Chiropractors/Bulging disc (Lower Back)

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 3/19/2009


Question
I was in an accident a few months ago (January 09)a side swipe accident and after a few days I started feeling excruciating pain in my lower back, I was diagnosed with bulging discs, Can this condition be as a result of this accident? Or is it possible that I had the condition before with no symptoms? Also can Spinal Decompression be the right aid for my bulging disc problem?

Answer
Dear Stacy,

Both situations are possible here...the disc bulges could have been there before the crash and made worse (symptomatic), or they could have been caused by the crash.  There is really no way to opine on this without a previous imaging study without disc bulges.

However, on a brighter note, being in a sideswipe type of crash is actually preferred to a frontal, rear, or direct side impact crash due to the fact that there is less energy transfer into the vehicle, and this means less energy transfer into your body = less injury.

Now, if you did have a direct side impact, then throw that out the window.  Side impacts are responsible for higher amounts of low back injuries than front or rear impacts.

Irregardless, decompression is a good therapy to explore.  I really like the technology, but I do not like some of the slick marketing campaigns and high costs.  So make sure that you seek out the care of a professional who know how to utilize the machines well, and is not charging you $5,000-$6,000 dollars for just a decompression program.  If that includes physical rehabilitation as well and all diagnostic care, exams, etc... then okay, but if you are just getting straight decompression you should not pay more than $3,000.  If you can find a clinic who has been trained through the Kennedy Decompression technique, this would be the best.  

Check them out at www.KennedyTechnique.com
Hope this helps Stacy...Good Luck.

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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