I keep seeing adverts of chiropractors cracking necks and spines.

[DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou]

It's not good for you, surely?

It looks brutal, they aren't gentle, the reaction of the person doesn't appear to be positive and Ive never heard of benefits to cracking your knuckles so what would be the benefit of having your next or spine forcefully cracked?

I’m sure some chiropractors are conspiracy theorists and anti vax. Some doctors are too.

I’ve being going to chiropractors for years. Hadn’t actually realised how contentious chiropractic treatment is.

We moved last year and it was harder saying goodbye to my chiropractor than some friends!

I have issues with the vertebrae in my upper spine and also lower back issues and the chiropractor sorted both. And I continued to go every couple of months to keep everything aligned as it should be. Since we moved I haven’t been and I can feel my old issues flaring up.

Chiropractic training is a four year degree. I think there will be some knowledge of physiology after that.

My best friend's ex husband is a chiropractor. He is an abusive, controlling and narcissistic character. Calls himself Dr, even though he isn't one. He is a Covid denier and anti-vaccer.

I know people who swear by their chiropractors. I'm sceptical myself. I saw an osteopath a few times ages ago; she tried to crack my back and it never worked (well, whatever 'worked' means in that context). I think back to it sometimes and wonder if, if I'd kept going and she'd kept trying to do it, she'd have injured me.

I had it done by an osteopath years ago, I had read it might cure my headaches. I ended up with excruciating backache and needed loads of time off work.

When I went to my GP he was all what did you expect?

It didn't cure my headaches either.

@Peridot1

Chiropractic training is a four year degree. I think there will be some knowledge of physiology after that.

The training for homeopathy is 4 years too. Doesn't make it any more a real science than chirpracty.

chiropracty

Chiropractic originates from osteopathy (the founder set up Chiropractic from being a student of the osteopathy founder).

You can dislike their treatment, but there's always misconceptions on their level of training. Both of these practitioners complete medical level degrees and are far more qualified than a physio or sports therapist. They are regulated, very strictly actually.

It's about finding a therapy that works for you.

Equally, as a PP mentioned, an Osteo treats everything and the vast majority is soft tissue work. A chiro typically doesn't and will refer the muscle stuff to a massage therapist.
Chiro doesn't have a good reputation, they sell plans. Osteos generally don't.

My chiropractor never cracks my spine, she digs into my back but it doesn’t crack, just hurts like hell! But I’m able to walk pain free after so it’s all good.

It's total quackery and several deaths/permanent paralyses have been caused by chiropractors.

quackwatch.org/chiropractic/general/

Well i had no idea there was such strength of feeling about chiropractors being cons!
My back, knees, elbows, fingers, toes and neck all crack off their own will on a daily basis, never been to a chiropractor or osteopath though as can't afford it!

My neck used to crack and it was a relief when I worked on a computer. But then I stopped working at a desk for hours on end. My neck doesn't click. My posture now stops the problem. I think it might provide temporary relief but they can't solve problems permanently

I used to enjoy being ‘cracked’ but I don’t think it particularly helped long term.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-England-York-north-Yorkshire-50397867

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pic/articles/PMC6016850

Or you could visit a physiotherapist with years of formal training and accreditation.

@Notjustanymum

My chiropractor put my dislocated hip back in place and relieved me from a week of agony! They also worked on the muscles around my upper back which were cramped and pulling my neck and shoulders out of alignment, finishing by resetting the vertebrae into the right place and giving me exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve posture. Don’t agree with PP who say it’s a con science - it’s body mechanics!

You dislocated your HIP and you decided seeing a chiropractor was better than going to hospital?!

I was skeptical but got a reduced price Course of treatments so tried it out.

GP and physios were useless- just take drugs every day for the rest of your life!!

After my 6 week course my mobility massively improved for years.

I crack my own back, shoulders and pelvis (!), I can't not, it's really uncomfortable if I don't.

I've thought about going to a chiropractor for my neck, as one side clearly needs a crack as I can't turn my head as far. I've no idea how I could do it, but having seen similar videos, I'm not letting anyone near my neck! It looks like someone having their neck broken in an action movie

You can dislike their treatment, but there's always misconceptions on their level of training. Both of these practitioners complete medical level degrees and are far more qualified than a physio or sports therapist. They are regulated, very strictly actually.

They might undertake a degree but it is not at the level of a medical degree and saying they are more qualified than a physio is down right insulting to physios.

@romdowa I'm not denying ribs can become dislocated, it was the bit about the spine I was questioning.

They might undertake a degree but it is not at the level of a medical degree and saying they are more qualified than a physio is down right insulting to physios
It isn't insulting, physiotherapists are fantastic and have an incredibly wide breadth of experience given their exposure through the NHS.
A physio degree is 3 years full time, if a bachelor degree, its 4 or 5 years full time, for a bachelor or masters (both allow you to practice the same). Both are excellent forms of therapy, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Both a physio and an osteo are allied health professionals, so yeah, the degree is medical level, same as a physio.

My response wasn't about one being more superior - it was about the usual ignorance about osteopathy and people claiming they are not qualified, have no formal training, no accreditation etc and to just see a sports therapist or physio.

There are alternatives, it's just finding the therapy and therapist that works for the person.

Sorry, tired and garbled - osteo is 4 or 5 years depending if a bachelors or a masters

DIY with Bob and Brad
m.youtube.com/watch?v=8MyjVqDxfSc
No ancient magic lore required.

Please watch these videos by Myles Power before deciding to risk your health and maybe your life with a chiropractor.
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl1_TsL1fYI5ptmnYh-2i-ynfILn4s-M9

Apropo of nothing, I know a doctor who's left off working in the A&E department to go into homeopathy. Don't you think that's strange?! Reminds me of this sketch:

I'm not denying ribs can become dislocated, it was the bit about the spine I was questioning

The ribs attach to the thoracic vertebrae - i.e. the spine. It's damned annoying when they dislocate. I'm not sure about them getting trapped, but they can certainly cause pain and irritiation at the spine.

I did wonder about this, as my cousin is a chiropractor and full-on anti-vaxxer, Covid denier, etc.

my chiropractor is a full on vaccinator .. you must be vaxx'd to see him and not a covid denier... so weird 🙄