What do you think of chiropractic medicine??

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I visited a "scammer" style chiropractor--one whom a friend is suing b/c of treatment they did to her pregnant daughter that rendered her temporarily unable to walk. Glad he never touched my spine.

I use a combination of a chiro and physical therapy.

Both have their place.

My chiro sees me when I want to be seen. I have had some times where I temporarily went for a couple of weeks a few times a week, but never long term regular care. Of course I am dealing with long term problems.

I had a wrist issue once after a fall at EPCOT. I ended up seeing a chiropractor for another problem and asked my MD if they could fix my wrist as well. MD said no. Well after 2 visits--wrist problem fixed permanently to never reoccur .

The physical therapist I see is just one level below a chiropractor--I can get adjusted by her--just not in the same way as a chiropractor. I'm pretty aware of what's going on with my body and can tell the difference when I need a PT or when I need a chiropractor or when I need just a good ol' fashioned deep tissue massage.

As your MD who they recommend and if they can recommend someone then you are probably ok. If he/she can recommend noone--ask why.

 

[Christine]

I have had fair results with a chiropractor.

I had back pain (actually lower, lower, lower back pain on left side near the hip). Of course, I went to my MD who basically blew me off and sent me on my way with some painkillers and high dose NSAIDS. This was no "cure" for the back pain and I don't want to spend every day of my life taking 2400 mg. of Ibuprofen. I went to a chiro on my own.

I have to say I was very impressed with him. He used to be a physical therapist so he uses a lot of physical therapy techniques and exercises. We talked a LOT during our session and I found out that there are many types of chiropractors. In his words he told me that he doesn't believe in all the "voodoo and hocus pocus" type of stuff that some chiropractors may use. He doesn't try to "cure" anyone through diet, herbal supplements nor does he talk about "impurities in the body" as someone else mentioned. He told me that he went to a chiropractic school in Oregon for 4 years where the philosophy is science. If the treatment has not been backed by science and research, he doesn't do it. So, my chiropractic sessions were more of a physical therapy session. In fact, his office is located within the business of a Physical Therapy office and he is their resident chiropractor. He is also going back to school to get his M.D. in neurophysiatry (sp??). So, yeah, I think *this* one knows a lot. Do I feel that way about the whole field? No.

As for my pain--it was greatly alleviated by my visits with him. It never did go away. In fact, as my insurance continued to restrict my visits with him, I went less and less. I haven't been since the end of August. It is now October and I am again having more pain then I was having most of this year. Not sure what to make of all of it because there is no real cause and effect.

I will tell you that there was no way my chiro said I had to come for 18 months. He told me that *most* people he sees get great relief within one month and then they only come on a 4-6 week basis after that. I was a *tough* case because it took me almost 2 months to get good, solid, consistent relief.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I adore my Chiropractor. There are 5 doctor's in their office, each with different technics. My doctor is the most gentle of the group which I prefer but DH likes the next one up. He's a little more aggressive. If it weren't for DR. T I wouldn't be able to function while pregnant. My cyatic nerve acts up so bad I wind up stuck in that position until I can see him. We did see him a lot at first but now we just go in when we need to. DH travels a lot and sleeping in strange beds and sitting in cramped airplanes all the time so he sees DR. T when he gets tweaked. Chiropractic's isn't for everyone but for us he's great.

 

[mickman1962]

go to an Osteopath and get the best of both worlds .

 

[tiggger1]

I love my chiropracter. He has helped me greatly. I have had problems with my hips and syatic nerve for years. It got worse for after I had my daughter and one day i couldnt walk. so i called. I immediately felt better after 1 visit. Yes I had to go 3-4 times for the first week and then got weaned down to once a month. The reason is because your muscle need time to regenerate and get better.

He also helped me with my sinus. I had terrible headaches and was always stuffy and had tons of pressure in my sinuses. I got my neck adjusted and everything drained immediatley. Now whenever I get that sinus infection feeling I go and stop it in its track. I have only got an infection once and that was when I was away and couldnt get to him..

People had said that they make you keep coming back. I go back because stuff I do make me need and adjustedment. Carrying my 2 year old, training my pony, carrying heavy stuff... I get nasty spasms from them...

Heck, i'd happily go in once a week if my insurance would let me, so ill take the once or twice a month that I go....

 

[crz4mm2]

I love my chiro. I used to go twice a month. Then I found a different chiro. Now I go when I NEED to go. He suggests I come in about every three months. I go when I feel I need to. It has been about 6 months and I am due. I can feel it.
I do go to my massage therapist every month which does me great amounts of good. But, when my back is 'out' it causes me to have aches everywhere.
To each their own, but I love my chiro.

