What is your experience with Chiropractors?

[JohnRoman]

Never been to a Chiro before 2 weeks ago. Can't get over bench press shoulder problems so I decide to give him a try just to turn the volume down on the wife's nag.

I've been to 3 visits and my shoulder problem is almost non-existent now. I have backed off the weights, but I guess it is time to charge forward and see.

Each visit consists of : about a 10 min pre-massage on the area, the adjustments that he makes then about 10-15 minutes of accupuncture. It feels a little weird leaving the office and then about 30 mins later it feels great!

Just out of curiosity, anybody have any great or horror stories to warn about?

[SQUAT_316]

Bad disks in my lower back. I go to chiro 2x a month. He is a former 3lift powerlifter (only does bench). I am now squatting again (starting LIGHT) and deadlifting. Try it and see.

[Oldster]

FANTASTIC experience! I walk today because of Chiropractic.

I went to the same fellow for about 15 years until he finally died of old age, no kidding. Just fantastic. Then I started going to the fellow that took over his practice with even better results for my upper back, no so good for my low back. For some reason, my low back didn't always respond favorably to him for no reason I can figure out. So I went to another Chiro that was supposed to be good with the opposite results. My upper back didn't respond well but my low back thought he was great! Problem solved. I now go to either depending on which area bothers me most.

Both start with a deep tissue vibration do-dad for a couple minutes that relaxes the muscles and then move right to the adjustments which are almost always 100% pain free. After the adjustments they dig back into the offending muscles with the vibrating do-dad and then I'm done. Nearly always I walk out the door feeling much better and 100% within 24 hours usually.

One thing I've found is that on days I am adjusted my strength drops noticably. Same thing with deep tissue massage. I don't really care as I know it will help with my strength in the immediate future.

[Mark E. Hurling]

Dr. Laura, she of the magic hands, has done a yeoman's (yeowoman's?) job on my back and neck for a few years now. She does a form of adjustment that doesn't involve cracking with hard powerful adjustments. I've been to 3-4 others over the years, and they got to the point where they couldn't use the twisting, torqueing, and major bodily manipulation to get things back in alignment. I couldn't relax enough to let them move me.

Dr. Laura though uses small movements applied directly to the affected vertebrae and it always helps A LOT.

[melody]

I love my current chiro, but I have been to some bad ones too. They are like any doctor, if you what you're looking for and what is legit then you should be fine.

[quagmire]

They are like any doctor,

No.
"Chiropractors are an alternative medicine, and therefore is not evidence based. This means that claims about how well it works are not backed up by scientific evidence and it is not regulated by the health authorities."

Also: http://skepdic.com/chiro.html

Chiros are usually not covered by medical insurance (PTs usually are).

[Oldster]

My wifes insurance allows her 24 chiropractic visits per year, as does my lifting partners. Mine allows me 48. Two different insurance companies.

[Carlos Daniel]

No.
"Chiropractors are an alternative medicine, and therefore is not evidence based. This means that claims about how well it works are not backed up by scientific evidence and it is not regulated by the health authorities."

Also: http://skepdic.com/chiro.html



Chiros are usually not covered by medical insurance (PTs usually are).

I agree, but I think you missed melody's point.

[Gerald Boggs]

I've never been to a regular chiropractor, however my neighbors are Network Spinal Analysis chiropractors. It's some touchy-feely alternative stuff. Have no idea as to it's true effectiveness, but every time I've had back pain and beg a visit with them, my back quickly feels better. She does bitch at me "I'm not a band-aid," This was after she saw me loading a four hundred lb. anvil into my truck

Al in all, my experience with chiropractors have been positive. If I could afford the regular visits, I would.

[jenica]

I too owe a lot to my chiro. I have chronic lumbar spine issues that are aggravated by lifting (DLs especially) and regular adjustments keep me going. One key for me was finding someone that understood that I wasn't going to stop lifting, but rather just keep making me feel better from self-inflicted discomfort.

I've had adjustments on my elbow and shoulders too, but those yielded variable results. My back always feels better. I try not to lift on the same day as a treatment- tends to reduce the effectiveness for me.

It seems like many chiros use a combination of adjustments and other therapies. Mine uses ART, which has been great for my shoulder and back issues. I say if it works & makes you feel better, do it!

FWIW, my insurance only covers 12 visits/year, but self pay patients actually pay less per visit at my doc. If you're a regular patient, worth asking about such "maintenance plans".