Chiropractors against lifting heavy?
Replies
-
Really? You are going to quit going to any chiropractor because a couple of folks on MFP called them all quacks? Now, that's whacked, imho.
I had a severe back injury in '06. The MRI showed extreme bulging discs (don't remember the L#'s off-hand but in my lower-back). MRI report said worst bulging discs he has seen without herniating. After a few visits with an orthopedic surgeon, he wanted to fuse my back which he said would give me very limited movement for the rest of my life but would take away the pain. Screw that. I know a few folks who have had that surgery and they have had to have additional surgeries because changing on thing in the back often leads to other problems. And they both live on pain pills. Nope, not going there.
So I then visited a chiropractor and was also seeing a physical therapist as recommended by my MD and orthopedic surgeon. Neither did a dang thing to alleviate the pain.
I changed chiropractors. Wow! Just wow! Saw immediate progress. He also gave me exercises to do and told me to stop doing some of the exercises the physical therapist was having me do as they would actually aggravate the back problem. Lots of good progress continued. Added in massage therapy and a couple of cranio-sacral therapy sessions. Wow, tremendous progress.
Now fully healed. No surgery. No limited movement for the rest of my life. No pain. It was a slower process but the trade-off was totally worth it, imho.
My chiropractor totally supports my heavy lifting as long as I listen to my body and stop what I'm doing or modify what I'm doing if it puts pressure on my lower back. Sometimes this means that I might not be able to increase a weight for awhile, just reps, but after a week or two of increasing the reps, I can then safely increase the weight. It might slow my progress on increasing the weights I'm lifting but it hasn't stopped it. And this means I can mix in some muscle endurance once in awhile and still get in my strength training. Not a bad deal.
Oh, I do go into the chiropractor once every few months if my hip is bothering me (my hip went out as well as my back) but these visits are few and far between the more I work out and the stronger I get. But if I go in and have noticed some kind of problem, he usually gives me some kind of additional exercise to help with that particular issue or, sometimes, it really means that I need to stretch certain areas more and he gives me specific stretches to do. It's all good.
You may have a chiropractor that happens to be a quack but it doesn't mean they're all quacks.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with switching to someone with sports medicine expertise either. You might actually find that this and a better chiropractor are a good combination. If you are in lots of pain, it does make sense to check out numerous options and get more opinions before deciding on a plan of action.
ETA: During the course of treatment while my back was healing, something like weights would have been out for me as well. I was only allowed to walk and do the exercises the chiropractor gave me. Yeah, that sucks but you wouldn't run on a broken leg, would you? Same concept.
Nope, I'm not whacked, but thanks for the compliment :bigsmile: . I've never had an MRI, I was never told exactly what was wrong unless I asked specifically (my chiropractor looked surprised when I asked if my problem was in the sacro-illiac region). Some things my chiro said raised my eyebrows more than a few times, and I'm not writing off chiropractors completely (don't really want to get into that debate), but I don't have a lot of experience with chiropractors or sports medicine as my problems developed pretty recently. All of the responses here point to a second/different opinion, so that's what I'mma do. Glad you found solutions that worked for you before resorting to back fusion, I'm just hoping for the same!0 -
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.
I hear that a lot from others but it's not always the case. When I am in pain, the only thing that helps is a couple visits to the chiropractor. I can go months without further problems after an adjustment or two. I'm sure that some are more qualified than others but... I think that's the case with any profession. Besides, most of us aren't actually experts in the medical field :-) Thank goodness for second opinions! I can see where your doctor may have been giving you information based on your personal injury though. I have been wanting to lift heavy too but I have been nervous about making it worse!
I recently decided to take it a step further and enlisted the advice of a Sports Med Dr. My intent was much like yours. When he asked me why I was there I said, "I'm in pain and I'm tired of my back going out and I want answers as to what is wrong and how I can prevent further damage/ repair my damage. I want a few physical therapy sessions to get guidance on what exercises/ lifting I can or can't do, with proper form." So, an MRI last week revealed I have bulging herniated/ degenerative discs/ osteoarthritis and I am scheduled for physical therapy to learn how to deal with these issues before I look into surgical options. I suggest you look for a second opinion with a sports Med Doc or an Osteopath if you have any near you. Back problems are really debilitating at times :-(
I wish you luck and I hope that you get to pursue your weight lifting aspirations soon! Feel better!
editing to add: Weight bearing exercise is actually the BEST way to build bone, it's superior to calcium. There has to be some kind of balance for us!
