Opinions...chiropractor?

[sharonmickey]

I agree with Lisa - some chiropractor's are good, some not so much; same as any other doctor. I hurt my back quite a few years ago, after two weeks of laying flat on my back almost all day I finally broke down and tried a chiropractor based on a friend's recommendation. (Because, you know, growing up I was told chiropractor's were just quacks - lol) He adjusted my back and it felt somewhat better, another visit a few days later and the pain was gone. I went back almost two years ago for neck pain again it helped. As with any doctor, ask for recommendations. I would be leery of going to one that actively recruited patients through free screenings.

 

[Geoff_M]

Here's a good article from a "old-fashioned" Chiropractor where he expresses some frustrations as some of this counterparts that have decided to freelance in some very questionable things.

He also offers some guidelines in what to look for when looking for a Chiropractor:

Here are the guidelines I offer patients who might want chiropractic treatment for back pain:

- While a good chiropractor can do a good job treating back pain, not all chiropractors are the same; some follow the guidelines of science, some do not.
- Look for a chiropractor who limits his/her practice to care of musculoskeletal problems and who uses hands-on generic spinal manipulation in combination with physical therapy modalities. Such a chiropractor can often be found working in a multi-disciplinary back-pain clinic.
- Avoid chiropractors who propose to locate and adjust “vertebral subluxations” as a treatment for disease or to “restore and maintain health.”
- Avoid chiropractors who ask for payment in advance for a long course of treatment. As a general rule, treatment should be discontinued if symptoms worsen after one week or have not improved after two weeks.
- Avoid chiropractors who routinely x-ray new patients or who do full-spine x-rays on every patient. Remember that simple back strain will usually resolve on its own in a few weeks and does not require an x-ray exam.
- Do not accept the services of a chiropractor who refuses to share his/her records with your family physician or a medical specialist. An orthopedist who has exchanged office notes with chiropractors can often offer guidance in selecting a chiropractor.
- Persons who want manipulative therapy for a back problem but are reluctant to see a chiropractor should ask for a referral to a physiatrist, a physical therapist, or an orthopedic manual therapist who has been trained in the use of spinal manipulation.

 

[JoanGirardi]

My son had a terrible pain in his back and we brought him to an immediate care place. They gave him muscle relaxers and told him to rest. His pain was still pretty severe, and a friend recommended a chiropractor. He wanted to give it a try, so I took him to the chiro. He found the exact location of my son's pain, caused by a rib out of place in his back, then gave him an adjustment. Pain gone. He showed him a couple of stretches and wanted to see him a week later for a follow-up. I don't know if all chiropractors are good for all things, but this guy helped my son a great deal when a conventional doctor couldn't.

 

[Rabscuttle]

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chirostroke.html

There is a much higher incidence of stroke associated with neck manipulation. This is an interesting link but I have read similar stuff in other publications over the years. I would limit a chiropractor to what I could get from a physical therapist, whom I would prefer to see.

 

[acejka]

I started seeing one about a 6 weeks ago, and I can finally lay down, bend and finallllllly go to bed without a heating pad-other than the night I had appendicitis earlier this year, the night of hospital stay afterwards and the following night- so 3 nights in the last 5 years I haven't been to bed without a heating pad to make it possible for me to lay down.

I used to think they were complete quacks but the pain got to be too bad for me to stand it any more. I was run over by a car 9 years ago and then in a bad t-bone accident the year after so I've had bad damage to my hips, legs, torso. Also I used to get chronic ear infections, when he adjusts my neck I can feel my sinuses drain afterwards and that was a big problem for me since mine don't drain properly on one side.


I do think there are some creepy ones and I don't think I'd trust the ones set up at any kind of fairs. I feel like they tell everyone there is something wrong, no matter what.

 

[okeydokey]

I was always skeptical but when I pinched a nerve in my back last year, i was in such agony that I went to one recommended by a friend. I went 3x the first 2 weeks, 2x the next 3 weeks, then once for a couple. Best thing I ever did. My primary doctor wanted to just give my pain meds and maybe a cortisone shot if it didn't clear on it's own in two weeks. I couldn't stand the pain for two weeks.

