Just wondering what the general opinion is about chiropractors?

[Decay]

Hello QueenD. This is a touchy problem. Chiropractory is an honourable profession and a very useful craft when in the proper HANDS.

The problem is that the spine is such a fragile part of the human body and a good Chiropractor can make the necessary adjustments to keep it in prime order, but a not-so-good Chiropractor with a less deft touch can do irreversible damage, so the opinions you get are only as good as the Chiropractor they went to see.

If you have no need for one, stay away from them...If you need one, search here, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, any public network, and ask for recommendations in your area. If people had good experiences they probably went to a good Dr.

There are quacks in every profession. Other people's experiences and the availability of the Chiropractor are your best measuring sticks when it comes to picking your Dr. If the Dr. is too easy to see they probably don't have many clients because they aren't that good, but if they are busy, it could mean they are good at what they do.

As far as "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." goes, that works with some things but not most things.

If you maintain it, it might not break and you may not need to fix or replace it.

You can buy new car parts, etc., and someday you will also be able to buy new parts for your spine, but if you maintain it you may not need to replace it.

[ckngbbbls]

the first time I went to one was in desparation.
My hands kept falling asleep but mostly they hurt so bad that some nights I couldn't sleep. I was working 50 plus hours a week and dealing with a sick husband and just didn't have the time to fiddle around. And while I was advised to go to the doctor because I had carpal tunnel, I just didn't agree with that diagnosis.
Then one day I was driving and saw a sign that said "we fix Carpal tunnel"
I turned in and checked it out.
Turns out I was right. I did not have carpal tunnel at all. What that chiropractor found was I have arthritis on my spine and that was causing nerve damage that traveled down my arms to my hands.
I was asked to go back weekly for treatments for about a month and during that time he also taught me different exercises to do to help strengthen my arms and hands and ease those pinched nerves. I only went to him for that month though as I couldn't afford it any longer.
That was 9 years ago and my hands have improved sooo much. Now they only fall alseep when I have done too much and irritated the nerves in my neck. He also gave my daughter a complementary exam as a family member perk and taught her exercises to do to stop horrible hip and lower back pain that occured with each pregnancy.
She had 2 more pregnancies after that and using the exercises resulted in being pain free for both.

I have never gone to any other chiropractor and I have to agree with the other gal who said you have to have a good one.
I suppose that is no different than going to any doctor.
Some medical professionals graduate at the top of their class, some at the bottom. When you get a bottom one, you can tell.

[RedHead]

People go to chirpractors to get adjusted for the same reason people go to get massages. It is relaxing and works the kinks out of your body. Kind of like yoga, but without you having to do the excercise.

[Lightning]

Same as taking your car for a service. Usually its functioning well but a few tweeks help it keep plodding along and prevent it going seriously wrong + highlight future problems before they happen.
How regularly should you get your car serviced?
I drive a 21 year old Toyota Corrola.and do high mileage. I get it serviced twice a year. If it was 10 years old I'd service it once a year. Taxi drivers often service their cars every month.

[Marty]

Well, I am broken & if it weren't for chiropractors I would not be walking. I have gone to them all my life.
You see, I was born with cerebral palsy which only affects my right side. My body has to compensate for this when I walk. I also have scoliosis (curvature of the spine). My spine is pretty much an "S" shape. I have been a productive member of society for nearly 50 yrs. Approximately 3 yrs ago I was in an auto accident & broke my "good" foot. After 1yr plus of healing & surgery on my broken foot, my body had to relearn to walk. This time on two bad feet. Again thanks to chiropractors I am mobile. Not with the balance I would like to have but I'm not giving up. Since the wreck I have to go to the chiropractor 2-3 times a week. I know my body & have never let the chiropractor determine the # of times I go for an adjustment. I have been to a few "bad" chiropractors but it just takes a few visits for me to know it's not a good chiro.
I understand your theory on if it ain't broke don't fix it. Just think about the weight that your spine carries every day. It is so easy for anyones spine to get out of line. I know how much good a chiropractor can do for ones health that many times if I feel like I'm getting sick I can go go my chiropractor & he is able to stop my headache, other aches & pains (potential flu like symtoms but only a low grade fever). This is not to say that if you're really sick you don't need an MD. Just sometimes getting an adjustment can "ward off" that sickness. I just wanted to give you some food for thought!

[dbobo]

I used them through 27 years of hanging sheetrock and they kept me going

[Mr E]

you are right. an adjustment, by definition, is the correction of a vertebral subluxation. this occurs only in the upper cervical region. if someone is holding their correction, no adjustment is warranted. sometimes the patient may be symptomatic, yet is not in need of adjustment, and sometimes the opposite is the case. a true chiropractor, "flies by the instruments" so to speak, collecting objective information about the cause- the upper cervical area, and is not occupied with treatment of effects/symptoms.