Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
what do think about chiropractic care???
- Thread starter stanfordtechman
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I've had pretty good experiences, though I've mostly gone in for minor adjustments rather than limping to their doorstep in excruciating pain.
Do you have insurance?
I found chiropractors to be a bit cheaper than a family doctor visit (my chiro is $40/visit).. which might not be so bad, but they like you to come back every week or so until you get straightened out. That can add up fast.
I guess my actual advice would be to go in as you feel you need it, but don't necessarily get strung out on their "come back every week" line unless you have a legitimate, major medical problem that requires constant work.
Do you have insurance?
I found chiropractors to be a bit cheaper than a family doctor visit (my chiro is $40/visit).. which might not be so bad, but they like you to come back every week or so until you get straightened out. That can add up fast.
I guess my actual advice would be to go in as you feel you need it, but don't necessarily get strung out on their "come back every week" line unless you have a legitimate, major medical problem that requires constant work.
Good stuff
My allergies (Hay fever) problems went away. I sneeze at first and then I don't suffer with sore throats, watery eyes, and fevers. Another benefit is that I sleep better and I stopped getting knee injuries when I run too much. I also have not been sick with any colds since I started the treatments about 2 years ago. Blood pressure also went back to normal.
It is something you want to do for the rest of your life to maintain. I am in my 40's and I had blood work done and I have no problems. I don't need to have prescription pills like everyone else to keep myself healthy. I probably should start drinking more water and eating fruits and vegs so that I can be even more healthier.
It works best if you do the exercises they suggest between visits.
My allergies (Hay fever) problems went away. I sneeze at first and then I don't suffer with sore throats, watery eyes, and fevers. Another benefit is that I sleep better and I stopped getting knee injuries when I run too much. I also have not been sick with any colds since I started the treatments about 2 years ago. Blood pressure also went back to normal.
It is something you want to do for the rest of your life to maintain. I am in my 40's and I had blood work done and I have no problems. I don't need to have prescription pills like everyone else to keep myself healthy. I probably should start drinking more water and eating fruits and vegs so that I can be even more healthier.
It works best if you do the exercises they suggest between visits.
One of the biggest scams ever!
Anyone with an ounce of common sense and a year of high school biology can tell you that there's no link between spinal manipulation and disease. Of course you feel better afterward - who doesn't like a massage? But the fact that it's promoted as able to treat other medical conditions is a disgrace.
Anyone with an ounce of common sense and a year of high school biology can tell you that there's no link between spinal manipulation and disease. Of course you feel better afterward - who doesn't like a massage? But the fact that it's promoted as able to treat other medical conditions is a disgrace.
Chiropractors can treat diseases?
I must be out of the loop. I go to one when my back hurts, accompanied by tingling in my fingers (pinched nerve, usually).
BornAgainMac, who turned you on to chiro to treat allergies? That's pretty cool, if it works for you. Never would have occurred to me that there'd be a connection there.
I must be out of the loop. I go to one when my back hurts, accompanied by tingling in my fingers (pinched nerve, usually).
BornAgainMac, who turned you on to chiro to treat allergies? That's pretty cool, if it works for you. Never would have occurred to me that there'd be a connection there.
Spinal manipulation as performed by a chiropractor is, in fact, somewhat dubious.
Osteopathic medical doctors, on the other hand, utilize musculoskeletal manipulation techniques that can be effective for a variety of disorders. They are not claiming to cure diseases by moving the bones around in your spine. However, many conditions involve musculoskeletal components, and some of these are treatable with manipulative treatments. For example, many misalignments of the thoracic spine may cause reduction in circulatory, lymphatic, or muscular functions, all of which can be successful alleviated by restoring some alignment to the spine.
Seeing a chiropractor on a weekly basis is detrimental to the bones and muscles of the back, although research data on the subject is spotty.
Some persons report alleviation of their conditions by going to a chiropractor, although I would be more interested in the evidence-based medical approach to their condition, as without an objective criteria and research data to evaluate the efficacy of the therapeutic intervention, it might not count for much besides an invigorating massage. Don't forget that the placebo effect is one of the most powerful biopsychological effects there is.
Just my input. More reading into the history, philosophy, and principles of chiropractic manipulation as compared to osteopathic manipulative medicine can be illuminating. The early history of chiropractic, and their founder Palmer, is rather interesting.
