I can't fix bad surgery
"The worst thing patients can do is go out and have surgery first. Musculoskeletal surgery is permanent and is not always successful. Then they come to us and want us to try to make it better. Sometimes we can help but really it would be better if they saw a chiropractor first, before going under the knife." —Jeff Williams, DC, Creek Stone Integrated Care in Amarillo, Texas
Here are 50 secrets your surgeon won't tell you.
Your boss doesn't care about your bad back
"Work responsibilities tend to cause people to take on more than they can or should. Many times I'll see some great early progress only to see the patient go and aggravate their complaint because they didn't want to get in trouble at work or in school athletics." —Jeff Williams
Chiropractic isn't a religion, it's a science
"Often I hear people say that they 'don't believe' in chiropractic care, but there is decades of research backing our profession, much done by governments, academics, and even the medical profession. This isn't something you believe in or not, like magic, it's rooted in science and can be quite powerful." —Jeff Williams
Never do these seven things that are making your chronic pain worse!
Men, look into getting a murse (a man purse)
"I see men all the time keeping their wallet in their back pocket. The problem is that every time they sit they are creating a postural distortion to the lumbar spine which then affects the entire spine and nervous system. This bad habit over time can create weakness and instability, especially in the lumbar spine and lower back." —Gena Bofshever, DC
I know when you're lying about exercising
"Most people know they should be exercising, or at least stretching, each day. But many feel like they don't have the time so they skip it. However, I can tell if you're not taking at least five to 10 minutes a day to exercise as you improve after treatment but regress in between sessions because you aren't doing enough to help yourself." —Mark El-Hayek, D.C., owner of Spine and Posture Care in Sydney, Australia
Check out how these hidden muscles are causing you a lot of pain.
Stop waiting so long to come in
"Too many people wait to seek help until their pain is severe. But pain is the last signal in the body to turn on to let us know that something is not right. Addressing symptoms early on can change the duration of a treatment plan. Patients often want a quick fix, and that is more likely to happen by paying attention to what your body is telling you, and seeking care in a timely fashion." —Rubina Tahir, DC, host and producer of The Rx on mynewphilly.com.
Don't miss these 50 secrets surgeons don't tell their patients.
It might feel worse before it feels better
"As I create movement through the spine or extremities, the muscles will try to guard and protect the body. That means that a patient will most likely get muscle spasms and tightness or soreness from the adjustments. I recommend ice to help calm down the muscle spasms and helps with soreness throughout the process." —Matt Tanneberg, DC, CSCS, sports Chiropractor at Arcadia Health and Wellness Chiropractic in Phoenix, Arizona
My malpractice insurance is just $2,000 a year
"There is this misconception that chiropractic care is dangerous. But if you look at a surgeon's malpractice insurance, it will be anywhere from $80,000 to $150,000 per year; a medical doctor has malpractice anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 per year; and yet my malpractice is just $2,000 per year. If what I did was dangerous, my malpractice would be comparable to, or more than, that of a medical doctor or a surgeon." —Matt Tanneberg
Make sure you know which over-the-counter meds are best for every type of pain!
