Finally going to the chiropractor!

[gymluvr33]

I have been having some lower back pain during gymnastics for the past 6 months or so, and I finally nagged my mother enough to have her call a chiropractor and I have an appointment on Monday! I'm excited because he is/has been working with my friend who has a stress fracture in her back and I know that he won't just tell me to quit gymnastics. I just can't wait to figure out what's going on and hopefully fix it!

P.S. On a completely unrelated note, I got my Driver's Liscense.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

poor parents...^^^

 

[Chocoholic]

Have you been to an orthopedist?

 

[3rd_time_around]

Chiropractors are wonderful for gymnasts. They get everything back in alignment so your body can perform at its optimum level. Our chiropractor helps my daughter so much, from rolled ankles to wrist pain and of course, the lower back pain. And, Pittsburg, if the chiro thinks she can't help her, she always recommends the orthopedist. A good chiropractor will always do that.

So I hope gymluvr33 that your visit helps you and you won't need anything more drastic. And good luck with the driving! Be careful!

 

[bogwoppit]

For back pain the last place I would go is a chiropracter. You should start at an orthopedic doctors office, work through him to get the diagnostic testing you need done. When you have a diagnosis then you should look for treatment. As a mom of a 14 year old who just had back surgery, the last thing your spine needs is adjusting. Yes a good chiro will refer, but a bad one can do more damage than good.



I have no real issues with chiros for other problems, but for the spine I would take extra special care until you know exactly why you have pain. Does this chiro take xrays or have the ability to have bone scans done? JMHO of course. But after the year my dd has had I do not mess about with back pain.

Yay on the drivers license.

 

[gymluvr33]

Ok, you guys will have to be patient with me, I've never been to a chiropractor, and I really don't know much about it so if I sound completely stupid, that's pretty much why.

I haven't been to an orthopedist. From what I understand, this chiropractor doesn't adjust your back if you are young because of the possible damage, but I'm not really sure what he does. Our family knows his family, and my friend has had a very good experience with him, so for now I'm trusting that he knows what he is doing (again, this is from the standpoint of really not knowing anything about chiropractic care). I'm fairly certain that he would reccomend me to an orthopedist if I needed it. Oh, and I think he takes X-rays, but I have no idea about bone scans. I will fill you all in once I know more, so probably once I go on Monday. Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate it (even if I don't understand all of it )

Btw, thanks to everyone for the congrats

 

[mndl]

I hope it works out for you, but I second Bog's advice regarding spinal issues. Also my closest friend is a pediatric neurologist and she would say "don't let him touch your neck!!!!!"

 

[Chocoholic]

Please be careful. If I were you, I would cancel with the chiropractor and start with an orthopedist. If you have had back pain for six months, you need to see an orthopedist. You will need your back for the rest of your life and you really shouldn't take any chances with it!

 

[gym law mom]

I totally agree on skipping a chiropractor. If you have had back pain for 6 months, go see your family doc to get started. He/she can order x-rays and refer you to an ortho if needed--and at least an evaluation probably will be.
A chiropractor cannot prescribe medication, may be able to order some diagnostic tests depending on the state and is not covered by most health insurances so your parents will pay for these visits.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

no torqueing the low back or neck!

 

[gymluvr33]

Kind of confused

I'm a little confused because from what I always understood, chiros were trained to work specifically with the back, so I figured that if there's a problem with my back, then it would make sense to go to a chiropractor. Is this not true? Again, I have no experience in this area so thanks for all your advice

 

[gymluvr33]

I totally agree on skipping a chiropractor. If you have had back pain for 6 months, go see your family doc to get started. He/she can order x-rays and refer you to an ortho if needed--and at least an evaluation probably will be.
A chiropractor cannot prescribe medication, may be able to order some diagnostic tests depending on the state and is not covered by most health insurances so your parents will pay for these visits.

Yeah, I'm really kicking myself because I just had a physical and it completely slipped my mind. Duh, that would have been the perfect time to ask her about it!

Anyway, I'm trying not to go into too much detail but my mother is doing a trading services thing with the chiropractor so paying for the visit shouldn't be too much of an issue (I know, that probably doesn't make sense, but I don't really know how to explain without putting too many personal details)

I don't have the option of cancelling now, but I'm also not obligated to go back if the first visit doesn't go well. So the plan right now is to go and see what happens and just kind of go from there. I really do understand that this is the only back I get so I need to be very careful of what I do to it. I promise to be very careful and not to let him torque my lower back or neck, Dunno! Again, thanks to everyone

 

[CoachGoofy]

I'd be wary of a chiropractor too...ESPECIALLY one who says they can fix anything and everything with chiropractic care. And if there's a fracture, oooboy.

And don't let them NEAR your neck. That's a horror story and a half just waiting to happen.

/megaskepticchick

 

[gymluvr33]

Update: I talked to my friend who goes to the Doctor, and she confirmed that he DOES take xrays, and he DOES NOT torque your lower back or neck.

Anyway, I go to see him tomorrow so I will let you all know how it goes

 

[Tumblequeensmom]

Definitely see an orthopedic Dr. first!!!! I know you'll hear from a LOT of people who swear that their chiropractor is just wonderful... but the fact is, you only have one back and you really need a specialist to determine what is truly wrong. Yes, a chiro. will take an x-ray (maybe), but if you really want to get to the bottom of what's been causing your pain for SIX MONTHS... you may need more definitive tests that an x-ray will not show!! Not all stress fractures will show up on a simple x-ray, and manipulating your spine/neck can definitely cause more harm than good.

You may also need a round of physical therapy to help strengthen weakened muscles if no bone problems are found.