What does everyone think of chiropractors?

Consumer Reports just published a large survey of their members that concluded that chiropractic care was rated #1 for helpfulness of back pain. Fifty-nine percent of patients who saw a chiropractor for their back pain said they were "highly satisfied", compared with only 34% of patients who saw a primary care doctor.

http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-a...

In addition, 65% of respondents said that chiropractic treatments "helped a lot", the most highly rated treatment.

http://www.consumerreports.org/health/natural-heal...

Don't listen to the anti-chiropractic zealots who lurk about here. If you find a good chiropractor you'll probably be very happy.

Been going to one since 1978. They have helped me a lot. There are good ones and bad ones, just like in any medical professor.

There was a co-worker who had been to her doctor for back problems, he didn't help so she went to a Chiropractor. He checked her out and told her to go back to her doctor and have a specific test done. The result was undiagnosed kidney problems, one kidney was gone, the other was only functioning at a greatly diagnosed rate. So a chiropractor will discover problems, After all they have had the same medical training that a medical doctor has. The only difference is that they specialize in Chiropractic training where a medical doctor goes into a different specialty, like heart, gastrointestinal, etc.

They've had bad press in the past because some of them made impossible and weird claims for their practise.

But, within the limits of what they can do they can be very helpful. My doctor approves me seeing a chiro for back pain on the principle "do what works".

My chiropractor has helped keep me mobile, but he does very little spinal manipulation; instead he has some tricks from sports medicine for stretching and relaxing muscles.

My chiropractor is excellent. He has helped me in so many ways. He is also a very good person.

They have immensely helped my 16 year old granddaughter live with chronic pain caused by a cheerleading injury.

However, one steered my sister in law in the wrong direction by telling her she didn't need the meds for multiple sclerosis. Now that she is REALLY bad her medical doctor says she never should have gone off them.

My opinion is use a chiropractor if you medical doctor suggests and approves it but don't stop going to your regular doctor.

They are good. I was misdiagnosed by a medical doctor one time, said my muscles were pulled in my back when it was actually dislocated. Gave me a prescription for muscle relaxers and painkillers, told me I needed physical therapy which couldn't be done correctly and the medicine about about tore my stomach up. When my vertebrae finally went back into place a few days later I didn't need either

When I went to my chiropractor a couple years later he ordered a set of x-rays. I had bone spurs, my spine was in a curve, and had signs of arthritis in my spine. I did 5 months of physical therapy and got my back straight again and very rarely does it hurt. I had chronic pain before.

My husband is a carpet installer, and has to carry big heavy rolls of carpet over his shoulder. He goes to a chiropractor when his neck starts to bother him, and says it fixes him. I won't go, because I don't trust doctors, but especially one that is going to move things around on my back. I could be wrong, but will never know.

The right ones have helped me immensely with back problems, but you may be just as well served by seeing a physical therapist for back strengthening exercises.

Interesting tidbit - I was diagnosed with arthritis in my big toe - but my chiro worked on it - and no more pain for several years.

My sister has complete trust in one. I worked for medical doctors who would not refer anyone to them. One of my family is a chiropractor with his own business. I have been to one once who jerked my head from side to side and every bone in my body cracked. I will have to admit that I was relaxed afterward. I worked with a girl who was in a car wreck and messed up her neck. She went to one who messed up her neck so badly that she could not work any longer. It is a mixed bag.

The people that usually say they are no good are those that don't go to one. I couldn't do half the things i do at my age if not for my weekly or bi-weekly visits.

You really need a good chair for your back, it's worth the cost as i well know now.