QuestionDear Doctor,
As stated by my present chiropractor I do not have a pinched nerve. This pain started after I went bowling about two years ago in the upper right side of my back (by the shoulder blade). I used to treat the pain with icy-hot and it would go away. However it got severe one day and so I visited a chiropractor who said that it was not a pinched nerve that was affecting me. I am at present in my 5th week of taking a massage and shock treatment at his clinic. However, the pain would go away for about 3 days then return. I have noticed now that the pain has moved from my right side to the left side and it makes me wonder if this treatment is worth the while. Could you help answer this question for me.
Answerchiropractic and back pain , pinched nerve , vertebral subluxation complex , chiropractic v. massage , chiropractic v. topical analgesic cream , staten island chiropractic , staten island pinched nerve ,
Hello Shawn,
I am sorry to hear that you are hurting.
Your description certainly outlines a common progression of many health problems.
Your condition, your problem, FIRST started whispering to you- talking to you TWO YEARS ago!, Two years is a long time to let a problem gain momentum. After two years of talking, your body started YELLING at you! You did what many people do, , , , take a pill, rub a cream on it, and hope it will go away on it's own. This is a common approach to many health problems. Sometimes this approach- i.e.: a painkiller or a topical cream is okay---- the 'medicine' does not cure the problem, but the problem is self-resolving, things seem to get better, and the 'medicine' (pain killer, topical cream) masks the pain, masks the problem for a while. Sometimes things do get better on their own.
Unfortunately, sometimes things do - not - get better on their own. The longer a condition is allowed to progress, the longer a problem is allowed to gain momentum, the longer an issue is allowed to 'fester' and grow,,,, the more difficult it is to correct and regain health.
You do state it correctly when you say: "....I used to treat the pain with icy-hot and it would go away....". Yes, that is the correct concept. You worked on the symptom--- you worked on the pain, and the icy-hot covered up the pain, mitigated the symptom; but the icy-hot did NOT get to the CAUSE of the problem, the CAUSE of the symptom. The icy-hot FELT good, but allowed the condition to progress and worsen!!! The SYMPTOM was relieved, while the problem PROGRESSED!
Over time, when a problem is ALLOWED to grow worse- by using pain medications, creams, massages, etc., over time the problem grows worse and the SYMPTOMATIC RELIEF of a pill, potion, lotion works less and less. Many medications are even marked: '....For Symptomatic Relief only...'-
the container TELLS YOU it is only working on symptoms, not upon the CAUSE of the problem!
So, the underlying condition, the problem progressed to where pain was worse, where the 'symptom relievers' did not work as well, and finally the pain drove you to see the doctor! You state: '.... However it got severe one day and so I visited a chiropractor ....'.
I congratulate and applaud you for finally seeking a health professional for your problem of two years. The Doctor of Chiropractic is a very good choice for back and neck pain. I am sorry your pain got so severe, I am happy you went to see the Doctor.
Now, following your description, I get a little lost: ".... I visited a chiropractor who said that it was not a pinched nerve that was affecting me. I am at present in my 5th week of taking a massage and shock treatment at his clinic ....". If you have pain, one of your symptoms, you certainly have a nerve that is irritated, inflammed, 'bothered' by your spine being out of proper alignment, your spine NOT moving properly. You may not have had a 'pinched nerve' - the way lay people, non-chiropractic people use the term, , , , , but you certainly had some degree of 'pinched nerve' (= inflammed, irritated, 'bothered nerve') or you would not feel pain ! ? !
I do not understand this statement by the Doctor.
You state further: "....I am at present in my 5th week of taking a massage and shock treatment at his clinic ...."; massage and SHOCK treatment ! ? I am familiar with using massage as an adjunct to the Chiropractic Adjustment (a manipulation of the affected joints), but I am unfamiliar with using any shock treatment.
The Doctor of Chiropractic should certainly be putting his(her) hands upon your neck/ spine; examining you with his(her) hands, and then where necessary- giving an adjustment ( a manipulation - often a push or pull) with the hands.
