What do you think of chiropractors?

[doublevision1]

Tonight I went for the first time ever at the urging of a friend, for some lower back pain that's been worsening the past several weeks.  I was at the point where I could barely bend over and touch my toes.  When I wake up in morning my lower back is killing me and it hurts to roll over in bed.  I know the cause: I need a new mattress, and I have to stop hunching over a keyboard for many hours of each day.  I stretch for 30 mins morning and night, but it's not been helping my back lately.

So I went to the chiropractor; he did various things to stretch my back and leg muscles, did whatever it is that causes that popping noise (lower back only; no where near my neck), and I do feel somewhat better.  He said my muscles were quite tight, and suggested I go a couple times a week to get started then maybe monthly after that.

I don't know much about the science and plan to do some research, to decide if this is for me long term.  I was curious if any of you feel strongly, good or bad, about chiropractic?

[supermum_ms]

I started taking my daughter to a chiro when she was a child, knee troubling her, hip out of linement nothing to worry about but i dont understand how the chiro's could miss the double curve in my daughters spine. Took an MRI the back specialist sent her for to find out what the problem was, he was matter of fact "here's the problem" her spine is sort of like a stretched out S. She has been to 3 chiro's in total and not one chiro picked it up, i wouldn't go near one now if you paid me, i'll stick to physio and yoga. IMHO it's too risky but each to their own, when your in pain and the chiro takes it away for a day who's to say its not worth it.

Cheers.......JJ

[jensequitur]

The only thing about chiros is that there are good ones and bad ones, just like neuros.  If a chiro tells you that all your problems are due to misalignment of the spine, run away quickly.  If he uses 'subluxation' in a sentence, bash him over the head with a chair before running away.

[Fluffysmom]

My experience with a chiro:

She was wonderful, read my MRI reports, understood that I couldn't take an abrupt adjustment, used an activator, which did gentle adjustments.  She agreed to work with me financially, assured me that my insurance would cover much, and I'd have a small payment each visit.

Several visits restored much of my back's mobility; the ribs were kind of frozen to protect old injuries, was the explanation.  I went weekly for many weeks.

Then one day she was in a hurry, must have forgotten my history.  She quickly adjusted my cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine with sharp twisting and pressure, so shocking to me that I couldn't say anything, then asked her why she had adjusted me that way.  She was flustered, and asked if I wanted her to do more.  I said no, thank you, and left.

My back went into horrible spasm, everything tightened up, and I was in a great deal of pain.  I called, she worked me in, and gently massaged some of the tightness and spasms away, but it returned to painful not long after I left.

I saw my sports and spine medicine doctor, who reviewed my MRIs, x-rays, etc, and said that I should never be adjusted with force, and he advised me that chiropractic care was not a good idea with the state of my back.

I won't go into the mess that started after she triple-billed and rebilled me; suffice it to say that I had a friend point out that her billing could be construed as fraud, and it stopped.

So, the moral of this story is;  It is important to know what your back can handle, and how reputable your chiropractor is.  Interview them, make sure that you are comfortable with them working on your spine, that they will remember you and any special needs your care might have.

I've come to the conclusion that good physical therapy is the better choice, as least in my opinion.  A physical therapist will not only loosen the tight muscles, gently encouraging the back into alignment, but they will give you exercises to encourage your back to stay aligned, give you stretches to do every so often at the computer or while doing anything that can tie you up in knots.  Of course, you need to find the right physical therapist, too.

I suppose that a chiro could accomplish the same.  In my experience, chiropractic care isn't often covered as well as physical therapy by insurance; some insurance doesn't cover it at all, and those weekly or twice weekly visits can add up.

My experience and opinions...

The pillow under  or between the knees can help a lot,  Getting up and walking around every 20 minutes or so, maybe doing some stretching during your time spent at the computer can help.  I need to remember that one; sometimes I sit here too long and have a hard time walking when I get up, and by lower back is killing me.  I need to take my own advice, lol!