Sounds like you made all the right moves, you give me hope! :flowerforyou:0 -
The golden rule of anything exercise related is that don't do it if it hurts!
This is the annoying thing about my issues - it never hurts WHILE I'm doing the exercise, but the pain shows up a day or two later, and stays for a week. I'm not a total nutjob to do these exercises if I'm in actual pain :laugh:0 -
You have to be careful with lower back issues as to which they have the potential of causing arthritis soon enough. My recommendation would be to go see a physical therapist or a physician who specializes in sports medicine. Trust me I deal with patients who have developed chronic arthritis in their lower backs and its not pretty at all.0
-
Really? You are going to quit going to any chiropractor because a couple of folks on MFP called them all quacks? Now, that's whacked, imho.
I had a severe back injury in '06. The MRI showed extreme bulging discs (don't remember the L#'s off-hand but in my lower-back). MRI report said worst bulging discs he has seen without herniating. After a few visits with an orthopedic surgeon, he wanted to fuse my back which he said would give me very limited movement for the rest of my life but would take away the pain. Screw that. I know a few folks who have had that surgery and they have had to have additional surgeries because changing on thing in the back often leads to other problems. And they both live on pain pills. Nope, not going there.
So I then visited a chiropractor and was also seeing a physical therapist as recommended by my MD and orthopedic surgeon. Neither did a dang thing to alleviate the pain.
I changed chiropractors. Wow! Just wow! Saw immediate progress. He also gave me exercises to do and told me to stop doing some of the exercises the physical therapist was having me do as they would actually aggravate the back problem. Lots of good progress continued. Added in massage therapy and a couple of cranio-sacral therapy sessions. Wow, tremendous progress.
Now fully healed. No surgery. No limited movement for the rest of my life. No pain. It was a slower process but the trade-off was totally worth it, imho.
My chiropractor totally supports my heavy lifting as long as I listen to my body and stop what I'm doing or modify what I'm doing if it puts pressure on my lower back. Sometimes this means that I might not be able to increase a weight for awhile, just reps, but after a week or two of increasing the reps, I can then safely increase the weight. It might slow my progress on increasing the weights I'm lifting but it hasn't stopped it. And this means I can mix in some muscle endurance once in awhile and still get in my strength training. Not a bad deal.
Oh, I do go into the chiropractor once every few months if my hip is bothering me (my hip went out as well as my back) but these visits are few and far between the more I work out and the stronger I get. But if I go in and have noticed some kind of problem, he usually gives me some kind of additional exercise to help with that particular issue or, sometimes, it really means that I need to stretch certain areas more and he gives me specific stretches to do. It's all good.
You may have a chiropractor that happens to be a quack but it doesn't mean they're all quacks.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with switching to someone with sports medicine expertise either. You might actually find that this and a better chiropractor are a good combination. If you are in lots of pain, it does make sense to check out numerous options and get more opinions before deciding on a plan of action.
ETA: During the course of treatment while my back was healing, something like weights would have been out for me as well. I was only allowed to walk and do the exercises the chiropractor gave me. Yeah, that sucks but you wouldn't run on a broken leg, would you? Same concept.
Nope, I'm not whacked, but thanks for the compliment :bigsmile: . I've never had an MRI, I was never told exactly what was wrong unless I asked specifically (my chiropractor looked surprised when I asked if my problem was in the sacro-illiac region). Some things my chiro said raised my eyebrows more than a few times, and I'm not writing off chiropractors completely (don't really want to get into that debate), but I don't have a lot of experience with chiropractors or sports medicine as my problems developed pretty recently. All of the responses here point to a second/different opinion, so that's what I'mma do. Glad you found solutions that worked for you before resorting to back fusion, I'm just hoping for the same!
As I said, you should seek other opinions before deciding on the best course of action. Just don't rule out a good chiropractor if that turns out to be a good weapon in your healing arsenal. FWIW, the one I ended up with who did me so much good refused to work on me without x-rays and looking at my MRI. He doesn't work on anybody without, at least, getting x-rays first. And MRI's if the problem warrants further data before treating. I know because I've referred many to him and they've all had to get at least the x-rays first, some both.
