14 days is more than enough time for most aches and pains to settle down to manageable levels. If only companies allowed for that kind of sick time.... Chiropractors and RMTs have saved me countless times by decreasing my pain levels (if not completely knocking it out) and increasing my mobility. MDs can't do anything for my condition other than prescribing pain meds and muscle relaxers and doing surgery, which at this point I'd rather hold off on. Another example: I went through a windshield when I was a kid. A few months later I was having debilitating headaches and missing school. I went to a chiro, got xrays, and began regular treatment. I haven't had those headaches in 20 years. FWIW, I haven't been to a chiropractor in several years and I mostly use a regimen of resistance-band exercises and stretching for my back, as well as semi-regular use of an RMT. But I wouldn't hesitate to go back to a chiropractor if I felt I needed to. I wouldn't recommend seeing JUST a chiropractor to fix all of your issues, but they certainly have their place.
I've had back trouble since age 17. Disc degeneration from playing ball. After a few days of shoveling gravel, my back hurt like never before. Went to the doctor, referred to the ortho surgeon, referred to the PT-- made it worse. Scheduled surgery. One week before surgery (1980) and a month after going flat on my back, I went to see a chiropractor for the first time in my life. Went three times that week and saw my first improvement. Canceled surgery. Now I go see my chiro about every five weeks and get an adjustment and that seems to fend off most of my episodes. One leg is shorter than the other and that seems to contribute to nudging me out of alignment over time. Placebo my ass. :grin:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) - all doctors. Not doctors of medicine, but they all get the title.
Well they're not Medical Doctors (MDs), they are Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.). PhDs are doctors too but they're not Medical Doctors. Osteopaths are Doctors but they're not Medical Doctors. Naturopaths are Doctors but they're not Medical Doctors... and on and on. There are different kinds of doctors.
The problem is that they are in the same domain: health care. It's deceptive, but good for business. Have you ever seen a Dentist write Dr. X on their sign? Yet you always see Dr. X Chiropractor. It fools the customer into believing they are receiving medical care.
Volume 35, Issue 5, Pages 544-562 (May 2008) Chiropractic: A Critical Evaluation Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPEd Accepted 17 July 2007. published online 15 February 2008. Abstract Chiropractic was defined by D.D. Palmer as “a science of healing without drugs.” About 60,000 chiropractors currently practice in North America, and, worldwide, billions are spent each year for their services. This article attempts to critically evaluate chiropractic. The specific topics include the history of chiropractic; the internal conflicts within the profession; the concepts of chiropractic, particularly those of subluxation and spinal manipulation; chiropractic practice and research; and the efficacy, safety, and cost of chiropractic. A narrative review of selected articles from the published chiropractic literature was performed. For the assessment of efficacy, safety, and cost, the evaluation relied on previously published systematic reviews. Chiropractic is rooted in mystical concepts. This led to an internal conflict within the chiropractic profession, which continues today. Currently, there are two types of chiropractors: those religiously adhering to the gospel of its founding fathers and those open to change. The core concepts of chiropractic, subluxation and spinal manipulation, are not based on sound science. Back and neck pain are the domains of chiropractic but many chiropractors treat conditions other than musculoskeletal problems. With the possible exception of back pain, chiropractic spinal manipulation has not been shown to be effective for any medical condition. Manipulation is associated with frequent mild adverse effects and with serious complications of unknown incidence. Its cost-effectiveness has not been demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt. The concepts of chiropractic are not based on solid science and its therapeutic value has not been demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt.
I seriously doubt anyone is fooled... for long anyway. My doc's sign says "Advanced Health Care." She doesn't even do the classic manipulation techniques-- which worked on me! My first Chiropractor retired. She uses laster, accupuncture and elecltrical stimulation as well as other modes to help me. She's knowledgeable about issues of nutrition. She's no quack. There probably are some just like quack Medical Doctors and every other profession or occupation out there.
Technically DO's are doctors of medicine (though not in the title). DO school is just like med school, except they learn additional skills. Any DO is able to practice any medical specialty they desire (can't say the same for those Naturopaths or Chiropactors, etc.)
Every person has the ability to diminish their own pain. Opium like substances are released from the brain and can give you a 'high' more powerful than even opium. As a result, if you believe that your pain is going away it very well may go away. This is especially true if there is not some underlying disease causing this pain like in psychogenic pain. Therefore, if you believe that the chiropractor is treating your pain, they very well may be treating your pain. But it probably is not from the back cracking. If it was, it would stop being alternative 'medicine' and it would become just medicine because it would be reproducible. A similar rhetorical question to the one the OP asked is 'does head on work?'
Physical therapists will actually find the root problem and prevent anything in the future from happening. Their goal after some visits is to never see you again. Remember that they are actually trained in reputable schools with legit science backing it up. If you see an MD, try to see an orthopedic surgeon, not the regular family practice type, which will know less about musculoskeletal issues than a typical physical therapist. With that said, try to find a reputable PT too. There are bad apples in every bunch.
Agreed. Acupuncture is truly amazing. I used to think it was bunk. I thought it was the classic placebo effect: you want it to work, so it works. Then I met a veterinarian who practices acupuncture on dogs and cats. And saw her treat animals that came into the clinic barely mobile and left agile and seemingly pain-free. There's no such thing as placebo with animals. It either hurts or it doesn't. Acupuncture works.
Don't give a **** if they're doctors or not, but yoga and a couple of trips to the chiro annually have pretty much solved my lower back (degenerative L3) issues sans surgery. Never, EVER, let a chiro adjust anything above your shoulders, that's where 99% of the paralysis horror stories come from, them fiddling with your neck. If you have lower back pain, step one is to stretch your hamstrings. Stretch, stretch & stretch some more. Lose some weight too.
