Anyone use a chiropracter?

[cruziegirl]

I see where the professionals pretty consistently use chiropracters to help keep them flexible, etc. I'm just a recreational cyclist and I don't really have any particular problems - I try to stretch pretty regularly - but there are definitely times after a long ride when I climb off the bike and feel each of my 50 years. Anyone use a chiropracter? What's your opinion?

[Irulan]

I love my chiropracter. You'll find this is a controversial topic. I've been in two rear end accidents and numerous mountain biking wipeout, plus the work I do stresses the old injuries from my accident.


The follows is all MY OPINION... you are welcome to disagree but do it nicely.
I first started after the first car wreck about 13 years ago. Now, I go in strictly on an as-neede basis, determined by ME not by them. A good chiropractor will be well ness oriented, ,and give you a treatment plant **if you need it**. For example, after my last car wreck ,it was 3x a week for a month, ,then we worked backwards until I could go as needed. They should give you good information on what you can do to stay healthy... stretching or gym exercises for your particular issues if you have any.

I hvae back spasms left over from two car crashes; I've been treating with chiro and threraputic massage and if I maintain, they just don't come back. There are good and badpracticioners, and I hvae had both,... so ask around.
Irulan

[goddess1222]

i have had multiple problems with my lower back for a very long time. i had been seeing a chiropractor for about 7 years.

just recently, i had been having even more problems with it, and chiropractic was not helping. so i went to see my physical therapist.

she told me that i basically have a tight back. like really tight. she started a complete joint stretching program for me. she gave me homework, daily and hourly stretches to do. now, my back has never felt better. i am not seeing my chiropractor anymore

here is the reason: if you don't have joint mobility, and if the joints are not properly stretched, it doesn't matter how many times your chiropractor adjusts you and puts you back to neutral, you will always "pop out" of your adjustment. meaning you will NEVER hold your adjustment properly because your back is too tight.

i was asked by my p.t. why my chiropractor wasn't doing any joint stretching with me, and the answer is that i don't really think he knew what to do.

while i believe in many instances chiropractic has it's place, it no longer is needed for my ailment, because i now know what is really wrong.

if you are interested, i can send you the pictures and handouts of the exercises i do that my p.t. gave me.

goddess1222


btw: a male friend of mine is a cop, he carries a lot of extra weight on his belt, and his uniform. so he has serious problems with back pain. since i have taught him my stretching program, his back doesn't hurt anymore. another satisfied customer!!

[goddess1222]

irulan, your post came in at the same time mine did. my hope is that you don't think i was being rude. it is not my intention. if so, my deepest apologies.

[Irulan]

Originally posted by goddess1222
irulan, your post came in at the same time mine did. my hope is that you don't think i was being rude. it is not my intention. if so, my deepest apologies.

OH no not at all... The whole idea behind 'net forums IMO is that there are lots of different POV's. And we can all disagree
;) nicely;)
Didn't work for you, did for me... that's what makes the world go round.

It illustrates how chiropractors can be really different... mine makes sure I have stretches and homework for self car to take home, and she really reams me out if I don't do them.


we saw one guy for a while who was a real back-cracker assembly line kind of guy. Bad news, no real interest. He screwed up my hubbys neck too.

What your PT said makes real sense tho.
Ya know, whatever works. Sometimes it just takes a while to find it.

Irulan

[cruziegirl]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. One of the reasons why I love this forum is people actually just put forward their experiences and no flaming when experiences differ. Very respectful - I like it!

[cyclechick]

I LOOOOOVVVVE my chiropractor! Find a GOOD one,...there are some out there who aren't good...But mine solved my sciatic problem, and has helped immensley w/the after bike "woes"...(Epecially my neck!)...He has helped my husband out too, who has a horrible back...Part of the problem for us bike riders is that our quads are strong, and our hamstrings aren't so strong...So stretching helps, but it creates an imbalance, which affects the way you carry yourself....HOpe this helps!

[Irulan]

My chirprocter is also one of my best riding and ski buddies. She understands the needs of active people very well. She's been known to do field adjustments out in the weeds after I endo'ed.

Irulan

[Kpicha]

Goddess1222,

I'd be interested in that strecthing regime :) Can I get a copy?

KunderscorePichaATyahooDOTcom

Thanks so much!
Kristina

[goddess1222]

no problem Kpicha!! i don't have a scanner but i can send you some copies, you too cruzie girl.

my e mail: activegirl61@hotmail.com

if you both are comfortable giving me a work address or something, i will send them right along.

