anyone go to a chiropractor?

T

thirty11

Cathlete
I ask because of this:

I have a "kink" in my right shoulder that I only notice when performing certain weight moves and when I reach under my left arm to put on deodorant. :)

I'm wondering if I might need to A. visit a chiropractor B. try massage C. stop putting deodorant under my left arm! :)

several of my friends insist that chiropractic is hokey and would be a waste of money, but having never been, I don't know.

Anyone with wisdom and/or advice?

Thanks!

Anna
 
I went to several chiropractors over a course of many years to try to get relief for lower back pain, and spend a lot of money and never got much help.

But then I know people who were helped for other conditions. In short, although I would discourage it for chronic lower back pain, which no one seems to be able to do anything for, I think a shoulder kink might be something that they could help with. And, perhaps most importantly, you will probably know within a visit or two before you have the chance to spend a fortune!
 
Chiropractic work is FAR from hokey or a waste of money. It's actually wonderful to keep the back lined up properly. Having a back out can cause a number of other problems.

However, I'm not too sure about the shoulder. I do have a little problem with my left shoulder doing certain weight exercises too.

Actually, my husband does chiropractic work and I don't think he would say that a back alignment would fix the shoulder, but it would be worth a try. I think I'll ask him about that.

Massage would be a good idea too!

.........Okay, I just asked my husband and he said that an adjustment could possibly help the problem with your shoulder.
 
Anna...I have to say I think it is so sad that people say Chiropractic care is hokey. They are doctors and learn so much about the workings of the spine and how it relates to many health problems. I have gone regularly for the last 6 years. I found a Chiropractor that is a traithlete and being a marathon runner myself I felt a soprts related Chiro was a good choice. My nephew has also gone into practice with my Chiro. I look at it as preventitive health care as I run and lift weights and do not great things to my body. My nephew is now my Chiro and he has adjusted my shoulder before. He also adjusts my ankles after long runs. They can adjust almost anywhere. I use to have lower back problems all the time, but not now! My spine has been in great condition and I reccommend chiropractic care all the time. The key is finding a good one...:)...I am also a believer in massage and I try to get one once a month....:)...Carole
 
Just last week I had to visit my chiropractor for an acute lower back problem. Three days later I was back to normal!! I also visit her about 2-3 times a year for chronic neck/shoulder pain and she ALWAYS has helped me. So, yes, I believe a good chiropractor could help you.

The one thing I would caution you about is some chiropractic practices who I truly think try to take advantage of your insurance company. I went to a different practice a couple of years ago, because my doctor was gone. They found out that my insurance company would cover all but $7 of each of my visits, after my deductible. Before I knew it, they had a plan drawn up for me: 4 visits/week for 2 weeks, 3 visits/week for 2 weeks, 2 visits/week for 1 month, then 1 visit/week for 3 months. I don't know how much this all added up to, but I said "no way". First of all, I didn't need to go that often (I think some people do need to visit more often than I do, but it usually just takes one adjustment for me to get back to normal). When I told them that I wasn't going to follow their recommended "program", they "adjusted" my bill and it was nearly $500 for 2 visits!!!}( That included 2 adjustments and 2 e-stim treatments and 1 x-ray. I was furious!!! I'm sure there aren't many practices out there like this one, but just be careful when/if you go and try to learn their policies up front.
 
I went to a chiropractor a few weeks ago because of tremendous pain in my back for kickboxing. I was in such pain it actually hurt my back to hold my foot to the pedal while driving to the appointment. He snapped me back into place, and I left virtually pain free.

I also try to go once a month due to rather chronic neck pain, as well as trying to get to the massage therapist once a month.
 
Don't stop using deoderant. See a chiropractor. I couldn't live (or walk, for that matter) without mine. My problems are more spinal related, but my husband has shoulder problems and started seeing my chiropractor last year, and it's made a world of difference.
 
Thanks so much for taking time to respond, everyone!

I'm going to follow your advice, KEEP using my deodorant, and ask around for a good chiropractor. I noticed today that I can't lift my right arm over my head without pain, so I've got to deal with this -- before I find that all my right arm is good for is scooping ice cream out of the carton! :)

Anna
 
Oh, and chiropractic is definitely NOT hokey. It just shows how out-of-touch your friends are (sorry - no offense). People who get regular spinal adjustments are healthier overall than people who don't. For instance, I haven't had a cold in years!! And, I've only had the flu one time in ... well, let me think... how long has it been? Gosh, I think it's been about 14-15 years, and I've only had the flu once. Wow! I didn't realize that until just now.

