Seeking Advice on Chiropracters

Updated on January 18, 2010
A.S. asks from Dallas, TX
15 answers

First let me give you some background. I work in the veterinary field and I have allergies to dust and dander. The two just don't mix but this is my lifelong career and I'm not going to change. I have done everything I can think of to help with my allergies. Various medications, allergy injections and some alternative health options. I thought that my last option would be to visit an ENT and have surgery to open up the sinus cavity to allow for better drainage. A friend of mine actually suggested I visited a chiropracter because apparently they did wonders for her sinuses. She said that they used pressure points to allow for better drainage for the sinuses. I was very skeptical at first but over the last 3 weeks my sinuses have been super clogged and I developed an ear infections. I asked my friend to speak with her chiropracter about opening the sinuses and in turn the ears to allow for drainage and she assured me that they could help. So with some reluctance I Scheduled an appoitnment and after 2.5 hours there this morning that I wasted my time. In detail I explained to the nurses that were there what my main concern was and they acted like this was something they did on a regular basis. But as I was going through "treatments" I felt more and more like they were wasting my time. I've never been to a chiropracter before so I'm not sure of the protocols but this was my day.

Went in and filled out paperwork.
Was measured for alignment. They may do this with everyone.
Spent 10 minutes getting "debugged" Not really sure what this means but I held a metal rod for 10 minutes and was told that a certain frequency can help neutralize the cells allergens affect so they aren't affected as strongly.
Did an electronic pulse machine and rolling massage table treatment with heat on my back - not sure how this applies to my sinuses.
Ultrasound on my neck muscles - also not sure how this applies
More debugging.
Then I actually got to speak to the Dr. I once again told her my main concerns and was told only that I had a lot of tension in my back and this is causing the sinuses to be unable to drain and she wants me to come in and have my back taped and debugged again at the early part of next week.

All in all I only ended up with a sore back and still clogged sinuses and ears. I'm only left with the feeling that I would do anything to get those 2.5 hours of my life back. Has anyone else been to a chiropracter for similar ailments or just general thoughts on chiropractic work would be appreciative. As of right now I am not going back. I was told by 4 nurses and the Dr that I would be feeling much better but I feel even worse. Needless to say I do have a call in to the Dr to discuss things in more detail and I'm glad I didn't pay for anything today - they file with insurance and then collect the copay. Any speedy advice would be appreciated.

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Green Bay on

...wow. You had a terrible first experience. And I'm so sorry to hear it, because chiropractic can do WONDERS for sinus issues. Regular medicine solves the symptoms, but not the cause of the problem. Your friend was right - they can help the body to drain what it's having a problem doing on it's own... my sister married a chiropractor 20 years ago and I'm so glad she did. My three kids have never been on antibiotics in their lifetimes - and I believe I owe a lot of that to regular adjustments. My brother-in-law has treated me for sinus infections and ear infections without drugs over the years - again, just by clearing blocked passages and allowing the body to get it's white blood cells where they need to... anyway... you had a bad experience, but try someone else...if you're in the Green Bay area, try Dr.Metzler and Dr. Raihala - they're phenomenol and be sure to tell them your poor experience...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I have been going to chiropractors for about 4yrs now. I only started because of lower back issues I developed during pregnancy. I am a dental hygienist so I frequently go for maintenance for mostly upper back and neck problems. I really don't have a lot of allergy issues but have patients that do. I have several patients that use the netty pot or a bulb syringe with saline to keep things flowing in the nasal passages. Maintence is the key to this I believe. I actually just had a patient that moved to the Denton area from Krum and her allergies have gotten a lot worse (I guess we have more trees in the Denton area or something) and she sees a chiropractor that does accupuncture (asian doctor that knows what he is doing). I have always wanted to try it to see if it helps with being pain free for a longer period of time. I go regularly to get adjustments and massages. I think it does help but just would like to explore this route as well. I have had other patients go to other accupuncturists for other reasons and have only heard good things. I think there are good chiropractors and there are some that aren't so good...but this goes for dentists, doctors, etc. The name of the doctor is Dr Lee in Grapevine...###-###-####. Good Luck and hope you start feeling better with whatever you decide.

