Is it good to crack my neck?
Is there research to back up chiropractic?
Why does computer work cause neck and shoulder pain?
Is it true that once you start chiropractic, it never ends?
Does insurance cover chiro?
Can my insurance pay for massage therapy?
I was in a car accident; should I see a chiropractor?
Can chiropractic straighten out scoliosis?
What can be done about disc bulges?
My medical doctor won't refer me to a chiropractor...
Should I ice or heat my low back pain?
San Francisco Chiropractor - Thursday, 9:42 PM - October 11, 2007
Can chiropractic straighten out scoliosis?
First of all, I believe that the term "scoliosis" is being used too liberally by some chiropractors. True, clinical scoliosis refers to an S-curved spine in the lateral plane. It is a congenital (formed during embryonic development) malformation. Persons with scoliosis will exhibit a rotated spine, uneven shoulders, and a protruding scapula (shoulder blade) in some cases. Severe cases can interfere with organ function.
Some chiropractors incorrectly use the term "scoliosis" to describe a subtle sidebending of the lumbar of thoracic spine. This type of lesser curvature is usually acquired; i.e., comes as a result of an external force such as a car accident or sports injury.
Chiropractic treatment cannot "straighten out" a clinical scoliosis. It may, however, provide relief by imparting more movement among the individual spinal vertebrae. Chiropractic is more effective in addressing acquired curvatures. Chiropractic adjustments to the pelvis and spine, combined with exercises targeting a specific muscle group, and sometimes the use of heel lifts has a better chance of straightening out the spine.
San Francisco Chiropractor - Tuesday, 10:16 PM - October 16, 2007
What can be done about disc problems?
If you have a bulging disc in your spine, you may be a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression. This is a treatment method that utilizes a special table and traction system. In spinal decompression, the lumbar spine is gently pulled and released in cycles, with varying force and patterns. This pumping action can cause a negative pressure to build up in the disc, which draws in the disc bulge. It works well on some patients-- but not on all. Various factors such as age of the disc herniation, condition of surrounding ligaments and bone, and general health of the patient all factor in the prognosis. Spinal decompression is worth trying before you opt for spinal surgery.
San Francisco Chiropractic - Sunday, 7/12 PM - October 28, 2007
My medical doctor doesn't think I need chiropractic, and even discourages me to see one, even though I have really bad back pain. What should I do?
Although we're well into the 21st century and there has been growing collaboration between allopathic doctors (MD) and "alternatve" practitioners such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, and naturopaths, bias still remains.
In my humble opinion, the main reason why a physician would not refer a patient (assuming the patient's condition is treatable by chiropractic) to a chiropractor is misinformation. It's quite likely that the physician formed an adverse opinion of chiropractic or chiropractors by one negative encounter with a chiropractor; or a research article about an adverse effect from chiropractic treatment. Another reason could be plain professional bias; where the MD "feels" that chiropractors aren't "real" doctors. Never mind the fact that over 100,000 people die each year from adverse drug reactions and medical procedures, and MDs routinely over-prescribe harmful medications like Vioxx and Avandia, which have caused hundreds of deaths since their approval by the Food and Drug administration. Compared to these statistics, even when taking the larger number of physicians into account, chiropractic's safety record is stellar.
I hope that physicians who hold a grudge against chiropractors regain some humility and acknowlege that they are not perfect, and that allopathic medicine is VERY far from perfect, and that if they have a patient suffering from low back pain who is NOT responding to medications, they should have the decency to refer that patient for chiropractic treatment. Not doing so, to me, is not doing your job as a health care provider-- to make sure all available forms of therapeutic intervention are attempted.
So, my bottom line advice on this matter-- you as a patient and as a health care consumer have the right and freedom to choose the type of care you feel might help you. With every health care procedure comes risk; some carry more than others. Chiropractic is statistically more safe than taking medicine and undergoing surgery. If your medical doctor doesn't share this view, you don't have to listen to him/her. Do what you feel is right.