Question
Hi Dr. Dolan.
It has been a a couple more months since I last spoke with you. If you can recall I was seeing a local chiropractor and a massage therapist for my chronic leg and groin pain from what I assume is my herniated L5/S1 and L5/L4 herniations.
To be honest with you Doc, I have not progressed since and at some times feel that I am getting worse. I had to stop the swimming because of the pain that I would endured eight hours to thirty six hours later. The adjustments are very temporary for my relief. I realized that I was not getting any kind of traction work described by my friends and family that received a releif from their chronic pain. When I say traction I mean the old fashion pulling of the spine. I have only received to date adjustments of my neck, pushing motion to my cervical spine and the one where I twist opposite from my leg to get the lumbar adjustment. I have been to him for a total of a little over three months three to two times a week. When I prodded him as to why he has not tried old fashion traction he said that I was not a candidate because I was not that badly off. I admit I do not come in crying but I do tell him of my discomfort. I am especially unhappy because I can not do any activity at all, not even the exercises he gives me for core strenght. Walking and sitting are still bothering me. I went to a orthopedic that is suggesting I try decompression. My question to you doctor is do I try that or should I continue with the chiro and see if I will get any improvement? How many more visits do I have to start seeing improvement. To date the only improvement structually has been that my cocyxx bone is straight again thanks to myofascia release and his adjustments. This is my last resort and I still do not want to do back surgery. Please help me to make a decision. Thanks for your help. S

Answer
Hello Sloan,  sorry to hear that you have not progressed in the right direction.

Your back pain, your complaints should have progressed markedly with two- three months of care and 2- 3 visits per week.  You have been more then patient.

With little or no progress,,,,,, I think I move on to a different Doctor of Chiropractic.

This Staten Island Chiropractic office has just added non-invasive spinal decompression therapy.  Literally two days ago, my chattanooga spinal decompression table was delivered.  I have already commenced care on a couple of appropriate patients.

Not every Doctor of Chiropractic has every piece of equipment or treatment modality in their office.  Ask around, look for a Doctor of Chiropractic with 'non-invasive spinal decompression' or 'spinal decompresion traction' or 'active trac' or 'DTS decompression' or some such treatment in their office.  Ask your DC for advice,,, but it is time to try something different.  There are many different decompression tables out there for treatment; more important then the particular table is the particular Doctor.  Look for the Doctor of Chiropractic with a good word of mouth reputation.

One web source for referrals I utilize is http:www.LifeChangingCare.com , usually Doctors here are fairly progressive.

An information handout I utilize in my office may also be helpful (I do not recall if I used it last discussion):

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Lower  Back  Pain  (LBP):          Low  Back  Pain  can be caused by many different things.  Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause low back pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).  Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause LBP (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).  Bad things, like  - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic.  LBP can come from a motor vehicle accident, sport injury, slip, trip, fall, arthritis, lifting improperly, or even bad posture in standing, sitting or sleeping.  All of these things often have a Lumbar (Low Back) Vertebral Subluxation involved.
              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.

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.
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Please do not hesitate to write again.  I do wish you luck and good health naturally !, Your Staten Island Chiropractor friend- Dr. Vic Dolan, DC

http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com
http://www.DocDolan.net