Backpain, chiropractor or massage therapist?

[HiTempguy1]

I recently developed some backpain, due to a number of reasons (currently doing a job at work that is an awkward position, building an acreage, and not nearly enough exercise in the past year).

Would a chiropractor or massage therapist be more beneficial to helping? It's not massive "omg I can't move/chronic backpain", but it is there and I don't want to make it worse. Your back is pretty important!

Thanks for the help!

[brucebanner]

It's hard to say which is more effective. You could have tweaked a muscle or you could be misaligned. Both have worked for me in the past and I typically go to Chrio monthly for "maintenance work" haha.

Where are you sore?

[HiTempguy1]

Originally posted by bruceod
It's hard to say which is more effective. You could have tweaked a muscle or you could be misaligned. Both have worked for me in the past and I typically go to Chrio monthly for "maintenance work" haha.

Where are you sore?

Right at the bottom of my back just above the hips/ass crack. Basically where your body naturally bends at.

[Tik-Tok]

The few chiro's I know, have massage therapists in their office as well. So basically the "Doctor" does his spine thing, then you get your muscles done in the next room.

Personally, I would go to a sports massage therapist first, and if that doesn't help, then go to a chiro.

[ExtraSlow]

I've done massage for back pain for years, and I do find it give some relief. Only about 50% of the MT's out there actually know anything, so if you aren't seeing results, switch therapists.
I also did chiro for about one year, and I was impressed with the results for the first few months, then hit a plateau.
Currently with a physiotherapist, and I'm very happy. Wish I'd gone to see her a year ago.

If you are downtown, I recommend Dr. McDonald at Tower Chiro, or better yet, Lea at Fith Ave Physio.

No current favourite downtown massage therapy, my favourite therapists always seem to quit.

[tobypaddock]

go to a doctor and get a diagnosis.

I have been messing around with back/hip pain for 7+ years now and tried everything (chiro, physio, active release, acupuncture, massage therapy) as well as numerous new mattresses to try and fix it myself with very little results (acupuncture and massage therapy seemed to do the most) finally got a new family doctor and he immediately referred me to a specialist...


moral of the story: dont be an idiot like me and waste $1000's of dollars trying to fix it yourself

[CanmoreOrLess]

Chiro, to begin with your back/hips were out of wack from the lack of physical exercise. You had to bend over in an odd way many times. You would not know this in the moment, as you previously did very little of this movement and everything was and is tight; actually tighter. All seems well in the moment of doing it, only later do you know the truth.

If you do not exercise your hip flexors daily are all out of movement and tight, tight, tight. Twenty minutes with a chiro and all is pushed back into place. The chiro can recommend a massage therapist if need be.

If you ignore it, try and work around it, it will only become another problem and in my experience a larger one.

Both are very good at Scarboro Chiropractic Wellness Ctr.:
http://www.scarborohealth.com

1507 16th Avenue SW
Easy to get parking.

Dr. Robin Dohlman
(403) 228-5922
He works with pro motorcross racers, football players, rodeo pros, etc.

Dr. Jarett Terlesky
(403) 228-5922

[Unknown303]

Don't go Chiro. Go to a doctor and get a prescription for Physio and one for massage (If required by your benefits).

I recently messed up my back super bad to the point of being unable to walk and after going to Physio 3 times and doing the required exercises nightly I'm feeling fantastic. My favorite thing about Physio is after the first appointment they "release" you. Like they've done all that they can and have given you the guidance to prevent it next time. But when I've been to a Chiropractor they usually feed me some line about how I'll have to require once a month for the next 200 years and I should be fine. I think it makes more sense to see people who want to make you better and never see you again then see a person who wants you to require all the time.

[AE92_TreunoSC]

I fully endorse chiro's but I definitely recommend to advise them to not touch the neck. They encourage good habits, help with all sorts of pain, but the neck is too delicate and major nerve and muscle damage can come from a mistake.

[pockett]

I would recommend Dr. Paul at Pure Health Chiro. I have a gift card for a free exam if you'd like. PM me for details.

[D. Dub]

Get a diagnosis from a real doctor first.

[duaner]

As has been said, go see a doctor first. The wrong treatment could make things worse, although that is less likely with massage or physio.

