Twisted Vertebrate in Neck - who to see
Discussion
Few years back I had neck pain and was getting really bad tension headaches. I went to a Chiropractor who said I had a twisted vertebrate. He did some cracking and it did feel a bit better.
I then read that chiros were considered quacks and that neck manipulation can be dangerous and cause TIAs so I stopped going. Its mostly been ok since but recently its been bad again. I can't sleep without my own pillow which fits me perfectly. I have to take it on holiday etc. If not I wake up with a bad tension headache that I can't shift.
I thought the twisted vertebrate stuff he said was b
ks, but recently I saw a physio, for back pain, who was really highly recommended by people and he said the same thing.
Anyway I want to get it sorted so I can go camping and do other things and not wake up with a bad head. But who should I go and see? A physio, my GP, Osteopath etc? Don't know who is best
I then read that chiros were considered quacks and that neck manipulation can be dangerous and cause TIAs so I stopped going. Its mostly been ok since but recently its been bad again. I can't sleep without my own pillow which fits me perfectly. I have to take it on holiday etc. If not I wake up with a bad tension headache that I can't shift.
I thought the twisted vertebrate stuff he said was b
ks, but recently I saw a physio, for back pain, who was really highly recommended by people and he said the same thing.Anyway I want to get it sorted so I can go camping and do other things and not wake up with a bad head. But who should I go and see? A physio, my GP, Osteopath etc? Don't know who is best
So you have the same problem which was really relieved seeing a chiropractor. I'd go back to see them 
RE risk of TIA, the risk is absurdly small as is no higher than looking behind you when reversing your car, or if you tip your head back if it gets washed at the hairdressers. Anyone who says otherwise is talking rubbish and hasn't looked into the research.
RE risk of TIA, the risk is absurdly small as is no higher than looking behind you when reversing your car, or if you tip your head back if it gets washed at the hairdressers. Anyone who says otherwise is talking rubbish and hasn't looked into the research.
I wouldn’t trust a chiropractor as far as I could throw them.
What do they mean by twisted vertebrae? Scoliosis? Kyphosis? If it’s either of the aforementioned were you born with it or is it acquired? Many scoliosis are congenital or develop in childhood for example.
Cracking or manipulating the neck won’t untwist a scoliosis or “twisted” vertebrae.
What do they mean by twisted vertebrae? Scoliosis? Kyphosis? If it’s either of the aforementioned were you born with it or is it acquired? Many scoliosis are congenital or develop in childhood for example.
Cracking or manipulating the neck won’t untwist a scoliosis or “twisted” vertebrae.
JapanRed said:
I wouldn’t trust a chiropractor as far as I could throw them.
What do they mean by twisted vertebrae? Scoliosis? Kyphosis? If it’s either of the aforementioned were you born with it or is it acquired? Many scoliosis are congenital or develop in childhood for example.
Cracking or manipulating the neck won’t untwist a scoliosis or “twisted” vertebrae.
I agree with your last sentence, but it's worth bearing in mind that these things can be a bit "Chinese whispers" and so what someone hears and then tells may not be exactly what was initially. For example "You have a slight scoliosis which is a sideways curvature of the spine, this causes some of your vertebrae to rotate/twist; this causes many problems for your joints and muscles, and whilst we can't untwist it, we can help with all of the structures under more load which gives you relief"What do they mean by twisted vertebrae? Scoliosis? Kyphosis? If it’s either of the aforementioned were you born with it or is it acquired? Many scoliosis are congenital or develop in childhood for example.
Cracking or manipulating the neck won’t untwist a scoliosis or “twisted” vertebrae.
That would be perfectly feasible and fine to say, because, despite your distrusts in a chiropractic, would be true, and it can offer a great deal of relief, safely, for many people.
Scabutz said:
I haven't had anything diagnosed. All I know is two separate people have said the 4th vertebrate in my neck is twisted/rotated. I imagine its acquired as I only started having problems with it in my mid twenties.
From what you’ve said and it’s almost a stab in the dark without xrays - I’ve never seen an isolated C4 scoliosis (I’m not sure it can even occur). Most scoliosis occur over multiple levels and usually in the upper (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) back. You can get curvature of the cervical spine (neck) but it’s super rare to occur without your back being twisted as well. I’m relatively confident that you’ve been misdiagnosed as it just doesn’t make sense to me (I’ve seen hundreds if not thousands of these).
If it started in your 20’s it was probably congenital.
(Obviously all of the above is a bit of a guesstimate and not medical advice).
