spinal adjustment questions?
139732
The chiropractic spinal adjustment is a vague entity. I have a chiropractic doctorate but I am abivalent about the value of this  profession. I find so many of my patients coming from other chiropractors with so many odd explanations for and violent methods of care, honestly I am often embarrased to be considered a chiropractor. Still, at it's heart chiropractic is the best model of healing I know of, and I am quite proud of what I do and the results I get. I've saved countless people from pain and spinal surgery, and helped others heal considerable 'incurable' issues. \n\nChiropractic is very unstandardized, so every chiropractor will offer something different. Basically most chiropractors over simplify their practices and model what they do as unblocking the nerves that come out of the spine. This is very rare that a nerve is so blocked or pinched that it is 'squeezed' coming out of the spine. What is really going on is that information the nervous system is picking up and relaying to the brain is getting 'jammed' and lost in the jumble of the body's functions and general stress levels. Most people have bones out of 'alignment' not by way of trauma (like car accidents), but by way of being overwelmed by metabolic stress (ex: too much sugar, not enough minerals, extreme mental stress) and the these 'misalignments' act as temporary 'fuse breakers'. The problem is that after these stresses reduce, the spinal 'fuse' stays switched off and the person maintains a physiology of high level stress no matter what goes on, how they eat, rest, etc.\n\nGood chiropractic spinal adjustments actually increase communication from the periphery into the brain so the brain can then create better signals through the outgoing nervous system. The chiropractors who can do this are like gold, because they not only activate very efficient healing states on a physical level - but they also allow sensations assiciated with food choices, emotional needs, mental ideas and repressed body/mind issues come to full consciousness. As it was explained to be Donald Epstein, in my opinion the greatest living chiropractor, chiropractic began as a 'consciousness delivery system' - not unlike Christian Science.\n\nDonald Epstein has developed 'Network Spinal Analysis' and the chiropractors who study this are the only chiropractors I welcome to adjust my spine.\n\nAnd a word for people who are encouraged to be manipulated or 'adjusted' two or three times a week in high volume models of practice - research suggests there is no value to this kind of over treatment. Network care though (which involves gentle touch at specific spinal points, not forcible cracking, manipulation or so called 'adjustment') delivered two or three times a week has blown the doors off researchers, and if your chiropractor wants to sell you a large multi-visit plan, ask him or her to either prove it's value or offer you Network care.\n\nIf you sufer from pain syndromes of the spine or need car accident rehabillitation, I do recommend you consider chiropractors who offer specialized care in these areas, as chiropractors who combine manipulation and physical therapy are often very effective for chronic pain and accident trauma.
338294
Usually they recommend surgery at 40+ degrees.\n\nIn 2003 I had a 12 level spinal fusion for my "S" curve of 56deg thorasic (upper) and 68deg lumbar (lower) scoliosis. Like you, I also had rapidly progressing scoliosis - a stable "S" curve of 40 & 40 for years and then in less than 6 months later it was at 56 & 68.\n\nI would recommend visiting several spinal surgeons (if they specialize in scoliosis its even better) and talking to them about your back. They may or may not opt for surgery as they base the need to not just the spine, but on other things as well.\n\nIf you are in the California area I know many top scoliosis surgeons who's contact info I can give you. I also have family members that work for a spinal & neurological surgical instrumentation supply company that I can get info from as well.\n\nBest of luck!
511375
Go to a chiropractor. I have carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, had sciatica during pregnancy, and plantar fasciitis in the foot. All symptoms of pinched nerves somewhere. The chiropractor will adjust your spine, neck, wrist or whatever (go for a full adjustment) hurts. The body works as a whole system and not separate systems of skeletal, muscular and nervous systems acting independently. The chiropractor adjusts the bones so that the nerves will not be pinched anywhere, and will massage the muscles which have built up lactic acid causing a lot of tension. You will need a few adjustments initially. He/she will pop your neck and spine, but don't do this on your own, because some people do this sudden twisting of their necks to relieve tension. That's dangerous. \n\nTell the chiropractor all your physical aches and pains. If you are in Toronto I can give you the name of my chiropractors, a brother-sister team who are really great chiropractics and utterly wonderful people!  I would rather see them than a regular doctor who will give you a fast prescription rather than holistic treatment.
