Dr. Mike Zwiener

Thank you for your question. Unfortunatly, as every patient and case is different, so are the exercises that are best for them. There are a few that a common for most types of back pain. A great chiropractor posted a video that include some of these exercises. I have linked it below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASNH4UUd-60

Thank you for your question. I am unfamiliar with any relation between spina bifida and fertility. After some preliminary research, I was unable to find any correlation between the two. I would recommend asking your primary care doctor and/or a fertility specialists.

Thank you for your question. The sound you hear is a common question from chiropractic patients. The joints in our spine and in other areas of our body have a joint capsule that is filled with fluid to ensure that the joint can move properly. When you receive an adjustment, gas that is suspended in the fluid comes out of solution and makes that noise. This is not harmful and, as the body reabsorbs this gas, you can get adjusted within a few minutes and hear more popping, very similar to popping your knuckles.

Thank you for your question. Often it can! Chiropractic care not only focuses on the proper function of a bone but also the associated muscles around the spine. Often, the body will recruit muscles if the bones are not functioning properly, resulting in a tight feeling. If a massage only get your temporary relief, or you still feel a little tight after a massage, chiropractic care can be an option for you. When choosing a chiropractor, it is important to choose one that has your best interest at heart, typically resulting in a trial of care of between 4-8 visits to see what benefits chiropractic can have for you.

Thank you for your question. It is not bad to stop chiropractic care. I often recommend that patients come back when they are in discomfort and sometimes, I do not see them for years. Our bodies are amazing things and will adjust. It is important to always maintain proper exercise, stretching, and nutrition to keep the body healthy as much as possible.

It is recommended that you contact your chiropractor and return for a follow-up evaluation. It sounds like there could be more muscle involvement that originally thought or a compensatory reaction to the adjustment.

This is a practice that is not backed by research. The ACA (American Chiropractic Association) has brought forth new, evidence-based guidelines that only recommend the taking of x-rays for the presence of red flags (infection of the bone, fracture, etc.). If there were no indications for an x-ray then taking one as a normal procedure is not recommended and does not go with the standard of care. The taking of x-rays is not a normal thing done at a chiropractic office unless there is an indication (as discussed above) to do so.

Thank you for your question. Chiropractic can definitely be beneficial even after back surgery. Depending on the type of surgery, the chiropractor can use their hands with a manual adjustment or a tool to decrease the forces that are applied. With most fusions or hard ware installations, the best course of action is using a achieve the desired results while decreasing the risks.

Thank you for your question. Chiropractors can help with muscle pain. We look at the body as a whole and not just individual parts. The muscles attach to bone and are designed to aid in the movement of the bone. If a bone is not allowing for proper function, the muscles have to exert more force, in different angles, to achieve the same movement. This can lead to a muscle being over worked and often causes strains or sprains if allowed to continue for long periods of time. Chiropractors can help by not only evaluating and treating any lack of function in the bones but also help with the function of the muscles with stretches and exercises to treat and help prevent the same thing happening in the future. Just like all professions, there are different kinds of chiropractors. You want to make sure that the chiropractor you go to puts your goals first and treats you as efficiently, as evidence-informed, and as quickly as possible to ensure that you are getting the most out of your care.