Anybody go to the chiropractor?
#26
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I saw one a few times when my knee was hurting. The therapy did help plus it gave me some good ideas for Kinesio taping my legs which has also helped with strains. I saw him because my wife and daughter see him and he's helped them, he knows sports (he works on some of the Chargers and that's their livelyhood) and he knows physiology which as a cyclist, the more I know the less I'll get injured. According to him my insurance rocks so since I rarely get sick at least my premiums get some use. Do what works for you. GL
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As far as I know, all states require PTs to have an actual Masters degree (I think it's always a Master of Science) and require a BSc prior to graduate/professional school. And now many states (MA being one of them) are requiring all PTs to have doctorates. My wife has a four year degree plus her DPT, which ordinarly takes an additional 5 years but she was in an accelerated program and went to school year round for 3.
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Just another thing to consider, if you go to an Orthopedist, or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician theire education consists of 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 4 years of internship/residency.
They will then prescribe physical therapy to be done under their guidance by a PT that has 2 years of undergraduate school and 3 years of PT training.
Conversely, a chiropractor traditionally has only been required to have 2 years of undergrad then 4 years of Chiropractic.
Also consider that no major university in the United States offers a Chiropractic degree. Perhaps there's a reason?
They will then prescribe physical therapy to be done under their guidance by a PT that has 2 years of undergraduate school and 3 years of PT training.
Conversely, a chiropractor traditionally has only been required to have 2 years of undergrad then 4 years of Chiropractic.
Also consider that no major university in the United States offers a Chiropractic degree. Perhaps there's a reason?
Chiropractry is based on the theory of "subluxations" (spinal misalignments) for which there is no real evidence.(except x-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, CT scans and really any other form of diagnostic equipment we have today) Cracking your back seems to have theraputic benefits for some, but there no evidence that chiropractors realign anything.(again,except x-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, CT scans and really any other form of diagnostic equipment we have today) In fact, if they were able to change your spinal aligment by twisting your back, that would be very dangerous. In fact neck and upper back adjustments are dangerous and can cause stroke due to damage of the vertebral artery.(an adjustment isnt just "popping" the spine. movement happens with or without the pop.)
BTW, osteopaths (doctors with the DO degree) have the same training as MDs, and do all the same things MDs do. However, the practice of osteopathic manipulation (OMM or OMT), which the vast majority of most practicing DOs do not use, is no more evidence based than chiropractry and much of it seems like complete mysticism to me, although like chiropracty, some patients report theraputic benefits. All DOs are trained in osteopathic manipulation but most of them abandon it early in their careers and basically act like MDs. Most DOs are fine, but I would avoid any DO who claims to be able to cure all your ills with OMM.
BTW, osteopaths (doctors with the DO degree) have the same training as MDs, and do all the same things MDs do. However, the practice of osteopathic manipulation (OMM or OMT), which the vast majority of most practicing DOs do not use, is no more evidence based than chiropractry and much of it seems like complete mysticism to me, although like chiropracty, some patients report theraputic benefits. All DOs are trained in osteopathic manipulation but most of them abandon it early in their careers and basically act like MDs. Most DOs are fine, but I would avoid any DO who claims to be able to cure all your ills with OMM.
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So anybody go to a witch doctor? I have a curse I'm trying to get rid of, and I'd like to make sure I sacrifice my goat to the correct ancestor, otherwise I don't think it'll work.
#30
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All the input is wonderful. My initial pain is completly gone. This visit would just be for the pleasure of pressure release you recive when the bones pop.
#31
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By the way, have you ever met a Chiropractor that had the grades and test scores to get into medical school and chose to be a chiropractor instead?
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
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You could hit a tree and die.
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#32
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I'm married to an Osteopath and I go to a chiropractor. I think what the chiropractor has done has had a positive effect. Then again, I have a very good chiropractor. He doesn't have an X-ray machine, unlike most of them. It's obvious that he can identify what is out of whack by feel.
It's interesting that there is a PT/MD approach to the same problems, but my impression is that finding a person that is willing to treat the low-level issues that chiropractic treatments address would be extremely difficult.
It's interesting that there is a PT/MD approach to the same problems, but my impression is that finding a person that is willing to treat the low-level issues that chiropractic treatments address would be extremely difficult.
