Thoughts on chripractors/A.R.T.? (Read 756 times)

Well, I just got back. I don't have scoliosis at all and overall my spine looks fine. The muscles in my neck and upper back were just extremely tight and knotted up. First they used this electrical stimulation machine on the muscles in my back which seemed to loosen them up some. Next he went into deep tissue massage and worked out the knots. This was pretty painful at times but seemed to really help. I'm pretty sore from this. Next he kind of cracked my neck because it was out of line and was pulling on the muscle on one side of my neck more than the other. He went down my spine and pushed hard in about three spots which produced a lot of cracking and popping. He showed my a couple of stretches to do several times a day to keep my neck and upper back loose. He told me everything looked good and that I probably wouldn't need to come back anytime soon being that I'm active and in good shape, but next time it acts up to call him. Overall I'm happy with the visit, he didn't push anything on me, no gimmicks, snake oil, magical fruit juice, etc, and only did what was needed.

I've heard neck adjustments can be potentially fatal

My 26 year old cousin died on a chiroprators table while an "adjustment was made" sinus realted issues or something or other. Personally, I'll never trust one after that.

Well, so much for ever visiting a chiropractor. I think you two just gave me my first official phobia. That's horrible about your cousin.

And I'm not saying DON'T go to a chiropractor...just know who it is you're letting fool around with your vertibrae. Ask for their credentials, experience, etc...just as you would if you were choosing a new physician. My cousin's particular chiropractor neglected to take X-Ray's (not even sure if he had an X-Ray on site) and, while making an adjustment to her neck, hit her brain stem...Out went the lights. My aunt sued and was awarded a settlement quickly. After she covered her legal and medical fees, she used the other money to start a foundation. The foundation lobbies Washington pushing for reform and more strict legislation governing this field. Since then, and as a result of the foundation and others like it, the requirements for chiroprators has come a long long way. Connie Chung did a story on this not long after it happened...and although I feel for the chiropractor who was publicly humiliated on a national level as a result of NBC's snooping, this raised a critical awareness that has certainly benefited those who currently see or have previously sought treatment from chiropractors. Not to mention helped many other chiroprators avoid this foolish fate. There's always a silver lining: awareness has increased, requirments to practice as a chiropractor has increased and become more demanding (weed out those who have no business practicing), and since my cousin was a very healthy vibrant 26 year old woman, the far majority of her organs were donated that certainly gave a dozen others another chance to improve the quality of their lives...if not having spared their lives for a while. So all was not lost...but we still miss her. But as I say above, this field has come a LONG way, ut still,inform yourself about what it is you're getting into and know something about the treatment as you would if you were seeking treatment from a MD. Sorry to have hijacked this thread.