ChIropractors

[Jadin32]

Do any fellow Jubbers go to a chiropractor?
I had whiplash YEARS ago and always had problems with my neck then my back started bothering me.
Stubborn mule that i am last Nov. I FINALLY went to a chiropractor.
I had 11 mild subluxations and my neck is straight instead of bowed like it should be. Also for a young age I have arthritis in my back.
I was visiting the chiropractor for 3 days a week for a month then twice a week for six weeks . Now i'm down to once a month.
I found It really helped me but i hear a lot of people don't believe in it. My last health insurance company wouldn't even pay for chiropractic work but luckily my new insurance covers 80/20. It was getting VERY expensive!
Any other thoughts on this practice?

[antdak]

I used to go a lot in the town I grew up in. But I moved about 9 years ago, and have not been to a chiro in all that time. I do beleve in the benifits of chiro's, along with a medical DR. I think the 2 can work well together. Recently I have deleoped some back pain, and got my medical DR to authorise some chior visits, and it has help tremendously. So when my insurance will no longer cover the visits, I plan to continue going and pay out of pocket my self. Good Luck, and glad it is helping you!!

[sheep]

They can do some pretty remarkable things, but results will vary from one to another and to the patients condition. I have used one at various times in my life.
I was talking today to a friend who has a problem with her neck. She went to a chiropractor who took xrays and said, "you will need a plan of treatment which will be 72 visits, and the price will be $xx. but if you wanna pay in advance we will do it for 1/2xx$. I told her to run, not walk to the nearest exit.
I have never heard of one of these guys being able to predict the length of treatment with such authority.
It is also amazing how many young children this guy treats. Don't ask me how I know. I just do. I can't reveal my source.

[WYSIWYG]

Went to a Chiroquacker and was told if I did not continue to go to him, I would be in a wheelchair! Scared the shit out of me!

Same here, went 3X a week, then 2X a week, once a week, then once every 2 weeks. He had me hooked. Was a lower back issue...said my disks were compressed. I finally went to a real back doctor. Brought my x-rays. He said they were so bad he could not tell what was wrong with me...if anything! Had new x-rays taken and found out the quacker was scamming me. I do know others who have gone to him and swear he does them good, but you can not prove it my me!

[Jadin32]

Went to a Chiroquacker and was told if I did not continue to fo to him I would be in a wheelchair! Scared the shit out of me! Same here, went 3X a week, then 2X a week, once a week, then once every 2 weeks. He had me hooked. Was a lower back issue...said my disks were compressed. I finally went to a real back doctor. Brought my x-rays. he said they were so bad he could not tell what was wrong with me...if anything! Had new x-rays taken and found out he was scamming me. I do know others who have gone to him and swear he does them good, but you can not prove it my me!

I luckily found a good chiro because i have heard horror stories. A friend of mine's mom is now going to my chiro and she said after many bad chiro's this one has really helped her. I guess it's like that with any doctor though!
Thanks

[Jadin32]

Finding a good chiropractor in the US is like finding a good dentist. It's hard because so many of them will rip you off.

You might wish to check into going to an osteopath, instead. This is a person who can do both manipulations and work as a medical doctor.

A good chiropractor or osteopath will work wonders if your trouble has to do with misalignment of the spine, or muscle issues, but they're not effective for any kind of disc problem.

I was surprised to find out though that chiro's have more years of training/schooling than osteo's!?!
Thanks

[Jadin32]

I used to go a lot in the town I grew up in. But I moved about 9 years ago, and have not been to a chiro in all that time. I do beleve in the benifits of chiro's, along with a medical DR. I think the 2 can work well together. Recently I have deleoped some back pain, and got my medical DR to authorise some chior visits, and it has help tremendously. So when my insurance will no longer cover the visits, I plan to continue going and pay out of pocket my self. Good Luck, and glad it is helping you!!

Glad it's helping you as well! I'm not looking forward to the cold weather though because i know last year I REALLY felt the arthritis in cold/wet weather!

[Jadin32]

They can do some pretty remarkable things, but results will vary from one to another and to the patients condition. I have used one at various times in my life.
I was talking today to a friend who has a problem with her neck. She went to a chiropractor who took xrays and said, "you will need a plan of treatment which will be 72 visits, and the price will be $xx. but if you wanna pay in advance we will do it for 1/2xx$. I told her to run, not walk to the nearest exit.
I have never heard of one of these guys being able to predict the length of treatment with such authority.
It is also amazing how many young children this guy treats. Don't ask me how I know. I just do. I can't reveal my source.

My chiro treats babies even because the trauma of childbirth messes with the spinal column!
Who woulda thunk it!?!
Yeah the whole length of treatment plan is kinda screwed up......IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!
Mine is good though in If i don't need It....I don't go!!!!!

[Snade]

The word within the medical profession is that chiropractic, physical therapy, and massage therapy have about the same success rate with CERTAIN conditions. The problem, I've found from experience, is that all three often rely mostly or exclusively on symptoms presented by the patient. When it comes to the spine, for example, X-rays are often insufficient. Yet chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists act as if they know where and what the problem is. They're guessing unless thorough scans have been done.

