Chiropractor, good/evil....

[dpuck1998]

I'm hoping to post a poll here, but am genuinely confused. I've been to the chiropractor a few times and just feel like I'm getting ripped off. Of course I've watched the shows that call them quacks and then heard from people that swear by them. Just wondering what my fellow DIS'ers think about it. I have some shoulder issues that I'm considering help from either my family practice or the local chiropractor.

Crack-a-lakkin is good
Whack-tastic is bad FYI

[ADP]

Just my opinion Puck, but if the chiropractor is not working I'd stop going and turn to your family physician. The other option would be to try another chiropractor just to make sure your current chiropractor is just not very good.

Maybe try another Chiropractor and if that doesn't work go to your family physician.

[MenashaCorp]

All areas of health care have good and bad providers. IMHO, chiropractors are great for some things, but beware the ones who claim to have wide-ranging expertise. Same goes for many doctors...


...and who says "Whack-tastic" is bad??:lmao:;)

[Mickey_Man]

My personal experience has been poor with chiropractors. I have found much better success with physical therapists, manual therapists, or a good old fashioned orthopaedic when needed.

And I think Crack-a-lakkin & Whack-tastic both sound pretty awesome. Space Mountain is "Crack-a-lakkin" while Toy Story Midway Mania is more "Whack-tastic". Glad I read the full description before I voted!

[safetymom]

My late husband was a big fan of chiropracters. He had osteoporosis and the medical community said there was nothing they could do. What the chiropracter did was almost like a miracle.

[UrsulasShadow]

It depends on what the chiropractor claims he can do. Any that claims to "free up energy" or "align your chakra" or do anything with your "energy fields" and heal body parts other than musculoskeletal is a quack.

A good chiropractor is like a good physical therapist. They can release tension in twisted and knotted muscles, take stress off pinched nerves, and ease a lot of pain. But I would ALWAYS seek real medical advice if you suspect back or spinal cord injury FIRST, and a full medical workup before letting any person "manipulate" my neck pain.

[ms*mountaineer]

I love going to my chiropractor. I've had issues with sciatic pain that he has been able to really help with. Once in a while I have issues with a kinked up neck or upper back area - and it's so incredibly helpful to go see the chiropractor.

My DH had back surgery when he was 18 - and was very reluctant to begin going to the chiropractor in his 40's. But he started having pain that wouldn't go away so he was finally willing to try the chiropractor - and it helped immensely.

I even started taking my kids to him. He's been adjusting them since they were 2 and 4.

[cchev]

Some chiropractors are REALLY good and do help but just as with any medical intervention there are risks...the biggest one I can think of is a vertebral dissection with a chiropractor...has a 10% death rate for acute dissections.

So it all depends if its worth the risk to you. If you get benefit out of it, it may well be worth the very low risk of vertebral dissection....I used to see one and he did great things but I recently decided I needed need that slightly increased risk.

[cchev]

I love going to my chiropractor. I've had issues with sciatic pain that he has been able to really help with. Once in a while I have issues with a kinked up neck or upper back area - and it's so incredibly helpful to go see the chiropractor.

My DH had back surgery when he was 18 - and was very reluctant to begin going to the chiropractor in his 40's. But he started having pain that wouldn't go away so he was finally willing to try the chiropractor - and it helped immensely.

I even started taking my kids to him. He's been adjusting them since they were 2 and 4.

Not to pry but a friend of mine who is a chiropractor highly suggests against chiropractic manipulation for kids but I don't delve in that field so I can't say more than that...I just felt obliged to say that at least

[Disneybridein2k3]

All areas of health care have good and bad providers. IMHO, chiropractors are great for some things, but beware the ones who claim to have wide-ranging expertise. Same goes for many doctors...


...and who says "Whack-tastic" is bad??:lmao:;)
Exactly! My first experience with a chiro was terrible. He did nothing and charged my insurance anyway. I swore I'd never go to a chiro after that. Then a few years ago when my husband was in the police academy, two chiros from a local practice came in to talk to them. He came home and was so excited that someone might really be able to help with my migraines. So I started seeing one of the doctors and it worked! It was like a miracle for me. So, like Jason said - there are good ones and there are bad ones. If you think you are being ripped off, you probably are. Just like any other dr, ask around and get recommendations. Good luck!

[wishspirit]

I vote Osteopaths (well British trained ones, which are different to American ones), my dad is one and he works wonders!

Look into osteopathy or Physio rather than chiropractors who can be a bit brutal!

[cchev]

I vote Osteopaths (well British trained ones, which are different to American ones), my dad is one and he works wonders!

Look into osteopathy or Physio rather than chiropractors who can be a bit brutal!

