Who on these forums sees a chiropractor? WARNING - LONG POST

princessbear

princessbear

Cathlete
Hi all. I just got back from my second visit with my new chiropractor. The first visit was an (extremely thorough) evaluation, this second visit was to go over the results, develop a plan of action and have my first adjustment. My spine and postural imbalance is a MESS ... but fixable. So today, I reminded the chiro that I was having a distal clavicle resection of my right shoulder in September (after having spur removal and joint cleanout last October). Basically, the clavicle and shoulder bones are scraping and a piece of the bone at the end of my clavicle will be removed. Anywhoooo... I asked him how the surgery would affect my treatment with him ... would I need to suspend treatment? And without saying "you don't need the surgery, your treatment with me MAY fix the shoulder issue"... he explained further to me how my body works, how the spine, when it is "out of whack", screws up everything (those are my words, not his). And since I've been on the fence with the immediate NEED for surgery (on a scale of 1-10, my pain is, at the most, a 4 - and a brief 4, say when I move my arm a certain way - and usually it is a 1 at most), I'm thinking of giving him the 16 weeks of "recovery" treatment to see what happens with the shoulder. I have an appointment with my ortho tomorrow anyway, and will talk to him about it (he is not one of those anti-chiropractic care doctors - he is very openminded).

Okay ... my question ... have any of you been to see a chiropractor and had any experience with having a supposedly unrelated injury get better?

Sorry if this is rambling, or if it doesn't make much sense... I just want others experience with chiropractic care ... my visit this morning gave me hope that I MAY not need ANOTHER surgery, and another 4+ month without regular workouts.

Thanks for any opinions, thoughts, experiences!
 
I have had the experience of seeing a chiropractor and having him not only not make the problem better, it made it worse, and screwed up a whole other body part as well. I think they are all a bunch of dangerous quacks, quite frankly. But you know what they say about opinions and that thing we sit on being so similar, right?
 
My DH hurt his back at work. He was to the point where he had to lay on the floor and even that was uncomfortable. He has been going to the chiropractor for about 5 weeks and feels like a new person. I started going not long after him to see if it would help my headaches. I was getting 4-5 pretty nasty headaches per week. I have been going to the chiropractor about 4 weeks and have had 2 headaches since I have been getting my adjustments. My and my hubby's experience have both been very positive.
 
I have seen a chiropractor off and on for sciatic nerve pain. I have a tricky tailbone and he definitely helps. I did also see a physical therapist to strenthen the muscles surronding the bones so they could hold things in place. I can't classify it as an untreatable injury however as in your case.
Now, on the other hand, my 19 yr old DD has had migraine headaches since age 10 and was up to nearly daily migraines for the almost 2 years. Between the neurologist and chiropractor, she is now down to just the occasional migraine. Often, the chiropractor is enough to alleviate it and she can avoid the neurologist prescribed meds.
Again, I have combined chiropractic care with traditional care and been extremely happy. I am fortunate to have a chiropractor who doesn't claim to be able to cure everything from hangnails to hangovers and everything in between! :p (I know some who do)
My recommendation would be to give it a try (IF you have chiropractic coverage). It can't hurt and could save you from anesthesia, pain meds, and extensive physical therapy. Honestly though, if it's going to work, I would think you should notice marked improvement week to week so if after say 4 weeks,(just throwing out a random time frame) no improvement, I'd look back at surgery.
Just my opinion and personal experience!
Becky
 
Hi, before you make a decision you may want to have a read of Simon Singh's book called trick or treatment which looks at alternative health therapies. There is a whole chapter on chiropractic treatment and whether it works or not. i would highly recommend you read it before making a final decision. good luck
 
I've not ever hear of anyone being more damaged by chiropractic care... physical therapy, on the other hand, I have heard of people ending up worse than when they walked in.

