Are chiropractors worth it

[MarmitesMyMate]

For lower back pain. Its been horrendous. Physio wasn't great just gave excercises which barley help.
Its constant pain but feels like it's gonna give way. It did a few weeks ago and was on lots of pain killers and diazepam to help.
Ill pay if its worth it. Going back to gp this week too as im terrified its going to go again like the other week.

Yes. Definitely. Saved me when I did my back in very badly during pregnancy, they're fantastic

I've used one recently for the first time after my back went into some kind of agonising spasm.
Lots of people don't trust them. Or think the methods they use are patchy but it worked for me. Freed my muscles up and made me pain free...had to go back a few times but did ease it more each time. Not the cheapest thing but I couldn't have waited to get nhs physio. Couldn't even stand up straight.
Still don't really understand the difference between this and an osteopath though!

You’re gonna get mixed messages on here about chiros
You have to find a good one as like any profession, some are better than others. And don’t go for ones that make you sign up for a course of treatment.

I went to one recently and found him no help at all, in fact I had another pain round my lower ribs which I didn't have before!
Can't say how that relates to others though

And before someone states chiros are quacks, they’re not, they registered health care professionals regulated by the General Chiropractic Council

I had lower back and hip pain and was struggling to walk upright. Had a few visits and it cleared up. I could feel a difference after just one session.

Mine is amazing and completely solved my lower back pain in a few sessions! I went from feeling like an old woman in my 30’s to being pain free. It’s not usually an overnight thing and takes a bit of commitment to keep going but it depends what the problem is really. It was expensive initially whilst I needed to go more regularly but each time the gap between visits got bigger until I only needed to go once every 3 months for maintenance. Worth every penny for me.

I have had back problems since my early 20s, now n my late 40s.

Medics and physios have been useless over the years. Pain killers and exercises just don't do anything.

The only person I trust to go anywhere near me when my back is in spasm is my chiropractor. It took a long time, years, before I plucked up the courage to go but I am so glad I did.

Medicine has a very long way to go regarding back pain. I say this is a nurse.

They are not all equal. Get recommendations. Some are beyond amazing, some a waste of money.

I had recurring back pain for years that the doctor said I'd just have to live with, 4 or 5 sessions with the chiropractor and it's solves. That was 17 years ago. I live near a chiropractic college so used them as it was cheaper, and was treated by a guy in his final year of training.

Chiropractors are great. However, like any type of practitioner, there are some that are better than others.

At the bare minimum, they should be registered with the British Chiropractic Association. Ideally, find one that is recommended by others - local facebook groups can be a good way to get recommendations.

Personally, I do not trust chiropractors who see you for an assessment and then tell you that you need 12 sessions at a cost of £1000s. It is true that most chiropractors will offer a payment option eg 1 session is £40 or pay for a block of 10 at £300 and if you know you are going to go often, it may well be worth paying the upfront cost. But it shouldn't be pitched as "this is what you must do". And most chiropractors are not comfortable with being that prescriptive - they want to see how your body responds to treatment for example, which will impact how often you may need to see them and for how long. eg for my long term minor disability it is not usually a regular thing but when I had SPD, I needed m much more frequent treatments.

I have seen multiple (good) chiropractors and they always want you to get to the point where you do NOT need to see them. Some will recommend a "maintenance" programme of say once every 3 months, but again, any that are pushy about that are probably not chiropractors you want to go to.

No. Ask an orthopaedic surgeon - most of them would definitely not recommend.
Osteopaths are generally considered to be of some value, tho.

I have a very high regard for the osteopath we've used for many years and have recommended him to other people who hae been equallly impressed.

Osteopath is what you need. Sorted my severe pain out in one session and then I went back for top ups each week.

I went to a osteopath 2 weeks ago for upper back pain and tension headaches. He was very much of the approach that the only way to resolve it was to do chiropractic adjustments. Wasnt keen but was willing to try to help the pain. In short, no relief from pain and the day after i had lower back issues which I didn't have before i went there. 2 weeks later, low back pain is awful and cant even sit down without horrible pressure and pain on the coccyx.
Everyone has different experiences but i regret going so much.

Chiros are great! I used to visit the chiropractor just for the back adjustments but haven’t visited for the last couple of months. I usually received a deep tissue massage and then adjustment right after. During the procedure, my neck and back make some cracking noises as the therapy progresses and I always felt better after the procedure.
Now I'm into physiotherapy and the exercises are more manageable as we can do the exercises at home if we can do them right.

It depends what the source of your pain is. Wasn't helpful to me and I spent a fortune but others have had a lot of luck. Unfortunately you need to just keep trying stuff till you get some relief

I’ve had horrible back pain only once. Physio helped a bit but not a massive difference then I tried a chiropractor and it did the job. What might have made a difference is that my pain had come on abruptly so it may have fitted well into the scope what the chiropractor could treat.

I suggest going on your local 'Next Door at...' forum and asking for recommendations. You will get some comments. I used it to find the one with most recommendations.

I think it depends on what the issue is. I've had the odd friend who's raved about them but I've personally never found them to be of any help. The two I've tried have seemed to concentrate on getting the 'crack' and then watching for my 'ta-da' facial expression. I never had it, as the manipulation required to get the crack just flipping hurt and then didn't give any relief at the time or later. I would not go back.

Now having said that, if you find a really good cranial osteopath, it's like witchcraft...they barely touch you but you're better none the less. No idea how it works and I'm seriously the least 'woo' person out there. V strange!

They're great! I went to one with spd in my first pregnancy and when she cracked my back I cried with relief

charlatans

you might get lucky with one but there is not much evidence that it's safe and effective.

see another physio. the exercises if done properly will make a difference, but it takes time to build muscle,

I’m always put off by that story of the man who got his neck broken by his chiro and then died…