Are chiropractors a scam?
408238
No, they are not.\n\nChiropractors focus on the relationship between bodily structure (primarily that of the spine) and function, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractors use manipulative therapy as an integral treatment tool.\n\nChiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal manipulation or adjustment.\n\nChiropractic is also recognised as a science of applied neurophysiologic diagnosis based on the theory that health and disease are life processes related to the function of the nervous system: irritation of the nervous system by mechanical, chemical, or psychic factors is the cause of disease; restoration and maintenance of health depend on normal function of the nervous system.
196249
I am a respiratory therapist. I see a chiropractor for my back problems. I would not go to a chiropractor for asthma. I have heard many claims by various chiropractors & others about treatments where they can "cure" various diseases. Ask for proof. Testamonies are worthless, you can get testamonies from people for anything. Ask for scientific clinical trials as evidence.
26239
Chiropractors are doctors in a sense that they have earned a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic).  But they are prohibited by law to prescribe medicines other then natural herbs and things like that.  They DO NOT have to take the MCAT, they DO NOT have to go through residencies.  There are 2 types of fully licensed doctors in the U.S. which are MD (Doctor of Allopathic medicine) and DO (Docotor of Osteopathic Medicine).  A Chiropractor is limited in what they can and can not do.  For example, they are prohibited to practice in a hospital, they can not perform surgery or treat mental disorders.  But the choice of whether a DC is a legitimate doctor will be up to the patient, someone with a PhD. can call themselves a docotor also.\n\n\nIn closing, my opinion DO, MD or DC, they all must work together to achieve the one central goal which is to help imporve one's quality of life.  Only then will the patient have the best chance to be free of sickness.  But I prefer to go to a MD or DO.
401786
Talk to your chiropractor
795811
Hi Becka.  Chiropractors are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat human ailments without the use of prescription drugs or incisive surgery.  Chiropractors define themselves by what they choose NOT to prescribe (prescription drugs and incisive surgery).  Any 'recommendation' for therapy, treatment, or 'course of action' is a 'prescription'.  Every Chiropractor prescribes (recommends) some type of treatment or course of action for patients.  So, yes, Chiropractors can prescribe exercise regimens.\n\nI am a retired Chiropractor.  Best wishes.
827989
That is total bull.  Visit your primary care physician and have a thorough evaluation done, if he/she just gives you meds and you want more than that then ask for a referral to see a physiatrist if you have chronic symptoms. A referral to a physical therapist may also be an excellent option for you based upon the physician's findings.  Also, tell your physician which chiropractor you visited and what they told you was wrong, that way the physician is aware of this quack. \n\nI will say this, if you decide to see a therapist, do not be afraid to call around and ask to speak to the therapist to see if they indeed specialize in spinal care. Some do and some don't, it is a much wider field than most realize. Most physical therapists that do specialize in spinal care are highly educated in the dynamics of the spine and also do perform manipulation of your joints when warranted but they also have many other options for advanced treatment. \n\nNone the less, I do not recommend corporate facilities such as HealthSouth, NovaCare or Banyan Tree as most of these facilities do not allow the therapist to have control over thier own schedules and you may not be able to see the same therapist from visit to visit, which in my opinion is poor medical care care driven by corporate interest. \n\nChiropractic care, if you can call it that, what a sham! There may be a few good chiros out there who want to do a good job and may actually practice ethically but the profession is litered with so many quacks like the one you visited that finding a good chiro is about as likely as winning the lottery or being struck by lightening.\n\nWhat the general population doesn't seem to realize anymore is that chiropractors are traditionally not trained in modern medicine nor are they a branch of modern medicine. They do NOT go to medical school. Chiropractors are trained in chiropractic which is an unfounded, unscientific model of quasihealthcare usually taught in colleges that only teach chiropractic. There is not a single chiropractic school in the states that is found in a university system. They are usually seperate entities from all other schools because they teach their own form of science and health which is NOT recognised in the mainstream. They are NOT another type of medical doctor that just decided to go into chiropractic care versus say, orthopedics or neurology. \n\nIf you want to know the truth behind chiropractic care and chiropractors, then check out the following links. Really check out these sites too as many of the articles are written by chiropractors that have renounced their own profession.\n\nhttp://www.ncahf.org/pp/chirop.html...\nhttp://www.quackwatch.org/01quackeryrela...