Would a chiropractor be beneficial to me?

Question

I have a herniated disk, which is 75% better after a medrol dosepak, BUT I also have spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and sacrailliac sysfunction. I am trying to avoid surgery! And does anyone know on what basis that medicare pays for a Chriopractor?

Answer 1

Sorry for the long reply but please hear me out as I seriously feel my personal experience will be VERY valuable to you. Many people are ignorant to the professionalism and effectiveness of chiropractors, and medical doctors don't want to admit that chiropractic treatment can be very helpful because they want you to come to them instead (it's all about $$$) just like their opinion of any alternative care or vitamin / herbal supplements.
I am living proof that chiropractic really helps.
I have a herniated disc in my lower back (L-5) that at one time (for over a year) sent terrible pains radiating down my leg and virtually paralyzed me to the point that I could not walk or even put any weight on my feet and legs to even stand without the help of powerful narcotic pain medications. I was told by my primary Physician that surgery was my only option, ( he is a surgeon ... DUH!). You can't be forced to submit to back surgery even by a health insurance company.
I personally know 2 people that have had back surgery and both told me to run as fast as I can if a doctor tells me to have back surgery because both of them (1 male - 1 female)say their back is just as bad if not worse than before the surgery. I have also gotten the same advice from a best friend that has been an RN for over 25 years.
I decided on my own to try a chiropractor and that was the best decision of my life. I must say it was not an overnight remedy but it gave me some temporary relief each time I went for an 'adjustment'. Yes, I admit in most cases it was VERY temporary but unless you have experienced the pain and debilitation from a pinched nerve in your lower back you have NO idea how much even that short term relief from the crippling pain means and the relief is totally different from the relief you get from pain pills which simply mask the pain by blocking the body's ability to send signals to the brain to notify it of the pain. After many such 'adjustments' where the Dr manipulated my spinal column, in addition to prescribed home stretching / excercise program, I started seeing more lasting relief. That was several years ago and to this day (knock on my wooden leg), I am virtually pain free and no longer take pain pills or go to a chiropractor for 'adjustments'. No matter what you hear from the chiropractic non believers about there being no permanent fix for a herniated disc, they are absolutely wrong at least in my case because I have been totally free of lower back pain going on 25 years now (other than 1 or 2 short term flare ups) from doing something stupid to strain my back. The chiropractor said that the more recent Xrays show that with the regular 'adjustments' the bulging disc had gotten slightly smaller thus relieving the pinched nerve coming from the herniated disc area and going to my leg. True, the disc will always be herniated but just a tiny difference in the size of the herniation makes all the difference in the world. Chiropractic adjustments on a regular basis allow the disc to 'relax' and thereby be reduced somewhat in size. My disc problem stemmed from an on the job lifting accident and the treatments were paid for entirely by the worker's comp. insurance company so I can't speak about whether or not Medicare pays for chiropractic treatment (although my guess is that they DO). I do know that since my experience with my back problem most, if not all private health insurance programs have started to cover chiropractic care. This tells me that chiropractic care is loooked at in a much different light nowdays by medically knowledgeable people other than those that are directly affected by the loss of revenue (medical doctors). Keep in mind that the herniated disc was the only problem with my back unlike what you are describing so your situation may well be different. If I were you I would start by contacting Medicare and find out if your visit to a chiropractor will be allowed or not and also contact chiropractors in your area and ask if they bill medicare. If they say yes I suggest you seek out a good chiropractor and give it a try. A chiropractor will start by doing Xrays etc to determine the total problem in your specific case and take the proper approach to provide you the relief you need even though it may be only temporary in your case but with patience on your part and continued long term treatment I would hope that you achieve the same degree of relief that I did. And as far as possibly causing a stroke at some future point (as stated by another person responding here) I think that is total Hogwash! Otherwise you would hear about it every day and chiropractic care would be banned. Good luck and the key is 'be patient' it's a long term process at best.

Answer 2

My mother just was in a sililar situation. She was expierencing the most awful pains and she discovered it was due to a herniated disk pinching a nerve hitting on the spine. She needed surgurey because a herniated disk won't get better on its own. If you wait to long you can risk loosing muscle tone my mom lost 60% of her muscle strenth in her arm. And it can also put you at risk for s stroke later on. She saw a chiropracter before the surgurey for a basic treatment and it helped for a few days but nothing was permanent. I'm not sure what to tell you about spinal stenosis because I don't know anything about that. I have scoliosis and see a chiropracter reguraly for treatments it helps alot and cna prevent furthur damage down the road. I would say to go to a doctor and ask their opinion all though most of the doctors I have known don't agree with the treaments chiropractors use. Medicare will probably pay it my grandmother goes to the chiropractor alot and she has medicare also so I'm sure they will pay it if you find a good chiropractor. My family only has to pay $3 per visit because our insurance covers it. I might be completely off about this next thing so please forgive me if I am. But all chiropractors are differnt and have differnt policies that have to do with insurance and medicare so they can tell you what the basis for medicare is.DO some research t you can try calling some local chiropractors and asking their opinion and if you will benifit from treatment they will be able to give you clear acurate information and set something up that will help you the most. I hope this helps!! Good luck, and I hope you don't need any kind of surgurey even if it does help its still isnt convienient.

Answer 3

Medicare does pay for chiropractic care. In fact, they pay fairly well. The chiropractic, like all providers, has a maximum they can charge, and Medicare pays almost 90% of that. (This is for chronic, long-term care. Start-up costs will be different, and I don't have detailed info on that.)

In all cases, don't have back surgery! I am confident that a chiropractor can help you! It will take time, but you will be happier with the end results.

Answer 4

I don't think a Chiropractor would be of any benefit to you. You might try epidurals. Or Acupuncture.

You may at some point have to just give in. Husband had two fussions, on in neck one in lumbar. Which stopped the pain associated with the herniated and dried out discs.

He also had stenosis inflammation and pain from the facet joints, below the lumbar fusion that is currently being treated with radio frequency ablation. His first treatment has helped greatly he will have his second treatment this next Friday, to burn the two nerves that go to the facet joint.

I would recommend you looking into pain management specialist or a nerologist.

Answer 5

I'm a chiropractor, and yes chiropractic care will help you and yes medicare pays for it, i believe you just have a six and change co-pay. Its obvious that you don't want to have surgery, so i would recommend you give it a try. I have saved hundreds of patients from surgery.

Answer 6

If you want an expensive massage go to the chriopractor. You might consider a massage therapist there are actual franchises out there like "Massage Envy" and other spa places that help you relax for less money.

Answer 7

don't waste your time with a chiropractor,your back will feel good while your there but as soon as you get 1/2 way home your pain will come back.Physical Therapy is the best option for you.here is a book you Can get some great exercises from.http://www.amazon.com/treat-your-back-ro...

i suffered from lower back pain for 10 yrs and opted for surgery.if you see your doctor he will just get you into PT

Answer 8

No because the chiropractics don't fix the spine like the conditions that you mention, no body have a answer for this besides active back rehabilitation.
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Answer 9

Yes, a chiropractor will help by removing that lump from your rear end, i.e. all the money in your wallet.

Answer 10

Stay away from a chiropractor an do what your nero surgen says