Headed to the chiropractor tomorrow morning for the first time

[Hatfield]

think they are just witch doctors, but my back has been killing me for about a month and it feels like it could just be "popped" it would all be better.

wish me luck.

[Okla-homey]

You'll feel right as rain after a regular programme of twelve bi-monthly visits subscribed to in advance.;)

[Newbomb Turk]

I have had chronic lower back problems for years. I went to a chiro a few months back.

Good news - he helped me.
Bad news - It took many visits. Be prepared for that.

[olevetonahill]

Calling Achiro ???? advice needed
I think we have 2 resident Chiropractors here .
I to have thought about going but with 2 ruptured vertebres I'm worried as hell :eek:

[walkoffsooner]

the rolling table is great.

[slickdawg]

If he reaches for your testicles, find another doctor.

YWIA

[olevetonahill]

I have had chronic lower back problems for years. I went to a chiro a few months back.

Good news - he helped me.
Bad news - It took many visits. Be prepared for that.
Beer helps me :D :D :D :D :D

[Newbomb Turk]

Beer helps me :D :D :D :D :D


me too. :)

[olevetonahill]

me too. :)
:D

[walkoffsooner]

If he reaches for your testicles, find another doctor.

YWIA it might feel good to have your nuts adjusted.;)

[walkoffsooner]

If he reaches for your testicles, find another doctor.

YWIA It might feel good to have your nuts adjusted.;)

[walkoffsooner]

How did that happen. desha vue

[olevetonahill]

It might feel good to have your nuts adjusted.;)
You said that twice . You must like it .:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :D :twinkies:

[jk the sooner fan]

If he reaches for your testicles, find another doctor.

YWIA

wait....cuppage is bad?

[slickdawg]

it might feel good to have your nuts adjusted.;)

If it's a female doctor..... :D

[Jerk]

Best wishes to you, Hatfield. I sometimes have problems with my back, and I'm only 30, so I kind of know what you're going through.

[Hatfield]

well I am only 31...youngin..;)

first noticed it the morning after a soccer game last month...and it feels like it is to the left of the spine at the base of my neck and behind my left shoulder blade. always tight always painful and if it would just pop it would feel mucho better.

hopefully it won't take but the one visit.

[sanantoniosooner]

I equated it to voodoo, but when I had no other option I gave it a try.

I would say that a single visit has helped me two out of three times.

My only hang up is that if it appears to be somebody that makes a living off insurance companies find a different one. I want somebody that cares about helping me more than milking the system.

[jk the sooner fan]

my beef with chiro's is that the only medical "professional" that farms police reports on traffic accidents for patients are.....well, chiro's

seriously, due to open records and what not, they'll collect them, call the people involved and tell them they are due X amount of dollars and that they should go in for treatment

not all chiro's do that, but i've yet to have a claimant tell me that a single doctor did it

[yermom]

you mean an insurance company had to pay someone?

that's tragic ;)

[jk the sooner fan]

you mean an insurance company had to pay someone?

that's tragic ;)

no, but if a chiro clinic calls you and promises you "riches" for injuries that dont exist, then thats sleezy

[Hatfield]

the other variable to the equation is that I half *** know this guy. He is friends with a buddy of mine so hopefully he will just give me the fix up and not the string along like he might do someone else.

i will just tell him i know dean...that is sure to help.

[GottaHavePride]

My dad and PG both go to a chiropractor for their backs. The guy's not primarily a chiropractor, though - he's the family doctor we've been going to for years, who happens to also be a chiropractor.

[OKC Sooner]

My dad and PG both go to a chiropractor for their backs. The guy's not primarily a chiropractor, though - he's the family doctor we've been going to for years, who happens to also be a chiropractor.
He goes both ways??? :eek:

[Killerbees]

I have been to a chiro twice and glad I went both times.

1st was a football injury in my lower back, required 10-12 visits, I noticed significant relief after the first visit but the pain returned, each visit helped relief the pain for a longer duration until it was no longer required.

2nd was crick (sp?) in my neck from sleeping wrong after a hard night of drinking. Required 1 visit (didnt even get charged) relief was immediate and lasting.

