Chiropractors

[MDS69]

Does anyone have experience with Chiropractors. I have never used one but think a tune up might be beneficial to try to easy some aches, pains, joint issues etc. I guess my question is will they treat me on my first visit or will they want to do an assessment then book me in for a multi visit treatment plan. I was hoping a one off treatment to see how I go.

[Pottsy]

Treatment plan will be dependent on your issues and the chiropractor. Many chiros now use spring loaded activators to do their manipulations, not my preference, nor my wife’s, we both prefer an old fashioned bone cracker. My old Chiro was a wizard, he would warm you up with wheatbags and ultrasound before doing any adjustments. Sadly he retired four or five years ago. We now have found another good chiro after trying a few different ones.

[alnjan]

Chiropractors like many other practitioners there are good and bad.  Unfortunately some time it can be hit and miss.  Been going to Chiropractors of the years.  First one was set on treatment plans and at worse wanted to see your money three times a week.  Didn't last long there. 

As Pottsy says though a Treatment Plan will depend on your issues.  Somethings can be a simple fix while others may be ongoing depending on your complaint/ailment.

Thankfully our current Chiropractor is great.   A normal visit, her will check, massage then manipulate.  As I have a bit more serious and ongoing issue with my back when I went to him he actually xrayed me first and then sent me to my Dr. 

Definitely ask questions before you make an appointment.

[edz]

Find a good sports physio guy / girl  .. One that comes well recommended by personal .. They can manipulate you back into shape easily enough .....
Personly I dont trust bone crackers ..

[Hairs]

I found these guys on Youtube to be very helpful.
Bob & Brad physical therapists.
I was searching how to help with sciatica, which I use to suffer from.
Sure they are a bit whacky, but I've learnt to look after my posture and that has mad a big difference.
As others have said, it can be hit and miss, and I too use to feel that some would tell you that you would have to keep coming back.
I hope you find relief.

[D4D]

As other's have said, it depends what you need and there are good and bad practitioners. I've been to a Physio and Chiro however settled on an Osteo. I go every other week to check my alignment and get the knots worked out of my legs, I have also had dry needling which isn't as bad as it sounds. I am getting old and also have a high bike racing and training load hence I go often. It hurts when they are doing it and hurts for 12 or so hours afterwards. My preference is to go at night and then go to bed, I wake up in the morning feeling good. My wife bought me a Theragun for Christmas and that gets 60-70% of what the Osteo does, my wife uses it on her neck, maybe something else to try.

[paceman]

My wife bought me a Theragun for Christmas and that gets 60-70% of what the Osteo does, my wife uses it on her neck, maybe something else to try.

thinking about getting one of these.  is your gun the genuine?  very pricey... wondering if the cheaper versions do a similar job.

[D4D]

thinking about getting one of these.  is your gun the genuine?  very pricey... wondering if the cheaper versions do a similar job.

Yep genuine Theragun Pro, it was on special before Christmas for $649, I see it's now $899. Now I have used it the Prime is all you need. I never change the head and the battery lasts long enough. For recovery I do 2 minutes per muscle, up and down, then left and right. I use it on my calves, hamstrings, quads, glutes and hip flexors, so around 20 mins per go. I do it the day after training/race, unless I am feeling particularly sore. You know when you have found a muscle knot as it hurts the same as when the Osteo finds it. It's not meant to feel like a relaxing massage.

[GeoffA]

...... I have also had dry needling which isn't as bad as it sounds.....

Agreed.

SIL is a myotherapist. I had some dry needling a few years ago.
Hardly knew it was happening, but it sorted the issues nicely....

 

[D4D]

Hardly knew it was happening, but it sorted the issues nicely....

Yep, you don't feel a thing until the needle hits the knot then kaboom

[GeoffA]

Yep, you don't feel a thing until the needle hits the knot then kaboom

Yep. Then instant relief....for me, anyway....

[Mace]

Ive used quite a few Chiroprators over the past 30 years, some better than others but generally all have been beneficial.  I have only changed chiropractors once due to their inability to provide any relief, changes in provider have been due to either us moving or the businesses moving. I have been with my current provider for 6 years.

A good one should give you a complete overview that you can understand of what they have identified. A first visit will usually entail a whole of torso examination. 

Dont expect a single visit to solve all your problems.  The usual process to start is two or three weekly or fortnightly visits to address immediate  issues, and then as in my case, further visits every 2 or 3 months for routine manipulation. I dont mind spending the $60 or so a visit in the interests of long term comfort. 

Ask around your friends,workmates or family for info on their experiences with any local providers.  I would be surprised if there wasnt someone you know going to one.

 

[Bird]

thinking about getting one of these.  is your gun the genuine?  very pricey... wondering if the cheaper versions do a similar job.

$
140... you can get em sub 100 too
https://www.themassageguys.com.au/products/professional-massage-gun

[glenm64]

You will be surprised what doing yoga and pilates can do for your overall long term well being.
It will build core muscle strength which supports your lumbar and will increase flexibility/mobility. In todays world we do lots of sitting and tend to slump, look down alot. Many of todays common back, sciatica, neck and shoulder complaints are triggered by our sedentary work/lifestyles.
Not saying it will fix everyone because some have serious medical issues, but many of the exercises therapy give you are pilates and yoga type movements. It won't overnight, but it will help.

