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Original poster

anyone seen an osteopath or chiropractor for back pain?

18 replies

ThatVikRinA22 · 09/05/2013 19:40

just wondering as im starting to get a bit desperate.

18 months ago i fell down stairs and fractured my coccyx. Ever since i have had terrible lower back spasms, which literally leave me doubled over and walking like Max Wall.....

its a problem as i have a physical job and also enjoy horse riding in my spare time,

it just happens all of a sudden - last night i bent over for something and couldnt straighten up again.

a year ago i went to put something in a bin and ended up in A&E, had to have injections in my back and take diazepam. Was off work for a week. Doc at hospital said it was muscle spasm but it was so bad it made me feel sick.

i can be fine for weeks, then just bend for something and wham.....

who should i see and is there any chance it can be sorted?

OP posts:

Brangelina · 09/05/2013 20:19

I've used both but not when my back is in spasm as I've found nothing they do is effective for the pain or to unblock the muscle. However I'd recommend an acupuncturist, I was highly sceptical but desperate when it was suggested but after the first session I regained some movement (I went in barely able to walk and came out standing up much straighter) and after the third or fourth session I didn't need the painkillers anymore, whereas when it happened before the pain and stiffness dragged on for over a month. This time I was pain free in just over a week.
I recommend you give it a try, the osteo or chiro are good for postural problems or maintenance when you're pain free, but not much help when you're doubled up.

Forgetfulmog · 09/05/2013 20:24

Yy to acupuncture, but be warned it kills if the needle is going into muscle (which it will do to relieve the tension).

I've had disc related problems for years so can sympathise.

How about The Alexander Technique??

Original poster

ThatVikRinA22 · 10/05/2013 04:14

whats the alexander technique mog?

and does acupuncture prevent it reoccurring at all? i seem to have trouble about once a month now for a few days.

i doubt my job helps as i have to wear body armour.

OP posts:

Sunnywithshowers · 10/05/2013 05:41

I've been to both. I'll never go to a chiropractor again, as he charged me a lot of money for doing nothing. However, I saw a terrific osteopath who sorted me out over a few weeks.

I've had acupuncture for back pain and it was terrific.

FiftyShadesofGreyMatter · 10/05/2013 06:10

I've had a back injury 30 years ago. In those days they called it a "slipped disc", I was on my back on bed rest for ages (they don't do that now).

Anyway, I get a recurrence periodically when my back just "goes". In the last couple of years I've gone to a chiro and he has helped me a lot. A bonus of that is that for years I've had very "tender to the touch" shoulders which was only a problem when someone touched me there.

After a recent visit to the Chiro when he also manipulated my neck, this 30 year old shoulder issue has disappeared!

Forgetfulmog · 10/05/2013 06:14

Alexander technique

Lavenderhoney · 10/05/2013 06:49

I have had great results with mctimoney chiropractors, there will be. A list of their website. The people I saw sorted the problem in one session, with a follow up. It was quite magical really:)

StrawberryMojito · 10/05/2013 06:52

I've used a chiropractor for back pain. She was brilliant, it made a massive difference.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 10/05/2013 06:55

I have..and my mum was fixed by an osteopath in one session from exactly the same problem..it was truly amazing. She couldn't walk..then she could.

IndigoBarbie · 10/05/2013 15:06

I second the chiros praise-amazing. Also, Rolfing practitioners are very good with these back injuries and can move your body around to find its own space again.
Vicar, maybe you could get help and then incorporate some kind of gentle back flexibility exercise into your life? Yoga?? Pilates, both are good for keeping up the flexibility.

BlingLoving · 10/05/2013 15:10

Sometimes I think I should change my name on here to ChiroLoving because that's all I seem to do - bang on, repeatedly, about how helpful a chiro can be. So yes, I would highly recommend seeing one.

However, you need to find a reputable one - so definitely registered with the British Chiropractic Association - and ideally find one that someone can personally recommend. Also, they're all slightly different and so if the one you find doesn't feel right, you should be confident saying you're going to someone else.

Where are you? I can recommend chiros in London/SW London/Surrey area.

Original poster

ThatVikRinA22 · 10/05/2013 16:47

thanks everyone - not sure which to see though now, chiro, osteo or acupuncture....

im ooop north bling - in Yorkshire. im in agony and i had to work 2 nights like this, and its meant i cant go riding today which i had been looking forward to all week.

im still walking like Max Wall....

OP posts:

BlingLoving · 10/05/2013 17:19

Vicar - go look at the BCA website and see what local chiros there are and speak with them.

In the meantime, I highly recommend ice. As my chiro likes to tell me - icing something cannot hurt, but it could well help. Any kind of back problem is usually accompanyied by inflamation of the joints etc so ice could have an immediate short term impact.

Good luck.

Showtime · 11/05/2013 22:01

I've had chiropractor who didn't really listen and wasted my time and money for six sessions, and a few minutes with an osteopath who seemed to be manipulating a nerve - I couldn't help screaming.
Physio helped a bit, pain clinic were good (drugs make it bearable), and I'd have acupuncture again. Have tried various alternative treatments and I'm a northerner, so do PM me if you'd like local details.

OnFoot · 11/05/2013 22:12

I almost worship osteopathy! Highly recommend it. IME they solve problems fast in minimal number of sessions. I had a 30 year problem diagnosed correctly on the first session (whereas physios etc had misdiagnosed repeatedly for 30 years and caused further pain), problem resolved in 3 sessions, felt like magic.

I actually don't trust doctors to deal with back pain, the whole system seems to be determined to just ignore any possibility of curing it and just to throw handfuls of addictive painkillers at you and if you're "lucky" book lots of pointless physio sessions.

QueenofLouisiana · 11/05/2013 22:22

I've seen both; for me the osteopath was better. Mine was also able to offer acupuncture alongside the standard treatment.

I keep my back problem under control by visiting once every six weeks, before it gets sore.

cocolepew · 11/05/2013 22:24

I've been to both but thought the oestopath was much better.

hermioneweasley · 11/05/2013 22:24

Have you had your coccyx checked out. I am a fan of both osteopathy and acupuncture, but I broke my coccyx many years ago and the only thing that worked was having them re-set. I didn't get spasms though, I just felt as though I was sitting on a red hot spike.

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