Chiropractic Care Thread. Trust? Opinions or Experiences Please Share

[muppy]

Greetings. I am posing this question because I probably could benefit from seeing a chiropractor for a nagging neck soreness issue.

 

I have anxiety about them and would appreciate any insights, Thoughts, or discussion in this. Gracias.

 

And it would also be out of pocket I need to double check that

 

I realize this is anecdotal but there are some super smart people on this board who may partake. 

Edited March 15 by muppy

[DrDawkinstein]

Lot of experience here.

 

In general, it's not a real science. BUT there are times and places the right Chiro can help. If it is for direct back/neck pain, pinched nerve, etc, then a good Chiro can definitely help you out. Just dont buy into the homeopathic "I'll crack your neck and it will cure your diabetes" BS a lot of them will try to sell you.

 

When I was an athlete in my younger days, my chiro saved me a number of times. But it's up there with massage treatment as opposed to any real medical benefit.

 

Business-wise, there are generally two types of Chiros. And here is what you need to watch out for.

 

Type 1 will address your problem and get you fixed up in 1 or 2 visits.

Type 2 will try to give you a "Whole Health Assessment" and then try to prove to you why you need to get on a schedule of coming in once a week (or more), and they'll never really fix you and keep you coming back forever just so they can keep billing you.

 

Type 2 is WAAAAAAYYYYY more popular and common than type 1 unfortunately. My family has a great Type 1, but he's in Buffalo and I dont think that will help you.

 

Do your research on local Chiros. Good luck!

 

 

[Saxum]

Chiropractors used to be very hands on but these days with attempting to see more patients they have become more set you up on the machines.

Understand how much time will Chiropractor spend time with you and how much time you will spend with machines.

 

I was dissatisfied with last Chiropractor I seen and I think machine time is why I was.

[boyst]

look into seeing a DO, as well. they can do a lot to do alignment corrections and diagnosis. they can also make sure you get to the right kind of Physical Therapist. If you want a good PT never use one that takes insurance. they're NEVER good.

 

Like DrD said the can be useful. However, never let them crack your neck or anything cervical. there are dozens of cases a day that go unreported where chircos "crack" or "adjust" a neck and internally decapitate someone.  high velocity maneuvers are very dangerous. DO's dont do them, nor do PT's.

 

also like he said don't do some 8 visit treatment specialty. a lot of corporate places will trick you into this. after 2-3 visits over the course of a month to 6 weeks you'll know if its worth it.

 

i highly recommend going to a good body work specialist LMBT, a PT, and DO. I get body work every 2 weeks, go to a PT at least 2 times a month, and DO 3 times a year. i'm also very active/athletic and now busted.

Edited March 15 by boyst

[Saxum]

Just now, boyst said:

look into seeing a DO, as well. they can do a lot to do alignment corrections and diagnosis. they can also make sure you get to the right kind of Physical Therapist. If you want a good PT never use one that takes insurance. they're NEVER good.

 

Disagree completely on PTs which take insurance.  When I had foot surgery PTs were good and post bunion surgery PTs were good.

[boyst]

Just now, Punching Bag said:

 

Disagree completely on PTs which take insurance.  When I had foot surgery PTs were good and post bunion surgery PTs were good.

for common basic things like this PT's can be useful. but if you want your money's worth also ask to pay cash, avoid insurance.

 

i had some severe tearing in my shoulder i needed work with. insurance would cover very little - 3 things over 8 weeks: stretching/massage, DN, and heat/cold therapy. out of pocket i paid just a little more and added strength work, mobilization exercises. etc.

 

insurance for PT is gross. insurance in general is gross. it's not usually practical for healthy people. its ok for the fats and lazy just to get a grasp of knowledge or time fixing themselves.

[BillsFan4]

22 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Lot of experience here.

 

In general, it's not a real science. BUT there are times and places the right Chiro can help. If it is for direct back/neck pain, pinched nerve, etc, then a good Chiro can definitely help you out. Just dont buy into the homeopathic "I'll crack your neck and it will cure your diabetes" BS a lot of them will try to sell you.

 

When I was an athlete in my younger days, my chiro saved me a number of times. But it's up there with massage treatment as opposed to any real medical benefit.

 

Business-wise, there are generally two types of Chiros. And here is what you need to watch out for.

 

Type 1 will address your problem and get you fixed up in 1 or 2 visits.

Type 2 will try to give you a "Whole Health Assessment" and then try to prove to you why you need to get on a schedule of coming in once a week (or more), and they'll never really fix you and keep you coming back forever just so they can keep billing you.

 

Type 2 is WAAAAAAYYYYY more popular and common than type 1 unfortunately. My family has a great Type 1, but he's in Buffalo and I dont think that will help you.

 

Do your research on local Chiros. Good luck!

