Chiropractor: Unsung Hero - Selling Snake Oil ????

What are your views on Chiropractors and the kinds of "therapy" they provide?

Do you have personal experience with any being truly beneficial when all other forms of medical help have failed?

I'm not suggesting that any and all alternative forms of medicine and physical help are suspect or snake-oil, but I do have some skepticism's I might need to over-come regarding a few.


I have a close family member who's getting set to embark on a series of chiropractic therapy sessions that might be months long and include up to 2 "adjustments" per week to start.

I wish to be supportive as the more traditional routes of dealing with some neck and back pains have not helped in the past, but I can't help but wonder if my relative is barking up the wrong tree.

Thoughts and experiences are appreciated.

I have VERY mixed views about them. When I lived in Michigan and went to a Chiropractor trained at the school in Iowa, they helped me enormously.

Then I came down here and a asked for an adjustment and they screwed my back up so bad I am no longer able to do many things i could before or enjoy. And thanks to the screwed up (being polite) laws down here I was not able to sue anyone. Just suffer.

It really depends on what the actual problem is, as to whether or not chiropractic treatments help. The downside to going to a chiropractor, is that it is usually long-term, because the results/relief are temporary. Some chiropractors are excellent, and others aren't, depending on their understanding of the problem, and their specific treatment mode.

Read up on the history of chiropractic and you will see a history rife with snake oil. It has it's place to help with back/spinal issues, but curing cancer? Colds? Absolute hogwash.

Dragonfly said:

What are your views on Chiropractors and the kinds of "therapy" they provide?

Do you have personal experience with any being truly beneficial when all other forms of medical help have failed?

I'm not suggesting that any and all alternative forms of medicine and physical help are suspect or snake-oil, but I do have some skepticism's I might need to over-come regarding a few.


I have a close family member who's getting set to embark on a series of chiropractic therapy sessions that might be months long and include up to 2 "adjustments" per week to start.

I wish to be supportive as the more traditional routes of dealing with some neck and back pains have not helped in the past, but I can't help but wonder if my relative is barking up the wrong tree.

Thoughts and experiences are appreciated.

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Maybe for some people they work. My personal experience, when I had sciatica, was that they found out how many treatments my insurance company would pay for and proceeded to prescribe exactly that many. What a surprise! The third time I went to him, my backside was so bruised, he was sure I was in a car accident. I said, "Nooooo, that's from you." He was rather disconcerted. Though it didn't slow him down.

The greatest help he was to me was recommending water aerobics. After three $3.00 sessions in our community pool, my sciatica was gone. I mean gone. Every once in a while I'll feel a twinge and go down to the indoor pool for a tune-up. It never fails to be the cure.

It makes me nervous that parents often bring their children in (at least to the guy I went to) for regular "adjustments." That sounds nutz to me. And dangerous.

So my family member says the person she went to was not just making "adjustments", but actually required my relative to get x-rays of the problem area and bring them in for consultation. Then the "treatments" would be specific to "fixing" those problem areas.

I was relieved to find out this wasn't just a: "See how one leg is longer? We need to schedule x number of appointments to fix that."

And to date, no "real" doctor has been able to actually help relieve the pain except temporarily with drugs.

Dragonfly said:

So my family member says the person she went to was not just making "adjustments", but actually required my relative to get x-rays of the problem area and bring them in for consultation. Then the "treatments" would be specific to "fixing" those problem areas.

I was relieved to find out this wasn't just a: "See how one leg is longer? We need to schedule x number of appointments to fix that."

And to date, no "real" doctor has been able to actually help relieve the pain except temporarily with drugs.

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There are people who think chiropractors are snake oil salesmen and people who swear by them. When one is suffering from chronic pain, why leave anything on the table? Chronic pain sucks all the joy out of a person's life.

Make no judgments. It's not your business.

MaggieD said:

There are people who think chiropractors are snake oil salesmen and people who swear by them. When one is suffering from chronic pain, why leave anything on the table? Chronic pain sucks all the joy out of a person's life.

Make no judgments. It's not your business.

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Of course it's my business. A member of my family is involved.

The "Snake Oil" period of chiropractic hasa long passed. I remember an old horror movie where the big shock was our fleeing victims arrive at - dum dah dum dum - a Chiropractor! Noe they are dead for sure

Yeah, they used to cure everything which is a load of crap. But your modern chiropractor is a blessing from heaven. Headaches and backaches for sure, often lucky with shoulders and hips. Even my pathetic, stingy insurance company covers chiropractic and my GP shares an office with a chiropractor. I go to 3 different ones depending on availability and price (I'm a cheapskate) and pay $20 (insurance) or $45 (cash). I get almost instant relief. I can feel my neck with my fingers and tell that it isn't sitting properly. 5 minutes later, I'm fixed.