I have felt great ever since. His method is the Atlas method, no cracking!

 

[TLuvsD]

I was in horrible sciatica pain, really horrible. Nothing helped, not the Dr, I even went to an acupunturist (and I can't even describe my fear of needles). Chiro helped. Almost immediately. He did take x-rays, should them to Dh and I (Dh loves that sort of thing). Basically told me I would either be improving within 6 treatments or it wasn't going to work. I can't say I'm pain free, but there has been huge improvement.
FYI, my neighbor's daughter is a physical therapist, she volunteered the same information, if there is not improvement within 6 treatments, it's not going to help. And she advised me to walk as much as possible. At the time, the mail box was a loonngg distance.

 

[Jennasis]

When I had my spine surgery (discectomy L5-S1 with transpedial decompression) I went in to surgery in such agony that I wanted to die. They didn't give me ANY nerve blocks or pain meds prior to surgery because they had to know when I woke up if I was still in pain and if I had any nerve damage (loss of feeling or movement).

I woke up 90% pain free...other than the pain at the incision site. The feeling in my foot returned in about 3 weeks. Strength in my leg/foot over the course of 6-8 months.

I'll take the knife any day of the week.

 

[dodukes]

My best chiro story is when I lived in Atlanta, there was a very popular holistic chiro there, he never touched you, he manipulated your energy field to adjust your back. How much did such a service cost? No set fee, you drop money in a box at the door, he didn't like the energy from money during the day.

I'm seriously not trying to laugh, but really???

I think that chiropractors can have value when it comes to treating back/neck pain, but no more so than a trained massage therapist. However, if they are from the wing of chiropractors that advocates things like "adjustments" for the treatment of a variety of diseases or advocates "adjustments" for young children.... run away fast, and don't look back!

My wife saw a chiropractor for a period of time for back pain, until he managed to throw her back out during an "adjustment". I had to drive and come pick her up because she was so incapacitated. Since then, she's switched to a massage therapist.

My honest opinion, I think there are great chiropractors. I also think there are quacks.

I'm not too trusting of chiropractors that try to gain your business by free exams and x-rays. They are way too vested in...umm...well...bending the truth a little. I had such a chiropractor once who diagnosed me with major scoliosis. I ran away from that one.

As it turns out, I Do have mild scoliosis but never had an x-ray that looked like what that original guy did. He made my spine look like an upside question mark.

I had been seeing a new chiropractor since February and tried to remedy a very similar problem that your chiropractor diagnosed you with. In my case--I have had this same problem twice before and use PT to fix it. I tried this time to go without it and finally gave up last week and went to get my prescription. After 2 treatments, I am making headway. But I am still not fully uncrooked just yet. (I loved how the PT on my first visit said HOLY CRAP! )

Anyway--I want to be athletic and my problems are inhibiting me. My chiropractic does some kind of therapeutic massages--I had them working on my problem areas. But it just wasn't enough.

So--if your issues aren't causing too much issues, don't worry about it. But keep in mind that those kind of issues can be real and sometimes, chiropractic adjustments just aren't enough. I thought I was making real progress, and some how--things began to get worse as certain muscles of mine are just stuck tight and not letting go. Chiropractic didn't cause it, but it just wasn't fixing it. My right side is still weaker than my left.


I had neck adjustments the worst. I really don't like them, but sometimes I do have an issue where it is needed. Thankfully--my neck seems to be doing well. If I can get that hip and glute to behave, I'd be golden.

Just thought I'd chime in--because when I read your post...I was excited to see that someone shared similar issues with crookedness.

Well it wasnt like a fair, sorta but it was at the local blue cross office, I went in because they test your bp, cholesterol for free and the guy was there, so it seems like its a partnership type thing. This guy didnt tell me I had scoliosis but you could definetely see a slight curvature to my back and my hip was higher than the other, that was clear. All i got in the neck was like when you crack your knuckles but everywhere else he seemed to stretch so I'm not sure. Ill pay more attention on Monday.

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chirostroke.html

There is a much higher incidence of stroke associated with neck manipulation. This is an interesting link but I have read similar stuff in other publications over the years. I would limit a chiropractor to what I could get from a physical therapist, whom I would prefer to see.

