Chiroprator question/ assesment (maintenance, assessments, medical)

[aag-charlotte]

Hurt my back a few years ago and got fixed up by a really good, professional chiro who's not seeing patients anymore.

Hurt myself again this winter and I went to a small practice locally and got a couple adjustments, but didn't feel they were treating me aggressively enough. I stopped going, but I still have some pain. Went to yet a different chiro up the road who seems to know what he's doing and has relieved a good bit of my pain and given me some good therapy advice.

I have two issues, though:

He said he's going to have to see me at least a dozen times before I'm better. When I *REALLY* hurt myself a few years ago, it didn't take that long.

When I asked him precisely what he thinks is wrong with me and why it's going to take so long, he said I've got a herniated disc.

Surprised me because I've never had a herniated disc before - I've just been out of alignment a bit. Plus the other chiro's I've been to took X-rays on my initial visit to see what's going on. This guy hasn't taken any X-rays at all and has made some very quick assessments of my condition on just two visits.

Is it possible to diagnose a slipped disc/ herniated disc without x-rays? Is that possible?

[vmaxnc]

I can't speak about the issue of diagnosis, but I will say that being told I'll need to come back many times is what turned me off from chiro years ago. I'd been several times for lower back pain, and when I asked the doc how many more times I'd need to come back he said 2-4 times a month, forever. I didn't need to be a doctor to know if my back was that bad, there was actually a real problem, not just misalignment or being overworked temporarily. Then I found a PT that adjusted me and showed me some exercises, and for the most part if I maintain a regimen, I have few back problems now.

[aag-charlotte]

The last time I got *fixed* I learned to take care of myself really well and didn't have any issues for years.

I reinjured myself a few months ago and I need mending, but I'm a little skepticl about the treatment I've been getting. Wanted to see what other people have had experience with...

thanks!

[spankys bbq]

A severe injury can require ongoing care, but more as maintenance than treatment. The important thing is that you found someone you trust. Stick with that person if you prefer him. And not doing x-rays seems a little scary to me. I believe I would have walked out at that point.

[aag-charlotte]

I didnt go back. He wanted all these visits, but my treatments were in and out, fast fast fast. Seemed to be knowledgeable, but I didn't think I was getting thorough medical care.

Went to see my GP who listened, gave me some steroids to ease the inflammation, some meds for the pain - which I really needed - and seemed to know more about my injury and how to take care of it than the chiro.

He's going to get me an MRI soon to make sure we're not dealing with a serious problem in my lower back. Then he's got specialists whom he knows that he can hook me up with, if it comes to that. That was two days ago, and right now I'm in virtually no pain. The cortisone and the pain meds have helped me immensely.