can a chiropractor make a referral so a patient to get tested for nerve damage?

Question

I was in a car accident and am seeing a chiropractor for neck pains and am wondering about nerve damage

Answer 1

He/she can verbally refer you to someone, but you will probably need to go to your primary care physician to get a referral (especially for insurance reasons). Your chiropractor should be able to tell you if he/she thinks you have significant nerve damage just by doing your adjustments. If your chiropractor thinks that there is nerve damage they will usually tell you to see your primary care physician for further testing!

Answer 2

Yes. A chiropractor can refer you to a real doctor. He / she probably can't figure out the source of your pain. Nerve damage is always a possibility. A neurologist can help you with your pain more appropriately if that's really what the problem is. More than likely, they will put you on a pain medication regimine. It's something that usually can't be corrected, but there are ways that you can manage your pain. The neurologist will help you with all of this.

Answer 3

Actually, depending on the state that you live in, a chiropractor may be able to directly order an MRI or refer you to a Neurologist or Neurosurgeon (2 different kinds of docs) for an EMG, which is a test for nerve damage.
If you discuss it with the DC (chiro) they can tell you.

Answer 4

Yes, we frequently order nerve conduction velocity tests at a pain management specialist or a neurologist. Ask your chiropractor or family practice doc about the need for this type of evaluation as another study like a MRI may be more appropriate.
J Rodgers, DC, ATC

Answer 5

probably what will happen if you see a chiropractor they will x-ray you to determine how extensive the problem is. They will adjust you and then see if any progress is made. If the problem is just nerve intereference or a subluxation, this can be corrected with chiropractic. After about a week or so if chiropractic isn't helping the problem at all, then they will suggest that you probably get an MRI or see a doctor.

Answer 6

Yes - muscles with knots also can press on nerves causing problems/
Muscles like ropes are made of many fibers or strands. If some of the individual fibers that work in combination to make the muscle strong are not relaxing they bulk up in the middle and are stretched thin on the ends which results in the appearance of "knots" they are the tender spots. The muscles that effect headaches can come from as far away as the lower back and include shoulders, arms, neck and head causing a cascade effect. So a massage (professional if possible) will help.
Arms frequently have knots not just in the arm (especially upper) but shoulders, back, and neck. Until you can reach around behind you one arm up and the other down and at least come close to touching your fingers there are probably more knots. To help get the ones under your shoulder blade - keep you elbow down and put your hand on the opposite shoulder while (if you dont have anyone helping) lean into the corner of a building to apply pressure to the knot.
Specific to the leg - run your hand lengthwise down the section of leg that hurts. You will find tender spots these are the knots described above. Apply pressure to this area in a similar motion just over the length of the knot - it will take many sessions of doing this once or twice per session to get the muscle to relax.
Specific to the head - at the base of the skull where it connects to the spine there is a ridge in an upsidedown V like shape - press in and up to the count of three, three times to help relax the muscles there. All through the hair scratch lightly the head you will find tender spots those are knots (rub the rest of the head) the idea is to go over them semi frequently until they are gone.
General - Muscles need magnisium (regulates many things) and potassium - both can be found in bananas or molasses (a swig or two)
Hydrate with any nonsugar (even the substitutes) liquids - quantity = your body weight divided by 2 times ounces daily. The head of neurology (10 years ago) at UCDavis told my husband that running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil - there will be problems.
Reference - The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies teaches about muscles and how to help them yourself.

Answer 7

For start of because you are 'super skinny' doesn't mean you are not able to be unfit, back pain during exercise is either not doing it probably or maybe your doing it to often and also too vigorously. I suggest you calm down on the exercise for a bit or don't do it so often as you are until the pain dies down, take some ibrophen if the pain gets to much and if after this the pain continues go and see your doctor.

Answer 8

Ask your chiropractor or check with a regular doctor. Which ever makes you comfortable.

Answer 9

I'm not sure if they can do that or not.

I would go to a medical doctor if I were you.