Now, if you see a Chiropractor that can fix cancer, diabetes or hear disease, you have a phony. But if you have headaches or backaches, like anything else there are good and not so good Chiropractors, get a ood one and you'll be sooooo glad you did.

That "multiple visit" Chiropractor is an asshole. None of my Chiropractors need more than one visit. My momma told me "you better shop around".

The X-ray is standard in a "serious" practitioner though it's value is limited. Repeated popping of joints (adjustments) stretches the ligaments and can leave lasting damage.

Is Visiting A Chiropractor Good or Bad? 6 Dangers of Chiropractic Revealed

My chiropractor is awesome.
I see him once a week, and since I don't have insurance currently, I have been working on some paintings for his office.

My partner, who has scoliosis, sees him 4 times a week. He does not charge her any co-pay, even though it should be $20 per visit, and hasn't charged her a dime since her visit limit has been reached. She has gained a few inches in height, can sit and walk without constant pain, the pain in her hand and wrist has greatly improved, and she sleeps much better.

His treatments seem to work for her, when the only previous option was multiple surgeries.

ChuckBerry said:

Read up on the history of chiropractic and you will see a history rife with snake oil. It has it's place to help with back/spinal issues, but curing cancer? Colds? Absolute hogwash.

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I never bought into these claims either. Its just not sound medically IMHO. But IF they are properly trained (cough) they are able to help and thats a positve.

wolfman24 said:

I never bought into these claims either. Its just not sound medically IMHO. But IF they are properly trained (cough) they are able to help and thats a positve.

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I view it as an alternative form of therapy.

I would never look to it to cure a disease or "magically" make a crippled person walk again, but I do think some alternative options are worth looking into when conventional paths have proven unhelpful.

wolfman24 said:

When I lived in Michigan and went to a Chiropractor trained at the school in Iowa, they helped me enormously.

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Palmer is an excellent school. I have a family member attending there now.

lizzie said:

It really depends on what the actual problem is, as to whether or not chiropractic treatments help. The downside to going to a chiropractor, is that it is usually long-term, because the results/relief are temporary. Some chiropractors are excellent, and others aren't, depending on their understanding of the problem, and their specific treatment mode.

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You are on the money with this answer.

I got to see the inside of a large Chiropractic practice in Missouri a couple of years ago. With one relative already in the profession, one in school, and getting to know three doctors within the practice, I came away with a much better understanding of the treatment program.

Choosing the right doctor is extremely important in the Chiropractic field. Shop, shop and shop until you find the right one. If you spend more time shopping for a car, you haven't shopped enough for the right practice.

A short story I'd like to pass along. After getting to know one doctor very well, I asked him how much of the improvement in his patients, resulted from the placebo effect. Without hesitating, he answered, "It doesn't matter, what matters is that they improve and have a better quality of life".

I have one friend that suffered with excruciating pain and muscle loss for 6 months seeing several medical specialists that were not able to find the problem. A visit to the right chiropractor resulted in a diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome a rare condition that involves pain in the neck and shoulder, numbness and tingling of the fingers, and a weak grip. Chiropractic and mainstream medicine were able to help him.

Many people can be helped by good Chiropractors. I would encourage anyone to keep an open mind, move cautiously and get better.

Tonawanda said:

Palmer is an excellent school. I have a family member attending there now.

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thats the one. Great people came out of it. Too bad they can't say the same for the one in Georgia.

Depends. Some are honest, some sell snake oil.


I had a chiropractor who helped me greatly with chronic back ache.... eventually to the point that I no longer needed to visit him regularly.


OTOH I have heard some chiro's proclaiming that their methods can cure almost any ailment, up to things like cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome. This I greatly doubt.


Chiros are not a substitute for visiting your GP doc regularly, or getting regular medical treatment for serious problems. But, if you feel they're doing you some good, by all means have at it... just make sure your GP is okay with it if you have serious back injuries first.

Dragonfly said:

What are your views on Chiropractors and the kinds of "therapy" they provide?

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Here, it all depends on the chiropractor.

I have gone to one in the past, after being involved in a bad motorcycle accident. He did wonders with my back, neck and shoulders and I felt much better.

