Good or bad....quacks or real healing?
The more info the better.
The more info the better.
Seeking Input: Chiropractors
- Thread starter Pablo
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There are a few good ones, but most of them will make adjustments designed to make you feel better, but not necessarily correct the underlying problem, which means you'll have to keep coming back. I say this not having been to one, but having seen my wife and mother use them previously. In my mom's case, she went to one recommended by her doctor (she's had problems since the age of 16). That guy did what he could to set her straight, which required a few visits, but nothing long term. In my wife's case (she has whiplash from several car accidents), the guy would make adjustments over and over, adding on massages and other special services (which insurance paid for, surprise, surprise), and kept telling her to come back. If that guy had his way, she'd be seeing him at least once a week for life. She stopped seeing him about a year or two ago, intending to choose another one. As it turns out, she hasn't seen another chiropractor at all and hasn't been complaining of any problems.
Paul,
Chiropractic manipulation can be helpful if you do have a back problem. If you can find one that uses the Palmer Method of adjustment and not all the massages and modalities that some like to use to increase the price beyond belief.
If you are severe enough, a Chiropractic adjustment is one option, or you can take 800mg Skelaxin 4X a day (prescription). The only problem with the medication is that when I took those I was flying at 33K feet and my landing gear would not come down until I stopped taking them.
I hurt my back in the military, documented in my Military Medical Records. The problem is the military dose not use Chiropractors. And the VA states that lower back pain is not a disabling injury. So a bottle of Ascriptin does not last long around me.
Chiropractic manipulation can be helpful if you do have a back problem. If you can find one that uses the Palmer Method of adjustment and not all the massages and modalities that some like to use to increase the price beyond belief.
If you are severe enough, a Chiropractic adjustment is one option, or you can take 800mg Skelaxin 4X a day (prescription). The only problem with the medication is that when I took those I was flying at 33K feet and my landing gear would not come down until I stopped taking them.
I hurt my back in the military, documented in my Military Medical Records. The problem is the military dose not use Chiropractors. And the VA states that lower back pain is not a disabling injury. So a bottle of Ascriptin does not last long around me.
Tread very carefully. There are chiropractors who understand it's limited use, and those that try to cure cancer by twisting your spine.
Chiropractic: Does the Bad Outweigh the Good?
This is the fast summary - "Look for a chiropractor who openly states that his or her practice is limited to the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal problems that have a mechanical origin."
There are many reasons to be careful. Here is but one:
Neck Manipulation and Strokes
"...since stroke is such a devastating event, every effort should be made to stop chiropractors from manipulating necks without adequate reason. Many believe that all types of headaches might be amenable to spinal manipulation even though no scientific evidence supports such a belief..."
Chiropractic: Does the Bad Outweigh the Good?
This is the fast summary - "Look for a chiropractor who openly states that his or her practice is limited to the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal problems that have a mechanical origin."
There are many reasons to be careful. Here is but one:
Neck Manipulation and Strokes
"...since stroke is such a devastating event, every effort should be made to stop chiropractors from manipulating necks without adequate reason. Many believe that all types of headaches might be amenable to spinal manipulation even though no scientific evidence supports such a belief..."
Well, I never believed in them till I finally went to one. It was either that or surgery, so I figured I would give it a try. I have a slightly bulging disk in my lower back (between L4 and L5) that I hurt several years ago but recently got aggrivated. I was barely able to walk (and very crooked at that) when I went in. After two visits, I was walking almost normal, and within 2 weeks, I was back at work. It has gone from 3 visits a week to 1 every week or two (as I need it). I know it is not a cure all, but this along with loosing weight has made a difference.
My chiropractor was refered by several people I work with and he makes no claims to "cure" anything. He does not try to sell me anything or do any "strange" treatments. I get 10 minuts with a Tens unit and hot pack, a 2 minute massage and my back adjusted. I always feels better coming out of there.
I agree though, ask around and check them out before you go.
My chiropractor was refered by several people I work with and he makes no claims to "cure" anything. He does not try to sell me anything or do any "strange" treatments. I get 10 minuts with a Tens unit and hot pack, a 2 minute massage and my back adjusted. I always feels better coming out of there.
I agree though, ask around and check them out before you go.
Thank guys!
Excellent links Keith!! Wow......
I went in for lower back pain...and I am better BUTT - the guy wants to cure 3 sublexations and has had the popping machine on my neck. He is trying to get my wallet via all sorts of repeat visits and equipment. My insurance covers a huge chunk, so he is drooling.
I do feel much better!!
BTW - the cause of the pain? Really super crappy renta mattress at my corporate apartment. I have been sleeping on the floor since last Thursday, plus ice, plus napraxen the first day, plus stretching, plus the cracking by the DC.....no wonder I am better!!
Excellent links Keith!! Wow......
I went in for lower back pain...and I am better BUTT - the guy wants to cure 3 sublexations and has had the popping machine on my neck. He is trying to get my wallet via all sorts of repeat visits and equipment. My insurance covers a huge chunk, so he is drooling.
I do feel much better!!
