Chiropractors...Your Experience-Good or Bad?

MinnieInMaine

As with all medical professionals, every one is different and everyone will have a different experience with the same one. Try not to generalize based on someone else's experience. I've seen some doctors that came highly recommended but weren't a good fit for me personally...it happens.

I had a bad fall the first winter we were in our house - slipped on the ice while shoveling, broke my left leg and severely sprained the tendons in that leg due to the weird way I landed. It seemed to be taking forever to heal the sprain so I decided to try out the chiro that many of my fellow employees were seeing and having success with. He also does some sports medicine/physical therapy so it was a perfect match for my condition.

He uses a method called the Graston Technique to help break up scar tissues so tense areas can heal more properly and it works wonders! And he uses that Kenesial tape which so many sports docs are into now (saw it all over the place on the Olympics and see many runners using it on their calves). There was some alignment work as well once my bad leg was doing better - all that limping threw me way off. If our insurance hadn't changed so that visits got too expensive I would've continued to see him. Thankfully at that same time I started losing weight and getting active so many of my problems have been fixed just by being a healthier me. But I would go back to him in a heartbeat, expense be damned, if I had another bad injury.

DocMarr

I had a dreadful experience with a Chiropractor. Went with a simple stiffness with my hip. He did xrays, said that areas of my back were fusing and pushed me into having a course of treatment that cost me a couple of thousand pounds. I ended up in absolute agony with my shoulder and neck. I stopped going and was in constant pain for 2 years. I had nerve damage and huge problem.

I eventually found an Egoscue therapist, who helped me do exercises to strengthen muscles and relieve me of the pain.

I know that different people have different experiences but my advice is that if you do go, go to one that has been personally recommended - and don't let them anywhere near your neck!!

henriettevanittersum

IMO chiropractic doctors (yes they have the right to carry that name here because of their study) are on a better track than most doctors because they are looking to treat the cuase of the problem, not just the symptoms... Someone here said that ear infections need antibiotic and pain killers, not chiro. Though partly true, wouldn't it be a good idea to find the cause of the recurring infections so you don't have to take antibiotics every month - or whenever? They are not that healthy you know, and the more you take them, the more immune you become to them. (My oldest son had recurring ear infections as a child and all the antibiotics interfered with his tooth growth. They ended up being still immature at age 19 and have white spots all over them. The dentist confirmed it was most likely caused by the antibiotics).

In an ideal world, western and alternative medicine would work together to find the best care for each individual. Unfortunately there is so much anger, suspicion and emotion involved, I don't see it happen soon...

So, just find what and who works best for you by keeping an open mind and trying different things. What works for one, doesn't have to work for another, but we need to respect each others opinions.

End of rant, thank you for you attention ;-)

Sqeekyjojo

I have no complaints about the osteopath who treated my migraines by adjusting my neck in two sessions. Didn't get another one, despite having had them regularly from the age of 9. And I never had the feeling of pinching a nerve in my neck (and sending what felt like fire along my tongue) again.

Since then, I've broken my neck (and walked out of hospital the same day) and had a few other accidents which resulted in spine or shoulder injuries. Each time, the physiotherapists have largely conducted their 'treatment' sitting in an office chair, reading exercises from a photocopied sheet, rather than actually deigning to touch anyone. With the exception of one physio who had also studied osteopathy - she stopped pain in my shoulder, chest, head and neck purely by making me lift my arm (which I could barely do without passing out) and doing what looked like a vulcan pinch.

She also explained that the crunching and cracking was usually the facet joints in the spine getting stuck due to uneven musculature - so the 'adjustments' were providing a way for the joints to free off, and were to some extent, normal for most people over a certain age; neither osteos or chiros were doing anything wrong, as long as they weren't forcing a joint that wasn't ready to move.



Mind you, I also got huge relief from a shiatsu massage that no normal, non confrontational massage had ever achieved. And I regularly relocate joints that sublux. So maybe I'm that special snowflake who actually benefits from more vigorous therapies than the touchy-feely ones.






I have a fairly strong BS detector, and if I ever thought something was wrong, I'd run/walk/limp/waddle a mile in the opposite direction - but, as a result, I have no objections in principle to manipulative therapies. I'd reject any food intolerance or such nonsense without hesitation.

