Question
 Thank you for your response.  I do have another question though.  When you say muscle stimulation do you mean manual massage or electric stem? I have been doing to electric stem in PT.  Also, is it normal that when I take a deep breath in it hurts the muscles on the left side of my back?  Is that my lungs pushing against the muscles?  Will that pain go away?  I have been trying to take it easy with my excercises and only doing the ones that do not hurt me.   Do compression fractures ever actually heal?  Will I always be in pain?  Thank you very much.  
Dawn




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Followup To
Question -
I would like to know if a chiropractor would be a good idea to treat 3 compression fractures in my back, t7, t10, and t12 superior end plates. I also have multiple schmorl's nodules.  This is what the MRI said.  I got injured on the job and I have been going to physical therapy and it is getting better, but it has been 10 weeks since the injury and I want to explore other methods of treatment.  The left side of my back is what bothers me. I do mostly strengthening excercies and then ice my back.  It bothers me all of time especially when im sitting. I am considering going to a chiropractor if it will give me further pain relief.  Thank you.
Answer -
Dawn,

I am sorry that this has taken so long, I answered your question yesterday, but apparently it did not go through.  I am also very sorry to hear about your injury.  I hope that my answer helps.

First of all, I think that a consult with your local chiropractor is in order.  I personally do not manipulate spines with compression fractures for a minimum of 6 months post fracture.  Even then, I am very careful about it.  Sometimes, some low force instrument adjusting may be done, but I still like to make sure full and total healing has taken place. You will want that as well.

The benefit that you may receive is from pain relief therapy.  This could include modalities such as muscle stimulation.  Acupuncture is a great option for pain relief and to speed healing. Nutritional considerations should also be taken into account.  You are experiencing a lot of pain from muscle spasm and fatigue.  Nutritional supplementation must be made to support the muscles as well as the bones.  Proper supplements can speed bone healing up tremendously and produce stronger bone as well.

I worry about the type of exercise you are doing.  In such a condition, it is important to do the right things to strengthen the right muscles.  Many times I see therapists take a shotgun approach to strengthening and it can do more harm than good.  Be sure that you are doing the right things in regards to the actual exercises you are doing.

I think it is a good idea to see the chiropractor or acupuncturist for pain relief.  Try to find a chiropractor who does acupuncture and who also practices nutrition. Just be careful with the manipulation, I don't think your back has healed enough for that yet. You can then cover all the bases and speed up the process. I think the PT can offer you strengthening as long as you are not doing too much too soon.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

Good luck and God Bless,

Dr. Boss  

Answer
Dear Dawn,

I was speaking of electric stimulation, normally this will help some with the pain of muscle spasm associated with compression fractures. The pain that you are feeling upon a deep breath is most likely due to muscle spasm and irritation of thoracic spinal nerves by the ribs and created by the compression fractures and the change in spinal mechanics that have occurred.  Normally, when people have this pain, in the absence of compression fractures, chiropractic manipulation will eliminate it almost immediately.  Unfortunately, due to the compression fractures you are not a candidate for manipulation at this time.  A rib belt might provide some relief.

Keep doing the exercises that do not hurt.  Anything you can do may be helpful in the long run.  Most compression fractures will heal, but they do leave the spine in an altered state because the vertebrae has changed shape.  This will change the mechanics of the spine.

Some patients with significant comp fractures do experience chronic pain, but hopefully, with everything you are doing, you will see good results.

Please contact me again if you need to.

Dr. Boss