Are chiropractors worth it?

Becles

Had problems with my neck and back for a few years since I was involved in a car accident, and have a number of other niggley symptoms.

Saw a deal for Groupon involving a back scan and two adjustments, so thought I'd get my back checked out.

Had that today and he found a number of problems with my spine and explained how it could be causing the other symptoms due to the way the nerves pass through the spine. He said the other problems may clear up if I have a course of treatment. The sceptical side of me is thinking, well he would say that wouldn't he?!

Not looking for medical advice as I know the final decision on purchasing the treatment comes from me.

Just looking to hear other people's experiences of visiting a chiropractor and did you think it was worth paying for the service?

Amanita_2

Yes absolutely. I have damaged my neck badly in the past and gradually I found the mobility in my neck had decreased so much that I could barely turn my head. One session fixed that. As a huge bonus it also largely fixed my migraine problem. From 2 a week I'm down to a couple a year.

The related shoulder problem took a few more sessions to fix but if I get any muscle/skeletal problems I go to my chiro before the doctor.

tanith

I have had two occasions to use a chiropractor, one was for back pain and one for my shoulder my back was eased with two treatments and I had one treatment on a shoulder pain that had gone on for 2mths, the pain was gone in 2 days with just one treatment... I would be sceptical of anyone who advised a course of treatment when your pain could be eased with just one treatment, my chiropractor advises me to only come back if the pain doesn't ease.... but I do also see my chiropractor before I would consult my GP about a muscle/joint pain

ellay864

I saw a physio who does a lot of chiropractor style manipulation. My headaches eased and my arm pain stopped and she did all the work on my back

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Personally, having had one of those so called 'experts' crunch my neck 'into place' when I in fact have a medical condition (which she knew about and was blantantly obvious) which meant it was probably the worst thing she could have done in the history of bad ideas of things to do, I would be more likely to approach my GP and request a referral first. Then, if this was unsuccessful, ask to be directed to a reputable Chartered Physiotherapist. If freeing off locked joints is necessary, you can be safe in the knowledge that it is necessary, rather than the main aspect of the theory - a physio will consider all possible treatments before settling on manipulation.

After all, it could be age related changes now. Or something that could be treated anyway other than by making a godawful noise with the facet joints.

Becles

He said my neck is not aligned properly and my head tilts too far forward, meaning my shoulder muscles ache because they are trying to pull my head back. My lower back then curves in too much to keep me upright. Also my lower spine is twisted either from the accident or from the horrendous problems I had carrying my third child, meaning my left side was weak and the right side muscles are all pulling hard to keep me balanced.

I've got an ongoing sinus problem that I'm under a consultant for. I've had a CT scan and I'm going back on Friday to get the results about that. He said sorting out my neck will clear the sinus problems up.

I've also had IBS for years which he said he could fix, then I get a lot of headaches, feel run down and tired all the time, catch every bug going etc., but I just put all that down to being a busy working mother and getting older as I'm 35, so on the downward spiral to the dreaded 40

He said he wants to see me twice a week for the next six weeks, and pre-booking those sessions works out a lot cheaper paying in advance, than paying for each session as I attend them.

It does cost a lot of money so I want to make sure it's worth paying for before I sign up.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Becles wrote: »

He said my neck is not aligned properly and my head tilts too far forward, meaning my shoulder muscles ache because they are trying to pull my head back. My lower back then curves in too much to keep me upright. Also my lower spine is twisted either from the accident or from the horrendous problems I had carrying my third child, meaning my left side was weak and the right side muscles are all pulling hard to keep me balanced.

I've got an ongoing sinus problem that I'm under a consultant for. I've had a CT scan and I'm going back on Friday to get the results about that. He said sorting out my neck will clear the sinus problems up.

I've also had IBS for years which he said he could fix, then I get a lot of headaches, feel run down and tired all the time, catch every bug going etc., but I just put all that down to being a busy working mother and getting older as I'm 35, so on the downward spiral to the dreaded 40

He said he wants to see me twice a week for the next six weeks, and pre-booking those sessions works out a lot cheaper paying in advance, than paying for each session as I attend them.

