Question
Dear Dr. Dolan,

My husband has been complaining of back problems.
He went to see a Dr and all that he did for him was prescribe a pain killer  and a muscle relaxer. They aren't helping him. He wakes up in the middle of the night in tears of pain. He says every time he breathes the pain comes back. Also he says the middle to the top of his back is pain in the muscle and the lower part of his back is the bones. I don't know if I should call a chiropractor or if he should just go to a message therapist. I'm just sick of the winning :) ( the Dr. Never did say the cause of this but I believe its all the weight he has gained ) What should I do?


Answer
staten island back pain, staten island nutrition, staten island diet,







Hello Michele M.,

I am sorry to hear that your husband is complaining of Back Pain.
I am sorry to hear that you have to listen to and live with it also!

".....He went to see a Dr and all that he did for him was prescribe a pain killer  and a muscle relaxer......"- I assume the Doctor that your husband saw was a Medical Doctor (gave a prescription).  That is fine for many people.  We Chiropractic Doctors have a major difference of opinion on this; but many people are just looking for SYMPTOMATIC relief, and are not interested in getting to the CAUSE of the problem.

My Staten Island Back Pain patients get an informative handout when they come to my office, perhaps this will be of interest 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



".....They aren't helping him. He wakes up in the middle of the night in tears of pain.......".  Your husband is on PRESCRIPTION medication and still experiences severe pain.  The medications are not even covering up the pain!  I would recommend a trip to your local family Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) for an evaluation.

".....( the Dr. Never did say the cause of this but I believe its all the weight he has gained ) What should I do?....", just as Medical Doctors have different areas of specialty, different areas of additional training and credentials, so do Chiropractic Doctors.
You mention 'overweight'- I would recommend a Doctor of Chiropractic with additional credentials in nutrition or diet.  I have received training from the Clinical Nutrition Board- see the CCN after my name. Many DCs have a Diplomat in Nutrition.  Please see: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf
I would look for a DC with a CCN or a DACBN for nutritional/ dietary advice.

My Staten Island Nutrition patients receive a separate workup from the chiropractic examination.  Your Chiropractic Doctor with nutritional training will likely apply the same.

The back pain needs a Chiropractic History consultation, physical examination, and an Xray.  Depending upon those findings additional testing such as CT scan or MRI may be necessary.  After an appropriate workup, perhaps Chiropractic treatment would be initiated, or perhaps the DC will make a referral to another provider.

Please see your local DC, preferably one with additional credentials in nutrition.

THANK YOU for the question! and if further information is needed,,,
please do not hesitate to REcontact me here at AllExperts.com : -
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (Email NewsLetter)