Question
I am a 41 year old male, never in my life have I experienced any back or neck pain.  Even in football days in high school and my late teens/early twenties while doing heavy powerlifting.  As part of my employers health program, a chiropractor gave a seminar on pro-active health and keeping your spine adjusted to maintain your health.  They offered a full examination (xrays etc) for only $20.00.  Several of the people I work with go here, so I figured why not.  A result of the evaluation showed some bone degeneration on the x-ray in two discs, a lack of curvature in the neck and posture issues with my left side higher than the right.  A care plan was offered up, so I figured why not be proactive and take the advice of the chiropractor.  Several people in the medical field told me I was crazy and If I am in no pain, do not have anything adjusted.  Giving the benefit of doubt to the chiropractor, I started the plan that was provided to me (basically 3 visits per week for 6 weeks, 2 visits per week for 5 weeks, and then 1 visit per week for 4 weeks).  I am in my 5th week of 3 visits per week, and I sarted having a dizzy sensation about a week ago.  However, I did have a sinus infection and was given antibiotics, so I attributed the dizziness to that.  I have since finished the antibiotics; however, I am still having a dizziness sensation 24/7.  It is not a room is spinning sensation, it is a soreness at the base of my skull and a "not feeling" right sensation, like how you feel after riding a rough amusement park ride.  I informed the chiropractor last week of the sensation and the sinus infection issue and I would wait until after the antibiotics before I blamed him for the dizziness (in a joking matter).  I also informed him at my visit this morning of the continued sensation and the soreness at the base of my skull.  He did ask me if I had finished the antibiotics for the sinus infection, and he then did a different adjustment to my neck than what he as done in the past several weeks, but, now I am feeling worse than I did before.  Have I made a mistake by begining chiropractic visits or do I wait it out to see where I end up?  At this point in time, I am not enjoying the way I feel and would like to go back to where I was 5 weeks ago!!!!  Since my ears feel like they are trying to fill up, maybe the sinus thing is not over yet.  I just do not like the "dizziness"/not feeling right feeling.

Answer
Darren,

Thank you for your question.

First, there is no evidence to show that spinal manipulation will benefit a person's health in the absence of musculoskeletal systems. I disagree with the dogma treating patients who have no spinal-related symptoms for the purpose of "maintaining health", because no clear health benefit has been associated with performing asymptomatic spinal manipulation.

That said, spinal manipulation may be helpful for patients who have musculoskeletal symptoms.

Secondly, experiencing dizziness after manipulation of the neck is not normal or desirable, and continuing to manipulate the neck when adverse symptoms are present is ill-advised.

Third, I recommend that you discontinue manipulation and see your primary medical doctor immediately to determine if your dizziness is related to infection, side-effects of medication, or side-effects of manipulation (if the prior two possibilities are excluded). You may need to have a neurological evaluation. It makes absolutely no sense to continue receiving a treatment for which there was no clear indication in the first place, and certainly not if you are feeling worse than before you started receiving treatment.

I hope this helps to answer your question.