My Aching Back

[KCRIVERRAT]

Jeez, hope none of you guys never have to go through the crap I've been through. Three neck surgeries resulting in a full neck fusion. Seven surgeries in the last five years all together. I know... But, I'm telling ya, be careful of chiropractors. If there's really something wrong with you he or she could make it worse.

[brownieman]

After about an half an hour I had that bad burning between my shoulder blades today...know where you are coming from, sucks to say the least. I have found no fix for it yet short of quiting fishing...think age has a little something to do with it.

Whatever the case, it aint a good thing, lol. My back has been doing it for a few years now...sure makes for touph fishing sometimes. Yeah, don't think the crackers helped the herniated disc in my neck...live and learn.

[DoctaJ]

Wow, where do I start? I don't know if I can address everyone's questions or thoughts in one reply. Hours on the water kills my back too, right in the mid back. Most of it is bad posture. I notice when I stand or lean for long periods I tend to slouch which makes my extensor muscles in the back work over time to keep me straight. That's more than likely why you are all having back pain during fishing. No one here knows me personally, but I'm a no bs guy. I'm not a salesmen, and I'm not going to offer miracles. Chiropractic works, or we wouldn't still be in business. Thing is if you want a pill, go to an md. If you want surgurey, go to a orthopedic surgeon. If you want an adjustment, go to a chiropractor. If you want a massage, go to a massage therapist. All these doctors are going to treat you by how they were trained.

Vacation wrote " then you have to keep going back until I quit fishing 50 years from now". If you go to a medical doctor he will give you a bottle of drugs that you must take every day until gone, right? A chiropractor has to adjust you for his treatment. So what's the difference of you taking a pill everyday or getting adjusted once month. I can't treat you unless you come in. Most people use chiropractic as a tylenol, they use it when they are hurting. Chiropractic is much more than that, it's a lifestyle choice. You don't have to believe in chiropractic, it's a science. I could go into explaining how the adjustment stimulates the nervous system with mechanoreception, afference, efference, but most wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about. You all can agree when I say structure affects function? If an engine isn't put together correctly does it work well or work at all? People need chiropractic, but they can choose not to come in. You don't have to brush your teeth or go to a dentist. Your teeth will fall out, and maybe you can get some replacements. They are not making replacement vertebrae for humans yet. I could go on with analogies but I think you all get the picture.

Muscles pull not push. When you have sloppy posture, it makes your muscles work harder to maintain yourself in the upright position. When you over work your muscles, they cramp, spasm, burn, cause pain, ect. Being on the boat all day, really all you can do is be aware of your posture. No slouching. Orthotics (shoe inserts) will also greatly affect loading. If you sit in a full seat with back, get a lumbar support. Butt seats are not going to be good, but hey I'm not giving mine up either. Heat works best for muscles (not on inflammation though, be aware there is a difference). Biofreeze is the same as icy hot, it works too. I can't tell anyone to take any kind of over the counter meds b/c it's against state law, however sometimes I will take something if I can't stand it. =) I think short term, chiropractic isn't going to be a big fix with this. Everyone has different problems, some are chronic and some are acute. Chronic conditions will take much longer, and remember chiropractic is natural so it's going to take longer.

I had a pt come in. She was 46 and never been to a chiropractor. She was unsatisfied with two weeks worth of treatment. (She only came in twice) She expected me to fix 46 years worth in two adjustments. That's like saying an obese person is going to lose all their weight and be skinny in a month. It's not going to happen.

Beware of Chiropractors? Give me a break. Beware of medical doctors. How many people have md's and do's killed b/c of perscription drugs? Did you know 180,000 people die every year due to iatrogenic reasons? (look up the word, it means due to complications of treatment) We just accept it b/c the medical model is the gold standard. Do you know how much mal practice insurance is for a chiropractor, a year? Due to all the people we hurt, good coverage will cost you maybe 3,000 a year. How much is a md? Oh yeah, in the hundred thousand dollar range. Hmmmm, wonder why. Bottom line, you have to chose a good doctor for you no matter what they do. There are bad ones in every field.

I could go on forever. I don't plan on changing anyone's opinion here on chiropractic. I want to help people that want my help. If you all have any more questions feel free to pm me. I'll give you a straight answer.

