Question about a back injury?!

Question about a back injury?

My boyfriend hurt his back while he was at work, he was pulling really hard on a wire for about 5 min. and he can't hardly move. this has been going on for about 4 days and i was just wondering should he go see an orthopedic surgeon first or a chiropractor? I feel that an orthopedic surgeon will just try and push surgeory on him. also if anyone has any experience with inversion tables. we have access to one but he is afraid he will hurt his back more on that and i said no. any help would be appreciated.

First let me say that I have chronic pain from several back surgeries so I understand how painful back pain is. Please don't try to use an inversion table or anything like that without having xrays or an MRI done first. My suggestion is that he go to his General Practioner first and get the xrays and possibly some physical therapy. Stay away from chiropractors until you know there isn't anything seriously wrong. Chiropractors can help in some instances, but can also make some injuries worse in the long run. I agree to make the Orthopaedic Surgeon your last resort, because they do usually opt for surgery. Xrays and an MRI can show if it is a disc or a muscle problem and then it will be easier to determine the best treatment from there. I wish you much luck and hope he feels better soon. Trust me, you don't want to end up like me.