So I went to the chiropractor...
Let me preface this with some background information.
When I was 12, I broke my tailbone on a water slide (I'm now 21). Since then I've had to deal with constant pain. It hurts to sit for longer than 10 minutes. I've developed bad posture as a result of sitting on the side of my ass to take pressure off my tailbone. This in turn has caused some minor back pain.
I brought this up to my friend who has scoliosis. He recommended that I visit the chiropractor. I figured I'd check it out because my insurance will cover it.
The whole experience was odd though. The chiropractor gave off a total quack/holistic medicine vibe. The woman I saw was particularly interested in seeing me again (she had x-rays done for a follow-up and talked to me about how the treatment would only be effective if done regularly).
Is this a typical experience? Is there any real benefit to chiropractic?
Posted Apr 26, 2012, 8:13 AM UTC
Chiropractors can be very effective in very specific cases, but nothing they do can fix a broken bone that hasn't healed in 9 years. If you've been diagnosed with a fractured coccyx, your best bet for relief is likely with an actual doctor who specializes in bones.
This testimonial from ten years ago details the author's own solution, which was complete removal of the coccyx after multiple misdiagnoses and a chiropractor finally tracking down the problem. The removal, however, was eventually done by a proper surgeon. (Keep in mind, though, this is a single anecdote. Be sure to do plenty of your own research and consult a proper medical professional).
I'm not trying to treat the coccyx pain. I can have nerve blocks done (I have in the past), but I like to avoid them if I can (it's been about 10 months since my last one). Right now, I'm just trying to treat my minor back pain until I get another nerve block done next month.
Despite being connected (physically speaking), my tailbone isn't causing my back pain. I sit oddly as to not put pressure on my tailbone. My sitting posture is the source of my back pain.
I probably should have made that clear in the post.
If you're only looking for temporary relief, you may be able to get that from the chiropractor. Don't be afraid to ask directed questions about how whatever procedure is prescribed will specifically help your condition, though. If it's valid, they should be able to provide data to back it up.
Also, to address one of your concerns in your original post: the concept of Holistic medicine isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it merely stresses taking into account the health and treatment of an entire person over tunnel vision - disease and injury are still treated with real medical science, but with additional attention paid to the mental and social health of the patient. It's when someone starts using the label while telling you that your ailments are a result of your poor outlook on life that the alarm bells should start going off.
There's little chance that the bone hasn't healed. Not venturing into medical advice, bone pain that long after the incident (assuming a doctor actually had him/her in stasis for long enough) would indicate something like myelofibrosis.
Surprisingly, 'cracking' the back could actually provide some real relief in this case due temporary realignment of the marrow. This is just a thought, but I wouldn't say it's impossible.
It's pretty much impossible to heal 100%. Think of how often a person sits.
That's what the stasis is for. A complex fracture of the coccyx will be dealt with in one of three ways. First, stasis with a hard cast. Second, a hard cast no restrictions. Third, a soft cast with instructions to avoid pressure on the area. Occasionally removal is indicated, but that's a rarity.
Simple fractures are rarely treated with anything but pain meds and instruction to avoid pressure on the area. They certainly won't break into the marrow. Then again, unless you're an idiot and ignore your doctor's instructions there shouldn't be any complications whatsoever.
I went to a spine specialist when I broke it. He said I could either have it casted and not sit for 2-3 months, or just not get a cast. I chose the latter. It was probably a mistake in the long run.
I'm having trouble processing what you said. Could you explain what you mean by "realignment of the marrow"?
In myelofibrosis the marrow often shifts out of position and you get limited immune capacity near the region because of that fact. Moving the bones could, potentially (depending on break location) move the marrow closer to their original positions. Those immune problems are the cause of pain in myelofibrosis.
In no way am I saying that this is a likely scenario. It would be a million:one shot, but despite my skepticism I can't say that it's impossible for it to happen.
Edit: The more I think about it, there's no way that a chiropractor would be working near the coccyx. It's the final vertebra section, and it's fused. Traditionally chiropractors work on the unfused vertebrae. I retract my statement from before because it's impossible
My new guess? Placebo.
Second edit: Go to an osteologist (not an osteopath.) Get an x-ray done and see if there's a good treatment available. I know next to nothing about osteology beyond how to treat a new fracture. I have literally no idea about how to repair a 9 year old fracture that didn't properly heal. I will warn you that any treatment will be terribly painful though. I'd ask about a coccygectomy if it's that terribly painful for you.
what
How about proprioceptive afferent fibers releasing gamma amino butyric acid upon stimulation via manual therapy. Spinal manipulation loosens restricted joints, resulting in GABA diffusing to surrounding neurotransmitter receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, resulting in reducing muscle spasm caused by / and also causing more / local and referred pain (commonly referred to as the pain / spasm / pain cycle)
Not saying chiros have done their diligence to prove this, but I've never heard "aligning the bone marrow" before. I've heard bone on a nerve, but that's mostly bullshit.
Also if this chiro puts supplements in your mouth and then pushes down on your arms that is called muscle testing and you should run away fast.