chiropractor or physio(kinda scared so have a read)

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Emma J

New member
hi guys,
Right i need some advice on what to do cos i'm unsure,sorry if it may be a lil long. I basically need to see if i need to go to a chiropractor or a physiotherapist and what the difference is in both of them.

Some background. i'm 24 and since i was 18 i've started having problems in my lower back. i'm small and petite. i started woking in a pub when i was 18 and i reckon maybe a year or so later(cud have been before i can't remeraber) i noticed some small changes in my lower back. the only thing i can describe it as was my lower back would "go". for maybe ten mins i wudn't be able to bend over to far. then it wud just go. it would happen every now and again. I put this down to having to carry the trays of pint glasses to and from the dishwasher and it put a strain on my lower back, as i said i'm small so maybe it was to much for my back. at 20 i stopped working in the pub but still noticed my back would go every now and again. at 22 i got a job as a waitress and thisinvolved again ifting trays and i noticed that my back would again start to hurt and i was certain it was defo from my previous work in the pub.

So last sept i went away to uni and i would come home every now and again with a back pack that i would carry. after about 5 times of doing this i notcied my back was starting to get worse and more frequent and that standing or walking or anything more than a half an hour would put a strain on my lower back to the point where i found it sore and stif to bend over much. so i came home in may from uni and i started to notced it again getting worse and more maybe weak. a walk from my house to the sops(15 mins each way) would have my back sore and againunable to bend over much. i'm 24 this should't be happening.

So 2 weeks ago i had a bad fall off a horse and as soon as i landed i felt my back but slighty higher up, not so much lower. so ever since my back is so sore.. but i'm again working in a pub and lifting trays. its now gotten so bad that its more of a constant thing now om my lower back up to near themiddle. I try to bend over slghty in work to strech it but i dunno if this could be doing morebad than worse also sometimes when i do try an stech it its like it catches my breath. last night i was sitting downand i put my feet up in front of me and suddenly i got a pain up my back. this has now scared me, hence why i'm here. also when i fell i hurt my neck and it was sore to look left. its eased up but when i woke this morning it was very sore and has been at me all day. a few mins ago i move my back slighty and i got a pain up it(but lower down)

Ok so, sorry about all the above i'm just a lil scared i've done something bad and lasting damage. i wanna go get it checked but people have said to see a chiropractor others say a physio. i dunno if its nerves or cartlidge weakening or muscle or if they just need to crack it or something!!!...
Any advice..
Thanks
Emma
 
I would recommend an orthopedic physician who specializes in the spine, and preferably one who has done a fellowship, if that's the same in Ireland as in the U.S. Your family doctor can refer you to a specialist to get you started. I would avoid a chiropractor for now until you get an accurate diagnosis. Some chiropractors really know their stuff and can be of great help with minor back pain, but there are people who have suffered permanent damage by chiropractors who adjusted an area that should not have been touched. Get clearance from a medical doctor before going the chiro route.

I wish you the best as you work through this. Back pain can be very elusive! Be patient and take it a step at a time as you go through the tests, poking, and prodding to figure out what's going on.

Emily
 
thanks emily,
I'm afraid that although i'm not in ALOT of pain but that i've done something really bad ya know.. i'm planning onjust being brave and making an appointment on monday.
 
Good for you! Please post again and let us know how it goes. Even if you're not in a lot of pain, you seem pretty sure --- and it sounRAB like it to me, too --- that something's not right. I know it's scary, but it would be better to know exactly what's wrong.

Now that you've made the decision, stay strong and make that call on Monday! And whatever other questions you have, we'll do our best to help you. We're not doctors, but we've had quite a variety of back issues. Been there, done that! It can be a hard road, but it's a big help to have people to talk with here who understand.

Blessings,
Emily
 
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