Chiropractic Care - Success Stories or Horror Stories?

i am not a fan of chiros personally, but if i were to EVER see one, it would ONLY be AFTER being fully examined by a board certified ortho MD FIRST! chiros CAN be harmful if you have some type of severe underlying problem, again, i would see an ortho FIRST, and if he feels it is safe for YOU, i would follow HIS rec on what chiro to see. i hope you are feeling better really soon, and yes, i would also explore PT as an option.

I am an advocate of chiropractic care. When I was 10 doctors wanted to put me in a brace (possibly for years) to correct scoliosis, but my parents took me to a chiropractor instead. In 6 months my xrays were absolutely normal - no one would have ever been able to tell that my starting xrays were such a mess. Chiropractic works!! The thing is, the chiropractor is training your spine to stay in a different position than it's used to, and your body will revert back to its old habits every chance it gets. This is why they want you to go so often and it will taper off as your body holds the new healthy position.
That being said, I totally understand your frustration. I went back to a chiropractor a couple years ago after having a lot of pain, and even after my xrays looked good they still wanted me back every week. I didn't feel it was necessary so I told them I would only be coming in once per month for a "maintenance" visit.
Talk to them and express your concern with the cost - lots of times they will cut you a break and adjust their costs to keep your business. Also remember that you are in control. As things get better, you can decide not to go so often. They might express that they disagree, but who cares? Do what you want to do. If you don't like the way they respond at that practice then shop around for someone else.
I hope this helps, and I hope your back does better soon!
K.

I have to disagree with Jennifer T about going to see an MD first. Chiropractic is still considered out of the realm of western medicine, and almost any western medical doctor shows disapproval or confusion when asked to comment on chiropractic care. WM (western medical) Dr.'s are trained to treat (not necessarily cure) disease and broken things. Chiropractic's are trained to treat, and assist in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Yes, I concur that there are quacks out there, so finding someone you are comfortable with is important.

That being said, you are not diseased, nor broken - just a little out of whack. Go get a second opinion, just like you would if a wm MD wanted to do surgery to fix the scoliosis. I go to an awesome one in Burnsville, let me know and I can give you her info. Her office does have a cash discount plan, and my insurance sucks as covering chiro care, so I pay out of my HSA.

One last thing - after I delivered our 2nd child, my lower back hurt as well. My chiro deduced that it was because I had been on my knees for the majority of a 51 hour labor, birthing that way as well, that my hips and knees had twisted into opposite directions, thus pulling my glutes and lower back muscles out of alignment. In knowing that, she was able to adjust me different and get me back on track faster.

I wrenched my back this past summer lugging around my huge 2 year old. I swear, the pain was worse than labor. I went to a chiropractor the next day, and basically was given the same scenario as you. I was also wary of needing that many visits, but I had seen my x-ray and everything was so off. But yes, the co-pays were a lot, even though my back got much much better. I still go every other week (hoping to get down to every three soon).

Why don't you talk to the doctor? Just explain that while you are really feeling better, you are concerned about all of the co-pays. Maybe she'll change your treatment plan a little and see how you do with fewer visits. Honestly, I think that her reaction to your request would be a good indicator of whether or not you want to find a new chiro anyway (I wouldn't want to see any doctor that wasn't sympathetic to financial concerns).

Good luck. Back pain sucks.

I have been seeing a chiropractor for years and totally believe in the benefits of chiropractic care. I got adjusted during both my pregnancies and my children have been adjusted since they were days old. I also worked for a chiropractor during college and it sounds like you are on a common treatment plan, visiting more often in the beginning and phasing down as you progress. We are visiting the chiropractor every three to four weeks for regular maintenance and wellness. I noticed that you are in my area so you should check out www.swensonchiropractic.com. We have given our chiropractor the title of our primary family physician and we see him before we go to the medical doctors (that’s how much we respect his expertise!).

We love our chiropractor!

That being said, we've been to 5 different chiropractors total. TWO of them were JUST IN IT FOR THE MONEY and were TERRIBLE!!! Expected you to come back 5 times FOR A COLD! Etc.

The other 3 we've seen have been GREAT! We love them. They let YOU call them when YOU feel YOU should be seen. They may SUGGEST that you come back but are NEVER pushy or just EXPECT that you will set the next appointment.

However, we haven't had scoliosis either. So I would suggest that you go to another chiropractor for a 2nd opinion and see what they suggest. Get some recomendations from friends of trusted chiropractors.

I DISAGREE with going to the regular doc first...... When I was about 6 months pregnant with our daughter I went to the ER at 3 am because I had such severe back pain that I couldn't hardly walk. The doc shot me up with MORPHINE! (didn't tell me that was what he was doing!) and sent me home! Said if it wasn't better in a few days he would do surgery and put a stint in something? to see if that would fix the problem...... From the ultrasound, everything looked good and he couldn't see any reason why I was having this pain!

After laying on the couch suffering for 3 days, my moms secretary told me to go to the chiropractor. FIXED me in 2 visits! Huge improvement after the 1st! When I went to the doc for my next ob he forgot to ask me how the pain was until we were leaving down the hall. When I told him the chiropractor fixed it in 2 adjustments he just turned and walked away! MOST doctors will NOT suggest chiropractic care because that takes money out of their pockets!