#33
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I get a similar effect by just grabbing the top of a sturdy door (near the hinges), slowly take the weight of my feet (toes just touching the floor) and hanging, trying to relax everything for a minute. It's free and helps when I do it. ........... Think I'll go do it now .... aahhhhh
Anyway that's why I sprung for the inversion table... although I haven't used it enough yet to justify the cost of maybe $300 or so, I have zero regrets because I know there will be a next time.
Last edited by jayp410; 08-12-11 at 11:24 AM.
#34
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"i have seen a ton of before and after xrays with enormous amounts of improvement in my 5 years of working there. true, not everyone will have a perfect spine when they are done but almost 100% have visibly improved xrays. "
I have seen lots of these chiropractic X-rays, usually with pencil lines drawn over the bones showing curvatures and misalignements that they interpret as pathology. The hilarious thing is that you could retake these X-rays with the patients shifted a little bit in the opposite direction and the X-ray alignment would be the exact opposite. There is nothing wrong with chiropractors doing physical therapy but they should ban them from using these for-profit only X-ray machines. Of course, then you could just save money and go to a Physical Therapist.
I have seen lots of these chiropractic X-rays, usually with pencil lines drawn over the bones showing curvatures and misalignements that they interpret as pathology. The hilarious thing is that you could retake these X-rays with the patients shifted a little bit in the opposite direction and the X-ray alignment would be the exact opposite. There is nothing wrong with chiropractors doing physical therapy but they should ban them from using these for-profit only X-ray machines. Of course, then you could just save money and go to a Physical Therapist.
Last edited by jrobe; 08-12-11 at 11:31 AM.
#35
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My experience with one chiropractor was positive. I had been lifting heavy at the gym for a while and began to have some problems, primarily sciatica. I was talking to my trainer and he pointed to a gentleman who was in the middle of his training routine and said "go see that guy." He allowed me to interrupt and after I described my issue he suggested that I come to his office. I should note that he was a sports chiro. None of the new age quackery that so many chiropractors seem to adhere to. His manipulations worked well for me. There was some immediate relief followed by further gradual improvement after a couple of weeks of unchecked torment.
Note that I mentioned that the experience with that one chiro was positive. I also have had first hand experience with the new age quackery I previously described. This one used the x-ray machine, which the first did not use, then went on to tell me that I had major vertebral fusion in my neck that if not treated would only get worse and would pretty much render me immobile later in life. He then spoke of a patient who could have had what was terminal heart disease cured if he had undergone manipulations over time. At this, I was done. I left and did not return.
Note that I mentioned that the experience with that one chiro was positive. I also have had first hand experience with the new age quackery I previously described. This one used the x-ray machine, which the first did not use, then went on to tell me that I had major vertebral fusion in my neck that if not treated would only get worse and would pretty much render me immobile later in life. He then spoke of a patient who could have had what was terminal heart disease cured if he had undergone manipulations over time. At this, I was done. I left and did not return.
#36
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Yes it is, Lots of the same techniques and equipment. I have experience with both and it's clear that you don't have any experience with a good chiro.
#37
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You do have to have a Master's degree in PT, but you don't have to complete an undergraduate degree. So you can do the 3 years of PT after 3 years of undergraduate work. https://www.apta.org/PTEducation/Overview/
Point is that the PT has at least as much training in what they're doing as the Chiropractor, and they're working with a physician that has a whole lot more training than the Chiropractor.
By the way, have you ever met a Chiropractor that had the grades and test scores to get into medical school and chose to be a chiropractor instead?
By the way, have you ever met a Chiropractor that had the grades and test scores to get into medical school and chose to be a chiropractor instead?
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They seem to vary hugely.
Some do have advanced degrees, correspondingly know their limitations, and know when they can help you feel better, but have no problem sending you to a doctor when you need one.
Then some are complete quacks.
I think some good ones do blur the lines with physical therapy, but as others have said, why not just go to a real physical therapist instead.
Some do have advanced degrees, correspondingly know their limitations, and know when they can help you feel better, but have no problem sending you to a doctor when you need one.
Then some are complete quacks.
I think some good ones do blur the lines with physical therapy, but as others have said, why not just go to a real physical therapist instead.
#39
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Because they're not necessary, at best. It's like... here, you can either eat this piece of cake I may or may not have sneezed on, or you can eat this other identical piece of cake that I didn't sneeze on and have it with some ice cream too.
#40
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lots of bad info and unfounded bias in here... not really worth addressing it point by silly point but some things to consider:
1 All practitioners in the medical field fall somewhere on a continuum between "bad and good." An MD label does not by default make someone more competent.
2 If you think DCs are not medically educated think again and review their educational requirements in relation to MDs and PT/DPTs etc.
3 If you think DCs are not "doctors" then ask yourself what the D stands for (yes I know is academic but then return to step 2).
4 If you think DCs are quacks then ask yourself why probably every top orthopedic center in the country has a DC (or more) on staff.
On a personal note regarding the "go to a DO instead;" I did that once and because he could script out meds that was clearly his go to approach. Not good medicine to do a couple adjusting moves and then write a script for pain and swelling. But I'm not silly enough to think "well that means DOs are pharma quacks..."
1 All practitioners in the medical field fall somewhere on a continuum between "bad and good." An MD label does not by default make someone more competent.
2 If you think DCs are not medically educated think again and review their educational requirements in relation to MDs and PT/DPTs etc.
3 If you think DCs are not "doctors" then ask yourself what the D stands for (yes I know is academic but then return to step 2).
4 If you think DCs are quacks then ask yourself why probably every top orthopedic center in the country has a DC (or more) on staff.
On a personal note regarding the "go to a DO instead;" I did that once and because he could script out meds that was clearly his go to approach. Not good medicine to do a couple adjusting moves and then write a script for pain and swelling. But I'm not silly enough to think "well that means DOs are pharma quacks..."
#41
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#42
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what i dont understand is all the negativity towards chiro. worst case scenario is that it doesnt work for your body. have you seen a drug ad lately? a 1 min commercial has 20 seconds praising all the wonders of said miracle drug then 40 seconds of all the negative side effects, most including death. look up some of the american medical association's own stats, the medical community kills americans at an alarming rate and people just keep going to them and americans just keep getting sicker. this country's health is a joke and the healthcare system is even worse, so i'll stick with chiro, massage, nutrition, and exercise and avoiod seeing a "real" doctor any day of the week.
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#44
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I saw one a few times when my knee was hurting. The therapy did help plus it gave me some good ideas for Kinesio taping my legs which has also helped with strains. I saw him because my wife and daughter see him and he's helped them, he knows sports (he works on some of the Chargers and that's their livelyhood) and he knows physiology which as a cyclist, the more I know the less I'll get injured. According to him my insurance rocks so since I rarely get sick at least my premiums get some use. Do what works for you. GL
And no, I haven't been duped onto a "maintenance plan". I've been to the chiro just a few times since.
#45
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I go to a chiropractor, but not for manipulations. He specializes in Active Release Therapy, and works on my hamstrings.
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#46
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what i dont understand is all the negativity towards chiro. worst case scenario is that it doesnt work for your body. have you seen a drug ad lately? a 1 min commercial has 20 seconds praising all the wonders of said miracle drug then 40 seconds of all the negative side effects, most including death. look up some of the american medical association's own stats, the medical community kills americans at an alarming rate and people just keep going to them and americans just keep getting sicker. this country's health is a joke and the healthcare system is even worse, so i'll stick with chiro, massage, nutrition, and exercise and avoiod seeing a "real" doctor any day of the week.
#47
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what i dont understand is all the negativity towards chiro. worst case scenario is that it doesnt work for your body.
this country's health is a joke and the healthcare system is even worse, so i'll stick with chiro, massage, nutrition, and exercise and avoiod seeing a "real" doctor any day of the week.
this country's health is a joke and the healthcare system is even worse, so i'll stick with chiro, massage, nutrition, and exercise and avoiod seeing a "real" doctor any day of the week.
#48
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I had a back pain that wouldn't go away, and numbness in my arm. I went to a recommended chiropractor and politely told him I did not want to be one of those people who had to keep coming back. Fix me, or send me elsewhere.
He X-rayed, etc. He told me what the problem was, he told me how many sessions it would take to completely fix it (4 max). He did three sessions in 8 days, and I've never been back. That was over 5 years ago.
He X-rayed, etc. He told me what the problem was, he told me how many sessions it would take to completely fix it (4 max). He did three sessions in 8 days, and I've never been back. That was over 5 years ago.
#49
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The worst case scenario is that once past 50 yrs old you avoid going to a "real" doctor for a routine colonoscopy and miss a cancer diagnosis which could have easily been picked up by a scan. By the time you feel any symptoms from colon cancer it's often too late to treat effectively.
And the rest of you guys, make sure to get your prostate regularly checked once your over 40!