When should you see a chiropractor vs. an MD?

Chiropractic care is still nothing but a "bad word" to many people and traditional western doctors (MDs).

More often than I would like to report, my patients take my advise and then say "but I have to check with my doctor first".

Chiropractors ARE doctors.  We just have different tools for helping patients at different stages of their conditions. When it comes to musculo-skeletal conditions such as neck or back pain, and in my experience chiropractors will usually perform a much better examination than most MDs.

I'm venting today because yesterday I had a patient come to the office after seeing several MDs who did nothing but shuffle her to "the next" doctor and ordered MRIs.  Her initial complaint was of neck and shoulder pain so her pain management doctor ordered a neck MRI. According to them the MRI showed a pinched nerve in the neck therefore they diagnosed her with a cervical radiculopathy, gave her oral steroids AND a pain medication (which unbeknownst to her turned out to be an antidepressant that is used also for chronic pain).

After getting no relief, and after having to stop her medication because it was negatively affecting her mood and ability to think, she was referred to me by her son.

I took  a history of what happened I did an orthopedic and neurologic examination.  I found that she actually had a shoulder problem, likely impingement syndrome or a labral tear, and if she did have a pinched nerve in her neck, it had nothing to do with her shoulder problem. 

What boggled me the most was that I couldn't understand why anyone would order a neck MRI after having done a neck and shoulder examination, because it made no sense to me, so I asked her if her doctors had done an actual physical examination.  She said that all they did was talk to her and ordered an MRI! This is at least two MDs who failed to perform a basic orthopedic examination, therefore wasting time, resources and failing to refer the patient to the appropriate doctor and for the right imaging.

So, when is better to see a chiropractor than an MD?  Pretty much anytime you are having musculo-skeletal pain CHIROPRACTORS  are your best choice.  MDs are great at other things, such as saving your lives if you get shot, or have a major infection, or need surgery.

And please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against MDs.  In fact, I believe in working hand in hand with them whenever possible to ensure the best outcome for the patient.  But the trust that the average person puts on another human just because they wear a white coat and they are called MDs vs. Chiropractors is ridiculous.

I hope if you are reading this you will think twice as to who your next doctor should be when it comes to headaches, neck pain, back pain and most other physical type injuries.

Dr. Eric Nepomnaschy - CHIROPRACTOR in Santa Monica, California.