[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Chiropractor (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/17/2012 1:18:31 PM EDT
|
I made my first visit to one this morning.
I've had minor backaches for many years, many of them traceable to minor injuries from years ago, or so I think. A week ago I sat at a desk for several hours; the next day my back hurt. This pain has increased up until this morning, at which time I called the local chiropractor and told them 'I'm on my way'. I walked in, and while filling out my paperwork, another patient comes in, sits down on the reclining bed thingy, gets wrenched by the doctor, rests a minute, and leaves. Doc Xrays my back. He laughs while preparing the machine; he can see how crooked my spine is with his naked eye. After the xrays, he stands me on the reclining bed thingy and tilts it forward, so that I am laying prone, head down. Crack! I thought he broke something. Crack! I gasped. Over the course of the next few minutes he did things to me that, in other contexts, would justify deadly force. 
When he popped my neck, I wiggled my fingers just to make sure I could still move.
Afterwards, he removed me from this torture rack and put me on another bed and turned on a very, very nice back-massaging machine. While I laid there, he explained that my back had probably been warped for years and my body was just now losing its fight to compensate. When I got home, I removed my shirt and looked in the mirror. I'd never noticed, but my spine was grossly and obviously out of alignment. If you drew a plumbline down from my nose, it would sit somewhere directly above my left thigh. Seriously, I'm out of whack by 2" or so. I go back tomorrow for another session on the rack. He says that at my age, several weeks of doing this 3x/week will not only eliminate the pain, but also *probably* allow me to stave off further problems. Anyway, the point of this story is that my back hurts; you can either offer sympathy or relish my discomfort; your choice. The other point of the thread is to ask who here uses chiropractors, and who here thinks it's all a bunch of snake oil, and what your reasoning or experiences have been. Go. |
| I hurt my back a few years ago and knew that all the MD would do is gack me out on meds. I went to the chiro for the first time and it made a world of difference. No being strung out on pain meds and the relief of pain, while not instant, was very fast. I go back once or twice a year, more if something goes wrong, like pulling my shoulder muscles very badly. It works for me. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'd go to a witch doctor or be prayed for before I'd see a chiropractor Honest question: why? I've never heard of any legitimate scientific study that supports what they do. That's not to say it won't make you 'feel better'. But it's quackery to me and I wouldn't go to one. |
|
One of my daughter's friends collapsed at soccer practice a couple of years ago. She said her legs hurt so bad that she could no longer run. The next day, she was in pain, but could walk. The day after that, she was unable to walk at all. This persisted for weeks. Her parents took her to every specialist in the state, and in surrounding states, and she had a fairly thorough battery of tests performed on her.
Finally, out of desperation, her dad took her to a local chiropractor. After the first session, she returned to pretty much full functionality of her legs. She could walk, run, etc. There are quacks out there, but sometimes, you need somebody to readjust you... |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'd go to a witch doctor or be prayed for before I'd see a chiropractor Honest question: why? I've never heard of any legitimate scientific study that supports what they do. That's not to say it won't make you 'feel better'. But it's quackery to me and I wouldn't go to one. Unfortunately, you are uninformed. And wrong. |
|
I think that a chiropractor can help with certain issues.
