To ask your opinions on Chiropractors

[chellochello]

I have been suffering with pretty bad lower back pain for over a year now - I have contacted my GP on a few occasions but have been pretty much told there is nothing they can / will do to help (although no one has ever actually looked at my back!) So I decided to see if a chiropractor could help. I've started seeing one twice a week for the last couple of weeks and can feel no noticeable difference to the pain

A couple of people have told me they are basically quacks and I am paying them for nothing so was wondering if anyone had any positive outcomes of seeing one?

I saw an NHS back specialist for mine, ask your GP to refer you for an MRI. They found I didn't have inflammation (so not rheumatoid) but my vertebrae are fused meaning I have limited flexibility in my lower back. I was recommended yoga and honestly doing back-focused yoga has transformed my life. I've gone from barely being able to get up in the morning or leave my office chair to fully mobile.

I’m going to see one next week, I
Think Physio is as hit and miss.

I would only go to someone who’s been recommended to me by a friend.

@Daisydoesnt

I'm sorry this is definitely IS the case in my experience.

I've been seeing my osteopath for 8 years after quite a few. She's amazing. Certainly no cracking and twisting. She treats the body as a whole. She's amazing.

Chiropractors are crackers and twisters. Osteopaths are more gentle and treat differently.

I'm sorry this is definitely NOT the case, in fact it is the other way around. I also had a chiropracter for my horse and I can assure you they used no harder than a gentle tapping pressure!

You and your horse (and some of the other posters on this thread who have visited chiropractors) have been fortunate.

. People have had strokes, been paralysed and have been killed after visiting practitioners of this pseudo science.

Another vote for an osteopath here mines fantastic.

I'm sorry this is definitely NOT the case, in fact it is the other way around.

It isn't the other way round.

I don't think it is particularly clear cut though so you do need to do your research before. I've had 4 different osteopaths and only one of those did the cracking thing.

Isn’t an osteopath just as quacks/ snake oil merchanty as a chiropractor though?
Not being goady- my neck has been hurting so I’m following with interest.

Not in my experience, no.

I knew someone who raved about hers. She'd been seeing him for years. But I asked if he was that good why did she still need to see him.

some charlatans even treat babies or claim that it can cure things like ear infections that have nothing to do with the spine

Has anyone who has visited a chiropractor asked them to explain their theories? Do the ones you go to believe all the subluxation nonsense?

It seems to be something that is taught at alternative institutions. Not regular universities (unless I'm mistaken). If it was a real science I am pretty sure you would study it at regular uni. Like physiotherapist do. Osteopathy falls into the same pseudo science area as chiropractic I think. They make wild claims that frankly make no sense. Like parting a part of your body can miraculously heal you from disease.

I see one, he's helped me lots

I have seen one that basically tried to frighten me into expensive ongoing treatments which I really disliked.

I also feel extremely uncomfortable about cranial osteopathy on children. When my son had tongue ties I in desperation went to one but luckily my son was too creeped out by the whole situation I think for them to do anything to him.

My chiropractor is McTimoney and she is wonderful. She has sorted my hip, knees and shoulder problems; and a twisting injury for my daughter (trampolining at school) which had been made x10 worse by a physio.

She has never 'crunched or cracked' anything. It's very gentle, very soothing. Choose a McTimoney chiro is my advice.

I honestly couldn’t manage without seeing my chiropractor. After yrs of lower back problems which are now chronic, I arrive in pain and leave usually pain free. Just wish I could see them more often as they are £££&

Went to one, made my back a lot worse. Went to physio who watched me walk in on session 4, frowned and sent me for an MRI
I was sent to the neurosurgeon and had emergency spinal surgery a couple of months later. I owe my ability to still be able to walk to her spotting something was seriously wrong
When I went back and showed her the MRI she was astounded how bad it was

@ooooohbetty I had SPD in pregnancy. My osteopath fixed it. Now 8 years later only it I do some seriously long walking my hips can go a bit out. She puts them back in place, only happens every 18 months or so.

Bumexpender and Soupdragon and I am glad you have both had good experiences with osteopaths who have not been crackers & twisters, and who have been gentle. Likewise my experience of chiros is that they are NOT crackers & twisters either - on the contrary they use direct movements (tapping and the like) not levering the body (twisting).

I went to see one for a problem with my ankle. He fixed it and gave me exercises to strengthen it. I would recommend him, but it does sound like it is very dependent on the individual.

Go and see an Osteopath. They're properly trained, I've seen a few different ones for things over the years and all have been resolved (with me doing the homework!) and not reoccurred.

Reading the above I have to comment because some comments on here are completely uninformed. I've previously had intensive short term emergency chiropractic treatment on a trapped nerve - twice a week for around 4 weeks. I could barely move before I went in. Treatment endorsed by GP/private health provider. Key point...this person is asked to teach on chiropractic degree at a very well known University. It takes a long time to qualify...7 years. Well established clinical practice. Yes it works on the spine alignment theory and yes an element of twisting/manipulation resulting in cracking is involved. I feel like I have been realigned, structured and more stable afterward. Some aching similar to post work out is normal the next day. Exercises taught and recommended. Usually go every 6-8 weeks. If i've strained, fallen or tripped more like every 4-5 weeks. It works for me. Like anything you need reliable recommendation . I have known people see good and poor physio, osteo, therapists etc. Depends on the problem - trapped nerves, damage caused by skewed posture, lax ligaments etc I think Chiropractor. Muscles....sports therapist/physio. Bones - osteopath. Oh and yes your body needs holistic treatment to function properly. Do your research and do not believe everything you read on the internet.

Mine is fantastic. I had crippling neck and shoulder pain before I started seeing him, and after a year or so I am virtually pain free. He isn't gentle though - I have to make sure I take the rest of the day off after a treatment, because it hurts for a bit afterwards.

I saw one as recommended by my GP

The best thing you can do is exercise, albeit with some support from a physio or specialist rehab personal trainer. Relaxation is also helpful, meditation/sauna/mindfulness. It’s possible to think yourself out of muscle spasms.

Unless you have sciatica and its been over six months - MRI time.

The man who invented chiropractic medicine believed that he got the idea from the spirit of a dead doctor. The rest is about as scientific.