). I was seeing mine every other or every week for months before my major pain started. I decided to consult with him today about everything. He said he could tell by all of the muscle tightness that I have fibro....? The adjustment was excruciating as I'm having a bad pain day, and the positioning and manipulating aggravated all of my sore joints/muscles and tender spots. My neck/shoulders hurt more now than before I went in, and I now have a headache similar to the ones I get when I need to be adjusted. His adjusting and using the vibrating thing on my lower back brought tears to my eyes.

He's very sure that continued adjustments will help me. He also recommended 4000 iu of vitamin D a day, which I'm going to bring up with my family doc at my checkup 5/6. My MRIs and xrays are clear of any major spinal issues. They show some mild degeneration and a few slightly bulging discs in my lower back. I just don't know if it's worth it to continue going. Is it? I sometimes hurt more after adjustments but feel better later that day/the next day, so I'm reserving judgment as to whether the adjustment today did anything. I'm just incurring so many medical bills right now that if it's not going to help I can't afford to have the bill for it.

I've been going for about 20 years, and to me it's a tossup as to whether it's really helping. At first, it helped amazingly well (I was so badly out of alignment that a lot of joints weren't moving at all.) But then it started getting more painful.

Then they switched to only doing my sacral/SI joint area, and on a drop table, which isn't at all painful. For me, when that area is right (for about 10 minutes!) everything else seems to settle down.

But this same chiro, who I'm sure meant well, kept adjusting my mother long after he should have. She ended up with a lot of hip damage from it. I've also read many times that they really shouldn't mess with necks - you can die instantly if they do it wrong, so they say - I obviously am no expert, but I do not have them do my neck anymore.

It sounds like maybe you should try holding off for awhile, since it hurts you so much. I know it's frustrating!

Debbie

I 'overextended' my neck 15 or so years ago. It became an issue for me a few years later, and it was discovered I have two bulging discs. I went to an orthopedic who assured me I would have to love with it that prescribed physical therapy, where I learned some great exercises that I still use. When the pain got out of hand, usually during times of stress and bad posture, I went to the chiropractor. He was fantastic. I was actually thinking that I need to go back in, because I have been unable to resolve my neck pain over the last week on my own.

I had to go through a bad chiropractor, who thought EVERYTHING wrong with me could be fixed his way (to the tune of thousands of dollars) to find a good one. The "wrong" chiropractor had a big room, full of tables and half walls, where everyone got adjusted, one right after another...no real privacy. How can anyone relax that way?? Yikes, that is NOT for me.

I feel it is just like finding the right doctor - you must trust them, feel safe, and feel that they are listening to you at all times. I expressed all those 'chiropractic" neck fears to him, and he assured me that those things are myths.

I haven't been to the chiro since before my recent distress started, though, so I have no idea what the effect of it will be on me now.

I think it never hurts to talk to someone, especially if there is a chance it will help.

Good luck!

I was assessed at a chiro office 6 months ago. The Dr was all I can help you oh my you have such bad pain but I'm sure I can help you then she walked out of office to look at my MRI and the back surgeon came in. I was told no chiro for me, the damage needs surgery to fix.

Please research.. there are so many bad things that can happen, esp. with neck adjustments (like stroke!). I went once and it made my pain worse, then I researched and the risk is not worth it.