Osteopaths and chiropractors?

[ace llani]

Had a bad back for decades, old MX injuries, and one leg 35mm shorter than the other (MX injury).

I've used osteopaths for 30 years. My original was amazing - first time he manipulated my back I thought he'd snapped me in half, but I always moved better after treatment.

Younger osteopaths seem to be far more gentle, and I don't get the movement back like I used to.
Maybe it's just that I'm older, back has changed.

But I'm thinking of looking for a chiropractor to try.

Any thoughts or experiences?

[dern]

Neither. Find a good physiotherapist.

[demographic]

Hit Quackwatch for info on Chiropractic snakeoil.
https://quackwatch.org/chiropractic/

[Gregor]

Avoid Chiropractors like the plague.

[Yorick]

I had private health and a bad neck. They sent me to top local chiropractor. Had about 10 painful sessions.
Sacked it and saw a very good local physio. She asked how many pillows I used. Was 2 so she told me to try just 1.
Job sorted.

[Count Steer]

Younger osteopaths seem to be far more gentle, and I don't get the movement back like I used to.
Maybe it's just that I'm older, back has changed.

I noticed that they're a bit less physical. Apparently there's been a shift in thinking about doing too much when there's an acute inflammation, so it depends on the injury. Sometimes they'll work on a muscle group to relieve stresses on an area if those muscles aren't damaged.

You can get temporary relief if they hit an inflamed area hard because you release endorphins (I think - might be something else) but you can actually aggravate the underlying issue.

One bit of advice after treatment was to do the exercises until the condition eased, then book in for a sports massage.

I just think the thinking has evolved rather than physios/osteos have got lazy.

[Greenman]

I have used a chiro for many years after a bad fall at cricket which caused really bad sciatica.

Apart from freeing me up for a few days after the treatment i don't think they really do that much good.

I have not been able to afford to attend one now for over a year and i don't feel that much different. The only thing i notice is that my neck is a bit tighter than usual and aches, apart from that everything feels normal.

Might go for a few sessions when i get paid at the end of the month to see if i feel any benefit from it now i have had a years break, but at £44 a session it's getting a bit expensive!

[ace llani]

Thanks for the input.

Everybody's back is different. Osteopath helps me, my back tightens up and the manipulation helps make it more mobile.

They are more delicate these days, thought it might be because they are more scared of getting sued.
But guess maybe they've found new techniques.

I tried a chiropractor once, after a big fall where I hurt my neck. walked in sore and nearly crawled out, so never went back.

Based on what I've heard I'm going to stick with what I know, and try the osteopath again.

Done physio, the exercises and painkillers to death with no real benefit.

[Noggin]

I've tried all three over the years.

The uk Osteo was rubbish - I fixed the issue (caused by crashing a car) by falling off a bike at Cadwell and knocking things back into place!!

The osteo over here did seem really good, but not sure it would have made any difference long term.

The uk chiro really helped me by diagnosing a couple of old problems and fixing them - didn't need to go back

Another uk chiro actually fixed something by acupuncture, not chiro!


I think my physios here are awesome. The one I feel helps the most does some really deep tissue massage as well as movement exercises or he moves the arm in a way I can't. From this I figure that actually most of the issues I have with the arm (also muscles around the shoulder and into my neck) are due to them getting tight from the inability to move the arm properly and the compensation on the other side. So the sort of movement and massage he does helps more than most things. Oh, he also does dry needling to release some of the pressure (or trigger?) points - that's a total bastard but works well, for limited time tho as with the massage


At the end of the day - if you go and see someone to get a physical issue sorted, but don't then change how you move or do a load of exercise to build better muscles/ability, then no one can 'fix' the issue. They can only make you feel better for a few days. Sadly, no quick fixes

[Yorick]

When I has my big crash in 2007, I was fucked.
But had private health thru work.
A mile from work was the place that was the Olympics team physios.

Fantastic. Expensive, but I wasn't paying