Chiropractors

[rjpjr]

I have a family member experiencing back problems and we are considering the services of a Chiropractor but we are a little leery after having heard a couple of bad reports.

I would like to hear about any of your personal experiences both good or bad.

Thanks

 

[stoliker]

Love a good crackjob!

Serioulsy, I go whenever I feel pain in my back (which is probbly twice a year). Just don't let them tell you that you need to come back three times a week for a month. Try and find one who has massage therapist in the office and will treat you as necessary. Not one who says you need a long term plan. Maybe three to five visits would be normal.

 

[HaroldDesign]

They can do wonders. I was set to go for surgery on my arm, and decided to see a Chiropractor friend of mine first. My back didn't hurt at all, but there there tuned out to be a pinched nerve in my back that caused my arm and hand to clench/cramp in an extremely painful way. Four visits in one month and the problem was completely gone. There are useless Chiropractors also, though. Like any profession you have your good and bad practitioners. The method used may be a good place to start in finding a good one. Do NOT see one that uses an "auto adjuster" or does not use x-rays to develop a plan. Mine uses the Gonstead method. My friend has since moved to CO, and I'm certain they would be happy to help you determine who might best to see in you area. Tell them Caleb referred you to ask advise. http://spencerfamilychiropractic.net/

 

[bob]

For the amount of science involved with chiropractic you'd be just as well served by staining yourself blue and dancing around a fire at midnight while waving beads and rattles and chanting "Booga Booga". Both activities exhibit zero science as well as a pant-load of post hoc ergo propter hoc miracle tales featuring the halt and the lame rising from their miserable pallets and going forth to once more dance in the streets.

No one has ever demonstrated that chiropractic shamans perform anything more than massage. Every organism benefits temporarily from massage but massage cures little or nothing.

I wouldn't let a chiropractor put air in my tires. Note that one of my all time best friends and constant team penning partner is a practicing chiropractor. He knows exactly how I feel and on those rare occasions that the subject might arise, he just grins and says it's a living.

 

[CES020]

I couldn't make it without my Chiropractor! I've been using them on and off for over 20 years. I had tingling in my hands, thinking it was from Carpal Tunnel, I went to him, said "my fingers are tingling". An adjustment later, no more finger tingling. I have story after story I've been through with them and they have always helped.

I also love my Chiropractor because he doesn't "crack" or twist you around. He's got a small device that has a small hard rubber piece on it, he puts that on the disc area and "clicks it" and it pops that disc into place. I love not having the twisting and cracking.

My Mom was scheduled for back surgery over 20 years ago when I started going. The guy begged me to have her come in and let him look at her. She went in, he adjusted her, and some 20 years later, she's never had any back surgery. Had she gone the route of her normal doctor, she would have had back surgery, which I think no one should take lightly.

I'm sure there are people they can't help, but for me, they've been a dream to deal with.

 

[HulkSmash]

If you want relief for a couple hrs.. and feel REALLY good.. then yes.

if you want to actually get the problem fixed.. go to a physical therapist..

 

[Gino]

You're gonna hear bad reports about chiropractors as well as regular doctors or brain surgeons. There are good ones and there are bad ones. You need to do some homework and go where you feel you'll get the best care. If you do go to one, make sure his sign out front is well made. I'd hate to go to a guy that's gonna break my bones who could only afford a badly designed vinyl sign made from cheap materials. If they can't get the best for themselves, why on earth would they give you the best treatment, if they don't understand value ??

I've gone to a chiropractor over the years and for the most part, they've helped, but then so does lying flat on your back and not doing anything. You pick the method of reclaiming your life back.... or your family member's life.

I knew a guy who went into the hospital for routine work which his chiropractor said he could fix in a matter of weeks, but Bob wanted instant relief. Well, he got it. He basically was killed on the operating table and put into a coma for about 6 months and then they decided to pull the plug and he died instantly..... again.



Choose your own poison, but choose it wisely.

 

[TheSnowman]

I have a friend who is a "crack" chiropractor, and he worked on my back once. I gave him a shot since the guy I used to go to did the same type procedure. I had my friend do it, and I felt no difference whatsoever, and he said it would probably take several times back to fix it. I found that weird, because the old guy cracked me a lot more, and twisted me up like a pretzle, and I'd be good for two years.

I went back to the dude that twisted me up then jumped on me with a wrestling move, and he fixed me in one shot. I love it...feels awesome to not have any back pain. I don't think those little thump needles they hit you with do anything. I want instant results...not drag it out over months, and keep shelling out money.

 

[Colin]

I have a family member experiencing back problems and we are considering the services of a Chiropractor but we are a little leery after having heard a couple of bad reports.

It depends what the particular back problem is. They will claim to be able to fix any & all problems, but if the issue is a herniated disc, they won't be able to do a darn thing to help (but will claim they can). My experience is that they do the exact same "adjustments" no matter what the problem is. They can help for some issues, but there is some snake oil in many of their claims.

Find out what the particular issue your family member is having, and re-post.

