Chiropractors - healers or expensive placebos?
Discussion
Knackered my back fairly severely last month and it's taking a while to get back to normal.
I was recommended a chiropractor and have had a few sessions (at £30 a go). Chatting to a mate who is an experienced doctor and a pretty straight talker and he reckons I'm throwing my money away. He says my back will get better naturally and the ultrasound treatment and manipulation won't make any material difference.
At two sessions a week, and with my back healing very slowly it's going to be a lot of money if it's not really doing anything. But if it is really helping then it is worth every penny as I really need to be fit again for work.
Just wondered what PH wisdom was on chiropractors and back pain?
I was recommended a chiropractor and have had a few sessions (at £30 a go). Chatting to a mate who is an experienced doctor and a pretty straight talker and he reckons I'm throwing my money away. He says my back will get better naturally and the ultrasound treatment and manipulation won't make any material difference.
At two sessions a week, and with my back healing very slowly it's going to be a lot of money if it's not really doing anything. But if it is really helping then it is worth every penny as I really need to be fit again for work.
Just wondered what PH wisdom was on chiropractors and back pain?
It's a complementary therapy, and it tells you something that the NHS won't normally fund it:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1098.aspx?CategoryID=6...
Like other complementary therapies, there is an insufficient evidence base to say conclusively that chiropractice provides the benefits some claim for it. There's a good explanation of this principle here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/complementary-alternati...
On the other hand, the placebo effect is strong and real, especially on pain, and some patients do seem to derive benefit from treatments which scientifically should not make any difference. You will find a spectrum of opinion in doctors on this one, some being very much like your friend and others actually working in homeopathic hospitals, for example, as well as for the NHS.
However, if you're feeling no benefit, then it might be better to save the 30 quid...
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1098.aspx?CategoryID=6...
Like other complementary therapies, there is an insufficient evidence base to say conclusively that chiropractice provides the benefits some claim for it. There's a good explanation of this principle here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/complementary-alternati...
On the other hand, the placebo effect is strong and real, especially on pain, and some patients do seem to derive benefit from treatments which scientifically should not make any difference. You will find a spectrum of opinion in doctors on this one, some being very much like your friend and others actually working in homeopathic hospitals, for example, as well as for the NHS.
However, if you're feeling no benefit, then it might be better to save the 30 quid...
Edited by N Dentressangle on Sunday 29th December 08:49
eybic said:
I've never had to see one but I know of a few people that have and it would seem there is never a "you're fixed Mr Smith, you don't need to come back again" 
Old Lady Pints used to use a chiropractor who worked like that - one visit only required. He was bloody brilliant and used rather controversial methods (presumably because he was givinghis peers a bad name who insisted on repeat visits so that they could rake it in) but he got results.Unfortunately my mother had a habit of lifting things around the house or doing things which meant she kept putting her back out.
Definately helps.
I suffer with a lot of back pain and ended up going to one for about 6 months. It helped, but wasn't cured.
I also used to have a problem with my shoulder muscle. It always felt like there was tension between my neck and shoulder. It was constant and had been like that for at least a decade. One session of deep (painful) massage, and it was gone, and never came back.
I suffer with a lot of back pain and ended up going to one for about 6 months. It helped, but wasn't cured.
I also used to have a problem with my shoulder muscle. It always felt like there was tension between my neck and shoulder. It was constant and had been like that for at least a decade. One session of deep (painful) massage, and it was gone, and never came back.
Generally you won't come out of a session feeling much better to begin with. You have to reverse the injury as something is out of position and it needs to be corrected. There is a good chance of some discomfort as you work your way from an injured state to putting things into the correct position.
From my extensive experience, doctors are limited by what they know. I have seen many of the top "specialists" throw medicine and ultrasound at patients which doesn't fix the problem, it just covers the pain. This leads to further issues as when the body has an imbalance it will adapt and compensate for the worse.
For something like this I would only ever entrust my recovery to a Qi therapist. PM me if you need the need the name of an excellent one.
