Originally Posted by
Pete Daly
Well Andy I would take the doc's advice with a grain of salt. There's no way he can tell if there is a chronic injury from inferring such from long term back pain without a physical examination. He does not know your range or motion, and long term back pain =/= chronic muscle / joint problem necessarily (it could well be something to do with your vertibrae, spine, etc.).
The most important step in diagnosis is the case history. It's obvious that this gentleman has a global range of motion issue/hypomobility. What do you think that a soft tissue injury doesn't affect the joint?
Originally Posted by
Pete Daly
And no doctor in their right mind would prescribe any sort of heat treatment if he/she thinks a sprain or tear is involved. Ice is for swelling, and if you're constantly irritating your lower back, then it will almost definitely swell. NO HEAT!
Incorrect. Cryotherapy is only useful in the chief complete that is in its acute phase. Two weeks has passed. You really think he should utilize ice? If he was suffering from a tear the history would be different than his current presentation.
Originally Posted by
Pete Daly
In fact, it just sounds like a little tweak.
Tweak? Ugh.
Originally Posted by
Pete Daly
If you have always had some back pain, then THAT is something a chiropractor can help with, but that is not necessarily related to your current injury (as this "doctor" seems to think).
It most definitely could be related. Old injuries are usually the etiology for future injuries.
Originally Posted by
Pete Daly
I happen to think that it is NOT a major injury, from what you've posted. I would start with rest ice and elevation. Ice as much as you can, lay down with an ice pack and a couple pillows under your back as often as you can. If that does not help after 3 or 4 days, go see a real doctor.
Not to be redundant but this is not how to properly treat a skeletal-muscular injury in this current non-acute state. The ice would've been great the day of the injury on in to the following week.
Originally Posted by
Pete Daly
I have the utmost respect for R.N.'s. My mother served under that title for over thirty years. However, her education was not comparable to the 4 years of biology: pre-med and an additional 4 years of college to receive my doctorate.
Please don't misconstrue my intentions here. I'm not looking to get into the proverbial pissing contest here. I see between 30-40 patients/day many with these same complaints. I'm not guessing or shooting in the dark, but am taking the data given and formulating a working diagnosis sans examination. I'm not trying to be Superman here, but rather help someone that can't afford to go and blow $1200 on imaging and another $1-$3000 receiving treatment.
Bookmarks