Best wishes.0 -
You have to be careful with lower back issues as to which they have the potential of causing arthritis soon enough. My recommendation would be to go see a physical therapist or a physician who specializes in sports medicine. Trust me I deal with patients who have developed chronic arthritis in their lower backs and its not pretty at all.
I feel like this will be my future, but I want to do anything I can to prevent it, thanks for the cautioning.0 -
been to two chiro's.
never again.
0 -
You have to be careful with lower back issues as to which they have the potential of causing arthritis soon enough. My recommendation would be to go see a physical therapist or a physician who specializes in sports medicine. Trust me I deal with patients who have developed chronic arthritis in their lower backs and its not pretty at all.
I feel like this will be my future, but I want to do anything I can to prevent it, thanks for the cautioning.
Trust me, its my future as well :-(. Honestly its sad that people our age are already developing arthritis, but its happening more and more to our generation.0 -
You have to be careful with lower back issues as to which they have the potential of causing arthritis soon enough. My recommendation would be to go see a physical therapist or a physician who specializes in sports medicine. Trust me I deal with patients who have developed chronic arthritis in their lower backs and its not pretty at all.
I feel like this will be my future, but I want to do anything I can to prevent it, thanks for the cautioning.
Trust me, its my future as well :-(. Honestly its sad that people our age are already developing arthritis, but its happening more and more to our generation.
Well that's a bright look ahead :sad:
I just want my whole skeletal system replaced with titanium and diamonds. Teeth too. Is that too much to ask?0 -
You have to be careful with lower back issues as to which they have the potential of causing arthritis soon enough. My recommendation would be to go see a physical therapist or a physician who specializes in sports medicine. Trust me I deal with patients who have developed chronic arthritis in their lower backs and its not pretty at all.
I feel like this will be my future, but I want to do anything I can to prevent it, thanks for the cautioning.
Trust me, its my future as well :-(. Honestly its sad that people our age are already developing arthritis, but its happening more and more to our generation.
Well that's a bright look ahead :sad:
I just want my whole skeletal system replaced with titanium and diamonds. Teeth too. Is that too much to ask?
Just go for the whole Wolverine look...thats my goal in life also0 -
I just want my whole skeletal system replaced with titanium and diamonds. Teeth too. Is that too much to ask?
Ha ha! Now there's an idea I hadn't thought of, Lol!0 -
My chiro encourages me to lift heavy as he knows that is what works for me. He is quite thin and I tell him to lift weights all the time. I suggest you find a Dr that listens to you and your goals.0
-
my SiL is a chrio and has encouraged me to continue lifting after seeing a huge improvement in my back since I started lifting.0
-
I just want my whole skeletal system replaced with titanium and diamonds. Teeth too. Is that too much to ask?
I've asked, my insurance doesn't cover it. :grumble:0 -
You can't just say heavy lifting is safe for all types of back injury - that's madness. I have three badly degenerated lumbar discs and the worst thing I can do is to further compress these joints so squats and deadlifts are out.
OP
By all means take another opinion from a back specialist but not from a load of strangers who don't know your condition.
I'm not a fan of the chiropratic style of treatment - prefer osteopathy. Finding a good Osteopath has transformed by health.0 -
look into Alexander Technique. Proven results in reducing and eliminating back pain. I suspect that it would also help you lift better.
I saw two different chiropractors, a neurosurgeon and a rheumatologist to try and sort out a neck problem. One chiro ID'd a T4 issue, the other x-rayed and ID'd a C7 congenital defect. The neurosurgeon did a full body MRI scan and ID'd a tiny bit of slipped disc at C7 causing scar tissue to the nerves.
I did a year of Alexander Technique. My posture is better, my neck doesn't send shivers down my spine permanently and my recovering from injuries tends to be better as I am more able to use my muscle structure efficiently. I doubt it's covered on your insurance but well worth the money.0 -
Chiropractors against lifting heavy?
I thought they'd have been all for it...
