asianguy77
Diamond Member
- Points
- 4
Anyone use Chiropractors regularly? Do they help or are they just quacks?
Apologies in advance if you are a Chiro lol
Apologies in advance if you are a Chiro lol
Chiropractors
- Thread starter asianguy77
- Start date
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- 0
I've never been to one but asked a physio what they did. He wasn't very complimentary, suggesting they are generally too fixated on the spine whereas other elements of the back (muscles, etc.) usually play a part in any persistent problem. But that's probably unsurprising given physios and chiros are often competitors on the same turf.
FWIW, a few visits to the physio and exercises recommended by him did the trick for my lower back.
FWIW, a few visits to the physio and exercises recommended by him did the trick for my lower back.
honestman
Gold Member
- Points
- 0
In short, unfortunately - nobody knows.
In more or less the same or similar realms - Chiro's, Osteopaths, Physiotheraphy/Physical Theraphy, and Neurologists - all believe it or not confusingly share very similar aspects of diagnosing and promoting overall "wellness" - that is - they diagnose mobility and nervous reception / health problems by very similar context/s - in this case - the spine & the musculo-skeletal system either in depth or in general .
A very, very strong debate forum I've read at whirlpool goes extremely lengthy disagreements and confusion over who is better which apparently - I'd personally conclude from all the reading that not one single practise of the above stream is; apparently "better". A lot claim Chiros to be all pseudo-sciences without properly admitting visual imaging and internal diagnosis first, incompetencies, false / made up beliefs about subluxations, etc. Some believe that Physiotheraphists are better because they are more "scientifically" (that's the word that's often praised as their quality) proven, inclined and opinionated to their each and every way of treating their patients. But some swear that Physios just sit back and give you a list of written exercises and plans without actually them treating you on the spot directly hands-on. Confusing isn't it?
Osteopaths & neurologists....well perhaps they are just adding more confusion to the mix. There's just a lot more reading required from my end to be honest.
This video which pretty much concludes the debate the differences between Chiros & Physios very well. I like the analogy here that there are bad accountants as there are bad lawyers, bad freelancers, etc...
My experience / only with chiro so far
-----------------------------------------------------
Since the beginning of this year I've had a mysterious sharp freezing pain on my upper backs/traps each & every time I woke up in the morning; and even at times worse - the pain woke me up 5 / 6 hours later almost all the time. Lowered my supplemental intake, modified my diet (adopting completely gluten free, modified my training regime, reduce my training emphasis from strength to corrective measures and endurance - nothing so far has worked. and thus so far I've decided to see a recommended chiro by a friend to see how it goes.
Long story short so far (after 6 visits) - it's a mixed blessing. There was one neck adjustment he did to me once that I had a somewhat severe pinch nerve on my left vertebrae whereby I couldn't even look to my left in the morning. That took two days for me heal & restore neck mobility.
After about three weeks now (tomorrow will be the 7th visit) - I must say that at least - my Chiropractor disregard the need to look at any imaging or visual diagnosis (even though for at least a month now - I insist / trying to get an MRI appointment and thx to my GP constantly writing things down wrong on the forms).
BUT - here is the flipside which I share my positive/s about chiros - while they are NOT necessarily interested in looking at visual or internal diagnosis before hand - they DETERMINE the problems by feeling and extreme hands-on approach on their patients. What I mean is more than just remedial / sports massage. Adjustments & cracking/s here and there may or may not make sense to you UNTIL you felt it.
But overall - I feel that many of the problems he noticed outside of my upper back (postural) - pelvic rotation/left leg longer than the right, etc - I felt have improved since I saw him. Even though yes disappointingly - my upper traps are still waking up freezingly sore everyday in the mornings - there is more of a sense of "balance" after having these adjustments overall.
But one thing for sure - my issue is not yet resolved $$$$. At least not yet
.
What I recommend (for those who are new or are about to see any of the above specialist)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GET AN MRI or comprehensive visual diagnosis first. Period. Convince your GP to type & write down exactly what symptoms you're having on each referral form. Unfortunately MRI is a bitch to make booking since all radiologists are fully booked until for as long as SIX weeks. I'm not even sure I can even get one at all since I'd like to have one done in the morning weekend.
