Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 7/14/2008

Question
Hey!
Well I have had back problems for a while, since I have played sports my whole life.  About two months ago I hurt it from lifting chemicals at my dad's pool store.  So I went to the chiropractor and they got me fixed up.  Well yesterday I tried to move my tv and I think i messed my back up again.  This week I cannot make it to the doctor and was wondering what I can do to help it.  It is to the point where it hurts when I breathe and cannot move all that great.  Everything is uncomfortable!  I have been icing like they did. Do you have any suggestions?  Anything will help.  Thanks!

               -Kerri

Answer
Back Pain, back problems for a while, lifting injury, low back pain, herniated disc, sciatica, back spasm,

Hello Kerri,

Sorry to hear of your back pain.

You had had back problems 'for a while'.  The Doctor of Chiropractic helped you out (got you out of pain) fairly quickly.

Seems like Chiropractic was a good thing to do for your back pain.

But,

You may have done what many patients do; when the pain ends, so does their treatment.

Among my friends I joke that I am a magician:  as soon as the pain goes away, my patients disappear !

Unfortunately pain is the last thing that comes in a problem,,, and the first thing that goes away in a problem.  If you only focus on pain, you will never correct the underlying problem, and the pain will return.

Okay, what can you do now ? ! ?

Ice. relative rest. swim.

Ice the area 15 minutes on, a half hour off- follow instructions below.

Rest, not bedrest, but do less then you usually do.

Swim.  -  nice recommendation in July !,, By 'swim', I do not mean do laps.  I do mean:  get into the backyard pool, walk around, float around, let the filter inlet hit you wear it hurts.  The coolness will help, the movement while 'weightless' will be helpful, the massage from the filter will be helpful.

Sit in hard chairs, buttocks back against the chair, feet flat on floor.

Bend your knees when you cough or sneeze.

Sleep on your back or side, knees bent.

Bending your knees keeps pressure out of the back.

After doing these things.

See your local Doctor of Chiropractic beyond the pain phase.
see the following information handouts I utilize in my Staten Island Chiropractic Office.

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P.R.I.C.E. =    P  protection.   R rest.   I  ice.   
C  compression.   E  elevation.

Hurt  yourself ??  injury/ trauma/  bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??

You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be looked at if you think it is bad enough.    BUT in the meantime, some simple steps may help. PRICE.

The  PRICE  protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.

P = Protection;  protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you  pad  or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !

R = Rest;  rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to repair the area

I = Ice;  ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control  (ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the  injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again

C = Compression;  to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area.  Many body  parts may not be applicable to compression.

E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the  heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part

PRICE  may  help :    Sprains,  Strains,  musculo-skeletal injury,  bruise,  contusion

Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain.  Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction).  In the spine, a sprain/strain  is a misalignment,  a ‘kink’ in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.   Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!

         Spinal = Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)  ;   ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.  Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint.  CORRECT the subluxation !!!!

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What ? ! ,  I have to brush my teeth!?,,, after EVERY meal ! ? ,,, For the REST of my life ! ? ! ...  I don’t  want  to.  period.  I won’t.  To heck with it !  If I get a hole (cavity),  THEN  I’ll take care of  it.   Maybe I won’t get any cavities anyway…..

              It  took  the  American Dental Association YEARS to educate people that they should brush frequently to avoid dental disease.  It has taken YEARS to educate patients that visits to the Dentist for hygiene, cleanings, flossing, coatings, etc.  are  necessary to PREVENT  dental problems.  Some people still do not floss after every meal, some do not even brush often enough  (yyyuuukkkk),  so some people still have severe dental problems  despite  all  the  knowledge  about   PREVENTION   and  dental  health maintenance  that  is  out   there.     Can  you  believe  it  ?? !!

              Some people have the same problem with  PREVENTATIVE  Spinal  Health
that  used to  exist with preventative dental health.  Some people come to the Doctor of Chiropractic and say, ‘...do not adjust me, just give me therapy...’;  some people say,
‘...What ? ! , I have to practice SPINAL HYGIENE !?!, (practice proper postures, proper movement patterns, and  see  the  Chiropractor  periodically !?!),  Naahh, ... I  don’t
want to. period.  I won’t.  To heck with it!  When I get PAIN,  then  I’ll take care of it.

(  pain is often the LAST symptom to appear-  whether a cavity or a heart attack !  yet the underlying problem has been BUILDING UP FOR YEARS)

              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex can be the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.  A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates  all   function  within  the  body)  and may cause various other conditions,  symptoms and problems.

This  (Subluxation)  is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

      Spinal Kinesiopathology,   Neuropathophysiology,   Myopathology,   Histopathology,  Pathophysiology.  
 
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, massage, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.
             Chiropractic  corrects  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.
You  cannot be ‘healthy’ if you have a Subluxation.  You MAY feel it, with a pain, stiffness, or a ‘kink’ in your neck/ back.  You may NOT  even feel it-
just as people often do not feel the cavity growing in their tooth,,,, until it hits the nerve; or you may not feel it at all, like people do not feel high blood pressure or diabetes until AFTER damage has been done!!  PREVENTION-  Visit the Doctor of Chiropractic REGULARLY,,, just like your dentist!  (practice spinal hygiene as you do dental hygiene  -PREVENTION!-

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I utilize these handouts, and I think they are appropriate for your question/ condition.

I hope this helps.

Your Staten Island Chiropractor signing off, wishing you good luck and Good Health Naturally !!

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://www.DocDolan.net
Http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com      (email newsletter)