Question
I have a stress fracture in my lower back caused from pole vaulting that
developed over a while. Could a chiropractor help me in any way?

Answer
Dear Samuel,

A chiropractic physician is a great choice if you want to help improve the spinal biomechanics to allow for better sports performance, but adjusting the spine will not increase the healing rate for the stress fracture.  The most accepted form of care for a stress fracture is just rest from the activity that has produced it.  You are usually looking at a minimum of 4 weeks away from competition.

However, many chiropractors employ a device called the low level laser or cold laser technology which uses laser technology to match the healing frequencies in your body and they do have protocols for soft tissue and bone healing...this may be a viable option to help the fracture resolve quicker.

I am not a laser expert though...I don't use them currently in my office, although I have friends who use them daily in their practices...mostly with athletes that they treat.  I would suggest that you look for a chiropractor in your area who has a low level laser and specifically ask them for information relating to increased fracture healing with the use of the device.

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, nutritional considerations are very important for healing, even in bone, and especially in athletics.  Below you will find nutritional information concerning tissue healing.

Nutrition for Tissue Healing in Bone / Tendon / Cartilage
A well-balanced and healthy diet obtains vitamins and minerals from natural sources. You should always use food first and supplements second. However, in times of physiologic stress, such as injury, it can be hard to meet the body's increased needs through diet alone. It is also important to stress that nutritional supplements do not work immediately and must be taken consistently, even if effects are not immediately and directly noticed.  The underlying repair mechanisms of the body only work when they have the correct substrates and cofactors. Following are some notes on nutrients for bone and wound healing.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM:  Glucosamine is thought to promote the formation and repair of cartilage and tendons.  Glucosamine hydrocloride is the form that is best absorbed by the body, but glucosamine sulfate is utilized more appropriately for repair. Chondroitin sulfate promotes water retention and elasticity in cartilage and inhibits enzymes that break down cartilage. MSM is also important in cartilaginous repair and helps to lubricate joint surfaces.  You need to consume a minimum of 1500 mg of Chondroitin and Glucosamine, as well as 750mg of MSM per day after injury.  A minimum dosage period would be for two months.

Bone-Healing:  rates may be enhanced by following some of the recommendations for preventing and reversing age-associated bone loss, such as supplementing with the nutrients calcium, magnesium, boron, and vitamin K. It should also be noted that you must have sufficient vitamin D (D3) to facilitate the absorption of calcium and magnesium.  The preferred forms of calcium and magnesium are the citrate forms. Do not use calcium carbonate. You can obtain enough vitamin D from 20-30 minutes of sun exposure daily.  In addition you must eliminate the intake of carbonated beverages and sodas.  These products will inhibit the repair mechanism of the bone and leach calcium from the bone structure.

Copper: supplementation is important in fracture healing and in the early formation of collagen in a wound. Eight milligrams of copper daily provides adequate supplementation and should be taken for six weeks for a fracture of a non-weight-bearing bone such as ribs or the upper extremities. It should be taken for 2-3 months for a major weight-bearing bone such as the femur or pelvis. Because copper is also a pro-oxidant, supplementation should be stopped after this period of time.  In addition you will need to have an increased intake of antioxidants such as vitamins a, c , e, selenium, bioflavanoids, quercetin, pycnogenol, co-enzyme q-10, and ginko biloba  to combat the excess oxidant actions of copper.

Zinc:  has been recommended at a dose of 90 mg daily (as recommended for early healing of wounds). Zinc's enhancement of fracture healing may be related to its effects on increasing IGF-1 and TGF-beta.

Vitamin-C: and additional anti-oxidants have also been shown to speed the healing process.  Whole food complexes of vitamin c are preferred over synthetic forms.  Ascorbic acid is a poor form. Vitamin C is a major constituent concerning collagen repair.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:  act as anti-inflammatory agents, making them beneficial for patients with any inflammatory condition. There are three major types of omega 3 fatty acids that are ingested in foods and used by the body: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)-18 carbons, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-20 carbons, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-22 carbons. Once eaten, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body but this process is inadequate in humans therefore supplementation is better. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis.  Typical dosage after injury is 4000 to 6000 mg daily for 3 months.  Then reduce to a maintenance dose of 3000 to 4000 mg daily.  In your specific case Samuel, I would recommend 4000mg per day for 1 month and then reduce that dose down to 1000-2000mg per day:  these nutrients are very importnat for overall health as well as healing.  NOTE:  EPA and DHA combined must represent 50% composition of the total content of the product.  In addition the supplement should be molecularly distilled, pharmaceutical grade, and free of toxins.

Flaxseed-Oil:  One or two tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily is considered optimal for a healthy individual. Capsule doses are 3,000 mg per day for disease prevention and 6,000 mg per day for treatment to reduce inflammation.  Flaxseed is not utilized as well by the body as omega III fatty acids, but it is still important in eicosanoid management.

Linolenic-Acid:  A diet that gets 1-2 percent of its calories from Alpha-linolenic acid has been shown to give maximum tissue levels of DHA, avoiding any apparent deficiency symptoms.  ALA does have to be converted in the body through an enzymatic process using delta-5-desturase, before it can enter the cell membrane.  
Precautions:  The ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to other essential fatty acids is important, but some caution is warranted. Take omega-3 oils cautiously if you bruise easily, have a bleeding disorder, or take blood-thinning medication. Excessive amounts of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the amount of time that it takes for the blood to clot following a cut or other injury.

Possible-Interactions:  Omega-3 fatty acids may increase the blood-thinning effects of aspirin. While this combination may be helpful in the treatment of some diseases, you should only take omega-3 fatty acids under the guidance and supervision of your healthcare provider if you are on aspirin therapy. That being said, it is not advisable to take aspirin or NSAIDS like ibuprofen and Tylenol for pain after injury, due to research showing that it interferes with the normal inflammatory process, and will hinder optimal healing of bone and cartilaginous structures.  Healing times are actually increased when aspirin and NSAIDS are consumed.

It may seem overwhelming, but you don't need to do all of the above measures, just pick a few that are specific for bone and inflammation:  If you can find a chiropractor that utilizes STANDARD PROCESS supplements in his/her practice, they will be able to set you up with a good nutritional protocol to increase bone healing.  I used the standard process protocols with my mother in law after she sustained multiple fractures to her arm and shoulder blade to help her healing.  After two months, her orthopedic surgeon said he was amazed with the results we were able to attain in the amount of fracture resolution seen on MRI and bone scan.  He was so impressed that he actually asked to have us send him the protocol so he could use it with his other patients.  It does work.

Good Luck Samuel...hope your back to competition ASAP.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net