[denjac]

Thanks Doctaj! Do you think the recessed trolling motor foot controls help? I have also heard that back braces work but in the long run weaken the stomach muscles.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Wow, where do I start? I don't know if I can address everyone's questions or thoughts in one reply. Hours on the water kills my back too, right in the mid back. Most of it is bad posture. I notice when I stand or lean for long periods I tend to slouch which makes my extensor muscles in the back work over time to keep me straight. That's more than likely why you are all having back pain during fishing. No one here knows me personally, but I'm a no bs guy. I'm not a salesmen, and I'm not going to offer miracles. Chiropractic works, or we wouldn't still be in business. Thing is if you want a pill, go to an md. If you want surgurey, go to a orthopedic surgeon. If you want an adjustment, go to a chiropractor. If you want a massage, go to a massage therapist. All these doctors are going to treat you by how they were trained.

Vacation wrote " then you have to keep going back until I quit fishing 50 years from now". If you go to a medical doctor he will give you a bottle of drugs that you must take every day until gone, right? A chiropractor has to adjust you for his treatment. So what's the difference of you taking a pill everyday or getting adjusted once month. I can't treat you unless you come in. Most people use chiropractic as a tylenol, they use it when they are hurting. Chiropractic is much more than that, it's a lifestyle choice. You don't have to believe in chiropractic, it's a science. I could go into explaining how the adjustment stimulates the nervous system with mechanoreception, afference, efference, but most wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about. You all can agree when I say structure affects function? If an engine isn't put together correctly does it work well or work at all? People need chiropractic, but they can choose not to come in. You don't have to brush your teeth or go to a dentist. Your teeth will fall out, and maybe you can get some replacements. They are not making replacement vertebrae for humans yet. I could go on with analogies but I think you all get the picture.

Muscles pull not push. When you have sloppy posture, it makes your muscles work harder to maintain yourself in the upright position. When you over work your muscles, they cramp, spasm, burn, cause pain, ect. Being on the boat all day, really all you can do is be aware of your posture. No slouching. Orthotics (shoe inserts) will also greatly affect loading. If you sit in a full seat with back, get a lumbar support. Butt seats are not going to be good, but hey I'm not giving mine up either. Heat works best for muscles (not on inflammation though, be aware there is a difference). Biofreeze is the same as icy hot, it works too. I can't tell anyone to take any kind of over the counter meds b/c it's against state law, however sometimes I will take something if I can't stand it. =) I think short term, chiropractic isn't going to be a big fix with this. Everyone has different problems, some are chronic and some are acute. Chronic conditions will take much longer, and remember chiropractic is natural so it's going to take longer.

I had a pt come in. She was 46 and never been to a chiropractor. She was unsatisfied with two weeks worth of treatment. (She only came in twice) She expected me to fix 46 years worth in two adjustments. That's like saying an obese person is going to lose all their weight and be skinny in a month. It's not going to happen.

Beware of Chiropractors? Give me a break. Beware of medical doctors. How many people have md's and do's killed b/c of perscription drugs? Did you know 180,000 people die every year due to iatrogenic reasons? (look up the word, it means due to complications of treatment) We just accept it b/c the medical model is the gold standard. Do you know how much mal practice insurance is for a chiropractor, a year? Due to all the people we hurt, good coverage will cost you maybe 3,000 a year. How much is a md? Oh yeah, in the hundred thousand dollar range. Hmmmm, wonder why. Bottom line, you have to chose a good doctor for you no matter what they do. There are bad ones in every field.

I could go on forever. I don't plan on changing anyone's opinion here on chiropractic. I want to help people that want my help. If you all have any more questions feel free to pm me. I'll give you a straight answer.

Sorry DoctaJ, I should clarify. For my particular situation, a chiropractor could not have prevented what ultimately led to a bruised spinal chord.

[DoctaJ]

No problem, KC. Certain things just set me off..hhaha.

Denjac, yes a recessed trolling motor pedal would def help. Unfortunatley, my boat is old school and doesn't have one. This would keep your pelvis from staying unbalanced or not as bad as one just sitting on the floor. Just like if you wear you fat wallet in your back pocket all day, it will do the same thing. Back braces are fine. What gets most people in trouble is they try to lift too much when wearing one. They think they are superman with one. They forget it is just that, a support. Core muscle strengthening will always help back pain. It gives stability in the spine. But in all reality, are we all going to do our situps and back bends in the morning? Probably not. I'm probably not the only one with a little extra weight in the front. =)

[denjac]

My boat does not have a recessed trolling motor control either. They make an after market product called Pro Control that looks like it would work well and easy to install. They gave one away last week at the Joe bass tournament, first time I had heard of them.

