First off, I'd suggest that you alternate heat and ice in the area around your shoulder and shoulder blade. This will decrease the inflammation and any swelling. Secondly, continue with the strethening exercises that the Dr. Gave you and also continue with the adjustments. Ask him a lot of questions! Ask him why he thinks your vertebrae are going to fuse... Is it b/c you already have djd or scoliosis or what??
And of course you should see a massage therapist on a regular basis! Even if it's just a chair massage at the mall 1x/week on your neck and shoulders. Your muscles have been pulled and irritated so, you need to keep them relaxed with massage therapy. Prevention is the key to not getting hurt again. Keeping up with the chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy will keep your bones in alignment (which will effect your whole body, not just what he pops) and massage therapy will help his adjustments last longer. If the muscles are too tight around your spine (or any bone for that matter) they will keep pulling your spine out of alignment. If they are kept loose... The vertabrae will stay in place longer. Not to mention all the other wonderful benefits of massage therapy. Try to schedule the massage right before the adjustment so that you move easier.

Lastly, make sure you find a chiropractor and therapist that you like!! Everyone is different in their techniques and you shouldn't settle for one you aren't completely comfortable with!!! Bedside manner is a big deal but, ultimately stick with the ones that are getting the job done to your satisfaction. Good luck.

If you have health insurance, go to your primary physician. They can tell you better if it is a problem with your muscles, or bones. They they can refer you to a physical therapist. Physical therapists are great!!! They have all kinds of ways to take away the pain and rebuild strength where you need it. And they usually have a licensed massage therapist on staff. Let us know how it goes.

I have had pain in my back/chest area on the left side for nearly 2 years now. The pain is worse at night and when I breath deep or stretch my upper body. The pain is down the side of my shoulderblade from the top, back of my neck to the bottom of my rib cage. I often get pain in my neck, shoulder and down my left arm, sometimes even the side of my face hurts. I've recently been feeling some slight tingling in my left fingers.

I have been quite poorly over the last two years and have recently been diagnosed with underactive thyroid which is currently being treated with 100 mcg thyroxine.And 10 mcg lyothironine daily. I am also receiving treatment for a fungal infection which affects one toenail on my right foot.

I feel generally unwell and suffer constantly from thrush infections. I have also been having painful ulcers in my mouth. Inside my mouth along each cheek it feels like a raised vain which is sore and ulcerated.

I think I must be very run down and my whole body seems out of sync. Has anyone any ideas if I may have some problem that is triggering my general health. I am 41 year old female, petite build, 5' tall and 8.75 stone.

More bad advise,
first it is never recommeded to put heat on an acute injury.. While heat does promote healing, it also will also cause more imflamation, swelling, and pain. If anything for acute injuries, it is best to follow the rule of rice.. Rest--ice--- compression--elevation. After 72 hours, then heat is appropiate. For my friend who suggested that someone go to an md to decide whether it was muscle or bone and you make a statement about something your really not qualified to do, or give your opinion, and don't state it as such it could be misleading and not allow for someone to make the best educated choice as to thier health care. Chiropractic does not claim to cure anything. It is a wide held belief that when the nervous system is interfered with it does not allow for proper function to occur between the brain and its cells, tissues, and organs. The nervous system is the master controllor of the whole body and when subluxated (interfered with) the body can not express its full potential and could result in dis-ease, and if still not corrected will result in symptoms. Chiropractic does not treat symptoms but looks to remove the interference, which result in the body being able to heal itself. We are the only profession that is trained and qualified to detect and correct this interference. If you took the time to research chiropractic, you would find that hour for hour, subject for subject, allopathic medicine and chiropractic are equally educated. The only difference is the philosophy of how health is maintained. Chiropractic believes that health comes from above, down, inside, out. We are self contained organisms and don't require drugs and surgery from outside to stay healthy, we need only not to be interfered with. It is in alignment with alll the physical laws of the universe that pertain to health. Allopathic medicine, in my opinion, looks to control and play god, by separating a fool from his/her symptoms. That is the problem with health care today.

Dr scotti

do you use that same paragraph all the time?

Why are you badgering saturn24 about not being qualified to give advice? There was absolutely nothing wrong with her advice! She said to go to the doctor to see if the injury was musle or bone, what in the heck is wrong with that? And what is wrong with physical therapy? I have been in physical therapy several times and it was the only thing that helped me, and I think that "qualifies" me to give my advice.
And p.S this forum is for people to give their advice and specifically states that it is not intended to replace your doctor's advice. Nor does it claim to be "correct" it is advice, plain and simple.
And I am sorry but there is nothing and I repeat nothing wrong with telling someone to see their primary care physician. Most insurance will only cover chiropractic care if you have a referral anyway.
Wow, I am glad my chiropractor is not mean and accusatory like you or I would never go back to her.

I did not see my statement as badgering, if it was taken that way, I am sorry. I am here to stimulate conversation, and perhaps contribute a different perpective as to the way health is obtained. I don't have any problem with someone going to an md, physical therapist, or any other health professional when it is warrented. I have spent hours replying to post in an effort to help, not hinder anyones wellbeing. I think when someone seeks out a forum such as this, that they are searching for a solution that they were not able to get in the traditional medical modal. I am encouraging people to think, ask, and question, because I believe the answers come from education. I am not here to pick fights but try to help, even though I may have a difference of opinion. I appreciate your reponse.

Well, if that is the case then why do you tell people not to give advice which you do not feel they are "qualified" to give?

I think my message is very clear about why people should not give advise about things they are not qualified to do. First of all, everybody is different and what did work for someone, could be a problem, and hurt someone else.. If you have electrical problems in your house would you go to a plumber for advise? I realize that people mean well here and are trying to help, I appreciate that. I have a concern when someone that is not a chiropractor tries to inject his/her opinion, not state it as an opinion, and mislead others. The forum started out with a question comparing chiropractic to massage. Being as I do both and qualified I would say they are two totally different areas. The chiropractor is an energy doctor, they look to see that there is no interference from the brain to the rest of the body. If there is it's like cutting the electrical cord to a plasma tv.. You could have great components but with out power it is useless. A massage therapist works with matter. The break up tissue muscles that have been over stressed so the fibers can realign and heal properly. The also move lymphatics, and some do trigger point work to release tightened muscles. As I said before, one is not better then the other and have a different out come goal. I think it is misleading for a chiropractor that takes a patients, bills for massage, and is not really qualified to do it. It prevents the patient from getting the proper care from a real massage therapist and confuses what benefit is received.

Hey hot as frick, I hope you honestly don't think that just because you went through physical therapy qualifies you to give advice on it. I had open knee surgery. This does not qualify me to give advice on the subject

there is a difference between giving sound advice and opinion albeit a small one.

I ended up here hoping to hear about other experiences in the chiropractic and massage therapy fields. What I found instead is a bunch of arguing and belittling of others. Thanks for nothing.

Anyone know any good Chiropractors in the Los Angeles area?

I have lower back pain and I am wondering if it is from driving?

I've tried to massage and heating pads but it my back hasn't been improving. Should I see a chiropractor?