Ever been to a chiropractor?

[davefoc]

Ever been to a chiropractor?

If so why? Would you go again? What was the experience like? Did he take xrays and read them to find spinal problems which he said he could cure by manipulation? Did he pitch you on all sorts of alternative medicines?

The point of this thread is to get some personal stories about trips to the chiropractor. Even the web sites skeptical of chiropracty suggest that for certain problems chiropractors might offer some useful treatment. Perhaps we have some people who feel they have received beneficial treatment from a chiropractor.

There are several threads dealing with the woo-woo nature of chiropracty and for me I don't doubt that much of it is bogus. I thought though, it might be interesting to get some first hand reports from probably skeptically oriented people on this forum who have actually gone. If we get too few responses like that maybe we could extend it to second hand reports from friends and family members. I, myself, have never gone to a chiropractor but several people in my extended family go regularly.

[c0rbin]

It felt good to lay down and get, essentially, a different type of massage. In other words, while on the table, and on the couch relaxing afterwards, I felt better than before, however the next day, I felt the same.

::shrugging::

[arcticpenguin]

I have not been, but this topic has come up recently.

I ruptured a disk in my back N years ago, which caused me a great deal of pain until I got it diagnosed properly (by an MRI).

In recent months I had a couple of flareups, I'm not sure why it happened now. I played sports one day and was essentially crippled for a week. But I played sports all last summer with no back problems at all.

So anyway, I was having the usual symptoms which I can easily recognize now, pain down the leg, difficulty in walking, etc. I knew that by doing nothing, and jsut avoiding extreme activity for a week or two, the problem would subside.
And a friend suggests I should go to a chiropractor, just to see what they tell me.

I am skeptical and he is skeptical, but I didn't want to go because of what I already knew about chiropractic. He suggests this would be some good first hand research, and he's got a point, but I am still reluctant.

[c0rbin]

I'm no doctor, but I do know that when a leg or arm is dis-located, they yank on it to put it back in place.

I suppose the same could be said of the spine, though the stakes are a little higher :)

[Dr. Popalot]

cOrbin,
Yanking on an extrimity that has been dislocated is not what a chiropractor does. If one has a dislocated spine go immediately to an emergency room not a chiropractor! Chiropractors are good at treating neck and back pain. If your chiropractor starts talking to you about preventive/maintence care or treating you for visceral ailments, don't walk away, RUN!
Spinal manipulation has been shown to be effective for aches and pain, not your overall health.

[Soapy Sam]

AP- you've probably seen my comments on this elsewhere. I am (with all the usual reservations and caveats) more favourable towards CPs than many on the JREF forum. I recognise I may have been fortunate in the CP I dealt with and my problem was amenable to his treatment. I know there are good 'uns. I assume there are bad 'uns. I don't expect spinal manipulation to fix a viral infection,or measles, but I think it can help (OR AGGRAVATE) a spinal or musculo-skeletal problem.

I'd say give it a try. I would be interested to hear your comments if you do.
A word of caution though. If the problem is cervical and anyone, Med, CP, Physical Therapist or slinky Thai Masseuse offers to work on your neck without x-rays being taken and studied first, leave at once. You are dealing with a cowboy.
If you have not already talked to a Physical Therapist, I advise you to do so first. On soft tissue damage and musculo-skeletal problems, I find them to be generally far more knowledgable than any GP.
(Caveat:- I happen to know several PTs personally and dated one for several years, so I'm biased towards their viewpoint.)

Edit to add- A CP can't fix a ruptured disc. He may be able to alleviate the symptoms you describe, which are probably due to you adapting your posture to COMPENSATE for the damaged disc, resulting in a distortion of spine and attached muscles.

[arcticpenguin]

My concerns are about unnecessary X-rays and treatments. I already know that the problem will go away (short term) if I do absolutely nothing. So if the Chiro wants to do a long term series of manipulations, I would consider that an indictment.

Oh - and I replaced my mattress about a month ago. That may be helping as well.

[c0rbin]

Spinal manipulation has been shown to be effective for aches and pain, not your overall health.

Thanks for the update ;)

Dear arcticpenguin,

[b]
I already know that the problem will go away (short term) if I do absolutely nothing.[/b

It could go away.

Just like your cold could go away if you do absolutely nothing, or your headache could go if you do absolutely nothing, or your cut could go away if you do absolutely nothing.

Sincerely,

S. H.