Chiropractors against lifting heavy?

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Natihilator
Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I went to a chiro appointment last week because I have chronic problems with my lower back and hips and, and I try to be careful when working out and I stretch A LOT, but I still need adjustments from time to time. When I told my chiropractor what I've been doing in the gym, he said 'barbell squats and deadlifts are OUT. Which sucks, but I'd rather give them up for now than deal with the back pain. He said to do lots of core work - planks and side planks mostly

I went again today armed with a bookmarked copy of 'NROL4W' to show him the specific exercises, and asked which ones I should go light on, which I should modify, which I should just stay away from in general considering my issues. This time he was saying that shoulder presses and overhand grip lat-pulldowns "weren't good" as they can stress the ACL, and he sees a lot of people with this shoulder injury. But doing push-ups are fine. He also said while it's good I'm taking such an interest in strengthening my body, it's best to "do more reps with lighter weights" :indifferent:

For anyone else who goes to a chiropractor, is it common for them to advise stuff like this? I don't want to make things worse for myself so I'll listen to what he says, but I'm also wondering if maybe I should see a physiotherapist instead. Thoughts?
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Replies

  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
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    Or a doctor of sports medicine.
  • kelsully
    kelsully Posts: 1,008 Member
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    My chiropractor just opened a CrossFit gym and competes in CrossFit cometitions. He pesters me to lift me more as I am a marathon runner...so no my chiropractor would not say what yours did.
  • dunlunicor
    dunlunicor Posts: 189 Member
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    See someone who specializes in sports medicine, who will help you do what you want to do safely as opposed to discouraging it altogether.
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
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    My chiropractor just opened a CrossFit gym and competes in CrossFit cometitions. He pesters me to lift me more as I am a marathon runner...so no my chiropractor would not say what yours did.

    Wow. I guess mine is just 'old school'. Time for a new chiropractor I guess...
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
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    Thanks, I will find a sports medicine specialist. Too bad they aren't covered by my health insurance...
  • freddykid
    freddykid Posts: 265 Member
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    You may want to find a doctor with a sports medicine background if you are looking to for what you can do to prevent more injury. Anyway the chiro is just trying to look out for you, overhead press is pretty stressful on the lower back.
  • jaharrison763
    jaharrison763 Posts: 99 Member
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    Not mine! She encourages me to keep lifting, but to make adjustments if I need to avoid pain. Yeah, you might want to see someone who's more up to speed on the benefits of lifting heavy.
  • Iron_warrior33
    Iron_warrior33 Posts: 45
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    I've been to two chiropractors after two different accidents, and after they finally got my back fixed, they had no problems with me lifting heavy, but while they were working on it, I wasn't allowed to do any type of overhead presses or barbell squats as it put too much pressure on my injured spine.

    ETA: Depending on your job, sitting at a desk all day, is worse on your spine than heavy lifting, because all your upper body weight compresses on your spine, whereas, standing puts more weight on your legs. Also, laying in bed, too "propped up" like with extra pillows or in my case, having my arms under my head, isn't good for your neck and spine either.
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
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    I swapped my chiro for an African Witch doctor. The end result is the same. :wink:
  • ubermensch13
    ubermensch13 Posts: 824 Member
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    I swapped my chiro for an African Witch doctor. The end result is the same. :wink:

    Ha! Yes!
  • freddykid
    freddykid Posts: 265 Member
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    I swapped my chiro for an African Witch doctor. The end result is the same. :wink:
    At least you get to watch your doctor dance and sing, chiros just stand there. Judging I think.
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
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    I've been to two chiropractors after two different accidents, and after they finally got my back fixed, they had no problems with me lifting heavy, but while they were working on it, I wasn't allowed to do any type of overhead presses or barbell squats as it put too much pressure on my injured spine.