But I feel some chiropractors are selling snake oil. Some examples: go to the chiropractor and kids don't need to get vaccinated, going to the chiropractor prevents colds and flu and sickness in general. I told my cousins who are chiropractors that they have the best gig around. They rarely cure anyone. Patients keep coming back as often as their insurance will pay. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
My MD actually recommends going to a chiropractor Mine too. when I had: Ear problems he sent me to an ENT Doc Concerns about Heart, Heart Doc Back problems, chiropractor Eye Problems, Eye Doc See a pattern, he has a enough sense to send you to the one who can actually fix you. I have had MD's who also thing they can fix everything with just another pill |
|
In my experience, chiropractors have fairly good results treating back pain
When they start treating allergies or diabetes, I get a little crazy. (Yes, they do) One around here hands out lapel pins that say "Hugs, not drugs". Then he calls about once a month asking me to call in pain meds or muscle relaxers for patient X, who he just can't get to "release". I really wish he wouldn't do that |
|
Quoted:
I use one. MD doctors are the worst when it comes to broken bits and stuff (as you've read regarding my back woes). I'm curious, where were you aching and what kind of symptoms you have (like neurological issues or any sort of atrophy in your leg muscles). If you go back far enough, my aches were 'everywhere'. Within the last year I've had joint pain (knee, elbow) and when I went on thyroid medication that stopped. Also, for the last 2-3 years, every day when I wake up, I'm stiff and sore for a few minutes. It usually works out quickly. I've been through 2 new mattresses and this is still an issue, to some extent. Also, i sleep with a pillow between my legs to keep my hips aligned (or so I thought; either way if I don't do this my hips hurt in the AM). Dec. 23 of this year I awoke to a terrible left shoulder pain. It subsided over the next 3 days; then 2 weeks ago I had a horrible leg cramp (I believe the BP meds are partly responsible for this). That day, I limped around and my foot hurt that night. This was exacerbated by an injury to the same (left) foot a few months ago (I accidentally kicked the wall and, I think, fractured a bone in the side of my foot). All of this led to me limping a few days, then I sat in a chair (sideways with a leg curled up under my body) for several hours one night surfing here (NH primary night). Next day, I had back pain; over the next few days it went from being on one side to being all over my lower back. Yesterday I hobbled around at work all day; this morning I knew better than to even try; it wasn't getting better. 
|
|
I've had good results with my chiropractor. I go whenever I feel I need to go, sometimes I make it a couple of months, sometimes I have to go once a week for a couple of weeks straight. It all depends on how much I abuse my body at work. The chiro I use is the old fashioned kind that can at times get a little rough and my wife goes to one that uses the activator gun, which is alot easier on the body. I'd switch to the one my wife uses, but his hours don't work with my schedule and I really can't stand the guy because of his arrogant attitude.
The reason chiropractors get a bad rap is because of the ones who make you keep coming back all the time, all theose guys are doing is sucking your wallet dry. It might take alot of visits at first, but after everything gets in order, you should have to go more than once every week or two. If your not in pain anymore don't go back until you feel you need to and don't let the guy tell you you still need to come back multiple times. |
|
Quoted:
But it's quackery to me and I wouldn't go to one. The guy I saw today did talk some of the 'energy' flowing through your body. Sure, warning bells went off, but even if you totally discount that (beyond the recognition that nerve impulses are electrical) you're left with a pretty straightforward idea: namely, your spine is supposed to be straight and mine is not. Enter the chiropractor; he twists and pops until it lines up. Maybe he'll let me have before/after xrays I can post here. |
|
I am thinking of seeing one about my knee. I have wicked crepitus and a physical therapist had me stretching and doing lunges, but it's been over a year and no improvement. The xrays said I wasn't wearing down my knee and there is no pain, but every time I walk up the stairs it sounds like my kneecap is going to explode.
I figure I will give it a couple sessions and see how it goes. |
|
I'm not on any "re-occurring" plan or anything but when I have bone structure ailments the bone Doc has helped me out.
To write off a chiropractor is just short sighted. If you have ever gotten a rye neck or other pinched nerve, one visit to the chiropractor fixes it........ you will appreciate their skill. GM |
|
Quoted:
I am thinking of seeing one about my knee. I have wicked crepitus and a physical therapist had me stretching and doing lunges, but it's been over a year and no improvement. The xrays said I wasn't wearing down my knee and there is no pain, but every time I walk up the stairs it sounds like my kneecap is going to explode. I figure I will give it a couple sessions and see how it goes. Also look into Physical Therapy, they may also help |
| My physical therapist gf would call all of you that go to chiropractors fools. She backs it up by explaining in medical terminology I don't try to keep up with .. but the gist of it is that physical therapists correct problems by strengthening muscles vs chiropractors that just give really good massages ... I do what she says because I get to see her naked ... ymmv |
|
Chiropractors crack you back and take your jack.
