Question
I have been seeing my doctor for probably 3 weeks for this problem. It is on the left side of my spine and goes from my lower back up to just under my shoulder. He messages the area, which really burns. It brings tears to my eyes and makes it hard to breath. occasionally he will crack my back near the area, but mostly between my shoulder blades. He has also given me a lumbar support, because I work a desk job. My back has always been tender to message, but it has gotten worse since I have been seeing him for my shoulder. My Shoulder has been fixed, but he noticed that the tissue in my back is really bad, and it is just the left side of my back.
Thank you, and Happy Holidays!
Followup To
Question -
I am seeing a chiropractor for my shoulder, which he has fixed. Not completely but better than what a regular doctor told me. He is now seeing me for my back. The spot that he is working on is the left side right next to my spine. He rubs the spot, which burns extremely bad when he does it. He says that the lumps I feel are scar tissue and that it won't get better unless he works on it. It hurts so bad that I can't breath and I sometimes cry. He adjusts the pressure to my liking but it still burns. Afterwards my back feels stiff and it is hard to move. I get shooting pains in that area when I breath in or when I bend over. Do you think it necessary to continue seeing him, and is his treatment going to work, or should I see another doctor? Thank you.
Answer -
Nicole,

Thanks for the question and sorry for the delay in getting you an answer.  I have been and still am out of town for the holidays.

The problem here is that if this is scarring, then it will have to be worked on to "break it up" and cause tissue remodeling in the area.  The method of treatment can be several different ways and I am sure that your doctor is using a treatment that he is experienced at and feels works well.  

I prefer to utilize acupuncture and percussive treatments to break up scar tissue and normally have pretty good results, but sometimes deep massage is all that will work.

The option of seeing another doctor will most likely just bring pain medication.

Is your DC also performing spinal manipulation on the area?

How long has this problem been going on?

Exactly where in the back is it?  The middle back or lower back?

How many visits have you seen him for this problem?

What other treatment/therapy is he using?

These are all questions that the answers would help me to help you.  Get back to me and I will let you know what I think.

Merry Christmas,

Dr. Boss

Answer
Nicole,

It sounds like he is doing the right things and if there is a proliferation of scar tissue in the area, the only thing to do to provide correction is to break it up.  He is using the method he uses.  It may take some time.  I recommend you use cold packs at home to decrease inflammation after treatment and you should begin a daily stretching routine to attempt to further loosen the tissue.

I do like to use acupuncture in those cases as it helps to loosen scar tissue with less pain.  You may ask your doctor what he thinks.

Good luck and I hope things turn around with this.

Dr. Boss