AboutJ. Shawn Leatherman, DC, CCST, CCSP 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, 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 1000 hours of post-doctoral training including; Certifications in Spinal Trauma/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego and 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 proceedures 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. I treat accident victims in my clinic on a daily basis, and constantly stay abreast of the current research. Please visit my website for more information: www.suncoasthealthcare.net
Organizations International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, 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, The Better Business Bureau Of Northwest Florida
Education/Credentials B.A. (Psychology) from The University of Cincinnati, B.S. (Human Biology)& D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) from Cleveland Chiropractic College, C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma) from The International Chiropractic Association, C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician) from The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.
Question In August 2008 I twisted my spine in two places (1 lumber, 1 T8)while lying on the floor and twisting my upper body to do an exercise (incorrectly). This was put right by an Osteopath but left me firstly with a feeling as if part of my spine was protruding - noticeable when sitting against a chair back - which developed into a burning pain. Over time this was relieved by exercises and ultrasound but I could still feel a pain in T8 when bending over fully. Unfortunately in April of this year while gardening I had a facet joint move in the T3-5 area which again was put right by an Osteopath. However, when this was done instead of a gentle pooping noise under manipulation there was a very very loud popping noise which I immediately questioned but was told it was not unusual. Within hours I had significant pain in the T8 area and after having treatment 1 week later the pain got worse and I started to have pain in the coxis area. I have not injured the coxis but there is clear pain and discomfort. I have taken Naproxen for several weeks to no avail, have had an MRI which has confirmed there are no injuries to either the discs or facet joints, and have had X-rays to confirm no fractures anywhere. If I bend forward I will inflame whatever is wrong with my back and my coxis will hurt too.I am told by the spinal consultant that it is a soft tissue problem, maybe ligaments or muscle but he has no idea why my coxis hurts.
Answer Dear Steve,
First, the manipulative treatment by the osteopath sounds appropriate from the diagnoses and symptoms that you have given. The loudness of the sound is not an indication of anything more than the speed in which gas escapes the joint capsules that surround the facet joints in the spine. So it has no real bearing, but if he manipulated the spine forcefully at the T3-5 location, this can often result in an increase of pain in that area, but should only last a few days...this is actually very common. However, you may have needed to be manipulated at T8 as well. Now continued pain in that area can be due to muscular strain, capsular strain or lingering inflammation around the joint.
From what you have described, I am not really sure why your coccyx hurts either...there doesn't seem to be any mechanism of injury in that area. The only thing that would make any sense here is that the outer covering of the spinal cord (A.K.A. thecal sac/meninges) was stressed or inflamed causing the continued pain in that area, and that can result in coccyx pain due to the fact that that the thecal sac is attached at the coccyx. This is the same mechanism of why women who have an epidural shot at can get birth get severe headaches...due to this meningeal irritation.
The above does make some sense because when you bend forward and the spine flexes, the meningeal covering get stretched and if they are irritated in those area, pain can result. However, meningeal irritation is not a common thing to happen,and it would be a very rare complication of spinal manipulation. Now...a more likely scenario is that the ligamentous attachments around the spine are inflamed red, and ligamentous injuries take a long time to heal due to their deficient supply.
Either way here...both of the above scenarios should be self limited. I would suggest that you go back to the Osteopath and have him evaluate the movements of the spine first and manipulate what needs to be addressed then assess for ligamentous injury...they proabably won't do anything for that though, and time may be your best asset other than heat for flexibility and ice to reduce inflammation and pain. Good Luck.
Respectfully,
Dr. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net
