Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 10/4/2008

Question
I crushed my rib cage on Left side fracturing 4 ribs on L, shattering the 5&6 rib and fracturing 2 ribs on right.  My chiropractor has used the Activator in some areas of the chest on me, after he does this treatment, I get swelling and lumps where he used the Activator, and also blocks of pain for up to 2-3 days following treatment.  My question, is this Normal to experience?  Should I not allow this treatment anymore.  It's very concerning to me when my chiro can not answer these questions for me.  Sometimes the pain from the Activator is so bad it can have me in tears.  It did work very well for me on the knee area to straighten the length of my legs. I've had 3 surgeries on ribs trying to reduce constant pain, last surgery was a nerve autograph{transplant} using the sciatica nerve from both legs. Unfortunately surgery did not work.  I have extensive nerve and muscle damage in the chest area as a result of injury.  I'm scared this Activator could be causing me more harm than help.  My injury is very rare, most don't survive this type of injury and I don't need or want problems later due to the use of the Activator.  I have alot of scare tissue in chest area due to fall, injury, and surgeries. Could using the Activator in these areas be cause of swelling and lumps left after use every time?  Any recommendations or comments welcomed. I won't allow Activator use anymore, but my Dr. can't seem to resist.

Answer
Hello Lynn,

Sorry to hear of your condition.

Sorry to hear of your reaction to treatment.

Chiropractic can sometimes cause soreness--- the kind you get after exercise, or a new workout routine.

Chiropractic may rarely cause mild or minimal and short-lived discomfort,,,, not really pain.

If you have felt pain a few times after the same chiropractic routine, tell your doctor.  Your Doctor of Chiropractic has many treatment options available.  A painful technique can be modified, or another technique applied.  If your doctor does not listen to you. Go get another doctor.

Gentler techniques exist.  Support through bracing or taping could be helpful.  I utilize kinesiotaping in my office.  This should be dicussed with your doctor. Kinesiotaping is very successful for conservative treatment and support in my Staten Island Chiropractic office.

You sound very inflammed.  Besides the chiropractic manipulations and supportive kinesiotaping procedures and adjunctive physiotherapy; anti-inflammatory nutrition should be helpful.  Proteolytic enzymes, omega 3 essential fatty acids could be helpful to you.


Your doctor's techniques hurt you?, Talk to the doctor.  The doctor does not alter techniques?, then you alter doctors--- go to someone else.

Live an anti-inflammatory lifestyle and support your healing with appropriate nutrients.

Thank you for your question.  If further is necessary, do not hesitate to  re- contact me here at AllExperts.com  
( http://allexperts.com/user.cgi?m=4&expID=100794&catID=965 ).

I wish you good luck and Good Health Naturally!  Your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com    (email newsletter)