Asa child, I remember my maternal Uncle telling stories to my Mom about his visits to his Chiropractor. I asked my Mom what a Chiropractor was and, basically, she replied, "They're quacks".
As a young LPN at Weed Rover Township Hospital, working as a OR scrub nurse back in the mid '80's, I worked with some medical student externs. One extern had his DC and I remember him saying, "Yeah- I'm going to be a real doctor!"
So, my belief system was built upon opinions that Chiropractors aren't real Doctors, and are basically useless.
I supervised a Methadone Clinic in the early aughts, and a Cracker Jack LPN in his early 50's, Chuck, basically ran it. Chuck and I were chatting one day when the subject came around to back pain. Chuck told me of an episode in his life where he experienced some severe back pain and had set up surgical treatment as a remedy.
Chuck said that two days before he was to have surgery, someone asked if he had consulted with a Chiropractor. Chuck told me, "I thought- what the heck? A Chiropractor can't make my back any worse".
Chuck relayed to me the good results for which he did not need surgery as the result of a Chiropractor's intervention. I thought, "Hmmmm..."
In 2011, I was doing some pretty heavy duty landscaping around my place. I suffered from sharp, chronic left shoulder pain. My medical nurse wife Belinda and I were discussing which Orthopedic Surgeon, that she worked with, should do the surgery when I thought of seeking services from a Chiropractor.
When Dr. Jeff adjusted my neck, it was a total relief! I was out of pain and was giddy! It was better than drugs!
Recently, my left shoulder has again been bothering me. I attempt to work out the numerous aches and pains that I experience here and there, and many are transient. Once it gets to two weeks, I gotta visit Dr. Jeff, and did so yesterday.
Once again with the adjustments, my shoulder significantly improved, and I gave Dr. Jeff a hug.
What are your thoughts, feelings, or experiences with chiropractic interventions? Are they quacks, not real doctors, or healers?
I am one that think conventional and alternative medicine can often work hand in hand. (Saying that though, I understand there are many types of alternative medicine). I think chiropractors can give very real relief from chronic pain and injuries. Same thing with diet modifications with chronic illness, exercise, etc. I think both sides have to be willing to learn from each other. In fact, many well known clinics and hospitals are incorporating alternative or integrative health with conventional medicine. My theory is do what helps and what works and provides relief!
I am one that think conventional and alternative medicine can often work hand in hand. (Saying that though, I understand there are many types of alternative medicine). I think chiropractors can give very real relief from chronic pain and injuries. Same thing with diet modifications with chronic illness, exercise, etc. I think both sides have to be willing to learn from each other. In fact, many well known clinics and hospitals are incorporating alternative or integrative health with conventional medicine. My theory is do what helps and what works and provides relief!
I think it pays to have an open mind especially when it comes to pain management. After the damage opioids have caused and the difficulty in obtaining them now for chronic pain patients, I think we'll see an even bigger shift in alternative therapies for pain management.
I think it pays to have an open mind especially when it comes to pain management. After the damage opioids have caused and the difficulty in obtaining them now for chronic pain patients, I think we'll see an even bigger shift in alternative therapies for pain management.
I think it’s even bigger than pain management. I am now seeing research hospitals recommend healthier diets for people with cancer, such a low sugar modifications, etc. I think we live in a society where everyone wants a quick fix instead of being willing to modify multiple parts of their lifestyles. I really admire patients that are willing to try different avenues to improve their health with chronic illness or even during their cancer battle.
Went to a chiropractor one time and felt great afterwards but unfortunately the relief only lasted for about 45 minutes. Same thing on a subsequent visit, so I decided it wasn't worth the trouble for less than an hour of feeling better.
Had back pain and numbness in my legs after lifting patients for 30+ years. Referred myself to hospital physio and got a few exercises which helped but did not clear it up. He organised an MRI and then referral to Orthopaedic surgeon. Had a circumflex inserted and decompression of L4/5 and felt immediate relief. At no point did I consider a chiropractor, too many stories of them making things worse.
My FQHC has a chiropractor, which means that Medicaid is paying for it. My husband is horrified that our tax dollars go to this. But from my perspective— the alternative is that those patients have repeated, useless back surgeries for their lower back pain and/or they are on opiates for their entire lives. If the chiropractor keeps them away from those outcomes (and he does; the patients are very satisfied with him) then I’m all for it.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
7 minutes ago, CommunityRNBSN said:
those patients have repeated, useless back surgeries for their lower back pain and/or they are on opiates for their entire lives.
Surgeries and pain medicine can be interpreted as defeats.
"I give up; there's nothing else I can do. I'm in discomfort, I'm in pain, and acquiesce in allowing others and chemicals to take control of my life.
Oh, I could work at it, day in day out, sometimes for extended periods, but who wants to work? When you can just pop a pain pill and experience some relief for a short time."
Being hit head-on by a pickup truck traveling at 45 mph while on a motorcycle at a young age, and suffering multiple internal and orthopedic injuries, was truly a blessing.
There was a patient that I saw in the community who had experienced similar injuries to mine at about the same age. We were both in our 30's at the time of our meeting and he was, then, on pain pills and used a wheelchair. He died over a decade ago.
I am no better than him. He is me, had I decided to take that path in dealing with my pain. He chose to allow others and chemicals to deal with his pain and I chose/choose to work through it.
If you get your hands on a good chiropractor, then I think you have found a wonderful thing. I have used two chiropractors and they were fabulous. The unfortunate truth of the matter is some chiropractors are not so great and give a bad reputation to the the good ones. When it comes to pregnancy they are quite helpful in getting babies into different positions. I say it is a great alternative especially if you find a good Dr.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
14 minutes ago, letsmith said:
When it comes to pregnancy they are quite helpful in getting babies into different positions. I say it is a great alternative especially if you find a good Dr.
I found a good Dr. who helped me in not having to be concerned about getting babies into different positions, and gave me a great alternative.
That Dr. was a urologist who performed a vasectomy.
At no point did I consider a chiropractor, too many stories of them making things worse.
I see one occasionally. I refuse to allow manipulation of my neck, due to horrible things I've heard, as there are other workings that do the same thing without that jerking/twisting of the neck.
My sister had her first back surgery about 10 years ago. Sadly, no improvement to her situation, and 4 back surgeries since. She now says that she wishes that she'd used a chiropractor first to see. Other issue, she's about 120lb (54.5kg) overweight. When her GP and surgeon have tried to discuss that with her, from first surgery to the most recent a year ago, she says that they're mean and are just trying to make her feel bad. When I've tried to reinforce their message, I'm just jealous because I'm not wealthy/beautiful/friendly (or whatever adjective that a COB would be). Umm, yep. She could be a patient to any of us
Hoosier_RN, MSN
3,968 Posts
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