On the other hand my mother sees a chiro regularly and cannot stop going because that blissful feeling after getting your entire spine popped is as addictive as crack (er I guess as addictive as they say it is). Dunno, maybe shes getting something else worked over :eek:

[yermom]

John Redcorn is her chiro?

i've been to 3 different chiros and they were all good people

with any group of anything there are going to be bad examples though

[PhilTLL]

John Redcorn is her chiro?


Redcorn's sign says "New Age Healing" and he seems to do a lot of massage. Well, now he's the Native American Raffi, so he may have curtailed the business.

Remember: A chiropractor is not the correct place to ask for a "happy ending."

[SicEmBaylor]

Go see a D.O.
They're real doctors not clowns.
YWIA

[achiro]

Go see a D.O.
They're real doctors not clowns.
YWIA
So why every-time this subject comes up does some ignorant *** have to pipe in? Clowns? Whatever.:rolleyes:

Like Yermom says, there are good and bad in every profession. Why people don't realize that about Chiro's I will never know. It's amazing to me how people can have one bad experience, or hear of someone else's experience, and make the determination that because that one was bad we must all suck.

Just one more thought on that note. As much **** as chiropractic gets as a profession, do you really think it would have survived this long if it didn't work?

As far as the ambulance chasing. I actually thought it was illegal to do this. Unethical at best. I've not heard of it happening for years but if it is, its wrong.

A good chiropractor will do a thorough initial exam and let you know if they can help you, or NOT. If you are not comfortable with the person, find someone else.

There are two basic types of chiropractic. Some offices will focus on one or the other, others will do both.
The first would be symptomatic care which is where you are now. Symptom care is typically between 1 and 20 visits or so depending on severity, longevity, etc. The only problem with this is that often times the symptoms will return down the road.
Corrective care, or wellness care, is a longer term thing. Typically moving past symptom care and working on the underlying cause and/or other health and structural problems. Of course the downside here is the commitment involved.
In our office its the patients choice which we would do. We see some amazing things happen in those that choose wellness care and I highly recommend it if it can be done. On the other hand, I don't like seeing people in pain(I've been there) so if I can help someone with that, I will continue to do so with symptom care.

[yermom]

:pop:

[Hamhock]

Go see an M.D.
They're real doctors not clowns.
YWIA

fixed

[Scott D]

so, achiro, when is hatfield's appt scheduled for?

[Hatfield]

just got back.

first off the roller bed is straight from heaven. the electrical stimulai to the neck was also welcomed with a smile.

secondly...my neck was popped like a bag of kettle corn...sadly the main problem was still too tight to pop so he is looking at the xrays and i go back thursday....had to put off the suggested wednesday meet since I will be in dallas for the widespread panic concert.....which is sure to do wonders for my back. :)

[slickdawg]

just got back.

first off the roller bed is straight from heaven. the electrical stimulai to the neck was also welcomed with a smile.

secondly...my neck was popped like a bag of kettle corn...sadly the main problem was still too tight to pop so he is looking at the xrays and i go back thursday....really enjoyed the anal probe.....which is sure to do wonders for my back. :)


really?

[picasso]

chriopractor has treated my sciatica wonderfully. I only I wish I would have gone intitially when I hurt it.
my first treatment took about 3 weeks and I couldn't exercise or golf.
I went nearly a year without any problems! last time I tweaked it he popped me and 3 days later it was great.
I've got a sweet deal because he doens't charge much and I can go when I want. It may not work for everyone but it has for me.

[SicEmBaylor]

So why every-time this subject comes up does some ignorant *** have to pipe in? Clowns? Whatever.:rolleyes:

Like Yermom says, there are good and bad in every profession. Why people don't realize that about Chiro's I will never know. It's amazing to me how people can have one bad experience, or hear of someone else's experience, and make the determination that because that one was bad we must all suck.

Just one more thought on that note. As much **** as chiropractic gets as a profession, do you really think it would have survived this long if it didn't work?

As far as the ambulance chasing. I actually thought it was illegal to do this. Unethical at best. I've not heard of it happening for years but if it is, its wrong.

A good chiropractor will do a thorough initial exam and let you know if they can help you, or NOT. If you are not comfortable with the person, find someone else.

