Chiropractors -- Real Doctors? Scam? Would like your opinions.

[HokeyReligions]

Pardon if this turns out to be a rant, but I'm hurtin' here! I'll ask my question first so you don't have to read the whole thing if you'd rather not?

 

Anyone had any experience with Chiropractors? What are your thoughts? What do they do? Do they use X-rays? I've scanned a few websites, but I'd like opinions not advertisements!

 

I hurt my back this past weekend. I can't stand up straight, I'm using a cane and my pain level is holding at an -8- (for those familiar with hospital pain rating systems) after I've taken Vicoden. My back feels bruised and is tender to the touch--I can't even lean back against pillows and I can feel the weight of my clothes leaning against my back.

 

I am at work, but my husband had to drive me downtown and will have to pick me up too. There is no way this side of the sun that I can climb onto or off of a bus! Walking is agony. Everytime I have to get up to do something I'm almost in tears. I've never had back pain like this before. I practically have to take my pants off and hover over the toidy.....sorry, TMI.

 

I have no health insurance so I'm trying to find a cheap doctor. This isn't going away and I can't go on like this. I'm taking so much medicine just so I can stand the pain, that its making me loopy! (ok, yeah, loopier ) I've called around to regular doctors and they all want to do an X-ray or three (Ch-Ching $$$$$) before they can even begin to help me.

 

My mother never believed in Chiropractors and I know very few people who consider them real doctors, and hold them on a par with voodoo witch doctors. Its not real medicine kind of thinking. I don't know. I never thought much about it before because I've never had such back pain like this, and if I had insurance I wouldn't even consider going to a Chiropractor, I would have just gone to the ER!

 

The stupid thing is, I did this putting on a new toilet seat! I was bent over with the screwdriver and tightening the bolts with my hands and when I was finished I started to stand up, heard a crunching sound and stayed bent over!

[quankanne]

all because of a toilet seat?!!! oh, Hokey, you've got some odd luck ...

I've never been to a chiropractor before, but my thought is that these folks are more familiar with bones than a regular GP is, and unless you're willing to wait/shell out bucks to visit a back doctor, this is probably your best bet for treatment right now. Call around town and ask what all they examine during a visit and ask specific questions about the kind of back pain you're experiencing. I'm sure they'll try additional methods of treating the pain than just masking it with medications ...

 

another thought: checking with a physical therapist for treatment ....

 

hope your back gets better quickly!

 

quank

[tiki]

Hokey--

 

I've worked in a doctor's office just short of ten years. The internal med doctor that I worked for at the beginning of my career REFUSED to refer any patient to a chiropractor. His brother-in-law had been paralyzed by one and he felt adament about it, I guess I would too. Plus I guess it's high liability.

 

Currently, I work next door to a chiro. He has people come in and out like it's a drive thru. I seriously have seen people leave their car running, they are in and out so fast. I don't agree with it personally and I've always heard it referred to as 'the devils work'. I can see where messing with the alignment of the spine could be a sensitive/scary area.

 

The only thing that I can tell you is my opinion.If my back hurt to the point of complete severity, you really have no choice but to try all that you can.

 

My father is going thru severe back pain and is in rehab RIGHT NOW for detox on pain meds. He was taking 8 oxycodone's a day and was on his way to have a morphine pump inserted. My father also has a titanium leg, which can wreak havoc on his spine/alignment from over-compensation. I have recommended to him the following: surgery, physical therapy, accupuncture (don't know much about that), pain management and exercising to strengthen his back muscles. He is currently receiving masseage therapy and water therapy in detox. I have also recommended to him second or third opinions. He's already had surgery and I recently read to get three opinions before letting someone do surgery. Most insurance plans cover these second and third opinions. I know you have insurance issues. Check into payment plans and write-offs. Some people will do a certain number of charity cases each year. My doctor works in this fashion, you just have to apeak up ask. I would also recommend prayer and group prayer....depending on your religious preference.

 

My bottom line is that if the pain is so severe, do whatever it takes. I don't like the field of chiropractory, but that's only because it's not ME in pain. I may would grow to like it real fast if my back was achin. Good luck.

[moimeme]

I've known several people to go to them and be happy. I've also known people to go to acupuncturists and be happy. Often, though, they have taken these steps after having been diagnosed by regular docs.

 

Thing is, there are some bits of the body you don't want to mess with because once messed with, they may never go back and backs are some of those bits.

 

It's possible you can have a free consult with a chiropractor just to find out what the exam and treatment will involve.

 

Here's a self-test from the World Chiropractic Alliance

 

http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/consumer/selftest.htm

[tattoomytoe]

do you have a medical access or any type of clinic in the area? they usually have xray deals there, if you need one. otherwise i would say just rest and use heating pads and take pain meds. when i say rest... i mean stay home from work if at all possible, at least 2 full days.

[HokeyReligions]

Originally posted by moimeme

I've known several people to go to them and be happy. I've also known people to go to acupuncturists and be happy. Often, though, they have taken these steps after having been diagnosed by regular docs.

 

Thing is, there are some bits of the body you don't want to mess with because once messed with, they may never go back and backs are some of those bits.

 

It's possible you can have a free consult with a chiropractor just to find out what the exam and treatment will involve.

 

Here's a self-test from the World Chiropractic Alliance

 

http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/consumer/selftest.htm

 

!!!!! !!!!! Scary information.

 

I love the test -- I can't even get to #1 because the whole thing begins: For each of the following tests, stand in an upright, relaxed position. !!!! I've been imitating a simian pretty well all day, don't think I'll stop now. (at least the drugs, while still in pain, are helping me to laugh THRU the pain!)

 

I can get some X-rays done at a reasonable cost, but I'm going to have to wait until Thursday (after my next job interview!) before I can see anyone, unless I go to the hospital ER!

 

It's not that I'm at poverty level -- if I were it would be easier to get in to see someone, but I don't want to wipe out the little bit I've managed to save this year, we may need it in case of an emergency and I don't like not having anything in the bank. So....

 

I wish I could stay home and lay down, but there is not one comfortable piece of furniture, including the bed, in the house. Plus, I have a bunch of deadlines this week so I have to be here. Today in fact, I'm working until 6pm and I got here at 6:30 this morning and worked thru lunch. I figure Tuesday & Wednesday will be the same. I do some frantic work, then sit around waiting (and posting on LS) until the next batch comes in and then its a frantic rush again. I may bring my heating pad with me tomorrow though, and a lumbar pillow--I have one at home.

[bluechocolate]

A number of years ago I had severe numbness & tingling down my arm which was brought on by a misalignment of vertebrae in my neck caused by too much computer work & tension. I went to a chiropractor & he sorted it out in 5 visits. I was quite impressed with this guy, yes he used x-rays, he also took my blood pressure at every visit & enquired extensively about my activities and he recommended better ways to move & work & supplements to take.

 

So I have had success with it but I have also heard the stories of people who have had their injuries worsened by the treatment. My mother tried chiro for a leg problem that was related to her back, she hated it & stopped going after 2 visits.

 

There is a lot of cracking of bones & manipulating of your spine & neck. I always felt much better & lighter after his treatment. I would add too that a good chiropractor is probably not going to be cheap & you won't get fixed in one session & what you discover is that a lot of them will want you to commit to a series of sessions so the $$ could rack up fast.

 

It seems to be accepted wisdom these days with back pain to let them heal on their own.

 

Here's hoping your's gets better soon.

[ladyangel]

I've been to chiropractors many times with great success. I like mine a lot. Yes, they will do an initial exam and x-rays before they treat you. They do not prescribe medications. They do have electrical stimulation devices that they use for muscle spasms and the like, and moist warm heat, which feels great. They will probably tell you to stay in bed and alternate warm moist heat with cold (those squishy ice packs you put in the freezer). When they feel you are ready, they will do an adjustment. But you have to follow up and don't expect to be "cured" in one or two visits for something as bad as what you're experiencing.

 

There are over-the-counter muscle relaxers that work nicely. One that was recommended to me by a friend, whose brother is a doctor, is called "Robaxin." I like it and it seems to work for me without the weird feeling and drowsiness of prescriptions.

 

Of course, I'm not giving you medical advice, because I'm not a doctor. That's my disclaimer.

[HokeyReligions]

Originally posted by bluechocolate

A number of years ago I had severe numbness & tingling down my arm which was brought on by a misalignment of vertebrae in my neck caused by too much computer work & tension. I went to a chiropractor & he sorted it out in 5 visits. I was quite impressed with this guy, yes he used x-rays, he also took my blood pressure at every visit & enquired extensively about my activities and he recommended better ways to move & work & supplements to take.

