I have always heard that chiropracters do more harm than good?

Question

I have never needed to go to a chiropractor before, and have always heard that I shouldn't anyways because they do more harm than good. Can someone tell me about what, exactly they do and if I was given sound advice?
I have symptoms of pinched nerves, and want to do a bit of research before I decide to go.

Thanks all.

Answer 1

I prefer chiropractors over medical doctors. They manipulate the spine and vertebre into correct alignment and balance. This allows the electrical signals from the brain to get to where they are supposed to go. When the spinal energy flow is interrupted or blocked, pain, tingling and other issues can happen.

Pinched nerves can be relieved by having the spine aligned via chiropractor, osteopathic dr, structural massage therapist, physical therapy and Quantum Biofeedback.

Chiropractors do have to have medical school training, same as MD's, in addition to Chiropratic schooling. They have at least 4-6 years of training before becoming a dr. There are a couple different ways they do manipulation.
1. Physical manipulation where they apply pressure to adjust. More likely to get complete adjustment.
2. Activator device where they use pressure points, much like acupunture to activate the area for adjustment....less likely to receive an injury with this form. Sometimes does not work.

Quantum Biofeedback energetically balances the body and helps to relax and de-stress the body of stressors that are creating Dis-ease. It does not physically manipulate the body and had been used as an excellent source for pain management for many years.

Osteopathic Dr is a medical doctor that specializes in the skeletal parts of the body with full medical background and training. They do manipulate the spine and joints.

Structural Massage Therapist is trained in extensive massage and correction via massage of the tissues/muscles of the body. As they work it is possible for the spine and other joints to move into alignment.

Physical Therapist is trained to rehabilitate the body after injury, surgery etc. They do not manipulate the spine.

Answer 2

I was being treated for back pain, (pinched scionatic nerve) by my doctor for at least 1.5 years with out any good results, I went to the chiropractor and I was fine after 3 visits, so they do work. The biggest fear that people have when they go to a chiropractor is paralysis, this may occur if the chiropractor readjusts your neck, they say the chances or this happening are as low as being struck by lighting or winning the lottery. You just ask him not to readjust your neck if u r uncomfortable with it. They r not the cure to every illness but in some cases they can help more that "traditional medicine".
Good luck

Answer 3

For a pinched nerve, go to a neurologist first...yes, I have been to a chirco for six months and they pushed all sorts of treatments on me , three times a week and I am still in pain. The stretching that they do does alleviate pressure on the nerves but the adjustments (aka neck snapping) can do more harm than good. I suggest you see a neurologist to find out if you do have a pinched nerve...go for an EMG ..and depending upon the results, it will be recommended that you go to PT, take meds or require an operation. I don't believe in chiropracters so much because theydon't seem to help in the long term..people go to them for years and years..do it as a last resort...my adjustments helped in the short term, not the long term..

Answer 4

Both medical doctors and chiropractic doctors are experts in their own fields. Our bodies are living breathing, working and self healing. Both kinds of doctors are there to assist us, just using different methods. This does not mean that one is right or one is wrong. Nobody has all the answers. Working together we can each find help for our ailments.

For years I suffered from back injuries, whiplash, and headaches.

I went to my family Dr. for each of these. All they did for me was to offer Ultrasound treatments, massage, heat packs and anti-inflammatory medications.


My headaches left in seconds when my neck was adjusted by a chiropractor. Back injuries and whiplash healed quicker, giving me less trouble, and I've had instant relief from pinched nerves.
Chiropractors spend about the same numbers of years in training as medical Dr.s do. However , their training does differ in that chiropractors are not allowed to prescribe drugs.
They are, however more trained in nutrition and natural methods of health care.



You ask what a chiropractor does to treat a patient. The Dr. will look at your spine and joints. If you are "off balanced" in an unhealthy manner, he will position your body and apply pressure with his hand in a way that will correct and relieve the pressure on your joints. Sometimes massage is or heat is also applied to your areas of need. Your spine or hips, etc. will be re-aligned for you and with it being in a proper position, your body should be getting correct blood flow and nerves should be freed of pinching -- so that your body is unhindered to heal itself.

