Chiro neck adjustments?

[ilovebabies]

Hi, I could really use some advice!

I've had 5 Chiro visits because of tension headaches. The pain started to radiate to my neck a couple of weeks after they started, prior to my first Chiro visit. I've never been to one before but she's been doing neck adjustments and the headaches have, for the most part, disappeared, but my neck pain is still there, sometimes worse. Sometimes it feels really stiff, and a couple of times, after my neck adjustment, I might have some inner ear pain or a feeling like they need "popped". I've had 2 small episodes of ringing in my ears as well.

I've had some friends tell me to stay away from neck adjustments because it can cause artery dissection, and stroke. I've researched this and am definitely reading a lot about it.

Should I be concerned? I've always read great things about Chiropractors on these board so I'd love to hear some feedback and if I should quit going and maybe see medical care for my neck... and if there might have been damage done?? Thanks!

[2xy]

I'm not a chiropractor or an expert in any way, but I've been a chiropractic patient for about nine years now. I always get my neck adjusted, since my neck has obvious problems (both symptomatically and on x-ray).

Whenever something new is applied in chiropractic, it's normal to feel achey or other discomforts. Your body has been holding itself in the same position for years, probably, and things are being moved around. Muscles and nerves can become irritated. At my first neck adjustment, I experienced an incredible head rush and felt a little woozy for a few seconds. And my neck hurt for a few weeks; even my headaches seemed to get worse before they got better. I think I was going 3 X a week for at least six weeks before I started feeling "good."

Does your chiropractor do any therapy after adjusting? Ice packs, muscle stimulation, etc? Has she asked about the sort of pillow you're using? If not, I would first suggest seeing a different chiropractor rather than seeing an MD.

[ilovebabies]

Originally Posted by 2xy

Does your chiropractor do any therapy after adjusting? Ice packs, muscle stimulation, etc? Has she asked about the sort of pillow you're using? If not, I would first suggest seeing a different chiropractor rather than seeing an MD.

Thanks so much for your reply! She took x-rays during my 1st visit and she said my neck looked like that of a whiplash patient. Each visit now first she does muscle stimulation (with warm moist pads on my back and neck) and then she does the adjustment. She asks me how I've been feeling and so forth, but that's it. I've asked her questions like how to sleep, what kind of pillow to use, etc. She came highly recommended, is board certified in our state, and graduated 3rd in her class. She's great, I like her a lot, I'm just super concerned about the neck adjusments and everything I've read. She said she could use a little tool instead, if it would make me more comfortable (she knows I'm a little unsure about the neck adjustment). She places the tool against the spine and it's just kind of pops things in place without turning the head at all.

If anyone has further thoughts or experience, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!!

[mbbinsc]

She should be teaching you exercises and how to manage your pain at home. You may have a better fit with a Physical Therapist, in most states that would require seeing an MD for a referral.

[ilovebabies]

Originally Posted by mbbinsc

She should be teaching you exercises and how to manage your pain at home. You may have a better fit with a Physical Therapist, in most states that would require seeing an MD for a referral.

She hasn't done that at all. She get in and out of the room pretty quickly and doesn't say a whole lot which is something that's bugged me. I'll check into that, or at least change Chiros. Thanks.