CHIROPRACTIC CARE

[balplayer]

for awhile last year i was using a chiropractor for a hip and low back problem i had been having for a number of years. it seemed to help releive some pressure in the area that bothered me most but he started cracking the neck and other areas as it seemed to be his routine for his patients.

well the neck started to hurt like a mother to the point i could not turn my head to look behind me to back up in my car(annoying) and sometimes he could not get the hip to crack and oh my god did that hurt like hell. i stopped going cause it didnt seem to be helping and after time the hip just started to feel way better. the heavier i went the better it seemed to feel. weird i know.

anyway i have been having alot of other aches and pains cause of the rate in which the weights are progressing for me and i wondered how many of you use chiropractors? and do they help you in your daily life as well as your athletic progress? i would like to know how some of you feel about it

 

[Dad]

Used them...

I've used chiropractic for more injuries than I care to remember!

This has been good primarily for low back, neck, and joint problems. I don't go on any regular basis for "tune-ups," but just when I feel I need to. My basic criteria is that if I have to ask, "Should I get adjusted?" then I probably should. I've also learned it's better to go early - one or two times - than wait until a problem grows, and end up having to back off on training and go three or four times.

Chiros do come up with some really whacky explainations for things that virtually no legitimate research supports (magnetic north pole on your head and south pole in your feet, "dural entrapment," aspartame causes Alzheimer's, "body energy," etc), but generally do a good job with the musculoskeletal problems. There is also a concern in the literature that chiropractic neck manipulation predisposes to vertebral artery dissection.

That's my experience...

 

[Coopie]

A little over 2 years ago I hurt my neck very badly while squatting. It was so bad that I couldn't turn my neck, couldn't drive, and even getting out of bed was a project. I went to my doc and he prescribed a muscle relaxant and a painkiller. While the meds did help my mobility and comfort, the underlying pain was still there.

Then, one day I was sitting in a meeting here at work and I was overdue for a pill. I was sitting there on a conference call in severe pain when a co-worker (from out of town) asked me what was up. I told him and he then told me he was a chiropractor - no longer practicing - but asked if he could help me. I said, "I don't know I've never been to a chiro - can you help me?" He positioned me properly in my seat and then began to "finger" my neck and back. He then cracked my neck one way and then the next. I was immediately relieved of the pain. I was also amazed!

The pain did return just as badly as before and I was popping the pills later that same day. I was happy for the temporary relief, but he said that soft tissue injuries take a long time to heal and temporary relief yields longer-lasting results over time.

I believed that and I went to a local (highly recommended chiro). This was useless and after ten or so sessions the relief was more and more temporary and I was just happier with the meds. I stopped going and the pain went away.

So, I don't know how much stock I put in the "real" value of chiro care. Good for a quick fix, probably not beneficial over the long term. I prefer a good massage - throw in a "happy ending" and all the better!!!

 

[Kane]

The key is finding a good Chiro. Just like any MD, there are good and bad ones. Many of them won't be able to adjust you properly if you have a large amount of muscle mass. Try to find one that has experience working with bb'ers. You might want to ask around at your gym.

 

[bigwil]

I had a recent back injury doing leg presses and I couldn't hardly get up. Moose will testify for how bad it was. My spine had an S curve going on. I went to the chiro for the first time and I couldn't believe how well it helped. I had to go 3 days in a row and then twice a week for awhile and then once a week for awhile and now my back feels great. I know he make a hell alot of money but it was worth it. It definately makes a difference who the chiro is though. Hey Moose, tell them who the best chiro is to go to.

 

[Armageddon]

I spend alot of time and cash at my Chiro, he also does my ART therapy. But with every good one out there I feel there are a few "less" accomplished ones. You have to do the research to find the rightone for you. Mine just happend to be a former part of the Minn. Vikings medical staff. I think I got one of the best ones out there.
When you say he started cracking. Mine only adjusts the areas that are necessary, which he can tell by heat from the inflammation. To just grabb and start twisting is just crazy. The reason they adjust the spine, even when to go in for a hip problem or other joints is so they can charge you. In my state atleast a chiro cannot charge for any work done to the body that doesn't include the spine. It takes time to find a good one. if it wasn't for mine, I'd have a big scar on both shoulders and possible a knee. I won't even move too far away from where I'm at now because of this man.

