So I've been seeing a chiropractor for about a month now for some sciatic and back problems I'm having. When he uses the flexion distraction Cox table, it feels good and I have no achyness later. But when he adjusts my back, I end up with a achy back a few hours later that can last a couple days.
I understand he's manipulating my back in ways it's not used to, so I'd imagine that my back responds to that, and if I keep up with it my back to get used to it. This is what he told me when I asked him about it.
But I'm starting to loose confidence in the process. I have a hard time understanding that my back has to feel worse, before it feels better.
Have you been to a chiropractor, how did your body respond in the beginning as as the treatments went on?
Chiropractic treatment left me in worse pain than I was before. I will NEVER let another chiropractor touch me.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my chiro. Love him. To death.
I see him every 2 weeks. And I have never once left more sore than when I went in. So that would concern me. I have seen him for sciatica, amongst other things.
He has explained to me what I do to cause the recurring issues that I have. Some are gym related, some are "M." related, some are the way I carry myself and my general posture. I have learned how to identify what I'm doing to throw myself out of alignment, and how to help myself get back to feeling good on my own as much as I can.
In my measure, that is what a good chiropractor should be doing for you.
I love the Cox Table. When my chiropractor would put me on it he'd massage me, use ultra sound, and take his time.
When he was done he simply turned me over and pulled my head about 1/2 inch. My back would adjust all the way down in that one motion. I would be so relaxed and wouldn't hurt afterwards.
I have been going since I was 17 about once a month (43 now) and have never left in more pain. I go now twice a month and see the massage therapist for chronic knotted muscles. I don't just go for back or muscle issues I also go for overall wellness (my daughter goes too since birth and she is 7.5).
You should discuss this with your chiropractor like MandA M said there are some things like posture, cleaning, etc. that will cause you to go back out of adjustment and then the pain starts again. Ask about different stretches and exercises you can do when you are not there.
The only pain you should feel should be a soreness from the movement of your muscles. The spine is connected to tissue. When the spine is moved the muscles that have strengthened over the years to "know" where they are supposed to be are now moving to a different location....they will pull back into their old home (out of memory) and thus the reason for time and repetition to get the spine to stay where it is supposed to be. It's possible he's not a great chiropractor but unless you have bad reviews, a month is not long enough to determine that. Your issues have been developing since birth. You can't expect things to be better in a month. Other issues may improve immediately (e.g. Immune system, heart, lungs, sinuses, etc.) but your actual back may take a much longer time...
Hope this helps.
M.
My chiropractor (which I don't see very often anymore) is AMAZING. According to her you should not hurt afterwards...you should just feel good. I went through the process of trying 3 other chiropractors before I found her. They were all so different and none were as good as she is. So perhaps you should try a different person. I have chronic low back issues and I used to have a LOT of chronic pain and sciatica. Now I only have stiffness when I first wake up in the morning. I used to not be able to move certain ways...now I can move just fine. The chiropractor, the physical therapist, and gentle yoga all helped me heal my back. I do yoga 3 times a week and I highly recommend that for you when you are ready. I really can't recommend it enough. The yoga class does most of the exercise the PT gave me to do as well. Start slowly in a gentle yoga class.
I went to one who made my back feel better when she was done. Then she left and I switched to someone else in the same practice. After a few visits - to say I had little confidence in him would be an understatement. I don't know what he did differently, but he seemed to schedule a lot more appointments (so more $$ for him) but I never felt any better.
So, I think it's like any other doctor - there are some good ones, and some not good ones. If you don't think that yours is helping you, get a second opinion.
I have seen a few chiropractors over the years (I have complications from never-corrected scoliosis), and my opinion is that this is an unbelievably diverse profession. I've had people who were perfectly nice and sweet but did nothing, one person who made me all kinds of skeevy and uncomfortable, and my current chiropractor, who is just amazingly wonderful and works (highly scientific) miracles.
For whatever reason, chiropractors are like a number of professionals -- therapists, lawyers, teachers. It really, really matters who you get. The services aren't interchangeable.
My Chiro always suggests I ice my back after treatment.
Sometimes I am sore if it has been a long time. But if I drink a bunch of water and take some ibuprofen, the next day I feel amazing!
I have never hurt after going to the chiropractor, ever. And I've had some pretty screwy issues with my back. But ultimately, I never felt sore afterward, and I had to go less and less as time went by. I hardly ever go anymore, and feel fine. If I were you, I'd think about finding another chiropractor and just seeing how that goes.
