Going to the Chiro. I need advice.

[KingOfPain]

I am going to see a chiropractor on Tuesday due to an injury that I sustained (I believe while doing deadlifts) awhile back. I am pretty sure it is a muscle strain and I was wondering what would a chiro be able to do if that is the case? I could see if it is a pinched nerve or something, but what good is cracking my back if it is a muscular problem? I just wanna know, because I have my reservations about going to see a chiro in the 1st place, so I dont want him craking my back if that may cause more harm than good. I guess I am a little uneducated on exactly what a chiro does, I am under the assumption thta they basically crack you and readjust you and thats about it. Anything else I should know that may help me to know what going on when I go?

And yes I will go see an ART specialist if this doesnt help me, its just that there arent any around here, so it will be a little trip for me, so I am trying this 1st....

thanks!

 

[elite hot topic]

actually i like to go to get a mesage before i get an ajustment. Get a St. Johns technique or a Miles Fashice(sp) helps with scar tissue.. Insurance will cover it if you have a Doc fill out a form which will say it can benifit your situation..


But to answer your question a Chiro. Can do wonders for your nerve functions and to keep your back in good shape.

Hope this helps

 

[KingOfPain]

actually i like to go to get a mesage before i get an ajustment. Get a St. Johns technique or a Miles Fashice(sp) helps with scar tissue.. Insurance will cover it if you have a Doc fill out a form which will say it can benifit your situation..


But to answer your question a Chiro. Can do wonders for your nerve functions and to keep your back in good shape.

Hope this helps

well no insurance for me, and I am not rich, so I was kinda hoping to get something accomplished right then and there. I cannot afford an MRI or xrays or none of the above so I hope this guy is a miracle worker.

 

[genarr3]

"I cannot afford an MRI or xrays" - The Chiropractor will definitely want to give you an X - Ray. At least a competent one will. You're walking into his/her office complaining of back pain, the Chiropractor has no way of knowing if an adjustment he/she makes could end up paralyzing you due to some pre-existing condition.

One thing though, these people will try and get you back in the office as frequently as possible. They'll say these are necessary adjustments, but it's really all about the $$.

 

[johnboy]

if you just pulled the muscle ...

He will probably take an x-ray just to be sure. Adjustments actually help muscle pain in your back too. What happens is the muscles get strained so they are week and not holding the spine in place like they should. He will definitly give you EMS (Electronic muscle stimulation); it basicly like those new things you see on tv that works your abs. It basicly shocks the muscles in your back causing them to contract. The contractions cause relaxation of the muscles.

They can help a little but you may need a shot or two of some Cortisone. Yes, it is catabolic but it is neccessary to break up the scar tissue. Bad back is actually what got me started on juice. I would use a low dose of deca and test and slowly work it as the dr. tells you. If you pull it out again its much worse.

It was explained to me by my doctor this way. If you pull on the elastic of underwear its going to lose its elasticity. If you do it again then it gets even worse.

Good luck bro, be sure and do the stretches and theapy. Hope this helped you out in some way.

 

[Sadist]

I have to agree with genarr3, chiro's will have you coming in 2-3 times a week which adds up even if they do not do an adjustment each and every time. Call around to some of the larger hospitals in your area ( if you can not afford to pay they can treat you as a charity case) or call the Public health Department and ask about free clinics or clinics that allow you to pay on a sliding scale- pay based on your income. That is if this continues to be a long-term problem. Short-term, deep tissue massage may be the cheapest route. I hurt by neck and back in an accident last year. Went to a chiro and did physical therapy for almost a year and I still have problems- I don't think the chiro cracking my neck and back really helped. I went to see a physiatrist ( an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in non-surgical pain management) and she has prescribed head to tailbone "soft tissue" massage therapy. If that doesn't work I may try ART for my back.

 

[CommoditiesBroker]

I heard getting adjusted all the time time lead to some serious back problems.

It is like the eye doctor!!! LOL

 

[KingOfPain]

I have to agree with genarr3, chiro's will have you coming in 2-3 times a week which adds up even if they do not do an adjustment each and every time. Call around to some of the larger hospitals in your area ( if you can not afford to pay they can treat you as a charity case) or call the Public health Department and ask about free clinics or clinics that allow you to pay on a sliding scale- pay based on your income. That is if this continues to be a long-term problem. Short-term, deep tissue massage may be the cheapest route. I hurt by neck and back in an accident last year. Went to a chiro and did physical therapy for almost a year and I still have problems- I don't think the chiro cracking my neck and back really helped. I went to see a physiatrist ( an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in non-surgical pain management) and she has prescribed head to tailbone "soft tissue" massage therapy. If that doesn't work I may try ART for my back.

ya i was actually considering going into the hospital and claiming that I "just" threw out my back, that way they cannot deny me my emergency medical treatment.... I dont think the hospital can turn me away, but I might have to bring my sleeping bag, because this fucking hospital is the busiest fucking place I have ever seen. University of Miami Jackson Memorial hospital for those of you who might know.... this is the only way I will be able to get xrays or and MRI, so it might just be worth the investment(in time), and my back is sooo fucked up right now that I can hardly move so there really may be something really wrong with it.

In any case I may still go to the chiro on tuesday just to see what the guy has to say, he was highly recommended to me, so I gues it cant hurt to hear him out. But there is no way I would be going back to him every week - regardless!

thanks guys and if you have any more ideas or input please let me know!

 

[Bar Room Hero]

I once popped out a hemmoroid while straining a deadlift.

 

[Silent Method]

I have to disagree with Genarr about everyone needing an x-ray with a first chiro visit. A good chiro will be able to tell if you need one or not. I agree that most of them try to keep you coming back as often as possible - more than necessary in many cases. On the other hand, if I could afford it I'd go weekly.

As far as going for a muscle strain, it can't hurt and it could certainly help. Getting a good adjustment is quite good for your health and well being in so many dynamic ways it's imposible to cover them here. On the other hand, massage may be a more direct route to healing depending on your situation.

By the way, chiros are like any doctor. Some are great, some suck. Going to some medical doctors will lead to more problems than if one had not seen that doctor. Another factor to consider with chiros is that you may feel like shit before you get better (again depending on the situation).