I think I need a chiropracter

aliasojo · 8 September 2005 at 6:48AM

Having to face the fact that the old bod isn't quite as able as it used to be and I seem to be getting a lot of pain in my back/shoulder. All I need to do is turn over in bed these days and it sets it off!

Had this kind of prob on and off for years actually and Doc just sends me home with strongish painkillers. Getting fed up with it now and wondered if a Chiropracter might help.

Never having considered this before, I'm not sure about the best way to go about seeing one....is it just a yellow pages job and a phonecall for an appointment, or does Doc refer you? Anyone any idea of cost?

Alternative suggestions for peeps to see might be good? Does acupuncture work for this type of thing? (I'd consider anything, but I'm not into having someone walking up and down my back like you see on the telly.

Need to do something as I'm averaging 4 hours sleep these days before back/shoulder pain means it's impossible to stay in bed any longer.

waterbaby · 8 September 2005 at 7:56AM

You don't have to go via your doctor, I see one and I just phoned up and made an appointment for a consultation. Well actually I visited, as I wanted to get the feel of the place.

I didn't want to wait ages for the doctor to refer me, and as I understand it, the NHS doesn't offer much chiro, though i don't know the ins and outs of it.

But I got recommended the one I went to, and although it cost £27 a session, it was so worth it. I paid £108 in the first two weeks, now I am down to one every three months and I've probably spent £250-£300.

Now I get far less back pain and I am training my muscles to work correctly to support my posture. If I had the option to reverse it and get my money back, I wouldn't. My health is more important.

That's my experience anyway.

aliasojo · 8 September 2005 at 8:32AM

Thanks wb. After I posted I wondered if a chiropracter dealt with skeletal and muscle pain or if it was just skeletal type stuff. My pain is more muscle based I think.

Having read your post though I see you are dealing with muscles based stuff too so I think I'll have a look in the phone book to see if I can get an appointment with someone. I don't know anyone who's ever seen a chiropracter so I can't ask for a recommendation.

robnye · 8 September 2005 at 9:25AM

i have been seeing first an osteopath then a chiropractor more recently for the past 4+ years,

more muscular and skeletal problems with my back....... currently go every 6/8 weeks, but this stretches out when it calms down, then shortens when it flares up..... depending upon what i have been doing....

couldnt tell you the difference between osteopathy or chiropratice....... some movements the same, some slightly different.... but both work well......

do you have anything like HSA..... if so you can claim half of the cost back

aliasojo · 8 September 2005 at 11:25AM

Lol, no Robnye...I usually fill in the HSA application for the free money they offer you to apply, then cancel it straight away.

However, since it would appear I'm now a certifiable 'old wreck' maybe I should reconsider.

Bendybops19 · 8 September 2005 at 11:36AM

As far as i understand, the nhs doesnt really offer alot of chiro because there is some issue with the training of the chiropractors...or something! They dont think they are trained properly. And even though i work in the nhs....i think its a load of rubbish! I am considering seeing a chiropractor myself for back pain, and i think it is def worth the money from what i have heard from friends.
I think an osteopath helps with skeletal problems.

robnye · 8 September 2005 at 1:48PM

chiropractors and osteopaths follow the same trianing until the last year or so (albeit at different colleges)

I asked my osteopath what the difference was...... and he said 'not a lot', mostly to do with techniques, but the outcome (or cracking of joints) is the same....... ouch

Savvy_Sue · 9 September 2005 at 1:12PM

Another possibility would be to consider seeing someone who teaches Alexander Technique. If you think it's mostly muscle pain, then it's likely you're holding your body wrong, and they are very good at spotting what and teaching you how to correct it.

Woby_Tide · 9 September 2005 at 1:24PM

it may not be relevant but try and find if you have a Chiropractor college nearby. Someone suggested chiro for Junior Tide and our health visitor recommended the local chiro college(we have a couple in Bournemouth but not sure how common they are). In the end Mrs tide ended up getting treated too for after pregnancy related back probs and stuff. After initial consultation (with qualified chiro and final year student) they were both seeing final year students(often aided by qualified tutors/chiros, students were from all over Europe as they got better qualifications here than back home, lot of Scandanavians for some reason). Fees were £4 a session for Junior, about £10 or £12 for adults so a lot cheaper and both are a lot better now and down to 3 month or longer checkups.

the College did have a big petition in reception to get chiro part of the NHS as it currently isn't recognised as people said above

lush_walrus · 9 September 2005 at 1:48PM

Im not convinced that Osteopaths and Chiropractors are the same thing although they work on the same area of the body and are used to identify simular problems they use different diagnostic methods. Chiropractors work using the nervous system to identify where the problems lie, and then once the problem is located they sort of snap you back into position in theory repeating this proceedure until your body has learnt to position itself in that way. That is why at first you need to attend frequently (3 times a week for most) which peaters down to once a month, once every 3 months etc. So at first it is very expensive approx 20 plus a session lasting roughly 20 mins.

Ive tried both and found that the Chriopractor was the one who ultimately solved the problem. Be warned if you do try a Chiropractor, it may well make you feel worse before better. It certainly worked that way for me. Previous to tryng them Ive tried pretty much everything to get rid of periods of crippling back pain since an accident 11 years ago. Now touch wood I havent had any pain for more than a year.

One thing I forgot to add is that try to choose on recommendation and make sure they at least are fully qualified, I dont want to scare munger as I think they do a great job, but there have been reports in the past of patients being killed by a bad practitioner. Remember they are working on your neck and back, very valuable parts of the body.

aliasojo · 9 September 2005 at 1:57PM

Thanks everyone.

savvy sue: I'm not sure if holding my bod correctly has got much to do with it........when I get this problem rearing up again, it's always after I've turned over in bed at night or stretched before getting up.

Things must be bad lol.

woby:I don't think we have anything like that near us unfortunately. Pity really as I would've tried that.

lush: Thanks for that.....

..I dont want to scare munger as I think they do a great job, but there have been reports in the past of patients being killed by a bad practitioner

Don't worry not sssssscared at all. :rotfl:

I think I need a chiropracter

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