In contrast. For an injury (I tripped over a hose) I went to a medical Dr. who told me the same thing about using ice and heat, but there was only a bottle of pills for me to take home, and no one had massaged or relieved the strain on my back.

Now if I were having a rare illness or an organ malfunction, I would choose to go to my family doctor to be treated.

Like I said, No one has all the answers. I believe medical doctors and chiropractic doctors compliment each other.

Just a note -- you might prefer going to a D.O. Dr of Osteopathy. He has been schooled in both medical and chiropractic methods, and can treat with both manipulation and medicine.

Answer 5

My mother was the first in my family to go to a chiropractor. She Had a work injury where she'd done something to her shoulder, and after years of failed doctor visits and alot of pain medication she was direcet to a chiropractor.
She's now at the point where she doesn't take any pain medication, and can work full time. She still has trouble from time to time but a visit to the chiropractor usually makes her feel alot better.
Last year I hurt my back, it even got to the point where I couldn't sit up strait and I had trouble with my hip so if I laid down on my stomach I couldn't lift my right leg. It even got so bad that one day I could barely move my legs and was restricted to bed for a day and a half. The chiropracter treated me over last summer and I've had almost no trouble sense.
I highly recommend going, our doctor has certainly made our lives better.

Answer 6

Maybe I can help. Chiropractors, at a initial exam, will usually do some xrays and/or some preliminary scans of your spine. Then, usually they will tell you their diagnosis and provide answers to any questions you may have as well as provide you with treatment schedules (number of adjustments you need to have and the durations before re-examinations)...then you will goto get adustments...all chiropractors are certified and have gone through extensive school (just like MDs), and do alot more good then harm..they are well trained with countless hours of hands-on clinics while in school to become a DC (doctor of chiropractic)...

My husband is a chiropractor and believe me, it is not an easy field to study. Chiropractors are very good at what they do, that is there specialty. In my opinion, you were misinformed. I get adjusted regularly, and have had great results myself.

Answer 7

I was helped greatly by a chiropracter recently -- had a very painful neck/shoulder area that developed gradually, no known injury. The chiropracter took Xrays, then did treatments for about 6 wks., first several times a week and gradually decreasing. I was completely relieved of pain, and was able to get back to normal lifting, neck flexibility, etc. I'm very thankful for this chiropracter.
Can be a really good idea to ask friends/people you know for recommendations of who to go to.

Answer 8

They do some good, I've been to alot of them after I almost broke my neck jumping into a swimming pool. It works for a while, but then after a few days the pain returns, and still end up with the same problem. I found something that has helped a lot. It sure has improved over the last four weeks I've been using it, on a daily basis and never felt better in my life.

Answer 9

Yeah, I went to a chiropractor for minor back problems. He took a full body x-ray, told me my whole body was crooked and proceded to put all his weight on certain parts of my body and use pressure. He was a very big man. Talk about painful. I went into his office with a little pain and came out with a lot of pain. Hence, I didn't go back to him.
I went, instead, to an osteopath. He didn't even touch me, but whatever he did, worked. When he worked on me I almost went to sleep, it was wonderful. But unfortunately, I couldn't afford to continue seeing him, and my back problems are still there. If u have the money I would seriously consider an osteopath, they work wonders. I don't know about nerve pain, but I imagine they know what they're doing with that too. Give it a try.
Good luck, love.

Answer 10

I've always heard you either like them or don't. Personally it never helped when I hurt my back. I felt he just moved the pain around. I finally ended up going to my GP for muscle relaxers & they worked good.
However I do have friends that swear by them. I guess it just depends on what & where your problems is.
Afew years ago I watched Dateline & it was showing people who had gone to get their necks adjusted. These were people who ended up with neck damage after seeing a chiropractor. A couple of those actually died.