I'm going to Navy SEAL training in February. I have some back discomfort and have been to a chiropractor who took an x-ray and it looked like I had a kink in my upper back and it was causing my spine to curve. Should I be concerned about back trauma or cracked vertabraes?
What happens when you crack a vertabrae. Do they fix it with surgery or does it heal on its own?

Chiropractors have their time and place (well, some of them), but if you have a real problem, you really need to be seen by a medical doctor. I would not allow a chiropractor to adjust me until it was cleared by a physician. A manipulation could cause further damage.

I will be the first one to say there are some really good chiropractors out there. I will also be the first one to say there are more bad ones than good ones, and those with serious back problems should stay away! Just because they call themselves doctors doesn't mean they are. (To make my point, I've never heard of an x-ray reading of a "kink" that is causing a curve. "Kinks" don't cause curves. Bulging, degeneration, misshapen vertebrae, and a number of other real diagnoses cause curves, but not "kinks.")

Please call your doctor and make an appt to get a solid diagnosis on this. You can start with your family doctor. He can refer you to a specialist if theres anything going on.

My two cents worth...
Emily

Well, the chiropractor I liked and trusted. He told me a lot of people have this sort of thing and live with it everyday. If I see a physician now it could disqaulify me and I've worked way too long and hard for that. My shoulders and core are super strong from all my training so I'm going for it because those who do not risk cannot win. My question is if I do crack a vertabrae, do they operate or do they let it heal on its own like the ribs?

I'm just curious as to why you are worried about cracking a vertabrae. Did the chiro suggest that is a possibility?

Please listen to the advise you've been given. A chiro can make a mild condition turn into something severe. Just seeing a specialist won't disqualify you from being a SEAL. However, if there is something wrong, and you don't try to find out what it is, the activities you will be required to participate in could cripple you for life! It just isn't worth the risk. If there isn't anything going on that requires surgery or prolonged medical care, you have nothing to worry about. I urge you to see a specialist to find out if you have clearance.

Carol

I've never heard of anyone getting crippled in BUD/S. The worst and most common occurance for the back is cracked vertebrae. That is why I asked. I've already been medically screened and cleared to go. I'm not seeing the chiropracter anymore, that was a long time ago. Besides being crippled is the least of my worries. If I worried about things like that I would not be volunteering to go into harms way. To be a SEAL means to sacrifice all, even your life if necessary. It's sad America has become so soft. Anyway before I get off on rant, I just want to know what happens when a vertebrae cracks and how do the fix it?

Depends on the extent of the fracture and what other damage it caused. It could be anything from bracing and bedrest to major surgery like fusion and placement of hardware. Depending on how bad it is and the angle of the fracture, it could also cause permanent paralysis.

Thank you for your service to our country! I have a teenage son who is looking towards the Marines when he graduates. Makes me cry to even think of him going into harm's way, but we're 110% behind him and couldn't be prouder!

Blessings,
Emily