Lisabobisa
06-22-2007, 12:29 PM
Hi everyone.
I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was approx. 14. The doctor at the time told my mother and I that it was 'Nothing to worry about', so we didn't think anything of it. Throughout highschool I had mild-to-moderate back pain that I always figured was normal. I had some back pain when I was pregnant with my daughter a couple years later, but still figured it was a normal thing and ignored it.
About 3 weeks ago I went to a chiropractor for a neck injury I'd gotten in february learning to snowboard. The clinic offered a free inital exam with x-rays, I dont' have insurance, so this was perfect. Anyway, we looked at the x-rays, and I was blown away! My neck is curved, and I have an S shaped cuve in my back, with some twisting making my ribs farther apart than they should be in places. I've also got a vertebra that didn't grow together all the way, and two between my shoulders that have fused themselves. The Chiro reccomended going 3 times a week for 8 weeks for mild adjustments and some excercises with a 'Body Blade', plus some electro-stim and some time with a wedge under my neck and a weight pulling my head back. He hasnt' claimed that he can correct any of the curvature, but he said we need to strengthen the muscles in my back, and increase flexibility to avoid further disc damage.
So I came home and researched as much as I could find. I've asked him to go over my x-rays with me again to determine the angle of my curves and where they are so I know the right terminology and stuff, and he said we 'didn't really need to do that' because we weren't working on fixing the curves, and that's really only used to mark progression and all. I've been going for about 10 visits now, and it helps a little bit with my pain while I'm there, but not much afterward. I've noticed that I've got more range-of-motion in my neck now, but I can't tell much difference otherwise. I don't know if I should keep going, based on what I've read here, but my husband encourages me to keep going, hoping it will help. I don't have insurance, and we already owe this guy about 500 dollars.
I guess my question is, has anyone had success regaining flexibility and strength using these types of treatments? I'm specifically interested in the body blade, we're willing to buy one if it will help. Also, I know it's hard to answer without having numbers for my curves, but how much can I expect my pain level to increase over the years? I'm 22 now, and I have pain daily, but it usually is at a level that is manageable for me. I have a day or two every two weeks or so that it gets worse and I need to lay down for a couple hours, or the muscle tension gives me a migraine all day.
Sorry, that was pretty long-winded. I appreciate any response, I'm really at a loss for what to do at this point.
-Lisa
I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was approx. 14. The doctor at the time told my mother and I that it was 'Nothing to worry about', so we didn't think anything of it. Throughout highschool I had mild-to-moderate back pain that I always figured was normal. I had some back pain when I was pregnant with my daughter a couple years later, but still figured it was a normal thing and ignored it.
About 3 weeks ago I went to a chiropractor for a neck injury I'd gotten in february learning to snowboard. The clinic offered a free inital exam with x-rays, I dont' have insurance, so this was perfect. Anyway, we looked at the x-rays, and I was blown away! My neck is curved, and I have an S shaped cuve in my back, with some twisting making my ribs farther apart than they should be in places. I've also got a vertebra that didn't grow together all the way, and two between my shoulders that have fused themselves. The Chiro reccomended going 3 times a week for 8 weeks for mild adjustments and some excercises with a 'Body Blade', plus some electro-stim and some time with a wedge under my neck and a weight pulling my head back. He hasnt' claimed that he can correct any of the curvature, but he said we need to strengthen the muscles in my back, and increase flexibility to avoid further disc damage.
So I came home and researched as much as I could find. I've asked him to go over my x-rays with me again to determine the angle of my curves and where they are so I know the right terminology and stuff, and he said we 'didn't really need to do that' because we weren't working on fixing the curves, and that's really only used to mark progression and all. I've been going for about 10 visits now, and it helps a little bit with my pain while I'm there, but not much afterward. I've noticed that I've got more range-of-motion in my neck now, but I can't tell much difference otherwise. I don't know if I should keep going, based on what I've read here, but my husband encourages me to keep going, hoping it will help. I don't have insurance, and we already owe this guy about 500 dollars.
I guess my question is, has anyone had success regaining flexibility and strength using these types of treatments? I'm specifically interested in the body blade, we're willing to buy one if it will help. Also, I know it's hard to answer without having numbers for my curves, but how much can I expect my pain level to increase over the years? I'm 22 now, and I have pain daily, but it usually is at a level that is manageable for me. I have a day or two every two weeks or so that it gets worse and I need to lay down for a couple hours, or the muscle tension gives me a migraine all day.
Sorry, that was pretty long-winded. I appreciate any response, I'm really at a loss for what to do at this point.
-Lisa