What do you guys think of Chiropractors? Every once in a while, I really screw something up in my back, and the Chiropractor my family goes to is able to pinpoint it without me telling him (for the longest time, I refused to go. Eventually, I got desperate, but I told him "you tell me what's wrong". He poked around and knew right away.")

I thnk that some of the stuff they claim to do is BS, but I think that much of it has some merit. As I was saying, our Chiro told me all sorts of stuff without me saying a word. He knew what part of my back hurt, he knew that I stood while I was at work (my lower back had pain too, I just never gave it much thought) and that my lower back hurt if I laid on it (which it did). He also knew that I sleep on my right side.

Back to my main point - every once in a while I mess up my back, try to deal with it on my own for a few days, go to the chiro, and I feel like a million dollars the next day.

So what do you guys think? Is it all BS or what?

XXL

 

Everybody I've talked to says that it's good stuff; personally, I've never tried it.
I need to, though...I have insurance now, so perhaps it's time...
Maybe I'll pamper myself...go get a massage, then acupuncture, then get by back cracked, followed by a haircut, and topped off with a trip to the Diamond Cabaret...

I am gonna call in sick to work tomorrow and go for it...
BDV

 

When I was a electrician in the Coast Guard I was fixing a light on the mast and slipped. I was wearing a parachute harness with a 12 foot lanyard. When you fall 12 feet, come to a sudden stop and are suspended for 20 minutes waiting for the rest of the Coast Guard to come rescue you it will mess up your back. When they got me down I couldn't stand, let alone walk. Ambulance ride to the hospital and the doc said I should stay off my feet (no ****) and ice my back. I was in the hospital for 3 days doing this (and I was on some marvelous pain killers) when they released me. I could barely walk and my left foot would periodically go numb. At the time Tricare would not pay for chiropractic services. I pushed it up and down my chain of command until finally the Morale fund agreed to pay for half the cost of treatment. I went 3 times a week for 2 months and I got better. I was able to pass a physical, stay in the Coast Guard and was fit for sea duty.

 

The chiro helped me out after I fell rock climbing (indoors unfortunately).

 

The Chiropracter seemed to help my wife when she got in her car accident. I went after I hurt my back and was more sore afterwards. My opinion, it is a mental thing. If you think they will help, they help, if not, they won't help much.

 

I used to throw trash cans for a living, maybe 18 yrs ago. Last year I got a driving job with waste management, I drove the truck from house to house and helped throw the garbage into the hopper. Darn good money, and some days were short and easy. My back lasted about 4 weeks, and I quit the job, at age 40 the old bones are showing their age. I recently got another good driving job, and I have to off-load all of the freight by hand. The second week of that job I hurt my back, I was in real pain, and popped ibuprofen all day to survive. I immediately went to a chiropractor to start a program of therapy. The next week I saw some improvement and my back stabilized. Since then I have gone to the doc one or two times a week for adjustments. My back is doing well and I haven't had any further problems. I think that I have found a good doc, I had two other chiropractors and I didn't think their treatments did any good. The doctor spends about two minutes with me, he checks the spine, adjusts my back and I leave. Nothing fancy, no heating pads, or special tables that massage your back, just plain old back-cracking. I hope to make it two more years at my job, and I think my back will survive with the chiropractor I'm using.
However, your spine is much to important to your health! If you are having alot of back problems see a real doctor. They may find a herniated disc or arthritis on your vertebrate, that could require serious attention. I have both, herniated discs and arthritis, neither problem is too bad, and I feel that a chiropractor can help. The so-called "real doctors" would only give me tylenol or Motrin to help the pain and a pamphlet of back-strengthening exercises. I like the dynamic approach that chiropractic offers, actually trying to straighten the spine instead of sedating the problem.

 

I first went to a chiropractor when I had troubles with my neck (about 50% mobility when it got really bad) in high school (I also had some nagging feet problems). By the time I was off to University everything was much better and my feet haven't hurt since (note that in grade school regular doctors couldn't help with the feet).
Now, I only see my chiropractor when I have pain, which has been about twice in the last three years.

My sister had scolious (curvature of the spine) and chiopractic is the only good cure to straighten it up.

My Grandmother, who is just shy of 90, has been going to her chiropractor for many, many years and it keeps her up and going (many 70 year olds couldn't keep up with her!).

Word of warning - make sure you see a FULLY qualified one - yes there are quaks out there and they can really screw you up.

 

why pay somebody 50 bucks and hour to beat the **** out of you, come to my house I'll do it for free.

 

I guess they can help some.

It would depend on your ailment. If you have a herniated disc like I do and your doctor sends you to a chiropractor because he doesn't know you have a herniated disc yet, then it's a waste of time and possibly damaging.

 

Do you accept blue cross/blue shield?

XXL

 

...I vote mostly worthless, 90 % of the people I met who have chronic back pain also suffer from dunlap diease...
a situation I personally experienced...

 

A good chiropractor will ask for x-rays or do them as part of your assessment. If a herniated disc or pinched nerve is suspected, then appropriate treatment will be advised.
Cost?
I pay $23.00 Canadian and Healthcare picks up the rest.
It is nice to have a universal Healthcare system. It's almost worth the taxes!