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Chiropractors/fracture?
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Question
Four days ago I banged my forehead while reaching into my van. When I hit my head, I felt my neck pop or snap. It hurt immediately. The next day the pain was severe. A chiropractor friend of a friend gave me two xrays (side view and front view). The worst pain is in lower neck near shoulders. There is a spot that is extremely painful to the touch (feels like the bone hurts, not muscle). There is also swelling in that area and muscle pain and tingling in neck, shoulders, and middle back. Also dizziness, headache, and nausea. The spot with most pain was not on the front view xray and there was too much swelling to see it on the side view of xray. Doc looked at xrays briefly and said I have whiplash. I can somewhat function normally with pain while taking 800 mg ibupropen. Without ibupropen the pain gets extremely severe. Is it possible that that chiropractor missed a fracture?
Chel,
You have classic symptoms of neck sprain/strain and mild concussion, very similar to whiplash. The irritated neck joints refer to the upper back by your shoulder blade. The rattling of your brain against your skull also causes the dizziness and nausea. While it is possible for xrays to miss a fracture, and CT or MRI can detect it, it is very likely not necessary. If two doctors don't think you have a fracture, you likely just need some treatment by the chiropractor. Ibuprophen doesn't fix this...
'Hope this helps.
Dr. G
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Chiropractors
Answers by Expert:
- Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP
- Dr. Paul Newhart
- Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
- Dr. Brendon J. O`Brien, D.C.
- Gerald Anzalone, D.C.
- David Kulla, DC
- Robert A. Arnone, DC
- Keith E. Biggs, DC
- John Quackenbush DC
- Dr. Timothy K. Durnin
- Dr. Man Tran, Ph.D., D.C., L.Ac.
- Timothy A. Peck, DC
- J.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C.
- Dr. Nekessa Remy
Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP
Expertise
21 Years in practice: I can answer any question regarding chiropractic and sports medicine treatment. Mostly, I can help the unknowing public understand what is safe, valid, reasonable and evidence-based, and what kinds of unscrupulous chiropractors and fraudulent methods to stay away from. I have an advanced specialty degree in Chiropractic Sports Medicine. I have experience treating elite and Olympic athletes.
Experience
Experience:
- 21 years in practice;
- Pan American Games, 2011: Official Medical Staff for the Pan Am Games.
- Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: World Olympians Associan and International Sports Chiropractic Association Healthcare Team;
- International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma;
- Official Provider: Jamaican Track and Field team for Penn Relays (2009-2011)
- Experience with USA Gymnastics Healthcare team and International Powerlifting Association Medical Staff;
- 300 hour chiropractic sports medicine diplomate degree (DACBSP); International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma (ICSSD)
- Healthcare Consultant: Century, Ty-Wood Corp. Holliston, MA (2005-2007)
- Team Chiropractor: Boston Bulldogs USL D-3 & Boston Renegades USL W-1 League (1999-2004)
- Independent Examiner: Scope Medical and The Physician's Network
- Professional/Clinical Monitor: Affiliated Monitors, Inc.
- Board of Directors: MetroWest Chamber of Commerce (Massachusetts)2000-2006
- "The Impact of Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy on Chronic Recurrent Lateral Ankle Sprain Syndrome in Two Young Athletes" J. of Chiro Med , Fall 2004
- "Work Related Injury;" The Hanover Report, June, 1993
- "Long Lasting Analgesic Effect of Oxymorphonazine in Rats;" Agonists and Antagonists III, n.7675, 1985
- BS Biology, Doctor of Chiropractic: Northwestern College of Chiropractic,
- Diplomate: American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP)
Education/Credentials
Doctor of Chiropractic Diplomate: American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians
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