Who has experience using a chiropractor?

[JunieJay]

And if so, can you tell me what you went for and if you got relief from your pain (and if so, how long it took)? Any experience appreciated! Thanks!

 

[helenabear]

In 2003 I had severe back pain and my doc tried a bunch of different things for me before we set up physical therapy. I admit after going through PT I am NOT a believer in chiropractors at all. My dad has been going to his for years. Yes, he gets immediate relief, but he has to go every so often (this has been going on since 1996). He says he loves his, but I think he is wasting his money.

On the other hand for me, once I went to the PT it took about 10 weeks for my back to have recovered completely. I was very bad off though... I couldn't even sit without being in a ton of pain. On the pain scale I had about a 9.5 out of 10 and was put on muscle relaxers and high dose pain killers just so I could sleep. It wasn't just a join/spinal issue (which is what the chiros I talked to tried to convince me) it was also a muscular issue that was causing the joint/spine to get out of whack. So you could pop it back in all you want, but the muscles were the ones that needed fixing. My exercises helped to heal my muscles and got my back in line at the same time.

I have had very few "flare ups" over the course of time since and by doing what I was taught 4 years ago, I get my back into shape in less than a week each time (usually 2-3 days).

So I am very negative on chiros, but extremely positive on physical therapy. They seem to be a lot more whole body oriented than the chiros ever did.

My flame suit is on, because I know people get *very* defensive over chiros.

 

[MushyMushy]

I've done a few different things for my back and neck. I was in a car accident in 1994 that really messed me up. I first went to a chiropractor, and had to go through weekly adjustments, like Helenabear says. BUT, this chiro combined PT with the treatments. I feel that the chiropractic treatments were helpful. I had seen two different chiropractors for quite a few years after my accident, and it got to the point where I was going less and less.

Then I started seeing an osteopath as my family doctor. He'll do spinal manipulations almost like a chiropractor, plus prescribe a strong dose of ibuprofen. I don't know what he does differently in his manipulations, but ever since I started seeing him, I only have to get one maybe once a year!

No matter what you do with a back injury, it's going to take a lot of time to recover. And I don't believe a person's back is ever the same afterwards.

 

[Tazicket]

I went to see a chiro after I was rear-ended in 2000 (I still have no curve in my neck, but that's another thread for another day). It did help me somewhat. I would get the full on adjustments and those would help for at least a little while (talking a little less than an hour here). They'd do E-stim and massage and stuff, too.

I went to see another chiro a couple of years ago b/c the pain and stiffness really flared up badly. It did help me a little then, too.

It's one of those things that isn't for everybody. I think they do help, but you can't just go once and have it all get better- it takes several visits.

 

[Beth76]

I've never had an injury or anything like that. My back would just start hurting to where it felt like it needed to be cracked. Like I tried twisting it and it just didn't help. Sometimes it's my neck. Or both. So I would go in for an adjustment. I'll admit, it's kind of scary having your neck adjusted. After the first time, I find it hard to relax because I know what's coming. But when it's all over I feel much better. Sometimes--not always--it takes to the next day to feel better.

 

[JunieJay]

I've never had an injury or anything like that. My back would just start hurting to where it felt like it needed to be cracked. Like I tried twisting it and it just didn't help. Sometimes it's my neck. Or both. So I would go in for an adjustment. I'll admit, it's kind of scary having your neck adjusted. After the first time, I find it hard to relax because I know what's coming. But when it's all over I feel much better. Sometimes--not always--it takes to the next day to feel better.

Thats the same for me - no injury (that I know of) - just this feeling like my neck and upper/mid back need to be cracked. I had my kid walk on it once because it gave me relief and now I think I really screwed it up but good.

 

[MushyMushy]

Thats the same for me - no injury (that I know of) - just this feeling like my neck and upper/mid back need to be cracked. I had my kid walk on it once because it gave me relief and now I think I really screwed it up but good.

Did you try taking a muscle relaxant and putting ice on your back? My doctor swears that you never ever put heat on your spine, but always ice it. Motrin works great too.

I hope you feel better soon.

 

[hydster]

I go to one every 6-8 weeks *but I go for free so it is easier for me* and I love it. I try to schedule the chiro and then massage back to back so I get ultimate relief! I was in a nasty car accident in 1992 and I still suffer every once in awhile so my friend has me come over and she cracks me every so often out of the goodness of her heart. The relief is immediate but not always very long lasting.

She also taught DH how to crack my upper back for me so he is a good sport and does that too!

 

[helenabear]

Did you try taking a muscle relaxant and putting ice on your back? My doctor swears that you never ever put heat on your spine, but always ice it. Motrin works great too.

I hope you feel better soon.

My doc and PT person said the same. Also getting a massage can sometimes really help (theraputic ones... they hurt at first but oh wow did I feel better the next day). Oh mine also suggested aleve for me at the time instead of motrin. In higher doses that really did help.

I do hope your neck feels better soon!!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

I think there are good chiropractors and some really bad ones. There are also more than one style of treatment, so one type might work better for you than another.

Mine has helped me a lot. At one point my back and hip were so bad that I could barely lift my foot off the floor. I walked out of the office and could easily step up on a curb. It was amazing. If you go in frequently in the beginning, the treatments start to get more and more infrequent as your body holds things in place. I still go occassionally when I'm feeling like something is out of alignment. When I have a bad headache if I go in for an adjustment they can often make it go away.

My mom dated a chiropractor for a long time. He adjusted her almost every day initially then a couple of times a week for about a year. Her feet had been so bad that she could hardly get around. The doctors kept saying she had really bad bone spurs and needed surgery. Her boyfriend said it was her back instead of her feet. After several weeks of adjustments her heels weren't hurting. And it lasted. She still has some foot problems (it doesn't fix everything) but her heels are fine.

Note: I'm sure she does have bone spurs. It's just the way her back was out of place that was making her walk funny that was making them hurt. Make sense?

 

[Christine]

I used one for a few months. He didn't "cure" it but certainly gave me a lot of relief. It did eventually get better.

I also did not have an injury. Mine was lower back, left side, with a knife-like feeling in the area. Some days I thought I would cry. It was muscular as X-rays and MRIs had no findings.

The key is to get a good chiro that is Physical Therapy based and can give adjustements and recommendations for improving the area.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

My 5 y/o started seeing the Chiropractor for earaches and drainage and it has worked miracles. No tubes are needed now. My 2 girls and I since we were going to be there anyway started getting adjusted as well. My entire neck and shoulders feel like new again and I am sleeping so much better, I am truly a convert to the Chiro way of health. My dh has always gone and he goes for maintenance. You will be amazed, I was.

 

[MosMom]

DH's back went out about a month ago. We called a chiro and went in. They gave DH x-rays and told him to come back the next day. They had a very expensive plan for him. 3 times a week that would cost us $200 a month ($800 total) and that is WITH insurance! I said "uhhh no, that is BS" and we left. We found another one local to us on recommendation and they treat when you want to be treated. They gave him exercises to do at home to help and he is fine now.

If you go, ask before you waste your time whether they treat when you need it or if they have a long term obligation.

 

[cats7494]

Definitely do your research on chiropractors before going - ask your friends or family for recommendations.
I do use chiro. on a somewhat regular basis - whenever my back starts acting up, I go to him. I have degenerative arthritis in my lower back as well as an old whiplash injury in my neck (my neck curves the opposite way that it is supposed to) It can be very painful and when I see the chiro - I feel much better very soon after seeing him. It is an immediate relief - not perfect but definitely better!

Good luck in your choice!