 

[Vander_V]

My back was fucked so i hit the chiro and it helped , as soon as my back felt 75% i stopped going cause all it seemed to do was loosing things up which was very bad , Chris Cook told me its not a good thing when chiros keep loosening shit up I think hes right.

 

[moose]

Yo Big Wil what up??? Yea, i remember that, it was TERRIBLE. You went from like 6'4 to 6'1 real quick like! lol...

 

[moose]

a little background for ya

One of several main focuses of a Chiropractic Doctor is the Central Nervous System (CNS). Chiropractics is based on nerve and bodily function that is controlled by the CNS. It is composed of the brain, spinal chord, and also includes the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). As a Chiropractor works with a patient, they check the status of the CNS from the spine by using techniques such as static palpation (a form of feeling), X-rays, and sometimes other instruments. If a subluxation is present (a vertebrae is out of place), it hinders the functioning of the CNS, which means that there are nerves throughout the body that aren’t responding to stimuli. Therefore, the doctor adjusts the spine accordingly. It is easily recognized that one goal of a Chiropractor is keeping the CNS in homeostasis, which increases overall health and wellness. Subluxation can be caused by many things including poor posture, poor nutrition, stress, emotional factors, and overexertion. Subluxations cause nerve interference resulting in stress, behavioral change, back/extremity pain, and eventually disease (cell death). It is important to be educated about chiropractics as subluxation can be present and go unnoticed for years, which greatly decreases overall health and wellness. This barely scratches the surface..

 

[zephyr22]

Hate to bring up this story....

I had a patient about a year ago who was paralyzed from the nipple level down. He went to the Chiro and bam. As he was driving home from the Chiro he suddenly lost sensation in his feet and had to be picked up with an ambulance He was a big wig at computer software company. He settled out of court for approx 3 million. However the 24hr care he needs as well as being on a ventilator has burned his money up and now is on medicare. This story scared the shit out of me. I for this reason stay away now. Later.

 

[moose]

This is just my opinion, but the likelihood of that is probly about 1 in a million, or in other words, about the same chances as any other type of doctor accidentally paralyzing or killing someone.

 

[zephyr22]

Nope actually know of 2 other cases same as this...

You see you will not hear about these people. I see them because they are patients of mine. Im not saying all are bad, but Im of the personal belief cracking joints is just not always the right way to go. Also funny that I said that about cracking. I used to work out with a Chiro but seriously he started smoking crack and I never saw him in the gym agian. Take it for what its worth.

 

[Bench]

This is just my opinion, but the likelihood of that is probly about 1 in a million, or in other words, about the same chances as any other type of doctor accidentally paralyzing or killing someone.

I am with you on that. If people actually realized how many people die from medical malpractice from MD they wouldnt think chiropracters are that bad.

 

[tbonus]

MD's don't usually like Chiros, do they?

 

[zephyr22]

I dont think all...

Im not sure, but some Doctors actually practice chiropractic skills. Most of them are D.O. (doc of oseopathy). MD usually do not think that chiro work is necessary. I have had an adjustment in my hip once. It did seem to help. However the prob came right back. Im also afraid of them working on my neck as it is very easy for me to pull muscles etc... in my neck. Just my experience. Oh and I do have freinds who love Chiros and there insurance picks up the cost. Just my opinion.

