Question
Dr. Dolan,

For the past two years I have had a pain in my lower back, to the right side (not along the spine); it does not hurt all the time, but often asserts itself when I rise from sitting, get out of the passenger seat of a car, or roll over in bed.  (It is a sharp, quick pain.) On occasion it has been quite bad, where it was very difficult to bend or twist for a couple of days, but usually it's manageable, just frustrating.  My family practitioner gave me a list of simple stretching exercises to do, which I do in the mornings; it helps a bit at the time but does not seem to have a lasting effect, and I'm getting a bit tired of this, as it makes me feel older than my 46 years.  The pain does not seem to radiate down my leg or anything; my boyfriend felt a 'knot' in the spot it hurts when he was trying to massage it.  My question to you is, are there things I can do for myself that may help make this go away?  Should I let my boyfriend massage it or will that just potentially worsen it?  Hot packs/cold packs?

I'm not aware of having made any unusual movements to cause this; it began right around the time I was getting a cold and thought (at the time) that it was just a stiffness related to being sick, but it never really went away.  I guess I've waited long enough for it to get better by itself.  Any advice or suggestions will be much appreciated!  Thank you very much.

Answer
muscle knot, cramp, sprain - strain, staten island muscle knot





Hello Roberta,

I am sorry to hear of your persistent complaint, your 'muscle knot'.

Muscles are REACTIVE.  Muscles are controlled and RESPOND or react to stimuli.  This muscle knot is probably a reaction to something else.  You need a biomechanical or musculoskeletal examination- preferably performed by a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Stretching- treats the symptom.

Massage- treats the symptom.

Hot packs, cold packs- treat the symptom.

Chemicals (medicine) treat the symptom.

I recommend a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) for an examination of your complaints.  I would also recommend a chiropractic doctor with additional specialty training see: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf

Do not just treat the symptom- treat the cause- which will be an irritated nerve or joint - see Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Some information I hand out in my Staten Island Chiropractic office may be helpful to you:




PAIN     

Pain  is a  憆ed 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           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
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 慡ubluxation? 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- 慡ubluxation??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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Back  Pain  can be caused by many different things.  

Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause low back pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).  

Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause LBP (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).  

Bad things, like  - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic.   

Sometimes BP is caused by a Herniated disc: Herniated  disk  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   However,  the course of the condition is highly variable.   Some patients with a herniated disk literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.   Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow:  Ice the area when painful-  10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off;  avoid certain postures and movements;  bend the knees when coughing or sneezing;  bend the knees when lifting anything;  do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving.   Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition.   Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful. Disk  Herniation  is often caused by, or often  concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.


        Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
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.


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


)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))


I believe your 'muscle knot' to be a symptom.  You have unsuccessfully treated the symptoms with other treatment approaches.
I think it is time to take a different perspective, a different approach- your local family doctor of chiropractic.


I hope this helps.

If you need further, do not hesitate to RE-contact your Staten Island Chiropractic friend here at allexperts.com:   http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm


Thank you for the question.  Good Luck.

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
Email newsletter:   http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com