Saturday, October 30, 2010

Chiropractor, good or bad?

For a good 10 years now I've had some minor to major at times pain in my upper shoulder and neck. I finally decided to give in and go to a chiropractor this week. The X-ray showed that my neck look similar to the left one in the picture below.
Without the correct curve of the spine like the corrected right photo my neck is not properly dispersing the weight of my head correctly.
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While I am hoping this will help my pain and constant need to crack my back and neck my husband is a little more skeptical. I would love to hear what your chiropractor experiences have been...
Waste of $ or life saver?
Photobucket

9 comments:

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

I have never been to one.

mags said...

I just found your blog...and I think it was meant to be :)

I highly recommend chiropractic. I had the same problem a few years ago - my neck was actually starting to curve the wrong way. My chiropractor saved me. Really! So worth the money! One really important thing - in case your chiropractor didn't tell you - it might hurt worse before it starts to feel better. I almost stopped going because it was feeling worse, but after the 3rd visit I started to feel great. It took 9 visits total and I felt like a new woman. Also, I slept with a rolled up towel under my neck (no pillow) for a few weeks - made a world of difference for me. I haven't had any trouble since.

Good luck!

Casey (@ Chaos and Cardboard) said...

I have problems with my hips, which leads to tension in my lower back. The chiropractor really helped with it! You would be amazed how much better you feel with regular adjustments. My chiropractor also keeps a medical massage therapist on staff and she is amazing. I would suggest looking for a chiropractor with experience that doesn't make crazy claims. I have seen some advertising weight loss and such, which makes me leery. Hope you can find a good one!

beckylbranch said...

I have been several times and it does help temporarily. It's one of those things where you have to keep going I think....

That's Mrs. Russell said...

I have personally never gone to a chiro before. I am a physical therapist (asst). Granted, my husband has gone a few times to a chiro prior to my getting out of school and started practicing. He got a lot of relief. HOWEVER.. PT and chiros usually have a love-hate... well, dislike-despise relationship and I personally don't COMPLETELY agree with going. Chiros usually fix the problem FOR THE TIME BEING. They make you feel better at the present time, however, don't do things or educate the patients on correcting the issues (posture, muscle weakness or tightness) that is causing the problems. Wait a short time, and you are bound to return. As a PTA, I have seen far too many times this exact situation. If you want more longterm benefits, you need to go to a massage/physical therapist and let them work on the muscle imbalances and/or posture issues, etc.. so that you don't end up right back at the chiro for the next quick fix. Sorry to get on my soapbox but would like you to see both options.

Kristen said...

From what I've heard, its best to pair chiropractic work with massage therapy. The muscles have been out of place because of bone misalignment for quite sometime so they've adapted. Shifting the bones without working the muscles to also change their placement can cause the muscles to pull the bones back into their incorrect placement.

Hope it helps!

Barrett said...

I have two bulging disc in my neck that sometimes become inflamed and causes headaches for several days at a time. I see a neurologist and have had an MRI and have been prescribed different medications. He also recommended a chiropractor. When I feel the inflammation beginning, that is where I head. It really helps. Just make sure you go to a good one. Mine does take the time to massage, heat and evaluate muscles before adjustments.

Tabbie:) said...

I went to chiropractor for years with this problem. I vote you invest your time and money into physical therapy, I believe it to be the long term help and chiropractic to be short term pain relief. I still have pain but I was unable to continue physical therapy unfortunately. But I learned a few exercises that I do when I hurt, if I would be more consistent with the exercises I would hurt a lot less. Best wishes to you!!

Paige said...

I have been seeing a chiropractor on and off for several years to help with my upper back and neck pain. My pain is almost gone now and I just go in once in a while for maintenance visits. Chiropractic care has taken away my pain and helped signinficantly with my overall feeling and energy levels.I hope it works for you!