Question:
My girlfriend has had annoying -UPPER- back pain for about 2 years. Her regular doctor told her it was her posture. Tried tried bettering her posture and it didn't really help.

A chiropractor, recommended by several people in the area, told her she had one leg slightly shorter than the other, gave her a pad for her shoe, and cracked her back really good. The back cracking felt -really- helpful she said but the pain is returning after it being cracked 3 months ago. (She has been wearing the approx 1/4" pad in her shoes regularly.) Does she need regular crackings from a chiro or therapy of some sort? Could a disc be slipped that the chiro didn't catch in an Xray? Should we consult a regular physician?

I don't think the problem is with posture now. Her hip also hurts badly on the leg that is slightly shorter after a lot of walking. The chiro explained that the shorter leg was stressing her hips and her back. The pain is about 2-3" below her neck on her spine. I can feel a -slight- indentation on the spine if I press inward and run my finger down the spine about 2-3" from the neck. It always hurts in this same spot, nowhere else.

Who should we consult at this point? We did extensive walking this past week (for exercise) and her hip (on the shorter leg) is hurting badly but her back hurts as well. It doesn't seem like the pad in her shoe is helping. Should xrays of her hip and or back be taken by a doctor (instead of a chiropractor)?

Answer:

First: you should always see a physician for a problem that does not go away.

Secondly, I think you have to be more specific about the upper pain. Where is it exactly? It is true that upper back pain can be due to posture. However, telling someone to improve their posture after years of bad posture is not going to work very well. Also, if she spends a fair amount of time at a computer, that could be affecting the problem also. I suggest you find a doctor or go to a class where they teach specific exercises to improve the posture. Many people that I know swear by the Alexander Technique, so you might look for classes in that (there are also people who will teach it privately).

Note: If the chiropractic treatment did help, why not go back? In fact I'm very surprised the chiropractor did not suggest repeat visits, as the treatment is more effective and lasting when done on a periodic basis. Also, pads usually get compressed over time and so should be checked, if that was helping at all (I'm a little curious why someone would only get upper back pain from a leg difference rather than the lower back).

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