To help explain the procedures many Doctors use in their offices, and the protocol I follow in my Staten Island Chiropractic Office, please take a look at these information handouts that I routinely give out:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
Pain is your body 'talking to you', is your body talking?- or shouting?
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?
do you cover up the pain with a pill, potion, or lotion?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
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) ;
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.
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation? )
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.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The above information explains to my Staten Island Pain patients the dangers of relying upon pills, potions and lotions to correct a health problem! If the patient realizes that the pill or cream is just taking pain away, just covering up a problem---- that is okay, after all who wants pain; BUT some evaluation/ treatment needs to be done as to the CAUSE of the pain !!!
If you are just getting 'massage' and 'shock(?)' treatment- without an evaluation for subluxation and adjustment, I would recommend a different Doctor. We Chiropractic Doctors have many different 'specialties' -- similar to Medical Doctors! To see a list of the different credentials the Doctor of Chiropractic can attain- see: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf
For instance- I have a Diplomate from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP). I would look for a doctor with additional credentials!
You go on: "....However, the pain would go away for about 3 days then return......",
given that the problem has a TWO YEAR head start, this is not uncommon. But, five weeks is a very good treatment length of time, you should have noticed good improvement: the pain should not be as strong, the pain should not come on so quickly, the pain should not last as long, the pain should not be easily exacerbated by different motion/ activity.
I do have another information sheet that I give my Staten Island Chiropractic Patients:
Why so many treatment visits ?,
Why so many different therapies ??
Many people do not come to the Doctor of Chiropractic first.
Many people take an over the counter medication (OTC) (covers up the pain, does not treat the cause of the pain), see a medical doctor for a prescription medication (covers up the pain, does not treat the cause of the pain, stronger then OTC drugs, increased possibility of side effects and complications), or just wait and hope the pain goes away.
Then, after the pain continues, FINALLY they go to the Doctor of Chiropractic. Studies show that while Chiropractic is often the last Doctor people will go see, they expect immediate results- i.e.; a couple of weeks of treatments are expected to cure the problem. It is a paradox that people WAIT to go to the Doctor of Chiropractic, but expect immediate results, on conditions that have been building for months or years; yet when they go to a medical doctor- they accept invasive surgeries and/ or a long treatment protocol of physical therapy- weeks, often months.
Spinal pain, like many other conditions, often builds for years and years until the pain becomes strong enough to send someone for treatment. It is well known that heart conditions build for years and years, yet in 40% of cases, the first pain someone feels with their heart,,,, is the last pain someone feels with their heart (a fatal heart attack in 慳symptomatic?patients). Sad that they waited for pain to be a gauge of health. Pain is the LAST thing that comes in a problem, and often the FIRST symptom to go away. If there is a problem, isn抰 it better to treat BEFORE the pain, or if pain has started, isn抰 it better to take care of the problem, prevent future pain and progression of the condition?
Why so many treatment visits to start?, Well the problem, the condition, has momentum on it抯 side. Irritation, inflammation and damage has taken place and then the pain comes. Pain is the last thing that comes in the condition, and Pain is the first thing that disappears during treatment; but the underlying irritation, inflammation and damage has to be repaired. Initial treatment schedules, depending upon the severity of the complaint could be as often as twice per day, or once per day for two- three weeks, followed by a gradual reduction in treatment visits. This is similar to surgery! When a patient has an invasive surgery, often there is followup rehab treatment of daily, then every other day, then weekly visits for a prolonged period (i.e.; shoulders- up to a year of treatment AFTER invasive surgery).
Chiropractic works with your body.
