Chiropractic Care

[Cheeseburger]

Chiro's are quacks, I'd never go to one.... plus I can pop my back for free, why pay $ for it? lol

[Madre]

Originally Posted by Cheeseburger

Chiro's are quacks, I'd never go to one.... plus I can pop my back for free, why pay $ for it? lol

Sorry, I don't agree. I've had adjustments for years. I don't do "maintenance" per se, but when I hurt, I get adjusted.

[Margi]

Originally Posted by Cheeseburger

Chiro's are quacks, I'd never go to one.... plus I can pop my back for free, why pay $ for it? lol

HAVE you ever gone to one?

I used to think that too!

[Cheeseburger]

Originally Posted by mumof3boyz

HAVE you ever gone to one?

I used to think that too!

No, I have done my research though, and seen them make people worse off than they were before. If I did have problems I'd go to a physical therapist or get massages. Secondly, if a person's spine was out of alignment, they need to see an orthopedic surgeon with a lot of experience, not some fly by night 'doctor' who cracks backs for a living.... your spine is one of the most important things in your body.... Anyone can go to chiro school for a few years and establish a clinic. The standards aren't high.

http://chirotalk.proboards.com/index.cgi

This board has tons of info and dozens of former chiro's posting that left the profession because they couldn't stand being frauds...

here's the forum where chiro's share their stories of how they got duped into investing their life in this industry

http://chirotalk.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=advice

[plaid]

I have never taken my children and was unsure about going myself as I had heard the once you start you can't stop business. But I have been 3 sets of times over the last 7 years for three separate issues and was helped each time. I was pressured at one clinic to keep making appointments and watch out because they get you when you are paying, so you feel like it is important that you return. Listen to your body and stop when you feel better. (hard with a baby) I have actually been thinking of making an appointment again as my neck has been really sore. I would research who you go to though as I like the second chiropractor I saw way better. He is a massage therapist/chiropractor.

Sure hope you find something to help him.

[Cheeseburger]

My point is, (hehe! short story made long!), not all 'adjusting' involves cracking, and yet it can really work wonders! A lot like the physical therapy you're talking about, Nichole! I had 2 years of physical therapy for my back after a pretty bad car accident.

Yes. Manipulation & adjustment is a valid medical treatment, IMO, after all physical therapists use it, etc. my problem isn't with that, it's that chiro's claim that such adjustments can cure all ills, ear infections, and so on. at chiro schools they do not teach that hormones, viruses or bacteria need to be accounted for, it's all about the alignment of the spine, which is just hokey and obvious quackery to me, and then if you don't get sick they claim it's because you got adjusted, when really it can be about the fact you weren't exposed to viruses/bacteria because we live in fairly clean enviroments, etc.... my kids are pretty healthy and have never had an ear infection. we've had the occasional flu. I haven't needed a chiro to keep ear infections away, and really it has nothing to do with their spinal alignment either.

[melloyellochelle]

Thanks ladies! I knew there'd be at least one mama that didn't like the chiro. Thanks so much for your honest input Nichole. Like Joy, I appreciate your candur.

Lots to look at and think about. Really, really appreciate everyones thoughts and experiences.

[Cheeseburger]

Also, I've gone to a doctor and been told i'm healthy and don't need anything, but I've never heard of a person going to a chiro and being told their spine is fine and didn't need adjusting... ? is there nobody on the planet whose spine is okay? And how did the human race survive for thousands of years doing hard labor with such fragile spines without chiro's around to adjust us all?

[jen1981]

It depends greatly on the chiroprator you go to. Get LOTS of references from people you know and trust that actually use the chiroprator, not just online reviews. Find one that specializes in babies, you could ask your local La Leche League or miwfe and they may have suggestions. We went to a chiro. for monthly adjustments when I was growing up, and then we went as a family for a few years. It helped dh somewhat, but it actually made me feel worse. We stopped going to save money and we've been fine for the last 3 years.

There are 2 types of chiropractors in my experience. Those who are professional, just as a doctor or a physical therapist is, and offer a helpful service. And those who believe they can heal everything, regardless of the symptoms and severety. The first I consider to be legitimate, the second a quack. Usually the second type has something they want to sell, and in order to do it, they claim to cure problems that don't exist. However, to make their cure work you need to buy x,y,z from them and come in 3 times a week for months. The first type, however, can do a lot of good. We were in a car wreck on our honeymoon and I was havong really bad headaches. I found a lady chiro. and within 2 adjustments the headaches went away. Once they were taken care of I didn't need to go back and she didn't try to persuade me to. She was very gentle and professional. She truly did help.

Here in the U.S. a chiropractor has to be licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic by a national board. They need at least 4 years of schooling at an accredited school and have to pass 4-5 board exams.

Anyway, all this to say, research, research, research. Get real, live referrals, and go slowly. Ask lots of questions about the chiro. philosophy about how chiro. care fits with trad. medicine, and how they do adjustments. I do not believe that a chiropractor can cure everything but I have seen people get help for real issues, and have had good experiences with chiropractors of the first type. I have also seen people spend LOTS of money on a quack and end up no better off than before, while the real problem went undiagnosed.

[jen1981]

A good chiropractor for babies doesn't do any cracking, popping, or twisting. The one that we have been to uses gentle finger pressure while vibrating the finger to gently manipulate the neck and back. Very similar to massage.