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Neck discomfort after adjustment
9/26 8:51:12

Question
I visited a chiropractor for some back pain, and some mild sensations in my left arm.  He told me the way to treat my concerns was from adjusting the neck.  I had been to him before so this was not a problem.  He uses a machine in which you place your head on an adjustable lift and the machine has an instrument that taps the point of contact along your neck.  You feel absolutely nothing.  That was what appealed to me about using him.  However, I noticed that this time my neck started feeling fatigue and tired a day or two later.  I have full range of motion, with no pain.  Since I was visiting him twice a week and he performed the same procedure, my neck never seemed to have a chance to feel normal again.  The good news is my other symptons are better.  It has been four days since my last neck adjustment, and my neck still feels fatigued (like my head is heavy).  My next appointment is not for another five days.  

Can you explain to me why my neck feels fatigued and unusually tired, and will this go away in time?  I feel like I have been in this cycle of visiting doctors for one problem and leaving with another.  Since this is my only physical complaint at this time, if you feel like this is not anything to be concerned about, I am seriously thinking about stopping any further treatment and letting my body naturally heal.  Since it has already been about four days, how long should I give it before I start feeling concern.  I have no basis for this, but I have been using ice on it and try to keep physically active.

Answer
neck pain, neck discomfort, head feels heavy, instrument adjustment,

Hello Tracey,

Sorry to hear that your head feels heavy, and this seems to come from an instrument adjustment.

"...Can you explain to me why my neck feels fatigued and unusually tired, and will this go away in time? ..."  Chiropractic works WITH the body.  Chiropractic is natural, safe, non-invasive treatment approach.  Chiropractic is similar to exercise, or orthdontia.

If you have ever worked out, exercised, or more accurately- changed your activity level, taken on a new exercise, a different weight,  a different machine, a different movement; the body lets you know of the change- sometimes the body gets sore.  Soreness is common and expected after exercise and after chiropractic, especially when just starting chiropractic or changing the approach.

Many years ago, I wore braces on my teeth.  Ask anyone who has had braces,,,, after you visit the Dentist and he(she) tightens them up, you are sore a few days.  Braces move bones. Chiropractic moves bones.  Changes in the body can make the body talk to you- soreness.
Your body may just be 'talking' to you.

This should go away in time, and go away- even if you use the same technique over time.  The body adapts.  Certainly- talk to your own Doctor of Chiropractic about this- communicate!, but soreness, or body 'talking' is expected.

"....Letting my body naturally heal..."- Chiropractic is a natural, safe, effective, cost-effective, non-invasive approach towards health.
Chiropractic is like exercise, or like brushing our teeth- do NOT avoid Chiropractic- Chiropractic HELPS your body naturally.  I utilize information handouts in my Staten Island Chiropractic office, perhaps you will find this helpful:

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揚inched  Nerve?  
( Also Known As-  neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis, sciatica )

損inched nerve??
is only ?a diagnosis,  WHAT is causing the 憄inch?

Your Doctor of Chiropractic will examine and evaluate you to make sure you are not showing signs of neurological damage or disease, tumors, cancers,  severe pathology, perhaps a Herniated Disc, or a Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  a  憄inched nerve?  or  a  muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憄inched nerve?  Very often -  the true    c a u s e   of  the pinched nerve, painor numbness  in the:    neck and/ or  shoulder  and/ or  arm  and/ or  hand;   pain in the back and/ or   buttock/ hip/ leg/ knee/ foot -  is a misalignment,  a  慿ink?in the neck or back - more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.

              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.

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:
         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.


         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.

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What ? ! ,  I have to brush my teeth!?,,, after EVERY meal ! ? ,,, For the REST of my life ! ? ! ...  I don抰  want  to.  period.  I won抰.  To heck with it !  If I get a hole (cavity),  THEN  I抣l take care of  it.   Maybe I won抰 get any cavities anyway?.

              It  took  the  American Dental Association YEARS to educate people that they should brush frequently to avoid dental disease.  It has taken YEARS to educate patients that visits to the Dentist for hygiene, cleanings, flossing, coatings, etc.  are  necessary to PREVENT  dental problems.  Some people still do not floss after every meal, some do not even brush often enough  (yyyuuukkkk),  so some people still have severe dental problems  despite  all  the  knowledge  about   PREVENTION   and  dental  health maintenance  that  is  out   there.     Can  you  believe  it  ?? !!

              Some people have the same problem with  PREVENTATIVE  Spinal  Health
that  used to  exist with preventative dental health.  

Some people come to the Doctor of Chiropractic and say, ?..do not adjust me, just give me therapy...?  some people say,
?..What ? ! , I have to practice SPINAL HYGIENE !?!, (practice proper postures, proper movement patterns, and  see  the  Chiropractor  periodically !?!),  Naahh, ... I  don抰
want to. period.  I won抰.  To heck with it!  When I get PAIN,  then  I抣l take care of it.
(  pain is often the LAST symptom to appear-  whether a cavity or a heart attack !  )

              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex can be 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  (Subluxation)  is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
      Spinal Kinesiopathology,   Neuropathophysiology,   Myopathology,  Histopathology,  Pathophysiology.  
 
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, massage, 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.

ONLY a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate for a Vertebral Subluxation as well as other possible pathology.

Chiropractic  corrects  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

You  cannot be 慼ealthy?if you have a Subluxation.  You MAY feel it, with a pain, stiffness, or a 慿ink?in your neck/ back.  You may NOT  even feel it-
just as people often do not feel the cavity growing in their tooth,,,, until it hits the nerve; or you may not feel it at all, like people do not feel high blood pressure or diabetes until AFTER damage has been done!!  PREVENTION-  Visit the Doctor of Chiropractic REGULARLY,,, just like your dentist!  (practice spinal hygiene as you do dental hygiene  -PREVENTION!-

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

*******************************

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).

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).




Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for Vertebral  
Subluxation Complex, 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.

       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.

*************************************

In my Staten Island Chiropractic practice I use many different approaches.  Among the Chiropractic Techniques I utilize is Activator Technique  ( http://www.activator.com/actMethods.asp ).  Activator is an instrument technique.  I am not familiar with the computerized electronic instrument adjustment technique you describe- communicate with YOUR doctor about your concerns and about his(her) technique.

When I can, I prefer to use my hands- the most sophisticated 'machines' on the planet.  I do use the Activator, but that is a small handheld instrument, totally manually controlled.  Some patients cannot tolerate or prefer the instrument, I would still prefer 'hands on', but when necessary, I do use instrument adjusting.

I hope this information helps you.

If necessary, do not hesitate to re-contact me at AllExperts.com @
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm  

I wish you good luck, and Good Health Naturally,
your Staten Island Chiropractor signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com          (Email Newsletter)
http://www.SIworkcomp.com
http://www.SIautoaccident.com  

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