American osteopaths are great for this too if they have fellowship training in OMM. If they don't have this training then I wouldn't get any manipulation from them

[firsttimemom]

I'm hoping to post a poll here, but am genuinely confused. I've been to the chiropractor a few times and just feel like I'm getting ripped off. Of course I've watched the shows that call them quacks and then heard from people that swear by them. Just wondering what my fellow DIS'ers think about it. I have some shoulder issues that I'm considering help from either my family practice or the local chiropractor.

Crack-a-lakkin is good
Whack-tastic is bad FYI


I got IMMEDIATE relief when I saw a chiropractor about 9 years ago. If you've gone a few times and aren't feelin' it, it's time to move on.

[rn4val]

There are good chiropractor and bad just like MDs. My brother is a chiroprator and he recommends checking where they were educated. He went to Palmer which is suppose to be the most prestigious school.
Debbie

[dpuck1998]

Thanks guys, I think I'll try another one in the area to see how it goes.

by they way "whack" is bad....didn't you people grow up in the 80s...don't you know when something is whack :rotfl2:

[Madi100]

I think it depends on the problem. James hurt his neck on Space Mountain a few years ago. He went to the chiro, and he shouldn't have. The problem he had was made worse by the chiro. It wasn't a simple adjustment that was needed. When you see him in May you'll notice the nice long scar on his neck. Nope, not my fault. That was from surgery. From what the surgeon said, going to the chiro made it worse.

But, on the other hand, James has a very physical job. There are times when a visit to the chiro makes it all a little better.

If you've been to a chiro, maybe try a medical doctor next.

[challer]

As an MD, I'm suspicious of Chiropractors. However, I acknowledge that many people have been helped by chiropractors around the world.

If you have medical insurance, I don't see the harm in also getting the opinion of an MD or DO in Orthopedics or Physical Medicine/Rehab (PM&R, for those in the know).

[katscradle]

Hey dpuck I just thought I would give you my opinion.
There are just as many good ones as there are bad ones.
I was told when I was 15 that I would be in a wheelchair
by the time I was 35, due to a very bad back injury.
At 32 there was not a day or minute that went by without pain.
I had a great one who moved away.
I then fell into the hands of a quack.
I finally tracked down my chiro. and had been going the distances to see
him ever since.
He was recomended to me by my family Dr.
However not all dr.'s believe in what chiro's do.
We have a place here called the college of physicians and surgens.
They are like the better business bureau of Dr.'s.
If you have something like that in your area then I would call them
for a recomendation.
I have since found out that my chiro. is the dr. that the insurance
companys refer injured people to when they have been in car accidents.
I found this out after I had been injured in an accident.:rotfl:
Please keep in mind that depending on your injury it is possible that you will
not feel better after seeing him for a bit.
Chiropractic is basiclly a manipulation of the bones and muscles or at least that is what I think it is.
I would try another chiropractor before I gave up.
It's like cosmetic surgery, you can be a cosmetic surgen that doesn't mean you are a good cosmetic surgen.
Please don't give up on chiropractors because you may have a dud.
By the way I am 42 and still walking and running. :yay:

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I tell you - I LOVE my chiropractor - almost as much as my hubby. I wouldn't be the healthier person I am today without him. He taught me a lot about my body, my adrenal triggers and their lymphatics, and several other things - and I had been a skeptical licensed nuclear med professional for 20 years!

He did things for me my primary MD couldn't/wouldn't do. He and his partner have an osteopathic component in their practice and put me on a road to wellness that my MD couldn't even do - in fact, that actually forced me to get off my duff and get a better MD for myself (and I adore her)!

He fixed the hip tht had become chronically dislocated during my 2nd pregnancy, he worked on improving my stiff neck and lumbar spine - I have several protruded discs in my lumbar from years of patient care. Plus, he showed me how to recognize when I'm going off track and then take care of some of my basic medical issues myself (plantar facitis care, intenstinal care, adrenal care) by doing some simple self manipulations with a percussor and hand manipulation. I'm healthier - lost over 30 lbs with him, happier, and feel more able to take care of my kids.

[Willow1213]

I loved my chiro! Unfortunately, he is no longer covered under my insurance and has moved to a wonderful new practice that is too far away for me to visit frequently. I do not currently get any chiro treatment, but every 6 months or so I get to feeling really bad and make the trip to him (about 45 min north) and he is so nice as to not charge me too much :goodvibes Whenever I leave I always want to take a nap :lmao: Then when I wake up I have more energy than I have had in weeks!

Like others have said, there are good and bad ones, just like with any doc. I am lucky to live about 10 miles from what used to be a great chiropractic school (Life University) which produced a lot of practices in the area so there are lots to choose from!

[Disneybridein2k3]

by they way "whack" is bad....didn't you people grow up in the 80s...don't you know when something is whack :rotfl2:
I got your back on this puck - I was a child of the 80's - that is totally whack that the dudes just ain't getting your reference. ;)

[ms*mountaineer]

Oh man! I was a child of the 80's too - but I didn't know about "whack"! I always figured "whack" was a term that those young whippersnappers used. What part of the 80's was I in???