It does cost a lot of money so I want to make sure it's worth paying for before I sign up.

Personally, I am hearing alarm bells. There is no way he should be promising he can cure anything. I could see how you having help to adjust your posture would assist with headaches - if they stem from muscular strain. But not if they are due to a malformed sinus, longterm infection, allergy or any one of a million causes that are beggar all to do with bone crunching.

Please, see your GP and request a referral to physiotherapy. And explain the tired all the time, as you could have anaemia, some form of autoimmune disease (which often have tiredness, headaches, sinus issues, IBS and aching as symptoms), which they would be able to investigate through a few blood tests or maybe referral on to Rheumatology.


Seek proper medical advice before you entrust your spinal column to someone who thinks they can promise cures when even the best doctors in the world can't do that.

LearntMyLesson

I'm thinking this chiropractor is not worth it. I'm sure some are great but I'm not sure this on is.

After seeing a physio and my GP for months, an oesteopath has made good process on a neck/back injury from a car accident which was not clearing up at all. It's very gentle, although my back has been cracked a few times which felt a bit odd and sounds very noisy! Now my back is feeling better - the cracking is far less impressive.

I chose an osteopath because I thought my car accident injuries demanded more soft tissue work. I asked around for physios, chiros and osteoparths and found a few names. One thing someone said is that if you pay for a half hour from a physio or osteo you get half an hour of treatment but chiropractors might only reset backs and the session is finished.

I have Yorkshire roots so I went with the best value option!

boots_babe

I'm sure that like everything else, there are good and bad ones out there. But chiropractic in general, I would wholeheartedly back.

When I was little, I fell down the stairs and hurt myself very badly. I remember going to the doctor with my mum, and they told me there was nothing wrong. There clearly was by the amount of pain I was in.

I started seeing a chiropractor and they worked wonders, very quickly as well.

Since then, all through my life I have seen a chiropractor when necessary. They can detect problems that you may not even be aware of. Of course not every problem will have a quick fix, some may require more long-term treatment.

A lot of what your chiropractor said sounds very plausible based on my past experiences. However it is rather a long list of things and I suppose the cynic in me is wondering if they are desperate for work - they have already listed on Groupon which probably indicates they are not doing so well.

Having said all that, if you can find a well-recommended practitioner who you can trust, you will be amazed at what they can do for you. Just make sure that they are registered with the General Chiropractic Council.

Another thought actually - if you do decide to go ahead, sounds like you need a fair bit of work there. Pay and claim health cover such as HSA covers chiropractic. I have a cover through work and simiply pay and claim it back so it doesn't cost me a penny (also covers dental/optical/etc etc).

HTH.

boots_babe

Becles wrote: »

It does cost a lot of money so I want to make sure it's worth paying for before I sign up.

If you don't mind me asking, how much is it per session? When I lived in London I think it was around £40 per session so relatively steep. But everywhere else I've lived, it has only ever been around £30 max.

My current place is £26 per session - and this is no matter how long. Sometimes you might be in there 15 mins, sometimes an hour, and they still charge the same.

nappentass

Becles wrote: »

He said he wants to see me twice a week for the next six weeks, and pre-booking those sessions works out a lot cheaper paying in advance, than paying for each session as I attend them.
It does cost a lot of money so I want to make sure it's worth paying for before I sign up.

Only you can decide that - if you've had the treatment you paid for then has that made enough of a difference to pay for the suggested course, that's if you can afford it.

FWIW when I had constant pain after a car accident I eventually found Bowen Technique - was pain free after 1 taster session, and only had 2 or 3 more sessions to be 'sorted out'.
Coincidentally my original practitioner has been put completely out of work by a chiro and Bowen helped him, I've also now trained and work as a Bowen Therapist - and I've seen Bowen make a difference to many of my clients within those same 2 to 4 sessions, which makes it more affordable.

hth