Are chiropractors safe?

applepicker

17 years ago I had my hip adjusted by a dodgy chiropractor /bone doctor or something in Japan. Over there the guys aren't trained properly and probably did a 2 week course or something. Japan is well known for its dodgy medical practioners. Anyhow, after seeing many phyios and osteopaths (westerned trained) etc over the years I got one good piece advice off an osteopath - to use a sacroiliac belt and it works. However, there are still issues and after recommendation decided to go to my local Bournemouth chiropractic trainee college I decided to see if they could help.


I explained what had happened but found the tutors response to be strange. They seemed to dismiss my claim of an adjustment then a girl sitting on my leg causing the problem. Even though the problem started after the girl sat on my leg 3 days after the adjustment and there was a grinding moving feeling in the hip which has never been the same since. Saying could also have been caused by getting into a car and many other factors. (I am sure it's only to do with the adjustment and someone sitting on hip). This questioned my confidence in their abilities and when they said if they can't help me no can their arrogance. I have been for 4 treatments since and the student has been treating me (under their guidance). He is loosening up the muscles around the joint and after treatment I feel like I have a spaghetti leg on that side which settles after 2 days.


I am confused-


Are chiropractors safe?


Am I doing the right thing in trying them and how long should I pursue this treatment before I decide it's not working on my particular issue?


They also got me to sign something which I didn't read. Could this be something which excuses them from all responsibility if the treatment causes me problems? Shall I go back early on the next appointment and read the form? If the treatment doesn't work, that's fine, but making the issue worse isn't acceptable in my opinion.

jenniewb

OP, why didn't you go to your GP and get at least a medically/professionally backed suggestion (and even possibly a referral if it is causing you a great deal of pain or is disabling to your day to day life).

If you go privately, it's often much harder to track their qualifications after the treatment. Did you check the certification/registered board of the person you saw to check up on their standing?

How did you come across the person you saw- was it as a recommendation or anything? It can often be advisable to check up on anyone you see or at least check up on the place they are registered with first. I'd not want to go back until you know what/who you are going back to and what you are paying for.

tacpot12

The Bournmouth College is well respected, but Chiroprators are not trained to the same level as doctors.

You describe your loss of confidence as being due to hem not being able to agree with you on the cause of your injury. To me this is like asking them to look back in time to an event at which they weren't present. I don't think anyone would be confident in interpreting the cause of the injury you describe.

I would see your GP and get a referral to an osteopath, but don't expect the osteopath to tell you what caused the injury - it doesn't matter.

divadee

I have used the college In Bournemouth over the years and found them to be brilliant for a shoulder and lower back issue. How many appointments have you had with them? Or have you just had the initial full medical?

jackyann

In the UK chiropractors are members of their professional organisation, so they should be 'safe'. However, the NHS does not endorse their use as evidence gathered over many years does not show them to be of great benefit. That does not mean that individuals do not benefit.

I would defer your appointment whilst you seek advice.

Whilst I partially endorse jenniewb's suggestion, my own would be to go to a physiotherapist. They are licensed within the UK system and have a good understanding of what treatments are available. They work closely with GPs and other medical professionals, and should be able to make a good suggestion about how to continue.

I would begin by going onto your local NHS website, or ringing the GP surgery to ask if there is direct access on the NHS for physiotherapy appointments. Quite a few areas do these.
If not, then either follow the suggestion to make an appointment with your GP and ask for a referral, or consider seeing a private physiotherapist. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists have a 'physio4u' tool for finding one in your area.

[Deleted User]

Professor Edzard Ernst covered chiropractice in his review of alternative medicine Trick or Treatment, and took a dim view of it. As I recall he said that the way they manipulate people's necks is known to cause strokes, for example.

Nicki

If you felt you had been permanently injured by an unqualified chiropractor abroad, why would you then go to a trainee (ie not fully qualified) chiropractor in this country to try to fix the problem! Surely you'd either steer well clear of all chiropractors from then on, or at the very least do your research and make sure that you saw someone fully qualified and with lots of experience!

bigfreddiel

If anyone doesn't have a medical qualification from a recognised body then don't do it - see your gp or nurse, end of! Fj

gatita

I went to well recommended chiropractor he was Norwegian, I had very very bad back pain. He took lots of notes etc. I have never seen so many pieces of equipment! After 4 visits, I was no better at all, he said I needed an ex-ray which I duly did. Nothing really showed up, meanwhile I was getting worse and worse. People told me to persevere... after about 10 treatments I could barely put one foot in front of the other, never mind sleep!¬.and was in tears a lot of thge time.
One evening, my daughter sad enough us enough.... you are going to hospital. I was diagnosed the next day after an MRI that I had 2 slipped discs! So, NO I would never go to a chiropractor again.

I know many people that swear by them, but I would say for severe pain avoid like the plague!

lessonlearned

Nicki wrote: »

If you felt you had been permanently injured by an unqualified chiropractor abroad, why would you then go to a trainee (ie not fully qualified) chiropractor in this country to try to fix the problem! Surely you'd either steer well clear of all chiropractors from then on, or at the very least do your research and make sure that you saw someone fully qualified and with lots of experience!

As above.

And all without so much as an x ray or a proper diagnosis.

Go and see your GP and get referred to a specialist.

applepicker

Basically, I don't know if the guy abroad was a chiropractor or what and anyhow in Japan it's as didgy as hell medically. I just hoped in the UK it would be better. They would be more responsible. in Japan you can't sue them so they don't care and can do 2 week courses.


I was recommended the Bournemouth Chiropractic College. However, you do see a trainee not a fully qualified one. They are supervised by the tutors. I am scared of them, but this problem has been going on for years and have tried endless physios etc


I have had 1 assessment and 4 treatments. I am going to speak to my GP tomorrow.