[Disneydonnam]

I LOVE my chiropractic Dr. I go in crawling on my knees and after two days I can sit in a chair again. It really works for me.

[mla1977]

I love my chiropractor too! When I first met him I interrogated him as to what his credentials are and how he treats patients. A degree in chiropratic medicine requires all the same education that an MD has in addition to the chiropractic study. The same goes for DOs. My chiropractor doesn't do any cracking because he doesn't believe it is beneficial. He does muscle manipulations and prescribes exercises to help. He has worked on me for back pain and leg pain. He had to close his office near me though due to the rough economy and it doesn't make sense to travel to him now. I would if I needed treatments from him though!

[tatajess]

Try looking for a DO. They have the same skills as a traditional MD, except they have extra training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. All DOs are trained in OMM throughout medical school and are encouraged to utilize it in residency. In addition, they also have the option to take an extra fellowship in OMM to better hone their skills.

They have the ability to perform complete medical exams prior to starting any manipulation techniques similar to those performed by chiropractors. Unlike MDs and DOs, chiropractors do not have a medical degree, nor do they undergo the same rigorous training.

[LilGMom]

I swear by my chiropractor but like another person said, there are good ones and bad ones. When I first moved back to this area I went to one that had some sort of electronic qtip looking thing that he put in my ear and said it would send electronic pulses to my nerves, yada, yada, yada. I never went back to him, lol. The chiro that I go to now I have been going to for about twenty years.

I had seven car accidents in seven years (none my fault) in my formative years and that has left me with the spine of someone 20-30 years older than I really am. I go in every couple of months for an alignment (much like a car goes in for a wheel alignment) and I feel so much better afterwards. I could have really used my chiro during our trip last weekend because I sat funny on the 7 hrs. car ride down and that coupled with too squishy tiny pillow and my neck was so out of alignment my headache was making me nauseous and I awoke in tears one night.

Even if my insurance didn't cover my chiro I'd still go to him, I trust him and I'm much nicer when I'm all aligned. :goodvibes

[rtobe]

I have had really good results with a chiropractor - unfortunately have not been able to find another one like him. He knew his limits, he suggested seeing an orthopedic surgeon for evaluation at one point. Not all are the same, ask about their views on how they manipulate things - finesse not force works better.

[cchev]

Try looking for a DO. They have the same skills as a traditional MD, except they have extra training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. All DOs are trained in OMM throughout medical school and are encouraged to utilize it in residency. In addition, they also have the option to take an extra fellowship in OMM to better hone their skills.

They have the ability to perform complete medical exams prior to starting any manipulation techniques similar to those performed by chiropractors. Unlike MDs and DOs, chiropractors do not have a medical degree, nor do they undergo the same rigorous training.

I agree that DO OMM is great but I wouldn't let one near me without a fellowship in it. The amount that you learn in school for being a DO is just enough to hurt someone and do some real damage...you shouldn't practice that kind of medicine without a fellowship just like you can't be a pediatrician without extra education in that first

[tatajess]

bump

[cchev]

I'm DO student almost finished my 2nd year. I actually finished my 4 semesters of OMM today and am looking forward to having more free time to study for my boards.

I'm not an expert, but I agree that if I had a problem I would seek a DO that has done an OMT fellowship. However, there are many techniques that don't use the force of HVLA (myofascial or lymphatic for example) and have minimal to no likelihood of injury, depending on the patient's preexisting conditions. That being said, the competency of the physician (or chiropractor) is most important. A DO without fellowship training should have no problem utilizing lymphatic techniques to aid in fluid movement in a patient with CHF, but for more complicated issues I would seek a DO that specializes in OMT.

To the OP, I apologise for going off topic, but I would check with your family doc first!

I agree with you completely...I just was thinking if they were looking for a chiropractor substitute they would probably be looking for something more up the HVLA way

[smi727]

Just adding my two sense... I'm a certified athletic trainer and I've heard the good, the bad, and the ugly about chiropractors. I'd be cautious about any chiro who suggests weekly or biweekly visits with no end in sight. Any medical professional should give you a course of care, measured in weeks with a re-evaluation at the end of the course of care. It's usually the quacks who suggest coming in for manipulation after manipulation for an unspecified amount of time.

[Mickey_Man]

Thanks guys, I think I'll try another one in the area to see how it goes.

by they way "whack" is bad....didn't you people grow up in the 80s...don't you know when something is whack :rotfl2:

Great - make me remember the 80s. Now I need to start a poll about seeing another type of doctor.

[dpuck1998]

Great - make me remember the 80s. Now I need to start a poll about seeing another type of doctor.

You might feel some pressure :rotfl2: