Back to the chiropractor

My neck was bothering me for awhile, so I started going to the chiropractor last Friday. He said that I had severe trauma to my neck 20-30 years ago. Anyway, I've been getting my neck cracked and have to go back today. Sometimes I leave in pain and sometimes I feel better. My last appointment was Wednesday and I've been in quite a lot of pain since, especially sitting at my desk.

I had gone to 2 others for my neck 12 years ago. one helped; one didn't.

So, I was wondering how many of you have had success with a chiropractor, especially for neck pain.

I've gone to a couple of different chiropractors for back pain, and with one exception, it has always helped. The exception just didn't seem to be very good, and after my second visit to him, I looked around for somebody else.

I have no experience with chiropractors, but I know how difficult it can be to find brilliant physiotherapists, so I completely understand how you feel!

From what I have noticed, it is better to find someone who is interested in learning - a tutor or something! My present physiotherapist is a tutor and has a vested interest in knees, so he has taken extra interest in finding ways to 'sort' my problem! He will mention my condition to as many people as he can as a way of attempting to see something he may have missed! (with my consent - of course!)

Maybe you could contact local universities and find out which tutors work professionally outside of the faculty?!

I hope that you find someone that can truely help you! I know how you feel with the pain and discomfort!

It is wonderful when you can have complete faith and trust in the person treating you! I'm sure you will find the right therapist soon!

When I was rear-ended several years ago I went thru 6 weeks of physical therapy for my neck 3 times a week a one hour session with a therapist. In addition I had a set of exercises that I did at home. I will still do some of these of my neck starts acting up. The best thing is rolling up a bath towel and sticking it in your bed pillow at night or if you are sitting on the sofa. I had a set of exercises that I would even do in the shower. I really do not want anyone touching my neck area. Maybe you have some arthritis setting in?? You may be making it worse by hunching up your shoulders at work.
Did you ever get and exercises to increase the flexibility even just moving head from side to side.

When I was in an accident years ago and began experiencing chronic neckpain and headaches, the person at fault's insurance covered physical therapy but not chiropractic therapy. The PT was rather useless, and I always wished I could have consulted a Chiropracter. Sure hope you find this Dr. to be more effective than your previous experiences and your pain is soon eliminated!

Thank you all for all your good thoughts and suggestions. Apparently whatever trauma I had in the past is aggravated by my job. Sitting at my desk 40 hours a week is about the worst thing I can do. After being away from my job all weekend, I felt pretty good this morning. One of these days my boss will buy new office furniture that will be better for my body. I have moved my monitor to right in front of me rather than to the right where its been for 6 years. Now I want to have the keyboards lower.

Originally Posted by jcat

Tricia,
I've gone to a couple of different chiropractors for back pain, and with one exception, it has always helped. The exception just didn't seem to be very good, and after my second visit to him, I looked around for somebody else.

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The middle section of my back has some slight problems and it is getting a lot better.
The 1st chiropractor I went to 12 years ago barely touched me. He practiced "gentle chiropractic."...whatever that is supossed to be. Well, it didn't do a darn thing after many visits. I should have had a clue when the "free visit" cost me $90.00.
Then I went to one who was wonderful. He cracked my neck twice and the pain was gone! My new one seems to be cracking my neck the way he did.

This new one told me that the chiropractors I went to in the past should have told me that my neck was so messed up. He showed me the X-Rays and my neck curves in an S shape rather than a C. He said that the old trauma caused this and if X-Rays were taken back then (they were), my chiropractor could not have missed it.

Originally Posted by GailC

Gail,
When I was rear-ended several years ago I went thru 6 weeks of physical therapy for my neck 3 times a week a one hour session with a therapist. In addition I had a set of exercises that I did at home. I will still do some of these of my neck starts acting up. The best thing is rolling up a bath towel and sticking it in your bed pillow at night or if you are sitting on the sofa. I had a set of exercises that I would even do in the shower. I really do not want anyone touching my neck area. Maybe you have some arthritis setting in?? You may be making it worse by hunching up your shoulders at work.
Did you ever get and exercises to increase the flexibility even just moving head from side to side.

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I have a neck pillow (which DR. L suggested), much like rolling up a towel. Once I started using that I don't know how I slept without it. I definately have arthritis there - just found that out too. Dr. L said he would give me exercises, but not just yet. He told me to wait just a little while before going back to Curves too, but honestly, I feel better moving around and I wonder if I should go anyway. A technician does therapy right before my treatment to relax my neck. That seems to help a lot, but I would like it to be for more than 5 minutes.

Originally Posted by Sar

I have no experience with chiropractors, but I know how difficult it can be to find brilliant physiotherapists, so I completely understand how you feel!

From what I have noticed, it is better to find someone who is interested in learning - a tutor or something! My present physiotherapist is a tutor and has a vested interest in knees, so he has taken extra interest in finding ways to 'sort' my problem! He will mention my condition to as many people as he can as a way of attempting to see something he may have missed! (with my consent - of course!)

Maybe you could contact local universities and find out which tutors work professionally outside of the faculty?!

I hope that you find someone that can truely help you! I know how you feel with the pain and discomfort!

It is wonderful when you can have complete faith and trust in the person treating you! I'm sure you will find the right therapist soon!

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As always, Sarah, you are so sweet trying to help. If this doesn't work after awhile, I may look at therapy instead. I just don't know what "awhile" should be.

Originally Posted by dawnofsierra

When I was in an accident years ago and began experiencing chronic neckpain and headaches, the person at fault's insurance covered physical therapy but not chiropractic therapy. The PT was rather useless, and I always wished I could have consulted a Chiropracter. Sure hope you find this Dr. to be more effective than your previous experiences and your pain is soon eliminated!

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Thanks. My chiropractic is covered but my co-pay is $30.00 a visit. I am scheduled 3 times a week and $90.00 a week is really getting expensive. Sorry the PT wasn't good for you. Right before my treatment they give me some kind of ultrasound therapy. It makes my muscles move without me doing it. At first it was kind of freaky, but I feel more relaxed even after 5 minutes. Are you still in pain?

Ok, now that I explained in more detail, how long do you all think is the right amount of time to give this?

Hi,

I have been suffering from horrible neck pain for many years. I went to the chiropractor this year several times, and it has not helped me a bit. I think my next option is getting my neck massaged. That did help me years ago!

Originally Posted by abbycats

Hi,

I have been suffering from horrible neck pain for many years. I went to the chiropractor this year several times, and it has not helped me a bit. I think my next option is getting my neck massaged. That did help me years ago!

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Hi. So sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. I hope massage works for you. How many times and how often did you go to the chiropractor?

I actually feel pretty good today! Maybe he is helping!!!

Originally Posted by Rockcat

I actually feel pretty good today! Maybe he is helping!!!

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Excellent news, Renee!

You must be feeling much better having the pain lessened! I hope he continues to work wonders for you!

Glad to hear you are feeling a little better Rennee.

I hurt my back in a horse-riding accident when I was a teenager and then hurt my neck in another riding accident when I was in my twenties

Anyway, both times I went to an osteopath, not a chiropractor and have been very satisfied.

Osteopaths use a different method of joint manipulation and although it's not that pleasant an experience at the time I also felt my back/neck were somehow "lighter" afterwards. I still go from time to time to make sure everything's still in the right place

Originally Posted by alexa

Glad to hear you are feeling a little better Rennee.

I hurt my back in a horse-riding accident when I was a teenager and then hurt my neck in another riding accident when I was in my twenties

Anyway, both times I went to an osteopath, not a chiropractor and have been very satisfied.

Osteopaths use a different method of joint manipulation and although it's not that pleasant an experience at the time I also felt my back/neck were somehow "lighter" afterwards. I still go from time to time to make sure everything's still in the right place

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Thats interesting. What do they do different? I enjoy getting my back cracked, but I really don't like my neck being done. Since it seems to be helping I'll stick with it for now, but ya never know about later.

I was involved, as a passenger, in a bad car accident when I was 15. I went through physical therapy and then received a referral to a chiropractor for my neck and back injuries. I went 3 times a week for several months and then gradually dropped down to once a week. My main complaint was terrible headaches and I had one almost every day. I never felt any improvement. Eventually I was referred to a neuromuscular therapy (massage therapy) for treatment. Shortly after I began with that I noticed a huge improvement in the frequency of my headaches and neck pain. All this to say, if the chiropractor doesn't seem to work well you might want to try with the massage therapy. From what I remember, a chiropractor treats problems with bone alignment and such but the massage therapy focuses on the muscle.

Originally Posted by squirtle

I was involved, as a passenger, in a bad car accident when I was 15. I went through physical therapy and then received a referral to a chiropractor for my neck and back injuries. I went 3 times a week for several months and then gradually dropped down to once a week. My main complaint was terrible headaches and I had one almost every day. I never felt any improvement. Eventually I was referred to a neuromuscular therapy (massage therapy) for treatment. Shortly after I began with that I noticed a huge improvement in the frequency of my headaches and neck pain. All this to say, if the chiropractor doesn't seem to work well you might want to try with the massage therapy. From what I remember, a chiropractor treats problems with bone alignment and such but the massage therapy focuses on the muscle.

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Thanks! You know, the ultrasound therapy before the chiropractor treats me is very relaxing. Who knows, maybe thats whats actually helping.