What do you think of chiropractors?

A

AndreaL

Cathlete
I have had some lower back pain for about a week now. I've had it on and off since I was in highschool (27 now). It always happened after I jumped wrong and went away after a few days rest. For the last month I've had days where it would hurt, and others where I was fine. But last Saturday it hurt terribly. I also had "hot flashes" in my lower leg on the same side the back hurt. The pain is not terrible, but is still there.

I'm thinking of going to a chiropractor, but have no experience with them. Any thoughts?

Andrea
 
Hi Andrea,

I have seen various chiropractors & physio therapists since my early teens (am now 38) for a chronic bad back. I've been seeing my current chiro for almost 5 years and really like his technique. I go anywhere from once a week to twice a month, depending on how my back is behaving (I have problems from neck to tailbone, but will often get "trouble areas" that seem to act up in cycles).

Chiropractic treatment has really helped me, providing relief throughout my body. My DH, however, (who doesn't have a bad back) thinks of it as a temporary treatment and doesn't believe in it for any long-term solution.

Maybe check with your doctor to see if he/she can recommend a good chiropractor, or ask friends if they see a particular one. You may have to try a few out to find one that works for you.

Good luck!
Sandi

PS I find when I consistently strength train, my back feels much stronger and has less pain.
 
My experience

Be careful---I know there are some out there who help people, but I went to a guy who actually delayed my recovery so he could rope me into several months of thrice-weekly appointments. He just wanted my money, truth be told. Anyway, my injury healed after I went to an orthopedist and got into physical therapy.

Again, this was MY experience. As I said, I'm sure there are some chiropractors out there who are competent. suzanne
 
I've gone to chiropractors on and off all of my life, including as part of recovery for a car accident I was in a year and a half ago. I've had nothing but great experiences - and a lot of pain relief. However, I'd agree that you may want to check with friend and/or a doctor for references, because I'm sure they're not all as great as the ones I've been lucky enough to go to.

Sarah
 
All I can say is be careful. My opinion is colored by my husband. My husband is physician and he could tell you horror stories of people who have been messed up by chiropracters. A lot of insurance companies will require a referral from your dr. for a chioroprachter and my husband has had some patients get very annoyed with him because he will not write referrals for a chiropracter. He does not belive in them- and neither do his partners. In fact we recently went out with 4 other couples for dinner- all of the couples had at least one Dr.(md) between the two of them and the subject of chirpracters came up and none of them endorse them.

I know some people like them but just be very very careful who you choose if you decide to go this route.

Also, beware of the whole xray thing. Lots of them will take extensive x-rays so they can jack up your bill.
 
I will not go to P.T. if I can help it. My chiropractor healed in less than 4 visits a shoulder injury that just got worse in P.T. (for 8 to 12 visits).
I also had lower back pain for years but I went to a chiropractor who managed to eliminate the lower back pain. I have not had a recurrence. I went back to the chiropractor for another shoulder/brachiolas injury on the other side and, again, the recovery is almost complete. I swear by my chiropractor. So does one of my friends who actually had her life saved (blockage in her arteries was not discovered by her other doctors who should have known better!). I think there are doctors who are professional and then, like everywhere else, there are doctors after a buck.
I would drop my PCP if he would not refer me to my chiropractor.
Sheila
 
Some are bad, some are great. Ask a bunch of people for referrals in your area before you go. They are great for back pain, but sometimes they want to treat you for totally unrelated things like food allergies, so they can sell you supplements and wierd treatments. Be careful, but they can be wonderful. My daughter goes when her back acts up. He fixes it in one or two treatments, then she's set for months. He also gave her stretches and exercises to do.
 
Hi Andrea!

Your pain sounds similar to what I experienced last summer. I pretty much ignored it and went about my business. Not smart. I even did S&H legs one day while my low back hurt terribly.

Well, early fall I couldn't ignor the pain any longer, (mainly because I couldn't hide the fact I was in pain.) I went to a very good Chrio. After 4 weeks, I was actually getting worse. He was very good to see he could not help me and ordered an MRI.

Well, If I had to do it all over again, I would have an MRI first thing. Then decide what kind of Dr. to see. Your family Dr. can order one for you.

Turns out I have two ruptured disc with a piece of one on my sciatic nerve. I really feel the Chiro made it worse. Had we known exactly what was wrong in the first place, I would never have gotten the adjustments.

Hope this helps! Some things a Chiro. can help, some they can't!

Take Care
Susan
 
I can't say any chiropracters ever hurt anything but my wallet, but they sure never helped me either with my lower back pain. And I spent a fortune. I went to several different ones for many years, too. If I had it to do all over again, I definitely would not go. Cathe's ham string exercises have done more for me than any chiropracter ever did.

-Nancy


Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. -Eleanor Roosevelt
 
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