Chiropractors?

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  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,140 Member
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    fascha wrote: »
    I went to one who damaged my basilar artery causing a massive stroke. Almost died and spent the next year relearning to walk and talk. Highly don't recommend

    I am very sorry to hear of what happened to you and I am glad that you are doing better now. You have the right of not recommending THAT chiropractor, but please don't generalize.
  • laurenmichellefrank85
    laurenmichellefrank85 Posts: 4 Member
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    DONT GO TO A CHIROPRACTOR GO TO A LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST!!!! I've had back and neck pain almost all my life and have seen both chiropractors and PTs and from what I've seen PTs are much better. Chiropractors tend to offer quick fixes, pop something back in place, move something around, but generally the problem isn't your bones, it's your muscles pulling on things or working wrong. A PTs goal is to get you out of pain and have you stop coming, they will show you how to move properly as well as do adjustments that need to be done. I have friends who have gone to a chiropractor every week for YEARS and they still have frequent pain. I have to go back to a PT maybe once every few years for a couple of months at a time and that's because my problems have been so severe for so long, but each time my pain is less severe and I always finish a round of PT with almost no pain! You may have to hunt for a good one, but a PT is generally a better bet for the long run!!
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
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    laurenmichellefrank85 wrote: »
    DONT GO TO A CHIROPRACTOR GO TO A LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST!!!! I've had back and neck pain almost all my life and have seen both chiropractors and PTs and from what I've seen PTs are much better. Chiropractors tend to offer quick fixes, pop something back in place, move something around, but generally the problem isn't your bones, it's your muscles pulling on things or working wrong. A PTs goal is to get you out of pain and have you stop coming, they will show you how to move properly as well as do adjustments that need to be done. I have friends who have gone to a chiropractor every week for YEARS and they still have frequent pain. I have to go back to a PT maybe once every few years for a couple of months at a time and that's because my problems have been so severe for so long, but each time my pain is less severe and I always finish a round of PT with almost no pain! You may have to hunt for a good one, but a PT is generally a better bet for the long run!!

    This has not been my experience with my chiro. He works with me when I come in injured, and he sends me home with a plan for improvement. As with any profession, there will be good and bad.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    I found a chiro that starts with ART (Active Release Technique) with the theory that I was kind of looking for anyway - help the muscle balance so you aren't pulling things the wrong way - you may not even need the adjustments to put anything "back" - when really things should just be moving freely anyway.

    I had a PT assessment for muscle imbalances that were messing up lower back. Even after much stretching for all the overly tight ones, and discovering and compensating for unequal leg length and it's bad effects I'd had my whole life to some degree, some muscles just couldn't be as loose as the other side.

    After some research on my own about the intramuscular scarring that can occur after injuries causing a stretch to fail, a friend recommended this. She was a massage therapist that had learned it, and recommended a chiro that did it too.

    1 visit for current issue was all it took. I came back after 2 weeks just to confirm nothing more, and for some work on now noticeable other tight spots. 1 visit again. He never pressed for more, said to return as I needed.

    Beautiful. Except he doesn't keep as busy as he should, and had to join a chiro group - and many of them are negative type mentioned above. I hope he hasn't succumbed.
  • kavahni
    kavahni Posts: 313 Member
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    Depends on what you mean about wanting your body to "perform optimally." Athletically? Digestively? Regarding general aches and pains or fatigue?
    I've been to 4 in my life. Three because of back issues. One was wonderful. One turned out to be a molestor. One over adjusted my neck and scared the hell out of me. They all started with extensive X-rays, then intensive courses of adjustment 3 days a week.
    My current chiropractor is Palmer trained but way more a soft tissue manipulator--Active Release Technique. No X-rays, a visit once a week or two weeks. So far, he's fixed everything but a long-shot issue that was the result of a bad nerve surgery I was willing to give him a go at. He's an elite athlete and is often working with athletes across the country. His soft tissue work is excruciating, but he usually resolves the issue in one, possible two, visits.
    The other recommendation is for a PT. They can be utterly brilliant just watching you walk and move and figuring out what's up. Good ones understand the need to keep the number of visits down, if possible.
  • dpwellman
    dpwellman Posts: 3,271 Member
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    Try physiotherapist, first.
  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
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    Gisel2015 wrote: »
    fascha wrote: »
    I went to one who damaged my basilar artery causing a massive stroke. Almost died and spent the next year relearning to walk and talk. Highly don't recommend

    I am very sorry to hear of what happened to you and I am glad that you are doing better now. You have the right of not recommending THAT chiropractor, but please don't generalize.

    Stroke is a very rare risk you take going to any chiropractor. In Canada you usually have to sign a waiver acknowledging such a risk exists.

    I realize it's rare, but I'd rather see a osteopath vs take that risk, especially in my case.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
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    I've been seeing my chiropractor for close to 7 years now - I go as needed. Started using one in high school when I was having issues with my shoulders during Crew - all a doctor wanted to do was give me anti-inflamatories, which were doing nothing. now I use my chiro in conjunction with physical therapy and massage therapy (she has all 3 at her practice)
  • girlgroves
    girlgroves Posts: 235 Member
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    Personally I've had a very good experience with a chiropractor, and also with physiotherapy, for lower back pain, frozen shoulder and tendonitis, however my husband has had a completely different, and quite negative experience with (albeit a different) chiropractor that actually had him going with lower back pain and ending up with excruciating sciatica and a much longer recovery time. So you can never tell. If you're not in pain, or have a specific issue you need sorting out, why would you risk it? I'm not sure I'd recommend it for 'performing optimally' if you're performing perfectly well at the moment.
  • RachelElser
    RachelElser Posts: 1,049 Member
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    Yeesh, a lot of Chiropractor hate here. I have went when I hurt myself, as have my mother and father who both have lower back issues from a car accident. My mom's back is all out of whack and she feels much better when it's more the shape it should be, than the shape it wants to be.

