Chiropractors - hooey or not?

I saw a chiro when I did my neck in (and couldn't take anything due to being pg) and it worked really well although that was for a strained neck. When I had sciatica and SPD with 2nd pgy I saw an osteo, I was housebound before I went in and much more mobile afterwards, and almost full mobility after 2 sessions. I would give either a good bash now if something cropped up even though I am not and have no intention of being up the duff ever ever again.

I understand that chiropractors are on the quack side of things whereas osteopaths aren't.

I been to both for a dodgy neck.

The chiropractor was brilliant, the oestopath not so great.

I used one after injuring my shoulder in a car accident, I found it really helpful and they referred me back to the physio afterwards when everything was back in the right place to get some exercises etc to keep things there. Could be worth asking the physio whether they would recommend it or whether an osteopath may be better?

I suspect hooey, but this is based of an isolated incidence of a chiropractor administering treatment to a relative with osteoarthritis in need of a hip replacement which made the problem worse and still continued to treat (and of course charge) said relative.

Despite having to squint to avoid looking at posters for 'homeopathic vaccinations' and colonic irrigation when I go to the surgery, I love love love osteopathy. I have a tendency to hyperflexion and this means I can bend further than I should, causing occasional knackeredness.

Not had a duff result yet (five different practitioners over 20 years?), and a couple of times have gone from being unable to rotate my pelvis to stand when I went in, to being fully upright and extending my arms on the way out.

Not had chiro though, and wouldn't, though I'm not sure why not.

I have been to a chiropractor a good bit. It was the only thing that helped my back, tried physio but it didn't help. I was very dubious at first about it but would recomment it now. I would still go, but it just costs far too much!

I've been to both.

Chiropractor managed to fix my IBS as well as the bad back I went to see him for (I don't know how, but it seemed to work)

Osteopath fixed my knackered pelvis and my shocking posture. Have my last appointment next week. I'm gutted as I love going! I always come out feeling taller and straighter. I have hypermobile joints and nothing the osteo has done has made them worse.

I've used an osteopath for my back problems before and found it miraculous. Physio friend is much more supportive of osteopathy than chiropractors (reckons he'll see all the chiro patients again with knackered joints from the cracking).

https://www.theosteopaths.net/

Love, love, love my osteopath - she has sorted out my dodgy lower back and my dodgy legs, and is great at spotting the root of a problem (as opposed to just treating where the pain/soreness is at any particular time). I had a sharp pain in my chest last week and H reckoned it was an inflammed joint of the breastbone and a rib, and told me to take ibuprofen. During my back treatment my osteo found a particularly sore spot on my back which corresponded with the rib where I was having chest pain- my rib had locked into a breathing in position and was pressing/pulling on other things. She unlocked it (through soft tissue work and manipulation) et voila - no more chest pain!

I asked her what the difference with a chiropractor is <disclaimer: this is from memory, from Feb 08> - they started off as the same area but branched off. Ostepaths focus on the whole body and use soft tissue techniques as well as manipulation, whereas chiropractors focus on the spine and manipulation.

Sold! Thanks all.

This was my understanding of the difference between Chiropractors and Osteopaths. FWIW I saw an osteopath for my back pain and was impressed by how quickly it was sorted. Probably the best £120 (4 sessions) I have ever spent. He also gave me some exercises and very useful advice to stop it re-occuring, which it hasn't.

My old GP (who was lovely, I still miss her) told me she could cry for me when she realised how much I'd paid to see a chiropractor, she held her hands up in the air and said "no no no no no, never go there again."

They're not regulated in the same way as Physios and Osteopaths, I believe, and therefore you have no comeback if they cause more harm than good.

Another vote for finding a good osteopath - mine sorted out my shoulder injury a treat.

I asked this question on here when MrSun could hardly move and we were desperate for help, he ended up at a chiropractor and I don't honestly think he'd go back. He went twice but how much good it did him I don't know.

Hole, your doc was good for saying that, when MrSun mentioned a chiro to his doctor she just looked a bit blankly and said she couldn't really say if there were any good or not. Shame cause it would have saved him about £100. The docs will tend to recommend physios.

