QuestionQUESTION: Thank you for your time!
I am a tall thin 39yr old female. (5'11 130lbs). 3yrs ago I hurt my back lifting
up and playing with my son who was 8yrs at the time (not small). I was
diagnosed with a lumbar strain (only back xray was taken) and I recovered in
about 2 weeks. About a year later I injured myself again and that time I think
it was triggered by just reaching and bending to pick something up (nothing
heavy). An xray was taken and I was diagnosed again a lumbar strain. Again I
recovered in about a week or so. Now just yesterday I injured myself again,
but I do not understand how. I am a nurse and Thurs and Fri were very
physical days for me lifting and pulling patients in bed, but I did not go home
injured. Yesterday the pain just kind of appeared. This time I feel I will
recover fast, because I do not think it is as bad as past experiences, but it still
makes me very upset. I feel like an old lady. I am confused. When this
happens I feel crooked, it is hard to stand nice and straight and the pain is
felt more in the lower right part of my back. The pain is only when I bend or
try to stand straight. I have never been to a chiropractor. Any suggestions
you can give me would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Debi
ANSWER: low back pain
Hello Debi,
Sorry to hear of your repeated complaints regarding your lower back.
My first recommendation; see a Doctor of Chiropractic, especially since you have not seen one.
As a nurse, you know that the body adapts. The body adapts in a good way- such as exercising; lifting weights, running, whatever. When we exercise- the easiest example being to lift weights--- the body adapts!- even over just a few weeks we can see hypertrophy of muscles- biger, stronger muscles. This is an example of the S.A.I.D. principle- specific adaptations to imposed demands.
The body adapts; growing muscles if we place an increased demand upon the body. The body adapts; with atrophy if we do not reach our limits or apply some (good) stress to our body- we atrophy and grow weaker. The body adapts- when we first go out of the house on a sunny day- at first we may be TEMPORARILY blinded by the bright sunlight, then after 20, 30 seconds- our eyes adapt; the sun is no longer blinding. When we walk into a loud concert, a loud bar or club, at first we cannot hear our friends talking- the music is blaring loud,,,, then after a few minutes, the music does not seem as loud= we adapt.
The body adapts,,, and that includes our back, our spine, our joints, our muscles. You have a lot going for you- you are young, sound active, have a good weight/ height ratio (this does not mean you are lean muscle until we do a body composition analysis though). Your back may have an underlying imbalance that is pre-disposing you to these episodes of pain.
Biomechanical imbalance can be causing your problem. I recommend a visit to the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) because we are the BioMechanics of the Human Body, of the Human Spine. As a nurse you are familiar with the different Medical Specialties; it may surprise you that Chiropractic has specialties as well- view: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf
I would recommend a Doctor with additional credentials in Neuro, ortho, rehab or sports injury.
"....lumbar strain (only back xray was taken) ..."; sprains, strains- these problems are multifactoral and need a treatment that is multi-faceted as well.
"....a year later I injured myself again ....", did you rest that first incident, did you take medicine to cover the pain?
"...Now just yesterday I injured myself again...", are you starting to see a pattern?- treat the underlying cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. Your problem seems to keep returning,,, but actually the underlying problem never left, just your perception of it.
Just as your body adapts to exercise, or bright light, or sound; the body responds to pain. After a while the pain fibers cease sending the message: the problem can continue to exist, and even slowly progress- but the pain nerves do not even send the message! The body adapts.
I recommend a visit to the Doctor, preferably with the above discussed credentials. Have the balance of your body evaluated- look at the joints, muscles , nerves from a BioMechanical perspective- from a chiropractic analysis and if needed- treatment regimen.
In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I hand out informative explanation sheets, this may be of help to you:
Sprains,
Strains,
musculo-skeletal injury
Sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a 慡prain/ Strain Injury? This can result in ligament sprain, muscle strain, and 憄inched nerves?
OFTEN- the true c a u s e of the tenderness, stiffness and pain; is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:-- when in the spine -- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!! (Subluxation can happen to ANY joint)
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is 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.
ONLY a Doctor of Chiropractic evaluates for Subluxation along with other pathologies.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
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, 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.
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
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PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
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?
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
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I hope I have explained my perspective on your recurrent complaint.
Please visit a Doctor of Chiropractic, preferably with an additional credential, have an evaluation, perhaps have treatment if indicated.
If you have any further questions, 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 hope this helps, i wishy you good luck and good health,
Dr. Vic Dolan, DC DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.Chiroweb.com (email newsletter)
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for all of the information. I am so scared I have something
seriously wrong with my back. I am almost afraid to find out. Do you
recommend I get an MRI before seeing a chiropractor and do you have any
names of good doctors in the Louisville, KY area?
AnswerHello Again Debi,
I have not forgotten you,
I have a few Emails out looking for a Chiropractor in the Louisville Kentucky area,
I have not gotten a response from friends yet.
I had a Fraternity Brother who practiced in West Liberty Kentucky-
I do not know if that is close, perhaps you could look him up for advice on a local doc:
Clifford Smith, DC; West Liberty Kentucky-- I do not know if he is still there.
I will return to you when I get a good recommendation- until that time;
ask around your community for a doctor with a good reputation. I like
Doctors with additional credentials- the credentials I most respect and recommend include: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf
I also use this site for recommendations:
http://www.lifechangingcare.com/
Again, I hope this helps.
Do not hesitate to re-contact me here.
If I hear a good recommendation, I'll be back to you.
Good Luck, and I wish you Better Health,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com Email Newsletter
