Comments on: Why would a doctor pick someone up by their head?

Question: Why would a doctor pick someone up by their head?

IndigoRain — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:46:07 -0800

This question about a bodybuilder beheading oneself reminded me of something I read in a Judy Blume book that I never understood.

I believe the book was Deenie, and the girl has scoliosis and has to wear one of those back braces. During her visit to the doctor, he has her bend over, walk around, etc. Finally, he puts one hand on each side of her head and uses his hands to lift her up off the ground! Deenie says something like "ow" and the doctor's only reply is "sorry, but it's important." a. Isn't that REALLY dangerous and b. If that really is done/used to be done, WHY?

By: EarBucket

EarBucket — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:19:43 -0800

He drew dots on my back, presumably where my vertebrae were so that it was easy to see that my back was curving. Then x-rays were taken. Next he explained to my parents that I had scoliosis. I don't remember all that he said but I remember he had my father lift me up by placing one hand under my chin and the other at the base of my skull. When I was lifted he pointed out to my mother that my spine straightened out when I was under traction. She could see this because now the curved row of dots were a straight line.

By: IndigoRain

IndigoRain — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:55:46 -0800

Is this no longer done? Is it dangerous?

By: EarBucket

EarBucket — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:28:49 -0800

I dunno. My father's a doctor and would probably know--I'll ask him and check back in with you.

By: tastybrains

tastybrains — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:40:27 -0800

In the passage linked by EarBucket originally, "I remember he had my father lift me up by placing one hand under my chin and the other at the base of my skull." could she mean that he lifted her face up? I just don't think it's physically possible to lift a person who is bent over by their head, even if it was safe for them & they were as rigid as wood, the weight distribution just seems awkward and impossible.

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:53:32 -0800

I think the passage, which I remember pretty well from the book, just has to do with being lifted by the head [i.e. applying traction to extend the spine] to the point where her spine straightened, not being lifted fully off the ground. That's technically what traction means.

By: misanthropicsarah

misanthropicsarah — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 06:34:30 -0800

When I go to the chiropractor, he often pulls on my head. I'm not standing, and he's not trying to lift me off the ground though. I'm on my back on the table, he's behind me and grips the sides of my head and pulls. I feel it in my neck and cervical spine and it 'pops' a bunch of things back in place.

By: IndigoRain

IndigoRain — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 11:09:29 -0800

Wow, authors need to clarify that then, Jessamyn. Thanks everyone!

By: EarBucket

EarBucket — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 19:56:54 -0800

From my dad:

Not familiar with lifting a child by the head for a scoliosis exam, but assuming it's someone who knows what they are doing, it's probably a check for testing the flexibility of the spine to evaluate for the likelihood that using a body cast device will be able to force the spine into better alignment to grow better.