Opinions on Chiropractor's

[old_nodaker]

I woke up in the middle of the night a few days ago with a terrible out of place neck. I've had it happen a couple other times, not this bad though. It went away by itself in the past. This time I went to a Chiropractor. He took x-rays, determined my neck looked like it had been in an accident, which it hasn't, and I have arthritis. He's worked on it Friday and Saturday and another appointment for Monday. It's much better but...

Did he really fix it or would it have gotten better on it's own anyway? His pitch was that if I would have come in regularly, like we go to the dentist, many of these problems wouldn't happen. Any opinions on the validity of that statement? When I was a kid, Chiropratic medicine was considered to be vodoo by the medical society. I had to watch a 5 minute video of what esentially was a commercial for Chiropratic care. All the self-promotion bothers me, but maybe it's necessary to help us to "save ourselves."

[CatDaddy]

This is strictly my opinion:

Quack. QUACK! QUACK!

I have friends that use them & swear by them. But the one thing they all have in common, is that they ALL need to go back for regular "adjustments".

[Archdean]

I certainly support CD's opinion with one exception , I'd add 2 more QUACKS !!ROF

[sixchows]

My wife went a few times to get some help with her neck but stopped after she realized they were only helping empty her wallet. But I have heard others swear by them(or was that at them?) :)

[Wingnut]

There are only a handful of good Chiropractors out there and they're are usually referred to by an MDs. The rest will use up you insurance and wallet until the money runs out, then you are majical better.

[mark777]

There are only a handful of good Chiropractors out there and they're are usually referred to by an MDs. The rest will use up you insurance and wallet until the money runs out, then you are majical better.

I was fortunate to find one who was not a quack, and was referred by an MD. I felt as most do...very skeptical. After my first visit and first adjustment, my lower back pain was much better. I saw him 6 times in three year, and on my last visit he told me I needed surgical repair to L3-4-6 and he was not touching me! Probably one of the last honest chiropractors out there. I ultimately had the epidural steroid injections but the paint still comes and goes.

Mark

[Durwood]

I have back problems that the only thing the Dr. would do was shoot me up with pain killers. The chiropracter could actually help me without medicine. I'm sure there are quacks out there but i will go to one any day over a Dr.

Dur

[drbailey]

Personnally ,I think they could help solve a problem ,, but till after 15 visits, $$$$$$$$$$

[dirtybernie]

im not sure of the cost but once my neighbor called saying his back went out. i had to carry him to his truck and drive him to the guy and carry him in. about 15min later he walked out by himself. that would have been worth something. bernie.

[Archdean]

Hey Bernie,

Even a broken clock is right twice a day!!:fing20: Unless it's a 24 hour clock, then it's only right once!!ROF

Dean

[Michael]

I do not know as I have never been to one but if it works for some folks fine. I have a MD that I trust and he's done a lot for me (got my weight down to a manageable level, refered me to a specialist on my ear and watches my heart with a eagle eye) I trust this dude to look out for me on the medical areas and he has always done a great job. I do not know how he would react to me asking about a chiropractor but I imagine he would recommend one or two that he would think would do me some good. My attitude is if works fine for the person then go for it. If it doesn't work let the folks know that it doesn't work and not be to proud to say it. That way everyone gains from the experience. Even if it is your back. The best thing that the doctor told me about my sore, stiff back is to get a extra firm mattress (the dang thing is hard as a rock) but I got rid of the pain after a week.

[professor]

I think there is something to what the chiros do. The twisting and turning is a form of passive exercize. However I am totally uncomfortable with the amount of force these guys use - to me it is scarey. I have gone to them perhaps 20 times for different things and have not percieved any difference from the visits.
BUT, I have friends with similar stories to Dirty Bernie. Apparently something is popped back into place with the adjustments.

One other thing about Chiros is they are frequently more savvy about nutrition and natural elements, than doctors.

Mike

[modre]

my first experience with chiropractic was late '60s...with the family traditional MD...tho classically trained, he was open enough to start twisting the back...I was too young to have an opinion.

next experience was at 18...I missed a turn and went over a hill on a mc...traditional doctors put me in traction, gave me wimpy pain pills and I lived out of whack between the shoulder blades for a decade til I went to a chiroprator...the improvement was immediate as I was in place for the first time in ages...tho the muscles still pulled it out for a while, it's pretty stable now.

my wife goes every month...she swears by the guy.

this last mc (hit a deer 9-02) event did a bad number on my lower back...traditional MDs gave me pills I lean heavily on once or twice a week, Chiroprators haven't been able to do anything but some temporary relief. This is a bad one. I think I pulled the anchor points off the muscle that runs to the side of the hips, and now it's like a pole with a loose guy wire.

