Chiropractor benefits?

Like a lot of people, I have been wary of visiting a chiropractor and none of my Drs over my lifetime have suggested I visit one. I was encouraged to visit one, loosely based on a positive report by a fellow forum member.

I went yesterday for my first visit. He assessed me after taking careful note of my health history (it's gone downhill over the past 2 yrs). I was bent this way and that and prodded and poked. He believes he can help with my shoulder, neck, head and hand pain. Who knows but I figure it's worth a try.

You know what - after his half hr proddings etc I went home to dinner cooked by my lovely hubby and I felt more energetic than I have for ages. I felt alert. Instead of going straight to bed after dinner i stayed up with the family for an extra hour. This is amazing - I am going back next Friday for an actual treatment. Am really hopeful for some pain and fatigue relief.

I am so glad I found this forum. I can relate to so much. I had been active on a Coeliac disease forum since my dx 15 mths ago but everyone else seemed to get better on a GF diet and I found litte relief from pain and fatigue.

Even now my fingers are really sore xnd tingly from tapping my I phone screen entering this post! I know u guys will understand.

 

I have been in chiropractic care for about 10 years now.  I have used it as holistic pain management--I never take pain medication.  I always feel better after I get adjusted. 

I had over 30 food allergies come up on an allergy test about 8 years ago, and like you, Kim, I did not get ultimately better after cutting the foods out of my diet.  I felt better for a couple of months, but then the symptoms returned, worse than before.  I eventually learned I have candida and leaky gut, and I'm working through a protocol with a nutritionist to correct it.

 

I actually went to a chiropractor first, who felt my tender points, which were everywhere. But he used this thing where he would poke your back, neck, and other areas. It did not work and made my pain worse. That was when he suggested the Neurologist, who finally diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. The sda thing is that my medicare and medicaid do not really cover chiropractic care and it was not worth the hundreds of dollars that I had spent. The only good thing that came out of it was getting that neurology referral because my primary care doctor though my pains were related to my weight.

I agree with you evenkeel in that I think there are lots of people out there who could benefit from chiropractic care and are missing out on a chance for improvement by not trying it. I also wanted to mention that chiropractors are like other health care providers in that they all have different experience levels, a unique set of skills and favorite therapies they like to use. I went to 1 chiro that used a hand-held tool called the activator which I think is what psygirl6 was talking about and I ended up with more pain also. My orthopedic surgeon sent me to the guy I see now and I have improved more than I thought possible. If one chiro and his therapies don't help there is always someone else out there with different ones that may be able to so keep looking and striving for the help you deserve.
Lee

Kim,
So glad you asked because going to the chiropractor changed things for Me. I have a severe 42 degree curve from scoliosis and neurological impingement, chronic pelvic pain and degenerative disk disease.. so doctors have a field day with me, although m.d.s would never say a chiropractor can help.
I, like you,from the very first visit noticed a huge change. It was not until last month after about 3 weeks of going 3 times a week that I noticed a big change I was hurting, just a little, and went to reach for my breakthrough oxycodone and realized I had a full bottle! I had not taken them in weeks! Thats how much the chiropractor has helped!
I hope your chiropractor took x rays because just as much as a chiropractor is good there are bad ones and I have had a bad one where I walked out feeling worse than before. Although it sounds like you found a good one. If your doctor has the tens unit (called something else and better but can't remember) that thing is awesome! Stay positive and will be thinking of you. Leslie