Chiropractors

[grumbler]

Upon reflection, I think I would say that it is a lot easier for a quck to become a chiropractor than a doctor, so far more quacks do so, thus the reputation.

[Martinus]

Often back and neck pain problems are not really associated with an actual medical condition, but with muscle strain (e.g. due to stress or an inappropriate sitting posture etc.) In such cases, going to a chiropractor or a masseur would help, because they would remove the strain, however what you would be really needing is, say, changing your lifestyle or at least buying a new chair.

If your back problems are medical however, then you need to see a doctor.

[Martinus]

Also, it's important to know that lower back spine / muscle aches can be really a symptom of some other condition that is not connected with your spine at all. For example, chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (which, according to my doctor, is a common condition in today's males aged 25-40, and is an immune system disorder of unknown origins, other than it seems to occur more often in men with a sedentary work/lifestyle) can manifest by severe lower back pains if not treated.

So, in short, going to a doctor first is always a good idea.

[Caliga]

I've often wondered if alot of issues with back pain are related to individual pain tolerance thresholds or something... my back aches on occasion, but nothing I'd never go see a doctor/chiropractor about.  OTOH, Princesca had a former co-worker that would run to the doctor the instant anything was slightly amiss with her and her kids, and she was a frequent chiropractic patient as well.

I'm not saying anything like people that visit chiropractors are wimps or anything, but I do wonder given back pain is one of those things that seems like it can be so nebulous.

[Ed Anger]

I love my sweet, sweet Cataflam and its little brother, Voltaren Gel.

[PRC]

I've often wondered if alot of issues with back pain are related to individual pain tolerance thresholds or something... my back aches on occasion, but nothing I'd never go see a doctor/chiropractor about.  OTOH, Princesca had a former co-worker that would run to the doctor the instant anything was slightly amiss with her and her kids, and she was a frequent chiropractic patient as well.

I'm not saying anything like people that visit chiropractors are wimps or anything, but I do wonder given back pain is one of those things that seems like it can be so nebulous.

Well I can guarantee my back pain is real and while it is bearable (IE I don't wince every second) it has had an effect on my quality of life.  It's been about a month of feeling a dull pain in my lower back every waking moment, some days it has been debilitating where I have not been able to stand up straight.

Anyways I went to the Chiropractor my colleague recommended.  First he did a scan with this thing they roll up your back and then he took X-Rays.  The scan showed some coloured lines showing where problem areas were but the real dinger was the X-Rays.  The lower back area looked pretty fine it was my neck where there were issues and it was glaringly obvious even to me that this does not look normal.  From the side X-Ray my neck is straight rather than curved and from the front you can see that the alignment of the spine takes a sharp turn to the right side of my body.  Also from the front - if looking through the jaw at the top of the spine - this area does not look symetrical.  I believe this is from years of working at a desk.

The Chiropractor gave me the spiel about what he does and what his profession is all about.  I admit some skepticism on some of the things he said but overall it was really just common sense.  Anyways he gave me two adjustments and while I am still feeling pain I did perceive that the adjustments helped - clearly this could have been the placebo effect working on me and only time will tell.  He wanted me to return on a scheduled routine for up to a year which I did not commit too.  However I will be returning a few more times to see it through as I wasn't expecting to walk out of there after session being cured.  I will give him a few more sessions and then reassess what I should do.

[Caliga]

Awesome, keep us posted.

[vinraith]

Upon reflection, I think I would say that it is a lot easier for a quck to become a chiropractor than a doctor, so far more quacks do so, thus the reputation.

That's the right idea, but you need to take it a bit further. Sicne chiropracty isn't regulated in any meaningful way, or based on any meaningful medical science, we can draw a simple distinction. Do you want to go to the guy that spent years in medical school to learn about the spine, back muscles, and other pertinent elements of physiology or do you want to go to the guy that couldn't be bothered? Better yet, which one do you want grabbing your spine and yanking?

[vinraith]

Anyways I went to the Chiropractor my colleague recommended.  First he did a scan with this thing they roll up your back and then he took X-Rays.  The scan showed some coloured lines showing where problem areas were but the real dinger was the X-Rays.  The lower back area looked pretty fine it was my neck where there were issues and it was glaringly obvious even to me that this does not look normal.  From the side X-Ray my neck is straight rather than curved and from the front you can see that the alignment of the spine takes a sharp turn to the right side of my body.  Also from the front - if looking through the jaw at the top of the spine - this area does not look symetrical.  I believe this is from years of working at a desk.

If those x-rays are correct and being read accurately, that is if you have an actual neck problem, you REALLY need to go see a real doctor about it. As others have pointed out, there's a relative limit to the harm these quacks can do to the lower elements of your back, but the neck is serious shit.

[The Brain]

Crystals and homeopathy are superior methods IMHO.

[DGuller]

BTW, does anyone here like to crack their own back or neck?  I know I'm probably risking a stroke by doing that, but it's just so addictive.

[The Brain]

BTW, does anyone here like to crack their own back or neck?  I know I'm probably risking a stroke by doing that, but it's just so addictive.

No.

[Barrister]

The critiques I've read of chiros also said that they are far too willing to order full torso x-rays in which they are not really trained in how to interpret them.

I'll see what I can find online...

[viper37]

Upon reflection, I think I would say that it is a lot easier for a quck to become a chiropractor than a doctor, so far more quacks do so, thus the reputation.

In Quebec, all chiropractors need to be registered with a professional organization (just like doctors, or lawyers). 

A chiro can not practice without this registration, so the chances of having quacks there is greatly diminished.  Not impossible, as it is seen with doctors, some can operate without their license, albeit illegally.  I'm not sure if it's the same elsewhere in Canada.

Anyway, again, not quacks, but there are.

I'm much more concerned about professional areas where anyone can declare himself/herself a specialist of soft medicine with some meaningless diploma on the wall.  Much more quacks there.

[viper37]

I'm not saying anything like people that visit chiropractors are wimps or anything, but I do wonder given back pain is one of those things that seems like it can be so nebulous.

that's the thing with back pain, more often than not, the doctors can't see what's really wrong and can't objectively measure pain.
Some people have higher pain treshold than others, some are lower.

Sometimes, the doctors just don't want to operate the patient, or the patient is simply scared of the risks.

Other times, well, it pays to pretend you're in pain.  90% of your net wages without doing anything, all medical expenses repaid, and well, since you ain't really sick, you can easily work on the side with no fiscal consequences... and the risk of getting caught is really low, nearly non existent.