So I've had back trouble since Febuary of this year. I injured a muscle. I went and seen a nurse practitioner and he gave me muscle relaxers and told me to rest it, ice it, etc. It gets better, then hurts again, better, then hurts again. So I went to a chiropractor. He told me my hips neede adjusting and yada, yada, yada. After the chiropractor, it got better for about a week. Now, all of a sudden today, my muscles have spasmed and I'm in severe pain again. I can barely walk around. So I'm going back to the Chiropractor this evening. What is some of yalls experience with chiropractors? Are they legit?

Depends on the chiropractor. A good chiropractor that you see regularly can keep you from having serious issues. When I get out of grad school and figure out where I'll be living, I'll find a good chiropractor and go regularly.

I just went through a similar experience and after seeing my Chiropractor a handful of times she finally got my lower back feeling decent, but only on days I went to see her. I told her that and she gave me some stretches that target the muscles in that area and since I've started doing them every day I've noticed a huge difference. So I would ask if there are any type of stretches that might help you that you can do on your own time.

Pm sent

^^^ Spot On!

There are some really bad ones out there and there are a few really good ones. Get references from friends and family ...

BruteX I for one think they are legit I have the same problem you have and I go to a chiro when needed but what helps the most is stretching, doing toe touches and stretching my ham string, my chiro told me the first time I went to do this, what happens is your leg muscles if not stretched will tighten up and pull your back out of line.

When mine gets out of wack like that i can't even stand up it is so painful...

Ice is your friend!!!

My experience with a chiro is as you described. Temporary relief follow by a return to the problem. Every time I went though it seemed that the relief lasted a little longer until finally it went away. It is not an immediate, quick fix. Kind of like physical therapy. It takes multiple sessions.

My question would be if you have any pain radiating down into your legs? If so, you have nerve impingement. Most likely, but not always from the disc. All the manipulation in the world is not gonna do you much good. It can help, but not remedy the problem. Ultimately if this persists you are gonna need a CT and an MRI depending on your symptoms.

If you do have pain that radiates down your butt check into your leg, you will need some steroid to calm those nerves down.

I agree with this. Have you had an MRI? If you have an impingement, a chiropractor can actually do more damage than good.

Chiropractor treatments are good for certain back issues and not for others. Did you ever see anyone other than a nurse practitioner?

Doekiller is correct a doctor needs to check you out and do some scans to make sure it's not serious and needs surgery.

My FIL is an MD. He has no faith in chiropractors as legitimate doctors.

A lot of doctors don't, and it's because a lot of times a chiropractor can fix something that a doctor can't for cheap, which prevents that patient from going back to the doctor dozens of times and paying thousands of dollars.

Now I'll tell you the real reason. In medicine, there's a little thing called data. What that means is they do an experiment where two treatments are compared and the best one wins. Chiropractors don't do this. They just expect you to take their word for it.

Like I said earlier, it depends on the chiropractor. There are many chiropractors who know what chiropractics can and can't do. My family's chiropractor will say "go to a doctor" for issues where he knows need a doctor, but you will almost NEVER hear a doctor say "go to a chiropractor."

I know many people who weren't able to have their issues fixed by a doctor after spending thousands of dollars on treatment/medicines, but a $35 visit to the chiropractor worked immediately.

Dr Lightfoot in Selma has always been able to help me. There's a guy in Spanish Fort (Malbis) who runs a place called Back on Track Chiropractic that's been good also. There are some definite poor ones in the business though.

They may not be legitimate medical doctors and a lot of people don't believe in it as a practice BUT the two mentioned above have always been able to help me.

Data? Like Gam ... Game ... naa, ain't going there.

I have used chiropractors for 20+ years when I had an issue. My most recent was/is for a leg-hip problem. Part of that was because I was jogging too much and screwed up my hip and IT band. The other probs were because I was a fatass and I sitting at a desk too much and not stretching often. His adjustments and acupuncture definitely helped, as did modifying my workouts and losing weight.

But even he told me at one point that if my hip problem continued to be a severe issue that I should see an orthopaedist and probably get an MRI to check if there was something more severe. Fortunately, I never had to do that.

I'd check with a physician or ortho specialist first, though, if your problem involves something you believe is severe.

Years ago I had a lot of work related lower back pain and I've been to a LOT of chiropractors. Most would do just enough to get me back on the table in 2 weeks. Dr. Mann in Arab fixed my back about 25 years ago and I have not had back pain since. He also cured my heartburn. I'd recommend Dr. Mann to anybody for chiropractic doctoring.

My wife went to a chiropractor many, many years ago and they brought her out on a stretcher. She had to have back surgery soon after.

Happened to my father as well.

I have never used a chiropractor, but the people I know that do say it is only a short-term benefit to a long-term problem.

I don't go for it. But it's not based on experience. Never been to one and never plan to go. Have nothing at all to base it on. Just seems a little like voodoo to me and always has. I say this and my dang back will go out and I'll have to see one and be back on here praising em. Old friend of mine had to have back surgery after a back cracker saw him. I have the same prejudice against podiatrists. Nothing to base it on really. Just don't quite seem right to me.

I used one for ten years or so after a very debilitating back injury and long term physical therapy. She is great. An adjustment once every 6 months or so would keep me in really good shape.

When she could no longer help me she sent me to an orthopaedic surgeon and a long term pain management MD.

I have to have a nerve block about twice a decade now and don't even need the pain management.

My issue is in lower left back. The pain doesn't run down to my leg, just across back. I had to leave work today because the pain was so bad. I was going to put up treestands Saturday but that would be a negative now. Just need relief!!!

Too bad your not close to Homewood. I can highly recommend Dr. Ellen Witt at Witt Chiropractic Clinic.

Just got out with the Chiropractor. He said my "SI" was out which is causing my ligaments to strain. Right or wrong, that probe thing they put on you is worth the price of admission

I go at least once a month sometimes more often. I have a very good Chiro that gives stretches and excerises for each patient to do between visits and he does a full evaluation before the first adjustment.

Yes, Sir! That e-stimulator can work wonders. I get more out of that than I do the manipulation and adjustment.

My wife and her family swear by the chiro. But they also claim he fixed all sorts of ailments, and its just because your body needs to be "adjusted". I understand the joint and back problem thing, but they claim he fixes WAY more than that. I refer to him as their "voodoo doctor" and they hate it. But they also think oils replace medicine.


My brother is a doctor, and says the same thing as some of you. They are good for making ya feel better when your back hurts, but when it comes to real issues, you need to see a doctor.

I use one sporadically and it always takes a few visits to get straight.

I believe in them and I've had good and bad. No different than crappy doctors.

I go to one regularly. It helps me a lot. Pinched nerves they can help as MD is only going to give you muscle relaxers and hope it goes back in place. As with MD's some are quacks some are legit.