DJ Trahan - Status Update

Chiropractic is FAR from QUACKERY. They are just like any other type of Dr. or business you have good experiences and bad experiences and one person may love the Dr. you see and another person would give them the time of day. I have 4 regular medical Dr's that I see and I ALSO SEE A DR. OF CHIROPRACTIC either weekly or bi-weekly. I have several medical conditions and they would most certainly be alot worse if it where not for the Chirpractic visits and adjustments.

Sandy L.
Myrtle Beach, SC

I would not be able to play golf without this swing, just like so many others on this site. So I think that you are in the minority here. I would never hit bucket after bucket of balls and not expect pain of some sort. I think your problem is you are unable to grasp the concept of this swing

Hi Don-  Thanks for the DJ update--was wondering exactly what happened and am , like so many other Surgites, glad to hear he's on the mend.  Hope to see him at the tournament in Cromwell, CT in June.  Please give him my best wishes for clear sailing from the Bad Back Sea.
Regards, Ray

Rusty Kiwi,

Good advise.  Correction, "suggestion".

Keeping it vertical in Hendersonville, TN

My back hurt so much that I had to sleep in a chair for two weeks. My chiro, father of a PGA pro, treated me and gave me ultrasound. An MD who practices acupuncture treated me twice. I had numerous massages. A bone scan was misdiagnosed as two fractures in the t6 &7. Another radiologist read it, diagnosed the problem as an inflammation, & ordered an MRI. It conclusively showed an infection. The culture from a biopsy identified itself as Group B streptococcus. Upon evaluation, I was infected back in November, was treated with antibiotics, but the bacteria went dormant- although I did have soreness in my back muscles from time to time. I thought the problem was muscular from working out and had massages.

I have had daily infusions for 2 weeks. 4 weeks more and, God willing, I will be OK.

I hope Dr. Lynn is correct; but, I would have a MRI and make sure it is read by someone who knows his (her) stuff.

I have suffered with sciatica for years. DJs problem is muscular not skeletal. Chiopractic will not help. The only thing that has helped me is accupuncture. I had tried everything for relief, I was at my wits end , and was willing to try anything. I know what he is going through, and it might sound strange, but it works!

 Hiya,Robert, life is good. I'm still a bit in decompression mode following that long,grueling outage but have played a couple of rounds. Played as the C player a week ago Friday in a Power Co. scramble. The team shot a mediocre -9 but I had some nice shots throughout the day. Putting is rusty but it'll come around in due course. Hope to play tomorrow weather permitting. I noticed in that scramble that I was having a hard time leading off the BUS with my back hip/shoulder so I've been "serving drinks and offering up tissues" to get me back in tune.
 Hope you and Cindy are doing well, my friend.

Praying for DJ's quick recovery.  I've never met either of you but it feels like family around here.

For those in the Charlotte area or willing to travel, please know that he is a Wonderful Chiropractor. I have a problem with my hips and have seen several Chiropractors for it, but Dr. Lynn is the only one that knows how to do the adjustment the proper way and gives me relief. When in the area I try to see him for adjustments the rest of the time when I home I see my local Chirpractor for maintenance or when a problem presents it self.

Check into prolotherapy.

The major question I'd have for you Ben is how you know you were performing the swing properly. If you weren't (as most people who have problems aren't), then you can't really blame the swing.

Sounds like one of my golf buddies (a pro) whose answering machine message jokingly asked callers to send in a divot as well as their USGA handicap and backswing speed and he would mail them a complete analysis of their swing..

By the way, there was no way the chiro- based on the soreness in the muscles- would have ever guessed the cause was a bacterial infection. I went 4 months with some soreness and 6 weeks of pain thinking it was muscular.
 
I'd go back to the chiro in a second. But I would also get an MRI if pain persisted.

 SODAK,

There are two groups of 10-percentile graduates. The top 10 and the bottom 10, they are worlds apart when it comes to getting proper treatment. I have experience with those from both groups over the years. Believe me, just like MD's they are not all alike, some really do care about the patients and know what they are doing, others are indeed just Quacks. This applies to all medical field personnel.

Surge, you guys need to quit messing around with this and treat it as seriously as it is. It sounds like he has a bulging disc putting pressure, on the nerve root that can affect everything from swinging a golf club, to interfering with bodily functions! Chiropractic care can help, but it can also hurt, particularly with an adjustment, in the presence of a bulging disc. He needs to rest, get in pelvic traction, a possible round of oral steroids, or epidural steroid injection, at the affected site, based on a CT, or MRI. These things take time. He may even have to sit out for several months to keep him from doing more permanent damage. There is no question about the PPGS being a more bodily friendly swing, as we age, but he needs to be well. Him first, golf second!!

