Chiropracters - Saints or Charlatans?

[A*O]

I went to a chiro yesterday as I have a stiff lower back which makes sitting very uncomfortable. He explained all the stuff about how your spine is the 'centre' of your wellbeing and I kinda get the point, but I've always been a bit sceptical. Anyway, he made me lie down and did some prodding and got me to rest my hips on a couple of wedge shaped pads and I have to admit I did notice an immediate difference. My back is much more flexible today. Coincidence?

Anyone here had good/bad experiences with chiropracters?

[Barbara]

I never went to one. From what I gathered from family/friend's experiences, as long as they touch you "gently" it's ok, but it gets dangerous when there is too much bone cracking involved ... after all, i'ts about your SPINE!!!!!
I've heard osteopaths get the same results with less risks.
But this is all second hand information

[NoDayButToday]

I have had fantastic experience with chiropractors and so has my sister and my mom. My experience was not regarding my spine, it was for a bone in my foot that had slid out of its joint, but I was referred to a chiropractor anyway. By the time I left her office the bone was back in its joint and I could walk again.

My mother has severe back problems and sees a chiropractor on a regular basis. For a few days following her appointment she always feels much better.

My sister got seriously injured at a sleepover when someone hit her too hard with a pillow. Her neck and shoulders were all messed up. She saw a chiropractor every couple weeks for a few months. She was a little better after every appointment until her neck was finally aligned and stayed aligned.

[Lil]

I see a chiropractor every quarter (my neck isn't good) and find it keeps things moving properly, makes me aware of my posture and stops problems before they get too bad. And I had a bad fall from a horse just over a year ago (jumping, horse bolted, I fell from about nine feet at high speed and ended up in casualty, VERY lucky not to go under the horse's feet ) and wrenched my shoulder badly. The chiropractor was very good with that too, although the stuff she did to realign my collarbone hurt like a bugger.

The cracking thing they do is a bit alarming though.

[Algernon]

My back has "gone out" twice the past couple years. And when I say "gone out" I mean suddenly twinged and put me on the ground, making me unable to even move. Very scary!!!! Had to roll/crawl my way around. Husband forced me to go to the chiropractor (I didn't really have a choice, as he carried me to the car and I couldn't fight back!) and he worked his magic. It took 3-4 visits each time, but WOW. I'm a believer now.

My chiropractor uses an activator. He is not one of these bone crunching, twisting, snapping guys. He just takes his little activator, taps it the appropriate places, and puts everything back in line. It's been almost 2 years since my last visit, but my back is starting to show some signs of wanting to go out, and I may be making another visit soon for prevention.

My mom and dad both go to a bone-cruncher. They swear by it, but I'm too terrified. One of my mom's distant relatives actually was paralyzed and DIED from a bone-cruncher. I'll stick with the activator method!

[Fonzarelli23]

Well---I have had lots of experience with them. About 4 years ago I was involved in a really bad roll-over car accident. My doctor told me NOT to go to the chiropractor, instead to go to a physical therapist. So I did that for a while. But I still have back pain a lot. Through my work, we have an employee wellness plan. One of the benefits is that we can go to a chiropractors office weekly. I used to go all the time but I never noticed much of a difference. Now I only go for the hour long massages. I notice more with a massage then I do with the actual adjustment.

[LynnieD]

My father, my uncle and my brother are all Chiropractors.....I have been adjusted since the day I was born, literally....

[Lani]

Never been to a Chiro. I'm a physio girl personally. My physio is a god send. I have a habit of pinching nerves due to being slightly double jointed. The machine she uses on my muscles is amazing, even with the pin prick feelings I manage to fall asleep every time. Also, all the exersices she's made me do over the years has improved my flexiblity and my strength leaps and bounds.

[Laurent]

I've never been to one. My father suffered a very bad lower back injury years ago and went to a chiropractor. Things kept getting progressively worse, he wasn't feeling any relief and finally went to an MD who told him the care he'd been receiving had actually caused him more injury. He was very close to having been paralyzed. He ended up having to have major back surgery and has never quite recovered. He's able to walk and gets around very well - you'd never know by looking at him - but he's always in varying degrees of pain.

On the other hand, a very good friend of mine is a firm believer in his chiropractor and says it has relieved almost all of his back problems. I don't know, maybe my dad had a bad doctor or maybe chiropracty has come a long way in the years since.

[A*O]

Hmmmmm the jury's still out on this one. I had some spine Xrays done today for the chiro to have a look at and if he can sort out my sore back that's fine, but if there is no obvious improvement I will give him the flick. My mother had a problem with trapped nerves in her shoulder and she swears by her chiro so I think at lot is to do with the type of injury/disorder. I am very open minded about 'alternative' medicine in general and think it has an important role in general medical practice, but I still can't believe that all our aches, pains and ailments are totally connected to our spine. In fact, when I told my chiro I have never suffered a fall or other back 'trauma' I did detect a slight flicker of concern that he would not be able to pin all my problems on that event. I am more impressed with acupuncture and naturopathy as non-conventional treatments.