Can’t afford chiropractor

[21butterflies]

Posted before, long story short am suffering from burnout and also a bad neck/shoulder due to a severely out of place first rib.

Hoping to take sick leave for 2 weeks due to both stress and my back.
Went to the chiropractor today and they showed me very bad x rays and said how often I would need treatment. The total came to £950.

I burst into tears in the middle of the office.

I feel like I’m desperate for this time off but I need good reasoning for my boss and I also feel like if I can’t get my back fixed in time then it’s pointless. I feel if I go down the GP route I’d have to wait a long time.
I can’t afford the chiropractor on normal terms; let alone if I take sick leave so now I’m even questioning that.

If I’m honest my life feels like a mess and I have no idea what direction to turn to. I’m currently in bed in tears and I’ve been taking it out on my poor DP too who even offered to help but no chance am I letting him!

What on Earth do I do ☹️

Agree with the they are charlatans commemt. Complete waste of money. Book some physio through your GP

There’s not a great evidence base for chiropractic.

Don’t waste your money. Go and see a physio instead. I’d be surprised if it wasn’t cheaper too.

[quote ChrissyPlummer]@sashh At the time I was under NE Kent, 4 was all that was offered. I got given a few exercises to try in between appointments but I basically just got 3 massages. No mention of a plan or further treatment, just had my 4 and that was that![/quote]
Wow.

I'm really shocked. because of various ,medical issues and me moving around quite a lot I've seen a lot of physios over the years.

Rationing to 4 sessions makes no sense, some people only need one session, others many more.

No one can move bones about - - if you could every time you eg were in a car accident where you ran into something your head would fall off. You would be paralysed. These peope aren't moving bones, they might be loosening off muscles or ligaments but really it has to be bollox much of it.
I have used chiropractors but I didn't expect a miracle I wanted advice on exercises to improve the problems I was having and by exercises I mean something you do daily for weeks/months to help to fix what the problem is. No magic push or pull!

Sounds a total rip off. I’m not convinced by chiropractors tbh. The evidence based for what they do is sketchy. I would see a physio.

I'd see a physio - and yes it should be like a PT session - you need to adjust and strengthen things to help. I'd also find a good sports massage or something - you don't want lavender oil you want to feel like you've been hit by a bus the day after because 2 days later things will be moving again.

I worked in the US. I had workers comp, "dislocated" my first rib apparently and had a series of treatment where I saw a chiropractor twice a day, 3 days a week for a month. But never had any advice on how to change my work station, what exercises to do etc.. The chiro didn't manage to change anything. The physio I saw after that was fab (I so hated the exercises she gave me as they hurt but the massage afterwards made it worthwhile).

Sounds dodgy in the first place but I’d take advice and see a private physio initially, try and get on the nhs list 4 sessions and advice for free while shit is better than than paying for it. In the mean time a consultation with a private physio. See a doctor for proper pain relief!

I’m confused at why you haven’t seen a doctor. Sounds like you may need to see an ortho?

Take the time off work you need and see your GP first (if you are in the Uk)

Physio via nhs for your shoulder/neck.

Counselling for burnout

I would imagine the pain / stress are linked. One will be impacting on another.

Don't pay a penny to a chiropractor.

Take your xrays to your GP.
Webpage about dislocated rib - no mention of long term chiro treatment to fix it.
dislocatedrib.org/

A chiro marginally helped my chronic neck/shoulder problem but didn't cure it. Charged me for x-rays, scared me then planned 2 x visits a week for 8 weeks then said 'maintenance' was 1 x week or I'd be symptomatic & all sorts of scary things.

Found a physio who actually knew what they were doing (first one was green & had no idea). It is muscular strength issues, NOT skeletal. I'm 80% better, and improving after a couple of weekly and now 1 x fortnightly visits & with exercises & physio suggesting 3/4 weekly so see how I go. Cheaper, too.

Difference is a physio's goal is to improve you enough you don't need them anymore. Chiro's is to keep you coming.

I don’t think the OP has been told she has a dislocated rib. I suspect she has been told it is thoracic outlet syndrome. If this is caused by posture and muscle tension it is usually tempo et so don’t be scared by talk of surgery to fix it.
www.physio-pedia.com/Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome_(TOS)

tempory

Get a second opinion

Argh! Not doing well for my first time on mumsnet. Was trying to correct typo!

Speak to your GP first, surely? Are you just assuming it will take ages to be referred? You might be surprised.

If it does take a long time then I would suggest getting a second opinion, that cost seems way to high. And maybe see an osteo instead.

I'd definitely see GP first and try and access NHS physio. If NHS physio is going to involve a long waiting list, look into a good private physio - IME they try and pack a lot into each session because they know you are paying for it.

