Osteos & Chiros

I don’t really know the difference between Osteopaths and Chiropractors, but I’ve been helped by a particular Osteopath over the years and feel like I can trust him with my spine. I’ve been having regular Cranial Osteopathy for months and I think it gives some relief from the headaches and neck tension. Helpful but not transformational.

So in my desperate bid to get completely better, I had a session with a Chiropractor who specialises in upper cervical treatments and seems to know a lot about concussion. I had a CT scan on my neck and all sorts of tests of my nervous system, thermo somethingoranother and heart rate variability, and his conclusion was that my top vertebra, the C1, was slightly out of alignment as a result of my fall.

I landed on the right side of my face and he said the vertebra was off a bit towards the left.

So after lengthy explanation and me seeking multiple reassurances, he did what is mildly termed as an “adjustment”. I’d say it’s more accurately described as a bloody great thrust to the top of my neck at the base of the skull, which I found mightily disconcerting. After a 20 minute rest, where I cried silently in the chair, I felt okay and headed home wondering if this was the most insane thing I’ve done yet. 24 hours later I had more clarity and more energy than previously. But it only lasted a few days (spoken with weary tone).

I discussed it with my Physio and Osteo who both said to be very careful as multiple adjustments can potentially do more harm than good, which also makes sense. One also said with a wry smile that Chiropractors tend to be very commercially focused; the fact that they were quite pushy in scheduling 12 calendar appointments with me, each of the pretty hefty price tag, confirmed my feelings in that direction.

I’m increasingly coming to the conclusion there’s no one solution to all this. So I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and hold on the “adjustments” for now.