From my extensive experience, doctors are limited by what they know. I have seen many of the top "specialists" throw medicine and ultrasound at patients which doesn't fix the problem, it just covers the pain. This leads to further issues as when the body has an imbalance it will adapt and compensate for the worse.
For something like this I would only ever entrust my recovery to a Qi therapist. PM me if you need the need the name of an excellent one.
Chiropractic's credibility is suspect for two main reasons.
1. Suggestion that manipulations can treat none MSK conditions.
2. Some of sequalae and iatrogenic harm of the more controversial techniques.
It os important to note that physios and Osteopaths seem to have far fewer questions asked about their practice and there is far more NHS funded provision
1. Suggestion that manipulations can treat none MSK conditions.
2. Some of sequalae and iatrogenic harm of the more controversial techniques.
It os important to note that physios and Osteopaths seem to have far fewer questions asked about their practice and there is far more NHS funded provision
A few people posting about how a chiropractor has helped them or family / friends on many occasions. This says it all for me and reflects my own experiences. Go and see a physio and find out what the problem is and how to fix it, stop paying (repeatedly) a chiro to treat the symptoms.
from my own personal experience, visiting Chiroprators ALWAYS becomes an eternal circle, they claim to be able to fix the problem, yet never ever suggest that you dont need to book another appointment in a weeks time. NEITHER Chiroprators nor Physios have given a long term solution.
Also...
From my own experience-
Chiroprators - middle aged French or German men rubbing your back and cracking joints
Physios - Young swedish or young fit british girls rubbing oil over your back and rubbing it in for half an hour..
Also...
From my own experience-
Chiroprators - middle aged French or German men rubbing your back and cracking joints
Physios - Young swedish or young fit british girls rubbing oil over your back and rubbing it in for half an hour..
- please note that this is from my own personal experience, so if you book a physio session and get a 6ft 5 German bloke with rough hands like coal shovels thats nothing to do with me...
mph1977 said:
Chiropractic's credibility is suspect for two main reasons.
1. Suggestion that manipulations can treat none MSK conditions.
2. Some of sequalae and iatrogenic harm of the more controversial techniques.
It os important to note that physios and Osteopaths seem to have far fewer questions asked about their practice and there is far more NHS funded provision
Look into the beliefs behind chiropractic, there is so much BS nut jobbery.1. Suggestion that manipulations can treat none MSK conditions.
2. Some of sequalae and iatrogenic harm of the more controversial techniques.
It os important to note that physios and Osteopaths seem to have far fewer questions asked about their practice and there is far more NHS funded provision
Engineer1 said:
mph1977 said:
Chiropractic's credibility is suspect for two main reasons.
1. Suggestion that manipulations can treat none MSK conditions.
2. Some of sequalae and iatrogenic harm of the more controversial techniques.
It os important to note that physios and Osteopaths seem to have far fewer questions asked about their practice and there is far more NHS funded provision
Look into the beliefs behind chiropractic, there is so much BS nut jobbery.1. Suggestion that manipulations can treat none MSK conditions.
2. Some of sequalae and iatrogenic harm of the more controversial techniques.
It os important to note that physios and Osteopaths seem to have far fewer questions asked about their practice and there is far more NHS funded provision
"BS nut jobbery" is the definition of Chiropractic, tell me any other health professional group that has attempted to get itself considered a religion ?
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/chiropractic/Pages/Ev...
I went to one when I had a bad back and got in to the never ending appointment cycle. The only advise he gave me was never try to touch your toes, it is really bad for your back. Turns out my hamstrings were overly tight due to cycling and bending over to touch my toes stretched them and made my back right.
Physios are good, Chiropractors are snake oil sales men who like to milk their clients for as much as they can - in my opinion.
Physios are good, Chiropractors are snake oil sales men who like to milk their clients for as much as they can - in my opinion.
I was fixed after 2 sessions with my back. The advice was great. I am 5'10". She told me to believe I was six foot tall by standing straight at all times and "stretching" my body so I felt like 6 foot tall. In other words don't slouch. It was a good lesson. Soldiers get this advice for free though.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff