Have any of you had really good or bad experiences with a Chiropractor?

Question

Ive had X-rays done and the Chiro guy thinks that I need a lot of work done and my doctor (also radiologist) had a look at them and suggests that I should focus on exercise instead to strengthen the supporting muscles. My back is sore at times and apparently is in "stage 2" degeneration, but the idea of someone "adjusting" my spine is not appealing and some people have told me about others ending up in wheelchairs! What is your personal experience?

Answer 1

I am a chiropractor and your comment about ending up in a wheelchair is pretty funny!
Traditional medicine is responsible for killing over 483,000 Americans every year. Prescription drugs kill over 125,000. If what we as chiropractors do killed or injured even 10% of what traditional medicine does, there would not be a chiropractic profession.
In addition, if what we do is so dangerous, our malpractice premiums would be as high as medical doctors.
You have more of a statistical chance of being hit by lightening than being hurt by a chiropactor!

A radiologist is trained to look for fractures and pathology, not normal or abnormal alignment. I see countless reports from medical radiologists that call a 25mm head forward, straight neck with no curve normal. Yet if they went back to their basic anatomy texts they would find what normal is.

If your chiropractor has told you you are in phase 2 subluxation degeneration, then you have lost most of your curve, your discs are now involved which represent 40% of your overall height, your vertebra are degenerating and only a chiropractor can correct it or at least slow the process down.
Age has little to do with the condition of the spine.
Exercise is wonderful but muscle attaches to what along the spine? Vertebra. So exercise all you want but if you want the problem corrected then follow the advice of the expert trained in determining spinal alignment problems. It's your chiropractor. 90% of the American public ignores the most important part of their body. Their spine, which protects the spinal cord. Try living without both.

I love the so called experts of my profession who have never been to chiropractic college let alone any pre-med anatomy and physiology class. It's like going to your auto mechanic and asking him how to repair a computer.

As you can see I am quite passionate about what I do and quite disgusted with ignorant people attempting to invalidate the 3rd largest health profession in America.

You're quite safe.

Answer 2

I worked for a really great chiropractor for 2 1/2 years...and it does work! Although I will warn you that there are some fakes out there, just make sure you get a legitimate doctor...make sure they take x-rays first (or else it could cause you more harm than good) and maybe check with a local hospital to see if they have any chiropractors on board there, and try them out...that way you know they are professional. As long as you use discretion when choosing, you should have a good experience. Hope you feel better! Good luck! :)

Answer 3

With your back in a Stage 2 degeneration, I would seek out many other opinions both from Doctors and Chiros. And make sure you research who you make an appointment to see. Some pretty serious stuff you're talking about.

Answer 4

I think it feels great after being in pain so much you get used to it and will do anything to get rid of it, so you would think it would be bad but it isn't. It is great and not painful at all. I have scoloisis, curvature of the spine and it feels great to get an ajustment, and it sounds and feels way better than what might happen to be soon, a metal rod along my spine(surgery) or a brace all day long for 2-4 Years.

Answer 5

Have you had any good or bad experiences with people? Are all people good or bad? i have been to many chiropractors with bad and good experiences. See site below which describes them and tell you what to look for. I put this up since one made me worse,many did not help and 2 helped me a great deal.

Answer 6

my husbasnd has been going to the chiro since he was 7 (now 33) we have never really seen any improvment but it does help to relieve the pain for a while, its definilty a decision that you have to make for yourself, some exercise for your supporting muscles, palaties works by strengthing your core stomach muscles which are the muscles that support your back.

Answer 7

i have a fantastic chiropractor and i only have amazing things to say...i started seeing him for my foot and found out i needed weekly "adjustments" as they call it on my ankles. At first i was like "hell no" but its instant and you don't feel a thing. My bf has his shoulders/back adjusted weekly to help with aligned and its fantastic.