Personally, as a medical student and a scientist, I would never see a chiropractor. But, your opinions are yours to make.
Osteopathic medical doctors, on the other hand, utilize musculoskeletal manipulation techniques that can be effective for a variety of disorders. They are not claiming to cure diseases by moving the bones around in your spine. However, many conditions involve musculoskeletal components, and some of these are treatable with manipulative treatments. For example, many misalignments of the thoracic spine may cause reduction in circulatory, lymphatic, or muscular functions, all of which can be successful alleviated by restoring some alignment to the spine.
Seeing a chiropractor on a weekly basis is detrimental to the bones and muscles of the back, although research data on the subject is spotty.
Some persons report alleviation of their conditions by going to a chiropractor, although I would be more interested in the evidence-based medical approach to their condition, as without an objective criteria and research data to evaluate the efficacy of the therapeutic intervention, it might not count for much besides an invigorating massage. Don't forget that the placebo effect is one of the most powerful biopsychological effects there is.
Just my input. More reading into the history, philosophy, and principles of chiropractic manipulation as compared to osteopathic manipulative medicine can be illuminating. The early history of chiropractic, and their founder Palmer, is rather interesting.
Personally, as a medical student and a scientist, I would never see a chiropractor. But, your opinions are yours to make.
Depends entirely on the practitioner. I knew a chiropractor in Santa Fe who was a profound doctor.
I've also know chiropractors who really couldn't do much for you.
When you hit your 'funny bone' and feel the pain, tingling, discomfort, and even impairment downstream in your hand, you're feeling the effects of the impact on your ulnar nerve. It's perfectly reasonable to believe that nerves, if impinged while traveling through your spine, can impair function in whatever organ or system they're serving.
If the 'disease' in question is caused by nerves being impinged, then adjusting posture and spinal alignment can certainly cure the problem. I wouldn't expect chiropractic medicine to cure an infection or malignancy, though proper chiropractic care can help the body's immune system to fight such things more effectively.
I believe the barrier to entry for chiropractic medicine is much lower than, say, for traditional medical school. This probably produces a greater number of unskilled chiropractors out there who give the industry a bad name but dismissing the entire field of chiropractic medicine unilaterally is ill informed and rather hasty.
If the 'disease' in question is caused by nerves being impinged, then adjusting posture and spinal alignment can certainly cure the problem. I wouldn't expect chiropractic medicine to cure an infection or malignancy, though proper chiropractic care can help the body's immune system to fight such things more effectively.
I believe the barrier to entry for chiropractic medicine is much lower than, say, for traditional medical school. This probably produces a greater number of unskilled chiropractors out there who give the industry a bad name but dismissing the entire field of chiropractic medicine unilaterally is ill informed and rather hasty.
Maybe. But medicine is the biggest scam. It causes more disease. Google it. There is a lot of money involved to keep the average Joe in the medicine world for life.
The chiropractic costs are less after the first year and continue to go down unless I get in a car accident or something. So far I am getting my money's worth and I only went in to get rid of some pain with other expectations.
I've had a compressed ankle (jumped down stairs), lower pack pain (fell off of jungle gym), partially dislocated shoulder (I'm a contortionist), and have tendonitis in my knee. My chiropractor is a very smart women, with diplomas galore on her walls, and the touch of healing. She's fixed me up so many times, I can't even remember them all. She uses Ultrasound, electric stim, and acupuncture, and her hands, of course. I feel that without her, I'd have fallen apart years ago. And she's very affordable, too.
I seriously doubt that all my woes went away due to a placebo effect, and really have never been to a hospital for an illness (my parents refuse to go to doctors and are in wonderful health. No one believes my dad is a senior, ma works two jobs and is looking for a third)
I really couldn't care less what science says about chiropractitioners, but my chiropractor has never paraded as a cure-all, and frequently instructs her clients to seek medical help if she sees symptoms of actually disease.
I seriously doubt that all my woes went away due to a placebo effect, and really have never been to a hospital for an illness (my parents refuse to go to doctors and are in wonderful health. No one believes my dad is a senior, ma works two jobs and is looking for a third)
I really couldn't care less what science says about chiropractitioners, but my chiropractor has never paraded as a cure-all, and frequently instructs her clients to seek medical help if she sees symptoms of actually disease.
I don't go for chiropractics too much… because bones don't hold themselves in place, muscles and tendons hold bones in place.
