Back Pain - Physical Therapist or Dr.

[Bron]

Over the past couple weeks I've developed a pretty bad back problem which is making my job extremely difficult, since I play gigs a few nights a week, I have to stand up for hours at a time, and lug my stuff to and from bars.

It isn't normal back pain or like anything I've experienced before. So I need to find a good doctor or physical therapist to help me with this. Anyone have any recommendations? My Castellano is fine, so they don't need to be bilingual.

I also have the following hesitations. I often find it very difficult to get people, or even professionals, to REALLY listen to what I'm saying, or to key in and actually pay attention in the ways that matter. That's why I'm trying to get help on BAExpats.

I don't even want to mention my problem to my Porteño friends, because they (in a very well-meaning and endearing way) always rush to give me some irrelevant advice, while completely missing the point, and not even beginning to actually listen. The do pay close attention to detail - always the wrong detail. I know they just want to help, but it makes me LOCO sometimes.

Sooo, I'd love to get some recommendations. Thank you!

 

[CarverFan]

Don't have any doc recs but Voltaren spray is great. It's been my saviour many times....

 

[nativexpat]

I don't know any doctors that I can recommend, but I do know of chiropractors. Let me know if you are interested (don't want to be like your Porteño friends) and I´ll share the info.

 

[Ashley]

Do you have specific medical coverage?
I went to see a back doctor at Swiss a couple of months ago (it was at a clinic along Sucre...I can't remember the name) but the Dr was Dr Copquin and he's an orthopedic Doctor and back specialist . The clinic wasn't the nicest (I just pulled it out of a book) but the Dr was good, thorough and spoke some English so I guess that's a plus if you're worried about really being able to explain your problem. He sent me for xrays...which is pretty standard.
If I were you, I'd go to a doctor first just so that he can take xrays or whatever and rule out any major problems (especially if it's unusual pain). He'll then recommend a course of treatment or refer you to a chiropractor/ physio if that's what's needed. My problem turned out to be minor so I was told to start an exercise routine to build up the muscles in my back...and he'll monitor me every year or so. I'm glad I ruled out anything bad though...

 

[CarverFan]

Here's a recommendation by a fellow baexpat for a physio http://baexpats.org/services-offered/10515-licensee-kinesiologist.html

 

[Clairekac]

My father is a doctor an treats back pains two.hes office is three blocks away from the obelisco. He is Dr Jorge Kaczewer, if your interested pm me hope u get better!

 

[thuy.ashtango]

Sorry about your back pain.

My husband plays bandoneon, so he spends many hours a day in the same position and it really messes up his shoulders and neck, giving him headaches by the end of the day. For him, 1 visit to the chiropractor plus a daily regiment of pushups and posture exercises helps a lot.

I guess the first course of action is to see a doc. Maybe at an ER? I hear it's less than 100 pesos if you don't have insurance. Can't start treatment unless you know what the problem is, right? Could be a pulled muscle, pinched nerve, anything really. And it may just require a corticosteroid shot or something simple.

I have the names of a great chiropractor and a sport massage guy if you want them. PM me.

Feel better!

Thuy