They vary in effectiveness and quality of treatment. Some want you back innumerable times to soak your insurance. Some make an adjustment and you're fine. I've had a few great ones and some really shoddy ones. Get a good one, stick with him, and he'll make your life and back problems much better. 
|
|
Quoted:
My physical therapist gf would call all of you that go to chiropractors fools. She backs it up by explaining in medical terminology I don't try to keep up with .. but the gist of it is that physical therapists correct problems by strengthening muscles vs chiropractors that just give really good massages ... I do what she says because I get to see her naked ... ymmv When I stand up I lean about six degrees to port, from my hips to my neck. Then my head leans about six degrees starboard. Ask her which muscle is weak? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
My physical therapist gf would call all of you that go to chiropractors fools. She backs it up by explaining in medical terminology I don't try to keep up with .. but the gist of it is that physical therapists correct problems by strengthening muscles vs chiropractors that just give really good massages ... I do what she says because I get to see her naked ... ymmv When I stand up I lean about six degrees to port, from my hips to my neck. Then my head leans about six degrees starboard. Ask her which muscle is weak? I'm real familiar with physical therapists having had several shoulder and knee surgeries including having two knees replaced. Some of them think chiropractors are great, some seem to think they will stretch ligaments and make things worse. But it is a fact that strong muscles and flexibility (stretching) will prevent a lot of skeletal problems. |
| Been going to one off and on for 15yrs. Helped my back immensly and since my parents were broke and insurance was almost worthless he worked on me 3x a week for months for free or wtvr little the insurance paying. It aint quackery thats for sure. I have sent quite a few of out techs to him that have back problems and they all got fixed and havent felt better in years the proof is in the pudding. |
|
Quoted:
But it is a fact that strong muscles and flexibility (stretching) will prevent a lot of skeletal problems. Don't get me wrong - I'm not opposed to PT and had to go once (due to some skin burns) many years ago and the experience was 100% positive (learning to stretch the new skin, etc). This may be another case where two schools of thought oppose ach other where they'd serve the patient better if they saw themselves as complimenting each other. ??? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
My physical therapist gf would call all of you that go to chiropractors fools. She backs it up by explaining in medical terminology I don't try to keep up with .. but the gist of it is that physical therapists correct problems by strengthening muscles vs chiropractors that just give really good massages ... I do what she says because I get to see her naked ... ymmv When I stand up I lean about six degrees to port, from my hips to my neck. Then my head leans about six degrees starboard. Ask her which muscle is weak? She actually has some really neat exercises that align your spine and strengthen the surrounding muscles ... from memory it goes something like laying on your back in a sit up like position. Someone pushes against your feet while you push back .... don't quote me on that because I'm trying to remember how she helped a buddy with a similar problem. My buddy tried it and found he was something like 2" out of alignment. I don't know what the next step would be .. if you are interested I would consult a local pt. |
|
i have a hippy guy i go to, and he is absolutely fantastic. i have not had lower back pain in years because of him. if something pops out of whack, i go and he fixes it. in 3 or 4 days, the muscles settle down from the adjusting and i feel great again. he was a life saver.
