Chiropractors for FUSED spines?

[LindaRacine]

Hi Ed...

I've been getting neck adjustments 1-2 times a year for the last 10-12 years. I only go when it gets really bad. (I mostly control neck issues by daily range of motion exercises.)

While I think it's a great idea to get approval from one's specialist, I had an experience about 6 months ago that make me curious. My regular chiropractor was out on vacation, and when I made an appointment, they didn't tell me that another chiro was taking his place. So, since I had driven a long way, and was in pain, I decided to go ahead with the new guy. I went in and told him that I had a long fusion, and that I had neck pain. He had my records that showed only neck adjustments since my fusion 15 years ago. He put me on the table (should have been my first clue, since I usually only get adjustments sitting in a chair), and proceeded to do about 8 corrections to my entire spine, in about 15 seconds. They were really aggressive. I was absolutely in shock, and really scared! It had all happened so fast that I couldn't even protest. So, I got up slowly, and was surprised to find that I didn't seem to have any new pain. In fact, I found that I felt really good. I was completely pain free for a day or so. (Haven't been that way for probably 10 years!) I haven't had the nerve to go to him again, but as I said, I'm curious.

Regards,
Linda

[titaniumed]

bad kitty

Hi Linda

Sounds scary. With me there isn't all that much left to adjust, just the neck. Fortunately I know 2 Chiros up here in Reno that are excellent. Dr Rutherford has been adjusting me since 1987.Dr Ketring since 2000. They are very knowledgeable with scoliosis. They have seen my post surgical x-rays and are amazed. They label us hard scolis as "heavy hitters" LOL

I end up with these stiff necks every once in a while. The last time it happened was about a week ago, and it eventually worked itself out. Even just an ultrasound treatment would help.

I'm probably going to work out a cash deal with them. I think that my insurance co cant handle me anymore. LOL If I were to ask them for a band-aid, they would probably flip out. Talk about being an "expensive date" I have $1.4 million left on my insurance, and I think I need to save it.

There is nothing like quality insurance..........with scoli its almost more important than the pay.

There is absolutely no way that I could have made it as long as I did without my Chiros. Between all the HARD ski crashes, motorcycling,and working on cars, and all the crazy things I've done, they always kept me going. They were always honest, and we would try different things, and I figured what the heck. If I wanted another x-ray, we would shoot just one and compare against all the prior films. They always knew I would have to be fused, and we knew that surgery was going to be hairy.

Convincing Dr Menmuir to do it was the trick. That took a few visits. It was only after he ordered a full physical and saw that I was in great shape that he said it could work. Dr Menmuir mentioned that since I had exercised hard with skiing for 46 years, and was very active was a major benefit.

I've been the "crash test dummy" of scoli. Its amazing what I've been through and what the body can handle. I've knocked my vertebrae out 3/8" at my apex and have seen it return in my x-rays. I would limp into their office WHOOPED, like a wounded cat after a cat fight and the look on their faces was hilarious. They would ask "what happened now?"

Id say "don't call an ambulance,just fix me"
Ed

[LindaRacine]

Ed...

The aforementioned chiropractic did adjustments within my fusion area. That was the scary part!!

--Linda

[titaniumed]

Linda

Yes, I realize that, very scary. Communication is imperative. The interview and selection process of whoever you choose to do a particular function, is a skillful task that is learned through knowledge.

Since I have been adjusted a boat load of times with about 12 different Chiros, I would toot my horn if they were going to do an unacceptable move. This I know through knowledge of Chiropractic moves.

I guess it was like adjusting a baseball bat If he adjusted you prone and up high, your ribs probably moved some above your fused area.

I would say that if one were going to be adjusted after fusion, that the adjustments should be done quite gently. I know that if I get my neck adjusted again, I will be repeating the word "easy" a few times.

I had a masseuse that almost killed me once. She used all these leverage moves on me and boy was I sore. That was a long time ago, and I didn't know much about massage back then. She probably didn't know anything about scoliosis. I eventually found that perfect masseuse in time. I never gave up on the concept of massage.

I've run across incompetent MDs..... I never gave up on them either.

Finding the right person for the job is always the tough part. It doesn't matter what the job is. Scoliosis surgeon,Chiropractor,Masseuse, Rocket fuel scientist,President,or Mini-Me.