Thanks, Surge, for keeping us in the loop. As someone who's suffering through some nasty lower back pain right now (and have on and off for years), don't forget to check some of the most basic things we forget about in terms of lower back health: bed and chairs. 

I wish the best to DJ and believe he is in good hands. I went to a Neurologist the other day as a referal from my Rheumatologist and he asked me if I was having any dizzy spells lately. I replied that yes I was, when I moved or turned to the left I got very dizzy and he said he could treat it with some medication. but I stopped him and explained that I explained the situation to my Chiropractor and with 1 special adjustment he fixed the problem and it has not returned. He could find anything further and did not schedule another appointment unless I have another problem.

Surge:   Thanks for the update.   DJ is in my prayers for a speedy recovery, but like several others, I do suggest an MRI and second opinion.

    Amos

 DR Lynn:

Thank you for taking the time to post your comments. It never fails to amaze me, How many people having not even seen the patient feel that they know more about his condition than the one doing the examination. I realize the majority just want to offer advice which helped them at one time or another, but I can't help but feel others just want the spot light as the know it all of all things. They are all so smugly sure of themselves, and have not even seen the patient. There, is the real danger, following the advice of a self professed know it all, from an on line blog post in regards to a serious health issue. As if DJ, Don, and other medical workers in the family are not smart enough to seek out the best and proper treatment's.

I pray for DJ'S speedy return to health and the game, and have confidence in the ability of he and his family to follow the proper course. Even without all of the well intentioned multi-directional and sometimes conflicting advice.

I feel very sorry for DJ and hope he obtains good medical prognosis, as opposed to quackery.  It would be good to get a more concise version of events, as opposed to every minute detail.

So many suggestions from good fans and students. VERY important also to ensure mineral balance in avoiding dehydration as they can affect spasms - calcium, magnesium and malic acid (as in apples) and maybe also phosphorus - in addition to potassium and sodium without excessive water-only. Most thirst quenchers do not adequately address these needs. "Title Run" came close but is poorly distributed. I'm sure you've heard that moderate core exercises of the various core and hip-back muscles can be very important with back issues - overdoing can be counterproductive and some rest may be needed.  I've been helped in the past by a good physical therapist prescribed by an orthopedic who is not knife-happy.  Fun meeting the two of you at the Honda Classic a couple of years ago.  Always rooting for you.   Best wishes to you both. Gary

It is certainly true that the slightest issue with your back could and probably would affect your posture and stance and as Don says.......the set up determines the motion. 

Surge, I am sorry for DJ and his lumbar spine problems.  I wasn't going to say anything, but you should have a second opinion from a medical physician, not chripractor care, they don't perform any type of surgery or can advise with any science whether DJ should have surgery or not.  Typically reversal of the lumbar curve means spasms and disc cannot be seen on plain Xrays. 85% of these type of injuries do not require surgery, but diagnosis is thru MRI scan so you can visulize the disc, hydration, nerve roots, facet joints and spinal canal.  I sure hope you proceed with a medical evaluation and MRI for completeness as DJ plays golf professionally.  Either Neurosurgery evaluation or Orthopaedic evaluation by a spinal specialist.  Please don't stop with  chropractic evaluation.  I hope he does well, you might ask your friend Ned Armstrong, an orthopaedist, but not a spine surgeon, for a spinal surgeon opinion. Again I hope DJ doesn't need surgery, maybe some PT, rest steroids, medication etc, but I feel strongly he needs a medical evaluation with MRI...

Michael Settle, Physician Assistant, Atlanta Georgia 

Thanks very much Jerry for caring. I,ve had an inversion A frame for some years now , but have not used it for over a year now,as my backs been good. I should dig it out of the wardrobe & start using it again. As the old saying goes  "an oz of prevention is worth a lb of cure"

Surge Nation

Just want to give the Nation a quick update.

Here are the detail of the planned services for my son.

The town of Keystone Heights is holding a community memorial service on Monday (14 May) at the Keystone Heights High School football field at 7 PM.

The funeral  is Tuesday
(15 May) at
Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Home at 111 Blanding St
at 11 AM.

If anyone down that way is able to attend either service, you can email Doc, and he will give you my address, email, and phone number.  You can email or call me, and I will let you know more details.

Here is a link to the Jax TV video about Dick.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/F...

