chiropractor

Ditch-Runner

I think I am going to schedule my 1st visit to one. I am sitting on the hard kitchen floor as I type this, because it is the most comfortable right now. [:I]

A few times a year, I must mess something up in my neck or back. I get headaches in the sides and back of my head, with pain and soreness that radiates down the sides of my neck, spine, shoulder blades, chest and ribs. Even some lightheadedness at times. Not fun and while I am young enough to just deal with it for now, I suppose I should try and get as far ahead of the issue as I can.

Jon

Ditch-Runner

I started having back pain around thanksgiving last year , I put off going to DR. but never got better . So I went to general family DR. 3 times each time pain pills and muscle relaxers , he had the same thought I did , pulled a muscle.
last trip . he suggested seeing a specialist a Nero surgeon. I had scans done and went in for visit ( this was over a 6 month run ) he was a great fellow ( older gentleman ) told me there was nothing bad enough to have to operate ( thank goodness [:)]) he suggested I see a chiropractor , I finally gave in went in three days ago , the DR, seems positive he can help me out . today going over my scans ( on a dvd) he pointed out early in life I had a traumatic injury to my spine like it was compressed badly , and had some calcium building up where my back was recently injured and my muscles were locking it into place . I am guessing the early injury was when I was about two years old my head went thru a 54 ford windshield when we were hit head on 200 give or take stitches to put my face back together.
any way .
as I have never been to a chiropractor before any suggestions or what to look for in a good one or bad one ?

my problem is just a irritating pain and the pain pills cover it up but I want to get to the point I do not need the pills

to all of you who really have back problems and all the surgery's , cages , parts removed or added my hat is off to you for what you go thru each day .
mine is not worthy to even mention , but want to head it off before it gets worse
thanks

Ditch-Runner

Ever been? Currently go to one? Long term?

Had my first experience today....now of course when wants me back three times a week at $42 a pop(above insurance) for an unspecified amount of time to fix my issues. The back adjustment was no big deal but when he tried to rip my head off my neck that was very unpleasant. Honestly I wanted to punch him in the face after he did that, but only for a moment. I am not sure I am gonna go back.

Ditch-Runner

just got done at one. I went in there and
told him that Id never been to
one, back has been hurtin for a
while, but im here now cause "my
tenderloin was stiff as a board."
I didnt know there was that much stuff you could crack. I snunded
like a damn bag of pop corn.
Couple problems need more
visits. He seemed to be very
confident he could fix them with
a couple vits per week for 2-3 weeks.

allen griggs

I love chiropractors. The MDs can do wonderful things, and, they can ruin a person's life with back surgery, when it goes badly. I saw it happen many times when I was a paramedic.

I always go to the chiropractor first and, if you have a good one, he can usually fix you up, cheap, and no surgery or dope.

You don't say where you are. If you are any where near Mars Hill NC go see my chiropractor, Dr. Smith, he is really good. Otherwise, you need to ask around and see who recommends which chiropractor. There are great chiropractors, and, of course, just like MDs, there are bad ones.

Ditch-Runner

Thanks Allen
I know they can do wonderful things with surgery , and I was never so relived when he told me I was not in the running as long as I took care and maintained my current level, so missed that bullet [;)]
I live in Ohio about 50 miles north of Dayton .
I never realized how may chiropractors there were even in the small town close to me ,
the one I picked out mostly at random with a little looking seems to be a good guy and talks a good story , he continually ask if I am having any pain or bad reactions to the treatments ( only two treatments so far )
I spend 10 minutes on a vibrating table 1/2 the time with a wooden arch under my back . 10 minutes on a roller table , 10 minutes with electro shock to the area , and then a few minutes on the table while he uses a (for lack of better words a adjusting plunger like a small jack hammer that has a computer chip to read the needed pressure to apply ? ) on my back ,

skicat

I have used lots of different chiropractors and there is a wide variance in ability. You really have to try on many to find one that is a good fit for you. My current one is top notch and she is cross trained in many different techniques. I would suggest you find one that is skilled in Active Release Techniques or A.R.T. This has helped me greatly. If you can find a good one they will raise your quality of life measurably.

My experience is the chiropractors who rely too heavily on their machines and gizmos are not as good as the ones who spend most of your session with their hands on you directly manipulating your body. If most of your appointment is spent with the chiropractor in another room while a machine is kneading you then try another chiropractor. Best of luck and don't give up if you get a couple of bozos right at first. The good ones are out there.

