Comments on: Would I be better off going to a chiropractor, orthopedic specialist, massage therapist, or other practitioner?

By: Scott B

Scott B — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:28 +0000

I’d try a scoliosis specialist first. Any doctor without the specialized training doesn’t have the expertise to treat scoliosis.

Seeing a pain management doctor is something you can do at the same time as seeing the scoliosis specialist. This doctor will work with you, probably starting out with weaker meds. Give the drug a good chance to work, then tell the doctor if it worked or not. The doctor can try other things, by themselves or in combination.

By: Ralfcoder

Ralfcoder — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:28 +0000

I’d go see an osteopath first. If that doesn’t work, ask for referrals. I wouldn’t go to a chiropractor unless nothing else was working, and that would mean I would strongly consider surgery first.

By: barbara g

barbara g — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:28 +0000

Orthopedic specialist. But in the mean time have you tried acupuncture for pain relief?

By: Busy Mommy of 2

Busy Mommy of 2 — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:28 +0000

I am a former nurse, I used to work in Neurology. We used to get a lot of referrals of people with spinal problems. When we couldn’t do anything for them we would refer them to Physical Medicine also know as Physiatry. We had a Physical Medicine doctor who would use injections, such as lidocaine and botox. He also used acupuncture as a means of relieving his patients pain. All of our patients had a lot of luck with these alternative therapies! There is also the option of a pain clinic, they usually use medication to treat your pain along with procedure like epidural injections or spinal blocks. Most of these specialist require a referral from a primary physician or general practitioner, so I would start there and mention a referral to Physical Medicine or a Pain Clinic. Best of luck with your pain management.

By: flingebunt

flingebunt — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:28 +0000

You forget the choice of manipulative physio therapists, who do the same thing as chiropractors but are more acceptable to the medical establishment.

Anyway, what you are dealing with is chronic pain, which probably means there is no magic wand cure.

The orthopedic specialist is the person most likely to be able to provide a cure,

however, from experience, you will find practictioners of asian style massage can give you absolutely wonderful results for a lot less money.

But basically you have to keep trying things to find what helps you manage the pain.

By: Jono

Jono — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:28 +0000

Go to everyone and anyone that you can find relief with.

Nutritionist, acupuncturists, physical therapists, massage therapists, osteopath, chiropractor…

You probably won’t get quick relief for something you have had since you were a kid.

Stop eating sugar, gluten, simple carbs, caffeine

By: Zambiti

Zambiti — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:28 +0000

You need a good Chiro recommendation for your area. Maybe a local, area message board will help. It sounds like you haven’t necessarily jumped around, which is good. But, a good chiro and sticking with them will help.

Of course going to a chiropractor doesn’t eliminate the need for potentially another form of intervention. An osteopath would be the next best bet. With any luck, you can find the two forms of docs who will work together in your best interest. Depending on the size of the area in which you live, you may find you need to drive to get to a larger metro area where the choices are more.

Good luck.

By: hokuwahinelee

hokuwahinelee — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:28 +0000

As a massage therapist it sounds to me you need a good massage . An experienced therapist can help with your muscle strain caused by the scoliosis . massage can help with a great deal of your problems a chiro can only manipulate your spine so much due to its curve the musculature is pulled off balance continually and any further offset is going to have you in pain . your hip pain is likely aused by your body trying to stay center ( its a trickle down effect ) you may alos need an adjustment but i personally feel without massage the results are significantly less.