Is chiropractic a scam?

[iliopsoas]

To illustrate the rigor of chiropractic training, here's the Palmer College's web site:

3 and 1/3 years of training to become a DC. And look at the type of classes too!

 

[midnightrat]

Not sure if you realise that is all year round. No summer breaks for 3 years! And if you count the number of semesters that 5 academic years at 2 semesters a year.

 

[iliopsoas]

Originally posted by: midnightrat
Not sure if you realise that is all year round. No summer breaks for 3 years! And if you count the number of semesters that 5 academic years at 2 semesters a year.

Most med students go to school year round too. But they complete their UNDERGRADUATE medical education in 4 years...and they still don't know much.

On another note, ask your local chiropractor regarding spinal artery dissection associated with spinal manipulation and they'll probably tell you that it's just sheer bad luck and a random event. LOL

 

[MillionaireNextDoor]

Just go to a chiropractic school and be a test subject.

 

[midnightrat]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas

Originally posted by: midnightrat
Not sure if you realise that is all year round. No summer breaks for 3 years! And if you count the number of semesters that 5 academic years at 2 semesters a year.

Most med students go to school year round too. But they complete their UNDERGRADUATE medical education in 4 years...and they still don't know much.

On another note, ask your local chiropractor regarding spinal artery dissection associated with spinal manipulation and they'll probably tell you that it's just sheer bad luck and a random event. LOL

Well it's pretty obvious that you don't like chiropractic very much, and that's fine, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Just hope you don't become a fanatic about it and turn away people who actually could benefit from it, whether it be someone with pitting edema from a heart condition, diabetes, or just a sore stiff back.

And, dquan97, sorry if your thread got a bit hijacked, hopefully there was some good info in it that helps you to make up your own mind.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
The next time you have a medical problem, just go see your local friendly chiropractor. Through their holistic approach, they'll be able to cure you of your cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, pneumonia, HIV, AIDS, rheumatological disorders, etc etc etc etc etc etc. I'm sure they can fix all these problems with a few sessions of spinal manipulation. *SNICKER*

As mentioned earlier in the thread, one should use the correct tool (or practitioner) for the problem at hand. Doc, what would you have done for my neck? Or for my IBS? I'm not saying you're not skilled... you're probably very skilled at what you do. However, you seem to disdain the help that chiropractors can provide - in certain situations.

You act as if this is a big pissing contest about medical vs. chiropractic. Dquan97 is trying to correct his lower back problems, and you're consistently going off on sarcastic tangents about spinal artery dissection or about how we should go ask our chiropractor to help us solve cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure, et cetera (complete with snicker, just so you can show us how stupid we all are).

We realize that you go through a lot of training. We realize the benefits of medical practice. But does it truly make you feel better about your chosen profession by unduly trashing another?

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: dquan97
My wife and I have lower back pains occassionally from playing sports and working. We went in for X-rays last week and found that our back deviates from the "normal" curvature of the spine. Is it worth going 3days/week for a whole year, at the cost of $4K total for both? What are your experiences?

They help some people. If you can afford the $44 try one.

 

[iliopsoas]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
The next time you have a medical problem, just go see your local friendly chiropractor. Through their holistic approach, they'll be able to cure you of your cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, pneumonia, HIV, AIDS, rheumatological disorders, etc etc etc etc etc etc. I'm sure they can fix all these problems with a few sessions of spinal manipulation. *SNICKER*

As mentioned earlier in the thread, one should use the correct tool (or practitioner) for the problem at hand. Doc, what would you have done for my neck? Or for my IBS? I'm not saying you're not skilled... you're probably very skilled at what you do. However, you seem to disdain the help that chiropractors can provide - in certain situations.

You act as if this is a big pissing contest about medical vs. chiropractic. Dquan97 is trying to correct his lower back problems, and you're consistently going off on sarcastic tangents about spinal artery dissection or about how we should go ask our chiropractor to help us solve cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure, et cetera (complete with snicker, just so you can show us how stupid we all are).

We realize that you go through a lot of training. We realize the benefits of medical practice. But does it truly make you feel better about your chosen profession by unduly trashing another?

I don't have problems with chiropractors working with people on their musculoskeletal issues, for the most part. Even then, there is little to no scientific evidence of any benefits derived from chiropractic treatments. Some people claim that it works. This is anecdotal and the perceived benefit may all be placebo, random events, etc. In some patients who have back pain refractory to medical management, I've told them to consider chiropractic...especially before proceeding to major invasive treatment.

