Experiences with Chiropractor?

[Librarygirl]

Hi guys,

Just wondering, for those of you who have seen a chiropractor, what your experiences were like? Positive, negative?

I have started seeing a chiropractor (about 3 wks now) for lower back pain that I have had for several years (not bike-related, cos I've only been cycling since about mid last year). So far, pain is no better, in fact maybe worse.

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a sceptic when it comes to alternative treatments. And I don't particularly like the fact that the chiro seems to come up with what seem to be simplistic, generic explanations for every ill known to man, that can be apparently fixed by chiropractic adjustments.

Also, I cancelled this weeks appointments (2 of them) due to work and the receptionist was very guilt-making and concerned, saying that the treatments 'lose their effects' if you don't keep up with the treatment plan at the same time and same days every week. AND they want you to basically keep on coming for the rest of your life for 'maintenance' treatments every 3 weeks even after you are better.

I dunno, it seems like quite a commitment and I'm not entirely sure that they aren't just trying to get people to sign up to years of income for them.

What do you guys think?

Linda.

[badger]

I will whole-heartedly say that chiropractic is the only thing that has helped with my migraines which are exacerbated by the fact my C1 is twisted by 7 degrees.

BUT, having said that, there are different types of chiropractic treatments. Mine is called NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) that only uses gentle manipulation on the neck.

I have gone to ones that uses those little puncher things between their fingers and found no improvement. I would never go to one that uses those really rough, abrupt adjustments.

This one was highly recommended by a physician and I can say it's made a HUGE difference in my life. Before I started some 10 years ago, I would be getting debilitating migraines and now they are bothersome, but occure less frequently and no longer debilitating.

[KnottedYet]

Librarygirl- If the chiropractor isn't teaching you how to fix or maintain YOURSELF, I'd run the other way pretty darn quick.

The protocol is to get you started with assistance, teach you how to fix yourself, monitor you to be sure you're doing it right, then set you loose after you are healed with a maintainence program to follow on your own for 6 months and instructions on how to handle recurrance.

Average number of visits should be about 6 total, spread out over a few weeks.

Consider seeking out a McKenzie-certified PT, DO, or DC: www.mckenziemdt.org

[Biciclista]

Librarygirl- If the chiropractor isn't teaching you how to fix or maintain YOURSELF, I'd run the other way pretty darn quick.

Consider seeking out a McKenzie-certified PT, DO, or DC: www.mckenziemdt.org

boy that's what i was going to say. A chiropractor can give some temporary relief, but if he doesn't help you strengthen yourself, you're going to have to keep going back FOREVER.

[NbyNW]

I think it's good to be skeptical. While no doubt some people feel that the definitely benefit from alternative treatments, they are not for everyone, and sometimes it can really be all about finding the right practitioner. Personally I am also skeptical about claims as to whether these things can help with immune system function or fatigue or what-have-you.

I've only had limited experiences with chiros since I have never had insurance that paid for them. I've only occasionally tried it when timing and opportunity allowed, and I try to keep an open mind I'm not really sold on it, except to think that I would want to research very carefully whether I would want to work with someone on an ongoing basis. One time I went to a chiro that a friend recommended, because I was having some sciatic pain, and all this guy did was work on my neck. Which I thought was beside the point.

The only time I've actually thought a chiro might be helpful for me was right after a tri when I felt something tweak in my lower back during the run. One of the race sponsors was a local chiro and she had a booth set up at the finish and was volunteering her services. So I let her have a look at me and she adjusted my sacrum & pelvis. If I had not already been under the care of an osteopath I would have considered looking into her practice more, since I really liked that she asked thorough questions about my history and took the time to listen to what I might and might not be comfortable with while I was on her table. And she was considerate enough to give me a warning when she was about to do something that might shock my system.

Since I mentioned it: depending who you talk to, osteopathy may or may not be considered more or less voodoo compared to chiro. IME, osteopaths also have a tendency to make claims similar to chiropractors about how many ailments their work will cure. I don't really know, all I can do is tell you my experience. Insurance companies may or may not put them in a similar category.

When I fractured my sacrum in 2006, my TMJ specialist recommended that I work with an osteopath to help with my alignment in conjunction with the work he was doing on my shoulders, neck and jaw. So I started working with this osteopath that I found through referral, and over time I really felt that the sessions were helping with alignment, pain and range of motion. And the techniques he used were much gentler than what I had experienced with chiropractors. No snapping or popping. I worked with the osteopath for a little over two years, less frequently as my body healed and got stronger. I never felt pressured to go according to some schedule he set; we discussed together what would work for me. And one day he said to me that I probably didn't need to come in on a regular basis anymore, that I could probably just call if I needed an adjustment and they would fit me in. I had been kinda thinking the same thing, and it turns out I have not felt a need to go back.

