Hi ~ I'll tell you what 2 independent Neurosurgeons told me. They said that unless I wanted to become paralyzed and in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, DON'T GO TO A CHIROPRACTOR! They said that anyone with spinal problems is taking a huge risk by going to one. Any manipulation of the spine can cause huge damage, and even permanent damage such as above. They said Chiros don't have the training in the central nervous system like M.D.s have and all they can use for reference is X-rays. X-rays ONLY show bone ~ they don't show soft tissue like the disks, muscle, tendons, soft tissue in the spinal cord and around it. So they have no idea what they might be impinging while they're "manipulating."

Years ago, before I knew all this, I went to one. The chiro BROKE my STERNUM!!!! I thought I was gonna die! And as consolation, he offered me a free visit!!! Whooopee!! Needless to say, I never went back! And I never will again.

So just thought I'd pass on what the Neuro's said. Best of luck. Hugs, Lee

When I had a huge arthritic attack, sciatica and also sprained my back while away from NJ for 6 months, I took what I could get, and that was a chiropractor. The man tortured my poor body and I left in tears. I'm surprised my neck, back, legs and all of me didn't have permanent damage. So please be careful, if you do go to one, ask what he'll do first and then look it up before deciding on a course of treatment that will help not hurt.

I had a double laminectory/diskectomy in 1988 for two herniated disks at L4, L5. Up until a few years ago I was doing fairly well. I have since acquired "Drop Foot" and muscle atrophy in my left leg due to carelessness and over liftting/pushing heavy objects around.

If I dont go to the Chiropractor once a month my symptoms of pain and numbness start to return. A good Chiropractor can do wonders even with the damage I have sustained in my spine. I have regained some feeling and motion/strength back in my week leg over the last 3 years thanks to my Chiropractor

I had the best result after going to a chiropractor (http://chiropractorspot.com/providers-Mesa-AZ.html), chiropractic massage from a professional chiropractor can provide pain relief even for chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. According to the study, people with long term diffuse musculoskeletal pain experienced self-rated improvements in muscle pain, mental energy and health after receiving several massage sessions. A chiropractic massage session given by a professional chiropractor is your best bet in achieving the same results. Extending the period of regular chiropractic massage treatment also increases the possibility of more long term results. After all, similar cases of chronic pain such as neck pain, back pain, sciatica, whiplash and arthritis pain can also be eased by a chiropractor.

I would not go to a chiropractor, because I am concerned about potentially uninformed manipulation they might do. For pain management, I would recommend acupuncture instead. Increasingly, acupuncture is recognized by the mainstream medical community as yielding very good results for sciatica. It's an ancient healing discipline, and there are no side effects. I'm doing it now for my sciatica (duration 4 weeks) and it's helping me...

i have multiple discs injuries, ddd and other conditions. at one point i was bedridden but my chiropractor whom i see 2x a week helped me tremendously! like every other field, there are good ones and ones who really suck. mine is the best and i pass probably 20 that are closer to my home to get to him. he is a life saver for me!

From my experience it is like anything - it does depend on the person, there is no definitive answer. I tried a chiro for 9 months I got some hours of slight relief after each session which was worth it when my pain was pretty bad. I couldn't have gone when pain at the highest because even walking wasn't happening. Unfortunately chiro said that I didn't have a herniated disc when I really did - it was plain to see on MRI scan done after waiting for months and months on waiting list etc. I agree with Leeall if they are not seeing what is happening inside when manipulating. However, a friend of mine has similar symptoms to mine and goes to a chiro which works wonders for her.

I have had two micro discectomy ops and feel so much better now, although not a hundred percent I couldn't go through the pain any longer than I did.

I originally went to one for sone light back aches, he took a xray, which being in med school I argued that he could only see bone and not soft tissue.. Where he got defensive and said that it is clear by the. Curvature of my spine that I just needed some slight alignments. Stupid me, I said ok and it was the worst decision ever made. I was in agony and bed ridden for 2 months and now I'm still suffering over 6 months later. I have a neuro appt in feb. I'm hoping they could help because I just can't deal with this much pain on a constant basis.
So, personally and (somewhat) "professionaly", I would not reccomend having a chiro touch your neck or spine...

I was diagnosed with Sciatica last year, and at the time I could not sit or stand comfortably for more than a half an hour. I was miserable and having back spasms frequently. As far as treatment is concerned I believe it is up to the individual. I do not prefer to go to MD's because I believe so often they treat symptoms and don't try and get to the root of the problem. Since then I have been going strictly to DO's (Doctors of Osteopathy) who go to medical school just like MD's but utilize treatments that are more holistic. I was referred to a highly reputable Chiropractor in my area and had huge success.

There are several different styles of Chiropractic adjustment, some are very soft, and some are a bit harder.

The therapy I received independent of my adjustments was wonderful. They have a electrical stimulator that they put around the affected area and it releases endorphins. The first time I had it I couldn't stop smiling, it feel amazing, I've also had ice and heat therapy.

They also developed a workout for me to do at home or anywhere to build muscles in my back.

I had a very positive experience at the Chiropractor. I wish you the best and encourage you to explore the best option for you!

Well, my neuro cancelled my appointment that I waited months for.., rescheduled it 12 days later. I was reading some postings after me and one mentioned an electrical device... Skip the chiro, get yourself an inversion table and a tens unit.. Stay away from ice only... The office I went to said ice is your friend.. No, you need to do both heat and ice. Typical rule of thumb is ice for recent while heat for old, 20 minutes of heat should do it after 20 minutes of cold.

i started this post last year
.ive got a lot lot better
took a year but the pains backed right off in the end
most of the time im normal again!

i did go for physio where my spine was pushed to free it up
and that seemed to help
i dont know if it was really classed as a CHIROPRACTOR
but it helped get things moving

the bottom section of my spine had gone stiff
and pulled everything as it moved
so for now im ok
fingers crossed