Posted on 11/09/2007 12:21:14 PM PST by Red Badger
Going to a chiropractor to treat back pain could be a waste of time, according to a new study which found that having your spine manipulated does nothing to speed up recovery. Current treatment guidelines for acute back pain recommend that, in the first instance, GPs advise patients to remain active and avoid bed rest and take paracetamol for the pain. If that does not work, patients are referred for spinal manipulative therapy and given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac to treat the pain. Mark Hancock, of the back pain research group at the University of Sydney, studied 240 patients with short-term lower back pain who had already been given both advice and paracetamol. The patients were randomly allocated to four groups and given different treatments: NSAIDs with placebo manipulative therapy; manipulative therapy with placebo drugs; drugs with therapy; or double placebo. "Neither diclofenac nor spinal manipulative therapy gave clinically useful effects on the primary outcome of time to recovery," the researchers wrote in the Lancet today. "If patients have high rates of recovery with baseline care, and no clinically worthwhile benefit from the addition of diclofenac or spinal manipulative therapy, then GPs can manage patients confidently without exposing them to increased risks and costs associated with NSAIDs or spinal manipulative therapy." In an accompanying article in the Lancet, Bart Koes of Erasmus University medical centre in Rotterdam wrote: "The limited or absent beneficial effect of diclofenac for acute lower back pain after adequate first-line treatment may have wide implications. NSAIDs are widely prescribed for a range of acute musculoskeletal disorders. The important message is that the management of acute low back pain in primary care (advice and prescription of paracetamol) is sufficient for most patients."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
I have conflicting reports from people I know. In one instance the pyroquacktor's diagnosis was identical to that of the physician. The treatment was similar to that given by the physician-referred Physical Therapists.
But I have noticed an odd thing with those Chiro's I have known socially. Over time, some of them have a "Creeping Expertise" problem, for whatever reason, and proceed to give opinions in many fields in which they have little or no background. I have over the years had two of them give me lectures in Hardscience, as I glanced side to side for a graceful exit.
When this malady extends to curing cancer (Or piloting UFO's, etc.) by bending spines, it's time for the butterfly nets.
A State Representative from Jacksonville here in Florida, last year tried to appropriate money in the budget for opening a School of Chiropractic at FSU......There were howls of derision and scorn heaped upon the man for even considering such a thing. He withdrew his amendment in a hurry.......
“Personally, I think chiropractic is mostly quackery, but some people do seem to at least get some symptomatic relief from them, which as often as not is about all medical establishment can do for you, either.”
In a different time I did some communal living, once when I had a medical problem a gorgeous blond started bringing me medicinal teas and nursing me. I was convinced that the tea was doing nothing for me but that the process was wonderful.
Over the years I have paid attention to the “healing” process including, in the army watching as on long field exercises some of the guys visited the medic where it appeared to me they were only receiving mental healing, the medic agreed with me, and he knew that it was a large part of the role he played.
I don’t know if Chiropractors actually heal, or if it simply is hard not to improve under that method of nurturing.
The problem is it is “alternatives” which carry the BULK of their “evidence” in anecdotes.
There is alot more serious study with the Scientific Method backing up the much-hated “Western establishment”. Funny how life length and quality never got much of anywhere until Western med really took off with serious scientific discovery in the past centry.
“Well, that at least proves that second opinions are important.”
It also proves to me that all alternatives should be explored before serious medical procedures are performed. Bias in the medical community is rampant. Ignorance is too.
Wanna know why drug commercials always say, “Ask you doctor about our product”? Because doctors are significantly inexperienced. Many do the routine and send off to specialists anything outside their normal daily activities.
Oh, I know...I was having so much pain, I thought I had something seriously wrong and needed surgery. I called an orthopedist and was going to schedule an appt. Then I heard Dr. Sarno being discussed on Larry King. I bought the book...it was a real life saver. I didn’t realize the amount of physical pain stress and tension can cause...it can be debilitating...but it can be eliminated very, very, quickly.
“Funny how life length and quality never got much of anywhere until Western med really took off with serious scientific discovery in the past centry.”
Although, the western medical establishment CAN be rather arrogant, and loathe to admit that they still really don’t have a good understanding of many problems. For example, the “lipid hypothesis”, or missing the bacterial infection cause of many ulcers for so long. It may also be the case that (at least some of) these various “alternative” health providers have hold of at least a kernel of some truth that the establishment has overlooked. I tend to be skeptical of them all, but try to still keep an open mind.
Yes, I’d agree (they’re human, BTW) - but they work at it. Basically the “alternatives” decided on some theory, and stick to it. There is no advancement.
It would be up to the Western estab to glean any “grain of truth” from these alternative hucksters.
I am healed, I say it again, from two real maladies, and it is complete. First, I emphasize I have tried chiropractors who were simply bad or useless. Maybe only a few are ok and maybe I am lucky.
