So after 2+ weeks of increasingly painful trouble with my back, I finally made an appointment with the chiropractor to try and figure out what was wrong. At the point that I could no longer stand up straight and walking was very painful and difficult, I decided that the "wait it out" strategy was clearly not working.
On Friday afternoon I went to the chiropractor and they did all their tests and x-rays. Then the chiro came in to talk to me. She started off with, "Good for you for coming to a chirpractor and going the natural route instead of traditional medicine!" To myself I'm thinking {I didn't realize that's what I was doing. I just thought that when you had back problems, you went to the chiropractor. Maybe I should be seeing my regular doctor instead...}
She went on to say, "Too many people just want to get painkillers to mask the problems instead of finding and fixing them." {What? Does this mean I don't get painkillers? Because I'm all for finding and fixing the problem, but what's wrong with a little masking if it gets me through my day?}
Turns out that the x-rays showed two herniated discs in my spine - which would explain why I can't stand up straight or walk or sit or lay down or do anything without wanting to cry over it. Also turns out that the "natural" way doesn't involve any painkillers. Bummer. What it does involve is visits to the chiropractor 3 times a week for the next 8 weeks. I've made two visits so far and really just feel worse... Though she tells me it takes a few visits to feel the benefits, I'm not feeling the love for chiropractics right now. But do I jump ship and go to a regular doctor? Will they tell me anything else? Will they at least give me some good painkillers so I can function a little better?
Anyone have experience with back problems and/or chiropractors? Any advice or suggestions?
7 comments:
The people I know who have had herniated discs have all had to have back surgery and lots of pain killers. I don't see how twisting and cracking your spine will help that. I'm all for natural medicine but pain only inhibits recovery.
My experience with chiropractors hasn't been the most positive either. I went for lower back pain, and after a few visits my back felt better but I had such pain in my foot I could hardly walk. And this chiro was very much into the wholistic medicine and wanted me to start taking a handful of supplements every day. (I am not a fan of supplements. I feel that you should get the nutrients you need from whole foods since we don't know about a ton of the phytochemicals in food... But that is a whole other soap box!)
From my knowledge of herniated discs, (my brother had one about 10 years ago) a traditional doctor would give you pain medication and surgery is a possibility.
Good luck! Let me know if I can help you at all-- I know you must be miserable!
I haven't had any person experience with this, but I did used to work for a back surgeon who said he was always fixing mistakes that chiropropractors made. I don't know how much of that was true or if it is just a back surgeon vs. chiropractor things. I would say it never hurts to get a second opinion though.
I actually really love going to the chiropractor and think they really help for normal back pain. For a herniated disc though? I'm not sure, I'd be careful. You may want to see both doctors and then weigh your options. Sorry you are in so much pain. At least take a motrin for some relief.
I love my chiropractor. He's helped me to feel better and have fewer migraine headaches. He's cute and funny, too. In fact, I haven't been to see him in almost a year. Think I'll make an appointment!
Hope you feel better soon. I remember that I didn't start feeling better and experiencing less pain until I'd had a couple of adjustments. The first few were uncomfortable. Stick with it a while and give chiropractic care a good chance. Pray about it, though. It might be a good idea to see your medical doctor, too, if for no other reason than a second opinion.
Stick with it! Really your relationship with your chiropractor needs to be very communicative. If something still doesn't feel right make sure to communicate that and if you don't like the way they adjust you tell them, because there are several different ways to be adjusted. If you have herniated discs it will take longer to correct than if you were simply out of alignment. But trust me you will soon feel better.
I would suggest a back doctor, not a chiropractor. Just my thoughts, but I have no experience to share. Either way, I hope it gets better soon! Back pain sounds truly miserable.
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