The plan is 6 weeks @ 3 times per week, at which time we evaluate where I am, then 6 weeks at 2 times per week and then, and another reevaluation and then 4 weeks at 1 time per week ... thereafter 1-4 times a month for maintenance. I have mild scoliosis and an extreme imbalance in my upper back... all of which cause sciatica like symptoms and make it really uncomfortable. I am hoping that, at the very least, this will help THAT. I will talk to my ortho at my appointment tomorrow. Initially, he said it wasn't imminent that we do the surgery, and waiting is not going t cause any more "damage"... only increase in pain level ... Thanks for thoughts and opinions, encouragement, and ... other. :D Keep 'em coming. Am open to any and all opinions.
 
Mary - I definitely think consulting your ortho about it is a good idea. I'm assuming you're working with your ortho about your shoulder issue.

My experience is very much like Becky's. I think chiropractic and traditional medicine can play very well together.

I see a chiro every month for an adjustment and went through a similar "plan of action" when I first started seeing him. I was dealing with years of chronic back pain that has since gone away. :)

In addition to helping my back pain, my sinus pain and the "workout headaches" that I was having on a regular basis after cardio completely went away.

As a note, my chiro is very up front with people if he thinks they have a problem that he can't solve.
 
Chiro can't hurt (long)...

I'll preface this with the fact that I have a few different "issues" with my low back: bulged disc, spinal stenosis, degeneration of my facet joints, spondyli-something or other, and as a bonus my pirformus muscle in my hip is strained. All those the things combined and seperately cause sciatic nerve pain on my right side. Pain level was about a 7 and I couldn't sit for any period of time. GOOD TIMES!!

I saw a neurosurgeon, an osteopath, and a chiropractor. The surgeon said surgery was my only option. The osteopath said wait on surgery and recommended a cortisone shot. The chiro said NO surgery and that he could help alleviate the sciatic pain. He also said the cortisone shot was probably a good idea.

The chiro knew I was skeptical but assured me that his reputation is on the line if he doesn't do his job correctly.

It's been about a month and the chiro IS helping! I had the cortisone shot which obviously helped a lot too.

I can sit down again!! :)

Any pain I have now, which is relatively little, is caused by the strained/pulled pirformus muscle. But that is feeling MUCH better too.

Long story short, the chiro can't hurt-he's (hopefully) thinking of his reputation.

HTH!

Lisa
 
I have seen a Chiropractor regularly for about 11 years. I feel if you find a good one they can help with most pain associated with your spine being out of alignment. I am a distance runner and work out regularly with weights. I have had my ankles and knees adjusted too. I put my body through a lot so Chiro care for me is almost a preventative form of treatment. I surely would see a Chiro or PT first before considering surgery. Just my 2 cents...:)
 
I have used chiros for both corrective and preventative treatment. Corrective for a bad sciatic (three times over 5 years) and just recently for some kind of 'outlet syndrome' where I had tingling in my thumb and forefinger being caused by my upper body being hunched over and out of whack. I also used to go for preventative, but not so much anymore since I'm usually just so busy and the corrective treatments have been using up my 20 visits I'm allocated in a year.

Anyway, I have great experiences for the most part. I used one person in FL that hurt me and some of it was my fault, but I told her not to snap my neck unless necessary and if it was warranted, then tell me first because I can make myself ready for it. Well, she didn't tell me, and I tensed up, and I had a lot of pain. I think I was more perturbed that she didn't LISTEN to me.

Just make sure that you have some good references, and talk to them and feel comfortable with them. It's like with any other doctor - you have to feel safe with them :)
 
I agree that I think it's a good idea to talk with your ortho first, just to get another opinion. Perhaps he/she can even give you an opinion or knows something if the chiro's reputation.

Both my fiance and I have had good luck with chiropractors. I had mild pain - I'd say a 1 or 2 - in my upper back from sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day. In addition I have completely flat feet, which tends to throw my hips out of line and strain my knees. Combined with occassional massage and thereapeutic foot inserts, my chiropractor has been great.