When a vertebra in your spinal column misaligns, it cuts off proper circulation and energy flow to the part of the body that connects to the central nervous system where that vertabra is. Think of it like the wires that run along the telephone poles on the side of the road. As long as those lines aren't obstructed by anything, energy flows to the houses in that area and people's lights and phones work. But, let's say a transformer blows on one of those poles, cutting off the flow of energy. Everyone's lights and phones in that area go out. Same with your spinal cord. Every vertebra houses a connection of nerves to the central nervous system, by way of the spinal column, which leads up to the brain. The brain sends signals out through the central nervous system, and if one of the housing units (vertebra) is pinching off the nerves it houses, the signals from the brain can't get through, and vice versa. This could be the reason why you experience tingling or other weird sensations in certain parts of your body. It could also be the cause of headaches, hunger, bowel and digestive problems, and a whole range of other problems.

I've known people who've allowed a misaligned spinal cord to go for so long that they lost the use of one of their feet. The nerves actually died as a result of them not getting their spinal cord adjusted, so they can't move their foot anymore. I could feel that happening to me during a time when I wasn't getting adjustments, and I immediately started seeing a chiropractor again.

Sometimes when I get an adjustment, I feel a surge of energy rush through my body. It's like everything was closed off, and when he puts the bones back in place, it's like someone just opened the floodgates.
 
Well said Catwoman....I so look forward to my monthly adjustment...wouldn't miss it for the world!

Tammy
 
Catwoman...I agree with Tammy...Very Well Said!!! I have always looked forward to my adjustments. On very rare occasions if I have done something on the weekend my nephew (my chiropractor)lives right around the block...:)...I am very blessed...:)...Carole
 
Hi Anna,

Chiropractic is NOT hokey!

I've had issues with my lower back (most of my life) that only my chiropractor was able to fix. I used to work in a manufacturing environment where there were a lot of stresses on the lower back - standing on concrete for 8 hours, lifting heavy objects at odd angles, etc. During that time I'd need an adjustment twice per year. Since changing jobs to something less back-intense, and improving my back strength and flexibility, I only go every 12-18 months or so.

The nice thing about this was that I've never had to take any medication to get relief.

If/when you go for your first visit, the chiropractor should do a pretty complete initial examination of your overall health - I know that was my experience.

Good luck!
 
I've done many forms of "alternative" therapy. All have helped somewhat. But what I have found best for me is Bowen Therapy. You might give it a shot if you can find it in your area.

www.bowtech.com

The only thing I found with chiropractice and accupuncture is that I have to go weekly to keep up the pain management. I have 2 herniated discs. With bowen, I go monthly or every other month and it has reduced my pain meds.

Colleen
 
I think that a lot of people really are helped by this. I went a couple times, but that whole cracking thing just gives me the creeps. Especially when they do it to my neck. It really scares me! Maybe I've seen too many movies where it's so easy for someone to break someone else's neck by twisting their head.

Also, I don't think that major medical insurance would cover chiropractic care if it WASN'T an actual helpful therapy. And it's covered by all the carriers in our area.
 
I'm not sure how it is in the US, but in Canada, chiropractors are NOT doctors. It's not necessary for them to have a medical degree. They are a therapist, just like a massage therapist, or a physiotherapist.
 
Yes, I began seeing mine during the last few weeks of my pregnancy. I wish I has started earlier. She did wonders for my low back. I also had a shoulder problem early February of this year... I let it go for a week... was going to see my PMD but thought I'd give the chiropractor a try... the BEST thing I did. My chiropractor doesn't do the tradional manual adjustments, but she uses the Activator
http://www.activator.com/. I think the key (and challenge) is the same as with any health care provider: find a good one.

I hope you feel better soon.

Autumn
 
Like with all specialists, there are good ones and bad ones. I used to see a chiro, and he was great, but he stopped taking my insurance, so I was forced to see somebody else. After a few unfortunate visits with different chiros finaly I found a really one just today! Happy me, and happy hip joint too. Mari
 
I started going because of a "burning" sensation in the small of my back before, during, and after exercise. Also, I had some issues with my posture that I was already aware of. I am happy to say that I have been pain free since my second session (and never had to miss a workout) and my posture has significantly improved. It never occurred to me to go to one but I didn't want to go through the whole primary care phsyican referral to an orthopedist who would probably just prescribe pain medicine thing.

--Lois

"Don't forget to breathe!"
 
Shelley, I'm not Pro or Con on this. I have luckily never needed to seek one out. I just wanted to interject that physical therapists have to have at least a Master's degree where I live. That is what, like 5-6 years of college? I have heard both ways, but I often wonder, if it is hokey, what do you study for 4 years?

Marla
 
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