I went to see a (recommended) osteopath because I was having a shoulder problem. The session itself seemed fine and they didn't try and lock me into any further treatment but they were pretty non- committal about what was going on.

As it then got worse, I went to the GP. They referred me on to NHS physio who straight away saw it was a frozen shoulder (I now know I was a prime candidate due to age and sex) and explained what the progress of it would be (gets worse before it gets better over a long period).

I got to see the NHS physio regularly while it ran it's course.

Still confused as to why the osteopath didn't spot it though.

These threads are frustrating, because as usual it's peoples opinions on these professions, and not the reality.

Osteopaths and chiropractors do undertake medical level degrees. They train longer than the initial physio degree which is only 3 years. An osteo does 5. They are allowed, to diagnose all sorts of health issues, as well as MSK. They can also refer people for scans.

Both professions are seriously regulated and accredited. Osteopathy is also an allied health professional, recognised and employed in the NHS, at a higher band in the NHS than a physio (unless a specialist like respiratory or pediatric).

As far as the OPs concerned, in their position I'd seek a second opinion from an osteopath. They'll use a combination of techniques which may include soft tissue work, articulations, METs and possibly manipulation.

For cheaper sessions, depending on your location, OP may wish to consider visiting a teaching clinic. Here, students who have passed certain exams and logged a certain amount of hours will consult, assess and suggest a diagnosis. They'll perform some of the soft tissue work, but only the qualified osteo will do any HVTs/manipulation. Everything is overseen and approved by them. I know of 2 clinics that are offering free treatments for new patients.

Should OP wish to try NHS physio, it'll be a long wait. Paying privately won't be much difference to paying a private osteo. Don't sign up to any plans, even with a physio. No one can tell you how many you'll need in advance. It should be based purely on how each treatment goes and your reaction to it.

@CharlotteRose90

If you can’t get it on the nhs then I would do whatever it takes. Borrow money off someone or take a loan etc, the longer you stay like this the worse you’ll be.

You are advising someone to go unto debt over something that is available freely elsewhere? Potentially v harmful on so many levels. Jeez. And OP, please don't even think about going into debt over this. I understand that constant pain and discomfort is wearing and depressing, but go back to your GP and ask for a referral to a physio - or you may be able to self refer through the Patient Access app. Check out Dept Heath website. Good into available

@MissMaple82

No, don't run for a mile. I have suffered back pain since early 00's and chiropractic treatment is the only thing that worked for me. I had a few, my suggestion is go with a man, I know it sounds sexist, but the women I went to just didn't have the strength. Pay per session amd see how you get on

My chiropractor is nothing short of a miracle worker imo, so good that I haven't had to see her for 2 years! Not only is she a woman, she is tiny: about 5'3" and very slender, but she does amazing stuff.

She also works quite holistically. She can tell when I'm stressed or anxious, when I've been sitting at a desk too long and she suggested that I might have an under-active thyroid long before my GP thought of it (and she was right).

And it was my GP who recommended I give chiropractic a try and it's been worth every penny I've spent on it.

Indeed @sashh. My MIL got more when she was recovering from breast cancer, she lives in Wales and so a very different health system. I have spent ££££ on trying to get my shoulder in a good place.

It restricts me from doing certain jobs; I can’t do retail as I can’t lift boxes/heavy items. I work on the railway but can’t do certain roles as the ramps that they use on the train are too heavy for me. I can do things as a one-off and when my shoulder was OK I worked in retail for the Christmas period. I do martial arts (non-contact) but that can cause me grief as well.

Don't bother: it's a pseudoscience.

Get your Xrays - post a pic on MN of the rib - somebody is bound to be able to read it

Chiro is complete woo. Paying through the nose for an indeterminate number of sessions is part of the scam. There's no scientific basis to any of the "adjustments" they do.

Just go to a physio. NHS ones are perfectly fine if you can wait, but the expense of a private one is worth it if you can't.

DP investigated chiro when he had a bad back recently and there were red flags all over the initial session, not least when the guy told him it was important not to think too hard about how it worked but that it was very necessary to commit to multiple indefinite sessions There was also no mention of any strengthening exercises he could do at home.

He booked a physio appointment the next day. A brisk, no-nonsense young woman with big "hockey captain at school" vibes diagnosed what was wrong in about 30 minutes, gave him a set of tedious and difficult stretches and exercises, wagged her finger and told him not to shirk them. And when the problem entirely disappeared in less than a fortnight she said "well, you won't be needing me any more!" and cancelled their upcoming sessions. He can still do the set of exercises she prescribed and his back's been perfect ever since.

Don’t see a chiropractor, they’re money making businesses, they’re not licensed healthcare professionals and the evidence for it is very sketchy, it’s mostly pseudoscience and placebo. See a physiotherapist.

Chriopractic is pure quackery. Please don't give these conmen any money.