Expert: Robert A. Arnone, DC - 12/23/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have been going to my chiro for two months now and I think she great.
However, two weeks ago, she was doing this adjustment on me (I lay on the table on my side, my bottom leg is straight while my top leg is bent and she kinda cranks the bent leg up and down until there is a little crack/release in the lower part of my spine-then I flip over and she does the other side) and something went wrong. I got off the table and felt this sahrp pain in the lower left hand side of my back, right above my left buttock.
Fast forward two weeks and it has gotten a little better but has not gone away. My concern here is not that it is something too serious (as I believe it is just a muscle pull) but that I am going on a 5 day snowboarding trip this coming Friday and I am terrified that I am not going to be healed by then.
She tells me to stretch every day and ice the area as much as possible. However, I feel like the stretching is making it worse as im in more pain afterwards and the following morning. I stretched quite a bit last night and now I have some tingling/numbness in my left buttock muscle. My girlfriend-who is a Broadway dancer-says to never stretch a pulled muscle; that I should just leave it be for 3-5 days and ice it.

What are the ideal things to do to help this thing heal quicker? I will do ANYTHING to speed up the process so that I can go on this vacation.

Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!

Best,

Avi

ANSWER: AVI,
This is the problem that I have with general chiropractors, there is usually the case of overadjusting.  How did your chiropractor KNOW that you needed to be manipulated?  And how did your chiro KNOW that you needed to be turned over and manipulated again?
In our clinic we use Digital Infrared Imaging Pattern Work which proves if there is nervous system interference and the patient needs to be adjusted or if they are holding the correction from last visit and need to be left alone.
Do you always get manipulated when you go there?  If so, that is a sure sign that you are being overadjusted which will certainly cause problems.
Well what can you do now, I would say being left alone for awhile would be a great start. Rest would be the best thing as opposed to ice and stretching.  But, it may come down to having yourself evaluated by a qualified doctor of chiropractic who scientifically measures to see if you need an adjustment or not.  Your girlfriend seems smarter than your chiro, but if your body is showing an inflammatory response it should be allowed to run its course as opposed to being shut down with ice.
I can try and find you a good chiro by tonite if possible so you can get checked out and hopefully still salvage your snowboarding trip.  Just tell me your town, and state including the nearest 2 big cities to you.

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert A. Arnone
711 Old Ballas Road Suite 104
St Louis, MO 63141
314.995.5719
www.GetWellSTL.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Robert,
Thanks so much for the speedy response.
I have to say in my chiro's defense-she has been fantastic. She does maybe one or two adjustments per session, but the majority of my hour session is myofascial work/massage and she uses this anti-inflammatory laser device on my right wrist.
I think she just may have cranked me too hard this one time...
I live in New York City, zip code: 10010.
Anywhere in Manahttan for me is accessible.
Thanks so much for your help,
Avi

Answer
AVI,
I am sorry, I did not mean to be so harsh, I am sure that she is nice and means well.  I have a very good doctor for you in Howard Beach, and he would certainly be my first recommendation for you.  If that is not feasible for you then I recommend the second Doctor.  Either one of these gentlemen have the ability to change your life forever.  Here is the information, please let me know how things turn out, I would like to have some feedback from your experience.  
All the Best in LIFE,
Dr Robert A. Arnone
Doctor of Specific Chiropractic
St Louis, MO

Dr. Robert Gucciardo  
(718) 845 2323
Gucciardo Specific Chiropractic  
162 07 91st Street  
Howard Beach, NY 11414
www.gucciardospecificchiro.com


Dr Patrick Kerr  
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