To ask your views on chiropractor

[swarskicat]

I have had bad and next problems for about 15 years. Had physiotherapy and osteopathy, both of which helped briefly.

My back went really badly in January and a few people suggested a chiropractor, so thought that I would give it a try,

I rang my local one to make an appointment and they directed me to Groupon where they had a deal. You pay £29 and get:

1. An initial consultation, including x-rays
2. A review of said x-rays and an initial 'adjustment'
3. A workshop on spinal care, posture and how great chiropractors are
4. Another 'adjustment' and consultation on what care package they recommend.

The initial consultation was ok, but the chiropractor 'Dr Alex' was a bit scruffy (not that that matters in itself), could not maintain eye contact and spent most of the time staring out the window. He said that my right shoulder was higher than my left, thought I need inserts (i already wear them) and my head was stuck forward.

Second consultation - x-rays show that I have stage 1-2 misalignment of my neck and early stages of arthritis. Bottom of my back is fine. One hip turns in, making one leg longer than the other. He did some initial 'adjustments'. The workshop was ok, bit patronising but interesting.

Now for the question. I am due to go back on Wednesday for the final session I have paid for and I am sure that he is going to want me to sign up for a 'care package'. He has already suggested that this will involve about 3 adjustments a week for about 6 months then maintenance. I am not sure about this. It is a huge amount of money, the cracking of my next made me feel sick (although did ease stiffness) and I am not sure I trust the guy.

Any thoughts, experiences that may help? There seem to be lots of people on here who swear by they chiropractor, but any other experiences?

WorkingBling - I just realised that I do not know his last name - just 'Dr Alex' and he is not on the website for this clinic, it is someone else's names.

I injured my back as a child and had MANY osteopath treatments but it was a mctimoney chiropractor who finally "fixed" it. She is the family's practitioner and as well as treating me, my parents and siblings for the last 25 years she has also treated my ds and i will take dd to her when i am next in the area (we moved away).

I now have 1-2 maintenance treatments a year (mostly because i enjoy them!) with other local practitioners. I have never ever been asked to book further appointments.

I'm not sure I'd use a chiropractor touting for business through Groupon. I've used a chiropractor who was a qualified conventional medical practitioner, she took a detailed history first and used a lot of massage rather than manipulation. She sorted out my long standing back pain, but visits were only once a fortnight and she gave me exercises to do at home. DS and DH uses sports physios, they also never attend more than once a week or once a fortnight. None of us have ever required an x-ray, the sports physio will recommend a hospital scan if treatment doesn't improve the problem.

When I prolapsed a disk I avoided surgery and went 2/3 times a week for about a month. Then gradually reduced it until 4 times a year. Can't fault my treatment and compared to a Osteopath felt that the firmer realignment was needed.

Happy to give you my chaps number if in UK or Oz.

I have used a McTimoney chiropractor with great success - they never 'crack' your spine, their methods are very different, and much more gentle.

If I have a problem, I usually find that two visits are sufficient to sort me out - plus a visit every 6-9 months just to check that all is well.

This 'Alex' sounds very, very dodgy - I'd run (or hobble ) like the wind....

Pigsmummy

I am in Surrey - is your chap close?

Searching now for a McTimoney chiropractor…..

Oh my osteopath is AMAZING, tends to only see people with long term back issues. He practices out of Windsor & West Byfleet if that's close to you?

I have mild scolliosis and some ligament issues and honestly it makes a huge difference.

I agree it's all about personal recommendation I've used a few osteopaths (they kept moving away!) but only 2 I'd recommend.

I see an excellent osteopath but also seen a few that weren't so good before finding her. Do go on recommendations. You don't need to go lots and any chiropractor or osteopath that is pressuring you to go to frequent appointments is probably less than reliable.

Will PM you now!

All chiropractors have to be members of the Royal College of Chiropactors to call themselves chiros. McTimoney practioners trained but no longer pay the money to the Royal College of Chiropractors (which is a mafia that you have to pay into to hold a licence- some part time chiros may not be able to afford the fees or think it's worth it, it's not just some McTineoy practioners that do that, but many chiros from other schools, who will call themselves a variety of names such myo-osteo therapist....)

Any chiro/osteo/physio/personal/trainer/ manual therapist will vary on philosophy and ideas, technique and sales, Unfortunately some are good and some are bad, not all chiros are good, neither all bad. So try out and find who you like.

Always walk out of a session saying you will think about paying for a long package, DO NOT get lulled into buying a £2000 package. Chiropractors at ProHab use any technique to sell, total frauds.

My chiropractor was in Crowthorne OP and he saved my sanity. I was in excruciating pain. The pain had always been there, but during my pregnancy it became almost unbearable. I couldn't sit, stand, bend. I couldn't actually get in and out of the car and took the train there so I could stand the whole way. I was prescribed 6 sessions. It was £45 a session, so not cheap. But, after the first session I walked out of the clinic pain-free. I could have kissed the man. I couldn't remember what it was like to be pain-free. I had niggles for the few weeks, but it got better each time and after 6 sessions I was done. I have been 100% ever since and this was 18 years ago!

The moral of the story is find a good one!

Another McTimoney regular here - I first saw my practitioner after having my first baby 22 years ago and have very rarely had a problem since. I go once every 12-18 months for a general straighten up and more often if I have an issue. It doesn't involve cracking and is much more gentle manipulation that osteopathy (I understand). I'm at the stage now where I can tell if I need to go and see her.

3 times a week is way to much - and why do they need an xray to tell if your spine is crooked?

My chiropractor was great. I had an ankle injury that he fixed some years ago. He was very professional in his manner,. I think you got a dud one, but i wouldn't write them off altogether.

Sounds like he's reeled you in and now you've taken his bait he's going to try to take you for every penny he can.

Three treatments a week for 6 months? That's ridiculous. Please don't let this man rip you off like that.

Dh sees his chiropractor every four to five weeks. The first thing the chiropractor said was the aim was to stretch it to every couple of months.
I sat in on a session and it's certainly not all neck cracking!
He's given dh exercises to do to strengthen his lower back and checks if he's done them or not.
He's also only £30 a time and would never mention care packages.

@swarskicat
Depending whereabouts in Surrey you are, The Waldergrave Clinic in Teddington is excellent (google their website).
Tom Greenway is the main chiropractor there and I have seen him on and off for the last 10 years. He is a fully accredited Chiropractor and has travelled all over the world with Team GB and various Premiership football teams. I cannot recommend him (and other chiropractors at that practice who he has trained) highly enough.
I’m not sure how much the initial consultation is but regular sessions are approx £45. Not cheap but worth it. Oh, and there is never any pressure to book extra or unnecessary appointments. Typically when I have a flare up (slipped disc pain) I have 2 or 3 appointments over the course of a couple of weeks, then can go months being fine.
Whatever road you decide to take I wish you luck because I know just how awful and debilitating back pain can be.