\nhttp://www.chirobase.org/01general/chiro...\nhttp://www.acsh.org/healthissues/newsid....\nhttp://www.chirobase.org/01general/skept...\nhttp://www.quackwatch.org/01quackeryrela...\nhttp://www.chirobase.org/06dd/chirovet.h...\n\nAlso, chiropractors state that research has justified their techniques, check out the following;\n\nDuring the past few years, two reports about the treatment of low-back pain have placed chiropractic in a favorable light. One, issued by the RAND Corporation, concluded that spinal manipulation was appropriate for some cases of low-back pain. The other, produced by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), judged manipulation useful for controlling symptoms while awaiting the spontaneous recovery that occurs within a month in most patients with low-back problems.\nAlthough chiropractors have promoted these reports as endorsements of chiropractic, they are not. They merely support the use of manipulation in carefully selected patients. Only a few of the research studies on which their conclusions were based involved manipulation by chiropractors; most were done by medical doctors and physical therapists whose practices are not identical to those of chiropractors. Most chiropractors manipulate the vast majority of patients
51244
In order to be accepted into any chiropractic college, students must take the same pre-requisites as any future medical student.  This includes 1 year of math, english, physics, and 2 years of chemistry (all with accompanying lab classes).  Chiropractic students receive a very similar education as medical students, with emphasis on diagnosis of many different medical conditions, lab work (blood or urine analysis), and basic sciences (physiology, pathology, basic anatomy, and neuroanatomy).  In addition, chiropractic students receive over 100 hours in palpation and technique courses, much more thoroughly than any Physical therapist or even MD attempting to 'manipulate' the spine.  Over 100 hours are also dedicated to learning radiology - how to take x-ray and interpret them - again, much more thoroughly than any medical student (those that are not specializing in radiology, of course).  So, yes, chiropractors are real doctors, and can recognize many different medical conditions and refer out appropriately.  Several studies have also shown that chiropractors are superior in dealing with musculoskeletal conditions (ie - neck pain and back pain), as well as other complaints than many MDs may ignore or cannot do anything about.
1182587
I must say I am offended at most of the answeres I have read to your questions.. I have been helping People for the last 20 year now.. and If you think I am getting rich on alternative medicine.. then I must be doing something wrong my supplies cost me more then I bring in.. I have doctors sending me clients and I can't charge any insurance because I get called a guru because I use energy healing as well.. I was given this gift for healing and how to use alternative medicine and if anyone is paying more then what doctors are getting then you are getting ripped off.. Please I will take some of these people so I can drive a BMW and a Mercedes on the weekend. I can understand why people get riped off by so many people when they have no place to turn to I myself have seen so many ads on alternative Medicine sometimes I want to yell fraud.. Believe me there a more people around the world like me you just have to find the right person by asking other people or even and if you find one make sure you ask all kinds of question make a list and take it with you or If you see something advertised check it out before you jump on the wagon, and one of the great resources for info is right here use often.. What I have found that most of the answers you get from here is very good.. but like I said, stop,,check ,,and question...
1065143
Definitely go to a chiropractor.  I had a problem with at least once a month for some unknown reason I would pull a muscle in my neck.. Since I started going to a Chiro I haven't done it since.
798953
I have been to many many chiropractors and unfortunately had some that really screwed me up.  I had one dislocate three of my ribs and they are still dislocated.  They'll never go back.  I went to a physical therapist after that, and even though it does take longer, I don't have the back pain like I did.  I used to be fine for a few months and then have to go back to the chiropractor for a few months and on and on.  After 6 months with physical therapy I've been good for 5 years.  If my back starts hurting I just start doing the exercises that they taught me and I'll be ok again.  Some chiropractors are wonderful and do a great job, but physical therapy worked much better for me.  If you can't decide between them, try both.
872020
No, they are not all scams.  My wife and I made a little money doing surveys for a while.  I'll email you with the information about the one we used.
179644
I never believed in a chiropractor but about 6 years ago I went. It helped immediately - he told me that I could continue to come and give him my money or I could do the six simple exercises he gave me about 3 times a week. I have not had any problems since but I still go twice a year just to get aligned. There are a lot of them out there just for the bucks but some honestly want to help you keep your back healthy. Even if you don't have much faith in them I would check it out before I had surgery.