Cheers Glen

[Patr80l]

Chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths all do manipulative therapy, which is effective.   Some are better at it than others.   So find a good one (trial and error or word of mouth).   Where the three disciplines differ is the theory behind what they do.   Chiropractic is a US off-shoot of osteopathy and is based on the dogma that misalignments of the spine or "subluxations" (that radiologists can't see) put pressure on nerves and that adjusting the spine can fix anything.   The problem is that if the only tool you have is a hammer, all your problems become nails.   Even if the theory is BS, if what they do helps your bad back and they are gentle then there's no harm.   Where they lose credibility with us medical practitioners is when they treat things like asthma and colic etc.   Physiotherapy and osteopathy seem to have a more scientific basis.

[terravista]

A few years ago, after months sitting twisted at a computer desk to see the monitor off to the side, I developed bad sciatic pain. Back muscles froze up, as did the left buttock, left hamstring and left knee, intense pain and muscles locked.
I went to a chiropractor near Springfield who said stand up here in front of the xray. I couldn't stand straight so he diagnosed spinabifida.
I told him that was crap as I spent 12 years in the army, and I'm pretty sure they would have noticed.
He strapped me down on a motorised segmented table and let it run for 30 minutes.
On completion I could not move. After an hour I hobbled out to the car.
Went to a sports physiotherapist who used massage and needles hooked up to power and after one 40 minute session, I could walk. After 3 sessions I was fixed for 7 years.
Don't like or trust chiropractors after that.

[paceman]

$
140... you can get em sub 100 too
https://www.themassageguys.com.au/products/professional-massage-gun

ended up getting one (very similar to this, by the looks... might be out of the same factory) with our flybuys points...

we'll see how it goes...

[jkwpajero]

Personal experience. I have degenerative lumbar spine issues and have tried physio treatment for a number of years with some success. However last September I was getting pretty bad and in constant severe pain so last November I was having a torrid time and decided to seek out a local chiropractor that was well known in my town and he didn't have a bad feedback from is "patients". I went for one "treatment" and the next day my wife called the ambulance and I spent four days in hospital on serious drugs for the pain. The "treatment" exacerbated my spinal issues  and I have tried to contact the practice but no talkies from them. As of today's date I am under the care of a physio as an outpatient of the local hospital and have been for two months with more to go . I can do very little compared to my before my chiro "treatment" and I am waiting to see a spinal specialist for what may be some form of surgical intervention. It is a very slow path back to any kind of pain free life now. The moral of the story is to be very, very aware of spinal manipulation by a chiropractor.

 
JamesW

[Bird]

Personal experience. I have degenerative lumbar spine issues and have tried physio treatment for a number of years with some success. However last September I was getting pretty bad and in constant severe pain so last November I was having a torrid time and decided to seek out a local chiropractor that was well known in my town and he didn't have a bad feedback from is "patients". I went for one "treatment" and the next day my wife called the ambulance and I spent four days in hospital on serious drugs for the pain. The "treatment" exacerbated my spinal issues  and I have tried to contact the practice but no talkies from them. As of today's date I am under the care of a physio as an outpatient of the local hospital and have been for two months with more to go . I can do very little compared to my before my chiro "treatment" and I am waiting to see a spinal specialist for what may be some form of surgical intervention. It is a very slow path back to any kind of pain free life now. The moral of the story is to be very, very aware of spinal manipulation by a chiropractor.

 
JamesW

Gee mate, thats bullShit.. Hope its not permanent... I had a spinal fusion at 15, so have had bad backs for a while noe..

I'd be dropping in for a visit to the chiro that caused it if they wont answer the phone, and leave some appropriate feedback for em..

[Wazza999]

Long before there were university degrees in Chiropractic, early nineteen hundreds, there was a Swedish Chiropractor in NQ named Kjelberg. He was reported to do magic with people. My family went to people he had trained, hot damp wool blankets to warm up the area, massage then manipulation often with an assistant, no mechanical aids, dropping tables, ultrasound etc. I pulled three discs at the tender age of 21 cutting and loading fence posts into the ute. One of his people got me mobile and I managed with the aid of lots of asprin to work at a holiday job stacking timber to pay for next year's uni. Soon as I see a  chiro with an X-ray machine, treatment plans, cures for coughs colds and sore... I'm out the door. As an old bloke now I would want to make sure that there were no degenerative problems before going to a chiropractor.

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[elver]

My mate mike was manipulated by a chiropractor for a sore neck while on a school camp at the ripe old age of 13.  He had a stroke as a result and was disabled and growth stunted on one side from that day on.  It was a clear and direct result of a muppet cracking his neck when all he needed was an educated physio. Carefully assessing him.


No chiros for me! 

(It cost the school some serious money in compo and legal fees)