Question
I was in a car accident in 1997 in which I received whiplash related injuries to my neck & back, and the accident triggered Degenerative Joint Disease in my right jaw joint. I went to Physiotherapy for about a year and my neck & back got "better." I have been seeing a TMJ specialist for my jaw since 1997 and wear a night splint since 1997. My pain appeared to be under control, as I wasn't experiencing continuous pain, but in 2006, I was in another car accident in which the other driver ran a red light at high speeds and t-boned me. Since then, my neck, back & jaw have been very stiff & sore. Since 2006, I have been receiving Chiropractor treatments, as well as Physio, Massage Therapy; only the Chiropractic treatments actually seemed to help. I went to the Chiropractor every week for 3 years; it helped for immediate relief, but I still had tightness & dull pain in my jaw, neck & back. It seemed the Chiropractor was really only doing adjustments for spinal health, as opposed to adjustments for pain relief. About 1.5 months ago, I had to switch Chiropractors because I moved. My new Chiropractor is more concerned with the pain and the lack of energy I have, versus my spinal health. He's had me coming 2 times/week since I started seeing him. At first he worked only on my jaw, as he believed that was the source of all my pain. My jaw is feeling much better and I was doing good (I still had stiffness in my neck & back). Then about 3 weeks ago, I mentioned my debilitating fatigue that I have been dealing with forever, but has recently gotten worse. My chiropractor suggested I do some stretches on a foam roller to open up my ribs (laying on the roller so my back arches over it- my head & bottom on the ground). Since I started doing the stretches, I have pain throughout my entire body, have been absolutely exhausted, and my upper back & incredibly stiff. My Chiropractor can't understand why I am feeling worse (or at least isn't telling me why I am getting worse), so I am asking you! Do you have any ideas as to what might be going on??? Why would stretching my back/ribs makes things worse???

Answer
Hello Becky,


Sorry to hear of your pain.  Sorry to hear of your accidents.

Thank you for trying the Doctor of Chiropractic.  Sometimes when a patient gets 'caught up' in the medical side of things, a visit to the Chiropractic Doctor never seems to happen.

I do recommend a DC who works on the spine- the whole spine- not only to repair damage, but to influence homeostasis- the balance of the body.  Your DC should be able to handle both sides of the equation-- relief as soon as possible, and also long range spinal and joint and nervous system health.  To that end, I recommend a Doctor of Chiropractic who has a good reputation in your community- ask around; and I like Doctors with additional credentials: see: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf

I like the Doctors with sports injury, neuro, ortho, rehab, or nutrition backgrounds-- you make your selection.

"My new Chiropractor is more concerned with the pain and the lack of energy I have, versus my spinal health....."-  what are YOU concerned about?  YOU hire the Doctor and make your priorities known, then let the doctor communicate the pros/ cons/ information for your decision.
Are you concerned with pain and lack of energy?- perhaps a nutrition or neuro specialist chiropractor would be most appropriate.

This website may help you find a Doctor near you:  http://www.lifechangingcare.com/


"Since I started doing the stretches, I have pain throughout my entire body, have been absolutely exhausted, and my upper back & incredibly stiff. My Chiropractor can't understand why I am feeling worse....."-  doing a new activity, a new therapy, a new treatment; and it makes you worse???  #1) slow up on that new regimen and monitor response, if continuing to aggravate things #2) STOP that new activity/ treatment/ activity!

RE-reading your history, I think you need a Doctor of Chiropractic who will work with your musculo-skeletal issues through Chiropractic adjustment, physiotherapy, exercise, etc;  but I think you need a DC who will work with you on nutritional support for all of these problems.  Look for a local DC who works with his(her) hands as well as supplements.

I hope this helps.

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 luck and good health,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.Chiroweb.com       Email newsletter