 

So I have had success with it but I have also heard the stories of people who have had their injuries worsened by the treatment. My mother tried chiro for a leg problem that was related to her back, she hated it & stopped going after 2 visits.

 

There is a lot of cracking of bones & manipulating of your spine & neck. I always felt much better & lighter after his treatment. I would add too that a good chiropractor is probably not going to be cheap & you won't get fixed in one session & what you discover is that a lot of them will want you to commit to a series of sessions so the $$ could rack up fast.

 

It seems to be accepted wisdom these days with back pain to let them heal on their own.

 

Here's hoping your's gets better soon.

 

Thank you. The multiple visits is something I hadn't considered. I guess I had it in my mind that I would go, he'd 'pop' my back and that would be the end of it! There is one chiro in my area and he is licensed and been in practice for a while. Anything to do with the spine scares me but this is so much worse then any aching back I've ever had. I've got a Thursday appointment (he wants me to come in Wednesday for X-rays and is willing to wait for me until after work - if I can get there by six) and then see him Thursday after work. He works with a physical therapist and it might be that I will go in that direction. He didn't say anything about multiple visits for treatment. Hmmm....

 

When I first read your post I got to the "cracking of bones" part and I immediately followed with my own thought "and the gnashing of teeth" ! I think I've been watching too much LOTR!

 

My mom has a new mattress that is fairly comfortable and said I can sleep with her for a few nights. (shudder) She even said I could use her oxygen!

[RackEmUp]

I used a chiropractor years ago for some progressive neck and shoulder pain, and I was thrilled. Yes, it usually takes multiple visits. They have magic hands and can really find those back and neck muscles and bones that aren't where they should be. My chiropractor had a way of twisting my neck and pressing a point on my back that brought me instant, and lasting, relief. This was for a problem that MDs had not a clue even existed, much less knew how to treat. After about 8 visits, my neck and shoulder were so much better, I stopped going back. My chiropractor also gave me GREAT advice on posture, lifting, and exercise to prevent recurrences. Years later, I have had no recurrence. Even carrying suitcases the wrong way, or driving a car that pulls to one side, can cause the kind of problem I had.

 

I would only see a chirporactor for certain kinds of problems. Some of them make expansive claims for being able to treat all kinds of disorder - they can't. But for musculoskeletal pain such as you have, especially if it has not responded to more mainstream therapies, I'd be right at the chiropractors in a shot.

 

As with ANY kind of practitioner (MD, dentist, nurse, psychologist, counselor, etc.), I would be somewhat wary depending on how much you are putting on the line and what your alternatives are. I wouldn't patronize any one who didn't have GOOD answers for my questions.

[Paradise]

I had treatments from Chiropractor and my experience is good, but it all depends on the doctor.

They will do an x-ray and preliminary exam to determine the health of your spine.

They have different type of treatments, but normally they will crack and press your spine to ‘make your vertebrae go back to it’s own place’.

When I first had back pain, I also had question of the validity of the Chiropractor and their practices, since some health insurance do not pay for the treatments.

Choosing the doctor means everything for success of your treatment. I know few friends who can tell you horror stories about their Chiropractors.

I still believe that a lot of the Chiropractors out there are quacks and they don't have a clue to treating the back pain.

My suggestion to you is choose a doctor with lots of experience (mine had 20 years) and make sure you check his/hers track record of malpractice or complaints.

[corrinebean]

I work for a workers' compensation law firm and so I have a lot of experience with people with injuries and also with different types of doctors. It's true, for some people they work and for some they don't, and I think it really depends on the type of injury you have, as well as your motivation to get better.

 

They do take X-Rays, because they don't want to risk injuring you further. For some types of injuries, such as a bulging disc, they can't work on you until the bulging has reduced. They usually can do other things though, such as a TENS Unit, which is electrical stimulation on the muscles around the affected area (it relaxes the muscles), and diathermy, which is kind of like a heating pad but it's actually heating the molecules inside your body (it feels warm, but if you touch your skin where the pad is aimed at, your skin on the outside isn't warm at all).

 

Some chiropractors allow payment plans also. My experience has been that chiropractors are generally more open to helping people out in that regard.

 

My personal experience with a chiro was great. I was in a car accident, and he had my neck and back all fixed and back to normal within a couple of months, and I've never had any problems since (if you think about it, whiplash causes your spine to get out of alignment...so it needs to be put back in alignment).

 

Good luck.