Any chiropractors/osteopaths out there? Or anyone knowledgeable about what they do...

[MrsHappy]

I'm trying to work out whether it would be worth seeing either a chiroptactor or an osteopath.

I an 4 months post-natal and have noticed that my pelvis hurts or sort of feels stiff when I walk and when I get up off the floor. Given that something mechanical in my pelvis is the likely cause of both of my babies getting stuck (so that I needed emergency sections) I'm sort of wondering whether a chiropractor or osteopath might be the right person to diagnose if something is "wrong" somehow.

I really don't know what sort of person I should see about this. How are chiropractors and osteopaths different? And somehow I have it in my head that osteopathy is quackery - can someone explain to me how osteopaths work?

Thanks

I dont know much about ostepaths, but fab chiropractor sorted my pelvis after ds2 was born, and I has a pretty severe SPD. He worked miracles on me. It was amazing.

North London - any recommendations welcome!

Mine is also specializing in pregnancy related issues. (Amongst others)He is also a skilled acupuncturist, so used that on me too. He also has a pilates studio.

Google Todays Health Care. He is based in Fulham. sw6.

Thanks both of you.
Peppa- would love to know what the difference is!

I was told a modern trained Chiro is very similar to an osteo.

I was also told that chiro works on the soft tissues etc to get your brain to think about the issue and will sometimes do manipulation whereas a chiro will do the manipulation to get the brain to think about the issue.

In short not much difference really!

Quint- I used to live just around the corner from that clinic! Not as convenient now though, unfortunately...

My osteo was fab for my spd, was able to give up my crutches!

He lives in North London, though.....

Both osteos and Chiros train for 4 or 5 years at degree level. They then have to register with either the GOC (general osteopathic council) or GCC (general chiro council). Always check your practitioner is registered.

There are a few differences in treatment, chiros tend to diagnosis with x-rays, osteos by palpation, chiros tend to focus more on the spine and nerves use use alot of manipulation(cracking!), osteos tend to be more holistic and work on soft tissues too, like muscles etc.. (cracking and massage!)You therefore tend to find chiro treatments to be fairly quick (15 mins), while most osteos see patients for 30 mins or more.

Whether or not you are offered acupuncture depends on the practitioner doing post-grad studies - both osteos and chiro may offer it.

Sorry so long, but hope that helps. Really its down to personal choice, some people prefer chiro for quick manipulation, some prefer gentler manipulation and massage

Before seeing either, you should go to your GP and seek his/her advice. You may need x-rays to check things out first and it may be what you need is physio instead/as well. Personally I swear by pilates but also see an osteopath and on occasion have a spell with a physio too.

No need to see a GP - both osteos and chiros can accept referrals from patient directly. They can then arrange x-rays, if needed, and usually alot quicker than your GP could.

If you do want to see a chiro/osteo/physio its advisable to stick to just one therapy to start with - it makes it much easier to distinguish what 'works' for you and how intense your treatment should be.

I went down the GP and nhs route first. I was in agony for a few weeks, then got my first physio appointment. 30 minutes weekly. After my 3rd physiotherapy treatment the physiotherapist said "well, I will refer you back to your gp, as there isnt really much physio can do for you, as you have made so little improvement". I was like shocked and asked her what my prognosis was, and she replied "most likely a wheelchair within the next couple of years.

So, based on MY personal experience, I would say to forget about your gp and physio and head straight to a chiropractor. They can refer you for x rays, too.

My experience of NHS physio for SPD was here are your crutches and take the stairs one at a time, this was after I explained I couldn't actually walk up the stairs at all and had to go up & down on my bum!