Anyone go to a Chiropractor?

twopu · 01-23-07, 01:26

I meet a Chiropractor at a Wellness Fair and he offered a lot of great information. I told him about my mild back/shoulder pain due to improper lifting techniques. He invited me to come in for a free consultation. After our meeting he had me going to him three times a week for four weeks. It seemed excessive to me but I've never been to a chiropractor so I have nothing to compare it to. What do you guys think?

BlackElantraGT · 01-23-07, 01:37

If I had medical insurance and it's something that's covered, I would take advantage of it. The problem though is that the chiropractor will always want you to come in WAY too often and depending on how much your co-pay is, it can get expensive. For example, a few years back I went to one and my copay was only $10. But he wanted me to come twice a week. I was never the type of person to have any money left after the bills and everything were paid, so $80 might not seem like much, but it was more than I wanted to spend on myself for something that I didn't really need. It was nice to have someone realign your spine (aka cracking your back), but it's not a necessity.

The told the chiropractor how I couldn't afford $80 a month, so then he talked me into paying $40 and he can bill the rest to the insurance. I still couldn't afford $40, but I also got a funny feeling about him doing a little insurance fraud. I'm sure these things happen more often than we think though.

BTW, if you start having your spine realigned, it becomes sorta addicting... kinda like cracking your knuckles. Once you start you'll want the same feeling again. And it's a very temporary feeling. I think that's why they urge people to come twice a week because some people probably need that "fix" and the more you come, the more money they make.

twopu · 01-23-07, 01:58

I to am afraid that it can become habit forming. I said that to him and he said, "why wouldn't you want to feel better." I don't think he's shady but I think three times a week is a bit much. I have a copay of $5 per visit which is not bad but it can definitely add up. I'm thinking that I am going to spend more time focusing on stretching and core workouts to deal with my back problem.

mose · 01-23-07, 02:16

I am not a doctor but I did stay in a Holiday Inn last night! Seriously though....

I have gone to a chiropractor for years now and wouldn't attempt to live without one. Going to a chiroprator is like taking vitamins. What they do in their weekly visits is the same thing as you taking vitamins everyday. They are keeping you aligned so that everything else in your body doesn't have to compensate for the misalignment. Three or four times a week does sound a little excessive but a couple times a week to cure a condition sounds totally normal. That's not to say that I haven't heard of people needing to be seen that often. Once the probelm (of course depending on how severe the problem is) is fixed then I would seriously suggest going once a week.

The thing that people tend to not think about with a chiropractic visit is that, when you go to one, it's usually because something hurts. When something goes out of whack in your back the muscles stretch and/or tighten up accordignly to compensate. That's where the pain comes from is the muscles being stretched to accomodate the new positioning of the bones.

If it's something that has been a problem for a long time then the muscles have trained themselves to be in the position. So when you get adjusted the muscles feel like they are out of whack again and the inital "relief" turns to pain after a day cuz the muscles are trying to force the bones back to where they have been for so long. That's why you end up going back a couple to three times a week after an injury. The muscles need to be retrained to be in the correct position.

Chiropractors have gotten a bad rap because they aren't seen as "real" doctors. They are seen as someone who just wants to get you in a bunch of times to see how much money they can make off of you. It's sad to hear that. There are bad apples in EVERY profession....detailing included. People that will take shortcuts, people that will charge for things they didn't do......etc. Chiropractors definetly find themselves in an uphill battle with every patient due to the publics perception of them. They are even looked down upon by MD's!! Most times it's due to ignorance and not understanding how the two can work together. A lot of times it's from people having, what they thought, was a bad visit with a chiropractor and passing the word along to anyone that meet. The ones that have good visits do the same. But people always seem to beieve bad press a lot quicker than good press. How easy was it to believe that Michael Jackson shouldn't be trusted around children? Whether they found evidence or not.....people always seem to believe the bad quicker than the good.

