My daughter is 35 and has had pain in her neck/upper back on and off for years (since a bike accident, where she was hit by a car, knocked off the bike and cut her chin open on the lady's windshield.)

Today she visited a chiropracter for the first time. After taking x-rays he did an 'adjustment." She was horrified at the LOUD cracking sounds she heard and the severe pain. She almost passed out. Now she is home and still in pain, but it is different from the usual pain. He wants her to come back tomorrow.

Do any of you have experience with chiropracters and what do you think of it? Is that painful treatment necessary or good for you?:confused:

Thanks for any advice.

Martha H

I would also like ot hear people's opinions, I was going to a Chiro for about a week and a half, every other day...seemed like there was a different kind of pain and soreness that followed, I have heard both good and bad things..so I am eager to hear what people say...

I have been going for a month now - was in a car accident 5 weeks ago - the pain is usually alleviated after the adjustments for me - the cracking sound is normal although intimidating if you arent ready for it - I think the most important thing is to try and breathe and relax while being adjusted - tensing up makes it so much worse...

definetly communicate your feelings with the doc though - it would be best to find out from them...

good luck

I believe that the reason I'm still walking is the result of 3 key people in my life. #1) My surgeon, #2) my massage therapist and #3) my chiropractor.

I know alot of people here don't agree with Chiropractic, but I swear by it. She should ice, ice, and more ice. And, definately let him know how she felt when she goes back. She should keep a diary of sorts. It's very common to feel sick and/or have increase pain.

That said, however - my brother is a therapist in Florida and had a client paralized for life as a result of a "quack" chiropractor's adjustment of his neck. Just be sure she goes to a reputable one. Referrals are good as well.

Thanks for your info. I hope she can sleep better tonight. My daughter works and has 2 little boys so there is really no time to be sick. I appreciate hearing about your experiences with chiropracters. This one has been in practice for 20 years and takes her insurance, which was a major factor in going to him ...

I have many friends (my age, 60 - 70) who feel chiropractors saved them from a life of pain. I never went to one myself.

Martha

Yes, keep going.
The first time my Chiro "Cracked" my neck and I was VERY surprised!
I never knew that ment you actually felt the cracking!:eek:
WHOA was I ever surprised!

After that first session I stopped at my son's house and told him I needed a hug.. oh I ached!

YES it is painful the first few weeks.

Anytime a bone/joint moves even a tiny bit it effects the nerves and muscles around it and they send signals of pain which really mean..hey what's up with this?
Not to worry, it's normal.
Not all pain is bad.
Just keep in mind that athletes go through a great deal of such pain as they train their mucles in the beginning.

I am NO health nut by a long shot but I discovered I LOVE my Chiropractor!
I fully intend to go there forever on a regular basis as long as my insurance pays. I'm a penny pincher for sure, since I live on low disability income, but I might even go if it ment I paid out of pocket I am so thrilled with the results now.:cool:

It is a Family Chiropractic clinic and lots of children go there.
He is a young Dr of Chiropractory (However its spelled)
I have osteoarthritis in my knees and all up my spine from seat through neck.
I also have osteoporosis (thinning bone)

I have run the gauntlet of xrays, mri's, lower back therapy 2 winters running.
The bending spine caused Hip Bursitis.. that is very painful.:mad: :mad:
the Bone Dr (Orthapedic Surgen) gave me a steriod shot and prescribed more therapy for the remaining and reoccuring Bursistis.

I went to the Chiro in pure desperation, grabbing at straws, since nothing else helped!:rolleyes:

Yes mine took Xrays and showed me what he could help with and what he couldn't help with. He can't fix my knees. But he can help my back and neck. Honesty, not a sales pitch at all.

Sssooooo.. I went the first couple months 3 times a week.
I must say for the first two weeks it WAS painful.
But I stuck it out.
Then it got better and I began to actually experience results in what I could do in my daily life.
Then I went twice a week for awhile.
Then once a week.

Tomorrow will be my 35th visit since May.

It is well worth it.:)

I can turn my neck so wonderfully and painlessly now.
I could barely turn it to the sides before and I could not place it back on the car headrest when driving at all.
I used to sort of end up bending to my right side as I drove but now I stay nice and straight.

I emptied, physically moved and refilled wooden stand up grocery cupboards cupboards all by myself in one afternoon a month ago. THAT surprised me! I really expected to have to get a neighbor to help me..but prepareing myself with a Thermacare back wrap, knees athletic wraps before I stated made it easy!
Last year moving one of those just 3 inches to the left took all my effort for the day and my back sure hurt all night.
BOY what a diff the Chiro's help has made.

Recently I carried in some rocks weighing 5 or 10 pounds each for my garden all my little old self. I bent to lift them and bent to place them.. a job I could not have possible done a couple years ago.
2 years ago I could not unbend from lifting a roast out of the oven.
That's true progress!

The most wonderful thing is that my hip Bursitis is REALLY not bothering me.
If you have ever had hip bursitis you know how wonderful it is to NOT feel that horrid 24/7 pain.

There is NO backache when I sleep now and none when I wake up either.
I had an old lady shuffle before I went and now I quickly stride when I walk!

Keep going, it's worth the begining temporary pain for a couple weeks to get the great relief from old nagging 24/7 pains after going awhile.!

Thank you so much for your positive response!

My daughter goes again today - I'll let you know what happens.

Love,

Martha

i also have had great relief from the dhiro. the last one i saw tried to adjust my neck and couldn't . she said it felt like it had fused and wouldn't touch it. suggested a new MRI which showed large bone spurs. she was right on that something was pressing on my cord and i am grateful for her professionalism that she wouldn't push it.

Hi Martha, I was in a car/train accident 30 years ago and a couple years after that I started having my back problems. I have had surgery and had many visits to chiropractors with great success and would go again if needed. I know she is nerves and in pain but she needs to try to relax as much as possible when the doctor is making the adjustments. I also hear loud popping noises. I am very active and can do more than most teenagers now and hope your daughter gets feeling better soon. Good luck Chris

Update : J had her 2nd adjustment today and has to go back every day this week, then 3x next week, then once a week.

She is much better! The muscles in her neck are less tight and she can turn her head when driving. She went before work and will go again tomorrow. The chiropracter discussed her x-rays in great detail, showing her several places where earlier traumas caused trouble. J was a gymnast in high school and still plays adult sooccer and has had the usual amount of injuries .. plus the normal wear and tear. She is confident the Chiro will help her. He didn't say 'stop playing soccer' which I was hoping for .. but, 'we will soon have you ready to play again' ..

The bike accident in Richmond may not even be the original cause; he found older evidence than that.

It's very interesting and seems to really help!

Thanks for all your input.

Martha H

:) I'm glad she feels better.
I also happy to hear what the Chiro said and it sounds like she has found a good one.
A good one discusses the situation throughly, like your daughters did, a bad one doesn't.
I hope your daughter continues to see fast improvement.

I went to day and was told I can now start coming only every other week rather than every week.
I feel like I graduated!:)
But truely I cannot praise my Chiro enough for all the pain relief he has given me this summer.