I should mention that I was also faithfully doing my PT homework, Pilates, and getting massage on a regular basis to rehab this injury, and I would not credit any one thing as being the most important part of my recovery. They were all very important, and they continue to be an important part of maintaining my health.

If you feel like your chiropractor is more interested in helping himself/herself than helping you, maybe it would be a good idea to look for another practitioner, if you really feel like chiro is the way to go. It is a big investment of time and money -- and not all employers are understanding about you missing work for an appointment so there is that to consider as well.

I would also ask if you are also doing anything proactive (exercise, stretching, hot/cold packs, ibuprofen?) for your back pain. Have you seen a doctor and a PT? The underlying cause of your pain could be any number of things, and diagnostics are very important to determining an appropriate treatment plan. I'm sure the PTs on the message board will chime in, but IMHO are no quick easy fixes for pain that has been bothering you for so long.

[badger]

I guess I should put a little post script in that I do wonder what in the world I would do if I need to move away from my chiropractor.

which leads me to my next comment - maybe you should look into an Osteopath? they don't really exist in North America but are quite common in Great Britain. You might look for a massage therapist trained in cranial-sacral massage. That's also helped me as well, and completely non-invasive.

[NbyNW]

I guess I should put a little post script in that I do wonder what in the world I would do if I need to move away from my chiropractor.

Amen sister. I miss my massage therapist in Seattle terribly, and finding a new one here in Edmonton is a bit like going on a bizarre series of blind dates. And now that I have my Alberta Health card, I'm about to embark on checking out a referral for a new TMJ specialist. Fun.

which leads me to my next comment - maybe you should look into an Osteopath? they don't really exist in North America but are quite common in Great Britain.

Per my over-long post above, they are not unheard of in North America, but their presence & ability to practice may depend on what state you are in, as I understand it.

ETA: just noticed that the OP is in Australia. Have NO idea about osteos down under.

[channlluv]

+1 to what Knot and Mimi said.

I love my chiropractor. When I wrecked my bike, and my body, a year and a half ago, my GP could only recommend surgery to repair the injuries to my shoulder - I was still in a lot of pain months after the accident, and my shoulder was freezing. Dr. Matt set me up with a series of ART (Active Release Therapy/Technique - I forget) sessions and broke up the scar tissue that was preventing my full range of motion. In just a couple of months I was back to full rotation of my shoulder, and he taught me lots of exercises to help strengthen the shoulder and help prevent further injury. Seriously, he saved me from surgery. But, following on what Knot and Mimi said, he only gave me a couple of full adjustments those first weeks - the rest of my visits with him are full of exercise training and TEMS and ART treatments on the injured area, and he gave me a foam roller so I can adjust myself.

I'm seeing him for my ankle injury now (from when I fell off my bike trainer a couple of weeks ago), and it's the same deal - just a couple of adjustments in the beginning, then ART on the scar tissue that was aggravated from that wreck a year and a half ago and exercises to retrain the muscle and tendons to work in the right direction.

And I'm not alone in appreciating his attention to treating sports injuries. Friday when I went in for my appointment, I sat down next to a certain NFL running back who injured his ankle and tanked his running performance in the AFC semi-finals who was waiting for his appointment, too. (Imagine for a minute me and LT, sitting there waiting for treatment for the same kind of injury. Ha!) We were chatting while we waited and I was telling him about my frequent bike wrecks. I said, "Yeah, cycling may not be my sport after all." He laughed.

There are a couple of women Ironman triathletes who have appointments at the time before mine, too, sometimes, and a professional hockey player, and there are pictures of all kinds of sports figures on the wall with my chiro.

Good luck finding a chiro who works for you. I for sure wouldn't stay with someone who made me feel guilty and expected me for long term maintenance treatments when they haven't even fixed the original problem.

Roxy

[OakLeaf]

maybe you should look into an Osteopath? they don't really exist in North America

I live 50 miles from an osteopathic medical school in Ohio. The big osteopathic hospital in Columbus merged with an MD hospital, and now both types of doctors practice there.

Maybe it's different in other parts of North America, but in middle USA, osteopathy is alive and well.

As for the OP's original question... I don't know that much, but my instincts would be with Knott and Biciclista.

[Tuckervill]

I guess I should put a little post script in that I do wonder what in the world I would do if I need to move away from my chiropractor.

which leads me to my next comment - maybe you should look into an Osteopath? they don't really exist in North America but are quite common in Great Britain. You might look for a massage therapist trained in cranial-sacral massage. That's also helped me as well, and completely non-invasive.

Osteopaths are all over the place around me, smack in the middle of North America. We don't have a whole lot of yoga or acupuncture, but osteopaths, we got! I go to two.

Karen

[Crankin]

Even here, in the medical mecca of the US, we have osteopaths. They are treated as MDs, and most have practices that are no different than MDs. The one I am the most familiar with is a cardiologist.
My experience with chiros was negative. I went for neck pain and they had me coming back and back for weeks. After 6 weeks, I realized they were just taking my money.

