Spinal evaluation today

[amyg]

I went to the farmer's market in my city this morning to see if the spine people were there- they do spinal evaluations at the farmer's market, I love that. I've been having shoulder noise w/o pain for a while, but last week my neck/shoulder/trap stopped working altogether and it's been pretty painful.

The DC did an evaluation and big surprise, found my spine is all out of whack, once at the bottom and from mid-back up into my head. So I have an appointment with her on Friday, I paid her $20 and she takes all the xrays and does my first evaluation and treatment plan for that $20. After that I start paying. Don't know how much at that point, though.

(She got her license in November 2004, I looked her up. I liked her so it doesn't matter to me that she's new.)

She did tell me I have lots of muscles so she knew I care about my body. I thought of Cathe and all of you here- my muscles are due to all of you helping me work hard- thanks!!

My questions are:
1. Do you think seeing a chiropractor is a necessary or generally good idea to help keep me fit and strong for a long time?
2. Do you think this is a slippery slope- if I start going to see her, I'll feel I need to continue forever (like fake nails, LOL)?

So sorry for the longest post ever, but I'm really curious. Any info is much appreciated!!!

 

[kathryn]

I've gone to chiropractors for many years, but not so much, now. They've done wonders for me for back problems (from falling off a horse, who actually fell with me on him, and almost fell on me), and for neck pain.

I got a spinal evaluation in the spring, and according to that DC, I'm in bad shape: the bottom of my spine starts towering to the left a few inches up, and my neck is all twisted in one direction, then another. One shoulder is higher than the others, etc. etc. I saw the Xrays myself so know that I'm not a picture of perfection.

I was going to go to him, but am still hesitant for several reasons:
1) he and his receptionist seemed a bit TOO happy that my insurance would cover 90% of the bill;
2) his posture is odd. His chest leads when he walks, almost like an overly rigid military posture. Why would I have someone whose posture looks strange work on mine?'
3) there's just some bad vibe I get about this, perhaps based on the other two.

On the other hand, my acupuncturist, who is also a chiropractor, does adjust me as needed (I went to the other one because he offered a free consultation, along with a PT and massage therapist---but I didn't know the PT was no longer with him), and he puts more stock in acupuncture than in chiropractic now, and says that he feels that too much adjustment is not a good idea, whereas acupuncture helps your body fix itself, even some things that you would think chiropractic might help more.

If you have a specific problem that is spine related (and it seems you do), then chiropractic may be a good idea. As I said, I've had good results with it in the past (though also a bad experience with a chiropractor who took on my carpal tunnel syndrome and did extra therapies on me that I found out, after not going to him for a while and finding that the symptoms cleared up with time!) were costly and unnecessary).

 

[amyg]

Kathryn-

I understand your hesitancies. Here's my $0.02:
1. I can understand them being pleased as punch your insurance would cover so much, it generally leads to a happier/less grumbly patient.

2. That's so funny that he walks oddly!! It's like going to a dentist with missing teeth. Although, maybe his oddly curved spine is the reason he got into chiropractice (??) in the first place. Do you think you've learned more/become more interested in your spine since the horse fell? I've met so many diabetes educators who are diabetic themselves I wouldn't eliminate that possibility entirely.

The DC I met reminded me a lot of myself, which is partly why I'm game for the evaluation/whatever. Same basic size and body mass, I think. I did think it was really odd that she introduced herself to me at the beginning as "Doctor So And So" and to my husband at the end as "Janet". Then I thought maybe she had recognized she had a live one with me, so was going nicer with my DH since she figured she'd be in my life for a while.

3. I think this is where you're really stuck. Bad vibes are hard to dismiss, and with so many good practitioners out there, I don't see any need to silence your internal warnings. If you're comfortable doing so, can you ask for your x-rays?

Accupuncture is my next step if I'm not feeling better with a few months of chiropractic visits. My sister swears by her chiropractor, who also sent my sister to accupuncture, had her start pilates, give up wheat and dairy, almost an entire body makeover. I'm hoping not to get that far in.

I only ever have injuries/difficulties on the left side of my body, which has been curious to me. The fact that my neck/shoulder still hurts scared me a little. I think it's good I see someone.

As for your initial injuries, that's just a crazy thing to even think about, with a horse. Augh!!! No wonder you know so much- you've spent all that time trying to heal.

Geez my posts are really long today. Must mean I have lots of cases to read that I'm trying to avoid! }( Speaking of which, how are your students? Have you even started yet?

 

[lorajc]

Hi,
I have nothing to add other than I think it depends a lot on the individual. As with all doctors, there are good ones and not so good ones. My past experience with a Chiropractor is from one that I worked for for a year and he was a huge jerk and I didn't think he knew what he was doing. He made patients come in FOREVER for 3 times a week. He told me I was all "out of whack" also and a bunch of other stuff. He used to also make us go to seminars on how to get new patients in the practice. I swear that the guy wanted us to go mow down potential patients in the parking lot!!

I'd say to give it a try and see how you like the treatments and the doctor, but I'd be very cautious if someone told me I had to keep coming back for treatments all of the time. You might also be wise to get a second opinion from another chiropractor.

 

[lorajc]

Hi,
I have nothing to add other than I think it depends a lot on the individual. As with all doctors, there are good ones and not so good ones. My past experience with a Chiropractor is from one that I worked for for a year and he was a huge jerk and I didn't think he knew what he was doing. He made patients come in FOREVER for 3 times a week. He told me I was all "out of whack" also and a bunch of other stuff. He used to also make us go to seminars on how to get new patients in the practice. I swear that the guy wanted us to go mow down potential patients in the parking lot!!

I'd say to give it a try and see how you like the treatments and the doctor, but I'd be very cautious if someone told me I had to keep coming back for treatments all of the time. You might also be wise to get a second opinion from another chiropractor.

 

[amyg]

I'm a little wary, I admit. I have been wanting to try it out since my sister felt improvements. Since my neck is in pain right now, I just want info on how to stop hurting myself or causing further damage.

I can't come in 3 times a week anyway- school and work won't let me! But I'm very curious to see how she'll treat me at the consult and at the first visit- I'm only committed to the consult but I know I'll want to at least have her do something, so that's another one visit. She doesn't know about my experience working for doctors for 10+ years, so I'm going to keep that on the down-low and listen to her and make my own choice.

I hate having to return to see doctors every few days/weeks without results. I've already done that, when I was a kid, and am never going to do it again!!! So I'm with you, and I'm sticking with "cautious".

 

[Mckmain]

Hi Amy...I have gone to a Chiropractor regularly since 1998. The Chiropractor I chose is also a triathlete. So, as I put my older body thru rigourous training I figured he would be perfect. He was! I go regularly as preventative care...kinda like the dentist! I feel great.......He also took my nephew under his wing and talked him into going to school and now My nephew works for him and is my new Chiropractor. I actually look forward to my adjustments. They both are always learning new techniques and I have even had my ankles adjusted after long trail runs. I would trust them way before any regular MD...just my 2 cents......Carole