What do you think about Chiropractors?

Question

My friend's future husband is on his way to become a chiropractor. A lot of people make fun of him for it and say that chiropractors are just scam artists (for lack of a better phrase).

I do agree that chiropractors are pretty bogus. The one and only time they have helped me is when my 2nd vertebrae slid out of place a bit. All he did was take 2 fingers, tilt my head and pop it in. Other than that they have never seemed to be able to help me with anything.

My friend is also set on the fact that he will be "making bank". Needless to say he will be working in Iowa or South Dakota when he graduates from chiropractic school. From all the research I have done, achiropractor in either state makes on average 33k - 36k a year. Which is the same as an elementary school teacher.

Maybe I'm just being stupid in thinking she's sadly mistaken... but what do you guys think? Please don't be mean, I really am just looking for honest, non-bias opinions.

Answer 1

I try to stay healthy and robust by eating right and exercising.  Anytime I get a pain, be it neck or back, that lasts more than two days , I go directly to my chiropractor who ALWAYS makes me feel better.

Chiropractors are a God send.  Forty years I've been seeing one at least 7 times a year, I don't feel chipper without adjustments.

They often adjust/manipulate areas I did not mention were bothersome and that gets better too.

Medical doctors and chiropractors, they all "practice!"

Answer 2

not much.

Answer 3

There is a danger in generalizing any profession or any one for that matter. My personal experience has been good with Chiros.

There have been known cases of people getting worse. A recent case where a person was paralyzed and took the chiro to court and won the case for damages but he is paralyzed for life. It was in the news recently.

My personal opinion is - I will approach this method with caution. There are good docs and bad docs just like any profession.

Just because I was lucky once and had a good doc to correct the problem does not necessarily mean the same doc can perform another one with similar success. It will depend on the kind of problem I will be consulting him with. Yes I was sceptical at first but I will not approach him again unless all avenues fail.

My MD advised me against it. I still went ahead but I am OK. So, chiros have a place. Choose your chiro carefully. It is not an exact science.

Answer 4

Chiropractors, also known as doctors of chiropractic or chiropractic physicians, diagnose and treat patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system and treat the effects of those problems on the nervous system and on general health. Many chiropractic treatments deal specifically with the spine and the manipulation of the spine. Chiropractic medicine is based on the principle that spinal joint misalignments interfere with the nervous system and can result in lower resistance to disease and many different conditions of diminished health.

The chiropractic approach to health care stresses the patient’s overall health. Chiropractors provide natural, drugless, nonsurgical health treatments, relying on the body’s inherent recuperative abilities. They also recognize that many factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment, and heredity. Chiropractors recommend changes in lifestyle that affect those factors. In some situations, chiropractors refer patients to or consult with other health practitioners.

Like other health practitioners, chiropractors follow a standard routine to get information needed to diagnose and treat patients. They take the patient’s medical history; conduct physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations; and may order laboratory tests. X rays and other diagnostic images are important tools because of the chiropractor’s emphasis on the spine and its proper function. Chiropractors also analyze the patient’s posture and spine using a specialized technique. For patients whose health problems can be traced to the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors manually adjust the spinal column.

Some chiropractors use other alternative medicines in their practices, including therapies using water, light, massage, ultrasound, electric, acupuncture, and heat. They also may apply supports such as straps, tapes, and braces to manually adjust the spine. Chiropractors counsel patients about health concepts such as nutrition, exercise, changes in lifestyle, and stress management, but chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery.

In addition to general chiropractic practice, some chiropractors specialize in sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, nutrition, internal disorders, or diagnostic imaging.

Many chiropractors are solo or group practitioners who also have the administrative responsibilities of running a practice. In larger offices, chiropractors delegate these tasks to office managers and chiropractic assistants. Chiropractors in private practice are responsible for developing a patient base, hiring employees, and keeping records.

Work environment. Chiropractors work in clean, comfortable offices. Like other health practitioners, chiropractors are sometimes on their feet for long periods. Chiropractors who take x rays must employ appropriate precautions against the dangers of repeated exposure to radiation.