There are two basic types of chiropractic. Some offices will focus on one or the other, others will do both.
The first would be symptomatic care which is where you are now. Symptom care is typically between 1 and 20 visits or so depending on severity, longevity, etc. The only problem with this is that often times the symptoms will return down the road.
Corrective care, or wellness care, is a longer term thing. Typically moving past symptom care and working on the underlying cause and/or other health and structural problems. Of course the downside here is the commitment involved.
In our office its the patients choice which we would do. We see some amazing things happen in those that choose wellness care and I highly recommend it if it can be done. On the other hand, I don't like seeing people in pain(I've been there) so if I can help someone with that, I will continue to do so with symptom care.


Ignorant? Hardly, I'm not the least bit unfamiliar with anything you've said. I suppose you've never dealt with the chiropractic lobby steadily pushing for additional rights to treat conditions that are way the hell outside of their training and should be left only to a physican.

Can you tell me, for example, what it is about their education in muscle and bone manipulation that gives chriopractors the appropriate training to perform..say..a sports physical?

I think the fact that you work in a chriopractic office says a lot about your level of bias, though, admittedly my family full of actual doctors probably has a lot to do with mine.

[achiro]

Ignorant? Hardly, I'm not the least bit unfamiliar with anything you've said. I suppose you've never dealt with the chiropractic lobby steadily pushing for additional rights to treat conditions that are way the hell outside of their training and should be left only to a physican.

Can you tell me, for example, what it is about their education in muscle and bone manipulation that gives chriopractors the appropriate training to perform..say..a sports physical?

I think the fact that you work in a chriopractic office says a lot about your level of bias, though, admittedly my family full of actual doctors probably has a lot to do with mine.
Just a quick question. Please tell me what type of education that you think it takes to become a chiropractor? Seriously, without googling it I am just curious what you think it takes.

[achiro]

Can you tell me, for example, what it is about their education in muscle and bone manipulation that gives chriopractors the appropriate training to perform..say..a sports physical?
OK so I'm tired of waiting and I need to go home anyway so I will let you know, but I really would like to hear your answer.

As far as a sports physical. First of all I find it interesting that you use that as an example since most physicals are a joke anyway. I will tell you that long before I became a chiro, the most thorough sports physicals I ever went through were done by chiropractors, blood work and ua's included. The most ever done by any MD was the turn your head and cough thing.

Now on to the educational stuff. Here are a couple of links. One to the hours it takes to become a chiro vs an md. The other to a comparitive study.

Comparison of hours (http://www.drburk.com/education.html)

Pubmed Study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=98408245&dopt=Citation)

[SicEmBaylor]

Just a quick question. Please tell me what type of education that you think it takes to become a chiropractor? Seriously, without googling it I am just curious what you think it takes.

Apparently...

* First year
o Chiropractic procedures
o Clinical applied chiropractic
o Functional anatomy and biomechanics
o Fundamentals of nutrition
o General anatomy
o Histology
o Human biomechanics
o Human physiology
o Introduction to physical examination skills
o Neuroscience
o Normal radiological anatomy
o Palpation
* Second year
o Chiropractic principles
o Chiropractic procedures
o Clinical applied chiropractic
o Clinical microbiology
o Clinical nutrition
o Clinical orthopedics and neurology
o Community health
o Differential diagnosis
o Imaging interpretation
o Jurisprudence
o Nutritional assessment
o Pathology
o Pharmacotoxicology
o Physics and clinical imaging
o Physiological therapeutics
o Practice management
o Research methods
* Third year
o Chiropractic principles
o Clinical application of manual procedures
o Clinical internship
o Clinical laboratory clerkship
o Clinical psychology
o Dermatology
o Differential diagnosis
o Geriatrics
o Imaging interpretation
o Integrated chiropractic clinical application
o Jurisprudence
o Obstetrics and gynecology
o Pediatrics
o Physiological therapeutics
o Practice management
o Radiological position and technique
* Fourth year
o Clinical internship of approximately 1,000 hours
If the quesiton, however, is how much training I think they should have then it's "none." I think anyone wanting to become a Chiropractor should look into physical therapy instead or becoming an Osteopathic physican. A physical therapist is considerably less work and if they don't want to do the heavy lifting of gettng a medical degree then perhaps nursing may be a bitter avenue.

