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Thoughts on Chiropractors?

bcobbdeacs said:
Ask Tiger Woods about back surgeries. By the way, I had disc surgery from a football injury at Wake that ended my football career. That was 48 years ago and I can still golf at a high level and do pretty much anything that I want. That was before the injection era and now the microsurgery that is done.
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do you have his number?
 
The back surgery debate is an interesting one. I've had a surgeon and several other family friends who've had microdiscectomies (sp??) recommend I get one. But 99% of the time, the pain/discomfort is bearable for me, so I've put it off with PT.

My understanding is that it's typically better to hold off on surgery unless 1) your quality of life becomes too poor because of the disc issue or 2) the disc issue could lead to further degeneration/issues in other areas (hip, etc.) if not fixed.
 
tigerswood said:
The back surgery debate is an interesting one. I've had a surgeon and several other family friends who've had microdiscectomies (sp??) recommend I get one. But 99% of the time, the pain/discomfort is bearable for me, so I've put it off with PT.

My understanding is that it's typically better to hold off on surgery unless 1) your quality of life becomes too poor because of the disc issue or 2) the disc issue could lead to further degeneration/issues in other areas (hip, etc.) if not fixed.
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The thought is that any portion of the inner part of the herniated disc that leaks out will eventually be reabsorbed by the body. I don't know. People may reach a point where they can't heal anymore.
 
I play a ton of golf and injured my back a long time ago on a driver swing, separated a disc or whatever as is pretty common. When it happened I could barely walk. On average for the next few years I'd have 2 to 4 serious episodes where I'd be doing something completely normal and my back would go out. Again, not that uncommon, but it was brutal. Couldn't walk down a flight of stairs for 3 days, took 5-7 before i was normal again. Before and after an episode I'd be 100% fine, and I mean playing legit basketball for hours, walking 36 holes, etc...

Finally I got sick of it and went to one of the best back specialists in the DC area. Tons of tests, MRI's, X-rays, etc. Time consuming and expensive and the outcome was basically "do whatever you can to avoid surgery" and "good luck with the pain management, here's a shit ton of pills you can get hooked on." I was already working out like crazy and doing all kinds of PT.

Against every instinct I had and up against plenty of advice like the quackery stuff in this thread, I researched a very good Chiropractor near me and went. It was right after I threw my back out again before a huge golf tournament. 2 adjustments shortened my typical recovery time drastically and I played the tourney with zero pain.

I've kept going monthly since then. I don't give a shit what people say - I'm about to hit 5 years without a single serious episode. I've missed exactly zero basketball games, golf rounds, ski trips, etc since starting. When something does feel a little screwed up it's been minor and an adjustment clears it up in a day or two.

I'm sure there are shitty chiropractors just like there are shitty doctors. It's easy if you haven't experienced what a bad disc feels like to write them off as bullshit, but from a purely outcome-focused experience on my end it has been pretty much life changing. Each to their own, but I know a few guys with similar stories to mine that influenced me into trying it. It's not a replacement for working out or seeing a doctor, but I wouldn't write it off.
 
the thing with chiropractors is that there is a scope of what they can do: musculoskeletal stuff. If you stay within that realm then they can be helpful. The ones who claim anything beyond that are the quacks.
 
I have been. Couldn't really tell that the spine adjustment did anything. I got the most benefit from that electric pulse muscle thing they hooked me up to. So I bought my own. However, I have one friend that swears his chiropractor has been a near life saver for his debilitating back-pain issues. Now both of his sons are chiropractors, too. Seems like they have their place but some of them are a joke. There is a Charlotte one advertising some sort of nutrition or weight loss seminars - he doesn't have any more qualifications for that than I do but he is sure to use Dr. in his ads.

I started seeing a sports massage person once a month. That has been excellent for my issues.

I have also been to a sports physical therapist for some more serious issue. That guy was a magician.
 
JuiceCrewAllStar said:
the thing with chiropractors is that there is a scope of what they can do: musculoskeletal stuff. If you stay within that realm then they can be helpful. The ones who claim anything beyond that are the quacks.
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TITCR
 
i will repeat me earlier post...chiropractors do not fix anything. their adjustments are more for pain relief as it releases endorphins. after time it goes away and you need another adjustment. so yes, it relieves pain but again will not assist in any sort of 'fixing' of the issue.

i haven't seen many chiropractors using electrical stimulation, mostly PT. they do work to keep your muscles from atrophy for muscles impacted by injury, immobilization or lack of activity due to the injury. usually when you have an injury on one of your legs, you will injure the other because you begin to 'favor' the injured side or the muscles are just weaker...etc.
 
warak said:
i will repeat me earlier post...chiropractors do not fix anything. their adjustments are more for pain relief as it releases endorphins. after time it goes away and you need another adjustment. so yes, it relieves pain but again will not assist in any sort of 'fixing' of the issue.

i haven't seen many chiropractors using electrical stimulation, mostly PT. they do work to keep your muscles from atrophy for muscles impacted by injury, immobilization or lack of activity due to the injury. usually when you have an injury on one of your legs, you will injure the other because you begin to 'favor' the injured side or the muscles are just weaker...etc.
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What is this conclusion based on?
 
warak said:
i will repeat me earlier post...chiropractors do not fix anything. their adjustments are more for pain relief as it releases endorphins. after time it goes away and you need another adjustment. so yes, it relieves pain but again will not assist in any sort of 'fixing' of the issue.

i haven't seen many chiropractors using electrical stimulation, mostly PT. they do work to keep your muscles from atrophy for muscles impacted by injury, immobilization or lack of activity due to the injury. usually when you have an injury on one of your legs, you will injure the other because you begin to 'favor' the injured side or the muscles are just weaker...etc.
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This is like saying mechanics don't "fix" anything, they merely perform actions that temporarily prevent breakdowns, only to have to do them again and again at certain intervals.

Also, "I haven't seen many chiropractors using electrical stimulation" may be your experience but it's pretty wrong. Extremely common.
 
warak said:
you are right, i am probably putting too much of my own opinion and related knowledge in my posts. i shouldn't be doing that.

here are some interesting articles:



https://health.spectator.co.uk/the-evidence-shows-that-chiropractors-do-more-harm-than-good/


https://www.painscience.com/articles/does-chiropractic-work.php


if you have a serious injury not muscular, headaches or the like be careful and do your research. it is used a lot for pain relief.
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If that was true, wouldn't it be reflected in their malpractice insurance. It is, and in fact their rates are lower than other medical professionals.
 
MichDeac25 said:
If that was true, wouldn't it be reflected in their malpractice insurance. It is, and in fact their rates are lower than other medical professionals.
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They're not cutting into people or prescribing medication. Big difference.
 
DCDeac said:
I play a ton of golf and injured my back a long time ago on a driver swing, separated a disc or whatever as is pretty common. When it happened I could barely walk. On average for the next few years I'd have 2 to 4 serious episodes where I'd be doing something completely normal and my back would go out. Again, not that uncommon, but it was brutal. Couldn't walk down a flight of stairs for 3 days, took 5-7 before i was normal again. Before and after an episode I'd be 100% fine, and I mean playing legit basketball for hours, walking 36 holes, etc...

Finally I got sick of it and went to one of the best back specialists in the DC area. Tons of tests, MRI's, X-rays, etc. Time consuming and expensive and the outcome was basically "do whatever you can to avoid surgery" and "good luck with the pain management, here's a shit ton of pills you can get hooked on." I was already working out like crazy and doing all kinds of PT.

Against every instinct I had and up against plenty of advice like the quackery stuff in this thread, I researched a very good Chiropractor near me and went. It was right after I threw my back out again before a huge golf tournament. 2 adjustments shortened my typical recovery time drastically and I played the tourney with zero pain.

I've kept going monthly since then. I don't give a shit what people say - I'm about to hit 5 years without a single serious episode. I've missed exactly zero basketball games, golf rounds, ski trips, etc since starting. When something does feel a little screwed up it's been minor and an adjustment clears it up in a day or two.

I'm sure there are shitty chiropractors just like there are shitty doctors. It's easy if you haven't experienced what a bad disc feels like to write them off as bullshit, but from a purely outcome-focused experience on my end it has been pretty much life changing. Each to their own, but I know a few guys with similar stories to mine that influenced me into trying it. It's not a replacement for working out or seeing a doctor, but I wouldn't write it off.
Click to expand...

Well said. I had disc surgery 20 years ago because the pain was that acute. I've battled back issues on and off since then and swore I would never go to a Chiropractor. Finally I broke down and visited a very good one here in Aiken. It may be as much in my head but she has been a great deal of help.
 
MichDeac25 said:
If that was true, wouldn't it be reflected in their malpractice insurance. It is, and in fact their rates are lower than other medical professionals.
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they are not doctors.
 
DeacsPop said:
Well said. I had disc surgery 20 years ago because the pain was that acute. I've battled back issues on and off since then and swore I would never go to a Chiropractor. Finally I broke down and visited a very good one here in Aiken. It may be as much in my head but she has been a great deal of help.
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Help as in you see long term improvements? Or help as you feel better until its time for the next session?
 
Hugh Grant turns down Two and a Half Man. I think he would have been terrible in this show. He's funny in comedy of manners movies, but this show ain't that.
 
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