 

[Mr_Magoo]

I spend alot of time and cash at my Chiro, he also does my ART therapy. But with every good one out there I feel there are a few "less" accomplished ones. You have to do the research to find the rightone for you. Mine just happend to be a former part of the Minn. Vikings medical staff. I think I got one of the best ones out there.
When you say he started cracking. Mine only adjusts the areas that are necessary, which he can tell by heat from the inflammation. To just grabb and start twisting is just crazy. The reason they adjust the spine, even when to go in for a hip problem or other joints is so they can charge you. In my state atleast a chiro cannot charge for any work done to the body that doesn't include the spine. It takes time to find a good one. if it wasn't for mine, I'd have a big scar on both shoulders and possible a knee. I won't even move too far away from where I'm at now because of this man.

mine is an ART guy as well who is awesome, very worth while because he already has great hands and knows how to detect things from being a chiro

 

[curious]

One of several main focuses of a Chiropractic Doctor is the Central Nervous System (CNS). Chiropractics is based on nerve and bodily function that is controlled by the CNS. It is composed of the brain, spinal chord, and also includes the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). As a Chiropractor works with a patient, they check the status of the CNS from the spine by using techniques such as static palpation (a form of feeling), X-rays, and sometimes other instruments. If a subluxation is present (a vertebrae is out of place), it hinders the functioning of the CNS, which means that there are nerves throughout the body that aren’t responding to stimuli. Therefore, the doctor adjusts the spine accordingly. It is easily recognized that one goal of a Chiropractor is keeping the CNS in homeostasis, which increases overall health and wellness. Subluxation can be caused by many things including poor posture, poor nutrition, stress, emotional factors, and overexertion. Subluxations cause nerve interference resulting in stress, behavioral change, back/extremity pain, and eventually disease (cell death). It is important to be educated about chiropractics as subluxation can be present and go unnoticed for years, which greatly decreases overall health and wellness. This barely scratches the surface..

Excellent view and understanding of Chiropractic. Most people are under educated on what a chiropractor is or what a chiropractor can do/does for a patient. On the story about getting adjusted and becoming paralyzed well I would say actually the statistics put it at 1:10,000,000 so it is kind of doubtful that happened. One good way to see the benefits to harm ratio is to look at malpractice cost between MDs and DCs, for the same coverage DC's are paying thousands less than a MD. Cost wise insurance companies look at risk to determine price points(not an insurance man, but this is my understanding) so insurance companies realize the likely hood of being hurt by a Chiropractic adjustment is very low, compared to the risk of allopathic medicine.
Vander is Chris Cook an expert in Chiropractic? Joint mobilization is the key to joint health, as a joint only recieves blood supply/nutrients/life from being mobile.
Osteopathic and Chiropractic are not the same. An osteopath manipulates the spine and Chiropractor adjusts the spine. One is specific the other is not, chiropractic adjustments are meant to be specific. Osteopaths have ONE class in mobilization, Chiropractors have a whole education in specific adjustments.
Vertebral artery dissection is not just a risk factor for an adjustment, but just as high in turning your head rapidly from side to side. Your talking an occlusion which can lead to stroke, this has been proven to be a high risk factor in any rotary movement of the cervical spine, not just an adjustment.
U.S. Hospital Medical Errors Kill 195,000. (http://health.yahoo.com/search/healthnews?lb=s&p=id:60912)WOW! How many patients died due to Chiropractic care? I found one patient that was believed to have died from Chiropractic care, and that was thought to be a coincedental death.
Strain of muscles in the cervical spine from and adjustement? How, if the Dr is able to relax the patient and take the joint to end play, muscle involvment is minimum.
On MD's liking Chiropractic, in the 60's and 70's the AMA(American Medical Association) in their infinite wisdom tried to destroy the chiropractic profession with doctrine that forbid Dr.s and hospitals from associating with DC.s in anyway. This was brought out in the Wilk's Trial in an anti-trust lawsuit against the AMA. Most MD's just followed suit as how could their organization be wrong, and they "did have the best intentions" for society, right? You are starting to see a change in the way of thinking in medical school and newer MDs on the cvalue on chiropractic care.
On taking multiple times to treat a problem with chiropractic care: Why would you think that in one visit all of your pain should be gone, from a problem that has more than likely manifested itself over a long period of time? If you had surgery to correct a problem are you pain free the next day or does it still require time to properly heal?

 

[muscle96ss]

Then, one day I was sitting in a meeting here at work and I was overdue for a pill. I was sitting there on a conference call in severe pain when a co-worker (from out of town) asked me what was up. I told him and he then told me he was a chiropractor - no longer practicing - but asked if he could help me. I said, "I don't know I've never been to a chiro - can you help me?" He positioned me properly in my seat and then began to "finger" my neck and back. He then cracked my neck one way and then the next. I was immediately relieved of the pain. I was also amazed!