However, after another accident I was sent to a "Holistic Chiropractor", and that was a big steaming pile of coprolite. This quack tried to blame everything from my knee pain to high bloodpressure (which I do not have) on the alignment of my spine and nerves being pinched. She put me under a "Magnetic Stimulator" for 10-15 minutes at a time, and would work on fixing the alingment from my wrist and elbow to my ear lobes (I AM NOT KIDDING), saying over and over how I had to continue my treatments if I wanted to improve. I went to her 3 times, and never went back.

In my experience, it is more with the doctor then anything else. Stay far away from the "holistic" types, who claim to cure everything from impotance to brain tumors through their treatments. And if they bring out anything other then ice or heating treatments, start looking at them very closely.

I have used a chiropractor in the past with excellent results. Haven't been in years though and the back pain is back, worse than ever, so I'm about to try a combo approach of chiropractic and accupuncture. Hopefully I will see some significant improvement soon.

I guess like any profession, there's thieves and there's miracle workers. Due diligence, common sense, and being observant of everything around is your best bet for finding out who you're dealing with.

Thanks for the input everybody.

Dragonfly said:

What are your views on Chiropractors and the kinds of "therapy" they provide?

Do you have personal experience with any being truly beneficial when all other forms of medical help have failed?

I'm not suggesting that any and all alternative forms of medicine and physical help are suspect or snake-oil, but I do have some skepticism's I might need to over-come regarding a few.


I have a close family member who's getting set to embark on a series of chiropractic therapy sessions that might be months long and include up to 2 "adjustments" per week to start.

I wish to be supportive as the more traditional routes of dealing with some neck and back pains have not helped in the past, but I can't help but wonder if my relative is barking up the wrong tree.

Thoughts and experiences are appreciated.

Click to expand...

Not sure if this has been mentioned or not, but the reason why it's 2 sessions a week isn't to drain a patient's bank account.

Rather, it's because the chiropractor is doing long term therapy in order to ensure long term health.

When I was in my 20's, I tore some ligaments in my back, and went to a chiropractor. He wanted me to do long term therapy, but I only went to a few sessions until I felt better because, like the OP, I thought he just wanted to scam me for my money.

But now my back permanently has an issue with that area, which may (or may not, I admit) have gotten better if I continued my therapy.

A few years ago, I had a pinched nerve in my neck while I was on vacation. It was so bad I couldn't use my right arm AT ALL. Luckily, I was able to find a local chiropractor who helped me in 2 sessions, for the most part.

Since then, I've gone to a chiropractor for neck issues. They've given me some neck exercises to do to strengthen them so the bones in my neck won't get pulled out of alignment anymore by my muscles.

If my issues don't get worked out that way in a year or two, I'm going to go tell my physician about it.

The thing is long term therapy is found in other medical fields just as much as it's found in chiropractic therapy. After all, we're supposed to go to the dentist every 6 months for teeth cleaning as well as to check up on dental and oral health.

For people who have certain kinds of surgery, they must go through long term therapy in order to recover in a manner that provides proper wellness.

And people undergo pharmaceutical therapy by purchasing pills and taking them over a long period of time in order to maintain wellness.

So I don't think it's a good idea to skip out on therapy just because it has to be continued over a long period of time.

Medical issues don't get resolved by doing one thing. Rather, it's long term changes that are maintained that provide long term wellness to people.

So, overall, I don't have a problem with chiropractic medicine.

Dragonfly said:

What are your views on Chiropractors and the kinds of "therapy" they provide?

Do you have personal experience with any being truly beneficial when all other forms of medical help have failed?

I'm not suggesting that any and all alternative forms of medicine and physical help are suspect or snake-oil, but I do have some skepticism's I might need to over-come regarding a few.


I have a close family member who's getting set to embark on a series of chiropractic therapy sessions that might be months long and include up to 2 "adjustments" per week to start.

I wish to be supportive as the more traditional routes of dealing with some neck and back pains have not helped in the past, but I can't help but wonder if my relative is barking up the wrong tree.

Thoughts and experiences are appreciated.

Click to expand...

Sure a chiro can fix you (I have walked into a chrio office crooked and in pain and walked out straight as a board and comfortable) so I know first-hand that they have immediate value. Me, I go once a month and have been doing so for the last 7-8 years. I have a bad back, but I'm not seeing the chiro to alleviate pain. The way I see it, it's regular maintenance (like getting your car tuned-up) so it stays healthy and limber. Not only that, but seeing the chiro has given me back the flexibility that I have lost from age and degeneration.

Everyone, at some point and time in their life, will experience back degeneration. Especially in today's age of sitting 8 hrs a day in the office. Seeing a chiro on a regular basis will keep your back flexible and healthy. Add a monthly therapeutic massage, and you'll be doing cartwheels.