What are your thoughts on chiropractors?

[Pigeon]

We have a number of physicians in our family... They also talk of the placebo effect of their "treatments".

The placebo effect, of course, is equally true for physicians.

 

[Muushka]

I had a good friend who saw a chiropracter for 3 years for back pain. She then got bronchitis one winter and went to her physician, who did a Chest X Ray. She had a tumor in the exact spot that had been bothering her. And it was lung cancer. And the cancer had already spread to her brain. She spent several years undergoing grueling treatment and subsequently died from the brain mets.

I don't have an opinion on chiropracters one way or the other. But I would caution anyone being treated for pain to please see a physician to rule out serious causes before turning to alternative treatments like chiropractic.

Yes, I agree 100%. I went the traditional medicine route, got the diagnosis, got the useless treatment, went to the chiro, got better. But I would never go to a chiro first.

It can be dangerous also to get xrays (radiation), surgery can be dangerous, mis-diagnosis. Not everyone who sees a traditional Dr. lives.

Seriously, do you consider the amount of radiation you receive during an X-Ray dangerous? Enough danger that you would not be willing to rule out some sort of disease process?

 

[NCRedding]

I never trusted chiros either until several years ago. I had gone to the doctor with neck pain. He prescribed naprosen (sp) and sent me to physical therapy. It did nothing for me. After about 6 months, I went to a trusted chiro in town. He did X-rays and discovered that one of my vertebrae was out of place probably from a car accident from several years earlier. I underwent treatment for a few months and had later X-rays that showed the vertebrae was back in allignment. I go periodically (about 1X every 6 months) and they adjust it. It was amazing how well that treatment worked.

 

[Principessa1284]

i LOVE LOVE LOVE my chiropractor. i had been going to see him for over 10 years before i moved down to florida. i injured my back in middle school trying to carry too many heavy books in my backpack, and he was truly a lifesaver.. especially for my mother. I've always been TERRIFIED of doctors and I was in so much pain she just didn't know what to do with him.

But let me tell you - you have to find the right one for YOU. Every chiropractor has a (slightly) different method and there's been some that I tried going to down here after I moved that were certified CRACKPOTS. You just have to talk to the doctor before your first visit - any caring, responsible chiro will take the time to explain treatment and make you feel comfortable before he does anything. Anyone who doesn't is a waste of your time and money.

PS - lots of MDs and other medical professionals HATE chiropractors and other more holistic health providers purely on principle, so make the decision for yourself.

 

[Tinkmom75]

Everything in life poses some amount of danger. She was asking for information and I was pointing her in the direction of part of the information I was familiar with. I have no dog in this race. To each their own.

I wasn't trying to flame, but you said what I was trying to say better. There are so many things that can pose a risk. I know people who won't get immunizations due to the risk and can find data on that, but it is their choice.

 

[Tinkmom75]

Yes, I agree 100%. I went the traditional medicine route, got the diagnosis, got the useless treatment, went to the chiro, got better. But I would never go to a chiro first.



Seriously, do you consider the amount of radiation you receive during an X-Ray dangerous? Enough danger that you would not be willing to rule out some sort of disease process?

No, I don't but as another poster put it there is danger everywhere. My opinion, you can find it anywhere if you look hard enough. I don't care if someone chooses not to use a chiro and I am truly sorry for those with bad experiences. I like mine. I hope the OP found some useful info.

 

[jog58]

I wasn't trying to flame, but you said what I was trying to say better. There are so many things that can pose a risk. I know people who won't get immunizations due to the risk and can find data on that, but it is their choice.

 

[Disney Doll]

We have a number of physicians in our family. All of them consider chiropractics to be quackery. Their stance - they offer no more good than a good masseuse, but they are capable of great harm. They also talk of the placebo effect of their "treatments".

I'll trust a doctor's opinion and avoid them...

Did you ever think that chiros are "the competition" and that's why the docs discredit them.

I am a nurse. I have known many a "quack" doctor that I wouldn't let my worst enemy go to. However, my chiropractor has been a godsend several times for both DH & I.

Like any medical professional (including doctors), you have to choose carefully.

 

[SamRoc]

I love my chiropractor! If it wasnt for him i would have had to have surgery. I had 2 herniated discs and was in alot of pain. At first i went to an orthopedic surgeon who wanted to do surgery right away. i thought about it and went to a chiropractor. I was up and walking around in no time. He had alot of excersize machines and with manipulation, I was able to move without pain again. It had gotten so bad when i first herniated the discs i couldnt walk up my steps! My kids both go too and we're very happy with ours.