11b6r

You might also check for D.O.'s in your area- Doctor of Osteopathy. They are licensed physician that are also trained in spinal manipulation. Beware the Chiropractor that is certain that they can cure ANYTHING by spinal manipulation, and has a room full of shiny machines.

Mobuck

The Grouch Attack worked for two different Chiropractors several years back. In SOME cases, they're the correct solution. In many cases, they simply prolong the ultimate result. If my insurance still paid for Chiropractic adjustments, I'd be there 3-4 times per month. The relief is worthwhile but simply doesn't last more than a few days with my lifestyle and work load.
My best response to treatment followed acupuncture with electric stimulation therapy.

searcher5

I never go to a Chiropractor when I should. I wait, thinking it will go back in place by itself. It usually does. About every 3-5 years, I have one that just won't go back on its own, or with my help, and I see a chiropractor. By the time I go, it usually takes 3-4 visits. Last time I went, I went to a woman here in town, because the man I had been using died. She had this funky table, that would drop about an inch every time she pushed on my back. Never heard a single crunch or click out of my back, like I usually do. I'm thinking that she ins't doing me a bit of good. Now, I was in major pain before I went. That's the only way I'll go. One treatment. Pain went away. That was about 2 years ago. If I have another issue, I will be going back to see her. She is the only one who fixed me right up on the first visit.


Dan

jonk

I have gone to two. One conventional for my lower back, and while it took a few visits, he got it sorted and I wasn't in any more pain.

When my neck went out due to a blown disc, I went to a specialist upper cervical chiropractor. They don't crack; they use X-rays to determine the alignment issue, and gentle repeated pressure to move it back into position. Very odd feeling, having someone slowly moving your top 3 vertebrae around with their thumbs and hands.

Turns out my disc blew because my top 2 vertebrae were turned and slightly off center, likely due to a car accident from years before. I felt horrible crushing pain in my face, jaw, arms, neck, and mouth that had all the doctors baffled; as always, at the end of the MRIs, CAT scans, etc., they said, "must be in your head, take some anti depressants."

Chiro had me feeling better within 2 visits, for $35 each.

As it was a full on ruptured disc, I had to see him twice a week for about a month; then once a week for about 3 months. I'm now down to seeing him once a month as I still get some tingly nerves and still occasionally get out of alignment. He said that my vertebrae had been turned and tilted so long, it had stretched out my ligaments, and it could take a year for them to tighten up again; until then I'm at risk of going into misalignment.

I've also gone to PT, using myofascial release. Very helpful as well.

McDAccountant

I have a similar story. I was having lots of pain, numbness, loss of strength. Knowing I shouldn't be going through pain like this in my mid-40s, my wife convinced me to go to Chiro. He did scans and xrays. He showed me, on the xray, where I had fractured a vertebrae at some point in my life.

Anyway, been going to him twice a month now for almost two years now and I feel better than I did in my 20s. Best money I've ever spent!

I always thought of Chiros as quacks, but I don't anymore. I'm a believer in what its all about and highly recommend it!

spasmcreek

chiro put me on to a back stretcher and helped for years....but the key to any type doctor is his skill...one chiro I first went to was a useless...I bought a home unit (supine traction type) and have used it ever since

Oakie

Wish I could go. my next door neighbor, Dr. Cavalerro, said my back is so bad that no chiro should ever touch me. Before I had the surgery,I went to another chiro and he hurt me so bad I couldn't sleep and could hardly tilt my head. Guess I got a bad one.

bearman49709

I know a women who had a crio work on her back, she left his office went to the hosp and had emergency surg.
I know a man went to a different crio, that crio had to call a ambalance for him and he had to have emergency surg.

There may be some good crio's but I won't risk my spine with one!

Mobuck

Like I said, my insurance doesn't cover Chiropractors anymore so I go to a DO. The results are quite different and sometimes I'm laid up for a day or so after the DO's yanking. About 25 years ago, I went to a DO for an adjustment and he broke a couple of my ribs. I didn't go back there again.

bpost

Of all the places I sold X-Ray equipment to Chiropractors were as a group quite nuts. Most are great guys and gals many up to their eyeballs in student loans.

Do not let sell you over priced supplements, magnatherm treatments, water bed therapy or other such "treatments". Manipulation is fine, it may well help some use Lloyd or Chattanooga Group adjustment tables to adjust you. Hydroculator pack treatment is great to get deep heat into the area.