    That makes sense, but the thing that frustrates me is that he doesn't give me a time frame of when I should be OK to do them again. I just don't want to think that I can NEVER do those exercises again, but also my condition isn't one that needs time to heal really, as it always pops up sooner or later, so I don't think it can be completely fixed, just managed.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
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    It's common for chiropractors to be quacks.
  • Chameleone
    Chameleone Posts: 281 Member
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    I haven't asked my chiropractor about it, but I can tell he lifts heavy because he's built...very well built...
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
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    It's common for chiropractors to be quacks.
    The whole practice is "quacked".
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
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    They may be quacks, I just didn't know any better and needed the pain to stop :frown:

    I guess I just needed my suspicions validated with this post. I'm going to stop seeing him.
  • liesevanlingen
    liesevanlingen Posts: 508 Member
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    Maybe your chiropractor is just telling you what's best for YOU. You say he's treating you for chronic back problems so he's probably giving you this advice based on your condition. He wouldn't necessarily give the same advice to, say, someone training for a marathon

    I'm not trying to dissuade you from looking for a different specialist--as a matter of fact, I'm a firm believer in "get a second opinion"--I'm just making an observation.

    Would your health insurance cover acupuncture? That might help with pain management, as well as being a drug-free procedure. My husband found it to be quite helpful in reducing pain before his hip replacement surgery (due to a very old sports injury as a young teen that left him nearly crippled, and with one leg an inch and a half longer than the other, for 30 years.)

    Hope you can find what your looking for!
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
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    I went to a chiro appointment last week because I have chronic problems with my lower back and hips and, and I try to be careful when working out and I stretch A LOT, but I still need adjustments from time to time. When I told my chiropractor what I've been doing in the gym, he said 'barbell squats and deadlifts are OUT. Which sucks, but I'd rather give them up for now than deal with the back pain. He said to do lots of core work - planks and side planks mostly

    I went again today armed with a bookmarked copy of 'NROL4W' to show him the specific exercises, and asked which ones I should go light on, which I should modify, which I should just stay away from in general considering my issues. This time he was saying that shoulder presses and overhand grip lat-pulldowns "weren't good" as they can stress the ACL, and he sees a lot of people with this shoulder injury. But doing push-ups are fine. He also said while it's good I'm taking such an interest in strengthening my body, it's best to "do more reps with lighter weights" :indifferent:

    For anyone else who goes to a chiropractor, is it common for them to advise stuff like this? I don't want to make things worse for myself so I'll listen to what he says, but I'm also wondering if maybe I should see a physiotherapist instead. Thoughts?

    It seems that your chiro and mine went to the same school, and so did my orthopedic doctor. Due to my crappy knees (torn meniscus and moderate arthritis in both), I was told not to do deadlifts with heavy weights and only do "body weights squats,” which is actually the only way I can squat. Chin ups, pull ups and military presses are also a no-no after rotator cuff surgery in both shoulders. My PT had also given me the same recommendations when I went for therapy, so there you have it.
    It is up to you to follow his suggestions, get a second opinion or continue with your routine. Medical professionals are more qualified than MFP people and if they treat you, they know your body and its limitations. I wish you good luck, I know that it sucks to limit workouts.
    "
  • upgetupgetup
    upgetupgetup Posts: 749 Member
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    Chiros are whack

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2012/apr/22/chiropractic-graphic-novel-science-tales-pictures

    See a sports med, or a physio
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,224 Member
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    Thanks, I will find a sports medicine specialist. Too bad they aren't covered by my health insurance...

    Unless you have some extraordinarily odd insurance, it will cover a sports medicine MD-they are generally orthopedists or GP's who also specialize in sports medicine. They bill for the same procedures and have the same credentials as any other MD-they just approach things from a standpoint of returning you to whatever activity it is that you do-vs a rest and/or stop and you won't hurt anymore. That may be the only option for some, but a sports medicine MD will understand that you want to keep lifting and will work with you to make that happen if possible. And they are covered under medical insurance (provided you follow your network & any referral rules and that jazz-but they are regular MD's doing regular MD stuff).

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