gromit
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- Mar 3, 2010
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I am unsure if chiropractic care or something more mainline would help. I am looking for some scholarly articles on the efficiency of different treatments for similar cases so this goes away as quick as possible. I have several options on the table if I scrape all of my savings together, but I need to know the best one according to evidence.
Vet...I would normally laugh at that.
In all seriousness, though, I know from biology that only dogs have backs as straight as the X-ray I saw. I wanted a splash of half-serious humor to lighten things up around this definitely serious topic.
WHERE IS THE LITERATURE ON THIS?
A lot of literature you need a subscription for. I have access through my school/program, but if I were to google, a lot of stuff (eg pubmed) you need to log in to access the information.
The other thing, if you aren't versed in the literature, the techniques involved, and what specifically you are reading about, it can be very difficult to decipher whether it can apply to you or not, whether the subjects in the study are similar enough to you, whether the treatments they are receiving are similar to what you would be receiving, and any limitations in the design of the study which could bias the results. If you don't know what you are looking at it's easy to read "X better than Y" but you miss the full picture if you cannot understand all the nuances inherent in what's being studied or discussed.
Also, not sure how much education you have had on statistical analysis, but that is very important in order to fully understand a research study.
Physicians and other professionals, meanwhile, have all of the above: access to research, extensive background knowledge in that particular field, and a thorough understanding of statistical analysis.
When you talk to your orthopedic doctor, say that you would really prefer to try more conservative treatment, such as chiropractic (or physical therapy) rather than bracing or surgery and talk to her/him about outcomes for someone in your shoes. I will tell you now that conservative treatment can have great outcomes, but I will also say that I don't know your situation, the specifics of what's going on with your body, so there may be factors that might make other options better in the long run for you. And only someone who can see you in person, observe how your back is and how you move, can truly give you advice on what is best. A good practitioner will listen to what you want and work with that if it's in your best interest. So be sure to make it clear that this is what you want when you have that conversation.