I think someone mentioned about the neck-cracking thing - I used to HATE it!! However, the chiropractor I have now is really good. He massages my neck a little bit and gets me good and relaxed before he cracks it - I actually like it now!

Anyway, long story made short, I think chiropractors can be very useful sometimes, and I think it's worth a shot if it can help you avoid surgery!
 
I have a WONDERFUL chiropractor that I see for my neck and back issues - my neck is actually curved the wrong direction, true story! That said, there are a lot of quacks out there too. You just have to be very discerning. One of the things that tipped me off that I had found a good doctor is that she does not try to force me to come into the office all the time. My first doctor made me come EVERY day for 23 days when I started treatment. My current doctor only had me come in twice a week for several weeks and then it was only when I felt I needed to come in. She never pressured me. She also never claimed to be able to heal all my other ills with an adjustment. Some chiropractors will make claims that they can affect other things like blood pressure etc... That tends to put up a little warning flag with me.
 
I haven't had an injury but do have the ugliest, giant bunion on my left foot. I looked into surgery but because of the recovery time I chose not to do it. I was in pain constantly because of it. Since going to the chiro it doesn't bother me anymore. Still ugly, but no pain. I have also gotten relief from the severe headaches I had since childhood. I don't think it would hurt to give it a try before going under for surgery. I wish you the best!!
Debbie
 
Ahhhh, yes. The "3X per week deal". Nice.

I had to go "4x per week'. uh huh.

I remember going in a few months ago, after my 3rd baby was born as I had some low back pain. they ran my insurance and THEN told me that I would be "cured" in about 24 treatments. Now, I am not stupid and I know how many my insurance covers. Ahem. 24. So anyway, I went a few times and was told my copay was $10 dollars. Actually I went 4 x per week for 4 weeks give or take. I never never never, etc etc, felt better while there (the 30 seconds that he actually worked w/ me) nor did I when I went home. I was nrealy in tears from pain. He pushed pills on me...you know, the natural remedies and vitamins, etc, and some icy hot brand name that he was affiliated with.
I stopped going b/c he did nothing but push on my back for a brief sec and then put a thing that looked like a pen on my ear lobes that sent an electrical shock thru my body and was lame.
When I stopped going, they then billed me at THIRTY dollars per appointment. I am STILL paying on it. whoa am I mad...I called my insurance and they said chiroquacktors, ooops, I mean chiropractors are known as dual doctors or something like that and can charge up to THREE copays per visit for the services they provide (which again, I reiterate, was like 30 seconds long). I have never known anyone personally who has benefited from a chiro. Good luck and I hope you can resolve this issue so that you are pain-free. :)
 
In EVERY SINGLE profession, you have those who are good and those who are not. If the only experience you had with a chiropractor was bad, then perhaps you will generalize and think they all are that way. I have used alternative therapies the majority of my life. Some practitioners were amazing and some were not but that never prevented me from finding someone else who was more skilled in their field. I do extensive research before deciding who I'm going to go to. I'm also in a nice circle of people who also use alternative practitioners so we can discuss and share our knowledge. I try to not use M.D.'s often unless they are open to alternative treatments but on a rare occasion, I have to. I recently did go to a rheumatologist to get a work up on bloodwork because of some ongoing pain and inflammation. She was a traditional western practitioner. I decided to get a steroid injection in my elbow because of the severe pain I was in. I also had neck and shoulder pain and she suggested injecting the steroid in that area as well. I never considered steroid shots in the past but I was in pain and I was right there in the dr.'s office. I had a severe reaction to it and subsequently found out that the area she injected in my shoulder was not a proper area to receive a steroid shot. I believe I am still suffering from the effects of it. Do I think she's an idiot? Uh, yeah, absolutely! Do I think all rheumatologists are quacks? Of course not and if I decided I needed another one in the future, I would just find someone else. There are many, many methods of healing. The E! network just had a show on celebrity extreme remedies. Hey, if something works for you, then it's the best thing on earth. You just can't judge an entire group of people on a few bad apples.

