Chiropractors....do you think they help or make things worse?

The first time I saw a chiropractor, the guy paralzyed me for weeks as a result of a poorly done manipulation. Pissed me off and started my fear against chiropractors. A few years ago I had a horrible freak accident at work and was laid up in bed for 3 months with nerve damage. I was told to see a chiropractor but I'd said no way. I explained what had happened, but I was reassured that this chiropractor was one of the best in the city. I reluctantly agreed to see him, and he's done wonders for me ever since. I see him now for regular maintenance as the condition I have will most likely continue to give me trouble for many years to come. I'm lucky that my visits only cost me $10CDN, which is extremely reasonable compared to other chiropractors. I'm just lucky I guess.

I worked as a chiropractic assistant for 6 years. The doctor I worked for was a good doctor, not a quack. Chiropractors go through schooling that's very similar to what osteopathic physicians go through. What they focus on is the spine, and problems that arise from misalignment. Chiropractors are very good at looking at x-rays, and they have more study and training in reading them than most other kinds of doctors. My boss used to always show me the patients x-rays and point out where problems were coming from. You can actually see where nerves are being compressed due to misalignment, leading to pain in different areas of the body. My boss would also refer patients to an orthopedic surgeon or other doctor as needed. Not every problem can be solved by chiropractic treatment, and a good chiropractor will tell you that,and not keep you coming in indefinitely, taking your money. There are a lot of chiropractors who are more interested in making money than in helping people. My boss told me that in one of his business classes, it was suggested that you should try to get patients to come in for at least 20 visits whether or not they needed it to maximize profits. He never went along with that, as he was more of a doctor than a businessman. I'm always suspicious of chiropractors who push you to come in for more visits. It seems like they're trying to take advantage of your insurance company payments. A good one will most likely have you come in a few times to get you fixed up,and then suggest that you come in from time to time for an adjustment, or in case you do something to put yourself out. The doctor I go to now never tries to push visits, I just come in if something is bothering me, and I go 4-6 times a year. I was lucky to find the guy I worked for, as I started going to his office as a patient after a friend referred me to him. I was skeptical too, but he helped me out so much, and I've referred many other people to him. Some of the things he treated besides back problems were headaches, carpal tunnel, heel spurs, dislocated joints, sprains and strains. He also did advising to help patients make changes in habits to prevent injury and promote health, and in some cases suggested back strengthening exercises, for example.

I was in a car accident several years ago, and i was in pain constantly. I was taking valium etc someone suggested seeing a chiropractor I was better in no time. I think chiropractic services are great. If I ever have any back or neck pain in the future, my provider of choice is the chiropractor.

I consider all the other treatments other than modern medicine and other chemical putting systems are good they may not be effective sometimes .but they wont put u in further damage like the modern medicine does.as far i am concerned orthopathy is the best treatment.sure cure for all the diseases.they include air bath,water bath,sunbath,chane in diet, fasting etc and i think in time of diseaes our body know how to cure we just have assist it by making a conducive atmosphere. i dont knwo much about chiropractors ,i think it has something to do wiht spinal adjustmens ,accupunture etc.i think it better to consult them.how i u r teeth?

I have been seeing a ciropractor for about ten years now and have never regreted starting to go. I get migranes and as long as I go to the chiropractor I don't get them. I have also injured my back and that was the only thing that would help it. I have been to the hospital on some occassions for my headaches and they have given me every medication under the sun and it never toughed it but as soon as I went to the chiropractor it was gone. I have also gone to the chiropractor with my back so sore that I could barely walk and walked out of there with only a little pain. I would definately recommend it but do your homework, although if your husband likes the one he goes to then you are all set.

Many of my friends have sought out Chiropractors to help them with back, cyatic nerve and other issues. They do help. The only reasons I have not are because I have yet to have an insurance plan that pays anything toward this and I just don't have the expendable funds for it. I believe if I fould a truly qualified, well-trained and experienced chiropractor I could have much more range of motion, less tightness and more flexibility in my spine and torso. I was born with fused vertabrae and even had a neurologist suggest I submit to a very risky operation that has at least a 50% chance of putting me in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I was also informed (accurately) as I age I will suffer arthritis in my neck and upper torso and know increasing amounts of pain due to my deformity. A chiropractor could be a very beneficial treatment for my condition. I've even been approached by chiropractors who wanted to work on me (but of course not for free or even discounted).

My husband's chiropracter is the only thing that will help my husband when his back gets messed up.. a few visits then all is mostly well..

I have been seeing chiropractors ever since I hurt my back when I was a teenager. I feel so much better after my spine is aligned. One day at work, I started to stand up and had a horrible pain in my back and leg. Another woman in my office suggested that I contact her chiropractor, which I did. I spoke directly to him, explained my problem, and he even offered to come pick me up if I didn't feel I could drive to his office. This was in Fort Lauderdale, FL (not a small city by any means). The chiropractor took x-rays, explained to me what was going on, and then started adjustments on my back. I had a pinched nerve, and after 3 adjustments, I had no more pain. I then continued to have regular adjustments every month, and I am not bothered by back pain at all. I get an all-over good feeling from the adjustments and consider it an investment in my future health. My daughter-in-law worked for a husband & wife chiro team for years, and it was a sad day when they moved to another state. However, she is still in touch with them, as I'm still in touch with the two chiropractors that have treated me over the past 20 years. Both of the chiros that I've used will immediately tell you if they are unable to help you and will then suggest what type of doctor you should see for your particular problem. They are very ethical, and I have recommended them to many of my friends over the years.

I have used a chiropracter several times. Once I had a severe neck problem with the discs turned and out of alignment. I could easily see in the xray that this was the problem. I could not move my head without great pain. The doc fixed me up and I have not had any problems in over 25 years. Another time my back went out and I could barely move. I went to a different chiropracter and he fixed me up in no time. I have had good luck with using them and would again for specific problems. I no longer go for weekly adjustments, but for major back or neck difficulty, I think it can really help.

I visited a chriopractor once. It was a free consultation and so I go. I was asked to go for an x-ray which cost $x. And back for first consultation which cost another $y. And afterwhich I would have to attend a minimum series of "treatment" costing another $z. I decide not to go for the x-ray for fear I needed to spend extra-ordinary extras like my brother. My brother visited one, was advised to go for treatment and after a period of treatment, his find his arm got numb and he stopped the treatment. The condition seems to worsen even though medical checks and MRI scans fail to show anything wrong. He was now on TCM as an alternative.

My previous chiropractor 20 miles away was really strange. He tried to get me on Amway once. He tried once to get me to learn Dutch. He told me once that sunscreen is a Communist conspiracy to give Americans cancer so that they can take over America. He tried once to get me to start playing at an online chess site he recommended. The list goes on and on. (He is a NUCCA--National Upper Cervical Chiropractors Association--chiropractor, and I started with the NUCCA guy on the advice of my then boyfriend.) So, I changed chiropractors to a different one in my city. I've been going to this one for about three years, and I haven't really noticed much relief in my lower back yet, but the migraines have almost completely gone, and so have most of my vision problems. And, he's very good about working with my very low income and the rather large co-pays that my Medicare leaves me with having to pay.