I would rather go to a Chiropractor and get stretched out and adjusted than spend tons of money on doctor visits and muscle relaxants that put me down and out. I would just explain that money is limited and they must do what they can in the time limit and financial limit you have. They can also teach you how to stretch out and some strengthening exercises. My most favorite Chiropractor hardly ever had to adjust me, he put me on the table that has 2 sections, one for under your legs and the other under your chest and head. He would lower the leg part and it would only go 1/4 inch before I was in pain. After massaging me, using Biofreeze and ultra sound, and heat he could put my feet all the ways down to the floor. I often teased him that someone was going to peak in and think I was bent over to get a shot in my hiney...LOL.

He would also do electro stem. Three areas at once, neck, upper back and then lower back, I would be sitting there with three panic buttons in my lap so I could turn the machines off if I freaked out from being confined too long. I have a panic disorder. The way he adjusted me was awesome. He would get me totally relaxed and ready on my back. He would take a towel and put it around the back of my neck and pull quickly. I would pop all the way down at once, everything perfectly straight. I got well in a few months and didn't have pain for a long time after. My Chiropractor had a heart attack and had to retire and I have never found one as good so I don't go anymore.

Hi Jessica,

My opinion is you need to do exactly what she told you. It always will take a while to undo the damage that has been done....THAT SAID....there are many chiropractors that do not charge a lot. Mine charges a flat fee for our entire family and we go whenever we need to or want to. It cost less than a family dinner out and we can certainly use it a lot more.

Go to upspine.com and see who's in your area. Compare costs and interview them. They will not take offense and if they do then they have their heads in the clouds and you need to go elsewhere anyway.

M.

PS An inversion table will speed the "un" curling of your spine to go with the chiropractic visits. You can pick one up at Target or Sam's for a little over $100.00. My husband's scoliosis was severe and now you can't tell he ever had it. Chiropractic care will help with your immune system as well as your back pain. Give it some time and good luck!

.

I have been adjusted my entire life, as have my kids. I have worked in chiropractic offices for 14 years. I would never quit going as long as I have a spine! It has helped me with my worst pain (low back and headaches), helped my daughters with birth trauma, ear infections, colic, and falls. Also fixed my chronic pain after a mistreated ankle fracture. Plus it does help the immune system, we get sick less often than anyone else I know, and get better faster when we do.

It is common after a diagnosis of scoliosis, plus many years of non-treatment, which may have included car accidents sports injuries, falls, and childbirth to have to come in often at first. It takes time to undo all that has been done and learned. And once things are back where they need to be, you need to keep them there.

My favorite thing about the doctor I currently work for is that he doesn't pressure you to come in. He lets you know of course how much you should, but he understands not everyone can do that with their schedule, insurance, or financial limitations. Like someone else said, let the doctor know what you can do. Most chiropractors are more interested in treating and healing someone than they are in collecting a bunch of money at each visit. We do monthly plans once someone's insurance has run out, and have many patients who come in once a month for maintenance after a corrective schedule has done its work.

That said, I work for a great doctor who went to Western States Chiropractic College. All the schools are accredited and great, I wouldn't go to one solely because of the school they attended. Palmer is a great school, but I also know a doctor who went there that I would never go to for care. Find someone you like who understands your goals and limits. Ask your friends who they've gone to. It will help you, I speak from experience! Also try massage in conjunction with it, that's what's been most effective for me. PT prolonged my pain, and shouldn't be performed on a spine that's out of alignment, then you are just strengthening the surrounding muscles, keeping the misalignment in the improper position for longer!

Hi J.,
Chiropractic has helped me and my two boys who have a connective tissue disorder tremendously. But personally, I would be very leary of one who tells you to come that often. It could aggravate your problem. My chiropractor can tell by examining someone if he can help them or if they need to see a doctor or physical therpist instead.
So be very careful in chosing one.
I am a personal trainer so I would also say that your abs may have become weak. So get some good core exercises to strengthen them.
Victoria

My husband started up with a chiropractor a couple months ago and got the same deal about how he needed to go in three times a week for months on end. This is a guy in a business group of his, so he wanted to trust him. I was completely annoyed, because none of this is covered by insurance and this is all very experimental in my husband's situation (headaches due to gym injuries). He hadn't even tried therapy through Kaiser yet, which would be covered. Well, after carving out all of that time out of his work schedule to go, he eventually realized it wasn't worth it ... he was still getting the headaches and he simply couldn't miss that much work time. I think now he goes once a week, although he won't say (since I was so opposed to the whole thing to begin with).

That said, I know a couple of people who have had fantastic results and only go periodically.

Personally I have had great success with chiropractors. When I was 16 the regular Dr. diagnosed my severe stomach pains as an ulcer. My mom took me to her chiro and he found a nerve being pinched that went from my spine to my stomach. He corrected it in a couple visits and gave me exercises to do. Later in life I developed headaches due to issues in my upper neck. I have the best success if I go a few times a year for "maintenance visits". My son had chronic ear infections from 7-14 months and was recommended for tubes. I tried the chiro first and after 4 visits the ear infections stopped and did not return. I have pretty much been with the same chiro all along. I did try one other guy but he was always trying to sell me other stuff and he never could figure out how to adjust my neck correctly.

In your situation I think that a second opinion is worthwhile. Also try to get an explanation as to why after all these years with few problems other than your low back you need to get the scoliosis corrected. If you are getting relief of what was bothering you then stick with that. But do expect to need a maintenance visit occasionally throughout the year. Also ask for exercises you should be doing at home to strengthen your core muscles to support the lower back better.

Your chiropractor is the kind that makes all look bad. She is taking advantage of you and over-adjusting you. You need a chiropractor who attended Palmer. It's the school for all honest ,competent doctors. Palmer invented chiropractic. I have been to good and bad doctors . I'm sure there are other good chiros that didn't go to Palmer but all docs from Palmer are good. Good luck!