|
QUESTION:
Last May I pulled a muscle in my back, and I have had minor to
moderate pain ever since. I've been doing physical therapy on and off
for the past year. Granted, I haven't been really "good" about doing
my excersizes, but I haven't seemed to improved, and now my hip and
occasionally upper leg is beginning to bother me too, especially after
long drives. This is very scary to me, because I'm only 22.
Initially, I asked what I could do other than physical therapy to
help, and both the doctor and physical therapist said pretty much
"nothing." They said I didn't dislocate a disk or anything, so I
should work on stretching and strengthening.
In the past month or so, on the tip of a friend I've started going
to a massage therapist when I feel tight, and it has helped
Tremendously. All of a sudden, I don't have to worry about "Will I be
able to do such and such if I have a flare-up?" since I can just go to
the massage therapists. Also, I've discovered that swimming does
immediate short-term Wonders for my back as well, and I discovered
that on my own too.
So my question is: What else might I be missing (besides a
helpful physical therapist!)? Specifically, I'm wondering about
chiropractors? acupuncture? and rolfing? Could any of these end up
being harmful? At this point, I'm willing out
pay out of pocket for any treatment.
ANSWER:
I started seeing a chiropracter at age 49 after dealing with pain
flare-ups in my back and neck for years. I will NEVER go to a regular MD
again!
Look at it this way:
Chiropracters are specially trained in the neck and back, and related
pains. They don't prescribe pain pills, which only dull the pain
temporarily. They don't do surgery. They don't try to scare you. They
simply make you feel better. And it feels good while they are doing it.
|