FP4HSharon

IMO chiropractic doctors (yes they have the right to carry that name here because of their study) are on a better track than most doctors because they are looking to treat the cuase of the problem, not just the symptoms... Someone here said that ear infections need antibiotic and pain killers, not chiro. Though partly true, wouldn't it be a good idea to find the cause of the recurring infections so you don't have to take antibiotics every month - or whenever? They are not that healthy you know, and the more you take them, the more immune you become to them. (My oldest son had recurring ear infections as a child and all the antibiotics interfered with his tooth growth. They ended up being still immature at age 19 and have white spots all over them. The dentist confirmed it was most likely caused by the antibiotics).

In an ideal world, western and alternative medicine would work together to find the best care for each individual. Unfortunately there is so much anger, suspicion and emotion involved, I don't see it happen soon...

So, just find what and who works best for you by keeping an open mind and trying different things. What works for one, doesn't have to work for another, but we need to respect each others opinions.

End of rant, thank you for you attention ;-)

I'm a big fan of Integrative Medicine, championed by Dr. Andrew Weil (who got his MD at Harvard BTW). Traditional medicine working together w/alternative therapies that work. Just because we don't know why something works for someone, doesn't mean we shouldn't give it a try, as long as it's not harmful. Ketogenic diets "cure" seizures in about 33% of the people that try them, Johns Hopkins even has a program to teach it to people, but they are in the minority. Most doctorw won't even suggest trying a "diet cure." My son had ear infections as soon as we started him on solid foods, American doctors (we were stationed in Germany) wanted to put tubes in his ears when the antibiotics didn't work. Took him to a German doc who diagnosed food allergies, did testing, we stopped the foods he was allergic to & no more infections...American docs said it was "just a coincidence." So even if I personally wouldn't go a particular route, doesn't mean that I'm not happy when someone else finds relief that way. The Australian doc who discovered that most stomach ulcers were caused by bacteria was ridiculed, called a quack, etc, until he was vindicated. That said, I do believe there are a lot of quacks out there who prey on people desperate for relief. So I think everyone should read up as much as possible on any treatment they're interested in, good & bad, give a little more weight to info from people like Weil, People's Pharmacy, etc, ask others for recommendations, & make their own decisions. If it works for them, physically or placebo (psychologically), who cares, as long as it works.

henriettevanittersum

IMO chiropractic doctors (yes they have the right to carry that name here because of their study) are on a better track than most doctors because they are looking to treat the cuase of the problem, not just the symptoms... Someone here said that ear infections need antibiotic and pain killers, not chiro. Though partly true, wouldn't it be a good idea to find the cause of the recurring infections so you don't have to take antibiotics every month - or whenever? They are not that healthy you know, and the more you take them, the more immune you become to them. (My oldest son had recurring ear infections as a child and all the antibiotics interfered with his tooth growth. They ended up being still immature at age 19 and have white spots all over them. The dentist confirmed it was most likely caused by the antibiotics).

In an ideal world, western and alternative medicine would work together to find the best care for each individual. Unfortunately there is so much anger, suspicion and emotion involved, I don't see it happen soon...

So, just find what and who works best for you by keeping an open mind and trying different things. What works for one, doesn't have to work for another, but we need to respect each others opinions.

End of rant, thank you for you attention ;-)

I'm a big fan of Integrative Medicine, championed by Dr. Andrew Weil (who got his MD at Harvard BTW). Traditional medicine working together w/alternative therapies that work. Just because we don't know why something works for someone, doesn't mean we shouldn't give it a try, as long as it's not harmful. Ketogenic diets "cure" seizures in about 33% of the people that try them, Johns Hopkins even has a program to teach it to people, but they are in the minority. Most doctorw won't even suggest trying a "diet cure." My son had ear infections as soon as we started him on solid foods, American doctors (we were stationed in Germany) wanted to put tubes in his ears when the antibiotics didn't work. Took him to a German doc who diagnosed food allergies, did testing, we stopped the foods he was allergic to & no more infections...American docs said it was "just a coincidence." So even if I personally wouldn't go a particular route, doesn't mean that I'm not happy when someone else finds relief that way. The Australian doc who discovered that most stomach ulcers were caused by bacteria was ridiculed, called a quack, etc, until he was vindicated. That said, I do believe there are a lot of quacks out there who prey on people desperate for relief. So I think everyone should read up as much as possible on any treatment they're interested in, good & bad, give a little more weight to info from people like Weil, People's Pharmacy, etc, ask others for recommendations, & make their own decisions. If it works for them, physically or placebo (psychologically), who cares, as long as it works.

Agreed!

peleroja

Go to a physical therapist, not a chiropractor. I know chiropractors are accepted as pretty mainstream these days, but they are actually alternative medicine and the science they rely on is shaky at best and really just hocus-pocus at worst. Do some research and you'll see what I'm talking about. There is no medical reason for them. Some are better than others, true, and have a clue and aren't harmful, but I firmly believe that in the vast majority of cases, relief is completely psychosomatic. Chiropractic medicine is pseudoscientific nonsense.

I have to disagree. I was once knocked out of place in high school while wrestling and I was put back in place by a chiropractor in one visit.

Years later I was in a car accident and all the army doctor did was toss on a neck brace. He even wanted me to keep doing PT. I went to a chiropractor and he took X-rays and showed that not only did I have whiplash I have a ton of off set vertebrae. He told me that I should not be doing PT. I knew that of course because I was in agony. It took about 2 months of visits but my X-rays after the fact were perfect and most importantly the pain was gone.

Years later I went snow snowmobiling and fell a very long distance. Fortunately it was snowmobiling and not four wheeling because when you fall that far and land in snow it doesn't kill you. I went to a chiropractor and again I was fixed in one visit.

I don't know how chiropractors got such a bad reputation but all of my experiences have been positive and supported by imperial evidence.

I think you mean "empirical" evidence, as in evidence supported by observation, rather than "imperial" evidence, as in evidence from an empire?

As for the rest of it, I did say that some are better than others, and some chiropractors do use mainstream physical therapy techniques as well as their "innate intelligence" and "vertebral subluxation" quackery. That doesn't change the fact that none of that garbage is medically supported. It is just not real science, period. Anyone thinking of trying it should do some serious research, which should lead to choosing another therapy with some basis that's not magical in origin.

ETA: I live in a province with the global high of people who use chiropractic care. It's super common where I live, obviously, and that's why I've done a lot of reading on it and am subsequently so against it, just in case anyone was wondering. I don't have a grudge or anything, just curiosity and a suspicious mind.

I did misspell "empirical" and I am sorry for that.

I am an atheist. I do not believe in magic or anything supernatural. I do not even believe we have souls. I don't believe things because I want to our out of wishful thinking. People like Peter Popoff and John Edwards and the like are con-artists that steal from people when they are in a vulnerable state. If what you are claiming about chiropractors is true I would lump them in with the faith healers and call them con-artists. Let me assure you that is not the case. I did not go to a chiropractor that was actually just a physical therapist. I needed real adjustments and it really did work.

Furthermore I have spoken with faith healers and I have spoken with a nice old women who thought crystals could heal people and I have spoken with chiropractors. It is a very different conversation with the chiropractor. They are professionally trained and regulated. They really do have to support their treatments with actual evidence. I have never heard a chiropractor tell me that I have to believe in his methods for them to work.

You could just take the position of "agree to disagree" and drop this all together. In fact I am sure most people would. I hope that you don't however. I hope that you continue to apply your skepticism. I know I will. The truth has nothing to fear from investigation and know that going to a chiropractor can be the best option in many cases. Try to understand I am not arguing for the sake of arguing and I do not think you are stupid or anything like that. I just think that you are wrong about this one point.

I know I'm not stupid, although I appreciate the vote of confidence, random stranger. I also agree that truth should not fear investigation. However, I think that anyone who visits a chiropractor without actually finding out what beliefs the treatment is based on is putting him- or herself in physical danger. Yes, the industry is regulated. So is the prescription drug industry. Doesn't mean you should take medication blindly either. Chiropractors can be so dangerous because they are using a lot of physical force on your body. It's not like homeopathy or crystals or reiki or whatever that, although it's not scientifically based, is non invasive and at worst will do nothing.

I'm only speaking out so strongly about this because a lot of people have no idea that chiropractic care isn't conventional medicine. It has become so mainstream that a lot of people don't realise that it isn't regarded in the same way as actual medical practices, scientifically speaking.