[missliz]

May I politely disagree and emphaticly state that chiropracters are money grubbing quacks. A good masseuse will do you more good for the money, and not beat you up with so called "adjustments". For bigger problems, a good physical therapist is who you want. They can do everything a chiropracter can but usually don't, because there are better ways. And they teach you how to take care of yourself. Last I heard the vogue for chiropractic among elite and pro athletes had long passed because cracking bones just doesn't help soft tissue issues. Most teams keep a masseuse, works better.
Osteapaths, (D.O.) who have the same training as M.D.s and chiropracters, tend to think chiropracters are quacks too. At least the ones I've talked to do. That'd be about six or eight.
Irulan, if you've found the only decent chiropracter on the planet, that's great and I'm glad it works for you. I wonder though, that a competant health care prof. would do adjustments after an endo, which by its nature usually wants a neck X-ray pretty promptly.
Over the years, I've used all the above mentioned types of care and think chiropracters cause more harm than good. That way they keep you coming back to spend money and buy bogus treatment. Who's on all those infomercials hawking mail order snake oil? Chiropracters.
Cruziegirl, you probably need a good massuese. One who plays sports- they understand what you need.

missliz

[Kpicha]

That sounds like the way to go for me. Where do you even start with finding a good one who knows about sports? I don't go to gyms so that wouldn't be an option for me.

What do you look for in a competent PT, masseuse? I'd be afraid of picking up some nasty germs or something from a masseuse! :) Call me weird, but with all the weird stuff being passed around at hair salons and nail places, once can only wonder.

[Irulan]

Originally posted by Kpicha
That sounds like the way to go for me. Where do you even start with finding a good one who knows about sports? I don't go to gyms so that wouldn't be an option for me.

What do you look for in a competent PT, masseuse? I'd be afraid of picking up some nasty germs or something from a masseuse! :) Call me weird, but with all the weird stuff being passed around at hair salons and nail places, once can only wonder.

Have you never had a professional therapeutic massage? They are very clean, very pro.

Best is word of mouth, or look for someone who has a sports and atheltic training. You do not want "aura fluffing" or spa massage; you want therapuetic body work. There are many different types of massage. I"m not terribly familiar with all of them but I've had good experinces with myofacial, russian, pressure point and deep tissue work. Swedish tends to be more the "relaxing" kind.

Also, inquire if your health plan covers it. In my state they legislated that alternative therapies have to be covered. With a referral which I get from my MD I pay $12 a session.

Irulan

[missliz]

My mechanic at the LBS referred me to another customer, a sports masseuse who's also a nat ranked tri-girl. She really knows her stuff, and understands how to get the junk out of the leg muscles. Here in Louisiana massuesses (spells like Green Eggs And Ham!) are liscensed, both for training requirements and to keep the hookers out of that section of the phone book. So thats something to check for. Ask at the LBS, if you've got a good one, or around the bike club if you have one of those.
One of the great things a massage does is help move lactic acid and other metabolic junk left in there out, along with getting any knots out. Treat yourself, you'll like it!

missliz

[Trixiee]

Just a question - maybe off the wall, but here goes: I have recently been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. Also, about 3 1/2 years ago, I had a rollover accident, with a whiplash injury.
The medication for my condition makes me very sleepy and dizzy. Just wondering if anyone has ever heard of there being a connection with whiplash and trigeminal neralgia, and if so, would a chiropractor, P.T., or masseusse most likely help?
Thanks gals. I have mostly been a "lurker", but this topic got me thinking!

[Irulan]

I wouldn't know about trigeminal neralgia but i've been whiplashed twice in rear end car accidents and the treatment was chiropractic and massage exclusively. I don't know if that's relevant to the trigeminal neralgia or not.

Irulan

[MM_QFC!]

