Chiropractors/Pelvis adjustment

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Expert: - 10/24/2008


Question
Hello,
I have a question regarding a 'technique' used this week by my chiropractor to adjust my pelvis. The doctor asked me to lay on my back (front up) and to lift my left leg up (which was quite awkward) and then repeated this for the right side. As a result he said he need to do adjust my pelvis. This resulted in him feeling from my hip to the point about a cm in from where my underwear mets my thigh (or there abouts) and there he applied pressure. He repeated the same on the other side and must have noticed my surprise. I have only had 2 months experience visiting a chiropractor (for lower back problems - disc related) and consequently am not sure exactly what's protocol and acceptable and what's not. I asked exactly what he was 'adjusting' and he explained that it was not an external prob but 'internal'?? (sorry I'm not sure of the correct terminology or words he said, but this is what I understood) and so that's why he had to address it from the front rather than the back. At the time I didn't feel it was 'inappropriate' but talking to others makes me question it. Please, any explanation would be of help. Thank-you :)

Answer
Kat,

It sounds like he was putting pressure on the psoas muscle or its tendon, or possibly on the front of the hip joint.  Yes, it is close to your groin, and at best he should have told you exactly what he was going to touch and do in advance.   Ask him to explain, exactly, what he is doing and exactly how it is supposed to work.   If you get a weird answer, then get out of that weird office and see a modern, evidence-based doctor of chiropractic.  There are lots of standard methods to "adjust" the pelvis, and that's not one of them.

'Regards,

Dr. G

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Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP

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21 Years in practice: I can answer any question regarding chiropractic and sports medicine treatment. Mostly, I can help the unknowing public understand what is safe, valid, reasonable and evidence-based, and what kinds of unscrupulous chiropractors and fraudulent methods to stay away from. I have an advanced specialty degree in Chiropractic Sports Medicine. I have experience treating elite and Olympic athletes.

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