770622
I go to the chiropractor for scoliosis and TMJ. The first week I hurt because my muscles and spine were moving. It is completely natural for you to hurt. I took ibuprofen to take away some of the pain. After a couple of weeks you won't hurt anymore. That is, unless you miss a visit! ;-)
10286
i would see a chiropracter they would fix you up real good i know because i had three ribs out of place and they had me better ir a few weeks oh! and use a heating pad that works too. good luck!
782977
Very carefully!\n\nThey will generally get a number of nurses to assist and do a "log roll" where the patient's spine and neck is all supported and kept in alignment as they are rolled.
612103
I have scoliosis & found out in the 5th grade--I am now 33. I have been able to do anything that I want to. \nYou may want to use a back brace &/or start practicing now for good posture to prevent future complications, but many people have curvature of the spine and most of those who do don't even need medical supervision for it. \nRemember, thru God, all things are possible!
450609
Steps\n\n   1. Know what good posture is believed to be. Most people think that to "stand up straight" means tensing your back to heave your chest 'in and up', and pulling your head back in to your chest. Not so. The spine has two natural curves that you need to maintain called the 'double C' or 'S' curves, these are the curves found from the base of your head to your shoulders and the curve from the upper back to the base of the spine.\n   2. Proper alignment places your ears loosely above your shoulders, above your hips. Again, these points make a straight line, but the spine itself curves in a slight 'S'.\n   3. Using a mirror, align your ears, shoulder, and hips. You'll find that this doesn't hurt at all. If you do experience pain, look at your sideview in a mirror to see if you're forcing your back into an unnatural position. If so, stop it!\n   4. Do exercises that strengthen the muscles across your upper back and shoulders. These do not have to be strenuous! Try the following, with or without handweights:\n\n          * Align your ears over your shoulders. Raise both arms straight up, along side your ears. Remember to keep your ears aligned! Bend forearms toward shoulders to touch your shoulder blades. Do 10 repetitions with both arms, then alternate 10 reps for each arm singularly.\n          * Align ears with shoulders. Raise both arms out to sides at shoulder length. Hold for a slow count of ten. Slowly lower arms to sides, counting ten as you lower. Slowly raise arms back to shoulder height, counting to ten as you raise arms. Do ten reps, constantly checking your alignment! If ten reps are too many to start, do as many as you can. You should at least feel a slight fatigue in the shoulder muscles.\n          * Be a penguin. While you wait for a webpage to load, toast to pop, or the microwave to beep, place elbows at your side, and touch your shoulders with your hands. Keeping your hands on your shoulders, and your ears aligned, raise both elbows (count one, two) and lower back to your waist (count one, two). Do as many reps as your wait allows. You'll be surprised how much exercise fits into 30 seconds.\n   5. Do stretches. This can greatly help if you find that you have a sore back or neck after a while.\n\n          * Tilt (stretch) your head in all four directions over your shoulders (forward, back, left, right), and gently massage your neck. Avoid rolling in a circle, as it may cause further strain.\n          * On your hands and knees, curl your back upwards, like a cat, and then the opposite. Think about being able to place a bowl in the hollow of your back.\n   6. Repeat the exercises a few times each day. Doing them in the morning helps your body stretch out the muscle lethargy of sleep, and periodically throughout the day helps raise your energy level without a heavy workout. \n\n\nTips\n\n    * You can have someone tape a giant X on your back from one shoulder to the oposite hip. Then put a straight line of tape across your shoulders closing the top of the X. Wear this during the day, to help retrain your back.\n    * Don't tighten up your muscles when you are assuming a straight posture. It will only stress the joints and muscles themselves and this affects the skeleton, therefore your posture and even the way you move and breathe. Try to eventually relax into it but if you experience back pains, stop it! You are probably causing unnecessary muscle tension.\n    * If your head is hanging, you can't be properly aligned. Keep your head at the level that allows you to look directly ahead without having to turn your eyes up. If you cannot do this without feeling tension in your neck, this means you are causing unnecessary muscle tension.\n    * A great side benefit of keeping your head straight, and your ears/shoulders/hips aligned is an improvement in your self-esteem and attitude. If you walk with your head up, you appear more confident, and f
1141282
As a massage therapist, I was able to straighten scoliosis by concentrating differentially on the overly contracted and overly relaxed muscles.\n\nDo not massage the muscles which are lax.  They do not need to be lengthened.  Instead, concentrate only on the muscles that are overly contracted helping to maintain the curvature.\n\nI found that using deep, cross friction and stretching help.  Also try to work the muscle in a shortened state, if possible.  \n\nIf you concentrate on the "Hard as Rock" muscles of the back, as they relax, the curvature will also lessen.
