Chiropractors/granddaughter

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Expert: - 8/7/2008


Question
My 15 year old granddaughter has a hump at the top of her back, right a the back of the neck. I have looked at Cushings Disease info, but she has no other symptoms, other than she is about 15-20 lbs overweight. She has had this hump since she was about 6-7 yrs old, has been checked by the MD and seen by a chiropractor. There has been no concern. She is aware of it and bothers her. What are treatments?  Any help is appreciated. Thank you, Mollie

Answer
cushings disease, kyphosis, humpback, cervical curve, thoracic curve,

Hello Mollie,

If you and your granddaughter are concerned, it is a concern.

Second opinions are valuable.  A different set of eyes sometimes sees different things.

First, you mention cushings; has your MD and/ or your DC addressed this concern specifically with you?- have they evaluated for that possibility?

Then, your granddaughter is overweight; are you attempting to work on that?  Exercise, avoid processed fast 'teenage' foods- could help the distribution of her body weight as well as make her healthier overall.

Then, the mechanical aspect of the 'humpback' or 'hunchback'.  I trust the Doctor of Chiropractic has taken appropriate Xrays as well as performed physical exam.  We view postural aberrations more seriously then other professions.  A metaphor we use every day is-
'As the twig is bent, so grows the tree'.  If your granddaughter has an observable hump or hunch--- it should be treated while she is young, flexible, fixable.  I would visit a second doctor for another chiropractic opinion.

A simple stretch exercise that I recommend to my patients, of any age, to prevent progression of thoracic kyphosis is:
--- roll up a towel,  place upon the floor or a FIRM bed, lay upon the towel on your back, place the apex of the curve upon the towel, lay back, relax, let your spine drop (droop) over the towel, breath, relax and let the shoulders drop back; stay for a few minutes; stretch like this a couple of times per day.

If you are concerned,,, get answers.  If you are concerned, get a second opinion. If you are concerned, it is a concern.

If the second opinions concur with your current doctors, then you may be overly cautious with your granddaughter--- but get different eyes to take a look and assuage or confirm your concerns.

I hope this helps.
I wish you luck and Good Health Naturally.
Your Staten Island Chiropractor signing off,

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

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Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP

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Staten Island Chiropractor Dr. Victor Dolan | 718-981-9755 | www.drvictordolan.net | www.statenislandchiropractor.com | Nutrition, Sciatica, Headache, Neck Pain, Back Pain, Herniated Disc, Workers Compensation, Auto Accident Claims, Vertebral Subluxation Complex, Muscle Spasm

Experience

Palmer College Graduate 1983; Thirty years in practice in my hometown of Staten Island, New York. Expert in Neuro-musculo-skeletal complaints. Utilizing techniques such as Chiropractic via Palmer Package, Diversified, Thompson, SOT, Activator, Manipulation Under Anesthesia and Nutritional Guidance. I am also a Certified Nutritionist.

Organizations
Pi Kappa Chi Alumni Association President; PKX Alumni Brother of the Year; Knights of Columbus Masons; Ancient Order of Hibernians

Publications
American Public Health Association (2003) - Oral Presentation

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science (cum laude) Wagner College 1979; Doctorate of Chiropractic (cum laude) Palmer Chiropractic 1983; Licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, New Jersey (38MC00634000) & New York (X3567); Diplomat, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician - A.C.A./New York Chiropractic College (1986); Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians (1996); Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management (1998); Certified Personal Fitness Trainer; Certified Emergency Medical Technician - New York State and National Registry; Certified Manipulation Under Anesthesia (1998); Certified Clinical Nutritionist - International & American Assoc. of Clinical Nutrition (1999)

Awards and Honors
Prevention Magazine – Award for Chiropractic Excellence 1998; Chief of Chiropractic - Doctors Hospital - New York 1997; SICTV NOVA (Notable, Outstanding Video Achievement Award) - Award for Most Popular Series (1996/1997/1998); Volunteer Heart Resuscition Unit - Commendation for Meritorious Service (1994); SICTV NOVA (Notable, Outstanding Video Achievement Award) - Best Health Series (1994); Staten Island Richmond Lions - Melvin Jones Fellowship Award (1993); Pi Kappa Chi - Alumni Fraternity Brother of the Year (1987/1988); American Public Health Association (2003); American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians Symposium Presentation - Adolescent Athletic Injury (2004)

Past/Present Clients
Doctors Hospital of Staten Island - Chief of Chiropractic (1997-2001); Curtis High School Football (1988 to present)- New York City PSAL Football CHAMPION (2007)

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