What do you guys think of Chiropractors?

[Mears]

My lower back is really messed up and I think I need to do something about it. I haven't been to a chiropractor since I was a kid, but I'm thinking about giving one a try.

 

[Heisenberg]

Go to a real doctor, not someone that plays one on TV.

 

[Electric Amish]

Just like any doctor, a good one can do good things, a bad one can do bad things.

 

[DT4K]

A lot of people swear by them.
But according to a lot of studies, they do more harm than good. Although they may help relieve back pain, the way they do it can make you dependent on regular visits to stay pain-free.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

I hear people say how good they are but then in the same breath they say they have been going back to them for years..

 

[trmiv]

On the first visit they will try to get you into a schedule of like 5 visits a week for 3 weeks, 4 visits a week for 3 weeks, 3 visitis a week for 3 weeks, 2 visits a weeks for 3 weeks, and then 1 visit a week until the end of time. Meanwhile, you just bought him a new Mercedes

 

[tcsenter]

A good spinal manipulation can be liberating if the nature of your problem makes you a good candidate and your quackopractor knows what he's doing. Unfortunately, it doesn't solve the underlying problem, so you will be gaining a new long-term friend.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: trmiv
On the first visit they will try to get you into a schedule of like 5 visits a week for 3 weeks, 4 visits a week for 3 weeks, 3 visitis a week for 3 weeks, 2 visits a weeks for 3 weeks, and then 1 visit a week until the end of time. Meanwhile, you just bought him a new Mercedes

I dunno, every chiropractors I know seems to struggle to put food on the table... but judging from the one's philosophy... I wouldnt put too much faith in his medicine. Will prolly make your back feel better though if he doesen't mess you up permanently...

 

[bananaFish]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Go to a real doctor, not someone that plays one on TV.

I'm not a big fan of strip mall "medicine". I've had a back and neck problems of and on for the last several years. When ever I have pain lasting longer than a day or two I go to physical therapy (at the recommendation of my MD and specialist) and get the problem taken care of with stretching and exercise. Otherwise staying fit and has seemed to keep my back and neck healthy.

 

[Aftermath]

Great for winning at scrabble.


Seriously though, if you've got problems, go. I was in a car wreck with my best friend about a year ago (he was driving) and it hurt my neck pretty badly. It was just sort of numb that day, but the next day it was so stiff, the pain was blinding to actually turn my head. Three trips to the chiropractor and I was good as new.

Ironicly, the chiropractors name was Dr. Bonebrake. 🙂

 

[bernse]

Some are OK, but there really are one's that think they can cure the flu, cancer and everything else with bone manipulation.

Those quacks should be in jail, IMHO.

 

[tomwolfman]

what sort of probs have you got.i've been attending one recently .great way to use up spare cash though

 

[Cal166]

Just watch that Simpson's Episode.


<<-----1337!!!!

 

[ActionA]

Mears,

Just as it goes in any fieled, there are good chiro's and bad one's. A good chiro knows his limitations and knows when to send someone to a physician...and bad one will tell you to come into his office for the next 6 months 3X/week.

I work with a sports medicine doctor (MD) who in turn is partners with a chiropractor that offers physical rehab...From what I have seen of the chiro, most low back pain patients receive fastastic short term relief of their back pain with manipulations alone...a good chiro will MAKE SURE that you receive some form of physical therapy for your back as well to assure long term stability. When combined, the two usually improve symptoms quite dramatically.

I personally feel that a good chiro can do some amazing things. Patients have come into our office in agonizing pain but leave feeling quite good. In light of this, I would prefer to see a chiro first before going to an MD, which is most cases will tell you to take some NSAIDS and hand you a copy of some basic exercises. (Unless of course they suspect some underlying neurological defecit) Not the best prescription, IMO.

Good luck with your back pains,

Action

 

[Wingznut]

I've had back spasms on and off for several years... I can recall quite a few days where I literally could not walk. (It's not so bad any more, ever since I quit working on cars for a living.)

I've been to "real" doctors. I've had bone scans, MRI's, X-rays... You name it. And so far, nobody can find anything wrong.

Going to a chiropracter has helped immensely during the rough times. No, it's not a permanent fix (at least for me), but it sure does help loosen things up and help the pain. I also learned A LOT about stretching and different exercises to do. (That's are another reason why I no longer have the intense episodes.)

 

[IEatChildren]

Exercise is also a good way to get rid of back pain. That is if you're the kind of person who doesn't get much. Keeping in shape is better than seeing a chiropractor. The doctor will move bones around in your back when the problem is most likely muscular. If your abs are strong enough, your back won't need to work as hard to keep you standing and your back will in turn stop hurting.