Anyone been to a chiropractor?

[Cruise]

After sitting on two 12 hour flights within two weeks combined with a lot of walking and standing, and sleeping in strange beds, my back is out of whack. I pretty much know what's wrong - this has happened before. One of my hips is riding higher than the other and throwing everything out of line and causing me lower back pain.

The last time this happened, I was living closer to my sister who is a DO as well as a licensed Physical Therapist and she got me all fixed up with just one "session." Unfortunately, we're in different states now.

So I'm looking into going somewhere to get this worked out. I don't feel like a regular massage is going to take care of it, but I don't want to wait a week for an appointment with a DO. So I was thinking about a chiropractor.

The only thing really holding me back is that, from what I've read online, going to one probably means a whole "set up" where they want to take x-rays, do evaluations, etc. I really don't want to get into that. If you've been to one, is that what they did?

Alternatively, I'm open to other suggestions of who I might see to deal with this. Maybe a physical therapist if they could get me in quick?

Thanks!

 

[pklein09]

I visit my chiropractor every other week, and I've been going for around 9 years. He took x-rays the first visit, showed me my spine and explained what was out-of-whack. I wouldn't be upset if he wanted to take an x-ray, but that's me. I'm sure he's going to want to set you up with 3 appointments this week, 3 next week, 2 the week after, etc. You can be firm and say you only want to come once a week until you're feeling better. My husband only goes in when he's stiff, and the doctor respects that.

I would ask around for a referral. Good luck, and I hope you feel better.

 

[sharonmickey]

I love going to my chiropractor. Fortunately, I only go once a year, if that. The chiropractor I go to does not force me to get the "whole package". Since I go so seldom, he usually just does an adjustment. Usually it only takes one session for me to feel better, although it may take a couple of days after the session. I cannot remember getting an xray, I know that I did not have one when I was there in December. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon.

 

[CarissaDance]

Ive gone to chiropractors on and off for years. Neither one had done xrays on me at any point. The first one was a bit of a pusher, rather than doing routine adjustments periodically and advising us on what we should be doing at home exercise-wise he wanted us coming weekly (sometimes 2x/wk) and staying a lengthy visit each time for therapies that followed an adjustment. Looking back I think he just wanted us for the $. My husband and I were both very young and healthy so it should not have been that involved.

Now we LOVE our current chiropractor (who is also a sports therapist). I started seeing him when my ribs were out of place from a horrible massage. Anyway, he has really helped some of the ailments my husband and I have had and tells us what muscle groups we need to strengthen to keep things good. He also saw my 4 yr old DD after a car accident. Now we only go a few times a year and are feeling great!

On a side note, I've heard its a good idea to get a massage and then see your chiropractor because your muscles tense and get used to the misalignment and in severe cases can cause spine to become misaligned again. Sorry if it sounds confusing. Havent tried this myself. Obviously go to a very good massage therapist LOL I learned the hard way with 3 ribs out of place.

 

[disneyfreakk]

It really just depends. I have been to 4. 2 took xrays and 2 did not.

I think if you know what is wrong with you that you shouldn't need xrays. That has been my experiance. If I were you, on your first visit I would just tell the chiropractor exactly what you told us. If they are pushy, go somewhere else.

By the way, what is a "DO"?

 

[ceecee]

The one I saw wanted me to keep coming back...three times a week to work on my sciatic nerve after three visits no relief, where the PT I saw helped after one visit. He also really did something to my back the last time. I was in major pain and it lasted for days, I won't go back. I have a herniated disc and a ruptured disc so he said he would take it easy, but I could hardly walk when he was done.

DO (Doctor Osteopathic medicine) instead of MD I'm guessing.

 

[Cruise]

By the way, what is a "DO"?

DO (Doctor Osteopathic medicine) instead of MD I'm guessing.

Yes, this. A lot of people don't know much about DOs, but I'm guessing they'll become more popular in years to come.

