[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Chiropractors can cause more problems than they solve, if you go to the wrong one without a diagnosis. I've used chiropractic, I'm not against it like Eagles is. But I'm in favor of short-term (not three times a week for a month and then twice a week for the rest of your life, like some chiropractors will claim you need) spinal adjustments for immediate relief of general back pain, spastic muscles, pinched nerves in the shoulders, stuff like that.

Get a diagnosis, and then IF the diagnosis warrants it, maybe check a chiropractor's office that has a qualified acupuncturist on staff.

[C. C. Rider]

Originally Posted by elevatorman

I asked Chat GPT and this is what it said:

"What Type of Doctor to See

Primary care physician – first step for initial evaluation, bloodwork, and referrals
Neurologist – specializes in nerve conditions, often the key doctor for neuropathy
Podiatrist – for foot care, especially if numbness is causing balance issues or injuries
Vascular specialist – if circulation problems are suspected"

Then these tests:

"Blood Tests
Vitamin levels
Vitamin B12 (plus methylmalonic acid, homocysteine if B12 borderline)
Folate
Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B6, Vitamin E if suspicion
Thyroid function tests (TSH, Free T4) – rules out hypothyroidism
Kidney function (BUN, creatinine, electrolytes)
Liver function panel
CBC (complete blood count) – screens for anemia, infection, bone marrow issues
Fasting glucose & Hemoglobin A1c – even if not diabetic, helps rule out prediabetes
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP/UPEP) – checks for multiple myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy
Inflammatory/autoimmune tests (if indicated): ANA, ESR, CRP, rheumatoid factor

Imaging / Specialized Tests
MRI of the spine (lumbar region) – checks for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or pinched nerves
Ultrasound or Doppler of legs – if poor circulation / PAD is suspected
Nerve & Muscle Tests
Nerve conduction study (NCS) – measures how well nerves transmit signals
Electromyography (EMG) – evaluates muscle activity and detects nerve damage pattern

Physical Exams
Reflexes, vibration, pinprick, and temperature sensation tests
Foot exam for ulcers, calluses, balance issues

✅ Tip: Bring a list of all medications, supplements, alcohol intake, and toxin exposures (even things like old well water, industrial chemicals, or heavy metals can be relevant)."

I have the same condition and needed a place to start. Take the list to your doctor and see what they think.

Thank you for the detailed list. She has taken some of those initial steps and has an appointment in about two weeks with an orthopedist to look at the Xray of her spine.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by elevatorman

I asked Chat GPT and this is what it said:

"What Type of Doctor to See

Primary care physician – first step for initial evaluation, bloodwork, and referrals
Neurologist – specializes in nerve conditions, often the key doctor for neuropathy
Podiatrist – for foot care, especially if numbness is causing balance issues or injuries
Vascular specialist – if circulation problems are suspected"

Then these tests:

"Blood Tests
Vitamin levels
Vitamin B12 (plus methylmalonic acid, homocysteine if B12 borderline)
Folate
Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B6, Vitamin E if suspicion
Thyroid function tests (TSH, Free T4) – rules out hypothyroidism
Kidney function (BUN, creatinine, electrolytes)
Liver function panel
CBC (complete blood count) – screens for anemia, infection, bone marrow issues
Fasting glucose & Hemoglobin A1c – even if not diabetic, helps rule out prediabetes
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP/UPEP) – checks for multiple myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy
Inflammatory/autoimmune tests (if indicated): ANA, ESR, CRP, rheumatoid factor

Imaging / Specialized Tests
MRI of the spine (lumbar region) – checks for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or pinched nerves
Ultrasound or Doppler of legs – if poor circulation / PAD is suspected
Nerve & Muscle Tests
Nerve conduction study (NCS) – measures how well nerves transmit signals
Electromyography (EMG) – evaluates muscle activity and detects nerve damage pattern

Physical Exams
Reflexes, vibration, pinprick, and temperature sensation tests
Foot exam for ulcers, calluses, balance issues

✅ Tip: Bring a list of all medications, supplements, alcohol intake, and toxin exposures (even things like old well water, industrial chemicals, or heavy metals can be relevant)."

I have the same condition and needed a place to start. Take the list to your doctor and see what they think.

Very comprehensive.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Chiropractors can cause more problems than they solve, if you go to the wrong one without a diagnosis. I've used chiropractic, I'm not against it like Eagles is. But I'm in favor of short-term (not three times a week for a month and then twice a week for the rest of your life, like some chiropractors will claim you need) spinal adjustments for immediate relief of general back pain, spastic muscles, pinched nerves in the shoulders, stuff like that.

Get a diagnosis, and then IF the diagnosis warrants it, maybe check a chiropractor's office that has a qualified acupuncturist on staff.

Agree 100% (surprise, surprise). And I'm not against chiropractic, I've referred patients to chiropractors on occasion, but ONLY AFTER I've made a definitive diagnosis and I'm sure that chiropractic wouldn't make the patient worse. I've also buried patients who have gone to chiropractors first without a diagnosis.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Agree 100% (surprise, surprise). And I'm not against chiropractic, I've referred patients to chiropractors on occasion, but ONLY AFTER I've made a definitive diagnosis and I'm sure that chiropractic wouldn't make the patient worse. I've also buried patients who have gone to chiropractors first without a diagnosis.

I think that may be a weak argument. I'm pro-doctors but also know too many patients, who sadly, we buried after they had a misdiagnosis by their doctors. Nothing or no one is perfect.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Agree 100% (surprise, surprise). And I'm not against chiropractic, I've referred patients to chiropractors on occasion, but ONLY AFTER I've made a definitive diagnosis and I'm sure that chiropractic wouldn't make the patient worse. I've also buried patients who have gone to chiropractors first without a diagnosis.

I once went to a chiropractor who went to "real" medical school and completed his 4 years, which gave him the formal education for diagnostics, but never did a residency and ended his education with chiropractic school instead. He switched paths mid-stream, I didn't ask him why.

I went to him because I was picking up the kitty litter bag - it was just around 5 pounds left of the 10-pound bag, so it wasn't heavy or a strain at all. But I must've turned my head, or twisted my torso "just so" and ended up with acute torticollis. My friend (who worked as a chiropractic assistant at a different practice) brought me to this guy because she knew he was open at weird hours and it was something like 7pm on a Wednesday. Sure enough, he was there. He took one look at me and listened to me explain what I was doing when it happened, and immediately had me sit on a straight-backed chair. He stood behind me, wrapped one arm around my chest to hold me still, and - the only thing I can call it is "flicked" his thumb against a muscle on my neck. IMMEDIATE relief. He told me to alternate ice and heat but to keep the extreme temps off my actual spine, for the next hour after I got home, take a tylenol, and call him if it started hurting again before the next day.

I never had to go back, whatever it was he did, totally fixed it. I couldn't even get into the car when it happened, I had to have my friend lower the seat and push it all the way back just so I could slide in without moving my head. It was excruciating.