Are chiropractors a scam?
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My patience for this job is waning… I’m 35, single, no debt - Made some decent investments last year in some AI chip stocks and now they’re coming to roost.. my brokerage account is now more than my 401k. I feel like my life is 90% work and 10% everything else. I wonder if I should take some extended time off (6mo-1yr) as I would love to actually have space for things during the week again and explore / grow in other areas of my life. Is it time?
Yes. Let me give you an actual opinion that has truth to it. Chiropractors "manipulate" the spine to make it pop and claim these adjustments can fix issues. Chiropractic work is pseudoscience; "popping joints" is not a legitimate treatment to disease and ailments. In fact, incorrect manipulation of the neck bones can and has led to vertebral artery dissection. If you ask any orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon if popping your bones will help alleviate a real BONE/spinal issue, they will laugh in your face. Most back ailments other than stress from lifting or similar, are caused by weak back muscles and poor posture. Any legitimate doctor/therapist will tell you the only way to correct most back pain to strengthen the muscle(s). The reason why it helps *some* people is because CPs now incorporate a lot of PT and OT work into their back and neck cracking such as massage/massage guns, stretching, amongst other things. Chiropractors are *not* registered physicians, and the chiropractic association in the US had to lobby HARD in order to get the use of "doctor" in their title which is both deceiving and has been used to make people assume they are. Personally, I know is that cracking your back/knuckles/neck "feels good" because of the release of naturally occurring gas pressure in the joint, possibly providing some temporary added mobility, but it is not a replacement for good posture, back strength and regular exercise. If you have time, I urge you to read the actual history of chiropractic work, it is quite fascinating and although many claim it helps them today, I personally don't "believe in it". Happy to rant some more and die on this hill. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropractic
PS, as a real follow up for people seeking to help their real back pain: Start with your doctor or PCP. Identify what the issue may be, get a referral, a MRI/CT if necessary before deciding to take ANY prescription medication. Remember, most issues are caused by daily stress and overall weakness in the back muscles. Anything more severe should be directed to a specialized medical professional. Once you've narrowed down an issue, the best course of action may be to make a plan with a Physical Therapist and your doctor. Source: an entire lineage of orthopedic surgeons.
Getting people to stretch, do specific exercises, etc. Is almost certainly very helpful, so in that sense they're not a scam. I think of them more as a personal trainer than a medical professional.
All I can think of is Alan Harper.
I always felt that most are until I met my current one in Chicago. He is amazing at his job. Where I used to leave offices in the past feeling like a temporary fix, my doc almost always fixes both short and long term.
😂
Asks a consultant!!😛🤣
I feel like going to school for it is.
Chiropractic is not the most well regulated field. It has real medical benifits it wouldn’t be covered by health insurance if it didn’t. With that said if you go to one make sure they do more than just crack a back that’s not actually helpful. Real chiropractic should cover moving your muscles and joints as well as teaching you stretches and ways to maintain the limberness in those joints and muscles. Basically if you find a good one it’s way closer to physical therapy than the crap you see on tv
Yep! Mine incorporates massage therapy, adjustments, and PT into the program, among some other treatment options, too.
Saw one in DFW Terminal A the other day. I am certain that one was
No. They are helpful. I had years of pain in my neck. One chiropractor fixed it in 4-5 sittings. Although she had given me a plan to visit her for months but i stopped going after 4-5 visits. Go iff u need some fix. Does not hurt.
Nope, chiropractors are very helpful. After spending 8+ years in the Army plus heavy lifting, I have good amounts of back pain - phase 2 arthritis at 34. I am now mostly pain free and feeling immensely better. All in all, I swear by them, and if I could do it all over again, I’d probably be a chiropractor. Maybe I can live vicariously through my son, lol
Not all chiropractors are equal. Most suck but there a few out there who are very good at their jobs, take their time with their patients, and actually help significantly with pain.
Some are amazing, some suck and are pointless. Like most professions. I have an amazing chiro who put my body back together post-birth.
Unqualified doctors or overqualified personal trainers…
Many are, some are not. Mine is trained in methods beyond the crap you see on IG; he has helped me avoid neck surgery and is the only way I can resolve certain migraines I get. He's also quick to tell me what he cannot fix so we don't waste time if it's beyond his scope.
YES.
Some friends swear by them. I will prob never know.
Rare but had a friend go to a chiro for a message, somehow ends up giving her and adjustment - she had a stroke and is doing better but wow talk about a bad decision. Pinched nerve in the neck or something still in recovery 6 months later - just not worth it. Apparently this is somewhat common enough you can find peoples concerns on google.
Yes
Nope I had an amazing sports chiropractor that was great. Think it’s about finding a reputable one, someone you’ve been recommended to not Google searched or reviewed.
Chiropractors that focus on physical therapy may be helpful, but you should really look into seeing a Physical Medicine and Rehab (PM&R, also known as physiatry) doctor. They are real licensed doctors and some focus on subareas like pain, sports, etc. where they focus on nonoperative pain intervention.
I had a bad experience with one and prefer to avoid, but had a martial arts teacher who had a medical license and was a chiro. I would have trusted him if needed. I see a sports MD for any injuries and physical therapist for any healing.