When Chiropractic Care Doesn't Work
There is merit to trying something once. But just because you've tried chiropractic care once and it didn't work, does that mean that chiropractic doesn't work?
To answer this question, I'll give you two examples.The first is a 42 year old female with a multi-level disc herniation, confirmed by MRI, and radiating pain into her left arm. She had this pain for six years, during which time she was being seen by a chiropractor. She was able to maintain most of her function, but had to stop running due to her neck pain and dealt with constant pain on a daily basis. She came to me after her symptoms worsened and she was no longer getting any relief from getting adjusted.
At her first appointment, she had decreased range of motion in her neck as well as pain and tingling that radiated from her neck through her entire left arm and into her left ring and pinky fingers. She also had pain into her mid back. She had been to see a neurosurgeon who had recommended she continue with conservative care for as long as possible to avoid having surgery if possible. Her other chiropractor was able to to keep her from having surgery, but had not been able to completely get rid of her pain.I treated this woman 10 times and she is pain-free.
We are still working to improve her biomechanics, but for the first time in six years, she doesn't have neck or arm pain. She ran the other day and had no neck pain. I am not sharing this story to say that I could help her and her other chiropractor couldn't. In fact, he kept her from getting surgery, so I'd say he helped her a lot! But if she had said that chiropractic care "didn't work" because she hadn't been pain-free, then she would have been wrong. Chiropractors all practice differently, and some techniques work better for some individuals or situations.
This brings me to my next example: an 8 month-old boy who was overall healthy, ate well, and had a happy disposition. He didn't seem to be in any pain or have any real complaints, unless he was in his car seat. He screamed with every trip in the car, no matter how short or long. He wouldn't even "wear himself out" and just go to sleep. Once he screamed and cried for an hour and 45 minutes straight. Most car trips were stressful for him and his parents, and they traveled as little as possible. He had been regularly adjusted since birth by his mother, who is a wonderful chiropractor - me.
But after he fell and bumped his head on the freezer, I thought having another chiropractor take a look at him would be a good idea. He didn't seem to be in any major distress, but I wanted another set of eyes and hands on him. I took him to my good friend and colleague, Dr. Lauren Scott, and she did some SOT work on him (particularly working on his skull), a technique I do not practice. We left, and HE FELL ASLEEP IN THE CAR. I thought it was some sort of magical fluke, but then he did it AGAIN that night! And since then, he has been dramatically different in the car. He'll now play and smile and laugh. He isn't miserable, and it's a lot less stressful for everyone.
I am so grateful to Dr. Scott for helping my son .Is this because I didn't do a good job of treating my own son? Absolutely not. My son responds well to adjusting, but knowing what I know about chiropractic care, I thought he might benefit from another type of care. Being that I am a chiropractor myself, I am obviously open to all different types of care for myself and my family. My point is that you should be, too. Just because one chiropractor or one technique doesn't work for you at one point in your life doesn't mean that chiropractic doesn't work. It does work. I see it every single day.