"I really hope you can help me Dr. Sean, you are my last resort." - I hear this too often. Why? Why is seeking out holistic health care so often a person's last resort?
Patients consistently come in to see me as a "last resort" complaining of sciatica, horrible back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. They have exhausted their treatment options; having consulted with an orthopedist, seeing their primary care doc, visiting pain management, and in many cases even trying to self rehab through a Google search. Inevitably, I make the same request to all of these patients, "when you feel better, please make sure your friends and family don't save me for last when they have a problem."
I want to understand why people think their best option for musculo-skeletal recovery start with the most drastic measure (surgical consults and medication). First thing first, I need to take this opportunity to discuss what I mean by musculo-skeletal injuries because they are not all created equal. If you roll your ankle playing basketball and fear that your ankle might be broken or ligaments might be torn, you need to see an orthopedist. I'm not talking about injuries that occur traumatically, specifically, or horribly. If something is broken or if there is blood, I'm not your guy, and neither are my Chiropractic or Physical Therapist colleagues until a definitive imaging diagnosis can be determined (x-ray, MRI, CT scan, etc.). I think this is where the confusion is amongst the general public. Let me explain this as generally and simply as possible.
If you have been suffering from pain or lack of motion for more than a week that is negatively impacting your every day life, whether you know how the pain started or not, Chiropractic Therapy or Physical Therapy is for you. Of course, I would always advise you to come see me, but your decision should be made based on the practitioner, not the practice. Simply put, don't see a Chiropractor because you think you need adjustments, and don't see a physical therapist because you think you need exercises. See a professional in either field who you have heard good things about or who your research tells you is a good choice for your needs. All Chiropractors do not practice the same way, and neither do all Physical Therapists.
Have you already been to a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist once and didn't like the results you got? Of course that doesn't mean you wouldn't try a different Chiropractor or Physical Therapist right? I hear that all the time too! "Na, I've been to a (Chiropractor or Physical Therapist), and I didn't like it, it's just not for me." Really?! What if the first Dentist you went to provided a less than enjoyable experience? Would you just fix your next cavity yourself? What if your Medical Doctor's initial diagnosis and treatment didn't get rid of your infection, would you give up on Medical Doctors all together and suffer from your ailment until it went away or killed you? This is common sense people. All providers are not created equal. Apply the concept to what you do for a living. If you don't think there are people out there doing what you do for more money than you and for less money than you providing an inferior service, you are crazy. Should people never come to you because their experience with your colleague was negative? It's common sense!
Okay I'm coming back to earth and discussing the topic in the headline one last time.
Orthopedists are great options for serious musculo-skeletal injury treatment. They perform surgeries with precision and efficiency when necessary.
Medical Doctors are good options for musculo-skeletal injuries as a referral option, they should point you in the right direction (usually will refer to Orthopedists for serious conditions and Physical Therapists or your couch for rest when injury is less serious).
Physical Therapists are good options for rehabilitative exercise following surgery or debilitating injury. They also can be very effective when dealing with acute or chronic pain conditions.
Chiropractors are your go to for improving movement that has been lost or become painful. They are very effective when dealing with acute or chronic pain conditions and commonly manipulate the soft tissues and the joints in order to restore natural motion.
If you don't need medication, which you don't for musculo-skeletal conditions except to mediate the pain associated with them, and if you don't need surgery, your best option for musculo-skeletal health care is a Chiropractor or a Physical Therapist.
When someone presents at my office with a condition outside of my scope of practice, I refer them to the right health care professional. Surely, my colleagues do the same. You don't have to see your MD first to see a Chiropractor for treatment or to consult with a Physical Therapist (although you commonly need a prescription for care for Physical Therapy from an orthopedist or MD).
If you are suffering from a condition that is limiting your movement, causing you pain, negatively impacting your daily life, stop waiting for it to go away just to let it come back again later. Go see your favorite Chiropractor or Physical Therapist. We all have time for you, and we all want to help.
Have a healthful day.