Bam
 
morningstar said:
I have had the experience of seeing a chiropractor and having him not only not make the problem better, it made it worse, and screwed up a whole other body part as well. I think they are all a bunch of dangerous quacks, quite frankly. But you know what they say about opinions and that thing we sit on being so similar, right?
Click to expand...

I had the SAME experience and will never go to another chiro again. I was told the one I had was not a good one. Ummm, you think?

I also think they are quacks. Most of them anyways.
 
I've gone to several chiropractors over the years, and I agree that there are good and bad ones.

My first visit was after I fell from a horse (well, the horse fell, and I slipped off as he fell. He righted himself before he hit the ground...or crushed me!...but I hit right on my tailbone). The 'regular' doctor did some ROM tests, told me there was nothing wrong, and suggested pain killers (because it was taking me 10-15 minutes to uncurl and get out of bed in the morning, and many movement were painful). I went to a chiropractor and got almost immediate relief.

I've also been helped with headaches : several years ago, I had a continuous headache that went from feeling like an icepick was stuck in my head, to feeling like the dull edge of an axe was lodge in it. Yes, it was as horrible as it sounds!

X-rays, a CAT scan and an MRI showed nothing (not a good sign when a 'brain' scan shows 'nothing,' LOL!) and the doctors couldn't do anything. In the meantime, I went to a chiro, but first thought it wasn't helping so didn't keep up with it. After all the tests showed nothing and no other doctor could help, I decided to go back to the chiro, and it only took 3 sessions to get me back to normal.

I currently get a monthly adjustment by a chiro who is a sports speciaist, working with several college sports teams. He's adjusted everything from my back to my shoulder to my toes and fingers, depending on what needed it at the moment (toe adjustments are trippy!)

On the other hand, I had an experience with a questionable chiro who seemed much more interested in money, and in finding ways to make me spend it, than in health. I had carpal tunnel at the time, and he had me doing some kind of machine that pulled on my hand, and getting some kind of electrode stimulation as well as adjustments. I decided after a while to not go to him anymore, and found that my CT problems went away on their own with my doing some home care (braces at night, changing to an ergo keyboard at work, doing stretches, doing push-ups with straight wrists for a while).
 
I still think it's unfair to call a group of people quacks based on one's negative experiences. Because of a few bad cops do you call all of them bad? Do you consider all surgeons inept because of some who've removed the wrong body part or who critically botched up a surgery? There are stories after stories of people who died because of medical mistakes. Based on that, would you mock or degrade all doctors? I am most empathetic to anyone who has gone to any type of specialist that have made their situation worse. I know this first hand. I have been left in worse conditions than when I started with certain practitioners but I know that it was that particular person who was the problem and not necessarily the arena they were practicing under. I could go on and on with unfavorable stories I've personally heard about medical dr.'s but by no means is it indicative of all or the majority of doctors. Again, I truly, truly understand if you've had a bad experience. My heart goes out to you but please do not denounce an entire faculty of people especially when there are good ones that are helping others.

Bam
 
Liann said:
I have a WONDERFUL chiropractor that I see for my neck and back issues - my neck is actually curved the wrong direction, true story! That said, there are a lot of quacks out there too. You just have to be very discerning. One of the things that tipped me off that I had found a good doctor is that she does not try to force me to come into the office all the time. My first doctor made me come EVERY day for 23 days when I started treatment. My current doctor only had me come in twice a week for several weeks and then it was only when I felt I needed to come in. She never pressured me. She also never claimed to be able to heal all my other ills with an adjustment. Some chiropractors will make claims that they can affect other things like blood pressure etc... That tends to put up a little warning flag with me.
Click to expand...

ITA! Very well said! I've had the same experience and am so happy that my current chiropractor doesn't encourage daily or even weekly visits and has never claimed to be a miracle worker!
 
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