You need a proper examination and to go from there. It just seems to make sense to that if chiropractic helped you in the past you should go back there but just ask them exactly what is wrong.Scabutz said:
I then read that chiros were considered quacks and that neck manipulation can be dangerous and cause TIAs so I stopped going.
That's the scientific and medical consensus, yes. Manipulation has been proven to relieve symptoms in many cases, but yes, they're still quacks. Furthermore, in my experience, both personal and from listening to others, they'll do what they can to get money from you. I have a permanent injury to my left leg which gives me pain all day and all night, and, in my desperation, a Chiro duped me into thinking he could cure it. We agreed that I'd pay for five sessions and see whether there was any change - he made a right fuss when I stopped after five sessions because there was no change. He was acting like my money was the only important thing. I've heard this from many other people too.
I'd recommend seeing your GP and going from there. They are an actual trained medic, as will be the person they refer you to.
RickRolled said:
See the GP and ask for a referral.
Im sure the GP will somehow manage to diagnose your issue with out the xray and magical solution will be to take painkillers.
That's what puts me off. Had back pain last year because of a muscle spasms. GP gave me a handful of pills and sent me on my way. £30 & 30 mins with a sports injury chap and I was fixed properlyIm sure the GP will somehow manage to diagnose your issue with out the xray and magical solution will be to take painkillers.
Don't mind paying pay the hour for physio etc but if I need to see a proper specialist then will have to go via the GP.
Scabutz said:
RickRolled said:
See the GP and ask for a referral.
Im sure the GP will somehow manage to diagnose your issue with out the xray and magical solution will be to take painkillers.
That's what puts me off. Had back pain last year because of a muscle spasms. GP gave me a handful of pills and sent me on my way. £30 & 30 mins with a sports injury chap and I was fixed properlyIm sure the GP will somehow manage to diagnose your issue with out the xray and magical solution will be to take painkillers.
Don't mind paying pay the hour for physio etc but if I need to see a proper specialist then will have to go via the GP.
RobM77 said:
That's a shame. You could maybe try a different GP, or ask that same GP if you could see an appropriate specialist? My wife's a GP and her surgery actually work with a private physiotherapy clinic for exactly your sort of issues - she'd have sent you straight to a sports injury specialist physio. The idea of that for her is the specialist will cure the problem and the patient won't be back for repeated appointments and more pills.
We can pick and choose which GP we see. Some are better than others. There is one chap who used to work there permanently but now only does locum work on a Friday. He is always running late because he is one of the few that bother to listen and try and treat the actual problem, so takes his time. A lot of the others are just prescription-flingers. Will wait till Friday and try and see him.Painkillers aren't going to work for me anyway as most of the time its just a bit annoying. Only very occasionally is it really painfull. Thats what I want to avoid - the flare ups.
How old are you OP?
Rightly or wrongly your GP will take your age into consideration when deciding what to do with you.
Eg - a 20 year old who’s had neck pain would be referred as something is clearly wrong.
An 80 year old with same symptoms will possibly be put down to arthritis and old age and sent on their way.
Rightly or wrongly your GP will take your age into consideration when deciding what to do with you.
Eg - a 20 year old who’s had neck pain would be referred as something is clearly wrong.
An 80 year old with same symptoms will possibly be put down to arthritis and old age and sent on their way.
To me, it sounds like a tension headache caused by tight trapezius muscles- I used to get them, fairly intensely, along with neck pain. Solved by Trap release and massage, almost instantly- easier if someone does it for you, but you can do it yourself too.
The cause for me was sleeping on one side, allowing certain muscles to tighten, and also slouching/bad posture. I still have to massage them, but massaging, sorting out the sleeping issue and posture corrections stopped the headaches.
The cause for me was sleeping on one side, allowing certain muscles to tighten, and also slouching/bad posture. I still have to massage them, but massaging, sorting out the sleeping issue and posture corrections stopped the headaches.
Yes that's exactly what it is. Traps area often invoiced although the pain does stem from the mid neck more.
Sleep certainly triggers it. I've dealt with it by trying loads of pillows and picking the right one. But that's the problem I have to take my pillow everywhere. I'm doing some camping and mountain stuff next year so want to try and sort it so I don't rely I the pillow.
I have a massage occasionally so will get them to focus I the traps more
Sleep certainly triggers it. I've dealt with it by trying loads of pillows and picking the right one. But that's the problem I have to take my pillow everywhere. I'm doing some camping and mountain stuff next year so want to try and sort it so I don't rely I the pillow.
I have a massage occasionally so will get them to focus I the traps more
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