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The Kitchen Table

Back Pain question

13 years ago

My daughter, who is 16, has been having some lower back pain for a while. Should I take her to our family doctor or to a chiropractor? We have good insurance, but I know nothing about chiropractors and have no idea if most insurance companies cover them.

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Comments (11)

sushipup1
13 years ago
Start with your doctor. Suppose she has a kidney infection?
Jodi_SoCal
13 years ago
Just some thoughts ...

My son had terrible back pain when he was 13. We thought it was his backpack which was loaded down with books he had to carry to and from school but even driving him to school didn't help so we took him to his GP. X-rays and a urine test were ordered and it was determined he was constipated. One dose of a super duper laxative and all his pain went away.

Jodi-
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I was just about to post about my back pain when I saw this one. I had decompression surgery on my SI back in July. I had damaged my nerve horribly and still do not have full function of my left leg. It's very numb from my buttocks fold down to my toes (except I can feel my big toe). The horrible initial pain even kept me from walking, standing, sitting and going to the bathroom. It got really bad while on a trip to Vegas (where I ended up hospitalized for 5 days over the 4th of July before I was able to get a nerve block so I could fly home). My pain started about a month before the trip out to Vegas. Against my better judgement, I saw a Chiro. (I'm a Physical Therapist Assist., though I don't work in the field anymore, I keep my license active.. anyway, we have our reservations on Chiros). He did manipulate me brutally and felt some intial relief... but then the sh-t really hit the fan. He actually created greater damage by manipulating an area that was already in trouble with a herniated disc and thus he push that disc further out. A good MRI might have told him manipulation was not indicated! Stupid me, knowing better but desperate for pain relieve, let him manipulate my SI joint. Long story but anyway, I had surgery, my leg is still numb though the incapacitating pain is gone. Neurosurgeon says it could take up to a year before the leg returns. I limp and at times, my leg fails me a bit. I am now having discomfort again and also on the right side. I don't have back pain just bad buttock and leg pain (sciatic nerve). I will not submit myself to surgery again but will try the newer advances (which are really old ones improved). I think I'm going to see a PT. for decompression therapy- basically, the new traction machines that are working wonders for people. I suggest you try the same. It does the same thing surgery does (decompress a nerve) but slowly with traction. Surgery isn't always an answer and you have to remember you are creating scar tissue... which could be painful, too. Good luck and keep me posted. I'm worried about your outcome and hope you or noone else have to endure what I did. It's no fun when your nerve is damaged so bad you actually lose bladder control. Thank God that part is over with but I still deal with my numb leg... Pls. be careful who you see and don't allow manipulation of any kind until an MRI reveals exactly what the problem is- not an x-ray.... MRI!!
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Thanks for the commiseration, KT friends. It does help! I'm to see my primary tomorrow afternoon. The Cyclobenzaprine 5MG (muscle relaxant) she prescribed has not helped, but upping the tylenol-4 to one every five hours does help. (Prescription is every four hours, but I'd been limiting myself to every six hours for the stenosis pain over the past three years.) PT prescribed mostly leg stretches. I have one to reach the floor between spread knees (while seated), then sit up and extend arms, pushing shoulders together in the back. I'd expect more 'upper body', not that I can move at all now without stabbing pain! I'm going to check out your link, Annie. Anything that adds a sense of control helps.
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kris_zone6
13 years ago
It could be an ob/gyn problem. I had back pain with an ovarian cyst.
glenda_al
13 years ago
good luck
Georgysmom
13 years ago
Definitely start with your family doctor. If it turn out not to be a cyst or urinary track infection or other medical condition, you can consider a chiropractor. Most insurance companies cover a limited number of visits to a chiropractor.
azzalea
13 years ago
Start with your family dr., of course, there are so many different possibilities here. A chiropractor? I'm going to get some flack here, but I would definitely NOT take a child to one--they aren't medical drs, and can do a great deal of harm (including causing strokes). Instead, take her to an orthopedic dr. if you truly believe she's having problems with her back/spine. They're the ones who can identify and fix the problem, if necessary.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
13 years ago
It depends upon the quality of the chiro, azzalea. The one my husband goes to is remarkable in his knowledge and care. He has a working relationship with the orthopedic and neurological community. He can take x -rays when needed. Robert's own physician recommended that Robert go to him. Our insurance covers his visits without question.

That being said, I've never seen a child in the waiting room. That's not a good call for a 16 year old.
iowagirl2006
13 years ago
I know there are good Chiropractors out there - but there are so many that are complete quacks. One of my friends took her kids to one to "draw the poison out" after vaccinations. Oh brother!

Go to your regular doctor.

My DD had back pain related to a sports injury. She was able to get into physical therapy and do some core strengthening (I was surprised at how much that helped, considering she was already in top physical conditioning)

If I had taken her to a Chiropractor - we would still be going in for "adjustments" - flame me too, but I do not believe in Chiropractors.
linda_in_iowa
13 years ago
I have had back pain since my early 20s. I have scoliosis and tried orthopedic doctors, PT, acupuncture and chiropractors. Last fall I finally asked friend for recommendations for a chiro here in Ames. I went weekly for 8 weeks and now monthly. Bless his heart, this guy accepts Medicare as payment in full. Last Saturday I attended a parade at the University and walked all around campus afterwards. I haven't been able to stand through a parade without pain for 50 years. I was so amazed at how good I feel now and how my balance has improved.
bigfoot_liz
13 years ago
having taught at Indiana Univ Indy Medical School I am famous for saying "No one grows up saying they want to be a chiro, they start out saying doctor then fail..." I do know a small hand full of Chiro doc's who went on to do the 2+ yrs of med school specialty training, they are still chro's but have some Md training. I have many more MD friends & they do not go to Chiro's. Not everything is fixable by an MD but I would not go straight to a chiro w/o dr approval. I am sure there are some issues chiro's are well at but certainly not everything is treatable by cracking your back... I also have a college friend whose mom had back issues and went to a chiro and he damaged her back further & she spent weeks in traction. ~ liz
Georgysmom
13 years ago
There are good chiropractors and there are bad chiropractors just like in any field. Today they must have more extensive schooling then they had to have in the past. That being said, I feel the same way about chiropractors that I feel about microwave ovens. They have their place but I wouldn't want to cook my whole meal in them. Chiropractors have their place but I wouldn't wan to go to one to treat cancer. But, always start with an MD before going to a chiropractor. I went to an orthopedic DR and he said he sends many of his sports injured students to a chiropractor, depending on the injury, of course.

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