Question
I guess that I am suffering from multiple problems stemming from an auto accident as a baby 25 years ago.  Rumor has it that I went through the windshield, while I was sitting on my mother's lap in the front seat!  Anyways, I have recently developed bad middle back pain, a stiff neck, and my right leg numbs for periods of time.  I went to a pretty good chiropractor here and was shown on my x-rays that I have no curvature of the neck....(it's perfectly straight up and down...wierd!)...my middle to lower back is rotated to the right, sort of twisted...and my right hip is not seated in my socket correctly.  On the front view x-ray, it appears to almost be missing a bite out of it...but I was assured that it's just rolled.  Can a chiropractor effectively relieve these conditions, or what will this possibly entail?  The chiropractor told me to come in everyday until my insurance runs out at the end of the month, but if it's just so he can make money, then I'd rather have a procedure done.  So I guess my question is...Can a non-surgery approach fix my ailments?  I am only 26 years old and not looking forward to being in a wheelchair.  Thank you very much...
                                  Joshua Reed

Answer
Dear Joshua,

First of all I do want you to relax in the fact that your current conditions are very normal.  I have seen thousands of patients with the same complaints as yours over 12 and 1/2 years of practice.  You will not be in a wheelchair because of these problems.

Next, to answer your main questions, YES, chiropractic can help you.  In fact, it should help you eliminate and correct these problems.

Your neck pain and stiffness is very normal to see in one who has x-ray findings such as yours.  A reversal or straightening of the cervical lordotic curvature is a common abnormality.  It could have been the result of your accident when you were a child combined with all of the other things that we go through growing up.  

I am going to give you my opinion based on what you have described and my experience with it.  Please understand that I have not been able to examine you or look at your films.  But I do have good experience in dealing with these types of problems.  The neck pain and stiffness and upper back pain you are dealing with will result from the abnormal curvature.  There will be irritation and stress of an abnormal nature placed on the cervical spine joints, the discs, the muscles, tendons and ligaments. There may be nerve irritation, but it does not sound like much as you are not having radiating symptoms.  This irritation will result in inflammation, restricted range of motion, muscle spasm and pain.  

The treatment of choice would be chiropractic manipulation, therapy modalities, moist heat, massage. Most important is the manipulation.  Acupuncture proves to be very effective in conjunction with chiropractic.  Additionally, you should be using cold packs at home as well as a neck roll, cervical pillow, or a rolled up towel to re-introduce a more normal cervical curve.  Laying on the roll for 10-20 minutes a day is a big help in speeding up the healing process.  I would normally see a patient for this type of condition 2-4 days in a row and then 3 times per week for 2-4 weeks. At that point, a re-evaluation would determine further treatment. You will also need home rehab exercises to strengthen the neck and upper back.  With this type of a regimen, I would expect at least 90% improvement.  You may require periodic treatment to take care of minor flare-ups that may come up.

As for your lower back and right leg.  I am not sure about your statement, "my right hip is not seated in my socket".  This sounds horrible; however, what I think is meant is that you have a pelvic imbalance causing pressure on the sciatic nerve and resultant sciatica down the leg. Again, this is a very common problem that is readily corrected with proper chiropractic care. Spinal and pelvic adjustments with some therapy will correct such a problem.  I will often have to insert a heel lift in a patient's shoe when there is a pelvic tilt of more than 6mm. The lift will act as a "jack" and hold up the tilted pelvis, relieving symptoms and allowing proper correction to take place. In the presence of a rotated pelvis, no lift is used.  The rotated pelvis can be more difficult to correct.  The pelvis will tilt or rotate due to overstretching of the ligaments of the lower back and pelvis, but it can be corrected.  The same type of treatment plan/duration should correct this problem. I also like to utilize anti-inflammatory enzymes for these types of conditions.  These are natural supplements that greatly reduce inflammation and aid in the healing process.  I can give you more information regarding such supplements if you would like, or ask your chiropractor.

I would expect a patient like you to show some type of improvement within 8 visits.  It may only be 10% improvement, but there should be improvement.  If after 8 visits you have not improved at all, I would have an MRI performed on your lower back to rule out and disc involvement.  I do not think you have a disc involvement, but this is always a concern with lower back pain and radiating pain to the leg. I would expect at least 90% improvement in a patient such as you within 2-3 months.  

To answer your big question again, chiropractic is the treatment of choice for physical conditions of this nature.  It should be your answer to feeling better and better health.

As for your statement that your chiropractor told you to, "come in everyday until your insurance runs out", I cannot condone this type of statement for ethical reasons.  While I do expect to be paid for my services, I think there is an ethical line that is sometimes crossed regarding insurance and patient pay.  On the other side, I do not know your insurance situation and he may actually be trying to do you a favor as you may be losing your insurance coverage.  Regardless, you do need treatment for this condition.

My advice to anyone is that they must be comfortable with their doctor, whether it is a chiropractor, dentist, medical doctor, podiatrist or veterinarian.  If you feel comfortable with your chiropractor and feel he is caring for you in the right way, go get the treatment, get some home program tips, get better and enjoy your life.  If you are not comfortable with this chiropractor, ask a friend and find another one and get the treatment so you can get better.

It is my opinion that you are a perfect case for a chiropractor and I feel that you will do great with the right treatment.  I hope that I have helped answer your questions and concerns.  Please do not hesitate to contact me again through allexperts.com if you have any additional questions.

God Bless,

Mike Boss, D.C.