JoanneS

This subject came up on Pittsburgh Pam's thread about her recent accident. Someone mentioned that a neurologist said chiropractors are quacks, and I disagreed. Rather than 'kidnap' Pam's thread, I wrote that I would start a new one on the subject, so here I am. I imagine this will start a controvesy.

My Chiropractor barely covers his overhead expenses with what Medicare pays him for my visits. That's one of the reasons it makes my blood boil to hear someone call Chiropractors quacks. He has a very busy practice, and if I had not been a patient and good friend for 30+ years, he probably wouldn't accept me as a NEW patient. He simply wouldn't be able to afford it.

In CT, my Neurologist and Chiropractor REFER PATIENTS TO EACH OTHER. They recognize that they each have something valuable to offer patients. Last summer, my chiropractor got me out of severe pain in 5 treatments. The neurologist that called chiropractors quacks would have probably recommended surgery. I say that, because it's happened to me before. In 1978, both an Osteo Surgeon & a Neurosurgeon recommended surgery.

Fortunately, I sought another Neuro opinion, and that was how I was first referred to my chiropractor. Back surgery is successful in eliminating pain less than 50% of the time. My spine is a minefield of problems, worsening with age. However, I'm still VERY active. I've found that vigorous daily exercise is one of the key reasons. That and regular visits with various doctors and my chiropractor. LOL I was slowed down a bit with a frozen shoulder from Oct through March, but I'm almost back to my 'old' self (pun intended), and I've finally started sewing again.

I've been on the cusp of osteoporosis for YEARS, and I've finally agreed to start taking Boniva. I had to stop taking GERD medicine, because it causes osteoporosis. At age 70, I had to decide which was worse, and I decided to limit my diet to prevent as much acid reflux as possible, so I could live without the GERD med.

Over the years, I've discovered that I can keep my back in good shape through a combination of daily exercises PLUS seeing my chiropractor regularly to 'adjust' my back to keep it flexible. It works for me and many others.

amma

After my car accident, my physician, chiropractor and physical therapist all worked in conjunction with and for me. It was a combined effort that got me back to as close to new as I could get :D:D:D I was seen by a neurologist at first, and it was also his opinion that both the chiropractor and physical therapist would be able to help me...he set up some initial guidelines for them, and then my physician took over :D:D:D

yourstrulyquilts

I wish my chiropractor could be my Primary care Physcian. The man is sooooo knowlegable!!. I've made appointments with him so he could explain to me what to ask/tell the PCP.He cant's write scripts. but he has referred me to other doctors when It was necessary. He has GOOD MEDICINE, and I just hope he doesn't retire before I don't need him any more! There are some bad chiros out there, too. And it's frustrating to try to find a good one. They keep ya comin back , and comin back; back braces, wrist braces, and whatever else they can sell you to get you sucked in. A good chiro won't do that..
YTQ

tigger5464

My chiro doesn't have a problem with any other doc other than orthopedic docs. My chiro is one that doesn't care for ortho docs...but does realize when they are needed. He agreed that I should see one after 3 visits for a problem couldn't fix the shoulder. Ortho found a torn rotator cuff that chiro never would have fixed. They each have their place but I would never trade my chiro for the world. :D

Chasing Hawk

Good for you that you have a chiropractor that does you some good. I was just stating what my neurosurgeon had told me. If this works for you then great, but I prefer to use a specialist.
The injuries I sustained in my accident could have been worsened by seen such a person. I would have lost the use of my left arm, which I am a leftie so life would have been hard until I retained myself to use my right hand.
I have yet to have a doctor refer me to a chiropractor. I have my physical therapist, if I need my neck worked on. They also help with my shoulder area also which was effected in the accident.

JoanneS

You don't know that the chiropractor would have worsened your condition - you're making a HUGE assumption to say what the chiropractor would have done when you NEVER EVEN WENT TO ONE!

JanetM

I think Chasing Hawk did not seek Chiropractic care based on her Neurologists recommendation. If her injury was severe enough, involving possible nerve damage, a Chiropractor could in fact complicate matters.

I have some personal experience with this. I went with my mother to her Chiropractic appt. and while I was there I discussed my situation with him. He without permission manipulated me and caused me additional injury. I then saw a Neurosurgeon who eventually performed successful surgery on me.

I am sure there is a place for both of these professionals. My point is that neither one should be considered the only one to treat all problems.

TanyaMas

ALL is a quite broad term that i hate... i have seen many neurologists in the last few years, and although i have yet to find a good 1, i still have hope of finding 1 and know there are some good 1s out there... ALL of any 1 group cant be 1 thing... it doesnt seem fair to an judge an entire group and label them all based on a few.

Lisanne

Chiropractors are not quacks. They are not always the right choice - that depends on what's wrong - but what they do works. I say this as the daughter of a chiropractor.

Their approach differs from that of traditional medicine, which focuses more on pills and surgery. Physical therapy is also not the same as chiropractic manipulation, though chiropractors may sometimes prescribe certain PT-style exercises.

There are good and bad chiropractors. There are also good and bad neurologists, and I've experienced a number of those.

I've also had PT worsen my condition to where I couldn't walk. That wasn't the fault of the physical therapist, who was only going on doctor's orders and diagnosis. That was because there was/is more going on with my knee than that one problem. It didn't get better until I gave up on the PT and just stayed off it as much as I could. Basically, it needed to rest and heal for several months.

marsye

Many years ago a chiropractor messed me up bad. Got brave and went to another one about a year ago and he was totally different and much better. As in any profession....there are good ones and there are bad ones.