 

[delilah]

I do not think highly of the chiropratic philosophy. I would suggest that your son request to be seen by a physical therapist. His doctor can give him a 'script' to be evaluated. While a chiroprator will want to keep your son in his office for as long as possible, a PT will evaluate the problem and work toward your son getting well as quickly as possible. Good Luck.

I agree also. Physical Therapists report back to the referring physician and give progress reports. Chiropracters tend to think that they are primary care physicians, and do not ever report back to the referring doctor. They do their own Xrays, which are never read by a radiologist. I tend to trust the radiologist, who has at least 4 years of training beyond medical school interpreting radiologic findings.

When I was in medical school, there was a case of a 13yo girl who was seen by a chiropracter for back pain. Now, back pain in young teens is somewhat unusual, and deserves a serious evaluation. He did his usual Xrays, and proceeded with his manipulations. Some months later, the family noted that she had abdominal enlargement, and, of course, suspected she was pregnant, and so, took her to see a MD. She wasn't--she had a Ewing's sarcoma, which had spread extensively in her abdomen. Poor thing had to have chemotherapy for the cancer before it was safe enough to do surgery to debulk (not remove) the tumor. I suspect she didn't make it--Ewing's sarcoma is nasty. I should hope and pray that I never treat a person with such a horrible disease for months with "manipulation", because, for a medical doctor, it would be the most egregious form of malpractice.

 

[mudnuri]

well I'll try to explain this.

1st, a chiro is a medical doctor...different than a 4 year schooling a pt goes through.

2nd- finding a chiro you like is like finding a hair dresser you like

3rd- we love ours

I could give you 5,000 examples but I wont I'll only give you 1

When dd8 was born, due to the very fast labor/delivery and her chest size, she was stuck at chest level....they had to break her clavical to birth her, as she was too far delivered to do an emergency c-section.

The md said- 2-4 weeks her clavical would be healed, as it was still cartilage, and not calcified bone. Her dad called our chiro and he came to the hospital, adjusted her clavical. This was 10am, he came back early evening did it again...the next morning and again the next afternoon in the hospital...we went to see him twice a day for 4 days, total of 5 days after birth, and had her xray redone- it was healed...

Basically because it was kept in alignment...

X has a herniated disk, either tons of pain meds, surgery- or chiropractic care.....surgery can cause paralysis...pain meds make it so he cant work...not a hard decision

Brandy

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I agree also. Physical Therapists report back to the referring physician and give progress reports. Chiropracters tend to think that they are primary care physicians, and do not ever report back to the referring doctor. They do their own Xrays, which are never read by a radiologist. I tend to trust the radiologist, who has at least 4 years of training beyond medical school interpreting radiologic findings.

Because it is rare for a patient to be referred to a Chiropractor by an MD.

My Mom had a Chiropractor diagnose her gall stones AFTER she went to an MD who failed to see the signs.

Funny though that more and more MDs are taking a couple of weekend classes so they can adjust their patients. Wonder why that is?

 

[CheshireVal]

I'm too afraid of chiropractors to ever try one myself. I'm terrified that they'd pop something out of place and I'd end up paralyzed.

Not worth the risk, IMO.

 

[Flanigan]

I just had to throw my opinions in. I worked around PT's for 2 1/2 years now so I always had negative opinions about chiropractors but a couple of years ago I was having really bad headaches ( i guess you could call them migraines) every single day, I dont know why but I went to a chiropractor a couple of times a week for a month; he adjusted me and also did heat and ultrasound and my headaches disappear, so i think he was a good one, BUT I'm still iffy about it; just like anyone in the medical field, there are good ones and bad ones.. you just have to be careful in who you choose. Ever since me going to the chiropractor i have been able to "pop" my neck occasionaly when i feel it tight and i was never able to do that before so that makes me think a bit.... just follow your gut...

 

[4nana]

Sorry about your son and hope he finds a doctor he is pleased with and the proper therapy so he can being recovery. Unfortunatley, there are very few MD's that encourage chirporatic care.

DH, myself and our family, are 100% believers in chiropractic care and feel they definitely hold a place in the medical field. However, it goes w/o saying, chiropractors are like drs, some good, some not so good, some injuries/illnesses they cannot help and they are not for everyone. We have been under care of several through out yrs, and are very fortunate current one gives excellent care and holds degrees in Chiropractic and PT.

Having had back trouble for yrs., suffering with herniated discs and sciatic leg pain/numbness, mirgaines, peripheral neropothy and even a couple cases of whip lash, we became discouraged with MD's who believe drugs are a cure all, orthos who believe the knife is the answer, and PT's who insisted in putting our bodies in positions against nature , our chiro gets the credit for keeping us off drugs and helping us live a normal life with less pain. They (actually twin brother chiros) are very progressive with their therapies: which not only include manipulation, but hydro therapy bed, ultra sound treatments, electrical stimulation, and DTS traction (Decompression Therapy System).

