United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My husband went to a chiropractor yesterday for a lower back problem unrelated to his TBPI (well, unrelated in that it was pre-existing, but I think the change in his stance and gate due to TBPI has probably exacerbated it) Anyway, it was the first time either of us had been to a chiropractor and I'm quite unfamiliar with this kind of care. The adjustments she did for his back helped alot, but she also wanted to do some adjustements to his neck that she thought would help with the TBPI. Her reasoning was that since the nerves originate in the spinal column and his neck was not aligned properly that it could be making the nerve pathway less functional, or less able to heal, or something like that. My husband didn't let her do it, and I don't think he's really even considering it- adjustments to that area just scare him. But I was just wondering if anyone has used chiropractic care for actual treatment (I did a search and found a number of post about chiropractic care for pain management, but not much for treatment). It seems to me that this is kind of pushing the boudaries of what chiropractory is capable of, but like I said, I'm so unfamiliar with this kind of care that I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light. TIA

My son Frankie sees a chiropractor but he uses what is called an activator its a tool that makes a popping noise as it is moved down the spine,I never let them adjust him with there hands but the activator works gently and makes him feel a lot better all chiropractors have them and it doesn't cost anymore and is SAFE
Mare

I see one to help with my general spine and crooked back issues. But I do not do my neck. He doesn't want to do it anyway as he knows about the injury. Doesn't touch the pain, but makes my general well being much better.

He is a posture specialist and that helps.

H

my son's injury was from the west nile virus so no avulsed or torn nerves, just damage. He started to see a chiropractor almost a year into recovery. At that time he could not bend at the elbow against gravity or extend his wrist at all. My son also fell on his shoulder the same week he happened to get the west nile. Doctors were dealing with the major part of his injury and that was the damage to the BP, but the chiropractor was the first to see the injury to his spine. X-rays (standing up, this makes a big difference) clearly show he is out of alignment at the c5-c8. This obviously didn't cause the BPI BUT he said it could be putting enough pressure on those nerves that it could be slowing the healing even more. He has adjusted him for 2 and 1/2 months and can now lift his arm, which i think he would have gotten back anyway, but his therapist said she can see some slight extension in his wrist with gravity taken away. My theory was at the point he started the adjustments Drake had very little movement so i didn't see what harm could come. The chiropractor he goes to is very knowledgeable about the nerves as he was a nurse for a nuero surgeon before becoming a chiropractor. i feel very comfortable that he isn't going to damage the nerves any further that what they already are. My son is 6 and thinks it is very fun to go to the chiropractor. But as with any decision i think the best bet is to go with your gut. If you don't feel comfortable, i wouldn't go. But for Drake is has been fine and that is all he works on is his neck.

Teresa

I have recently started seeing a chiropractor this past November and they have taken a lot of time explaining things to me.

Anything they can do manually, they can adjust with the activator. I choose to let them adjust me manually but they keep offering to do all my adjustments with the activator. It is very safe.

The reason it may affect the healing of the tbpi is that all the nerves have to pass through the spinal column when you tilt the ones in the spine, you compress the space that the nerves have to travel through. Nerves will shrink themselves to prevent the squish which isnt really a good thing.
A reason to adjust the neck is to allow optimum space for the nerves to pass through.

Hope that helps but if you have a great chiropractor, they should be able to explain things better than I can and they can show you on models. Makes way more sense when you can see what is happening.

If you have more questions feel free to ask me!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Thanks so much everyone,....this is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I think I'll have my husband speak with the chiropractor some more and also inquire about the activator and we'll go from there. Can I mention one more time how much I love this board??