 

 

What’s your chiropractor’s name? 

[Augie]

2 hours ago, Punching Bag said:

 

Disagree completely on PTs which take insurance.  When I had foot surgery PTs were good and post bunion surgery PTs were good.

 

There is a HUGE difference in quality from PT to PT, but I don’t think insurance has anything to do with it. When my son tore his ACL we went to the PT the local surgeons recommended. They actually set him way back by treating him like an old lady rather than a 16 year old athlete. We elected to take him out of state for surgery (Steadman-Hawkins) but first we had to find a serious PT who could help him regain quad strength he had lost already because he was babied. Pain equals progress in a situation like that, I’m afraid.

 

We had a good chiropractor in FL. He didn’t push more sessions on you, and he really did help to some degree. The problem is, if you adjust but don’t loosen the surrounding muscles you just get pulled back out of place. We found deep tissue massage to be more helpful than the chiropractor. Just my two cents. 

 

Hope that is helpful. Good luck! 

 

 

EDIT: I just noticed @muppy was looking for the super smart people. I apologize that you got us instead.  😋

 

 

.

Edited March 15 by Augie

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Type 1 will address your problem and get you fixed up in 1 or 2 visits.

My chiropractor I consulted through the 1990s-2000s kept me running well, and was a wizard at adjusting a vertebrae in my mid back that could absolutely grind me to a halt.  A visit to Dr. Dave, and I was back in business.

[muppy]

I need  to find a Professional office that has X Ray capability and the highest reputation for me to even  consider going to chiro

 

several months ago I had  a CT abominable scan. In which was determined that as compared from  my previous one I now had a "wedge fracture" in my lower back. C4 

 

I Cringe to think if I had gone  to some quack chiro  and he'd have cracked me not knowing my condition. I didn't even know I had it until that test revealed it unbeknownst

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 15 by muppy

[boyst]

6 minutes ago, muppy said:

I need  to find a Professional office that has X Ray capability and the highest reputation for me to even  consider going to chiro

 

several months ago I had  a CT abominable scan. In which was determined that as compared from  my previous one I now had a "wedge fracture" in my lower back. C4 

 

I Cringe to think if I had gone  to some quack chiro  and he'd have cracked me not knowing my condition. I didn't even know I had it until that test revealed it unbeknownst

 

 

 

 

 

 

find a DO. doc of osteopathy. find one in the sports medicine world if possible.

 

they can order the mri to get more information and help direct you to the right path. i have two complete ruptures in my l5/s1 and l4/l5 with significant weakness and still exercise fully, run, climb, etc. it's possible because of commitment to maintaining what is left of my body.

 

DO's and sports med are more than just for sports.

[DrDawkinstein]

8 minutes ago, muppy said:

I need  to find a Professional office that has X Ray capability and the highest reputation for me to even  consider going to chiro

 

several months ago I had  a CT abominable scan. In which was determined that fas compared from  my previous one I now had a "wedge fracture" in my lower back. C4 

 

I Cringe to think if I had gone  to some quack chiro  and he'd have cracked me not knowing my condition. I didn't even know I had it until that test revealed it unbeknownst

 

Yeah, I'd stay away from Chiros and be looking more into Orthopedics and PT if we're talking fractures to any discs.

[Steve O]

3 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Lot of experience here.

 

Type 1 will address your problem and get you fixed up in 1 or 2 visits.

Type 2 will try to give you a "Whole Health Assessment" and then try to prove to you why you need to get on a schedule of coming in once a week (or more), and they'll never really fix you and keep you coming back forever just so they can keep billing you.

Lot of experience here as well, 67 now, been seeing chiros since hurting my back playing volleyball at 39. This is pretty much all you need to know. This and what Boyst says about avoiding the neck adjustment.

[coloradobillsfan]

5 hours ago, muppy said:

a nagging neck soreness issue

Be very mindful about how you sleep.  I had neck soreness years ago, and even had a doctor at an orthopedic center talk to me about surgery options after my MRI.  Long story short it turns out it was due to sleeping on my stomach, which was forcing my neck to either side.  Once I weaned myself off this sleeping habit (which I had since I was a kid) the neck pain dissipated and is now completely gone.  No surgery needed and problem solved.  They never mentioned *anything* to me about watching how I was sleeping in any of my visits to this clinic, they were ready to go the nuclear option way too quickly!  

[muppy]

4 hours ago, coloradobillsfan said:

Be very mindful about how you sleep.  I had neck soreness years ago, and even had a doctor at an orthopedic center talk to me about surgery options after my MRI.  Long story short it turns out it was due to sleeping on my stomach, which was forcing my neck to either side.  Once I weaned myself off this sleeping habit (which I had since I was a kid) the neck pain dissipated and is now completely gone.  No surgery needed and problem solved.  They never mentioned *anything* to me about watching how I was sleeping in any of my visits to this clinic, they were ready to go the nuclear option way too quickly!  

fascinating read. This may be me. Because there was no obvious injury that happened to cause my neck issue. It seemingly came from nowhere and just has not left. Because I keep hoping it will just disappear the same way it came.