Far as complaints of continious visits. IMO, you should feel some relief after a few visits, then drop to regular maintance. Many, many nerves orginiate at the spinal column and we consider them like our car, it is neccesary to have them tweaked occasionally to stay fit.

A couple of our Dis members are chiropractors and I hope they chime in.

 

[sha_lyn]

I have a lot to say and very little time to say it, so I won't even go into my experiences yet. Will just cover DH's for now.

Ys ago while I was being treated for acar accident, DH started experiencing lower back pain and numbness in one leg. Went to numberous MD's, who really found nothing but then one said he could opperate and try to find the cause. He said ti was 50/50 that the pain could get better, or worse with surgery. DH was sent to PT, with very little results. He finally gavei n and started the DC I was going to. Within a few days he had marked improvement, wihtin 6 months he didn't need any further treatment.

Fast forward a decade. DH hurt his hand while on reserve duty. Went to numberous MDs over the last 4 yrs. Was fighting to get particial disability because of the hand pain. I've told him several time to let our DC look at it. DH has been treated during this time period by the DC for an accident we were in. However he couldn't imagine the DC could help his hand.

After 18 months we finally received payment from the insurance and DH went by to pay the DC. Noticed the receptionist had a split on her wrist (fell and fractured it). DH mentioned his ongoing hand problem, from which he had just been relased from PT because it was not helping. DC said, hey let me look. Worked on it for about 2 min (free of charge standing in the receptionist office). DH is almost pain free after that 1 adjustment. The remaining pain seems to be from weakness due to lack of use over the last 4 yrs.

 

[damo]

Another few examples:

My dad had terrible heel pain for years and went to several doctors and was fitted with special inserts, etc. It never got better. Finally he went to a chiropractor who adjusted his hip and the heel pain immediately disappeared and never returned.

My aunt was recently referred to her MD from her chiropractor because he felt abnormal enlargements when he was doing his manipulation. It turned out that she had liver cancer in its early stages.

My sister had chronic sinus problems that caused migraines. Drugs did not help and the MD had nothing to offer. A visit to the chiropractor cleared up the problem. Now when she gets a flare up, she visits the chiropractor who has been the most effective solution.

 

[puffkin]

I would never go to one. I agree that they are a quick fix, not a solution to the problem.

I view it almost like an addiction. People almost seem to get addicted to going. I have friends that every time they sleep funny, they go to the chiropractor. They are completely addicted.....

 

[Galahad]

1st, a chiro is a medical doctor...different than a 4 year schooling a pt goes through.

I have no arguement against the effectiveness of a chiropractor. As you can see, many swear by them. And they do have Chiropractic school after college. But they are not even remotely a "medical doctor".

 

[cardaway]

Remove the terms medical and medicine from any discussion on the subject. They don't go together.

They're very good in treating things in ways that require frequent follow ups. Hmmmm....

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

You might think I'm byas because I work in a Chiro office, but, I'm not. I rcv'd Chiro care long before working for one...I have been a believer since after I had a terrible fall and injured my back and neck. I was a healthy 26yr. old that was very active in sports. After 8 months of not being able to move my head from side to side, and at times having my disabled mother helping me out of bed and not get any answers from the ER, my PCP, Ortho, and everyone of them wanting to give me meds for what they kept saying was a sprained back. My quality of life was at its all time worse. I finally went to a Chiro (very scared at first), but, went because of an ad in the paper. Thought at this point what did I have to loose. After just 2 xrays it showed that I had pinched multiple vertebraes. After that first adjustment I was able to move my head for the first time in 8 month. It made me a believer. I am my family still get regular adjustment and it has helped many different areas. From vertebraes pinched, slip discs, tmj, migranes, child birth, sports.
I do agree that there are some Chiros out there that over treat or have a very different way of doing things. I been to them. Luckly I have been now blessed to have an employer that is truely there to help people. We work very closely with an Ortho/Nuro group and he has no problem referring out if there is no improvement within a few weeks....But, remember usually when someone finally desides to do Chiro, they have been hurt for awhile, and it can't be fixed over night. The key is to go when hurt and follow all instructions and excercises given.

 

[sha_lyn]

I just don't get the band aide, or quick fix references.

Prescribing pains meds for back pain is a band aide/quick fix. Adjusting the spine to its natural position is fixing the problem.

As for the post that says DC's never consult radiologist is wrong. I've been treated by 4 different DC practices over the last 15 yrs or so. 1 was a large clinic that had a radiologist on staff. 2 others had/have radiologist they consult with. Only one office did not use a radiologist.

 

[tandrjohn]

I think they are nothing more than glorified massage theropists and fall into the "pseudo-science" category of medicine. How did the human race ever survive without "adjustments" I'll never know...