Question
hi,

    I'm 35 years old , 5 years ago I had some lower back pain so I went to see a chiropractor. He took some x-rays and said my lower back was deviated to one side and a vertebrae in my neck was also out of place .

I received treatments from him at first 2x/week and then only 1x for a 4 month period. But then stopped going because the only think he would do every treatment was pull my neck and then twist it until I heard a crack. That's what he would do for all his patients.

I had another x-ray taken after the 4 months and he said my lower back was much better and no more misplaced vertebrae in my neck.

Now here's my problem about 4 years ago I started to feel numbness in my arms neck and face. Went to see my family doctor got some x-rays and also an mri scan.  Got the results and I have cervical and neck arthrosis. Apparently my neck is now in the condition it should have been when I would be an old man.(Osteophytes and narrowing in various places). According to my family doctor

What I find strange is that the chiropractor did not see this in his x-rays. I also noticed my neck felt stiffer and much weaker after his treatments.

I would also like to add that I have been weight training very hard since the age of 19 and have always been extremely strong. I still weight train to this day. But I think I should stop or train with light weights.

At this moment my neck is always stiff. I have I hard time turning it left to right. Especially on the left side. Also hear some grinding and cruching when turning my neck, but not always. At least I have no pain and the numbness is rare. Only numb if I sleep too long in same position.

I would like to know could improper chiropractic treatment have caused my neck to get in this condition. Since I was always very sold before seeing the chiropractor  or is it the years of heavy weight training , combination of both ?

Also what do you recommend for me? I don't want to make my condition worse.  

Answer
Carlo,

You experienced very poor care by the chiropractor.  There was no reason to take x-rays, since there in no way to "re-align" your bones.    The alignment of your vertabra will not change with getting a quick crack of your neck and low back.  The x-rays will not dictate how your treatment will ensue (x-rays or not, you're still going to get the chiropractic care).   The arthrosis is something that you likely had for years, and while it can be caused by trauma to the neck - as a late effect of trauma - it is mostly an inherited condition.  The chiropractor should have seen this and pointed it out to you, unless his x-rays were substandard or of poor quality such that it didn't show up (if that's so, you should get your money back).   Also, a little bit of arthritic change to the spine doesn't mean that you will have big problems, but the symptoms you describe are commonly seen in those with this sort of joint arthrosis: grinding/gravel sounds, stiffness, and symptoms into the hands/fingers such as tingling or numbness.   If you have extensive arthrosis, with spurs or disc bulges that are touching against nerve tissue, this is more of a problem and often this causes more symptoms into the arms/hands/fingers.   It doesn't mean you can't get it treated and alleviated.  But, repetitive cracking of the joints without any regard to addressing soft tissues, providing a variety of methods such as manual neck tractioning, home neck tractioning (you can get a head halter and traction device to stretch your neck at home), exercises, etc. it not a solution.  And yes, it is possible that the treatment provoked these symptoms.   Your treatment should have been based on your symptoms and objective signs (like if your neck hurt when it was pressed on, or if you could not turn your head fully) and your ability to do daily activities (such as sitting, reading, lifting, etc).  If these parameters all improve or resolve in two weeks of treatment, then why treat 3x/week for three months?  If you are not showing improvement in three weeks, then something is wrong!!   The doctor of chiropractic is supposed to address this with you - that's why they are titled "doctor".  Did you show progress with your symptoms in a week or two?  Did you improve?  If not, then did the doctor change your treatment program, re-examine you, order any appropriate tests, or refer you to another provider?  If NO, then you have an issue to address with that doctor.   I would suggest finding an evidence-based, outcomes-based, multimodal-care chiropractor (yes, you'll have to ask around or do some searching).  There are some fantastic chiropractors in Canada that I can refer you to who can help.  Email me at: [email protected]   

'Regards,

Dr. G