essendoubleop

So I've been having mild back pain that has been getting progressively worse over the past couple years, beginning with a delivery job I had hauling windows and doors to construction sites. I worked the job for 3 years and no longer work there. The pain is bearable, but I'm mostly concerned since I'm only 22 and don't want to be crippled at 45.

I mostly notice it in my lower back when I get up in the morning, after sitting down for a long time, or bend over to pick things up. I am a distance runner and have been boxing for about a year now, which I could understand both impact my back pain positively and negatively.

I went to see a chiropractor this morning for a free consultation. He ran a brief computer scan of my back and took X-rays, which we will go over tomorrow during our next visit to find a plan that works best. He gave me the results of the computer scan and explained the three different graphs to me.

The first one showed irritation of the different vertebrae. I had severe irritation of the C1 and C2 vertebra (the uppermost vertrabrae) and moderate irritation of the L5 (second lowest). The C1 and C2 wasn't too surprising as I am a boxer, although I have no pain there. I mainly feel pain in my lower back which was relatively unaffected save the L5.

The second chart showed the asymmetry of my spine, which was the most alerting characteristic of my back. The C1-C5 vertebra showed 95% (severe) pull to the right side, which caused the C7-T1 to overcompensate and pull 105% to the left side.

The third chart showed the EMG amplitude, although I can't remember exactly what it means. All regions of my spine showed moderate to severe (especially the lower region) except for the the mid-region which was perfectly fine.

Being a graduate student, I was a bit skeptical of all this. I didn't exactly understand the ratings he was showing me and what constituted a "severe" rating. I asked for a comparison chart to someone else with back problems and he said everybody's back is different and can't be compared directly, which is understandable. Though I have heard some negative things about chiropractics (some positive things too) and was wondering if they showed some problem for everybody who comes through the door (although a person with a perfectly healthy back probably wouldn't see a chiropractor in the first place). I have the appointment scheduled for tomorrow where we will go over the X-rays in-depth and figure out a treatment plan. I am a very hesitant person when it comes to being roped into something like this (paying money I really don't have), but I understand the importance of good back health. Any advice from people out there with back pain, or hopefully from actual chiropractors on this board to confirm the information he has given me?

braisler

A good chiropractor can be a real help. There have been times when I've seen real and immediate benefit out of a visit. Like many other professions out there, some are bad, some are good.

One chiropractor I saw told me that any chiro that tries to set you up for weekly ongoing visits for a month or more is a quack and I should just walk out of the office and not look back. His professional opinion was that 95% of problems could be treated properly with a single office visit with one follow-up visit if the pain returned.

So, if your guy wants to set you up for a set schedule of alignments and visits, walk out and try another clinic.

The other advice that you didn't ask for, start doing some abdominal exercises to help strengthen your core. Pain in the lower back is often caused by weak core muscles that fail to support your spine.

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samcol

This is really the key to not have reoccuring problems. I also like to do wrestler style back bridges that really help strengthen and stretch important muscle groups.

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essendoubleop

So I went in today to discuss a plan with the chiropractor. He showed me the x-rays compared with the spine of a healthy individual. He recommended an initial period of visits 3-4 times a week for one month, then 2 times a week for two months, and once a week for one month to finish. Each visit would cost me a $20 copay for a total of $680 over the 3-month period. I'm only 23 and understand the necessity of correcting a back problem early on before I really start to feel it later on in life, but I want to make sure this is really going to fix the problem. $680 is more than what I get for financial aid for the quarter so this is a serious investment for me. Any other advice? I keep hearing a mixed bag of things regarding chiropractors. The main vibe I get is that it works for some people, but not all.

snowy

You might try going to an osteopath. An osteopath is trained almost the same way as a medical doctor but is also trained in osteopathic manipulation; they also tend to look at the bigger picture of treatment compared to an MD. When dealing with my back problems several years ago now, I went to the osteopath at my student health center. She recommended physical therapy and a couple sessions of manipulation, so we could get things in line and strengthened so that they would stay that way. Worked very well, and now I do yoga and Pilates to keep it that way.

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Cheater

Chiropractors can do wonders, if you get a good one. Look at what Braisler said about a chiropractor setting up such a schedule as you have presented. Time to find another chiropractor. Once a week was fine for me, and when I wasn't in pain, and the doctor saw that I was walking normal, he was the one that said I didn't need to come back until I felt the need. I was impressed when the chiropractor did a couple strength exercises to determine where the problem was located. He made the same diagnosis that a medical doctor made after taking a few x-rays. I'm not sure where you are located, but I was fortunate to find a very good chiropractor.

ngdawg

I think any time they say exactly how many visits at X amount of dollars each visit and tells you they have to be a few times a week, a little alarm should go off that tells you "run for the door". I don't trust "free" consultations at all.
I have a genetic defect in my lower back and because of that, the disk between L4 and L5 will slip out, usually a couple times a year now.
I was recommended a chiropractor, went in with my X-rays from the Orthopeodist (who had said the S word, so I left). He thought once a week for 3 weeks, then "we'll see how it goes". I now go once a month. He does my neck, my back and my wrists and sinuses. He didn't change my co-pay when my insurance changed, even tho the co-pay went up. He doesn't tell ME when to come in, we decide together based on how bad I became between visits.
Take your X-rays to another one and get his opinion.

