Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 8/17/2010

Question
While helping my husband move a refrigerator, I experienced excruciating pain
and felt a loud snapping noise in my lower back.  The horrible pain did
subside, but I am still in pain (day later).  If this is a compression fracture, I
know rest is really the only way to get better.  Do I need to see a Dr?  I hada
muscle relaxer and only felt weak afterwards, Vicadin did help my pain.

Answer
back pain, staten island back pain, excruciating pain, compression fracture, subluxation, staten island vertebral subluxation, staten island chiropractic, doctor of chiropractic, pain medications, vicodin, staten island herniated disc, muscle relaxants, staten island muscle relaxant,




Hello Carole,


I am sorry to hear of your pain.  I hope your pain is rapidly decreasing.

Thank you for your question, good luck in resolving the pain AND the underlying condition- the underlying CAUSE of the pain!

"......While helping my husband move a refrigerator, I experienced excruciating pain
and felt a loud snapping noise in my lower back.......", thank you for your vivid description!  Very often in the chiropractic office, we hear stories JUST LIKE THIS - '....I was moving something heavy- I felt a pull, felt a snap, heard a crack, heard a snap....' !!
         Although this is a VERY common presentation to the Doctor of Chiropractic,,,,, the description only helps minimally: a physical examination HAS to be performed to make a proper diagnosis.
         Even with this excellent description, this could be ANYTHING from a compression fracture, to a herniated disc, to a muscle pull, to a vertebral subluxation.
         The longer your pain stays, the more intense the pain, the more limiting the pain,,,, the more likely the more severe diagnoses becomes.  Back pain is VERY tricky, pain may decrease rapidly, and even disappear- and yet a serious condition could remain.  This serious condition could remain quiet until a new (even minor) incident re-activates the pain.

         I do recommend you see a local health professional, whether a medical doctor (MD) or a chiropractic doctor (DC), either could give an appropriate examination and recommend an appropriate plan of care.  Me, being a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), and your complaint being a 'back pain', I would highly recommend seeing the local DC.

Chiropractors deal with back and neck pain all day, every day.  We can treat many problems conservatively, non-invasively, naturally- without the risk of drugs or the risks of surgery.  If the examination shows certain conditions, the DC can refer you to an appropriate specialist; orthopedist, neurologist, or neurosurgeon.

Your 'snap' may have already remissed in it's pain, or may still be there or even worsening.  If you are having any pain- I recommend getting a health professional's examination to rule out that compression fracture, herniated disc, and differentiate between a vertebral subluxation, muscle pull, radiculopathy, etc.

"....The horrible pain did
subside, but I am still in pain (day later). ...", again, pain may be decreasing and yet an underlying serious condition could still be in place.
         Don't you want to get to the bottom of this pain?, Don't you want to prevent this from happening again?, Don't you want to stop a possibly painless, yet serious condition from progressing into something worse?; see a local Doctor (of Chiropractic, of Medicine).

"....If this is a compression fracture, I
know rest is really the only way to get better.....", a diagnosis of compression fracture opens MANY questions.  Why do you jump to this possiblity?,- have you had compression fractures in the past?, do you smoke?, are you fair skinned?, Thyroid problems?, have you been told you are osteoporotic?, have you had bone density tests?, how old are you?, are you on any medications that cause osteoporosis/ osteopenia?, does your family have a history of compression fracture?
         IF this is a compression fracture?!- you have to do something to minimize the risks of future fractures!!!, IF this is a compression fracture is it due to some PATHOLOGY that must be addressed?,  MOST compression fractures in the spine are stable and do not require much attention,,,, BUT they are painful for 6, 8, 10 weeks,,,, AND they indicate a need for some type of attention- not so much for THIS fracture, but to prevent future compresion fractures.

You ask, "....Do I need to see a Dr?....";
my answer (especially with you talking about the possiblity of a
compression fracture,,,),,,
my answer is
YES, see a local Doctor (of Chiropractic or of Medicine).

".....I hada
muscle relaxer and only felt weak afterwards, Vicadin did help my pain.....", these medications will COVER UP the problem, and reduce your pain, but may allow a condition to progress and worsen.  Get to the bottom of it, see a health professional and get to the root cause.

Your question allows me to give you much background information.  In my Staten Island Chiropractic practice I give out sheets of information to my patients, this info may be helpful to you now, or in the future:


#1) - be CAREFUL  about  pain  medications:

PAIN           

Pain  is a  ‘red light on the dashboard’.   
RED  LIGHT  =   Trouble !!

Pain  is  your  body  telling  you  that  something  is  wrong.   Think  you  should  listen??

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?


Pain  Killing  medication???  =    16,000  deaths   ( probably  under-reported )

                         DEATH ! ? ! ?    better   watch  out  on  those  medications!!!  

        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) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468   Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001)  Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS

      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.

http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-...
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together.    BE  CAREFUL  WITH  THAT  MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html


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

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;   Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, 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 , Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to  Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010 , Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis)


I hope that information above explains the danger of taking drugs, particularly for an undiganosed pain!


My Staten Island Back Pain patients often come to me 'as a last resort'- which is frustrating (because many times they could have been helped weeks, months even YEARS previously), but satisfying because often safe, non-invasive chiropractic care resolves their pain:



‘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



Your 'snap' could be anything, perhaps your pain is caused by a vertebral subluxation- described above!


Perhaps next time you lift heavy- this could be helpful to you:

P.R.I.C.E. =    P  protection.   R rest.   I  ice.   C  compression.   E  elevation.


Hurt  yourself ??  injury/ trauma/  bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??

You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined  if you think it  is  bad  enough.     BUT  in  the  meantime,  some  simple  steps  may  help.   

PRICE.


The  PRICE  protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.

P = Protection;  protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
     pad  or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !

R = Rest;  rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
       repair the area

I = Ice;  ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
     (ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
     injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again ( please do NOT use heat, heat adds to edema->
                 heat feels good while it is on,,,, and often makes the condition WORSE after you take heat off )

C = Compression;  to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
      if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area.  Many body
      parts may not be applicable to compression.

E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
      heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part


PRICE  may  help :    Sprains,  Strains,  musculo-skeletal injury,  bruise,  contusion
Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain.  Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction).  In the spine, a sprain/strain  is a misalignment,  a ‘kink’ in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.   Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!

         Spinal = Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)  ;   ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
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.
This 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:
         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.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          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.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.  Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint.  CORRECT the subluxation !!!!


Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, 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


My Staten Island Workers Compensation patients find that one helpful.


Well, I hope the above information helps you.  If you need further, do not hesitate to RE-contact me here at ALLexperts.com:
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

Thak you for your question, your Staten Island Chiropractic Expert,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP