Chiropractors

[Tiamat]

Legit.  Been going to one for 8 years.  The people that call them quacks have never gone to one.

This is what we call a placebo effect.

It fucking works that's all I care about.   

I'm sure it does work for you. The brain has a powerful role in physical health.

[Tiamat]

They adjust your spine so you have to go back every 6 weeks or so to get readjusted

It's quite the racket they have going, isn't it.


Vince - what is your medical concern?  Have you seen a doctor about it, or even better, a physiotherapist?

There isn't really an effective cure for "lower back pain," so quack science that relies on the mental state of the patient has a lot of room to prosper.

[fhdz]

I used to watch you on the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon.  You do good work.

;D ;D ;D

[Barrister]

There isn't really an effective cure for "lower back pain,"

Disagree.  Physical therapy is very effective in managing back pain (I wouldn't call it a cure though).  The problem of course is that its hard work, and people don't like to do hard work (I know nothing of Vince's condition and this comment is meant only generally, and not directed at him).

[Barrister]

By the way - how do I know much about this?

I started out in law doing Insurance Defense.  Lots of plaintiffs seeking huge damages would go to chiropractors, and typically our doctors would point out that back-cracking wouldn't actually help them get better.  Plus as part of that work I wound up reading several articles that were very critical of chiropracty.

[viper37]

I've got some lower back pain at the moment and several colleagues are suggesting I go see a Chiropractor while several other colleagues are suggesting that Chiropractors are just quacks and are not legitimate medical practitioners.  I've never been to one, never really heard the positive or negative reviews of them one way or another so I bring this poll to the masses. 

What is the opinion of Languish on Chiropractors?

Legitimate.  They are part of a unique federation, with rules, just like doctor.

Try it, if nothing else is working, it's worth a shot.

[Barrister]

Legitimate.  They are part of a unique federation, with rules, just like doctor.

Try it, if nothing else is working, it's worth a shot.

They're part of a unique federation because doctors, by and large, do not recognize chiropracty as a medical treatment.  The doctros medical federations won't allow chiropractors to join their organization.

[garbon]

They're part of a unique federation because doctors, by and large, do not recognize chiropracty as a medical treatment.  The doctros medical federations won't allow chiropractors to join their organization.

Yep.

[PDH]

The wife is a clinic manager for an orthopedic group, for some things (mild cases without surgery) the doctors tell patients that going to a chiropractor is fine - but the one area they advise against going is for neck problems.  Their reasoning is that adjustments may help somewhat (even if just for the placebo effect) and don't really cause harm other than a continued dependence on the "cure" to the problem.

I would suggest a back specialist first, as no amount of adjustments will cure a bad disk or the like - but if it is indeed a mild problem then eventually going to a quack pseudo-science "doctor" could indeed help.

[Vince]

There isn't really an effective cure for "lower back pain,"

Disagree.  Physical therapy is very effective in managing back pain (I wouldn't call it a cure though).  The problem of course is that its hard work, and people don't like to do hard work (I know nothing of Vince's condition and this comment is meant only generally, and not directed at him).

Yeah yeah you're implying I'm a lazy bastard and you know it!   >

[I Killed Kenny]

Find someone that is satisfied with one and go to that one...

[grumbler]

Massage therapist / physiotherapist.

These are just like chiropractors, as a matter of fact! 

Chiropractors do give some short term relief of pain, so in that I guess they do some good.  It is not a long-term solution to anything however - it's never a "get your spine manipulated 6 times then you'll be good".  You'll always be going to your chiropractor.

While you have never had a chiropractor that gave a series of treatments and stopped, your assumption that chiropractors in general are like this reeks of ignorance.  I have been to two chiropractors and each time had a limited series of treatments for specific back or neck ailments, with complete success in both cases.

For my lower back pain, i went to an MD for almost 5 months with nothing but temporary relief.  Six visits to the chiropractor and the pain was gone for good.

[PDH]

For my lower back pain, i went to an MD for almost 5 months with nothing but temporary relief.  Six visits to the chiropractor and the pain was gone for good.

Not all chiropractors are high enough level successfully lay on hands.

[grumbler]

Legit.  Been going to one for 8 years.  The people that call them quacks have never gone to one.

Why do you have to keep going for 8 years?  If they could truly fix you you wouldn't have to keep going...

Exactly.  It is like boneheads who go see their doctor every year.  Why bother/  If the doctor was any good, he would make them permanently healthy, and if he isn't good there is no sense going to see him.

[grumbler]

They're part of a unique federation because doctors, by and large, do not recognize chiropracty as a medical treatment.  The doctros medical federations won't allow chiropractors to join their organization.

Yeah, and they won't allow lawyers, either!  ;D