403335
DO NOT DO IT!\nThis can result in irreversible damage.\nSo-called chiropracters rarely have any specialised medical qualifications. Their favorite word is 'subluxation' which is meaningless. There is no scientific/medical evidence at all for whatever it is meant to be.\nLook here:
8939
I have been told its best to go to a massage theropist first then go to chiropracator because the massage theropist relaxes the musles and its better for the chiropactor to adjust you  then but if you go to massage therpist that maybe all you will need
4202
Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs).\nTo receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.\n\nDoctors of Chiropractic are primary health care providers.\nAccording to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."\n\nDoctors of Chiropractic are licensed in all 50 states.\nDCs have been licensed and recognized for many decades in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.\n\nChiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs.\nChiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs. Chiropractic students are qualified to receive federal student loan assistance and DCs are authorized to be commissioned as health care officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.\n\nThe practice of chiropractic is based on sound scientific principles.\nThe existence of the nervous system as the primary control mechanism of the body is an undisputed scientific fact. Its relationship with the spine is the focus of the practice of chiropractic. The spine develops in utero to provide two primary functions: (1) allow for freedom of movement and (2) house and protect the spinal cord. When the vertebrae of the spine become misaligned through trauma or repetitive injury, two major consequences will result: (1) the range of motion becomes limited and (2) spinal nerves emerging from the spinal cord are compromised. DCs use the term "subluxation" to describe such disruptions. Interruption of nerve flow can eventually lead to pain, disability, and an overall decrease in the quality of life. Conversely, the removal of that interference has been shown to have significant, lasting health benefits. Through the adjustment of the subluxation, the doctor of chiropractic endeavors to restore normal nerve expression. The body is then able to respond appropriately to any imbalance in the system, thus relieving symptoms and restoring health.\n\nDoctors of chiropractic provide effective, low-cost health care for a wide range of conditions.\nStudies conducted according to the highest scientific standards and published by organizations not affiliated in any way with chiropractic institutions or associations continue to show the clinical appropriateness and effectiveness of chiropractic care. One of the most recent, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, stated emphatically that:\n\n"On the evidence, particularly the most scientifically valid clinical studies, spinal manipulation applied by chiropractors is shown to be more effective than alternative treatments for low back pain...There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low back pain was transferred from physician to chiropractors."\n\nThe doctor of chiropractic is an effective source of preventative and wellness care.\nThe anatomical focus of the DC on the human spine has created the perception of the DC as just a "back doctor." Although this perception is not entirely incorrect, it is very much incomplete. Doctors of chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, st
58430
Have you ever considered chiropractic?  My wife suffered a pretty severe neck injury in a car accident and feels that the treatment she received was nothing but good.\n\nIt's non-invasive and covered by most health insurance plans.  I have NEVER had anyone I've ever known who has gone to a chiropractor and had anything negative to say.
779978
I'm willing to bet the above poster is a medical doctor... it's evident by his obvious ignorance towards chiropractic and what it entails.\n\nFor a start, chiropractors follow exactly the same training as medical doctors for the first half of their training and then instead of going into training for surgery and such, focus on the spine etc.\n\nThe aim of chiropractic is to keep the body in it the best shape possible, which is done by maintenance visits to your chiropractor. You should take care of your body all the time, not just when you are in pain.\n\nIf you walk into your chiropractors office and they ask you how you are, they want you to say great.. because that's how you are supposed to be! They check you, make sure everything is good to go and you're set. What do you think your medical doctor would say if you walked into their office feeling great? "well then what have you come to see me for?"\n Both professions have completely different philosophies, so naturally the chiropractic philosophy is lost on doctors because it is not pain orientated.\n\nWith that said, just like when choosing a doctor... when selecting a chiropractor, you have to make sure you get a good one.\n\nA 12 month program of care seems unusual to me, but that depends on what it entails. Some chiropractors have a 6-8 week intensive care program, and once your spine is in good shape, they switch you to maintenance. That means you go in every 3 weeks for a check-up, unless something happens in that time and you need to go regularly again. The intensive care program costs about 1100 euro (i live in ireland, that is what my program costs) and after that, the maintenace care program is around 500 euro and that covers you for any amount of vists you may need in that time.\n\nAdding those things together and changing them to US dollars would bring about the same price - $3000. If the program I have described sounds similar to what your chiropractor has told you, then it sounds pretty reasonable.\n\nJust make sure your chiropractor has the right qualifications and you have nothing to worry about =)