Years ago, a chiropractor X-rayed me for a ruptured disc and then prescribed a regimen of manipulations. I felt better after the treatments, but as soon as I stood up, the pain returned. I was on a track to nowhere. Finally I consulted a neurosurgeon, who ordered a myleogram. That test showed a ruptured disc all right... but not where the chiropractor had supposedly located it. The wrong area of my spine was being manipulated, and I could have wound up crippled for life. Only surgery finally corrected the problem.

As for "subluxations"... well, the medical community has yet to determine whether they actually exist.

I personally feel that chiropractic (and the others) are about three parts science and seven parts guesswork and mumbo-jumbo.

[apdragon]

I'm a firm believer.
I've been to good ones and to bad ones. I've used Dr. Jim for 6 years now and he is great.
My insurance covers all but a $20 co-pay, so I tend to go once a month.
I broke my right shoulder about 20 years ago. Not being able to put a cast on a shoulder, it's hard to get them to heal perfectly aligned. Mine is "out of whack" and causes issues with the muscles up into my neck and between my shoulder blades. I've also noticed that riding my husband "cowboy" can mess with my hip joints (hey, I'm not THAT old yet !!!). Dr. Jim fixes me right up and I'm good to go again and again.
Run from any chiro that wants to set up a multiple visit regiment with high $$$ after only seeing you once. Those guys are bad.

[Jadin32]

I hear that General.
For shits sake....It seems like I'm on the table, some small talk and out the door in 5 minutes tops!
Sometimes i feel like saying "could you be a dove and give my shoulders a little rub!"

[justsimon]

I was born with scoliosis. It went undiscovered until I was about 5 yo when my aunt's boyfriend, a chiropractor, noticed that one shoulder was much lower than the other. I went to various chiropractors (we moved around) until I was in my teens and my spine is perfectly straight now. I still go to my chiro every once in a while for other issues.

Most of my family does some sort of body work so I grew up believing in its effectiveness.

[BiMike]

Last year out of the blue I had severe pains in my left leg. Having a history of heart problems I feared circulation problems. On going to my GP he diagosed it as a back problem affecting the sciatic nerve. He prescribed pain killers, which were useless, and refered me to a Consultant. He at a cost of £200 diagnosed a slipped disc and recommended I sat in my armchair and watched Wimbledon !!
A friend recommended a Chiropractor and after three treatments costing a total of £100 my problem was solved but he did warn me that the condition could return as their was now a weak spot in my spine.
The problem did return again this year due to me over-stretching but with a further three visits it was relieved.
There is no doubt in my view that given the right Chiropractor and providing it is something that manipulation can cure they can be really effective. The problem is that there are a number of quacks around charging high fees for things which they are not capable of treating.
My advise is that if you have back or similar problems go to a Chiropractor recommended by a friend and only sign up for a limited course of treatment. If you get the right one they can work wonders. Get the wrong one and it will cost you the Earth !

[webbybear]

A friend of mine was studying at the local chiropractic school, and he talked me into being one of his patients at the clinic that the school runs for interns. The xrays showed a fairly pronounced scoliosis...amazingly it was the first time I had ever had my spine xrayed in my life (I was about 38 at the time). I started out seeing him twice a week, and then cut back to once a week...with my insurance, the first 20 visits cost me about $3 each. When the insurance ran out, it was about $20. I don't know if the treatments did anything for the scoliosis, but I certainly felt better after them, and got to where my back pain was very infrequent...pretty amazing for the overweight lug that I am.

Unfortunately (or so I thought!) his internship ended, and he passed me off to another intern...Dr. John, I liked to call him. OMG. He was AMAZING. I had never felt as good as I did after a few weeks with him (once a week sessions, never less than 30 minutes, usually longer). When his internship ended he passed me on to a complete moron. The second time I was out in five minutes was the last time I went.

So now, of course, the pain is back. I'm contemplating trying again at the school clinic...I just got new insurance and it looks like about the same deal. The biggest problem is finding the time to go in for a treatment. I went on my lunch hour, but the place was so far away that it turned out to be a 90 minute lunch, so I had to make up that extra hour somewhere along the line...

So yeah, if you get a good chiropractor, it's worth it. If you get a bad one, run.

[pixie77]

My experience is DONT EVER LET ANYONE MANIUPULATE YOUR NECK.
I nearly died.
Consider what runs through you neck buddies , every main nerve and artery to the brain.
DONT LET ANYONE ONE EVER MANIPULATE YOUR NECK.

[japeye]

Oh Please...... these guys and gals know what they doing....... i my self thought that is was all crap......... i had a pain in my neck which changed the whole positon of my back and shoulders and i was in pain even when i bent over to put on shoes or socks, i could nota talk any more pain killers or hospital. The 1st time i had my neck and back done i went home feeling sick 4 hours later the sickness went, the transformation was amazing now i am pain free and have great movement ........ Oh yes please go to a good chiropractor.

