I know so many people to go to a chiropractor on a weekly basis and either pay out of pocket or have benefits cover it BUT I seen articles or posts pop up that refer to it as junk junk medicine and on the same level as a holistic practitioner???
In: Biology
The foundational principles are from a goofy source way back when, but the idea of somebody helping adjust your back position and stuff is fundamentally sound. Inversion tables for instance, are great for spinal decompression, there’s no reason a person couldn’t pull you and accomplish the same thing.
It should be considered one part of a more comprehensive plan to deal with the issue though. Like if you’ve got back pain from your office job, sure go to the chiropractor and get stretched out a bit and such. After that: Stretch throughout the week, monitor and correct posture, alternate between sitting and standing, go for walks, hop on an inversion table if you’ve got one, do some ab workouts. I think the popularity of chiropractics in America is the same reason Ozempic blew up, we love a good “quick fix” and for a lot of people a quick back crack does that for a week or whatever.
I have mild Scoliosis (My spine is not straight) sometimes I get a sore neck and have been to Drs but they just say there is nothing i can do but stretch. (or they can give me a shot to take away the pain).
The only relief I have found is going to a chiropractor, usually after about 4 or 5 sessions the pain is gone and I am normal till it hits again (avg about every 3-5 years.) I am sure some if it IS just stretching, but when I do everything I can think of to work on it myself for weeks sometimes, and it does not go away, yet I go to the Chiropractor and it is gone in a couple sessions, (A couple more to “lock it in”) you gotta think there is more then snake oil there. I have taken before and after pics of my spine and hips that show them to be straighter (taken at home and away from any influence or manipulation of the Chiropractor)
Yes I do think those people seeing one regularly for years are addicted to it, I think long term it is not good for your bones, or at best just does what a good excersize regime could do. but to solve an immediate need, it does work.
Religion is given the same reverence, and even avoids paying taxes, despite being founded with similar claims. Belief is way more necessary than results.
There’s also a small range of issues that a science based chiropractor can help with, so those patients are legit. Mine encourages me to goto physiotherapy, and RMT treatments, and to minimize my visits to her by stretching and just being active. The exact opposite of the charlatans I read about.
Because there is a lack of evidence based findings that support chiropractics. 1 in 4 chiropractics surveyed agreed that there is [no evidence](https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-015-0060-0) in the techniques that perform in their practice. There is no basis for the claims they can align your spine or fix a curve. There are not knots or kinks in your spine to get rid of. The results people see are temporary and mostly due to placebo effect. You go in expecting to feel better and so you leave feeling better. Other things they do like massages, steaming, heated whatever do help but still offer only temporary relief. For science based methods of improving mobility you should see a physical therapist.
There is a Science Vs. podcast about chiropractics that is pretty informative.
I am an Osteopathic physician. We can be considered somewhat of the “bridge” between mainstream “Allopathic” medicine and “alternative” schools of medicine like Chiropractic, Naturopathic, and Eastern.
I did the same medical school prerequisites in college as mainstream pre-med students, four years of medical school with the same curriculum as normal medical school (but with one class a week on osteopathic medicine), and I went to a board certified allopathic (standard) emergency medicine residency. I practice emergency medicine as an ER doctor with MDs as my colleagues. And I am even the assistant director at my job, so I have MDs employed under me, and also supervise Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.
Since I work in an ER, I do not really use or employ my Osteopathic techniques or principles, just by the nature of the patients and issues I see in the ER. In the interest of treating emergencies, I do believe Allopathic (mainstream) medicine is still the safest and most well-researched school of medicine with regards to treating people in an Emergency Department or Trauma setting. That being said, I am ALWAYS open to discussing with patients the alternative paths of follow-up treatment after they leave the ER, with the caveat that they MUST keep their primary care provider in the loop.
I just gave you a brief synopsis of my creds, because I wanted to say that I personally do believe in the utility of alternative medicine such as Chiropractic medicine. I believe many aspects of it can bring great improvement to patients. I do understand that they are not under the same standards, as say, the teachings and practice of an MD, but as long as the science and physiology explanation is sound and verified, I believe all alternative medicine should be considered and discussed between each patient’s trusted primary provider who knows them well.
My advice: Get a primary care provider (MD, DO, PA, NP). Make sure this is someone you trust, can explain to you their reasoning, is open to discussion, and can discuss with you all the available opens of care, even including osteopathic, chiropractic, naturopathic, etc. modalities of care.
My experience has been very good. Probably been to 5 different ones and 3 have helped immensely. I’m in Canada so not sure if it makes any difference. Doctors only wanted to give me pills. Chiropractor actually fixed neck and back.
Chiropractors MAY help SOME people with soft tissue issues. If you have confirmed disc or spinal issues, do not go to them. Stay with doctors and PT.
I’ve been to a chiropractor when all else has failed, and walked out like Lazerous.
I don’t like the eqy they call themselves Dr though.
Chiropractors are often referred to as “junk medicine” by redditors who like complaining about things.
Some chiropractors exaggerate what they do, and complainers latch on to that to trash the whole practice.
Chiropractors are perfectly fine if you understand what you’re getting into – temporary relief of aches and pains.
I have been going to one chiropractor for 20 years, great guy. I asked him pointedly about adjustments and that most ppl don’t go to chiropractors so what does he do that the body just does not take care of on its own. His response was that when your spine is out of adjustment. it will eventually realign on its own. The difference is in the amount of pain you can avoid if the problem is taken care of sooner. From my experience, if I lift something stupidly and my lower back is spasming and so painful I can’t function normally, an adjustment takes care of the problem immediately rather than suffering through weeks of hobbling along.
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