I have recently visited a chiropractor, as I thought my injury
proneness may be due to spinal problems.

His verdict was that I had a very stiff lower back. This rigidity in
the lower spine, meant I had very little shock absorbent effect and
hence the injury proneness.

His recommended therapy for this was an extensive series of spinal
adjustment sessions.

Now, I do not doubt his diagnosis, however I have concerns about his
recommended therapy. Therefore, I wish to get a second opinion. I
would like this to be from an MD, to get a different viewpoint.
However I do not know how to find an MD who is a specialist in the
spine.

Is there such a thing as a ?spineologist =  MD who specialises in the
spine?? I tried googleing for a ?spineologist? in my country(Ireland),
but I got no returns.

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Clarification of Question by amsbam1-ga on 25 Apr 2006 09:40 PDT

Thank you for Obmitty and RisingSun for your comments. They were both very helpful.

On considering what you said, I have decided to take a
multidisciplinary approach and arrange appointments with both an
Acupuncturist and an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

I must now begin the process of finding an Orthopaedic Surgeon, who is
not just a carpenter (as I?ve been warned many are) and an
Acupuncturist, who has sufficient knowledge, ability & honesty. This
may take a while!.

I was very interested RisingSun in what you said about taking
supplements .As you said, I would like to give my body the best
chance. Would you be able to tell me what these 3 supplements
(Glucosamine Sulfate, tumeric spice, and apple cider vinegar)
would be benefiting?

Thanks again for your help

I don't know about terminology in Ireland, but in the US a medical
specialist who treats matters related to the spine would be called an
Orthopedist.

Hi, I am a final year Medical student at the university of Warwick.

The specialist you are looking for is either an orthopedic surgeon or
a Rheumatologist.  You will have to enguire locally as to which
orthopaedic surgeon specialises in the spine, as most have a
specialist body part they like most! By the way, just because he is a
surgeon it doesn't mean thats the only way he will treat you!  Surgery
is actually very unlikely from what you have said.

You may be interested to know that the evidence base surrounding
Chiropractition is very weak, and very view evidence based practioners
would recomend it purely on the basis of outcome.

By the way your problem sounds like wear and tear arthritis,or
oseteoarthritis but there are other things to consider, which you your
doctor will inform you of if need be. As far as I know the best
treatment involves physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles to
take some of the strain from your spine, and regular pain relief.

Good luck

Having just re-read your stem, I thought I should retract what I said
about you having osteoarthritis...you have not actually given me any
symptoms of that disease, but your chiropractors description of a
decrease involving decreased shock absorbancy is the same as in the
process of osteoarthritis.

Wear and Tear arthritis is considered a normal part of aging, but is
increased in people who use place extra strain on there joints by
being overweight or using them a lot (runners may get it in their
knees) or sometimes for no known reason.

Go to a good accupuncturist and in three visits you will not need an
allopathic doctor to tell you that you need a $10K sugery.

Also consider taking daily supplements of Glucosamine Sulfate, put
tumeric spice on your foods, and take a tablepsoon of apple cider
vinegar with cinnamon and lemon three time a day in a glass of
distilled water to give your body the best chance to fix itself.
http://curezone.com/blogs/f.asp?f=179
http://curezone.com/blogs/f.asp?f=605&t=82092