Things can get misaligned but that is most likely to happen from muscles tightening and pulling things out of alignment. Massage and/or physio first, chiro only if necessary and recommended by your doctor, massage therapist or physio (which is unlikely, lol).

[lellowrx7]

When you guys are saying doctor, do you mean family doctor or just a walk in clinic type deal??
I dont per say have a family doctor but i wouldnt mind looking into an actual check up.
The rigs more often then not put my back in a some serious pain before the end of a three week tour.
Usually a massage fixes it up for me but it cant hurt to look into alternate treatments right?

[D. Dub]

Originally posted by lellowrx7
When you guys are saying doctor, do you mean family doctor or just a walk in clinic type deal??

Same thing.

[ricosuave]

acupuncture works best for me

[Caricar]

Oh man I've got tons of experience dealing with back pain. The biggest thing with managing it is discipline and taking your own initiative to understand it and get the right resources.

Best treatment methods (I dealt with low back pain and mid back pain from an MVA - herniated disks, tore a bunch of muscles, whiplash, all the good fun stuff)

Combo of Active Release Therapy & Graston Therapy. Hurts like a b**** getting it done, but the pain relief is instant and lasting. Especially if it's muscle spasms/scar tissue related.

I go see a guy in Calgary, David Swagar at CrossFit MOST www.crossfitmost.com - he combines active release, graston, is almost finished osteopathic school and has massage therapy & kines degree. He works with a lot of athletes, many pros have been to him. Good guy who has a holistic view. When he treated me for my back injury, he saw systemic issues with compensation - we got those fixed up so that my olympic lifts weren't causing me even more issues. Got me on track with corrective exercise (he is certified through NASM). He's also kick ass at crushing the occasional migraine. Really reasonable rates and he doesn't blast through appointments in 15 min like most ART people do. He's at CrossFit Most just off Blackfoot - pretty much right behind cocobrooks pizza so it's good if you commute that way. He just moved from a kensington clinic, so his schedule is flexible.

Seriously consider doing some corrective exercise.
There's a big connection between low back pain and glute/hip stabilizer muscles. This plan helped a ton with low back issues I had. http://runninginjuryclinic.com/resou...ercise-videos/ (WFS)

[theken]

Go do ab workouts for a week. Your back will not hurt. When my back starts hurting. That's when it's time to get in better shape. Strong abs less back pain

[littledan]

Originally posted by Unknown303
Don't go Chiro. Go to a doctor and get a prescription for Physio and one for massage (If required by your benefits).

I recently messed up my back super bad to the point of being unable to walk and after going to Physio 3 times and doing the required exercises nightly I'm feeling fantastic. My favorite thing about Physio is after the first appointment they "release" you. Like they've done all that they can and have given you the guidance to prevent it next time. But when I've been to a Chiropractor they usually feed me some line about how I'll have to require once a month for the next 200 years and I should be fine. I think it makes more sense to see people who want to make you better and never see you again then see a person who wants you to require all the time.

+1

[msommers]

I could never under a clear conscience recommend someone to go see a chiropractor. Some people swear by them and that's fine but also know there is such thing as the placebo effect. What I can recommend, after you've consulted with a physician, is to do yoga, stretching, and massage from a licensed and experienced therapist.

As pointed out, go see a doctor. Depending on their diagnosis, urge to see a sports med doc at the UofC. You'll need a referral to get an appointment and currently I don't know how backed up they are. I am assuming a walk-in clinic is sufficient for a referral but I would call and ask just to be sure. The GP may send you to a different specialist as well.

http://www.sportmed.ucalgary.ca/Sport_Medicine

[Afrodeziak]

I've got back pain here and there in the same spot (right above the butt).

I find massage works best and physio to help learn to stretch the right muscles.

I went to chiro for a short stint and after an xray learned that the very base of my spine was more cartilage like than bone, which attirbuted to the lack of support.

The question is, what activities aggravate it ? I find that if I do intense sports without proper warm-up I feel the pain for quite a while after. Sitting in a office chair all day doesn't help, particularly if I'm sitting with bad posture.

A new bed helped me out for sure.

I also want to add that I fully trust the Physio staff at the U of C. They can diagnose and help with issues much more than any Dr. I've ever visited.