What I am trying to say is that chiropractors are doctors. They had to go to school just like MD's and they know what they are doing! Talk to one and don't be afraid to ask questions. If you aren't comfy with a certain one then search out another. It's just like an MD, find one you like and start feeling better!!

kpounds · 01-23-07, 09:26

I've been to a few Chiros and really recommend them. They have to attend school for a minimum 6 years to get certified. The 3 times per week treatments were probably rec'd because it takes intensive treatment to actually make a change in the spinal cord. If you only go once a week you dont get enough adjustment to really make any permanent change, so it takes much longer.

There's a fairly new method of Chiro that's basically painless called the Activator Method. They use a clicking tool instead of any harsh, jerking movements. I highly recommend it and would try to find a Chiro who uses it and also has an "Advanced Proficiency" rating. You can locate one here > Activator Methods -- Chiropractic

Danase · 01-24-07, 04:15

I go once a week at least. I have a pinched nerve and it has been the only thing to help me. My doctor diagnosed the pinched nerve and that is when I started seeing the chiropractor.

Autoeng · 01-24-07, 04:43

I've tried 6 of them and, IMHO, they are, for the greatest part, poorly prepared individuals trying to practice a form of medicine. I do not like how they refer to themselves as doctors as they are not. About half of their studies are about how to set up their business, get equipment and advertise.

I suffered for 10 years from carpel tunnel, which was finally properly diagnoised by a Neurologist and corrected by surgery, but had been treated by multiple Chiroprators as a pinched nerve in my shoulder.

For those that like them, that's great. To those that are asking for my opinion, go see a neurologist and find out what the real problem is.

yakky · 01-24-07, 07:06

I have a real problem with getting a recommendation from someone that makes more money based on his/her advice. Go talk to a real doctor about your problems and ask them what they recommend.

mose · 01-24-07, 09:23

Quote:

I have a real problem with getting a recommendation from someone that makes more money based on his/her advice. Go talk to a real doctor about your problems and ask them what they recommend.

Whose advice do you think a "real" doctor goes by? His own right? Where's the difference?

Quote:

I've tried 6 of them and, IMHO, they are, for the greatest part, poorly prepared individuals trying to practice a form of medicine. I do not like how they refer to themselves as doctors as they are not. About half of their studies are about how to set up their business, get equipment and advertise.

If they aren't doctors then what does the "DC" stand for after their names.....wait..... hmmm.....oh yeah.... "Doctor of Chiropractic". They graduate from medical colleges just like "real" doctors. If they weren't "real" doctors they would'nt be allowed to practice in the United States. These are all rules a regulations made of by people that are a hell of a lot smarter than most of us.

paul34 · 01-24-07, 09:36

I don't have an opinion on the subject, but here's a link I found from a quick search:

Don't Let Chiropractors Fool You

Autoeng · 01-24-07, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by mose

If they aren't doctors then what does the "DC" stand for after their names.....wait..... hmmm.....oh yeah.... "Doctor of Chiropractic". They graduate from medical colleges just like "real" doctors. If they weren't "real" doctors they would'nt be allowed to practice in the United States. These are all rules a regulations made of by people that are a hell of a lot smarter than most of us.

A REAL doctor can prescribe medications, a chiropractor can't. To me that makes the difference. I have talked to enough chiropractors to see that it doesn't take a real genius to become one. And they don't graduate from medical colleges, they go to chiropractor colleges. Look up Palmer School to see what I mean.

Hey, Moe! · 01-24-07, 09:39

I have seen a chiropractor for 15 years plus. The one I currently see does a very good job of not only adjusting me, he also works with me to alleviate various aches and pains I have picked up from detailing, working out, playing tennis, etc.

He has also been insistent on my need to stretch thoroughly on a daily basis. I find when I am keeping the habit, I have fewer problems. Typically, I only see him every 3-4 weeks unless the need arises. He is not interested in seeing how often he can get me into his office; he would prefer that I do what I can to take care of myslef.

I really do believe that a good chiro will make a difference. There are a lot of ones out there who see their profession as a license to print money. If you find a good one, as I have, it is well worth it. There are 6-7 chiros in my small town; I would recommend only two of them. Interestingly, those two adjust each other.