Are chiropractors dodgy?

[garlictwist]

I have been experiencing bad hip pain which I think is down to a torn labrum and associated pain in my lower back, lumbar spine and shoulders.

I've tried seeing a physio but it doesn't really do anything.

I've been thinking about going to a chiropractor but a bit scared they will be too aggressive or cause further damage.

Does anyone have experiences of going to a chiropractor and what it's like?

Think it depends on practitioner. Both my parents are grateful to chiropractors who keep them moving (back issues for one, shoulder and neck for the other) and my cousin swears by her osteopath. I would try whichever I could get personal recommendations for where I live.

I don't know about chiropractors, but that's definitely not the case for osteopaths. This is the training that they undertake:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/osteopath# which is definitely medical!

@BIWI homeopathy is also offered on the NHS (which is bonkers) - doesn't make it medical. osteopaths are NOT medically trained... although they advertise themselves to be.

of course everyone is welcome to believe what they like and access whatever care they like. I am sure some people gain benefit from it. doesn't make it evidence based medicine though

I wonder what you think 'medical training' means, @tt9?!

This is from the General Osteopathic Council's own website:

Becoming an osteopath

The title 'osteopath' is protected by law (Protection of title) and you have to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) to practise in the UK, Isle of Man and Gibraltar.

It is a criminal offence, liable to prosecution, for anyone to claim explicitly or by implication to be any kind of osteopath unless they are on the GOsC Register. In order to be registered, you must have completed a course of training that is recognised by the GOsC.

Training courses

Training courses generally lead to a bachelor’s degree in osteopathy (a BSc Hons, BOst or BOstMed) or a masters degree (MOst). Courses usually consist of four years of full-time training, five years part-time or a mixture of full or part-time. There are also courses with accelerated pathways for doctors and physiotherapists.

A degree course includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, nutrition and biomechanics, plus at least 1,000 hours of clinical training. Read more here about the 9 UK institutions currently accredited to provide osteopathic training

Some really uninformed posts here…both osteopathy and chiropractic are regulated in the U.K. by their respective professional bodies. I’m a physio myself and have seen physios, osteopaths and chiropractors privately depending on the problem I was needing sorting out. I would say ,sometimes there are individual difference (my chiro is extremely gentle) so always try and get recommendations locally. Generally where physios can have the edge(if they have the nhs time and experience!!you might get a physio on their first rotation or somebody who been doing the job for decades) is for preventative work ie. Stopping the condition coming back or worsening.Some of the other private professions can be a bit “come along for a tune up”.

Physios, oesteopaths, chiropractors are quite different. I've been to all 3 since I broke my back in 2 places in Feb 23.

Blimey @Oblomov23, how did you manage that?!