Chiropractors

[Chief]

Everyone I know that goes to one ... has to keep going. They swear by it, say it's great, but they keep going back. It's like a temporary fix.

As Mickey Spagnola might say, if they're so good, why do you have to keep going back to get them to fix it again.

I've heard people say they're not real doctors. That they're quacks. Just back poppers.

I'm having back issues. Do I try this? Or do I go to an orthopedic doctor?

I don't think it's a muscle issue. It's my lower back (belt-level), down in the bones, it seems ... it popped a couple of weeks ago when I bent over to tie my shoes and has been pretty painful ever since. Some days better than others.

Weigh in.

[JonJon]

I had an issue with my shoulder that was causing serious pain. I couldn't raise my arm over my head or bring my arm behind my back without enduring excruciating pain.

I went the Chiropractor (or Choir practice, as the old lady at my church used to say, lol) to see what was wrong. He ran a xray scan, and it turned out that I had a herniated disc in my spinal cord that was causing nerve damage to my upper arm.

He gave me some arm exercises to realign my problematic disc. After about 2 weeks, the pain was gone and my spinal cord was aligned properly. Haven't had to go back since.

So I think going to the Chiropractor is a good idea and it's not something that you should have to keep going back to forever. Plus my insurance covered everything for me.

[big dog cowboy]

Go to your regular doctor before anything and get checked out. Then discuss all this with your doctor and follow their recommendations. Don't head straight for the bone cracker first. That may only make your situation worse.

[Duane]

You might also consider acupuncture as well.

[tomson75]

I wouldn't rule out a muscle issue just yet. Keep in mind that your muscles attach to bone. I tore my rhomboid muscle where it attaches to the spine underneath the trap. Not fun.

I've had back manipulation in the past. It certainly helps with pain, but you're right, it can be temporary. I've found that strengthening the muscles in conjunction with manipulation can dramatically effect the amount of time it takes for pain to reoccur.

I would consult a certified doctor before doing any of this though...as there may be a more serious problem.

Also...there are several types of chiropractic practices. Do some research to find out which one is best for you.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Chief

Everyone I know that goes to one ... has to keep going. They swear by it, say it's great, but they keep going back. It's like a temporary fix.

As Mickey Spagnola might say, if they're so good, why do you have to keep going back to get them to fix it again.

I've heard people say they're not real doctors. That they're quacks. Just back poppers.

I'm having back issues. Do I try this? Or do I go to an orthopedic doctor?

I don't think it's a muscle issue. It's my lower back (belt-level), down in the bones, it seems ... it popped a couple of weeks ago when I bent over to tie my shoes and has been pretty painful ever since. Some days better than others.

Weigh in.

You do not have to keep going. I go to a bone cracker when my back hurts and it always helps. But I absolutely do not go all the time.

Ice, sleep with your legs elevated, take it easy, and Ibuprofen. They are your friends.

[Hostile]

PS

Anyone who wants to get their back adjusted if they are ever in Tucson, let me know. My chiropractor does not require an appointment, it's only 20 bucks, and his receptionists are stunning UA students.

[Chief]

I have been to my regular doctor. She couldn't find anything obvious. She gave me some muscle relaxers (that don't work at all), and said to give it a few days, and if it's not better, she would schedule an x-ray or MRI.

At this point, I'm trying to decide whether to go that route with an orthopedic doctor, or go to this chiropractor that two of my co-workers are recommending.

I appreciate the responses, guys. Keep 'em coming.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Chief

I have been to my regular doctor. She couldn't find anything obvious. She gave me some muscle relaxers (that don't work at all), and said to give it a few days, and if it's not better, she would schedule an x-ray or MRI.

At this point, I'm trying to decide whether to go that route with an orthopedic doctor, or go to this chiropractor that two of my co-workers are recommending.

I appreciate the responses, guys. Keep 'em coming.

Go to the bone cracker. The fears of them are way over rated. They help.

I have chronic back problems so bad that at times I can barely walk. 1 or 2 visits is all I need to be straight again.

[Chief]

Originally Posted by Hostile

Go to the bone cracker. The fears of them are way over rated. They help.

I have chronic back problems so bad that at times I can barely walk. 1 or 2 visits is all I need to be straight again.

Have you thought about having surgery to fix it for good?

[L-O-Jete]

I also recommend the "bone cracker", reason most people have to go back all the time is bad habits (posture, lack of excersise, etc.) but I went to 2 ortho's (once ended up in hospital with back pain) before I went to the chiro and only the Chiro got it right...

[jksmith269]

Originally Posted by Chief

Have you thought about having surgery to fix it for good?

it sounds like you may have had a disc slip on you, which normally correct themselves over a couple days, rest, and sleeping with your lower legs from the knees down elevated will help.

I had a disc rupture in my lower back, back in 1992 and my L-4 shift to the left 1/4-1/2" which the Navy ran me around for 2.5 years with and wouldn't fix, so when I finally saw a spinal specialist in 8 of 94 he had me do an MRI, I went back the following Wednesday to get the results and he explained the disc had ruptured and I needed surgery ASAP so I asked when he wanted to do it, the following Wednesday I had surgery. They put 6 screws, and 4 rods from my L-4 to S-1 (fusion) and did a bone graph from my left hip and packed around the bone. The surgery was supposed to take 3-4hrs it wound up lasting 11.5hrs... When they did the measurements for the rods between the screws they took them off the x-rays and didn't allow for the compression that had taken place so the one's they had where too short, and they had to Med-i-vac in ones from LA up to Oakland. The Surgeon told me a few days later if they had waited even a week longer I may have been paralyzed from my waist down and that chances where still strong that I'd become paralyzed within 10years, Thank GOD that it's now been 15years and I'm still up and about, I can say that recently though it's getting worse and worse the pain never goes away, and it's getting hard to even put on socks anymore...

BTW I knew a guy in the Navy bent over to pick up a pencil off the floor and pop went his back, when it's time to go it goes...

PS if they put you on meds like Motrin, Celebrex, Naparosen etc be very careful it'll destroy your stomach and liver...

[Chief]

Originally Posted by jksmith269

PS if they put you on meds like Motrin, Celebrex, Naparosen etc be very careful it'll destroy your stomach and liver...

What about Tramadol? I have that, but it doesn't seem to do much.

My doctor offered me Vicodin, but I said no thanks. I figured I would end up like Brett Favre and get addicted to the stuff.

Oh, and thanks for your information.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Chief

Have you thought about having surgery to fix it for good?

My problem is not that severe. My back just goes out now and then.

[Hoofbite]

I think a lot of chiropractors get a bad rap because the profession has begun to expand beyond its area of expertise. Rather than being physical manipulation, many chiropractors like to throw in some BS about all the other physical benefits.

They talk about how manipulation will relieve pressure on the nerves coming out of your spine and can improve physiological ailments in other parts of the body. I've actually heard a chiropractor talk about how a patient of hers was able to reduce the number of prescriptions meds she had to take through a series of alignments. Pretty much just position themselves to be a giant cure all.

With that said, they do have some beneficial treatments. I've gone with someone who had back problems that were acting up so bad that he could barely walk into the office and after getting aligned he was fine. He wasn't hurt from injury or anything but every now and then his back would just throw a fit for no reason.

If you have a tweaked back you'll probably get some relief from some popping but if you are injured or are experiencing a lot of pain, head to the doctor.