However, I do object to chiropractors going beyond their scope of practice. They have no business treating heart failure, cancer, diabetes or god knows what else out there. And trust me. There are plenty of them quacks who attempted to practice medicine. Hell, even in my specialty of radiology, there are chiropractors who think they're qualified to render interpretation of imaging studies. Sorry, but their training just doesn't cut it.

Some people get the wrong impression that chiropractors have similar training to MDs -- they do not. But I can't blame the general public if these chiropractic schools are comparing the similarities of chiropractic vs medical school.

In contrast to chiropractors, there are osteopathic physicians (DO). These guys are licensed physicians who are also trained in a different philosophy and osteopathic manipulative therapy. They do manipulations...but they are also trained to treat medical conditions. I have absolutely no problems with DOs. In fact, some of my friends and most respected colleagues are DOs.

 

[Nerdwannabe]

I been to a "underground" chiropractor working out of his home for spinal adjustment.
This guy came from china and had tons of experience, unfortunately language barrier kept him away from getting licensed. I have no doubt in his skil though.

He took 3 mins to figure out where my problem was and 10 mins to adjust it back to original position.
A week later, I went in for 2nd visit just to make sure the adjustment stayed.
Best $100 ($50 per visit) I ever spent.

He also mentioned spinal adjustment doesn't cure anything. It only helped prevent problems from happening or solve the problem you had associated with "pinched" nerve or blood vessel. (Not enough blood flow to your certain organ, or muscle).

For example, my boss' wife had 3 mis-carriage and doctor couldn't figure out why. After 3 big disspointments, she went to see one of those old chinese doctor. The old chinese doctor suggested had her spinal checked up and ajust it if necessary. Wola~!!! She had 2 babies within 3 yrs w/o any problem.

BTW, if your chiropractor need MANY visits to correct your problem, you should look for a new and more experienced chiropractor. An experience doctor should be able to correct the problem within just couple visits. More importantly, there shouldn't be any pain or loud bone cracking while chiropractor performs.

I believe chiropractor can help you stay healthy, but like fixing cars, there will always be scammers out there making you have many worthless visits and spend countless money.

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
To illustrate the rigor of chiropractic training, here's the Palmer College's web site:

3 and 1/3 years of training to become a DC. And look at the type of classes too!

That is the school my friend went to.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Cerb]

Well that depends on if it works or not, doesn't it?
If it works for you, it'll be $4k very well spent. Otherwise, it'll be a waste.
See if you can find a good one. Like many others note, they sometimes don't get much schooling. However, many states, like my own (Georgia), screw them over as far as what counts towards getting a degree, so they often have to go and do their learning in other states and such, with nothing on paper to show for it.

However, even if you find a good one, look into other options, like physical therapy, yoga, etc., as it is very possible for many times of treatments to not 'stick'. This is a common case with back and neck pain. Very often other problems will get to fixing themselves, but between you going and getting fixed, then going back to doing whatever caused it to go out of whack again, your body gets used to the pattern. Best is to get treatments and include some kind of workout or something that could help the muscles and such in your back keep in shape, and help your body cope better with temporarily over-working it.

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: Isshinryu
It's such a shame to see so many people believe that chiropractors, as a whole, provide a service to society.

It's an equal shame that many people choose to live in poorer conditions than they should, simply because all their MDs hit a brick wall.

My mom had a cousin that died a good while back. About the age my mom is at. Apparently she'd been getting pretty fatigued, and one day told her husband she didn't know how she'd be able to keep on living. Died in her sleep a bit later.

My mother was basically on the same track, then found our current chiropractor. She's in better shape than I am, now. We've both been told by our former allergist (he moved a bit back) that we were the worst cases he'd dealt with in the state, my mom has been told more than once, when bloodwork came back, that, based on the results, she shouldn't be alive.
Aside from the allergy & asthma meds and occasional infections, our MDs hit a wall. I have one set of surgeries to go through before I'm at the point of no help from MDs (my mom got great results from it, I have the same problem, but I want to get my degree first if I can)

 

[dquan97]

Good discussion here so far. Here's a twist: since I'm leaving in a couple months for AF Basic, I can sign up my wife (who's in a worse condition than me) for 1yr, evaluate her progress while away, then see if the chiro works for her.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Chiropractic treatment may well be a placebo effect, but that's a lot more effective than medicine ever was for me.