and yes, strengthening the muscles is a huge part of back pain. however, i have ribs that pop out from time to time and i do back and core strengthening. it has helped though. |
|
3 years ago I had some upper back/neck pain that would sometimes go down into my right shoulder. I just dealt with it until it started to interfere with sleeping. I went to an Orthopedic specialist, a shot of cortisone into my shoulder, and 6 weeks of therapy did the trick..... .... 3 months later the pain was back. I went to a see a chiropractor/ kinesiologist that was recommended to me from a co-worker. He examined me and had me do a couple of reflex tests. For one of them, he had me hold my right arm out from my side and told me to not let him push it down. He took one of his hands and tried to push down my arm. I had no problem holding it up. He then did the same test, but this time used his other hand and lightly pressed on the top of my head as if he was trying to push me thru the floor. When he did this I couldn't hold my arm to even let him push on it.  He said the tests showed a disk problem in my upper neck. By the 3rd visit I was fine. I went 4 more times after that just because my neck/back was feeling better and better each time. It's been a bit over 2 years since I last went there for neck/shoulder pain. I've been to see him off and on if my lower back gets to hurting, but even then it's only a couple of visits each time. |
|
Quoted:
3 years ago I had some upper back/neck pain that would sometimes go down into my right shoulder. I just dealt with it until it started to interfere with sleeping. I went to an Orthopedic specialist, a shot of cortisone into my shoulder, and 6 weeks of therapy did the trick..... .... 3 months later the pain was back. I went to a see a chiropractor/ kinesiologist that was recommended to me from a co-worker. He examined me and had me do a couple of reflex tests. For one of them, he had me hold my right arm out from my side and told me to not let him push it down. He took one of his hands and tried to push down my arm. I had no problem holding it up. He then did the same test, but this time used his other hand and lightly pressed on the top of my head as if he was trying to push me thru the floor. When he did this I couldn't hold my arm to even let him push on it.
He said the tests showed a disk problem in my upper neck. By the 3rd visit I was fine. I went 4 more times after that just because my neck/back was feeling better and better each time. It's been a bit over 2 years since I last went there for neck/shoulder pain. I've been to see him off and on if my lower back gets to hurting, but even then it's only a couple of visits each time. Couldn't live without my chiro. Well, I could live, but I probably couldn't walk very well. That's Applied Kinesiology that he used on you. Works a lot like accupuncture/TCM. Chiros, PTs, neurosurgeons, etc. are all great for what they do. It's when they get out of their lane that problems start. |
|
It all depends on what is wrong with you and if the Chiro is good and honest or if he is just trying to sell supplements.
I have a great Chiro that even my medical doctor uses. My chiro has fixed me times. I have also gone to guys that don't want to do adjustments but they want to sell magnesium supplements and other BS. Sorry to hear about your back pain. Get well soon! 
|
|
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I'd go to a witch doctor or be prayed for before I'd see a chiropractor Honest question: why? Because he's religious, and into voodoo. Seeing someone with a degree in anatomy for a back problem would just be a sin.  This is the third time today I've almost spit coffee on the monitor.  |
|
Quality seems to vary, a lot. One guy I went to did mostly PT type stuff, not so much the adjustments. I think it helped me some. I know a couple of guys that have gone to the places that just give you adjustments twice a week for YEARS. Full on quack there, IMHO. |
| I have rods in my lower spine so I won't go to one. Before the rods I went 1 time to a chiropractor in the backwoods of Alabama. He even smoked in the office. He popped my neck and my face went numb. No more after that. Scared me tremendously. I'm sure there are great ones out there, but that was my first and last experience with one. |
|
I've recently started seeing one and it has made a huge difference. Im only 22 but I was doing deadlifts when i was younger and injured my lower back. I let it go for years and just dealt with the pain, until about two months ago i was moving a box on the ground and all I did was push it. My legs fell from under me and it felt like I was being stabbed. aparently one the disks right where the spine begins to curve rolled out of place. I let it go for a day or two and just layed in bed hoping it would get better. I couldnt even put my arms out to wash my hands. My girlfriend talkd me into seeing the guy and now my pain is practically gone. From living with it being out of place so long my muscles tried to overcompesnsate and my one leg is actually longer then the other.
So I'd say even if you have doubts to check it out at least. |
|
Am one. A good one.
Voted 'some are great, some are quacks'. Anyone interested in the education of DC's can google up the info. We all get the same general level of training with varying degrees, and types, of philosophy. Some philosophies are pretty far out there, and some people adopt a particular philosophy because it makes them more money or relieves them of critical thinking. It may be especially interesting to compare DC education vs. some of the other professions who recently re-discovered spinal manipulation after calling it quackery decades. If you can search you will probably find a post from me with some details... I have several patients who are PT's who also send their family members to me, and many other patients from other medical specialties. My patients get referred in AND out depending on their needs. No time for a drawn-out post right now... |