Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 6/8/2009

Question
Hello, I need help.  two years ago I awoke one morning with severe tension in  my neck.  I thought it would eventually go away so I waited.  I didnt see any results until about a year later when I finally started trying to fix it my self, as I cant afford a doctor visit.  I have fixed my posture, changed my shoes, I have always stretched regularly (I have always been in good physical condition up until this happened.  The inability to turn my head in any diriction more than a half inch caused me to quit working out alltogether, resulting in about 25 pounds gained!) Even though the pain is almost gone I am still virtually crippled, as I cannot do anything but lay in the floor.  i f I do anything (walk, sit, house work, a small amount of pushups to test my improvement) I find myself getting worse within hours.  Like I said seeing a doctor is not possible.  I am starting to lose my mind, even my grades have slipped do to the fact that I can not sit or stand for very long 30 min tops not to mention the fact that I cannot look down to read a book, I am forced to hold it over my face while laying down, which not only causes problems(I am guessing because I am using my back muscles to hold the books up.), but also triggers my narcolepsy(irrelevant to the issue  I realize, but frustrating none the less!)   My symptoms are as follows,  Awoke to find that entire back hurt, worst pain was in neck(couldnt look in any direction period), I noticed that as it started improving with changes in posture and shoes, it seemed to be sinking down to my lower back causing me to wonder if the lower back is where it originated, as it got better I felt more "loose" and started cracking my back from bottom to top(I have a little routine I am forced to do every hour or so.)  I dont know what caused it, like i said i have always been in good to great shape, virtually indestructable, then one morning two years ago my life flips upside down.  When it was at its worst I litteraly couldnt do ANYTHING without pain and or discomfort.  I think my extraordinary level of patience is waring thin.  Please any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hello Marc,


I am sorry to hear of your condition.

Please, do not 'shoot the messenger', but the message is- go get checked out.

TWO   YEARS   of pain.  Two years!?
Time to see a doctor.  

You cannot move your neck more then an inch or two?
Time to see a doctor.

You are a student?
go to the student health service.

You "changed my shoes"- got new shoes?
Time to see a doctor.

"....I am still virtually crippled...."
Time to see a doctor.   When you are flat on your back, crawl over to the phone, get an ambulance, go to the Emergency Room, get some Xrays, just get an E.R. Evaluation.


"....also triggers my narcolepsy...."
What DOCTOR diagnosed this?  What treatment(s) are you pursuing?
did you talk about your neck/ body problems with this doctor?

"....like i said i have always been in good to great shape, virtually indestructable, then one morning two years ago my life flips upside down. ....."- well what happened?  A car crash? a motor vehicle accident, a slip/ trip/ fall/ lift/ fight??
    What happened the night before you woke up- from being 'indestructable' to being a cripple?

TWO years?
Time to see a doctor.

Not getting better?, seems to be PROGRESSING?
Time to see a doctor.

Stretching is not going to cure or even manage your condition.
Time to see a doctor.

At the very worst,,,,, what dould it be?  I do not know?? cancer?- possibly-  won't know without an evaluation.

At the very least,,,, what could it be?  I do not know?? - something simple like a Vertebral Subluxation causing stiffness/ pain?  
possibly- won't know without an evaluation.

Info on the Subluxation that I hand out in my Staten Island Chiropractor office:





PAIN     

Pain  is a  ‘red light on the dashboard’.

Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   

Pain,  
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  

Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?


       NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.  These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.



Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.


Vertebral  Subluxation           (  ‘VSC’ ,    ‘subluxation’   )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for ‘Subluxation’. Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- ‘Subluxation’ – can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.


Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.


The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.


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.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.

       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.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
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Of note:

"Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,,,,"


Of note:
"Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?"   

*****or do you get it checked and correct the problem? *****


Please, do not shoot the messenger.

Please do not be upset with this answer.

Two Years,,, you could not save up some money to see a doctor?
Have you been out to eat?  Do you have an Ipod? (I don't).  

You are a student- you could not see student halth services?

I am a Doctor.

You write me as to TWO YEARS of UNEXPLAINED worsening pain,,,,
what can I say??? except----
Time to see a doctor.




Further information on the possibility of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex:





‘VSC’-  the    Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex     (aka:  the  “Subluxation”)

Many times a patient will come to the Doctor of Chiropractic – ‘…as a last resort…’,  often  after  ‘….everything else has been tried….’.  This is frustrating to the Doctor (the DC),  yet also satisfying.  Frustrating?, Satisfying?, ,,,why?-  Many times a symptom, an ache a pain, a condition can be caused by the ‘Subluxation’ – the ‘Chiropractic Lesion’.  Just as germs, the Virus or Bacteria- is the ‘medical lesion’ (- the MD looks for germs, the DC looks for subluxation).   Many times an unexplained condition, after exam after exam, blood tests, Xray, MRI, EKG, EMG, etc., etc., --- Chiropractic can help the patient.  Why- because only a Doctor of Chiropractic will check for subluxation- as well as run the ‘traditional’ tests.


           Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.


The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

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.



Subluxation  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:     The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  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.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
       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.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^



".....Please any help would be greatly appreciated....."

My best offer of help- please see a doctor and get to the bottom of your pain.  The possibilities run the gamut from innocuous to deadly.  Get to the bottom of your complaint.


Wish I could do better.

I hope my information helps.

Go Get Checked Out.

If you need further,,, do not hesitate to REcontact me here at
AllExperts.
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm



Wishing you Good Luck, Good Health and a quick recovery,
your Internet Chiropractic Staten Island Expert,


Dr. Victor Dolan, DC DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com - - -- - Email NewsLetter