I am going to see my GP once more and have three referrals to be requested & rewritten - xray, CT scan, and MRI. CT scan I believe should be ok, and much more comprehensive than an X-ray.
At least, once you have your visual diagnosis - you can then forward these to whoever specialist you see. And please - even if they refuse - I'd convince them to see it.
Hope this helps.
In more or less the same or similar realms - Chiro's, Osteopaths, Physiotheraphy/Physical Theraphy, and Neurologists - all believe it or not confusingly share very similar aspects of diagnosing and promoting overall "wellness" - that is - they diagnose mobility and nervous reception / health problems by very similar context/s - in this case - the spine & the musculo-skeletal system either in depth or in general .
A very, very strong debate forum I've read at whirlpool goes extremely lengthy disagreements and confusion over who is better which apparently - I'd personally conclude from all the reading that not one single practise of the above stream is; apparently "better". A lot claim Chiros to be all pseudo-sciences without properly admitting visual imaging and internal diagnosis first, incompetencies, false / made up beliefs about subluxations, etc. Some believe that Physiotheraphists are better because they are more "scientifically" (that's the word that's often praised as their quality) proven, inclined and opinionated to their each and every way of treating their patients. But some swear that Physios just sit back and give you a list of written exercises and plans without actually them treating you on the spot directly hands-on. Confusing isn't it?
Osteopaths & neurologists....well perhaps they are just adding more confusion to the mix. There's just a lot more reading required from my end to be honest.
This video which pretty much concludes the debate the differences between Chiros & Physios very well. I like the analogy here that there are bad accountants as there are bad lawyers, bad freelancers, etc...
-----------------------------------------------------
Since the beginning of this year I've had a mysterious sharp freezing pain on my upper backs/traps each & every time I woke up in the morning; and even at times worse - the pain woke me up 5 / 6 hours later almost all the time. Lowered my supplemental intake, modified my diet (adopting completely gluten free, modified my training regime, reduce my training emphasis from strength to corrective measures and endurance - nothing so far has worked. and thus so far I've decided to see a recommended chiro by a friend to see how it goes.
Long story short so far (after 6 visits) - it's a mixed blessing. There was one neck adjustment he did to me once that I had a somewhat severe pinch nerve on my left vertebrae whereby I couldn't even look to my left in the morning. That took two days for me heal & restore neck mobility.
After about three weeks now (tomorrow will be the 7th visit) - I must say that at least - my Chiropractor disregard the need to look at any imaging or visual diagnosis (even though for at least a month now - I insist / trying to get an MRI appointment and thx to my GP constantly writing things down wrong on the forms).
BUT - here is the flipside which I share my positive/s about chiros - while they are NOT necessarily interested in looking at visual or internal diagnosis before hand - they DETERMINE the problems by feeling and extreme hands-on approach on their patients. What I mean is more than just remedial / sports massage. Adjustments & cracking/s here and there may or may not make sense to you UNTIL you felt it.
But overall - I feel that many of the problems he noticed outside of my upper back (postural) - pelvic rotation/left leg longer than the right, etc - I felt have improved since I saw him. Even though yes disappointingly - my upper traps are still waking up freezingly sore everyday in the mornings - there is more of a sense of "balance" after having these adjustments overall.
But one thing for sure - my issue is not yet resolved $$$$. At least not yet
.What I recommend (for those who are new or are about to see any of the above specialist)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GET AN MRI or comprehensive visual diagnosis first. Period. Convince your GP to type & write down exactly what symptoms you're having on each referral form. Unfortunately MRI is a bitch to make booking since all radiologists are fully booked until for as long as SIX weeks. I'm not even sure I can even get one at all since I'd like to have one done in the morning weekend.
I am going to see my GP once more and have three referrals to be requested & rewritten - xray, CT scan, and MRI. CT scan I believe should be ok, and much more comprehensive than an X-ray.
