Question
I am 21 years old and have had upper back ache for about 4-5 years. It is a ache which is relieved briefly by crackin but comes back very quicky and wont crack again causing the ache to stay there. i went to see a chiropractor about 2 years ago because the ache became unbearable. He made the ache bearable but it has not got rid of the problem. It just goes back to normal the next day. I have found many stretches and bends to get a few cracks but like i said the ache just comes back and then i am unable to find a crack. I want to be constantly active whether it be at my fulltime job, extra work for extra money or even holding my 7month daughter for long periods of time but unfortunatly i am not able to do this as my backache becomes chronic back ache if i do anything outside my normal job. It is fair to say i am gettin quite annoyed, sad and depressed about it. i dont know what options i have left,is it worth going to see a doctor??

Answer
hello, don't get frustrated. you need to have an xray done to see if there is a scoliosis curve (lateral spinal curve) rule that out. carrying your child will make it worse right now. I'm not sure how many times you saw your chiropractor (it sounds like only a few times) that may be the problem. you may have fixed it temporarily with a few chiropractic adjustments.
the reason cracking helps temporarily is because when you crack it , it releases gas and pressure from the spine, but you are not re-aligning the vertebrae. I'm a chiropractor and i can't adjust myself. that's why it feels better for only a short time. i would suggest seeing the chiro (depending on what your xrays look like) 3 times a week for 1 week, 2 times a week for about 4-6 weeks. then 1 time a week for 2-4 more weeks. you also need to do the stretches. then after your done with chiropractic for about 7-9 weeks you need to strengthen the area either with physical therapy or exercises that your chiro can give you.
if you are located in USA i may be able to refer you to someone good.

David Kulla, DC
chiropractor since 1999
www.SynergyWellnessNY.com