Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

I have been to both Chiro and PT for several years with back problems. it started in 1989. first PT thought it was a muscle spasm. 6 months later I went to a Chiro, thought it was a rotated vertabrae. second PT thought same thing as first chiro. second chiro just thought my L4 and L5 were out of line. This went on and on until I stopped swimming. I was taking motrin twice a day, from 1989 until 2005. In 2005 I finally convinced my Family Dr to get me in to see a orthopedic specialist. Took a new set of x-rays, still nothing. Sent the x-rays off to be looked at by back specialist, and he asked for a set of MRI's to be taken. He found the problem, after 14 yrs of back pain I finally found out what it was, and that it was something not just in my head. Unfortunately the only chance to fix my back is surgury and 9-12 months recovery. Being the father of a new born, that was not an option. so now I just get massages once a month to ease the pain, but I have found that with both PT and Chiro it only helps while sitting there getting treatment. about 30-60 minutes later the pain is back.

Was seeing my God-like ART doc today for a nasty inflamed facet joint (ballistic movement in power yoga -- never again). He told me he had 65 appointments in 2 days before the Nations Marathon last weekend. I think those in serious training use chiro/ART docs. Deep tissue is obviously great as well. But ART is less time on the table.

Unfortunately the only chance to fix my back is surgury and 9-12 months recovery. Being the father of a new born, that was not an option. so now I just get massages once a month to ease the pain, but I have found that with both PT and Chiro it only helps while sitting there getting treatment. about 30-60 minutes later the pain is back. A couple of questions to think about: --The 9-12 months is "recovery" or "don't lift anything"? The former would seem very general. --Can you get some help during recovery period? Once infant becomes a toddler, the lifting doesn't stop, but the child is heavier and more active. A long time to be in pain and dysfunction. Hope things work out! Regards, VB

A couple of questions to think about: --The 9-12 months is "recovery" or "don't lift anything"? The former would seem very general. --Can you get some help during recovery period? Once infant becomes a toddler, the lifting doesn't stop, but the child is heavier and more active. A long time to be in pain and dysfunction. according to the Dr's here it would be 6 months laying down in bed, never being able to bend at the knees and hips at the same time, calling for a special "taxi" to pick me up if I need to go somewhere, while laying down. then after 6 months if the surgery was successful I can then start recovery. because of my athlete condiitoning they thought I could be back to working part time in 9 months and full time again in 12 months. so for me the laying in bed for 6 months is not very inviting. the major BUT was that the surgery might not take the first time and require a second try. that would be 9-12 months in bed and 15-18 months before I was "back to normal" as well as they said they can not say to what percentage the pain will go away. it could be anything frmo 5-80% less....for me its not worth it. I would rather take some kind of over the counter drug the rest of my life than lose 1 yr.... maybe later on in life. only 33 yr olds.

RYKNO_ Not exactly sure what your particular back issue is, but have you ever seen a chiro that offers a technique called "flexion/distraction"? For my patients with lumbar herniations and the like, it literally saves MANY of them from surgery (not all, mind you, but definately worth a short trial of therapy?) Feel free to message me if you have any questions about this technique. Katy

If the massages seem to help for a little while you might try an TENS unit. I have found this helpful in my own case. They are alittle bigger than a pager and can be worn like a pager. Ofcourse you would have to place the pads in the area you are having the problem and see if it helps. Your chiropractor should have access to one to see if it will help. In fact I ordered mine thru my chiropractor.

RYKNO_ Not exactly sure what your particular back issue is,Katy Sorry I didn't name it before, its hard for me to spell :-) spondylolisthesis: and since it was something that started in 1989 and no one dedectided it until 2005. I had been doing everything they say one should now do between '89-'96 by the time someone figured out what was wrong, the only treatment left was to surgically joint two vertabrae

Ryan, I've had this condition since at least 1988 (along with stenosis in the same area). Although I had one doc that was ready to cut immediately, others were much more conservative and I've been able to get by with aggressive P-T (primarily core stabilization) which probably improved my swimming in the long run. I've learned to live with the sciatica and will only consider surgery if I start losing strength in my legs. However, my research re surgery shows improved surgical techniques and much shorter less restrictive recovery periods than you described. Best of luck, Rich

Ha! That very injury (from YEARS of *** and fly) was what got me into Chiropractic, and ultimately convinced me to BE one. Not funny ha ha- just a coincidence. Do you know what grade (how much anterior/forward motion) and at what level? Core muscle stability is VERY important in preventing further motion. Simple xrays can detect whether or not your vertebra are stable during motion - did you have any where you bent all the wy forward/backward? If they are suggesting surgery, I would assume you must be grade 3+. Anyway, hopefully someone, or YOU have put you on a routine of core stabilizing, I found yoga very helpful for me Katy