The pain did return just as badly as before and I was popping the pills later that same day. I was happy for the temporary relief, but he said that soft tissue injuries take a long time to heal and temporary relief yields longer-lasting results over time.

I believed that and I went to a local (highly recommended chiro). This was useless and after ten or so sessions the relief was more and more temporary and I was just happier with the meds. I stopped going and the pain went away.

So, I don't know how much stock I put in the "real" value of chiro care. Good for a quick fix, probably not beneficial over the long term. I prefer a good massage - throw in a "happy ending" and all the better!!!

I work in sports rehab and this is the main problem I have w/chiropractors. There are a rare few good ones, but the majority of them simply adjust you and ignore the cause. The main question that needs to be addressed if the body is out of alignment is, "why is the body out of alignment?". Until that question is addressed, there is a very good chance that the body will simply pop back out of alignment. For example, suppose you have a bad muscle strain in your upper trap which because it attatched to the spine can cause one or more of the cervical vertebrae to be rotated and out of alignment. If you then get an adjustment to put the vertebrae back in place; what you are essentially doing is pulling that strained muscle to re-align the spine. By pulling on an already tight and strained muscle you are only going to strain it worse which in turn causes it to rotate back out of alignment shortly after. Then, because you are continually getting adjustments, you never give the muscle an opportunity to heal.

The bottom line is that in most cases where the spine is out of alignment, there is an underlying musculoskeletal problem that is the cause. If you treat the symptoms and ignore the cause, you are never going to change anything.

 

[moose]

muscle96ss, i agree with you answer in that an underlying musculoskeletal problem causes misalignment of the spine. As for those recieving ART therapy as well as adjustments form their chriopractor... you are probably happy with your results because ART is what fixes the underlying muscle problems which reduces reoccurance (which i'm sure you already know). The whole point of ART is to break up hard, knotted tissue, adhesions, etc... by making passes on the muscle that are technique specific so that the spine doesn't continue to subluxate. I've had this work done on myself too and it has worked wonders. Remember that an open minded one realizes that no certain type of doctor is "better" than another, just DIFFERENT. There is a time and place for all types of doctors, and for those who don't like certain kinds...well, i guess that is unfortunate because there is 1 main goal among ALL types of doctors..Wellness. (but, yes, some docs have more/better skills than other docs, whether the same type of different).

my .02 cents.

 

[Armageddon]

There are good and bad Chiros, just the same there are more bad doctors that just push drugs off on you. Especially the old bastards that don't know any better. Just like anything they need to be researched and found. I've had a few bad chiro's, one even made my situation worse. But he was a hell of a nice guy, so I couldn't bring myself to sue him or anything.
When people use terms like loosen or crack it doesn't give a good impression to individuals that don't know anything about the practice. Which in terms leaves several people very ignorant to the practice, cause people are like sheep and will just follow others. My docs straight up and tries to make it where you come in less and less. He tells of the horror stories and some of the problems that he's had. He tells of what he's seen people do in school. Pretty nasty shit too. One person thought they could adjust someones elbow without proper instruction. Needless to say he broke the guys elbow. Shit happens. But what about all the drugs that are prescribed. You go see a doctor and have him give you VIOXX and see what heppens to you. My freind is a pharmaceutical sales rep and the shit he learns about these drugs and what he's suppossed to say and not say about them is overwhelming. I just can't see some little pill fixing the subluxation in my shoulder from tackling someone in a game.
Hell my little brother just seperated his AC joint in his Rt shoulder. Went to the doc and they wanted to scope it just to see the problem cause he was unable to diagnose the degree of seperation. We leave and stop and see my Chiro, he sets the shoulder, ices it. Come back one week later for a follow up, sets it again gives my brother some exercises to do and he hasn't been back since. He diagnosed it as a first degree seperation. I just don't trust DOCTORS, flat out.
But again like anything you have to RESEARCH and find one that's good for you and seems fairly competent in their practice.