Chiropractic or orthopaedic surgeon?

Question

For back pain and subluxation.

And why?

Answer 1

Well considering less than 20% of back surgeries end in full success with no lingering pain I would suggest chiropractics first. Always take the path of least resistance! Chiro is much less invasive with virtually a non-existent history of hurting people (despite the nay sayers who claim it's risky or controversial). In Connecticut it costs a chiro less than $10,000 a year for malpractice/liability insurance.....it costs an MD (never mind a surgeon) who has NEVER BEEN SUED $150,000. If chiro is so risky than those numbers would certainly be different. Most MDs today (mine included, and he teaches at Yale) actually recommend people opt for chiro treatments before anything more drastic. You can also benefit from massage therapy as alot of chiros now have one on staff. Good luck.

Answer 2

99.9% of patients with back pain are not going to need or be offered a surgical solution. This means that the vast majority of back pain patients refered to orthopaedic surgeons wait up to 6 months just to be told to go to physio!

A fairly recent study showed that outomes for back pain were universally mediocre statistically. Physios, chiropracters and osteopaths have similar but disappointing results, though each will get some successes. GPs can help, but generally only by providing appropriate pain relief.

Answer 3

I would choose a chiropractor because it's a less invasive treatment than what an orthopedic doctor is going to do. I've also seen more positive results for back pain with chiropractors than with other methods. Orthopedic surgeons are going to operate and that takes a long long time to recover and you usually have to see a chiropractor afterwards to help with the recovery.

If you have any further questions please let me know,
Billie77

Answer 4

Start out with an orthopedic surgeon. Their training is much more rigorous and competitive, and the entire concept of chiropractic "medicine," is highly controversial. However, if therapy is recommended, and conventional therapy isn't working, you may want to try alternative treatment such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, etc.

Answer 5

I am an alternative medicinal therapist and an ex nurse and I wouldn't use either but out of the two I would choose a chiropractor. The best therapist to use is a massage therapist or an acupressue therapist

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Answer 6

I would try the chiropractor first.They have high rates of success particularly with back pain.I had shoulder pain and was successfully treated by a chiropractor.The only problem is it is quite expensive,but if you can afford it go for it.If it doesn't work for you ,there is still the surgery to fall back on.I sympathise,pain is hard to live with.Good luck