Sophie I have a London rec for an ostepath if you need it - let me know and will email it over.

Thanks - I jumped in with both feet and have an appointment with Boop's guy tonight ?

I go to the osteopath at least once a month - I have a misaligned pelvis which casues lower back pain and she realigns me.

When I seriously, seriously, screaming in pain hurt my back, I asked the doctor about going to an osteoptah and he heartily recommmended it. I also tend to assume it isn't too much quackery as it's now included in my bupa cover

L
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WSS - I've had osteopath help (although it got worse before it got better) but I'm very cautious about the cracking side of chiropracy.

I'd recommend an osteopath to sort out the issue and <repetitive Zebra syndrome> Alexander technique to work out why you've had problems and prevent having more in the future.

Whenever I think of chiropractors, I'm reminded of this classic Fast Show sketch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZG10g2HOw0

If I were single or a bigamist, I would marry my oesteopath.

They aren't cheap but boy does it work! If I had £120 of spare cash a month, I would go every week.

My chiropractor was excellent though I think more on the osteopath side of things - he not only treated the acute problem but gave me a program of rehab to sort out the core muscles and stop it happening again.

That said, there are a lot of dodgy chiropractors - the ones who claim to treat everything from depression to constipation through cracking your neck are probably on the dodgy side ?

I have been seeing my chiroractor every 3 months for 7 years. I suffer with lower back problems, a dodgy shoulder and a wonky pelvis. Nice, eh? ?

If I miss a few appointments I know about it as my back and shoulder get much worse. As it is, seeing her reguarly keeps everything ticking along.

As for the manipulation / spine stuff. I have a lot of tense muscles and my chiro does focus on soft tissue and also gives me accupuncture.

My chiropractor was sent direct from heaven, he is a Godsend! I had accute lower back pain at the end of last year and my chiro sorted it out. No 'cricking bones' but lots of deep massage and stretches with icepacks to address the imflamation, with exercises I had to do inbetween appointments and then core stability exercises to make sure it doesnt come back. It sorted the problem and it was the best £300 Ive ever spent.

Chriopractors rock - it's official in this house anyway.

Ours does a mixture of chiropracty, accupuncture and deep tissue massage - also uses osteopaths methods as well.

Results speak for themselves really - I have taken my and and myself in there so sore that he/I were unable to stand up straight etc, and have come out better.

Rather annoyed I'm too late for this but, this is the place to go. My H goes on a regular basis for various back/neck problems. As they still students, prices are reduced massively ie competitive.

https://lso.ac.uk/

Update. Oh my god! That really has made a huge, huge difference. It's a revelation. I am feeling SO much more positive. He clicked my back (apparently my pelvis is misaligned) and did loads of work on my knee and quads. Seeing him again on Tuesday and I reckon I'll be running again next week. Bloody hell!

QQ. I have a physio appt on Monday morning. Fizz is lovely but I can't afford both - I should cancel, right? What should I tell him? Feeling v guity!

That's great news sophie!

i have had excellent (almost magical)) results from osteopaths (particularly cranial ones) and frankly i'd see them for most things, chiropractors - i've consulted them for one problem and it hasn't helped, so they wouldn't be my first choice

I've been given a referral to the back clinic by one of the doctors at the surgery. From what was said this includes the chiropractor (having already been down the physio route). I'm hoping it will help!

Fab news Soph!

I would say go for the chiropracter. I was in a nasty bus crash, I fractured my neck and hurt my back, knocking seveal bones out of place. NHS did nothing for me, chiropracter sorted my back and enabled me to move my neck properly again.

So pleased for you Sophie ?

I'm another osteopath convert. When I had SPD (pelvis coming apart at all 3 joints. Ouch.) last pregnancy, I saw the physios who did nothing at all except send me out on crutches. One session with a cranial osteopath later, I walked out sans crutches and it held up pretty well until the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. It's starting to go again this time, so I'll be off to magical Hector pretty soon and not bother with the physiotherapy.