Just because a mistake happens, doesn't mean you discount the idea. I don't blame you for feeling uneasy about what happened, you just have to have the right Chiro, and talk to him.

Chiro, bracing, exercise, masseuse, traction, are easy alternatives. Now that I think about it, my surgeon of course isn't going to say, Ed lets fuse to the skull.

Ed

[debbei]

Ed...

The aforementioned chiropractic did adjustments within my fusion area. That was the scary part!!

--Linda

My goodness Linda, how did he not break you?

[LindaRacine]

My goodness Linda, how did he not break you?

Totally wondered that myself.

Ed, I think you may have misunderstood. I believe in chiropractic treatment for pain relief. It took a long time for me to find my guy. It could be all in my head, but I definitely get relief when my neck is super stiff. What I DID wonder about, it whether it might be safe to be adjusted within the fused area. It was too scary of an experience for me to try it again, but I was tempted.

--Linda

[titaniumed]

Linda

Years ago,I remember my Chiro saying that they cannot adjust a fused area.. There isn't anything there to adjust if your fused. They should not be trying to adjust a fused spine.

They can adjust the areas above and below a fusion.

Like I said, Strong communication, and a very light touch is needed. When I go eventually, I'm going to be repeating the word "easy" a few times.

My Chiros had a table years ago that was great. You would lay down on your back, and they would have a strap set-up around the bottom of your chin. This machine would pull your head slowly, then dwell, then release slowly and visa-versa. It was a dynamic neck stretcher traction device. I loved this machine.

One day I went down there and the machine was gone. I asked what happened to it, and they told me they sold it. I couldn't believe it. I wish I had it right now.

If you have a really bad stiff neck, heat or ultrasound before helps with the adjustment. I found that hopping into a hot tub before a massage helped quite a bit also.

Ed

[Pooka1]

Now that I think about it, my surgeon of course isn't going to say, Ed lets fuse to the skull.

Ed

Are folks fused through the entire neck? At that point including the skull wouldn't matter, yes?

Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about!

[titaniumed]

Im sure its happened. Sounds stiff huh?

There is also scoliosis of the neck ONLY. Ive seen BIG curves in just the neck. I knew this girl that was having headaches and then she showed me her x-ray. It was serious.I lost touch with her, but Im sure they fused her whole neck.

Ed

[Pooka1]

I wonder if folks with stiff upper lips have been fused?

[titaniumed]

Yeah, me

You should see my poker face
Ed

[LindaRacine]

Are folks fused through the entire neck? At that point including the skull wouldn't matter, yes?

Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about!

I met a woman about 2 months ago who was fused up to the occiput. That would take some getting used to.

--Linda

[LindaRacine]

Occipital fusion xray attached

[HGD24]

Ed...

The aforementioned chiropractic did adjustments within my fusion area. That was the scary part!!

--Linda

One of the DO's I've seen adjusted my fusion area too, while I was pregnant. He basically adjusted the muscles and tissue surrounding the spine and the ribcage. I felt sooooo much better following those manipulations!

I've been experiencing stiff necks for the last year, about every 3 months. My PCP is a DO, but I don't usually see him for adjustments because his office isn't convenient to get to. I saw him for my last stiff neck though and he wouldn't touch me since he could recreate the pain by pushing on my T3, the top level of my fusion. He sent me for c-spine x-rays but they were inconclusives so he's sending me to my Ortho to have him take a look to see if anything is out of place. It sounds like others here have also experienced stiff necks following fusion - is that right? My stiff necks started about 6 months after I had my baby so I'm assuming that it's all the lifting and carrying that I'm doing.

[lisanicole]

going to give it a go...

I finally went to the chiropractor that my girlfriend has been urging me to see (her chiropractor). I had a completely nerve and muscle analysis. I brought in my xrays. I had the whole low down, and a chat with the chiropractor all about what he would be doing for me. He explained he wouldn't be adjusting anything in the fused area of my spine, just above and below as those areas are the areas that have the most trauma, since they're compensating for the fusion.

After a bit of thought I've decided I'm going to give it 6 weeks. Apparently he wants me there three times a week for 6 weeks.

There's an information session next week that is free that I'm going to go check out.

Still a little skeptical, but I am going to give it a go and see what happens. I'll keep you all updated! Thanks for all your input on the matter.