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!