Client's major health problem -- chiro cause?

[Bonkers]

I found out recently that a really sweet client of mine had some serious health problems crop up, and I'm agonizing over whether I (inadvertently and definitely unintentionally) was the starting point....This client is female, late 20's, started getting chair massage from me probably a couple years ago, then became a pretty regular (1x/month) table client; she also took some yoga classes. She had been complaining of headaches a while back, which was why she was getting chair massage pretty frequently. I thought I felt that her C3-C4 might be out of alignment, though I stressed that I am not trained to tell these things, and I suggested that she consider seeing a chiropracter to find out for sure, and that chiros can be very helpful for headaches.She did eventually go to a chiro, and found relief from her headaches (this was probably several months ago).Recently, she called to cancel a table appointment with me because she had just gotten out of the hospital -- her right arm had swollen up, and when she had it checked out, (long story short), she was having blood clots form because her 1st rib was pressing on a blood vessel in her neck. She ended up having several clots removed surgically, as well as the rib! When I spoke to her on the phone, she said her Dr. said that she had probably been born with it that way.... but I started wondering if the chiropractic adjustments might have contributed??I know that there's no way I could have known that this problem could have arisen -- but I still worry about the "what ifs".... Those of you with chiro experience (Texas-gal, are you there?) -- could the chiro have seen any of this on x-ray? I guess I just need some reassurance -- deep down I feel I did the right thing, but if the adjustments in fact caused this to happen to my client, I guess I worry about being "guilty" by association ... Most of all, though, I feel just terrible for her, and I'm glad she's going to be OK, but she's still recovering and everything started happening at the end of December.Any thoughts?

 

[kellie f]

If the client had an extra rib the chiro might have seen it on X-ray.  The headaches might have been a beginning symptom of the whole thing, and the chiropractic and massage treatments may have kept it from happening sooner.  There are tests that can be done to check for nerve and vessel impingement, but if the client wasn't symptomatic, there isn't much reason to do them.  If she was born that way as the doctor suggested, the problems were bound to crop up at some point whether due to stress and poor posture or some sort of trauma.I'm seeing a client now that has a "cervical rib".  She's a dancer and was in a car accident in November that caused her to have problems with one shoulder.  Her nerves and vessels are trapped between that extra rib and her collar bone.  I think technically that's thoracic outlet syndrome.  Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.  She's responding well to chiropractic and massage, and is back to work and the gym after three weeks of treatment.Chiropractic adjustments don't hurt people - they restore nervous system function and keep people healthy.  There isn't anyone to blame in this case because it was clearly caused by something nobody had any control over.  It's just good to hear that she is ok and hopefully she'll be healthier than ever!Katykangaroo

 

[The Spork-Tacular Xak-kun]

KatyKangaroo --Yes, True Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is caused by the 7th cervical vertibrae having a "rib" grow out of the transverse process.  This ends up taking up space where the scalines are located impinging the nerves that form the plexus.  Some people never have a problem, but most do with this issue.  "TOS" can also be due to the scalines being very tight or trigger points forming within the muscle tissue.  Most carpel tunnel syndromes are miss diagnosed because they are truly comming from the neck due to a TOS.Hope this helped.And YogaLMT, don't worry about it... the rule of thumb is "when in doubt refer out!"  so you did the right thing!

 

[M T]

YogaLMT, Honestly, there is no way you could know what was happening inside her body, especially if her doctor is correct and it was something she was born with.  The response to that situation is exactly what you did - refer her to a specialist - where she did get relief from the headaches.  I think focusing on the fact that she had the situation taken care of and is apparently doing well after her surgery is what is important here.

 

[Bobbie]

I think focusing on the fact that she had the situation taken care of and is apparently doing well after her surgery is what is important here.

You're right, Intuitouch. And thank you to everyone for your comments.I'm not normally a paranoid person...  Maybe I have a recent news story on my brain, and it's affecting me. Story was of a guy who went to a Japanese restaurant where they toss pieces of shrimp at you to catch -- guy went to either catch or duck it, I'm not sure which, supposedly wrenched his neck as a result.... several months later went in for surgery to repair his wrenched neck, died as a result of the surgery, and now his family is suing the Japanese restaurant, saying the shrimp-toss caused his death. I know, I know -- I *am* being paranoid. I need to stop reading the news.Thanks again for your comments.