Any chance you could get a new mattress?  I got a great one several years ago, and it made a big difference.  It's firm, but with a pillow-top; heavenly.  I'm staying at a friends, and the bed I use isn't as nice; took a nap in my apartment a couple days ago, and it was heavenly.  Maybe my friend will decide to get a new mattress for her spare room...

best of luck at finding some relief.  

Kathy

[sllowe]

Hi DB,

I went to a chiro for awhile, loved him, and got a lot of relief. He was wonderful as were the therapists.  I just couldn't keep the schedule after about a yr. and had to stop. He knew he had to do small adjustments on me because abruptness would cause spasms, especially chest and back.

What I really liked was the PT. It helped with mobility and stiffness in my neck.  Each one of the staff knew of the MS and provided therapy accordingly.  

I really miss going :( I believe it would do me good to go back.  

I do feel that with any Dr. that you really have to make sure you are in good hands 1st.  I had a true winner, one I could really trust.

-shell

[Khiba]

I have been going to chiropractors for 30 years. I don't think I would be nearly as mobile as I am now had I not gone this route. After a ton of sports injuries over the years, chiros fixed me up where normal medicine could not. By realigning the body and restoring nerve and muscle function with manipulation and stretch therapy and other modalities they employ, the body has a better chance to heal itself when the flow is restored. I am living proof! I also believe it kept my MS at bay all this time.

I firmly believe in Chiropractic! However, there are good ones and bad ones, just like doctors. Some of the best, like mine, deal with athletes and children, and have great reputations. They do continuing education and learn and grow. My daughter, a competitive tennis player goes twice a month for a tune up or if she gets an injury. She loses less time to hurts than the rest of her varsity team!

Also, no drug reps visit to sway their thinking!

My advice is to ask around and see who is happy with their chiro. The cream rises to the top. Chiropractic, when well done, can truly help your body heal.

[PastorDan]

How many chiropractors does it take to change a light bulb?  Just one, but it requires eight visits.

[Eyesnlegs]

i looked into this quite a lot for similar reasons and decided to not bother with one. If you have back pain due to tight muscles then spend your money on physio / deep massage.

My GP warned me off chiros as they are not regulated whereas PTs are.

My MS Nurse told me that the skeleton and muscles are in fine balance and often with MS that balance is compromised, especially if we have weak muscles, mobility issues, etc.  and chiro manipulation could make it worse. She recommended the same as the GP plus pilates/yoga/tai chi - whatever works for you. Stretching alone won't work,

Another tip is to pop a pillow under your knees to raise them if you sleep on your back or between your knees if you sleep on your side.

Good luck with it I'm just going through another round of sciatica and so can empathize.

Get better soon
Pat x

[JonGalt]

I love chiro.  Had chronic back pain (I was overweight),  I lost weight went to the chiropractor, feel a million times better.  I actually had a curve in my spine which is gone now.

However be warned they think they can cure everything.  They can't.

[rendean]

My opinion of chiropractors is mixed. Definitely, NEVER let one do a manipulation of your cervical spine...have seen the wrongful death lawsuits, personally, that arose from the manipulation done incorrectly.

Many of my friends are firm believers and go religiously to have their backs adjusted and have very good results. They also like the therapeutic massage that accompanies the adjustment.

There are several prominent chiros in my town. Most are very good, the ones I don't like and doubt their validity, are the ones claiming to cure asthma and allergies and ear infections and...ad nauseum. Sorry , I just can't believe that a mechanical realignment of the spine/body will kill bacteria or open bronchial airways.

I will say that the charts of chiro patients that I have reviewed all have a common theme which ALWAYS involves months and months of visits to fix any problem.

On a positive note, my sister visited her chiro after a back strain. He did x-rays before he touched her and sent her to an orthopedic doc after the first treatment provided no relief. He was correct in evaluating her condition and he certainly impressed me.

My two cents,
Ren

[goofysmom1]

My personal opinion is that chiropractors have a place in medicine, but that they should be interested in getting you back on your feet (no pun intended) and on your way.  I have heard stories about chiros who say that the patient should see them weekly (or for some specific schedule) forever.  Ask a physical therapist or massage therapist & they will probably tell you the same thing.

That is just my opinion though.

Hugs,
chrisy