[critical_phil]

....then perhaps nursing may be a bitter (better?) avenue.

especially if you like to clean up people's **** during your clinical rotations.



it's a regular blast i tell ya.............

[achiro]

Apparently...

What part of "without googling it" did you not understand? I'm pretty sure you didn't just come up with that of the top of your head.:rolleyes:
I was very curious based on your previous statements what your preconceived ideas were about a chiro education.
I guess you didn't want to be embarrassed by your true ignorance on the subject. Did you even look at the pubmed link? Just so you understand what it says, basically the main classes are pretty much the same. It's when the clinical stuff starts that things really start the separation. In fact, the majority of my classes like pathology, embryology, histology, etc, etc were taught by the same professors that were teaching in the medical school down the road. AND another tidbit, a few of my study groups along the way were made up of MD students and DC students because we were studying for the same tests.

I think its pretty rich that the KID of a DO is trying to get all high and mighty. You start doing a little research on the history of DO's vs. the history of DC's and you may be a bit surprised of the similarities.

One of the amazing things about these conversations is that although a student from Baylor who's DAD is a DO seems to think he knows all about how bad chiropractors really are I still have several md's and do's that refer patients to my office. Even more amazing is that across the country this is happening pretty regularly. And even MORE amazing are the specialists, such as neurosurgeons that actually get adjusted regularly for wellness.:eek: Maybe you should give them a call and tell them how much you know about stuff and how they really shouldn't be doing that.

[critical_phil]

fwiw, achiro has had his profession slammed as much (probably more) than anyone on this board as long as i've been here.

it doesn't make sense to me, because i personally know good chiropractors and bad ones. lumping them together doesn't make much sense.

i also personally know a practicing dentist that failed organic chemistry 2 times in undergrad - not for non-attendence or anything. he failed it because he isn't very smart. his mom also made a sizable donation to OU the year he got into dental school. i certainly wouldn't judge dentistry based on my views of him as a person.

i also know a person who was "pushed" through OSU-COM after having her MCAT and GPA waived by the admissions board. i wouldn't have her treat my dog. what does that say about osteopaths?

knowledgeable, committed, and ethical chiropractors are good for health care. their approach to wellness and prevention should be taken seriously. instead, people make fun of it....

just my .02

[yermom]

people just like the idea of popping pills

[OCUDad]

Achiro, you're in an honorable profession. Don't waste time trying to educate the ineducable.

[walkoffsooner]

My chiropractor is great. If he thinks I need a medical doctor he sends me to one. Never trys to to practice above his abilitys.

[SicEmBaylor]

My chiropractor is great. If he thinks I need a medical doctor he sends me to one. Never trys to to practice above his abilitys.
The one I know is good about doing that too.

[sanantoniosooner]

Having been a contractor for most of my life I'm proud to say that there are almost no shenanagins in my industry.

Really.

[Hatfield]

i really think we are getting away from the issue...

I AM IN PAIN!!!! :)

[C&CDean]

Then just go kick another soccer ball - this time with the other foot. It'll straighten you right out.

[Hatfield]

i actually did kick the ball with my left foot last night....didn't work out so well.

[MamaMia]

i really think we are getting away from the issue...

I AM IN PAIN!!!! :)
Either get a prescription from your family physician and go to a physical therapist, or make an appointment with achiro, as long as he promises not to use that activator gun. :D

[Hatfield]

that activator thingee sounds hawt

[Hamhock]

Go see an M.D.
They're real doctors not clowns.
YWIA



fixed


This was worthy of negspek?

You really should lighten up.

[yermom]

i'm pretty sure i had "The Activator" on a regular basis

http://www.chiropraktik-bund.de/images-BDC-2002/Chiro-Adjuster-04.jpg

it wasn't painful or anything :confused:

[achiro]

This was worthy of negspek?

You really should lighten up.
I don't know who you are talking to here but just to be clear, I haven't negged anyone in this thread.

[Hamhock]

I don't know who you are talking to here but just to be clear, I haven't negged anyone in this thread.


Not you. SicEm. I changed his D.O. to M.D. and he got his feelers hurt.