Chiropractors work, on average, about 40 hours per week, although longer hours are not uncommon. Solo practitioners set their own hours but may work evenings or weekends to accommodate patients. Like other health care practitioners, chiropractors in a group practice will sometimes be on call or treat patients of other chiropractors in the group.

Answer 5

I think Chiropractors are great. Mine helped me a lot after my car accident.

Answer 6

to answer your first case of the 2nd vertebrae, if you'd to an orthopedic surgeon he could have prescribed surgery and if the chiropractor solved the case in 1 minute with minor effort it doesn't mean he is a joke or quack

if you'd take the car to a fancy garage and for the fixing they 'd ask $50,000,- and then you end up at your back yard neighbor's door and he'll fix it in 10 min and ask $ 50 you'll refuse and make fun ???

Answer 7

I have a curved neck as well as arthritis in my neck and have been seeing a chiropractor for a month. Before I ever went to her I had questions since it was a new experience but after a few visits and the relief I experienced, I would reccomend it to anyone.

I definetly don't think they are bogus. They attend school a long time, almost as long as docs and have a deep knowledge of anatomy. I am impressed by my chiropractor.

Good luck to your friend. I feel confident he will be able to do better than 36k a year. The ones I know in NC make at leat double that.

Answer 8

Nothing but good experience, it does depend where they went to school. Often they will give you a reduced rate if you do not have insurance for a pre-existing condition.

There are newer techniques now than can be used vs the old "cracking" the back.

Keep in mind that some pain after is normal, such as, with relaxation of muscles which have been in spasm a long time.

I prefer to see one that acknowledges his/her limitations and will refer you to a physician when you are not making progress.

If you do not want go to a chiropractor, consider an Osteopathic doctor. They are required to pass the same MD requirements. It is their philosophy regarding manipulation, similar to Chiropractic,which differs from a regular MD.

An Osteopath also can prescribe medication and has hospital privileges. Some times their office fees are also less than an MD.

Answer 9

I think they are great.I had to be carried into a orthopedist office once but I walked out.Had good luck with mine.my advice to you is check them out. I was very lucky,this was several ago and the problem has not returned. remember ask every one you see and every one you talk to.

Answer 10

I believe that chiropractors are somewhat of a joke in the medical community.

Anyone who is trying to become a chiropractor is probably just not smart or driven enough to become a REAL doctor.

Chiropractors aren't required to attend medical school --- so what does that tell you??

Answer 11

You claim that chiropractor helped you when you had a slipeed vertebrae. Do you have any idea how much pain would you go through if you were to use a regular doctor? Right, it could be none whatsoever, but could be a major surgery. Just because he fixed it so easily it doesn't mean he's a scam artist. It means he knew what he was doing.

In my experience, what some chiropractors are lacking is diagnostics and unfortunatelly they don't seem to work as a team with GPs. I was helped by a chiropractor too when I fell on my head doing gymnastics. But when he said I should keep visiting him for better health I said no thank you I'm doing quite allright.

Answer 12

I have been a Chiropractor for almost 15 years.

For those of you too lazy to get the facts before

blathering about something, why not take a look at the chiropractic college curriculum before you shoot off your keyboards. Our curriculum is very stringent and we study the same things that MDs study with the exception of pharmacology and surgery (because that is not where health is to be found)

As for making a living... of course we do. We help all kinds of people everyday with aches, pains that medical doctors routinely FAIL at treating. :-)

We DO not generally co-care with GPs. Because they have no idea what a musculoskeltal problem is much less how to treat it. We DO co-care with specialists on a regular basis. Because they are the ones who know the true value of cooperative care with musculoskeletal specialists.

Also, Making "bank" is not a true chiropractor's objective. We make a living... sometimes a good living. But, any DC worth his salt gets into the profession because we love helping people, not rippping them off with drugs that don't do anything and watching their health spiral downward while just pushing them around a failing system.

Lastly, If your friend is counting on being rich on chiropractic, he should probably re-explore his options. But, if he LOVES helping people. He can be VERY happy making a living helping people.

Edit:: Hmm, evidently the answer that triggered my somewhat vitriolic response was deleted. Thanks to all who openly support chiropractic with your positive experiences. Yours in Health... A. Chiro