Can You Go to a Chiro JUST for an Adjustment?

Updated on September 20, 2012
B.C. asks from Arlington, TX
16 answers

I've been to a chiro who did xrays, exam, etc. He told me that I had bulging discs (which I don't have) and some other issues. I went to my sister's back surgeon who did xrays and an mri and it turns out I just have degerative disc disease. I'm going back to my back dr. tomorrow to get a PT schedule and some anti-inflamitories b/c of my massive pain this week. Before that kicks in though, I'd love to get an adjustment and maybe some water jet therapy from a new chiro. Do they all make you do an exam/xray before treatment though? I don't need all that. I've been to a neurosurgeon who already assesed me.

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J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

Most first visits will have you go through it all, but I would talk to them and let them know you have been for chiropractic visits before. If you can bring you x-rays and MRI so they can see it. I have been going since I was 17 and when I found a new chiropractor here in Florida they did not have me do x-rays and all the other stuff since I am very familiar with how it works.

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Every chiropractor who is worth going to will do an exam because they are liable for anything they do wrong. They are not going to take another doctor's word on what is wrong.

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C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I'm very glad you saw a neurosurgeon over a chiropractor every day of the week. "Just degenerative disc disease" does not preclude you from having bulging discs though. I have had both and as a result needed multi-level spinal fusions over the past nine years (cervical and lumbar). Massage was wonderful, physical therapy always hurt more first before it made it feel better. Good luck, spine pain is awful!

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C.D.

answers from Atlanta on

Some will do it without an xray but very few. Can you take your xrays with you. It's hard to get a chrio that doesn't put you through the whole testing thing and the multi visits although I know a lot are called for. But many of them just like doctors are just after the money more than anything. But of course not all. Call a chiro and explain it to them and see what they say and go from there.

I have dgerative disc disease too. Watch it with a surgeon, surgeons always want to do surgery. Even the ones that don't appear that way. They think the answers are in surgery, naturalist think the answers are only natural, chiroprators think its all through chiropractic. Base your decisions on knowledge and balance and intuitive guidance.

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

Honestly? I wouldn't go back to that chiropractor who misread your films. (I'm glad you're looking for a new one.) I would ask your neurosurgeon for the name of a chiropractor he trusts and have a copy of your films either sent over to him, or pick them up and take them with you. A referral from your neurosurgeon should take care of you having to have all these tests done over again.

Another thing to consider is massage. Some of the chiropractors have massage therapists on staff. That might be easier to find than water jet therapy. Your neurosurgeon might know of someone with that as well.

Good luck - back pain is awful, I know!!! Massage can do a word of good - it got me out of the bed and on my feet a few years ago after I hurt mine!

Dawn

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

There is no way that a chiropractor would treat you without an exam to see what he needed to do. They are not a PT who takes orders from another doc. They are doc's and have mal-practice just like any other doc.

They would not be doing a very good job if they let someone come in and say I just want you to do this, this, and this. What if "that" hurt you? They would be liable for your injury.

That's why they would want to examine you and see all the information from the other docs before laying a hand on you.

Plus, with the degenerative disk disease there is always the risk of injury if your back is not handled just right.

I think that if the doc you're going to would just order a PT to do some massage and maybe ice therapy you'd have less pain. They can also do the water jets too.

My daughter had a hand injury that was quite serious. She went to PT for all her bandage changes and they also did the water therapy on it to remove the debris from her skin. That water therapy was done in the actual hospital but the PT building is on the same property but not inside the hospital. So we went to 2 different buildings for her treatment.

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T.A.

answers from Seattle on

They have to do an exam, you wouldn't want them to treat you without! And they can look at the X-rays you already have. If there's a disc in question they'll definitely want to see that. The Chiro I work for doesn't pressure people to come in at all, there are really good docs who truly just want to help you!

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes, that is what I do. I have never had an xray. If possible, bring your existing medical records so he knows what he's dealing with.

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M.O.

answers from New York on

The first time I went, it was the x-rays and all that. Every time after that, just an adjustment, no problem. It sounds like this chiro misdiagnosed you, though. I'd look for another, and bring the x-rays with you. Give the new guy (or gal) some time to look through the x-rays, but insist on not being re-x-rayed.

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J.W.

answers from Lexington on

Just take your x-rays or mri to the new chiropractor. Many want to make sure first that they are not adjusting someone who should NOT be adjusted, or make sure they are not doing something wrong to a spine that has a ruptured disc or whatever.

But no, not everyone even has to have an x-ray or MRI -- it depends on the initial problem. When my chiropractor was forced to take medical leave and we had to look for a replacement, the new ones did NOT have us do x-rays, or anything, because we did not have some new injury or something sudden - it was just continued care.

I did have an orthopedic surgeon do an MRI and state I MUST have surgery or suffer dire consequences. That was over 10 years ago. I stuck with chiropractic, physical therapy, and osteopathic treatment, and have never regretted that decision. It is all personal, dependent on the circumstances. It goes in either direction as to which doctor freaks outs.

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L.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

I've been to 3 or 4 and never had xrays.

R.H.

answers from Houston on

When I was living in Huntington Beach, Cali and was a memebr of 24 Housr Fitness, the chiro was atached to a massage center. I would get a 30 minute massage and then see the Chiro each month. Love it. Fel like I was a baby again!

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

The best chiros have been to have not done x rays. The machines most of the chiros have don't show enough detail anyway.

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

Most chiros will do x-rays and stuff first visit (mine doesn't charge for that). After that, just adjustments.

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

No I haven't nor needed x-rays I have been going to see my chrio since July twice a week now weekly for use of tens unit and adjustments.He did an exam and what treatment i'm doing at home is also helping my back but I don't have spine issues I adjust great.Have you thought about having massage therapy most insurance carriers don't cover them but i'll be getting them from my chrios office,I also been taking Formula 303 to help with the tension,spams and stress my body is going through.Most DRs office will accept copies of the xrays or reports so gather them if needed depedning on where you go and see what treatment plan you can get on

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