[RicanDAB]

Chiropractors are jusy like any other profession, just like lawyers, medical doctors and even plumbers: You have good ones and bad ones, and unfortunately the deeds of the bad ones overshadow the good ones out there. Personally, chiropractors have helped me. Find a good one and stick to him or her. If they can't treat you anymore for some reason, get THEM to refer you to another chiro they know personally!

[tallguy297]

Hey Jadin,

Mate at 6'6" I have a fair bit of back...lol...and I've been going to a chiro for 12 years now...I've got scoliosis which is caused by even leg lengths (nearly every ones does to varying degrees apparently) which causes your hips to be unbalanced...and the rule of walking upright is that your head has to be the centre of your body so your spine twists and bends to make sure that it happens...

I started going because of migraines which while havent gone completely are so drastically reduced it doesnt matter...and I can tell when i need to go...i feel stiff and sore and i even get bloated....one visit and there are days where i feel like i float out of the door rather than walk.

And its funny...there are definitely good and bad...when my guy goes on holidays and he gets locums in...geez some are awful and some are just bad.

Like everything you gotta find a good honest one - who knows what hes doing!

[antdak]

Since this thread got bumped, I thought I'd add to it. I can't believe it was July when i started going, My insurace covered 6 visits, and the DR wanted me to go once a week, which has help my back tremendously. My insurance will pay 80% of each visit, but the office I go to, offers a 40% cash discount if you pay at the time of service. So after the 6 weeks, I went for about 4 more weeks, then I went to twice a week, and now I am once a month. The other thing I started doing is theraputic massage! OMG! That is the greatest. The massage therapist, Jason, is very cute, and he really knows how to get the sore spots. I do the massae for 1/2 hr, then get adjusted by the DR. Both the Dr and Jason recommended an hour massage, since i am still having a bit of problem. But let me tell you, the way I was going, I could hardly walk, now I am 85 to 90% back to normal.

[sheep]

Both the Dr and Jason recommended an hour massage, since i am still having a bit of problem. But let me tell you, the way I was going, I could hardly walk, now I am 85 to 90% back to normal.

A one hour massage is the norm. If you can swing it, go for it. Can Jason massage both of your shoulders and upper thighs at the same time? lol

[nditalynow]

I agree with some of the previous posts; there's good and bad in all professions. In my only experience with a chiropractor, my sciatic problem went from bad to a nightmare after he was finished "manipulating" me. Long story short, I ended up in the ER that night and received a stern lecture from the doctor on duty about chiropractors causing paralysis, not having enough ambition to finish med school, etc. etc. I have friends that have been helped by chiropractors but I won't go near one.

[dexyboi86]

I am a chiropractic student, and it makes me laugh reading this thread. So many misconceptions...

On the issue of the existence of 'subluxations', they do exist. Subluxation is our term for 'something not right'.

Our schooling lasts a little over 3 years, and we go year-round. We are not 'med-school drop-outs'...I just feel that drugs are not always the best primary form of treatment for each and every person/condition. It is a philosophy thing.

Osteopaths are good...the mix Chiropractic and allopathic principles.

As for DCs being dangerous, that is, quite frankly, bulls**t. We are highly trained to do what we do, and cannot be licensed until we know how to do it. There is always the chance that something can go wrong...but what about people who die on the operating table? Do we immediately say the surgeon is incompetent? No, we chalk it up to being 'just the way the cookie crumbles'.

I could go on and on about this stuff. Not every DC is as good as the next, but that is true of any profession. Please feel free to message me or whatever if you have any questions. Do not ask other people...go straight to the source! (oh, that is funny...cause we DCs are all about fixing the source of the problems)

[Snade]

Within the medical profession, physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic offer much the same relief for CERTAIN problems with the neuroskeletal system. The problem, I've found, is that diagnosis is often based upon symptoms and not on, for example, MRIs or other scans which would likely show where the true problem lies. So the manipulators, of whatever ilk, are essentially flying blind. It's a crap shoot: you stay the same or get better or get worse.

As far as chiropractic itself is concerned, I've found it to be around 25% science and 75% bunk. In some areas it's little better than homeopathy. It's popular, however, because of its placebo effect and because treatment costs so much less than that from neurologists or other specialists.

[dexyboi86]

The problem, I've found, is that diagnosis is often based upon symptoms and not on, for example, MRIs or other scans which would likely show where the true problem lies. So the manipulators, of whatever ilk, are essentially flying blind.
As far as chiropractic itself is concerned, I've found it to be around 25% science and 75% bunk. In some areas it's little better than homeopathy.

We spend about a whole year leaning about diagnostic imaging, whether x-ray or CT or MRI.

25% science? You need to spend 1 week on a chiropractic campus. I wish my science classes were only 25% of what I have to deal with. When a DC palpates, we are looking below the skin...our training is so extensive, a simple touch of the fingers can indicate a lot...not all, but you would be suprised!

[AndrewH]

The problem, I've found, is that diagnosis is often based upon symptoms and not on, for example, MRIs or other scans which would likely show where the true problem lies. So the manipulators, of whatever ilk, are essentially flying blind.

My chiropractor doesn't treat anyone until he's done an x-ray first.