The evils of chiropractors
 

I chimed in on the thread re; massage, and how beneficial it was for me, giving me some relief, albeit for only hour or so.

I didn't want to go to a spa, and it took awhile through one of my doctors to find a theraputic massage setting. Alas, it was part of a chiropractic practice.

For me, chiropractors are quacks. I've no respect for their endeavors (dentists mock their MCAT scores). But after seeing the massage therapist for a few weeks, which I was paying for, I was informed I needed to see one of the chiropractors for insurance purposes.

So I had a consultation, where I started to go in to detail about the horrors of my nervous system, but the guy had no idea what I was talking about. Before this, the first red flag was that all the doctors were called by their first name, as in 'Dr. Ken'. Seriously.

He wanted to 'just take a look at me' as part of the consultation, which was right before my scheduled massage. Sure, but I said don't do anything, as there was a danger here.

Like an idiot, I laid on my stomach on his table - why, I still don't know - and he did one of his cracking/pulling moves, causing instant, intense pain. My angry 'What are you doing?' stopped any further chiropractic benefits acruing, and I was left with burning, a conflagration in the base of my spine.

That was four weeks ago. The pain has gone down maybe a notch since then, and now I've had to add a healthy dose of methadone every day to the pile of daily pills.

My question (pardon the rambling) is, has anyone had anything like this, feckless chiropractors causing a flare (I hope it's just a flare), and if so, for how long?

OK, thanks.

-- Dennis

I disagree with your comment about Chiropractors being quacks. Your experience was not a good one. However, there are bad doctors in any line of medicine.

I have full body RSD/CRPS 9 years now. My chiropractor was the first doctor to say RSD. I have been seeing him 3 sometimes 5 days a week (5 if I'm flaired). I don't use narcotics on a regular basis. He is an activator doctor and doesn't use his hands to adjust me. One of the RSD experts in Philly said the best thing I do for myself is see a chiropractor.

My dentist see's a chiropractor as does my pain managment doctor. Your experience was not good that doesn't mean they are all bad. Like I said earlier there are bad doctors in any line of medicine.

I hope you find relief soon,
Sherrie

I have to agree with Sherrie. Like you, I always felt that Chiropractors were quacks. To hear someone claim that they can fix internal organ diseases by adjusting your frame is simply unconceivable.

Then, my wife had a legitimate need to see one – she had a spine that was out of alignment – and she went to a Chiropractor recommended by our Internist. This Chiropractor is wonderful. She practices a gentle method of chiropractic treatment. That is, no cracking and yanking.

I went to see her when I had some shoulder pain and she spent quite a bit of time discussing my over-all condition. Not only did she know more about RSD than many “real” doctors I have run into, but she also went out of her way to do some more research so she could know how to treat me.

After several visits, she finally told me that there was nothing more that she could do. I appreciate her honesty and for stating up front that there are limits to what a Chiropractor can do. How refreshing to find a doctor who knows his/her limits and will admit to them.

Don’t give up on the entire field of chiropracty

Mike

I think that if one is going to choose a chiropractor, it is best to find one that other doctors, and other medical professionals use.

That is what I did when I dislocated my knee. I went to a young woman with a great reputation, and only had 4 visits which not only fixed my acute knee pain but also helped a spot at T12.
The knee needed other work, because of swelling so I went to an orthopedic sports med who checked with MRI the ligaments and for cysts. But the realigning of the knee was a dramatic improvement!

My doctor will not allow neck manipulations at all. So I just told the chiro this and she said "fine".

I think there are good ones and not so good ones. You have to be choosy IMO.

my son's Tourette Syndrome has benefited greatly from chiropracty, and after my husband's car accident, chiro with specialized massage really helped relieve much pain. He does have disc herniations and so the chiro was exceptionally careful in any of those areas

I had a shifted atlas vertebra and suffered bad headaches and neck/back pain and careful chiropractic care resolved it for me

we use NUCCA certified chiros only (www.nucca.org)

I agree that, as in ALL branches of medical/health practice, there are good and not so good docs

sorry you got a bad one and hope your pain eases......

but IMHO it's a bit extreme to call a recognized branch of healthcare, that many can attest to helping them, "evil" or "quack"

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience.

Some places with a large group of PT's & DC's tend to cross refer I think.:(

There are really good DC's out there but you have to ask around and check them out to be sure of their expertise and skill levels.
Some have that special touch and are very helpful.

I hope your pain resolves without any extra problems.

Hi Sherrie,
I am from right outside Phila and have been thinking about a chiroprator. Is your in Phila? Do you mind sharing their name?
Hopeful:):)

If it weren't for my Chiropractor I would no longer be here... he helps to keep the pain low.

My Chiropractor is also Board Eligible in Neurology. He prefered Chiropractic over the big bucks of Neurology... he loves what he does and is constantly taking courses to stay up to date in both fields.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Just know that not all Chiropractors are quacks.