[Librarygirl]

Thanks heaps everyone for your input!

It's great to get a whole heap of perspectives on this - I didn't just want to dismiss the whole chiro thing without getting some thoughts from others.

From the sounds of it, I may be better off at the very least exploring a new chiro or perhaps osteopath (actually a friend I was talking to this evening also suggested an osteopath). Colby's comment about the 'chiro-factory' chiropractors resonated a lot with me in terms of my experience with my current one - it is very much in and out in 5 mins, just a couple of 'cracks' of the neck and back, no questioning of whether there's any improvement in pain or exploration of supplementary methods for helping the back problem (including self-help).

You have all given me much food for thought about how to proceed!

Thanks,

Linda

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi Linda

Now I might repeat things but that is because I did not want to read what everybody had to say.......until I had posted my feelings on the subject.

Ten years ago I was told I would not be able to work again and that there was no more they could do.

After a year I thought stuff that and asked my consultant would it harm to try riding a bike, his comment "worth a try, so long as you do not fall off"!

I also then gave up with the hospital, or rather they gave up with me and started seeing a chiropractor and still do. At $45 (£30) a time, it is a lot of money but you cannot put a price on your health.

I have times when I do not go for 3 months maybe more but then I might get a flare up and he always sorts it out after a couple of visits.

You mentioned 'cracking', occasionally things 'pop' but there is also quite a lot of manipulating/massaging. A common problem for me is when my pelvis is out.

Like any other type of therapy there are good and bad, I struck lucky with mine.

Good luck.

Clock

[artifactos]

Your chiropractic experience will most likely be positive or negative depending primarily on the chiropractor you go to.

The chiropractor I used for my horses (who CAN'T fake feeling better/moving better) was the person I went to after a bad fall off a horse and a three-week-long migraine. Half of my face was hypersensitive, the other was numb, and I couldn't sleep at all nor did the headache ever go away, even with muscle relaxers and plenty of painkillers. My first visit to him, he did plenty of tests and took a few x-rays: the curvature in my neck had been straightened out by whiplash from my fall, and I COULD NOT stand up with my feet together and my eyes closed. I fell over three times.

After my first adjustment, the headache dissipated and I went home and was able to SLEEP for the first time in weeks. It was incredible - after a few more visits over the next few weeks, my sensations went back to normal, my balance came back, and I regained my range of motion.

I had to see another chiropractor in my college town after a car accident, and my experience was really negative. I left his office feeling worse every time, and finally was able to see my regular chiropractor on a school break and was fixed. He's great - he suggests a couple visits to get stuff in order, then tapering off and just coming in as you want/need it. After seeing him for going on six years now, I have gotten to the point where I can tell when I need a visit - my range of motion is so much better when I have had an adjustment recently, and he has taught me plenty of stretches to help keep my adjustments in place.

Many chiropractors (the ones who aren't worth it) will advise you to come back again and again. It's really not necessary, and any chiropractor that advises it is automatically on my **** list. A few visits within a couple weeks for a pretty severe problem with maybe a visit a week for a couple weeks following should be enough to correct most issues, and checking back in when you don't feel right is a good idea.

I'm also with badger: my chiropractor has been considering moving to Florida for a few years, and I'm terrified of him leaving. Who will take care of me and my pony properly??

[colby]

I see a chiropractor regularly for maintenance on the cycle that I feel I need it for the volume that I train.

When not training 12-18 hours a week, I can go every 4-6 weeks, or I suppose more, if I am stretching and doing yoga, especially poses that counter the exercise and daily work I'm doing for stretching and build related muscles when strengthening. When I am training 12-18 hours a week and racing, I have to go every 3 weeks. I know it sounds frequent, but it seems to be what my body wants - if I get to 4, things start to get tighter. Sometimes I can stretch it to 5-6 with the high load, but it requires a massage (or acupuncture) inbetween, which is kind of a wash. At the end of those 18 hour weeks if I have a few in a row, I need both chiro and massage (or a dedicated spouse).

I have seen chiro-factory chiropractors, who schedule you for your regular visit and you're in and out in 5 minutes, you feel 10% better and they get your $40. If you're injured, you pay your $40 and don't feel better. It took me a while to find my current chiro, who is more of a sports guy, which is up my alley, and he is quick to recommend exercises, stretches, and physical therapy-like treatment regimens for anything out of the ordinary or any injuries I've had, or just the recurring issues I have that I'd prefer to undo myself. The last guy I had, if you explained something to him, it was all smile and nod. My current guy will listen and if something doesn't sound right, we'll talk about it. If I feel like he's moving too fast or missed something, I'll ask.

In your situation, I'd ask people for personal references, maybe people who are active, and find a new chiro. Good luck!