H. Meece
www.WorkAtHomeUnited.com/H.
###-###-####

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Lubbock on

Hi A.. It sounds like you went to more of a "quack". There are several different techniques of chiropractic - I know b/c my husband is one. Chriopractic is the adjustment or realignment of the spine pure and simple. Find someone else. Some D.C. think they can cure cancer- whatever. My husband does the basic chiropractic adjustment. I have terrible sinus trouble - I get adjusted once a week - mainly cervical nerves innervate the nasal passages. Also, a Neti Pot (sinus wash you can get at Walgreens) works wonders. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Dallas on

I go to Fusion Chiopractic in Frisco. If I have problems with sinuses I usually get accupuncture needles in my face for 30 minutes plus he puts the accupuncture dots on my ears which drains my ears. Dr. Fugere also pops my ears which helps a lot.

Have you used a nettie pot? They are wonderful because the flow is smooth and slow, not fast and hard like some sinus treatments.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Dallas on

Try Dr. Chalmers at Chalmers Wellness. http://www.chalmerswellness.com/
There are chiropractors that say they can cure everything, but Dr. Chalmers combines a little more science to the game. I have done chiropractic all my life and believe it is beneficial. It has rarely helped my sinuses, however Matt does have a lot of options that I have never seen with other chiropractors. He would likely be happy to sit and talk to you before he did any treating, I would ask for that first.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Dallas on

I know my chiropractor is amazing, and I have even taken my children to him. I started my 4 month old at 3 weeks, bc of colic and congestion. There is a sign in their bathroom about chiro helping ear infections. I would tell you to try them, see the doctor first, then ask about the muscle stim and rolling table. You may not need it. They also offer 30 min or 1 hour massages. This is included in my $30 copay. You can't do massage on first visit but it would help, for sure. My sinus always drain with massage. Here's the number:
###-###-####
Russell Chiro but ask for Dr Oeregel.
HTH!!
It may be 2277.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.S.

answers from Amarillo on

You might just try to find a different chiro. Mine does wonders for my sinuses. I get such pressure that I once thought I had an abscess tooth because of the pressure and my chiro did his thing and instantly, the pressure was gone. One of our friends sees the same chiro and he said that before he even got out of the office, he had stuff pouring out of his nose. He uses the activator technique, which in my opinion has helped me much more than the traditional technique. Look through the yellow pages and many of them will have in their add if they use the activator technique. Good luck in your search for relief.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.S.

answers from Dallas on

Not sure where you live, but Dr. Dehart in Denton has an associate Dr. Palin who did wonders for my friend's husband and son. Her son had peanut allergies and dog dander allergies and he has no problems anymore. Her husband had season and other allergies and he doesn't either anymore. They only go back once in awhile for a readjust. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.C.

answers from Dallas on

All are a little different, but that appt would have irritated me! My chiro does actually adjust ears and does accupressure on my sinuses when I am having problems. You should check out dr. Shelton if you are in the frisco area.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Orlando on

I am the poster child for allergies. In the past I have had 4 to 5 sinus infections or bronchitus each year. I have been taking Oil of Oregano since July & haven't been sick since. Google it. Research it. It has been a life saver for me. Along with that I use saline spray DAILY(a must for people with allergies). As far as the chiropractor, I haven't had the accupressure, but I would try at least one more before giving up. When you call to make an apptmt, ask if they can have someone call you back to answer questions before you come in.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Dallas on

Ahh, welcome to the world of the "chiropractic business." Before you think I'm being negative, I'm actually a HUGE fan of chiropractic care!!! BUT, MOST of the chiropractors out there aren't any better than mainstream doctors as far as wanting to make money and not listening to the patient. When I first started my lengthy search for a chiropractor, here's some questions that helped me sort the "good" ones from the "bad" ones...
Do you require x-rays? (The "good" ones don't because they know how to care for you without exposing you to radiation).
Do you work on children and babies? (a "yes" is a good sign that they believe in thorough multi-level treatment)
How long do you spend with the patient on a regular visit? (Sure, they all spend 45 minutes the first time, but if they tell you that you need to come in 2-3 times a week for 6-10 weeks, they're not one of the "good" ones, they're trying to make money. Usually on all those follow up visits, you'll be in and out within 3 minutes, that's ridiculous. A good chiropractor will listen to and examine you each and every time.

Okay, with all that being said...
The one chiropractor I can recommend is Dr. James Denito in Allen. He's also a naturopath, so he addresses nutritional issues as well. His office isn't big and fancy, another reason why I know he's not one of these "mega money making" offices that try and crank out the patients. Each of his follow-up visits are at least 15 minutes long.

Another way to tell the "good" from the "bad" is by the schedule they recommend to you. A "good" chiro can help you in 1-3 visits total, they won't tell you to come back 30 times in the next 10 weeks. A "good" one will tell you to come back when YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO!

If you're not close enough to Allen, another one that I know of (BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE MYSELF) is Dr. Len Lopez in Addison. I go to his website all the time for a bunch of info and articles!!

Hope all this info helps!

L.P.

answers from Tyler on

I agree with other posters, my dh is a chiropractor and although he may have heard of debugging somewhere along the line, it obviously wasn't important to him because he's never even mentioned it to me. You need to find another chiropractor, avoid the "chain" clinics and get a referral to someone serious about healing their patients.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Dallas on

A.:

I'm glad you are interested in a more holistic approach to your health. I use a chiropractor myself. And I do so after watching my mother find great relief for many years through their methods.

Allergies had been a problem for me all my life. And in recent years, they changed the way they presented. I had developed a cough that I could not get rid of. It interfered with everything I needed to do on a daily basis. I had tried controlling it with various meds from my reg doc but was having to adjust/add stuff to achieve success.

I was already seeing the chiropractor for chronic pain in my neck. My reg doc offered me pain meds and nothing else. The chiropractor has given RELIEF from the pain.
And I finally talked to them about allergy relief.

They use a system where you are exposed to your allergens by holding a glass vile containing the substances and having a treatment. Then you avoid the allergen for 24 hours, and you should be cleared internally. I have found this works very well for me. I have been treated and cleared on a number of dietary items and seasonal allergies. I still cough when exposed to things not treated in the past. And seasonal allergies can be a problem. But my allergies are MUCH better. And I plan on continuing with this treatment for the spring and summmer pollens.

My doctor is Ratliff Chiropractic Clinic in Grapevine Texas. If you need the name of the treatment they are using (cause I don't know where you live), you might try contacting them.

This has made a difference for me. I hope you find some relief yourself. Do you take your kids to the chiropractor? When you find a really good one, you might consider that. I've sent my daughter for her scoliosis. Even though she is an adult, they have been able to help her. And I hear they do great things for ear infections. Wish I had known that! Mine both had tubes in their ears.

God Bless!

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

A.,
I second the recommendation to go to Russell Chiropractic in McKinney. ###-###-####) Your insurance may also cover massage. If so, I am sure one of the three therapist there can also help with the drainage. I have been helped tremendously there.
If the clinic you work for would like information on an air purifier I can put you in touch with someone who is very knowledgeable.
Victoria

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Dallas on

I'm assuming you have tried the neti pot daily too? I would try that if not fore sure. Then, I would recommend acupuncture with Dr. Calli in Keller. She is amazing and can help with anything. My husband is a D.O. dr. in Flower Mound and he can do manip on sinuses (manip or OMT is similar to what chiros can do but different too, you can google OMT to find more). He is in Flower Mound though so not sure where you are but his clinic number is ###-###-####‎. He is more "alternative" in his practice and is one of the very few DOs that actually practices OMT as well. So he may be able to help as well. Then, as a last resort I would try a chiropractor and really research which one you use. They are all so different and do different techniques, etc. I know my husband has one he recommends but he has never gone to him personally. Anyways, hope you can find some relief soon!!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions