Just a quick question for those in the chiropractic way . . .
I’ve got several structural . . . issues:
Leg length difference - specifically, tibia length
Left-side joints shaped differently than right-side joints
BONES on left different to varying degrees than those on the right
Sacral injury which tore it free from the pelvis’ cartilage, arching it to the right.
Various issues with middle and upper-back.
I make sure to stretch and foam roll a few times through the day, and see a chiropractor 3-5 times a week. I supplement with Beta-7 and creatine, and noticed this combo REALLY makes a difference in how the near-constant full-body cramps I have feel, and the fatigue they cause.
I refrain from sitting and doing other activities which cause further irritation as much as possible.
The question: for those who treat chronic problem-cases like myself, and for those of the 'Nation who have similar issues, what treatments/modes of training/nutrition have made a difference in your patients/your own quality of life?
I apologize for the length of this post. Last week I went to the chiro once, this week I’ve gone twice a day since monday, and am needing to vent.
By full-body cramps, I don’t mean all limbs, all the time. I have cramping in my legs/hips through the sciatic nerve (both legs), middle back/abdominal area from a lightly herniated disc (two vertebrae up from the sacrum), and moderate cramping/locking in my upper back, around to the chest and intercostal muscles from a light disc herniation a few vertebrae below my neck. The middle of my back, the last thoracic vertebrae, is “rotated” to the left a few degrees in relation to the vertebrae above and below.
The cramping usually starts at the low back, spreads down my legs, then up through my middle, then upper, back. It’s not usually a muscle-locking sensation, but a painful semi-contraction. Starts out painful, then feels numb, then feels like any movement against the contraction is the exact opposite of the way I should be moving.
I’ve been to several doctors, had umpteen x-rays, physical exams, and something resembling an MRI. The answers I’ve gotten have all basically been: there are a few minor injuries and defects. Nothing surgery would be good for, and nothing medicine should be prescribed for. Stick to hot/cold showers, massage, chiropractic. Try to keep NSAIDS on hand. I was told NOT to stretch a muscle which was being fired by an impinged spinal nerve, but I don’t recall the exact reason why.
[quote]Vash wrote:
The answers I’ve gotten have all basically been: there are a few minor injuries and defects. Nothing surgery would be good for, and nothing medicine should be prescribed for. [/quote]
I had a back ache for literally 8 months straight and right now I am battling shoulder impingement in both shoulders since December so I know how frustrating stuff like this can be.
I heard that paragraph several times as well from doctors. I was so scared of working out all I did was go to the chiro and sit around waiting for things to magically happen. I think sitting around was my biggest mistake. I had some disc issues as well (nothing serious at all, wear and tear and slight herniation), but surgery was not required. One concern is the herniated disc in you thoracic spine (you said below your neck so I assume it is in your thoracic spine). I am not sure what the doctors said about this, but from what I have heard this sort of thing is not something to be taken lightly.
My chiropractor helped me tremendously, but then he referred me to physical therapy. I only go once a week to physical therapy now that I am getting stronger and my back aches are gone. I have not been to the chiro since December. Your chiropractor can only do so much for you before it is time to go to physical therapy. You should not have to rely on your chiropractor for life or a long period of time.
The only thing I would recommend is trying out physical therapy and experimenting on your own in the gym what you can and cannot do. Evaluate your weaknesses that may be causing problems and try to fix them. Once I stopped being so afraid of hurting myself even more I started to get better.