Chiropractors/Chronic Pain

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 5/6/2008


Question
I am a 39 year old female.  I was diagnosed with Lupus 6 years ago.  I fell down some stairs 2 years ago and fractured 2 vertebrae.  Over the last 6 months I have had chronic neck/shoulder pain.  I also have noticed a major weakness in my grip on my right side.  I get arm tremors often.  My right leg around my knee area hurts chronically - I limp quite a bit.  The area of my neck and shoulder is swollen and hot to the touch.  The neck/shoulder pain I have had for about 10 years.  I have seen a chiropractor previously and we did manipulations for about 5 months - have also had physical/massage therapy on the area.  It is to the point now that I am in constant pain - I am having difficulty walking for long periods of time and walking up stairs is a nightmare.  Thanks for any ideas you can generate.

Answer
Dear Paula,

You have a ton of things going on, and I just don't have the time it will take to address them all in a cohesive and complete manner without some more information.  So please narrow this down for me.  Are you just wanting some advice about the neck area and the associated arm issue?  The knee?  Any other medical diagnoses given besides the lupus issue?

Can you give me any information on previous musculoskeletal diagnosis in the neck or knee areas from the chiropractor, or any other doctor you have seen?  Do you have any x-ray information you can tell me about.  It would be a big help for me to generate a detailed answer.  Let me know and I will get back with you ASAP.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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