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers,
Dick

Thanks...always disappointing when DJ can't play...so excitng to watch him

I have not watched the video today, but can tell you like Russty Kiwi I would not be playing golf with my modified verison of the PPGS.  I have a degenerating disk between L3 and L4.  I do almost no hip turn at all am able to play.  Sure I do not  hit it long, but I do ht it straigh and get to the green about the same time my buddys who hit 50% farther than me.   Last week I hurt my back working on my boat and been on predisone since.  Going to try to play nine this morning and see how it goes.

I have dealt with a neurosurgeon and a orthopedic surgeon. Neither one will operate on l4 or l5 except under dire situations. Dj is probably under the best care.

Surge, appreciate the update on DJ and happy to hear that all appears to be going well for him.

Great post Dr. Lynn.  Keep being a caring compasionate and thourough Doctor of Chiropractic.  You make the rest of the profession proud!

To the rest of you.... until you have evaluated the patient, may be best to keep your advice to yourself.

You are one lucky guy. 

Even in nz? ;-)

Dick,
My wife and I just watched the news link. I am not surprised how highly he was thought of by so many. Of the little we have come to know you we are sure he was a hell of a man and a great soldier and father. We appreciate his sacrifice and example for us too.
Hang tough pal. We continue to keep you in  our prayers.

Don, I probably won't get a chance to meet you or DJ, but I'll keep him in my prayers for a speedy recovery.  God Bless.  Aaron

Just a note about back therapy.  I purchased an inversion table about 2 years ago and it has done wonders for my back.  I hang twice per day for 10 minutes each session.  My research shows it does not work for people with upper back or nect problems, but does work really well on the lower back to streatch and keep those discs apart.  Not a cure, but an on going therapy.  The table only cost me $100 on Amason.

 Dick,

Thanks for the post update. I hope and pray that you and the family as well as the many other loved ones are finding some comfort and peace as you go through this period of profuse sadness. I will be praying for you on Tue.

I enjoyed the video link you send, and wanted to let you know, that there are two short clips on Utube also.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

May God grant you all peace.

Surge,

Thank you for the update on DJ.  Glad to hear no surgery needed.  Hope the treatments work and DJ gets back soon.

Fortunately we all understand that the suggestions for healing are well meant regardless of the way they've been given the last couple of days. Like my Dad used to say, "take it all with a grain of salt".
It is interesting to me after these past 12 years that I have been working as a professional MT that regardless of our reasons for back issues, most people have back challenges (aches, pain, injury, ect.). There are certainly many reasons and causes but it is of note that regardless of the life style of each individual almost everyone I touch has nearly identical pains in common. By far the biggest 'nail' as I call it is usually between the shoulder blades (scapula bones) and related areas such as the neck and traps. Secondly would be the lower back and normally in the L3-L5 area. Next would be some form of siatic issues or the hip/glute area. Now it doesn't seem to matter what the story line is, "I'm an athlete", "I sit at a desk", "I'm a mother", "I'm a couch potato and 100 pounds over weight". Slender, fat, tall, short, regardless of employment or the lack of we all seem to have pains in similar areas for the most part. I still liston to each explain his or her aches and pains as I evaluate before treatment but you may be surprised how alike we all are after all. Perhaps this explains why so many have an opinion and a pet treatment or recomedation for how to fix ones back problems.
     All this does add up to the never ending work for Chiro's, Orthopedic Md's, PT's, MT's and others that professionally care for our ailing backs. Guess that's some job security, maybe ...... :)

Surge,
Sounds like DJ is getting sound care. Sure hope he gets an ever clearer picture perhaps by MRI and an additional analysis by a specialist. I'm sure Dr. Lynn is very good and the fact that he incorporates massage with Chiro is commendable as they work well together for healing. Please tell DJ of our concern and well wishes for recovery. Though we all hope he can play golf and practice again soon I hope there is double caution until he has time to recover fully. Rather see him out until healed so he can be in for the duration.

Don,

I know DJ's pain all too well and how debilitating it can be. I have a similar problem associated with damage to the 4th and 5th vertebrae. Mine have been diagnosed as bulging and arthritic.  They resulted from a childhood injury, which was further exasperated by sports-related trauma, everyday muscle strain, stress and time. The care you discussed in your daily video -- the combination of chiropractic manipulation, deep-tissue massage and rest -- should work wonders. I'm sure the docs will also recommend a daily regimen of stretching and back-strenghtening exercises. The combination has helped me. Along with your vertical swing. 

Please extend my best wishes to DJ for a complete and full recovery. And don't let anyone rush it.

Michigan