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robot_parade

Unfortunately, the Chiropractic seems to be riddled with pseudoscience...I don't see any major warning signs with what you describe, and maybe this guy can help you...as I understand it, you should never, ever let a chiropractor do neck manipulations, and if they start talking about 'sublaxations' or claiming crazy stuff, run away fast. References:

Don't Let Chiropractors Fool You
and:
Tips on Choosing a Chiropractor

essendoubleop

Hmm. Well, I guess I won't be hearing more from him until June. I do want to correct the problem when it's just starting rather than letting it get worse. Can anybody recommend a better alternative that is more long-term oriented?

MSD

You need an orthopedist, who will probably recommend physical therapy. I've run into a few chiropractors and continued talking despite my better judgment after hearing the word "subluxation" (this word does not mean anything,) and concluded that a chiropractor is a person who can go through medical school (note: most do not, they are not doctors, but this one was an MD) and still tell me with a straight face that bad posture is the cause of my nasal allergies.

snowy

Physical therapy, yoga, and Pilates are all long-term solutions. Physical therapy will help you strengthen what absolutely needs strengthening--yoga and Pilates will help strengthen everything else. Strengthening your core, like suggested by other posters, is really critical to dealing with back problems. So is stretching your hammies and legs on a regular basis--lower back pain can be caused by your hamstrings tightening up and pulling on the muscles of your lower back.

One good tool you'll get a lot of use out of--plus it's fun--is a body ball (or physioball, whatever you want to call it). It's great assistance for various ab exercises. A yoga strap, mat, and block are also useful--the strap can assist in stretching out the hammies, the mat is obviously good from keeping you off the floor while you stretch, and I'd really recommend the block for a simple chest opener: put the block flat on your mat about where the area between your shoulder blades makes contact with the mat when you lay down, then lay down on the block. Your shoulders should sort of drape back over the block. It's very relaxing. You can move the block up and down a bit to stretch and open other parts of your back.

Rodney Yee has a great video for Back Care Yoga. You should check it out.

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thingstodo

From experience with my back this sounds reasonable to me.

I now see a chiro once every two months to keep things in line. I first had trouble around 1990. I went through a similar process you noted with excellent results. I tried this approach after going through muscle relaxers with a doctor twice until the point that he told me to get an MRI and consider surgery.

I moved two years after seeing my first chiro and didn't find a new one for my visit every other month. Eventually I had a problem but knew the route to recovery. I luckily found a new good chiro and went through a similar routine as before. Since then I have made sure to get adjusted every other month.

Bottom line: I went from seeing a doctor nearly 20 years ago that reccomended surgery to a chiro that got results. Before I stopped lifting heavy about 7 years ago I could squat 490. That's from a guy that supposedly needed surgery at one time.

By the way, I also went the physical therapy route with no results. PS is great as long as your vertabrea are in line. Until they are, nothing seems to work right. I do, however, use all the excercises and stretching I learned duing that process. And, now that my wife is a Yoga instructor I also do yogo thanks to personal lessons :-)

That's my story. It sounds like how your story is beginning. Every situation is different.

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mixedmedia

I'm glad I searched first because I was about to start a thread on this subject.

I went for my second appt. with a chiropractor this morning. I have been having progressively worsening pain in my neck for the better part of six years and in the last six months have started to have intense headaches. My mother had gone to see this same chiropractor for pain she was also having in her neck and was referred (by the chiro) to an acupuncturist who was able to relieve her pain with just a couple of visits.

Last week the chiropractor took xrays of my neck and was quite frank, telling me that he didn't see any major problems but that my C3-C6 vertebrae do not have the natural curved shape that they should have and that this was probably due to injury I received without knowing it - such as being rear-ended in a car (yes, it has happened). He couldn't guarantee that he would be able to help me. He suggested I come back for two more visits for alignments (so next Friday will be my last regular appt) and then to come in as needed when I am experiencing pain or headaches. I feel pretty comfortable that he is being honest with me and is doing all he can to help me with my pain. Today's treatment was more intensive than last week's and it felt great. I am hoping he can help me, but if not, I feel it was worth the $150 to let him try.

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essendoubleop

$150 per visit, or for two visits, including X-Rays? Either way, that's still pretty expensive. Even my chiropractor (who I have since cast as a crook) was going to charge my $20 a visit.

But then, if it works out for you, then it's all worth it. Good luck with your experience!

mixedmedia

I should have been more clear, it is $150 for three visits.

Thanks!

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Zenturian

My ex went to one years ago. She had to strip and he basically felt her up for a half hour. She didn't tell me until months later. First and last visit.