Expert: J.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C. - 10/15/2008

Question
i have a slight curvature of my spine which is about 4 inches from the bottom.it makes me feel as if i am leaning to the right. i went 3 times a week for about 5 weeks and no improvement. i am thinking of trying again and want to know if there is another way to straighten my spine without chiropractic and if not how many months should it take to get it right? i am thinking about a year. please advise.

Answer
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Hello J.,

Your question is what I like to call the “million-dollar question.”  There really is no way for me to know how you’re going to respond to chiropractic care.  Everyone’s body is uniquely different and responds in a different way.  However, there are couple suggestions I have to help you determine your best options.

First of all, if you’ve been going to the chiropractor for five weeks, three times per week, then you should at least feel some symptomatic improvement, if not structural.  If you haven’t noticed any symptomatic improvement after that much treatment, then it may be time to try another chiropractor, or at the very least, let your current chiropractor know how you are honestly doing.

There are a variety of reasons for abnormal curves in the spine.  Consequently, there are a variety of methods for treatment.  The possible causes and treatment options are too vast to mention here.  You mentioned your spine is leaning to the right.  Unfortunately, I would need to assess you and see your x-ray to determine the most likely cause for your curved structure.  Sometimes it’s an anatomical short let, muscle spasms, wedge-shaped vertebrae or other structural findings.  In order to be effective at correcting your curve, your doctor needs to best determine what is causing your curve.  If the cause can be correctly determined, then a successful treatment is that much more likely.  

When you look around for a chiropractor, perhaps you could go in for a few consultations with a few different chiropractors before undergoing a series of treatments.  Bring any x-rays you may have with you.  With over a hundred different chiropractic techniques, chiropractors vary dramatically in treatment styles, techniques, and philosophies.  Two chiropractors practicing the same technique may vary dramatically, with one chiropractor providing you no relief while the other one does.  It’s a hands-on profession, so there are many variables affecting care.  If you consult with a chiropractor that appears to correctly and confidently diagnose the cause of your curvature change, then this chiropractor may have more success treating you.  I would recommend seeing an orthopedic chiropractor.  These chiropractors typically have the title DACBO or FACO after the “D.C.”  You can look for these DC’s in your phone book.  There is also a technique that prides itself on curvature correction.  I am not necessarily endorsing this technique; I’m just informing you of it.  You can find more about this technique, Pettibon, here: http://www.pettibonsystem.com/

I hope this information helps you sort out your search a bit.  Best of luck, and be persistent in your search for finding a doctor you feel can truly help.

Dr. J.R. Strecker, D.C.