I think the base problem is when one side of the muscles pull to protect the injury, and pinches the nerves as a result. I know they promote and possibly oversell the "adjustment" thing, but I also believe when the bones are all in place, the nerves are relieved, so I definately see the benefit.

so I'll vote for anything that brings a positive result...I don't care what the popular impression is, if it works, it's for me. Tho not a regular goer, once or twice a year I need an emergency fix and gladly walk thru that door.

I think if you can keep the muscles from crimping up, whether it's muscle relaxers, pain pills (the good narcotic ones), or a bone crunch now and then, I'm all for it. I haven't tried accupuncture yet, but I'm open to that as well. I don't care what the source or popular opinion is, if it produces a benefit, it's for me...and this isn't from any superstition...this is from tears in the eyes crawling on the floor chronic pain...if it's bad enough to ask for help, I personally haven't found the traditional medical procedures short of fusing the vertibra to be of much help. Likewise, I'm not convinced surgery is the end-all answer either... I interrogate everyone who's been thru that for their perspective... most are positive, but the elderly nurse at my family practitioner has been thru 2 operations and steers me away from that.

I wouldn't summarily dismiss chiropractic as voodoo...nor would I blindly follow doctors who spend thier lives "practicing" traditional medicine. Even these days the insurance companies will approve a dozen visits to the chiropractor per year...so I suspect if they will get up off their tightly held checkbook, even they are open to some possible benefit.

That said, all doctors that have a mortgage payment hanging over their head will promote as many treatments as they can squeeze out of you. I think the "truth" lies somewhere in the middle...as usual.

Finally, in my case, the base problem is muscles crimping up, and if I can keep them relaxed, I stay in better shape...not easy when you shovel yard chores...and similar stressful things. I neither promote nor dismiss chiropractors...but from first hand experience thru a cynical attitude, I've had as positive a benefit from them as traditional medicine...so the "quack quack" above (IMHO) is premature and short sighted. I wouldn't get sucked into the weekly visit thing long term, but you can't really pass judgement til you need a fix, and find a benefit from an unlikely source. I personally would split the quacks and assign one to each discipline...then take what works...I mean really works, and let the rest slide.

[DYT4000]

Kinda like sifting for gold nuggets??

[USN_ED]

Guys -

Please stop with the Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack. :fing20: Especially that loud Quack from CatDaddy!!!

As soon as I heard that -- errrrrrr read it, I grabbed my shotgun which, as many of you know, I keep by my desk and swung on my computer screen. Pretty near put a load of Steel BB in my monitor for craps sake!!! However, Duck & Geese Season is fast approaching and I needed the practive so I guess I should be thanking all you Quack guys. :sterb003: Thanks!!!

Chiropractors have helped a lot of people throughout the years but they aren't recognized by the medical community and as some of you have mentioned, they request/require many many visits. I guess it's like everything else. You've got to educate yourself about it and make an informed decision.

I like informed decisions. They always require a shot or two and a beer chaser. :trink39:

[rwairforce]

When my tractors front tire meets a tree and it's a little out of shape I don't think painting it will fix it(pain killers). It will make it look better but the problem is still there. I don't go to these folks but it does seem to have some logic when you think of all our parts, the fairly close tolerances inside of us. It isn't a hard sell to me that when we take a fall or get bumped we just might shift something out of place, especally when you don't have the muscles you used to hold it all in place. Like most people, it seems back problems hit us all. I've had a couple aggravating disc for years. The only way I've found to control them is one of those expensive air beds and exercise. Nothing major, I hate exercising but some specific back exercises and stomach excerises and my back is much better. It also seems to make sense that without those muscles to keep things where they're suppose to be, you will need continual visits to the alignment shop!!! ROF
We just have to excercise those muscles, that's the guys that keep the bones where they belong and out of the nerves turf.
Good day. :bannana:

[Mickey]

I'd like to second ED's comments. I've been to chiropractor's on several occasions in my life. First time I was still in my teens. Somehow twisted my back and was almost unable to stand for several days. Went to a Chiropractor in town and after a few secessions my back was trouble free for many yrs.

A few yrs back I had some problems with the back again and went to a Chiropractor in town where we live now (how about Dr. Popp for a Chiropractor's name). I couldn't stand straight and was in a lot of pain. Dr. Popp is from a different school than any other Chiropractor's I've known of, NO bone poping. For me he just applied pressure to my lower hip bone, sort of forcing hip in oppsite direction I was favoring. Held the pressure for about 5 mins and when I got up, I could now stand straight and without pain. Went back for a second treatment a week later. Now has been several yrs and no further back problems.

There are valid needs for a Chiropractor's service but I don't subscribe to all the other health related things some Chiropractor's ascribe to. Like with any professional service you are looking for, you need to do your homework.

[farmer2wife]

I am very fortunate to have a great Chiropractor that is old school. Nothing fancy in his office. No x-rays or electric shock treatments. He realigns your back and you are good to go for another year or so. :woohoo1:

[steve42]

For years, I suppose I had a pre-conceived notion about chiropractors, and I'm not certain where it came from.