170336
My chiropractor said as long as you don't force it you're fine. Have you ever gone to one? They could tell you even better if it isn't causing damage. Plus it's better to get your back/neck realigned regularly.
172487
I had a boyfriend with back problems - you really can hurt yourself if you do it the wrong way. \n\nAsk your doctor or look on the internet for suggested positions.
1051181
It depends why you are moving them.  You should never move an injured person unless they are in danger of becoming more injured.  You should always support the head and neck by holding c-spine, even if they are awake and talking to you and try to tell you nothing is wrong.  You shouldn't twist the back because that could lead to big problems.  Other than that, you should move them how they are the most comfortable.  You should not try to straighten any arms or legs that seem bent at an odd angle.  If they are in extreme danger, say they were in a car crash and the car is on fire, you just need to get them the heck out of there!!  \n\nBottom line is, if you are untrained, you probably shouldn't be doing any of these things, so use caution!!  Holding c-spine is probably the most important thing to remember though.
345758
First of all there are no exercises which will effectively decrease the curvature of your spine, or prevent it from getting worse.  All you can do is to strengthen the trunk muscles that support the spine.\n\nAs a physical therapist who has treated many back patients and a good amount of scoliosis patients (as well as having scoliosis myself) I would recommend that you do lumbar stability exercises.  I've attached a link to a good site with a few good stability exercises to get you started.  As you progress you might also want to consider doing pilates or yoga, both of which will help to strengthen your back muscles.
1135940
You have spondulosis of the lower back.Visit your orthopaedic surgeon.He will teach you some exercises and also how to adopt a suitable lifestyle such as avoiding bending,lifting weights ,standing or sitting for a long time etc.Walking is good for you
400893
Some have machines, others use their hands. It's really a wonderful experience, not really painful in a bad way... this pain is awesommmmmee! :)  If you're really outta line they may want you 3 times a week. You can't just go once and be cured. If you do go once, your bones will move to the right place and just move back to where they were comfortable before. If they are continually manipulated to where they should be, they will start getting comfortable and stay aligned. Geez, I really should be going! Call around for a quote. Many places will give you a free consultation and x-ray if necessary.
543029
I take a slightly different stand than the previous response, seeings how I work in surgery, and we see a LOT of back/spine surgeries each week. There are even a few people that I work with who have had them, and they all seem satisfied. First of all, I would check out the surgeon, see what type of surgery he or she specializes in and how long they have been doing them. Next, be sure you know what type, ie lumbar, cervical vertebrae, etc are going to be worked on, and then I can give you more info :)
62949
depends on what you are talking about.  Straighten, like a spine with scoliosis?  There are surgeries for that, and Pitts. actually has great IOM techs that will moniter your spine surgery so you aren't left paralysed. So I guess I need more info to better help you.