Chiropractor--pros and cons

[Nerys Ghemor]

I have had back pain ever since I was about 12 or 13 years old, in part due to mild scoliosis. I was wondering what you guys know about going to the chiropractor. Is that something you find useful? Does it work without causing any damage? Specific experiences from people with scoliosis? Is that something a person with that condition should do?

 

[Amaris]

I would recommend against it. While there are Chiropractors out there who follow science medicine, there are also a massive number of frauds who are more into alternative/holistic non-evidence based medicine. When it comes to your spine and joints, one wrong move can be debilitating, and make you a paraplegic for life. Check out a few articles on Chiropractic medicine. Most of it is not science based, though there are major courses on anatomy and physiology, and instead falls back on pseudosciences to make it's claims.

Your best bet is a physical therapist.

 

[Captain_Nick]

Chiros crack your back the way that you crack your fingers

I can't speak for the science (I am not addicted to my own 'intelligence' unlike most people here) but what I can say is -shit it feels good after a session

I know nothing about conditions (I daresay there are lots of other people with various conditions here, some maybe even physical) so can't answer that component of your questionry.

If you have a health fund that is prepared to fund costs, go for it

 

[Sector 7]

I have had much relief from Chiropractic sessions. I broke my back in the military [long story... you know part of it]. Among other problems, mild scoliosis resulted. I went to a chiropractor after an auto accident who diagnosed the scoliosis and the treatments gave me much needed relief. Some are into "wholistic" remedies and some are well trained in chiropractic medicine.

Do your research on their credentials, Better Business Bureau complaints, etc. A reputable, good Doctor of Chiropractic medicine can be of great help.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I had been under the impression that a physical therapist is usually for post-injury/post-operative help. Would they take on a patient who is otherwise healthy?

I am looking at all options and have not locked onto one yet. I'm interested in any experiences and perspectives people have, both positive and negative.

For chiropractors, is there any way to tell what distinguishes those who are into holistic medicine and those who take the other (non-holistic) approach? Is there something in the credentials, etc. that would make that clear?

 

[Captain_Nick]

This bloke comes highly recommended

 

[Amaris]

I had been under the impression that a physical therapist is usually for post-injury/post-operative help. Would they take on a patient who is otherwise healthy?

I am looking at all options and have not locked onto one yet. I'm interested in any experiences and perspectives people have, both positive and negative.

For chiropractors, is there any way to tell what distinguishes those who are into holistic medicine and those who take the other (non-holistic) approach? Is there something in the credentials, etc. that would make that clear?

I'm not certain. They all receive the same basic education (mostly), but the good ones lose all the dross and focus on the actual science and evidence based medical aspects of the practice. Avoid any chiropractor who talks about "subluxations" or mentions any pseudoscientific jargon.

This much is certain; Chiropractors cannot cure scoliosis, and if they make even a small mistake, you can be paralyzed for life. It takes great skill to manipulate the spine without causing damage, something that should be left to a physical therapist (around here you can set up an appointment with one to work on your back). You take too many risks with a Chiropractor, I think. There's too much of a gamble when trying to find a legitimate practitioner in that field.

 

[Sector 7]

Orthopedic Surgeons lean toward surgery.
Chiropractors lean toward non-invasive treatment.
Physical Therapists are usually for post-operative, post-injury therapy. Here in North Carolina a physician must refer you to PT or OT.
Occupational Therapists... meh, don't get me started...

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

A cure is not something I have any expectation of, when it comes to the scoliosis, have no worries. That is certainly something I know no one can promise me, short of surgery, and I think the costs of surgery would be far too high for me.

 

[Amaris]

Orthopedic Surgeons lean toward surgery.
Chiropractors lean toward non-invasive treatment.
Physical Therapists are usually for post-operative, post-injury therapy. Here in North Carolina a physician must refer you to PT or OT.
Occupational Therapists... meh, don't get me started...

Physical Therapists can offer the same general services as a Chiropractor. The difference is that the Physical Therapist can not only legitimately address your needs, but can also foster proper rehabilitation. A PT can help you manage the issues with scoliosis, while most Chiropractors will pop and flex some joints and collect a check week after week after week for 10, 15, 20 years.

In fairness, I will state that I do have a bias, as I consider the vast majority of Chiropracty to be quack science.

 

[Sector 7]

Physical Therapists work through a routine prescribed by the attending physician. Orthopedic surgeons can also kill or maim with one slip of the scalpel... and it DOES happen. Especially the Navy Captain who showed up to my surgery drunk off his a$$. I would rather take my chances with a chiropractor.

 

[Amaris]

Physical Therapists work through a routine prescribed by the attending physician. Orthopedic surgeons can also kill or maim with one slip of the scalpel... and it DOES happen. Especially the Navy Captain who showed up to my surgery drunk off his a$$. I would rather take my chances with a chiropractor.

That isn't an equal comparison. You have to add in the element of human error to make a legitimate practice become dangerous. Chiropracty is not a legitimate practice at it's base, and is instead based on a pseudoscience. You'd be just as likely to be cured by a Phrenologist as a Chiropractor.