 

my back wedge fracture I did have a fall straight down onto my tailbone Jolt that I do recall.  My Dr's said if I had no pain issues with that now it would heal on its own.

 

I thank you all for your inputs. Sincerely m 

[boyst]

Be very mindful of any neck massages and any neck "work" by anyone other than a truly medically trained person. I have heard horror stories from massages where the muscles were so relaxed that essentially it caused the older/briddle bones to crack and stress fracture all the way up to blood clots forming from severe muscle strain during massage. My neighbor at the farm paralyzed a 67 yr old woman massaging her. She was a masseuse for 30+ years and the woman had spasms from the massage later which put stress fractures into her neck essentially and bulging discs in the cervical discs. It's a weird story to explain she does it better. 

[davefan66]

19 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Lot of experience here.

 

In general, it's not a real science. BUT there are times and places the right Chiro can help. If it is for direct back/neck pain, pinched nerve, etc, then a good Chiro can definitely help you out. Just dont buy into the homeopathic "I'll crack your neck and it will cure your diabetes" BS a lot of them will try to sell you.

 

When I was an athlete in my younger days, my chiro saved me a number of times. But it's up there with massage treatment as opposed to any real medical benefit.

 

Business-wise, there are generally two types of Chiros. And here is what you need to watch out for.

 

Type 1 will address your problem and get you fixed up in 1 or 2 visits.

Type 2 will try to give you a "Whole Health Assessment" and then try to prove to you why you need to get on a schedule of coming in once a week (or more), and they'll never really fix you and keep you coming back forever just so they can keep billing you.

 

Type 2 is WAAAAAAYYYYY more popular and common than type 1 unfortunately. My family has a great Type 1, but he's in Buffalo and I dont think that will help you.

 

Do your research on local Chiros. Good luck!

 

 

👆 This!

 

#2 Was the guy I went to when I herniated 4 lumbar discs.  My doctor didn’t recommend a Chiropractor, and was hesitant when I told her I was going to see someone.  The gut had a checkout counter FULL of homeopathic cures in drinks, pills, and whatever else he could sell.  My consultation was he hooked me up to some machine that showed I had a “lean” to my right, caused by the herniations. Just the way I stood was enough to see!  He worked on me for two sessions a week for a few weeks and I quit doing to him. Pain never got better, and probably a bit worse.  Ended up going to PT and they gave me exercises that gave me some relief, and only got better the longer I did them.  I still use a few of the exercises when I get lower back pain, usually gives me relief in a day or two.  Have only had to see a PT once more in the past 15 years since I originally hurt my back.  Took some time and dedication, but the PT was the only way to go.  
 

People go to a Chiro for instant relief.  Yeah, may crack your back or neck. And you feel better right away, but don’t have the proper techniques and exercises to deal with it at home and provide long term relief.

 

I did have a bad neck and went to a PT a few years ago.  Worked with me for about 6 weeks and got great results! Gave me a bunch of exercises that I was able to do at home and have not had any real neck issues since.  I would highly recommend a PT.  You can go and get enough exercises and do them  at home, or go more frequently to the office and do them with them.  I went 2 times a week for the first few weeks and then once a week. They teach you proper techniques to use leverage and some strength building to help.  YouTube has a ton of videos, but I’d see the PT first and make sure you are doing the exercises properly.

 

Edited March 16 by davefan66

[eSJayDee]

I've been to a chiropractor a few times for various things.  The results have ranged from miraculous (relief from cracked ribs) to worthless (tennis elbow).

Actually, last year was prescribed PT for neck issues by my PCP.  However, the visits were not like how I've always thought of PT, but rather they were "manipulation" & message - no exercise.  I've always considered this type of treatment more in the realm of chiro.  After several visits the situation was noticeably improved, though not cured.  I will say that during treatment I was often sore or had problems after, sometimes not in the place where they were concentrating.

[NoHuddleKelly12]

I can only speak to my own experience of course, but have been very happy and impressed by the improvements in range of motion and strength following adjustments from my local chiro. I am an amateur distance runner, and my training phases always result in needing help for low back pain and hip joint misalignments—these tuneups never fail me for those moments. I only go as needed, but the improvements are there to feel right away. 
 

However, like anything else, I have no doubt as to the number of quacks out there, so going from direct references usually is a good idea, and then when you have a good one, don’t switch! 
 

 

[stuvian]

One of my kids has a chronic spinal condition and goes to chiro weekly. It's kept her off the operating table. I see chiro in a positive light as a result