Chiropractic helps your body to heal itself. Chiropractic restores Homeostasis, balance in the body. Chiropractic corrects the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. You cannot be 慼ealthy?if you have a Subluxation. You MAY feel it, with a pain, stiffness, or a 慿ink?in your neck/ back. You may NOT even feel it- just as people often do not feel the cavity growing in their tooth,,,, until it hits the nerve; or you may not feel it at all, like people do not feel high blood pressure or diabetes until AFTER damage has been done!! The vertebral subluxation complex can be the underlying cause of many healthcare problems. 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. This (Subluxation) is a serious condition identified by its five parts: Spinal Kinesiopathology, Neuropathophysiology, Myopathology,
Histopathology, Pathophysiology. Chiropractic corrects this 憇ilent?condition, works WITH your body, and like other health approaches requires a certain treatment regimen and a period of TIME.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I hope the above information helps explain why you may need a treatment REGIMEN. People do not lift weights once in their life- and look like Arnold Schwarenegger (spelling ! ? ), it took a long regimen of exercise to train his muscles to look like that.
We do not brush our teeth once, and expect our teeth to be clean forevermore.
Your body- the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons have developed habits--- maybe some good habits, good postures, good movement patterns;,,,,, maybe some bad habits- bad postures, bad movement patterns- these will take time to 'break the habit'.
After the initial, often intense regimen, our body needs to practice good spinal hygiene!- just as we see the dentist, the dental hygienist a couple/ few times a year (depending upon our particular case and needs), the spine needs maintenance. Herewith- another information sheet utilized in Dr. Victor Dolan Staten Island Chiropractic Office:
What ? ! , I have to brush my teeth!?,,, after EVERY meal ! ?
,,, For the REST of my life ! ? ! ... I don抰 want to. period. I won抰. To heck with it ! If I get a hole (cavity), THEN I抣l take care of it. Maybe I won抰 get any cavities anyway?.
It took the American Dental Association YEARS to educate people that they should brush frequently to avoid dental disease. It has taken YEARS to educate patients that visits to the Dentist for hygiene, cleanings, flossing, coatings, etc. are necessary to PREVENT dental problems. Some people still do not floss after every meal, some do not even brush often enough (yyyuuukkkk), so some people still have severe dental problems despite all the knowledge about PREVENTION and dental health maintenance that is out there. Can you believe it ?? !!
Some people have the same problem with PREVENTATIVE Spinal Health
that used to exist with preventative dental health. Some people come to the Doctor of Chiropractic and say, ?..do not adjust me, just give me therapy...? some people say,
?..What ? ! , I have to practice SPINAL HYGIENE !?!, (practice proper postures, proper movement patterns, and see the Chiropractor periodically !?!), Naahh, ... I don抰
want to. period. I won抰. To heck with it! When I get PAIN, then I抣l take care of it.
( pain is often the LAST symptom to appear- whether a cavity or a heart attack ! )
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex can be the underlying cause of many healthcare problems. 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.
This (Subluxation) is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology, Neuropathophysiology, Myopathology,
Histopathology, Pathophysiology.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, massage, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms.
Chiropractic corrects the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
You cannot be 慼ealthy?if you have a Subluxation. You MAY feel it, with a pain, stiffness, or a 慿ink?in your neck/ back. You may NOT even feel it-
just as people often do not feel the cavity growing in their tooth,,,, until it hits the nerve; or you may not feel it at all, like people do not feel high blood pressure or diabetes until AFTER damage has been done!! PREVENTION- Visit the Doctor of Chiropractic REGULARLY,,, just like your dentist! (practice spinal hygiene as you do dental hygiene -PREVENTION!-
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
".....I have noticed now that the pain has moved from my right side to the left side and it makes me wonder if this treatment is worth the while. Could you help answer this question for me......", well, I hope this information is helping you decide for yourself.
Does ChiropracTIC usually handle your complaint safely, effectively and cost-effectively?- YES.
Are you proceeding, progressing as outlined/ expected above?
Your problem started two years ago. Are you getting adjusted as well as the additional modalities, with the pain diminishing in intensity, severity, length of time?
Have you had Xrays?, perhaps you need an MRI or EMG as well.
You do not mention 'Adjustment', are you getting an Adjustment as well as the ancillary treatments of massage and shocks(?) .
I do hope this all helps. If additional information is needed- please do not hesitate to RE-contact me here at AllExperts.com
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
I wish you Good Health Naturally,
Your Staten Island Chiropractic Expert,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
Email newsletter at . . . . drvictordolan.chiroweb.com