 

[dr150]

What angers me about Chiropractors/Bone Crackers is that they have the gall to title themselves Doctors. LOL. Puhlese! :roll:

 

[SagaLore]

No. There are bad chiropractors, just as there are bad doctors.

And a good chiropractor doesn't rely on X-Ray's and drop tables for adjustments.

There are two schools of chiropractic, sounds like you're getting suckered by the bad one.

 

[Ausm]

chiropractors=Quacks

You ask any "real" Doctor and they would also agree.


Sysadmin

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Whisper
I think what turns most people (including many doctors) away is the small amount of schooling that they have to go through to be chiropractors. Most people I've talked to seem to say that they can do much more harm than good. However, I've never been to one, so I don't know first-hand.

Then again, I don't think I'll ever actually try going to one, either.

What? My chiropractor had to go through 7 years of school to do what he does, and still continues his education at conferences.

 

[toy4x4]

I read this and it is helpful. Didn't get rid of my back pain entirely, but has helped me sleep better at night. Of course, I'm not all that good at doing it as often as I should and maybe I would be pain free if I did...

I can tell you that the exercises they want you to do does show you how much you need to stretch daily.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0553379887/qid=1086792962/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/104-1455645-0841550?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: JHoNNy1OoO
A lot of people become "addicted" to chiropractors. Thing is your body gets use to the cracking of bones and at the moment you might feel good, but then in a week or 2 the parts "manipulated" would feel the need to be cracked again. Even though your initial problem went away. Hence the $4k for a year. If you got the money to spare, go for it. If not try some alternatives(back braces or even those icyhot bandages) before going the chiropractic route and have it be your final choice.

Good luck on finding a solution though. Back pains can be so troublesome. :/

Urban myth. The "cracking of bones" is actually a popping noise associated with diffused nitrogen quickly forming pockets during the pressure change between joints. You have to have it done several times because the muscles and ligaments are use to being in one position and put up resistance when you straighten up the bones. After awhile they adjust to their new position and unless you're really really bad, only 2 or 3 sessions has lasting effects.

The myth of getting addicted started because some people go most of their lives feeling one way, not knowing that they could feel better. After a few sessions with a chiropractor, they feel better. Then whenever something isn't quite in place, their perspective changes and they can feel it. Chiropractic affects more than bones and muscles, because of all the nerves it also affects much of the organs in your body and getting adjusted can even fix constipation or your ability to process toxins out of your body.

A good chiropractor doesn't just look at an xray of your bones and play with them like they're a puzzle. There is so much more involved...

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: MAME

...it's just like a massage

:thumbsup:
but the massager dude thinks they are a doctor

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: MAME

...it's just like a massage

:thumbsup:
but the massager dude thinks they are a doctor

No I dont.

I don?t nor will I ever diagnose a client. If you come to me with problem like a postural issue or injury that caused your muscles to become adaptively shortened or Stretched weaken I can help you. Or if you just want to get relaxed I can do that too.

Ill be a CMT in 6 more months.

 

[43st]

Scientific American Frontiers (w/ Alan Alda) did a show on alternative healing. They looked at severel methods, including chiropracty and concluded it was fake. I think even acupuncture rated higher in "success rate", at least it triggered the body's natural pain relief process.

I'd stay away... unless you're into that thing.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: Thera
Scientific American Frontiers (w/ Alan Alda) did a show on alternative healing. They looked at severel methods, including chiropracty and concluded it was fake. I think even acupuncture rated higher in "success rate", at least it triggered the body's natural pain relief process.

I'd stay away... unless you're into that thing.

Well, if Hawkeye says so... :roll:


Sorry to single out your post, Thera... But this is just another example of someone with ZERO experience on the subject at hand, giving advice as if they were an expert.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas

Originally posted by: midnightrat
Not sure if you realise that is all year round. No summer breaks for 3 years! And if you count the number of semesters that 5 academic years at 2 semesters a year.

Most med students go to school year round too. But they complete their UNDERGRADUATE medical education in 4 years...and they still don't know much.

On another note, ask your local chiropractor regarding spinal artery dissection associated with spinal manipulation and they'll probably tell you that it's just sheer bad luck and a random event. LOL

Your pejorative responses are part of the reason people seek chiropractic care; they don't want someone to condescend their legitimate problems. There's a large number of people who perceive doctors in a negative light, and it's largely due to their "silence the symptom", "We are omniscient and anything tangential to our ideals is quackery" nonsense that makes it so. So far I've seen a lot of people say they've benefited greatly from chiropractic care, and the only thing you offer is arrogance and rebukes.