Question
Dr. O'Brien

I fell down a hill and hit my head a few months ago.  One week later, I knew something wasn't right and went to a Chiropractor.  He took x-rays that show a reverse curve & said it was a whiplash.  He compared my leg lengths, said one was longer and adjusted my neck.  When he checked them again, they were the same length. He adjust my neck a couple of times a week like this for two months, but treatment didn't seem to help much.  My whole body felt tight and skewed still.

My job requires I spend half of my time in Miami.  So, when it came time to go to Miami, I had to find a Chiropractor here too.  The DC I found though, did things a lot different.  He did some strength tests on me and had me stand with one foot on a book.  He told me that my pelvis was badly torqued.  He also looked at my leg length and saw one was shorter.  He adjusted my pelvis and compared them again-they were equal.  We have been doing this for three months now.  My neck is still not right, though he claims it is aligned well, but does feel better - even though he rarely adjusts it.  My pelvic area is now sore all the time, especially around the tailbone and the bony protrusions just above the buttocks, and the leg that had been "short" is constantly pulling and aching.  There's also a muscle that goes numb on the inside of my knee when I walk.  My pelvis has been staying in good alignment most of the time now.  I can tell when it's going to go back out, because my leg starts to feel better.  

Now, I'm getting ready to go back to Kansas City.  I don't know which Doc has the right idea, if either.  This should not have to be a choice between upper or lower body pain.  But that's what it seems to have become.  How do I know which method to continue with my treatment.  It seems that if one is right, the other must be forcing my bones into an awkward position - if adjusting either neck or pelvis can both make my legs level.  I'm very confused!!!  Do you have any thoughts or advice on this?  Thank you.


Answer
Hello Fay,

      You may want to find a doctor of chiropractic who specializes in myofascial injuries (Muscle).  Often a short leg is due to muscle imbalances and subluxations.  If your pain is severe and continue to have muscle weakness you may want to have a MRI done.  This will show the exact area of injury and a more percise time frame of recovery can be established.

Thank you for your question,

Dr. Brendon O'Brien D.C.