At least, once you have your visual diagnosis - you can then forward these to whoever specialist you see. And please - even if they refuse - I'd convince them to see it.
Hope this helps.
Last edited:
svengali
Foundation Member
- Points
- 3
I visit a chiropractor once a month whether I need to or not and have done so for years - I have found it easier and less painful to stay "straight" rather than wait until I have problems then go to have them "cured".
If you are a first-timer with back problems the Chiro will usually take an X-ray (partly refundable under most health care policies) and do an analysis of the problem(s) then start treatment which may involve several visits over a couple of weeks until things improve. After that he/she will usually recommend a "maintenance" visit at longer intervals. These visits, too, are partially covered by health insurance, usually with an annual limit.
A big problem if you have undiagnosed pain in the back/neck is that most G.P.s and many specialists don't know what to do with you and you can waste a lot of time and money on inconclusive tests and examinations with nothing to show for it. Chiros can sometimes help in these cases but if their treatment is not successful don't hesitate to seek further advice from "mainstream" practitioners. Sometimes persistence pays and it is just a matter of ferreting out the right specialist.
If you are a first-timer with back problems the Chiro will usually take an X-ray (partly refundable under most health care policies) and do an analysis of the problem(s) then start treatment which may involve several visits over a couple of weeks until things improve. After that he/she will usually recommend a "maintenance" visit at longer intervals. These visits, too, are partially covered by health insurance, usually with an annual limit.
A big problem if you have undiagnosed pain in the back/neck is that most G.P.s and many specialists don't know what to do with you and you can waste a lot of time and money on inconclusive tests and examinations with nothing to show for it. Chiros can sometimes help in these cases but if their treatment is not successful don't hesitate to seek further advice from "mainstream" practitioners. Sometimes persistence pays and it is just a matter of ferreting out the right specialist.
Sherry
Legend Member
- Points
- 506
Personally I find I get instant results whenever i have visited the chiro but like XLNC have only ever heard warnings from any physio about how dangerous they are. I find the phsyio's are good but they take soo long to fix anything! I have found an amazing balm that they use for racehorses-so you know that's gotta be good!! xx
T
Tania Admin
I love my chiropractor. He is also a physio therapist. There are times I've walked in there and not been able to turn my head, I feel like a new woman after everything is back in place..But he doesn't like me riding the dirt bike lol
honestman
Gold Member
- Points
- 0
Finally under a random once-a-year streak of luck - my doc's convinced to make a booking on my behalf @ SKG (Perth Radiology is completely hopeless). Even more interesting and apparently - it is "better" for doctors to actually do the bookings for you because they're recognised/seen more as a priority over us lowly patients if we were to chase an appointment ourselves.
How manipulative and selfless is this health industry, seriously.
So here goes another tip for everyone there - if you can convince your GP (nicely) to make an MRI booking on your behalf - then seize that opportunity through as possible. I manage to get a Saturday morning appointment one hour well before their actual office hours are stated as open. No hesitation whatsoever. Otherwise, you'll be left on your own risk of endless loop of waiting weeks, upon weeks for finding a possible appointment yourself.
In case if anyone interested, MRI is as expensive as it gets for visual diagnosis - $350 outright (don't know if that's consistent to everyone)... So that's at least a month and a half more for me without W/Ls… such is life on celibacy for nearly 6 months.
How manipulative and selfless is this health industry, seriously.
So here goes another tip for everyone there - if you can convince your GP (nicely) to make an MRI booking on your behalf - then seize that opportunity through as possible. I manage to get a Saturday morning appointment one hour well before their actual office hours are stated as open. No hesitation whatsoever. Otherwise, you'll be left on your own risk of endless loop of waiting weeks, upon weeks for finding a possible appointment yourself.
In case if anyone interested, MRI is as expensive as it gets for visual diagnosis - $350 outright (don't know if that's consistent to everyone)... So that's at least a month and a half more for me without W/Ls… such is life on celibacy for nearly 6 months
.
D
Driver Harry
Man I'd be a hunchback if I didn't get a great chiro