 

[Mosh]

I wrecked my Jet-ski hard and threw my back out. I had a chiro fix it in about 1 minute, I was in alot of pain up until then.

That is my only experience with one.

 

[Colin]

I wrecked my Jet-ski hard and threw my back out.

I wouldn't throw my back out until I was finished with it.

:Big Laugh

 

[Cross Signs]

It depends what the particular back problem is. They will claim to be able to fix any & all problems, but if the issue is a herniated disc, they won't be able to do a darn thing to help (but will claim they can). My experience is that they do the exact same "adjustments" no matter what the problem is. They can help for some issues, but there is some snake oil in many of their claims.

Find out what the particular issue your family member is having, and re-post.

+1
I had pins and screws put into my back about six years ago. And it fixed everything.

 

[mikefine]

It depends on the back trouble. It may be due to strained muscular issues, that can be worked out yourself with some good back, stomach, and leg stretches and exercises. You should see your physician first, and he/she can tell you. If it is not muscular, your doctor can direct you to the appropriate practitioner.

 

[Colin]

It depends on the back trouble. It may be due to strained muscular issues, that can be worked out yourself with some good back, stomach, and leg stretches and exercises. You should see your physician first, and he/she can tell you. If it is not muscular, your doctor can direct you to the appropriate practitioner.

True, but often GPs are hopeless at diagnosing back problems.

 

[OldPaint]

i can give you both sides of the coin. my father, in 1946, had 2 disc's removed in the VA hospital, in pittsburgh. 1946, back surgery was experimental mostly. they took out the 2 disc's, put him on a rotisserie bed for 6-8 months while his vertebras reseated themselves to each other. he now had 3 vertibra sitting on each other with no disc(cushion)between them. he came home and went back to work in the coal mine. he really couldnt work bent over anymore so he went to construction laborer. he actually ran jackhammers and heavy lifting with no problem. every now and then he would roll over in bed, those vertabra would shift and lock up pinching his spinal cord. we would load him in the car take to a back cracker, we almost had to carry him in there, 15 minutes later he was walking out and was ok for 4-6 months no problem. now my experiance was with a insurance chaser. i had a small fender bender and h was telling someone in the waiting room about it, he overheard and had me doing 3 appointments a week for 6 months!!!! i got a back rub, 1 or 2 cracks and sent out the door. when the insurance ran out.....I WAS CURED))))) not a fan of em.

 

[CustomRide]

I was extremely skeptical until I did some shopping around....found a great one and can't believe how much more they offer besides (cracking your back). The one I go to has a $30k waterjet massage machine....and is $45 per visit without insurance.

I will say this....be careful about the actual doctor who does your "adjustments" some are not as good at cracking or as they call adjusting....so you can leave a little sore sometimes especially at first but overall its worth it %100.

 

[Colin]

I forgot to mention: I recall seeing a documentary on TV about all of the people who are now paralyzed after receiving the head/neck "adjustment" from their chiropractor. Maybe Google that. There's a reason why they get you to sign a release form.

 

[Techman]

I used the services many times. In most instances they helped.
I had a constant headache for years. Went to chiro and she had me in relief for the first time in years. IT was wonderful.

I also had a lower back kink. I went to a chiro and he found the spot and then did a back cracks which gave relief.

As long as they stick to their forte al lis fine. When the chiro starts his shaman dance then its time to find another one for sure.

 

[Marlene]

I wouldn't let a chiropractor put air in my tires

I wouldn't either. hubby went to a witch doctor for his back and got nothing but a smaller check book. I went to a phycial therapist last year for a back issue and not only got rid of that but have the knowledge now of what to do when it hurts. a phycial therapist is the way to go as far as I am concerned as they know what they are doing and there is no cracking bones and other stuff that borders on quackery.

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

When I was in my 20's I had severe temporal mandibular joint problems in my right jaw joint. For a period of three days once my jaw locked shut so tight I couldn't get a forkfull of food in my mouth. A girl I was living with at the time knew a chiro she insisted I go see. I was desperate for relief. He said my right leg was a half inch shorter than the left and that imbalance was keeping pressure on my TMJ. He did his routine and nothing happened. I remember being startled to hear my back crack like a tree limb snapping and I thought he was trying to kill me when he did the same to my neck. Walking out of the office I came to some steps I had to walk down. On the second step I felt the pressure in the TMJ instantly subside and go completely to normal. The relief was pure ecstacy. I went back in and thanked him. It was years before I ever developed the problem again. A young chiro I went to after a car accident when my attorney was basically having me pad medical expenses said chiropractic care is best if a person begins it early in life and keeps up with it the same as regular dental care. He said most chiros only get people who are too far gone to be helped much. That made sense to me. I have a friend who is an osteopathic internal medicine specialist. He said their modalities are widely the same as a chiro and agreed with the young guy about how they can help you maintain optimum health if you start early and stay with it. That was a goal I had but never realized its fruition. Now I'm one of those people who are waaaay too far gone to be helped. In fact, the last chiro I went to refused to do an adjustment on me for fear I'd be injured. I often wish I had followed the regular visit plan.