:cool:
Abbie

While I am, as always, greatful for replies, and appreciate messages of hoping that I feel better, and further feel great for those who benefit from visitis to a chiropractor, I really wasn't looking for a defense of chiropractic medicine.

What would be helpful for me, is finding if anyone had a similar experience where a chiropractic adjustment caused pain, and if so how they dealt with said pain.

-- Dennis

I would guess if it doesn't start to calm down in a couple of days you might want it looked at.
*unless you have known or unknown? spinal issues*
If that is the case then if pain remains severe then a Dr visit might be best.

I'm totally just guessing here, but for now I would treat it as a soft tissue or muscle spasm.
with rest, very gentle stretches to see if it will loosen up
warmth - you can alternate with ice if it is tolerable for you & your rsd

It's really hard to say without knowing what he did or what the adjustment might have changed.

If you liked the PT person maybe contact them and ask for some help, but only if you thought they were very very good. Since they referred you to this dc...

DENNIS
Ive used them in the past,,i know that it takes a couple of good cracks[because the body is stiff[ to get the ball rolling[said by a chrio himself] and he was right,then you have good and bad chrio's,,ive had both,,,the good ones ,really make a difference ,,but then i had a bad adjustment one day and it took 2 weeks for it to calm down,,this was 9 years ago,,before rsd,,,but with rsd,,we have to be carefull,,id still give one a whirl ,,but we all know rsd is always looking for a new spot to surface,,but i think go with your gut,,,i got my rsd from a small cut on the back of my heel and hear people getting it from a twisted ankle,,be carefull,,,but id try one at this point to get my back lined up,,id just have a conference with him prior to the back snapping,,, I hope for the best,,,but almost anything can cause a flare and a spread,,but we have to live and chrio's are a touchy sitiation with an rsd patient,,,,,good luck ,,,,bobber

Hi Hopeful,

Sorry I live outside of Cincinnati OH. I traveled to Philly for a couple of years for treatments by Dr. Schwartzman.
Take care,
Sherrie

HI, I am currently getting the ketamine treatments. Suppose to have my last one in Nov insurance decided to refuse payment now. Did you get a lot of relief from them? I have gotten some but it seems to come back pretty quickly.
Hopeful::)

Friends,
Yea, You know, sometimes things work, sometimes they don't.

I couldn't have lived without my chiropractor, for the first 15 years of this disease.
No imetrex, for migraines. Ugh!
My Chiro, took me in, put me in a room, with hot and cold packs, electrical stim.
He let me have that room, for 3 HOURS!!!!
He'd come in to check on me every hour, until I was "loose" enough, (I did take some muscle relaxers), and he was able to adjust my neck.
THANK YOU GOD!

This kind Gentleman, has worked on so many people that I know, but, I was his big client.
My son had a growth "spurt". And, complained of his back.
I saw his x ray, and just started crying, it was the shape of an "S".
Doc told me not to worry, he worked my sons back from scoliosis(sp), right back into a straight line!
I'm SO grateful!

And, the pain relief, and MOBILITY he gave back to me!

I wouldn't claim this for Every Chiro.
But,
Mine did give me a letter, in a sealed envelope, so when I left town on a Jet, and Hadto see a Chiro, I could hand over the letter, which, I assume describes RSD, and how gently I MUST be treated!
And, his phone #.
He ALWAYS took the call!
To this day, 25 years later, I have NEVER Opened that letter!

He did speak on the phone to a few Chiro's about me, when I was OOTown on business....
I got just what I needed!

If the "regular" medical profession, operated like most Chiro's do, we'd be living in a different world!

I know, the old Chiro's think they can cure the common cold.
The young ones, can actually help your pain, and IF they can't, they're Taught, to send you to someone who can! How? They "Network"!
My Chiro, Sent me to, and got me into a "first point" appointment, with who?
Dr Schwartzmann!

Guess what?
I saw over 100, yes, ONE HUNDRED Doctors, before My Chiro told me, that I have RSD!
This was in the Mid/late 80's.
I was raising two children, on my own, getting them to and from school, and operating a business, and overlooking another bidness.
I cannot thank this man enough!

I've sent quite a few other's to him, who've been in auto accidents, or just other injuries, and, this gentleman, talks straight!
He helps, if he can, if he can't, he tells ya STRAIGHT UP!
EVERYONE I've sent to him, Loves him!

That's the kind of doctor more of us need.
Some of our MD's have such "integrity and self esteem issues", that they cannot say,
"I don't know what else to do for you".
I used to just determine that for myself!
Can you imagine, more than 100 docs???
Seriously!
Driving all over Philly, Jersey, Delaware....
AGH!

I finally got some truth from my Chiro, whom I was actually able to Walk To, from my home!

A fine man.

Done me, nothing but right!

Pete

asb