Massages and/or chiropractors?

[lenshanem]

Do any of you go to one or both of these? Just curious...

 

[westcliffemom]

I go to the chiropractor, but only when it's necessary, as i have some back issues, and the chriopractor actually aggrivates them. Read that as I feel worse when I'm done than when I started but sometimes, there's something I just have to get in. Usually it's when my arms start tingling or I go kinda numb.

I have got a massage once (anniversary present from DH ). It was okay, I've heard that others really benefit from massages, but it was just okay for me.

 

[meghan74]

Shan,
My primary care doctor is a DO, which means that he does spinal manipulation. I've been to a chiropractor before, and found it helpful, but my DO is MUCH better. He does the adjustment by gently stretching my back (instead of pushing on it like a chiropractor does) and I find it much more gentle. Sometimes I am a little sore afterwards, but overall it makes a big difference in how I feel. It was especially helpful when I was pregnant and my sacroiliac joint kept popping out of place. Anyway, I think chiropractors are great, but I highly recommend a DO if you can find one.

 

[Honeibee]

Shan -

I see a chiro about once a month. I started going many years ago when I fell off my horse and landed up ended on the back of my neck, if that makes any sense. Anyway, the first chiro I went to I didn't like at all. He was rough and it didn't seem to help at all. I went to another who was worse, if you can believe it! This man would - literally - mount me and crack away. I hated it! So I gave up until someone suggested I try my current chiro.

Let me just say, I would be lost without her. She's very gentle, and incorporates a lot of massage and reikki (sp??) into my adjustment. I swear sometimes I feel ten years younger walking out of her office.


Having said that, I don't think it's the right therapy for ALL ailments, obviously. I also think you have to find one you like.

I'd be lost with my chiroprator. Even if I can't spell it.

 

[Duanerice]

I would be lost without my massages. About 2 years ago I started going to a massage school. Not to school mind you, but they give massages at a deeply discounted price. The cost is $25, no tip (not allowed to tip students) and no products pushed on you, for a 50 minute massage. I love it. Of course some are better than others, but I have never really had a bad massage. I go every 2 weeks.

Basically they finish school first then need X amount of hands on hours before they can take their state test. By the time they get to me they have already completed close to 100 massages.

Up until a year or so ago I never went to a Chiropractor. But, my shoulders were killing me. So I went. Found out some of my neck bones (scientific term) were stuck together. Not fused, just stuck. That in turn hurt my neck muscles as they were working too hard to hold up my head Took about 5 visits then everything was OK. Still need to go back about every 6 months just to unstuck them.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[MouseDogMom]

I went to a chiropractor in high school but didn't have any success; my dad, however, swore by the guy. And I have a co-worker now who loves hers.

I swear by my massages. I just wish I could afford them more often. I started going after I took a nasty fall when Mystic (my dog) took off after a squirrel with me on the other end of the leash. I landed on my shoulder, and had horrible pain for several months until I went for a massage. It took several, but he finally worked out the kinks and got me stretching on a regular basis.

Jackie

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Depends on which body part I need fixing.

I see a Chiropractor if I start getting headaches and/or feel a sensation in my neck that I need to be "cracked" aka adjusted. Also--13 years post neck injury--this little bulge I feel sometimes in my neck (confirmed by MRI to not be a disc or anything)--turns out is a sign that I need a neck adjustment b/c post-adjustment this thing is gone.

I see my friend who is a PT for a Psoas release and sacrum realignment if the need arises. In fact I am trying to coordinate with her to be seen soon as I have needed this stuff fixed my entire pregnancy but was unable b/c the Psoas is essentially inaccessible when you have a baby resting in front of it.

If I have excess shoulder tension due to overcompensation of neck weaknesses, I will see a massage therapist for deep tissue to work some of that out---some of my better massage therapists will work in some myofacial as well. My massages need to be more "medical" in nature as opposed to just pampering if that makes any sense. So I try to get in with folks who will work in the therapy massages as well.

Clear as mud, right?

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Shan, I have never been to see a chiropractor, but I do go for regular massages. I schedule mine once a month (luckily my health plan at work covers some of it). I get a lot of tension in my right shoulder, right near my neck, and from years of having knots there is a bit of scar tissue in the muscle now. If I go once a month it tends to keep that tension and pain away. I've also recently started having some discomfort in my right hamstring and glute and my MT really worked that out the last time I saw her. I found that previously if I only went once as a treat to myself I didn't really see a benefit, but now that I go regularly I really notice an improvement, and see a big difference if I wait too long to schedule the next appointment.

 

[lenshanem]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. DH and I get massages every once in awhile, but nearly not enough. I get very tight in my neck and upper back. I think I'm due up for another one cause my neck is very stiff and I've been having a headache. I just made a new friend who is a chiropractor and this is all new to me. She has been really sweet and adjusted me yesterday, but I woke up this morning with my head still hurting. At first I thought it was the coffee and/or Splenda I was having in the morning, but I stopped drinking that.

My girls have several health issues (allergies, asthma, ear infections, etc.) and she was telling me how chiropractic care would be beneficial to them. Unfortunately, they're on a lot of meds right now.

I appreciate the posts, I was curious if others had any experience with them.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have seen a chiropractor every now and then for years. I am one of those "swear by'ems"--of course, it depends on the chiropractor in my book!

I saw my chiropractor on Wednesday before leaving for marathon weekend on Thursday in Jan.07. I was having some knee pain and was worried about making it through the 1/2.

He adjusted me from head to toe. Amazingly, through the race on Saturday (1/2), I had NO pain in my knee at all!! No pain, anywhere, not feet, not knees--I was amazed. I even called his office on Saturday after the race and left a voice mail!
I do a massage even once in a while. If you ever try chiropractic and find a good one, you will be very thankful for what they can do for your body!

Good luck!