Re: Chiropractors
Wow, it's been a while since I've been here. Since I'm the resident chiropractor
I will take a crack
at some of your comments. First, let me start by saying all professions have their share or bad apples. For some reason when it comes to chiropractic, those bad apples seem to spoil the bunch. Let my answer the question
"is it good to go to a chiropractor if you pulled your back out". Yes, we treat patients who "throw" or "pull" their back out all the time. We also treat patients with arthritis. In fact, 90% of all patients that enter the office are either one or the other. Chiropractic care works well for arthritis (degenerative arthritis or common called Osteoarthritis). When a joint becomes arthritic, it will lose function. This in turn causes nerve irritation, muscle spasms and pain. Chiropractic manipulation (or Adjustments) will restore function to the joint, reduce nerve pressure and will help relieve muscular spasms and reduce pain. It will also slow or stop the progression of the disease. It won't cure it (reverse it). Hey, it's a lot better than taking anti-inflammatory medications the rest of your life and destroying your stomach, liver and kidneys. Did you know that the number one reason for renal (kidney) failure in adults over 65 is due to Ibuprophen (Motrin)?
<br /><br />As far as insurance goes (claim injury) there are plenty of professions who "Milk" the system. I will agree that there are chiropractors who do this
just like there are medical doctors, physical therapists, hospitals and attorney's that also do it. It does not make it right, but come on, let's not single out chiropractors. Besides, insurance companies typically take advantage of everyone. Maybe if they played fair, everyone else would.
<br /><br />
Why do patients need multiple adjustments? Why does it take time? Well, it's similar to someone who gets braces. Do their teeth straighten over night? Nope. Is your spine any different? Doe's the person have to periodically go to the orthodontist to have those bands tightened? Yes they do. It takes time and pressure to straighten teeth and it takes time and adjustments (pressure) to straighten your spine. <br /><br />If a patient is acute (fresh injury) and having a lot of pain then coming into the office twice in a day is not unheard of. Three times is a bit excessive. This should only be for the first 1-3 days and that's it. So
"why isn't one ot two treatments in a week (trauma situation) or a once a month followup, good enough?" If you get sick and your doctor prescribes an antibiotic do you take two in a week and then another in a month? It's the same with pain medication for an injury. This care we offer is a prescription of care just like a prescription for medication. Typically 3X weekly for 4-6 weeks and then a re-evaluation. Upon re-evaluation we typically have met some of our goals (pain reduction, increased activity without an increase in pain, increase range of motion, decreased muscle spasm, patient back to work etc). Therefore the treatment frequency is reduced. The reason this person is skeptical is because he does not understand it. <br /><br />
"A good one can work wonders and a bad one can cripple you." I have never heard of a chiropractor crippling anyone. There are associated risks like there are with any medical procedure but this is almost unheard of. If this were a problem you would be seeing reports on the News all the time. This is not the case.<br /><br />
"There are pro's and con's It can help some while it very easly could hurt others." Easily hurting someone is a rather bold statement. Chiropractic care is not without risk but chiropractic malpractice rates are amongst the lowest in the country compared to other doctors. There is a reason for this. If chiropractors were hurting all these patients we surely would be hearing about it more often which is not the case. <br /><br />
"I have 12 disc with damage and if I went to a chiro that was half lame in the head there'd be a could chance of them screwing me up for life{more then I am}. If someone has a back problem that doesn't go away{lame legs etc..}I would strongly say don't go to a chiro, instead go to a doc and find out what the problem is. This is like anything else check into the pro's and con's before you jump in. Most of all don't forget most of these folks are out for the allmighty dollar.<br /><br />Not sure what "12 disc" means. You have 12 screwed up discs or you are talking about the 12th disc in you back? Chiropractors are trained in full body diagnosis so patient's can rest assured they will be properly diagnosed. Chiropractors complete eight academic years of education and some who sub-specialize complete more. After this they must pass four national board exams and then a state license board examination. Thats more than medical doctors have to pass. Although some chiropractors might be money motivated, like other professions, most are not. I could make the same statement with regard to boat mechanics. <br /><br />
"He claimed (and I have seen it elsewhere) that they can cure ear infections . . . "<br /><br />Chiropractic care cannot cure an ear infection only an antibiotic can do that. Children typically get fluid that accumulates behind the ear drum. This fluid sits back there and becomes stagnate and becomes an excellent place for bacteria to multiply. Also, the angle of the ear canal (eustation tube) in children limits proper drainage. The angle changes as the person grows and this is typically why children grow out of ear infections. Chiropractic care or manipulation to the neck helps the fluid drain. <br /><br />
"My long term experience with chiropractors is that yes, they provide relief, but as far as long term relief, no. The many I've seen seem to want to prolong treatment as long as possible, bringing you back time after time as a source of income. For me, the hassle of always having to spend all that time on return appointments outweighed the benefits I was getting."<br /><br />Typically there is no such thing as a cure for back pain. Whether its medication, surgery or chiropractic. Most people with back pain typically have it all their lives. Many of my patients do get long term relief (2-3 months). That is long term when someone has a spine riddled with osteoporosis and degenerative arthritis. Most of the patients we see have osteoarthritis, which is a disease that progresses if untreated. Remember, I mentioned earlier that we can help slow or even stop its progression. That is why patients need to return. It's like going to see your dentist periodically. <br /><br />
"Can someone explain this "clicker thing" to me?"<br /><br />The clicky thing is what is called an "Activator". It is a spring loaded adjusting <br />instrument.<br /> <br />
http://www.activator.com/patent_info.asp Patients either love it or hate it. <br /><br />
TilliamWe ,I 'am on a treatment plan 3 visits per week for one month ,then an examination,then twice a week for a longer period ,examination,then once a week all in total 91 adjustments they throw in 10 additional free LOL over the coarse of a year.My neck and shoulders are real bad,as my lower back,years of bending and pulling on wrenches plus car ,motorcycle accidents.Getting my legs crushed between two cars........So for me I fell it is well worth the money as I finally have RELIEF from alot of my pain that other Quaks couldn,t do accept with pain killers tempory relief<br />edit: I forgot to say it isn't all the same adjustments are different ,they do muscle stimulation,adjustments to lower back ,neck,shoulders very professinal but I guess there has to be some Quaks in the trade also<br /><br />Dolluper, stay away from chiropractors that tell you to come in for 91 visits.
That is absolutely ridiculous and a total scam.
How does your chiropractor know you need 91 visits? Is he psychic? I bet he tells everyone they need 91 visits. He is either really bad at what he does or he duping you. Move on! There are some chiropractors that scare patients into long term care plans, even make them prepay for a year of care.
Take my advice, get a new chiropractor. My treatments typically do not go beyond 36 treatments and that is for someone who has some serious problems.