THIS!! This is the link I read that freaked me out!!!! Is a manipulation like cracking the neck?? or is it different?

I was always skeptical but when I pinched a nerve in my back last year, i was in such agony that I went to one recommended by a friend. I went 3x the first 2 weeks, 2x the next 3 weeks, then once for a couple. Best thing I ever did. My primary doctor wanted to just give my pain meds and maybe a cortisone shot if it didn't clear on it's own in two weeks. I couldn't stand the pain for two weeks.

I have felt great ever since. His method is the Atlas method, no cracking!

I looked into Atlas but still not sure what it is...

I was in horrible sciatica pain, really horrible. Nothing helped, not the Dr, I even went to an acupunturist (and I can't even describe my fear of needles). Chiro helped. Almost immediately. He did take x-rays, should them to Dh and I (Dh loves that sort of thing). Basically told me I would either be improving within 6 treatments or it wasn't going to work. I can't say I'm pain free, but there has been huge improvement.
FYI, my neighbor's daughter is a physical therapist, she volunteered the same information, if there is not improvement within 6 treatments, it's not going to help. And she advised me to walk as much as possible. At the time, the mail box was a loonngg distance.

Thanks for this, I'll keep this in mind. 6 treatments is 2 weeks. I already dont have any "pain" that Im going for per se, but after 6 times if I dont feel anything different maybe I'll just stop. (maybe before).

Not sure should I ask him to just worry about hips and not crack my neck? I dont know, Im half freaked out and half think this might be a good idea.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When I had my spine surgery (discectomy L5-S1 with transpedial decompression) I went in to surgery in such agony that I wanted to die. They didn't give me ANY nerve blocks or pain meds prior to surgery because they had to know when I woke up if I was still in pain and if I had any nerve damage (loss of feeling or movement).

I woke up 90% pain free...other than the pain at the incision site. The feeling in my foot returned in about 3 weeks. Strength in my leg/foot over the course of 6-8 months.

I'll take the knife any day of the week.

That's awesome...

But not everyone is a candidate for the knife.

And you did it without drugs?

 

[powellrj]

I too debated about going to a chiropractor. My friend swears by hers, so I asked my Dr on Thursday when I went in for some other things.

She told me to see a physical therapist instead. I had a wonderful orthopedic surgeon that I just loved, but he moved and the new guy I am seeing is nice enough, but I really don't have confidence in him. He told me to never let anyone do surgery on my back that I would come out worse than I already was. I have degenerative disk disease, so I take my mobic and had a cortisone shot.

I have some other health issues that are being taken care of first, so as soon as these are taken care of, I will see the new Doctor she is recommending and off to PT to see if I can feel better.

I would love to try a chiropractor, but I am just scared I will come out worse than I already am.

 

[brookmey]

I think that chiropractors can have value when it comes to treating back/neck pain, but no more so than a trained massage therapist. However, if they are from the wing of chiropractors that advocates things like "adjustments" for the treatment of a variety of diseases or advocates "adjustments" for young children.... run away fast, and don't look back!

I had a bad case of sciatica last spring and saw a chiro for treatment. He was referred by a friend, but he is one of those quacks who believes adjustments can cure diseases and he constantly uses the term "subluxation." I had never seen a chiro before, so I had no idea what to expect. He ran his practice like a timeshare. Insisted on DH coming with me for their "presentation," and was not happy when I said DH was not able to come due to work commitments. He and his staff were very pushy regarding DH's attendance. It did remind me of a timeshare, they always insist you come as a couple!

He saw me 3 times before the presentation and each adjustment did help a ton to relieve the sciatica pain. But, he wouldn't go over my x-rays with me until the presentation. After the presentation, he suggested a care plan and wanted me to commit to 12 months of treatment for a total cost of over $3500, to be paid in monthly installments. The whole thing made me so uncomfortable and uneasy, but they were very pushy. They used scare tactics and appealing to your emotions to get you to sign. I never did because I wasn't comfortable being forced to make that kind of commitment. Why did they feel the need to trap me into a 12 month commitment of treatment if my health really was their priority? After having been through many timeshare presentations, I agree with DH. This guy was a timeshare chiropractor!

