Question
Hello again,
Thank you for your suggestion. We understand the concept of taking drugs to mask a problem, but recently the pain had become too much to take. My wife now takes an injection of a concoction mixed of Voltaren and another muscle relaxant once a day, until she feels better, with the option of taking a tylenol w/codeine tablet. Thats just to let you know how serious the pain has become. She fears taking so much drugs...but at the same time, she must choose either jumping out our 5th floor balconey or taking the shots.
Anyways...I was going with her to see the 'american' chiropractor (a woman of jamaican descent, schooled in america). I guess I did not explain to her how serious this condition is...
However, I am curious to know if it does take some time for chiropratics or even physiotherapy make take some time to have (good) effects. Today, we have visited another Italian doctor that stretched her out and cracked her backbones like a chiropractor--but he is not a chiroprator or an orthopedic doctor. I thought he was a bit rough in this manipulation. He says that my wife may feel worse for a few days, but should steadily feel better after this. And he scheduled another appointment in 6 days.
Should the body have some time to recover between manipulations?
You mentioned that 3 times a week should be more reasonable treatment.
I just don't want her to get overworked and get even worst. Or is the 3 times a week more of a physical therapy treatment to keep her active?
Please explain, if you have some time.

Thanks again for your advice.
Gilbert


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Followup To
Question -
Hello Doctor Schell,

I am trying to gain information about chiropractics. Actually, I am trying to find help for my wife. She suffers from chronic back pain. She has been to see many doctors. Nothing is helping. We live in Italy and are under statal health care. However, I am american, she is italian. I recommended to her to try an american chiropractor who lives here also. She has been to see the chiropratic doctor 3 times, so far. My wife is progressively getting worse (in the course of 3 weeks)...we believe that we should quit this care.
From what I understand of her problems, given the limits of my italian language comprehension, is that she is missing one lower bone in her spine...which has actually fused to her hip bone sometime when she was growing before birth. Then, she may suffer from some sort of spiny bone growth that may be affecting her nerves around the upper spine causing pain and uncomfort. When I say "uncomfort" this is mild pain that can be controlled with aspirin. The other pain is unbearable and we can find no type of pain medication or relief for her. No doctors will prescribe a stronger type of medicine to get her through the crisis...
Needless to say, this problem has controlled our lives--We are looking to control the problem or be done with it.
Reading these sypmtoms...do you think that we should continue with the chiropractor or can you recommend another class of doctors, such as orthopedics, who can be more helpful in this situation and who might have a better course of treatment?

Thank you for your time.
Gilbert & Cristina
Monza, Italy
Answer -
Given the language barrier, this makes for an interesting situation. She has only seen the chiropractor 3 times in 3 weeks? Is this the treatment plan recommended by the doctor? And are there no other chiropractors in Italy? Typically a more aggressive treatment plan is recommended, such as 3 times a week for 3 weeks. An adjustment, especially in someone who has never had one, can stir things up and make things worse, because the nervous system and the muscles are not balanced. I would suggest talking with your doctor and taking his recommendations before just quitting care...he knows the case and what is going on. If you do want to try another kind of doctor, ask him first to recommend something.

As far as pain medication, from aspirin to anything stronger, this merely masks the pain. The chiropractic adjustment is attempting to correct the problem. Pain is a symptom that something is wrong, not just something to be stopped by taking a pill. Find out WHY the pain before trying to find drugs to cover it up.

Hope this helps, and schedule a chat with your chiropractor today so that your wife can get the best care possible. Go with her...if the chiropractor is American, he speaks English. So he could explain to you in words you both understand. Just my suggestion!

Answer
Chiropractic is something that does takes time to work. It affects the nervous system, which then affects the muscles, which pull on the bones. It is NOT, however, something that the body needs to "recover" from, because the purpose and intent of chiropractic is helping the body heal itself. Sometimes this pain, especially huge amounts of it like your wife is dealing with, is simply a vicious cycle where something has gotten way out of balance, and when the body tries to compensate, it throws it even more out of whack. Our bodies are amazing machines that have capabilities far beyond what we can comprehend...but they still can mess up.

I agree that sometimes an adjustment or manipulation can make a person more sore for a day or two. That is because the adjustment is moving bones, and that stirs things up within the system. Keep in mind that every person, every doctor, is different, so their treatment regimens may differ from what I suggest, both in time and technique. (The three times per week that we do here is definitely an adjustment, and usually physical therapy, depending on the patient's needs.)

I hope that you find something that will help you and your wife get the best help and the best health. Sadly, I do not know the regulations governing doctors in other countries, because even here in the US it changes from state to state. Perhaps some research into what the laws are there would help.