Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 1'st ever visit to a chiropractor today

I always figured chiropractic medicine was akin to VooDoo, but thought I would give em a chance today.


Every time I lift my chin, sharp pains run through my neck, and when I turn my chin to the right, my right arm lights up all the way to my wrist. Figured something might be misaligned and perhaps the cracker-pracker could set it straight.

Two minutes into the exam, he tells me I have a herniated disc, C5-C6. Then he prodded and poked and beat on me for about ten minutes. he wants to repeat this treatment three times a week, indefinitely.

I can not help but wonder if he just wants to try to bleed Blue Cross dry.

I hurt like hell from my nose to my azz tonight. I am ready to find a surgeon and have the problem FIXED!

Yeah, they can sort of treat you a bit like revenue livestock......but some folks have positive outcomes.


Its a "process".

There are good chiropractors, and there are bad ones. I have a really good one and he really helps me out, I have to go in maybe every 3 years, usually 4 or 5 visits and I am straightened out.

I will tell you that I have run lots of ambulance calls, usually about 3am, where a guy had back surgery 6 months ago and now his back is worse than ever. And I heard from a half dozen of my patients, "My Doctor ruined my back with that GD surgery."

Word to the wise.

You need a round of steroids and physio therapy.

There are chiropractors and then there are GOOD chiropractors.

Find a good one, or come up and visit my hunt buddy. Best I’ve been treated by bar none.

I've seen two. Feel great after the "adjustment", but the same the day after.

Yep, you saw a chiropractor alright.

No steroids, but dad saw a chiropractor for a long time with no luck before he went to a physio.


Different solutions for different problems maybe, but the physio is the real deal sometimes.


Fixed him right up.

Go to a few different doctors and get several opinions, look around do your research and find the right doctor and enjoy life again.

I worked my way all the way up to DROOL on their tens machine

I only kept going cause the ins was paying 100% and all his therapy girls were hot as hell

I see mr. Twisty as. Needed. Adjustment followed by massage, and I feel great. If I won the lotto, I'd have a daily twist and massage. Twist realigns the pieces where they belong, and the massage releases tension and knots in the muscles. Just had a visit last week, and feel much better.
With me, it is a vicious cycle. Pain causes tension, tension causes pain. Need to break the cycle. No pain means my back and neck relax and stop causing me pain.

Herniated discs is not something I would want a chiro working on. Did he show you x-rays of the problem?

I'd schedule an appointment with a specialist.

I place top Physical Therapists ahead of chiros. They can do so much more, especially with joints.

You need a cervical MRI to Dx Cervical disc herniation. A surgeon is the last option, not the first.

A good physiatrist would be my choice. They can do cervical epidural steroid injections, which in conjunction with a good PT and exercise program has been shown to be very effective.

Do it right. Short cuts sometimes work, just can’t count on them over the long haul.

DF

I had a bad problem with herniated discs in my neck about 15 years ago,.....made it feel like I had a toothache in my arm in 3 or 4 places.

I went to a neurosurgeon,.....got an MRI. The discs in my neck looked like biscuits that somebody had stepped on.

Two rounds of steroids,..a dozen or so trips to a physio therapist,...it'll never be perfect, but I don't walk around with my arm draped over my head any longer.

Damn, Slumlord, That is why I go to my Dentist. His office is like the Playboy Mansion, except the Bunnies are in scrubs.

No such luck with the Chiro. Two young men and one gal receptionist who just might outweigh me, and that is saying something.

I do know one hell of a PT though. He fixed me up good after rotator cuff surgery. Might be worth a visit?

Three months ago my ankle started hurting. Just hurt like hell.
Well, I drive a big rig over the road and every day I take a 2 mile walk for exercise. So I had to stop my walking. Thought I had sprained the ankle
Took a week off of work, and I am on the company sick pay plan, when I call in sick, I don't get pay. Missed $1,500 in pay.
And on Tuesday went to the little Physician Assistant gal at the local small town clinic, she said it was arthritis.
And next day, went to the MD at the foot doctor clinic, he said it was a sprain. Neither had any treatment, said to lay off of walking for a while.

Two months later, I had gained 15 pounds due to lack of exercise. I had a chiropractor appt. due to some minor back problems and I happened to mention the ankle to the chiropractor. He said it was tendonitis.
He gave a vigourous massage to the ankle, pushed in on the ankle joint with this little metal disc that he had. Said to start walking 2 miles again.

So I started walking again, and I began massaging the ankle here in the big rig using a rock that I found in Laredo, similar to the metal disc the chiropractor used.
And it worked. First saw the chiropractor a month ago and the ankle is fine now.

Like I said there are good chiropractors and there are bad ones. My guy fixed my ankle and that is not even the problem I went to him for he fixed it as an afterthought.

Okay guys,

No, we have done no imaging yet. Chiro said maybe after a week or two of treatment if no improvement. I am thinking FUG NO, I want an MRI yesterday!

Thanks for the suggestions. Several have reaffirmed my feelings. When he said herniated disc, a shiver went up my spine.

I already made a thirty mile run to a larger town, Caldwell, and tried to get into "West Valley Spine" which is affiliated with my favorite hospital and PPC. They were supposed to be in the office till 5:00. I got there at 4:45 and the doors were locked. I will give them another shot later this week.

I am off work until Monday, and have six months of sick leave if needed. I will get some more answers this week.

I was having similar issues though not as severe as yours and got an MRI done at the VA which they diagnosed as cervical stenosis.

They suggested I see a civilian specialist so found the best rated one in my area. In no uncertain terms, he told me to have surgery asap and do NOT let any chiropractor or PT personnel work on or try any neck adjustments.

Sent my MRI to another VA hospital with surgeons capable of doing the surgery for a second opinion and they said they've seen worse yet recommended surgery too.

I can't afford the downtime that type of surgery requires.

My point is you NEED to get an MRI pronto before you let anyone else try to adjust your neck.

I had some issues similar to yours minus the herniated disk. Went to a Chrio also, but on advise from a good doc setup an appointment with Arrosti.com and it has made a world of difference. They teach you how to hit the trigger points in 3 sessions and don’t try and milk your insurance like regular chiropractors. Hope things work out for you.

This ^ by DF. I knew about two sentences in you have a cervical nerve(s) impingement by something, far most likely as mentioned by a protruding disk(s). A Cervical MRI is the usual definitive study. Most common levels are affected are usually C4 - C6.

Some manipulative therapy (chiropractors) in some settings is helpful but it will not I think get the job done here with this type of problem. As DF mentioned a physiatrist or alternately anesthesia personal that have done a “pain ”fellowship would be the first stop if not your primary care provider for a referral first.