Do You Go To A Chiropractor Or Think That They Are Quacks

[CarolKing]

This was brought up in another thread and thought it might be something to discuss.

I have had low back pain for years. I have degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis. It triggers sciatica, I've gone to orthopedic surgeons and a neurologist. I have had several steroid shots to the base of the spine and have had ex rays MRIs and other testing such as bone density test.

I have had physical therapy and that is just one more tool. Once you have been given the excersizes it's really up to you.

I find that the chiropractor helps me most of the time. I go in for 2 or 3 visits and I'm back to normal. I can't wait until it gets too bad or I become disabled. My chiropractor has seen all my testing and xrays, MRIs etc... I have been going to him for 12 years.

Once I did something to my neck and it felt like my head was too heavy to hold my head up and I had pain going down my arm. It started off like a kink in my neck and got worse. I used a towel around my neck to help hold my head up. I couldn't turn my head. I was off work for days. After 2 visit at the chiropractor and I was good to go.

Some folks have never gone to a chiropractor, I think you are really missing out. My brother has never gone to one and he won't go no matter what I tell him.

 

[momofthegoons]

Your 'issues' sound very similar to mine so this is of great interest to me. I've toyed with the idea of going to a chiropractor, but have always been a bit fearful that they might make things worse. We had a member here that was disabled by one and that really scared me off.

I think it probably has to do with the chiropractor themselves. Getting a good referral is always a good start.

The other thing I've considered is acupuncture. Have you tried that @CarolKing?

 

[CarolKing]

I urge folks to try all kinds of alternative care and acupuncture is one of them. I went for acupuncture treatments for 2 years off and on. After a while my body didn't respond. They are a series of treatments (6 - 8) and it takes about 45 min to an hour. They use teeny tiny needles and most of the time when they put them in you don't feel it. I did feel it occasionally with my feet, but no big deal.

I've had acupuncture treatment for arthritis in my back, feet and have been thinking about going back.

 

[crawdad]

i do not but my SO does, it helps quite a bit with some long standing chronic issues and when making an appointment isn't feasible i do some of the same compressions (whatever they are actually called) myself and it works well so im told...sometimes your body just needs an adjustment. +1 on a referral from someone you know, every profession is going to have quacks...medical fields especially in my experience.

 

[CarolKing]

My chiropractor suggested using a compression ball. So I bought a medium/small size baseball that isn't too hard and I grind it into my hip area while I'm sitting. I use the chair along with a towel to grind right into my hip joint. It's kinda like deep tissue massage.

I can't rely on anti inflammatories do to them weakening my kidneys.

Cannabis is my medicine for pain (including nerve) and muscle cramping. I have some cream called "Kush" it works well. I am trying out making my own creams. FC has been really helpful with lots of info.

 

[h3rbalist]

I have tried acupuncture and have been to a chiropractor.

My issues are with my upper back some referred pain in one side of my neck and TMJ in my jaw which I have suffered with for 20 years.

You're 100% MOTG, a good referral is key, because I bet there is a massive difference between the good guys and the shysters.

I found that out after an (expensive) trip to my chiropractors I'd feel good with lots of movement in my neck and back but then a day or two later the old pain would resurface.

I got the impression that my chiropractor was just going through the motions with me every visit. You know, click your neck both sides, crunch your back and twist the hip joints. Off you go. And if this is the case for any of you then bail and find another more reputable one.
You feel euphoric after a session for sure but it did not resolve anything for me in the long term.

The same chiropractor also offered acupuncture and electrolysis (which is like the tens machine you get for labour pains), the acupuncture was an eye opener and is worth trying, it's a strange sensation when the needle hits the knot in your muscle, it twitches around and feels nice. The electrolysis however was more of an eye opener because it was literally torture.

I would look into osteopathy also, unlike a chiropractor they don't offer quick fix pain relief they are more about preventing continued damage to your body by correcting posture and stuff like that. I find this method to be more helpful to me. Also products like my theracane are worth checking out, I could not live without mine now.

Do you think there should be a dedicated thread for pain relief products and treatments?


EDIT

Forgot to mention my backmagic for doing your own chiropractic adjustments at home.

 

[capcoho]

Try an inversion table if you can! 8 years ago I was completely gimped for months. Sciatica as well as upper back pain. Tried MJ, liquor, ibuprofen, t3 and chiro, to relieve pain but none did anything. 2 days on the inversion table (gentle inversion not upside down for about 20 minutes) and the pain was gone. It was like a miracle to me.

Had another episode of pain 2 years ago, again inversion table fixed it. Thankfully my friend bought one so I can use when needed.

 

[CarolKing]

I went to a chiropractor that offered decompression. You are strapped to a machine and it pulls and tugs at the joints. It's a one size fits all machine for someone that's over 6ft to a 5ft size person. The technician strapes the patient into the machine then turns it on. Then goes into another room to answer phones.

They promise relief from pain with a series of half hour treatments that are 3 a week for 6 weeks - a total of 18 visits. The cost was $2800. My insurance didn't pay for it. My insurance does pay for certain chiropractors with a $25 copayment. I was so hopeful that this would help me. IMO these are scams and don't fall for them. I could be wrong about that, so it wouldn't be the first time.

There are many folks that say that they are professionals and offer to help you with your pain. It's a gold mine. I really believe there are folks that just prey on sick and hurting patients.

 

[HD Springer]

I have been seeing my current Dr. For about 3yrs. He's a DO so I go to him instead of a chiropractor. I never new that there was different types of general practice Dr. He uses manipulation and that's as far as my back will let me go. I can't handle the hard cracks and pops and severe adjustments. I have been toying with the idea of going to a kinesiologist and letting him try his science on me.

 

[Derrrpp]

I've had issues with my neck for a little while now. Earlier this year it got so bad that I couldn't turn my head hardly at all without experiencing sharp pains. So I decided to go to the chiropractor to see if he could help me at all. I saw him pretty regularly for about a month or two, and he did make my neck feel better. I took a break from seeing him for a little while because other issues came up, and I never got around to making another appointment because I wasn't experiencing the sharp pains anymore.

Lately my neck has been acting up again, so I'm considering giving him another call. I haven't really made up my mind if it's real medicine or just snake oil, but it seems to help, so...

 

[Joel W.]

My daughter was born with torticollis, (head tipped to one side). The doctors wanted to cut her tendon/surgery to straighten her out but instead my wife begged me to take her to a chiropractor. I was dead set against the idea but with physical therapy not working I said OK.

Within one appointment, he made a soft adjustment and bamm, she had full range of movement in her neck for the first time.

I'm now a believer!

 

[syrupy]

In order from most to least helpful in syrupy's back:

chiropractor
inversion chair (takes less storage than table)
p.t.
acupuncture
frankenstein table (strapped in)

 

[MinnBobber]

I have lower back L4-5 protruding disc issue and shoulder bicep tendon and rotator cuff tendons that are frayed but not torn.

Luckily a huge hospital here in MN has an Alternative Medicine Clinic with PT, chiro, acupuncture, etc.
--Acupuncture did the least for me.
--Great chiropractor for times when I tweaked my back. I often hobble in and dance back to my car as it helped so much. Appt is only like 10-15 minutes
--PT is great there too. They react to my input info: Example- I say that I do neck bridges on the floor but very odd that left leg thigh is way tighter than right. They measure and poke and voila, my pelvis is tilted from compensating for a previous injury/ left leg is temp shorter than right. They work area, move it, do myofascial release and it's 90% better!!!
Appt is an hour so they can work over multiple pain/tension hot spots. They help me heal myself--give me extensive exercises for home to help in the long run

Finding a good/great PT or chiro is the key though.
They can really help

 

[CarolKing]

I haven't told my family doctor that I used cannabis but I told my chiropractor. He was all for it. He actually took a class talking about how to make the different cannabis creams. He's been studying the different cannabinols.

 

[Mr. Gweilo 420]

This was brought up in another thread and thought it might be something to discuss.

I have had low back pain for years. I have degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis. It triggers sciatica, I've gone to orthopedic surgeons and a neurologist. I have had several steroid shots to the base of the spine and have had ex rays MRIs and other testing such as bone density test.

I have had physical therapy and that is just one more tool. Once you have been given the excersizes it's really up to you.

I find that the chiropractor helps me most of the time. I go in for 2 or 3 visits and I'm back to normal. I can't wait until it gets too bad or I become disabled. My chiropractor has seen all my testing and xrays, MRIs etc... I have been going to him for 12 years.

Once I did something to my neck and it felt like my head was too heavy to hold my head up and I had pain going down my arm. It started off like a kink in my neck and got worse. I used a towel around my neck to help hold my head up. I couldn't turn my head. I was off work for days. After 2 visit at the chiropractor and I was good to go.

Some folks have never gone to a chiropractor, I think you are really missing out. My brother has never gone to one and he won't go no matter what I tell him.

Thanks for starting this thread @CarolKing I actually had the same idea after the comments on the E-nano thread. I think there are similarities between cannabis and chiropractic treatment in that they have both been demonized. I do believe in it but perhaps rather than tell you why, it is best to share my story (briefly anyway).

I have been having pretty serious back, neck and shoulder pain for about 10 years now. I grew up as one of those people that would only seek medical assistance if I had no choice. As such I never really sought out any help with my back pain until about the age of 33 (I'm 41 now). As some of you know I live in Asia in a place that is kind of China but isn't (I don't like to raise red flags by typing the name). At that point I had started making better money and my pain was becoming very bad. I went to a GP who told me I was getting old (fucking loser). After that I didn't really know what to do so I figured massage would help me and I tried every conceivable form of massage. I then tried a Chinese bone setter (Google it!). I tried Chinese medicine. I tried acupuncture. Nothing helped and I wasted a great deal of time, money, energy and hope.

Eventually I found a chiropractor. Now that was quite a few years and quite a few chiropractors ago. But it helped. It really did. I saw this guys pretty intensely, say 3 times a week for a month and then eventually reduced that to twice a week and then once a week. Now although this guy helped me tremendously he was a prick. His main motivation was money and he wasted a lot of my time and money. Some visits were very fast and he seemed to pay little attention and did not communicate. I eventually had an argument with him and stopped seeing him. At the time I had also taken up swimming, changed my diet and lost a lot of weight. I enjoyed good health for a while but it was not long until I got worse. Since then I have seen a few different chiropractors without much success. I found one guy who was cheap and good but he is more of a quick fix than a long term solution kind of guy. You can't make an appointment so everytime you just have to wait. Since he is cheap his office is always packed. So I guess I got by, still have massages but more for muscle and general relaxation and saw the cheap chiro when I got really bad.

Last year I got considerably worse and was looking at possible surgery. I had mri's, x-rays, saw a couple of orthopedic surgeons. I even fly to Thailand to get all the tests done. At that stage I started having physiotherapy for quite a few months and got put on a whole bunch of muscle relaxants and painkillers (big mistake). I have been in more or less the same condition ever since. Last week I was referred back to a surgeon but I won't go. Actually, just this week I saw a new chiropractor. I have only seen him once but he was by far the best I have seen. He spent an hour with me and helped me considerably. I will go back and see him next week.

One thing I would say about chiropractors is that if you find a good one then you are blessed. Here in Asia being a chiropractor is a licence to print money and most of them act accordingly. They will always take advantage of new clients, sending them to their friend for an expensive x-ray. Then they will tell you to come 3 times a week for a month with no promise of any particular result. They will even offer you a nice discount if you pay for 12 months of treatment upfront. Fuckers. But they are not all like that. Some of them genuinely want to and can help people. I am hopeful that I have found such a person.

If anyone wants to ask me about any of the bizarre treatments I have submitted myself to then go ahead. Chance are if you are considering some unusual form of treatment then I have probably already given it a go

 

[Havelock Vetenari]

I firmly place chiropractice in the same corner as acupuncture and classic homeopathy, it's all quackery sadly...nothing but placebo effects and headology as Granny Weatherwax would put it(i'm deep into discworld once again atm ).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20642715
"CONCLUSION:
Numerous deaths have occurred after chiropractic manipulations. The risks of this treatment by far outweigh its benefit."

And even if they don't do direct harm, they do take away peoples money, time and effort that could be spent more wisely IMO.

 

[Frederick McGuire]

I firmly place chiropractice in the same corner as acupuncture and classic homeopathy, it's all quackery sadly...nothing but placebo effects and headology as Granny Weatherwax would put it(i'm deep into discworld once again atm ).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20642715
"CONCLUSION:
Numerous deaths have occurred after chiropractic manipulations. The risks of this treatment by far outweigh its benefit."

And even if they don't do direct harm, they do take away peoples money, time and effort that could be spent more wisely IMO.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts on chiropractors, but I'll refine it a bit:

Some chiropractors do legitimate good, but it's nothing to do with "chiropractic care".

They do perform certain interventions that could fall under conventional medicine (I always forget the exact position, but it's generally similar to physical therapy)...

Traditional chiropractic falls under the "magic" category, but they've taken in some legitimate practices...
Imagine if homeopaths had decided that aspirin was good for headaches for some reason - they'd be doing something that is an actual treatment, but for the wrong magic reasons.


IMO I won't trust someone with my health if they are that prone to magical thinking.
If someone is down to accept all of the magical baggage that the label chiropractor applies, then I don't want them affecting my health, as I don't feel comfortable that they will be able to safely dispense treatment, no matter how potentially benign.

There are horror stories about chiropractic (adjustment on infants, serious injuries including paralysis, etc), but just like homeopathy, you don't need the horror stories - the underlying concept is complete scientific junk, so seek an actual medical professional...

If I have back pain, I'd consult my GP and ask "what's the actual medicine version of a chiropractor?" Then go from there...

 

[Mr. Gweilo 420]

The "actual medicine version" is an orthopedic surgeon. He gets paid to cut you open.

 

[momofthegoons]

The "actual medicine version" is an orthopedic surgeon. He gets paid to cut you open.

Not necessarily... I go to a pain management and sports rehabilitation specialist for my pain issues. He's managed to keep me from the orthopedic surgeons. To a point. I've still needed joints replaced, but that's because of damage done to them in falls. He's been able to keep me from having back surgery though.

 

[Mr. Gweilo 420]

Not necessarily... I go to a pain management and sports rehabilitation specialist for my pain issues. He's managed to keep me from the orthopedic surgeons. To a point. I've still needed joints replaced, but that's because of damage done to them in falls. He's been able to keep me from having back surgery though.

That sounds similar to the physiotherapy sessions I have done. Sounds like your guy is pretty specialized. If it helps you then that is all that matters. I find physiotherapy good for muscle injuries. Not so much with spinal issues. I had such a great treatment this past Monday that I feel better than I have for possibly years. But I will go back next week and hopefully improve further.

 

[momofthegoons]

That sounds similar to the physiotherapy sessions I have done

He does farm me out for physical therapies, but does injections too. I'm not sure if that would be covered under physiotherapy....

 

[Mr. Gweilo 420]

Very interesting.

I need to think about this topic a bit. When I get on a pc I will write a bit more about my experiences with acupuncture. Im certain there are some benefits if you can find a good guy. Anyway, Im waiting for a typhoon to hit. Should be here soon

 

[Joel W.]

I know I felt the same way about chiropractors at first. I thought they were quacks. But when you look at this success rate for back surgery it's hard not to take a second look at chiropractics.

All I know is my daughter could not move her head to the right for 9 months of doctors and physical therapy and within 60 seconds of seeing the chiropractor, he had figured out what was wrong and had made an adjustment.

Like a switch, she had a full movement in her neck and she could move her right arm above her head. I cried!

I would have used the word "miracle" but I did not want to take anything away from the doctors skills and education.

 

[His_Highness]

I have had back pain, neck pain, stiffness, leg and arm pain that seems to radiate from the spine. It occurs more as I get older but thankfully only once did I end up needing bed rest. For the most part I don't allow these issues to stop me from exercising. As I got older I added more stretching to the beginning and end of my routines and sometimes I get a 'pop and pain free' event that goes like this.....

Getting ready to exercise so I perform a series of stretches I was taught over the years. Prior to starting the stretching/warm-up my upper back or neck or lower back has a dull ache or in rare cases a sharper pain. At some point there is a noticeable 'pop' and I can feel something in my spine 'line up' and miraculously the pain disappears instantly. I can't always make it happen so I don't depend on it and think of the 'pop' as a unexpected gift. Isn't this what a chiropractor is supposed to make happen each time? If so, why wouldn't you seek out a chiro? Of course I'm talking about one gotten via a referral. BTW - Angie's list is pretty cheap and I think they have added a doctor's referral area.

 

[grokit]

While I consider the better chiropractors to be real healers, the (superior in many ways) medical version is an osteopathic physician. There are different subtypes of this, one of them involves hands-on manipulation of both soft and hard tissue. They are fully-licensed medical doctors with additional knowledge that use an integrative holistic approach, so they are falling out of favor from mainstream usa medicine/insurance.

edit: My experience includes a lifetime of orthopedic surgeries from arthroscopic spinal disc work to open knee reconstructions (3x). I have been to many types of body workers: massage (a few different types), hellerwork (like rolfing), chiropractors (a few), two types of acupuncture, and physical therapy. The inversion is indeed the best for immediate relief. Also I can't stress how important it is to keep your bowels moving if you are having disc issues/sciatica with your lower back. It doesn't matter if you are overweight or not.