Lower back pain

[FloydPT38]

Physiotherapy addresses soft tissue causes. Chiropractic addresses structural causes which can also influence the soft tissues.

Misleading statement. Also inaccurate

"Not sure if you'd achieved the same result with a Physical Therapist if it were a spinal misalignment issue causing your pain.."

If you saw a good spinal Physical therapist you would achieve at least the same result and most often when you felt better you would have a much better idea of how to prevent future occurrences.

 

[willgolfer]

Thanks for taking the time. Two questions, if I may?

1. I tore the muscles in my back (lifting a box) about twelve years ago and they still spasm and seize up to this day. I put it down to the tear (i.e. they have not healed properly) - do you feel the problem is still nerve related? My back is fine 80% of the time.

2. If we accept that chiropractic is genuine and valuable, but that some chiropractors are charlatans: how can you tell a good one from a dud?

1. A comprehensive history, physical examination, and x-ray is needed before that determination can be made.

2. Ask around (friends, family, colleagues) who've had success with a particular Chiropractor(s). Find someone who will do #1 before prescribing a course of treatment.

As in ALL professions, you need to be mindful that there are those who really care about the patient and getting them well, and those who are either incompetent or have another agenda.

Good luck.

 

[cal7426]

Could be nerve pressure but could be muscle adhesions affecting/pinching the nerve etc. Something is affecting the nerve somewhere along it's path. May start at the disc and be anywhere along the pathway.

Thanks Floyd. Could you explain "muscle adhesions" please? I looked it up, but just got drug adverts.

 

[willgolfer]

Misleading statement. Also inaccurate

"Not sure if you'd achieved the same result with a Physical Therapist if it were a spinal misalignment issue causing your pain.."

If you saw a good spinal Physical therapist you would achieve at least the same result and most often when you felt better you would have a much better idea of how to prevent future occurrences.

What exactly do "Spinal" Physical Therapists do?

 

[FloydPT38]

Thanks for taking the time. Two questions, if I may?

1. I tore the muscles in my back (lifting a box) about twelve years ago and they still spasm and seize up to this day. I put it down to the tear (i.e. they have not healed properly) - do you feel the problem is still nerve related? My back is fine 80% of the time.

2. If we accept that chiropractic is genuine and valuable, but that some chiropractors are charlatans: how can you tell a good one from a dud?

1- You need it worked on- See an Active release guy who could be a Physical therapist or a chiropractor.

2- He/she will be interested in getting you better and helping you know what to do to stay that way beside constantly coming in to see them. They will put the ball more in your court vs you becoming dependent. Ask around and not just to see whom people like but their modus operandi.

 

[FloydPT38]

What exactly do "Spinal" Physical Therapists do?

Orthopedic physical therapists that work with the spine. They will address soft tissue and specific areas of weakness but they are also trained in spinal mobilizations. PT is fairly specialized.

 

[FloydPT38]

Thanks Floyd. Could you explain "muscle adhesions" please? I looked it up, but just got drug adverts.

"adhesions or fibrosis in the soft tissues. Adhesions can occur as a result of acute injury, repetitive motion , and constant pressure or tension."

an area of tissue dysfunction or restriction.

 

[willgolfer]

Orthopedic physical therapists that work with the spine. They will address soft tissue and specific areas of weakness but they are also trained in spinal mobilizations. PT is fairly specialized.

Spinal "Mobilizations" (moving some or all stuck spinal segments/joints) as opposed to Spinal "Adjustments" (analyzing and restoring function to the "SPECIFIC" segments/joints causing nerve pressure).

 

[Burner]

I've had lower back pain for years and get the shooting pains down the legs (usually the left leg) - what causes these pains?

Sciatica.

 

[Burner]

My future brother-in-law is a Chiropractor. He says he can cure everything: colds, constipation, acne, etc. I don't think I can trust someone that says that. JMO

Look up "Chiropractic" on the web and you will find that your lack of trust is not misplaced.

Chiropractic "medicine" is not officially recognised in the UK.

 

[willgolfer]

Look up "Chiropractic" on the web and you will find that your lack of trust is not misplaced.

Chiropractic "medicine" is not officially recognised in the UK.

"Anyone" can write "anything" on the World Wide Web. Patient education is the key. Chiropractic works.

According to the GCC (General Chiropractic Council - established by PARLIAMENT to regulate the profession), Chiropractic is indeed recognized in the UK. GCC: The General Chiropractic Council

 

[Burner]

"Anyone" can write "anything" on the World Wide Web. Patient education is the key. Chiropractic works.

According to the GCC (General Chiropractic Council - established by PARLIAMENT to regulate the profession), Chiropractic is indeed recognized in the UK. GCC: The General Chiropractic Council

Sigh!

Chiropractic is a health care approach and profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine.

That is basically bone manipulation and not the cure all, general, medical practise espoused by curtisj76's brother-in-law: which, as you may recall, curtisj76 doubted. I simply share curtisj76's doubts.

And, the existence of the "General Chiropractic Council" is evidence only of a Chiropractic trade association and not an acceptance of Chiropractic as an officially recognised part of the scientific medical profession. In the UK Chiropractic is regarded as a complementary medicine; treatments being given alongside, and not in substitution for, conventional treatments.

 

[willgolfer]

Sigh!

Quote: "Chiropractic is a health care approach and profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine."

That is basically bone manipulation and not the cure all, general, medical practise espoused by curtisj76's brother-in-law: which, as you may recall, curtisj76 doubted. I simply share curtisj76's doubts.

And, the existence of the "General Chiropractic Council" is evidence only of a Chiropractic trade association and not an acceptance of Chiropractic as an officially recognised part of the scientific medical profession. In the UK Chiropractic is regarded as a complementary medicine; treatments being given alongside, and not in substitution for, conventional treatments.

Double Sigh!

The "generalized" definition of Chiropractic you wrote there is not something I or anyone else should interpret as simple "bone manipulation." Where in that definition does it mention "bone" or "manipulation"? You need to be more specific or find another definition.

Correct, Chiropractic here in the states is also considered Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and not part of conventional or "allopathic" medicine (M.D., drugs, surgery, etc.). However, Chiropractors diagnose and treat back and neck pain and are considered by definition "primary care physicians" as they are often the first doctor a patient will visit when experiencing back pain. According to the BCA (British Chiropractic Association), Chiropractic is also considered "primary care" in the UK.

This all ties back to the original purpose of this thread which was, "What do you guys do for low back pain?"

Google "Clarence Gonstead." He was a biomechanical engineer turned chiropractor who built his model of Chiropractic on a basic biomechanical principle of physics (The Homer Kelley of Chiropractic maybe? ). You may be able to find a Chiropractor in your area who practices using his system.

Good Luck!

 

[cal7426]

There is a Gonstead Clinic in Harley Street (Googled it as suggested) which is used by the London Metropolitan Police who are not noted for their alternative lifestyles. So somebody in the establishment accepts the worth of chiropractic.

I've been down the "conventional" UK route for lower back pain - see an over-worked physiotherapist for an assessment, get given a sheet of helpful exercises and a prescription for ibruprofen.

Who wouldn't look for alternatives?

 

[Shot Limit]

Been doing some yoga, it's kind of fruity but the sh*t is hard. I've also been swinging my clubs like a south paw a bit each day.

Havn't had any pain for about two weeks now and I've been hitting 250 balls, three times a week since it went away. So far so good!

A bit of advice for those without the means.

 

[Burner]

Chiropractic

Double Sigh!

The "generalized" definition of Chiropractic you wrote there is not something I or anyone else should interpret as simple "bone manipulation." Where in that definition does it mention "bone" or "manipulation"? You need to be more specific or find another definition.

Correct, Chiropractic here in the states is also considered Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and not part of conventional or "allopathic" medicine (M.D., drugs, surgery, etc.). However, Chiropractors diagnose and treat back and neck pain and are considered by definition "primary care physicians" as they are often the first doctor a patient will visit when experiencing back pain. According to the BCA (British Chiropractic Association), Chiropractic is also considered "primary care" in the UK.

This all ties back to the original purpose of this thread which was, "What do you guys do for low back pain?"

Google "Clarence Gonstead." He was a biomechanical engineer turned chiropractor who built his model of Chiropractic on a basic biomechanical principle of physics (The Homer Kelley of Chiropractic maybe? ). You may be able to find a Chiropractor in your area who practices using his system.

Good Luck!

I give you the following quote from the General Chiropractic Council of the UK: the UK wide statutory body with (self) regulatory powers, as established by the Chiropractors Act 1994.

Chiropractic is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal manipulation or adjustment (World Federation of Chiropractic, 1999).

There are many Chiropractic clinics in the UK but they do not dispense Primary Care.

Primary care is the term for the health services that play a central role in the local community: GPs, pharmacists, dentists and midwives. Primary care providers are usually the first point of contact for a patient. They also follow a patient throughout their care pathway.
Source Department of Health, UK.

Indeed, they tend to be regarded with suspicion by the general public and scepticism by the real health care professionals.

We about done here?

 

[Shot Limit]

I give you the following quote from the General Chiropractic Council of the UK: the UK wide statutory body with (self) regulatory powers, as established by the Chiropractors Act 1994.



There are many Chiropractic clinics in the UK but they do not dispense Primary Care.



Indeed, they tend to be regarded with suspicion by the general public and scepticism by the real health care professionals.

We about done here?

I think yall should be about done. Is'nt there a medical forum to continue this discussion on? I don't think the pissing contest is helping anyone's back problems.

 

[willgolfer]

Indeed, they tend to be regarded with suspicion by the general public and scepticism by the real health care professionals.

We about done here?

Only by the uneducated and misinformed (re: Chiropractic).

Seems to me Chiropractic is growing in popularity all over the world. Some of the biggest HMO, PPOs here in the US are providing Chiropractic coverage for their members (big step forward from previous policy). They've figured it out.

Welcome to the "present".

Now we're done.