what do you think of chiropractors?

Question

I have had pain in my back, hips and neck for years and i was told to go to the chiro. i went and he said he could help this but i would have to come back for several sessions. is this really going to be fixed or is it a waste of my time/money?

Answer 1

I have worked for several Chiropractors and at first I worked there bcuz it was ajob. As I went thru training it was explained to me this way. Your signs and symptoms are like the iceberg that sunk the Titanic, what you see above water is only 10-15% of what is going on, the bigger problem is hidden. Your body mass is mostly supported on the spine and coinciding muscles.When you feel something, the damage has already been done and in most cases, it takes longer to put your back muscles back the way they should be. It seems stupid when you don't understand that but it is true that it takes a long time for muscles to get realigned and heal. Don't give up 1/2 way thru cuz your body will just go back to the way it was when you were having the pain. 12 weeks is USUALLY how long it takes to realign everything. After 3-4 weeks the # of times you see him each week should go down then down again until you should only need maintenance every month or so. Chiropractors have more anatomy training then a regular Dr. so they know more about the ins and outs of your body then a regular Dr. You still need an M.D. for things but I love going for my monthly visits and I always feel better immediately after.

Answer 2

I know many people they have helped but It is not a one time solution. Also it depends on how good they are. I think they can heal skeletal, muscle and nerve pain but I have my doubts about some of the things they claim they can do. There is definitely a brain and nervous system connection with all funcitons of the body but some cures require a chemical intervention.

I had siatic (sic?) pain for several years that would come and go. Finally one day I went down in severe pain. The next day i was being operated on for a bad disc. That was 18 years ago and I haven't had a problem since. It was causing the siatic problem all along.

If a chiropractor can move the disc back into alignment it stand to reason that it can move back out with the same daily activity you've been doing. Find a chiropractor that discusses scar tissue around your veterbrae and works with other doctors to reduce it. The scar tissue can cause uneven pressure on your disc sometimes

Answer 3

First, a chiro can really help relive back/neck pain. Second,find a different Chiropractor my dad is a chiro and he helps people without the constant visits that many chiro's recommend.

And the guy above who said chiropractors go to school for only two years is an absolute liar. Chiropractic school is four years at the least and they have just as much medical training as an MD.

Answer 4

This is a hot question for a physical therapist to answer as they generally "butt heads." Honestly though, when we look at what a physical therapist (at least one with MDT training) and a chiropractor do for the treatment of spinal pain, we are really trying to attain the same thing...normal restoration of a joint position.

Yet, here is contemplating question: If a patient can be taught how to relaign their joint position by maneuvers they can perform independently, then why shouldn't we teach them this? The goal of a physical therapist is to teach the patient to be independent, and if I can teach that patient what they can do to maintain a pain-free or pain-controlled life, then it should be done (in my opinion). Yet, in chiropratic care, even though they emphasize nurtition and exercise, the patient remains dependent on the chiropractor for regular adjustments. Yet, the techniques used by the physical therapist and the DC ultimately seek to do the same thing: restore normal joint alignement. PTs primarily use movement and exercise to do it, while the DC focuses on passsive "adjustments." PTs will occasionally use hands on techniques such as overpressure, mobilization and in some cases manipulation, but only when patient applied techniques are inadequate. According to Robin McKenzie, only 4% of patients with a derangement syndrome (altered position of a vertebral segment) will require an actual "manipulation/adjustment." So, a DC is doing what many PTs feel is required in only 4% of cases. There is nothing wrong with using adjustment to the spine if it is indicated and has been justified that the adjustment in a particular direction will alleviate pain...but I still stongly believe in teaching the patient how to help themselves. It goes back to the old fish addage:

..."Give a man a fish and he eats for a day...teach him how to fish and he eats for a lifetime...."

Answer 5

I would say most are fair and honest. They should send for X-Rays for people that are in pain that they don't understand. I've seen and heard some chiropractors that think they're a gift to mankind and, I guess that's where I get my unhealthy attitude for them.
Whether they spend as much time in school as doctors or not has no bearing on it. It's what they've retained themselves.

Give them a break and judge them per person. See what they have to say and do, just as you would a doctor. I know some doctors that are jerks. They're people too.

Answer 6

Well, I also have back and worst of all, neck problems. Chiropractors have not helped me at all. I've found a combination of osteopathy and accupunctre help.The osteopath works on the problem mechanically, whilst the accupunctre takes a holistic approach and helps with taking control of the pain. My cousin has degeneration in his lumber region and he goes to an osteopath and he swears by it.

Answer 7

If the pain is that bad then do it. You didn't hurt yourself all in one day and it isn't going to get fixed all in one day. After I had my son it was very painful for me to walk. The chiropractor had to teach me how to walk without a 10 pound child in my belly. It took some time to get used to walking like a regular person again.

Answer 8

I am one of those that will swear by her chiropractor. Sometimes it is a matter of going to a few different ones until you find one that is truly interested in your health and not just the income. I have back and neck issues and when they flair up, the first doctor I call is my chiropractor.

Answer 9

I went to a chiro. for almost 2 yrs and it didn't help. Although some people swear that they did them good. I am under the impression that they do not help much , if any.

Answer 10

If you rely totally on a chiropractor too fix your problem it's a waste of time and money. Chiropractors are very helpful but limited, you want the problem solved long term fix it.
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