Another friend referred me to her chiro, who is the best. I see him when I need to and he doesn't ask for anything up front, just a pay as you go. He is a tremendous help when my sciatica flares up.

 

[JimR24]

When my son was born, he had severe acid reflux. After many visits to his doctor, xrays, and a night in the hospital, we took him to a friend who is chiro. She was asking for weeks to see him but we wanted to let his doctor take care of him. DS almost never slept more than 2 hours at a shot and when he did it was in his car seat is his crib.

We took him to our friend and after the first visit, he was sleeping flat and through the night. He was 3-4 months old when we took him. She made a small adjustment on his back. I couldn't believe the results. I think there are bad and good chiros. Just like regular doctors.

 

[LynnTH]

Earlier this year I was having pain in my right arm and shoulder and could barely lift my arm. I also had tingling in my fingers. It got to the point that I could not even get comfortable to sleep at night. My DH goes to a Chiro all the time for work when he throws his back out.

So, one Saturday we were at my DD gymnastics meet and there was a stand set up by a Chiro Place doing massages. I went over and explained my symptoms and asked if there was something out of alignment or if I needed to see my regular Dr. The Dr there could feel I was definitely out of alignment and I set up an Appt for the following Monday at their office. They had a special for $20 they would appraise my situation and do x-rays and stuff. Well, turns out I have degenerative arthritis and a compressed disk in my neck. They did some things and then were going to come up with a plan for me. So, next time I am in their plan is for like 39 visits (and they are not in my network so $60 a visit). DH was very hesitant about this and said I should try some other place.

So, I called some others in my area and explained the situation. Found a really great guy (who was in my Healthpartners Network) He said the diagnosis was the same but that he does things visit by visit and we see how things are going. If they don't improve any in a week or two then he said he would need to send me to some other specialists. Well, to make a long story short - I ended up seeing him for about 6-8 visits and now I just go in when I can feel like I need an adjustment. So, my point is that all Chiro's are definitely not the same and it pays to shop around. I was always leary of them too but they have me painfree for now. At some point I may need surgery but he said if we can hold that off as long as possible the better.

 

[dodukes]

Earlier this year I was having pain in my right arm and shoulder and could barely lift my arm. I also had tingling in my fingers. It got to the point that I could not even get comfortable to sleep at night. My DH goes to a Chiro all the time for work when he throws his back out.

So, one Saturday we were at my DD gymnastics meet and there was a stand set up by a Chiro Place doing massages. I went over and explained my symptoms and asked if there was something out of alignment or if I needed to see my regular Dr. The Dr there could feel I was definitely out of alignment and I set up an Appt for the following Monday at their office. They had a special for $20 they would appraise my situation and do x-rays and stuff. Well, turns out I have degenerative arthritis and a compressed disk in my neck. They did some things and then were going to come up with a plan for me. So, next time I am in their plan is for like 39 visits (and they are not in my network so $60 a visit). DH was very hesitant about this and said I should try some other place.

So, I called some others in my area and explained the situation. Found a really great guy (who was in my Healthpartners Network) He said the diagnosis was the same but that he does things visit by visit and we see how things are going. If they don't improve any in a week or two then he said he would need to send me to some other specialists. Well, to make a long story short - I ended up seeing him for about 6-8 visits and now I just go in when I can feel like I need an adjustment. So, my point is that all Chiro's are definitely not the same and it pays to shop around. I was always leary of them too but they have me painfree for now. At some point I may need surgery but he said if we can hold that off as long as possible the better.

Yeah Im beginning to think I should shop around. The chiro called on SATURDAY to see if I was ok or had any questions or pain or anything. I thought it was a bit much but Im glad they are available all the time. Im not sure if they are just super pushy (altho they dont push for anything) but just overly nice.

I had an appt this morning I called to cancel cuz my coworkers kid got sick so I didnt want to have the office empty. Ill go on wednesday and give it another shot. I was thinking after a couple tries to see what he actually does.

Like I said in another post im not in crucial pain or anything. My friend said she went to one who was an osteopathic chiro and she really liked him.