What is your opinion of chiropractors?? I have a neurological disorder from sleeping on my side all my life. Now I have to do something about a "pinched" nerve in my back...I have had one chiro tell me its a disk problem and I need an MRI. I have already gone to one chiro for my condition (other than that diagnosis) but did not like the treatment..That of just using xrays and saying "yea, your back needs adjustment", 'crack' 'twist'. I dont think the diet, exercise, relaxation thing is going to take care of this one...Any suggestions???
Follow Ups:
Re: Chiropractors....
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on March 10, 1999 at 13:08:54:
In Reply to: Chiropractors.... posted by Adam on March 10, 1999 at 09:34:41:
Just as not every MD is right for ever patient, the same applies to DCs. Learn about skilled relaxation on this website to ensure long term success.
Randomised comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low back pain:
results from extended follow up
T W Meade, Sandra Dyer, Wendy Browne, A O Frank
Abstract
Objective - To compare the effectiveness over three years of chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low back
pain.
Design - Randomised allocation of patients to chiropractic or hospital outpatient management.
Setting - Chiropractic clinics and hospital outpatient departments within reasonable travelling distance of each other in 11
centres.
Subjects - 741 men and women aged 18-64 years with low back pain in whom manipulation was not contraindicated.
Outcome measures - Change in total Oswestry questionnaire score and in score for pain and patient satisfaction with
allocated treatment.
Results - According to total Oswestry scores improvement in all patients at three years was about 29% more in those treated
by chiropractors than in those treated by the hospitals. The beneficial effect of chiropractic on pain was particularly clear.
Those treated by chiropractors had more further treatments for back pain after the completion of trial treatment. Among both
those initially referred from chiropractors and from hospitals more rated chiropractic helpful at three years than hospital
management. Conclusions - At three years the results confirm the findings of an earlier report that when chiropractic or
hospital therapists treat patients with low back pain as they would in day to day practice those treated by chiropractic derive
more benefit and long term satisfaction than those treated by hospitals.
Medical Research Council
Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit
Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine
Medical College of St Bartholomew's Hospital
London EC1M 6BQ
T W Meade director
Sandra Dyer statistician
Wendy Browne research nurse
Northwick Park Hospital
Harrow HA1 3UJ
A O Frank consultant in rheumatology and
rehabilitation
The Av-Med Study
This study included 80 patients, each of whom was previously treated by a medical doctor and subsequently referred to the
Silverman Chiropractic Center. Of these 80 patients, 21 % had been diagnosed with disc problems, 5% received emergency
room treatment and 12% had been diagnosed as requiring surgery.
Following chiropractic treatment, no surgery was required. 86% needed no further treatment at all. And the projected
savings on the patient study group was approximately $250,000.
The Av-Med Study, 1993
Nine of ten chiropractic users felt their treatment was effective.
The Gallup Organization, 1991.
"The only difference that I can see is that the patients at John F. Kennedy get chiropractic manipulations. And in my
experience, the patients at J.F.K. almost without fail get out of the hospital in a week. At Lutheran, it usually takes, oh,
not uncommonly, 14 days."
Per Frietag, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon, on why he prefers to admit his patients with back pain to John F. Kennedy
Hospital, which has staff chiropractors, rather than Lutheran General, which does not have staff chiropractors.
"...for the management of low-back pain, chiropractic care is the most
effective treatment, and it should be fully integrated
into the government's health care system."
The Manga Report, 1993.
"Chiropractic treatment was more effective than hospital outpatient
management, mainly for patients with chronic or severe
back pain."
British Medical Journal, 1990.
British Medical Research Council Study.
"Two and three years after patients with back pain were treated by
chiropractors, they experienced far less pain than
those who were treated by medical doctors."
British Medical Journal, 1990.
Re: Chiropractors....
Posted by Lincoln on March 10, 1999 at 20:15:16:
In Reply to: Chiropractors.... posted by Adam on March 10, 1999 at 09:34:41:
>I dont think the diet, exercise, relaxation thing is going to take care of this one<
Why not?
There's not much left except drugs and surgery, which is not much of a 'solution'. But I'm sure some MD will be happy to take money for it.
Re: Chiropractors....
Posted by ROSS on March 10, 1999 at 22:53:53:
In Reply to: Chiropractors.... posted by Adam on March 10, 1999 at 09:34:41:
I think you had better listen to your chiropractor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I didnt! now I have this lovely surgery in my neck to deal with daily!!!! And guess who I see to help alleviate the pain?.............THE CHIROPRACTOR
Email me if you have any questions.....Seriously...Ross
Re: Chiropractors.... (Well worth exploring.)
Posted by Walt Stoll on March 11, 1999 at 10:33:14:
In Reply to: Chiropractors.... posted by Adam on March 10, 1999 at 09:34:41:
Hi, Adam.
A well trained Chiropracter does a lot more than adjust.
Chiropractic is a LOT more effective for chronic conditions than allopathy. A good Chiropracter knows his/her limitations (just as any GOOD allopath SHOULD).
If I had to do it over (as I have stated many times) I would have been a Chiropractor/Naturopath instead of an MD.
Walt
Follow Ups:
Re: Chiropractors.... (Well worth exploring.)
Posted by Robert on May 03, 1999 at 12:08:02:
In Reply to: Re: Chiropractors.... (Well worth exploring.) posted by Walt Stoll on March 11, 1999 at 10:33:14:
I am doing a project on being a chiropractor and I need some information so I was wondering if you could send me some information about being one?
Sincerely,
Robert
Follow Ups:
Re: Chiropractors.... (Well worth exploring.)
Posted by Walt Stoll on May 05, 1999 at 12:23:59:
In Reply to: Re: Chiropractors.... (Well worth exploring.) posted by Robert on May 03, 1999 at 12:08:02:
Hi, Robert.
I am hoping that Doc Dave will respond to this. I am not an expert in Chiropractic. I only know enough that, were I to do it over, I would not be an MD but a Chiropractor/ Naturopath.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt