So, I've had this back/neck/shoulder pain for two weeks now. It was getting so bad that I was really at the point of doing anything to get rid of the pain. Everybody kept telling me to go to the Chiropractor. I've actually only spoken to one person who has ever told me anything negative about their experience with Chiropractic treatment. Most people are convinced that it is helpful.
A little history. About a year ago, I went to a Chiropractor here in town who was recommended by a friend. She told me that I could get a free exam and x-rays with a referral. Well, I figured if it was free how bad could it be. I was skeptical at that point. I do not like to be deceived, and from the things I was reading, Chiropractic treatment was pseudo-science and mostly "smoke and mirrors." I was in pretty severe lower-back pain at that time and figured I'd go ahead and give 'em a try and see what it was all about.
I won't go into the whole story, but to sum it up, I was told I had a severe case and that I would need a years worth of "adjustments." This office used every trick in the book to scare, deceive, and manipulate me to sign up for long term Chiropractic care. Needless to say, I left that office, never to return and vowing to tell everyone I knew NOT to go to that place. I ended up paying them almost $200 for x-rays and two "adjustments." Hardly free, and guess what, My back healed up all by itself.
Now, back to the present. I had many people assure me that my first experience was unfortunate, but that I shouldn't judge all Chiropractors by my one experience. Fair enough. I reluctantly called another office in town and set up an appointment. Everyone was nice and I got some new x-rays. The next day I was shown the x-rays and sure enough there were some vertebra in my neck that were out of alignment. He said he could help, but it would take 12 weeks of adjustments, two a week, at $40 a pop. That's a lot of cabbage when you add it all up.
I'm supposed to go to another "orientation" tomorrow and get "adjusted" again. Here's the deal. Even though my pain has come down a little bit since I started getting treated, my conscience is telling me that I'm being deceived again. My pain could be just going away on it's own. What to do?
A little history. About a year ago, I went to a Chiropractor here in town who was recommended by a friend. She told me that I could get a free exam and x-rays with a referral. Well, I figured if it was free how bad could it be. I was skeptical at that point. I do not like to be deceived, and from the things I was reading, Chiropractic treatment was pseudo-science and mostly "smoke and mirrors." I was in pretty severe lower-back pain at that time and figured I'd go ahead and give 'em a try and see what it was all about.
I won't go into the whole story, but to sum it up, I was told I had a severe case and that I would need a years worth of "adjustments." This office used every trick in the book to scare, deceive, and manipulate me to sign up for long term Chiropractic care. Needless to say, I left that office, never to return and vowing to tell everyone I knew NOT to go to that place. I ended up paying them almost $200 for x-rays and two "adjustments." Hardly free, and guess what, My back healed up all by itself.
Now, back to the present. I had many people assure me that my first experience was unfortunate, but that I shouldn't judge all Chiropractors by my one experience. Fair enough. I reluctantly called another office in town and set up an appointment. Everyone was nice and I got some new x-rays. The next day I was shown the x-rays and sure enough there were some vertebra in my neck that were out of alignment. He said he could help, but it would take 12 weeks of adjustments, two a week, at $40 a pop. That's a lot of cabbage when you add it all up.
I'm supposed to go to another "orientation" tomorrow and get "adjusted" again. Here's the deal. Even though my pain has come down a little bit since I started getting treated, my conscience is telling me that I'm being deceived again. My pain could be just going away on it's own. What to do?
hi chris, my name is joseph and i read your blogs from time to time. i find them rather interesting.
ReplyDeletei've been to a chiro a few times now and i found them to be very helpful. however, because chiros aren't recognized by traditional medical professionals, they are "reduced" to prescribing unnecessary treatments or it wouldn't be profitable for them. hence, your conscience's warnings. what i do is i go once or twice till i feel 100% again then i stop... even though the chiro says to return for "x" number of treatments yet.
i wouldn't discount their ability to help and alleviate your pain. just a thought to consider. hope this helps
I am glad you find my blog worthy of reading. I get very little feedback, so I never know if many people read them, and since no one ever comments, I don't know what people think. I suppose I don't write for the comments, but as a way to motivate myself to do bible study, or just to work out my thoughts on issues. It is also my hope that the things I write will be helpful, and encouraging to those that read them.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that chiropractic has been helpful for you. It hasn't been for me. I always just end up giving them money and they give me a couple of back cracks. I realize that I can't afford it, and my back heals up by itself anyway. I'm willing to accept that Chiropractic is helpful in some cases, but mostly I think its one of the biggest cons going. I suppose my opinion on this may change with new information, but that's pretty much where I stand on Chiropractors right now.
Thanks alot for commenting.