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  • Chiropractors for FUSED spines?

    Hey guys!

    So, my last post a few weeks back was about some weird nerve numbing/itchiness in my left shoulder blade. I was worried I had a loose screw or hook or something so I made an appt with my specialist. Usually it takes months to get in to see him, but fortunately a friend that is a nurse pulled some strings and I was in to see him a week later. After an x-ray my specialist said nothing was out of place and my x-ray looked great. He says the numbness/itchiness is delayed nerve damage from my rods. I had my surgery almost ten years ago so I found this hard to believe! He said if I continue to have problems I should consider getting my rods removed.. REMOVED?! What happens then!?!

    I also suffer from arthritis because of the fusion. After discussing this with my best friend who is an unofficial spokesperson for chiropractic therapy, she talked to her chiropractor about me. Apparently he sees about five patients who have fused spines. She wants me to go see him, but I'm a bit terrified? I KNOW my view of chiropractors is a bit warped but don't they crack & pop your spine? How can I even get that done if basically my whole spine is fused?!

    Do any of you get chiropractic treatment? Is it safe?

    My friend is worried about me since I'm only 26 and have arthritis and nerve damage already. I appreciate her concern, but I think I'm too scared to go to a chiropractor.

    Your thoughts would be appreciated!

    Thanks.
    lisanicolegrace
    29/F/Canada
    Surgery - 11/10/2000
    80° curve to 19° post op.
    www.lisanicolegrace.com
    @lisanicolegrace
    facebook
    x-rays
    picture of my back

  • #2
    Yes, a chiropractor can adjust a fused spine. The "standard" drop table method is not used for many, many patients these days.

    I know a 38 year old woman with fusion who has been going to a chiropractor for years and has had 4 children as well.

    The chiropractor can use an "activator" tool. It basically provides so many ounces of pressure to a specific part of your spine. They can pinpoint the vertebrae and adjust you spine that way. My friend has had wonderful relief from headaches, tingling, numbness through this method. She has never had a negative experience and has gone weekly for over 10 years.

    It is definitely worth looking into.
    Last edited by thinkinmom; 07-16-2009, 07:58 PM.
    Living life after a Milwaukee...
    And still crooked as a jail bird...

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Lisanicole,

      My Chiros kept me walking for the last 20 years and you might say I've had a few adjustments......
      Probably about 1000 visits.

      The pain I endured actually forced me to do this, and I was waiting for surgery, waiting for technology and also waiting for a lot of things....... My Chiros basically told me that I should wait till I was older before fusion. I have thanked them and also defended Chiropractic on other threads here. It really did help with controlling pain.

      So with this history, and my occasional stiff necks, I think about the same thing. So, I e-mailed my surgeon about this tonight, and he will probably advise me against it. They obviously will not adjust in the fusion area, it would be adjustments on what's left. LOL Not much for me.

      The problem area will be my T1` area which is right above my fusion.

      I did ask about ultrasound. That is something Chiros use and it helps. I guess it increases the blood flow into the area. Hot tubs or hot water in the bath tub followed with a massage works well also. I've had a few of those also. Not 1000, but close! and at the infamous, Steamboat hot springs at the base of Virginia City. Mark Twain used to soak there back in the day.......1861.

      You know something, I figured I would ask my surgeon. Probably a wise decision......

      Mark Twain once warned about reading medical books, that one can die from a misprint. But you also need to be careful of quack-busters, you can die from terminal misinformation. LOL

      Ed
      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #4
        I see a DO (Dr of Osteopathic Manipulation) for adjustments now and then. I brough my x-rays to my first appt and have my back and ribs cracked more times than I can count. I prefer to see DO's since they have been to medical school - just makes me feel a little better to know they've had medical school training.

        Comment


        • #5
          Hi Lisanicole,

          Well here is what I was told by a chiropractor about 10 years ago...

          I went in cause I couldn't move my right arm without having major pain in my side, I was also having big time pain breathing, and I can't describe what it was like to sneeze! There was this chiro right next to my place of work and so I went in to see about a consultation. I was told to come in the next day. So I went in with my xrays in hand, before and after (linked below), and told him my problem. He listened, asked questions about my surgery and what the doctors did, and then told me that he wasn't going to touch me, and that I should never see a chiro, ever. He told me that the type of work they do is not designed for backs with fusions, and as such he warned me away from any chiro work at all.

          Thats my positive experience with chiros, mostly its been negative because chiros usually tell me they could have fixed me without surgery, and I know they are outright lying at that point.

          Also I'm 26 years post op, and I still get itchiness at times. Its an 'inside' itch that I just can't scratch to get rid of. I do get numbness a times too, but mostly its from bending over for too long, then my right ribs go numb, but comes back after I change positions. I don't know how normal that is for others, but it is for me.

          (the pain I had when I went to the chiro, just went away on its own and has never come back, so I have no clue why that happened or what caused it)

          Brad
          Surgeries July 26th & August 3rd 1983 (12 years old)
          Still have 57 degree curve
          2 Harrington rods
          Luque method used
          Dr David Bradford
          Twin Cities Scoliosis Center
          Preop xray (with brace on)
          Postop xray

          Comment


          • #6
            food for thought

            Total schooling time for each Doctorate is something that needs consideration.

            Chiropractors can practice in 5 years including undergraduate

            Osteopaths, 8 years. Usually suggested if grades are not up in the top percentile in medical school.

            My surgeon, went to school a total of 19 years.

            19 years.

            Orthopedics are also in the top percentile of their class.
            Ed
            49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
            Pre surgery curves T70,L70
            ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
            Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

            Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

            My x-rays
            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
              Total schooling time for each Doctorate is something that needs consideration.

              Chiropractors can practice in 5 years including undergraduate

              Osteopaths, 8 years. Usually suggested if grades are not up in the top percentile in medical school.

              My surgeon, went to school a total of 19 years.

              19 years.

              Orthopedics are also in the top percentile of their class.
              Ed
              Exactly so.

              Orthopedics is also the top salaried medical specialty as far as I know.

              Folks are invited to draw conclusions as they might.
              Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

              No island of sanity.

              Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
              Answer: Medicine


              "We are all African."

              Comment


              • #8
                Sharon

                If my nipples were twitching, I dont think I would ask Dr Menmuir about that.

                Like I said, food for thought. LOL
                Ed
                49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                My x-rays
                http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                  Sharon

                  If my nipples were twitching, I dont think I would ask Dr Menmuir about that.

                  Like I said, food for thought. LOL
                  Ed


                  I think that chiro guy Stitzel hit a nerve with Simon.

                  I was giggling like a idiot for some time.

                  I just love how folks in the UK talk, especially when someone hits a nerve, don't you?

                  sharon
                  Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                  No island of sanity.

                  Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                  Answer: Medicine


                  "We are all African."

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    ps. I assume you have seen the unedited version of that passage by now, yes?

                    pps. I agree "SS Ed" or "316 Ed" is nowhere near as euphonious as Ti Ed.

                    Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                    No island of sanity.

                    Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                    Answer: Medicine


                    "We are all African."

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Yup, luv the Brit lingo.....and Aussie, and of course up above in Canadia......

                      Yes, Ive seen it. Glad you like my selection. Nobody comments on "magic bus" guess they never heard of the "Who?" Oh well...

                      When Mark has his surgery some day, he will need everyone pulling for him. He is in a tough situation.
                      Poor guy. He looks like a 160 degree kyphosis.
                      Ed
                      Last edited by titaniumed; 07-20-2009, 07:30 PM.
                      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                      My x-rays
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        The Who?? You bet! Magic Bus was great. My husband saw them in concert way back when when they of course destroyed their instruments too.
                        As far as chiros go, I'm like Ed, I think it was Ed, they kept me going for about 40 years I think. Some better than others but the pain was helped overall. Janet
                        Janet

                        61 years old--57 for surgery

                        Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
                        Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
                        Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
                        Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
                        T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

                        All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Yep I saw Simon's unedited version and cracked up laughing.

                          Also Quikdraw the only chiropractor I saw told me exactly the same thing he told you. He would not touch anyone with a fused spine, and I was to never go to a chiro regardless what they claimed they could do to help me.
                          My son went to one as he kept having headaches, nearly passed out after being treated, his blood pressure shot up, he ended up in hospital so that was the end of that for the whole family!!

                          Laughed Sharon when I saw your signature had changed, I thought if anyone would do that, it would have to be you, the smiles keep on coming.

                          Lorraine.
                          Operated on in 1966, harrington rods inserted from T4 to L3, here in Australia. Fusion of the said vertebrae as well. Problems for the last 14 years with pain.
                          Something I feel deeply,"Life is like money,you can spend it anyway you wish, but can only spend it once.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                            Yes, Ive seen it. Glad you like my selection. Nobody comments on "magic bus" guess they never heard of the "Who?" Oh well...
                            My brother seems to like The Who. Me, not so much.

                            They are the most famous band that never had a number one album as I understand it.
                            Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                            No island of sanity.

                            Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                            Answer: Medicine


                            "We are all African."

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              chiropractic ok from surgeon

                              I'm not a Who fan, just remember their stuff on the radio.

                              I've got news!!! I just got the ok for Chiropractic and Ultrasound from my surgeon........

                              For my un-fused neck area, obviously.

                              Wow. Very interesting. I'm thinking about this for sure. If I go for it, I will post.
                              Ed
                              49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                              Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                              ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                              Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                              Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                              My x-rays
                              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                              Comment

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