chiropractors..... godsends or charlatans?

[vickster]

Have you seen a specialist and had a scan to confirm the cause of the sciatica?
Medical acupuncture is proven successful for backs. Was discussing with GP yesterday (my physio likes sticking needles into me!)

I have a friend who swears by their chiro, I stick with physio. My only experience of sciatica was 20 odd years ago and I ended up on the operating table. See a specialist (you have private HC), get a treatment programme and get it sorted

 

[Mattonsea]

I've managed to slip my disc twice and both times using a Mctimoney Chiro I have been back to work in a week on light lifting.
But I found to go regularly was a waste of time and money. I felt great after being levelled and straightened but a few weeks later I was out of kilter . So I just changed my lifting and accepted I would be a bit stooped at 80.

 

[Dave7]

I damaged my back (took a chip out of the 4th vertabrae) when I was 20........48 years ago.
Over the years it went worse i.e. paralysed for a few days and lots of severe pain.
Tried lots of different "remedies".....including acupunture, osteopaths and the good old NHS.
I had a Chiro' in Liverpool who was quite good but had limited options.
10 years ago I went to a sports physio in Warrington who I would recommend to anyone. My problem is there for good but when my back "goes" he can normally get me walking agian in one treatment.
So yes..........the right one for the job can be very good.

 

[davdandy]

I am just recovering from sciatica and have regular back pain.My trouble is paying for these people.I have heard around £45 upwards per treatment.A hell of a lot of money for those that find it hard to earn in the first place,and they always want several sessions.Of course they do.

My current problems are fading now so wouldnt time heal it anyway rather than throwing hard earned money at chiro`s.

Dont get me wrong,if the treatments work then fine,but if it takes five weeks,as one member said time would have probably healed it anyway.

One other thing,i dont like a man feeling me around,much prefer a woman.I just dont feel comfortable having a bloke rubbing my back and buttocks.

 

[Roadhump]

I went head over heels over the handlebars of my bike and trapped a nerve in my neck a couple of years ago. It was utter agony, my GP prescribed Gabapentin tablets but when I read about the possible side effects there was no way I was going to take them and thought I would give a chiropractor a whirl instead. After 2 or 3 sessions of having my back and neck pummelled, and my neck cracked, it began to improve and with a few more sessions it cleared up completely. To be fair, I don't know if the improvement was due to the chiro treatment or whether it just cleared up with time, but the feedback the guy I went to gets is almost all very positive.

He also said he could treat my tennis elbow but I soldiered on with that (and still do) as I could no longer afford the fees.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Ive been doing heavy work for 30 years, most people would be off work for a year if they tried to do some of the stuff my back does..

good physio for me....i visit about 4 times a year with odd probs and a general once over , sometimes 2 visits required..
my neck and shoulders are the main problem , after 1 or 2 visits i usually feel sound again ,straight back and full rotation in my neck..

lot of back issues are from lack of use ...most people sit in chairs all day etc, not good.

if you get a good physio your onto a winner, get a bad un and you will pay with money and pain.

 

[RitchieJoe]

Ive been doing heavy work for 30 years, most people would be off work for a year if they tried to do some of the stuff my back does..

good physio for me....i visit about 4 times a year with odd probs and a general once over , sometimes 2 visits required..
my neck and shoulders are the main problem , after 1 or 2 visits i usually feel sound again ,straight back and full rotation in my neck..

lot of back issues are from lack of use ...most people sit in chairs all day etc, not good.

if you get a good physio your onto a winner, get a bad un and you will pay with money and pain.

My physio was on the GB olympic team of physio's for the 2012 olympics..... and I'm still not fully convinced.

 

[PaulB]

Osteopath I see has done me absolute wonders. First time I saw him, I virtually crawled in all doubled up in serious back pain but walked out feeling brand new. He's a bit weird and I did have some reservations about him and his terminology but he showed me some incredible stretching exercises, dug his elbows into my lower spine, had a couple of loud 'clicks' occur and the pain and discomfort lifted and I was back to normal. I am a real sceptic where such stuff is concerned but I would very strongly recommend one osteopath as I've nothing but praise for him.

 

[Sara_H]

I have been informed I have sciatica, anyone had any success with a chiropractor?

I had sciatica a few years ago, symptom of a slipped disc. I saw a chiropracter who didn't help, but she then referred me to a physio who basically taught me Pilates techniques, which was what cured me in the end.
After a few sessions with the physio, she recomend the below DVD, I used to practice at home 3-4 days a week. It took a while, but it really did the trick.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilates-For-Back-And-Posture-x/dp/B0001RVTD4

 

[accountantpete]

My Dad has Sciatica at the moment - continuous pain down one leg.

A quick Google said exercise and 4-6 weeks is the cure.

After 10 days he's a lot better and should be fit enough for the VJ parade on the 15th.

 

[Levo-Lon]

My physio was on the GB olympic team of physio's for the 2012 olympics..... and I'm still not fully convinced.

probably needs testing lol

 

[screenman]

I went to one 30 years ago, he said he could sort out my back problem with 6 weekly visits, I did not take him up on the offer. I did get better in 4 weeks though on its own.

I am sure some have felt benefits after using them.

 

[Mrs M]

Osteopath as recommended

 

[Yellow Fang]

I saw a chiropractor about my knee. She didn't do my knee much good, but I enjoyed it when she climbed on top of me.

 

[Milkfloat]

My experience is that they are great to get some immediate relief from pain, but less effective over the longer term. I spent over £2K with one over a 3 month period. The best bang for buck was the first proper session.