    Just like finding a new doctor, do your research. Where did they go to school? Any lawsuits against them? What do people around town say about them?
  • heiliskrimsli
    heiliskrimsli Posts: 735 Member
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    Knowing the history of chiropractic and what is still taught in those circles, coupled with the risk of injury, I won't go near one.
  • ronjsteele1
    ronjsteele1 Posts: 1,064 Member
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    I second and third the Palmer trained chiropractor. I do NOT do bone crackers. I have too many friends that have been injured by bone crackers. And a friend that had a stroke caused by a chiro. No way, no how, is somebody cracking my bones (especially my neck). But I swear by my Palmer trained chiro. He's been fantastic and like others have said, never recommends I come back unless I feel the need to. When you find that person, you've found a good chiropractor. I've used mine for quite a number of injuries, pain, etc. and my kids have too. We've been very happy with our Palmer guy. Ask around for recommendations from friends and look up Palmer trained chiros.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited April 2017
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    ronjsteele1 wrote: »
    I second and third the Palmer trained chiropractor. I do NOT do bone crackers. I have too many friends that have been injured by bone crackers. And a friend that had a stroke caused by a chiro. No way, no how, is somebody cracking my bones (especially my neck). But I swear by my Palmer trained chiro. He's been fantastic and like others have said, never recommends I come back unless I feel the need to. When you find that person, you've found a good chiropractor. I've used mine for quite a number of injuries, pain, etc. and my kids have too. We've been very happy with our Palmer guy. Ask around for recommendations from friends and look up Palmer trained chiros.

    Not sure if a Palmer trained chiro makes much difference. I went to one locally. As soon as they found out about my insurance, they mapped out a 1 year plan involving 30+ visits. This was before I even saw the chiro. Incredible douche.

    I tried another one, she popped my back and I immediately developed a case of dropfoot. I had several spinal injections from an orthopedic doctor to clear it up. I still can't balance as well on that leg as I can on the other.

    I did try one one other guy on recommendation of a friend. Went a few times, seemed decent, then my insurance changed and didn't cover chiro treatment unless referred by a family practitioner.

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,970 Member
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    Shawshankcan wrote: »
    And a chiropractor will always say you need work done and to come back twice a week.

    This.
  • ronjsteele1
    ronjsteele1 Posts: 1,064 Member
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    I like the palmer trained because they don't do bone cracking. For lack of a better term they use computer aided muscle manipulation.

    Yeah, I've been to the ones that want you bc of insurance. It's frustrating. But like every other doc out there, there are good ones and bad ones. Definitely a person needs to do their research.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
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    ronjsteele1 wrote: »
    I like the palmer trained because they don't do bone cracking. For lack of a better term they use computer aided muscle manipulation.

    Yeah, I've been to the ones that want you bc of insurance. It's frustrating. But like every other doc out there, there are good ones and bad ones. Definitely a person needs to do their research.

    It's been a while, but Palmer chiros (still in practice) did do bone cracking on me.
  • Lovely_Jennnn
    Lovely_Jennnn Posts: 2 Member
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    I went to one after a car accident. I was skeptical at first, but the pain in my neck and low back after the accident was so much better after treatment. I sit at at a desk all day and I couldn't sit without pain for more than an hour. Afterwards, my back was much stronger and I can tell in my lifting techniques too it has made a difference. Now I go once a month for regular adjustments. I feel like they help with my very active lifestyle and release stiffness and tension from my desk job.
  • bizgirl26
    bizgirl26 Posts: 1,808 Member
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    I love my chiropractor. I have also gone to physiotherapists, massage therapists , osteopaths etc. but find he does the most for me . I have excellent insurance coverage. It took me trial and error but I go on a as needed basis. Sometimes he has asked to see me and I don't need anything done and he doesn't charge me. He never cracks my neck. He has been a life saver and is great at sport injuries . I think no matter who your specialist is they have to fit your needs and be qualified
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
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    I think this greatly depends on the chiropractor. My chiropractor is amazing. He has a very small practice and keeps things simple. I go as needed when I need an adjustment or tweaks. He is a university professor in anatomy and biology, so he has a real passion for what he does and I trust him to know what he is doing. He is the perfect balance of gentle and strong.

    A year or two ago, I had some major neck issues (whiplash) and he had me back to mostly normal within 4 visits. I haven't been in about 6 months, but I love knowing I have him there if needed.

  • dutchandkiwi
    dutchandkiwi Posts: 1,389 Member
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    I went to one after an accident that hit my neck badly (basically I took the stairs on my bum all the way down)
    He got it right within 6 sessions and then I stayed on a monthly schedule for 3 months. I still recall that relief when the pain just went away after that first session for a little while. He even gave up his day off to do my neck as he saw in how much pain I was. He only did it the day after the intake as he wanted the x-ray to be developed (and that was the old way in his practice) and study it to make sure he did the right thing.
    He as amazing recommend him to anybody.

    After my 9 sessions (6+3) he basically said I was right but if I felt anything just to come back.I went twice in the year after and that was that.

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