If you are, however, going to see a Chiropractor, find one associated with the National Association for Chiropractic Medicine. These newer breeds of Chiropractors eschew the spiritual/pseudoscience associated with the mainstream of Chiropracty, and offer more legitimate science based solutions.

 

[Admiral Shran]

I love the chiropractor. I don't have any specific condition that requires me to go. But, my neck does get stiff from time to time. And by stiff, I mean really, really STIFF. Sometimes getting a massage can help with that, but a trip to the chiropractor is often the only way to fix it.

One time my neck got so out of whack that I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow when I woke up each morning. The doctor found that it was "disjointed" or whatever in four separate locations. After he popped my neck five times (one problem took him two attempts to fix) - damn, it felt good!

I've been lucky enough to only find good reputable doctors that are well versed in the scientific side of the practice, no holistic doctors.

I say if you can find a good one, go for it.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I had been under the impression that a physical therapist is usually for post-injury/post-operative help. Would they take on a patient who is otherwise healthy?

If you have chronic back pain you aren't healthy. And I'm sure if you're willing to pay you'll find a PT who would even treat a 100% healthy person.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I would recommend against it. While there are Chiropractors out there who follow science medicine, there are also a massive number of frauds who are more into alternative/holistic non-evidence based medicine. When it comes to your spine and joints, one wrong move can be debilitating, and make you a paraplegic for life. Check out a few articles on Chiropractic medicine. Most of it is not science based, though there are major courses on anatomy and physiology, and instead falls back on pseudosciences to make it's claims.

Your best bet is a physical therapist.

This. Actually some Chiropractors use that "thumper" to try to realign vertebrae over time.

I saw a guy (over several months) who used this method and I felt no improvement.

Later I saw an Orthopedic doc who ordered an MRI. I have a slight compression between 2 vertebrae. I've made an effort to sit up straighter and sleep in a different position, and it's helped for the most part.

In addition, there are also Naprapaths, who are similar to Chiropractors and some people will swear by them and others think they're full of it.

 

[Mary Ann]

I was told I had scoliosis when I was a preteen and walked around with pain in my lower back due to a pinched nerve for years. In my early 20s a friend who'd been in a car accident recommended I see her chiropractor as he'd done wonders for her injured back. The chiropractor took one look at my x-rays and told me that I didn't have scoliosis but that my hips were misaligned. After a few sessions my hips were even and the back pain was gone. He also started manipulating my neck, and that helped to lessen the severity of my migraines. I've been visiting reputable chiropractors for 20 years now (I've had to change chiropractors because I've moved quite a lot) for what I call "routine maintenance" for my back and neck, and I've never regretted it. My current chiropractor trained in Australia and is very anti New Age stuff, and I've recommended him to several people.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

This much is certain; Chiropractors cannot cure scoliosis, and if they make even a small mistake, you can be paralyzed for life. It takes great skill to manipulate the spine without causing damage, something that should be left to a physical therapist (around here you can set up an appointment with one to work on your back). You take too many risks with a Chiropractor, I think. There's too much of a gamble when trying to find a legitimate practitioner in that field.

Although I am not sold on the benefits of chiropractic, what you've posted here is just fearmongering. Paralysis is extremely rare as a result of chiropractic treatment--and certainly much less likely than if you had invasive back surgery.

I suggest you read the Mayo Clinic's overview of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care, beneficial or not, is generally safe and statistically less risky than back surgery.

 

[Vulcan Princess]

My mom had chronic and debilitating back pain for most of my teenage years. She started seeing a chiropractor and the change was remarkable. The chiropractor was able to give her a good quality of life so that she can function.

I've gone to a chiropractor a few times after injuries. Once you can get over the popping sound (which is a bit disconcerting), it's really relaxing.

 

[Amaris]

This much is certain; Chiropractors cannot cure scoliosis, and if they make even a small mistake, you can be paralyzed for life. It takes great skill to manipulate the spine without causing damage, something that should be left to a physical therapist (around here you can set up an appointment with one to work on your back). You take too many risks with a Chiropractor, I think. There's too much of a gamble when trying to find a legitimate practitioner in that field.

Although I am not sold on the benefits of chiropractic, what you've posted here is just fearmongering. Paralysis is extremely rare as a result of chiropractic treatment--and certainly much less likely than if you had invasive back surgery.

I suggest you read the Mayo Clinic's overview of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care, beneficial or not, is generally safe and statistically less risky than back surgery.

I never said paralysis by Chiropracty was common. I never even indicated that the majority of people who visit a Chiropractor would be paralyzed, neither many or even some, but I did stress the need to verify the credentials of any Chiropractor, even pointing people to a group of Chiropractors who base their work on science based medicine and not alternative medicine.

Chiropracty based on alternative medicine is dangerous.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Nerys, the chiropractor you want to see is a Palmers School graduate. I have had great results with chiropractors and I can walk almost normally thanks to them. My legs and hips get fouled up due to a defect in my design... ^^;;;