James F. Geiselman
Chiropractor
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I went to a chiropractor after suffering from basilar migraines for the previous twelve years, hoping to gain from correcting subluxations in my cervical and thoracic spine. He used the Gonstead technique to make my changes. I was tight on my right side, and when he adjusted my neck, I felt quite a bit of swelling just under my jaw two days later. I had to visit the ER yesterday because when I tried to 'knead on' the affected area, which I thought was simply a tight muscle, it turned out to be a fluid accumulation that ruptured when I pressed on it, causing extreme headrush and dizziness. They discovered no sign of vascular damage or anything potentially life-threatening. However, the scan was performed after the rupture. It was a scan with iodine contrast. Now I have swelling again, and even simply touching or stroking it creates an instant headrush (almost like an injection of pure adrenaline and cortisol mixed), and my sinuses inflate and tighten within seconds and it is concerning to me.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
Spinal manipulation has a few challenges, but it does have risks, just like any other operation.
However, in your situation, it appears that the adjustment produced some irritation to the soft tissue, resulting in swelling (edema). Although patients may suffer discomfort and minor swelling that can be alleviated with an ice pack, fluid pockets created during correction are extremely rare. You can try using an ice pack, but just for 15-20 minutes.
I would also like to know the following information to better comprehend the problem.
Have you ever seen a chiropractor?
Have you ever encountered such fluid pockets previously?
Were the other CT (computed tomography) findings recorded?
Did you visit a chiropractor following the incident?
I also recommend that you seek advice from another chiropractor who specializes in various approaches, such as Diversified or Thompson. Another less invasive approach that may benefit you is to undergo Activator Methods, which do not involve any "twisting" or "popping" of the neck. I also recommend that you obtain a medical evaluation for the fluid collection near your jaw to rule out any salivary gland issues.
Revert with the answer to assist further.
Thank you and take care.
Regards.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Before this visit, I had never gone to a chiropractor. Before seeing the chiropractor, there was no swelling or edema. He also inquired whether I had a history of subluxations and mentioned that correcting such subluxations might produce 'toxic release/relief,' which made me wonder if it was my glands working overtime and releasing toxins. The affected glands are located right below my jaw, directly behind my ear. The edema appears to be an ongoing occurrence of discharge and swelling. When it ruptures, it creates pain and an adrenaline surge.
Is it due to tissue inflammation or a nerve injury? Is it possible that contaminated lymph is draining into my subclavian vein and causing brain damage? I had not experienced anything like this before the severe neck fracture and subluxation repair. In my opinion, this is not a coincidence. The ER did a CT scan, which revealed no abnormalities other than a torn muscle in that location. I was really afraid they would miss something because of the potential impact of this fluid when the sac, pouch, or gland opened suddenly. Is it possible the material was spinal fluid? Is it possible that I may have a herniated disc? Is it possible that my jaw was pierced and the drainage was caused by a sinus infection?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
The chiropractor was correct in that the adjustment might result in a release. Since you mentioned it was behind the jaw, I no longer believe it is a clogged salivary gland. Because it is draining, it nearly sounds like one of your lymph nodes is sore. The lymph is intended to help clean the body, and when we are ill or the body is getting rid of toxins, for example, they can become sore and swollen, which can be quite painful. I also want to know the maximum size of this pocket before it bursts. Edema may occur as a result of soft tissue inflammation. Because you said that the CT indicated a torn muscle, we know you have tissue damage. Was it possible to identify which muscle? This might be the cause of your tissue inflammation and edema, but it does not imply that you have brain or nerve damage because nerves do not burst and the CT scan revealed no indication of vascular injury. If it were CSF (cerebrospinal fluid), you would experience severe symptoms such as terrible headaches. I do not think that the chiropractor could have done anything to cause this fluid to be released. Furthermore, HVLA (high velocity - low amplitude) modifications are normally quite safe. Also, there is no "twisting" with the Gonstead method or high-velocity twist.
When it comes to your sinuses, these are cavities within your skull. You would have recognized if you had a facial fracture, and there is nothing that would have caused a facial fracture after an adjustment, therefore your jaw would not have punctured a wall that is connected to the sinuses. Also, I would have predicted the CT to show the fracture, since it was negative, I would conclude that there was no fracture present.
