Question
QUESTION: Hi. I am a 32 year old female.I always got very tired after walking or standing up for a while but started to have continuous back pain after lifting a heavy luggage 7 months ago.the pain is mostly on the right side joint. The mri reported l4 and l5 disk bulging. I started to rest at home and changedd my lifestyle like in sleeping, sitting and lifting things. after 20 sessions of physiotherapy and manual therapy which soothed me and decreased the pain gradually in a period of 3 months the pain returned . it is not as severe as the beginning but it shows my problem still exists. I started researching about chiropractic and started seeing a chiropractor 2 weeks ago. he asked for new x rays for pelvic and neck and told me that I also have 2 neck disc problems. when I asked him how many sessions I need he said he didnt know and couldnt tell. I have been under treatment for 10 sessions . the first 8 sessions every day and now 3 times a week.I feel a little better but still have  a little pain if I walk a little or do something at home like cooking ...I am not sure if I should continue any more or should I change my chiropractor because I have no idea how long should I continue to get the ideal results. my chiropractoe puts a device on my neck and back before and after what he does on my back, pelvic and neck . he says it shows him the pressure. what is that exactly ? also he has told me not to eat dairy and some other things because they make nervous system lazy and prevents the nerves from working well in the process.He also tells me to put ice on my neck and back 3 times a day. i want to know your idea about this and how much better should I really feel after 10 sessions. also please tell me if it is dangerous for me to get pregnant if I have back pain like this beause they say it gets worse in the last 3 months... please help me because I dont know any other experienced chiro to ask. thanks a lot. looking forward to your reply.

ANSWER: ok, first of all physiotherapy only deals with your muscles and is not going to re align the spine and help with bulged discs.
You say he asked for new  x rays. You told me you had an mri. so , i am assuming you never had x rays taken (mri and x ray are different). If you never had x rays, i agree with your chiropractor for taking those or requesting it be done. Everyone heals at a different pace and he doesn't know how quickly you will heal. I don't agree with him taking xrays of your neck unless you complained of neck pain on the exam.
a disc bulge cannot be diagnosed on x ray , but disc degeneration can be seen on an x ray. make sure you are using his terminology correctly and have not mixed up what he said. i have no idea what that machine is that shows him the pressure???? if you get the name of the machine i can be of more help with that. you say he puts the device on before and after "he does what he does". What does he do? does he give you a chiropractic adjustment? if so, you need to ask him what he is trying to achieve by giving you an adjustment. also, i do not agree with ice because your condition is chronic (over 3 days) and heat should be used.
dairy is bad for you and everyone else, whether or not it makes nerves lazy (i don't know about that and doubt it) chiropractic is very safe for you if you are pregnant.
you should be feeling better by 25-40 % after 10 sessions.
also, if you have a disc bulge has he released your psoas (pronounced so-az) you can only release it from the front of the body near the belly button just above your pelvis.
good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: HI again and thanks a lot for your reply. The first time before physiotherapy I had xrays and mri from spine and lower back which the report said showed dehydration and bulge in l4 and l5.. but after a few months when I decided to go to the chiropractor, he saw them and asked for new x rays of pelvis and neck and spine again without even having examined me. I didn't complain of any pain in my neck but he said i had 2 disk problems there. unfortunatley this chiro does not speak clearly and does not answer questions very willingly which made me email you and doubt if he is the right one for me! about the machine i dont know the name but it looks like an algometer with a pointer as i searched on the net but he does not press it he just moves it from top to bottom on my neck and spine before and after he does the adjustment. I think he does the same adjustmnet for everyone who goes to him the same way! any way i feel a little better but am willing to visit another chiropractor soon to be able to compare and ask my questions . he has not done anything on my psoas as far as i know. all he does every session is adjusting neck on both sides. then adjusting my spine while i am lying on my stomache and then adjusting pelvis sometimes on both sides sometimes one while i am lying on the side. i will ask the name and let you know.  by the way my question about pregnancy was actually about getting pregnant while having such a lower back problem and wether it can cause more pain. i mean do u suggest that i get pregnant after i fell better and manage my back pain or it is not related to that at all...i really appreciate your time . please let me know if there is any other advice for me.

Answer
you may want to try another chiropractor. i don't understand why he took another set of x rays unless they were taken incorrectly. Get pregnant and you don't need to worry (you may have more pain but you will be through most of it by the time you gain the weight).
ps- I hope the people of Iran get what they deserve -FREEDOM, DIGNITY and THE RIGHT TO A GOOD LIFE FREE OF TIRANY.
I am jewish and my mother is from israel (i know , not the best of friends) but i speak for many americans, jews and israeli's and we hope you find peace and get what you and ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE SEARCHING FOR. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE PLIGHTS OF MANY PEOPLE RULED BY DICTATORS.SORRY FOR THAT RANT.