Chiropractors

[Colinjb]

Anyone have any experience with them? I've had a sore/painful lower back since the weekend and now the pain is shooting down my legs too. It is so bad I now can't drive so as a desperate attempt to regain some kind of control over my senses i've booked into a chiropractor.

 

I just hope they can help as the GP's was fully booked up today. Has anyone else used one before? Are they actually any good?

[bridge too far]

Sounds like sciatica or a trapped nerve. Have you thought about seeing a physio or an osteopath?

 

I've never been to a chiropractor but my sister-in-law got ripped off big style by one

[Saint in Paradise]

Chiropractors usually take an x-ray before doing any manipulation whereas osteopaths

and physios don't, well in my experience anyway. Damage which effects the rest of your life

could occure if you see the wrong person who just goes ahead and tweeks you.

[Puddings and Monkeys]

Had experience of 2 - both very very good. It may not be a chiro that you need, but if you do, and get a good one, the work they do can be amazing.

[CB Saint]

I use this lot

 

http://www.romseychiropracticclinic.co.uk/

 

Expect at least three visits initially - £50 - 60 for the first trip and 30 to 40 afterwards.

 

Chances are that the muscles in your back will be swollen and be pushing on the nerves. They will also give you exercises to do. Use a ice pack for 15 min a couple of times a day- it will stiffen you back a bit but will reduce the swelling over time. Oh and ibruprofen.

[MarkSFC]

I have suffered for twenty years with lower back problems. In my experience chiropractors are brilliant in the here and now when the pain is excrutiating but the effects of the treatment only last for a day or so. over time (unless operable) I reckon the best options are walking, core stability excercises and ice. In the long term I think a chiropractor is ripping you off,but the yhave their place when you cant walk of stand!!! Good luck

[bridge too far]

I think the received wisdom is that you shouldn't need to see a chiropractor for more than 6 sessions.

[Ponty]

I think the received wisdom is that you shouldn't need to see a chiropractor for more than 6 sessions.

So say the doctors.

 

That reminds me of the old sugar adverts, with the tagline "The fuel for life itself". Meanwhile everyone else tells us that it rots our teeth and gives us diabetes.

[Colinjb]

Just got back. After a fairly thorough examination he revealed I had one lower vertebrae pushed up the right and another just below it pushed just to the left. Fluid is building in the cavity between them and when it gets compressed that's when I get pain.

 

He cracked them back into place....and 50 quid later i'm at home feeling rather sore and told to come back on friday. Also i've been told to do some 'cat' stretches to keep flexible.

 

Good heavens though I am feeling a bit sore and weak. I am a little more flexible but just feel very unsteady. The spine manipulation didn't hurt, but I am not right now.

[bridge too far]

Hope you feel better soon Colin. It's the noise that's the worst bit, isn't it

[Trader]

It will take a little while to settle down.

 

Btw, most GPs are a waste of time with this sort of thing, by definition they are "Jacks of all Trades" and well, you know the saying. That said if you find one with a stated special interest in this area, they could be OK.

 

One other thing, don't fall for the 'regular check-up every 6 months' line, only go back if you need to.

 

Happily 20 years on I never needed to and have saved the (considerable) cost of 40 visits.

 

Hope you have a similar experience.

[mcjwills]

I use to use Martine Huisman in Hythe, she was great and sorted by back out every time.

 

On the subject of cost you may have to weigh up if you are off work and not going to get paid full pay while you are off, the cost can be worth it. For me the relief from the pain was worth the cost.

[spyinthesky]

Like some of the other posters I have suffered from back and neck problems for several years (arthritic deterioration of the respective joints)

 

Have been to both Chiros and Physios

 

Prefer latter as my GP suggested that Chiropratic work on soft tissue, especially in the neck (ie in close proximity to blood vessels to the brain) is rather chancey

 

However you pays your money and takes your chance.

 

My latest physio is the best I have been to a) his Dad was a GP and he studied general medicine before specialising b) he actually treats my own GP c) hey explains what he is doing d) he has never once suggested seeing me for a course of treatments ie maximising revenue e) he generally recommends specific exercises relevant to the symptoms presented

 

Best of luck!!

[Viking Warrior]

Do your research before finding a good [practitioner. if you can't find one get down to Derby road and find a long legged blond with 6inch stillettos and ask her to walk over your back

Unlikly to help your back but will take your mind off the pain for ten minutes tho

[Kadeem Hardison]

I visit a chiropractor every month. I get quite hard skin on my feet and she files it down for me.

[Saint Fan CaM]

I had severe sciatica and so went to a private chiroprator in Warsash. While I was in agony, they ripped me off £60 for a "consultation" and didn't once try to manipulate me to ease the pain. They just took a whole bunch of details and then got me to sit on a bench and raise and lower my leg a series of times...i.e. to stretch it. I didn't pay the bill - they threatened court action - I paid £20. I then went to a Fareham NHS clinic where I got pretty much the same advice - no manipulation either, but this time is was free. In summary then, it's a licence to print money.

 

What I wanted was a physio or something to loosen the knotting muscles from my ass cheek down through to my calf. I sympathise with you entirely - pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs and careful low impact stretching exercise is the way to go which you can administer yourself.

[Trader]

Years ago I slipped a disc whilst coughing (it can happen, honest)

 

I went to see a chap called Featherstone who had a clinic on the corner of Hill Lane and Milton Road.

 

I think he used to do physio work for Saints at the time.

 

He was great and sorted me out in one visit - long gone now though I'm afraid.

[Pugwash]

Years ago I slipped a disc whilst coughing (it can happen, honest)

 

I went to see a chap called Featherstone who had a clinic on the corner of Hill Lane and Milton Road.

 

I think he used to do physio work for Saints at the time.

 

He was great and sorted me out in one visit - long gone now though I'm afraid.

 

That's Don Featherstone. Yes he was a physio with Saints, also the father of British wargaming:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Featherstone_(wargamer)

 

Lovely guy. Sadly he's now lost his sight.

 

Incidentally, my vote goes to a chiropractor. I suffered a couple of years using an Osteopath, who never got it right. Eventually went to see a chiro and it was like a new lease of life. Now might only go back once or twice a year as necessary.

[Saint in Paradise]

 

What I wanted was a physio or something to loosen the knotting muscles from my ass cheek down through to my calf.

 

That sounds a bit like it is caused by a problem with one of your sacriliac joints.

 

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/sacroiliac.htm

 

 

.

[SO16_Saint]

How you doing today Colin??

[Colinjb]

How you doing today Colin??

 

 

Still really sore but certainly not in pain. My back just feels really weak.

 

After the treatment yesterday I felt extremely drained and pretty much slept from 2.30 yesterday afternoon to 7 this morning. I did initially feel some aching/tingling in my legs but that has dissappeared now. Oddly my appetite just totally dissapeared too, i'm hoping it kicks back in sooner rather then later. The stretches i've been told to do are helping and the warm bath I had last night inbetween naps was a massive relief, I was almost walking totally freely afterwards.

 

I'm getting there, slowly but surely, thankyou for asking.