Eventually, your query concerning something "being herniated" was answered. although It is possible, it is most likely not possible for it to create edema. I would like to know if the torn muscle was placed over the region of discomfort when the CT was taken. I would like to read the CT report to find out exactly what it says.
Because this is not a clinical examination, my best hypothesis at this moment is that the torn muscle is creating edema in the localized soft tissue and Given the location, it is probable that some lymph nodes are also involved.
Revert with the answer to assist further.
Thank you and take care.
Regards.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I will be uploading the files by evening as I am now on bedrest following another doctor's appointment today, which revealed a cervical sprain. At this moment, they have not confirmed what the accumulation was other than strained and torn muscle or ligament. The edema has gone down due to some cold compresses and higher doses of NSAIDs. I am still in a lot of discomfort and occasionally hear a 'popping' sound when I turn my head.
Is it normal to still get 'rubber band snaps' from the back of my head up to the curves of my neck after all these days? This creates an instant headache or neck stiffness, which occasionally progresses to the shoulder blade. Is it possible that it is the result of a dislocated nerve or tendon? How long will it take for everything to revert to normal?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
Each person responds differently to pain. The soreness usually does not last more than a few days, but you stated in your initial email that you were "very tense" when you went to the chiropractor. which means You were most likely experiencing muscular hypertonicity (which was essentially a muscle spasm).
Also, I suspect your current discomfort is the result of a combination of factors. Your suffering is being exacerbated by muscular sprains, torn muscles, and hypertonic muscles.
What you describe as "rubber band snaps" sounds like a hypertonic muscle. This is one of the things chiropractors constantly check for when palpating (feeling) the soft tissues. Muscle spasms and hypertonic muscles feel like a rubber band beneath the fingertips and "snap" back and forth when moved.
Because this is not a physical examination, the result cannot be a clear confirmation, but it appears to be one. Also, when you say it curves to the right, do you mean along the crease of your neck towards your shoulder? If this is the case, the trapezius muscle is the most likely cause. The trap may extend to the shoulder and down the spine into the shoulder blade area. There is no risk of blood vessel damage, however, the condition will most likely return to normal only when treated by a specialist.
Because chiropractors have training in handling musculoskeletal ailments, a mix of cryotherapy (ice), electrical stimulation, and modifications will almost certainly help you. Once the pain has subsided, I recommend that you perform neck strengthening exercises at home. However, if you do not exercise and rely only on NSAIDS and bed rest, it will most likely take many weeks for you to recover.
Revert with the answer to assist further.
Thank you and take care.
Regards.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I find it difficult to return to a chiropractor because I did not have a cervical sprain before the session and ended up with one after. Although I appreciate that muscle tension must be worked off, I completely agree with you. I expected to leave feeling better than when I arrived, rather than with an injury that would send me to the hospital. Right now, all I can think of is how glad I am that it was simply a torn muscle. Also, I cannot disagree that this level of stress would have undoubtedly triggered one of my basilar migraines, but I have not had a single episode since my adjustment, which is fascinating to me. The glandular swelling, headaches, brain fog, and short-term memory loss I have been experiencing in my chest have all subsided. The reactive hypoglycemia or low blood sugar that I have had for the previous seven years has improved and has not dropped below eighty-three. All of these elements amaze me. However, I am not sure what has reset my immune or nervous system in the last week. Is it possible at all to achieve this with a realignment? Also, I wish he had taken care of the soft tissue or muscular therapy earlier to loosen the muscles. That would have been beneficial.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
I understand your reluctance. But I would request that you refrain from letting one negative experience keep you from enjoying the advantages of chiropractic therapy.
Consider seeing a doctor if you have a sore throat. Do you blame the doctor if they diagnose you with strep throat and prescribe an antibiotic, but then you have an allergic response to the medication? Obviously not.
My point of view is that the practice of medicine and chiropractic are both medical practices, Where we always keep our patients' best interests in mind, but we can't foresee how everyone will react to care. We never want our patients to have negative responses to their medications. As in medicine when we adjust someone, there is always the possibility that they will not respond as we expect.
It appears that you obtained multiple advantages from just one chiropractic adjustment, which is incredible. So I strongly advise you to see another chiropractor nearby. When you arrive, express your worries and the sort of therapy you do not want, as Gonstead did. They should be willing to lead you through a treatment plan that meets your needs.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and take care.
Regards.
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