good and honest discussion in this country on how to help people in pain
"Fewer than half of all back surgeries are successful in relieving chronic back pain"
Chiropractors are a solution rarely suggested by doctors. That's too bad, because often they are completely effective in relieving back pain without surgery or medication. Let me illustrate.
My wife first had lower back pain from two herniated discs over 25 years ago. Like many, she first went to see her doctor. He checked her into a hospital and prescribed an endless stream of painkillers (valium back then). The only other treatment he tried was physical therapy, which was not effective at all.
After putting up with his mindless efforts for a week yet still hurting as badly as when she came in, she finally tired of being doped up. She screwed up her courage, convinced him she was cured and got herself checked out of the hospital.
Then we directly to a chiropractor. Thirty minutes later she walked out of his office completely free of pain. Got that? 30 minutes and no pain She's never looked back. Sure, she returned for a gradually diminishing program of treatments over several weeks to get her spine back into alignment. He then prescribed a simple regime of walking and stretching exercises which kept her out of pain and not needing to come back to his office.
Over the years, she's occasionally had new episodes which required another visit to the chiropractor, but nothing as extensive as originally. Nearly every one she talks to about their similar problems express an unwillingness to go to see a chiropractor. Often it is for as idiotic a reason as that their insurance doesn't cover the visit! Others claim horror stories of permanent damage or being milked for all of what their insurance will pay.
Whatever, she has never had such things happen to her or to anyone whom she knows who has actually gone in. All report relief. Not just relief, but RELIEF. Immediate, complete, walk out of the office free of pain relief. No doctor has ever, ever, EVER been able to provide the same.
Chiropractors may not be the solution that works in every instance, but aren't they worth the try before going under the knife or becoming addicted to drugs? They are usually absolutely, positively effective. My dad was a doctor and he always said that for what they do, chiropractors should be consulted, that medicines don't address the problem, just the symptoms. Maybe if ER included an example people would be less blind.
We don't argue much any more with those who complain of back pain but won't go see a chiropractor. We have no patience with them if they refuse to try that option and they know it, so they just don't mention their back pain around us.