IMHO, misslizz is right on the money once again. Just suffice it to say that I did NOT have good experience with chiropractic care; every point you made, I read it and nodded vigorously, missliz.
I was rear-ended and went to a couple of chiropractors; had strong referrals for both of them and no bias beforehand and was optimistic that the bodywork would help - NOT!
As for massage - most states have licensing boards and licensed massage practitioners must meet continuing ed requirments after passing not only a comprehensive course of study and practicum, but both a written as well as practical exam. There are sports massage specialists and, as previously noted, many primary care physicians partner with these health care professionals...my insurance covers massage therapy as well as physical therapy and so they are integral to injury assessment, rehab, post-op...My PT is busy with referrals by doctors at the university's sports medicine clinic, so she works with scores of athletes, as well as being one herself. Their scope of practice serves to help in training, as well as maintenance and rehab - awesome.
Re: trigeminal neuralgia - the trigeminal nerve must've been nicked or hurt in your accident. It's a 3 pronged nerve covering a good portion of the face, I think...and neuralgia is nerve pain, which is pretty raw as far as pain goes...maybe the field of massage therapy dealing with cranio-sacral treatment might help alleviate the pain?
That's my nickels worth!

[missliz]

Three years strikes me as a long lag between the injury and the trinemal neuralgia (had those headaches- horrendous). Bet there's better meds that won't grog you up, and my vote, not knowing any details, is for massage- it helps everything, just like ice cream!
I've got a medication dependent condition, and have found that one womans great med is another womans misery. You can't ride if you're dizzy. Complain to your doc, this is a quality of life issue.

missliz

[Trixiee]

You guys are so helpful! You're all absolutely right- the pain is in the face, it's horrendous, and the condition truly affects my quality of life! I haven't been on my bike yet this year! But, I am signed up for my 1st dualthlon of the season in 2 and a half weeks! I've cut back on the medication, which reduces the dizziness, and will seek out all my options for non-medicinal pain relief.
The weather forcast is for decent weather in the next few days, and I'm taking my bike in for a spring tune up TODAY!

Good luck everybody! Many the wind be always at your back!
Trixiee

[MM_QFC!]

Hey Trixiee...I think that the trigeminal nerve actually is a cranial nerve, stretching along a side of the face...whatever it is, nerve pain is not fun, so get someone who is knowledgeable about naturopathic, osteopathic (as missliz says, osteopathic docs go thru med school and then some, so that they do bodywork and know what's going on under their (hopefully) healing hands). Nerve pain is debillitating if not treated and you want to let any caregivers know in very clear terms that you're a biker girl and need to be back on your bike, pronto! Hang in there!

[missliz]

A decent MD can get you better meds, too. If what you're on is grogging you up, change. A chronic pain situation can really trash your health. trying to ride on space cadet drugs isn't good either, you can fall and get injured. Or at least frustrated. Been there, done it. On what turned out to be a factory rep ride, he was looking to hand out Schwinn swag to shop sponsered riders. I was such a spaz I left in tears. I'm still yelling at my doc about that four years later. They never think that dizzy and groggy is dangerous, even when you're just crossing the street.

missliz

[Trixiee]

You're all so right! I was just sad about my new condition, now I'm getting mad! Not only does this affect my riding, it's affecting all aspects of my life. As a commissioned sales person, I need to be on top of my game, not chasing it!
When I complained about the dizziness/sleepiness to my MD, he told me to take Gravol for the dizziness. Holy Cow, when I take a gravol, I'm down for the count for 8 hours! Now tell me, how can I be a safe driver, let alone cyclist, with all these stupid drugs inhibiting me? I did call my PT, and he told me he could do TENS for the pain, but the drug that I am on usually works the best for my condition.
I have the name of a chiropractor who does not "manipulate" the spine. It's some type of gentle treatment. THe only problem is that her office is about 75 min. away! That's the problem when you live in small town Canada, all the experts are so far away.
It's worth the investment in time though, when you look at the alternative. I'll check in to the Osteopath too.

Thanks again, everyone!

[cyclechick]

I'd like to add another alternative....I personally love my chiropractor,and he has helped me out immensely. However, my best friend has had problems for years and shuffled through many chiros...never did the job for her. HOwever, she then tried accupuncture. I think she went for maybe 5 times,and her continual back pain (she's had back problems for at LEAST 10 years) is finally better...
So you may want to try accupuncture....

[sailingship]

I an completely relate to anyone who has had back pain, leg pain ,etc. I went to a variety of doctors, and finally the only thing that worked was to see a neurosurgeon who did a lot of epidural injections into all of these nerves that were preventing me from walking, or doing anything.

I bought at new bike less than a month ago-- am pain free. In fact, I have put more miles on my bike than I have on my car. Somthing to think about. I will turn 50 next month, and I feel better than I did when I was 20.

[missliz]

You go girl! I love a success story, trying to be one too. Good pain management docs are awesome, and I'm glad you got releif.
Keep on the magic carpet ride.

missliz