Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 12/3/2009

Question
Dr. Gillman,

I had a bad chiropractic adjustment on August 27th of my left SI joint.  I went to another chiropractor who has performed 4 adjustments on me.  I am about 40% better, but am still having a lot of nerve like pain on the actual joint and in my left calf and foot.  I am also going to another therapist who has checked my muscles and is trained in ART.  She is helping me with the tissue damage.  My chiropractor told me that my sacrum is tilted to the right 4mm, but feels that I am in alignment (in terms of my spine) and thinks that I should lay off on the adjustments and just let my body heal.  He thinks that 4mm is minimal and no one is in perfect alignment.  

The symptoms that I still have consist of:  Nerve like pain in my calf, foot and left SI joint, sitting and standing for long periods is uncomfortable and minor lower back stiffness when sitting for long periods.  

In your opinion, how long does it take for an SI joint to completely heal and when and if it does completely heal, does the nerve like pain go awa?. I perform a stretch routine daily (given by physical therapist and some of Don Tigny's stretches-online research), I am getting soft tissue work done once a week and I walk daily for about 40 minutes.  I am determined to get better, as I am a healthy individual who wants to live a life pain free life.  I really appreciate your advice.  

Also, I live in California and it seems like none of the chiros that I have talked with over the phone believes/knows about the SI joint causing referred pain to the calf and foot. They all tell me it is from my L5S1 disc, even though it isn't based on their various tests and MRI findings.  Can you recommend anyone in northern California that is a good chiro?  I would really appreciate it.  

Answer
Michael J. Hubka, DC
2623 E. Foothill Blvd. #105
Pasadena, CA 91107
626-796-26391

California is a big state...  Is Pasadena close?   If you call Dr. Hubka, he will better be able to direct you to other DC's in your area.  Please mention my name.

'Best,

Dr. G