If you want someone to do that stuff to you, it is obviously not my decision to make for anyone else. I just wish more people would approach it after educating themselves about it (which is good practice for ANY medical treatment, not just alternative ones.)

wafflemeister14

At my first appointment, I could barely walk thanks to a back injury. They took some xrays and determined it was mild scoliosis thanks to uneven hips, and a slipped lumbar vertebrae.
The chiropractor was a scary old man, that was very uncomfortable to have cracking my neck and back. He demonstrated pelvic thrusts right in my face, and it was mentally scarring. He was more focused on fixing my supposedly mis-placed neck than the obvious lower back problem I had. After 3 weeks, the pain was worse than it had ever been.
I stopped going and within a month it had gotten better on its own Go figure!

koshkasmum

I have had great experiences with chiropractors - even though I started out as a skeptic.

I was walking home one day from a physiotherapist session (one of many in an almost 10 year fight with a calcified semi-immovable shoulder) in literal tears with the pain. when I passed a Chiropractor's office and thought, "what the heck - I've tried everything else..." As luck would have it, I got a Chiro who specialized in sports injuries (he was the house chiro for the 2010 Olympics) and used Active Release Therapy. I noticed improvement in motion after the first session and had full range of motion and no pain within three months.

I don't think I would go to a Chiro for anything other than muscular skeletal issues but they are great for that. (I have since had positive experiences with two other Chiros so I figure it was more than just luck.

Ginnyesq

I had an experience to someone else who posted, wasn't able to lift one of my arms due to neck pain. Went to a chriropractor once a week for a few months, and I was able to lift my arm a little higher when I walked out of there each time. Now I go about once a month for maintenance. I would say that you need to be careful with them about discussing any other medical issues. They aren't qualified to cure cancer but love to try and sell you vitamins or supplements or some other BS to cure what ails you. Mine in particular likes to rail against vaccines. I pretty much told him he's there to take care of my neck and back, and to zip it. I'm sure not all of them are like that but it seems to be common.

highervibes

My chiropractor damaged my vertebral artery after a neck adjustment causing me to have a massive basilar artery stroke infront of my kids (4,3) I was completely paralyzed and aphasyc, requiring an airlift (but had to be driven!) to Toronto Western where I spent the next few weeks having someone wipe my *kitten* and feed me. Later I had to relearn how to walk and speach miraculously came back to me fairly quickly. So, yeah they are great. If they don't kill you. I would see an osteopath instead. Definitely don't let them adjust your neck.

13turtles

Here is food for thought: I love my personal chiropractor, AND I love my husband who happens to be a chiropractor. They are not the same person. I agree with many of the statements here that argue you need to find what is best for you individually. Being married to a chiropractor has shown me a whole different side to the profession.

My husband has a science undergrad degree, plus his 4 years of chiropractic schooling. All of the schooling happened before he completed his internships and chiropractic rotations. He took 4 different national board examinations and is required to attend yearly conferences to keep his license and practice current. Depending on the state, he is trained and licensed to draw blood, deliver children, and pronounce death. One main difference between his schooling and that of a medical doctor is that he is NOT qualified in any state to prescribe medicine. While there are other differences, I am not trying to say that the profession is that same, but that he is qualified to diagnosis and treat patients, and should be considered an authority in his field.

He practices using an integrative approach, meaning that he works in an office with other medical practitioners such as physical therapists, nutritionists, naturopathic doctors, and medical doctors. The focus in his office is the overall health and well being of the patient. My husband does not hesitate to recommend a different course of treatment (other than chiropractic) if it is what is best for the patient. So, back to the point that you really need to do what is best for you.

On the other hand, I have seen MANY, and been to a few chiropractors who are "philosophy based" in their chiropractic approach. My personal belief is that SOME of these doctors give the rest a bad reputation. A good chiropractor will address the concerns you have when you come in for an appointment, and not "sell" you on a long term treatment plan, or health education classes, or lecture you on the "evils" of modern medicine. I find these chiropractors to be flaky, and not very helpful in treating my issues and concerns.

But the main point here is that you must do what is best for you! Any course of treatment, whether medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, or anything else will only work as long as you stick with it. Stop taking the medicine,and the cold comes back. Stop going to physical therapy or the chiropractor, and you will stop seeing results. So do what is best for you.