Back in 1991 in Maine I lifted an 80 pound bag of cement mix and twisted to set it down. I went down, too, could not get up. Taken to emergency room, I was unable to stand. Doctors diagnosed slipped disk, indeed a lump had appeared where it shouldn't be. Doctors told me to live with it and take pain killers. They offered no cure and did not recommend surgery. A couple years later, still in chronic pain, I fell again on my face and could not get up. Anyone who reads this and who has had this happen knows the feeling and the pain and panic of knowing no way could I get up. This was in France. An uneducated local, called a rebouteur, came to help. After a few minutes of manipulating, he said he pushed the bone back to where it should be and that I could walk. Indeed I could. I was very sore for maybe four days, but completely regained flexibility for the first time since the injury two years earlier. Over a decade later, my back is completely normal, no pain, no problem. I have no out of place spine, no lower back pain, am just fine, thank you.
A few years ago, I had something snap, I thought, in my left bicep. A doctor told me it was tennis elbow and I should take it easy and let it rest. I did for a few years. Nothing improved. I could not raise my left arm more than a bit, little range of motion. After three years of this malady we met a fine chiropractor in Canada. It took him minutes of manipulating my back. I protested it was my arm and simply said no, it was not. He then said my arm was free and I could raise it. I was reluctant but tried it. Sure enough, I could. It healed completely. Very sore, it was, though, for three days. For the past five years I have had no return of the symptoms whatsoever.
If we have future problems, we will make the trip to Canada just for that. It is worth it.
Pooh pooh this, folks, all you want. I live with it and am quite happy about the outcome.
8mm
I had a ruptured disc eight years ago; couldn’t even walk or stand up. Went to a chiropractor that uses the “Gonstead” method. I still go three times a year and I’ve never felt better!
Okay I took a closer look at that book you recommend. Sorry but that whole “repressed emotions” stuff just isn’t for me. I am happy that you are happy with the results. Many people have not been so fortunate per the reviews that I read.
There is nothing in that statement that you posted that has been disproven, but, it still doesn’t say that 95% of disease can be cured by a spinal adjustment.
Why deceive?
BTW, I don’t go to any doctors any more. Not D.C., M.D., D.O., or whatever. If you eat right, the reasons don’t come up. I haven’t sought any treatment since 1975, although I have had to get physicals for compliance with job safety regulations on several occasions, and the M.Ds are always aghast, and indignant, and it’s hard to keep from laughing at them.
The chiropractor also did wonders for my back after I'd spent 7 years in a row lifting my 3 babies/toddlers.
I had three serious neck injuries in a period of 5 years. The last one ruptured 3 discs. The first MD I saw (a company Doc in the box) said there was nothing wrong with me..."quit whining and go back to work". I immediately went to my chiropractor who took Xrays..... discovered the ruptured discs...and referred me to a top Neurologist. The neuro doc said if I didn't have a very risky surgery I could lose the use of both arms... or at the very least ...lose fine motor function in my hands. The surgical procedure at that time only gave me a 50/50 chance of coming out a quadriplegic. Not good enough odds for me.
After much prayer and consideration.....I decided on a conservative route....having chiro treatments... using a tens unit to help the spasming.....plus....going through a treatment called "McKenzie Therapy" in a rehab center for 8 weeks. All said......it took 2 years to get 85% movement back in my neck......but it was well worth it....considering the alternative.
When I was in the rehab.....I met at least 10 people with the same sort of injury who'd had "the surgery". They were a mess.....being addicted to painkillers, depressed and having all sorts of emotional problems due to the chronic pain. It made me happy I'd had such an involved and caring Chiropractor. Now.....10 years later... I have about 95% movement in my neck again and continue monthly chiro treatments.
My "scientific" take on this....is that the body has the natural ability to heal itself...if given the chance. Injured muscles and soft tissues tend to develop scarring which draw the spine or joints out of alignment. While healing... if the spasming is kept to a minimum and the spine or joints are constantly realigned back to their proper position...there will be minimal disfigurement, compromised blood and lymph flow and nerve impairment after the healing process is complete.
It's really a shame that some here want to catagorize all chiropractors as shysters and con men. They truly don't know the facts. I've found a ton of bad MD's in my career.... but don't discount the good ones who really care and want to heal....not just shove a drug at you to mask the symptoms.
It was the reason that they started using colonic irrigation equipment back in the early 1950s. Succeptibility to infections of most types is due to digestive problems. Just taking betane HCl capsules after every meal goes a long way to beating and/or preventing infections, bodywide.
My wife has episodic back pain. The pain is reduced just about every time she goes to the chiropractor, reduced significantly and lastingly.
Amen. Or persistent neck and shoulder pain. I thank God for the good chiropractors I've had. I don't care what some lame study says. I don't need a study to tell me that I get a lot of relief from a trip to my chiropractor.
What might that be?
Glucosamine sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate, provide the nutrition to heal herniated disks, torn cartilage, and ruptured ligaments. D.CS. and D.OS. have promoted their use for about 30 years, while the orthos grudgingly acknowledge that they work, but won't prescribe them unless someone complains.
You know that they will!
FR is loaded with shills that are here to prevent people from trusting the kind of knowledge that will free them from patronizing establishment quacks. Their agenda is so obvious that it glows in the dark.
I certainly agree with that. I do not, however, see chiropracty as an alternative. It has proven itself to be the real deal. Time and time again.
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