From Wikipedia:

According to Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, "the training, practice, credentialing, licensure, and reimbursement of osteopathic physicians is virtually indistinguishable from those of allopathic physicians, with 4 years of osteopathic medical school followed by specialty and subspecialty training and [board] certification." However, osteopathic physicians also receive an additional 300 - 500 hours in the study of hands-on manual medicine and the body's musculoskeletal system integrated into the medical curriculum.

So you can see where it would be perfect for what's going on with me.

Thanks for the suggestions, all. Since it's late on a Friday now and the repair men have just left (another reason I couldn't get out of the house this week to see someone), I might see if I can at least get in for a massage tonight and keep myself loose. Like I need an excuse for a massage

Thanks!

 

[okeydokey]

You really want them to do x-rays. They need to see exactly what the problem is to treat you safely. Personally, if one wanted to start working on me without x-rays, I would be out the door.

 

[ceecee]

You really want them to do x-rays. They need to see exactly what the problem is to treat you safely. Personally, if one wanted to start working on me without x-rays, I would be out the door.

Mine did take x-rays and nothing showed. It took an MRI to show what was really going on.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I go to a chiro every week and have never had xrays but again I go for my health to get rid of subluxation. Good luck

 

[Leajess99]

You really want them to do x-rays. They need to see exactly what the problem is to treat you safely. Personally, if one wanted to start working on me without x-rays, I would be out the door.

I second this and have been to a Chiropractor a few times. I have used the same practice just different locations as I lived in the different locations.

 

[angwill]

Call around and ask what the chiropractor expects the to do the first visit. I see a chiropractor once a year and it only takes between one and three visits till I feel great again. Usually he tells me I don't need to come back. lol He is one of the top chiropractors in the area and writes articles for some chiropractic journal. He explaiend that unless he feels through an exam and talking to the patient that something is seriously wrong xrays are not necessary for everyone. Neither myslef or my husband needed them. He also explained that any chiropractor that tells you that you must come in so many times for things to heal or tries telling you that your back is causing organ issues is just stealing your money. He said typically it takes 5-10 visits to feel better but for some it is one visit and others it is 2 or three. He claims that the patient needs to learn when things are about 80% better for them and then give their body time to heal.

 

[Mickeyflower]

I went to a Chiropractor once. He told me I needed $6000 worth of therapy and that my insurance would not pay for any of it. He said it was an auto accident injury consistent with being rear ended. I told him I have not been in an auto accident since I was 18 (at the time of my visit, I was 37). He said "Hmm, that's not right, I have diagnosed your injuries as recent". So, he basically called me a liar, and wanted me to give him $6000 for it

Needless to say, I did not return, and don't think I will ever go to a
Quack-O-practor EVER!

 

[libraryfreak]

I visit my chiropractor every other week, and I've been going for around 9 years. He took x-rays the first visit, showed me my spine and explained what was out-of-whack.

Wow, 234 visits to your chiropractor and you're still not fixed?

 

[Swimalie]

I've been to 2. The first one was a practice recommended by a friend. But the doctor had changed and he was not the one recommended. He took x-rays and showed me all the things wrong. He wanted me to come in 3 times a week for 4 weeks and then 2 times a week after that. My insurance only covers 12 visits per year so that would have maxed me out. I told him this and he said it would only be "slightly higher than my $20 co-pay". I asked his front office and it would have been around $200 per visit. I think he was in it for the money. I've now heard that he does this to patients a lot. He was super rough and it actually scared me to get adjusted. He also did a lot of "pre-treatments". It only took about 6 visits for me to realize he was not for me.

Then my swim team went made a deal with a sports related chiropractor. She has been to the Olympic Training Center to study athletes, which is important for me. I go in to see her for ART (active release technique) where they stretch my muscles to repair them faster after workouts. She occasionally adjusts me but only when I ask. It's a totally different approach and one I prefer. I get adjusted about once a year and I feel better.

After the first guy my neck started cracking on it's own, something it never did before. Now, with the new one, the cracking has stopped.

 

[pklein09]

Wow, 234 visits to your chiropractor and you're still not fixed?

He "fixed" the initial problem within 2 weeks or so, but I always feel great after an adjustment. My insurance pays for it and it's cheaper than a massage. He's really nice and I like the office staff. I consider it "maintenance."