Could've been because my mom was a Physical Therapy assistant, though I don't recall her ever talking about chiropractors.

Could've been because a chiropractor in Meridian, MS in the mid 80's had an obnoxious TV commercial with break dancers and rap music that drove me nuts. The implied message was "screw yourself in knots spinning on your head and then come see me."

I'd never been to one until I was about 23 and had my first migraine. I had been helping put some displays shelves up at work and two days later I was in major pain. My wife convinced me to go to a chiropractor. He xrayed me, popped my neck twice, and sent me up front to the receptionist with a "prescription" for some multi-level marketing dietary supplements that he conveniently sold in the lobby for $20 a bottle. Of course he wanted me to come back for more adjustments. Never went back. :tsk:

Fast forward about 12 years... I've been dealing for about 10 years with pain in my toes at night when I laid down at night. Sharp, needles in the flesh-type pain. I've been to podiatrists, neurologists, general practitioners, and orthopedists. I've had cortisone shots, bought expensive shoes and inserts, taken more anti-inflammitories than I can name, drugged myself into submission so I could sleep, and yet still no relief. Doctors have talked about nerve blocks, cutting the nerve endings, and putting pins in my toes. :bonk:

A friend of the family told my wife about a chiropractor about 30 miles away who had helped her tremendously with some pain that had been preventing her from working. My wife went to him because she was having headaches and she said he was a normal person. He did the adjustment and sent her on her way with instructions to return once and then after that come back if it started hurting again.

So she convinced me to go to him. I went in and talked with him about my foot pain. Before he even had me lie down on the table, he put me on a roller-massage table for about 5 minutes. Then he showed me a diagram that showed the major nerve paths. He pointed out that there is a nerve from your lower back that runs down your leg to the outer edge of your foot and ends just between the 3rd and 4th toes. My pain had been between those toes and along the outside of my foot.

He had me lie down and he told me that my lower spine and hips were severely out of alignment. He adjusted my hips and my back. That night I went home and there was no foot pain. He did tell me to come back because the problem had obviously existed for years and my muscles were more accustomed to being out of alignment than in alignment, so it would take a few visits and some daily stretching exercises to get my muscles to help keep me in check.

On my second visit, he said I was in better shape than before, but still slightly out. He adjusted me again, and this time I mentioned my uneven shoe wear. He had me sit up with my feet hanging and he showed me that one foot relaxed further down than the other. He adjusted my ankles and my toes. When I stood up, I could FEEL the difference in my posture.

I went back for my third visit. He said my hips seemed to be staying in alignment and that my feet were better than before as well. He made a couple of minor adjustments and sent me on my way.

He told me to come back if I started hurting again. Grand total: $75.

That was a year ago. I've been back a time or two because I felt a couple of minor twinges in my foot. Both times he adjusted my hips and the next night there was no pain.

By the way, I told him about my previous negative experience but mentioned no names. He named the town where that chiropractor worked and told me that he has gotten dozens of patients from that town for the same reasons.

So I'll say there are some quacks/unscrupulous individuals in that industry. Just like there are unscrupulous individuals in every other industry.

Just my own experiences...

[old_nodaker]

Thanks everybody for all the experiences. Kind of like asking the question "which tractor should I buy?", but all food for thought.

I've been to this one 3 times now. The pain is gone, but he's pushing for continued visits to get the curvature back in my neck to try to slow down the arthritis and prevent re-occurrence's. I'll have to decide wither or not to trust him.

[noworries]

old_nodaker - Roll up a hand towel about an inch and a half or so thick. Put the towel on the edge of a step. Lay down on your back with the towel under your neck while you hang your head back over the stair. The first time do it for about 30 seconds. When you stand up, you'll be looking at the ceiling, but the curve will be back in your neck - just tip your chin down to look forward. You can then increase the "hang-time" as you wish. This will cure those nagging back spasms between the shoulder blades that I'll bet you get.

My chiropractor gave me this solution to the no-curve-in-the-neck syndrome, caused by too much desk driving. He and I have this agreement - I'll go see him when I need him, not to make his regular boat payments for him.

Of course, I'm assuming your neck is otherwise OK. You'll have to judge that before you try this. You can also run this technique by the chiropractor and see if he looks like $$ are disappearing before his eyes.

[draddogs]

I agree on the use of Chiropractic for back or bone alignment situations but for overall health you need a good diet and exercise and a good gen practitioner. I go to a bone cruncher once a month for maintanence and also because I work equipment off road It gets tough when rocking and rolling from the uneveness of the terrain and always get a kink in the neck and between the shoulder blades. Seems the monthly maintanence helps w/ the no pain theory makes one feel better.

[Keweenaw4310]

Our local Quack-O-Practors are good at restoring good posture and health. They do it by removing the excess money weight from wallets and purses.

My couple of experiences with Quack-O-Practors had them telling the people to hold certain vitamins and minerals close to their bodies (within their aura) while they pushed on the person's arm testing for changes in strength.

Every time I hear about Quack-O-Practic therapy now, I think of those examples.

[old_nodaker]

Even I would be able to spot that as quack-o-rey. I'm going ahead with the treatment cause it seems to be helping so far, would think it only fair that you all contribute a few bucks in exchange for a running commentary from me.

[Argee]

My chiropractor gave me this solution to the no-curve-in-the-neck syndrome, caused by too much desk driving. He and I have this agreement - I'll go see him when I need him, not to make his regular boat payments for him.

ROF It's funny you say that...that's exactly why I stopped going to mine...One day we were out on a friends boat and stopped for lunch at one of the clubs on the lake. I saw this older man with two young cuties, one on each arm...I thought to myself, man he looks familiar, but couldn't put it together as to who this lucky b a s t a r d was...he left in one of those cigarette boats...as he was pulling away from the dock, it hit me, that was my Chiropractor!!!!! I started thinking about all those visits he had me making to his office and decided to terminate it right then and there. :(

[Ingersoll444]

Becouse of the boat, or the girls??? :D :D

[professor]

Drad, here's one for you- I used to get that kink between my shoulder blades too, then my wife put my oatmeal and all the stuff I put in it down in a cabinet where I have to move around a bit to get to. That little exercise seems to have eliminated the kink.

Mike

[simple_john]

ive worked for a rehab hospital for the better part of my working life...

plus had a spinal cord injury years ago... That said, I believe in physical therapy to resolve stuff like that....


maybe chiropractors are great & professional caregivers... but i would seek physical therapy befroe ever stepping foot into a CP office...

[Hardscrabble]

I had a serious back problem and went to a Chiropractor. He tried to help. After several visits with him no help so he referred me to a Neurosurgeon. Wound up getting epidural shots. Seemed to help. Must say the Chiropractor was up front and very clear with me when he felt he could not help me.

[emt812]

:thThumbsU I go to a chiropractor once a month to get adjustments to stay off of pain killers. He does a great job, and does not pop my neck because C6,C7 and T1 have been fractured. Can not take pain killers and work. Can drop in anytime if need an adjustment, when I have over stressed my neck muscles. :fing32:

[Edward]

I woke up in the middle of the night a few days ago with a terrible out of place neck. I've had it happen a couple other times, not this bad though. It went away by itself in the past. This time I went to a Chiropractor. He took x-rays, determined my neck looked like it had been in an accident, which it hasn't, and I have arthritis. He's worked on it Friday and Saturday and another appointment for Monday. It's much better but...

Did he really fix it or would it have gotten better on it's own anyway? His pitch was that if I would have come in regularly, like we go to the dentist, many of these problems wouldn't happen. Any opinions on the validity of that statement? When I was a kid, Chiropratic medicine was considered to be vodoo by the medical society. I had to watch a 5 minute video of what esentially was a commercial for Chiropratic care. All the self-promotion bothers me, but maybe it's necessary to help us to "save ourselves."
Is he using a baton like instrument to align you? Its called an activator. Just curious...

But yes there is some validity to what he said. If your body is tweaked the ligaments can loosen to allow the body to remain in its tweaked state. So if you just go in for a one time fix, it might not stick; the ligaments need time to re adjust to the corrected state after you have been aligned. At least thats how a chiro explained it to me and it made sense then. I might not be repeating it right...
I agree about the voodoo stuff. I always thought they were akin to witch docs. Now I know one who is real good; fixed a family members sciatic nerve that rendered their leg useless; now they have full use and NO pain. Yet I know another chiro who think he can use chiropractice to cure everything from acne to cancer. Not kidding. But theres quacks in ALL fields. There used to be a website called quackwatch.com you might check out. Mayb get an idea of how many visits it will take. 6 months? A year?

[Edward]

dang i didnt notice this was a year and a half old!!! :Stop:

[shimp]

ive worked for a rehab hospital for the better part of my working life...

plus had a spinal cord injury years ago... That said, I believe in physical therapy to resolve stuff like that....


maybe chiropractors are great & professional caregivers... but i would seek physical therapy befroe ever stepping foot into a CP office...

r u a physical therapist?

[LEOLAV]

I had thrown my back out of alignment around 10 years ago and I was recommended to go to a chiropractor from a close friend. This guy must have been around 75, but he got me straightened out in one visit. Turns out my back was severely out of alignment which he fixed by wretching the crap out of me with a violent twist. I was stiff for two or three says afterwards, but the pain went totally away several days later. I still do the stretches that he recommended to this day each morning and have been pain free since!