Joint Manipulation

A Manipulation Of The Facts?

Recently my brother in law came see me with a painful back. It turned out that he hurt his back lifting a suitcase three days before I saw him. The day after he did it he went to see a recommended professional who performed manipulation to his spine and hip. He went again the next day but felt no better. He was given no advice re posture or exercise.

When I saw him three days after the injury it was as plain as day from the history and the presenting signs and symptoms that he had damaged a disc in his back, one of the commonest injuries in the Western World. Following some treatment he is now recovering well. That though is not the point I wish to make.

The Big Question

What I want to know is what is the thought process or the rationale behind performing a relatively aggressive movement or manipulation on a spine that is newly injured, where the disc is intact? How can this be a way to improve someone? To my mind all this is likely to do is aggravate the condition by making the back go through movement in its inflamed state when it requires rest to allow the inflammatory process to settle.

If you wish to know my views on resting a back injury then please click here to read about them.

To extrapolate further. An injury inside the body produces the same as one on the outside. That is, there is bleeding, swelling and inflammation. If you cut your skin or tear a muscle do you go and violently move it to help it heal? Or do you tend to rest it and protect it for a while until the time is right to begin moving and functioning normally again? The answer is obvious, is it not?

Common Sense

This is not about trashing manipulation or its professional users. It is about using common sense and as a patient not being blinded by a 'white coat'. Choose your practitioner carefully and do not be afraid to ask questions. Any professional worth their salt will be more than willing to explain what they are intending to do and why they are intending to do it.




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