New study pits Neurologists vs. Chiropractors

BostonGlobe ^ | 5/27/2003 | Stephen Smith

[Jimmyclyde]

It is the medical world's equivalent of the Hatfields and McCoys: Neurologists vs. chiropractors, conventional vs. alternative medicine.

And the feud just got a little nastier this month, with the brain specialists using a freshly minted study by university researchers to load their slingshots with new ammunition aimed at chiropractors. That research links strokes in younger patients to chiropractic neck manipulations.

[kancel]

>>They are the same 'health professionals' who will tell you to take herbs instead of FDA approved prescription medication. <<

I went to a chiropractor for a couple of months. I just thought he would do the adjustment type things you think of chiropractors doing. But from the first visit he started talking about these nutritional supplements (the method of diagnosing which ones you should use was interesting to say the least)and at about the third visit he actually tried to sell me a bunch. I don't know why but the whole ordeal reminded me of some guy trying to con you into a pyramid scam. I don't really have anything against the whole natural medicine phenomenon I just don't care (and my medical insurance doesn't cover it enough to make me the least bit interested in learning about whether or not I should care.) He just seemed more of a used care salesman rather than a doctor (are they even docotrs?)I stopped going when he wanted to to put my feet in some water while he ran an electrical current through it. I don't like electricity that much and I most especially don't like the mix of electricity and water.

[DensaMensa]

}I'm smart enough to know that chiropractors don't 'cure' anything...

With such profound if inexperienced insight I'll be you have some hilarious insights into the Bible in General and Jesus in particular.  How do you feel about Jesus forgiving sins?

Matthew 9:5  Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?

[TomB]

That's one of the simplest and most "instantaneous" things a Chiropractor can do. Been there, done that (received the benefit, after 15 years of bad stomach problems).

So what exactly did the Chiro do? How did it work? On what theory was the treatment based?

[friendly]

So what exactly did the Chiro do? How did it work? On what theory was the treatment based?

Never underestimate the power of the placebo effect on the hystrionic!

[DensaMensa]

}How did it work? On what theory was the treatment based?

John 9:18-20 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight.

And they asked them, saying, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"

His parents answered them and said, "We [only] know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

[joanil]

If you ask me, they are both the same.
Semi-incompetent......
Both professions feature people that fart and burp just like all the rest of us.
The only exception is that little degree that says it is OK to work on (manipulate) people for a buck to pay for your chosen profession.
Sure some are good and caring, but the vast majority of these "pro's" are really quite bad and are just in it for the money.
They just look forward to the '2004' Lexus with extra comfy leather seating.


Most healing comes from within.

[Billy_bob_bob]

Have you ever had migraine headaches? I have. I used to get them 3-4 times a year. Also my lower back got so bad that I could not put on my shoes or socks without experiencing intense pain. After going to a couple of regular doctors, and getting nothing in terms of results, I finally gave in and went to a chiropractor. Up to that point I had regarded chiropractors as being nothing more than quacks.

I have been seeing chiropractors for over four years now. My back troubles have been greatly reduced and my migraines have stopped altogether. I have not had a migraine in over three years, a fact that I am most grateful for. I have had three different chiropractors so far, they have all been good but my current one is the best yet.

So, my personal experience has been that chiropractic care is a very good thing.

[Woahhs]

There are DO's who are Neurologists and can also do manipulations.

That's been my choice for a family physician for about 5 years now. You should have seen the look on his face when I explained to him I wasn't a fawning supplicant, and I chose him specifically BECAUSE he was an Osteopath. We've had a real nice relationship ever since.

[Imagine]

Thankfully, the relief has been permanent. Nonetheless, I don't ride my bicycle anymore, and I'm really cautious how much and how I lift. I gave up downhill skiing also. But, just going through life without that dreadful backpain has been a blessing.

[gas_dr]

Truthfully, I am similarly enjoying this conversation. Let me say from the get go that I have indeed referred people to chiropractic care. In some of my former days I was a 50/50 anesthesiologist and pain specialist. There were certain conditions where I felt chiropractic could help, and off they went.

I suppose that you are bearing the brunt of my frustration with many chiropractors whom I believe readily mislead the public in terms of what they are able to do. I clearly see that you do not.

Thank you for your references. I agree with some, and disagree with others. THe Naproxyn study is dated, and with the advent of COX-2 inhibitors, I think this is a trivial problem (source of study is 17 years old -- we are a little better than that presently!). I have not had the chance to thoroughly look at the others, and I will in the next 24 hours. I am on-call today so I have been pumping gas for a while today.

FInally for the moment, about the malpractice -- there is a prominent plaintiff attorney who sues physicians in FLorida (a malpractice crises state) who uses liberally chiropractors. You hit a bit close to home on that one...

Have a wonderful night -- I look forward to more scholarly debate...

[Imagine]

I agree -- it was the handiwork of God.

[Billy_bob_bob]

I am the first to agree with the principle that chiropractic care is a good tool for a limited subset of problems, and that regular medical care is good for the overall superset of medical problems. I too distrust chiropractors who make broad claims about what it can do for your health.

On the other hand I distrust doctors who reject chiropractic care out of hand as being quackery. I know that I have had good results from chiropractic treatment.

[kancel]

Are you trying to equate chiropractic medicine with Salvation through Christ?

Really?

[marajade]

Physiotherapy is a part of chiropractic treatment...

[marajade]

Did you realize that treatments of stomach ailments are outside their scope of medicine? You've been had...

[DensaMensa]

}You've been had...

No, I've been cured. (Bartender, another Tequila with those spicy chile tostados!)

[DensaMensa]

}Are you trying to equate chiropractic medicine with Salvation through Christ?

No, but you are apparently not bright enough to see the analogy being made. {Sheeeesh!}

[kstewskis]

Physiotherapy is a part of chiropractic treatment...

"physisiotherapy" is a general term. Physical Therapy (the legal and defined term in the US) is an entirely different discipline. They are not the same.

[kstewskis]

"physisiotherapy"=physiotherapy

I think I just invented a new thing for the chiropractors to use ;o)

[aruanan]

Osteopathy is an alternative. Osteopaths are physicians.

But most osteopathic medicine now is indistinguishable from allopathic medicine.