[achiro]

i'm pretty sure i had "The Activator" on a regular basis

http://www.chiropraktik-bund.de/images-BDC-2002/Chiro-Adjuster-04.jpg

it wasn't painful or anything :confused:
The activator gets really good results for a lot of people. I was surprised to hear that mom was hurting from it. One reason it is used is because it is gentle and very few people get sore from getting adjusted with it. I've got one in the office but don't use it very often. Just depends on the patient and their needs.

[Newbomb Turk]

My chiro used that activator on my back all the time. I didn't really prefer it either. However, he said it was the best way to get my back straightened out (for good) because it just makes minor changes to your spine, and that way the spine stayes in place and doesn't just move right back.

[GDC]

If someone has two pinched nerves in their neck that cause severe pain and numbness in their right arm, can a chiropractor help?

[soonerchk]

If someone has two pinched nerves in their neck that cause severe pain and numbness in their right arm, can a chiropractor help?

Yeah, for a while. You're probably better off going to a real doctor and getting PT or shots.

[Newbomb Turk]

If someone has two pinched nerves in their neck that cause severe pain and numbness in their right arm, can a chiropractor help?

didn't help my wife - made it worse for her.

she ended up having surgery...which helped a bunch.

[soonerchk]

didn't help my wife - made it worse for her.

she ended up having surgery...which helped a bunch.

Yeah it helped me delay going to the real doctor and getting a giant needle shoved in my spine. The giant needle does seem to be making more of a difference.

[achiro]

If someone has two pinched nerves in their neck that cause severe pain and numbness in their right arm, can a chiropractor help?

First, does anyone else find the irony that the dude who let his blood sugar get to 10gazillion and weight drop to 85 pounds was giving health care advice in this thread. :confused: :D


Now to answer your question. Sometimes, but it really depends on what exactly is going on. If you can find a good chiro, they should be able to tell you whether or not they think they can help.
The injections can help with pain but nothing to the underlying issue that is causing the pain. The pain will usually return if the injections are the only treatment.
"Surgery" is a broad term with stuff like this. There are several different types, some much more aggressive than others. Most with side effects and pretty much all will end up with bad stuff(like severe arthritic changes) down the road. I would say that she should try about everything before going the surgical route.
PT is great but only effects the muscle part of things. There is generally more going on(the muscle spasm is a symptom of a bigger problem). Chiro's can do about anything a PT does but not the other way around. If a good chiro thinks something will help that he/she doesn't do, they should refer you to someone who does.

[soonerchk]

And injections +PT can help when surgery may not be an option. This is why you should talk to an actual doctor or other health care professional instead of a bunch of message board goofballs.

[GDC]

Thanks everyone.

Right now my lower arm is completely numb and useless and my upper arm is on fire.

I would cut it off if I had something to do it with.:mad:

[Serenity Now]

I don't get some people's ignorance of chiro. I think it's a valid treatment that coincides with medicine. I use it every few years when something gets out of whack. My wife goes all the time for the "crack". I don't want to be an addict.

I love the doctor's kid getting high/mighty. I work with MD's who look down on DO's. I like the way DO's approach family practice (a little more open minded) and my primary doc is a DO but to go DO > MD is a little "clownish". Nice thread.

[soonerscuba]

I don't get some people's ignorance of chiro. I think it's a valid treatment that coincides with medicine. I use it every few years when something gets out of whack. My wife goes all the time for the "crack". I don't want to be an addict.

I love the doctor's kid getting high/mighty. I work with MD's who look down on DO's. I like the way DO's approach family practice (a little more open minded) and my primary doc is a DO but to go DO > MD is a little "clownish". Nice thread.I've never seen a doctor try to sell me years worth of treatment and claim that it was a write-off for him. The typical chiro stance on vaccines certainly doesn't help their reputation. However, I think they have a place and are a valuable service for some treatments.

[jkjsooner]

Darn guys, I felt fine a few minutes ago but after reading this thread my neck and back are tightening up. Thanks.

Seriously, about chiropractors, it all makes sense when they are treating skeletal or muscular pain. When they start talking about holistic stuff it starts sounding kinda non-scientific and weird. I'm not saying it's wrong...