Kerching! $$$
:laugh: 0 -
That Chiropractor must be Alan from two and a half men!0
-
Chiropractic is made-up hokum, as is osteopathy. Physiotherapist or nothing, folks.0
-
Fin another doctor.
Somebody specialised in sports medicine would be best IMO,
I was also told by a doctor that I should not lift due to mild scoliosis, but my back pains disappeared when I started lifting...
Depending on your problem, lifting can make it better, or worse0 -
My Osteopath spent five years in med school training in hokum then? Do a little research!Chiropractic is made-up hokum, as is osteopathy. Physiotherapist or nothing, folks.0 -
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?
I had to LOL....my chiropractor is the one who ENCOURAGED me to start lifting, and I am a hot mess. I went to see him yesterday and told him that I was up to 100# barbell squats and he said "awesome". Personally, I would go see another chiropractor for a second opinion...0 -
My Osteopath spent five years in med school training in hokum then? Do a little research!Chiropractic is made-up hokum, as is osteopathy. Physiotherapist or nothing, folks.
Real doctors spend 11+ years in school, 3 of which is supervised on the job training (residency) there's still a bit of a difference as far as depth of study.0 -
If your insurance covers chiropractors and acupuncture, it's very likely it will cover an orthopedic or pain management specialist.
I'm open to a lot of types of healing and am not ready to say all chiropractors are quacks, BUT, they are not, as a group, medical doctors. I think it's possible yours is just old school. Or maybe he is a quack.
0 -
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.
While not crossfit, my chiropractor also runs a PT and rehab facility and I can't see the him giving that advice. At least, not to me. There is a distinct difference in the advice that will be given to a large, muscular man vs what will be given to the average female.
There were, however, exercises I avoided while seeing him because of pain/injury issues. As the chiro fixed them I returned to doing them.Chiropractic is made-up hokum, as is osteopathy. Physiotherapist or nothing, folks.
I used to believe this as well until I saw one following an accident. Fixed a lot of things and I'd recommend my guy without reservation0 -
I would find a different chiro if they told me not to lift.
Squats and deadlifts can make/will make your back stronger if you're doing them right. Which would help eliminate back pain.0 -
This whole thread is essentially pointless as nobody knows anything about the OP's injury history.
It's funny that people are saying that a professional advising against certain movements after examining someone in person is "a Quack" while we are prepared to sit here and say "nah keep lifting heavy op you will be fine!" when we have no idea what's going on in her body.
If you don't powerlift so don't actually NEED to squat and deadlift there are plenty of other variations (single leg work/bodyweight stuff) which can produce exactly the same results with less overall load/stress on problem areas. That's not quackery, just common sense. Squatting and DL'ing are not the be all and end all of weightlifting.
OP get a second opinion if you wish, but take anything you read here pretty lightly.0 -
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.
don't stop going to a chiro just because some people on here have a different opinion. I have gone to one for years as I get migraines. With proper adjustments, I don't have to take drugs to keep the migraines away. I LOVE that.0 -
I'm going to squat, deadlift, and do all the heavy lifting I do now until injury or nature deems them impossible for me. I will not stop because someone who is unwilling to put in the work I have and therefore doesn't first hand know the effects of the action they are condemning says so.
Also, the moment I can't lift heavy is the moment my body starts to decline and I become less useful as a person and more prone to a permenant injury/ illness that incapacitates me completely in my (lord willing) old age.
Anyway, that's my opinion on people telling me heavy lifting is bad for me.0 -
Thanks for all the comments, this is definitely a divisive topic!
As for my injury history, I don't even really know it myself. Two years back I had to sleep on an air + foam mattress for 5 months (so stupid, don't ever do this) and just have bad posture and habits in general, my hip and back problems seemed to stem from that. My X-ray showed that one side of my pelvis is bigger than the other and sits higher, and my mother has similar issues so maybe I was predisposed to have these issues. As for my workouts, I'm going to cut out the compound lifts and stick to BW and/or weight machines for now.
I also forgot to mention that my chiropractor's office is also a time machine back to the 60s' (the furniture, equipment) which adds to the outdatedness of his advice. I'm going to stop seeing HIM but may see another one in the future. I've already been recommended to try a sports medicine specialist who works with our city's football team and is supposed to be excellent.
Anyways, thanks!0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions