Question
Lately, I have had lower back pain.  I made an appointment with a local Chiropractor.  On my first visit, I had a consultation and x-rays.  When I went back to get the results, he told me I had Forward Neck Syndrome.  He said that the curve should be at 45 degrees and mine was at 20.  He also said that the first bone should be at a 31 degree angle and mine was at a 2.  This looks pretty scary on the x-rays, but I have never had an adjustment before.  I am a little uncomfortable about all of it.  He told me this was causing my back pain and that he could treat the problem.  He wants to see me 3 times a week for 3-6 months and taper from there.  I just want a little advice about what is wrong with the curve of my spine and if the treatment is what I need.  I cannot afford to pay for a 2nd opinion, but I have been burdened by all of it since I left his office.  Thank you for taking the time to answer questions.  JJ

Answer
Forward head syndrome, cervical curve, Staten Island Chiropractor, low back pain, spinal curvatures, Staten Island Chiropractor Dr. Victor Dolan, regimen of care,





Hello JJ,

I am sorry to hear of your back pain.  I am also sorry to hear of your postural problems.
Thank You for your question.

If I read your question/ information correctly, you are from Texas.  Texas has at least two fully accredited Chiropractic Colleges.  SEE: http://www.cce-usa.org/Accredited_Doctor_Chiro.html ,  SEE: Dallas Texas= http://www.cce-usa.org/uploads/PARKER.pdf , Pasedena Texas= http://www.cce-usa.org/uploads/TEXAS.pdf .
         If you are close to either of these Chiropractic Colleges, I recommend you visit one of their student clinics.  Student Doctors work under the supervision of fully licensed Doctors of Chiropractic, and you may be able to afford a 'second opinion' or even treatment at these locations at less expense than already quoted to you (you mention "... I cannot afford to pay for a 2nd opinion....").
         With any Doctor recommending 6 months of continuous care (whether an orthodontist moving tooth bones over months or years,  a chiropractor moving spinal bones over months,  or an orthopedist recommending months or a year of rehabilitation therapy), with any discipline (MD, DC, DDS, DMD, DPM, DPT) recommending a long regimen of care, I would 'get a second opinion'.

You have forward head posture, which can cause lower back pain, you talk about cervical (neck) spine changes; did your Chiropractic Doctor also investigate (Xray) your middle (thoracic) back and lower (lumbar) back?
         Your complaint of pain seems to be your low back.  Investigate the 'point of pain', the lower back, as well as other possible causes of the pain.  What does your DC say about low back findings?  Will the doctor be working on your pain complaint solely through the cervical spine?  Did the doctor explain the rationale of treatment?

IF, if you go for a second opinion, go to a 'spine specialist'- another Doctor of Chiropractic.
There are many techniques in chiropractic, just as there are many techniques/ approaches/ different pharmaceutical treatments within the medical field.
         If you are ONLY concerned with >pain<, perhaps a different chiropractor could clear up your lower back pain in as little as 2, 3, 4 weeks.
         If you are concerned with overall health, with spinal curvature, with preventing future spinal degeneration, then you can look into a longer regimen of care.  
         There are different goals, different regimens available to you:  pain control, or structural correction.
         Some people go to the dentist to get their teeth straightened, some people go to the dentist just for cavities.  Chiropractic is similar- you can probably get your PAIN taken care of fairly quickly  and/or then you can aim at more long range goals.

Some web sites that may be of interest to you:
    http://www.necksolutions.com/neck-posture.html , http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090711194011AAGCwaY ,  http://www.scoliosis-support.org/showthread.php?t=7891 ,
    EXCELLENT SITE: http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/Forward_Head_Posture.shtml ,
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/2009/7/forward-head-posture-correct ,
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Neck-Injury-2727/Upper-Middle-pain.htm ,

I hope this all helps with your decision making.

At my Staten Island Chiropractic office, I try to control pain- but I also try to restore proper spinal curves, postures, alignments, motion.  Pain is an important but addressing the CAUSE of pain is important also.  I hand this out to my patients:

BE  CAREFUL  OF  PAIN  MEDICATIONS:

PAIN
         
Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?   
RED  LIGHT  =   Trouble !!

Pain  is  your  body  telling  you  that  something  is  wrong.   
Think  you  should  listen??

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   

Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?


Pain  Killing  medication???  =    16,000  deaths   ( probably  under-reported )
         DEATH ! ? ! ?    better   watch  out  on  those  medications!!!  

         NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:

Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to  include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468   Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001)  Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS

     The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement  recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice  to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

     NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ).   Many times people take NSAIDS  for  the pain of Arthritis,  not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.   These medications  cover  up  the  pain,  and  cause  the  problem  to   worsen.

http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-.
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together.    BE  CAREFUL  WITH  THAT  MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html

Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.


Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.


The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.

      Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

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If you need further information, do not hesitate to REcontact me here at AllExperts.com: http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC.htm .

Good Luck, and I wish you Good Health, Naturally!
Your Staten Island Chiropractor, Dr. Victor Dolan