BTW - the cause of the pain? Really super crappy renta mattress at my corporate apartment. I have been sleeping on the floor since last Thursday, plus ice, plus napraxen the first day, plus stretching, plus the cracking by the DC.....no wonder I am better!!
Your insurance covers crack? Whoo Hoo!
WOW, no wonder the Geico gecko is so happy!
WOW, no wonder the Geico gecko is so happy!
Consider that regular M.D.s don't have anywhere near a perfect cure rate.
A Chiropractor can help immensely.
A Chiropractor can help immensely.
Kieth gave good advice. Some Chiropractors are way out there in their beliefs. The core belief of Chiropractic is that all desease originates from the back. The core belief of Osteopaths(DO.) is that all disease originates from the bones. The core belief of Podiatrists(DPM.) is that all disease originates from the feet. Some of these professions are moving away from these original beliefs. Especially most Osteopathic schools have gotten more in line with the traditional medical schools. However, a lot of these practitioners are wacko's. The worst of all these professions is actually the hard core Chiropractors(there are many of them). They believe western medical treatment is all a scam perpetuated by the drug companies. They believe your primary care physician should be a chiropractor.
I would only go to a chiropractor for a specific back problem, and only as a last resort. I would also be very careful about who I went to. They can make the problem much worse.
I would only go to a chiropractor for a specific back problem, and only as a last resort. I would also be very careful about who I went to. They can make the problem much worse.
They do help - it's just the repeat business thing....I suppose the same applies to MD's.
I do trust the lower back stuff to them.
I do trust the lower back stuff to them.
"went in for lower back pain...and I am better BUTT - the guy wants to cure 3 sublexations and has had the popping machine on my neck. He is trying to get my wallet via all sorts of repeat visits and equipment. My insurance covers a huge chunk, so he is drooling."
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This is the norm as far as I can see. You will never be cured as far as the "Doctor" (LOL) is concerned. The same is true with psychologists.
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This is the norm as far as I can see. You will never be cured as far as the "Doctor" (LOL) is concerned. The same is true with psychologists.
I went to one for a while and it helped immensely. You want to watch the visits and keep it to the minimum. Once or twice a month at most otherwise they will milk your insurance. I went only as needed and I haven't been back in almost 9 years.
"This is the fast summary - "Look for a chiropractor who openly states that his or her practice is limited to the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal problems that have a mechanical origin." "
I agree completely. If you have a real problem like a bad disc, fractures, etc., then you probably need more than an 'alignment'. If you want some symptoms addressed, then chiropractor treatments often seem like cold treatments; if you use one you'll feel better after awhile, and if you don't use one you'll feel better after awhile. Anyone treating back pain should be prescribing some sort of stretching and strengthening program, as for most people that's what the problem is. I seem to recall that two items that are responsible for most back problems are pencils and golf balls.
Treating back problems is like treating any other body part; stress it, let it recover and strengthen, until the your exercise is producing more stress than almost anything that you'll encounter elsewhere. People need to be able to take groceries out of the car, carry their kids to bed, load bags of concrete into a truck, change a tire, dig holes, etc., which means that one of the most practical exercises that one can do is some sort of deadlift. In the meantime do your crunches and stretches.
I agree completely. If you have a real problem like a bad disc, fractures, etc., then you probably need more than an 'alignment'. If you want some symptoms addressed, then chiropractor treatments often seem like cold treatments; if you use one you'll feel better after awhile, and if you don't use one you'll feel better after awhile. Anyone treating back pain should be prescribing some sort of stretching and strengthening program, as for most people that's what the problem is. I seem to recall that two items that are responsible for most back problems are pencils and golf balls.
Treating back problems is like treating any other body part; stress it, let it recover and strengthen, until the your exercise is producing more stress than almost anything that you'll encounter elsewhere. People need to be able to take groceries out of the car, carry their kids to bed, load bags of concrete into a truck, change a tire, dig holes, etc., which means that one of the most practical exercises that one can do is some sort of deadlift. In the meantime do your crunches and stretches.
The suggestion to stay in shape and have strong and limber back muscles is a good one.
Just to set the record straight, I am not a flabby weakazz guy. I have a tight tummy and firm buns. The D.C. even said - "Wow- your back is strong" (maybe while reaching for my wallet)
The causation factors are: rental mattress, extra worn out and soft in a bizarre way and stress.
The cure has been: sleeping on the floor, ice, stretching, time and manipulation of the sublexation.
I am no longer seeing the D.C. and feel like a 20 year old.
Just to set the record straight, I am not a flabby weakazz guy. I have a tight tummy and firm buns. The D.C. even said - "Wow- your back is strong" (maybe while reaching for my wallet)
The causation factors are: rental mattress, extra worn out and soft in a bizarre way and stress.
The cure has been: sleeping on the floor, ice, stretching, time and manipulation of the sublexation.
I am no longer seeing the D.C. and feel like a 20 year old.
Do you drive or fly when on the road? If you drive, then try buying an inflatable air matress. I use one at work and it works great. The beds in the station at work are hard as a rock and I get backaches just laying on them for 5-10 minutes.
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