What do you think about chiropractors?

Question

Do you think that chiropractic is good for your body or that it screws up everything? Is it better to go to a conventional orthopedic or to a chiropractor?

Answer 1

If you want to know the truth behind chiropractic care and chiropractors, then check out the following links.

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chirosub.html
http://www.chirobase.org/01General/chirosham.html
http://www.acsh.org/healthissues/newsID.656/healthissue_detail.asp
http://www.chirobase.org/01General/skeptic.html
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chiroasst.html
http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/chirovet.html

Also, chiropractors state that research has justified their techniques, check out the following;

During the past few years, two reports about the treatment of low-back pain have placed chiropractic in a favorable light. One, issued by the RAND Corporation, concluded that spinal manipulation was appropriate for some cases of low-back pain. The other, produced by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), judged manipulation useful for controlling symptoms while awaiting the spontaneous recovery that occurs within a month in most patients with low-back problems.
Although chiropractors have promoted these reports as endorsements of chiropractic, they are not. They merely support the use of manipulation in carefully selected patients. Only a few of the research studies on which their conclusions were based involved manipulation by chiropractors; most were done by medical doctors and physical therapists whose practices are not identical to those of chiropractors. Most chiropractors manipulate the vast majority of patients who walk through their door, some use techniques that have not been studied scientifically, and many urge all of their patients to undergo monthly or even weekly "preventive maintenance" visits throughout their life. In addition, many chiropractors emphasize a technique that is more vigorous (and therefore less safe) than the controlled manipulation used by other practitioners. The only places where "chiropractic" and "chiropractors" are mentioned in the body of the AHCPR report are in the passages about the make-up of the AHCPR expert panel.

Answer 2

I generally see the chiropractor for chronic pain and that seems to work very well. I will see an orthopedic doctor for new pain, especially if it is due to an injury. I will usually "compare notes" from the two doctors and decide on a course of action. I always see a chiropractor if another doctor has suggested surgery since it is much less invasive and safer. I have avoided and unnecessary knee surgery that way.

Answer 3

Try a chiropractor first because it's generally so much less invasive than conventional orthopedic. But you'll have to find a good one, that's very important. So many chiropractors are invasive wannabe-MDs. I found my chiropractor through www.donaldepstein.com. Dr. Epstein is a chiropractor who has developed a particular technique, but it's gentle and WILL NOT HURT you.

Answer 4

i was in a car accident and my family physician could not do anything to stop the constant headaches and back pain. even the pain meds didn't help very much. then i went to see the chiropractor and found out that several vertebrae in my neck and back were out of alignment (it was on the x-ray and i saw it with my own eyes). after a few treatments i was feeling much better and was able to even go off the pain meds.

i know that some people think chiropractors are a bunch of quacks, but i dont. i think they deserve to be recognized as specialists too. people should be open to different types of medical approaches and not rely so heavily on pills. thats just my opinion.

Answer 5

Chiropractic and massage are essential for our stressed out bodies. I was lucky enough to have my insurance pay for a years worth of chiro and massage after an auto accident. I sure do miss it, but I do go back occasionally for a tune up.

Chiropractic and massage therapy, used in combination, form a powerful healing approach that addresses pain on many levels. Both long-term muscle tension and sudden impacts, such as falls, can pull and hold joints out of normal alignment. Chiropractic uses adjustments to return the joints to their normal positions and restore joint mobility. Joint misalignments or subluxations, are often accompanied by tension or injury to the surrounding muscles, and ligaments. These tissues can produce pain that spreads because it causes protective muscle tightening in surrounding areas. Over time, tight, inflamed muscles and fascia suffer poor circulation and can develop adhesions that prevent muscles from lengthening completely. Painful trigger points can also develop, referring pain or tingling to other areas in the body. Addressing soft tissue problems is an important complement to chiropractic care. Muscles move joints, while ligaments support them. If a subluxation is adjusted without addressing related soft tissues, the whole problem is not being addressed and the pain and dysfunction may persist.

Answer 6

I like chiropractic care in general and it has helped me get over stuff without medication has been a good experience. But, I have seen some practitioners who have been very pushy and critical if you don't do the exact treatments as often as they recommend and you can end up spending lots and lots while they promise you the moon. Finally, I have a great chiro and he is very mellow with the program, gentle, never forceful, works well with other practitioners and is very moral and ethical in his practice. Get referrals from people you respect.

Answer 7

I am cautious about the type of Chiro I use. I suggest one that does upper cervical and has a phenomenal grasp on nutrition.

Answer 8

above anrwers are all good. but be careful, some are quacks, even dangerous.