Question
QUESTION: My husband has been going to a chiropractor for over a year. at first it was for low back pain, which went away after about 2 weeks. But as he continued the treatments, more pains started. We were under the impression that the pain was from him fixing the curves. He had over 100 adjustments before he quit. He was still in so much pain(now all over his body) that we ended up at the hospital. They said the pain was from trigger points in the muscles. So we have been to a trigger point therapist about 10 times. Still not much better. Then she suggested a chiropractor to work along with her. We found another chiropractor who says he needs 6 months of adjustments to correct the twists & mild S curves in his upper & lower back. I dont understand how he is going to fix this when the first 100 didnt. Can you explain & please tell us what we should do. Thanks So Much.

ANSWER: Dear Susan,

I'm very sorry to hear about your husband.   In my professional opinion, he should have ended his regular care after the two weeks when the lower back pain ended.   There is no way anyone is going to straighten out any curves.  Over 100 adjustments?  And then another chiropractor is suggesting six months of treatment?   I think they should be reported to the state licensing board, especially the first doctor.   I don't know anything about his age or medical condition or general health, so it is very difficult to make recommendations.   Nevertheless, maybe your husband simply needs a rest.   Maybe he needs to try something completely different like go to the gym and get some general exercise.  He surely doesn't need any more joint manipulation or trigger point therapy.  

'Hope this was helpful.  Feel free to ask more questions.

Dr. G

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

QUESTION: He is 45. Has always been very healthy. We were very active at a local gym when all this started. Could there be a reason for the pain or just too many adjustments? We went to our doctor & he said there was nothing wrong & that it was all in his head. I dont know what to do to help him get out of pain. Maybe a break from adjustments is the answer, I just dont know. Thank you so much for your help.

Answer
Susan,

If it's all in his head, then he would respond to medicines such as gabapentin (Neurontin) or to low doses of antidepressant med's (e.g. Elavil).   There are chronic pain patients that have their pain because of their brain's hypersensitivity to their body. Technically, it's called "centrally mediated allodynea."  This is fibromyalgia, for example.  The bottom line is that he's had way too much treatment without any checks/balances to determine need or outcome. The most evidence-based treatment for back pain is: exercise.  Other causes of widespread bodily pain include: vitamin-D deficiency. Go to www.vitamindcouncil.org to learn more.  If he's D deficient, that is a significant factor.   His MD should be checking this along with other blood chemistries.  He also should be screened for autoimmune and arthritic diseases, and the MD should do these blood tests also (HLA-B27,Rheumatoid factor, ANA, etc...he'll know).    If your husband has taught, plucky fibrotic bands along his spine, he could try a few sessions of Graston Technique (see: www.grastontechnique.com).  'Not 100 sessions of Graston Technique!  Lastly, he should get a consultation with an Interventional Pain Management doctor.  These are usually MD Physiatrists or Anesthesiologists.  Your MD/PCP can refer for this.  

Good luck.  I hope this was helpful.

Dr. G