[Greg]

Beware of Chiropractors? Give me a break. Beware of medical doctors. How many people have md's and do's killed b/c of perscription drugs? Did you know 180,000 people die every year due to iatrogenic reasons? (look up the word, it means due to complications of treatment) We just accept it b/c the medical model is the gold standard. Do you know how much mal practice insurance is for a chiropractor, a year? Due to all the people we hurt, good coverage will cost you maybe 3,000 a year. How much is a md? Oh yeah, in the hundred thousand dollar range. Hmmmm, wonder why. Bottom line, you have to chose a good doctor for you no matter what they do. There are bad ones in every field.

I'm an RN. Just as you stated in your last sentence above - there are good and bad members of all categories of health care professionals - physicians, nurses, chiropractors, physical therapists, etc, etc. There are true horror stories out there about doctors, chiropractors, and yes nurses. But speaking from personal experience pretty much every physician I've worked with over the past 25 years has been dedicated, caring, and competent. I'm not familiar with any in the chiropractic profession but I'm sure its the same. Sorry I just don't like to see the medical profession knocked like that.

I've personally had back pain off and on for over 20 years. I did try chiropractic and it didn't work for me. I'm not knocking it or the profession I'm just speaking for myself personally. For the past few years my pain has been pretty much non-existent. Just minor flare ups once in a great while. What worked for me? At the suggestion of my wonderful family PHYSICIAN I went to see a physical therapist (who also happens to be a friend). He showed me a variety of strengthening and stretching exercises. And also talked to me about posture and a proper balance between rest and exercise. When I do those regularly I just don't have much pain at all. And I do wear a back brace at times when I'm going to be fishing/wading all day. I also use ibuprofen when I have a minor flare up.

So I guess bottom line is I'm throwing out a physical therapy consult as another option for you. It sure worked for me.

I hope it gets better for you as back pain is truly miserable.

Greg

[DoctaJ]

I'm not knocking the medical profession. If it wasn't for medicine, I wouldn't be here today. I had and have horrilbe asthma, I was born with it. There are many family members that wouldn't be here if it wasn't for medicine. Chiropractic gets a bad grade due to how we were all raised. If you hurt, take a pill. Pill's just mask symptoms, not fix them. If it's broke, take it out. Don't alter your lifestyle. Will your high blood pressure pill (statin drug) keep you alive, yes it will. Do you still have high bp? Yes you do, the pill didn't fix anything but pro long your life. You also have to realize that the AMA has had it out for chiropractic. Wilk v. American Medical Association. Read about it. Basically the AMA would not refer to chiropractors and falsely advertised against chiropractic. Many people don't know but Wilk won.

Haha, your physical therapist sounds a lot like a chiropractor. It's funny how chiropractors are trying to be physical therapists and physical therapists are trying to be chiropractors. My mother inlaw is a PT. They are actually trying to "mobilize" segments now. That's what we do of course. I've had 3 years and a half of adjusting instruction where some like a PT has none or a weekend seminar of it. Of course, I give my patients exercises to do while I'm treating them or my adjustments aren't going to help. It's the combination of pt compliance with the treatments. If PT is the road you went and it worked, great. We are more alike than different. I can diagnose however, and a PT can't. PT's are at the wilm of the referring doctor. Some of you all may think chiropractic is a night school. I've had been in school for 7 years and people who don't even have a bachelors tell me all the time that I'm just a chiropractor. They have no idea.

[Greg]

DoctaJ - yes I'm afraid I actually have heard at least a few negative comments made by both physicians and PT's regarding chiropractors over the years. So it works both ways. The physical therapist I know has actually said the same thing that you just did - that the 2 professions seem to be moving closer together.

But you see in my particular instance the chiropractor I went to just did "adjustments". Period. There was no education on strengthening/stretching exercises, posture, etc. So obviously not all in your profession are as enlightened as you are. As we said good and bad in all fields.

I had no idea chiropractors had that much education. But as I stated I know very, very little about your profession.

I do think (and I'm sure you agree) that too many people with back pain rush to the knife (surgery) when chiropractic/PT would give them a better long term result.

Thanks for your response.

Greg