So… you have to see Craniosacral therapist in addition to a chiropractor, or his treatment won't hold past bedtime.
Or you can go to the gym to keep your muscles strong and flexible and see just a Craniosacral therapist.
So… you have to see Craniosacral therapist in addition to a chiropractor, or his treatment won't hold past bedtime.
Or you can go to the gym to keep your muscles strong and flexible and see just a Craniosacral therapist.
Not a fan at all. I've had back nueromuscular dyfunction in the lumbar region of my back for 3-4 years and the chiropractors just made it worse. Basically whats wrong is I have very little muscle in my lower back, which over stresses my other back muscles leading to really bad, inescapable pain- hurts to sit, stand, lay down, breath, etc.
The thing about them is that they make an adjustment, but do very little if anything to do anything to strengthen you muscles to keep them in place. They just put you in a cycle of having to go to their office 2-3 times a week to keep cracking everything into place. They also seem to adjust things just for the sake of adjusting things.
The general consensus among doctors that I know is that they don't really like them, they're kind of like voodoo doctors in a way. I wouldn't recommend them. With me they made my back feel better for an hour but worse the next day.
I would suggest seeing a real doctor for your medical issues and they'll take care of you and probably also send you to a physical therapist that will help strengthen your back muscles. Your bones might be out of wack but just cracking them into place solves nothing.
But then again, I've gone to my pediatrician, 2 highly rated orthopedic doctors, supposedly a very good chiropractor, and 2 physical therapists and nothing has really helped. I suffer from back spasms constantly especially when playing sports. I've given up Lacrosse already due to my condition, and soccer might be next.
The thing about them is that they make an adjustment, but do very little if anything to do anything to strengthen you muscles to keep them in place. They just put you in a cycle of having to go to their office 2-3 times a week to keep cracking everything into place. They also seem to adjust things just for the sake of adjusting things.
The general consensus among doctors that I know is that they don't really like them, they're kind of like voodoo doctors in a way. I wouldn't recommend them. With me they made my back feel better for an hour but worse the next day.
I would suggest seeing a real doctor for your medical issues and they'll take care of you and probably also send you to a physical therapist that will help strengthen your back muscles. Your bones might be out of wack but just cracking them into place solves nothing.
But then again, I've gone to my pediatrician, 2 highly rated orthopedic doctors, supposedly a very good chiropractor, and 2 physical therapists and nothing has really helped. I suffer from back spasms constantly especially when playing sports. I've given up Lacrosse already due to my condition, and soccer might be next.
I agree when they say you must keep coming back.
Using manipulation to realign the body after you throw it out of whack due to a car accident, injury, sleeping wrong, etc. is a help.
Allows the pressure to be removed from a pinched nerve and also allow the irritated nerves to heal.
But usually something that solves a problem quick or in a short term period.
About the only ones I'm not able to self manipulate are the times I throw something out of whack between the shoulder blades. Though at times laying back on a small nerf football in that area pops things back.
Many if not most are scam artists. The rest are just overenthusiastic believers in their craft. Not much different from reflexologists.
Just like any profession, there are good ones and there are bad ones.
For most musculoskeletal conditions, they can do great work. As long as they stick to joint, muscle and nerve pain/injury/dysfunction, they can help your body to heal.
The best chiropractors perform detailed exams, know their limits, and know when to refer to a specialist instead of 'having a go' at trying to fix you.
I've had nothing but great experiences with the chiropractors I've seen. I've gone from pain, to no pain, to a strong back that allows me to run, bike, and lift weights pain-free.
Hope that helps.
For most musculoskeletal conditions, they can do great work. As long as they stick to joint, muscle and nerve pain/injury/dysfunction, they can help your body to heal.
The best chiropractors perform detailed exams, know their limits, and know when to refer to a specialist instead of 'having a go' at trying to fix you.
I've had nothing but great experiences with the chiropractors I've seen. I've gone from pain, to no pain, to a strong back that allows me to run, bike, and lift weights pain-free.
Hope that helps.
So then don't jump into the loop. I'm always surprised when I hear about people on these forums taking copious amounts of medicines. None of my local friends are on anything (barring one chap on some pills to come off smoking). Even the consultant I saw some months ago said I shouldn't be taking drugs to fix my anxiety problem and that most accute (mental) problems don't need pills but are given out like sweets nonetheless.
i had low back pain by non trauma.. i just felt really stiff when i woke up in the morning. so i went to see a chirprator and i got an adjustment twice every week about a month. stiffness and pain is gone . i really recommand chiropractic care for who has low back pain.
Doctors, Drug companies, and medical care in general.....
The #1 biggest scam of all time, imposed every friggin minute of every friggin day, upon every single person on the planet !!!!!
>NONE< of them really, truly have a clue what they are doing.
At best, medical treatment is an exercise in "educated guesswork"
Once doctors get out of med school (world's #2 biggest scam) they think they are gods with mythical powers, and everyone else is their lowly test subjects, provided for them to experiment on, at $500 or more per minute...........
LIKE IT OR NOT, thats the awful friggin reality
The #1 biggest scam of all time, imposed every friggin minute of every friggin day, upon every single person on the planet !!!!!
>NONE< of them really, truly have a clue what they are doing.
At best, medical treatment is an exercise in "educated guesswork"
Once doctors get out of med school (world's #2 biggest scam) they think they are gods with mythical powers, and everyone else is their lowly test subjects, provided for them to experiment on, at $500 or more per minute...........
LIKE IT OR NOT, thats the awful friggin reality
Chiropractic care is only understandable in the case of back muscle aches and pains. If you consider going to a Chiropractic clinic for any other medical reason, you would be throwing away whatever money the therapy cost, including the amount you spent on gas to get there. There is absolutely no scientific backing for Chiropractic care for anything other than my aforementioned reason. Same goes for homeopathic medicine, faith healing, and all other assorted quackery.
Doctors, Drug companies, and medical care in general.....
The #1 biggest scam of all time, imposed every friggin minute of every friggin day, upon every single person on the planet !!!!!
>NONE< of them really, truly have a clue what they are doing.
At best, medical treatment is an exercise in "educated guesswork"
Once doctors get out of med school (world's #2 biggest scam) they think they are gods with mythical powers, and everyone else is their lowly test subjects, provided for them to experiment on, at $500 or more per minute...........
LIKE IT OR NOT, thats the awful friggin reality
No, it isn't.
You may hold that belief now, but you sure as hell will have a different outlook on life the instant you have a genuine need for any form of medical care. "The #1 biggest scam of all time, imposed every friggin minute of every friggin day, upon every single person on the planet" is the belief held by a freighting number of people that they know more than their medical professional. No matter how many hours you've spent browsing Dr. L. Ron Hubbard's anti-conventional medicine blog, you don't have anything resembling a clue of what you're talking about. Have a good day.
Post more around here gnikcjack
. It's nice to have a sane mind working these parts.Spot on as usual Eric. A Physio is going to be much more help to you than a chiro. They're awesome and highly trained in the evidence of what they do. There's been a big push in the last decade or so for chiros to become more evidence based in their treatments, when in reality they're just becoming a lite version of physiotherapsts.EricNau said:
Doctors, Drug companies, and medical care in general.....
The #1 biggest scam of all time, imposed every friggin minute of every friggin day, upon every single person on the planet !!!!!
>NONE< of them really, truly have a clue what they are doing.
At best, medical treatment is an exercise in "educated guesswork"
Once doctors get out of med school (world's #2 biggest scam) they think they are gods with mythical powers, and everyone else is their lowly test subjects, provided for them to experiment on, at $500 or more per minute...........
LIKE IT OR NOT, thats the awful friggin reality
It is good people like you are out there, they serve as a counterbalance to the people who think medicine can cure anything.
You are correct in a sense, about guesswork. Doctors serve to give opinions based on their individual (or collective) interpretations of objective and subjective data. Sometimes, the doctors are spot on (you have a tumor, you have PCP pneumonia, you have AIDS), other times they are not spot on. People tend to focus on the bad and forget about the good. It is difficult to deny that transplants can preserve life in some cases, or surgery, or chemotherapeutics, or even good old antibiotics.
The only fear I have is of people abandoning vaccines en masse. Google "herd immunity" if you really want some thought-provoking reading.
Also, I don't know who posted it, but good call on the life expectancy graph. I would only add that many basic public health measures are actually responsible for that increase, and not individual medical care, in many circumstances. Generalized improvements in sanitation, minimization of infectious diseases, and improvements in infant mortality contribute a lot to those figures. But, medicine has its place also; the shift from infectious to chronic diseases as the top killers demonstrates that. Google that, if you have faith in Dr. Google...