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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Paradise
Posts: 855
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Paradise
Posts: 855
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dagma1
I would definitely not go to a Chiropractor until you've seen a specialist, spine, orthopedic surgeon etc, not sure which one is best but until you know exactly what treatment you need, you could make it much worse.
Go to your Dr. and she/he should refer you to the right place.
The pain can be so terrible, I was hurt 9 months ago, injuries including whiplash, now my neck is so painful 24/7 and the pain has gone to my back.
Good luck and don't do any treatment until a specialist has seen you and the MRI results.  |
My opinion aside, based on the literature available for chiropractic/manipulative therapy as treatment for whiplash, the outcomes are actually more favorable than conventional PT or exercise handouts alone. With regards to MRI, one should not be performed on a whiplash patient for that reason alone. MRI's are rarely indicated in that population without clear clinical suspicion of radiculopathy, instability, etc. There are in fact studies published stating that MRI's are not the "gold standard" for diagnosing whiplash trauma and unless you have obvious objective clinical abnormalities, you very likely will have a normal MRI which will confound the issue. It should be noted too that a normal MRI does not equal no problems. As far as looking for medical treatment, 90% of the general and family practitioners know nothing of 60% of the body (musculoskeletal system - an actual published study) and even less about chiropractic and when to refer. I would agree that if you only seek MD treatment, stick with an ortho or neuro. If an MD referral to a chiro is what you seek, a reasonable ortho or neuro who has worked with a good chiro is your best bet (they also will support what a good chiro can do as opposed to biased and unwarranted trashing of a profession). That said, IMO chiro's are like any other professional; 60% are just okay and conditionally can be trusted, 30% I wouldn't let touch my dog and 10% that are clearly superior and perhaps missed their calling and should have been orthopedists.
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